EOPOLITICAL tensions and even a Trump presidency in the United States should serve as a caution to the Monetary Board to not cut rates aggressively as this could add to inflationary pressures, according to an analyst.
In the recent Chamber of Thrift Banks General Membership Meeting, Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at professional services firm Reyes Tacandong & Co. said aggressive monetary policy easing could be inflationary by itself.
This could be a problem since geopolitical tensions are poised to raise prices while the plan of former
President Trump to raise tariffs on US imports could drive up prices of goods in the international market.
“We’re just being cautious kasi yun ang nangyari dati [that happened before]. Especially now that there’s geopolitical risk, [it seems] this is not the right time to be aggressive in cutting rates,” Ravelas told reporters.
Ravelas also said if the BSP will maintain or keep its promise of cutting rates by 25 basis points more this year, that should still make the country’s inflation target attainable.
For next year, the BSP would be prudent and limit it to a 25-basis- point reduction in rates per quarter. This will mean the total reduction in rates next year would be 100 basis points.
Nonetheless, Ravelas expects the
Monetary Board to maintain policy rates this month but deal another 250-basis-point reduction in the Reserve Requirement Ratio (RRR).
Most analysts expect the BSP to reduce policy rates this week. ANZ Research expects a 25-basis-point reduction in interest rates due to the better-than-expected inflation rate in August pegged at 1.9 percent.
“To me, it’s more of the geopolitical risk I’m more worried about. That’s why I feel I’d better be the inflation hawk than trying to talk about fantasies [saying, ‘hey’ it’s really getting better!’].
I ask you, nararamdaman nyo ba yung yung bagsak ng inflation [do you really feel the slowing inflation]? . . . So, that’s a challenge,” Ravelas said, however. Ravelas explained that in 2016
when Trump was elected President for the first time, the Philippine peso was at P48 to P49 to the US dollar. But by 2020 when he stepped down, the peso was at P53 to the greenback. The same thing is expected to happen again, especially with Trump indicating that he is keen on raising tariffs. Such a move could discourage the importation of certain goods and increase commodity prices in the US. This could prompt the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. If this occurs, this makes the US more attractive for investments, leading to the depreciation of other currencies, including the Philippine peso, against the US dollar.
BusinessMirror
PHL SHELLS OUT
FOR 8-MO DEBT SERVICE
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
THE national government’s debt service bill hit P1.550 trillion as of endAugust 2024, paying off roughly three-quarters of its programmed obligations for the year.
Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the government shelled out P1.550 trillion for its debts from January to August 2024, settling 76.47 percent of the P2.027-trillion debt service bill for 2024.
Debt servicing rose by 33.50 percent, P389 billion higher than the P1.161 trillion in debt repayments recorded from January to August 2023. Amortization, or the repayment of loan principal over time, accounted for 67.14 percent of the total debt service bill, reaching P1.041 trillion as of end-August 2024.
This is 34.73 percent higher than the P772.636 billion the government paid for amortization in the same period in 2023.
Majority of the settlements for loan principal went to domestic sources at P879.652 billion, while P161.086 billion was paid to foreign financers during the eightmonth period.
Meanwhile, interest payments grew by 31.07 percent year-on-year to P509.441 billion as of the end of August 2024 from P388.676 billion. As such, interest payments to domestic creditors jumped by 38.75 percent year-on-year to P362.721 billion during the eight-month period from P261.422 billion.
The bulk of domestic interest payments was allocated to fixedrate Treasury bonds amounting to P236.228 billion, followed by retail Treasury bonds (P95.108 billion) and Treasury bills (P22.426 billion). Moreover, the government disbursed P146.720 billion in interest to external creditors during the eight-
TBy Cai U. Ordinario
HE national government expects the 2025 budget to be signed by the President before Christmas, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman recently told reporters on the sidelines of the Chamber of Thrift Banks General Membership Meeting that once the Senate approves the 2025 National Budget by the end of November, the budget will be ready for the bicameral conference committee. The bicameral conference, Pangandaman said, could take two weeks to complete, after which the budget can be submitted to the President. She said the country may already have a budget by around December 18 to 20, just a few days before Christmas.
“I expect that the budget will be passed, same as last year, mid [December] 18, 19, 20. Before Christmas, so we can all celebrate,” Pangandaman told reporters.
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
extend their visits. Tickets for arrivals in premium cabin classes increased by 21 percent while economy tickets saw just a 1 percent increase, suggesting high-value
travelers are also driving growth in the Philippines. This developed as the global tourism industry roared back to life this year, with the Asia-Pacific
region fueling the overall growth in international arrivals by 16
Meanwhile, Pangandaman said in terms of the country’s growth targets, the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) could conduct its special meeting in the first week of November. This will allow the technical working groups enough time to make the calculations and “if necessary” adjust the government’s economic and fiscal targets based on the latest data.
Pangandaman said if adjustments will be made, this will not only include the target for this year but all those targets until 2028.
“There’s an IMF-World Bank meeting that we have to go to and attend. So everyone will be out. When we come back, by that time, I think the technical working group [would be able to] crunch the numbers already,” Pangandaman said. Earlier, the better-thanexpected inflation print in
ERC pushed to finalize tariff for 3rd green energy auction
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
THE Senate Committee on Energy wants the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to finalize the green energy auction reserve (GEAR) prices for the third round of Green Energy Auction (GEA) scheduled this year.
“That is one of the priorities I think we need to do because in everything the goal is to make the shift to renewables and this is directly related to that. I hope we get this done. I understand there are things that have to be done in the side of ERC as well,” said Committee Chairperson Pia Cayetano at the recent Senate hearing on the Department of Energy (DOE)’s 2025 budget.
Newly-appointed ERC Officerin-charge (OIC) chairperson and chief executive officer Jesse Hermogenes Andres and DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla were present at last week’s hearing.
In order for the GEA3 to happen, the ERC must release first the GEAR prices. It is ERC’s mandate to determine the GEAR prices or
the maximum price offers for the GEA. “One of the items required there would be the approved pricing methodologies with ERC. We’re coordinating that,” said Lotilla. The ERC, for its part, committed to accelerate its regulatory processes.
Investors eyeing to join the auction are awaiting the release of the GEAR prices since the tariff is a main factor in their investment decisions.
Cayetano said, “I understand we have investors who are ready to get it done. And we need it because this will address Sen. Risa’s [Hontiveros] and my concern, and all the other renewable energy advocates’ concerns because we’ll have the storage,” Cayetano said. “We keep on saying that is the problem why we cannot fully embrace renewables as fast as we want to,” she said. In the last two years, the DOE has conducted two rounds of auction which generated a total of 5,306 megawatts (MW) of RE capacities committed to deliver power in 2024 to 2026. However, the DOE received commitments for only 3,580.76 MW out of the 11,600 MW offered under the GEAP2. The DOE earlier cited supply
limitation, low incentives, delay in the conduct of grid impact studies, and the cost of financial guarantees as some of the reasons for low investor turnout during the GEA-2.
Industry stakeholders earlier said the GEAR prices for GEA 2 do not reflect the realities of the current demand and supply of electricity in the country, nor is it encouraging RE developers to build.
GEA-3 covers non-feed-in-tariff (Non-FIT) eligible renewable energy technologies like geothermal, impounding hydro and pumpedstorage hydro under Department Circular No. DC2023-10-0029. The order lists auction policy and guidelines for the non-FIT RE technologies in the GEA program.
GEA-3 will also cover run-ofriver (ROR) Hydro, which is a FITeligible RE technology.
The estimated capacities for non-FIT Eligible RE technologies are: 699 MW from impounding hydro; 3,120 MW from pumped storage hydro; and 380 MW from geothermal.
With pumped storage providing 3,120MW of flexible storage and generation, it allows the grid to man-
age variable RE (VRE) and allow more VREs to be included in the energy mix.
Geothermal and impounding hydro, meanwhile, allow dependable RE technologies to serve as baseload for the energy mix.
The target start of deliveries for impounding hydro and pumped storage hydro is 2028 to 2030 ,and 2024 to 2030 for geothermal. An estimated 200 MW of RE capacity from ROR hydro is expected to be auctioned, with a target delivery starting in 2026 to 2028.
The target is to finish the Green Energy Auction 3 “before the end of the year such that the pumped storage hydro, [more than] 3,000 megawatts, will be able to come in five years from now,” DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara told senators.
At an energy forum recently organized by ING Philippines, SunAsia Energy, Inc. President Maria Theresa Cruz-Capellan urged government to craft “a more sophisticated auction design.”
“Gas and pump storage and even geothermal needs a special kind of auction design because it is not the same as solar and wind. That kind of a market mechanism has to
be more specific function design,” Capellan said.
“There has to be a more sophisticated auction design that will allow leaders in the energy sector to participate actively and see the signals as correct,” Capellan added.
First Gen Corp. Vice-President and Head of Power Marketing, Trading & Economics Carlos Lorenzo Vega said at the same forum that proper price signals must be put in place in order to attract more investors for the succeeding GEA rounds.
“Clearly, we welcome more off-take mechanisms. This will help the strategy in managing risks. Having said that, it is not without difficulty because you know, while it’s good to have more offtake mechanisms, the devil is really in the details,” Vega said.
Alternergy Holdings Corp. hopes GEA3 will be “attractive” this time.
“We will see if GEA-3 would be more attractive to us depending on what prices will be made available,” said Alternergy President Gerry Magbanua.
He said the huge gap in the GEA2 GEAR prices will hopefully provide feedback to the regulators that the pricing structure must be improved.
In a presentation at the recent World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Perth from October 8 to 15, ForwardKeys said while the region still lags behind prepandemic levels, “the current pace of year-on-year growth signals continued recovery and highlights the pent-up demand for travel within [the Asia Pacific].” ForwardKeys added that the positive trend will continue to the end of 2024, with double-digit growth in arrivals to China, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia lifting the region’s numbers by 19 percent overall, from September to December. This is based on air tickets booked as of September 25.
Short-haul markets THE Oceania region will also post a 10-percent increase in arrivals, with New Zealand and Australia being the key drivers, said the company. ForwardKeys is a travel intelligence firm and a Knowledge Partner of the WTTC.
month period. This is higher by 15.30 percent from P127.254 billion in the same period in 2023.
August 2024
FOR August 2024 alone, the government’s debt repayments fell to P186.218 billion, down by 22.08 percent from last year’s P238.999 billion.
During this month, amortization amounted to P133.437 billion, making up about 72 percent of the total debt service bill, outpacing interest payments at P52.781 billion, accounting for 28 percent.
Amortization declined by 8.83 percent year-on-year to P133.437 billion from P146.359 billion. Interest payments, meanwhile, expanded by 23.70 percent to P52.781 billion from P42.668 billion. The national government’s outstanding debt reached P15.550 trillion as of the end of August 2024.
It will borrow P2.570 trillion, following a 75:25 borrowing mix in favor of domestic sources. About P1.927 trillion will be borrowed domestically while P642 billion will be loaned from foreign sources.
For the Philippines alone, ForwardKeys said booked tickets as of October 1 showed international arrivals between October and December have increased by 3 percent compared to 2023, but remain 13 percent below prepandemic levels in 2019. Travel demand to the Philippines, the company noted, is primarily driven by regional markets, which have grown by 5 percent, while long-haul markets have seen a more modest increase of 1 percent. Among the top-performing markets compared to 2023 are Kuwait (+25 percent), Australia (+21 percent), and Germany (+15 percent). Olivier Ponti, Director of Intelligence and Marketing at ForwardKeys said, “These trends indicate that the Philippines is increasingly appealing to travelers looking for more in-depth, highquality experiences, which is enriching the diverse and evolving tourism landscape as we approach the end of the year.”
Ravelas expects that when this happens, the Philippine peso could depreciate to P62 to the US dollar. This could mark the country’s weakest trading against the greenback.
For 2024, Ravelas said his base case scenario estimates that GDP will average 5.8 percent; inflation, 5.6 percent; key policy rates, 6.5 percent; and the peso to close at P55.5 to the greenback.
Ravelas said his “good scenario” meant GDP will grow by 6.1 percent; inflation will average 4.5 percent; key policy rates will be at 6 percent; and the peso close at P54 to the dollar this year.
The “bad” scenario, Ravelas said, meant GDP will post a growth of 5.3 percent; inflation, 5.8 percent; policy rates, 7 percent; and the peso trading against the US dollar at P58.
These will be affected by geopolitical risks; a Trump presidency; actions made by the US Federal Reserve that may have implications on key policy rates and currency volatility; and climate change dynamics that could affect commodity prices.
For 2025, Ravelas said his base case scenario forecasts a GDP growth of 6.3 percent; inflation rate of 3.5 percent; policy rates, 5 percent; and the peso trading at P56.90 to the US dollar. The “good” scenario meant the GDP will average 6.5 percent; inflation, 3 percent; policy rates, 4.5 percent; and the peso trading at P55.5 to the US dollar next year. Ravelas said the “bad” scenario could see GDP growing at 6 percent; inflation, 3.9 percent; policy rates at 5.5 percent; and an exchange rate of P57.5 to the US dollar in 2025.
Asia Pacific to earn $3.22T DATA from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that as of October 7, there were 4.53 million international travelers to the Philippines, with South Korea, the United States, Japan, China, and Australia continuing to be its top source markets for tourists. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, inbound tourism in the Philippines hit an historic high of 8.3 million. The DOT has acknowledged it may no longer reach its 7.7 million target arrivals for 2024, owing to the sluggish arrivals from mainland China. (See, “PHL sites on Condé Nast Traveler readers’ top island picks,” in the BusinessMirror, October 11, 2024.)
Speaking at the Global Summit, WTTC President and Chief Executive Officer Julia Simpson said about the growth in Asia-Pacific arrivals: “The region has an unparalleled opportunity to grow its travel and tourism sector in a way that not only drives economic growth but sets the standard for sustainability.” She added, “This year, we expect travel and tourism’s contribution to the region’s economy to reach USD$3.22 trillion. By the end of this year, we also predict that almost 191 million people across the region will work in travel and tourism.”
September raised the economic team’s optimism enough to consider an upward revision in the targets set by the DBCC.
At the sidelines of the launch of the Public Financial Management Reforms Roadmap 2024 to 2028. Pangandaman said that given the new development, she has already
asked the economic team if they can hold a special DBCC meeting again.
Pangandaman said the “special” or “off-cycle” DBCC meeting will focus on examining the latest numbers and reviewing the targets, with the possibility of revising them upward. The DBCC Secretariat told
BusinessMirror that in practice, the DBCC holds regular meetings in the first, second, and fourth quarters of the year. Nonetheless, the DBCC can hold special meetings as needed. There is usually no third quarter DBCC meeting due to “budget authorization.” And, for the fourth quarter of the year, the DBCC meeting is usually held in December. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2024/10/08/dbcc-revisingtargets-as-inflation-improves/).
Cash rewards for drug killings just tip of iceberg–legislators
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie & Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
TWO members of the House of Representatives’ “Young Guns” bloc on Sunday hinted that retired police colonel Royina Garma’s exposé on the Duterte administration’s alleged payments and rewards to police officers during the brutal war on drugs—following the Davao model—is just the tip of the iceberg.
Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun and La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V said the revelations of the former Garma, a former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager give Filipinos a peek into the inner workings of the Duterte administration.
On Friday, Garma revealed details about alleged payments and rewards for police officers involved in the brutal war on drugs, modeled after the Davao approach.
“Mind you, it’s just the tip of the iceberg—so to speak. It comes from the perspective of an insider who has not just the trust and confidence, or the eyes and ears of the former President, but even beyond that,” Khonghun said.
“So, this is not something that cannot be easily ignored. This testimony definitely carries with it much credibility, most especially if other witnesses, including documentary evidence, will corroborate whatever Garma may have to say as a matter of public record,” he added.
Ortega, for his part, noted that the disclosure made by Garma be -
fore the Quad Comm was only the beginning of a deeper and more alarming issue regarding how extrajudicial killings were carried out in the previous administration.
“Please take note that Garma’s explosive testimony before us involves not just hundreds but thousands of lives lost to drug operations where even innocent children and teenagers were killed—all in the guise of combating the drug menace in the streets,” he said.
“There is much more to uncover, and we are committed to getting to the bottom of these serious allegations. The Quad Comm will not stop until all the facts are laid bare because this is about accountability,” Ortega added.
Affidavit
GARMA told the House Quad Committee that her decision to submit a surprising affidavit was motivated by a deep commitment to truth and a desire to help reform the National Police.
Garma, a retired police colonel with close ties to former President Rodrigo Duterte, left lawmakers stunned with her disclosure of details about the alleged reward system for extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration’s bloody war on drugs.
During Friday’s Quad Committee marathon hearing, Garma explained that after a week of reflection, she felt compelled to reveal the truth and contribute to efforts to restore public trust in the National Police.
“I realize the truth will always set us free, Mr. Chair, and at least I will be able to contribute if we really want to make this country a
better place to live in...for our children,” Garma said in response to a query from Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez.
In her affidavit, Garma disclosed key details about the roles of former President Duterte and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go in overseeing anti-drug operations.
She confirmed the creation of a national task force patterned after the “Davao Model,” which provided policemen with financial rewards for killing drug suspects, funding for planned operations, and reimbursement for operational expenses.
Garma acknowledged her fears but stood firm in her decision. “Of course, it’s normal, Mr. Chair, when you speak the truth, you cannot please everyone. But still, it took me one week to make reflections, and I realized I needed to do my part,” she responded.
Garma admitted her emotions were complex but reiterated that her commitment to truth and reform guided her decision.
The Quad Comm—composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts—has been investigating the links between illegal offshore gaming operators, proliferation of illegal drug trade, land grabbing by certain Chinese nationals, and the EJKs associated with the Duterte administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign.
Reacting to Garma’s claims, Go said, “malicious and unsubstantiated statements should have no place in any credible investigation.”
“The affidavit and statements of Colonel Garma during
the recent QuadComm hearing, Go said, “are clear diversionary tactics to muddle the true issue she is facing—her participation in an alleged murder plot.”
Go encouraged the Senate “to conduct an impartial investigation on these allegations.” He reiterated his oft-repeated assertion, that the people always deserve the whole truth.
Meanwhile, for his part, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa reacted during the weekend to separate allegations by alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, also before the House of Representatives.
The former top cop-turnedlawmaker called Espinosa a liar after Espinosa accused dela Rosa of threatening him to force him to link former senator Leila de Lima and businessman Peter Lim to the illegal drug trade.
“Why do I need to force him to implicate de Lima when the National Police was not a party in the case build up and the filing of drug cases against de Lima? It was entirely done by the DOJ [Department of Justice]. What do I have to do with de Lima?” he added.
Espinosa revealed on Friday that then-National Police chief dela Rosa, pressured him in 2016 to admit involvement in the illegal drug trade and implicate high-profile individuals, including de Lima and Peter Lim.
Espinosa made the revelation in the course of his testimony before the House QuadCom where he recounted his family’s personal ordeal as victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs.
Duque beats administrative charges in ₧41.4B case
THouse bill classifies EJK as heinous crime
ABILL that aims to classify extra-judicial killings (EJKs) as heinous crimes and prescribing severe penalties for the commission of such acts has been filed in the House of Representatives.
The bill was filed amid the House Quad Committee (QuadCom) investigation on alleged extra-judicial killings during the war on illegal drugs by the Duterte administration.
However, even passed and enacted into law, it will not affect the liabilities of those involved in extra-judicial killings during the previous administration.
House Bill 10986 or the AntiExtrajudicial Killing Act, is authored by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David Suarez, and Quad Committee co-chairmen Reps. Robert Ace Barbers, Bienvenido Abante, Dan Fernandez, and Stephen Joseph Paduano.
Other authors include Reps. Romeo Acop, Johnny Pimentel, Gerville Luistro, Rodge Gutierrez, Paolo Ortega, Jay Khonghun, and Jonathan Keith Flores.
The measure is based on the findings and recommendations of the Quad Committee investigating EJKs in aid of legislation and aims to provide stringent legal standards to address these crimes and ensure accountability for the perpetrators.
“Extrajudicial killing or the killing of individuals without judicial proceedings or legal authority, poses a grave threat to the rule of law, democracy and the protection of human rights. These acts bypass established judicial procedures, undermining public trust in the justice system and violating the basic rights to life and due process guaranteed by the Constitution,” said the bill’s explanatory note.
on heinous crimes or a deliberate and arbitrary killing of any person not authorized by a previous judgment pronounced by a competent court affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples,” the bill read.
“It may be committed a public officer, person in authority, agent of a person in authority, or any person who is acting under the actual or apparent authority of the State,” it added. It also defines “Administrative Negligence,” or the “inaction of any public officer, person in authority or agent of a person in authority to prevent the commission of extrajudicial killing in his area of responsibility.”
“By defining EJK as a specific crime, this bill aims to strengthen the legal framework for investigating, prosecuting, and punishing those responsible for these heinous acts,” the bill read.
The bill outlines that any state agent found guilty of committing an EJK will face life imprisonment.
“The penalty of life imprisonment shall be imposed upon a public officer, person of authority, agent of a person in authority, or any person who is acting under the actual or apparent authority of the State, who commits an extrajudicial killing or who orders the extrajudicial killing,” the bill said.
“Any superior military, police or law enforcement officer or senior government official who issued an order to any lower ranking personnel to commit an extra-judicial killing for whatever purpose shall be equally liable as principals,” it added.
