BusinessMirror April 21, 2023

rcEP taKES EFFEct

FOr Phl jUnE 2

THE Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will take effect on June 2, 2023, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said.

“The RCEP agreement will enter into force for the Philippines, 60 days from the said deposit of the instrument of ratification and that date of effectivity will be the 2nd of June 2023,” Pascual said at a briefing held at the Malacañang on Thursday.

The Trade chief said the issuance of the executive order (EO) that they presented to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Meeting on Thursday will “operationalize” the implementation of the Philippine tariff commitments under the RCEP agreement. Pascual said the EO is proposed to be effective on June 2,2023 to “coincide” with the end of the 60-day period after the deposit of the instrument of ratification of the mega trade deal.

c h IEF

CJ Gesmundo cites digital push, reforms in judiciary

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573 & Lito Gagni

CHIEF Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo on Thursday provided an update on the High Court’s push for digital initiatives in court procedures as part of a six-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations to streamline court systems and procedures, as well as allow for a more inclusive and responsive judiciary.

Addressing the 35th weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Manila at the Conrad Hotel, the chief magistrate likened the judicial innovations to the four way test of the Rotary’s ideals of truth, fairness, goodwill and being beneficial to all concerned.

“The four-way test encapsu -

“We are revising the entire rules of court and among the innovations that we will propose is, you cannot file a civil case in any court without prior exhaustion of alternative dispute resolution.”

– chief justice alexander g gesmundo

lates the measure” by which court decisions should be made, CJ Gesmundo said, adding that the innovations underway include the review even of law subjects considered out of tune with the times, the need for abbreviated court proceedings and incorporating arbitration as a key to resolving disputes.

THE government is now working to further bring down high inflation and ensure a social protection floor (SPF) framework will be in place to minimize the economic impact of El Niño, which is expected to severely affect the country by the last quarter of the year.

justice a exander g gesmundo (upper photo) addresses the rotary club of Manila’s 35th Weekly Membership Meeting on thur sday, april 20,

conrad hotel. he updated rotarians on the high court’s digital push and other reforms to unclog courts, hasten the judicial process and make courts more responsive. above, gesmundo (fourth from left, second row) joins rcM officers and members, including former Interior Secretary rafael alunan III, Mr. jackie rodriguez and at ty. alex cureg. Story at upper right NONOY LACZA/ SUSAN CAMBRI

DTI chief pleads for extension of SIM listing for MSMEs’ sake

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

TRADE Secretary Alfre -

do E. Pascual on Thursday personally backed c alls for the extension of the deadline for the registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, noting this is crucial in hastening the march to digital payments, especially for small and medium enterprises.

Pascual said the government

should consider a longer registration period amid reports less than half of SIM card holders have registered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

He reiterated the importance of ensuring most SIM cards are registered in boosting online transactions for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME).

“SIM registration is very important as we move towards digital p ayments. And digital payments are what we need to happen to further

Gesmundo…

The Chief Justice said the Rules of Court are to be reviewed and changes incorporated to keep pace with the Supreme Court’s thrust to unclog the court dockets. One example: sometimes court proceedings involve the unnecessary reading of a motion by the judge. In its place, he added , will be a 15-day deadline for the judge to act on the motion.

One key revision contemplated in the Rules of Court involve the need for a party in a civil case to first exhaust the arbitral procedure before the case can be filed.

ADR a must A S k E D i n the open forum to elaborate, he said

Continued from A1

the Supreme Court is eyeing to bar the filing of civil actions directly before the courts as part of its program to decongest courts dockets and address delays in the resolution of cases.

“ l e t me share with you what’s happening in the Court. As I said earlier, we are revising the entire rules of court and among the innovations that we will propose is, you cannot file a civil case in any court without prior exhaustion of alternative dispute resolution,”

CJ Gesmundo said.

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) refers to resolving disputes without litigation or through out-of-court settlement.

Among the agencies allowed to use ADR

promote and develop our MSMEs because that is how they can facilitate a ccessing the market and being able to sell online,” Pascual explained.

“If you are dealing with payments, you have to be sure that the communication is coming from a known s ource rather than from an unregistered SIM,” he added.

Under Republic Act No. 11934 or the SIM Registration Act, all unregistered SIM cards will be deactivated.

I t was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. “to

are the k at arungang Pambarangay, the Philippine Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (PCIAC), the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc., the National Conciliation and Mediation Board and several others.

Gesmundo said parties in a civil case should resort first to ADR prior to bringing the case before the court.

“You resort to that in good faith because otherwise you cannot file a case, a civil action before any court unless you have proven this alternative mode of dispute resolution,” he explained.

The use of ADR to settle civil cases, according to CJ Gesmundo, should be a “precedent condition” prior to the filing in court.

“So let’s try to explore the avenue of making it a precedent condition, show us first that you exhausted alternative dispute resolution,

RCEP…

Continued from A1

p romote the responsible use of SIM cards and provide law enforcement agencies the necessary tools t o crackdown on perpetrators who use SIMS for their crimes.”

On Wednesday, DICT announced it will not extend the April 26, 2023 deadline for the SIM card registration.

T his despite the appeals from telecommunication providers to reset the deadline to a later date to allow more of their subscribers to register their SIM Cards.

mediation or whatever before you can file a case in court,” he added.

In order to ensure that agreements reached through ADR mechanisms are executed, Gesmundo said parties should come to court and file a petition for judicial confirmation of settlement.

“That decision becomes final immediately and subject to execution. That will protect both parties and ensure that the agreement is executed.”

In an ambush interview, Gesmundo told BusinessMirror that ADR would serve as “filtering mechanisms” to prevent the clogging of dockets with cases that may be resolved through either mediation, arbitration or conciliation.

He said the proposal will cover all types of civil cases.

In his speech before the RCM’s officials and members, CJ Gesmundo discussed his programs anew under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI), the blueprint of the judiciary for 2022-2027 that is envisioned to hasten court proceedings, processes and resolution of cases.

The SPJI is a plan to review and assess the organizational structure and operations of the various offices of the judiciary, and to develop and establish its information and communications technology infrastructure for the delivery of “responsive and real-time justice.”

He also cited recent accomplishments of the Court under the SPJI: promulgation of the so-called bible for legal practitioners, the new Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), containing new l a wyers’ Oath that reflects the true duties and responsibilities of lawyers in the country; the adoption of the Guidelines for the Use of Gender Fair l an guage in the Judiciary and Gender-Fair Courtroom Etiquette; updating of the Code of Judicial Conduct and the revision of Rule 140 of the Rules of Curt on the discipline of members, officials, employees, and personnel of the judiciary.

