BUDGET GAP NARROWS
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
Tbillion in the same period in 2023. The nine-month budget shortfall is 9.08 percent or P96.8 billion lower than the Development Budget and Coordination Committee’s (DBCC) projection of a P1.067-trillion budget deficit for the period. A budget deficit occurs when government spending is higher than the revenues it collected. Broken down, revenues collected by the government grew by 16.04 percent year-on-year to P3.293 trillion as of end-September 2024 from P2.838 trillion, surpassing the DBCC target of P3.150 trillion by 4.53 percent, resulting in a P142.8 billion surplus. Despite the year-on-year growth in the Bureaus of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Customs (BOC) collections, both missed their revenue targets for the nine-month period.
The BIR collected P2.095 trillion, P20.7 billion below the goal of P2.115 trillion set by the DBCC. Similarly, the BOC generated
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LBy Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
OCAL manufacturers expect exports of semiconductors and electronics to recover and grow by 5 percent next year on the back of new investments and expansion activities.
“We maintained our [projection of a] 10-percent contraction for this year, but we expect a 5-percent growth next year,” Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. (Seipi) President Danilo C. Lachica told reporters on the sidelines of the 2024 Arangkada Philippines Forum. Seipi decided to stick to its bleak outlook for this year even as it expects a slight improvement in demand the progress made by manufacturers in terms of inventory correction.
“The EMS [Electronics Manufacturing Services] guys are optimistic, but the semiconductor guys are not. Unfortunately, they [semiconductors] weigh more than electronics manufacturing services,” he said.
The Seipi chief said semiconductors account for a chunk of the volume of goods exported by the industry at 70 percent.
On the industry’s outlook for next year, Lachica said Seipi sees a
recovery, particularly a 5-percent growth in outbound shipments due to improved inventory correction accompanied by good investment prospects.
“Well, like I said, the inventory correction, we’re working on that and hopefully again, with the initiatives of the government to promote investments,” he said.
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
RESIDE n T Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to sign the CREATE More into law on n ovember 11, according to Senate President Francis Escudero.
“Barring any typhoons or calami
“We’re looking for new products, new expansions for the coming year,” he added.
In a Viber message sent to the BusinessMirror , Lachica said the semiconductor and electronics industry is already expecting “at least 2 investments” next year.
The Seipi chief, however, did not disclose more details on these expected investments.
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso O. Panga told the BusinessMirror in a Viber message on Thursday that the agency shares the sanguine outlook of Seipi for 2025.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that electronics exports reached $27.45 billion in January to August, 1 percent higher than the $27.19 billion recorded in the eightmonth period a year ago.
While semiconductors continued to account for a larger share of the outbound shipments of electronics, it declined by 3.6 percent in the 8-month period this year. Of the goods exported by the Philippines last year, more than half were electronics.
‘Focus on generation projects in implementation of EVOSS’
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on thursday urged the Department of energy (Doe) to zero in on developing energy-generation projects in implementing the energy Virtual one-Stop Shop (eVoSS) system to help ensure steady supply and reduce electricity costs.
“Let us focus first on generation projects because sufficient electricity supply is important. We need to perfect that first before expanding into the other sectors. The aspiration is that the system should process applications. But admittedly, it is complicated as you expand,” Gatchalian told energy officials at a
recent Senate hearing on the proposed 2025 budget of the department and its attached agencies.
The vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Energy noted that a total of P263 million has already been allocated for EVOSS since 2019. An additional P36 million has been requested for 2025.
“We have allocated a sizable amount already for EVOSS over the years and we need to see its full potential being realized with that amount, so that it will not be a bottomless pit, so to speak,” the senator said.
Once fully implemented, the EVOSS system reduces processing time by around 269 days, bringing average processing time to only 85 days depending on the location and type of generation facility.
Agencies that are yet to incorporate their processes into the system include the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, and the National Water Regulatory Board.
Signed into law in March 2019, Republic Act 11234, which created the EVOSS system, aims to streamline the permitting process for devel -
Lawmakers...
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Personnel from the House of Representatives delivered to the Senate in Pasay City the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) which senators had vowed to deliberate on and approve as soon as sessions resume after the “Undas (November 1 and 2) holidays. Senate President Chiz Escudero on Tuesday reiterated the upper chamber’s single-minded focus on the budget measure, as he explained why he wanted hearings on inquiries in aid of legislation to be wrapped up in a timely fashion so as not to distract senators from the budget process.
On Monday, October 28, a subpanel of the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC), to be led by Minority Leader Koko Pimentel will open hearings on the Duterte-era drug war and extrajudicial killings.
The chair of the Public Committee, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela
Escudero...
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encourage more investors to set up shop in the Philippines.
As such, Escudero said this measure is seen to provide a “level playing field and hopefully be able to provide needed jobs here in the Philippines and give the Filipino workers an option to work here instead of simply exploring options to work abroad.”
On the sidelines of the said forum, the Senate president said he’s “90 percent sure” that the President will sign the version of the bicameral conference committee.
“I am 90 percent sure that it will be as is because it was coordinated specifically with the Office of the President,” Escudero told reporters on the sidelines of the Arangkada Forum.
“Pansin niyo wala na ‘yung mga veto-veto because we’re coordinating closely with the Office of Executive Secretary and Office of the President
oping energy projects in the country.
The EVOSS system applies to all new power generation, transmission, or distribution projects in the country and should integrate permits required by various line agencies and local government units.
By optimizing the energy sector’s processes, EVOSS can speed up project approvals, increase competition, improve transparency, and ultimately enhance efficiency.
According to Gatchalian, the President’s recent directive for DOE to expedite the integration of all applications and permitting processes for energy projects through EVOSS should compel agencies under the executive department to do their part in the integration process.
“That sends a signal to other departments to take energy projects seriously and join the system, as that is the design of EVOSS,” he added.
Rosa, had wanted his panel to lead a parallel probe, saying the House of Representatives inquiry through its “QuadComm” was “biased,” but the Senate leadership deemed it best to have the BRC handle it for two reasons: the Blue Ribbon Committee is the only committee allowed by Senate rules to conduct hearings during breaks without a referral from plenary; and dela Rosa is associated with the drug wars, having been the Philippine National Police chief of then President Rodrigo Duterte.
Two other marathon inquiries in aid of legislation have just been wrapped up recently: first, on crimes linked to POGOs; and second, the alleged crimes of child abuse and human trafficking, among others, by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his Kingdom of Jesus Christ cult.
Both chambers of Congress are eyeing to have the GAB covering the P6.3-trillion budget approved, sent to the bicameral conference committee, and ratified by their members early December so it can be signed into law by the President before the Christmas break.
para wala na ‘yung balikan,” he added.
Escudero also said during the same forum that the Senate and House have sent 31 proposed measures of national application including CREATE More and 39 local measures to the President.
One of the industries that is expected to benefit from CREATE More is the IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry.
Earlier this month, IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) Jack Madrid said CREATE More “eliminates a lot of uncertainty and confusion in the different interpretations of specific laws and tax effect of laws because a lot of LGUs in this country occasionally have different interpretation and implementation of taxes including the issuance of business permits.”
“So I think that is one major headache that investors will now not have to have because of this clarification,” he added.
P690.7 billion, short by P3.2 billion compared with its target of P693.9 billion.
Nontax revenues raised by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) and other offices reached P481.1 billion, exceeding the P315.9 billion target by 52.30 percent. Meanwhile, the government’s expenditures rose by 11.56 percent year-on-year to P4.263 trillion as of the end of September from last year’s P3.821 trillion. On the expenditure side, government spending rose by 11.56 percent year-on-year to P4.263 trillion as of September 2024, slightly exceeding the DBCC’s target of P4.217 trillion by 1.09 percent.
Operating expenses reached P3.680 trillion, surpassing the programmed P3.634 trillion by 1.27 percent or P46 billion.
Interest payments for the ninemonth period expanded by 26.77 percent to P583.3 billion, almost hitting the government’s target of P583.4 trillion for the third quarter. In September alone, the state’s budget gap widened by 8.90 percent to P273.3 billion, the highest fiscal deficit in nine months, compared to P250.9 billion in 2023. Revenue collections for the month rose by 17.32 percent to P299.7 billion from last year’s P255.4 billion.
The BIR’s tax collection improved by 14.79 percent, reaching P174.7 billion from last year’s P152.2 billion.
“This is attributed to higher personal income tax [PIT] particularly on withholding on wages due to the release of salary differentials of civilian government personnel pursuant,” the Treasury said.
Meanwhile, the BOC’s collection fell by 3.31 percent to P76.3 billion from P78.9 billion due to a significant drop in import duties, impacted by tariff reductions and rising smuggling activities. Non-tax revenues surged to P46.2 billion in September, more than double the amount from a year earlier, due to the P30-billion upfront payment from the New NAIA Infra Corp. for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession agreement. Government expenditures rose by 13.15 percent to P572.9 billion in September from P506.3 billion a year ago.
The increase was largely due to non-interest expenses, driven by capital outlay projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways and higher personnel costs from the first tranche of salary adjustments for civilian government employees.
Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector is also expected to see gains from the measure. Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso O. Panga said greenlighting CREATE MORE will “open the flood gates of investments as it puts in parity our benefit packages with that of our competitors like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand.” CREATE MORE seeks to lower taxes on domestic and foreign companies to 20 percent from 25 percent, among others.
“With the impending passage of the CREATE More bill, we remain hopeful that more investors will register their projects with PEZA and other IPAs [investment promotion agencies] . This is in preparation for the expected upturn particularly in the global electronics industry including demand for electronics products [especially telephony and other consumer electronics] and EVs, and considering the country’s growing middle-class and its changing lifestyle preferences,” the PEZA chief said. Andrea E. San Juan
Kristine continues to batter Luzon, casualties increasing
SEVERE Tropical Storm Kristine, international code name Trami, continued to wreak havoc in Luzon with the number of casualties reaching up to 20 dead in the Bicol Region alone.
Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon, Bicol police commander, in a radio interview, said the reported fatalities include seven in Naga City, five in Catanduanes, four in Albay, and one each in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, and Masbate.
The fatalitiesm Dizon said, died of drowning, were buried alive in landslides or were pinned down by fallen trees. He said the reports from different police stations in the region are subject to validation.
On the other hand, the Office of the Civil Defense led by Director Edgar Posadas told a Palace news conference on Thursday that based on their record, the death toll was 10, with two injured, and nine still missing.
The “confirmed” fatalities were from Aringay, La Union; San Andres, Quezon; Albay; Naga City; Bagamanoc, Catanduanes; Caramoran, Catanduanes; and Palanas, Masbate.
The Bicol Region is the hardesthit area in Luzon. Many houses were submerged in floods in Bicol, particularly in Bato and Milaor, Camarines Sur, as well as in Legazpi City, Albay.
Meanwhile, due to lahar from
Mayon Volcano, many vehicles were buried in volcanic sediments and rocks in Guinobatan, Albay.
Landslides were also reported in 19 areas including 10 in Albay, four in Sorsogon, three in Camarines Sur, and two in Camarines Norte.
DND, OCD spring into action
THE OCD administrator, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, late Wednesday said that all necessary assistance will be provided to areas hit by Kristine. These include those in Bicol and the provinces in Northern Luzon which were battered by the strong rains and winds.
In line with this, Nepomuceno said that the OCD has purchased 34 water filtration machines, ready to be deployed to evacuation centers.
Earlier, Director Agnes Palacio of the Civil Defense and Disaster Management Training Institute highlighted the impact of the flooding on water sanitation and hygiene, underscoring the urgent need for safe drinking water.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro urged areas not affected by the storm to clear their highways.
“We would encourage coordination to keep the roadways in the areas not affected free so that our trucks and other vehicles can move. We will be working closely with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to recommend suspension of work or classes in the areas where we need to marshal our
logistics just to keep the roadways free,” he stressed.
AFP mobilization in full swing
“THE Armed Forces stands ready to respond to the challenges posed by Tropical Storm Kristine. In line with our commitment to the safety and security of the Filipino people, the AFP has mobilized its forces, assets, and resources to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations across affected areas,” Gen.
Romeo Brawner, Armed Forces chief of staff said.
Brawner said all military units, in coordination with local government units and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), are working proactively to conduct rescue operations, particularly in regions experiencing severe flooding.
“With joint efforts from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and our Unified Commands and alongside our international partners, we are demonstrating the strength of our collective capabilities in safeguarding the lives of our citizens. Our forces are equipped and prepared to assist communities not only during the storm but also in its aftermath,” Brawner said.
400,000 Meralco customers affected
THE Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said 397,000 customers
‘Congress funding for Duterte drug war never intended for extra-judicial killings’
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
ACO-CHAIRMAN of the House Quad Committee
stressed on Thursday that the Congress during the Duterte administration provided significant funding to support the war against illegal drugs, but this was never intended to finance extra-judicial killings (EJKs) that claimed the lives of more than 20,000 suspected—and often innocent— drug users and street pushers.
The chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, Manila Rep. Benny Abante, clarified that while Congress passed the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) to back former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, “no budget was allocated for the murder of innocent, impoverished Filipinos.”
“The objective of this campaign was to end the threat posed by illegal drugs, not to cut short the lives of innocent men, women, and children,” Abante said.
“The bloody drug war implemented during the Duterte administration, as explained by one of our colleagues, did not solve the drug problem. In fact, it worsened it, creating more harm than good by orphaning thousands of children who lost their parents, often the family breadwinners, on mere suspicion of involvement in drugs,” said Abante.
He expressed regret that the families of the victims of Oplan Tokhang and Oplan Double Barrel were left even poorer five to ten years later.
“With no support from their slain breadwinners, these children and relatives struggle to get a proper education and, as a result, end up as street children who often get involved in petty crimes due to their poverty. Instead of solving the problem, the previous administration exacerbated it,” he said.
Abante acknowledged that some sectors were silent about the previous administration’s bloody drug war. He explained that this might have been due to the Duterte
administration’s actions against those who publicly opposed its anti-drug campaign.
“Media outlets were silenced, and those who opposed the drug war—such as lawyers, judges, and politicians—were implicated in illegal drugs. Their names were unjustifiably included on publicized drug lists, and they were later murdered because of it— with no thorough police investigation following their deaths,” said Abante.
“Worse, some law enforcers, particularly from the National Police, competed over who to kill, regardless of whether the targets were legitimate or not, all for the lure of substantial monetary rewards,” he added.
Cancel
THE scheduled hearing of the Quad Comm for Thursday has been cancelled to allow members of the House of Representatives to focus their efforts on providing relief and assistance to their respective districts in the aftermath of
Stepping Stone PH’s first certified autism center
THE International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) recently designated a special education foundation as the Philippines first Certified Autism Center (CAC).
The designation acknowledges the Center for Excellence in Special Education (Stepping Stone) Foundation Inc.’s dedication to delivering improved support and services for autistic individuals and their families, according to Dayal Nandwani, the foundation’s executive director.
“Receiving certification from IBCCES is of great significance for Stepping Stone, especially in promoting autism awareness and education. This esteemed designation underscores our dedication to providing exceptional support and education for individuals on the autism spectrum.”
“It not only symbolizes our credibility but also signifies our commitment to maintaining high standards in autism education. Furthermore, being the first school in the Philippines to obtain the IBCCES certification is a ground breaking achievement for us. This milestone distinguishes Stepping Stone as a leader in autism education in the Philippines,” he added.
Founded more than 50 years ago, Stepping Stone provides neurodiverse programs for children and adults, ensuring accessibility for students with conditions such as learning disabilities, autism, down syndrome, and ADHD across preschool, elementary, and pre- vocational levels. The school offers socialized tuition and scholarships to enhance accessibility for all students.
experienced power interruptionsmostly in the provinces of Laguna and Cavite. There are also some in parts of Rizal, Quezon, and Batangas, while the rest are in Metro Manila and Bulacan.
“Rest assured that we are closely monitoring the situation and our crews are working non-stop to restore service as soon as possible. Again, we urge everyone to prioritize safety and take necessary precautions during this time,” Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said.
Meanwhile, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has restored two transmission lines in Luzon but seven transmission lines, also in Luzon, and two in Visayas were rendered unavailable.
Crews of ships in Batangas Port mishap face raps
THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said the captains and crew of the two ships, which ran aground in the Batangas Port last Wednesday amid the torrential rainfall and strong winds caused by Kristine may face charges for possible abandonment.
PPA Assistant General Manager Mark Jon S. Palomar said there are now ongoing investigations to determine the possible liabilities of the said individuals. One of the said vessels, Super Shuttle 2, a domestic cargo vessel, which was anchored at the Batangas Port,
Typhoon Kristine.
“Our primary focus right now is to assist our constituents who have been severely affected by Typhoon Kristine. Many of our fellow Filipinos are dealing with devastating loss and damage to their homes, livelihoods, and communities. As representatives of the people, we have a duty to be on the ground and lend every possible support,” said Surigao del Norter Rep. Ace Barbers, lead chairman of the Quad Committee, said.
He emphasized the need for a whole-of-nation approach in responding to the crisis.
For his part, Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez stressed the need for government officials, including members of the lower chamber, to be on the ground offering direct support to their constituents during critical times.
According to Romualdez, the Congress has mobilized P411 million in assistance to the communities severely affected by the typhoon, demonstrating the institution’s ability to act decisively in times of calamity.
“This financial assistance is just the beginning of our efforts to help our kababayans recover from this disaster as instructed by President Marcos,” he said.
environment.
In addition to its comprehensive educational programs, the foundation is committed to creating an accessible environment. The facility features an elevator, PWD ramps, and designated PWD parking slots, ensuring full accessibility for individuals with various mobility challenges.
Nandwani said Stepping Stone has a sensory room equipped with headphones, fidget toys, and soft lighting to support autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals. This calming space helps students selfregulate and improve focus. The school also offers specialized therapy services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as practical life skills training and vocational training in its barista center, culinary center and housekeeping training room, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning
when it run aground.
“When they were looking for the captain, he was not on the vessel, which is a violation of our regulations. We are currently conducting an investigation on this and proper charges will be filed,” Palomar said.
PPA is also conducting a probe on the other vessel, Cassandra, which remained in the Batangas Port after the foreign fuel tanker was seized by the Bureau of Customs and maritime police last week.
“The vessel was not moved and it was completely unmanned. So an investigation is also ongoing regarding the liabilities of individuals involved,”
According to news reports, the Batangas Port was damaged after it was hit by Cassandra, when it ran aground. Aside from the Batangas Port, PPA also reported the ports of Bulan, Duran, and Legazpi--all located in the Bicol Region--were damaged.
Pre-positioned FFPs
THE DSWD said it has 1.98 million available FFPs for those affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
Gatchalian explained most of the FFPs are pre-positioned in the warehouses of local governments.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) meanwhile instructed public telecommunications entities (PTEs) to take necessary measures to maintain services and ensure
quick repairs and restoration of services in the event of disruptions in the affected area. These measures include the deployment of sufficient personnel, standby generators with extra fuel, tools, and spare equipment in areas expected to be affected. Additionally, they must activate “Libreng Tawag” and “Libreng Charging” stations to assist residents in staying connected during the storm.Kristine maintains strength
Kristine maintains strength IN its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued at 5 p.m. Thursday, PAGASA said Kristine, maintaining its strength, is now over the Coastal Waters of Southern Ilocos Sur. The center of the storm was spotted over the coastal waters of Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur, and is slowly moving westward. Kristine is packing maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kmh.
While the storm is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by 2 pm on Saturday, there is a chance for it to re-enter the country’s domain, says the state weather bureau.