In cases where private individuals are involved but can be proven to have acted under the direction or in concert with state agents, the same penalty will apply.
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the administrative charges of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty filed against former health secretary Francisco Duque in connection with the alleged illegal transfer of P41.4 billion funds of the Department of Health to the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management for the purchase of medical supplies and equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a 10-page resolution, the Ombudsman granted the consolidated motion for reconsideration filed by Duque seeking the reversal of the Ombudsman
investigator’s decision issued on May 6, 2024 that found him and his co-respondent Lloyd Christopher Lao, former PS-DBM officerin-charge, guilty of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and gross neglect of duty.
The Ombudsman imposed the penalty of dismissal from the service with forfeiture of all the retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification for re-employment in the government against Duque and Lao.
It was determined by the Ombudsman that the funds were transferred during the period of March to December 2020 to PSDBM to outsource DOH’s procurement of Covid-19 medical supplies and equipment without
compliance with the requirements imposed by law.
The Ombudsman noted that the rules only allow outsourcing of procurement tasks to another government agency for the purpose of hastening the project implementation.
However, the Ombudsman pointed out that the arrangement resulted in a more complicated process which was inconsistent with the purpose to hasten project implementation.
In granting Duque’s appeal, Martires agreed with the former health secretary that he can no longer be the subject of an administrative complaint since his term of office ended along with the end of the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte on June 30, 2020.
Since the administrative case was filed only on August 15, 2023, Duque argued that the Ombudsman no longer had jurisdiction to commence the administrative proceedings considering that he had been separated from the service since June 30, 2022.
Citing previous rulings of the Supreme Court, the OMB ruled that “this Office is constrained to hold Duque ‘is no longer the proper subject of an administrative complaint’ in connection with the irregular fund transfers to PS-DBM during his stint as DOH Secretary.”
“Considering that the issues on the administrative charges have been rendered moot, this Office sees no point in belaboring the other arguments thereto,” the Ombudsman said.
Natl Police internal affairs starts probe on cops in PCSO exec’s slay
THE National Police’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) has begun its investigation into the administrative liability of policemen tagged in the killing of retired police general and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga. Inspector General Brigido Dulay, IAS chief, said the investigation ordered by Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, National Police chief, includes Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza, who revealed during a hearing at the House of Representatives that he was ordered by former PCSO general manager Royina Garma and National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo to kill Barayuga.
He said the IAS has coordinated with the House Quad Committee (QuadCom) regarding the
testimony of Mendoza during last week’s hearing.
“Based on the statements of Santie Mendoza, our investigation will take off from there. All personalities who were mentioned will be included in the probe. But remember, the hearing is not over yet and the QuadCom said it would reveal more pieces of evidence in the next hearings. The IAS is keeping a close watch on these new pieces of evidence, if any,” Dulay said in a press briefing. During the seventh hearing of the QuadCom on alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration, Mendoza recounted that in October 2019, Leonardo, allegedly upon the request of then-PCSO general manager Garma, asked him to “operate” on a high-value target, later identified as Barayuga.
Garma and Leonardo were Mendoza’s seniors or upperclassmen at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
Mendoza said he obeyed his PNPA seniors’ instruction.
Dulay said summary dismissal proceedings would be undertaken if there is enough basis to formally charge those involved in the case.
However, Garma and Leonardo are already out of the police service.
“We are not just concentrating on Mendoza’s statement. We are also looking into those who are involved in the events, which led to Barayuga’s killing, especially those who are involved in his inclusion on the drug list,” Dulay added.
He said Mendoza may face dismissal from the service, emphasizing that the murder of a government official is a grave offense.
“Mendoza admitted it himself. He said he was ready to face the consequences when he appeared before the QuadCom and revealed his role in Barayuga’s killing,” Dulay said.
Aside from Mendoza, Col. Hector Grijaldo, a former Mandaluyong City police chief, is currently under restrictive custody in Camp Rafael T. Crame, Quezon City, the National Police general headquarters.
Marbil earlier directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to re-investigate Barayuga’s killing to determine possible lapses and cover-ups in the handling of the case.
Reports showed that a motorcycle-riding gunman shot Barayuga who was inside his car on Calbayog Street in barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City, in July 2020. PNA
“The lack of accountability for such crimes contributes to a culture of impunity, where perpetrators believe they can act without fear of legal consequences. This bill seeks to explicitly criminalize EJK, ensuring that any individual, regardless of rank or position, who is found guilty of participating in, authorizing, or condoning such acts will face appropriate criminal penalties,” it added.
Under the measure, extra-judicial killings will be classified as heinous crimes, which means those convicted may face severe penalties, including life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua without the possibility of parole.
The law specifies that EJKs refer to unlawful killings carried out by State agents or those acting with the acquiescence or tolerance of State authorities.
“Extra-judicial killing [EJK[ refers to any killing other than that imposed by the State pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution
“The classification of EJK as a heinous crime is a necessary step to restore public confidence in the justice system and uphold the rule of law. It affirms the State’s duty to ensure that all individuals are afforded the protection of law and that justice is served in every case of unlawful killing,” the bill said.
“By adopting this measure, the State not only seeks to provide justice for victims and their families but also to send a clear message that all acts of violence outside legal processes will not be tolerated,” it added.
Also among the salient points of the bill is the provision for reparations for the families of EJK victims.
The proposed measure stipulates that the government will compensate the families of victims as a form of acknowledgment of the injustices they have suffered through the establishment of an Extra-judicial Killing Claims Board. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
Ombudsman suspends dead councilor for neglect of duty
By Ashley Manabat
THE Ombudsman has meted out 6-month suspension, “for gross neglect of duty” to a town councilor who died in 2023. In an 11-page order, Ombudsman Samuel Martires, suspended the late Councilor Regin B. Clarete of Porac, Pampanga for six months along with 20 others including re-electionist Mayor Jing Capil and mayoral
aspirant Michael L. Tapang. Also suspended were former Vice Mayor Charlie O. Santos, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence C. Tamayo, and Councilors Edwin L. Abuque, Michelle Bengco, Princess L. Buan, Rito S. Buan, Jin Mikhaela M. Canlas, Roman Paul C. David, Maynard T. Lapid, Remberto M. Lapid, Rafael M. Canlapan, Adrian E. Carreon, Essel Joy C. David, Hilario D.
DOTr pushes privatization of airports
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
RANSPORTATION Secre -
Ttary Jaime J. Bautista said his office continues to push for the privatization of airport operations.
Bautista made the statement in the wake of the award of the concession deal for the Laguindingan Airport’s management to Aboitiz Infra Capital. During the 1st Mindanao Infrastructure Summit in Davao City, Bautista said the transportation sector is one of the bright spots for Mindanao that will drive sustain -
able and inclusive socio-economic growth in the region.
“We should be working for sustainable and inclusive development in Mindanao,” he said.
With keen interest shown by private investors’ unsolicited proposals, Bautista added that airports in Zamboanga, Mati, M’lang, Jolo, Siargao, Tandag, Siargao, Bukidnon are also lined up for modernization. This after the agency noted that the concession deal for the Laguindingan Airport is the second successful modernization of a local airport after the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
Gatchalian tells DICT
to fast track speed up of fiber backbone project
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
EN. Sherwin
SGatchalian on Sunday urged the Department of Information and Communication Technology to accelerate the rollout of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project to expand access to free public Wi-Fi, helping more people across the country to connect to the internet.
Gatchalian emphasized that “faster implementation is crucial to ensuring that all Filipinos can enjoy reliable internet especially in remote and underserved communities.
He said reliable internet access should no longer be viewed as a luxury but as an essential service that is crucial for equitable access to education, work and public services.
Through this project, “lalawak na ang saklaw ng libreng wi-fi para sa publiko, habang ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno at mga lokal na pamahalaan ay makakakuha ng mas mura at secure na internet connection,” said Gatchalian, adding that it is not just about convenience, it’s about empowering people with opportunities for learning, employment, and participation in a digital society.”
“Currently, the government relies on thirdparty providers to supply internet access for various DICT projects like the government network project and the free public internet access project.
But once the national fiber backbone is fully completed and properly maintained, the government will no longer need to depend on external providers. This will make free public Wi-Fi more reliable, secure, and widely available since the infrastructure will be owned and managed by the government, ensuring greater accessibility for all,” he added.
Gatchalian explained that improving internet accessibility in remote and underserved areas will bridge the digital divide, giving every Filipino the chance to participate in the digital economy and access essential government services. “It will transform the way public services are delivered, fostering a more inclusive and connected society.”
The National Fiber Backbone project, which is a key component of the National Broadband Program implemented by the DICT, involves laying approximately 6,275 kilometers of fiber optic cable, including submarine cables and microwave radio links.
Phase 1 of the project was launched in April this year while Phases 2 and 3, covering Northern Luzon to Bicol and parts of Visayas and Mindanao, are underway and are expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year.
Phases 4 and 5, under the Philippine Digital Infrastructure Program, will extend connectivity throughout the Visayas and Mindanao while Phase 6 will reach the most geographically isolated provinces.
Bautista also recognized the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP), the country’s first-ever network solution to urban congestion.
Under the DPTMP, more than 600 kilometers of lanes will be designated for exclusive use by buses, including electric buses, modern jeepneys and other modes of public transport in Davao City.
Bautista likewise cited the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP), involving the construction of over 2,000 kilometers of rail network connecting Mindanao’s major cities.
The MRP’s Phase 1 alignment will traverse the areas of TagumDavao-Digos Cities while Phase 2 will cover Cagayan de Oro City.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the International Finance Corp. (IFC) of the World Bank Group on Friday signed a Transaction Advisory Service Agreement (Tasa) for the modernization of the Davao International Airport (DVO).
In a signing ceremony at the airport in Davao City, Bautista said the Tasa would fast-track the airport’s development similar to the recent successful PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) for the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
“This agreement will formulate for us the best way to rehabilitate, expand, operate, and maintain the Davao International Airport and other regional airports,” Bautista said.
He added that the PPP process for the Davao airport would be completed in 13 months, like the Naia PPP.
On the other hand, IFC Regional Manager Thomas Lubeck said the agreement would transform the Davao International Airport “into new heights.”
“We look forward to leveraging all our experience to make this a success, not only for the government but also for all the end users,” Lubeck said. On Thursday, Bautista also signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) for infrastructure projects in the region. The MOC intends to facilitate joint planning and programming to address the infrastructure needs of the southern region. It also aims to provide joint project support for the timely implementation of transport projects in Mindanao.
BPSF rolls out ₧75M program for creative industry
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
AP75 MILLION comprehensive support program aimed at offering financial aid and capacity-building opportunities to over 15,000 workers in the creative industry was unveiled on Sunday by the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in an event in Pasig City.
The program, dubbed “Paglinang sa Industriya ng Paglikha” (Nurturing the Creative Industry), focuses on professionals from the film, television, theater, and radio sectors, providing a variety of services and benefits.
The initiative is spearheaded by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who is a major proponent of the BPSF, that has so far served more than 2.5 million families, rolling out more than P10 billion worth of government services and aid in more than 24 areas in the Philippines.
“The BPSF is one of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos’ programs aimed at supporting every sector of our society, including those in the creative industry. This shows that the government has not forgotten our workers in the fields of arts
and media,” Romualdez said in his message to the beneficiaries.
Among those who gave messages during the event are Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., ACTCIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, and former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes, Quezon City Rep. Arjo Atayde, Quezon City Rep. Franz Pumaren, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, actor and television personality Dingdong Dantes of the Aktor PH or the league of Filipino actors, Jose Javier Reyes of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), multi-awarded movie and television personality Boots Anson Roa of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc. (Mowelfund), Paolo Villaluna of the Film Academy of the Philippines, and others.
House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias Gabonada Jr. revealed that eligible beneficiaries received P5,000 in cash assistance under the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (Akap) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Romualdez also distributed five
kilograms of rice to each beneficiary, totaling 75,000 kilograms for the two-day event.
Gabonada also said this financial assistance program is part of the administration’s broader vision of supporting Filipino professionals in all sectors.
Gabonada said the BPSF also aims to equip the creative industry with skills and knowledge through various training sessions and industry-specific workshops.
These workshops are designed to develop expertise in arts, media, and entertainment, empowering participants to innovate and thrive in their respective fields.
The event, which features the participation of 23 government agencies, provides access to more than 100 essential government services, such as permits, licenses, and health services, that are critical for professionals in the creative industry.
The fair is also a platform for industry professionals to network, exchange ideas, and explore collaborative projects that can lead to greater innovation within the creative sector.
Training programs from agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Au -
Bucana Bridge construction on track
CONSTRUCTION of the 1.34-kilometer Davao River (Bucana) Bridge by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is progressing steadily, with civil works now more than halfway completed, less than a year after the project began in November 2023.
Sadain, the recent progress in the Bucana Bridge project “demonstrates the unyielding hardwork and commitment of DPWH in fulfilling the goals and vision of this iconic infrastructure in Davao City which will greatly contribute to reinforcing an advanced and sustainable national road network of the country.”
thority (Tesda) and the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) are part of the initiative to ensure that beneficiaries have the necessary skills to succeed in their fields.
Moreover, the BPSF highlights the importance of enhancing support for Filipino arts and media, aligning with the Marcos administration’s vision of promoting sustainable growth and development across all sectors.
The fair also promotes cultural and creative workshops, providing a space for attendees to develop their skills in arts, media, and entertainment. With these sessions, the event aims to build a more robust creative ecosystem that will foster economic growth and contribute to the nation’s cultural identity.
In addition to direct cash assistance, the BPSF partners with industry stakeholders to deliver job fairs and industry support programs that are tailored to the unique needs of professionals in the creative sector.
The event’s overarching goal is to provide a holistic approach to uplifting the creative industry by ensuring that all resources and opportunities are accessible to its members.
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Dimalanta, Michelle B. Santos, and John Nuevy L. Venzon. Emerald Vital, Licensing Assistant and former officer in charge of the Business Permit and Licensing Office was also suspended.
The complaint was filed by Undersecretary Juan Victor R. Llamas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) against the 21 respondents in the Ombudsman case docketed as OMB-C-ASEP-24-0093 for alleged gross neglect of duty.
The case stemmed from the operations of Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) in Porac town. The Pogos were authorized to operate during the Duterte administra -
tion but were recently banned by President Marcos. The order of the Ombudsman read: “They are hereby preventively suspended during the pendency of this case until its termination, but not to exceed the total period of six (6) months, without pay.”
Regin Clarete, who died in May 2023, had been succeeded by his older sister Myla Clarete in the Porac Municipal Council in September 2023. For still undetermined reasons, Councilor Myla Clarete was not suspended but was in fact appointed acting Porac mayor.
Acting Mayor Clarete is sisterin-law of former Councilor Tapang, who is also eyeing the mayoral post.
It was not known if the Clarete family had received the suspension order of the late Councilor Regin Clarete. Dead. . .
In his inspection report to Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said that civil works are “showing substantial developments with [the] accomplishment status now reaching 53.76 percent and [it is] anticipated to open to traffic before the end of 2025.”
Presently, the four-lane, sixspan extradosed bridge and its approach roads crossing the Davao River have reached significant milestones in the foundation works, pouring of pylon for pier 1, installation of form travellers in preparation for the superstructure, and among others, Sadain
reported. Implemented by DPWH Unified Project Management Office - Bridges Management Cluster (UPMO-BMC) headed by Project Director Rodrigo I. delos Reyes with Acting Project Manager Norifel Teddie G. Cadiang and Project Engineer John Christian T. Gaden, the Bucana Bridge along the Davao City Coastal Road, will serve as an alternate route for the growing number of vehicles to the existing urban road network of Davao City. Also present during the inspection on October 11 are delos Reyes, UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1 Project Director Benjamin A.
Bautista, Stakeholders Relations Service Director Randy R. del Rosario, and Project Manager Joweto V. Tulaylay.
The Bucana Bridge features advanced structural components and engineering innovations, that is poised to provide an efficient transportation link in Davao City, also serving as an integral part of the coastal bypass road traversing from Roxas Avenue to Bago Aplaya. Funded by China Aid-Grant, the project is under contract with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) in the amount of P3.126 billion.
The completion of this project will further boost new economic and development opportunities in Davao City.
IPOPHL set to make Cagayan Valley gateway for investment, innovation
THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has launched its Intellectual Property Regional Development Plan (IPRDP) for the Cagayan Valley, a strategic initiative aimed at positioning the region as a pivotal East Asian gateway for investment.
This ambitious plan has garnered support from stakeholders, including various regional government agencies, the private sector and educational institutions.
From the regional government, the new partners to the IPRDP include the Commission of Higher Education (CHED), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
From the private sector, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) from the region joined hands to support the IPRDP. From academe, the Batanes State College (BSC), Cagayan State University (CSU), Isabela State University (ISU), Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) and Quirino State University (QSU) joined. On October 9, these partners formalized their commitment by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which outlines their shared vision to create and implement a cohesive framework to safeguard and commercialize intellectual property in the region.
Located in the northeastern part of mainland Luzon, Cagayan Valley stands as
the second largest region in the country. In 2023, the Cagayan Valley’s economy grew by 6.2 percent to P447.07 billion, making it the seventh fastest growing economy out of 17 regions in the country.
IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba highlighted the region’s fertile soil and potential as a key hub for trade and investment in the country.
“With its natural resources, vast agricultural lands and its strategic location along international trade routes, Cagayan Valley shows abundant potential to be a center for agro-industrial and manufacturing activities. In this context, IP can give the region the opportunity to be ahead in innovation,” Barba said. Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer Bureau Director Ralph Jarvis H.
Alindogan said the IPRDP for Region II aligns with the Cagayan Valley Regional Development Plan (CVRDP) 2023-2028, which looks to the promise of innovation to transform its production sectors with more quality jobs and competitive products.
Through its CVRDP, the region envisions to be the gateway to East Asia by 2040, with its economy driven by agro-industries, manufacturing, IT-based industries, nature and culture tourism.
“With the IPRDP and the support of the new partners we made today, IPOPHL could help realize the region’s goal to be a key economic corridor that connects the Philippines to broader markets and bring more homegrown innovations and brands to the world,” Alindogan said.
Heavy Israeli bombardment in northern Gaza kills dozens; Un peacekeepers’ headquarters hit again
By Samy Magdy & Bassem Mroue The Associated Press
BEIRUT—Palestinians in northern Gaza described heavy Israeli bombardment Saturday in the hours after airstrikes killed at least 22 people, as Israel warned people there and in southern Lebanon to get out of the way of offensives against the Hamas and Hezbollah militant groups.
In Lebanon, the U.N. peacekeeping force said its headquarters in Naqoura was hit again, with a peacekeeper struck by gunfire late Friday and in stable condition. It wasn’t clear who fired. It occurred a day after Israel’s military fired on the headquarters for a second straight day. Israel, which has warned peacekeepers to leave their positions, didn’t immediately respond to questions.
Hunger warnings emerged again in northern Gaza as residents said they hadn’t received aid since the beginning of the month. The U.N. World Food Program said no food aid had entered the north since Oct. 1. An estimated 400,000 people remain there.
Israel’s military renewed its offensive in northern Gaza almost a week ago while escalating its air and ground campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Amid Israel’s war with Hezbollah, a top UN official, Carl Skau, told The Associated Press he’s concerned that Lebanon’s ports and airport might be taken out of service. More than one million people have been displaced.
Israel’s military said Hezbollah fired more than 300 projectiles over Yom Kippur, the holiest and most solemn day on the Jewish calendar.
Hezbollah claimed a series of rocket strikes on Israeli military positions and said fighters engaged an Israeli infantry unit attempting to enter Lebanese territory.
Israel’s military also said it killed 50 militants in Lebanon. Claims on either side couldn’t be verified.
Israeli airstrikes on Saturday hit multiple areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Nine were killed in Maisra village in the
northeast. Four were killed in an apartment building on the edge of Barja south of Beirut. Rayak and Tal Chiha hospitals in the Bekaa Valley were damaged. In Nabatieh, eight people were wounded.
The total toll in Lebanon over the past year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is now 2,255 killed, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. More than 1,400 people have been killed since midSeptember. It isn’t clear how many were fighters.
“We will keep standing with the Lebanese people during these difficult circumstances and also with the Palestinian people,” the speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said Saturday while touring the scene of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.
some Gaza residents are trapped I N northern Gaza, residents told the AP many were trapped in their homes and shelters with dwindling supplies while seeing bodies uncollected in the streets as the bombing hampered emergency responders.
Those who rushed to the scene of the latest deadly airstrikes in the urban refugee camp of Jabaliya found a hole 20 meters (65 feet) deep where a home once stood.
At least 20 bodies were recovered while others likely were under rubble, emergency service officials said.
Elsewhere in Jabaliya, a strike on a home killed two brothers and wounded a woman and newborn baby, the officials said. An afternoon strike on a home killed at least four people, including a woman, said Fares Abu Hamza, an official with the emergency service.
Israel’s military said it killed more than 20 militants in the Jabaliya area
over the past day.
Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee told people in parts of Jabaliya and Gaza City to evacuate south to an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone as Israel plans to use great force “and will continue to do so for a long time.”
Israel has repeatedly returned to parts of Gaza as Hamas and other militants regroup. The war has destroyed large areas of Gaza and displaced around 90 percent of its population of 2.3 million people, often multiple times.
