A FELLOW Duterte administration Cabinet official filed a disbarment case against former presidential spokesman Harry Roque for his alleged “fake news” posts on social media. "He is a friend and this has noth-
OPEN AGAIN. Ruben Cunanan, a weather observer from DOST-PAGASA, conducts a demo presentation on basic astronomy at the Planetarium in the PAGASA Science Garden Complex in Quezon City yesterday. After a four-month closure for renovations, including leakproofing of the ceiling and beautification, the planetarium has reopened to the public from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Manny Palmero
ing to do with politics or personal… Hopefully this will provide an opportunity for the court to give guidelines on how officers of the court can use social media," said Melvin Matibag, acting Cabinet Secretary of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Matibag was also a former secretary-general of Duterte's political party, PDP-Laban. Next page
By Rex Espiritu and Roland Ng III
THE Senate panel investigating illegal POGO activities held an executive session with dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, opening the floodgates for the unmasking of the Chinese criminal syndicate network “mastermind.”
"Di po ako mastermind. Masasabi ko po isa po akong victim (I am not the mastermind. I can say that I am a victim),” Guo told the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality yesterday.
“I think with the length of this investigation, the Senate committee already knows who is really at the back of everything...It's not that I was used. If I ever helped anyone, I am a helpful person. That's all. But regarding the activities and the allegations, I don't have anything to do with them," Guo added.
Senator JV Ejercito initiated the closed-door meeting, which took place at Majority Leader Senator Francis Tolentino's office.
SOME 251 Chinese vessels are currently positioned in various locations within the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in what is seen as an escalation of Beijing’s effort to challenge the steely resolve of its stoic neighbor.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad,
When asked if she could identify the “most guilty” person, Guo responded in the affirmative.
At least two names have cropped up in previous panel hearings as possible “boss of all POGO bosses” –Huang Zhiyang and Duanren Wu. Huang, who is in Hong Kong, was reportedly identified by Guo as her mysterious benefactor who orchestrated her short-lived escape from the country. He is said to hold five different passports, including from China, Cyprus, Cambodia, Dominica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. Wu, on the other hand, was a former Chinese police officer and godfather of Guo's associate, Cassandra Li Ong.
the Philippine Navy’s (PN) spokesperson for the WPS, said the number of Chinese ships presently inside internationally recognized Philippine territory represents a “record-high” this year.
He declined to speculate on what triggered the significant increase in
Guo to name POGO syndicate mastermind
Senate executive session paves way for disclosure
—“— Di po ako mastermind. Masasabi ko po na isa po akong victim. —Alice Guo
China’s maritime presence in the disputed waters, which is significantly higher than the previous norm of around 157 Chinese ships or less.
Trinidad said that in the one week from Sept. 17 to 23, the PN has recorded the presence of 16 People's
By Maricel V. Cruz
investigating
THE Marcos administration forecasts significant rollbacks in the retail prices of rice, amid the domestic harvest season and an overall softening in the Southeast Asian market.
On Tuesday, President Marcos said in a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) statement that the movement of rice prices has been consistent with their expectations and there is reason to believe that they will go down further.
By Maricel Cruz
to
“It seems that the prices are within our projections. And it seems to be consistent again with the same experience of other ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries like Thailand and Vietnam,” the chief executive noted.
Additionally, rice harvest in the Philippines typically begins before October, ensuring consumers have sufficient stocks of the staple for the year's fourth quarter.
ATTENTIVE GUO. Alice Guo listens intently to the answers of Yang Jian Xin, alias Tony Yang and Antonio Maestrado Lim, as he was grilled by senators during the public hearing conducted by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality Tuesday, September 24, 2024. Yang was listed as the president of Oro One Corporation, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) service provider to Xionwei, a company linked to Lin Weixion, also known as Alan Lim, a central figure in the Pharmally controversy. The committee is
POGO’s alleged link
human trafficking and other illegal activities. Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau
More than 1k Pinoys opt to quit Lebanon
MORE than 1,000 Filipinos in Lebanon have sought assistance from the Philippine government to be repatriated amid the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.
“So far over 500 have already returned to the Philippines with over 1,000 being processed for return,” said DFA Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.
The United Nations in Geneva earlier reported that tens of thousands of people had fled their homes in
Guo...
From A1
Senator Risa Hontiveros, chair of the committee, initially opposed the executive session but eventually welcomed the dismissed mayor's answers.
“I think it's the first time that I heard Guo Hua Ping that we are headed toward uncovering the whole story, namely the identity of the highest individual behind POGOs in the Philippines. We also want to know the government personnel or officials who helped her escape, even for monetary considerations.” Hontiveros said.
Guo requested her legal counsel be present, leading to a compromise where they would join virtually.
Ejercito said the brief executive session was productive and that the committee plans to reconvene next week.
"May napala naman (We got some-
Fellow...
From A1
He said the case stemmed from Roque's reposting of a viral video that showed a person who looked like President Marcos sniffing alleged illegal drugs.
“It has been established as fake news, fake evidence,” Matibag said. Roque, for his part, downplayed the disbarment case against him as “a desperate act of attention." Roque said in a statement.
"We have to understand that the posting of the video in social me-
Rice... From A1
“So, I think as time goes on, that [retail prices of rice] should improve,” he added.
For his part, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that rice prices may decline further as early as October after the government cut tariff on imported rice from 35 percent to 15 percent in July to curb food inflation. The price of rice per kilo may even go down by as much as P7 per kilo by January due to the substantial tariff reduction, he added.
Economic managers touted that headline inflation slowed to 3.3 percent last month from 4.4 percent in July, mainly due to the decrease in food
Solons...
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“This is not about her, this is about the Office of the Vice President, the second highest position of the land. And you have to show respect and due courtesy to that office and to simply show up and do your work. I think it's the least that she can do for the Office of the Vice President,” Suarez added. Since the House budget proceedings are scheduled to end on today, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said the lower chamber “will be extending maximum leniency” to the OVP.
Gutierrez agreed that Duterte’s refusal to attend the plenary deliberations could be seen as a betrayal of public trust.
While betrayal of public trust is a recognized ground for impeachment, Gutierrez clarified that the House of Representatives is not currently considering any impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
Gutierrez explained the concept of public trust, citing the respon -
Lebanon since Monday, amid Israeli strikes.
"We are gravely concerned about the serious escalation in the attacks that we saw yesterday," UN refugee agency spokesman Matthew Saltmarsh told reporters in Geneva.
"Tens of thousands of people were forced from their homes yesterday
thing out of it)," Ejercito said.
Guo, who is currently detained at the Pasig city jail, is facing multiple legal issues, including a graft case in Valenzuela and a non-bailable qualified human trafficking case in Pasig.
The Department of Justice earlier said there was still a small possibility of Guo turning into a state witness, but only if she could point out the mastermind behind the illegal POGO activities in the country.
As this developed, Tony Yang –older brother of Michael Yang, the economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte – acknowledged having official documents under a Filipino identity to facilitate his business operations in the country.
The elder Yang, who also goes by the name Antonio Maestrado Lim, said he has been staying in the Philippines since 1998 or 1999.
“What I remember is that when I was two to three years old, it was my grandfather who helped me come up
dia is protected by free speech under the privileged doctrine... The authenticity and the content of the video deserve widespread discussion,” Roque said.
Acting Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez earlier said experts in digital media and artificial intelligence (AI) debunked the authenticity of the viral video that circulated in July.
The Deepfakes Analysis Unit (DAU), part of the India-based Misinformation Combat Alliance, found the video that circulated a day before the President's third State of the Nation Address (SONA) was heavily
inflation.
Specifically, food inflation eased to 4.2 percent in August from 6.7 percent the previous month.
The reduction, they said, was due to lower prices of rice which went down to 14.7 percent in August from 20.9 percent in July.
Rice inflation last month was the lowest recorded since the 13.2 percent recorded in October 2023.
Still, rice prices remained the top driver of food inflation in August, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) latest inflation report.
Meanwhile, the PCO reported that the landed cost of the imported staple declined by 15 percent, or around P7 per kilo, as of mid-September, following the implementation of reduced tariffs under Executive Order No. 62.
sibility that comes with holding a high office, especially when it involves defending the budget before Congress.
"Our concept of voting, this is where the concept of public trust comes from. When we vote, we, as the public repose our trust and confidence that the official will uphold his or her constitutionally mandated duties," Gutierrez said.
He continued: “So when an official who is supposed to appear before the House and defend his or her budget fails to do so, to an extent, betrayal of public trust ‘yan (that is). That is true. It is the betrayal of the duty, the constitutional duty for his or her part in the budget process.”
Gutierrez supported Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, who had earlier manifested in plenary that Duterte’s absence was a “clear betrayal of public trust,” as all elected officials are accountable to the public and must address concerns of public interest.
Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun also downplayed any impeachment talk, saying that it is not on the agenda in the House.
and overnight, and the numbers continue to grow," he said.
Israeli air strikes killed at least 492 people on Monday, including 35 children, according to Lebanon's health ministry, marking the deadliest bombardment in nearly two decades.
Monday's bombardment of Lebanon was by far the largest, not just in the past year, but since the war between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group in the summer of 2006.
Longtime foes Hezbollah and Israel have been locked in near-daily cross-border exchanges of fire since Palestinian militant group Hamas staged an unprecedented attack on Is-
with this birth certificate,” Yang told Hontiveros through an interpreter.
Yang likewise confirmed having met with former Philippine National Police chief Benjamin Accorda after Hontiveros quizzed him on his ties to former police officers.
Accorda was PNP chief from 2023 until he retired earlier this year.
For his part, Zhao Shouqui – the owner of an alleged POGO hub in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu – admitted that he tried to transfer at least P1 million to a Filipino officer after they were apprehended by law enforcement authorities in late August.
Zhao, however, insisted it was not an attempted bribery even as he was trying to broker a “separate arrangement” for his “weak” 70-year-old wife and granddaughter, who is a minor.
Hontiveros, however, said she could not look at it other than a bribery attempt—a perspective shared by Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission spokesperson Winston
manipulated. Independent fact-checking organization Vera Files verified the results and confirmed the video was a deepfake designed to discredit the President.
Roque is also facing an arrest order issued by the House Quad Committee in connection with its probe on illegal POGOs.
The House mega panel cited him for contempt for failing to submit subpoenaed documents crucial to the investigation, including his tax records and Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), noting the “overwhelming circum-
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Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, 28 China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, and 204 Chinese maritime militia (CMM) boats.
The greatest concentration of Chinese vessels was spotted at Escoda Shoal, with 82 ships, and Ayungin Shoal, with 72 ships.
Chinese ships were also monitored in or around Bajo de Masinloc, Pagasa Islands, Likas Island, Panata Island, and Iroquois Reef.
The naval officer disclosed that a Chinese “research vessel” was spotted as near as 27 nautical miles from Palawan on Monday, but it was no longer there when PN ships arrived to challenge it.
However, Trinidad clarified that the enhanced Chinese maritime presence around Ayungin and Escoda Shoals cannot be interpreted as a naval “blockade” at the moment.
"No [it is not a blockade]. I call them as illegal presence, coercive and aggressive actions, and deceptive messaging," he said.
Romualdez...
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fi gures to some, but to me, they represent the collective faith of Filipinos I have the privilege to serve every single day," Romualdez said on Tuesday.
The Tangere survey, conducted from Sept. 16 to 19, showed that the Speaker’s satisfaction rating increased from 45.55 percent to 46.3 percent, while his trust ratings rose from 56 percent to 56.4 percent.
Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district congressman, posed a strong showing in the regions of Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas, according to the survey data.
This detail was not lost on the
rael last October 7.
The DFA official called on Filipinos in Lebanon to avail themselves of the government’s voluntary repatriation program, while commercial flights are still available.
The DFA said that there are still some overseas Filipinos who do not want to return home yet, but it noted that the Philippine Embassy in Beirut is planning a mass repatriation soon if the situation worsens.
“Now our embassy has been coordinating with the Filipino community and taking the necessary steps to initiate mass repatriation in case the need arises,” said Ferrer. With AFP
Casio.
“There is no other way to interpret that, ma’am, because they attempted three times,” Casio said.
“It is still what we call a ‘bribe’— offering money to a Philippine government personnel, who is perfectly capable to suddenly turn humanitarian towards a senior citizen or a minor, in exchange for a special consideration—P1 million,” Hontiveros added.
Zhao also acknowledged sponsoring activities or donating computers to government officials while he was operating his businesses. He and his son were among the 169 foreign nationals that were nabbed on August 31.
On the other hand, the Senate lifted a contempt citation against Shiela Guo, who is facing charges related to immigration violations.
Hontiveros instructed the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms to transfer Shiela under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration.
stantial evidence” linking Roque to the raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga. Roque's daughter on Monday filed a petition for a writ of amparo against the House hearing.
The Roque family-owned Biancham Holdings and Trading Inc. leased their property to fugitive Cambodian Sun Liming and his Chinese partner, Wang Keping, both allegedly engaged in financial scams victimizing investors in China.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers noted the “sudden increase of (Roque's) wealth, from P125,000 in 2016, to P125 million in 2018.”
A naval blockade is an act of war regulated by international law— namely, by the Declaration Respecting Maritime Law adopted in Paris on 16 April 1856 and by articles 1-21 of the Declaration Concerning the Laws of Naval War adopted on 26 February 1909 in London.
Trinidad said the Philippine government is weighing various options to resolve the continued Chinese encroachment in the WPS.
"There are many approaches that could be taken. We haven't exhausted all approaches (yet)," he noted without being specific as to these options.
Trinidad also called “unsafe” and “unprofessional” the aerial harassment perpetrated by a Chinese military chopper that was tailing a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) plane over Bajo de Masinloc. He said the Chines chopper’s “unsafe maneuvers” could have resulted in a collision with the Philippines’ small unarmed aircraft.
The BFAR is a civilian organization tasked with the development, improvement, management, and conservation of the country's fishery and aquatic resources. Rex Espiritu
House leader, who said, "I am especially grateful for the warm support from the Visayas region, where my roots are deeply grounded. You have always been there for me, and I will continue to work hard to be worthy of your unwavering trust."
"Each point of increase in trust and satisfaction is a reminder of the immense responsibility we, as public servants, carry on our shoulders," said Romualdez, also president of the dominant Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.
He said that while public service is not an easy vocation, there is unique satisfaction derived from making a difference in the lives of Filipinos through the passage of laws and the implementation of worthwhile government programs.
La Niña onset seen between now and Nov.
THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced on Tuesday that there's a high probability of La Niña developing in the Philippines between September and November 2024. "La Niña is likely to emerge within September, October, or November 2024, with a 71% chance. We anticipate it to persist until the first quarter of 2025, or during January, February, and March," said PAGASA weather specialist Joanne Mae Adelino during a briefing.
La Niña, characterized by a cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean,typically occurs every two to three years and can last for one to three years. It often brings aboveaverage rainfall,potentially leading to increased flooding, landslides, and agricultural damage. Meanwhile, easterlies are currently affecting the eastern sections of the Visayas and Mindanao. Due to this, the Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao regions can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
PAGASA has issued a warning for possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms in these areas.
In Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are expected due to localized thunderstorms. There's also a risk of flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms in these regions. Rio Araja
SP Chiz remains unfazed by coup rumors
SENATE President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said yesterday he can be replaced anytime when Congress is in session but declined once more to comment on rumors of a plot to unseat him.
He pointed out that Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, who was mentioned in connection with the rumors, has denied involvement with the supposed move.
Senators Loren Legarda and Cynthia Villar, whose names have been linked to the plot, have also denied involvement in the rumored move to replace Escudero with Estrada.
"It's difficult to comment on every rumor that comes out," Escudero said, noting that he avoids responding to unsubstantiated claims as they could lead to confusion. Escudero noted the Senate President and committee chairpersons serve at the pleasure of the majority and could be replaced anytime Congress is in session.
"That can happen on any session day, never on a recess but any session day it can be done," he said.
"Anything you hear with respect to politics even in your love life is a rumor until it becomes reality. I simply view it as that," said Escudero who replaced Sen. Miguel Zubiri in May.
"I know there is still much to be done. Our country faces many challenges, and I assure you that the House of Representatives will not rest until we achieve meaningful reforms that address poverty, improve healthcare, create more jobs, and strengthen our democracy," Romualdez said. "This journey isn’t mine alone; it’s a shared mission with my colleagues in Congress and every Filipino who dreams of a better Philippines," added the House chief. The Tangere survey included 2,000 participants from across the Philippines—12 percent from the National Capital Region, 23 percent from Northern Luzon, 22 percent from Southern Luzon, 20 percent from Visayas, and 23 percent from Mindanao.
IN BRIEF
Bangsamoro
PNP posts successful ops
THE Police Regional Office Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region (PRO BAR) reported a series of successful operations conducted between September 14 and 17, as part of Simultaneous Anti-Criminality and Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO).
During this period, a total of 27 operations were successfully conducted across various provincial and city police offices in the Bangsamoro region, leading to the arrest of 35 street-level individuals and two high-value individuals involved in illegal drug activities.
In one of the operations, authorities confiscated 31.894 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P210,538, along with 6 grams of marijuana.
Police Brigadier General Prexy Tanggawohn, Regional Director of PRO-BAR, commended the efforts of the units involved in these operations, emphasizing the importance of sustained vigilance in keeping the region safe from the menace of illegal drugs. Vince Lopez
Navotas unveils disaster logistics plan
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) officially launched Project RESOLVE in Navotas on Monday, marking a significant step forward in the city’s disaster response and management capabilities.
Project RESOLVE or Response Engine for Systematic Operationalization of Logistics and Volunteers in Emergencies is an innovative web-based application designed to centralize and streamline disaster-related processes.
The launch was marked by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DSWD-NCR, led by Regional Director Michael Joseph Lorico, and the city government, led by Mayor John Rey Tiangco.
“With Project RESOLVE, we are strengthening our capacity to protect the people of Navotas. This program ensures that our disaster response will be more timely, organized, and effective,” Tiangco said during his speech. Jun David Congress approves P793b DepEd budget
THE House of Representatives approved the proposed P793.1 billion budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) and its attached agencies for 2025 during the plenary deliberations at the Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City on Tuesday.
The DepEd thanked the House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Budget Sponsor Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora, and the members of the House of Representatives in their statement.
“The entire DepEd family, under the stewardship of Secretary Sonny Angara, expressed its gratitude to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Budget Sponsor Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora, and the members of the House of Representatives for approving the proposed budget of Php 793.1 billion of the agency for 2025,” DepEd stated. Ralph Harvey Rirao
LTO: Online driver’s license renewal in Taiwan a success
By Rio N. Araja
THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) is eyeing the expansion of its online driver’s license renewal to other countries after a successful two-day pilot implementation in Taichung and Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said they are consolidating all the feedback and observations during the two-day pilot implementation of the online driver’s license renewal in Taiwan over the weekend, wherein about 1,000 overseas Filipino workers were accommodated.
He disclosed the project would be replicated in the United States of America, Europe and the Middle East.
He thanked ex-labor and justice secretary Silvestre Bello III, Manila Economic and Cultural Office chairman and resident representative; Migrant Workers Office Taipei Labor Attaché Cesar Chavez Jr., now the Presidential Communications Office Secretary; Kaohsiung Labor Attaché David Des Dicang, and other MECO officials for their all-out assistance that led to the successful pilot implementation.
“Our online driver’s license renewal in Taiwan was successful. Now, we are reviewing all the feedback and all the observations to determine where we should improve and which should be retained because the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to do the same in different countries where there are a large number of our Filipino compatriots,” the LTO chief said.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista previously lauded the efforts of the LTO, Depart,ent of Migrant Workers and MECO, citing the fast and comfortable online driver’s license renewal was one othe goals of the Marcos administration under the Bagong Pilipinas.
He urged the OFWs to ensure that all the required documents are submitted to avoid delays in the processing.
Villanueva sorry for tagging ex-PNP chiefs in Guo escape
By Rex Espiritu
PHILIPPINE Amusement and Gaming Corpora-
tion (PAGCOR) senior vice president Raul Villanueva apologized Tuesday for disclosing an unverified information about a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, who was allegedly involved in the escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.
His apology came a week after he mentioned during a Senate hearing that a former top PNP official allegedly accepted money to help facilitate the illegal exit of Guo and her siblings.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, confronted Villanueva about it after the lawmaker read a statement from the ‘Council of Chiefs’—a group of former top cops—who called out the exmilitary general over his “sweeping accusation.”
“I don’t want to malign our chief PNPs. I
apologize if my words were interpreted by the former PNP chiefs like that. But I hold them in respect because each of these chief PNPs has left their own legacy within the PNP institution,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva, a retired general who used to head the communication electronic information service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CEISAFP), explained that he emphasized during the last Senate hearing that the information was still being verified.
“As I have stated last Senate hearing, I considered it as rumor. In fact, I dismissed it as rumor because I don’t have any confirmation at all. I don’t have any verified data,” he said.
“Therefore, it has no bearing at all yet because I don’t have any verified information or confirmation from other sources. That’s why I want to ask other people but I came up with nothing.” Vince Lopez
CHED says special status given to 92 institutions
THE Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted autonomous and deregulated status to 92 private higher education institutions (PHEIs). The said institutions will enjoy this privilege until September 2027, the CHED said.
A comprehensive evaluation was conducted by CHED for the period 2019-2023 focusing on the educational effectiveness of the PHEIs including student performance in professional board examinations, employability rates, and the alignment of curricula with industry demands.
“The new guidelines include global partnerships and international engagement with top universities all over the world. As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, CHED will ensure that Philippine HEIs remain competitive on both national and global scales,” CHED Secretary Popoy De Vera said.
HEIs with autonomous status have top-quality education and consistently excellent program results. They often have many accredited programs and are recognized for education leadership. CHED gives them the most freedom to manage and innovate their academic programs.
Deregulated PHEIs also meet high standards and show strong performance and good program results, with several accredited programs and Centers of Excellence or Development. Both autonomous and deregulated PHEIs have significant freedom to design their curriculum; establish linkages with recognized foreign HEIs; priority in the grant of subsidies and other financial incentives or assistance from CHED; are exempted from regular CHED monitoring and evaluation; and exempted from the issuance of Special Order for their graduates. Specifically for autonomous HEIs, they have the privilege to open new programs without securing prior CHED approval.
Probe looking at reservists linked to KOJC
THE Philippine Army is currently conducting an internal investigation to identify reservists allegedly linked to the so-called private army of Apollo Quiboloy, the detained leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
During a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Col. Louie Dema-ala, Philippine Army spokesperson, emphasized that they will ensure that any reservists proven to be members of the alleged private army will be held accountable.
“As of now we have not identified any reservist involved in the alleged ‘Angels of Death’ but we are still waiting for the Philippine National Police official reports of their own investigation and once na mayroon na ma-involve, the Philippine Army will not hesitate to give a sanction to this alleged by a possible reservist na mai-involve,“ Dema-ala, quoted by ABSCBN News, said.
Dema-ala also said that their monitoring is part of the army’s standard operating procedures (SOP).
“But as part of our SOP, hindi lang sa Region 11 but all reservists will now be part of our continuous monitoring. We will ensure na walang involve sa illegal activities,” Dema-ala said. Rex Espiritu
USAID DONATIONS. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chairperson and Department of National Defense Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. receives donations from USAID which include shelter fixing kits, kitchen sets, and tarpaulin. US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson handed the donation to the defense chief.
DEFENSE CONFERENCE. Military leaders participate in the 26th annual Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense Conference in Kona, Hawaii. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo S Brawner Jr. participated in the three-day event, hosted by Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel J. Paparo.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
3 more solons join Lakas-CMD party
By Maricel V. Cruz
THREE more lawmakers have joined the dominant administration Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party, bringing its membership to 109, comprising 30 percent of the House of Representatives.. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president, on Monday administered the oath of membership to Reps. Victoria Yu of Zamboanga del Sur’s 2nd District, Raul Tupas of Iloilo’s 5th District, Jose Manuel Alba of Bukidnon’s 1st District, along with Mayor JB Bernos of La Paz, Abra.
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House said he was happy that three more of his colleagues and Mayor Bernos, a former congressman, have joined LakasCMD.
“Their affiliation widens support in Congress and the grassroots for President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. and his Agenda for Prosperity and Bagong Pilipinas programs,” Romualdez said.
“I am sure that our new members share our and the President’s aspirations for a better life for our people and a more progressive Philippines,” he said.
The oath-taking of Yu, Tupas, and Alba followed the recent affiliation with Lakas-CMD of Reps. Luz Mercado of Southern Leyte’s 1st District, Ramon Nolasco Jr. of Cagayan’s 1st District, and Belle Zamora of the Lone District of San Juan City, Metro Manila, which brought the number of party members in the House to 106.
Mercado, Nolasco, and Zamora received their oath along with scores of incumbent and former local officials who intend to run in the May 12, 2025 combined congressional-local elections.
IN BRIEF
Rizal province attains insurgency-free status
RIZAL province has officially been declared insurgency-free, following a ceremonial proclamation of its Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status held Monday in Antipolo City.
The proclamation according to Philippine Army 2nd Infantry Division spokesman Lt. Col. Jeffrex Molina, was highlighted with the signing of a memorandum of understanding and the unveiling of the SIPS marker, symbolizing a collective commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region.
“This declaration comes after all 13 municipalities and one city in the province achieved SIPS status.” Molina said. Rex Espiritu
Navy gets two more FAIC to boost maritime patrol
THE Philippine Fleet has welcomed the delivery of two more Fast Attack Interdiction Craft (FAIC) platforms at Pier 15 of South Harbor, Manila.
These two FAICs, to be designated with bow numbers PG908 and PG909, will be the seventh and the eight fast boats under the Acero-class patrol models.
“Similar with their predecessors, the newly delivered platforms are designed for high-speed operations, featuring advanced missile systems and sophisticated onboard technology, which enhances the Philippine Navy’s capability to conduct rapid and effective maritime interdiction operations.” Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Renato David said.
He said that the arrival of these vessels underscores the continued modernization of the Philippine Navy and represents a crucial step toward bolstering the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program of the country.
The latest assets will be the 7th and 8th fast attack craft of the country. Rex Espiritu
Mediation panels eyed for homeowners’ groups
A LAWMAKER wants new legislation that would mandate the creation of conciliation committees within homeowners’ associations (HOAs) to amicably settle disputes among their members.
Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of Bicol Saro party-list said the measure, as outlined under House Bill (HB) 10908, aims to provide homeowners’ associations with a “simplified and inexpensive means” of resolving disputes among their members, which, in turn, would promote harmonious and unified communities.
“This measure is a recognition that the ties among residents within (subdivisions) are not merely legal, but also personal,” said Yamsuan, a former assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“Neighbors can easily get along if the HOA itself would find ways to resolve problems and disagreements among members, instead of allowing such concerns to reach the barangay or the courts,” he added. Maricel V. Cruz
DOLE: Proposed P45.2-b budget for 2025 enough to fulfil mandate
Solon lauds reminder for brgy. execs of their duties
A LAWMAKER has lauded the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for reminding barangay officials that they cannot deny the use of barangay facilities for government programs and activities, as well as other public purposes.
“We are happy with the quick response of the Department of Interior and Local Government in reminding the captains of our barangays that the use of barangay facilities for public activities should not be denied,” Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles said in Filipino.
He said the DILG recently released a memorandum reminding barangays
on the use of government properties, barangay facilities, and other structures and on the issuance of barangay certification in response to a concern raised during the agency’s briefing for its 2025 budget last August.
Nograles also reminded the barangay officials they should ensure that basic services such as certificates of residency, indigency, and no pending complaint, among other barangay certifications, are issued upon the request of barangay residents without delay.
In case requests for the use of a barangay facility or issuance of certification is denied, the concerned barangay are
Pets take center stage in Gen. Trias week-long gala fiesta celebration
By Dennis Abrina
PETS take center stage in this year’s celebration of the fiesta of General Trias City, Cavite on Sept. 29 to Oct. 5. Highlighting the festivities in honor of their patron saint San Francisco de Malabon are the blessing for the pets locally known as Pabialahay and Grand Pasayo, Sept. 29 at the city plaza. There will also be a pet parade at the Plaza Rizal followed by the pets blessing to be officiated by Rev. Fr. Ollie Genuino, parish priest of the historic St. Francis of Assisi. Free pet vaccination for anti-rabies vaccine and a contest for the animals will be held at the city hall lobby at 9 a,m. to be conducted by the City Veterinary Office. There will also be a pet Festival at Maple Grove on Centennial road, Barangay Tejero in the afternoon. Drive Thru Pet Blessing, Anti Rabies Vaccination Drive, Pet PAWshion show, Furry Find Fair, Pet Park and Obstacle, PAWS for a Photo, On-the-spot painting and Pack Walk and Pet Meetup along the stretch of Festival. Marching bands from different localities will try to outdo one another, alongside a special showcase from General Trias’ very own local bands at “Grand Pasayo: Battle of Champions 2024” in Poblacion Area on Monday, 1 p.m., Sept. 30, Twelve competing bands from across the region including Banda 12 San Juan Nepomuceno from Alfonso, Cavite; Banda 16 San Juan
required to fully explain it in writing, stating the name of the person making the denial and the grounds upon which it was made, said Nograles, chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Employment.
Nograles urged barangays to abide by the memorandum.
“What happens is that sometimes, people in the community are denied services because of politics,” he lamented.
“Let us be mindful that we are public servants first. We are duty-bound to serve everyone regardless of religion or political inclination,” Nograles stressed. Maricel V. Cruz
By Vito Barcelo
THE Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) has said its proposed P45.284-billion budget for 2025 to be submitted to the Senate for final approval will enable the department to fulfil its mandate of promoting gainful employment opportunities, to protect and advance workers’ rights and welfare, and to maintain industrial peace. Under the department’s proposed budget, 76 percent or P34.357 billion is allotted for maintenance and other operating expenses, 16 percent or P7.363 billion for personnel services, and eight percent, or P3.562 billion for capital outlay. Of the total budget, P21.802 billion is allocated for the Office of the Secretary. Among its attached agencies, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority gets the biggest chunk at P18.5 billion, followed by the Professional Regulations Commission with P2.707 billion, the National Labor Relations Commission at P1.496 billion, National Conciliation and Mediation Board, P329.274 million, National Wages and Productivity Commission, P351.209 million, and Institute for Labor Studies, P95.564 million.