“In the extended outlook, there is a developing forecast situation wherein Kristine will be looping over the West Philippine Sea on Sunday and Monday and move
Governors call for unity, rally behind Marcos
By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
THE League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) issued a manifesto of support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr amid the political turmoil.
“We are on the right track to our development goals, let us not be distracted by the ongoing political intramurals,” the LPP said in its manifesto released Thursday, amid the worsening rift between Marcos and his erstwhile political ally and running mate Vice President Sara Duterte.
Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, recently held a news conference where she ranted against Marcos, publicly admitting that she once thought of beheading the highest official of the land.
Father and daughter are currently the subject of Congressional inquiries—Vice President Duterte for alleged misuse of confidential funds during her short stint as Department of Education Secretary and as Vice President while the older Duterte is being investigated for his bloody drug war.
Supporters of Duterte have been calling for Marcos’s resignation for his alleged drug use which the official has
In recognizing the foundation, Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Stepping Stone as they become the first Certified Autism Center in the country.”
“The staff’s dedication to enhancing their knowledge and support for autistic individuals and their families is truly admirable. We hope this achievement will inspire many more organizations in the Philippines to take the next steps towards certification and improve their services for the neurodiverse community.”
For more than 20 years, IBCCES has been the industry leader in cognitive disorder training and certification for education, health care, and corporate professionals around the globe. It provides evidence-based training and certification programs created in conjunction with clinical experts and autistic individuals.
repeatedly denied.
Amid the heavy rains induced by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine that continues to batter Luzon and cause severe flooding in the Bicol Region, Marcos is also being blamed for his failure to anticipate and address the perennial flooding woes.
“The League of Provinces of the Philippines calls upon all the Filipino people to remain calm and be above fray and frailty, and choose to be united in the face of political discord,” the manifesto said. LPP, the association of 82 provincial governors also called on “all Filipinos to unite and “avoid instigating hatred between and among one another.”
“We the local government leaders will not allow ourselves to be distracted by the ongoing political disagreements; instead, we will continue to do our solemn oath to perform our mandates to bring quality and prompt basic services to our constituents. This too will pass, so we cannot be distracted from ensuring that we protect and promote the life, limb, and property of all our constituents regardless of their political affiliations and beliefs,” LPP National President Gov. Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. said. The LPP’s Call for Unity and Manifesto of Support shall be presented to the President.
CA junks forfeiture case against 3 involved in Napoles pork scam
TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Court of Appeals (CA) has junked the civil forfeiture case filed by the AntiMoney Laundering Council (AMLC) against three individuals for their alleged involvement in the multi-billion pork barrel scam perpetrated by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.
In a 17-page ruling, the CA’s Ninth Division granted the petition filed by Hector Ang, Jacqueline Ang and Nicole Tiffany Ang that sought the reversal of the ruling issued by the Regional Trial Court in Manila in 2022 which denied their motion to dismiss the case.
The petitioners sought the dismissal of the case on the ground of violation of their right to the speedy disposition of their case.
The AMLC filed the civil forfeiture case on February 25, 2014 naming the petition -
ers, Napoles, her family members, several individuals and various corporations and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) as respondents.
On October 4, 2022, the petitioners sought the dismissal of the case but it was denied by the RTC in Manila on November 3, 2022, prompting them to elevate the case before the CA. In ruling in favor of the petitioners, the CA stressed that the right to speedy disposition of cases is guaranteed by Section 16, Article III of the Constitution. It explained that the constitutional right is not limited to the accused in criminal proceedings but extends to all parties in all cases, even in civil or administrative in nature, as well as in all proceedings, either judicial or quasi-judicial.
The CA added that any party to a case
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
SENIOR lawmaker on
AThursday called on the Supreme Court to immediately issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt any further transfer of PhilHealth funds to the national treasury in order to protect the funds from being depleted.
Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez made the appeal after SC Spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said the tribunal might act on petitions questioning the constitutionality of the transfer of P89.9 billion in PhilHealth funds to the Treasury earlier than the hearing it has scheduled for January 14 next year.
“We laud the Court for this willingness, but this gesture will be more impactful if the Tribunal issues a TRO now to prevent further transfers and the use of the money by Executive agencies,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that without immediate action, PhilHealth could transfer the remaining P60 billion to the Treasury as early as next weekend.
He said PhilHealth transferred P20 billion last May 10, and the balance of the P89.9 billion is to be turned over between next month and December.
“Next week will already be November. So the window for the
SBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
EN. Grace Poe on Thursday said the technical glitch that caused hundreds of piece of luggage to be stuck at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 is “unacceptable,” and prodded the airports’ new private sector operator and the carriers to remedy the matter as soon as possible.
“It’s unacceptable that hundreds of luggage are stuck at the airport due to a technical glitch. A delayed flight is a bad thing; a mishandled or delayed luggage is equally disappointing,” Poe said in a statement.
“A week is too long for a problem with the baggage handling system to be remedied,” added Poe, who chaired for a long time the Public Services committee and actively participates in hearings called by its present chief, Sen. Raffy Tulfo. Poe underscored that, “whoever is responsible must address the matter urgently as what’s piling up in the airport are valuable belongings of passengers.”
On Tuesday, the New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC) said it has procured a new baggage handling system to replace the 20-year old system, which has disrupted the processing of passengers’ checked-in luggage at the Naia Terminal 3. The Naia operator said it is working closely with Cebu Pacific to ensure that contingency measures are effectively addressing a malfunction in Naia Terminal 3’s baggage handling system. Meanwhile,
Supreme Court to prevent the handover of the balance is closing,” he added.
Rodriguez called on President Marcos to direct the Department of Finance and the Department of Budget and Management to refrain from using the transferred PhilHealth funds out of respect for the judicial process. He also appealed to PhilHealth to suspend any further remittance.
“Let us respect the High Court. Let us await its decision on this issue,” he said.
He said if the Executive uses the funds while the petitions are pending, it might be accused of bad faith and lack of prudence.
The Mindanao lawmaker warned officials responsible for the remittances and disbursement of the funds that they would be facing criminal charges in case the Supreme Court declares the transfers are unconstitutional.
Health advocates, joined by retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel llI, have challenged the PhilHealth fund transfer before the High Court.
The petitioners said the handover rises to the crime of plunder.
Last month, Rodriguez asked the SC to hear the petitions earlier than its Jan. 14, 2025 schedule.
“The entire fund may be gone by January. Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? The hearing will have lost its purpose and usefulness,” he said.
Legislator asks SC to stop transfer of PhilHeath funds Poe weighs in on baggage delays at Naia 3
NNIC said it has fielded more personnel to fast-track the handling of luggage.
In her statement, Poe noted that, “passengers pay for their checked-in bags as required by the airline company. They deserve a refund and more for the trouble caused.”
She acknowledged that the “technical issue must be resolved with the rehabilitation of Naia. While at it, the airport management and the airline owe it to the affected passengers to be helpful and show they are not sitting on the problem.”
To minimize the impact on travelers, both NNIC and Cebu Pacific have increased manpower to expedite baggage processing. Additionally, alternative systems and protocols were activated to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible.
“We are working closely with the New Naia Infrastructure Corp. which is also exerting every effort to resolve the technical challenges as quickly as possible and restore normal operations,” CEB said.
CEB has established a dedicated team to manage the situation. Passengers were given the choice of having their bags delivered to their destination or picking them up at the airport for domestic flights. For international flights, a similar option was available along with delivery services for passengers with onward destinations.
“Our teams are doing everything in their power to expedite baggage deliveries and ensure all affected passengers are assisted promptly,” CEB added.
BIR bags ₧107.7M in raid on illegal cigarette factory
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) discovered illicit cigarettes, cigarettemanufacturing machines and raw materials with a total tax liability amounting to P107.757 million in a raid in Cebu on October 3 and 5.
Internal Revenue Commissioner
Romeo D. Lumagui reported on Thursday the BIR’s recent raid of an illegal cigarette factory and warehouse in Cebu.
The BIR seized 32,545 fake internal revenue stamps; 44,310 packs of untaxed cigarettes; 13 machines used for manufacturing cigarettes, and raw materials used to produce cigarettes.
“The BIR will not stop raiding all illicit trade activities, wherever they may be located. We will protect the legitimate agricultural sector and the thousands of jobs it produces for our Filipino farmers,” Lumagui was quoted in a statement as saying.
Operators of the illicit cigarette factory and warehouse violated Section 265-C (Possession of Counterfeit Internal Revenue Stamps), Section 263 (Unlawful Possession or Removal of Articles Subject to Excise Tax Without Payment of the Tax); Section 265-B (Violations Committed by Manufacturers, Importers, Indentors, and Wholesalers of Any Apparatus or Mechanical Contrivance Specially for the Manufac -
ture of Articles Subject to Excise Tax and Importers, Indentors, Manufacturers or Sellers of Cigarette Paper in Bobbins, Cigarette Tipping Paper or Cigarette Filter Tips); Section 260 (Unlawful Possession of Cigarette Paper in Bobbins or Rolls, Etc.), Section 236 (Registration Requirements), Section 254 (Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax), Section 255 (Failure to File Return, Supply Correct and Accurate Information, Pay Tax Withhold and Remit Tax and Refund Excess Taxes Withheld on Compensation) of the National Internal Revenue Code.
Earlier, the BIR found 60 million pieces of illicit cigarettes with a total tax liability of P8.061 billion in a raid in Clark Field, Pam -
BI deports 35 Indonesians found in illegal gaming hub
workstations in a resort in barangay Agus.
Tpanga. This is the biggest seizure the BIR had in its recent raids, which involved four cigarette manufacturers and exporters. Lumagui said companies that intend to manufacture cigarettes must register their machines and the cigarette brands they will produce first since the BIR needs to have visibility over those. If the cigarettes will be sold locally, excise taxes must also be paid to the government, Lumagui added.
Recently, the BIR also conducted a nationwide raid against 408 illicit vape resellers and retailers selling 265,000 vape products without tax stamps. The total tax liability, based on BIR’s estimates, amounted to P143 million.
Napoles.
. .
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Bureau of Immigration on Thursday announced the deportation of 35 Indonesians who were arrested for working in an illegal online gaming hub in Cebu.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the Indonesians, composed of nine of them women, were deported on Tuesday in flights out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3.
The deportees were mostly in their 20s and 30s and were among those arrested dur -
ing a raid conducted on August 31 against illegal online gambling and scamming operations in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
The said operation that led to the arrest of more than 100 foreign nationals was carried out by the BI in coordination with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Armed Forces, the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), and the InterAgency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat).
During the raid, authorities discovered hundreds of foreign nationals engaged in illegal online gaming operations in makeshift
“The arrest and subsequent deportation of these foreign nationals send a strong message that illegal online gambling operations will not be tolerated,” Viado said.
“We remain committed to upholding the President’s directive to ban such activities, and we will continue to work closely with other government agencies to ensure that those involved in illegal operations are brought to justice.”
The 35 Indonesians have been included on the BI’s blacklist as a result of their deportation.
Davao durian growers hike output to tap hot market
DBy Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox
AVAO CITY—Durian growers here have increased output by more than double to enjoy the continuing favorable market around Asia, including their biggest market, China, as they confront “minor” export demand issues.
Emmanuel S. Belviz, president of the Davao City Durian Industry Council, said this year’s production allowed growers to export 9,351 metric tons, more than double the export for the entire year last year of 4,808 MT.
This year’s export of the fresh fruit was only computed as of September and Belviz said fruit harvests were continuing and expected to go on until December.
China took in the bulk of exports, at 9,295 MT, or 99 percent. Last year, it
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eastward or east northwestward towards the general direction of the PAR region. However, this scenario heavily depends on the behavior of the weather disturbance east of the PAR region which is expected to develop into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours,” the report said.
imported 4,036 MT owing to the low export volume.
Singapore came in far second with its 55.7 MT imports.
Other importers of the fresh durian fruit were Japan, Hong Kong, the US, including Hawaii, and Malaysia.
Exporters here also exported the frozen durian meat mostly to Thailand. Last year, it exported 3,687 MT, higher than this year’s 3,343 MT although growers have still three months to catch up.
Thailand was the main importer of Davao durian’s fresh meat at 3,129 MT this year, and 3,235 MT last year.
Aside from Thailand, South Korea and Malaysia were the next major importers. Malaysia, Saipan and Taiwan were also building up steam as importers.
Belviz told a news briefing that the Davao Region is the main durian grower
Act-CIS disaster response
HOU SE Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo and the ACT-CIS have donated more than 2,000 sacks of rice and P1 million in cash to assist victims of Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” in the Bicol Region.
in the country, producing 60,331 MT last year. Davao City is the largest producer in the region, with its 44,404.5 MT production last year. Expansion is seen in North Cotabato, although this province is also a traditional grower, as the Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) Region.
He said that growers have been observed to be expanding their individual farms but they were also advised by some comments from some buyers in the destination countries that some fruits were not to their desired ripeness, or maturity.
“This is the only adverse comment we are receiving so far from individual store buyers in the importing countries and it is not an industry-wide issue,” he said. “Yet, we have to address this as early as now.”
The durian council has listed 16 authorized exporters.
Tulfo instructed his chief-ofstaff, Jerico Javier, to personally deliver the P1-million cash donation and 1,000 sacks of rice to the officials of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The P1 million cash was a personal donation from ACT-CIS Rep. Eric and Edvic Yap. Meanwhile, the office of Tulfo and ACT-CIS party-lis group also coordinated with the Angat Buhay Foundation of former Vice President Leni Robredo, for the donation of 500 sacks of rice that would be brought to the foundation’s warehouse in Quezon City within the day.
Continued from A3 may demand expeditious action of all officials who are tasked with the administration of justice.
In the case of the petitioners, the CA noted that the suit has not moved for eight years and five months since the AMLC filed a motion to file supplemental petition for civil forfeiture on June 9, 2014.
“Yes. The lapse of eight years and five months, without having the case moved from one stage to another, is a long delay—an inordinate delay, and there was no reason provided as to why there was a delay in the case’s proceedings,” the CA noted.
The CA also pointed out that the delays can lead to the “degradation of evidence.”
“Here, the danger of inordinate reliance on human memory would result in the possible deprivation of property, a circumstance that would be unjust and oppressive,” it said.
“Thus, to Our mind, the lapse of eight years and five months without the case having moved from one stage to another is an inordinate delay, which is prejudicial to the petitioners,” the CA said.
The appellate court noted that due to the delay in the proceedings, petitioners would have to track down their witness who has resigned from the bank, so that she could recall the details of transactions that occurred over a decade ago.
“All told, the RTC committed grave abuse of discretion in denying the petitioners’ motion to dismiss on the ground of violation of their right to speedy disposition of their civil forfeiture case,” the CA declared.
Around 500 sacks of rice were also given out to residents of Iriga City and other cities in the Bicol Region that were devastated by the storm.
“This is a humble contribution from ACT-CIS and the Erwin Tulfo Action Center. This is our way of helping our kababayans in Bicol who are victims of the flooding,” Tulfo said in a statement. Jonathan L. Mayuga, Rex Anthony Naval, Samuel Medenilla, Lorenz Marasigan, Lenie Lectura
Kristine. . .
Agriculture chief: Technology needed to boost food security
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco
Tiu Laurel Jr. said technological initiatives and farming techniques would bolster the country’s productivity and boost farmers’ income.
“If the yields increase per hectare definitely, [farmers] will have more income but it’s not as easy as that,” Laurel said during the 2024 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group Annual Meetings on Wednesday.
The agriculture chief cited the need to use technology such as the right seeds for the right type of season, adapting to new farming techniques like alternate wet and dry system, and changing the cropping calendar in many areas to achieve a better yield.
“It’s a whole bundle of things that we need to do in order for us to be able to increase the income of our farmers [...] so they would replant every season,” Laurel said. Meanwhile, he noted that they were conducting regular meetings with the private sector and other stakeholders to achieve food security.
“We want to have a merging of the minds so that both the private sector and the government have the same goal and will come
up with the same roadmap to achieve the ultimate goal of food security,” Laurel said.
Earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the country’s unmilled rice output likely fell by more than a fifth in the third quarter, when typhoons and monsoon rains affected production areas.
Based on its survey of standing crops, PSA said its data indicated that palay production in July to September may have declined by nearly 12 percent to 3.35 million metric tons (MMT), from last year’s actual output of 3.8 MMT.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) recently said the Philippines may end 2024 with a palay output of 19.41 MMT, 3.24 percent lower than the record 20.06 MMT it produced last year. The projected 2024 palay output is equivalent to 12.69 MMT in milled terms.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa earlier said that the damage sustained by the agriculture sector due to the combined effects of El Niño and the recent weather disturbances has reached P23 billion.
He noted that rice bore the brunt of these weather disturbances, with damages placed at 373,073 metric tons (MT).
Average annual losses incurred by the rice sector ranges from 500,000 MT to 600,000 MT.
Comelec publishes party-list nominees
TBy Justine Xyrah Garcia
HE Commission on Elections has taken a significant step toward enhancing transparency by releasing the names of the official nominees of all the participating partylist groups in the 2025 midterm elections. The list, which was uploaded on the poll body’s website on Thursday, contains each of the ten nominees of the 156 party-list organizations accredited by Comelec.
Among the notable first nominees are incumbent Reps. Jose Teves Jr. of Talino at Galing ng Pinoy; Raymond Mendoza of Trade Union Congress Party; Bryan Revilla of Agimat ng Masa; and Drixie Mae Cardema of Duterte Youth. Former government officials like Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal; Rowena Guanzon of Komunidad ng Pamilya, Pasyente at Persons with Disabilities; Gary Alejano of Magdalo Para sa Pilipino; Sarah Elago of Gabriela Women’s Party; and Jose Atienza of Buhay Hayaan Yumabong also joined the roster of nominees.
Meanwhile, celebrities like Nora Aunor and Zanjoe Marudo, and internet virals like Elijah Soriano, Deo “Diwata” Balbuena, and Wilbert Tolentino were also part of the list.
According to Comelec Chairman George
Garcia, the publication of these names allows voters to carefully assess the individuals who could potentially represent their interests in the 20th Congress.
As such, he encourages the public to exercise their right and freedom to question the thousands of political hopefuls.
“Ang Comelec ay walang kapangyarihan mag-motu proprio, na mag-cancel ng nomination. Kailangan may registered voter na mag-question sa kanila, ” he added.
Garcia explained that voters have five days after the publication of the official list of nominees to contest the latter’s eligibility.
Under election laws, among the grounds for disqualifying party-list nominees are: (1) not a bona fide member of the party which they seek to represent for at least 90 days preceding the day of the election, (2) not a Filipino citizen, (3) not a registered voter, (4) not a resident of the Philippines; (5) aged 24-years-old or below; and (6) unable to read and write.
In the event that a party-list’s nominee gets disqualified, they are allowed by the Comelec to provide a substitute nominee.
However, if a group’s nominee voluntarily backs out, it will not be eligible for a substitution.
Loans available for Kristine-affected SSS members, pensioners
‘ABy Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
S part of our proactive response to the urgent financial needs of our members and pensioners during natural calamities, the SSS loan programs are readily available to support their recovery,” SSS Senior Vice President for Lending and Asset Management Pedro T. Baoy said in a statement on Thursday.
Employed, self-employed and voluntary members with 36 monthly contributions, six of which should be within the last 12 months before the month of the loan application, can qualify for a one-month salary loan.
To avail of a two-month salary loan, members should have at least 72 contributions.
Loan applicants must also be under 65 years of age and have not been granted any final benefit, such as total disability retirement or death benefits, Baoy said.
Individually paying members must also have at least six contributions under their current membership type before the month of the loan application.
“Employers’ compliance is crucial in these situations since their updated contribution and loan payments are essential for their employee’s loan eligibility,” Baoy added.