Once again, some families moved south on foot, in donkey carts or crowded in vehicles that navigated piles of rubble. Others refused to go.
“It’s like the first days of the war,” said a Jabaliya resident, Ahmed Abu Goneim. “The occupation is doing everything to uproot us. But we will not leave.”
The 24-year-old said Israeli warplanes and drones struck many neighboring houses in the past week. He counted 15 relatives and neighbors, including four women and five children as young as 3, killed in neighboring homes.
Hamza Sharif, who stays with his family in a school-turned-shelter in Jabaliya, described “constant bombings day and night.”
He said the shelter hasn’t received aid since the beginning of the month and that families “will run out of supplies very soon.”
Food is running out
The World Food Program said it was unclear how long the limited food supplies it distributed in northern Gaza earlier will last.
Ukrainian recruiters descend on Kyiv’s nightlife in search of men not registered for conscription
By Samya Kullab & Elise Morton
The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine—Ukrainian military recruitment officers raided restaurants, bars and a concert hall in Kyiv, checking military registration documents and detaining men who were not in compliance, media and witnesses reported Saturday. Officers descended on Kyiv’s Palace of Sports venue after a concert Friday night by Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy. Video footage aired by local media outlets appears to show officers stationed outside the doors of the concert hall intercepting men as they exit. In the footage, officers appear to be forcibly detaining some men. Checks were also conducted at Goodwine, an upscale shopping center, and Avalon, a popular restaurant. It is unusual for such raids to take place in the capital, and reflects Ukraine’s dire need for fresh recruits.
All Ukrainian men aged 25-60 are eligible for conscription, and men aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave the country.
Men live in fear of being called up
A 27-year-old man said he left the concert as the last song was playing after he was told about the recruitment officers. He said he saw soldiers and police talking to people but “didn’t see anything super aggressive.”
He said men felt in danger of being drafted whenever they ventured outside.
“That inner state of always being in danger, it’s back again,” he told The Associated Press, only giving his first name for fear of retribution.
He said his university draft waiver was taken away after Ukraine passed laws in April that both lowered drafteligible age for men from 27 to 25 and did away with some draft exemptions.
Local reports said raids were also conducted in clubs and restaurants across other Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv and Dnipro in eastern and central Ukraine.
Ukraine has intensified its mobilization drive this year. A new law came into effect this spring stipulating that those eligible for military service must input their information
into an online system or face penalties. Ukraine reports strikes on a Russianrun oil terminal
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military said on Saturday that it struck a Russiancontrolled oil terminal in the partially occupied Luhansk region that provides fuel for Russia’s war effort.
“Oil and oil products were stored at this base, which were supplied, in particular, for the needs of the Russian army,” Ukraine’s General Staff wrote on Telegram.
Russian state media reported that the terminal close to the city of Rovenky had come under attack from a Ukrainian drone and said there were no casualties and that the fire had been extinguished, but did not comment on the extent of any damage.
On Monday, Ukrainian forces said they struck a major oil terminal on the south coast of the Russia-occupied Crimea Peninsula.
Both sides are facing the issue of how to sustain their costly war of attrition—a conflict that started with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and that shows no signs of a resolution.
UN official warns of food crisis in Lebanon as Israel’s offensive targets ports, airport
By Abby Sewell The Associated Press
The U.N.’s independent investigator on the right to food last month accused Israel of carrying out a “starvation campaign” against Palestinians, which Israel has denied.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza started after Hamas’ October 7 attack, when militants stormed into Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 others.
Israel’s offensive has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, who don’t specify between combatants and civilians.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said that hospitals had received the bodies of 49 people killed over the past 24 hours.
The US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant on Saturday to express his “deep concern” about reports that Israeli forces fired on UN peacekeeping positions in Lebanon, as well as the reported death of two Lebanese soldiers, according to a Pentagon statement.
Austin said it was important to ensure the safety and security of UNIFIL forces and Lebanese Armed Forces, and “reinforced the need to pivot from military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic pathway as soon as feasible,” according to the statement.
The US Secretary of Defense also said steps must be taken to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and reaffirmed the United States’ “unwavering, enduring, and ironclad commitment to Israel’s security,” according to the statement. Samy Magdy reported from Cairo. Jack Jeffery in Jerusalem, and Sam Metz in Rabat, Morocco, contributed to this report.
Ukraine’s aim is to impair Russia’s ability to support its front-line units, especially in the eastern Donetsk region where the main Russian battlefield effort is stretching weary Ukrainian forces.
Kyiv is still awaiting word from its Western partners on its repeated requests to use the long-range weapons they provide to hit targets on Russian soil.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said 47 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted and destroyed by its air defense systems overnight into Saturday: 17 over the Krasnodar region, 16 over the Sea of Azov, 12 over the Kursk region and two over the Belgorod region, all of which border Ukraine.
Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said Saturday that one person had been killed and 14 wounded in Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks over the previous 24 hours. In Ukraine, the country’s Air Force said air defenses had shot down 24 of 28 drones launched overnight against Ukraine.
Zaporizhzhia regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov said two women were wounded Saturday in Russian attacks on the capital of the southern Ukrainian region, also called Zaporizhzhia. Morton reported from London. Associated Press writer Yehor Konovalov contributed to this report.
BEIRUT—A top United Nations official said during a visit to Beirut Saturday that he is concerned that Lebanon’s ports and airport might be taken out of service, with serious implications for getting food supplies into the county, as Israel continues its offensive against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
“What I have seen and heard today is devastating, but the sense is that this can get much worse still, and that needs to be avoided,” said Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, in an interview with The Associated Press.
He appealed for “all diplomatic efforts possible to try to find a political solution” to the war and for supply lines to remain open.
“We have huge concerns and there are many, but one of them is indeed that we need the ports and we need the supply routes to continue to be able to operate,” Skau said.
In Gaza, where Israel has been at war with Hamas since the Palestinian militant group launched a deadly incursion into southern Israel a year ago, hunger has skyrocketed as humanitarian organizations have complained of major obstacles to getting food and other supplies into the blockaded enclave.
Skau said he believes that Israeli authorities had given “commitments” that in Lebanon, the ports and airport would not be taken out of commission.
“But of course, this is a very changing environment. So we don’t take anything for granted,” he said.
In recent weeks, Israel has escalated its aerial bombardment and launched a ground invasion in Lebanon.
About 1.2 million people are displaced in Lebanon, according to government estimates, of whom some
200,000 are staying in collective shelters, where the WFP is supplying them with meals.
Skau noted that food prices have already increased as a result of the conflict, although Lebanon’s sole international airport and its main seaports are still functioning. The WFP had stocked up enough food to supply 1 million people—about one-fifth of Lebanon’s population—for up to a month, he said, but now is trying to build up supplies that could feed that number through the end of the year.
“We will, of course, be having to restock, and for that, the ports will be critical and other supply lines,” he said. For instance, the agency has been bringing food in from Jordan through Syria into Lebanon by land, he said. Earlier this month, an Israeli strike on the road to the main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria cut off access to that crossing.
Since the Masnaa crossing was struck, people fleeing Lebanon have continued to cross on foot, while vehicles—including those bringing supplies for the WFP—have had to use another crossing in the far north of the country, making the journey more arduous and expensive. Skau appealed for the Masnaa crossing to be reopened.
Lebanese General Security, which oversees border crossings, has recorded 320,184 Syrians and 117,727 Lebanese citizens crossing into Syria since September 23, when the major escalation in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon started.
The influx comes at a time when the WFP has reduced its food assistance in Syria as a result of funding shortages.
“We’ve gone over the past two years from assisting some 6 million people to around 1.5 (million),” Skau said. “And with that, of course, our capacity has been tightened and now we need to scale up again.”
US airstrikes target multiple Islamic State camps in Syria
BEIRUT—A series of US airstrikes targeted several camps run by the Islamic State group in Syria in an operation the US military said will disrupt the extremists from conducting attacks in the region and beyond.
The US Central Command said the airstrikes were conducted Friday, without specifying in which parts of Syria. About 900 US troops have been deployed in eastern Syria alongside the US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that were instrumental in the fight against IS militants.
Despite their defeat, attacks by IS sleeper cells in Iraq and Syria have been on the rise over the past years, with scores of people killed or wounded.
The Islamic State group seized territory at the height of its power and declared a caliphate in large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014, but was
defeated in Iraq in 2017. In March 2019, the extremists lost the last sliver of land they once controlled in eastern Syria.
The US military said the strikes will disrupt the ability of the Islamic State group to plan, organize and conduct attacks against the United States, its allies and partners, and civilians throughout the region and beyond. It said battle damage assessments were underway and there were no civilian casualties.
Last month, Iraq’s military said that Iraqi forces and American troops killed a senior IS commander who was wanted by the United States, as well as several other prominent militants. At its peak, the group ruled an area half the size of the United Kingdom where it enforced its extreme interpretation of Islam, which included attacks on religious minority groups and harsh punishment of Muslims deemed to be apostates.
Floridians scramble for gas as widespread shortage grips state after Hurricane Milton
By Russ Bynum, Brendan Farrington & Ty Oneil The Associated Press
CORTEZ, Fla.—Floridians recovering from Hurricane Milton, many of whom were journeying home after fleeing hundreds of miles to escape the storm, spent much of Saturday searching for gas as a fuel shortage gripped the state.
In St. Petersburg, scores of people lined up at a station that had no gas, hoping it would arrive soon.
Among them was Daniel Thornton and his 9-year-old daughter Magnolia, who arrived at the station at 7 a.m. and were still waiting four hours later.
“They told me they have gas coming but they don’t know when it’s going to be here,” he said. “I have no choice. I have to sit here all day with her until I get gas.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Saturday morning that the state opened three fuel distribution sites and planned to open several more.
Residents can get 10 gallons (37.85 liters) each, free of charge, he said.
“Obviously as power gets restored ... and the Port of Tampa is open, you’re going to see the fuel flowing. But in the meantime, we want to give people another option,” DeSantis said.
Officials were replenishing area gas stations with the state’s fuel stockpiles and provided generators to stations that remained without power.
Disaster hits twice
Th OS e who reached home were assessing the damage and beginning the arduous cleaning process.
Some, like Bill O’Connell, a board member at Bahia Vista Gulf in Venice, had thought they were done after the condo association hired companies to gut, treat and dry the
units following h urricane h elene. Milton undid that work and caused additional damage, O’Connell said.
“It reflooded everything that was already flooded, brought all the sand back on our property that we removed,” O’Connell said.
“And also did some catastrophic wind damage, ripped off many roofs and blew out a lot of windows that caused more damage inside the units.”
The two hurricanes left a ruinous mess in the fishing village of Cortez, a community of 4,100 along the northern edge of Sarasota Bay. Residents of its modest, single-story wood and stuccofronted cottages were working to remove broken furniture and tree limbs, stacking the debris in the street much like they did after h urricane h elene.
e verything is shot,” said Mark Praught, a retired street sweeper for Manatee County, who saw 4-foot (1.2-meter) storm surges during h elene. “We’ll replace the electrical and the plumbing and go from there.”
Praught and his wife, Catherine, have lived for 36 years in a low-lying home that now looks like an empty shell. All the furniture had to be discarded, the walls and the brick and tile floors had be scrubbed clean of muck, and drywall had to be ripped out.
Catherine Praught said they felt “pure panic” when h urri -
cane Milton menaced Cortez so soon after h elene, forcing them to pause their cleanup and evacuate. Fortunately, their home wasn’t damaged by the second storm.
“This is where we live,” Catherine Praught said. “We’re just hopeful we get the insurance company to help us.”
In Bradenton Beach, Jen h illiard scooped up wet sand mixed with rocks and tree roots and dumped the mixture into a wheelbarrow.
“This was all grass,” h illiard said of the sandy mess beneath her feet.
“They’re going to have to make 500 trips of this.”
h illiard, who moved to Florida six months ago and lives further inland, said she was happy to pitch in and help clean up her friend’s home a block from the shore in Braden -
ton Beach
Furniture and household appliances sat outside alongside debris from interior drywall that was removed after h elene sent several feet of storm surge into the house. Inside, walls were gutted up to 4 feet (1.2 meters), exposing the beams underneath.
“You roll with the punches,” she said. “Community is the best part, though. e verybody helping each other.” Milton killed at least 10 people
after it made landfall as a Category 3 storm, tearing across central Florida, flooding barrier islands and spawning deadly tornadoes. Officials say the toll could have been worse if not for the widespread evacuations.
Overall, more than a thousand peo -
ple had been rescued in the wake of the storm as of Saturday, DeSantis said.
Property damage and economic costs in the billions
On Sunday, President Joe Biden will survey the devastation inflicted on Florida’s Gulf Coast by the hurricane.
h e said he hopes to connect with DeSantis during the visit.
The trip offers Biden another opportunity to press Republican h ouse
Speaker Mike Johnson to call lawmakers back to Washington to approve more funding during their preelection recess. It’s something Johnson says he won’t do.
Biden is making the case that Congress needs to act now to ensure the Small Business Administration and F e MA have the money they need to get through hurricane season, which stretches through n ovember in the Atlantic.
DeSantis welcomed the federal government’s approval of a disaster declaration announced Saturday and said he had gotten strong support from Biden. h
By Jacob Zimba The Associated Press
lA ke k ARI b A, Zambia—t indor Sikunyongana is trying to run a welding business, which these days means buying a diesel generator with costly fuel he can’t always afford.
l ike everyone in Zambia, Sikunyongana is facing a daily struggle to find and afford electricity during a climate-induced energy crisis that’s robbed the southern African country of almost all its power. “ o nly God knows when this crisis will end,” said Sikunyongana. h is generator ran out of diesel and spluttered to a halt as he spoke. “You see what I mean?” he said. Zambia’s worst electricity blackouts in memory have been caused by a severe drought in the region that has left the critical k ariba Dam, the source of Sikunyongana’s woes, with insufficient water to run its hydroelectric turbines. k ariba is the largest man-made lake in the world by volume and lies 200 kilometers (125 miles) south of l usaka on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
t he massive dam wall was built in the 1950s and more than 80 workers died during construction. It was meant to revolutionize the countries’ energy supplies by trapping the water of the Zambezi River, turning a valley into a huge lake and providing an endless supply of renewable hydroelectric power.
t hat’s not the case anymore as months of drought brought by the naturally oc-
curring e l Nino weather pattern and exacerbated by warming temperatures have put Zambia’s hydroelectric station on the brink of completely shutting down for the first time.
t he water level is so low that only one of the six turbines on Zambia’s side of the dam is able to operate, cutting generation to less than 10 percent of normal output. Zambia relies on k ariba for more than 80% of its national electricity supply, and the result is Zambians have barely a few hours of power a day at the best of times. o ften, areas are going without electricity for days.
e dla Musonda is so exasperated that she’s taken to lugging her entire desktop computer—hard drive, monitor, everything—to a local cafe so she can work. Musonda and others cram into the Mercato c afe in the Zambian capital of l usaka, not for the sandwiches or the ambiance but because it has a diesel generator. tables are cluttered with power strips and cables as people plug in cell phones, laptops and in Musonda’s case, a home office. t his is the only way her small travel business is going to survive.
l ess than half of Zambia’s 20 million people had access to electricity before k ariba’s problems. Millions more have now been forced to adjust as mothers find different ways to cook for their families and children do their homework by candlelight. t he most damaging impact is during the daylight hours when small businesses, the backbone of the country,
struggles
Zambia’s energy crisis worsens as drought hits Kariba Dam, sparking daily
struggle to operate.
“ t his is also going to increase poverty levels in the country,” said economist trevor h ambayi, who fears Zambia’s economy will shrink dramatically if the power crisis is prolonged. It’s a warning call to the Zambian government and the continent in general about the danger to development of relying heavily on one source of energy that is so climate dependent.
t he power crisis is a bigger blow to the economy and the battle against poverty than the lockdowns during the c ovid-19 pandemic, said Zambia Association of Manufacturers president Ashu Sagar.
Africa contributes the least to global warming but is the most vulnerable continent to extreme weather events and climate change as poor countries can’t meet the high financials costs of adapting. t his year’s drought in southern Africa is the worst in decades and has parched crops and left millions hungry, causing Zambia and others to already declare national disasters and ask for aid.
h ydroelectric power accounts for 17% of Africa’s energy generation, but that figure is expected to rise to 23% by 2040, according to the International e nergy Agency. Zambia is not alone in that hydroelectric power makes up over 80% of the energy mix in Mozambique, Malawi, Uganda, e thiopia and c ongo, even as experts warn it will become more unreliable. Associated Press journalist Taiwo Adebayo in Abuja, Nigeria contributed to this report.
OpenAI faces scrutiny over nonprofit status as valuation hits $157 billion
By Thalia Beaty The Associated Press
NEW YORK—The artificial intelligence maker OpenAI may face a costly and inconvenient reckoning with its nonprofit origins even as its valuation recently exploded to $157 billion.
Nonprofit tax experts have been closely watching OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, since last November when its board ousted and rehired C e O Sam Altman. Now, some believe the company may have reached—or exceeded—the limits of its corporate structure, under which it is organized as a nonprofit whose mission is to develop artificial intelligence to benefit “all of humanity” but with for-profit subsidiaries under its control.
Jill h orwitz, a professor in law and medicine at UCLA School of Law who has studied OpenAI, said that when two sides of a joint venture between a nonprofit and a for-profit come into conflict, the charitable purpose must always win out.
“It’s the job of the board first, and then the regulators and the court, to ensure that the promise that was made to the public to pursue the charitable interest is kept,” she said.
Altman recently confirmed that OpenAI is considering a corporate restructure but did not offer any specifics. A source told The Associated Press, however, that the company is looking at the possibility of turning OpenAI into a public benefit corporation. No final decision has been made by the board and the timing of the shift hasn’t been determined, the source said.
In the event the nonprofit loses control of its subsidiaries, some experts think OpenAI may have to pay for the interests and assets that had belonged to the nonprofit. So far, most observers agree OpenAI has carefully orchestrated its relationships between its nonprofit and its various other corporate entities to try to avoid that.
h owever, they also see OpenAI as ripe for scrutiny from regulators, including the Internal Revenue Service and state attorneys general in Delaware, where its incorporated, and in California, where it operates.
Bret Taylor, chair of the OpenAI nonprofit’s board, said in a statement that the board was focused on fulfilling its fiduciary obligation.
“Any potential restructuring would ensure the nonprofit continues to exist and thrive, and receives full value for its current stake in the OpenAI forprofit with an enhanced ability to pursue its mission,” he said. h ere are the main questions nonprofit experts have:
How could OpenAI convert from nonprofit to for-profit?
T A x-exe MPT nonprofits sometimes decide to change their status. That requires what the IRS calls a conversion.
Tax law requires money or assets donated to a tax-exempt organization to remain within the charitable sector. If the initial organization becomes a forprofit, generally, a conversion is needed where the for-profit pays the fair market value of the assets to another charitable organization.
e ven if the nonprofit OpenAI continues to exist in some way, some experts argue it would have to be paid fair market value for any assets that get transferred to its for-profit subsidiaries.
In OpenAI’s case, there are many questions: What assets belong to its nonprofit? What is the value of those assets? Do they include intellectual property, patents, commercial products and licenses? Also, what is the value of giving up control of the for-profit subsidiaries?
If OpenAI were to diminish the control that its nonprofit has over its other business entities, a regulator may require answers to those questions. Any change to OpenAI’s structure will require it to navigate the laws governing tax-exempt organizations. Andrew Steinberg, counsel at Venable LLP and a member of the American Bar Association’s nonprofit organizations committee, said it would be an “extraordinary” transaction to change the structure of corporate subsidiaries of a tax-exempt nonprofit.
“It would be a complex, involved process with numerous different legal and regulatory considerations to work through,” he said. “But it’s not impossible.”
China’s finance minister
By Ken Moritsugu
The Associated Press
Be IJING—The Chinese government is looking at additional ways to boost the economy, Finance Minister Lan Fo’an said Saturday, but he stopped short of unveiling
Is OpenAI carrying out its charitable mission?
T O be granted tax-exempt status, OpenAI had to apply to the IRS and explain its charitable purpose. OpenAI provided The Associated Press a copy of that September 2016 application, which shows how significantly the organization’s plans for its technology and structure have changed.
OpenAI spokesperson Liz Bourgeois said in an e-mail that the organization’s missions and goals remained constant, though the way it’s carried out its mission has evolved alongside advances in technology.
When OpenAI incorporated as a nonprofit in Delaware, it wrote that its purpose was, “to provide funding for research, development and distribution of technology related to artificial intelligence.” In tax filings, it’s also described its mission as building, “general-purpose artificial intelligence (AI) that safely benefits humanity, unconstrained by a need to generate financial return.”
Steinberg said there is no problem with the organization’s plans changing as long as it reported that information on its annual tax returns, which it has.
But some observers, including e lon Musk, who was a board member and early supporter of OpenAI and has sued the organization, are skeptical that it has been faithful to its mission.
The “godfather of AI” Geoffrey h inton, who was co-awarded the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday, has also expressed concern about OpenAI’s evolution, openly boasting that one of his former students, Ilya Sutskever, who went on to co-found the organization, helped oust Altman as C e O before bringing him back.
“OpenAI was set up with a big emphasis on safety. Its primary objective was to develop artificial general intelligence and
EU faces existential crisis as members prioritize national interests over unity
By Ben Sills
The e uropean project is approaching a tipping point.