“The government can ensure that the Department has the resources it needs to empower our workforce, protect our laborers, and build an economy that lifts everyone up,” according to Parañaque Rep. Gustavo Suarez Tambunting. Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said DOLE’s proposed P45 billion budget for 2025 was lower by P15 billion from its previous P61 billion budget under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
CLASH OF PASTRIES. SM City Baguio’s Bestival Chef comes off the wraps showcasing an exquisite collection of pastries made by Danish and French chefs, along with students from the Philippine Institution of Culinary Arts, Le-Fleur Hospitality Training Center, and the Cordillera Institute of Technical Education. Dave Leprozo
POLL PRINTING MACHINES. Commission on Elections chairman George Garcia, along with Commissioners Rey Bulay and Ernesto Maceda Jr. inspects two printing machines delivered by election service provider Miru of South Korea for use in next year’s mid-term polls in the Philippines. Manny Palmero
OPINION
Passing up a lifetime chance
By Ratziel San Juan
THE Star Cinema blockbuster “Starting Over Again” resonated with me not because I missed out on some great flame, something I had the misfortune of regretting for the rest of my life. Rather, it’s the movie’s concept of a timed email that delivers an unsolicited message from an earlier self to an unsuspecting future self. Those with untidy inboxes that result from sentimental hoarding or borderline apathy will discover that their emails act as a time capsule of sorts, for better or worse. In my quarantine-induced mission to declutter my account of thousands of unread emails, I rediscovered the electronic trail of a path I had not taken half my life ago.
Back in the middle of the pandemic, the year 2021 marked a decade since I had chosen to forego my slot at the School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center in Dallas, Texas. It’s not easy to get into what has been tagged by the media as the number one public high school in America for at least nine years. Yet I gave it up for an opportunity to return home to the Philippines after a six-year stay in the United States.
From what I can discern in the fog of memory, my parents had given me that choice to stay for the chance at a better future abroad. It was ultimately my decision to leave it all behind for an uncertain trajectory back in our home country. Today I look back -- but not with longing.
As fate would have it, I’ve gotten a glimpse at the future that could have been, thanks to an administrative oversight that resulted in my still being included in the mailing list of my alternate alma mater. For four years, I continued to receive updates on school policies, the yearbook that I imagined I’d have spearheaded, social activities I would have skipped out on anyway, like the talent show, and very real college opportunities.
It’s not so much just the school I had passed up on but the hypothetical life that it entailed. Physical letters arrived at my grandmother’s residence, revealing that I had university scholarship offers thanks to my association with TAG, which I never even attended. Would I have gotten an economics degree at some prestigious higher education institution
or studied for free at an Ivy League school? Who’s to say, really?
And what about the man that I would have become? I think of him at times, and when I do, I’m almost sure that he would have championed ideals that I would not support today—for he would be a product of American exceptionalism. Manifest destiny was his, not mine. So rather than stay west, I headed back east in an irreversible decision that I continue to stand by.
I could have studied at the #1 public high school in the US. I did not, and here I am.
Here in the Philippines, I studied at my hometown’s main public high school where I learned foremost to acclimate to a culture that I had forgotten and left behind in my formative years. Then I entered the University of the Philippines, a privilege which, among many academic and life lessons, humbled me.
A spot in the country’s national university, funded by taxpayers’ money, only motivated me to seek a future beyond my own. One that every Filipino can be proud to inherit and pass on to future generations. I have no illusion that I can do it on my own, but to have been part of it is a great honor.
UP notwithstanding, the best school anyone can attend is outside the classroom. In a country mired with poverty and injustice, the greatest faculty are the broad masses who have firsthand authority on Philippine social realities. It is them from whom I continue to learn.
To contradict the great American poet Robert Frost: I shall be telling this with a sigh. Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one more traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
Ratziel San Juan is a Filipino journalist interested in culture and human interest stories. Off work, he binge eats, watches, or plays whatever he wants at the moment.
India’s backlogged courts make for a painful wait for justice
NEW DELHI — Sonia waited 32 years to see her rapists convicted, a glacially slow legal process all too common in India where half a million cases have been pending for more than two decades. The violence inflicted on her was horrific and the trauma was compounded by years of painful stop-start trials, beginning in 1992 and ending only last month with six men jailed for life.
“My heart is full of pain,” said Sonia, 52, who as a young woman, was bound , gagged and raped in her home city of Ajmer in the northern state of Rajasthan.
“I could not do anything,” said Sonia, whose name has been changed to protect her identity. “This should not happen to any girl.”
In the world’s most populous nation, a staggering 533,000 cases have been languishing in court for between 20 and 30 years, according to justice ministry figures. More than three-quarters of them are criminal cases.
Last year, the Supreme Court warned victims may become “disillusioned when the legal process moves at a snail’s pace”, expressing their “anguish” at some cases taking as long as 65 years. Nearly 3,000 cases nationwide have been pending for at least half a century.
‘Justice denied’ Sonia, against many expectations,
eventually got justice.
In her case, part of a wider rape and blackmail trial, 18 men were charged.
But only a handful were initially in detention. Defence lawyers demanded the trial restart each time another arrest was made.
As the years wore on, trial lawyers came and went. Evidence was trawled over again and again.
A staggering 533,000 cases have been languishing in court for between 20 and 30 years.
Virendra Singh Rathore, who was at least the tenth public prosecutor to have handled the case, said it was “traumatic” for survivors.
“They would ask us, why we are bothering them, and, why the accused were not being punished,” he said.
On August 20, a court in Ajmer sentenced six men to life imprisonment, ending a complex case that had seen years of twists and turns, several convictions and subsequent acquittals.
Rathore said the lives of the survivors would have been very different had justice been swifter.
“Others, who have had to endure
‘Pact
THE United Nations’ 193 members on Sunday adopted what the body called the “Pact for the Future,” some sort of road map or master plan on how to address the myriad of challenges confronting humanity.
The pact contains 56 action points that cover a wide range of themes, from peacekeeping to artificial intelligence.
Increasingly complex challenges to world peace, specifically the threat of nuclear war, topped the action points. The pact mentioned the need for reform in the UN Security Council, with some countries weaponizing their veto power and with glaring omissions in representation.
Climate change was another focal point. The pact noted the slow progress in arresting environmental destruction. Commitments to transition away from fossil fuels, increase usage of renewable energy, attain carbon neutrality, and intensify efforts to cap global warming to 1.5 degrees
for the future’ —“—
Celsius from pre-industrial levels have not seen much fruit despite the yearly articulation of their importance at the Conference of Parties.
Pushback from some fossil-fuel producing countries have been “ferocious,” an observer said.
Commitments have a tendency to remain just that — lofty goals and pretty words on paper.
The pact called for the “reform of the international financial architecture” and cited the slow global progress toward the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals, set in 2005 and with 2030 – six years away – as their reckoning period.
Finally, the UN annexed a Global Digital Compact that sought to reduce the digital gap among countries and articulated the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence.
Unfortunately, such plenary commitments have a tendency to remain
just that – lofty goals and pretty words on paper.
We acknowledge, as well, that despite claims that the world’s future is a collective future, the gaps persist and are even widening. Some countries have a louder voice than others, and despite their promises to international audiences and the collective good, remain primarily committed to their own benefit and even survival. Grandiose promises also afford others the opportunity for doublespeak, championing certain ideals despite the actual transgressions or omissions by their respective governments.
Speaking for all 193 member-nations in itself is a daunting task, given the conflicting interests of the members. But the need for a global pact remains.
That the international body would undertake a blueprint to serve as a guide in dealing with multiple risks and challenges we collectively face is notable, given recent regional and technological developments. Awareness is the first step in facing threats and addressing difficulties.
What individual countries do afterward bears watching, if only to test whether the ocean between rhetoric and actual actions is even narrowing.
Rohingya refugees detail worsening violence in Myanmar
ROHINGYA refugee Syed fled Myanmar for a second time last month, after he was forced to fight alongside the military that drove his family out of their homeland years earlier.
Syed, whose name has been changed to protect him from reprisals, is one of thousands of young men from the stateless and persecuted Muslim minority rounded up to wage a war not of their own making.
Their conscription into the ranks of junta-run Myanmar’s military has prompted revenge attacks against civilians and pushed thousands more into Bangladesh, already host to around a million Rohingya refugees.
“The people there are suffering a lot. I saw that with my own eyes,” Syed told AFP, soon after his escape and return to the squalid Bangladeshi relief camp he has called home for the past seven years.
“Some are starving, they are dying of hunger,” the 23-year-old added. “Everyone else is busy trying to save their own lives.”
Syed said he was conscripted by a Rohingya armed group operating in the camps in June and sent to fight against the Arakan Army, a rebel group waging war against Myanmar’s junta to carve out its own autonomous homeland.
He and other Rohingya recruits were put to work as porters, digging ditches and fetching water for Myanmar troops as they bunkered in against advancing rebel troops.
“They didn’t give us any training,” he said. “The military stay in the police stations, they don’t go out.”
Sent on patrol to a Muslim village, Syed was able to give his captors the slip and cross back over into Bangladesh.
He is one of around 14,000 Rohingya to have made the crossing in recent months as the fighting near the border has escalated, according to figures
such crimes, would have had the courage to come forward,” he said.
“For the common man, justice delayed is basically justice denied -- or completely absent.”
‘Overburdened’
The justice ministry has ordered hugely backlogged courts to prioritise the “speedy trial of specific cases of heinous nature”, but their caseloads are overwhelming.
At least 44 million cases are pending across the country of 1.4 billion people.
That judicial jam could take decades -- if not centuries -- to clear at current speeds, even without a continuing pileup of fresh cases.
Procedures are bogged down in rigid rules rooted in the British colonial era.
There has been little investment in digital systems to streamline and organise hearings, while a meagre ratio
given by the UN refugee agency to the Bangladeshi government.
Dead bodies ‘lying everywhere’
Experts say that at least 2,000 Rohingya have been forcibly recruited from refugee camps in Bangladesh this year, along with many more Rohingya living in Myanmar who were also conscripted.
Those pressed into service in Bangladesh say they were forced to do so by armed groups, apparently in return for concessions by Myanmar’s junta that could allow them to return to their homelands.
Both the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, the two armed groups operating in the camps, have denied conscripting refugees.
“We had never forcefully recruited anyone for us or others,” senior RSO leader Ko Ko Linn told AFP.
Thousands of young men are rounded up to wage a war not of their own making.
The UN Human Rights Office said it had information that the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army had both committed serious abuses against the Rohingya during the conflict. Other rights groups say that the press-ganging of Rohingya into service alongside Myanmar troops has fuelled retaliatory attacks by the Arakan Army.
In the worst documented instance, watchdog Fortify Rights said last month that the rebel group had killed more than 100 Rohingya men, women and children in a drone and mortar
of judges -- just 21 per million of population in India -- means procedures are notoriously slow.
New Delhi-based lawyer Mishika Singh, who founded the Neev Foundation to improve legal access for the city’s poor, warns those seeking justice in an “overburdened” system to be ready to wait.
“We tell them very clearly that even to get an interim order, it can easily take a year to two years,” she said.
“For the final decision to come, it can take three to four years, easily.”
‘Never-ending saga’
Neelam Krishnamoorthy’s two children, aged 13 and 17, were among the 59 killed in a blaze in a Delhi cinema in 1997.
After an epic legal fight, cinema owners Sushil and Gopal Ansal were sentenced in 2007 for negligence to
bombardment on the border.
The Arakan Army has repeatedly denied responsibility for the attack and accusations of targeting Rohingya civilians in general.
But many of the thousands of new refugees crossing into Bangladesh accuse the group of killings.
Mohammad Johar, 22, told AFP that his brother-in-law was killed in a drone attack he blamed on the Arakan Army while the pair were fleeing the border town of Maungdaw earlier this month.
“Dead bodies were lying everywhere, dead bodies were on the banks of the river,” he said.
“The Arakan Army is more powerful there. The Myanmar military can’t keep up with the Arakan Army. And they both bomb each other, but it’s the Muslims who are dying.”
‘Beyond our capacity’ Bangladesh has struggled for years to accommodate its immense population of refugees, most of whom arrived after a 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar which is the subject of an ongoing UN genocide investigation.
Still reeling from the sudden overthrow of its previous government by a student-led revolution last month, Bangladesh says the new arrivals are not welcome.
“We are sorry to say this, but it’s beyond our capacity to give shelter to anyone else,” interim foreign minister Touhid Hossain said this month.
But after deadly attacks on some of the estimated 600,000 Rohingya still living in Myanmar, the new arrivals said they had no choice but to seek safety across the border.
“After seeing dead bodies, we were scared that more attacks were coming,” 20-year-old Bibi Faiza told AFP after crossing the border with her young daughter.
“I don’t hear gunshots any more, and there is peace here.” AFP
two years in jail. But that was challenged on appeal, and reduced to a fine.
Another case of tampering with evidence saw them sentenced to seven years in 2021, but a court in July set the pair free due to their age.
Today, 27 years since her children died, Krishnamoorthy is fighting an appeal case demanding they serve jail time.
“When I went to the court initially, I thought it was what I saw in films: you go to court, you have four or five hearings and justice is delivered,” she said.
“I was in for a rude shock. This is a never-ending saga.”
Krishnamoorthy accused the judicial system of only acting swiftly when a case captured public attention.
“They intervene if there is a public outrage,” she said. “Don’t other victims of crime like us need justice?” AFP
Verdict due Thursday for world’s longest-serving death row inmate
By Tomohiro Osaki
TOKYO — The world’s longest-serving death row prisoner hears from a Japanese court on Thursday if he will again face execution or finally be acquitted, a decade after obtaining a retrial of his murder conviction.
Iwao Hakamada, 88, was jailed under the death penalty for 46 years until he was freed in 2014 pending a retrial.
The former boxer was first convicted in 1968 of killing his boss, the man’s wife and their two teenage children.
But over the years, questions arose over fabricated evidence and coerced confessions, sparking scrutiny of Japan’s justice system, which critics say holds suspects “hostage”.
“For so long, we have fought a battle that has felt endless,” Hakamada’s sister Hideko, 91, told reporters in July. “But this time, I believe it will be settled”. Prosecutors meanwhile have said they remain convinced of his guilt “beyond reasonable doubt”.
Japan is the only major industrialised democracy other than the United States to retain capital punishment, a policy that has broad public support. Hakamada is the fifth death row inmate granted a retrial in Japan’s postwar history. All four previous cases resulted in exoneration. AFP
Spanish premier renews push vs ‘fake news’
By Martin de Montvalon
MADRID — Spanish Prime Minister
Pedro Sanchez wants to make the fight against disinformation a priority with a plan for “democratic renewal”, though the country’s conservative opposition has blasted it as an attempt to censor critical media.
Sanchez joined Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to discuss the issue Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Brazil’s Supreme Court recently ordered a block on Elon Musk’s X social network after it failed to respect judicial orders regarding “fake news”.
Sanchez’s leftist government unveiled last week a plan for fighting fake news over the remaining three years of his term.
It includes the creation of a public registry listing newspapers, their owners and their advertising revenues, as well as measures to increase the right to privacy and the correction of inaccurate information.