Members who wish to avail of the salary loan may submit their application through the My.SSS Portal.
Once approved, loan proceeds will be credited to the member’s registered Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID)-ATM Card
or active accounts with a Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer System and Operations Network (PESONet)-participating bank.
Pension loan
RETIRMENT pensioners can also avail of the SSS Pension Loan, which allows them to borrow an amount equivalent to three, six, nine or 12 times their Basic Monthly Pension, with a maximum loan amount of P200,000.
Pensioners must be 85-years-old or below at the end of the loan term, have no existing deductions from their monthly pension and must not have availed of any advanced pension under the SSS Calamity Assistance Package.
“If retirement pensioners availed of the 18 months advance pension, they must be receiving their regular monthly pension for at least one month,” Baoy noted.
Loan applications can be submitted via the My.SSS Portal or in person at their nearest SSS branch.
Once approved, the loan will be credited to their UMID-ATM Card or a PESONet-participating bank account.
The loan can be repaid through deductions from the pensioner’s monthly benefits, with a 10 percent annual interest rate applied to the reduced principal balance.
The repayment terms range from six, 12 ot 24 months, depending on the loan amount, ensuring that at least 47.25 percent of the Basic Monthly Pension plus the additional P1,000 benefit remains as a net take-home pension.
Editor: Angel R. Calso
Israeli airstrikes devastate Tyre, Hezbollah leader killed, sparking retaliatory rocket fire
By Mohammed Zaatari & Kareem Chehayeb The Associated Press
TYRE, Lebanon—Israeli jets struck multiple buildings in Lebanon’s southern coastal city of Tyre on Wednesday, sending up large clouds of black smoke, while Hezbollah confirmed that a top official widely expected to be the militant group’s next leader had been killed in an Israeli strike.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that an Israeli strike on the nearby town of Maarakeh killed three people.
There were no reports of casualties in Tyre, where the Israeli military had issued evacuation warnings prior to the strikes.
Hezbollah meanwhile fired more rockets into Israel, including two that set off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv before being intercepted.
A cloud of smoke could be seen in the sky from the hotel where US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was staying on his latest visit to the region to try to renew ceasefire talks.
On Wednesday night, the Israeli military said another four “projectiles” crossed from Lebanon into Israel, with two intercepted and one falling in open land. There were no immediate reports of injuries, the military said.
Hezbollah confirmed that top official Hashem Safieddine had been killed in an announcement one day after Israel said it had killed him in a strike earlier this month in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Safieddine, a powerful cleric within the party ranks, had been expected to succeed Hassan Nasrallah, one of the group’s founders, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike last month.
Hezbollah said Safieddine had
“joined his brother, our most noble and precious martyr,” Nasrallah.
The militant group began firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel, drawing retaliatory airstrikes, after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack from Gaza triggered the war there. All-out war erupted in Lebanon last month, and Israeli strikes killed Nasrallah and most of his senior commanders. Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon at the beginning of October.
Tyre, a provincial capital, had largely been spared, but strikes in and around the city have intensified recently.
The 2,500-year-old city, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Beirut, is known for its pristine beaches, ancient harbor and imposing Roman ruins and hippodrome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is among Lebanon’s largest cities and a vibrant metropolis popular with tourists.
The buildings struck Wednesday were between several heritage sites, including the hippodrome and a cluster of seaside sites associated with the ancient Phoenicians and the Crusaders.
The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings a couple of hours before the strikes for dozens of buildings in the heart of the city. It told residents to move north of the Awali River, dozens of kilome -
ters (miles) to the north.
Avichay Adraee, an Israeli military spokesman, said on the platform X there were Hezbollah assets in the area, without elaborating or providing evidence.
The Shiite Muslim Hezbollah has a strong presence in the city, and its legislators are members of the group or its allies. But Tyre is also home to civilians with no ties to the group, including a sizable Christian community.
Civil Defense first responders warned residents through loudspeakers to evacuate and helped older adults and others who had difficulty leaving. Ali Safieddine, the head of the Civil Defense, told The Associated Press there were no casualties.
Dr. Wissam Ghazal, a health official in Tyre, said the strikes hit six buildings, flattening four of them, around 2 1/2 hours after the evacuation warnings. People displaced by the strikes could be seen in parks and sitting on the sides of nearby roads.
The head of Tyre’s disaster management unit, Mortada Mhanna, told the AP that although many had fled, thousands of residents and others displaced from other areas remain. Many people, including hundreds of families, previously had fled villages in South Lebanon to seek refuge in shelters in Tyre.
An estimated 15,000 people remain in the city out of a prewar population of about 100,000, Mhanna said.
On Wednesday night the panArab TV channel Al-Mayadeen, which is politically allied with Hezbollah, said the Israeli military struck its office building on the outskirts of Beirut’s southern suburbs.
“Al-Mayadeen holds the Israeli occupation accountable for the attack on a known media office for a known media outlet,” the TV station said. It added that the office had been evacuated. The Israeli army did not issue a warning prior to the strike.
On November 21, an Israeli
strike in southern Lebanon killed two Al-Mayadeen journalists reporting on military activity along the border with Israel.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said 28 people were killed and 139 wounded over the past 24 hours, raising the death toll since the conflict began last year to 2,574, with 12,001 people wounded. The fighting has driven 1.2 million people from their homes, including more than 400,000 children, according to the UN children’s agency.
On Wednesday, rescuers recovered the bodies of a mother and her 7-year-old child two days after an Israeli airstrike on Monday hit a densely populated slum near Beirut’s main public hospital, Saad al-Ahmar, the commander of the
Civil Defense’s southern district fire and rescue unit, told The Associated Press.
Monday’s strike killed at least 18 people, including four children, and wounded over 60 others, the Health Ministry said. It also damaged the nearby Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Beirut’s primary public medical facility.
The Israeli military said it had targeted a Hezbollah site, without providing further details, and stated the hospital itself was not the intended target.
On the Israeli side, Hezbollah attacks have killed around 60 people, half of them soldiers.
Near-daily rocket barrages have emptied communities across northern Israel, displacing some
60,000 people. In recent weeks Hezbollah has extended its range, launching scores of rockets daily and regularly targeting the northern Israeli city of Haifa. Most are intercepted or fall in open areas. In Gaza, the Israeli military has pressed ahead with a major operation in the northern part of the territory, where the United Nations’ humanitarian office has said Israel has severely restricted aid deliveries. During his visit to the region, Blinken reiterated a warning that hindering aid could force the US to scale back crucial military support for Israel.
Israel’s army said it had arrested about 150 suspected Palestinian militants, while about 20,000 people left Jabaliya, a refugee camp that has turned into a densely built neighborhood over the decades. The military released drone footage showing thousands of people walking past bombed buildings. Over the past few days, several Palestinians said the Israeli military forced them to leave. The UN estimates 60,000 people have fled the far north of Gaza southwards over more than a twoweek period.
A Palestinian resident of Beit Lahiya, near Jabaliya, told the AP that Israel’s military has rounded up hundreds of men in northern Gaza, separating them as families try to flee the area.
Hisham Abu Zaqout, a father of four, said he was held for at least three hours along with dozens of men in a school near a hospital.
The Israeli army says it is trying to uproot Hamas militants from Jabaliya, as well other parts of northern Gaza, issuing mass evacuation orders there earlier this month. Jabaliya has been the scene of on-and-off fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas militants for months, leaving parts of it destroyed.
Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Jack Jeffery in Ramallah, West Bank, contributed to this report.
France pledges 100-million euro aid package to support Lebanon amid escalating conflict
PBy Sylvie Corbet The Associated Press
ARIS—France pledged to provide a 100-million euro ($108-million) package to support Lebanon at an international conference Thursday, as President Emmanuel Macron said “massive aid” is needed to support the country where war between Hezbollah militants and Israel has displaced a million people, killed over 2,500 and deepened an economic crisis.
“In the immediate term, massive aid is needed for the Lebanese population, both for the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the war and for the communities hosting them,” Macron said in his opening speech at the conference.
French organizers hope participants’ financial pledges of humanitarian aid will meet the $426 million the United Nations says is urgently needed.
Italy this week announced new aid of 10 million euros ($10.8 million) and Germany on Wednesday pledged an additional 60 million euros ($64.7 million) for people in Lebanon.
Macron condemned Israel for continuing its military opera -
tions in Lebanon, “in the South, in Beirut, elsewhere, and that the number of civilian victims continues to rise,” and reiterated his call for a ceasefire.
Paris also seeks to help restore Lebanon’s sovereignty and strengthen its institutions. The country, where Hezbollah effectively operates as a state within a state, has been without a president for two years while political factions fail to agree on a new one.
But the international conference comes as critics say French President Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic approach in the Middle East has been blurred by his apparent evolving approach and sometimes chaotic communication.
Still, France’s historic links with Lebanon, a former colony, and its influential diplomacy give Paris momentum to coordinate “a proper response to the massive challenge that the war in Lebanon now poses,” said Middle East expert Rym Montaz, editor in chief of Carnegie Europe’s blog Strategic Europe.
The French “are trying to make sure that international donors get to hear firsthand from the actors on the ground in Lebanon who can best describe the most immediate needs caused by the Israeli aggres -
sion that has forcibly displaced 20% of the Lebanese population over the course of two weeks,” she said.
Israel in the past month has launched a major aerial bombardment and ground invasion of Lebanon as it targets Hezbollah, with strikes hitting the capital, Beirut, and elsewhere.
The International Organization for Migration has said about 800,000 people are displaced, with many now in overcrowded shelters, while others have fled across the
border into Syria.
The cash-strapped Lebanese government is ill-prepared to deal with the crisis or the increased demands on its health system.
A number of hospitals have been evacuated because of nearby airstrikes and fears that they might be targeted.
In recent weeks, Macron appeared to toughen his stance against Israel while repeatedly calling for a cease-fire in both Lebanon and Gaza, condemning the “unbearable human toll.” He
reiterated his call on Monday while speaking by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said.
There have been recent tensions between the French and Israeli leaders, especially after Macron called for a halt to arms exports for use in Gaza.
Macron has also strongly condemned the “deliberate” targeting by Israel of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, which Israel has denied.
Thursday’s conference involves ministers and officials from over 70 countries and international organizations, including the European Union and regional partners, Macron’s office said. Acting Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who met with Macron on Wednesday, will attend.
France also aims at coordinating international support to strengthen Lebanon’s armed forces so they can “deploy more broadly and efficiently” in the country’s south as part of a potential deal to end the war. Such a deal could see Hezbollah withdraw its forces from the border.
International support may include equipment, training and financial aid to hire troops and
ensure the army’s daily needs, Macron’s office said. Lebanon’s army has been hit hard by five years of economic crisis. It has an aging arsenal and no air defenses, leaving it in no position to defend against Israeli incursions or confront Hezbollah. The Lebanese army has about 80,000 troops, around 5,000 of them deployed in the south. Hezbollah has more than 100,000 fighters, according to the militant group’s late leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The militant group’s arsenal— built with support from Iran—is more advanced.
Conference participants also are to discuss how to support the 10,500-soldier-strong UN peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL. European nations including France, Italy and Spain provide a third of its troops. Italy, which has over 1,000 troops in the UNIFIL, is notably pushing for the peacekeeping force to be strengthened to “be able to face the new situation” on the ground, an Italian diplomat said, speaking anonymously to discuss ongoing talks.
AP writer Abby Sewell in Beirut, Lebanon, contributed.
FLAME and smoke rise from buildings hit by Israeli airstrikes on Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. AP/HUSSEIN MALLA)
FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, left, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at the Elysee Palace in Paris. AP/LOUISE DELMOTTE
Turkey strikes Kurdish militant targets in Iraq, Syria in retaliation for deadly attack on defense company
By Suzan Fraser The Associated Press
ANKARA, Turkey—Turkey’s air force struck Kurdish militant targets in Iraq and Syria on Wednesday in an apparent retaliation for an attack at a key state-run defense company that killed five people and wounded more than 20 others.
The defense ministry said more than 30 targets were “destroyed” in the aerial offensive, without providing details on the locations that were hit. It said “all kinds of precautions” were taken to prevent harm to civilians.
The strike came hours after suspected Kurdish militants set off explosives and opened fire at the aerospace and defense company TUSAS. The two attackers—a man and a woman—also were killed, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. At least 22 people, including seven security personnel, were injured during the attack.
Yerlikaya said the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, was believed to be behind the attack at the defense company. Defense Minister Yasar Guler also pointed the finger at the PKK.
“We give these PKK scoundrels the punishment they deserve every time. But they never come to
their senses,” Guler said. “We will pursue them until the last terrorist is eliminated.”
Turkey regularly conducts airstrikes against the PKK—which has a foothold in Iraq—and against a Kurdish militia group in Syria that is affiliated with the militants.
There was no immediate statement from the PKK. The Islamic State group and leftist extremists have also carried out past attacks in Turkey.
“I condemn this heinous terrorist attack,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a BRICS meeting in Russia. Putin offered condolences. A US Embassy statement said Washington “strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack.”
TUSAS designs, manufactures and assembles civilian and
Pope Francis denounces a world ‘losing its heart’ in 4th encyclical of his papacy
VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis issued the fourth encyclical of his papacy on Thursday, denouncing a world that “is losing its heart” during times of global turmoil marked by “wars, socio-economic disparities and the uses of technology that threaten our humanity.”
The document titled “Dilexit Nos,” Latin for “He Loves Us,” was issued to coincide with the 350th anniversary of St. Margaret Mary Alocoque’s first apparition, which helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus revealing his love of humanity.
The social encyclical appeals to the faithful to “meditate” on Jesus’ love in a world in which consumerism and algorithms obscure humanity. It is his fourth encyclical, the best known of which to date is the 2015 “Laudato Si,” or “Praised Be,” which cast care for the environment in moral terms.
In “Dilexit Nos,” the pontiff did not cite specific global turmoil in the 350-page document issued in eight languages, although he frequently refers to conflicts from Ukraine to Gaza in homilies, weekly prayers and global travels. Francis often asks for prayers for the “martyred” people of Ukraine and most recently cited
“inhumane attacks” in Gaza. In the Middle East conflict, he has tended to take a balanced line, often mentioning Israel and the hostages still held by Hamas alongside the suffering of the Palestinians.
In the document, the pontiff said the failure to “feel that something is intolerable” in the suffering on both sides of conflict “is a sign of a world that has grown heartless.”
“When we witness the outbreak of new wars, with the complicity, tolerance or indifference of other countries, or petty power struggles over partisan interests, we may be tempted to conclude that our world is losing its heart,’’ he wrote.
The pope warned that consumer-driven societies “dominated by the hectic pace and bombarded by technology,” risked obscuring the possibility of engaging in an “interior life.”
He noted that algorithms have revealed that “our thoughts and will are much more ‘uniform’ than we had previously thought. They are easily predictable and thus capable of being manipulated.”
In an era of artificial intelligence, “we cannot forget that poetry and love are necessary to save our humanity,’’ he wrote.
military aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and other defense industry and space systems. Its UAVs have been instrumental in Turkey gaining an upper hand in its fight against Kurdish militants.
The attack occurred a day after the leader of Turkey’s far-right nationalist party that’s allied with Erdogan raised the possibility that the PKK’s imprisoned leader could be granted parole if he renounces violence and disbands his organization.
Abdullah Ocalan’s group has been fighting for autonomy in southeast Turkey in a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people since the 1980s. It is considered a terrorist group by Turkey and its Western allies.
The country’s pro-Kurdish political party, which also condemned the TUSAS attack, noted that it had occurred at a time when the possibility of a dialogue to end the conflict had emerged.
Turkish media said the assailants arrived Wednesday at an entry to the TUSAS complex in a taxi. The assailants, carrying assault weapons, detonated an explosive device next to the taxi, causing panic and allowing them to enter.
One of the victims was identified as mechanical engineer Zahide Guclu, who had gone to the entrance to collect flowers sent by her husband, the state-run Anadolu Agency.
The taxi driver was also killed by the assailants and his body was
found in the trunk of the vehicle, the agency reported.
Orhan Akdundar, a brother of a TUSAS employee, was among relatives waiting outside the complex for news of their loved ones.
“I called my brother who was inside and said, ‘What happened?’ He said a bomb had exploded and said that gunshots continued for a very long time,” Akdundar said. “There was a huge commotion. The gendarmerie, Special Forces and other security forces were all here. There were
lots of ambulances. Then the phones shut off and I wasn’t able to establish communication.”
An unidentified TUSAS employee shouted: “We will work harder and produce more in defiance of the traitors” as he and other colleagues were being evacuated from the premises, according to a video aired by HaberTurk.
Security camera images, aired on television, showed a man in plainclothes carrying a backpack and holding an assault rifle.
Boeing workers reject contract offer, continue strike amid
By David Koenig & Manuel Valdes The Associated Press
SEATTLE—Boeing factory workers voted against the company’s latest contract offer and remain on the picket lines six weeks into a strike that has stopped production of the aerospace giant’s bestselling jetliners.
Local union leaders in Seattle said 64 percentof members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers who cast ballots Wednesday voted against accepting the contract offer.
“After 10 years of sacrifices, we still have ground to make up, and we’re hopeful to do so by resuming negotiations promptly,” Jon Holden, the head of the IAM District 751 union, said in a statement Wednesday evening. “This is workplace democracy— and also clear evidence that there are consequences when a company mistreats its workers year after year.”
A spokesperson for Boeing said officials didn’t have a comment on the vote.
The labor standoff comes during an already challenging year for Boeing, which became the focus of multiple federal investigations after a door panel blew off a 737 Max plane during an Alaska Airlines flight in January.
The strike has deprived the company of much-needed cash that it gets from delivering new planes to airlines. On Wednesday, the company reported a third-quarter loss of more than $6 billion.
Union machinists assemble the 737 Max, Boeing’s best-selling airliner, along with the 777 or “triple-seven” jet and the 767 cargo plane at factories in Renton and Everett, Washington.
The latest rejected offer included pay raises of 35 percentover four years. The version that union members rejected when they voted to strike last month featured a 25 percentincrease over four years.
The union, which initially demanded 40 percentpay boosts over three years, said the annual raises in the revised offer would total 39.8%, when compounded.
Boeing has said that average annual pay for machinists is currently $75,608.
Boeing workers told Associated Press re -
porters that a sticking point was the company’s refusal to restore a traditional pension plan that was frozen a decade ago.
“The pension should have been the top priority. We all said that was our top priority, along with wage,” Larry Best, a customer-quality coordinator with 38 years at Boeing, said on a picket line outside a Boeing factory in Everett, Washington. “Now is the prime opportunity in a prime time to get our pension back, and we all need to stay out and dig our heels in.”
Theresa Pound, a 16-year Boeing veteran, also voted against the deal. She said the health plan has gotten more expensive and her expected pension benefits would not be enough, even when combined with a 401(k) retirement account.
“I have put more time in this place than I was ever required to. have literally blood, sweat and tears from working at this company,” the 37-year-old said. “I’m looking at working until I’m 70 because I have this possibility that I might not get to retire based on what’s happening in the market.”
The strike started Sept. 13 and has served as an early test for Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who became chief executive in August.
In his first remarks to investors, Ortberg said earlier Wednesday that Boeing needs “a fundamental culture change,” and he laid out his plan to revive the aerospace giant after years of heavy losses and damage to its reputation.
Ortberg repeated in a message to
employees and on the earnings call that he wants to “reset” management’s relationship with labor “so we don’t become so disconnected in the future.” He said company leaders need to spend more time on factory floors to know what is going on and “prevent the festering of issues and work better together to identify, fix, and understand root cause.”