A combination of political paralysis, external threats and economic malaise is threatening to end the e uropean Union’s ambitions to become a global force in its own right—pushing member states toward defending their own interests instead.
After decades of warnings and sub-par growth, the region’s leaders are suddenly confronting a barrage of evidence that decline is becoming unstoppable.
ensure that it was safe,” h inton said, adding that “over time, it turned out that Sam Altman was much less concerned with safety than with profits. And I think that’s unfortunate.”
Sutskever, who led a team focused on AI safety at OpenAI, left the organization in May and has started his own AI company. OpenAI for its part says it is proud of its safety record.
Will OpenAI board members avoid conflicts of interest?
U LTIMAT e L y , this question returns to the board of OpenAI’s nonprofit, and the extent to which it is acting to further the organization’s charitable mission.
Steinberg said that regulators looking at a nonprofit board’s decision will be most interested in the process through which it arrived at that decision, not necessarily whether it reached the best decision.
he said regulators, “will often defer to the business judgment of members of the board as long as the transactions don’t involve conflict of interests for any of the board members. They don’t stand to gain financially from the transaction.”
Whether any board members were to benefit financially from any change in OpenAI’s structure could also be of interest to nonprofit regulators.
In response to questions about if Altman might be given equity in the for-profit subsidiary in any potential restructuring, OpenAI board chair Taylor said in a statement, “The board has had discussions about whether it would be beneficial to the company and our mission to have Sam be compensated with equity, but no specific figures have been discussed nor have any decisions been made.”
The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement that allows OpenAI access to part of AP’s text archives.
disappoints investors, offers no major stimulus
ernment budget to raise debt and increase the deficit.
China’s economy has remained sluggish despite the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions at the end of 2022. Companies have cut back on hiring and wages and a prolonged downturn in the property market has deflated consumer confidence, curbing spending. The government has raised pensions and offered subsidies to people who trade in old cars or appliances for new ones, but such steps have failed to jolt economic growth.
Chinese stock markets rallied after the central bank and other government agencies announced steps at the end of September to revive the property sector and
prop up financial markets.
But the rally has since cooled amid concern about whether the moves were enough to generate a sustainable economic recovery. Investors were hoping Lan would announce a stimulus package of up to 2 trillion yuan ($280 million).
The finance minister instead said the government would roll out a package of incremental measures to speed up implementation of its existing policies. They include increasing scholarships for students, issuing bonds to help major banks replenish their capital, and providing more support to highly indebted local governments, some of which have had to curtail public services.
France’s europhile president has surrendered veto power over his government to the far right; Germany’s biggest carmaker is talking about shuttering factories at home for the first time ever; US tech giants are turning their backs on the e uropean market because of its new restrictions on artificial intelligence.
Those developments all underpin the e U’s failure to act as a cohesive and dynamic economic bloc, eroding its status and degrading its capacity to respond to a wide range of threats from Chinese industrial policy to Russian military aggression, or even a future antagonistic administration in the US.
Recent apathy or pushback by governments after former Italian premier Mario Draghi’s wake-up call for more investment and common bonds to combat feeble productivity growth underscore how the region has all but given up trying.
“If you wanted to be a geopolitical power, then economic might is the key ingredient,” says Guntram Wolff, a professor at the Free University in Brussels and senior fellow at the Bruegel think tank. “Productivity growth has just been a disaster. e urope is still rich, but these differentials over 20 years have massive implications.”
The fundamental problem is that the world is experiencing the dramatic shifts of climate breakdown, demographic change and the move to a post-industrial economy — all phenomena where e urope’s ability and willingness to respond are lagging.
The region’s geopolitical rivals are seeking to exploit those transformations, whereas too many of the e U’s biggest members are saddled with economic models that have failed to deliver for too long — and restless voters who won’t embrace alternatives.
“Something is changing very, very dramatically and very, very deeply in this world,” Former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said in an interview. “We can’t react correctly, because we are too slow.”
Of course, China is battling its own economic slowdown, and the US is heading toward a potentially disruptive election with its public finances on an unsustainable footing. But both those nations have systems that centralize decision making to a large extent, and generate vast amounts of private or public capital for defense and investment in cuttingedge technology.
e urope has none of those advantages—and that’s increasingly evident.
To be sure, living standards in its wealthy economies aren’t on the verge of collapse. Some countries might well benefit from investment or trade deals with the US, China or Russia. But the longer the current trends persist, the greater e urope’s vulnerability to dramatic shocks will become.
“I really believe we are at risk,” French President e mmanuel Macron said earlier this month on a panel in Berlin. “In the two to three years to come, if we follow our classic agenda, we will be out of the market. I have no doubt.”
Those risks are starting to crystallize for the e U already, as the bloc’s dependence on the Chinese economy increases even despite a growing number of disputes with Beijing.
Macron argues that the loss of cheap Russian fossil fuels since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the advent of US President Joe Biden’s aggressive subsidyintense industrial policy, mark a rupture with the old model that allowed e urope’s export-based economies to flourish.
That adds to pre-existing challenges posed by the rise of China and its own
vast manufacturing machine, and the global leap forward in technology innovation that has largely bypassed the region.
“ e urope is in danger,” says David Galbraith, a tech entrepreneur and investor who has spent his career working on both sides of the Atlantic and perceives the world economy to be in the midst of a transformation akin to the industrial revolution.
“Look at what happened to countries that failed to industrialize,” he said. “They didn’t do very well.” The result threatens to cause damage that goes beyond simply lagging in investment and productivity: the region’s leaders are losing faith in the e uropean project.
It’s not just euroskeptics like h ungary’s Viktor Orban, a perennial thorn in the bloc’s side. Officials in core e uropean countries are starting to view the e U as an obstacle they need to get around — rather than the source of prosperity and protection it has represented until now. French officials talk about forging deeper integration with a smaller group of countries outside of the bloc’s framework because of Germany’s longstanding opposition. Polish officials cite similar initiatives on defense. The prime minister of Spain, traditionally one of the most pro- e U states, is undermining its trade policy to court Chinese investment.
“The geopolitics of division is really working,” says Jamie Rush, chief e uropean economist at Bloomberg e conomics. “China is directing Spanish policy to the e U by throwing around a little bit of money. Orban is acting with impunity. All of this undermines faith in the wider project—not just for politicians, but also for investors.”
EU productivity gap allowed US to surge ahead e xe CUTIV e S and investors are starting to show similar doubts about e urope too, most prominently with recent decisions by Apple Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. to withhold their latest AI products from the e U market — denting the bloc’s claim to be the benchmark for global standards. Previously, most global corporations judged the single market as too large and lucrative to forgo, despite burdensome regulation. The US tech giants instead decided the e U’s AI rules were just too restrictive.
With that global political and corporate backdrop festering, Draghi—the former e uropean Central Bank president—set out a blueprint for reviving the bloc in September, while chronicling in minute detail the danger of the region’s decay as an economic force. The e U’s relative decline has been unceasing over the quarter century since monetary union. An analysis by Bloomberg e conomics shows that the bloc’s economy would be about €3 trillion ($3.3 trillion) bigger if it had kept pace with the US—enough to boost the income of the average worker by about €13,000 a year.
“The foundations on which we built are now being shaken,” Draghi said in the introduction to his report. “This is an existential challenge.” h is key recommendations for harnessing the e U’s financial power with more joint debt issuance were dismissed out of hand by the Germans, leery of pooling more risk with other member states. Other priorities, such as the creation of a joint capital market, have yet to gain momentum. With assistance from Natalia Ojewska, Sylvia Klimaki, Zoe Schneeweiss and Ania Nussbaum / Bloomberg
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman attends an Apple event announcing new products in Cupertino, California on June 10, 2024. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Meat imports grow by 11 percent
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE country’s meat imports increased by 11.06 percent as of August 31.
Data culled by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) showed that meat imports increased to 907,771 metric tons (MT) from January to August this year compared to the 817,353 MT recorded in the same period in 2023.
Chicken imports grew 4.32 percent to 302,028 MT from 289,520 MT. Mechanically deboned meat (MDM) accounted for a chunk of chicken imports at 175,062 MT. This was followed by chicken leg quarter at 71,738 MT.
Based on BAI data, pork imports
USDA hikes PHL rice import estimate
THE United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) adjusted upward its estimate of the Philippines’s rice imports in 2025 owing to a smaller crop.
In its latest report, the USDA said that the country’s rice imports next year could reach 4.9 million metric tons (MMT), higher than its previous forecast of 4.6 MMT.
“Global imports are forecast higher with increases to several African and Asian markets following India’s trade policy changes likely creating more available global supplies and lower prices,” the USDA report read.
India recently lifted its export ban on non-basmati white rice, which is considered the most traded category of rice globally.
Meanwhile, USDA also increased the projection of the Philippines’s rice imports this year to 4.7 MMT due to “strong buying of Vietnam rice.”
The latest projection is higher than the actual purchases of 3.61 MMT made last year.
In terms of rice prices, the USDA said the Asian export quotes “declined significantly” in response to India lifting its export ban on non-basmati white rice.
India set a Minimum Export Price (MEP) at $490 per MT and the current export quote is $492 per MT, according to the international agency.
“Vietnam quotes decreased $28 to $534 per ton, while Thailand declined $60 to $517 per ton with increased pressure from India’s return to the market,” the USDA said.
Rice arrivals
IMPORTED rice that arrived in the Philippines hit nearly 3.3 million metric tons (MMT) as of October 3, according to data from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).
Figures from the attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed that 3.29 MMT of imported rice reached Philippine ports.
Of the volume that arrived in the Philippines, over 2.61 MMT came from Vietnam, which maintained its status as the country’s top source of imports. Thailand was the secondlargest supplier as it accounted for 416,185.19 MT.
BPI data also showed that the Philippines imported rice from other countries like Pakistan (157,564.48 MT), Myanmar (76,971 MT), and India (22,039.04 MT).
Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa earlier said that following the trajectory of rice import arrivals, it would be possible to surpass the total imports recorded in the previous year.
“Most of the imports arrive during the last quarter so historically [and] statistically speaking, it might breach the 3.6 MMT last year,” de Mesa told reporters. Ada Pelonia
rose by 10.95 percent to 450,361 MT from the 405,915 MT recorded in the same period last year. Pork cuts accounted for most of the shipments, with offals trailing behind at 164,452 MT and 158,425 MT, respectively.
Beef imports registered the biggest increase as these jumped by 36.41 percent to 125,016 MT from 91,647 MT. Beef cuts held the bulk of the shipments at 84,947 MT.
According to the Meat Importers and Traders Association (Mita), the August data showed arrivals catching up and ample supply is becoming available for the com -
ing season.
“However while importers are squeezed, lower prices may not be passed on to the consumers,” MITA president emeritus Jesus Cham said via Viber.
“Other links in the value chain may keep the gains, especially that the market traditionally is anticipating higher prices in the last quarter,” he added.
Meanwhile, Brazil was the top supplier of beef and chicken imports at 48,572 MT and 160,963 MT, respectively.
Argentina emerged behind Brazil in terms of beef shipments at 34,259 MT, while United States
took the second spot for chicken shipments at 89,496 MT.
In terms of pork imports, BAI data showed that Spain was the country’s biggest supplier at 111,988 MT. This was followed by Brazil at 103,969 MT.
The United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila (USDA-FAS Manila) earlier said that the country’s meat imports are expected to increase next year on the back of population growth and a positive economic outlook.
“FAS Manila forecasts 2025 beef imports to increase to 226,000 metric tons [MT] car -
cass weight equivalent [CWE],” the report read.
“Continued greater-than6-percent economic growth and forecast population increases support strong consumer purchasing power which will push beef imports higher in 2025,” it added.
The report also projected pork imports next year to reach 510,000 MT CWE, up over 6 percent from 2024.
“Continued animal disease challenges combined with strong economic growth and forecast population increases will push imports upward.”
Philippines, New Zealand in durian, onion export talks
PBy Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
RESIDENT Marcos said the country is now eyeing to export durian to New Zealand.
Marcos announced that negotiations for the export of the tropical fruit was done during a bilateral meeting in Laos on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summits.
“We are talking about right now [with] our appropriate ministries.
Ours is the Department of Agriculture for the Philippines and the Ministry for Primary Industries in New Zealand. [They] are already in discussion on how to achieve this [durian export],” Marcos told Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
During the meeting, it was disclosed that the negotiations for the possible entry of New Zealand onions in Philippine market is “expected to be completed soon.”
“I think on the economic front, we’ve talked about onions and
pineapples. Pineapples are coming to New Zealand, onions [are] going to the Philippines, I hope. So, I think we’ve made some good progress there,” Luxon said.
Both state leaders also discussed updates of the Proposed Roadmap to Comprehensive Partnership 2024-2025 between the Philippines and New Zealand.
THE National Food Authority (NFA) said it will begin accepting clean and dry palay bagged by farmers using their own sacks to hasten the procurement process and reduce handling costs.
“Itong wet season harvest up to 20 percent of our procurement... or around 1.3 million bags, bibilhin natin na nasa sako na ng magsasaka, hindi na ililipat sa sako ng NFA,” NFA Acting Administrator Larry Lacson said during a news conference late last week.
This move could save the grains agency around P215 million in 2025 and P27.4 million in the fourth quarter, which would be used to purchase more palay for buffer stocking, Lacson said.
“For next year, parang 7,700
metric tons of palay ang kaya ibili noon ,” he said.
Lacson noted that if the pilot testing succeeds, the agency will implement it next year with up to 90 percent of palay to be procured bagged in farmers’ sacks.
The NFA said it reached the decision to accept palay in farmers’ sacks during various consultations with farmers nationwide.
This was finalized at the agency’s national planning conference held in Dumaguete City in September.
NFA goes green LACSON, during the same news conference, said the grains agency signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) to
“So, I think that’s well on its way. Quite frankly, there are no real obstacles. It’s just a question of finalizing the language,” he added. Before their meeting ended, Marcos gave Luxon a mini-figurine of a popular fastfood mascot wearing barong tagalog as a token of friendship.
The Philippines and New Zealand established diplomatic relations on July 6, 1966.
“I think, the roadmap that’s being finalized now we should have it ready by the 60th anniversary of [the] establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” Marcos said.
NFA accepts palay bagged in farmers’ own sacks
implement a rooftop solar photovoltaic system at its headquarters in Quezon City.
“NFA is going green. We will not only save on our power cost from this solar rooftop project, we are also contributing to the reduction of carbon emission and in safeguarding the environment,” Lacson said.
Under the agreement, NFA will lease a 100 kilowatt-peak solar PV system, which is projected to substantially lower its electricity expenses.
The grains agency said this “cost-saving measure” would provide NFA with significant financial relief, allowing it to allocate more resources toward its core mandate of maintaining sufficient rice buffer stocks.
It added that for the entire NFA network, the total solar capacity will be 5 MW. In a statement, the agency said: “By leveraging solar power, NFA not only reduces its carbon footprint but also contributes to the national goal of increasing renewable energy utilization. This collaboration would represent a strategic investment in sustainability, which is crucial in the face of rising energy costs.
“With this solar project, NFA is poised to enhance its energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and solidify its commitment to environmental responsibility, all while ensuring that the country’s rice supply remains secure and accessible to the Filipino people.”
A VENDER tends to her fruit stall that displays durian in Malate, Manila. During the recent Association of Southeast Asian
Twilight years poverty: Rethinking retirement for our senior citizens
The stark reality of poverty among Filipino senior citizens serves as a sobering reminder that for many, retirement is a distant dream rather than a well-deserved respite. A recent study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) reveals a troubling trend: as individuals age, particularly those lacking adequate social protection, they face increasing financial insecurity, rendering them highly susceptible to poverty. (Read the BusinessMirror story, “Elderly in the workforce: The bittersweet reality of reaching 60s,” October 10, 2024).
The statistics are alarming. Among Filipinos aged 75 and older, 8.1 percent are categorized as extremely poor, with an additional 29.9 percent falling into the moderately poor category. This means that nearly 38 percent of seniors in this age group live below the poverty line. The situation is similarly dire for younger seniors, with poverty rates hovering around 31.8 percent for ages 70 to 74, 30.1 percent for 65 to 69, and 27 percent for 60 to 64.
This financial strain forces many elderly Filipinos to remain in the workforce, a trend that is becoming increasingly pronounced. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, nearly five million Filipinos aged 60 and above were still working in 2023, marking a 6.5 percent increase from the previous year. Over the past five years, this figure has surged by an astonishing 33.12 percent, indicating that aging no longer signifies the end of work but rather an extension of it.
Lawrence Dacuycuy, chair of the Social Science Division at the National Research Council of the Philippines, highlights a crucial factor: insufficient resources for retirement. Many Filipinos are inadequately prepared for their later years, lacking adequate pension plans and financial security, which compels them to continue working. As Dacuycuy points out, unexpected circumstances, like the loss of a primary breadwinner, further exacerbate the need for additional income.
This reality presents a bittersweet narrative of aging in the Philippines. While life expectancy rises, the dream of a peaceful retirement remains elusive for many. Instead of enjoying their twilight years, many seniors are trapped in a cycle of labor to support themselves and their families.
In response to this growing challenge, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has initiated various programs aimed at helping senior citizens find and retain jobs. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma emphasizes the importance of enhancing employability and career development for older adults, particularly in a labor market that often privileges younger workers.
The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) network, with over 1,600 branches nationwide, plays a pivotal role in connecting seniors with local job opportunities. Since 2022, around 309,409 seniors have benefited from these employment facilitation services.
Despite these initiatives, there remains a fundamental issue: the underlying cause of poverty that necessitates continued work. NCSC Commissioner Mary Jean Loreche raises valid concerns about the reliance on government assistance, suggesting it can create a cycle of dependency rather than foster true independence.
To combat this persistent poverty, Dacuycuy calls for comprehensive policy interventions. Key among them is the need to index pensions and benefits to inflation, ensuring that seniors can keep pace with the rising costs of living. Additionally, a reassessment of the pension system is essential, with suggestions for a universal income for the elderly that would provide a more stable financial foundation.
With the right policies in place—such as encouraging early savings, adjusting pensions for inflation, and exploring universal income—our senior citizens could ultimately enjoy a more secure and dignified retirement. It is time for society to recognize the invaluable contributions of its elders and ensure they can age with dignity, free from the burdens of poverty.
What’s happening in Frankfurt?
FRISING SUN
Rom october 16 to 20, 2024, the Frankfurt Book Fair (German: Frankfurter Buchmesse) or FBm is happening in Frankfurt, Germany. It’s the world’s largest trade fair for books, based on the number of publishing companies represented. It is held annually for five days in october.
This year, the guest of honor is Italy. Next year, it’s going to be the Philippines. The Philippines is present this year with an extensive program and a contingent of more than 70 authors, publishers, and creatives to establish industry connections and promote our local literature. Preparations for the country’s participation are being spearheaded by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), which has also prepared rights lists for more than 700 titles in various genres to boost translation sales this year and to introduce the world to Philippine works.
Here are some highlights of the
events the Philippines has planned for the first three days of this year’s fair: On October 16, Wednesday, the Asia Stage will feature “What Asia Reads: A Deep Dive into Trends” with Kristine Mandigma (Vibal Group), Faiz Al Shahab (Co-Founder Xentral Methods Ltd, Malaysia), moderated by Niel Kenneth Jamandre (Professor, University of the Philippines). Later on the same stage, there will be an “Overview of Book Markets in Asia” with GeumJoo Lin (CO.MINT), Sheikh Faisal (Malaysian Book Publishers Association), Andrea PasionFlores (Miflores Publishing), Pranav Gupta (India), and Yani Kurniawan
SLITO GAGNI
omeThInG commendable has emerged through the collaboration between the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) in introducing enhanced peso interest rate swaps. This initiative is expected to bolster our financial market, potentially resulting in decreased interest rates on loans.
The said interest rate swaps will be based on the BSP’s overnight reference rate (ORR) that is determined daily from its variable overnight reverse repurchase rate, arising from a monetary tool of the central bank in reining in inflation and ensuring price stability, its main mandate. Every day, the BSP sells government securities such as Treasury bills, Treasury bonds or Treasury notes to banks, which it will later purchase back at a later date and at a higher price. The reason for the sale is to siphon off liquidity from the banks, especially those with excess cash.
Based on the ORR, the interest
(Tuttle-Mori Agency), moderated by Anthony John Balisi (Director, NBDB).
Also on October 16, “Paper Skin and Dotting Eyes: A Conversation on Nuance and Representation in Children’s Books” will take place with Isabel Roxas and Fran Alvarez, moderated by Ani Almario. Another session, “Cross Interactions between Asia and the West,” will feature Mara Coson (Exploding Galaxies publishing), Segundo Matias (publisher and writer), and Prashant Patak, moderated by Charisse Aquino-Tugade (NBDB).
On October 17, at the International Stage, “When History Haunts Literature: A Conversation” will be held with Ambeth Ocampo (history scholar) and Jose Dalisay Jr. (author), moderated by Angelo Lacuesta. On the same day, “Asia: A Vibrant Literary Market” will showcase Kristian Cordero (writer and translator), Ed-
mund Wee (Epigram Books, Singapore), Adi Ekatama (Gramedia), and Sabine Mueller (translator), moderated by Anthony John Balisi. On October 18, the Philippines will present “Success Stories in the World of New Adult and Fantasy” with Mina Esguerra (author, founder of RomanceClass) and Anissa de Gomery, moderated by Gaston Rippinger. The same day will also feature “Women and Publishing in Asia” with Danda Crimelda Buhain (Rex Education), Katrina Stuart Santiago (CEO, Everything’s Fine), Mina Esguerra, moderated by Charisse AquinoTugade (Executive Director, NBDB). Also on October 18, “The Art of Trese: From Comics to Animé” will be presented with Budjette Tan (Trese author), moderated by Paolo Herras, along with “Translations: A One-Way Street?” featuring Annette Hug (translator), Hope Yu (University of San Carlos), Jan Karsten (CulturBooks), and Yani Kurniawan, moderated by Kristian Cordero (writer and translator).