Sanchez announced earlier this year that he would take steps to fight a “filth factory” spreading “disinformation and defamation”.
The move came after a court opened an inquiry into his wife, Begona Gomez, over allegations of corruption and influence-peddling filed by a group with links to the far right.
The group has said its claims against Gomez were based on media reports.
Raul Magallon, a communications professor at Madrid’s Carlos III University, said the government’s measures were “a step in the right direction” but “won’t solve all the problems”. AFP
WORLD
Former minister pleads guilty in rare Singapore graft trial
ASINGAPOREAN former minister pleaded guilty to bribery charges Tuesday after more severe allegations were dropped, local media said, as the first graft trial of a political office holder for more than four decades began in the city-state.
Ex-transport minister S. Iswaran, known for helping bring Formula 1 to the financial hub, was earlier this year hit with 35 charges mostly related to graft in a nation often cited as one of the world’s least corrupt.
But proceedings at the Supreme Court were adjourned and prosecutors moved forward with five lesser charges -- one for obstruction of justice and four related to accepting gifts while in office from two businessmen, including a billionaire property tycoon.
Iswaran, 62, pleaded guilty to all five charges and the remaining 30 will be taken into consideration for sentencing at a later date, Singaporean broadcaster CNA and news site The Straits Times reported.
“I plead guilty,” he reportedly said after the more severe corruption charges were set aside on the first day of the ongoing trial.
Prosecutors were seeking six to seven months in prison combined for the charges while the defence was seeking no more than eight weeks, The Straits Times reported.
The former minister is standing in a trial deemed by observers to be one of the most politically significant in the city-state’s history.
It also risks damaging the reputation of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) before general elections expected to be held by November
next year.
Iswaran arrived at the court in a white SUV, declining to answer questions and only saying “good morning” to reporters gathered outside.
Iswaran resigned in January after being formally notified of the charges that include accepting gifts worth more than $300,000.
In a resignation letter at the time, he said he would clear his name in court.
Iswaran has paid back around $295,000 in financial gain to the government and gifts including a Brompton bicycle were also seized from him, local media said.
The charges include obstruction of justice relating to an attempt to block Singaporean authorities from investigating a business class flight at the expense of Malaysian hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng, one of Singapore’s richest people.
The other four charges relate to his receipt of gifts from Ong, the managing director of Hotel Properties Limited, and a top director at a construction company, including tickets to bottles of whiskey and golf clubs.
Both businessmen have not faced punishment. If Iswaran is found guilty, the charge of obstructing justice carries a maximum sentence of seven years and a fine, while the charge of accepting gifts of value has a maximum sentence of two years and a fine. AFP
By Clement Melki with Matthieu Demeestere in Brussels
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, recently back from a gruelling Asia-Pacific trip and suffering mild flu, is set to begin a visit to Luxembourg and Belgium Thursday, partly devoted to meeting victims of clerical sex abuse there.
After showing astonishing resilience throughout a fast-paced 12 days in four countries in Asia and Oceania earlier this month, Francis, 87, cancelled his audiences on Monday due to a “mild flu”.
The Vatican said the pope, who had part of one lung removed in his youth, needed to rest before he resumed his travels.
The heart of the Argentine pontiff’s
46th trip abroad will be addressing priest paedophilia in Belgium, tarred by decades of scandals and cover-ups.
The confessions of a disgraced bishop 14 years ago prompted thousands of victims to come forward.
During his stay, Francis will meet privately with 15 victims of clerical sexual assault, arranged by the country’s bishops’ conference after a hard-hitting documentary last year put the scandal back on the front pages.
In it, victims revealed secrets often buried for decades. They denounced Church efforts to protect aggressors and difficulties in getting justice.
“Yes, there has been a culture of secrecy and silence in the past within the
Church, which has made each of these tragedies even harder to bear,” Luc Terlinden, head of the Conference of Belgian bishops, said ahead of the trip. It is “necessary for people to speak out”, he said, adding that the meeting with Francis was “an important symbolic step”. In an open letter published by Le Soir newspaper, victims demanded the pope address paedophilia and the thorny issue of priestly celibacy. Francis may also speak about the forced adoptions scandal, by which institutions run by nuns took in underage girls and pregnant unmarried women until the late 1980s and gave their children up for adoption.AFP
Long way off from gender equality despite new law in Ghana
ACCRA — After nearly three decades of dithering, Ghana has passed a law pledging to give women equal representation in parliament, public
life and business, but activists say parity is a long way off.
The Ghanaian parliament unanimously passed the Affirmative Action Gender Bill 2024 last week, ending a process launched in 1998 aimed at creating an equitable society. But sexism in the male-dominated West African nation of 33 million people is rife, with women often sidelined and suffering violence and practices such as female genital mutilation. The law seeks to ensure 50:50 gender parity in public posts and parliament by 2030. The number of women in parliament is currently 15 percent, well below the 30 percent target set by the United Nations for all countries. The text says the “object of this Act is to ensure the achievement of gender equality in the political, social, economic, educational and cultural spheres of the society”. Anyone obstructing this can be jailed for up to a year. AFP
IN BRIEF
Sweden: Iran behind 2023 hack urging revenge for Koran burning
STOCKHOLM — Sweden’s prosecutors on Tuesday accused Iran’s intelligence service of hacking an SMS operator in 2023 to send messages encouraging people to take revenge on protesters who had burned the Koran.
Sweden’s Prosecution Authority said in a statement that some 15,000 messages “calling for revenge against Koran burners” had been sent in the summer of 2023, following a slew of protests involving desecrations of the Koran.
“The aim was to create division in Swedish society,” the authority said. In a separate statement, Sweden’s intelligence service Sapo said it had determined that a hacker group had acted “on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to carry out an influence campaign.” AFP
NZ scientists discover ghostly ‘spookfish’
WELLINGTON — Scientists in New Zealand said Tuesday they have discovered a new species of “ghost shark”, a type of fish that prowls the Pacific Ocean floor hunting prey more than a mile down.
The Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish was found living in the deep waters of Australia and New Zealand, according to scientists from Wellingtonbased National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).
The specimens were discovered during research in the Chatham Rise, an area of the Pacific which stretches around 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) east near New Zealand’s South Island. Ghost sharks, or chimaeras, are related to sharks and rays, but are part of a group of fish whose skeletons are entirely made of cartilage. AFP
Hurricane John hits Mexico’s Pacific coast
MEXICO CITY — Hurricane John on Monday slammed into Mexico’s southern Pacific coast as a major Category 3 storm, bringing warnings for residents to seek shelter indoors.
John came ashore near Marquelia in Guerrero state, packing maximum sustained winds of around 120 miles (195 kilometers) per hour, the US-based National Hurricane Center said.
“Damaging hurricane-force winds, lifethreatening storm surge and flash flooding are ongoing,” it warned.
“Slow-moving Hurricane John will bring very heavy rainfall to coastal portions of southwest Mexico through the upcoming week,” according to the NHC, which put John in the third-highest category on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale.
“This heavy rainfall will likely cause significant and possibly catastrophic, lifethreatening flash flooding” in the southern states of Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero, it said. Daniel Rook
HIGH-PROFILE TRIAL. Singapore’s former Minister for Transport and Minister-incharge for Trade Relations S. Iswaran arrives at the Supreme Court for the start of its first political graft trial in more than four decades. Singapore is perceived as one of the world’s least corrupt nations. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)
PADDY RICE. A worker spreads paddy rice at a wholesale grain market in Jalandhar, India (Photo by Shammi Mehra / AFP)
FACTORY SCENE. An employee works at a textile factory in Binzhou, in eastern China’s Shandong province on (Photo by AFP)
US Open champ Sabalenka seeks yearend no. 1 rank
BEIJING—Aryna Sabalenka said Tuesday that she wants to cap off a stellar year by returning to the top of the world rankings.
The world number two is the top seed at the China Open this week following the withdrawal of topranked Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, because of undisclosed “personal matters”.
Fresh from winning the US Open, Sabalenka can take a large step towards overhauling the Pole at the top of the rankings with victory in Beijing.
“Of course that’s one of my goals, to finish the season at world number one,” the Belarusian, who won the Australian Open at the start of the year for a second time, said.
But the 26-year-old added: “I’m not trying to focus on that, I’m trying to focus on my game. There is only three tournaments left.
“I’m just trying to bring my best tennis on court. After the season, I’ll see if it was enough to finish the year at number one or have to improve something else to get to number one.”
The three-time major champion first became world number one a year ago, before being usurped by Swiatek.
“To be called the best player in the world, that means everything. It’s good to know that you’ve been doing the right thing, all of that hours of training, wasn’t a waste of time,” she said.
Sabalenka will be playing for the first time since beating Jessica Pegula in the final in New York earlier this month. She has a bye in the first round.
Pegula also features at the prestigious 1000 WTA hardcourt event in the Chinese capital, along with fellow American Coco Gauff, four-time major champion Naomi Osaka and China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. The competition begins on Wednesday. A men’s ATP 500 event runs alongside the women’s tournament.
Berlin hosts League of Legends world tilt
By Caezar Julius Cortez
TWENTY teams from eight regions all over the world are set to compete in the Summoner’s Rift, as Riot Games’ annual League of Legends World Championship begins in Berlin, Germany. Europe is set to host this year’s Worlds, with the Play-In Stage and Swiss Stage to be held at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, the Knockout Stage at the Adidas Arena in Paris, and the Finals at The O2 in the UK.
This year’s prize pool of $2,225,000,plus a portion of the total revenue from the designated event-exclusive sales, shall be split among the 20 teams participating in the tournament. League players and esports enthusiasts can watch all the action unfold at the LoL Esports official website,
Riot Games official streaming channels (Youtube, Twitch), as well as the official Tagalog virtual co-streams on Twitch to be hosted by content creators Maggiekarp of Bleed Esports and Blaire of Oasis Gaming.
Last year, spectators almost filled the entire New Frontier Theater in Quezon City for the Worlds 2023 Finals watch party hosted by Riot Games. Aside from the live broadcast of the Finals event in Seoul, the event featured a celebrity showmatch.
As of the date of this writing, reports are yet to surface on whether the event is to happen or not this year.
Heavy is the Crown
Pacio expresses excitement over ONE Fight Arena
ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio is excited about the recent groundbreaking announcement from ONE Championship.
The world’s largest martial arts organization recently named Sui as its blockchain partner, signaling a major leap toward integrating Web3 technology.
The collaboration will revolutionize the way fans engage with the promotion’s products. Central to this new initiative is the upcoming mobile game, ONE Fight Arena, developed in partnership with Animoca Brands and Notre Game.
WATCH THE TRAILER
HERE: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=S9P1PDiNiHk
Built on Sui’s world-class blockchain
technology, ONE Fight Arena will feature a robust roster of ONE’s martial artists and a vast IP library.
The game will also introduce true digital ownership, marking a significant shift in the gaming experience for fans and players alike.
Pacio, who will be part of the game’s character lineup, is ecstatic about the innovation.
“This is an exciting development not only for the fans but also for us athletes,” he said. “To see ourselves as part of a next-gen gaming experience where fans can truly own in-game assets is incredible. It makes the bond between fighters and fans even stronger.”
The joint venture extends beyond just gaming. It will also power several other
fan-centric offerings, including a comic/ manga series about ONE athletes—accessible through zkLogin and the Walrus protocol on Sui. Moreover, a free-to-play pick’em game will allow fans to win various rewards, including unique phygital collectibles—items that blend both physical and digital components.
The Filipino superstar is eager to get his hands on the ONE Fight Arena mobile game once it officially launches.
“I’ve always enjoyed video games in my downtime, and the idea of being a part of something new and innovative is thrilling. I can’t wait for the fans to experience it and be able to interact with us in such a unique way,” Pacio stated.
McDonald’s Stripes Run o ers family fun with pets
MCDONALD’S Philippines recently announced that registration for its annual family fun run is now open. Since 2010, McDonald’s Stripes Run has been a much-awaited event that gathers thousands of runners —now including their fur babies —to don striped socks and have fun, all for the benefit of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Philippines. Happening on December 1 at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, this year’s McDonald’s Stripes Run aims to raise funds to help RMHC build more Bahay Bulilit Learning Centers across the country. These Learning Centers are safe spaces for children ages two to four years old, providing access to early childhood education while their parents are at work. There are currently 43 Bahay Bulilit Learning Centers in the country.
Run 2024 can choose from 10km, 5km, 3km, and 1km. They can even choose to run with their fur baby in the 1km Fur Category. Best of all, each participant will receive an exclusive race kit to wear on race day, inclusive of race singlet, socks for kids and adults, a race map, bib, a breakfast meal on race day, and a finisher’s token. Participants in the 1k Fur Stripes will receive a dog bandana for their fur baby.
“Aside from the races, we have prepared a fun program with a lot of activities, and of course McDonald’s food to enjoy,” says Hernandez.
“We invite everyone to join and run with your family, friends, and furry pals for this year’s Stripes Run. It’ll be a great bonding experience, and you’ll also be able to support RMHC in providing more families with better access to early childhood care and development,”.
“We’re expecting over 10,000 participants this year,” says Adi Hernandez, McDonald’s Philippines Assistant Vice President for Corporate Relations and Impact and Vice President of RMHC Philippines. “McDonald’s is about making feel-good moments happen with experiences that bring friends and families together in fun and special ways. More importantly, McDonald’s Stripes Run is a demonstration of our commitment to supporting children’s well-being through RMHC, and its flagship program, Bahay Bulilit.”
What’s new with this year’s McDonald’s Stripes Run?
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a beginner, or just looking for a great way to bond, participants at the McDonald’s Stripes
The McDonald’s Stripes Run 2024 takes place on December 1, 2024, at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. Interested participants can register at RaceRoster.com: bit.ly/StripesRun2024 For more information on RMHC’s programs and how you can help, visit their official website rmhc. org.ph and the online donation portal at rmhc. org.ph/donate/. For more information about McDonald’s Philippines, visit www.mcdonalds.com.ph, McDo.ph on Facebook, @mcdo_ph on Instagram, and @McDo_PH on Twitter.
After much anticipation, the song’s music video premiered last night by Riot Games on its official Youtube channel. With that, Linkin Park is the 11th artist to sing the Worlds anthem, alongside big names such as Imagine Dragons, Zedd, Chrissy Costanza and NewJeans who was last year’s artist. In the face of mixed reactions from fans and critics alike, the band is currently on their world tour, with some of their shows reportedly being soldout. The band even premiered the song earlier this week, during their Hamburg show.
The revamped American rockband is expected to perform the song on November 2 at the Finals’ show in The O2, and then release their new album ‘From Zero’ on November 15.
Following Emily Armstrong’s addition to the band as the main vocalist and the band’s release of their latest single The Emptiness Machine, Linkin Park is also featured in this year’s Worlds as the official artist for the Worlds’ anthem titled ‘Heavy is the Crown’.
Linkin Park is shown during its Hamburg show in Barclays Arena (Linkin Park’s o cial Instagram page)
Aryna Sabalenka
Joshua ‘The Passion’ Pacio
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
RIERA U. MALLARI,
RANDY M. CALUAG, EDGARD HILARIO,
Bado edges Italian, assures PH of bronze in World Boxing Cup
By Randy Caluag
AARON Jude Bado assured himself of at least a bronze medal on Tuesday in the World Boxing Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, following his second straight split decision victory.