Ortberg, a Boeing outsider who previously ran Rockwell Collins, a maker of avionics and flight controls for airline and military planes, said Boeing is at a crossroads.
“The trust in our company has eroded.
We’re saddled with too much debt. We’ve had serious lapses in our performance across the company, which have disappointed many of our customers,” he said.
But Ortberg also highlighted the company’s strengths, including a backlog of airplane orders valued at a half-trillion dollars.
“It will take time to return Boeing to its former legacy, but with the right focus and culture, we can be an iconic company and aerospace leader once again,” he said.
In recent weeks, Ortberg announced large-scale layoffs—about 17,000 people— and a plan to raise enough cash to avoid a bankruptcy filing.
Boeing hasn’t had a profitable year since 2018, and Wednesday’s numbers represented the second-worst quarter in the manufacturer’s history. Boeing lost $6.17 billion in the period ended Sept. 30, with an adjusted loss of $10.44 per share. Analysts
The interior minister said security teams were dispatched as soon as the attack started at around 3:30 p.m.
Multiple gunshots were heard after security forces entered the site, the DHA news agency and other media reported. Helicopters were seen flying above the premises.
Authorities issued a temporary blackout on the coverage of the attack and went on to throttle access to social media websites.
Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said the target of the attack was Turkey’s “success in the defense industry.”
The Iraqi Embassy in Ankara issued a statement condemning the attack. It said the embassy “affirms Iraq’s firm position in rejecting terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations, and expresses the solidarity of Iraq’s government and people, with the government and people of the Republic of Turkey.” Earlier this year, Iraq announced a ban on the PKK.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres both expressed their solidarity with Turkey.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also denounced the attack. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims,” he said on X.
The Associated Press writer Robert Badendieck in Hamburg, Germany, contributed. Friday, October 25,
production halt
polled by Zacks Investment Research had expected a loss of $10.34 per share. Revenue totaled $17.84 billion, matching Wall Street estimates. The company burned nearly $2 billion in cash, in the quarter, weakening its balance sheet, which is loaded down with $58 billion in debt. Chief Financial Officer Brian West said the company will not generate positive cash flow until the second half of next year. Boeing’s fortunes soured after two of its 737 Max jetliners crashed in October 2018 and March 2019, killing 346 people. Safety concerns were renewed this January, when a panel blew off a Max during an Alaska Airlines flight.
Ortberg
Early in the strike, Boeing made what
tained the offer still wasn’t good enough. The company withdrew the proposed contract on Oct. 9 after negotiations broke down, and the two sides announced the latest proposal on Saturday.
Charles Fromong, a mechanic who has worked at Boeing for 38 years, said Wednesday night after the results were announced that the company needs to take care of its workers. “I feel sorry for the young people,” he said. “I’ve spent my life here and I’m getting ready to go, but they deserve a pension and I deserve an increase.”
The last Boeing
POPE Francis attends a session of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on October 21, 2024. AP/ANDREW MEDICHINI
BOEING employees, including assembler Tyrone Hipolito, center, work the picket line after union members voted to reject a new contract offer from the company on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, in Renton, Wash. AP/LINDSEY WASSON
How a competitive rice market can lift millions of Pinoys out of poverty
Arecent study by Filipino economists and featured in the Asian Development Bank Institute’s (ADBI) book on competition offers a compelling case for increased competition in the Philippine rice trade. the research reveals that dismantling rice cartels and fostering a more competitive market could lift a staggering 2.9 million Filipinos out of poverty. this isn’t merely an economic projection; it’s a potential lifeline for millions struggling with poverty and inequality. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Boosting competition in rice trade to uplift 2.9M—study,” October 22, 2024).
The study, conducted by economists Karl Robert Jandoc, Geoffrey Ducanes, and Irene Jo Arzadon, highlights the detrimental effects of anti-competitive practices, primarily by rice mill operators and wholesalers. These cartels manipulate market share, artificially inflating prices and reducing the purchasing power of consumers. The economists’ simulations, using the Welfare and Competition approach, demonstrate that even a modest reduction in the market share of these cartels—from 30 percent to 15 percent—would lead to a significant 2.7-percentage point decrease in poverty incidence. This translates to approximately 2.9 million Filipinos escaping poverty. The impact is even more dramatic under a fully competitive scenario, potentially lifting 5.13 million citizens out of poverty. The benefits extend beyond poverty reduction. The study also indicates a substantial decrease in the Gini index, a measure of income inequality. A more competitive rice market would lead to a fairer distribution of wealth, narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor. This underscores the multifaceted positive impact of competition policy, addressing both poverty and inequality simultaneously.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan rightly emphasizes the crucial role of a well-crafted competition policy in driving economic growth and development. He highlights its ability to unlock innovation, create economic opportunities, and ultimately benefit consumers through lower prices and higher product quality. His perspective, informed by his experience as founding chairman of the Philippine Competition Commission, provides valuable insight into the practical implementation of such policies. However, the successful implementation of competition policy requires addressing significant challenges. Secretary Balisacan acknowledges the hurdles in mainstreaming competition policy within the broader Philippine Development Plan (2023-2028). Development Academy of the Philippines President Majah-Leah Ravago further emphasizes the need to adapt competition law to align with local development priorities and integrate it effectively with industrial policy.
The study’s findings serve as a powerful call to action. The government’s commitment to integrating competition policy into its development plan is a crucial first step. However, sustained effort is required to effectively dismantle anti-competitive practices, enforce competition laws, and create a truly level playing field for all market participants.
The takeaway is clear: promoting greater competition in the rice trade offers a promising pathway to substantially reduce poverty and inequality in the country. It would do well for policymakers to take bold steps to reshape the rice market in favor of Filipino consumers. By unlocking the power of competition, we can unlock a more prosperous future for millions of Filipinos. This is simply too significant to ignore.
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The Doctrine of Equivalents in patent infringement cases
tDennis Gorecho
Amicus Curiae
H e exercise of the intellectual property rights of patent holders is limited to the claims of their patent under the Doctrine of equivalents.
Thus declared the Supreme Court in the case of Philips Seafood Phil. Corp. Vs. Tuna Processors, Inc. (TPI) (G.R. No. 214148. February 6, 2023) that involves a patent of “smoking” as a traditional process of treating fish.
A patentable invention includes any technical solution to a problem in any field of human activity which is new, involves an inventive step, and is industrially applicable. It may be a product, process, or an improvement of an existing product or process. To be protected, an invention must be covered by a patent.
The importance of patents as a tool for national development and economic advancement cannot be overemphasized. They ensure the flow of knowledge and information by encouraging inventors to disclose their discoveries to the public.
Under the Intellectual Property (IP) Code, a patent application must contain (a) a duly accomplished request for the grant of patent, (b) a description of the invention, (c) a
drawing(s) necessary for the understanding of the invention, (d) one or more claims, and (e) an abstract.
Once granted, the patent confers on its owner the exclusive right to restrain, prohibit and prevent any unauthorized person or entity from making, using, offering for sale, selling, or importing the patented product or products obtained directly or indirectly from a patented process or the unauthorized use of a patented process. A violation of this right constitutes patent infringement.
However, like any other intellectual property right, the exercise of this right is not without limitations. The extent of protection granted to patent holders is limited to the claims of their patent.
The patentees, in enforcing their rights, and the courts, in interpreting the claims, cannot go beyond what is stated in the claims, especially when the language is clear and distinct.
TPI is a holder of Patent I-31138, which is a process patent covering a
The importance of patents as a tool for national development and economic advancement cannot be overemphasized. They ensure the flow of knowledge and information by encouraging inventors to disclose their discoveries to the public.
method of curing tuna meat using a filtered smoke cooled to between 0°C and 5°C.
“Smoking” is the traditional process of treating fish by exposing it to smoke or smoke concentrates produced from burning or smoldering plant materials.
The smoke can either be cold or hot. In cold smoking, the smoking is done at an appropriate time and temperature to prevent the coagulation of fish proteins. On the other hand, hot smoking is done at temperatures high enough, and for a specific time, to allow the coagulation of the protein.
The fish used can be fresh, chilled, or frozen as long as the histamine content of the product should not be more than 200 ppm.
TPI alleged that Phillips appropriated the innovative concept of Patent I-31138.
In resolving the case, the Supreme Court utilized the Doctrine of Equivalents test or whether the elements in the allegedly-infringing product or process are equivalent to the elements expressed in the patent’s claims.
There is patent infringement if the allegedly-infringing product or process appropriates the innovative concept of the patent, and despite the modifications introduced in the infringing product or process, it still performs substantially the same functions, in the same way.
The Court dismissed TPI’s case on the ground that the simultaneous cooling of the smoke and the meat is not equivalent to Patent l-31138’s pre-cooling of the filtered smoke.
The Court pointed out that the last two elements of Patent I-31138 are not equivalent to the simultaneous cooling of the ambient temperature filtered smoke and tuna meat.
The Court noted that TPI failed to present evidence that the simultaneous cooling of the filtered smoke and tuna meat will cure tuna meat in substantially the same way as the pre-cooled filtered smoke. The eventual cooling of the filtered smoke in Phillips’ process does not ipso facto indicate similarities in the effect of the smoke on tuna meat.
It noted that TPI’s evidence is insufficient to establish that the eventual cooling of ambient temperature filtered smoke cools down to between 0° and 5°C before the chemical reaction takes place, and it retains the ingredients which exert the same highly preservative and sterilizing effects.
The Court explained that the changes introduced in the patented
See “Gorecho,” A11
Floods that killed over 1,000 Africans to become commonplace
By Antony Sguazzin & Olivia Rudgard
FlooDs that killed more than 1,000 people this year across Africa’s sahel region will become a regular occurrence because of climate change, according to scientists collaborating under the World Weather Attribution initiative.
In recent months torrential rain has wreaked havoc across a 2,600mile area from Africa’s west coast to Sudan in the east. The extreme weather has washed away crops, caused dams to burst and disrupted the lives of millions of people in a region that abuts the southern border of the Sahara Desert. The intensity of the precipitation, the scientists said, was exacerbated by climate change.
“Spells of heavy summer rainfall have become the new normal,” said Izidine Pinto, a researcher at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, in statement released by the group on Wednesday. “Before humans heated the climate by burning oil, gas and coal, these downpours
were much rarer events. But today, they are occurring frequently and driving catastrophic floods.”
The floods, which follow a similar event in 2022, have hit one of the world’s poorest and conflict-ridden regions hard, adding to poverty and displacement and causing the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera.
“The human and environment toll of this flood has been profound,” said Abuelgasim Musa, head of the early warning department at the Sudan Meteorological Authority and co-author of the study, at a press conference. “These floods underscore Sudan’s increasing vulnerabilities to climate change.” Last month the United Nations’
The floods, which follow a similar event in 2022, have hit one of the world’s poorest and conflictridden regions hard, adding to poverty and displacement and causing the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera.
World Food Programme estimated that across the region 55 million people were already going hungry. Jihadist insurgencies across the western Sahel—in countries such as Niger and Mali—and a ferocious civil war in Sudan have worsened the situation.
In Sudan around 140,000 were displaced by rains that can now be expected to return every three years, the group said. On Aug. 6 the arid region of Abu Hamad received 142 millimeters (5.6 inches) of rain, triple an earlier record.
Rains in Niger of the magnitude experienced this year may now occur every five years, while across the Lake
Chad region they can be expected every 10 years.
While governments can’t stop rains from coming, the report highlighted the need for more investment in repairs, maintenance and upgrades of dams. In Sudan, more than a hundred people were killed after the Arba’at Dam burst on Aug. 25. The following month, the Alau Dam in Nigeria breached, flooding the city of Maiduguri. Those bursts followed two dam failures in Libya last year that resulted in thousands of deaths.
The findings and other studies by World Weather Attribution are likely to inform conversations about loss and damage funding for poorer countries in the run-up to the COP29 climate conference next month, said Joyce Kimutai, a researcher at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, and coauthor of the study. “It’s really up to the rich nations to increase their pledge in support of poor countries to cope with climate change.” bloomberg
Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua
Starmer plays down Trump rift over claims of Labour meddling
By Ellen Milligan & Hadriana Lowenkron
UK Prime Minister Keir starmer said Donald Trump’s legal complaint against his Labour Party over alleged election interference won’t jeopardize their relationship if the former president wins the Us election next month.
Lawyers for Trump accused the Labour Party of “blatant foreign interference” and illegal foreign campaign contributions to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ campaign, in a filing with the Federal Election Commission earlier this week. The Republican nominee’s complaint cited a since-deleted social media post by a Labour official saying almost 100 current and former staff members planned to travel to battleground states to campaign on Harris’ behalf.
Starmer denied that the dispute would impact his relationship with Trump, who he met for the first time over a two-hour dinner in New York last month. “We had a good, constructive discussion and, of course as prime minister of the United Kingdom, I will work with whoever the American people return as their president in their elections which are very close now,” Starmer said while en route to a Commonwealth summit in Samoa.
Labour Party volunteers “have gone over pretty much every election,” Starmer told reporters.
While the complaint could help Trump deflect longstanding Democratic criticism about support he’s received over the years from foreign sources such as Russia, it’s unlikely to gain much traction in the US. American campaign teams routinely meet with representatives of foreign governments, and foreign nationals are permitted to serve as volunteers so along as they aren’t compensated.
The spat will nonetheless deepen concerns in the UK that Starmer would be the odd man out in Washington if Trump wins a second term in less than two weeks. Former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson played up his ability to communicate with Trump during their overlapping stints as leaders, although the billionaire Republican was and remains broadly unpopular in the UK.
The Democrats and the UK’s Labour Party have long been ideological bedfellows, and have exchanged advisers, including Democratic strategist Bob Shrum who went on A number of Starmer’s senior advisers including his now chief of staff Morgan McSweeney attended the Democratic National Convention in August. The Democrats didn’t pay for his visit, Labour said. to advise Labour former Chancellor and Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Shrum told Bloomberg last month that there’s been “cross-pollination between progressive strategists in the US and the Labour Party” for the past 30 years.
The Conservatives, meanwhile, have enjoyed similar connections with the Republican Party. And Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, a prominent critic of both main
process or device have to be substantial to remove the allegedly-infringing process or device from the scope of patent protection.
The Court also added that there is no evidence proving that the ambient temperature filtered smoke cures the tuna meat in the same way as when the tuna meat is exposed to a filtered smoke already cooled to between 0° and 5°C. The Philippines is one of the top global tuna producers in the West-
The Great Flood: Wording disaster
IA number of Starmer’s senior advisers including his now chief of staff Morgan McSweeney attended the Democratic National Convention in August. The Democrats didn’t pay for his visit, Labour said.
UK parties, has appeared at rallies to support Trump in his previous election campaigns.
Several Labour activists who’ve traveled to the US to help Harris told Bloomberg they’ve largely been involved with low-level activities such as canvasing. That was echoed by Cabinet minister Steve Reed during appearances on British broadcasters on Wednesday morning.
“Some private individuals are choosing to spend their own money and their free time campaigning in the US during the election,” Reed told Times Radio, adding that “none of this has been organized or paid for by” Labour. “It’s individuals choosing to spend their own free time and their own money in the way that they choose.”
A number of Starmer’s senior advisers including his now chief of staff Morgan McSweeney attended the Democratic National Convention in August. The Democrats didn’t pay for his visit, Labour said. Labour activists have kept a lower profile than Farage. The Reform UK chief defended his own campaigning on American soil in a statement on Wednesday, arguing it wasn’t funded by a foreign political group.
Trump’s campaign said it believed “foreign nationals are exercising direction and control over elements of the Harris campaign” marked by “similarity in messaging” between the two campaigns. British and American voters share concerns on immigration, housing and the economy, though debate over the right to an abortion—a key feature of the US campaign— has long been absent from British politics.
The flap offers Trump—who faced a special counsel investigation during his term that ultimately concluded there was not evidence he had coordinated with Russian electoral interference activities— the opportunity to go on offense on issues Democrats have used to criticize him. Trump’s recent partnership with billionaire Elon Musk has also prompted campaign finance questions.
Musk, who has been feuding with Starmer’s government over whether he and his social media platform X have stoked anti-immigrant unrest in Britain, retweeted a post outlining Trump’s complaint against Labour with the one-word response: “Good.” With assistance from Niluksi Koswanage, Michael Heath, Ailbhe Rea, Alex Morales and John Harney /Bloomberg
ern and Central Pacific Ocean, with tuna being the top export commodity, accounting for an average 479.7 million metric tons, or 11 percent of the country’s total fisheries production. Average tuna export of the country over the last five years stood at 107,608 metric tons.
The Philips vs. TPI case was uploaded in the SC website only on March 7, 2024.
Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho is a junior partner of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan (SVBB) law offices and is a
of IPAP. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.
Tito Genova Valiente annoTaTions
was not around when Naga and its neighboring towns experienced continuous rain for more than 24 hours. It was not the biblical 40 days and 40 nights but it was enough to “teach” the region lessons about the environment. That was the off-the-cuff remark, which followed the environment disaster: we need to be taught lessons as if poverty is not a magisterial lecture yet. we need to be whipped into submission. There is an urge to marshal forces that will instill in us the grand values about ecology.
But who is speaking during these dire moments? Who has the booming voice delivering tirades about stewardship?
While Naga the quiet city where I grew up was receiving millimeters of rain heretofore undocumented, I was somewhere in Sagay City in Negros Occidental giving a film education workshop. It took a lot of bracketing—emotional and psychological —to be able to suspend one’s anxiety about families and friends in the dark, without food, with the flood rising so fast around them.
We had a naive response to this phenomenon—our country is so huge that a hundred kilometers away little children are clambering up walls to reach the higher floors of buildings; infants are placed in plastic basins as they are passed from one person to another; and young boys stretch their arms to form a chain around an old woman visibly scared but is able to cross the raging river of a highway somewhere in northern Bicol.
In between breaks, I would look at photos that are posted online. When finally I saw the Naga River, one of the smaller tributaries of the Bicol River, was already rolling deep on a road that was one street away from where I live, I knew disaster was once more dominating a period in the life
of Nagueños. This 24-hour account would be a marker in our personal history, a trauma that would stay on for years to come.
the flood had entered my place. In a few seconds, he said the water was waist-level. I was imagining the living room and the sofa and the books on the floor. There was a lovely watercolor painting of an old church given to me by an artist after I gave a lecture on film, one rainy day weeks ago. Watercolor for the flood.
Where do I go, sir? You could go up, and stay there, was my lame response. Was I feeling his nervousness?
I am afraid, sir, the flood has reached my neck. He proposed to move to a neighboring unit and, there, be with other terrified people.
My battery will die soon, sir.
The next hours were quiet. Dead battery. Morbid thoughts.
Facebook posts began to show
News networks issued the most unbelievable news: some 2.5 months of rain fell on Naga in only 24 hours. How does one cope with that?
An assistant who was housesitting that day described to me how
details of the flood: cars submerged in a bus terminal area. Buses were immobile with all the dark water swirling around them. In Legazpi City, a bridge was crossing a raging stream. In Baao, a lake merged
A wind power crisis is holding back the world’s green energy goal
By Will Mathis & Josh Saul
The world’s green power goal has a wind problem. at the COP28 climate talks in Dubai last year, leaders from more than 130 nations agreed to triple renewable power capacity by the end of the decade. It was one of the few tangible agreements at the annual meeting and a goal that’s crucial to cut dependence on fossil fuels that cause climate change.
While the target remains achievable, current rates of clean power deployment aren’t sufficient and the rollout of wind turbines is lagging, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
“One of the big problems here is wind,” said Oliver Metcalfe, head of wind research at BloombergNEF. “The slow pace of wind progress is affecting the efficacy of that tripling renewables target.”