I would like to extend my best wishes to the Filipino participants this year and wish everyone the best of luck in preparing for our guest of honor duties and programs in 2025.
BSP and BAP collaboration boosts financial market with enhanced peso interest rate swaps
rate swaps will be priced and thereby allow for a deeper financial market as 15 banks that include BDO Unibank, Metrobank, Bank of PI, JPMorgan Chase and ING Bank will act as market makers with two-way quotes. The two-way quotes will lead to what can be termed as “price discovery” as a transparent way in which the buy and sell bids are published. This provides borrowers and funders a glimpse of the interest rate swaps and from there base the rates that they would want their loans to carry.
This enhanced peso interest rate swap is paired with the launch of a dynamic Repo market for government
The partnership between the Bangko Sentral and the BAP aims to provide the market with a better understanding of loan pricing through enhanced peso interest rate swaps. We commend this new initiative. I would like to extend my best wishes to the Filipino participants this year and wish everyone the best of luck in preparing for our guest of honor duties and programs in 2025.
securities whose pricing at present is based on a thinly-traded volume and thereby not reflective of the interest rate environment. This is what the interest rate swap will achieve.
In this case, the Bangko Sentral is playing a pivotal role by way of delivering the government securities that it will sell to the banks for its purpose of employing its monetary policy, which is taking out excess cash from the system so that the inflation rate will not spike as it leads to less purchasing power for the citizens.
The actual delivery of the government securities will allow banks to trade the same and thereby allow for a deeper financial market. Before this, the BSP just tags the securities it will sell. By allowing banks to get hold of the bonds or notes, they can then trade these “temporary” assets to those with excess funds and thereby earn while the securities are in their possession. After all, banks with excess cash will not be able to earn when this cash is not put to good use, in this case by trading them. Cash sitting in the vault does not earn anything and this is not conducive to a bank’s balance sheet. The interest rate swaps market is seen resulting in the development of new financial products and services that will lead to a deeper capital market for the Philippines. It is a hedging mechanism by which a borrower can reduce its risk by exchanging a fixed-rate loan with a floating-rate loan. Banks can tailor a product arising from the interest rate swap that will allow for innovation in financial engineering. For instance, a financial product can be structured with a fixed income and equity exposure, which can be marketed to those investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and manage risk. For instance, a bank with a sheaf of fixed-rate mortgages that it lent to property developers can opt to use interest rate swaps to hedge or guard against the risk of rising interest rates. With a swap arrangement, the bank can exchange its fixed-rate
Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II
The essential CFO guide to SMEs
TJoel L. Tan-Torres
DEBIT CREDIT
hRoUghoUT my years as a consultant (and regulator) of business enterprises, I noted that the one ingredient that should have been prioritized by these businesses is their attention to the financial accounting and regulatory compliance (FARC) aspects. These factors are equally, if not more, important to the owners of these business entities. Unfortunately, the majority of them give more attention to the operational aspects of the business, such as manufacturing, servicing, and marketing. Less attention is given to accounting, financial reporting and management, and regulatory compliance, including payment of taxes.
The 2022 List of Establishments of the Philippine Statistics Authority listed over 1.1 million business enterprises operating in the country. Of these, 99.59 percent are micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). These numbers are definitely larger at this time, including the underground and unregistered online businesses.
These businesses, especially SMEs, need help badly for these FARCs. Most do not avail of these services due to cost considerations or their lack of awareness of the benefits of these. As a result, these enterprises are either losing economic opportunities or are encountering problems in their operations due to a lack of effective FARC. Recently, I joined the board of directors of OneCFO, a Philippine-based technology company. OneCFO’s vision of democratizing financial intelligence for businesses is truly game changing, making it a natural choice for my investment and active engagement. I was impressed by OneCFO’s innovative approach to combining AI with financial management services. Its ability to provide SMEs and startups with access to leading CFO tools and insights, which were traditionally limited to larger corporations, stood out. At the same time, I am excited to contribute to the expansion and enhancement of the capacity of OneCFO to address the demand.
OneCFO is a financial technology platform that provides fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) services to SMEs, fastgrowing startups, and scaleups. It provides integrated and AI-enabled cloud accounting reporting and bookkeeping systems, Enterprise Resource Planning, payroll software, business intelligence, and other software into one platform. Its platform can integrate seamlessly most of the existing software and apps that are being used by business enterprises. Its officers and consultants also provide faceto-face consultation to its clients.
OneCFO was founded in late 2022 by Jay Olos, a topnotch CPA and veteran tech CFO, and college
Gagni . . .
continued from A10
fixed-rate exposure to a variable rate exposure. This allows the bank to mitigate the impact of rising rates on its profitability. The partnership between the Bangko Sentral and the BAP aims to provide the market with a better understanding of loan pricing through enhanced peso interest rate swaps. We commend this new initiative. Ultimately, loans can be priced with the ORR in mind such as in the case of the previous loan agreements that relied on the London interbank offered rate where loans are priced at, say, 3 percent plus Libor depending on the risk involved. Thus, the Philippine financial market will soon have loans of 3 percent plus ORR.
When Harry met Jinky
Tclassmate, and Limuel Cornejo, also a CPA. OneCFO has served over 80 clients and has a growing interest from dozens of others. It has partnered with several known accelerators, venture studios, and venture capital firms. Recently, it launched “Isneek,” the country’s first ever free AI-enabled business valuation app to help SMEs properly value their business. The company also recently completed its pre-seed funding.
OneCFO is redefining the role of financial management by automating routine tasks and offering real-time insights that enable businesses to make data-driven decisions. For the accountancy profession, this platform empowers accountants to shift from transactional roles to strategic advisors, helping businesses navigate complex financial and regulatory landscapes. OneCFO’s integration of various tools provides a comprehensive finance solution, setting the stage for the future of business finance and regulatory compliance.
I intend to propel our team in OneCFO to provide more valueadded service offerings in the areas of taxation, accounting, management reporting and analysis, regulatory compliance and emerging developments, which are important concerns of our CFOs. With my over four decades of experience and learning in these areas, I am confident that we may be able to integrate into the OneCFO app several time-tested and practical functionalities to better assist SMEs in their responsibilities as CFOs, executive accountants, and tax professionals.
Joel L. Tan-Torres was a former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. He has also held the various positions of Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business, Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, Tax partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co. and the SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Co., and director of various corporate boards. He is a Certified Public Accountant who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979. He is now back to his tax and consultancy practice and can be contacted at joel@onecfo.com and his firm JL2T Consulting.
Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.
THE PATRIOT
he 1989 romantic-comedy film starring Billy Crystal (as harry), and Meg Ryan (as Sally) explored the contentious debate on whether men and women can ever “just be friends.” The Philippine scenario, of late, incidentally tenders a parallel dispute but on a different yet critical topic affecting government officials. Can a public official’s sudden increase in assets be ever considered illegal? This is not the first time the public has encountered this issue, but the debate is revisited when political personalities “harry met Jinky” (Atty. Roque and Cong. Jinky Luistro, respectively).
For those whose eyes are glued to the hearings jointly being conducted by the four House Committees (QuadCom) investigating POGOs, drug trade and human rights violations, the recent inquiry with Harry as a resource person should have roused the cerebral aspect of their beings. I too was titillated by a somber sense of curiosity upon watching most of what some would now call as the grilling of Harry by Jinky. With Roque’s name being dragged into the spotlight since the raid of an illegal POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, he has yet to confront several processes (contempt, disbarment, among others) while running and hiding allegedly as a “fugitive.” This, notwithstanding, the QuadCom hearing exhibited the interrogation by analytical Jinky of crafty Harry already speaks a lot and may well serve as a predicate for legal actions, including disbarment.
For now, we see Harry, left with no justifiable answer to Jinky, as to why he only declared the amount of P60 million in cash assets in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SALN) even though the audited financial statement of their family-owned holdings company (Biancham) reflected a figure of P67,775,800 million in current as-
sets in the year 2018. The lawmaker had to cite a provision in Republic Act 6713 (or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) requiring the concerned official to declare assets in such “exact” amount. Jinky also quoted a corollary legal requirement in Republic Act 3019 (or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act), which entailed the declaration of a “true, detailed and sworn” SALN. She then noted the sudden and gigantic increase in the assets of Biancham Holdings—from P3,125,300 million in 2015 (yes, way before POGOs) to P67,775,800 million in 2018 (at the tail of POGOs). Harry alluded to the sale of his family’s 1.8-hectare piece of land in Multinational, Paranaque, which he said earned roughly P216 million, to explain such an escalation. Naturally, Harry was pressured to submit the document evidencing the subject sale in support of his verbal claim during the hearings.
Yet again, when Jinky asked for the reasons for the change in the name of the principal stockholder (from spouses Roque to one Percival Ortega), Harry replied that their family decided to assign their rights to a trustee (Ortega) while they are in the process of settling the estate of a family member. Naturally, Jinky
And so, the saga continues as cynicism creeps into our minds at the very sight, sound, feel or smell of something fishy. One writer states, that “the more we suspect, the more reasons we find to suspect; the more we distrust, the more reasons we find to distrust. Every creak of the floor becomes a burglar.”
again demanded for a copy of the legal document evidencing said assignment (or sale) as well as a copy of Harry’s Income Tax Return for the year 2019 (to prove whether Harry paid the income tax for that transaction). In response, Harry curtly, if not mockingly, responded that the sale was not subject to an income tax but to a final tax, at the same time, “bowing” to the reasonable request of the lady lawmaker turned interrogator about the production of relevant documents in support of his bare explanation. I can only surmise that Jinky is building or maybe has already built the connection of Harry to the illegal trade and business of Lucky South 99. Unfortunately for Harry, the seeming discrepancies in his sworn statements (SALN and AFS) inexplicably indicate suspicion and misgivings. At any given time, listeners and viewers of these QuadCom hearings have felt that degree of suspicion of foul play.
As to whether such irregularity or illegality is established in a court of law is another matter though. And so, the saga continues as cynicism creeps into our minds at the very sight, sound, feel or smell of something fishy. One writer states, that “the more we suspect, the more reasons we find to suspect; the more we distrust, the more reasons we find to distrust. Every creak of the floor becomes a burglar.” To those who are subject of suspicion, life cannot get any better. The burden of censure and of isolation may be too heavy to take. “It would be better to be
deceived a hundred times,” Baptist Preacher Charles Spurgeon declares to his students, “than to live a life of suspicion.” Just like when Harry met Jinky, the cloud of suspicion had already shrouded Harry’s dominion, and evidently it weighed him down and will continue to do so for a very long time. Be it a Harry or a Juan, a Jinky or Maria, any one can be suffocated by distrust, willingly or unwillingly. But we are taught early on that living with hidden secrets always results in someone getting hurt. A very solid reflection of what the Scripture says is in order. Wise Solomon declares, “He who covers His sin will not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Hence, it is always better to have honest disclosure and be validated by coming clean. Jesus states this truth even more directly when He said, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs” (Luke 12:2,3). Wouldn’t it be better that we live our lives clean and free from any doubt, never giving anybody the foothold of distrust? On this note, I allude to a powerful statement: “Christ bids us out of the shadows of suspicion, to live in the sunshine as children of the day.” On the next “date” when Harry meets Jinky, it should be a sunshiny day, hopefully!
A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.
Natural disasters know no borders–EU and Asean joining forces against climate disasters
By Janez Lenarčič
BoTh the Philippines and europe know tragically the impact that natural disasters can have. Just last month the devasting Typhoon enteng that struck the Philippines caused great damage. A trail of destruction was left across Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia. The eU, as a leading global humanitarian donor, stepped in to help. We released over €2 million in emergency funding to support the victims.
While people in Southeast Asia were coping with the impact of Enteng, more than 8,000 kilometres away, storm Boris was lashing central and eastern Europe. Nearly a dozen European countries were affected. These are clear examples that extreme weather events show a distressing trend: disasters are becoming more frequent and more intense everywhere across the world. Climate change is a global threat.
India is now Russia’s
IThe Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Manila this week is very timely. Climate-induced disasters know no borders. That is why we need to step up our international collaboration too, for the benefit of our respective citizens.
For its part, the EU since 2020 has invested nearly €87 million for disaster preparedness in Asia. We have also, since 1996, allocated over
second-biggest
By Viktoria Dendrinou & Alberto Nardelli
ndIA has surged to become the second-biggest supplier of restricted critical technologies to Russia, US and european officials said, highlighting the challenge in efforts to choke off exports fueling President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
Indian exports of restricted items such as microchips, circuits and machine tools surpassed $60 million in both April and May, about double from earlier months this year, and leaped to $95 million in July, according to the officials, who asked not to be identified discussing private assessments. India is exceeded only by China. Even more frustrating to Ukraine’s allies, some of them said, is that envoys who raise the issue have received little response from their Indian counterparts. India’s Ministry of
External Affairs declined to comment when asked about the trend.
The most recent data means almost a fifth of the sensitive technology that goes into Russia’s militaryindustrial complex got there via India, the officials said.
The fresh data underscores the difficulty the US and its allies have faced in crimping Russia’s ability to fight in Ukraine two and a half years since Putin’s forces invaded. Exports of most such dual-use items directly to Russia are banned, so the country
The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Manila this week is very timely. Climate-induced disasters know no borders. That is why we need to step up our international collaboration too, for the benefit of our respective citizens.
€162 million for humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness in your country. This year, as the EU and Philippines celebrate the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relationship, we will continue to strengthen our partnership. In particular on disaster management.
Building on this experience, we want to reinforce the cooperation of EU Response Coordination Centre (ERCC)—which is the engine be -
hind European disaster response coordination—with similar disaster management bodies across the world, such as Asean’s Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA).
And this is why, during my visit to Indonesia, I will endorse a new agreement with the AHA center, the equivalent of our ERCC in Europe. The agreement will allow us to strengthen our respective capacities to respond to disasters and to exchange knowledge and good practices.
Asean members have a long experience in disaster response to share, and I am convinced this will provide a great opportunity to learn from each other.
Janez Lenarčič is the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management.
supplier of restricted technology
has taken to buying them from third countries—sometimes from unwitting subsidiaries of western firms or networks of intermediaries.
A State Department spokesperson said Friday that the department would reiterate rising concerns with Indian government officials as well as companies.
The US and European Union have focused most of their efforts on a list of technologies found in Russian weapons or are needed to build them.
As allies work to curb some of these routes—Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have been two big transshipment points—new hubs have emerged. They include India, Malaysia and Thailand, according to the people.
India’s role in the shipment of such goods has presented a further
Indian exports of restricted items such as microchips, circuits and machine tools surpassed $60 million in both April and May, about double from earlier months this year, and leaped to $95 million in July, according to the officials, who asked not to be identified discussing private assessments. India is exceeded only by China.
challenge because US and EU policymakers want to nurture partnerships with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government even as he cultivates ties with Putin. India has also emerged as a top buyer of Russian oil despite allied efforts to restrict sales.
A key driver of the shift is the vast stock of rupees Russia has accumu-
lated from such oil sales, according to the officials.
India’s role as a transshipment point has made it a focus for European Union and US sanctions agencies in recent months. Officials from those nations have visited several times in efforts to get authorities to crack down on shipments, and several Indian firms have come under western sanctions.
In July, US Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo wrote a letter to senior officials at the Confederation of Indian Industry warning of the sanctions risks faced by Indian companies and banks that do business with Russia’s military industrial base, according to a copy of the letter obtained by Bloomberg
Monday, October 14, 2024
Lower tariffs on rice, BEVs pull down BOC 9-mo take
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
THE reduced tariffs on rice and battery electric vehicles pulled down the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) revenue collections to P690.842 billion as of the end of September 2024.
In a statement on Sunday, the BOC recorded P6.089 billion in revenue losses from rice imports due to the reduction of rice tariffs.
To recall, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 62 on June 21, 2024, which reduced the tariff on rice to 15 percent from 35 percent in July and will take effect until 2028. The EO was issued to bring down rice prices to as low as P29 per kilo.
FORUM TO HIGHLIGHT WOMEN’S ROLE IN CUTTING DISASTER RISK
WOMEN endure the harshest impacts of disasters natural disasters. This is particularly true in the Philippines, a country visited by an average of 20 typhoons during which thousands of families are forced to vacate their homes and take shelter at overcrowded evacuation centers, where they struggle against discomfort, and deal with food and water shortages, lack of medicine and proper health care, protection infectious diseases, and gender-based violence.
The plight of women, and young girls during disasters, reflects the situation faced by women across the Asia Pacific, one of the world’s most at-risk regions.
The collection is higher by 4.61 percent or P30.454 billion than the P660.388 billion amassed during the same period in 2023.
However, the BOC posted a shortfall in tax revenues, lacking by P3.046 billion from the Cabinet-level Development Budget and Coordination Committee’s (DBCC) target of P693.888 billion for the period.
For September 2024 alone, the BOC collected P76.061 billion, lower by 4.16 percent or P3.164 billion than the P79.225 billion recorded in the same month a year ago.
“Despite these challenges, the Bureau remains optimistic in achieving its revenue goal for the year,” the BOC stated, banking on
Since EO 62 also imposed zeroimport duties for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in HEVs, and specific parts and components, this further resulted in P2.901 billion in foregone revenues. Despite this, the BOC managed to raise P690.842 billion in revenues from January to September 2024, based on preliminary data.
other strategic measures to boost revenue collections such as postentry audit and auction as nontraditional revenue sources.
The BOC hopes these efforts will not only help recover lost revenues but also position the Bureau for “sustainable growth” in the future.
“Our commitment to transparency and efficiency in customs operations empowers us to build a stronger economy for all Filipinos. Together, we are not just collecting taxes; we are investing in the future of our nation,” Customs Commissioner
Last month, the BOC also fell short of achieving its revenue targets, collecting P78.908 billion out of the P80.945-billion goal for the month of August 2024.
This year, the BOC targets to collect P939.7 billion in revenues based on the DBCC’s fiscal program.
With EO 62 set to be reviewed this coming November, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Department of Agriculture would recommend increasing the tariff rate on rice if retail prices settle between P42 and P45 per kilo.
In the upcoming 2024 Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) that runs from October 14 to 18 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, the role of women in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and the challenges they face in disaster-prone areas will be a focus point.
The Gender Action Plan to support the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai GAP), launched in 2024, aims to accelerate progress towards the mutually reinforcing goals of gender equality and the prevention and reduction of disaster risk by ensuring reduction of disaster risk efforts are gender-responsive and promote and support women’s empowerment and leadership. The Sendai GAP identifies nine key objectives related to the four
priorities of the Sendai Framework, and 33 recommended actions to promote gender equality and the empowerment and leadership of women and gender stakeholders in DRR. Hosted by the Philippines, the conference will advocate for genderinclusive DRR policies and advance strategies to enhance women’s participation in disaster management. The conference will bring together experts, policymakers, and community leaders to share best practices, identify gaps, and develop strategies to ensure women are integral to disaster prevention, preparedness, and response.
“Without gender equality it is impossible to make sustainable progress on disaster risk reduction. We must accelerate progress towards gender equality by undertaking concrete and meaningful actions”, says the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Kamal Kishore. The disaster risk experienced by women can be further exacerbated by various forms of inequalities intersecting and influencing each other, for example age, disability, ethnicity, class, migrant status, and sexuality, among others. Disaster risk reduction programming must be informed by an intersectional gender analysis. Sex, age and disability disaggregated data must be collected and used to better understand the gendered nature of disaster risk and inform disaster risk reduction decisionmaking. Jonathan L. Mayuga
IBy Justine Xyrah Garcia
MPOSING fines on motorists who have no radio frequency identification (RFID) or have insufficient load is a form of legalized theft, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) said on Saturday.
In a press release, FFW Vice President Jun Ramirez said the planned fines will unfairly burden ordinary motorists who are already struggling with the rising cost of living.
“Penalizing individuals who don’t have functioning RFID tags or adequate load will disproportionately affect lowerincome motorists. Toll roads are essential for work and daily commutes, and this penalty adds unnecessary financial strain,” Ramirez said.
The controversial fines are
part of a broader initiative by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to enforce contactless toll collection across all expressways.
Initially slated for implementation in August 2024, the penalties were delayed twice, first to October 2024 and then to January 2025. Under the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001, motorists without functioning RFID tags could be fined up to P5,000 for repeated offenses, while those with insufficient load in their accounts could face penalties of up to P2,500. The RFID system, introduced to ease traffic congestion and modernize toll collection, has been plagued by issues such as faulty tag readers and unreliable reloading methods.
This has prompted criticism from advocacy groups like FFW,
who argue that the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is more concerned with revenue generation than improving the overall experience of motorists.
“Instead of focusing on improving infrastructure and customer service, the TRB is creating new avenues for collecting fines and fees, punishing ordinary motorists for system deficiencies,” Ramirez said. He added that penalizing drivers even when cash is on hand undermines the value of legal tender, calling it “absurd and unacceptable.”