“The SPJI is only the beginning, but we believe it will set the groundwork for an ever-improving judiciary. By improving the judiciary’s ability to serve the public through increased efficiency, continuing innovation, and measures to ensure the accessibility of the courts to all, the judiciary will better realize its duty of dispensing justice and safeguarding human and constitutional rights,” the Chief Justice said.

Next year, the Rules of Court are expected to have been revised, CJ Gesmundo said, adding that rules that contribute to the clogging of court dockets will be fine-tuned to keep with the mandate of the Supreme Court to do away with lengthy court decisions.

In the future all court filings will be in digital format, a way forward for the embrace of technology that the High Court has envisioned. The e-filings will allow everyone to have access to “effective platform” and obtain redress.

The six-year strategic plan which will culminate in 2027 or a year after the tenure of CJ Gesmundo, is a plan with clear guiding principles, definite work plan and a portfolio of projects and achievable outcomes.

This includes the dispatch of Justice on Wheels to courts that have clogged dockets . The Justice on Wheels involve the use of specially marked buses that will hear cases with judges inside the buses. This is part of the agenda of CJ Gesmundo when he took over as the 27th chief magistrate.

The chief justice revealed that the strict setting of deadlines arose from his earlier work as a financial journalist in the Business Day where he pore over financial statements, reviewed them and submitted stories within the set deadlines.

His training as a journalist came in handy, said Gesmundo, when the strategic initiatives were conceptualized to address court case clogging ensure that even the marginalized sector get a shot at justice and even redesign the Rules of Court

Once issued, the EO shall be the basis of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for the issuance of Customs administrative order which shall be distributed to all ports to allow for the implementation of the preferential tariffs on e-ports from RCEP member countries, the Trade chief said.

According to Pascual, the issuance of the EO to implement the Philippines’s schedule of tariff commitments is pursuant to a provision in Republic Act that created the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

“This section provides the President shall upon recommendation of the NEDA Board modify, import duties including any necessary change in classification and other import restrictions as required appropriate to carry out and promote foreign trade with other countries,” Pascual said.

Pascual said the Joint Cabinet Committee had earlier endorsed this draft EO subject to Senate concurrence and the EO presented for endorsement to the NEDA Board will implement Annexes A to F— which he said is the “meat” of the EO, Annexes A to F of the Philippine schedule of tariff commitments under RCEP agreement.

“Essentially the EO will maintain current preferential tariffs on about 98.1 percent of the 1,718 agricultural tariff lines and 82.7 percent of the 8,102 industrial tariff lines,” Pascual added.

Of the 1,685 agricultural tariff lines retained at current rates, 1,426 tariff lines are maintained at zero while 154 tariff lines will remain in their respective most favored MFN rates or Most Favored Nation rates

Social…

Continued from A1

In a press conference in Malacañang on Thursday, NEDA Director General Arsenio

M. Balisacan stressed the importance of keeping inflation in check before the arrival of El Niño, which will cut agricultural production, leading to higher prices for basic goods.

“The elevated inflation that we have now, if we are unable to reduce that inflation, and then you get this El Niño phenomenon—that is a dangerous combination and we want to prevent that from happening,” Balisacan said.

The country remains exposed to economic and environmental risks, including climate change, supply chain disruptions, and job losses—which could prevent the most vulnerable in society from coping with these challenges. Institutionalizing an SPF would reduce these risks for the most vulnerable, he asserted.

“The intention is to institutionalize the existing programs, especially those that have been proven to work so that we don’t have to restart all over again when there is a need to provide support to vulnerable groups,” Balisacan explained on Thursday.

Currently, he said the country has already brought inflation to a “downward trajectory.”

“We are actively monitoring the situation and implementing the necessary measures to ensure that by the end of the year, we should be on our target of roughly around 4 percent and at 3.5 to 4 percent,” Balisacan said.

Headline inflation rate in January was at 8.7 percent before slowing down to 8.6 percent in February and 7.6 percent last March.

Mitigation measures

T HE NE DA official said soaring inflation worsened by El Niño will be particularly detrimental for the poor.

The SPF framework endorsed by the Social Development Committee of the Cabinet, he said, will help ensure the marginalized remain protected during El Niño and future crises.

NEDA said the framework will institutionalize the existing programs of the government “that aim to prevent or alleviate poverty vulnerability and social exclusion.”

He recalled that they had been pitch -

and excluded from any tariff concession, Pascual said.

Meanwhile, he noted that agricultural tariffs on 105 lines which are in the sensitive and highly sensitive list shall generally be lower than MFN rates in the 20th year of RCEP but still higher or on a par with the ASEAN +1 rates.

“So in other words, there is really not going below the ASEAN +1 rates to which the Philippines is already committed,” Pascual said.

But, for the remaining 33 lines which Pascual deemed “important,” he said the EO will reduce tariff rates upon entry into force or implement gradual reduction over a period of 15 to 20 years.

These tariff lines, Pascual said, will involve agricultural products which are “not really being produced very much in the Philippines.”

Moving forward, the Trade chief assured businesses and industry groups, among others, that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will to a “more detailed” educational campaign with industry organizations, with sectoral groups, to be able to explain the benefits that each of these industries can gain from the mega trade deal.

“And after that educational campaign and maybe towards the tail end of the educational campaign, we’ll start establishing assistance centers for businesses for possible assistance that we might be able to give to further help them implement the RCEP provisions that will favorably affect their industry,” Pascual said.

Meanwhile, Pascual said the Trade department will launch the Export Development Plan on June 9. He said the launch of the Plan in June “will be an international trade forum” on the benefits that businesses and the country as a whole can gain from RCEP.

Andrea E. San Juan

ing social protection earlier, since 2014, so that “when you have events like that, we prevent people from falling into poverty,” because, he noted, “once they fall, it’s extremely difficult for them to go up and we don’t want that.”

He urged concerned government agencies to put in place all measures to mitigate the impact of El Niño this year using their existing resources under the 2023 national budget.

“Of course the next step is to look at the budget and how it [mitigation measures] can, for example, influence the budget allocation for 2024,” Balisacan said.

On Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the country is expected to suffer the worst effects of El Niño during the last quarter of the year or the first quarter of 2024.

4 guarantees B A l I SACAN s aid the SPF consists of four basic guarantees that cover the entire life cycle—health, including maternity care; children; active age; and older persons.