Competing in the men’s 51kg division, Bado edged out Italy’s Allesio Camialo on points to advance to the semifinals.
In the men’s 71kg division, Tyler Tanap, who received a bye in the opening round, will face Mongolian fighter Byamba-Erdene Otgonbaatar.
Evo City preps runners for 3rd ASICS Rock
‘N’ Roll series
BEFORE the highly anticipated ASICS Rock ‘N’ Roll Running Series Manila in November, running enthusiasts can get a sneak peek at the fun and energy during the EVO City Front Act Run, set to take place on Oct. 20 in Kawit, Cavite.
This fun run, featuring 5km, 10km and 21km races, is expected to draw families, friends and fitness enthusiasts alike for a celebration that merges health, fitness and music. Online registration is currently open, with entry fees set at P1,450 for the 5km, P1,550 for the 10km, and P1,950 for the 21km race. All registrants will enjoy a package that includes a special rock & roll race shirt, finisher medals, hydration stations, bag drop services, on-course support, and other surprises. To register, visit www.runrocknroll. com/manila#front-act-run.
“For the past two years, participants have loved the unique musical experience of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Running Series. Now, we are thrilled to introduce the EVO City Front Act Run as a teaser to our main event in November,” said Princess Galura, general manager of Sunrise Events, part of The IRONMAN Group.
Renowned DJ Marc Marasigan will pump up the start line with his signature electronic beats, while boom boxes along the route will keep runners energized. Additional post-race surprises await finishers in the celebration area. Meanwhile, excitement is building for the ASICS Rock ‘N’ Roll Running Series Manila presented by AIA, scheduled for Nov. 24. With over 5,000 participants already signed up, the event is expected to exceed turnout expectations.
Organizers are encouraging those interested to secure their spots early, as entry fees are set to increase as the event approach es. The main event will feature 5km, 10km, 21km and full marathon distances. Registration fees are set at P2,150 for the 5km, P2,650 for the AIA 10km, P3,500 for the 21km, and P3,950 for the marathon.
Bado and Tanap are now the only remaining boxers from the six-man Philippine team in this tournament organized by the Mongolian Boxing Federation under the aegis of the newly created international federation, World Boxing.
World Boxing intends to be more active in holding events as it bats for recognition of the International Olympic Committee
In the process, it wants to be recognised as the world governing body for the sport boxing which has so far been excluded from the list of regular sports in the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
Meanwhile, Ian Clark Bautista, Ofelia Magno, and Riza Pasuit were all eliminated after suffering split decision losses to Mongolian opponents, while Mark Ashley Fajardo lost by unanimous decision to Japan.
Altas trounce Stags for 4th NCAA victory
PERPETUAL Help showed incredible resilience as it turned back San Sebastian College, 60-52, on Tuesday to solidify its place in the magic four in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena. The Altas have continued to draw strength from their combination of youth and veterans in claiming their second straight victory and fourth overall against two defeats. Battle-scarred Christian Pagaran and Cedrick Abis fired 12 points apiece while rookie sensation Mark Derick Gojo Cruz chipped in 10 points, sending the Stags to their fourth straight setback against two wins.
“Maganda combination nina Gojo (Gojo Cruz) and Pags (Pagaran),” said coach Olsen Racela. It was an impressive show of grit by the Altas as they weathered every fightback launched by the runand-gun Stags.
So dominating was the Las Pinasbased school that it only trailed once, 9-8, early in the game before stamping its class the rest of the way and never giving SSC-R a chance to turn it around in its favor.
“Your approach to the game should always be the same, kailangan gutom palagi,” said Racela.
The scores:
First Game
UPHSD 60 - Pagaran 12, Abis 12, Gojo Cruz 10, Gelsano 8, Boral 8, Orgo 6, Pizarro 4, Nuñez 0, Manuel 0, Montemayor 0 SSC-R 52 - Are 11, L. Gabat 8, Escobido 7, R. Gabat 5, Pascual 5, Felebrico 5, Velasco 4, Maliwat 3, Ricio 2, Lintol 2, Aguilar 0, Suico 0, Barroga 0, Cruz 0
Quarterscores: 14-11; 34-28; 48-38; 60-52
ArenaPlus launches new TVC with Laker Austin Reaves
ARENAPLUS, a 24/7 sports betting app, brings international NBA excitement to the local sports scene with the launch of its newest TV commercial featuring NBA star and brand ambassador Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The commercial is inspired by the story of Reaves, a farm boy who worked hard and persevered to achieve his dream of becoming an NBA player. His determination has inspired dreamers worldwide, including Filipinos, much like ArenaPlus, which aims to inspire and help Filipinos achieve their dreams.
ArenaPlus wants to encourage Filipinos, especially Pinoy NBA fans, to dream bigger, work harder, and reach greater heights. Like Austin, the brand is committed to supporting the Filipino pursuit of success, reflecting the same dedication it has for sports and entertainment.
Joining Reaves in the commercial is rising Pinoy basketball star Kiefer Ravena, who is a proud and official “friend of the brand.” Recently, Reaves was announced as
the brand’s newest ambassador, joining NBA Pinoy Pride Jordan Clarkson and PBA star Scottie Thompson. At the press launch, Reaves expressed his gratitude to the brand for the opportunity. “I never thought in my life I’d get this far, coming from a small town where not many get the chance to do what I’m doing. Every day, I try to cherish that. Being a brand ambassador for ArenaPlus is very special, not just for me but for all of us.”
To watch ArenaPlus’ TV commercial with Austin Reaves, visit ArenaPlus’ social media pages.
DigiPlus is the fastest-growing digital entertainment company in the country. It operates the country’s leading digital platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, PeryaGame, Tongits+, and BingoPlus Poker, with more to come. ArenaPlus, the leading sports betting app that provides various sports live streaming in the Philippines, serving as the leading sports entertainment gateway of Filipinos. For more information, visit: www.arenaplus.ph.
Stallion FC gets boost from PH women’s team players
By Peter Atencio
THE Stallion Laguna FC Women squad seeks to have a competitive campaign in the coming season of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Women’s League. Bringing in members of the Philippine national women’s football team into the roster is expected to boost their stock when action begins on Oct. 2.
Stallion FC coach Ernie Nierras said this as team management signed national team standouts and Women’s World Cup veterans Chandler McDaniel, Bella Pasion and Sofia Harrison, to join their top goalie Olivia McDaniel.
“We were short of the championship last season. But this is a big opportunity for the women’s side,” said Nierras.
Businessman Jeff Cheng, as their chief sponsor, and restaurant owner Filbert Alquiros, are among the Stallion’s main supporter for their coming campaign.
Nierras and Cheng talked about their involvement in women’s foot-
ball during last week’s team introduction at the Gilligan’s restaurant in Market! Market!
Cheng is coming in following the Filipinas’ historic appearance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year.
Cheng said he got a call from national team standout Chandler McDaniel, who convinced him to support Stallion.
“For me, it was an easy decision. When the opportunity came and when Chandler gave me a call, it was a no-brainer to be able to help out the members of the team playing here locally,” said Cheng, who heads the Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Stallion seeks to improve on its winless nine-game campaign last season. Stallion will be challenging the supremacy of defending champion Kaya FC-Iloilo, which is led by national team veterans Hali Long and Inna Palacios.
Oliva McDaniel is also in the squad, after having played with Brazilian club Santos FC.
Austin Reaves dunking during the ArenaPlus TVC shoot
Olivia McDaniel
BUSINESS
he
higher from the major debt watchers by 2028, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said Tuesday.
Recto said in a news briefing the government is making progress in reducing its deficit-to-GDP and debtto-GDP ratios, in line with its fiscal framework. An “A” rating from the three major credit rating agencies— Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P—indicates a strong capacity to repay debt, which would lead to lower interest rates and more favorable loan terms for the country.
Gov’t asked to phase RE transition
“Our fiscal framework plan is to reduce the deficit to about 3.8 percent of gross domestic product by 2028, so we’re following the plan,” Recto said. Given the government’s strong fiscal performance, Recto noted that the interest rate spreads on the country’s debt have also been decreasing. He also highlighted
the Philippines’ recent credit rating upgrade from Japan’s Rating and Investment Information Inc. (R&I).
“We did get a credit rating upgrade from R&I, which is a Japanese rating agency, and we are conscious about our fiscal program and our ‘Road to A’. Of course, by 2028, we want that all the rating agencies will give us a Grade of A. Even A-minus will be welcomed,” he said.
Recto said that economic growth averaged 6.0 to 6.1 percent in the first two years of the
By Jenniffer B. Austria
DITO CME Holdings Corp. led by businessman Dennis Uy said Tuesday it deferred its planned P4.2-billion share sale after obtaining regulatory approvals.
“Please be informed that upon careful consideration, the company proposed to change the offer period for the followon offering, originally scheduled from Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2024, to a later date, subject to regulatory approvals,” DITO CME said in a letter to the Philippine Stock Exchange.
“This is in light of the several requests received from potential investors asking for additional time to further evaluate this investment opportunity,” it said.
The company was initially
Marcos administration, which is “one of the highest for all Presidents since we began tracking GDP.”
Japan’s Rating and Investment Information Inc. (R&I) upgraded the Philippines’ credit rating to ‘A-’ with a stable outlook, the first under the Marcos administration, on Aug. 14, 2024.
R&I cited the Philippines’ macroeconomic stability, high economic growth path and continuous improvement in fiscal balance as key factors for the rating upgrade.
mangosteen, rambutan and lanzones. The Davao Fruit Basket is available at the
and Agribusiness and Development Center from Sept. 23 to Sept. 27, 2024 and at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo at the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) on Visayas Ave. from Sept. 26 to Sept. 27, 2024.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
AN EXECUTIVE of Aboitiz Power Corp. called on the government for a careful and phased approach to energy transition that accounts for the realities of the Philippines’ socio-economic needs.
AboitizPower chief operating officer for thermal operated assets Ronaldo Ramos related the experiences of other ASEAN countries to the Philippines’ own energy transition journey at the recently held Coaltrans Asia 2024 in Bali, Indonesia. The Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) targets a 50:50 mix of renewable and non-renewable energy sources by 2040. Data from the PEP show that the Philippines needs around $550.2 billion in investments to reach the 50:50 energy mix target.
“We all want a future that is powered by abundant renewable energy. The cost of solar panels and battery storage technologies going down are encouraging,” Ramos said. “But we must be mindful of the present realities of the Philippines.”
The Philippines is an archipelago that has more than 7,000 islands, with its three major island grids only just being recently interconnected.
POWER retailer Manila Electric Co.
(Meralco) is seeking the Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval for its power supply agreements (PSA) with San Miguel Corp.’s hydro arm San Roque Hydropower Inc. (SRHI) and ACEN Corp. unit Gigasol3 Inc. which it said would result in nearly P5 billion in savings to consumers. SRHI and Gigasol3 were declared the winning bidders during Meralco’s competitive selection process held early this year for the supply of 500 MW of mid-merit capacity. SRHI will supply 340 MW, while Gigasol3 will provide 139 MW to Meralco.
PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. said Tuesday they blocked access to more than 400,000 URLs that host child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM) in August. “PLDT and Smart recognize children not only as key stakeholders, but the very future of our nation. This drives our concerted effort to closely collaborate with like-minded organizations and employ advanced technology solutions to ensure the protection of children and prevent access to illicit child content online,”said Jojo Gendrano, senior vice president and chief information security officer at PLDT and Smart.
The PLDT Group said it invested
Meralco signed power supply agreements (PSAs) with the two companies following the issuance of the notice of award. In separate joint applications to the ERC, Meralco and SRHI said their PSA will result in savings of about P4.8 billion to consumers.
Meralco said SRHI’s delivered rate of P7.10 per kWh (line rental inclusive and VAT exclusive) would be lower by about P3.2260 per kWh than the effective cost of P10.3260 per kWh if the equivalent is to be sourced from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
“In fact, by sourcing the capac-
significantly to develop its pioneering child protection platform that enables it to block illicit child content on the more difficult content level.
Complementing the technology, the PLDT Group’s membership to the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation and Project Arachnid of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) expanded the group’s threat intelligence sources, enabling its CSOG to identify and block more than 1.4 million links to CSAEM by the end of August.
PLDT and Smart also integrated child rights protection into the organization with
ity through the Meralco-SRHI PSA, Meralco’s average blended generation rate will be reduced by about P0.1241 per kWh resulting in savings to consumers of about P4.804 billion,” the joint filing said.
Meralco said if its mid-merit capacity deficit is not addressed by the dry months of 2025 through the grant of provisional authority or interim relief, customers would be exposed to the volatile prices of the WESM.
The distributor said the MeralcoSRHI PSA reflects the most beneficial generation charges with a resultant estimated generation rate reduction of
P 0.1241 per kWh. Meanwhile, Meralco and Gigasol3 said their PSA will result in savings to consumers of about P167 million. The parties said Gigasol3’s delivered rate of P 8.1819 per kWh (line rental inclusive and VAT exclusive), would be lower by P0.2745 per kWh than the effective cost of P8.4565 per kWh if sourced from the WESM. Meralco already contracted 1,880 MW of renewable energy capacity from various suppliers—exceeding its initial target of 1,500 MW as part of its long-term sustainability strategy. Alena
Mae S. Flores
SMC power unit planning to offer $100m in senior perpetual shares
By Alena Mae S. Flores
Stock market sustains rally, stays above 7,400
By Jenniffer B. Austria
Pfactors.
CreditSights said lower thermal coal input costs, projected by its sister company BMI to average $135 per ton in 2024 amid increased supply and softening demand, would bolster expectations.
CreditSights said last month the full-year impact of a larger 910-megawatt emergency power supply agreement (EPSA) with Manila Electric Co. is another positive factor.
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up by 14.96 points, or 0.20 percent, to close at 7,432.21, while the all-shares index rose 5.48 points, or 0.14 percent, to reach 3,963.50.
The PSEi tracked Asian markets’ rally after China’s central bank unveiled a slew of stimulus measures aimed at shoring up economic growth.
“Local shares rose of Tuesday, sup-
ported by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ reserve requirement cut and China’s new stimulus measures,” Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said.
Philstocks Financial Inc. research head Japhet Tantiangco said investors also took cues from Wall Street’s record performance overnight driven by US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy stance.
“Positive sentiment towards the policy outlook of the BSP also helped in maintaining the upward momentum,” Tantiangco said.
Value turnover was strong at P11.24 billion, higher than year-to-date average of P5.15 billion. Foreign investors were net buyers, with inflows amounting to P2.99 billion.
Properties led all sectors, rising by 0.95 percent, followed by financial, increasing by 0.44 percent. Services declined by 0.62 percent, while holding firms slipped 0.03 percent.
Manila Electric Co. was the top index gainer, climbing by 3.45 percent to P450, while Century Pacific Food Inc. declined by 3.51 percent to P38.50.
Steniel Manufacturing board clears share offering to raise up to P315m
LISTED packaging firm Steniel Manufacturing Corp. plans to raise up to P315 million through share sale.
Steniel said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday its board approved the offering of up to 157.647 million primary common shares at an offer price of between P1.80 and P2 apiece.
The share sale will be conducted in compliance with revised backdoor listing rules of the Philippine Stock Exchange which requires a backdoorlisted company to conduct a public offering of at least 10 percent of its issued and outstanding shares.