Despite repeated attempts to raise these concerns, the TRB, DOTr, and even the Office of the President have so far ignored the group’s grievances.
In response, the FFW said it will challenge the legality of
in the
Bienvenido Y. Rubio said.
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
B1
Monday, October 14, 2024
PNIA: Nickel miners chip in ₧4.3 billion to boost SDGs
By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
THE Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) announced a P4.3-billion investment from its members for 2023, aimed at advancing key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that foster community development and resilience through different programs.
The investments were implemented across multiple host and neighboring cities and municipalities in seven provinces, including Zambales, Palawan, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands and Tawi-Tawi, directly benefiting communities surrounding the mining sites of PNIA members.
The funding, channeled through social development and management programs (SDMP), environmental protection and enhancement programs (EPEP) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, underscores the nickel mining sector’s dedication to sustainable development in the Philippines, PNIA President Dante R. Bravo was quoted in a statement as saying.
PNIA’s programs and projects support 15 out of 17 SDGs, with a particular focus on “Life on Land” (SDG 15), “No Poverty” (SDG 1) and “Good Health and Well-being” (SDG 3).
“The contributions made in 2023 build on our findings from the ‘2020 SDG Report,’ reinforcing our commitment to SDGs 15, 1 and 3, which are areas where mining is vital for sustainable development,” Bravo said. “Each year, we strive to align with sustainability, stewardship and resilience principles to mitigate environmental impacts, alleviate poverty and improve health outcomes for communities near mining operations.”
He added that these goals “are essential for the sustainability of both
Semirara eyes mine
Cthe environment and the communities we serve.”
Bravo further called for collaboration with local government units (LGUs) to streamline and maximize the implementation of mining company SDG programs to better complement LGU initiatives.
“Mining is inherently a temporary use of land, which means that collaboration between LGUs, MGB and mining companies is crucial for planning for the future. There is an opportunity for further collaboration through maximizing the CSR activities of mining companies to complement the programs of the LGUs in line with their local development goals,” he said.
Under SDG 15, PNIA members’ progressive rehabilitation and other initiatives aim to minimize and mitigate its impact to the environment. In 2023, members planted over 4.3 million trees on nearly 9,500 hectares, comprising 76 different species, bringing the total to nearly 18 million trees to date of reporting. Partnerships with academic institutions like the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Laguna, have fostered innovation in forest restoration and bioremediation, the group said. Additionally, PNIA members have engaged in other initiatives, such as coastal clean-ups and river system adoption, it added.
Aligned with SDG 1, PNIA mem -
ops expansion
bers have focused on uplifting communities through employment, education and infrastructure development. Their livelihood programs created job opportunities, fostering economic stability in local areas. Educational initiatives provided scholarships and improved classroom infrastructure, benefiting over a thousand students across elementary, secondary and tertiary levels.
In support of SDG 3, PNIA members’ health initiatives have delivered essential medical supplies and equipment to underserved communities. Medical missions and feeding programs have addressed basic health needs, while upgrades to local hospitals have improved healthcare access.
Bravo said the PNIA investment “strengthens local economies and aligns with government directives on the role of mining in promoting national economic development and local community resilience, contributing to improved lives and the building of resilient communities, particularly in remote areas where economic opportunities are limited.”
Marcos gives NZ PM Baronged Jollibee toy
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
IENTIANE, Laos—In a
Vbid to deepen the country’s ties with New Zealand, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. deployed a new ambassador: Jollibee.
This was after Marcos gave New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon a mini-figurine of the Jollibee Foods Corp. (PSE: JFC) mascot wearing barong tagalog as a token of friendship during their bilateral meeting at the sidelines Association of Southeast Asian (Asean) Summit here last Friday.
Marcos said he was supposed to bring Luxon some Jollibee food, but he opted to forgo it since it will become “stale” once
it reaches the prime minister. Instead, he decided to give him the Jollibee toy.
“If you will note, because we are presenting to Your Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister, he’s (Jollibee) dressed up in a barong,” the President said.
Nonetheless, Luxon said he was able to taste Jollibee food when he visited Philippines last April.
“It was between a service station and a restaurant. And then all the state cars come in. And that was great,” the New Zealand Premier added.
On its website, JFC said the branch was located in EDSA Buendia Branch.
“It was a great thing; we got to actually meet the CEO, actually,” Luxon said.
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
ONSUNJI-led Semirara Min-
ing and Power Corp. (SMPC) proposed an expansion of its coal mine operations worth P291.37 billion.
The Semirara coal mine complex expansion project is envisioned to simultaneously operate the existing Molave pit and Narra pit then eventually Acacia pit after the depletion of coal deposits on the existing two pits. The Molave mine has met its endof-mine (EOM) life in November last year. Since 2016, its cumulative coal production reached 86.06 million MT. For the Narra mine, the company expects to produce the remaining reserves of 45.43 MT coal until 2026.
As of November last year, a total of 17million MT coal has been produced from Narra mine since 2016.
The expansion project will be undertaken until 2027.
SMPC is the country’s largest coal
producer. SMPC’s operations in the Molave and Narra mines, along with future expansion in Acacia, ensure continued coal production, which is crucial for electricity generation and cement manufacturing.
“Regionally, these mining operations support local employment, infrastructure development, and economic activity. Despite global trends toward cleaner energy, coal remains in demand, especially as existing coal power plants continue to operate under current prices,” said SMPC.
In a filing, SMPC said it will apply for amendment of the environmental certificate of compliance (ECC) to include the Acacia pit, thus requiring the additional area to explore, develop, and eventually mine the new prospect.
The proposed project expansion
was based on the discovered additional coal resource and reserve of 90 million metric tons (MT) and 72 million MT, respectively, from Acacia pit.
“SMPC has continued its exploration efforts to discover additional coal resources with the objective of developing new mine reserves. The Acacia prospect is one of the projects in the pipeline. Initial resource valuation yielded the commercial existence of coal in the Acacia deposit,” it said,
SMPC also expects an increase in the power demand for its mining operations, thus it plans to put up a 4x4.3 megawatt (MW) wind power plants and/ or a 10MW solar farm to address the power gap between the current power capacity of 30MW and the projected power requirement.
Meralco affiliate to supply power to Pepsi
VANTAGE Energy Solutions and Management Inc., the affiliate retail electricity supplier (RES) of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), will supply power to Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI). Under their partnership, Vantage Energy will energize five manufacturing facilities of PCPPI in Luzon and Visayas.
PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the Philippines and a global leader in the convenient foods and beverages industry.
Vantage Energy and PCPPI are dedicated to creating a positive impact by providing employment to Filipinos, and endeavors to empower communities and promote envi -
ronmental sustainability through responsible business operations.
“This collaboration extends past the framework of our contract. Together with PCPPI, we are committed to driving innovation and advancing sustainable practices that enrich the communities we serve,” Vantage Energy President Ernesto M. Cabral said in a statement.
PCPPI President and CEO Phyo Phyu Noe underscored that the
valuable partnership with Vantage Energy will enable futureproofed and greener operations for the food and beverage giant’s manufacturing plants. “This strategic engagement with Vantage Energy is part of PCPPI’s transformation. We are committed to ensuring energy efficiency across our locations, as this brings value to our overall operations and to the communities we serve,” Noe said. Lenie Lectura
Banking&Finance
Govt to hear testliner board imports status
By Andrea San Juan
THE Tariff Commission (TC)
will hold a hearing in De -
cember to evaluate the “effectiveness” of actions taken by the Philippine testliner board industry to facilitate positive adjustment to import competition.
The TC said in a Notice published on its website it has scheduled a public hearing on December 3, “for purposes of evaluating the actions taken by the domestic industry in facilitating positive adjustment to import competition.”
The public hearing is being held following the termination of definitive safeguard measure imposed on importations of testliner board from various countries.
According to PG Paper Company Ltd., a global paper and packaging solutions firm, testliner is “primarily used for the inner and outer layers of carton boxes, providing support and protection to packaged goods throughout transit and storage.”
“Pursuant to Section 20 of Republic Act (RA) 8800 (Safeguard Measures Act), as adopted by Section 712 of RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act), notice is hereby given that the TC commenced on October 9, 2024, its evaluation of the Philippine testliner board industry following the termination of the definitive safeguard measure imposed on importations of testliner board (AHTN 2022 Subheading Nos. 4805.24.00, 4805.25.10 and 4805.25.90) from various countries,” the TC’s Notice read.
The Commission unveiled the list of interested parties in the public hearing as of October 9, with the United Pulp and Paper Co. Inc. as the petitioner.
The following were the importers identified in a list: Superior Packaging Corp.; Valenzuela Packaging
Corp.; Multipack Container Co. Inc. (Megapack); Central Packaging Corp.; Winner Ace Cardboard Inc.; SP Mamplasan Packaging Corp.; Goodyear Container; United Container Corp.; Powerpack Corp.; Jennson Packaging Corp.; Combox Inc.; and, Republic Corrugated Cartons and Sunpack Container Packaging Corp.
Meanwhile, the exporters listed are: P.T. Indah Kiat Pulp and Paper Products (Indonesia); HM Trading Corp. (South Korea); Mondo Ventures Inc.; Hiang Seng Fibre Container Co. Ltd. (Thailand); Muda Paper Mills Sdn Bhd. (Malaysia); Ban Yu Paper Mill Co. Ltd. (Chinese Taipei); Carter Holt Harvey Pulp and Paper (New Zealand); and, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, among others.
The associations included in the list of TC are Philippine Paper Manufacturers Association Inc., Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association Inc., Container Manufacturers Association of the Philippines and gatherers and dealers of second hand and waste paper.
On January 16,2016, the PPMAI filed with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) a petition for the final extension of the imposition of the safeguard measure against the importation of testliner board.
According to a DTI Order dated August 19,2016, PPMAI claimed that the extension of the safeguard measures on testliner board is necessary to prevent or remedy the serious injury caused by imported testliner board to the domestic industry and to continue its positive adjustments to import competition.
The 2016 DTI Order extended imposition of the definitive general safeguard measure for another four years to allow the domestic testline board industry to fully implement its adjustment plan to “positively adjust” to import competition.
THE Social Security System (SSS) has announced the appointment of Commissioner Robert Joseph M. De Claro as its new Officer-in-Charge, effective October 11, following the resignation of Rolando L. Macasaet earlier this month. The decision was made by the Social Security Commission (SSC), the policymaking body of the SSS, read a statement issued by the agency.
De Claro, who has served on the SSC since January 11, 2023, representing the Employers’ Group, brings a strong background to the role. As a Commissioner, he chaired the Information Technology and Collection and Contribution Committee and participated in key committees covering audit, risk, investment, and governance.
In addition to his new role, De Claro has been a member of the board
DOF cautions taxing wealthy may be counterproductive
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
WHILE willing to consider proposals for imposing a wealth tax on the Philippines’s richest population, the Department of Finance (DOF) is cautious doing so may be counterproductive.
Ipakita nila sa akin [Show them to me.] I’m willing to look at it, listen to them,” responded Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto when reporters asked about his opinion on wealth tax as proposals from several groups emerged again.
However, Recto said a wealth tax may possibly be counterproductive, discouraging the wealthy from working and contributing to economic development.
“If I tax you 100 percent, magtatrabaho ka ba? [Will you still work?] Hindi na ’di ba? [Not anymore right?],” Recto said. “Why should you also tax those who are working hard or innovative for example?”
The Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) and the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) have been pushing for a wealth tax, which could generate at least P200 billion in revenues for the government (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/10/10/
In the draft Senate Bill prepared by the FDC last year, affluent individuals who could afford to contribute to the welfare of ordinary Filipinos, those with a net worth of more than P300 million, shall be subjected to a one-off wealth tax.
As such, a person with P300 million to P500 million in net worth shall be taxed at a rate of 1.50 percent, paying between P4.5 million and P7.5 million.
A 1.75-percent tax rate will be applied to those with net worth from P500 million to P700 million, 2 percent for those with P700 million to P1 billion in assets and 2.25 percent levied on those with assets reaching P1 billion to P1.3 billion, among others. The tax rate could go as high as 3 percent depending on the person’s net worth.
The FDC proposed that revenues
from the wealth tax will be earmarked solely for health services under Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care law.
Collections shall also be used for other government expenditures for health such as the construction of new hospitals and medical facilities and improvement of current ones.
“The measure simply seeks to raise revenues to address the lack of adequate health care especially for the most vulnerable Filipinos,” according to the FDC.
With a revenue goal of P4.3 trillion this year, the DOF maintained that it will not levy new taxes this year nor revise its fiscal targets despite shortfalls in revenue collection.
This is why the DOF hiked the dividend remittances of state-run corporations to 75 percent of their annual net earnings from 50 percent.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) were also mandated to transfer their P89.9 billion and P110 billion in fund balances, respectively, to the Bureau of the Treasury.
Ateneo de Manila University
Economist Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr. said overreliance on indirect taxes to achieve fiscal consolidation will cause inflation as these are transferred to consumers, hurting the lower-income classes.
Lanzona told the BusinessMirror that the imposition of indirect taxes, transferred to the prices of goods,
SEC, DepEd sign deal on financial literacy
By VG Cabuag @villygc
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced it has partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) to boost investor education and promote financial literacy among students and teachers.
The SEC signed a memorandum of agreement with the DepEd for the inclusion of the agency’s smart financing and investment education resources into the country’s educational curriculum.
For its part, the DepEd, will translate the resources provided by the SEC into learning materials to be used in the classroom setting. It will also include financial literacy as one of the learning competencies that students should develop.
“Currently, the SEC administers webinars covering a wide range of
BPI Direct BanKo Inc. (BanKo), the microfinance arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), announced last week it has entered into a partnership with At1ndahan Inc. (DBA Hapinoy) to “empower” sari-sari store owners across the country.
of the Union Bank of the Philippines and the UnionBank Investment and Trust Corp. He was also a member of the latter’s executive, governance and risk committees since 2023. His experience in the financial and corporate sectors adds a valuable perspective to his leadership of the pension fund.
De Claro’s professional background spans over 32 years, including executive roles in both the public and private sectors.
He began his career at Nestlé Philippines in 1993, eventually holding international positions as an expatriate in Australia and at Nestlés headquarters in Switzerland. With his broad leadership experience across multiple industries, De Claro is well-equipped to lead the SSS in advancing its mandate of providing comprehensive social security protection to Filipinos.
In a statement, BanKo said the agreement would lead to the launch of the “BanKommunity” program, which aims “not only to enhance the business capabilities of self-employed micro-entrepreneurs (SEMEs) through financial products and business opportunities, but also to foster emotional empowerment, helping entrepreneurs build confidence, security and hope for their future.”
According to the lender, Hapinoy’s mission is “to create learning and growth opportunities for sari-sari store owners, enabling them to better serve their communities through access to capital, business development support and technology.” The organization has a network of over 100,000 sari-sari store owners nationwide, “making it an ideal partner for BanKo’s vision of providing financial inclusion to microentrepreneurs and helping owners to dream bigger and achieve lasting success.”
Under the program, BanKo said, it will join Hapinoy’s sari-sari store caravans, where store owners gather for business training and support. BanKo added it will offer services such as account openings for
financial topics, from becoming an agent in the capital market to managing finances and identifying investment scams,” SEC Chairman Emilio B. Aquino said.
“However, we know we can do more, and our ultimate goal is to embed financial literacy deeply in our society, starting with the youth. If we want a bountiful harvest, we must first plant and nurture the seeds; and for this, we seek the assistance of the DepEd,” Aquino added.
Under the agreement, the SEC will lead efforts to educate teachers on how to identify, avoid and report illegal investment schemes to stop them from falling prey into investing their hardearned money in such unauthorized activities. This will equip them with the necessary tools to teach by example and influence their students’ financial
such as value-added and excise taxes, are even more counterproductive.
“Wealth taxes will only affect the wealthy since these do not affect production or corporate costs,” Lanzona said adding that these taxes can only be counterproductive if the richest Filipinos will leave the country or invest somewhere else.
Although Recto said a wealth tax is a right policy, he emphasized that there are a lot of wealth taxes to certain degrees, such as real property and estate taxes.
“The more land, the more houses you have, cars, the more taxes you pay,” the Finance Secretary added.
However, Lanzona said the wealthiest individuals are in real estate, making it impossible for them to move their assets out of the country and relocate their investments.
With the Philippines having the highest levels of inequality in Southeast Asia, the FDC said this gap has widened further, with the combined net worth of the 50 richest Filipinos reaching $128 billion or P7.2 trillion in 2020, equivalent to 37 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
A wealth tax would provide additional boost to the local economy and benefit the very persons who will pay the wealth tax, the FDC added.
“The FDC stands firm that it is high time for the country to impose taxes on the wealth of the superrich as it is crucial in the survival of the huge percentage of the Filipino people,” the organization asserted.
literacy journey.
The SEC will also be sharing data on black-listed corporations and entities which have been found to be engaging in fraudulent investment activities, letting both teachers and students know which entities to avoid.
Following the MOA signing, the SEC will push for the approval of the Capital Market Development Act, which will provide legislative basis for the inclusion of the SEC learning materials in the curriculum.
“Ultimately, we want to equip our students and teachers with the knowledge and skills to save, manage, and invest effectively. A more financially literate public will be better positioned to build a secure future while avoiding the financial pitfalls and scams that have become increasingly prevalent,” Aquino said.
loan applications.
“The partnership with Hapinoy aligns perfectly with BanKo’s mission of empowering the ‘Negosyanteng Pinoy,’” BanKo President Rodolfo K. Mabiasen Jr. was quoted in the statement as saying. “By providing them with easy access to financial services and opportunities to grow their businesses, we aim to make a meaningful impact on the lives of sari-sari store owners across the country.”
According to the lender, many Hapinoy members have traditionally relied on faceto-face transactions.
“Through the BanKo mobile app and personalized guidance, the ‘BanKommunity’ program will introduce them to digital banking, helping their businesses thrive in a competitive market,” the lender added. The program will also provide capacitybuilding opportunities that will strengthen
the knowledge and skills of store owners so they can manage their finances more effectively and create a more secure future for themselves and their families.
“Hapinoy has long championed sarisari store owners and this partnership with BanKo signifies the renewal of our collaboration,” said Mark Joaquin Ruiz, Hapinoy Co-Founder and President. “The BanKommunity Program will enable BanKo to expand their reach within the microfinance sector, further strengthening our shared mission of empowering microentrepreneurs.”
Since 2016, BanKo has been a reliable financial partner to over 400,000 SEMEs, providing easy, convenient and affordable loan products that help businesses grow and succeed. To date, it has 362 branches in 77 provinces nationwide.
BLGF cites Mandaluyong for financial management
By Claudeth S. Mocon-Ciriaco
@claudethmc3
MANDALUYONG City has been recognized by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), under the Department of Finance (DOF) for effectively managing its expenses and increasing local revenue. According to the BLGF, the city improved its ranking, having moved from fifth in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 to fourth, which highlights the city’s success in generating significant income from local sources in FY 2023.
Meanwhile, Mandaluyong also stood out for its responsible use of resources and ranked the “Top 4 Highest Total Current Operating Expenditure per Capita” in FY 2022 and FY 2023.
For two straight years, the city showed how well it spends on public services and essential needs based on the size of its population. Additionally, Mandaluyong ranked seventh among the highly urbanized cities in the country with year-onyear growth in local source revenues for FY 2023. This achievement strengthens its reputation as one of the best-performing cities in the country.
The awards from the BLGF confirm Mandaluyong City’s leadership, with a clear focus on improving the lives of its residents, ensured progress in both financial management and governance.
This photo courtesy of BPi Direct BanKo inc. (BanKo) shows (L-R) At1ndahan inc. (DBA hapinoy)
head
De Claro
Monday, October 14, 2024
Explainer
Why it’s hard to cheat the US election system
By Ali Swenson The Associated Press
You’ve heard the horror stories: Someone casting multiple ballots, people voting in the name of dead relatives, mail-in ballots being intercepted.
Voter fraud does happen occasionally. When it does, we tend to hear a lot about it. It also gets caught and prosecuted.
The nation’s multilayered election processes provide many safeguards that keep voter fraud generally detectable and rare, according to current and former election administrators of both parties. a merica’s elections are decentralized, with thousands of independent voting jurisdictions. That makes it virtually impossible to pull off a large-scale voterigging operation that could tip a presidential race—or most any other race.
“You’re probably not going to have a perfect election system,” said r epublican Trey Grayson, a former Kentucky secretary of state and the advisory board chair of the Secure Elections p roject. “But if you’re looking for one that you should have confidence in, you should feel good about that here in a merica.”
What’s stopping people from committing voter fraud?
Vo TI n G more than once, tampering with ballots, lying about your residence to vote somewhere else or casting someone else’s ballot are crimes that can be punished with hefty fines and prison time. n on- u.S. citizens who break election laws can be deported. for anyone still motivated to cheat, election systems in the u nited States are designed with multiple layers of protection and transparency intended to stand in the way. f or in-person voting, most states either require or request voters provide some sort of ID at the polls. o thers require voters to verify who they are in another way, such as stating their name and address, signing a poll book
or signing an affidavit. people who try to vote in the name of a recently deceased friend or family member can be caught when election officials update voter lists with death records and obituaries, said Gail pellerin, a Democratic in the California a ssembly who ran elections in Santa Cruz County for more than 27 years.