In a phone interview with BusinessMirror, Neda Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon explained that during discussions on the SPF, it was found that existing social protection schemes in the country, though effective, need to be enhanced.

One example: teenage mothers and their children or informal sector workers need social protection as their incomes may not be enough for their families.

There are also Filipinos who do not receive assistance from the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program but remain vulnerable to various risks, she added.

Through the institutionalization of the SPF, these gaps in social protection will be addressed. Efforts to address them will be done in phases, Edillon said, and will be subject to the availability of financing. Edillon said enhancing programs will also include safeguards such as in the extension of unemployment insurance. Filipinos who lose their jobs will be eligible for assistance if they are actively seeking employment or are enrolled in some form of training, retraining, or upskilling program.

“Today’s approval of the government Social Protection Floor is a significant progress in our country’s development history. This is a manifestation of the government’s commitment to significantly reduce poverty incidence and promote inclusive growth,” Balisacan said.

Senators eye poll reset in NegOcc, other areas

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SEN. Francis Tolentino, citing recent escalation of violent incidents, pressed for the postponement of the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental.

A iring growing concerns over looming threats to the current peace and order situation, Tolentino is pushing to reschedule the local elections in Negros Oriental invoking the current peace and order situation in the province.

The senator conveyed his proposal at the continuation of the inquiry of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs in connection with the recent assassination of former Governor Roel Degamo as well other pending violence-related cases in Negros Oriental. “Kung sasang-ayunan niyo po ako —of course, this is with the concurrence of other colleagues and the Commission on Elections— i-postpone po natin ang Barangay [and SK] elections sa Negros Oriental… Kung i-postpone po iyon magkakaroon ng mas malakas na momentum ang ating peacekeeping forces. Pagkatapos ng ibang trabaho, mame -maintain ‘yung law and order sa Negros Oriental,” Tolentino explained.

As current chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Tolentino warned that the present political atmosphere in Negros Oriental may lead to further chaos, especially if the Barangay and SK polls should proceed in the province this coming last week of October.

The senator suggested to the investigating panel, chaired by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, to once again invite Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia at the next Senate hearing in connection with the proposal.

In turn, Degamo’s widow, Pam-

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has embarked on a groundbreaking P100million road project in what the agency’s officials in the Bicol Region believe would revolutionize rural transportation and improve the lives of over 1,500 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) in Albay Province.

T he DAR has partnered with the local government unit (LGU) of Guinobatan town to commence the concreting of the 5.626-kilometer

Calzada-Malabnig-Mapaco-Mauraro road within the Mayon-Southland Guinobatan agrarian reform community (ARC), Asst. Regional Director for Administration Rodrigo O. Realubit said in a statement.

T he project, he said, symbolizes the continued partnership between DAR and LGUs, which showcases government efforts to develop the countryside by providing muchneeded infrastructures.

DAR Bicol Regional Director

Reuben Theodore C. Sindac said the project is a crucial step towards improving agricultural production and reducing hunger in the region.

T he project is part of the 9-point

plona town Mayor Janice Degamo, welcomed the Tolentino proposal, noting that it will “definitely help pacify the current political climate in her province.”

This, as Tolentino earlier asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to set up a Special Prosecution Task Force in Negros Oriental, which will help hasten the progress of violencerelated cases pending before various trial courts in the said province.

At the same hearing, Sen. Robinhood Padilla pressed for an “end to the impunity in Negros Oriental, as punctuated by the fact that those linked to the killing of Degamo are members of the Philippine National Police [PNP] who were entrusted to protect and serve the people.”

At the resumption of the inquiry by the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Wednesday on Degamo’s assassination, Padilla deplored it was “not acceptable for the police to commit such heinous crime after they were trained using government funds.”

The senator stressed that the issue being tackled by the committee is “very much complicated” but added that “the main problem is not lost: the lack of trust in our police, the continued impunity in Negros, and the destruction of the name of the institution because of the scalawags that continue to destroy the foundation of the PNP.”

M oreover, Padilla asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines if its leaders “could possibly take over Negros Oriental and address the problem in the area.”

I n turn, Sen. Grace Poe conveyed the belief that “the police officer involved in the attack on businessmen Anthony Jason Ong and Sandy Tinguha in Dumaguete City in 2021 is being backed by a ‘big time’ individual.”

CPP presents own version on ‘capture, killing’ of Tiamzon couple, ten others

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

mittee, while Wilma, 70, was the CPP’s secretary general.

At the time of their capture, the two “were traveling with Ka Divino [Joel Arceo], a sub-regional secretary in Eastern Visayas, along with Ka Yen, Ka Jaja, Ka Matt, Ka Ash, Ka Delfin, Ka Lupe, Ka Butig [Catbalogan 10], who all belonged to the guerrilla force of the central headquarters,” according to Valbuena.

DNA to ascertain their identities. The lag in confirming the killings of the couple was explained by Valbuena.

agenda of DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella, which aims to provide improved rural infrastructures, strengthen food security, and reduce poverty in the country.

Realubit revealed that 30 percent of the budget from the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF) has already been downloaded to the LGU of Guinobatan after the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by Estrella and Mayor Paul Garcia last December 28, 2022.

Under the agreement, agrarian reform beneficiaries and out-of-school youths will be provided employment opportunities by hiring them as laborers.

T his move is expected to generate additional income for these groups, which will ultimately improve their economic standing, he added.

A lbay agrarian reform chief Engr.

Ma. Eugenia M. Alteza added that the improved road infrastructure will not only benefit the ARBs but also the wider community as it would allow them to reach their farms and transport agricultural produce to traders and consumers faster.

This project has the potential to transform the lives of thousands of people in Albay and help the region achieve economic growth,” said Alteza.

T he deaths of the couple were confirmed by Marco Valbuena, chief information officer of the CPP in a statement, and belied the earlier claims of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that the Tiamzons “could” have been killed in a boat explosion during a clash with soldiers in Samar last year.

The military, through its public affairs office chief, Col. Jorry Baclor, is yet to issue a statement on the claims of Valbuena. Baclor said he is still waiting for “approval” from higher ups on the release of the military statement.

Valbuena said that according to the CPP’s political bureau, the Tiamzons were traveling on two separate vans along the national highway “eastwards towards Catbalogan City” on August 21, 2022 when they were apprehended by soldiers.