A decade ago annual solar and wind installations were neck and neck, then solar soared far ahead as massive investments in manufacturing capacity by the industry’s leaders in China has driven down the price of panels.
Though global wind capacity has nearly doubled in the past five years, solar has more than tripled. And the trend is set to continue.
Solar installations are forecast to jump 34 percent in 2024, compared to a 5 percent increase for wind, according to BNEF. And outside China, by far the world’s biggest market, wind farm installations may actually fall slightly this year.
There are significant bottlenecks in the wind industry, such as insufficient supplies of equipment, a lack of electric grid capacity and permitting issues, according to Sven Utermöhlen, head of the offshore wind business at Germany’s RWE AG.
“There are positive signs in
terms of the offshore industry— the market is reacting—but the lead times are long in offshore wind and positive steps take several years to trickle down and have an effect,” Utermöhlen said in an interview.
By 2030, BNEF forecasts that solar will have reached over 90 percent of the capacity that’s required to put the world on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Wind will only reach about 77 percent of the necessary total by the same date.
Politicians and clean energy proponents often group solar and wind together like twins, yet the two technologies are distinct. The differences can be complementary. Wind is often strongest during winter when sunshine is scarce, and turbines run for more hours of the year. That can help countries limit the need to revert back to natural gas or coal.
But other differences have helped give solar an edge. Solar equipment is typically small—a single module can weigh close to 50 pounds, light enough for a person or two to carry without equipment. And they can go basically anywhere: on a roof, in a field, in a parking lot. Sunshine mostly varies by latitude, making it easy to predict.
A wind turbine on the other hand is massive. And the bigger they are, the better the machines are at harnessing wind, making
with a new lake in the middle of the town plaza. Requests for help were flooding online.
We are doing everything we can. But the streets have become impassable. The trucks have been found but the water is just too high. We need boats. In another universe, a sunny one, I suppose, some wags were having fun discussing the right words or phrases: “drowned car” or “submerged cars”? The talk reached the sophisticated level of metaphors. Isn’t it lovely how we remain so chi chi even during moments of disaster?
Then at about eight in the evening of Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the words were out: we cannot help you anymore. No one knew who said that but the flood was overwhelming; no land was dry.
And yet the rescue operations continued on and on till the morning. Small boats and makeshift rafts were being paddled around the dark, flooded area. In videos, you could hear voices of women helping little boys and girls to reach the higher floors.
Tukaw muna kamo dyan (sit over there). Dai maghibi (Don’t cry). As expected the gods of disaster finally issued the note verbale: Resilience…Resilience.
But Mo, the goddess of dire common sense, responded back: What if we have urban planning and engineering! Massive flood control, reforestation, sponge cities?
As regards “drowned cars,” I know how we Bikolanos think. Nalamos na mga auto. Cars that got drowned. As graphic as that. As truthful. As sad.
The last video I received from Bikol was of a dark area, and there were tiny flashlights hitting the black water, while different voices were shouting “Tabang…Tabang.” Help…Help.
E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com
Politicians and clean energy proponents often group solar and wind together like twins, yet the two technologies are distinct. The differences can be complementary. Wind is often strongest during winter when sunshine is scarce, and turbines run for more hours of the year. That can help countries limit the need to revert back to natural gas or coal.
the electricity cheaper. But size is also a weakness: the machines have become so gigantic that specialized equipment is needed at every stage of production, including giant cranes, planes and ships to deliver and install them.
Solar’s growth has been supercharged by convenient installations on home and factory rooftops, including in densely populated cities. That’s not an option easily available for the wind sector, which has often faced public opposition to large onshore farms, and even complaints over turbines out at sea spoiling ocean views. And then there’s the cost. While soaring production of solar panels in China has helped slash costs to record-low levels, increasing prices of steel and other critical turbine components as well as supply chain bottlenecks and higher borrowing costs have driven up the cost of wind projects in recent years. By the end of last year, the cost of power from new onshore wind farms had risen dramatically in both the US and Germany, according to BNEF data on the levelized cost of energy. In the US, it was up about 40 percent from a record low reached in 2021. In Germany, Europe’s biggest wind market, there
was a 35 percent increase from its all-time low in 2019. Solar’s surge has kept the possibility alive that the world can reach its renewable target, though the slowdown in wind—which is more efficient—could mean a higher total capacity is needed to achieve the same reduction in power sector emissions. While electricity generation capacity is the most common way to measure power stations, it’s an imperfect one. To really understand a wind farm or solar park’s impact for the planet you also need to consider how sunny or windy it is in a given location. Analysts use what’s known as a capacity factor to essentially discount renewables for their variability. In Germany, for example, a solar farm is expected to produce about 11 percent of the time. It’s about a third as productive as an onshore wind farm in that country, and less than a quarter as productive as turbines offshore, where wind speeds are stronger and more consistent. And while solar is an important part of Germany’s decarbonization pathway, it doesn’t produce during winter evenings when demand peaks. Those issues underscore the need to speed up the development of wind projects and to continue to add more solar in order to meet the target to triple renewables capacity, according to IRENA.
There are positive signs. Solar installations have continued to exceed analysts’ expectations nearly every year. And wind has seen improvements as well. Inflation has come down, interest rates are starting to decline and governments are taking action to ease bottlenecks like permitting that have slowed expansion. Bloomberg
Friday, October 25, 2024
Govt urged to review visa deposit by foreign retirees
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror
Al AwMAker believes government should review the minimum amount foreigners must pay to legally stay and retire in the Philippines.
Ang baba naman ! (That’s so low),” said Senator Loren Legarda when informed by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) that it requires a foreign national to deposit $20,000 (roughly P1.14 million) in any of the agency’s accredited banks, for a retirement visa.
“It’s why there [are] so many syndicates here,” she said during the recent Committee on Finance, Subcommittee G hearing on the budget of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agencies.
“For P1.5 million, they can legally stay in the Philippines. No wonder. I think this should be reviewed. It’s leaning really to syndicates. That’s why there’s a den of syndicates in this country,” she stressed.
According to PRA General Manager Roberto Zozobrado, there are currently 58,000 foreign retirees all over the country, majority of who come from the People’s Republic
of China, followed by South Korea. He was unable to specify the other markets from which the retirees come. He said many retirees have “already gone back to their country [and] canceled [their visas],” but did not detail the reasons for their actions. In April, PRA said it had about 78,000 retirees.
Safeguarding PHL borders I T would be recalled that law enforcement authorities, earlier in the year, arrested Chinese nationals involved in illicit activities, especially those in relation to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo). They were found to have legitimate government documents including special resident retirement visas (SRRV). (See, “Nancy urges PRA anew: Be careful on retiree visa grants” in the BusinessMirror, April 7, 2024.). At his State of the Nation Address, President Marcos Jr.
DOLE to POGO bosses: Let workers join job fairs
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
TH e Department of Labor and e mployment (DOL e ) is urging Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to allow their employees to attend job fairs.
The agency made the appeal on Thursday due to the low turnout at the recently concluded job fair for displaced POGO workers, as only 300 out of the more than 1,200 expected attendees showed up.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma expressed concern over this low turnout, saying that some POGO employees were either not given permission to attend or unwilling to miss work.
“We appeal to the employers to allow them to participate… only a few attended our last job fair,” Laguesma told reporters in an interview, adding that there is a need for “greater cooperation” to help displaced workers find alternative employment.
To address this, Laguesma announced that DOL e will bring the next job fair in November “closer” to the workers, making it easier for them to attend.
“We plan to bring the fairs closer to them and we will negotiate more with employers. We also have part -
nerships with the private sector,” he said.
In addition to employment facilitation, displaced workers will also have access to various forms of assistance, including livelihood support, retraining, and upskilling programs.
“There are numerous job openings, but we need to ensure that the workers’ skills match the demand. If there are gaps, we will provide the necessary upskilling,” Laguesma said.
With these efforts, DOL e aims to ease the transition for workers affected by the POGO ban and help them find alternative sources of employment or income.
In an earlier announcement, DOL e said that over 40,000 POGO workers—predominantly Filipino employees—are expected to be displaced by the end of the year.
ordered the closure of Pogos all over the country.
Zozobrado also said during the budget hearing, “If they [retiree-applicant] are receiving a pension from $800 to $1,200 [a month], they are required to [deposit] $10,000 (about P570,000).” Former Filipino citizens, former diplomats, retirees of international organizations, and military officers are required to deposit just $1,500 (or P85,500). The minimum age requirement for a foreign retiree applicant is 50 years old.
He added that foreign retirees, who receive an SRRV, which is a nonimmigrant visa, “can stay as long as they want, unless they want to change their status and go back to their countries. But the one benefit they get, is they can enter and exit out of the country.” After the one-time payment of $20,000, the retiree is required to pay an annual fee of $300 a year, to which Legarda again commented, “Ang baba (It’s too low).”
Asked if she wanted PRA to increase the required minimum visa deposit, the lawmaker said, “I don’t know, because it’s a balancing act between attracting retirees, at the same time the security issues brought about by foreign nationals, who do criminal activities in our country. For P1.5 million, they’re legally here. And then you know about the security
issues emanating from our porous borders as well.”
Security measures
T O which, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco emphasized the DOT and its agencies’ full support to the Marcos administration’s position on securing the country’s borders, but cited the need to be in lockstep with the marketing tack of neighboring countries, which issue similar longstay visas for foreigners.
She pointed out that other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member-nations “[go] to the extent of lowering the retirement age, so as to attract higher-spending, higher-income, younger working professionals that opt to work, therefore act as early retirees, meaning they make their living by the beach, and the like. So these are matters that challenge us a retirement destination.”
Zozobrado underscored though the security measures his agency has in place to check on the identity or background of the retiree applicant. These include accessing a database overseen by the Interpol and requiring the applicant to submit a police clearance from his country of origin “apostilled by our embassy,” coordinate with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and with the National Bureau of Investigation.
TWIN STORMS THREATEN PHL, TO DAMPEN
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
RAC e for a wet, wet
BHalloween, Philippines.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued a special weather forecast that warns of possible two storms that will simultaneously enter the Philippine Area of Responsbility (PAR) starting October 31.
In its Tropical Cyclone Threat Potential Forecast Thursday 5 p.m., Pagasa said one of the two low pressure areas in the western Pacific Ocean will likely evolve into a Tropical Depression within the next 24 hours. It is estimated to move towards the eastern corridor of Cagayan Valley before turning to Taiwan starting October 31.
Meanwhile, Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) is forecast to intensify into a typhoon as it exits Luzon towards the West Philippine Sea. Pagasa forecasters do not see Typhoon Kristine moving towards China as earlier expected. As it gains strength, Typhoon Kristine will remain “quasi- stationary” in the West Philippine Sea and then “likely re-enter PAR.” The forecast is that the two storms will likely dampen the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day celebrations as well, and probably until November 6.
Pagasa did not say that the presence of two weather systems would result in a Fujiwhara effect—where two storms may affect each other including the possibility of the stronger storm merging with the weaker one.
Napocor tweaks protocols for dam water release
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
wITH its amended protocols, the National Power Corp. (Napocor) assured downstream communities, which will be affected by the spilling operations of its dams during typhoons, will now get a 24-hour lead time to evacuate if necessary. Napocor Flood Operation
Manager Maria Teresa Serra made the remark in a press briefing in Malacañang after giving updates on spilling operations from its dams prior to the landfall of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Kristine” (international name: Trami) last Thursday.
“We recently amended the dam protocols and this is also in line with the directive of our President,” Serra said.
Napocor currently operates five dams in Luzon—the Ambuklao Dam and the Binga Dam in Benguet, the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, the Angat Dam in Bulacan and the Caliraya Dam in Laguna. Under its new protocols, Napocor extended the lead time for informing local government units (LGU), which will be affected by the spilling operations of its dams, from four hours to
24 hours.
The additional time aims to allow LGUs to better prepare for the possible rise in water levels in the rivers connected to Napocor dams within their jurisdiction. In previous typhoons, the spilling operations from some dams were blamed for contributing to the surge in water levels in low-lying communities, which left many stranded in their
flooded homes.
President Ferdinand Marcos called on dam operators to amend their rules so they will provide longer preparation time to the affected communities.
Serra noted the call of the President is timely in response to reduced water capacities of rivers and unpredictable rainfalls caused by climate change, which results in more areas being prone to flooding.
She said their new protocols were already in place before STS “Kristine” made its landfall in the province of Isabela last
Thursday morning. In preparation for STS “Kristine,” Napocor initiated minimal spilling operations for Ambuklao and Binga Dams and the San Roque Dam. “Currently, these dams are in minimal spilling operations so they are only open at 0.5 and one meter. So, this is to ensure that when Typhoon Kristine arrives, we have sufficient reservoir allocation for the heavy rainfall,” Serra said. She noted that Napocor has implemented a similar measure in previous typhoons.
SAFE HAVEN Families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine find temporary shelter in evacuation modular tents at centers in Barangay Roxas District and Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. As Kristine’s heavy rains and winds battered Luzon, these communities braced for the storm’s aftermath, prioritizing safety in the face of nature’s fury. NONOY LACZA
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
ACEN unit sets sights on RE projects in Bangladesh
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
ACEN Corp. said Thursday it will invest up to $18 million to pursue renewable energy (RE) projects in Bangladesh.
The amount will be infused into IBV ACEN Renewables Asia Pte. Ltd., the joint venture (JV) company of ACEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd. and German solar developer ib vogt (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. The JV company will focus on shovel-ready projects across the Asia Pacific region, with a minimum target operational capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW).
“ACEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd. (ACRI) plans to infuse up to $18m into the JV company to facilitate the construction and execution of an c.70MW solar project located in Bangladesh,”
ACEN said.
This investment is part of ACEN’s expected contribution of up to $200 million equity investment as the platform targets a minimum operational capacity of 1,000 MW across Asia Pacific with potential for future expansion.
“The infusion will be used to acquire the relevant project holding company and funding for necessary capital expenditure.”
Aside from Bangladesh, IBV ACEN Renewables Asia will focus on shovel-ready projects in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other countries in
the Asia Pacific region.
The partnership forms part of ACEN’s ambitious target of reaching 20 gigawatts (GW) of RE capacity by 2030.
Last April, ACEN said it was expecting 1.6 GW, or 1,600 MW, of new RE projects to deliver close to full year output this year. With 1.6GW of renewables that will be completed this year, ACEN’s RE portfolio is expected to reach “close to six gigawatts,” ACEN
President Eric Francia earlier said.
Including the 1.6GW, the company’s total portfolio is 4.7GW. Of which, 1.9GW of projects are located in the Philippines. Francia said these are already operating or are under construction.
Last August, ACEN said its net income jumped by 49 percent yearon-year to P6.3 billion in the first half due to the 42-percent increase in its attributable RE generation and a further improved net selling position in the electricity spot market.
“This performance continued to be driven principally by the year-over-year addition of new operating capacity from several renewable energy plants in the company’s major markets.
In the Philippines, these new plants allowed ACEN to further improve its net selling position in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market [WESM],” ACEN said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.
The company’s international assets generated 1,893 GWh in attributable output, an increase of 28 percent compared with the level recorded a year ago.
Among the large-scale projects that were commissioned this year include the 522 MW first phase of New England Solar in Australia, the 420 MW Masaya Solar in India, and the 60 GW Lac Hoa & Hoa Dong Wind in Vietnam. The 287 MW first phase of the SUPER solar platform in Vietnam, which was acquired in 2023, was also added to ACEN’s generation portfolio.
Phinma stock rights offer gets nod
By VG Cabuag @villygc
PHINMA Corp. has secured the necessary approvals for its stock rights offering (SRO) of up to P1 billion, proceeds of which will fuel its investment and expansion efforts.
The company said it secured the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) notice confirming that the P1-billion transaction is exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Regulation Code.
“Proceeds of (the SRO) will be used to support Phinma Corp.’s subsidiaries in relation to their
SPNEC: N. Ecija project to open in ‘25
SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) said Thursday that phase 1A of the 500-megawatt (MW) solar power project in Nueva Ecija is expected to come online in the last quarter of 2025.
The Sta. Rosa Nueva Ecija 2 (NE2) solar power project is a twophase 500MW peak solar power plant in Nueva Ecija. The project also includes transmission lines, substations, and other connection assets.
Phase1A covering 50MW has been installed but is not yet operational due to delays in the construction of the connection asset due to right-of-way challenges.
“Subject to the resolution on the right-of-way issues and the completion of the line connection the plant to the transmission grid, Phase 1A is expected to achieve commercial operations in the fourth quarter of 2025,” SPNEC said. Meanwhile, the pre-construction for the remainder of the NE2 project has progressed significantly. However, construction works have not yet started due to grid constraints. Lenie Lectura
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
THE Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) is projecting a 10-percent increase in the sales of electric vehicles (EV) this year.
relevant expansion plans, increase capital for the company’s potential new ventures and/or general corporate purposes.”
The Philippine Stock Exchange also approved the listing of the rights shares under the SRO on October 21.
Based on the indicative timetable, the offer period will run from November 13 to 19, and the listing date is tentatively set on November 27.
“Phinma is committed to investing in businesses that deliver both strong returns for our shareholders and tangible benefits to society. This stock rights offering will fuel our growth, strengthen our balance sheet and empower us to make an
even greater impact on Filipino families and communities,” company CFO Edmund Alan A. Qua Hiansen said.
The company said it will offer one share for every 5.56 to 6.17 common shares held at a price ranging from P19.42 to P21.55 apiece.
The offer will be subject to final pricing, set by the end of the month.
The company will use the proceeds to support initiatives of the Phinma Construction Materials Group, particularly Phinma Solar’s Green Energy Auction Program projects and Philcement’s modern cement manufacturing plant in Davao del Norte.
The SRO will also boost Phinma Properties’ projects in emerging
cities like Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao and Phinma Hospitality’s new TRYP by Wyndham hotel in the Group’s newly launched Bacolod township, Saludad.
The offer is expected to bolster the group’s new ventures, such as the Union Insulated Panel Corp.’s state-of-the-art facility in Porac, Pampanga and other opportunities to uplift the underserved market through socialized housing, food security, healthcare, and the green industry. The balance, if any, will be for general corporate purposes.
AB Capital and Investment Corp. will serve as the issue manager, book runner and lead underwriter for the transaction.
Motorists urged to take caution along expressways
SMC Infrastructure is asking motorists to be on the alert and drive carefully along certain portions of its tollways as heavy rains battered Luzon Thursday afternoon, causing intermittent flooding at its southern expressways even as they remained passable.
The company said its toll network—the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway, the Skyway System, and the Tarlac-PangasinanLa Union Expressway (TPLEX)— continued to operate normally but with traffic slowing down at some flooded areas.
The expressways remained passable as of 5:00 p.m.
Flooding was reported near the Alabang area at the height of heavy rains dumped by tropical storm Kristine that began around 1 p.m.
The company’s prepositioned pumps were quick to clear up the area of water and was flood-free by 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, the area near Alaska in San Pedro, Laguna, previously known to be flood-prone, also remained clear.
A portion of the SLEX carriageway at Kilometer 46 near Sitio Mapagong, Calamba, Laguna, was inundated due to continuous heavy rains, with motorists using only one lane. But with a backhoe prepositioned in the area for clearing operations, water subsided quickly and restored the use of four lanes.
Flooding was also reported at the northbound carriageway of STAR Tollway in Tanauan, Batangas and another area in Malvar, also in Batangas at 2:30 p.m., but both areas remained passable. Notably, rains during the first 48 hours since Kristine’s onslaught did not cause any flooding along the company’s toll network.