The offering is subject to compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the PSE.
Steniel has an authorized capital stock of P2 billion divided into 2 billion common shares with a par value
ARANETA City maintained its iconic status as the “City of Firsts” for 70 years, pioneering innovative projects and transformations to meet the evolving needs and preferences of its customers.
other stakeholders.
SM INVESTMENTS Corp. was awarded the prestigious 5 Golden Arrow Award by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), the highest recognition given during the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) 2024 Golden Arrow Awards. Only five companies received the 5 Golden Arrow Award, four of which were SM companies. Aside from SM Investments, also cited were BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO), China Banking Corporation (China Bank), and SM Prime Holdings Inc.
“This recognition reflects the commitment and hard work of our entire organization,” said SM Investments chairman Amando Tetangco Jr.
“From the board, management, our leaders and teammates—everyone consistently works to ensure we continue to adopt and uphold the highest standards in good corporate governance,” Tetangco said.
SM Investments practices the highest standards of good corporate governance in all its dealings with investors, business partners, creditors, customers, employees and all
SM Investments believes that good corporate governance will provide the long-term growth and sustainability for the company.
“We recognize the rising global attention on corporate governance and sustainability as part of companies’ business strategies. Beyond compliance, SM’s operations are anchored on fairness, integrity, accountability, transparency and stakeholder engagement,” SM Investments executive vice president and chief risk and compliance officer Elizabeth Anne Uychaco said.
According to the ICD, the ACGS measures the performance of the companies in the areas of facilitating the rights and the equitable treatment of shareholders, how they relate to their different stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability through timely disclosure of material information, and how the board guides the company strategically, monitors the management, and ensures the board’s accountability to the company and the shareholders.
Araneta City’s story is one of continuous evolution, balancing a nostalgic past with a keen eye on the future. Its innovative approach to urban development serves as a model for other business districts in the Philippines, seamlessly blending heritage with progress.
What began as a vast grassland
of P1 apiece. The offer shares will be issued from the company’s authorized but unissued portion of its capital stock.
Steniel resumed trading on April 30, 2024 after 18 years of suspension. Shares of Steniel are trading at P1.80 apiece.
The PSE suspended the trading of Steniel in 2006 after the company underwent corporate rehabilitation. Petitions for corporate rehabilitation were filed with different regional trial courts from 2007 to 2009, which were all dismissed in 2009.
SMPC is in the business of manufacturing, importing, buying, selling or otherwise dealing in, at wholesale and retail, all kinds of paper, paper rolls, paper boards, cartons, containers, packaging materials and other pulp and paper products. Jenniffer B. Austria
in the 1960s blossomed into a bustling urban center, renowned for its landmark destinations. The Araneta Coliseum, New Frontier Theater, Ali Mall, Farmers Plaza, and Farmers Market—each a trailblazer in its own right—formed the foundation of what would eventually be known as the Araneta Center.
Over the years, the center evolved alongside the expanding needs of the growing and modernizing metropolis.
This continuous development gave rise to remarkable additions such as
handled 5m TEUs since opening in 2017
By Darwin G. Amojelar
VICTORIA International Container Terminal (VICT), a fully-automated facility operated by International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) at the Port of Melbourne, Australia, handled five million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) since commencing operations.
The milestone solidifies VICT’s position as a key player in Australia’s ever-evolving logistics landscape.
“Since opening our doors at Webb Dock in 2017, VICT has been dedicated to continuous improvement, investing heavily in innovative technology, the highest safety and sustainability standards, and the well-being of our valued staff,” VICT chief executive Bruno Porchietto said.
“Reaching five million TEUs is a testament to this unwavering commitment and a significant accomplishment for the entire VICT team. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the staff for their dedication and hard work,” he said.
The company demonstrated its commitment to growth through strategic infrastructure investments. The recent completion of the terminal expansion increased VICT’s capacity by 30 percent to 1.25 million TEUs, enabling the seamless handling of larger vessels and catering to the growing demand.
VICT prioritizes operational efficiency by continuously investing in next-generation technology. This includes the acquisition of new automated stacking cranes and super post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes that further streamlined operations, enhanced cargo handling capabilities, and ensured faster turnaround times for vessels and trucks.
Beyond operational excellence, VICT is committed to sustainable practices, aligning with the ICTSI Group’s environmental stewardship goals.
Gateway Mall, the modern Bus Port, the Manhattan Gardens residential towers, Novotel Manila Araneta City, and the Cyberpark and Gateway office towers—all reflecting Araneta City’s forward-thinking approach to urban planning and development. The growth led to the rebranding of Araneta Center in September 2019 as “Araneta City” to reflect its transformation into a dynamic, multifaceted urban destination. This change not only honored its historical roots but also underscored its vision for the future.
Staff of Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), a unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), celebrate with an all-Australian barbecue, followed by a commemorative group photo next to the container marking the 5 million TEU.
Araneta City remains a vibrant hub for commerce, culture and entertainment for seven decades, even with the rise of new
districts in Metro Manila.
BUSINESS
Offshore wind projects ready to take off with ports conversion
By Alena Mae S. Flores
BUHAWIND Energy Philippines, the joint venture between Danish firm Copenhagen Energy and PetroGreen Energy Corp., said Tuesday said the government’s decision to repurpose three critical ports, including the Currimao Port, is a “game changer” for the emerging offshore wind energy.
“Repurposing these ports is a game-changer for the Philippine offshore wind industry. The Currimao Port’s involvement in the BuhaWind project is crucial for establishing the
Citizen rights group air concerns over Konetadong Pinoy bill
A CITIZENS’ rights network aired its concerns on the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Bill, or Senate Bill 2699, noting that its current form has oversight gaps that could result in unintended negative outcomes to Filipinos.
CitizenWatch Philippines said in a statement on Facebook the organization is concerned with the loosening of restrictions on foreign entities to operate in the Philippines.
CitizenWatch said that if the bill gets enacted into law, it will render the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to a mere registrar and diminish its role to regulate telco operations in the country.
“As a result, there could be erosion of consumer protection, because it is the NTC’s mandate to hold telecommunications providers accountable and compliant to standards that protect consumers. Operators could then result to cutting corners to maximize short-term gains, to the detriment of long-term quality and innovation,”
CitizenWatch lead convenor Orlando Oxales, said.
SB 2699, if passed, will eliminate the requirement for a legislative franchise for the use of the country’s radio frequency spectrum and will also weaken the regulatory oversight of the NTC, which is dangerous to the Philippines’ national security, the group said.
CitizenWatch said any new legislation should encourage competition and ensure the growth of the country’s digital infrastructure, especially in far-flung areas.
Philippines as a significant player in the regional and global offshore wind market,” PetroGreen Energy president and chief executive Francisco Delfin Jr. said.
The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced the repurposing of three strategic ports for OSW development, which sends a strong signal to the international offshore wind industry that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is dedicated to harnessing the Philippines’ abundant offshore wind resource to enhance energy resilience and drive economic development.
BuhaWind Energy said the Currimao Port in Ilocos Norte would play an essential role in the construction and operation of the 2,000-megawatt BuhaWind offshore wind farm in
Northern Luzon. The project is among the most advanced offshore wind developments in the Philippines and will contribute to substantial direct and indirect jobs in the region, estimated at 24,000 over a two-year construction phase and thirty-year operational period.
BuhaWind is also developing two other projects with expected capacity of 1,000 MW each in Northern Mindoro and East Panay.
The second priority port--Sta. Clara in Batangas—can serve BuhaWind’s Northern Mindoro project, contributing 1,000 MW of green electricity to the region.
DA lauds swift removal of agri imports from ports
THE Department of Agriculture on Tuesday expressed appreciation to the prompt action of the Philippine Ports Authority and the Bureau of Customs to facilitate the swift movement of imported agricultural products to increase supply in the market and, possibly, lower prices for Filipino consumers.
The PPA said last week that hundreds of container vans loaded with food products, including rice, had been sitting in Manila ports—some of them for several months–as consignees delay their withdrawal. Port officials suspect consignees might be trying to reduce warehousing cost or just waiting for prices of the food items to rise as they appear to have imported these items at higher prices.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said based on data reviewed by DA, the delay in the shipping and delivery of imported farm products was caused by several storms and weather disturbances, including recent typhoons.
“The delay was caused by force majeure,” he said.
The DA chief said the closer cooperation with BOC and PPA would also help the DA better time importation to enhance management of domestic food supply and ensure food security.
“This would help up improve our supply and price forecasting and avoid artificial shortages caused by product hoarding. Data that we will gather will also help us determine which importers to blacklist, if needed,” the DA chief said.
Asticom, GTI Telecom sign partnership deal to expand global footprint
By Darwin G. Amojelar
ASTICOM Technology Inc. formed a strategic partnership with GTI Telecom to expand its global footprint, particularly in the United States and Singapore.
The collaboration aligns with Asticom and GTI’s shared vision of leveraging their combined strengths and networks to enter new territories and capitalize on growth opportunities.
Asticom, with almost a decade of experience as a digital-first shared services and outsourcing provider,
boasts of a comprehensive range of solutions across talent management, employee experience, IT, engineering and BPO services.
It serves more than 200 clients in 40 diverse industries, including telecom, fintech, e-commerce, health-tech, IT, energy and banking. GTI, a subsidiary of GTI Business Holdings Inc., has a well-established international presence.
It provides connectivity, co-location, voice, top-up, A2P, and ICT solutions between the United States and Asia Pacific, empowering clients to
THE Philippines aims to build on its recent success at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia and Oceania Gala Ceremony, where it secured multiple recognitions.
The country was honored as Asia’s Leading Beach Destination, Dive Destination and Island Destination during the Sept. 3, 2024 ceremony held in Manila.
Intramuros was recognized as Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction, while Boracay claimed the title of Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination. Cebu received the nod for Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination, and the “Love the Philippines” campaign was named Asia’s Leading
Marketing Campaign. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco was also awarded the Transformational Leader Award in Tourism Governance.
The Philippines is now nominated for various categories in the upcoming 31st WTA, hoping to extend its winning streak on a global scale.
These include World’s Leading Beach Destination, Dive Destination, Island Destination, City Destination (Manila), Wedding Destination (Cebu), Tourist Attraction (Intramuros), Marketing Campaign (“Love the Philippines”), and Tourist Board (Department of Tourism). In the 2023 WTA, the Philippines
clinched World’s Leading Beach Destination, Dive Destination, City Destination (Manila), and the inaugural Global Tourism Resilience Award.
“We are delighted to see the Philippines consistently earn its well-deserved spot on the global stage,” said Frasco. “These WTA nominations further highlight the breathtaking beauty and rich culture of our islands, reflecting the passion and dedication of the Filipino people. Each nomination is a celebration of our unique experiences, and we look forward to welcoming travelers to discover more of what there is to love in our country’s diverse regions.”
harness technology for business and personal growth.
“We are excited to join forces with GTI in this endeavor. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to enhance our global footprint and deliver unparalleled value to our clients,” said Asticom president and chief executive Mharicar Castillo-Reyes.
“This partnership is a significant step towards achieving our international growth ambitions and reinforcing our position as a trusted outsourcing partner,” she said.
GTI Telecom president Ramon Aes-
quivel said teaming up with Asticom is a natural extension of the company’s mission to support clients globally. “Together, we are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for highquality outsourcing services. Our combined efforts will drive innovation and growth, benefiting businesses worldwide,” he said. Asticom and GTI, both part of the Globe ecosystem, are also dedicated to sustainable development, fostering global partnerships that drive economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.
DOTr, BCDA, CIAC envision Clark as ‘aviation-centric business capital’
CLARK International Airport Corp.
(CIAC) president Arrey Perez led the formal launch of what he described as the “aviation-centric business capital of the country” during a general assembly with agency directors and about 150 personnel.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for aviation Roberto Lim, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) vice president Kenneth Peralta and Dr. John Ortiz Teope, representing BCDA chairman Thompson Lantion, attended the event Monday.
“Clark makes one’s dream work,” Perez said. “The airport is at the center of Clark, the heart that connects the country to the world. But the airport is just one special component in this aviation capital we will build, because beyond this airport is an aviation-centered metropolis that will
make the dream that work, fly. And because it works, dreams fly.”
The CIAC is a subsidiary and the premier aviation and land development arm of the BCDA, tasked by the DOTr to oversee the Clark airport.
“The vision is to build the country’s aviation capital with a dynamic ecosystem combining aviation, logistics, commerce, and sustainable urban development contributing to national economic progress,” Perez said.
The Clark Aviation Capital covers 2,367 hectares of government-owned land primed for local and foreign investments.
“The capital will transform the erstwhile idle lands into a global hub for innovation, investment, and infrastructure to boost airport operations, generate new revenue streams, and promote economic and food security,” Perez said.
ANTI-POLLUTION CAMPAIGN. Tiffany Gatchalian (center), wife of Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian, leads the launch of Kuha sa Tingi campaign in Valenzuela City through a partnership between Greenpeace Philippines and the Metro Manila Mayors’ Spouses Foundation (MMMSF). Kuha sa Tingi aims to
alternatives to sachets and plastic-packaged goods. With Gatchalian are Valenzuela City Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO) head Janina Bautista, RIPPLEx CEO Ces Rondario, Valenzuela community leaders and Kuha sa Tingi beneficiaries. Boy Bautista LOVE THE FLAVORS. Mang Inasal launches its ‘Love the Flavors, Love the Philippines’ campaign attended by the Department of Tourism assistant secretary Gissela Marie Romualdez-Quisumbing and some of the most popular celebrities and influencers.
Bossjob introduces AI recruitment solutions
BOSSJOB, a chat-first career platform for professional hiring in Southeast Asia (SEA), showcased its innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at the National Retail Conference Expo (NRCE) 2024. NRCE, the largest and longestrunning retail event in the Philippines, organized by the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.
The event’s theme, “Retail Today, Empowering Tomorrow,” reflects Bossjob’s mission to empower businesses in today’s evolving job market. The platform’s innovative tools are designed to help small retailers embrace digital transformation and streamline their hiring operations. With over 99 percent of businesses in the Philippines classified as SMEs,
talent acquisition remains a challenge.
About 89 percent of Filipino business leaders recognize the critical role AI plays in maintaining competitiveness.
Bossjob’s AI-driven platform directly addresses these needs by optimizing recruitment processes and providing valuable career opportunities to job seekers.
“Businesses need to adapt quickly as the digital landscape is fast-evolving. Our participation at this year’s NRCE is a key opportunity for SMEs to experience firsthand how AI can simplify recruitment, enhance candidate matching, and increase
UnionBank injects P1.6b in digital arm
By Jenniffer B. Austria
UNION Bank Of the Philippines (UBP), the financial arm of the Aboitiz Group, is injecting more funds into its online banking arm to support expansion.
UBP said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday its board of directors approved the infusion of additional capital of up to P1.6 billion in UnionDigital Bank Inc. The additional capital will be
IN BRIEF
used to “support UnionDigital’s ongoing business operations and allow it to deliver sustainable growth”.
The capital infusion is subject to the applicable regulatory
approvals.
UnionDigital Bank is one of the six Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinaslicensed online banks in the country, along with GoTyme Bank; Tonik Digital Bank, Inc.; Maya Bank; Overseas Filipino Bank; and UNObank. It started operation in July 2022.