The CPP said, “they were flagged down between 12:00 noon and 1:00 in the afternoon, after which all communications with the group were lost,” adding “they were unarmed.” Valbuena said that at the time of the “murder,” Benito, 71, was the chairman of the CPP executive com-

“The entire leadership and membership of the Communist Party of the Philippines condemns in the strongest terms the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the brutal torture and cowardly killing of Party leaders Benito Tiamzon (Ka Laan) and Wilma Austria-Tiamzon (Ka Bagongtao), together with eight other revolutionaries after they were captured in Samar province on August 21, 2022,” Valbuena said.

The military said last year that a boat bearing armed men exploded on August 21, 2022 in Catbalogan City, Samar during its interdiction operation. While reports initially claimed that the Tiamzons were among the occupants of the boat, these could not be confirmed by the military.

Two weeks later, the military said it was still subjecting the remains to

Rep. Duterte, four other solons, press passage of bill on single-use plastic law

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

LAWMAKERS are pressing for the passage of a measure that aims to regulate the manufacture, sale, use and importation of single-use plastics products, in line with his advocacy of building a greener and more sustainable economy for the country’s future generations.

Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, Quezon City Second District Rep. Ralph Tulfo and ACT-CIS Party-list Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo reiterated their call as the country marks the Month of Planet Earth this April and Earth Day on Saturday, April 22.

Under House Bill (HB) 507 filed by the five lawmakers, regulating non-compostable single-use plastics also cover the distribution, recovery, collection, recycling and disposal of these products.

As we mark Earth Day on April 22, I urge my colleagues in Congress to act on this bill and similar other pending measures so that we can finally phase out single-use plastic products, which remain among the most pervasive kind of waste that pollute our land, choke our oceans and bring harm to our precious marine resources,” Duterte said.

Duterte pointed out that in Davao City, an ordinance that bans singleuse plastics, and regulating their sale and distribution, has been in place since 2021. His congressional district office in Davao City also earlier launched the “Save the Earth-No to Plastics Bags” movement.

W hile the House of Representatives had already approved on third and final reading a bill that would impose a P100 excise tax on every kilogram of single-use plastic bags,

a measure regulating the eventual phase out of these and other similar products, along with the proper way of recycling and disposal have yet to be enacted, Duterte said.

Duterte said their proposal under HB 507 covers other single-use plastics, such as plastic utensils and tableware, containers, packaging, drinking straws, stirrers, sachets and pouches. Duterte and his fellow authors proposed that single-use plastics may be gradually phased out within a period of 1 to 4 years.

HB 507 “seeks to develop an integrated and comprehensive policy for plastic waste management, particularly the regulation of the production, importation, sale, distribution, provision, use, recovery, collection, recycling, and disposal of single-use plastics,” the bill’s authors said.

T hey pointed out the Philippines is one of the world’s worst offenders when it comes to marine plastic pollution, with 280,000 to 750,000 tons per year of plastic entering the oceans from the coastal areas of Manila Bay.

“ This is equivalent to 60 billion plastic sachets per year, majority of which are single-use plastics such as plastic drinking bottles, bottle caps, food wrappers, plastic grocery bags, plastic lids, straws and stirrers, other types of plastic bags, and foam take-away containers,” the bill’s authors said.

As a consequence, economic growth, combined with enhanced production and consumption, is leading to higher waste generation in our country,” they added.

T he Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the National Solid Waste Management Commission, is tasked as the primary agency responsible for imple -

menting and enforcing HB 507’s provisions when it becomes a law.

Under the bill, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in cooperation with the DENR, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and in consultation with stakeholders, shall formulate a Consumption, Reduction and Recovery program for single-use plastic products.

Such measures shall include national consumption reduction, waste recovery targets, and other measures ensuring that reusable and compostable alternatives to single-use plastic products are made available, and that the said products are not free of charge at the point-of-sale to the final consumer,” the bill states.

Commercial establishments under the bill are required to promote reusable, recyclable, and retrievable products in their stores; charge P5.00 from customers for every plastic bag or single-use plastic used for take-out food or delivery service, and encourage customer return of used plastic products to the store.

T he Department of Finance (DOF), DILG and DTI is tasked under the bill to establish mechanisms that will provide fiscal and non-fiscal rewards and incentives to encourage manufacturers, importers, sellers, and end users to participate in programs geared towards phasing out single-use plastics.

Together with the Departments of Education (DepEd), Interior and Local Government shall also draw up an information campaign to educate the public about the negative impact of single-use plastics on the environment and the best practices to reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover these products.

House Speaker cites gains in meeting with US counterpart McCarthy

FOLLOWING a historic and fruitful meeting between Philippine lawmakers and United States House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez revealed they have agreed on better linkages, synergy, coordination, and sharing of best practices.

“Our meeting proved fruitful as the Philippine delegation managed to impress on Speaker McCarthy

the need for the legislative representatives of the two countries to ramp up discussions on how to further boost US-Philippine relations,” Romualdez said.

Philippine-US relations remain strong. Our security alliance under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty is ironclad. Our economic partnership is robust. And the friendship between our two peo -

ples is solid,” he stressed.

It was the first interaction between the House Speakers of the two countries in recent years.

“ We were thankful that the Speaker shared our ideals and agreed to continue similar discussions in the future,” he said.

T he House leader invited his counterpart and the third highest-ranking US official to visit the Philippines

soon and attend the country’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).

T he two leaders met at the US Capitol on Wednesday (Manila time), shortly before Speaker Romualdez flew to Boston to honor an invitation to Speaker before Harvard University officials, faculty members and students on Philippine-US security cooperation, and regional and domestic

“It explained that it took several weeks to establish the veracity of the reports which the Armed Forces of the Philippines released around that time. It also had to conduct months of investigation to piece together the details of the capture and subsequent massacre of the Tiamzons,” he said.

“According to the information gathered by the Central Committee, the Tiamzons suffered severe beating in the hands of their captors. Internal reports cited witnesses who saw how the faces and bodies of the victims were smashed, apparently beaten with hard objects,” he added.

Valbuena added: “The claimed midsea firefight and explosion were all a drama hatched by the AFP and its US military advisers, to hide all evidence of the ignominy of their fascist crime. In truth, the already lifeless bodies of the Tiamzons and their group were dumped on a motorboat filled with explosives, and tugged from Catbalogan midway towards Taranganan Island before it was detonated. Only eight bodies were subsequently retrieved by the military.”

SC clears Gen. Ligot, wife in P458-million tax evasion case

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the decision issued by the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) acquitting retired Lt. Gen. Jacinto C. Ligot and wife Erlinda of four counts of tax evasion on account of underdeclaration of income from 2001 to 2004 amounting P458 million.