SMC Infrastructure said situations may change at any time as Kristine transits Luzon and asked motorists to minimize non-essential travel for their safety.
“Since the onset of Tropical Storm Kristine, our teams have observed isolated rain along our expressway network at different times, and water immediately flowed out of the carriageway through our drainage system,” SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said.
“In the previous months, we have instructed our maintenance teams to ensure our outfalls are clear of any debris and garbage so that any amount of rainwater can drain fast.”
Aside from clearing drainage systems, Ang said the company’s
larger river cleanup initiative has also contributed significantly to increasing the carrying capacity of the San Isidro River in San Pedro City, Laguna, where a significant portion of floodwaters from SLEX drains.
This river cleanup program, called “Better Rivers Ph,” has removed nearly 8 million cubic meters of garbage and silt from over 132 kilometers of waterways since 2020. This helps reduce flood risk in nearby cities and towns.
At present, the river cleanup teams are focusing on the Pampanga River, waterways in Biñan City, Laguna, Navotas City, and around the NAIA area.
SMC has reminded everyone to dispose of their garbage properly, as it often clogs drains and waterways, leading to flooding.
Motorists needing assistance along SMC expressways may call the following hotlines: SLEX Hotline: 09176877539; TPLEX Hotline: 09178880715; STAR Hotlines: 09175117827 / 043-7567870; and Skyway Hotline: 02-53188655.
“Last year, 10,000 units of hybrid and pure EV were sold. Pure EVs sold are less than 500. Definitely, we expect the 10,000 units to be surpassed this year,” Campi President Rommel Gutierrez told reporters on the sidelines of the 9th Philippine International Motor Show on Thursday.
“We’re confident to say 10 percent higher than last year,” Gutierrez said, adding that hybrids are dominating EV sales.
Of the EV sales in the Philippines, Campi noted that hybrid cars account for a majority or 75 percent.
In the same event, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista divulged that during last Tuesday’s sectoral meeting at Malacañang, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. proposed the expansion of the package of incen -
tives extended to manufacturers and users of electric vehicles under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) law.
“Our push for e-vehicles has the solid backing of the President himself,” Bautista said.
“We are aggressively pushing for e-vehicles in the public transport sector, with a growing number of PUV drivers and operators shifting to EVs especially in the countryside.”
For instance, he said transport groups in Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Clark have “proudly paraded” before DOTr officials their fleet of modern electric PUVs.
“Next month, we have been invited to Iloilo to inspect their electric jeepneys.”
With these developments, Bautista said he is pinning his hopes on the members of Campi to provide the “necessary” infrastructure support, such as the installation of more EV charging stations along highways and interior roads.
“Electric vehicle is on top of my list of advocacies that I hope Campi will support with equal passion.”
FILIPINAS Systems Inc. (FSI)
has committed to invest some P19 million in coal exploration activities in Lanao del Sur after it bagged the first coal operating contract (COC) for a pre-determined area (PDA) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The COC was awarded Thursday to FSI by the Department of Energy (DOE). It covers exploration activities in Kapai and Tagoloan II, Lanao del Sur for two years.
“The awarding of the 1st COC in BARMM is a landmark moment for both governments. It reflects our collective commitment to advancing energy development and resource management in the region, empowering the BARMM to play a key role in the country’s energy future.
This partnership will not only foster energy independence for the Bangsamoro region but also create pathways for sustainable economic growth and development,” said Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla. Under the terms of the coal service contract, once exploration activities reached development and production stage, FSI will provide P150,000.00 annually in scholar -
ships to qualified individuals from the contract area, supporting local communities.
The company has also pledged to pay the following to be shared equally between the DOE and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE): P250,000 signature bonus; P250,000 development assistance; and P75,000 annually for training during the exploration period increasing to P200,000 annually when converted to development and production stage. The awarding ceremony took place at the Office of the BARMM Chief Minister, Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City. The event was attended by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, Lotilla, and MENRE Minster Akmad A. Brahim. This development stemmed from the landmark co-signing of the Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB) Circular in July 2023 by Lotilla and Brahim. The Circular laid the foundation for a collaborative framework between the National Government and the Bangsamoro Government, enabling the joint awarding of Petroleum Service Contracts (SCs) and COCs within the BARMM. Lenie Lectura
ToyoTa Prius. PhotograPher LioneL ng/BLoomBerg
BSP taps German firm for handling currency
CITING the need for secure and sustainable banknotes amid the rise in digital payments, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has partnered with German government banknotes printer Bundesdruckerei GmbH for currency management and production.
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. and Bundesdruckerei GmbH Chief Financial Officer Christian Helfrich inked a 5-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) focused on payments and currency management on October 10, 2024.
Under the agreement, BSP and Bundesdruckerei GmbH will collaborate on various initiatives aimed at modernizing and securing the country’s currency management systems.
“[T]he MOU highlighted the importance of cooperation in payments and currency management to enhance and strengthen the roles of government entities in the postpandemic economic recovery and sustain the growth of both economies,” read a statement the BSP issued last Thursday.
According to the central bank, the partnership will focus on currency and securities, including the production of banknotes and financial
instruments and their management.
Banking&Finance Recto gets World Bank Group commitment for key projects
Digital payments infrastructure will also be developed as well as conducting and research and development on digital payments and banknote substrate.
While the BSP works hard to “shift more and more payments to electronic form,” Remolona underscored the importance of maintaining physical currency and “the need for banknotes for a long time to come.”
The MOU also includes plans for technology and staff exchanges between the two entities for shared learning.
Moreover, the agreement will involve information-sharing on legal aspects relevant to payments and currency management.
The partnership will also provide support, assistance, sharing of best practices and expertise, and capacity-building or technical assistance between the BSP and Bundesdruckerei GmbH.
“BSP is proud to partner with Bundesdruckerei, a leader in providing modern currencies to the world, at a time when banknotes should be more secure, more durable, and even more sustainable,” Remolona said. Reine Juvierre Alberto
Relationship or regulation?
IWAS intrigued when I encoun-
tered the question “Relationship or regulation?” As it could apply to associations, I explored further and here’s what I’ve found. Associations are dynamic entities, serving as crucial platforms for like-minded individuals and organizations to collaborate, advocate and achieve common goals. As these associations grow and evolve, one fundamental question often arises: should they prioritize fostering positive relationships among members or implement stringent regulations to ensure compliance and order?
One of the primary strengths of relationship-centric associations is their ability to create a sense of community and belonging. These associations prioritize building and nurturing strong bonds among their members. The benefits of this approach include:
1. Member engagement. A strong sense of connection encourages higher levels of member engagement. When individuals feel a personal connection to the association and its members, they are more likely to participate in activities, contribute and remain loyal.
2. Collaboration. Relationships often lead to collaboration. Members are more likely to work together, share ideas and support one another’s initiatives when they have established trust and rapport.
3. Positive reputation. Associations that prioritize relationships often develop positive reputations for being inclusive, supportive and welcoming. As opposed to “relationshipcentric” associations, “regulationcentric” associations focus on establishing rules, guidelines and governance structures to maintain order, consistency and compliance. This approach offers these advantages:
1. Consistency. Regulations ensure the association operates consistently and fairly where members know what to expect and how to navigate the organization’s processes.
2. Risk mitigation. Regulations can help mitigate risks, such as legal or financial liabilities, by ensuring that members adhere to certain standards and practices.
3. Accountability. A strong regulatory framework provides clear lines of accountability, making it easier to address issues and resolve disputes.
Associations need not choose one approach over the other exclu-
sively. In fact, the most successful associations often strike a balance between relationship building and regulation. Here’s how they do it:
1. Clear communication. Transparent and open communication is essential. Associations should clearly communicate rules and expectations to their members while also fostering a sense of community and belonging.
2. Member involvement. Engage members in the development of regulations and policies. When they have a voice in the process, they are more likely to accept and follow the rules.
3. Education and training. Provide educational resources and training to help members understand the regulations and their importance. This empowers them to comply willingly.
4. Flexibility. Regulations should be adaptable to changing circumstances and evolving needs. The association should be open to revising policies and rules when necessary.
5. Conflict resolution mechanisms. Implement effective conflict resolution mechanisms that prioritize amicable solutions, reinforcing the importance of relationships even in times of disagreement.
The choice between emphasizing relationships or regulations can vary based on the nature of the association, its goals and the specific needs of its members or stakeholders. It is not an either-or proposition.
Some associations may place a stronger emphasis on relationships to create a welcoming and supportive community, while others may prioritize regulations to ensure compliance with industry standards and ethical principles. In practice, many successful organizations find ways to integrate both elements to create a harmonious and effective environment.
Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the “association of associations.” The PCAAE and SustainablePH will hold a joint summit on sustainability at the PICC on November 27, 2024. The views he expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror E-mail: bobby@pcaae.org.
TBy Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
HE World Bank Group (WBG) has committed to supporting the Philippines in its agricultural and human capital development projects while driving more private investments into the country.
This was the gist of the side-meeting between Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto and WBG officials in Washington, D.C., last Tuesday, according to a statement by the Department of Finance (DOF).
According to the DOF, WBG officials vowed to support projects to modernize the Philippines’s agriculture sector by making its outputs commercially-viable and export-oriented and increasing the productivity of Filipino farmers and income.
To note, the country’s agricultural export revenue increased to $1.86 billion in the second quarter of the year, a statement by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) read.
“This indicates an annual in -
crement of 14.7 percent from the $1.62-billion agricultural export revenue in the second quarter of 2023. The second quarter of 2024 value of agricultural exports accounted for 10.2 percent of the country’s total exports,” according to the PSA. Meanwhile the volume of crops production in the first quarter of the year was estimated at 15.56 million metric tons (MMT), which was 13-percent lower than the previous year same quarter output of 17.88 MMT, the PSA said. “The annual decline in the volume of crops production during the quarter was mainly brought about by the annual decreases noted in the production of sugarcane, palay, and corn at 42.3
percent, 9.5 percent, and 20.3 percent, respectively,” it added.
Education, investment
THE WBG also pledged to strengthen the Philippines’s education system for the country to leverage on its growing workforce as Recto highlighted the need to improve the quality and learning outcomes of basic education.
Recognizing investor confidence in the Philippines’s business environment, the WBG also vowed to help attract more private investment.
WBG Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde said the Philippines is among the few countries achieving strong economic growth while significantly improving people’s lives, the DOF said in a separate statement. Bjerde said the WBG’s High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs will benefit the Philippines by further improving its jobs market by focusing on youth and female employment opportunities.
Moreover, Recto underscored the country’s potential to play a bigger role in the global supply chain, particularly in high-value manufacturing, such as the semiconductor industry.
The Finance chief also called for increased investments in renewable
energy to aid the country’s transition to more sustainable energy sources.
As the DOF aims to boost its revenue collection and improve public service delivery, Recto asked the WBG for assistance in strengthening cybersecurity.
He also requested the WBG to provide grants and technical assistance to improve the delivery of projects funded by the institution and pushed for more concessional financing.
The DOF said WBG responded positively, noting that reforms such as the introduction of grace periods in paying commitment fees and removal of prepayment premiums are underway.
Another package for pricing reforms to lower borrowing costs is also being discussed, according to the WBG.
Further, the international financial institution said the key priorities will be aligned and reflected in the new country partnership framework that it is crafting for the Philippines for 2025 to 2028.
The WBG’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development is the country’s third-largest official development assistance (ODA) partner with a total ODA amounting to $8.84 billion as of June 2024.
UK budget fears push owners to close firms
THOUSANDS of solvent UK business owners are winding up their companies, allowing them to avoid an expected increase in levies on entrepreneurs in the budget.
The number of so-called members’ voluntary liquidations this month exceeds 1,600, according to notices filed to The Gazette, where business closures in the country are advertised. That’s already more than double the level for the whole of October last year.
The spike comes as Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves considers cutting a capital gains tax break known as Business Asset Disposal Relief in her spending plan on Oc-
tober 30. Entrepreneurs currently pay a reduced tax of 10 percent on profits they make from the sale or liquidation of their companies under the policy rather than the standard 20 percent charged on higher-rate taxpayers.
“Concerns around the anticipated restriction or removal of business asset disposal relief in the budget, which has long been mooted by the government, is the main driver behind a lot of these MVLs,” said Julie Palmer, a partner at corporate recovery specialist Begbies Traynor.
Any change to the relief is expected to be part of a wider shakeup of capital gains tax as Reeves
seeks to balance the country’s budget. The Chancellor has ruled out increases to several other key levies, leaving her with a limited range of options to raise the £40 billion that government officials say is needed to fill a budgetary hole left by the previous Conservative administration and fund Labour priorities.
Amanda Staveley, the financier and former director of Premier League club Newcastle United, said she recently liquidated one of her businesses because of the threat of higher CGT.
The Treasury did not respond to a request for a comment.
The use of MVLs still appears to
be accelerating. The number of liquidators appointed to such closures surged about 238 percent to 513 in the week ended October 18, helping to drive a 51 percent increase in insolvencies week on week.
“We have seen an increase in liquidation requests in the last couple of months since the speculations about the changes that the new budget may bring started circulating,” said Vesna Sowden, head of company secretarial at Blick Rothenberg Ltd.
“These were mainly driven by the company owners’ concerns about the possible changes in the inheritance tax and the increase in capital gains tax.” Bloomberg News
Bitcoin cools on Trump trade hurdles Cryto-theft raids seen
BITCOIN’S classification as a so-called Trump trade is starting to jar with wider shifts in global markets attributed in part to the possibility of the former president’s return to the White House.
Bond yields and the dollar have jumped lately amid Republican nominee Donald Trump’s lead over Vice President Kamala Harris in prediction markets. On one view, investors are curbing bets on looser monetary policy as Trump will apply a pro-growth agenda to an already robust US economy if he wins on November 5.
Bitcoin and stocks have wavered alongside this relative tightening in financial conditions, leaving the token facing its first weekly loss in three. Trump embraced the digital-asset industry during his campaign, lifting crypto sentiment, but the question arises whether the impact of his wider priorities may temper such optimism.
“Absolutely, yes, the selloff in stocks, higher US dollar and higher yields all equal a tightening in financial conditions,” said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG Australia Pty. “Not good for crypto at the pointy end of the spectrum. Some will point out that financial conditions were loose to start with, but it’s more the speed that the tightening is playing out.”
Bitcoin advanced about 1 per-
cent to $67,127 as of 9:10 a.m. in London on Thursday, paring its weekly decline to roughly 2 percent. The largest digital asset has risen some 60 percent this year and reached a record high of $73,798 in March, buttressed by demand for US spot-Bitcoin exchangetraded funds.
Trump has vowed to make the US the crypto capital of the planet as he duels for votes with Democratic candidate Harris, who has adopted a more measured approach by pledging to support a regulatory framework for the industry. Their positions contrast with a crackdown on the sector under President Joe Biden. The candidates are statistically
tied among likely voters in each of the seven US swing states in a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll. The razor-thin margins in these battlegrounds underscore how a final blitz of advertising, rallies and door-knocking campaigns could decide who claims the White House.
If Trump emerges victorious, that may lead to higher yields and ultimately a “negative impact for risk assets,” said Caroline Mauron, co-founder of Orbit Markets, a provider of liquidity for trading in digital-asset derivatives. Still, “the expected regulatory softening of a Trump administration toward the crypto industry should still be the more important factor,” she said. Bloomberg News
KASPERSK y Lab recently announced its global research and analysis team has uncovered a sophisticated malicious campaign by the Lazarus Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group, targeting cryptocurrency investors worldwide.
“The attackers used a fake cryptogame website that exploited a zero-day vulnerability in Google Chrome to install spyware and steal wallet credentials,” the cybersecurity firm said through a statement.
In May, Kaspersky experts, while analyzing incidents within the firm’s security network telemetry, identified an attack using the “Manuscrypt” malware, which has been used by the Lazarus group since 2013 and documented by Kaspersky’s team in over 50 unique campaigns targeting various industries. Further analysis revealed a sophisticated malicious campaign that heavily relied on social engineering techniques and generative AI to target cryptocurrency investors.
The Lazarus group is known for its highly advanced attacks on cryptocurrency platforms and has a history of using zero-day exploits. This newly uncovered campaign followed the same pattern: Kaspersky researchers found that the threat actor exploited two vulnerabilities, including a previously unknown type confusion bug in V8, Google’s open-source JavaScript and WebAssembly engine. This zero-day vulnerability was fixed as CVE-2024-4947 after Kaspersky reported it to Google. It allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code, bypass security features, and conduct various malicious activities. Another vulnerability was used to bypass Google Chrome’s V8 sandbox protection.
Octavio Peralta
Association World
Relationships BusinessMirror
Gotcha!
THE “gotcha” culture appears to be one of the more exciting and informative byproducts of the internet and social media.
But it is not a totally new concept.
Gotcha (“I got you”, i.e. “I caught you”) has its roots in journalism in the 1980s and 1990s, when reporters posed tough questions to politicians, who then griped that they were being baited to incriminate themselves and admit to certain behaviors because of a supposed hidden agenda by media. (Remember the news reports on former US President Bill Clinton’s philandering while in the Oval Office? Or his wife former State Secretary Hillary Clinton’s e-mails over a private server? More recently, vice presidential nominee JD Vance’s supposed enjoyment of a living room couch, the latter of course actually false. But still...gotcha!)
But this kind of mentality has crossed over to the larger population, becoming a tool crusading politicians use to, say, uncover corrupt behavior among government officials. Or by netizens, who want to spread the word on the rudeness and crudeness from fellow Filipinos disobeying traffic rules. Companies have also been caught in the gotcha crossfire when they are found to be firing staff quietly sans separation pay.
It was a gotcha moment, for one, when Sen. Risa Hontiveros found that Bamban Mayor Alice Guo was not a Filipino and that the latter had links to illegal
Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).
The good senator has actually been quite efficient in deploying the gotcha tool, having successfully unmasked corruption behind overpriced purchases of medical supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic (with Sen. Richard Gordon, who was then head of the Blue Ribbon Committee), also known as the infamous Pharmally scandal.
Another gotcha example was when Hontiveros divulged the notorious “Pastillas Scam” involving immigration officials, who were found to have extorted foreign nationals, in particular Chinese nationals, so the latter could be allowed into the country. (In its weird and roundabout away, it now appears all these revelations are connected to each other.) Then there are some, especially on social media, who engage in the gotcha scheme by deliberately looking for the errors committed by any person of some seeming popularity, and pointing these out to other netizens (e.g. every celebrity scandal to date). These don’t serve any purpose but just shame that person or victim of the sudden disclosure of alleged improprieties.
Similarly, some companies even employ so-called gotcha management practices, where executives focus on catching their employees doing something wrong, like writing grammatically incorrect business emails, or shaming them for coming in late, and the like. When pointing out errors committed by staff is the end-all and be-all of a company boss, that becomes demoralizing to employees. Instead of being encouraged through honest-to-goodness feedback about the staff’s work and accomplishments, the management practice is actually, well, mismanagement.
Most recently, netizens and commentators had a field day when a popular online magazine published about the Philippines being the top seller of gold among countries. For sure it was not written with a “gotcha” intention; the piece merely referenced data presented in an interesting, comparative manner
published by a gold brokers’ website. But as soon as the piece was shared on social media, ill-informed netizens made weird assumptions linking the sales to Marcos’ so-called Tallano gold, or payment for Duran-Duran’s recent performance at the president’s birthday celebration. Gotcha!
Maybe because I was once an economics and banking reporter that the said piece hit me differently. (To be honest, it didn’t hit me at all until an unexpected controversy arose.) Because my immediate thought after reading the piece was: “Oh, gold prices are high, and so the BSP decided to make a profit.” Besides, any gold sale will beef up the dollar reserves of the monetary institution, which is a good thing. It’s more practical to hold foreign currencies in reserve in case, God forbid, the economy tanks and the Philippine peso devalues greatly.