Those who try to impersonate someone else run the risk that someone at the polls knows that person or that the person will later try to cast their own ballot, she said.
What protections exist for absentee voting?
f or absentee voting, different states have different ballot verification protocols. a ll states require a voter’s signature. m any states have further precautions, such as having bipartisan teams compare the signature with other signatures on file, requiring the signature to be notarized or requiring a witness to sign.
That means even if a ballot is erroneously sent to someone’s past address and the current resident mails it in, there are checks to alert election workers to the foul play. a growing number of states offer online or text-based ballot tracking tools as an extra layer of protection, allowing voters to see when their ballot has been sent out, returned and counted. federal law requires voter list maintenance, and election officials do that through a variety of methods, from checking state and federal databases to collaborating with other states to track voters who have moved.
Ballot drop boxes have security protocols, too, said Tammy patrick, chief executive officer for programs at the n ational a ssocia -
tion of Election o fficials.
She explained the boxes are often designed to stop hands from stealing ballots and are surveilled by camera, bolted to the ground and constructed with fire-retardant chambers, so if someone threw in a lit match, it wouldn’t destroy the ballots inside.
Sometimes, alleged voter fraud isn’t what it seems a f TE r the 2020 election, social media surged with claims of dead people casting ballots, double voting or destroyed piles of ballots on the side of the road.
f ormer p resident Donald Trump promoted and has continued to amplify these claims. But the vast majority of them were found to be untrue.
a n a ssociated p ress investigation that explored every potential case of voter fraud in the six
battleground states disputed by Trump found there were fewer than 475 out of millions of votes cast. That was not nearly enough to tip the outcome. Democrat Joe Biden won the six states by a combined 311,257 votes.
The review also showed no collusion intended to rig the voting. Virtually every case was based on an individual acting alone to cast additional ballots. In one case, a man mistakenly thought he could vote while on parole. In another, a woman was suspected of sending in a ballot for her dead mother.
former election officials say that even more often, allegations of voter fraud turn out to result from a clerical error or a misunderstanding.
pellerin said she remembered when a political candidate in her county raised suspicion about many people being registered to
vote at the same address. It turned out the voters were nuns who all lived in the same home.
p atrick said that when she worked in elections in m aricopa County, a rizona, mismatched signatures were sometimes explained by a broken arm or a recent stroke. In other cases, an elderly person tried to vote twice because they forgot they had already submitted a mail ballot.
“You really have to think about the intent of the voter,” patrick said. “It isn’t always intuitive.”
Why voter fraud is unlikely to affect the presidential race I T would be wrong to suggest that voter fraud never happens.
With millions of votes cast in an election year, it’s almost guaranteed there will be a few cases of someone trying to game the system. There also have been
more insidious efforts, such as a vote-buying scheme in 2006 in Kentucky.
In that case, Grayson said, voters complained and an investigation ensued. Then participants admitted what they had done. He said the example shows how important it is for election officials to stay vigilant and constantly improve security in order to help voters feel confident.
But, he said, it would be hard to make any such scheme work on a larger scale. f raudsters would have to navigate onerous nuances in each county’s election system. They also would have to keep a large number of people quiet about a crime that could be caught at any moment by officials or observers.
“This decentralized nature of the elections is itself a deterrent,” Grayson said.
What is the Electoral College and how does the US use it to elect presidents?
By Mary Clare Jalonick
The Associated Press
Donal D Trump won the presidency in 2016 because of the Electoral College. So did George W. Bush in 2000.
The Electoral College is the unique a merican system of electing presidents. It is different from the popular vote, and it has an outsize impact on how candidates run and win campaigns. r epublicans Trump and Bush lost the popular vote during their presidential runs but won the Electoral College to claim the nation’s top office.
Some Democrats charge that the system favors r epublicans and they would rather the u nited States elect presidents by a simple majority vote. But the country’s framers set up the system in the Constitution, and it would require a constitutional amendment to change.
a look at the Electoral College and how it works, as Trump and
Vice p resident Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, compete for the White House on Election Day, n ovember 5:
What is the Electoral College?
T HE Electoral College is a 538-member body that elects a president. The framers of the Constitution set it up to give more power to the states and as a compromise to avoid having Congress decide the winner. Each state’s electors vote for the candidate who won the popular vote in that state. The runner-up gets nothing—except in nebraska and m aine where elector votes are awarded based on congressional district and statewide results. To win the presidency, a candidate must secure 270 electoral votes—a majority of the 538 possible votes.
How is it different from the popular vote?
u n DE r the Electoral College system, more weight is given to a
single vote in a small state than to the vote of someone in a large state, leading to outcomes at times that have been at odds with the popular vote.
It also affects how candidates campaign. Because the outcome is almost certain in solidly r epublican states and solidly Democratic
states, candidates tend to focus most of their efforts on a handful of swing states that have split their votes in recent elections.
Who are the electors?
El ECT or S are allocated based on how many representatives a state has in the House of r epresenta -
tives, plus its two senators. The District of Columbia gets three, despite the fact that the home to Congress has no vote in Congress.
It varies by state, but often the electors are picked by state parties. m embers of Congress cannot serve as electors.
How and when are the votes counted?
a f TE r state election officials certify their elections, electors meet in their individual states—never as one body—to certify the election. This year, that will happen on December 17.
If the two candidates have a tied number of votes, the election is thrown to the House, where each state’s congressional delegation gets one vote. That has happened only twice, in 1801 and 1825.
Can lawmakers object?
l a W ma KE r S can object to a state’s results during the congressional certification, as several r epublicans did after the 2020 election. o n January 6, 2021, the House and Senate both voted to reject G op objections to the a rizona and pennsylvania results. a fter Trump tried to overturn his defeat to Democrat Joe Biden and his supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6, Congress updated the 1800s-era Electoral Count a ct to make it harder to object and to more clearly lay out the vice president’s ceremonial role, among other changes. Trump had pressured Vice p resident m ike pence to try and object to the results—something the vice president has no legal standing to do. o nce Congress certifies the vote, the new or returning president will be inaugurated January 20 on the steps of the Capitol.
o nce a state’s electors have certified the vote, they send a certificate to Congress. Congress then formally counts and certifies the vote at a special session on January 6. The vice president presides as the envelopes for each state are opened and verified.
FENDI Baguette ‘hand in hand’ initiative meets colorful woven art of textile artist Natalie Miller
FOR 2024, FENDI ha revealed its latest ‘hand in hand’ collaboration with internationally renowned Australian textile artist Natalie Miller. From her studio in East Kangaloon, in the Southern Highlands, Miller crafts vibrant tapestries from hand-dyed Australian Merino wool.
Nestled in the rolling countryside, Miller’s studio is a sanctuary of inspiration, her artwork influenced by the rich sights and sounds of the Australian landscape. Her captivating tapestries are instantaneously recognisable and designed to bring joy and color to homes around the world.
Conceived across Italy in 2020 and expanded worldwide to USA, Japan, China, Madagascar and Scotland, ‘hand in hand’ is a grassroots partnership between FENDI and local artisans which highlights the Baguette bag—designed by Artistic Director of Accessories and Menswear Silvia Venturini Fendi in 1997—as an icon of the house and an instantly recognisable canvas for perpetual transformation. The project calls upon a diverse group of ateliers and workshops to interpret the Baguette by applying local craft, transforming its traditional handbag construction into a veritable objet d’art. The name ‘hand in hand’ represents the encounter of the artisans’ hands with the FENDI artisans’ hands, giving life to a unique collaboration.
A quintessentially Australian design, Miller’s interpretation of the Baguette pays homage to the natural beauty of the Southern Highlands using Australian Merino wool sourced from a local farm in Tasmania that is renowned for its soft, luxurious texture.
The homegrown wool is processed at Nundle Woollen Mill in New South Wales, one of few mills left in Australia that mills its own wool. With machines dating back to the early 1900s, the Australian landmark is committed to continuing its time-honored tradition of producing contemporary yarns using historic techniques.
In contrast to Miller’s typical artworks, renowned for their grand scale and vivid colour, the artist’s take on the Baguette is a more delicate approach to design. The gentle neutral color palette of the Baguette is meticulously chosen to reflect the Southern Highlands’ patchwork fields and golden sunsets. To achieve Miller’s vision, the wool is colored by hand over an open flame, using organic inks found in local flora and the leaves and bark of the scribbly gum tree native to the east coast of Australia.
This ancient artisanal process is honoured in every aspect of the Baguette’s design. The body of the bag and shoulder strap are an ode to the art of tradition and handcraft, celebrating Miller’s impressive mix of techniques.
This new iteration of the FENDI ‘hand in hand’ Baguette embodies the spirit of the house with a nod to the Southern Highlands’ colorful landscape and heritage. Stories are told through its woven threads, bringing to life two tales of local craftsmanship from Italy to Australia.
The delicate craft of Debbie Co
AS a fashion designer, Debbie Co considers each of her unique pieces as an investment.
That simple yet profound philosophy is what makes her clients swoon for her creations, which evoke “a story of romance, elegance and nostalgia.” Co studied at Central Saint Martins in London and the Parsons Institute of Design in Paris. Her intricate work has been sold at fashion hubs such as The Ramp, Ishq, and Souk. She is the visionary behind the upscale ready-to-wear line After Eight, and had collaborations with RTW brands such as Mosaic and RAF. With close to two decades of a successful career, Co still captivates a market keen on her clothes known for their dainty details, feminine touches and delicate craftsmanship.
Here, on the occasion of another milestone—the opening of a pop-up store at the second level of Greenbelt 5—Co reflects on her career trajectory:
FEEL-GOOD
FASHION
“I’VE been designing for 19 years already. I think over the years, my style has always been consistent. It has an aesthetic, it’s very feminine, it’s very romantic, it’s very ethereal. It’s more in silhouettes.
“Let’s say, now I actually want to make pieces that are easier for women. Meaning, I do a lot of coordinates where you can dress it up, dress it down. You can wear it to a wedding and then you can just use the top with pants. It’s a nice statement top for going out. So, I like making versatile pieces. I’m very grateful that this is what I do. I can make beautiful pieces and at the same time empower women by making them feel effortlessly beautiful with the pieces that they wear.
“Because I think it really makes a difference even from everyday life. Like, just wearing a nice top can alter your mood. It can help change your perspective. You feel better, you feel more confident, which I feel is important.”
CONSISTENT AESTHETIC
“I THINK it’s really my aesthetic from the very beginning. If you see my designs ever since, it’s really all there. It just evolved.
“Meaning I started looking for more fabrics. I did a lot of fabric sourcing abroad, experimenting with different types of silhouettes. But again, if you see the clothes that I made way back, you’ll see that my aesthetic is the same. Or if you see someone, like a person wearing a top, I feel you’ll know that it’s from us. There’s the signature feminine and very romantic.”
GREENBELT AS LOCATION
“MY first pop-up was at The Power Plant, which we launched last month. This is our second pop-up. I’ve always been based in Makati, and I’m very confident with the market here. I feel that my market is really here. But of course, I don’t mind expanding later on.
LANEIGE’S best-selling Water Bank Cream range was recently upgraded to be more inclusive in addressing the needs of different skin types.
on this. We’re trying pop-ups, hoping that if they work, then we’d want to expand. Meaning, we want to have a permanent space if the concept actually works. But I did pop-up stores to test the market and to figure out again if it’s going to be good or not. And I will take it from there. So, I sort of want to focus on the readyto-wear line also.”
ENGINEERING TO DESIGNING
“SO, my first course was industrial engineering. It’s like business with the technical side. So, it helps a lot in terms of operations. Because, you know, industrial engineering is about maximizing productivity, minimizing cost, maximizing efficiency. So, it super helps, like productions and all.
“Because in the Philippines, it’s not like abroad. [For example], you work for Stella McCartney. Your job is a fashion illustrator. That’s all you do. You’re a designer, you draw. You do pattern-making.
“Here, you have to do everything. You should be able to run [your business] properly and then manage your people. Even if you have a manager for each, you
ATELIER DEBBIE CO AND PRET-A-PORTER DEBBIE CO
“THE pieces in our atelier are more intricate. Because we focus not just on made to order, we also have ready-to-wear pieces there that’s more unique. Like, it’s sort of like one of each, or two of each. It’s not a lot, we don’t make a lot.
“Like, let’s say the embroideries, we do a lot of hand-sewn details. So, of course, in ready-to-wear you can’t have those because you have to be conscious of the costing and all that. Ready-to-wear has to be more straightforward.
“For the ready-to-wear, we don’t make as much then but in sizes S, M, L, XL. And of course, we do preorders also. Meaning, if it’s not available, you can order it. Or if you want to tweak it, like some people, we try to accommodate if we can.”
Tried and tested: Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Intensive Cream
Water Bank Intensive is a next-generation cream packed with a handful of powerful ingredients, including micro-sized Blue Hyaluronic Acid, 100 percent Vegan Omega Peptides, Squalane, and Purified Cica. This moisturizer undergoes a fermentation and refining process to ensure amplified hydration, with results that include visible relief from redness, rapid moisture barrier repair, and 120-hour hydration.
The product has sustainable packaging with a refillable pod that reduces plastic consumption by 70 percent, and packaging cartons that are made with FSC-certified paper.
I have been using the Laneige Water Bank Hyaluronic Blue Intensive with the Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask for several months now and it’s helped moisturize my skin when I use retinol (every other day). I also did not get any breakouts nor did it make
Water Bank Cream is Laneige’s signature hydration line with five units said to be sold every minute. Since its 2007, the Water Bank Cream range has accumulated a sales volume of 17 million units old globally. In 2022, the range was enhanced with blue hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that helps repair and improve the skin’s barrier. Water Bank Hyaluronic Blue Gel, Water Bank Hyaluronic Blue Cream, and Water Bank Hyaluronic Blue Intensive moisturizers each address different skin needs. Each cream has been upgraded with new ingredients. Water Bank Gel has betaine and mint leaf extract for balancing oil-moisture levels. Water Bank Cream has Laneige’s proprietary beta-panthenol complex to help fortify the skin’s moisture barrier. Meanwhile, Water Bank Intensive has an omega peptide component, which forms a protective moisture layer on the skin.
my skin unnecessarily oily. It gave my skin just the right amount of moisture and performed its job well as an occlusive. For day, I use the Water Bank Cream and sometimes, the Water Bank Gel.
Laneige recently named BTS member Jin as its Global Ambassador.
“Jin’s adventurous spirit and willingness to explore perfectly match Laneige’s endless curiosity and openness to wonder for innovation. His charming confidence perfectly captures the brand’s vision of beauty,” said Laneige Philippines on its Instagram account.
Jin’s “Jin-ius” recommendation is the Cream Skin Cerapeptide Refiner, a product celebrated for its unique formula that encapsulates a jar’s worth of cream into a toner, providing deep moisturization right from the first step of skincare. Because Cream Skin is a
Coolaire Consolidated Inc. wins ASEAN Business Award
COOLAIRE Consolidated Inc. was recently recognized with the ASEAN Business Award at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Laos, celebrating its enduring legacy of innovation, dedication, service and corporate social responsibility. This reflects Coolaire’s growth over the past five decades and its unwavering commitment to customers, partners, and employees.
Starting as a small engineering firm, Coolaire has evolved into a leading provider of refrigerated trucks, refrigeration systems, and cold storage solutions in the Philippines. The company’s mission is to support
Filipino entrepreneurs by ensuring their products, whether food, medicine, or other perishables, remain fresh and market-ready.
Coolaire’s success is fueled by a dedicated team of professionals
across key departments, from the production plant to unit installation, the warehouse, and service advisors who provide exceptional after-sales support. Every department, including marketing and sales, plays a vital role in upholding the company’s commitment to excellence.
As Coolaire celebrates its 55th year, this award honors not just its leadership but the entire Coolaire family. The company continues to invest in cuttingedge technology, sustainability, and employee development to stay at the forefront of the industry.
Coolaire remains committed to “Preserving the Dreams” of its clients, partners, and employees—now and for generations to come.
A bigger prost party starring world-famous German beer
BEER , poured out cold and frothy into steins, beer savored in a boisterous time, beer quaffed to the toast of “Ein prosit”—this is the epic Oktoberfest experience coming to Newport World Resorts. Beer is the king of Oktoberfest, and for the premier lifestyle and leisure destination, only the best will be served on the massive three-day festival in October. This year, Newport World Resorts once again taps the iconic Weihenstephan Brewery as the official beverage partner to bring the stars of the celebration to The Ballroom, Hilton Manila on October 24 to 26, 2024.
Crafted on the Weihenstephan Hill in Germany since 1040, the worldfamous bier embodies Bavarian tradition, where every stein poured is a tribute
to its millennium of brewing mastery. Oktoberfest 2024 at Newport World Resorts serves a taste of tradition with three award-winning beers from Weihenstephan Brewery. The Weihenstephaner Original Helles is a true taste of Bavaria in every sip. Light, crisp, and with a gentle kick of spice, it pairs effortlessly with hearty dishes, making every bite and sip a cause for celebration.
The Hefeweissbier, the crown jewel of the Weihenstephan Brewery, shines with elegance. Its creamy white foam is a symphony of flavors—ripe banana and warming clove—creating a rich, balanced brew that is as smooth as it is satisfying. Then there is the Hefeweissbier Dunkel, a dark wheat beer with sparkling depth and notes of caramel. Its velvety
Ginebra San Miguel products garner prestigious 2024 SIP Awards in the US
GINEBRA San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) proudly continues its flagship brand’s 190 years of excellence as it garnered multiple prestigious awards at the 2024 Spirit International Prestige (SIP) Awards.
Based in Los Angeles California, and running since 2009, the SIP Awards is the only annual International Spirits Competition evaluated through a double-blind tasting process by a panel of consumer judges strategically chosen from all demographics without affiliation to the spirits industry, unaffected by industry bias.
In 2024, the SIP Awards bestowed GSM Blue Flavors Gin Pomelo and GSM Premium Gin the prestigious Double Gold Medal and recognition as outstanding international spirits in the flavored/infused gin and gin categories, respectively.
Other GSM Blue variants—Margarita, Mojito, and Light Gin—were also awarded Gold Medals in the category of flavored/ infused gin.
The consumer judges also recognized the 1834 Premium Distilled Gin with the distinguished Innovation Award, highlighting its unique taste profile and design, further positioning the brand as innovative and groundbreaking.
“Gin is truly in with all of our gin-based products recognized at this unique, spiritjudging competition,” said GSMI Marketing Manager Ron Molina. “Ginebra San Miguel has always been committed to delivering exceptional spirits to our consumers, and
texture and sweet aroma make it the ideal companion for pastries and sweets, winning a spot among locals’ favorites and global beer awards.
The highly anticipated second round of Oktoberfest at Newport World Resorts also puts the spotlight on a grander spread of Bavarian feast, including freshly baked pretzels, platters of pork bratwurst and frankfurter, and show-stopping desserts. World-renowned AnTon Showband, all the way from Austria, will keep everyone dancing and celebrating all night.
Grab hold of Oktoberfest tickets priced at P5,400 nett per person and be part of a bigger than ever celebration at Newport World Resorts. Better yet, take the whole crew and grab tickets at P4,900 nett per person for groups of 10 and above. All ticket holders can avail of an overnight stay at Hilton Manila with breakfast for two at a special rate of P7,500 nett per room valid during the festival. Guests can also retreat in Holiday Inn Express - Newport City’s overnight stay package inclusive of breakfast for two at P4,000 nett. Join the festivities and enjoy exclusive offers through www.newportworldresorts. com/oktoberfest-2024.
For more information on Oktoberfest 2024 at Newport World Resorts, visit www. newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Every visit is made more rewarding with an Epic Rewards membership, download the Epic Rewards Mobile App for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
THE Healthcare Information Management Services Conference (HIMSCON) 2024 is set to bring together top industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders in the healthcare information management services (HIMS) sector. This premier event will take place on October 24 to 25, 2024, at Shangri-La at The Fort, BGC, and is poised to address the evolving landscape of healthcare information technology, automation, and digital transformation.
HIMSCON 2024 will highlight the critical role the Philippines plays in the global healthcare IT-BPM sector. With a roadmap set for 2028, HIMAP (Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines) aims to significantly contribute to the country’s economic growth, targeting a robust nine percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the healthcare outsourcing industry. By 2028, the sector is expected to generate $6.7 billion in revenue and employ over 285,000 professiona ls, reflecting a significant surge from its current standing.
This year’s HIMSCON will also underscore the Philippine Skills Framework (PSF), an initiative aimed at equipping the Filipino workforce with futureready skills. This framework ensures that professionals in the healthcare outsourcing sector remain competitive, meeting the demands of global healthcare IT. Attendees can expect discussions on how the PSF is building a more adaptable,
skilled workforce, helping shape the country’s place in the evolving healthcare landscape. HIMAP continues to make substantial contributions to the country, not only in job creation but also by enhancing the Philippines’ reputation as a global hub for healthcare innovation. The association’s initiatives are designed to create a more competitive environment, fostering collaborations that benefit both local talent and global clients. With an exciting lineup of speakers, thought leaders, and interactive sessions, HIMSCON 2024 promises to provide attendees with fresh insights and opportunities for growth. As the industry embraces the future, HIMAP is committed to guiding its members and stakeholders toward a brighter, more innovative healthcare ecosystem. For registration details and further information, visit https://himap.ph/himscon/.