In a 20-page decision penned by Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul Inting, the SC’s Third Division held that the CTA Third Division did not commit grave abuse of discretion in dismissing the tax evasion case against the Ligots.

The CTA Third Division, in a ruling issued last January 8, 2019, declared that the prosecution failed to prove that the couple are guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Sections 254 (Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax) and 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 or the Tax Code.

On October 5, 2019, the CTA issued a resolution denying the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

T he case stemmed from the investigation conducted by the BIR on the books of account of the respondents, which showed real and personal tangible properties which they acquired either directly by any one of them or indirectly through a third person during the taxable years 2001 to 2004.

T hese include several parcels of land, condominium units, a Toyota Hilux vehicle, bank deposits and other properties.

peace, stability and economic issues.

“Our message to the US legislators was clear. The US-Philippine relation is strong, and is reaching new heights and levels of understanding under the administrations of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and US President Joe Biden. Our defense and security arrangements are solid, and our bilateral strategic partnership is working,” he said. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

T he investigation showed that the spouses’ property acquisitions, bank deposits and investments to be grossly disproportionate to what they actually declared in their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and Income Tax Return.

In junking the tax evasion case, the CTA ruled that the prosecution’s theory in all four criminal cases was founded largely on the alleged existence of the spouses’ bank deposits, investments, and other financial affairs.

THE Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) officially confirmed on Thursday the deaths of its two highest leaders, Benito Tiamzon and his wife, Wilma, even as the outlawed group accused the military of allegedly holding them captives, torturing and killing them, along with 10 others.

DAR breaks ground for ₧100-M Albay road-concreting project

• Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Govt primes PHL’s high-value crop harvest for global market

By Raadee S. Sausa @raadeeboy

THE Marcos administration has firmed up its direction in crafting viable strategies that will ensure the delivery exportcompetitive agriculture products to the global market, a Department of Agriculture (DA) official revealed on Thursday.

“Our theme this year responds to the direction of our President and our DA Secretary, His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to lead the way in order for us to make our strategies congruent to strategizing, clustering, and optimizing toward becoming more export-oriented and being quality competitive,” Gerald

Glenn Panganiban, director of DA’s High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), said.

“Not all Philippine crops are currently positioned for export, but there are definitely bright spots,” he said during the celebration of the 2nd High Value Crops (HVC) Week with the theme, “Green Revolution: Road Towards Exportation.”

Panganiban also recognized the support of the stakeholders, including the producers and exporters as DA partners in elevating the export potential of local agri-fishery commodities through the years.

For her part, Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian

Reform, expressed her support to the implementation of the program.

We should give more emphasis now to the high value crops,” she said.

T he senator cited findings that as an economy grow, it tends to move out of subsistence food crop production to a diversified market-oriented production system.

Villar added “economic development in other countries has been accompanied by a shift in the product mix from food staples to HVCs, livestock and poultry.”

Furthermore, following this year’s HVC Week, the HVCDP will showcase success stories and efforts toward increasing the sufficiency of HVC commodities, developing the industries,

and eventually marking the position of Philippine high-value crops in the world market.

T he celebration also aims to encourage more Filipinos to engage in HVC farming, processing, and/ or exporting activities for higher income and to promote good agricultural practices and systems to achieve the production of exportgrade agri products.

T he HVC week is celebrated every April to mark the implementation anniversary of the Republic Act 7900 or the High-Value Crops Development Act of 1995, which aims at promoting the production, processing, marketing and distribution of high-value crops.

Pedestrian walkway project to boost Metro tourism–DOTr

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) will be pushing forward in constructing an elevated pedestrian walkway along Edsa to ease the commuting public’s woes, and improve Metro Manila’s profile as a tourism destination.

I n his remarks at the first Grand Tourism Awards of the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) on Thursday, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the Edsa Greenways Project will provide commuters with an environment-friendly, five-kilometer elevated walkway along the major thoroughfare. “The covered green walkways will connect MRT 3 sta -

tions to other modes of transport [and improve] pedestrian facilities and enhancing accessibility to persons with disabilities, the elderly, and the very young.”

Phase 1 of the project, will cover Balintawak and Cubao stations in Quezon City, Guadalupe in Makati, and the Taft Station in Pasay. “These Greenways will be a welcome treat to tourists who prefer exploring [the metropolis] using public transport such as MRT 3,” he said. The $164.3-million (P8.87billion) project will be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with a loan amounting to $123 million (roughly P6.64 bil -

lion). Government counterpart funding amounts to $41.3 million (P2.2 billion).

A ccording to a project brief from the ADB, the walkways will be covered and fitted with proper lighting fixtures, along with elevators attached. The DOTr will be bidding out the project after finalizing its details. The project was earlier slated for completion in 2024 but never got off the ground due to the pandemic, which halted the bidding process in 2021.

Tourist arrivals reach 1.6M

as of April 13

BAUTISTA received a special cita -

tion from the MOPC for his efforts in providing convenient, accessible, safe, and affordable mass transportation, and improving the country’s transport infrastructure that helps boost the attractiveness of the Philippines as a major tourism destination.

From January 1 to April 13, some 1.58 million international tourists arrived in the Philippines, of which 92 percent of 1.45 million were foreigners, while the rest were overseas Filipinos, or Philippine passport holders residing permanently abroad, according to latest data from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

RESIDENTS and locators of New Clark City (NCC) would be able to enjoy low-cost and reliable electricity supply once the proposed 37-hectare solar farm project currently being bidded out by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is completed.

L ocated at the northernmost portion of NCC, the subject property for the solar farm project enjoys a strategic location, being only roughly 3 kilometers away from the NCC substation operated by Shin Clark Power Corp.

T his would give the winning bidder the option to tap the power distribution facilities of Shin Clark, which would require the construction of a shorter transmission line and translate to lower capital expenditures for the developer.

Moreover, the power plant’s close proximity to the substation would eliminate the need to connect to the national grid, reducing one layer to the electricity supply chain and lowering transmission costs.

The BCDA strives to provide convenient and cost-efficient services to attract more investments and residents to locate in New Clark City. With this in mind, we are offering this strategically located property for the solar power plant project, as it would allow direct access to the existing New Clark City substation, and create what we call an ‘embedded electricity network’ within New Clark City,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Aileen R. Zosa said.

Zosa explained that with an embedded electricity network, BCDA and its partners would be able to generate and deliver power supply directly to customers within NCC.

This independent network is also expected to be less susceptible to incidents and disruptions, thus contributing to a reliable power supply for the locators and residents of NCC.