BUSINESSMIRRO�
’s resident economics columnist John Mangun wrote in his column, titled rather cheekily “The gold selling scandal of 2024,” even the Bank of Canada hasn’t kept gold in its reserves since 2016. (In fact, one of the first things students are taught in economics class is that gold is no longer used to back up currencies. Even I remember that one from college.)
“Gold is a non-performing asset that is almost useless. You cannot eat it, or use it as shelter from the rain. The only way you profit from gold, since it does not pay a dividend, and no one will pay you interest to borrow, is sell it at a higher price than the purchase cost,” Mangun wrote. (tinyurl.com/37b43czx)
So, gotcha as a tool, when employed responsibly, may help right the wrongs in society by calling attention to government inefficiencies, and the possible ways to solve these. But to use it to merely back up one’s conspiracies about how the world seems to keep putting one over us, may be counterproductive instead. It would help that more reading and research are made on the issue, instead of automatically commenting or reposting a perceived controversy, when there really is none. ■
Transforming communities by empowering women
GREAT things happen when women and young girls are given the proper support and encouragement they need to reach their full potential.
As the world celebrates the International Day of the Girl Child, World Vision continues to show up for them through the annual #GirlsCan campaign, which aims to secure sponsorships for 1,000 girls by October 11, 2024. But beyond the #GirlsCan campaign, Child Sponsorship is one of World Vision’s pillar programs, which has already helped millions of children and their families around the world since it was first introduced in 2001.
The program runs all year round. For as low as P25 a day or P750 per month, anyone can help provide life-changing essentials for kids, such as education, clean water, health, and nutrition. As a sponsor, you can also build a relationship with the child through letters, photos, and updates.
One of the successful recipients of the program is Glaiza, who earned a degree and a license in Civil Engineering, considered a predominantly male profession. Hailing from Bicol, she grew up in a poor rural community reliant on farming and fishing. Her mother worked as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), while her father was a silkscreen printing operator.
Glaiza, the second child and the only girl among the three siblings, once dreamed of becoming a teacher. But by fate, she passed Civil Engineering, which she listed as one of her three-course options.
Looking back on her 11 years with World Vision, she is grateful and blessed to have been given opportunities and meaningful experiences. The
But World Vision’s mission continues beyond child sponsorship. To help many more children, their families and their communities live free from vulnerable circumstances, World Vision offers many more programs for child protection and livelihood.
To protect women and children, the Christian humanitarian organization includes teaching consent to children and communities. The most important of these is complying with another person’s “yes” or “no” to foster a culture of respect and safety. By educating
personal rights, as well. So, as the world celebrates the International Day of the Girl Child, World Vision interim national director Jun N. Godornes shared, “We want to highlight these stories and programs to stress the importance of support and encouragement so that young girls and families reach their potential and break free from living in vulnerable circumstances.”
More information can be found at www.worldvision. org.ph/change-a-childs-life.
By Eugenia Last
(July 23-Aug. 22): Direct your energy into something concrete to deter you from getting frustrated and angry with others. Don’t count on receiving help, and you will avoid being disappointed. Turn a negative into a positive and show your capabilities, and you’ll outshine any competition. Personal gain and romance are favored.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Make plans to do something that stimulates your mind, body and soul. Entertain the thought of exploring a venue or engaging in an activity that encourages you to learn something new and congregate with like-minded people. Talks will lead to decisions and a commitment to something or someone special. ★★★
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put your energy where it counts and brings a high emotional, physical, mental or financial return. Put a savings plan in place instead of squandering your cash. Living on the edge will stifle your ability to reach your goal. Surround yourself with people who have something to offer. ★★★★
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Listen before you respond. Make sure you grasp what’s bothering others before making a judgment. Direct your energy into self-improvement, creativity and solidifying plans you want to pursue. You are overdue for a change. Stop procrastinating; it’s up to you to initiate your next move. ★★
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Pay attention to
www.businessmirror.com.ph
UNREASONABLE HATE
THE star’s hatred for her perceived rival knows no bounds and it is irrational. She is actually angry that everyone in showbiz seems to want to do what she’s doing but she can’t say that. Instead, she accuses her perceived rival of many things and she is not above lying to make people believe that she is the aggrieved party. She has spread rumors about her rival and the person’s associates. She has even used her influence and money to make things difficult for her rival. And yet, she is still unhappy. It doesn’t help that people around her seem to be enablers.
DAD-TO-BE?
HOW true is the rumor that the husband of a beautiful actress has gotten another woman pregnant? It’s an open secret that the rich husband has another woman but his priority has always been his wife and kids. If this is true, the pregnancy could adversely affect the couple’s relationship. The actress is semi-retired. She gave up her career to start her family. In the past, the actress has had problems with her husband and other women. For a long time, their helpers at home were men because it seems he could not be trusted with other women.
THE OTHER MAN THERE are many speculations about the break-up of the superstar actress and her low-key ex. Some said they broke up because they are so different from each other. But it has surfaced that the actress suspected her ex of cheating and she seemed to be right. The man who caused the break-up is reportedly a politician. The ex had every intention of marrying the actress but after the events that transpired, it was natural that
‘Balota’ is a thrilling tale of when principle trumps power
By Pauline Joy M. Gutierrez
PREGNANT?
THE actress has been married to her husband for a couple of years and they don’t have a baby yet. She did get pregnant last year but she allegedly lost the baby. She is said to be pregnant again. She and her husband are keeping quiet about it because they want to be sure before making an announcement. Aside from wanting a baby with her husband, the semi-retired actress is happy with her life. She and her husband are soulmates and people around them believe that even if they don’t have a baby together, they will remain in love with each other.
’s satirical socio-political from GMA Pictures, which Oebanda writes and directs, plunges into the underbelly of Philippine politics, boldly posing the question: “In a society corrupted by greed, can truth pierce the veil of deceit?”
Set against the backdrop of the 2007 elections— three years before the country shifted to automated masterfully captures a pivotal moment in the nation’s electoral history.
Marian Rivera plays the lead role of Emmy, a schoolteacher caught in the crossfire of a tense political conflict, bringing depth and nuance to a character grappling with moral ambiguity and
As the narrative unfolds, Emmy fulfills her duty as an election officer, meticulously overseeing the vote tally in their local precinct. But the sanctity of the process is shattered when a tampering attempt transpires, thrusting her into the role of the unlikely custodian of the last uncorrupted ballot box.
What begins as a simple civic responsibility quickly transforms into a dangerous quest, with Emmy becoming the town’s last hope for preserving what remains of its electoral integrity. In Balota, the ballot box becomes both a heavy burden and a fragile symbol of truth in a system on the brink of collapse.
The political landscape of Emmy’s town is a microcosm of the larger Filipino political arena, rife with gimmickry and personality-driven politics that have long characterized the nation’s electoral processes.
The mayoral candidates vying for power are cut from the same corrupt cloth, each a self-serving figure with a carefully crafted public persona masking nefarious agendas. As the town teeters on the precipice of an uncertain future, Emmy finds herself as an accidental heroine, her actions holding the potential to tip the scales of justice in a system seemingly designed to thwart it.
The film introduces us to Edraline, portrayed with charismatic sleaze by Gardo Versoza, a former sexy actor who has rebranded himself as a political neophyte, leveraging his celebrity status to mask his lack of governance experience. His opponent, the formidable Hidalgo, brought to life by Mae Paner, embodies the archetypal Filipino politician—a figure whose opulent lifestyle stands in stark contrast to the modest salary afforded by public service.
Both candidates wield considerable influence, commanding private armed forces and enlisting a cadre of personalities, like Ehrmengard and Babe, played by online personalities Esnyr and Sassa Gurl, respectively, to bolster their campaigns, further blurring the lines between entertainment and governance.
As Emmy flees into the wilderness, the precious ballot box in tow, she finds herself pursued not only by the ruthless goons of both candidates but also by the relentless specter of her own doubts and fears.
Rivera’s portrayal of Emmy is nothing short of mesmerizing. With quick wit and raw intensity, she draws the viewers in, captivating them with each line, each cry, each scream.
Royce Cabrera, who portrays SPO1 Morales, also delivers a standout performance, portraying a character deeply entrenched in a corrupt system yet struggling with his conscience. Despite being part of an institution riddled with dishonesty and abuse, Morales makes the difficult choice to do what is right, illustrating the internal conflict between loyalty to a flawed system and the desire to uphold what is morally right.
The film poses questions that resonate far beyond its fictional setting: “What does it truly mean to protect the truth in a world where the concept of ‘good’ seems to have lost all meaning? Is the preservation of integrity worth the immense personal cost when the very system one seeks to uphold appears irreparably broken?”
Oebenda’s direction is a masterclass in tension and pacing, infusing every frame with a palpable
‘BLADE RUNNER 2049’ PRODUCERS SUE ELON
MUSK, TESLA OVER AI IMAGE AT ROBOTAXI EVENT
LOS ANGELES—A film production company that helped make Blade Runner 2049 has sued Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk for using an AIgenerated image resembling a scene from the science fiction movie to market Tesla’s new robotaxis.
Alcon Entertainment said it refused all permissions but Tesla allegedly used artificial intelligence to “do it all anyway” when the carmaker unveiled its long-awaited robotaxi on October 10 during a live-streamed event at a Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank, California. After pulling up to the stage in one of the company’s “Cybercabs,” Musk gave a speech that included a brief reference to
in which star Ryan Gosling arrives by “quasisentient flying car” to an abandoned Las Vegas. “I love Blade Runner, but I don’t know if we want that future,” Musk said. “I think we want that duster he’s wearing, but not the bleak apocalypse.”
A copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Alcon this week in a Southern California federal court alleges that defendants had asked permission to use images from the movie “mere hours” before the event but Alcon “refused all permissions and adamantly objected.” Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
Alcon is also suing Warner Bros, the movie’s distributor that hosted Musk’s robotaxi event. Warner Bros. Discovery didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. AP
sense of urgency and unease. The story unfurls like a tightly wound spring, alternating between heartpounding chase sequences through perilous terrains and moments of quiet introspection that allow both Emmy and the audience to catch their breath and contemplate the weighty moral dilemmas at hand. These carefully crafted pauses serve as a canvas upon which the film paints its larger themes, challenging viewers to grapple with fundamental questions about the nature of integrity in a world where the demarcation between right and wrong has become hopelessly blurred. When the institutions meant to safeguard justice and fairness crumble, who bears the responsibility of determining what is truly just?
At its core, Balota offers a searing indictment of the corrosive effects of power-hungry leadership on the fabric of communities, from instilling fear among the populace and stifling dissent, to undermining the integrity of democracy and disenfranchising citizens. The film pulls no punches in its depiction of the manipulation, intimidation, and outright violence that often accompany corrupt political machinations.
Tey Clamor’s cinematography elevates Balota with stunning visuals, capturing both the raw beauty of the wilderness and its symbolic reflection of Emmy’s isolation and struggles. The sweeping expanses of nature juxtapose the tight, oppressive scenes of the town, reinforcing the film’s message that corruption is an inescapable force, looming over every corner of society.
In a stroke of brilliant characterization, the two candidates are presented as mirror images of each other, both irredeemably flawed and driven by an insatiable appetite for power and selfaggrandizement. This parallel serves to underscore the film’s most unsettling revelation: regardless of which candidate emerges victorious, the true losers will invariably be the townspeople whose lives hang in the balance.
To this, Oebanda offered a poignant reflection: “It’s probably best that we don’t only think about elections when they’re near. By that time, it’s too late. As a filmmaker, this is my response to the electoral lies, revisionism, violence, and cheating we experienced firsthand—to satirize it without necessarily polarizing those already in political echo chambers.
“Historically, humor and drama have been potent tools to get ideas across...Much like the teacher in the film, many of us feel the weight of the broken system we are bound to. I just wish we, as a people, organize better and fight back more,” he said in a statement released by Cinemalaya.
Oebanda’s personal journey, having been born in a prison in Iloilo City and later migrating to Manila after the Edsa People Power Revolution, adds heaviness to the urgency of his message—his experiences echo the struggles of countless others.
Ultimately, Balota transcends the boundaries of a mere political thriller to become a profound commentary on the fragility of democratic institutions and the immense personal toll exacted upon those who dare to uphold their principles in the face of systemic corruption.
Emmy’s journey is both literal and deeply metaphorical, reflecting the internal struggle between idealism and pragmatism. n
FROM left: Director Kip Oebanda, Will Ashley, Sassa Gurl, Marian Rivera, Esnyr and Raheel Bhyria
ELON MUSK
PHOTO BY KELLY SIKKEMA ON UNSPLASH
2nd batch of Golden Visas issued to Hotel101 Madrid unit owners
THE unit owners of Hotel101 Madrid have received their Golden Visas (GV) in less than 60 days.
This additional milestone is expected to further materially increase the unit sales revenue of Hotel101 Global from unit buyers in various parts of the world
The first three Hotel101 overseas projects are expected to generate inflows of US$471 Million (P27.2 billion) in foreign currency revenues to DoubleDragon.
Out of the Hotel101 Global’s one million operating hotel rooms global target by 2050, 50,000 are intended to be in the Philippines, which is expected to further cement the position of DoubleDragon’s Hotel101 as the largest hotel company in the Philippines and simultaneously become one of the Top 5 hotel companies in the world
The asset-light Hotel101’s unique and novel concept with one type of room all throughout its ecosystem at an average of about 500 rooms per site, allows DoubleDragon to generate revenue and income twice: first from the preselling of the Hotel101 units, then second, after the project is constructed, it generates recurring revenues from its hotel operations.
Hotel101 adopts dynamic pricing on its room rates via the Hotel101 Global App where its room prices move up and down depending on the real-time supply and demand on the chosen date of booking
PHOENIX Petroleum has partnered with Share Treats, a leading digital treating platform, to offer customers an easier and more convenient way to purchase Phoenix fuel vouchers via the Share Treats app. This partnership enhances accessibility while driving more foot traffic to over 300 participating Phoenix stations nationwide.
“Fueling up has never been this easy,” said Phoenix General Manager for Digital Enterprise Gino Celerian. “Our collaboration with Share Treats allows customers to effortlessly purchase, treat, and redeem Phoenix fuel vouchers, elevating the customer experience and reinforcing our commitment to innovation and convenience.”
Customers can now purchase Phoenix fuel vouchers in P100, P200, and P500 denominations on the Share Treats platforms and channels. The vouchers can be redeemed exclusively through Phoenix’s LIMITLESS app, where users can easily convert Share Treats voucher codes into fuel vouchers. This seamless process provides a hassle-free fueling experience at any Phoenix station that accepts LIMITLESS vouchers, ensuring customers can fuel up quickly and easily wherever they are.
The official contract signing took place on October 14, 2024 at the Phoenix office in Taguig. Present at the event were Phoenix Vice President for Group Marketing Celina Matias, Phoenix General Manager for Digital Enterprise Gino Celerian, Share Treats President and CEO Hong Bae Lee, and Share Treats Group Head for Strategic and Merchant Partnerships Vanessa Lee Cartera.
“We are excited to support Phoenix in elevating convenience to a new level,” said Share Treats President and CEO Hong
Bae Lee. “By embracing digital solutions, Phoenix is providing a modern, seamless fueling experience that fits perfectly with the fast-paced, tech-savvy lifestyles of today’s motorists. With our platform’s 43 million-strong customer base, we look forward to helping Phoenix reach even more customers.”
For more information on how to purchase and redeem Phoenix Fuel Vouchers, visit the Phoenix LIMITLESS app or the LIMITLESS Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/LimitlessLifestylePh.
The Power of Posture: How Tiny Adjustments Lead to Big Results
PICTURE this: you move through your day with ease, your core engaged and your shoulders back. Ideal, right? Yet, reality often means hunching over laptops, slumping on couches, and twisting into awkward positions to retrieve that one elusive sock under the bed. These minor postural habits can add up, leading to aches, pains, and fatigue. The good news is that achieving good posture doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your routine. Small adjustments throughout the day can make a significant difference. Think of posture as a series of building blocks. Sitting up straight at your desk creates a solid base. Balancing your weight evenly while standing prevents unnecessary strain. And when it comes to lifting heavy objects, squatting is your friend.
But a good night’s sleep can elevate your posture to the next level. The Sealy Adjustable Bed system is designed to help you conveniently find your ideal position
and give the correct support of a Posturepedic® mattress.
We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep, but did you know your sleep position can significantly impact your health?
The Sealy Posturepedic® Adjustable Bed System goes beyond comfort by using science to create personalized sleep settings. Imagine drifting off in the Zero Gravity position, which elevates both your head and feet to promote optimal spinal alignment and deeper, more restorative sleep. It’s the recommended sleep position
Belmont Hotel Manila Celebrates Global Handwashing Day For Healthier Communities
BELMONT Hotel Manila proudly supported the Global Handwashing Partnership’s advocacy, which is dedicated to mobilizing communities worldwide to enhance handwashing practices. Global Handwashing Day serves as an important reminder of the vital role proper hand hygiene plays in preventing the spread of diseases, not only within the foodservice industry but also in combating emerging public health threats.
In collaboration with Project Pearls, a nonprofit organization focused on community service and scholarships, Belmont Hotel Manila aims to raise awareness about hand hygiene across various communities, including Tondo, Bulacan, and Naic, Cavite. The hotel provided essential hand hygiene supplies, such as soap and sanitizer, empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to maintain clean hands and reduce the incidence of illness.
To further promote hand cleanliness, the hotel installed plumbing-free handwashing stations called “tippy taps” in Tondo. This practical design encourages effective handwashing without requiring plumbing infrastructure.
This initiative emphasizes that the best defense against many illnesses is consistent handwashing, not costly treatments. Participants will learn how proper hand hygiene can reduce health risks like food poisoning, eye infections, diarrhea, and respiratory issues, contributing to overall well-being.
Belmont Hotel Manila is committed to positively impacting community health and underscores its dedication to sustainability and social responsibility through this initiative. By fostering hand hygiene awareness, the hotel aspires to equip communities with the skills necessary to protect their health while promoting a culture of wellness.
ABSD unveils aerial bathymetric lidar surveying for offshore wind projects
THE Department of Energy (DOE) is on track to introduce the Green Energy Auction (GEA) for offshore wind capacities next year, giving developers an eight-month window to submit bids.
This forthcoming auction has prompted developers to prioritize establishing their projects, though they encounter significant challenges in determining seabed conditions.
Atty. Jose Layug Jr., a former Undersecretary at the DOE, highlighted the importance of the Marine Spatial Plan in this context, as it pinpoints regions deemed unsuitable for offshore wind development, thereby streamlining project planning and implementation.
AB Surveying and Development (ABSD), a trusted partner for renewable energy firms, has brought the Riegl VQ840-G to the Philippines, an advanced Aerial Bathymetric LiDAR system designed for shallow water surveys.
The Riegl VQ-840-G is mounted on a Cessna aircraft and uses a green laser capable of penetrating water. This innovative technology is particularly beneficial for RE firms, especially those involved in offshore wind projects.
The Aerial Bathymetric LiDAR system can cover an area of 20 kilometers in just two minutes, which takes one to two hours with traditional boat-based methods for the same distance. Additionally, boat surveys often face interruptions due to rough sea conditions, while aerial surveys can continue uninterrupted.
by experts as it takes away the strain from your spine and provides a sense of weightlessness, while improving overall blood circulation.
For those who struggle with snoring, the Anti-Snore position offers a gentle incline that can improve breathing and create a quieter sleep experience for you and your partner.