UBP also infused additional capital to UnionDigital in tranches in 2023 for a total of P900 million. Its board also approved the infusion of additional capital of up
TOKEN OF APPRECIATION. Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman receives a token of appreciation from the Mindanao State University (MSU) Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (TCTO), led by Chancellor Mary Joyce Guinto-Sali on Sept. 17, 2024. Guinto-Sali expressed MSU Tawi-Tawi’s gratitude to Pangandaman not only for serving as the guest of honor during the MSU TCTO’s 55th Emerald Charter Day celebration, but also for her invaluable contributions to MSU Tawi-Tawi.
to P1.8 billion to UnionDigital to support business growth.
Since the start of 2024, UBP infused P600 million, P800 million and P400 million in the digital bank. As of end June 2024, UBP’s total equity investment in UnionDigital amounted to P5.7 billion.
UnionDigital Bank in 2023 registered a significant growth in its balance sheet, with an increase in both deposits and loans, more than doubling its previous
performance.
It said that as of December 2023, the bank attained a substantial 65-percent market share in loan portfolio size, while in deposit, it ranked second among digital banks with a 25-percent share. The period also marked a significant milestone as UnionDigital Bank achieved profitability in 2023, showcasing extraordinary growth with revenue soaring by 13 times to over P5 billion.
most significant... stimulus package since the early days of the pandemic”, said Julian EvansPritchard, head of China economics at Capital Economics. However “it may not be enough”, he warned, adding a full economic recovery would “require more
‘missed
saying it “missed the mark” and won’t be voted on by members.
“This proposal does not go far enough to address your concerns, and Boeing has missed the mark with this proposal,” union negotiators told members in a message.
“They are trying to drive a wedge between our members and weaken our solidarity with this divisive strategy.” Boeing had sweetened its initial offer in an effort to end a 10-day stoppage that shuttered Seattle-area plants.
“We first presented the offer to the union
ITAMAR Gero, the founder and chief executive of Makati City-based digital marketing company TrueLogic, underscored the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the digital transformation of businesses in the Philippines.
“When I came here 16 years ago, I said the Philippines is going to be the next Silicon Valley. I still believe it could be,” Gero, chairman emeritus and former president of the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said in an interview.
Gero, a software programmer by profession, said the Philippines could make it big in the AI space, given the presence of major IT and business process outsourcing companies in the country.
“With the assets you have right now, the BPOs and the outsourcing,
you can capitalize on that. Do outsourcing for AI companies. The way you pair yourself with winning players in the industry, and try to attract some of their R&D here, try to attract some of their services here. Because it’s anybody’s game at this point in AI, and you see companies emerging right, left, and center. I think that if the Philippines made itself attractive to those companies, like they do for some fintechs, AI companies could unlock a big potential,” said Gero.
Gero established Truelogic in 2008 to provide services like SEO, web design, social media and marketing strategies with a focus on AI-driven solutions. Truelogic now employs about 50 professionals in the Philippines, catering to mostly local companies.
DOÑA Beatriz Zobel de Ayala, the matriarch of the Zobel de Ayala family, died Monday, according to Ayala Corp.
The news was first shared among Ayala employees. The Zobel de Ayala family controls Ayala Corp., the country’s oldest and diversified conglomerate.
The Zobel de Ayala family requests privacy during this difficult time, the company said.
Beatriz Zobel is survived by her husband, Ayala Corp. chairman emeritus Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala and their children Jaime Augusto, Fernando, Bea, Patsy, Cristina, Monica and Sofia.
Gero stressed the importance of companies embracing AI to stay competitive, saying AI has revolutionized how businesses operate—from customer acquisition to internal processes.
“I started TrueLogic 16 years ago when I moved to the Philippines. Originally, my aim was to service the international market because this is where the market was,” he said. “As time progressed, we realized that the Philippines is just starting to grow and mature when it comes to digital needs, to digital transformation, digital marketing. And we pivoted to start serving it. Now we have clients—the biggest banks, biggest e-commerce platforms, and we’re growing. And I’m proud to say it’s 99-percent local market,” he said. Roderick T. dela Cruz
Gero, the founder and chief executive of
marketing company TrueLogic underscores the critical role of artificial intelligence in the digital transformation of businesses in the Philippines.
Dona Bea was a respected figure within the Ayala Group and was active in social and political causes.0
A memorial service will be held on Sept. 27, at 9:30 a.m. at the Santuario de San Antonio Church in Forbes Park, Makati City. Ayala Corp. encouraged donations to her favorite charities, Friends of Elsie Gaches and Tuloy Foundation, in lieu of flowers.
Family and friends are invited to a memorial service on Friday, Sept. 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Santuario de San Antonio Church in Forbes Park, Makati City.
PH, India explore strategies to boost fintech industry
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Philippines and India convened a meeting in New Delhi to discuss strategies for boosting the country’s financial technology (fintech) sector and promoting financial inclusion among Filipinos.
The Department of Finance (DOF) led the first inaugural meeting of the joint working group (JWG) on financial technology (FinTech) with the Indian government on Sept. 12, 2024 in New Delhi, India.
“The long-standing partnership between the Philippines and India speaks of both countries’ shared commitment to broaden and deepen our ties and maximize the vast potential for and opportunities for economic and development cooperation, especially on digital economy, digital payments, digital infrastructure, and financial inclusion,” DOF’s International Finance Group (IFG) officer-in-charge assistant secretary Donalyn Minimo said.
Aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to investing in the country’s digital transformation, the JWG will enhance economic cooperation in fintech, boost connectivity and interoperability and help develop fintech solutions.
From 2021 to 2023, the Philippines’ fintech sector grew by more than 38 percent, rising from 216 companies to 299 in August 2023.
Based on a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) report, about $110.5 billion digital transactions were recorded in 2023.
Bossjob, a chat-first career platform for professional hiring in Southeast Asia (SEA), showcases its innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at the National Retail Conference Expo (NRCE) 2024.
Itamar
Makati City-based digital
COMMUNITY
SPOTLIGHT
Try out Ajinomoto’s healthy lunch ideas for school
AJINOMOTO is helping parents overcome the challenge of preparing nutritious and exciting packed lunches as the new school year begins.
With a variety of recipes and innovative cooking tips, Ajinomoto products ensure that parents can create healthy, delicious meals that their kids will enjoy throughout the day.
Ajinomoto suggests using easy-to-follow recipes such as Chicken Adobo with Sarsaya® Oyster Sauce and Stir-fried Tofu with Vegetables using AJI-NO-MOTO Umami Seasoning.
Both dishes offer balanced nutrition and incredible flavor, perfect for kids’ lunchboxes. For added variety, AJINOMOTO Soup & Go® provides a quick and comforting meal option.
These recipes not only pack excitement into school lunches but also allow parents to add their own twists, elevating the mealtime experience.
Ajinomoto encourages parents to experiment in the kitchen and share their creative ideas on the Ajinomoto Cookmunity Facebook (facebook.com/CookmunitybyAjinomotoPH) and TikTok tiktok. com/@ajinomotoph) pages, providing a community space for exchanging recipe ideas.
To discover more healthy and flavorful meal inspirations, parents can visit the Ajinomoto Cookmunity website at www. cookmunitybyajinomoto.com, where a variety of recipes are available.
Filipina director leads Monument Valley
International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024. More than 15,000 volunteers came together to participate in International Coastal Cleanup Day, collecting an impressive 115,200 kilograms of trash at SM by the Bay in Pasay City on September 21, Saturday. This year’s theme is “Clean Seas for Blue Economy,” aimed at keeping shorelines clean and protecting the marine ecosystem, which is essential for our economy. The Philippines has been part of this global initiative since 1994 and has made it a national commitment through Presidential Proclamation No. 470, which designates the third week of September each year for coastal cleanups. Erika Sinaking
NHCP to bring LGU training on history to Western Visayas
THE National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in partnership with the Municipal Government of New Washington, Aklan; the Department of Tourism Western Visayas; and the Department of Interior and Local Government Region VI; will bring the LGU Training on History and Heritage to the local government units of Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, and Guimaras on 1-3 October 2024 at the Manuel Peralta Community Center, New Washington, Aklan.
As part of the three-day training program, NHCP resource persons will share their knowledge and experience in various topics including the naming & renaming of public places; declaration of local holidays, conduct of local commemorative programs, implementation of the Flag and Heraldic Code, Recognition of Historic Sites and Structures, Cases of Heritage Preservation, Agents of Deterioration, Creating Local Museums, and Local Heritage Community Engagement.
This training, the second in the 2024 circuit, aims to capacitate the NHCP’s local partners in conducting and implementing relevant cultural laws at the regional and provincial levels. Active collaboration with the help of LGUs and local stakeholders ensure that our history and cultural heritage remain relevant and accessible for future generations.
JA Philippines has officially launched the third year of its groundbreaking JA Personal Finance™ program, a crucial initiative aimed at enhancing financial literacy among Grade 11 Senior High School students across the nation.
Sponsored by Wells Fargo, this program focuses on equipping students with essential financial skills, including earning, budgeting, saving, investing, and responsible credit use.
Wells Fargo’s support of the program is aligned with its focused approach to making a difference in the communities where
it has a footprint, reflecting its commitment to promoting financial literacy and equipping the next generation with tools for an empowered and financially secure future.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with JA Philippines for the third consecutive year,” said Mr. Mike Whyte, Wells Fargo Philippines Country Head.
“Helping others succeed financially is at the core of what we do, and through this program, our Filipino high school students are equipped with real life skills that will help them thrive as adults. It’s a wonderful advocacy and truly a great fit.”
By Jasper Valdez
THE Monument Valley series, known for its breathtaking visuals and mind-bending puzzles, is set to captivate gamers once again with the release of Monument Valley 3 on December 10, 2024.
This latest installment will be available exclusively on Netflix Games, offering a fresh experience under the direction of Filipina-American Jennifer Estaris at ustwo games. The series has charmed over 150 million players worldwide since the release of Monument Valley 1 & 2, with its combination of architectural beauty, intricate puzzles, and emotional depth. This third chapter promises to build on the franchise’s legacy by introducing Noor, a new protagonist whose journey through surreal landscapes and impossible architecture highlights the series’ continued evolution.
Jennifer Estaris, a seasoned game developer with over 20 years of experience, is no stranger to creating gaming phenomena. Having worked on popular titles like Subway Surfers and Monument Valley 2: The Lost Forest, Estaris brings her unique perspective to this project, drawing inspiration from both her Filipino heritage and Danish culture. This multicultural influence is evident in the design of the game’s landscapes, which reflect a blend of global architecture and artistic styles.
The JA Personal Finance™ program goes beyond just managing money; it’s about empowering individuals with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions. Participants will recognize the fundamental elements of financial planning—how to make money, spend wisely, and use credit cautiously.
Monument Valley 3 isn’t just about visual splendor, though—it also introduces new gameplay mechanics, including sailing, which offers an additional layer of complexity to the already challenging puzzles. This innovative approach preserves the DNA of the original series while enhancing the experience for both new players and longtime fans. Beyond the aesthetics and gameplay, the story in Monument Valley 3 takes on a deeper, emotional tone, exploring themes like light, loss, and our relationship with nature. Estaris, who is also involved with the Playing for the Planet initiative by the UN, emphasizes the game’s environmental themes and the importance of creating stories that resonate with global issues, especially in the context of climate change and sustainability. As players guide Noor through her journey, they will experience a tale that reflects humanity’s impact on the natural world. With its heartfelt narrative and engaging mechanics, Monument Valley 3 aims to connect players with more than just puzzles—it invites them to reflect on their surroundings and their role within them.
By Erika Sinaking
GOOD Energy Ph, a youth-led campaign launched in July 2023, is working to bring renewable energy awareness to communities across the Philippines. Supported by an international nonprofit organization, the initiative focuses to “laymanize” renewable energy’s benefits, such as cost savings and environmental sustainability. Their recent pop-up event, held on September 21 in Quezon City, gathered various local groups to engage in conversations about the country’s energy transition. Central to this was the ongoing campaign “Solar Futures,” which promotes the message, “learn how we can power a cleaner future.”
Good Energy Ph featured speakers from different backgrounds. Krisha Ariola, campaigner at Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) and co-founder of Youth for Climate Hope, shared the significance of Negros Occidental becoming a coal-free province in 2019. She discussed how communities could transition to cleaner energy sources, particularly in areas previously reliant on coal. Angelika Marie David, Manager for Energy Policy at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, followed with a talk on embedding sustainability into personal values and extending it to community efforts. She addressed the unexpected coal plant crisis and how national and local efforts must adapt to these challenges.
This initiative supports one of JA’s core pillars: financial literacy. Opening the event, Krishna Alejandrino, Executive Director of JA Philippines, emphasized the program’s significance in shaping the financial futures of young Filipinos. Bandana Jha, Head of Philanthropy & Community Impact, India and the Philippines, Wells Fargo, followed with a message highlighting Wells Fargo’s ongoing commitment to supporting financial education in the Philippines.
“Wells Fargo remains deeply committed to fostering financial literacy among young Filipinos. Through the JA Personal Finance™ program, we are not just imparting knowledge but empowering students to make informed financial decisions that will shape their future,” said Jha.
Seated from left during the energy talks are: Irish Deocampo, Assistant Professor at UP Diliman; Angelika Marie David, Manager for Energy Policy at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities; and Krisha Ariola, Campaigner at CEED and co-founder of Youth for Climate Hope.
Editor Writer Writer
Jessica Soho lands AIBs nod for mining exposé on Homonhon island
have devastated the area.
Soho
Soho The Island,
for the
Korean actor Kim Ji-soo sets record straight
SOUTH Korean actor Kim Ji-soo, known for his breakout role in Black Rider , continues to build his career in the Philippines. Now based in the country, Ji-soo has taken on various projects, including his upcoming role in the highly anticipated film Mujigae
He also recently appeared at the GMA Gala, where he won the Red Carpet Scene Stealer award, and joined the cast of the long-running GMA medical drama Abot Kamay Na Pangarap
Ji-soo also signed a contract with Sparkle GMA Artist Center for endorsement deals and expanded his online presence with new vlogs on his YouTube channel, JiSoo Road , and a TikTok account, further engaging with his growing fanbase.
Despite his professional success, some social media users continue to reference past allegations of school violence. In 2021, Ji-soo faced accusations of bullying during his school years, which he has since resolved.
In an interview with South Korean outlet Sports Chosun , Ji-soo stated, “I’ve been able to clear up misunderstandings with the friends involved. We talked and reconciled,” Ji-soo said and addressed false rumors, saying, “All sexual assault allegations were false, and an apology was received.”
Talking about his career, Ji-soo expressed gratitude for the support from his Filipino fans.
“The opportunities I’ve had here have been incredible. There’s so much more I want to accomplish,” he said.
Ji-soo shared ambitions to challenge himself with new roles, including performing in English and taking on a play or musical.
and The latest episode of his vlog is available on his JiSoo Road YouTube channel.
In her statement, Soho dedicated the nomination to the people of Homonhon, saying, “They were the ones who brought attention to their plight... as their island is being ravaged by largescale mining.” She emphasized the residents’ ongoing questions about the promised benefits of mining, which have yet to materialize.