A side from residents and locators inside NCC, the solar power plant may also be able to service customers in nearby communities by connecting to the grid and leveraging on the transmission line to be built by Shin Clark, which will link the NCC substation to the Dolores substation. The Dolores substation is approximately 20 kilometers away and is operated by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

With the aggressive development of New Clark City, the demand for electricity will also grow. Our prospective partner for this project will be able to tap this huge market consisting of industrial, retail, and residential customers. Not only that, they may be able to service nearby communities, as well,” Zosa said.

T he BCDA is currently inviting all interested private companies to participate in the bid for the longterm lease of a 37-hectare property in NCC, and the development of a solar farm with a capacity of at least 25 megawatts and an investment of at least P1 billion.

T his is part of the sustainability initiatives of BCDA in NCC, and is in line with the Marcos administration’s thrust to promote renewable energy sources in the country.

Interested bidders have until May 2, 2023, 11:00 a.m. to submit their bids and documentary requirements. The BCDA aims to finalize the bidding and award the contract in May this year.

BCDA’s solar farm seen to provide cheap, reliable power supply in NCC

AHOUSE deputy speaker on Thursday urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent the estate tax amnesty bill so “people can save billions and the government to earn billions.”

Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto, in a statement, said the President should certify as urgent the House bill extending the deadline of the estate tax amnesty for another two years.

People will save billions while the government will earn billions by simply moving the June 14, 2023 deadline to June 14, 2025,” he said.

“A one-sentence letter from the President supporting a one-line bill will make this a reality,” Recto said.

Recto said the extension is an “act of kindness” to seniors whose vulnerability during the 30 months the pandemic prevented them from availing of the amnesty.

Putting a deceased loved one’s properties in order was also a casualty of Covid,” Recto said.

“ If government had extended ‘lifelines, bailouts in the billions’ to distressed commercial firms

Salceda: Let’s do away with police, NBI clearance requirement after data breach

during the pandemic, then why should not the same compassion be extended to families, more so that it won’t cost the government anything?” added Recto.

W hile in the Senate, Recto was among the authors of Republic Act 11213, a 2019 law, which erased the penalties and significantly cut the rates for estate tax obligations.

B ut the period to avail of the one-time tax relief coincided with the pandemic, prompting Congress to pass what would become RA 11569 which extended the amnesty period by two years to June 14, 2023.

Recto said another justification for the proposed extension is the lower-than-projected government collections from the program.

W hen RA 11213 came into force in 2019, “the forecast revenue was in the P6 billion to P8 billion range, but actual take as of end of 2021 was P5.5 billion,” he said.

I n addition to erasing penalties, Recto said the Estate Tax Amnesty law slashed the final rate.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

normalize due diligence among employers?” he added.

Otherwise, you have a system where no good deed goes unpunished. For following the law, you are hassled with having to prove it. That’s insane. We can frankly abolish these clearances for most cases,” Salceda added.

A ccording to Salceda, government agencies may not have the in-house capacity to guard personal data, “so we should minimize personal data collection whenever we can.”

Privacy Commission (NPC) to ensure that all data collected under the SIM Card Registration law should be well guarded and secure.

SIM Card registries will be the largest source of personal data in the country. So, they will be targets. I call on the NTC and the NPC to make the necessary reviews and proactive measures to ensure that a similar data breach will not take place in SIM registries,” he said.

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda made the statement in response to a recent reported breach of personal data of as many as 1 million Filipinos stored in an exposed and compromised database of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“ Frankly, the PNP and other law enforcement agencies should not be in the business of storing the per -

sonal data of law-abiding citizens. And besides, that distracts from their law enforcement functions,” Salceda said.

“ If you are involved in some crime, we can probably get your data easily anyway. Rather than putting ordinary law-abiding citizens through the hassle and expense of clearances, as well as the risk of data breach, why don’t we

“ You have under 100,000 crimes in the country every year. But 99.9 percent of the population has to get a clearance, saying they do not have trouble with the law. It really makes no sense. It’s expensive for jobseekers, it’s distracting for law enforcement, and it’s a waste of time for employers,” he said.

Ensure data security

MEANWHILE , Salceda called on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the National

That probably means a periodic audit of privacy protocols of telecommunications companies by the NPC. And that has to be sooner rather than later,” he added.

T he lawmaker said that handlers of personal data under SIM Card Registration, such as LGUs who do registration activities, should be more guarded about the data of their clients.

“LGUs [local government units] are holding their own SIM Card registration activities. That’s great, but we need a baseline of rules and protections,” Salceda added.

ABRONZE-PLATED bust of the late Bicolano statesman, former Senator Raul S. Roco, was unveiled and dedicated to honor his memory and legacy.

I n a fitting ceremony held on March 21, 2023, the artwork was installed inside the Raul S. Roco Library and Museum inside the Naga City Hall Complex. The bust was commissioned by Stronghold Insurance, and sculpted by Prof. Manolo Sicat of the UP College of Fine Arts.

T he event coincided with the 63rd anniversary of Stronghold Insurance, which has established 12 business offices in Bicolandia.

Mr. David Mercado Sr., founder and the current chairman emeritus of Stronghold, and the late Senator Roco were the best of friends for decades.  Mr. Mercado was a strong supporter of Sen. Roco in all his political campaigns.

A lthough Sen. Roco failed in his two presidential bids, their friendship remained until Sen. Roco’s death in 2005.  In his words, Mr. Romulo I. delos Reyes Jr., President & General Manager of Stronghold, declared that Stronghold is “truly grateful to honor the friendship of the two best

of friends, and perpetuate the legacy of the great son of Naga City and the pride of Bicol Region.... The two have common traits of a great leader such as integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, empathy and gratitude.  As the saying goes, [B]irds of the same feather, flock together.”

W hile one excelled in government service and the other prospered in private business, they shared a common passion for public service. Sen. Roco’s bust will be a reminder that “a true friendship lasts forever.”

T he ceremony was attended by the local government executives and distinguished friends and admirers of the late senator which included foreign guests.  Mayor Nelson S. Legacion of Naga City was represented by City Administrator Elmer Baldemoro who delivered a message citing the late senator’s contributions to our nation-building and the tremendous honors he brought to his people.

T he city librarian and curator of the the Roco Library and Museum, Mr. Riko Vinluan, organized the event and welcomed the guests.  Mrs. Sonia M. Roco, the widow of the late senator, delivered a response on behalf of the Roco family who attended

the momentous event.