FILING OF CANDIDACY. Las Piñas City Mayor Mel Aguilar, after completing her three terms, will be now replaced by her daughter Vice Mayor April Aguilar this 2025 Midterm Elections during their filing of certificates of candidacy.
AI in communication and media research: Ethical, societal and legal perspectives
IATTENDED the AI Masterclass in PR and Communications organized by Public Relations Society of the Philippines recently and it got me thinking again on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is viewed by my colleagues in the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE).
The rapid advancement of AI is reshaping various domains, yet its integration into communication and media research raises critical questions about ethics, societal impact, and legal frameworks. As developing countries like the Philippines grapple with AI adoption, it becomes imperative to examine the implications of this technology.
The Hong Kong University emphasized AI as a “fifth literacy,” underscoring its significance in education. However, the adoption of AI in Philippine universities is uneven, with some institutions leading the way in research and development. For instance, Ateneo de Manila University focuses on AI applications in education, while De La Salle University (DLSU) hosts the AI and Data Science Laboratory. The University of the Philippines champions principles for responsible AI, advocating for its use in the public good and inclusivity. Far Eastern University recently released its AI Guidelines for both students and faculty that recognize the importance of adapting innovative technologies such as Generative AI academic programs.
Despite these advancements, concerns about the ethical implications of AI’s use in media and communication research persist. As such, I interviewed current and past chairpersons of communication schools who are members of PACE on their views on AI. The feedback highlighted varying perspectives on AI’s
ethical challenges, legal considerations, and social implications.
Ethical considerations
T HE integration of AI demands a strong ethical framework. Key principles include transparency and accountability, particularly regarding AI-generated content. Researchers must clearly label AI outputs and implement robust data protection measures. Ernesto Collo, Jr., PhD from Don Mariano Marcos University noted: “As data produced by AI is pre-programmed, users of AI engaged in communication research are faced with systems that deliver biased literature and results. Therefore, the user must confront issues of accountability for the information which may be shared via AI systems.”
Moreover, ethical concerns extend beyond data integrity to the very nature of research itself. Karen Cayamanda, PhD from UP Mindanao articulated, “AI for media and communication research would be considered unethical if it would already bypass the personal boundaries, and transaction becomes impersonal and mechanical. Dehumanizing research in media and communication research is unacceptable in some areas that center on human intervention.”
Legal Implications
T HE legal landscape surrounding AI in communication research is still developing. Researchers must navigate various laws and regulations that govern data privacy, intellectual property rights, and liability in AI-driven systems. The need for clear policies on AI usage is evident, as highlighted by Rechelle Ann Tolinero-Barraquias from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan. Concerns about originality and plagiarism are paramount, and the protection of AI-generated content remains nebulous.
As AI tools become more accessible, often for free, the risk of misuse increases. The absence of regulations can lead to ethical lapses, where researchers may exploit AI without understanding its limitations. Consequently, establishing guidelines that protect researchers and subjects involved in AI-generated studies is essential.
Societal impact
T HE social implications of AI integration in communication research are profound. AI’s ability to curate information can inadvertently reinforce biases and marginalize underrepresented voices. John N. Ponsaran, PhD from UP Manila said, “AI’s use must be predicated on strong ethico-moral imperative. Without this countervailing force, AI is prone to all forms of abuse and misuse. AI does not value accountability and tends to be culturally insensitive. It also has an inherent bias in favor of the prevailing ontologies, epistemologies, and mental models, thereby further marginalizing the subaltern voices. The neutral posturing of AI must therefore be unmasked and interrogated.” Moreover, researchers need to critically assess the quality of knowledge generated through AI. As Cherrie Cabungcal, DComm, from DLSU Lipa pointed out, those who lack AI
literacy are particularly vulnerable to misinformation and exploitation. The education system must not only teach students how to use AI but also foster a deeper understanding of media and information literacy. This is crucial in ensuring that future researchers are equipped to navigate the complexities of AI-driven research responsibly.
What lies ahead?
T HE integration of AI into communication and media research offers exciting possibilities, but it necessitates careful consideration of ethical, legal, and societal dimensions. As we move forward, it is crucial to establish robust ethical guidelines and legal frameworks that govern AI usage. Researchers must commit to transparency, accountability, and inclusivity while recognizing the potential risks AI poses to privacy and data integrity.
The call for responsible AI development is not just an academic exercise; it is a societal imperative. As AI continues to influence our lives, we must ensure that it serves the public good and does not exacerbate existing inequalities. The insights gathered from communication academics highlight the importance of critical engagement with AI technologies, reminding us that the responsibility ultimately lies
with us as researchers. To borrow from “AI4People—An Ethical Framework for a Good AI Society: Opportunities, Risks, Principles, and Recommendations” (Floridi, et. al, 2018), “AI is not another utility that needs to be regulated once it is mature. It is a powerful force, a new form of smart agency, which is already reshaping our lives, our interactions, and our environments.”
PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier organization for PR professionals around the world. Rowena Capulong Reyes, PhD is the vice president for Corporate Affairs of Far Eastern University (FEU). She is an executive committee member of the Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 and heads its education committee. She was formerly the Dean of FEU Institute of Arts and Sciences and Colegio de San Juan de Letran. She is the immediate past president of the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE), serving two terms.
We are devoting a special column each month to answer our readers’ questions about public relations. Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@ gmail.com. ONE A SIA Cr EAt I v E AWA rd S CO mm ENCES judg IN g IN mANILA f O r th E f I r S t t I m E MANILA, PHILIPPINES—For the first time, the ONE Asia Creative Awards judging is being held outside of China, marking a
production house known for creating next-level film and television content.
“We’re honored to host the One Asia welcome reception. This city is bursting with creativity, and we’re proud to showcase its talent. It’s a privilege to contribute to celebrating and elevating the creative brilliance of the APAC region,” said Jeorge Agcaoili, President and Film Director of Arcade Film Factory. The dinner was held at the culturally enriched Manila House, a sophisticated space located in Bonifacio Global City, designed to inspire creativity and collaboration.
The evening offered the Manila creative community a unique opportunity to connect and celebrate in the grand setting of Manila House’s Bonifacio Dining Lounge. With its long, free-flowing
space reminiscent of grand homes and picture galleries, the venue provided the perfect backdrop for creative minds to mingle and share ideas.
Top Filipino creative boutique agencies, including Leron Leron Sinta, Sgt Pepper, and Tony &, partnered with The ONE Asia Awards Team to design bespoke event materials ranging from airport signages to tote bags and judge badges. Local creative talents like Auggie Fontanilla, Nikki Golez, and Raymund Sison also contributed to the overall aesthetic, adding a uniquely Filipino touch to the event. Kevin Swanepoel, CEO of The One Club for Creativity, officially opened the judging with an introduction of key team members, including Alison Bourdon, Director of Systems, and
Adam Izen, Director of The One Show. Kevin also recognized the invaluable contributions of One Asia’s APAC team, Season Zhou and Sarah Hou, with a special shout-out to adobo Magazine’s Founder, President, and Editor-in-Chief Angel Guerrero for her insightful advice and unwavering support. International board members Judy John, Reed Collins, and Thomas Hong-tack Kim, were recognized and served as moderators, with Tay Guan Hin now officially joining The One Club for Creativity team as its APAC Regional Director.
Guan Hin spoke on the broader impact of creativity in APAC, emphasizing how a thriving creative community can fuel economic growth, cultural preservation, and social innovation. He underscored the power of local stories
in showcasing APAC’s unique perspectives on a global stage, ensuring that the region’s creativity continues to be celebrated worldwide.
Furthermore, he shared why their team decided to bring the judging to the Philippines: “Manila is our first choice because we’re deeply moved by the passion and strong sense of family brought by the local advertising community.”
During the briefing, Kevin highlighted a new addition to the judging process this year: board members will not cast votes, but will work alongside juries to oversee the judging process. He emphasized The One Club’s mission to celebrate creative excellence globally, noting how the ONE Asia Awards have expanded since their inception in 2020 to include the entire Asia Pacific region, reflecting
the growing prominence of creativity in APAC on the world stage.
“This is a historic moment for ONE Asia,” said Kevin. “Winning here can significantly elevate a creative’s career and boost an agency’s global reputation. It’s a tremendous opportunity for the Asia Pacific region to shine.”
The ONE Show China regional awards show initially focused on Chinese agencies in 1997, but thanks to Thomas Hongtack Kim and Angel Guerrero, the ONE Asia jury sessions, starting back in 2018, have now branched out to other parts of the Asia Pacific. Kevin made sure to appreciate this initiative saying, “Angel’s persistent encouragement led to the event being held in the Philippines, showcasing the country’s hospitality and community spirit.”
Hergie stands tough, proud in Phnom Penh
‘Kuya Bong’ praises Lawrence Go Cup hoops participants
MATI City won the championship and Baganga finished runner-up in the recent Christian Lawrence Go Cup basketball tournament in San Isidro in Davao Oriental with no less than Senator Christopher “Bong” Go not only personally awarding the trophies and prizes to the winners but also commending them for their hard work and dedication to sports.
“These events foster camaraderie, discipline and excellence among young athletes in the grassroots,” Go said.
“Sports are an effective vehicle to veer the youth away from vices and as chairman of the Senate Committees on Sports and Youth, I’m here to support you all the way.”
Go acknowledged the efforts of Davao Oriental’s local leaders and thanked them for their unyielding support for grassroots sports initiatives.
He expressed his commitment to helping uplift sports programs across the country, noting that local tournaments play a critical role in the nation’s sports development strategy.
“As your ‘Kuya Bong’ in the Senate, these programs will continue to give opportunities to the youth,” he said.
“The mission is to propagate these events and activities so much so that more youth will be involved.”
Mati City bagged the top prize of P300,000 in the tournament named after Go’s son, while Baganga banked P200,000 with third-placer Boston bringing home P150,000 and fourth placer General Generoso claiming P100,000.
The other participating teams got P50,000 each in the tournament played at the San Isidro Municipal Gymnasium.
Go has been instrumental in shaping national sports policy as he played a key role in creating the National Academy of Sports (NAS) by authoring and co-sponsoring Republic Act No. 11470.
Go also principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Senate Bill No. 2514—the proposed Philippine National Games (PNG) Act.
The Bicameral Conference Committee Report of this bill was ratified by the Senate on September 23 and if enacted into law, it will institutionalize a structured national sports program that not only promotes grassroots sports but also provides aspiring athletes the opportunity to compete on a national level.
As the sponsor of the sports budget in the Senate, Go has been instrumental in securing support for the country’s sports development—he advocated for the repair and improvement of key facilities such as the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
By Josef Ramos
GENDER issues in sports won’t simply go away despite the Paris 2024 Olympics experience with Hergie Bacyadan, a veteran of those games as a boxer, finding herself in the middle of a protest by her Chinese opponent in the Asian Kickboxing Championships in Phnom Penh over the weekend.
“The Chinese coaches protested me before the fight and it was about my gender,” Bacyadan told BusinessMirror on Sunday via internet call on Sunday.
“But the organizers didn’t listen to them because everything was screened.”
Bacyadan didn’t have to kick and sweat in claiming the women’s 70 kgs K1 title—one of four gold medals Filipino athletes won at the National Olympic Stadium in Cambodia’s capital—after China’s Jinwei Teng didn’t show up for the fight and lost by abandonment.
Unlike her opponents on the way to the final, only the Chinese had qualms about the 29-year-old warrior from City of Tabuk in Kalinga who was spared of controversies surrounding the gender
Gialon
of Armenia’s Imane Khelif and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting.
In Paris, Khelif won her first bout against Angela Carini who refused to continue after only 46 seconds of the first round with the Italian later indicating that the Armenian boxed with a man’s punches.
Khelif went on to win the women’s 66 kgs gold medal, was proudly welcomed home and later filed charges bordering on online harassment.
The International Boxing Association has earlier banned the Armenian because of doubts on her gender but the International Olympic Committee had its own policy and allowed her to compete.
The gender issues, recent studies showed, border on differences in sex development, or DSD, which is a group of rare conditions involving genes, hormones and reproductive organs, including genitals.
Bacyadan demolished Samnang Raksa of the host country in only one minute of the first round in the semifinals to get a shot at the gold.
“My respect to my Cambodian opponent in the semifinal, she gave me
a good fight,” said Bacyadan, a vovinam world champion and former wushu sanda practitioner, whose gold qualified her to the World Games in Chengdu, China, in August 2025.
Her victory helped highlight the country’s successful campaign in Phnom Penh where Jovan Medallo won two demonstration form events and Carlo Von Bumina-ang ruled the men’s low kick -67 kgs category.
Bumina-ang beat Abutali Ali of Kazakhstan, 3-0, to win the men’s low kick -67 kgs category while Medallo topped the musical forms with weapon and open hand.
He tallied 28.6 points to beat by six-tenths of a popint Chinese-Taipei’s Hsuan Chi with Fi Ramadhan (27.90) of Indonesia settling for bronze in the weapon division.
Medallo then scored 28.3 points in open hands form to defeat ChineseTaipei’s Chi and Chiu, who settled for silver and bronze with 27.8 and 26.5 points, respectively.
ANIEBOY GIALON hopes to ride the momentum of his victory in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Iloilo Golf Challenge as sets his sights on becoming the first player to secure two victories on the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) this season.
Gialonb booked a stunning 13-under total of 267 at the former Santa Barbara Golf Course for a six-stroke victory over Ira Alido and Angelo Que snapped his two-year title drought.
Gialon’s “conquer the course” mentality, where he focuses on outwitting the course rather than his fellow players, will be tested again as he heads to the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Binitin in Murcia for the P2.5 million ICTSI Bacolod Golf
Challenge presented by Negros Electric and Power Corp. beginning Tuesday.
The par-70 layout features narrow fairways and tricky greens similar to those in Iloilo, reinforcing his belief that if he conquers the course, victory is within reach.
“Actually, the players are not my rivals, the course is,” Gialon said. “If you conquer the course, you got a lot of opportunities to win.”
While Gialon enters the Bacolod
Lady Spikers dispose of pesky JRU gals in pre-season tourney
DFlores topples seeded opponent in Olivarez national junior netfest
Revisiting Pete Rose
WHEN Pete Rose passed away last September 30, the question and controversy surrounding his not being in the Baseball Hall of Fame (HOF) once more resurfaced.
To recap, there were reports that as Cincinnati Reds manager, Rose bet on baseball matches. He denied them but later on admitted to doing so, thus being banned from the game.
He attempted on multiple occasions to petition the lifting of the ban that would enable him to make it to the ballot of baseball writers for the Hall of Fame but every
NSEEDED Jairo Flores crashed the semifinals of the Rep. Edwin Olivarez National Junior Tennis Championships with a shock 6-4, 6-4 victory over No. 4 Antonio Bengzon at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque City, over the weekend.
The 13-year-old rising star from Tabuk City in Kalinga displayed remarkable composure and strong baseline play to topple his higherranked opponent for a seat in the boys’ 14-and-under semifinals.
Riding high on confidence after dominant wins over Joem Riño and Kenji Kue, Flores outclassed Bengzon with superb groundstrokes and maintained his edge in critical moments to secure the straight-set victory.
He, however, faces a tough test in the semifinals where he faces secondseeded Marcus Go, who breezed past Gabriel Vitaliano, 6-1, 6-1. Top seed Mikael Honrado, meanwhile, comfortably dispatched Jacob
one of them were rebuffed if not ignored.
For a baseball player to make it to the Hall of Fame, he must:
n Have played in the big leagues for at least 10 years,
n Be retired for at least five years (unless he dies and that can be waived), and
n Receive at least five percent of the eligible vote each year to remain on the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) for a full 10 years.
There is a clause that stipulates that “voting should be based upon a player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contributions to the team[s] on which the player played.”
When these betting allegations against Rose first came to light, I thought the ban to be just. And his name not being included in the HOF ballot to be the correct thing.
Whether he bet on or against his own team is immaterial, his on field decisions as manager could affect games.
However, over the years, I softened my stance because of two things—one, there were many players in the Hall of not poor character but who also hurt the game of baseball.
Rogers Hornsby who suited up for the St. Louis Cardinals. New York Giants, Boston Braves, Chicago Cubs, and the St. Louis Browns was not a favorite among his many teammates.
In fact, he was despised. How bad was it? When Hornsby was fired from the 1932 Chicago Cubs that eventually made
Gonzales, 6-2, 6-1, to set up a semifinals showdown with No. 3 Anthony Cosca, who routed Cristiano Calingasan, 6-1, 6-0, in the week-long Group 2 tournament, part of the nationwide talent-search organized by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro.
Flores also advanced to the second round of the boys’ 16-andunder division after a 6-0, 6-1 victory over RJ Cruz to join top seed Gavin Kraut, third-ranked Cosca and No. 2 Antonio Ng Jr., who all drew opening-round byes.
In the boys’ 18-and-under, No. 2 Adrian Cagitla, third seed James Yosores and fourth-ranked JB Aquino secured semifinals spots with contrasting wins—Cagitla dominated
Ethan Cablitas, 6-1, 6-1, while Yosores edged Phil Amora, 6-7(1), 2-6, 10-8. Aquino easily defeated John de Ocampo, 6-1, 6-1, while in a thrilling three-setter, Joshua Diva outlasted Marvin Plata, 7-5, 4-6, 15-13, following Plata’s earlier victory over top seed Ng, 6-4, 4-1 (ret.).
The girls’ 18-and-under division also saw some reversals with Maristella Torrecampo stunning No. 3 seed Jillianne Tenoria, 6-3, 6-2, to join top seed Stefi Aludo, secondranked Joy Ansay, and No. 4 Mikaela Ngu in the semifinals. Aludo crushed Ava Banson, 6-0, 6-1, while Ansay and Ngu blanked Jhane Ilagan and Izabelle Camcam, respectively, with identical 6-0, 6-0 scores.
the World Series, his teammates voted to deny him any percentage of the bonuses. He was frequently fired and traded and was reported to have divulged to writer Charles Alexander that he was a member of the Klu Klux Klan.
Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Athletics had glowing stats but like Hornsby, was utterly disliked. He was reported to be a dirty player who was violent on and off the field. He even jumped into the stands to attack a fan. Furthermore, he was a documented racist who also bet on games. What gives here, right?
Bobby Cox played only three seasons, all for the New York Yankees. He gained fame later on as the manager of the Atlanta Braves. Although it was just one reported incident, Cox, in 1995, was arrested for a battery charge on his wife. Although the charges were dropped, the question is… if the BBWAA and Cooperstown insist on their hall being filled with upstanding members, why did Cox make it as a manager?
Adrian “Cap” Anson was a star for the Philadelphia Athletics and the Chicago White Stockings/Colts and had a great career. Yet he is one of the players instrumental in segregation and ban of black players in Major League Baseball. Like Hornsby, he was a documented racist, and yet, he is in the HOF.
Granted he along with Hornsby and Cobb were in the HOF before all the societal changes, but still. I do know it is in the HOF’s statues that members can still be removed
E LA SALLE University swept Pool C after beating pesky Jose Rizal University (JRU), 25-18, 25-20, 25-16, in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Fielding mostly their young guns, the playoffs-bound Lady Spikers had a tough time putting away the unfazed Lady Bombers but showed composure in the stretch to grab their third win in as many matches.
Jyne Soreno waxed hot from the service line with six aces to go with four hits for 10 points to lead De La Salle in dominating the first round.
“We and the younger players helped each other,” said Soreno, who was responsible for more than half of the Lady Spikers’ 10 winners. “We just focused on making our serves and limiting our errors.”
Senior high winger Sandy Demain and middle blocker Katrina del Castillo also made their presence felt for De La Salle with 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
Amor Guinto finished with 10 points, including the match-clinching wing attack for the Lady.
Nicole Deala and Cherry Dayame had seven and six points for the Lady Bombers, who dropped to 0-2.
Far Eastern University, meanwhile, survived Adamson University rookie Shaina Nitura’s 35-point explosion in a come-from-behind, 16-25, 25-22, 3133, 25-20, 15-13, victory for a sweep of Pool D late Saturday.
Jean Asis had 13 points, Chenie Tagaod and Gerzel Petallo scored 12 each while Clarisse Loresco added 11 in the Lady Tamaraws’ third straight win. The Lady Falcons, who got 33 of their 65 kills from Nitura, slipped to 1-1.
retroactively. But to date, not one has been removed. And here is one (among still many) other examples of deplorable actions…New York Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford retroactively admitted that he cheated late in his career. Not only did he admit to it, but he even encouraged it. And there are more.
I get it that today, the watchdogs are more vigilant, hence steroid-era players are still not voted into the hall (although they are on the ballots for the moment) and so is Rose. It doesn’t matter anymore for Rose. It would be a farce to lift his ban now that he is no longer alive. What I find hypocritical is that some of Rose’s memorabilia are on
of
the
Hustle,” and his managerial days including the bad? My thoughts are right now, I think that the BBWA should have that serious discussion about these ineligible players, steroid users, and well, questionable characters inside the HOF. I am not suggesting they lift the bans or even begin to clean house.
HERGIE BACYADAN proudly poses with her gold medal as she qualifies for the World Games in Chengdu next year.
ZANIEBOY GIALON: My goal is to conquer the course.
A RISING star from Tabuk City, Jairo Flores advances to the boys’ 14-andunder semifinals.
ANGEL CANINO dives for the ball with Francesca Rodriguez nearby for good measure as the Lady Archers sweep their pool unbeaten in three matches.