BROADCAST journalist Jessica has earned a nomination at the 2024 Association for International Broadcasting (AIBs) Awards in London for the Kapuso Mo, Jessica KMJS ) episode “Minahan sa Homonhon Island.” KMJS episode, nominated in the Sustainability category, investigates the environmental and social impacts of large-scale mining in Homonhon Island, Eastern Samar. Soho personally traveled to the island to document the residents’ struggles with mining operations that
excellence in journalism and factual productions across multiple platforms, with winners to be announced on Nov. 22 in London.
Earlier this month, Soho’s Secret Slaves documentary won Best Current Affairs Programme at the ContentAsia Awards. The documentary exposed human trafficking linked to cyber scams and offshore gaming operations.
Soho’s KMJS episode is competing against entries from Al Jazeera English, CBC/Radio Canada, and CNN Worldwide . The AIBs recognize
Soho’s team continues to receive praise for their investigative work, with KMJS celebrating its 20th anniversary this November.
Regal Entertainment continues legacy while
embracing the
REGAL
Entertainment, the Philippines’ oldest film production company, recently celebrated over six decades in the industry with a grand event at 38 Valencia Events Place. The celebration highlighted the company’s storied legacy and future projects under new leadership.
Very Wang Nickie Wang
The event introduced Roselle Monteverde as president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Keith Monteverde as Executive Vice President (EVP).
In her welcome speech, Roselle and her siblings affirmed their commitment to uphold Mother Lily Monteverde’s legacy and serve the Filipino audience.
“We all know that Mother Lily has touched many lives. I am delighted to have my friends here in showbiz, especially the artists who have supported us for many years. On behalf of Regal Entertainment and my siblings, my brother Dondon, my sister Sherida, and Goldwin Monteverde, we have strongly decided to carry on, not just in words but also in action, the legacy of Mother Lily,” Roselle said.
“We cannot just see go-away seeds planted since she became a housewife in the entertainment industry more than 60 years ago. As a movie fan and distributor of foreign movies, and finally, her greatest achievement as a movie producer, she cared for Regal and the whole entertainment industry,” she added.
Roselle also vowed to uphold the values instilled by her parents, acknowledging that Mother Lily not only built Regal but also supported the entire film industry. She affirmed their dedication to ensuring both Regal and the industry thrive, stating, “This is Mother Lily’s legacy, and now it is ours.”
Regal Entertainment, founded in 1962 by Mother Lily and her husband, Remy Monteverde, has produced over 700 featurelength films.
The company’s early success came from distributing foreign films such as That Man from Istanbul and All Mine to Give, which paved the way for Mother Lily to venture into local film production in 1976 with Magsikap: Kayod sa Araw, Kayod sa Gabi
Regal became a major player in the industry, producing iconic franchises such as Shake, Rattle & Roll, and Mano Po. The Shake, Rattle & Roll series, which began in 1990, became synonymous with Filipino horror, while the Mano Po series, focusing on Chinese-Filipino families, garnered critical and commercial success.
The event paid tribute to Mother Lily’s contributions to the film industry, with a special presentation featuring clips from her films and a showcase of Regal’s history through memorabilia and installations. A P1 million donation was also made to the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MOWELFUND) in her honor. Upcoming Projects Unveiled
Regal Entertainment announced three new films: Guilty Pleasure, My Future You, and Untold, demonstrating its commitment to diverse genres including drama, romance, and horror.
Guilty Pleasure, a social romantic drama directed by Connie Macatuno, stars Lovi Poe, JM De Guzman, Jameson Blake, Sarah Edwards, Dustin Yu, and Angelica Lao. The film delves into the lives of three lawyers navigating love, betrayal, and ambition. My Future You, a romantic comedy with a sci-fi twist directed and written by Crisanto B. Aquino, stars Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Almira Muhlach, Christian Vasquez, PeeWee O’Hara, Bodjie Pascua, Vance Larena, Izzy Canillo, and Marcus Madrigal. The story follows two individuals from different timelines who connect through a dating app and attempt to alter the past to create a better future.
Untold, a psychological horror film directed by Derick Cabrido, stars Jodi Sta. Maria, Joem Bascon, JK Labajo, Gloria Diaz, Kaori Oinuma, Mylene Dizon, Sarah Edwards, Lianne Valentin, and Miggs Cuaderno. The film explores the chilling consequences of sacrificing integrity for ambition as a media personality faces the horrors of her deceitful past.
Broadcast journalist Jessica Soho received a nomination at the AIBs Awards
‘Minahan sa Homonhon Island’ episode of ‘KMJS’
Samar. island
Seth Fedelin and Francine Diaz (center) lead the cast of Regal Entertainment’s upcoming film ‘My Future You’
together with
Regal Entertainment president and CEO Roselle Monteverde (third from right) and EVP Keith Monteverde (fourth from right) with the cast of ‘Guilty Pleasure’
South Korean actor Kim Ji-soo first caught the public’s eye with his role in the hit show ‘Black Rider’
LIFE & SHOWBIZ
Exploring Manila’s storied past through the Walled City
By Nickie Wang
INTRAMUROS, Manila’s historic “Walled City,” has once again been recognized as Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia and Oceania Gala, held earlier this month at City of Dreams, Manila.
The recognition reinforces Intramuros’ role as a key cultural and historical site in the Philippines as it draws millions of visitors annually.
“We are delighted that Intramuros continues to captivate both local and international travelers. Its storied walls remind us of our resilience as a people,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco
The Philippines, which hosted the WTA for the first time, also garnered multiple accolades, including Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination for Boracay, Asia’s Leading Beach Destination, and Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination for Cebu.
The country’s tourism campaign, “Love the Philippines,” also won Asia’s Leading Marketing Campaign. Record tourism numbers
In a further boost to its profile, Intramuros attracted a record 2.2 million visitors during Holy Week this year, surpassing prepandemic figures.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has supported several initiatives to enhance the visitor experience, including the opening of the Intramuros Tourist Center, launched in June by
First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos
The center, serving as a museum and information hub, offers guided tours, events, and services provided by trained tourism personnel.
“The Intramuros Tourist Center underscores our commitment to preserving Manila’s unique cultural heritage while providing a dynamic space for visitors to engage with our history,” Frasco added.
A journey through history Intramuros, originally the center of political, religious, and
By Abigail Adriatico
SEVERAL Filipino artists and bands are set to perform at the upcoming AXEAN Festival in Bali, Indonesia. On the first day of the festival, indie folk-pop band The Ransom Collective’s Muriel Gonzales, better known as Muri, along with King Puentespina, professionally known as CRWN, will take the stage alongside other international artists from Thailand, France, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, China, and Cambodia.
educational life in colonial Manila, offers a range of historic sites.
Among them is Fort Santiago, a former military fortress where Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was imprisoned, as well as San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Baroque architecture.
Other notable landmarks include the Manila Cathedral and Casa Manila, which showcases the lifestyle of Manila’s elite during the Spanish colonial period. Baluarte de San Diego, one of the oldest bastions in Intramuros, offers panoramic views of the historic area.
In addition to its historical sites, Intramuros offers a range of culinary and cultural experiences, with local restaurants and cafes providing traditional Filipino cuisine and cultural presentations. Evening tours also allow visitors to explore the Walled City in a different light. For more information on visiting Intramuros, travelers are encouraged to visit the official website or download the Travel PH App.
and other regional musical talents, offering artists and bands the opportunity to network with music industry figures. The 2024 edition of the festival will be held in Bali for the first time, taking place over two days at the Jimbaran Hub from Sept. 28 to 29.
SHOWBIZ Sidelines, a new program featuring the latest entertainment news and celebrity business ventures, has launched on Radyo 630 and Teleradyo Serbisyo, hosted by seasoned showbiz reporters Ahwel Paz and Jhai Ho Airing Monday to Friday at 9:00 p.m., the show combines “showbiz chika” (gossip) with “showbiz kita” (business ventures), offering a fresh take on the lives of celebrities both in front of and behind the camera.
“To add a new flavor to the program, we’re highlighting side hustles. It’s interesting for viewers to learn what their favorite stars are up to off-camera,” Ahwel Paz said.
Jhai Ho noted the solid working relationship he shares with Ahwel, built from previous collaborations.
“We make sure to keep things light and full of good vibes. If there’s anything we don’t agree on, we address it immediately,” he said.
In addition to Showbiz
Casa Manila’s structure features historic architectural designs from the Spanish colonial period
Visitors can rent bamboo bikes to explore the famous ‘Walled City’
The historic facade of the Manila Cathedral is an iconic landmark in Intramuros
The San Agustin Church is known for its Baroque architecture
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer
Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
marks 40 years with ‘Forte’ concert series
THE Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), the resident orchestra of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), launches its 40th concert season titled Forte with a series of performances celebrating Filipino culture and universal themes. Under the direction of acclaimed music director Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, the season opens with CONCERT I: FIESTA! on Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Guest violinist Shlomo Mintz will perform Max Bruch’s “Violin Concerto No. 1,” alongside the premiere of Jeffrey Ching’s “Fiesta Contrapuntistica,” and Richard Strauss’s “Ein Heldenleben.” Concert II: Triumph will take place on Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m., featuring Grammy Award-winning cellist Sara Sant’Ambrogio The program includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Capriccio Espanol, op. 34,” Edward Elgar’s “Cello Concerto, op. 85,” and Robert Schumann’s “Symphony no. 2, op. 61.”
Concert III: Fantasy is set for Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., featuring violin prodigy Andrea Obiso. The concert will present Gioachino Rossini’s “William Tell Overture,” Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Violin concerto no. 3, op. 61,” and Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony no. 5.”
Concert IV: Europa will be held on Jan. 17, 2025 at 7:30 p.m., showcasing majestic melodies with Cleveland concertmaster David Radzynski. The program includes Zoltán Kodály’s “Dance of Galanta,” Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto no. 1,” and Dvořák’s “Symphony no. 8, op. 88.”
Concert V: Hope, on Feb. 14, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., will feature soloist Malgorzata Trojanowska and captivating visuals by Adam Ustynowicz. The evening will include Richard Addinsell’s “Warsaw Concerto” and Andrzej Panufnik’s “Heroic Overture.”
Concert VI: Homecoming will take place on March 14 at 7:30 p.m., celebrating Lithuanian composer Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis with works such as “Miške (in the forest),” Franz Liszt’s “Totenantanz,” and Johannes Brahms’ “Symphony no. 4, op. 98.”
The season concludes with concert VII: Finale, featuring another commissioned work by Jeffrey Ching and celebrated Filipino
special reading session of his novel
cover of
violinist Diomedes Saza Jr. The finale will include Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Violin concerto no. 1” and Witold Lutosławski’s “Concerto for Orchestra” on April 11, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. Concerts, except concert V, will be held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati, with concert V concluding at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. Tickets are priced between P500 and P3,000. For more information and ticket purchases, visit the CCP’s official website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.
Philippine
In an interview with Manila Standard Life, Yapan discussed the creative freedom he experiences in writing novels compared to filmmaking. “I find a greater sense of freedom in writing novels,” Yapan said.
“Many who pursue both mediums would agree. Making films is a highly collaborative process; so many elements
C4 LIFE
By Nickie Wang
FA RETROSPECTIVE exhibition titled The Poet of Concrete: The Architecture of National Artist Leandro Locsin will open to the public on Sept. 26. This showcase celebrates the life and works of Leandro Locsin, a pivotal figure in Philippine art and design.
The first section of the exhibition invites visitors to explore Locsin’s creative journey and illustrious career, providing a comprehensive timeline of his most iconic buildings. It features a collection of facsimiles of original drawings, photographs, and models, curated with the help of Leandro V. Locsin Partners (LVLP). This section also highlights Locsin’s contributions to La Salle University, his accolades as an outstanding alumnus, and showcases both his first and last projects, including structures that have since been demolished.
National Artist Leandro Locsin in his office during the early ‘90s
The second part of the exhibition examines Locsin’s enduring influence, as seen through the current work of LVLP, now led by his son, Andy. It presents images, text, and scale models of key projects designed by the firm since Locsin’s passing in 1994. Interviews with partners provide insights into their experiences with the National Artist and illustrate how his philosophy continues to shape their work.
Produced by the Center for Campus Art (CCA) at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), the exhibition is a collaboration with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and LVLP. It also looks forward, featuring young talents from DLSCSB’s School of Environment and Design. Under the guidance of
Alvin Yapan’s unique challenges and rewards of navigating two distinct creative fields
ILIPINO director and author Alvin Yapan recently launched the English translation of his awardwinning novel, Worship the Body, during the Manila International Book Fair 2024. Translated by Randy Bustamante, the novel originally titled Sambahin ang Katawan won the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Prize in 2005.
come together to create a good film.
Cinema requires teamwork, while with a novel, I can let my imagination run wild and express whatever I want,” the film director carried on.
Yapan expressed joy in connecting with readers, noting, “I feel a deep sense of joy when readers understand what I want to convey. In cinema, audience reactions are immediate; you can sense their emotions right there beside you. It’s a tactile experience. In contrast, with a novel, I have to trust that readers will grasp my message.”
Worship the Body explores themes of gender politics, secrecy, and intimacy within modern Filipino society. The narrative follows Jaime, a furniture workshop owner, and Jun, a waiter, whose fateful encounter ignites a series of relationships that challenge societal norms. As their lives intertwine with Ria and Maya, the story reveals complex dynamics of joy, power, identity, and hidden truths.
The novel is told through interlocking points of view, adding depth and musicality
to the storytelling. It engages readers in an introspective journey about happiness, history, and secrets, ultimately questioning how the silences of the body contribute to our understanding of joy.
Yapan, who premiered his awardwinning film Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa in 2011, infuses the same tenderness and lyricism into the novel. He encourages aspiring creators to maintain their passion, stating, “Do not lose your passion. Let your passion be your identity.” This sentiment encapsulates the heart of Worship the Body, where passion serves as a driving force for the characters’ understanding of desire. This English edition of Worship the Body aims to introduce Yapan’s exploration of Filipino culture and universal themes of desire and identity to a broader audience.
The book is available at Fully Booked, National Book Store, Shopee, and Lazada in the Philippines, as well as Amazon, Kinokuniya, Barnes & Noble, Foyles, and Waterstones worldwide. Concrete dreams: Exploring the architectural
Architects Jim Caumeron and Kyle Nuestro, students have conceptualized and designed buildings inspired by Locsin’s Brutalist principles. Their scale models and discussions showcase how Locsin’s legacy informs a new generation of artists.
The exhibition will also include excerpts from essays by Filipino architects such as Gerard Lico, Caryn ParedesSantillan, and AJ Javier, who reflect on Locsin’s impact.
The Poet of Concrete is curated by CCA Director Architect Gerry Torres and will be open to the public until Dec. 14 at the 12F Gallery of the Benilde Design + Arts Campus, located at 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila. For more information, visit facebook.com/ BenildeCampusArt.
Actors Irma Adlawan (left) and Simon Ibarra (right) are the special guests of author and film director Alvin Yapan (center) during the
The
the English translation of author Alvin Yapan’s awardwinning novel ‘Worship the Body’
The National Arts Center in Los Baños, Laguna
The facade of the Expo 70 Philippine Pavilion
The
Philharmonic Orchestra is the resident orchestra of the Cultural Center of the Philippines