S he expressed profound gratitude to the people behind the project and to everyone for remembering and honoring her late husband. Mrs. Ma. Victoria L. Mercado, wife of Mr. David Mercado Sr. who could not join the affair, and Mr. David Mercado Jr., led the Mercado family who all flew to Naga City to grace the occasion.  Other local government officials and officers of Stronghold Insurance from the head office headed by its chairman, Atty. Emmanuel F. Dooc, and the region were also in attendance.

T his bust of Sen. Roco is the first known bust officially approved by the Roco family to celebrate the life of the late senator who was widely known as the “Outstanding Senator,” “Warrior Lawyer,” and the “Best President the Philippines Never Had.”  The Management of Stronghold Insurance strongly believes that donating the bust is the least it could do to memorialize an illustrious Filipino whose star had illumined our political firmament during the dark years of martial law and the nascent years of the Cory Aquino administration.

ADDITIONAL pay awaits employees who will report for work today, Friday, as the country’s Muslim community celebrates Eid’l Fitr or Feast of Ramadan, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

L abor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma issued Labor Advisory No. 10, series of 2023 containing the guidelines for employers on the pay rules during Eid’l Fitr, which was declared a regular holiday by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.   Under the issuance, employers are required to pay their workers, who will be on duty, 200 percent of the wage for that day.

For work done in excess of eight hours, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on the said day,” Laguesma said.

T he workers will also get an additional 30 percent of their basic wage during Eid’l Fitr if the regular holiday coincides with their rest day.

L aguesma said employees, who will spend the regular holiday outside of work will still be entitled to 100 percent of their wage for that day provided that they report for work or are on leave of absence on the day preceding the regular holiday.

THE administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. aims to provide electricity to more than a thousand communities for 2023 at a budget of P1.89 billion, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

In a statement issued on Thursday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the amount would fund the programs of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA), including the Barangay/ Sitio Electrification Project, Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency, and Installation of Solar Panels in Public Buildings.

T he Barangay/Sitio Electrification Project will have the biggest fund at P1.68 billion, which will benefit some 1,140 sitios all over the country.

Pangandaman said rural electrification is vital to improve the quality of life of Filipinos and promote inclusive development.

When we say we want to uplift the lives of the Filipino people, we

mean all Filipinos, even those in the farthest barangays or sitios. And we cannot achieve socioeconomic improvement in these areas if their communities remain unelectrified. Kaya siniguro po natin na may pondo ang mga programa na magpapa-ilaw lalo na sa mga malalayong lugar [That’s why we ensured funding for these programs that would power up these far-flung areas],” she said.

T he Barangay/Sitio Electrification project shall prioritize barangays/sitios where an absolute number of indigents and the incidence of poverty are high as identified in the latest official poverty statistics of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as well as those with the high probability of having electricity. “ This program of the energy de -

partment will also support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal to ensure that energy in the country is affordable, sustainable, secure, and sufficient, especially during calamities and emergencies,” Pangandaman said.

According to a Dec. 10 to 14 survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, around 96 percent, or 24.5 million Filipino households, have access to electricity.

Eighty-seven of those households with electricity were billed for their use, while 9 percent were not billed for their consumption.

For those who were billed, the average expense is P900 per month.

T he median power bills would reach P1,500 per month in Metro Manila, P753 a month in Balance Luzon, P1,000 monthly in Visayas, and P800 per month in Mindanao.

For unbilled households, the national average expense for electricity is P400 a month—P750 monthly in Metro Manila, P500 per month in Balance Luzon, and P200 per month in Visayas and Mindanao. PNA

THE chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means on Thursday said the country should consider doing away with the requirement of a police or National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance for employment and for any other purposes.

DOLE issues pay rules for Eid’l Fitr

Rep. Recto urges PBBM to certify real estate tax amnesty measure as urgent

Late Sen. Raul S. Roco’s bust unveiled and dedicated in Naga City ceremony

Govt to energize 1,000 sitios/barangays with ₧1.89-B budget to bolster development in remote areas–DBM

74.

to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches.

WANG, XIAOPING Chinese Marketing Specialist

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches.

Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment. Good communication and interpersonal skills. Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin is an advantage. Must be an aggressive salesperson.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification:

Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment. Good communication and interpersonal skills. Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin is an advantage. Must be an aggressive salesperson.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

75.

WU, XIAOYU Chinese Marketing Specialist

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches.

Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment. Good communication and interpersonal skills. Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin is an advantage. Must be an aggressive salesperson.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

76.

Job

Build and maintaining client relations. Monitor’s market trends, competitor’s activities and recommend strategies to counter competition. Train individual sales representatives to help improve sales performance. Proactively pursue new business and sales opportunities. Resolve escalated customer issues and customer complaints.

Study: Climate change causing more ‘heat stress’ in Europe

BERLIN—Europeans, particularly in the south of the continent, are being subjected to more heat stress during the summer months as climate change causes longer periods of extreme weather, a study published Thursday shows.

The European Commission’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said comparisons of data going back over decades show record heat last year resulted in hazardous conditions for human health.

“Southern Europe experienced a record number of days with ‘very strong heat stress,’” defined as temperatures from 38 to 46 degrees Celsius (100 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit), it said.

The number of summer days with “strong” (32 to 38 Celsius) or “very strong” heat stress is rising across the continent, while in southern Europe this is also the case for “extreme heat stress” days above 46 Celsius, Copernicus said.

“There is also a decreasing trend in the number of days with ‘no heat stress,’” it added.

Heat stress is increasingly

Deadly heat roasts Asia; bakes millions from China to India

By Ben Sharples

viewed as a significant issue worldwide as the planet warms due to human-made climate change. Experts say it can cause a wide range of health problems, including rashes, dehydration and heat stroke.

The warning was part of the annual Copernicus European State of the Climate report, which confirmed that the continent experienced its second warmest year on record in 2022.

Last summer was the hottest on record across Europe at 1.4 Celsius (2.5 Fahrenheit) above the reference period of 1991-2020.

The Svalbard region in the Arctic even saw summer temperatures that were 2.5 Celsius (4.5 Fahrenheit) higher than the average, it said.

High temperatures and low rainfall also resulted in widespread drought, while summer wildfires caused the highest carbon emissions in 15 years, Copernicus said.

This led to record melting of Alpine glaciers, with more than five cubic kilometers of ice disappearing, it said. AP

The worst drought in a decade is impacting a key Chinese aluminum hub, while searing temperatures in India have increased the possibility of deadly heat waves and blackouts. Thailand hit a national record of more than 45C (113F) last week, while countries such as Bangladesh are also seeing April temperatures well above 40C.