And for those who enjoy a prebed movie marathon, the TV Position provides the perfect balance of comfort and support, reducing strain on your neck and back while you watch your favorite shows.
By making these small but impactful adjustments throughout the day and night, you can transform your posture and overall well-being.
The Sealy Adjustable Bed System, Sealy Posturepedic’s most innovative mattress yet, is available in the Sealy Sleep Boutique in Shangri-La Plaza, Greenbelt 5, focus_ Power Plant Mall, and in the Focus Global showrooms in BGC & Pioneer.
According to ABSD founder and general manager, Engr. Antonio “Tony” Botor, speed is a crucial advantage of Aerial Bathymetric LiDAR Surveying, particularly for offshore wind projects.
“With considerably faster acquisition speed versus other surveying options, aerial bathymetric LiDAR can secure data at a pace that immediately translates to a quick turnaround time for the delivery of the bathymetric map, allowing firms to
design and plan efficiently,” said Botor.
Aerial Bathymetric LiDAR can also provide a comprehensive 3D model of the seabed, eliminating the need for random site checks, as developers can visualize the underwater terrain with precision. It offers a safer and faster alternative for developers who prefer to build in shallow waters, with depths ranging up to 30 meters, depending on the water’s clarity.
Given the vast coastlines of the Philippines, accurate underwater surveys are essential for determining safe docking locations and understanding the depth variations near shorelines, making it crucial for offshore wind projects, and port and pier developers.
This technology was first developed in 2019, making it a relatively new but essential tool for modern surveying.
“Our clients from the renewable energy industry are almost always in a race against time. Our services offer this solution: an expedited establishment of their projects, quicker implementation, and a more timely contribution to renewable energy initiatives,” he added.
When asked why ABSD adopted this technology, Botor explained that the firm sought a faster and more efficient way to gather accurate data underwater. The introduction of Aerial Bathymetric LiDAR filled this gap, providing a seamless solution for both land and water surveys.
ABSD’s portfolio showcases its comprehensive expertise in surveying solutions tailored to the energy industry, including for the power and energy sectors. This includes Aerial LiDAR Surveying for precise mapping and infrastructure planning in onshore renewable projects. For offshore projects, ABSD uses Aerial Bathymetric LiDAR for shallow waters and Multibeam Echosounder (MBES) for deep-water mapping, ensuring detailed underwater surveys. They also offer mobile and terrestrial LiDAR services, catering to different surveying needs.
A recent photo of the 680-room Hotel101-Madrid construction site which is expected to be completed next year in December 2025.
Phoenix Petroleum partners with Share Treats for convenient fuel voucher purchases
PHOENIX General Manager for Digital Enterprise Gino Celerian (2nd from left) and Share Treats President and CEO Hong Bae Lee (3rd from left) seal the partnership with a contract signing held on October 14, 2024 in Taguig. With them are (from left) Phoenix Vice President for Group Marketing Celina Matias and Share Treats Group Head for Strategic and Merchant Partnerships Vanessa Lee Cartera.
BELMONT Hotel Manila team with Project-Pearl Representatives
RIEGL VQ-840-G is an Aerial Bathymetric LiDAR technology that can now be utilized to survey shallow seabed,
Motoring BusinessMirror
NEW KIA CARNIVAL ARRIVES IN THE PHILIPPINES
A“As
Philippines lineup, the Carnival symbolizes family and adventure, and our latest model melds this heritage with unrivaled comfort and state-of-the-art safety and technology. We are excited to remain a part of our customers’ journeys,” said Brian Buendia, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Philippines.
Bold and Sophisticated
SINCE the inception of the model’s new design signature, the Carnival has always been striking and commanding design-wise. The latest version now has a redefined Tiger Nose Grille, unique vertical lamps, and the captivating Star Map Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Additionally, there are the Multi-Faced Reflector Type LED Headlights for impeccable illumination, while the rear has a more refined Star Map graphic rear LED lighting and a newly designed rear skid plate. Exclusive to the SX variant is the unique 19-inch twotone alloy wheel design.
Commitment
Advanced tech
THE new Kia Carnival has a 12.3inch infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless connectivity. It also has a six-speaker sound
Luxurious and Spacious INSIDE , it is all about luxury and advanced technology. The cabin showcases dual sunroofs, providing a spacious ambiance. The best-inclass 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display instrument cluster has all relevant vehicle information through a selection of customizable themes. There is also an automatic climate control system. The taupe and off-black interior finish complement the Premium Relaxation Seats. The EX trim features leatherette seat material, while the SX model has fine leather. The EX variant includes an eight-way power driver seat with 2-way lumbar support and second-row Captain Seats with reclining and manual extended sliding capabilities. On the other hand, the SX model offers an eight-way power driver seat with memory function, four-way lumbar support/ventilation, wireless mobile phone charging, and secondrow Relaxation seats with power reclining, cushion, and leg rest functionality.
BMW has always been a preferred choice of the discriminating. Every time it comes out with a new model, its throng of admirers queue up quick to grab one. I, therefore, give the floor to Brennan Raynor Ramos, a key marketing associate of SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. His discourse on BMW’s latest offering is quite illuminating. Here:
THE BMW XM Label Red, the most powerful BMW M Model ever made, has hit town. This model brings together an M HYBRID system with extra power and bespoke design accents that showcase its standout performance attributes to unmistakable heights.
“Building upon the revolutionary spirit of the BMW XM, we are thrilled to introduce the BMW XM Label Red,” said SMC Asia
Car Distributors Corp. President Spencer Yu. “This limited-edition masterpiece pushes the boundaries of performance and exclusivity even further as it embodies the pinnacle of M performance with its enhanced powertrain. As a testament to our unwavering commitment to luxury, the Label Red offers an unparalleled interior experience. This limitededition model caters to a discerning clientele seeking a unique blend of exhilarating performance, unparalleled luxury and a touch of exclusivity.” Indeed, the BMW XM Label Red redefines high-performance. Its M HYBRID system fuses V8 fury with electric thrust, unleashing a monstrous 748 hp (95 hp more than standard XM).
Torque explodes to a mindbending 1,000 Nm (200 Nm gain). Paired with M xDrive and a precision chassis, this electrified powerhouse delivers unmatched thrills: blistering acceleration, razor-sharp handling and total control.
Serious upgrade
THE BMW XM Label Red’s V8
six USB charging points, and a wireless charger (SX variant). Additional practical amenities include three 12-volt 180-watt outlets in the front, rear, and luggage compartment, along with multiple USB charging ports throughout the vehicle. Boosted diesel power MOTIVATION comes from a 2.2-liter Smartstream turbodiesel engine with
engine gets a serious upgrade with the M TwinPower Turbo technology, maximizing power delivery while keeping emissions in check. It cranks out a mighty 585 hp and 750 Nm torque, perfectly complementing the electric motor’s instant thrust.
The BMW XM Label Red’s electric motor delivers instant punch, thanks to its permanent synchronous design. But the secret weapon is BMW’s pre-gearing tech, boosting torque for exhilarating acceleration that belies the motor’s size. This electric surge complements the V8’s high-revving nature, launching the XM Label Red from 0-100 km/h in a scorching 3.8 seconds.
The advanced battery (25.7 kWh) of the BMW XM Label Red delivers an impressive electric range (76-82 km) for emission-free commutes. It charges quickly (4.25 hours) and features a unique electric soundtrack by Hans Zimmer for an immersive driving experience.
Exclusivity
THE M all-wheel drive prioritizes control, distributing power with
a rearward bias for thrilling dynamics. Selectable 4WD Sand mode tackles off-road challenges, while an electronic rear differential optimizes handling for confident maneuvers on any terrain.
The exterior design of the BMW XM Label Red is a headturning blend of muscularity and refinement. Large, clean lines define the dynamic Sports Activity Vehicle proportions, while an extroverted aesthetic featuring expansive surfaces creates a bold presence. This statement-making design borrows design cues from luxury-class BMW models and adds its own unique touches to further emphasize the Label Red’s performance aspirations.
But exclusivity is where the Label Red truly shines. Limited to only 500 examples worldwide, this variant elevates the experience to new heights.
For the fortunate owners of the limited-edition variant, a special plaque below the control display proudly proclaims, “1 of 500,” solidifying the Label Red’s collectable status. In essence, the XM Label Red is more than just
a car; it’s a rolling statement of power, luxury and exclusivity – a true collector’s dream. The BMW XM Label Red retails at P18,890,000. Every purchase also includes a 5-year BMW factory warranty, and a BMW Wallbox Charger which will be installed in the customer’s home free of charge.
Toyota at PIMS TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) is presently accentuating its global “Beyond Zero” push at the 9th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS).
Organized by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc., Toyota’s theme in the October 24-27 event is “Dare. Drive. The Future Redefined” at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Metro Manila. Falling under its Beyond Zero movement, TMP’s
THE
Kia
Harmie rallies, prevails in challenging conditions
OctOBer 25, 2024
Editor: Jun Lomibao
What stiff neck? Zaragosa’s ahead by 6 shots in Bacolod
RUPERT ZARAGOSA needed a dose of pain relievers as he navigated in tough conditions at the resumption of the weather-suspended second round of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Negros Occidental Classic in Bacolod City on Thursday.
With gusty winds swirling, Zaragosa managed to craft a one-under-par card over the remaining six holes and ended the second round with a 66 and sixunder total of 134 at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club course.
What began as a P2.5 million, 72-hole championship has been reduced to 54 holes because of Typhoon Kristine, which submerged fairways and flooded bunkers, forcing the suspension of the second round Wednesday.
Zaragosa’s ability to remain composed amid such challenges netted him a commanding six-stroke lead over Tony Lascuña, who matched par 70, and Reymon Jaraula, who faltered with a 72, for similar 140s as the second round wrapped up under difficult conditions bordering on the worst seen in years.
Zaragosa’s flightmates, Michael Bibat and Hyun Ro Ho, struggled to recover from their over-par rounds and Bibat hobbled with two dropped shots, finishing with a 75 for 141.
Ho salvaged a birdie on the fifth before dropping two strokes and posting a 72 for 142.
“The course was so tough,” said Zaragosa, commenting on the challenging layout made even more difficult by the strong gusts. “My goal for the last six holes was just to hold par, but I was fortunate to grab a birdie. It was much tougher today than yesterday because the wind was extremely strong, but I stayed committed to my game plan.”
Despite battling a persistent stiff neck that forced him to withdraw last week at Binitin, Zaragosa shrugged off the discomfort with the help of medication.
“Whenever I take medicine, the pain goes away, so I’m able to play properly,” he said.
But it was his determination and ability to adapt to the conditions that have placed him in a prime position to secure his second career win.
Despite missing birdie chances on the final two holes, including a fivefooter that frustratingly lipped out on the ninth, Zaragosa’s perseverance in battling the course and the elements kept him well ahead of the pack. He emphasized the importance of maintaining his approach as he enters the final round with a huge lead, while also acknowledging the need for patience in such challenging conditions.
“There’s nothing to change with my game tomorrow,” Zaragosa said. “The course is so hard, so I just have to stay patient.”
Tony Lascuña, a multi-titled veteran and winner of the Splendido Taal leg in similar stormy conditions, began the day with high hopes but suffered from a double bogey on the par-4 sixth hole, compounded by a bogey on the next.
CARLOS YULO and Hidilyn
Diaz-Naranjo proved Filipinos could become elite athletes but to have more Olympic gold medalists, more funds have to be injected into Philippine sports.
“World class,” said Luis “Chavit” Singson of weightlifter DiazNaranjo, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist in Tokyo 2020, and gymnast Yulo, double gold medalist in Paris 2024.
“I know sports as much as I know politics and I promise to look after the welfare of Filipino athletes, especially those who bring pride and honor to the country in international competitions,” said Singson, who was president of the Philippine National Shooting Association from 2018 to 2022.
Singson, who turned 83 last June 21, is aware of the challenges and difficulties of the Filipino athletes and it begins with the funding from the national government.
“The government should always support our athletes,” he said. “Given the chance, I will help. Whoever seeks help, I will heed.” Singson’s daughter, Ako Ilocano Ako Party-list Rep. Richelle Singson-
Michael, echoed the former Ilocos Norte governor’s concept on producing world-class Filipino ahletes.
“Our athletes need all the support from government and we in congress can help with the budget,” said Singson-Michael, who is seeking reelection next year.
The elder Singson, who is seeking a Senate seat as an independent candidate in next year’s mid-term elections, was PNSA president from 2018 to 2023 but is also known in the global boxing community. He was at Manny Pacquiao’s side when the former senator was establishing to become a world boxing icon and now manages Charly Suarez’s professional career by arranging fights for the Rio de Janeiro Olympian in the US through Bob Arum’s Top Rank promotions.
“He’s got potential and I’m arranging a title fight for Charly in Las Vegas in December,” Singson said.
Suarez scored a third-round knockout of Jorge Castañeda of Arizona last month to snatch the World Boxing Organization International super featherweight belt and become the No. 1 contender in the division.
THBy Josef Ramos
HE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) posted on its website the schedule for the Governors’ Cup Finals beginning with Game 1 this Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center and only up to Game 4 on November 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The PBA might as well book arenas for Games 5 to 7 after the head coaches of the protagonists—Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s Tim Cone and TNT Tropang Giga’s Chot Reyes—predicted they are bound to go the long haul.
“It doesn’t matter if it is going to be a short or long series, but we prepare for a long series especially against TNT,” Cone, a 25-time PBA champion, told BusinessMirror on the sidelines of the pre-Finals press conference on a stormy and raindrenched Thursday afternoon at the
ARMIE CONSTANTINO rallied from three strokes down to beat Sarah Ababa by one stroke, end a prolonged slump and win the typhoon-shortened International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Negros Occidental Classic with a courageous 69 in Bacolod City on Thursday. The victory not only marked the end of Constantino’s struggles—which began in June after a dominant run in the first four legs of this season’s Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT)—but it also reasserted her standing as the country’s premier female golfer with the harsh conditions underscoring her resilience and skill.
“Honestly, it felt like luck,” said Constantino after her hard-fought win. “It didn’t feel like the victory was mine the entire day. I even had a shaky start.” A shaky start indeed as she three-putted No. 7 as play resumed in the final leg that had to be played 36 holes because of Typhoon Kristine.
Constantino assembled a 142 total to clinch the champion’s purse of P117,000 as Ababa closed out with a 75 and Florence
Bisera shot a 73 to finish third at 145. Ababa and Bisera took home
P82,000 and P65,000, respectively.
Heavy rains and fierce winds at mid-morning turned the event, presented by Negros Electric and Power Corp., into a battle for survival as the contenders struggled to stay on course amid the elements.
Players were forced to constantly adjust their strategies as the gusts wreaked havoc on their shots making each stroke a challenge.
Despite trailing by three strokes with six holes to play, Constantino held her nerve and birdied the par-five 14th to force a three-way tie with Ababa and Bisera at five-over and set up a potential playoff.
But a superb bunker shot on No. 16 led to a crucial birdie that gave her the lead and eventually the victory.
“I played well despite the conditions, it was tough to maintain momentum,” said Constantino, who mixed a series of scrambling pars throughout the final round. “The turning point was the birdie on No. 16 from the bunker.”
As Constantino finished her round, she held a one-stroke lead over the final flight of Ababa, Daniella Uy and Gretchen Villacencio and not realizing that she was ahead, Constantino focused on hitting the fairway and securing par on the closing hole.
Ababa, unable to capitalize on the par-five 18th, settled for a two-putt par, giving Constantino her fourth victory at the close of the 10-stage circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
“At that point, I wasn’t aware that I
Atrium of the Enderun College in BGC.
“I think this is going to be a long series and taking Game 1 is important in a long series,” said Reyes in the same press conference presided over by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT and vice chairman Alfrancis Chua of Ginebra. Cone said the Gin Kings have gone through so much in the conference that they’re zeroing in on the crown.
“We are working so hard to be at this point and it was really tough playing in the eliminations, Meralco in the quarterfinals and San Miguel Beer in the semifinals,” Cone said. “It’s going to be disappointing if we do not win this championship, if we do, we will be really ecstatic.”
He added: “We are ready, but TNT is ready for sure…can’t wait for it.”
Reyes, whose back at TNT after his tour of duty with the national team last year, talked about his own
MARVIN PLATA clinched the boys’ 16-and-under crown following a stunning 6-2, 6-2 victory over top seed Kraut Gavin while Stefi Aludo lived up to expectations after sweeping the 16- and 18-and-under girls’ titles in the Rep. Edwin Olivarez National Junior Tennis Championships in Sucat, Parañaque City. The fifth-ranked Plata rode the momentum of his 6-2, 6-2 win romp over Antonio Bengzon in dominating and make his native Tanza in Cavite proud of his accomplishment in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop. The other top seeds, meanwhile,
marquee matchup with Cone that has become a major sidebar to the clash of the PBA titans.
“There are a lot of talk between me and Tim Cone,” Reyes said. “But the players will surely figure out the outcome of the series, so our ‘head-tohead’ doesn’t matter.”
“I’m just very happy to be here playing against a tough Ginebra team and an excellent coach,” he said. “But in the end, everything will go down to the players, on how they will execute their own style of play.”
Cone are 3-3 head-to-head in a Finals series, while Ginebra and TNT are also even at 2-2.
No one could fully describe the mood at Endurun as the calm before the storm—with Typhoon Kristine pummeling almost the entire country the past three days—as the Finals preview bordered on jolly discussions to just some tinge of seriousness.
held firm with Aludo asserting her dominance in the girls’ side of the tournament that was part of a nationwide talent-search program initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro. Aludo, representing the Philippine Tennis Academy, breezed past Ave Maria Policarpio, 6-3, 6-1, in the 16-and-under final before routing Maristella Torrecampo, 6-0, 6-1, to claim the premier 18-and-under title in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and supported by Universal Rankings and Icon Golf & Sports. Policarpio, on the other hand,
But both sides took time from their championship preps—TNT at the Moro Lorenzo Gym inside Ateneo and Ginebra at the Upper Deck in Ortigas—to provide a sneak peek of what’s to come in the series.
“There’s a reason why both teams are here in the Finals and that’s no surprise,” Ginebra’s Maverick Ahanmisi said. “I expect defensive intensity from both teams in this finals series.”
“We are all thrilled to play in the finals again,” TNT’s Calvin Oftana said. “I hope to win my second crown.” Ginebra’s prolific import Justin Brownlee, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, LA Tenorio, Stephon Holt and RJ Abarrientos and TNT’s superlative reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Roger Pogoy, Rey Nambatac and JP Erram also graced the press conference.
Ginebra is chasing its 16th PBA title while TNT is going after its 10th crown.
in the 14-and-U
had taken the lead until the 18th hole,” she said. “I just thought I had to save par.” With previous wins at Palos Verdes, Caliraya Springs and the
LUIS “CHAVIT” SINGSON (left) with daughter Rep. Richelle Singson-Michael.
HARMIE CONSTANTINO says winning in Bacolod feels like lady luck’s on her side. ROY DOMINGO
MARVIN PLATA shows his full potential.
RUPERT ZARAGOSA figures out a way to get out of the trees. ROY DOMINGO
FOR Barangay Ginebra San Miguel during Thursday’s Finals preview are team governor Alfrancis Chua, head coach Tim Cone, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio, Maverick Ahanmisi, Stephon Holt, RJ Abarrientos and Justine Brownlee and for TNT Tropang Giga are league chairman Ricky Vargas, head coach Chot Reyes, Rondae HollisJefferson, Roger Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, JP Erram and Calvin Oftana. At the center with the Governors’ Cup trophy is commissioner Willie Marcial.