While this time of year is typically the hottest for India and parts of Southeast Asia, the soaring temperatures continue a pattern of severe weather over the past several years that’s testing the ability of governments to protect public health and prevent disruptions to recovering economies. India’s heat waves are making its people more vulnerable to illness and hunger, holding back the development of Asia’s thirdlargest economy, according to a new study.

“Record heat in Thailand, China and South Asia is a clear climate trend and will cause public health challenges for years to come,” said Fahad Saeed, an Islamabad-based scientist with Climate Analytics.

Extreme weather has become

more frequent due to climate change, and the world has just endured two years of La Nina— which led to flooding in Pakistan and drought in South America. It’s also possible there will be another El Nino event this year, which would bring drier conditions to parts of Asia.

The impact from severe weather in Asia threatens to reverberate beyond the region. China and Vietnam are the production centers for much of the world’s goods from electronics to clothing, and the extreme heat and drought comes just as nations are beginning to rebound from the Covid pandemic.

China, which only dismantled its restrictive Covid Zero policy a few months ago, has seen major disruptions to industrial production in recent years because of extreme weather. It was gripped by a severe drought last year that impacted the Yangtze River—a key conduit used to irrigate farms and power the massive Three Gorges Dam power station.

Yunnan province, in the southwest of the country, has been af -

melt of Greenland, Antarctic ice sheets–new study

By Seth Borenstein AP Science Writer

THE Greenland and Antarc -

tic ice sheets are now losing more than three times as much ice a year as they were 30 years ago, according to a new comprehensive international study.

Using 50 different satellite estimates, researchers found that Greenland’s melt has gone into hyperdrive in the last few years. Greenland’s average annual melt from 2017 to 2020 was 20 percent more a year than at the beginning of the decade and more than seven times higher than its annual shrinkage in the early 1990s.

The new figures “are pretty disastrous really,” said study co-author Ruth Mottram, a climate scientist at the Danish Meteorological Institute. “We’re losing more and more ice from Greenland.”

Study lead author Ines Otosaka, a glaciologist at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, said speeded-up ice sheet loss is clearly caused by human-caused climate change.

From 1992 to 1996, the two ice sheets—which hold 99 percent of the world’s freshwater ice—were shrinking by 116 billion tons (105 billion metric tons) a year, twothirds of it from Antarctica.

But from 2017 to 2020, the newest data available, the combined melt soared to 410 billion tons (372 billion metric tons) a year, more than two-thirds of it from Greenland, said the study in Thursday’s journal Earth System Science Data.

“This is a devastating trajectory,” said US National Snow and Ice Center Deputy Lead Scientist Twila Moon, who wasn’t part of

the study. “These rates of ice loss are unprecedented during modern civilization.”

Since 1992, Earth has lost 8.3 trillion tons (7.6 trillion metric tons) of ice from the two ice sheets, the study found. That’s enough to flood the entire United States with 33.6 inches (almost 0.9 meters) of water or submerge France in 49 feet (nearly 15 meters).

But because the world’s oceans are so huge, the melt just from the ice sheets since 1992 still only adds up to a little less than inch (21 millimeters) of sea level rise, on average. Globally sea level rise is accelerating and melt from ice sheets has gone from contributing 5 percent of the sea level rise to now accounting for more than one-quarter of it, the study said. The rest of the sea rise comes from warmer water expanding and melt

from glaciers.

A team of more than 65 scientists regularly calculates ice sheet loss in research funded by NASA and the European Space Agency with Thursday’s study adding three more years of data. They use 17 different satellite missions and examine ice sheet melt in three distinct techniques, Otosaka said, and all the satellites, radar, on the ground observations and computer simulations basically say the same thing—ice sheet melting is accelerating.

Greenland from 2017 to 2020 averaged about 283 billion tons (257 billion metric tons) of melting a year, compared to just 235 billion tons (213 billion metric tons) annually from 2012 to 2016.

The latest figures also showed what looks like a slowing of melting in parts of Antarctica, which

has much more ice than Greenland. That’s mostly due to smaller and fleeting weather changes and the overall longer-term trend still shows an acceleration of melting in Antarctica, Mottram said.

Antarctica from 2017 to 2020 is still losing about 127 billion tons (115 billion metric tons) of ice a year, down 23 percent from earlier in the decade, but overall up 64 percent from the early 1990s.

“While mass loss from Greenland is outpacing that from Antarctica, there are troublesome wild cards in the south, notably behavior of the Thwaites glacier,” which is nicknamed the Doomsday Glacier, said Mark Serreze, director of the US snow and ice center, who wasn’t part of the study.

Study authors used changes in gravity and in ice height and measured how much snow fell, how much snow melted, how much ice was lost in icebergs calving and eaten away from underneath by warmer water etching through the ice.

“This matters because rising sea levels will displace and/or financially impact hundreds of millions of people, if not billions, and will likely cost trillions of dollars,” said University of Colorado ice researcher and former NASA chief scientist Waleed Abdalati, who wasn’t part of the study.

The study “is not so much surprising as it is disturbing,” Abdalati said in an e-mail “A few decades ago, it was assumed that these vast reservoirs of ice changed slowly, but with through the use of satellite observations, field observations and modeling techniques, we have come to learn that ice responds rapidly to our changing climate.”

fected by drought conditions for some months, leading to cuts in aluminum production since September due to lower hydropower output. China, along with India, is leaning on coal to ensure reliable electricity supply.

Yet each day India’s heat wave continues increases the chances of depleting the nation’s reserves of the fuel. The government has warned of blackouts as hotter temperatures prompt higher use of air conditioners and pumps for irrigation. A heat wave in 2022 caused widespread suffering and affected wheat supplies.

Asia has been lashed by other types of wild weather lately, from a sandstorm that originated in Mongolia and China and also affected South Korea and Japan, to the biggest cyclone to hit Western Australia in more than a decade.

Wheat planting

WEATHER woes have filtered through to stock markets as

investors fret about the impact. India’s heat is threatening production in the world’s largest milk-producing nation, pushing up dairy stocks, while shares of agricultural firms in Thailand are in focus on expectations for hotter and drier weather.

Australian farmers are also facing hotter weather in the coming months. They typically start planting wheat in April, with a bumper harvest last season helping to offset some of the losses caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Recent rains will ensure a good start to the season, but drier conditions may impact the crop later in the year.

“The critical period will be August-September, given we have enough moisture to get us that far,” said Ole Houe, chief executive officer of Sydney-based broker and adviser IKON Commodities. With assistance from Shikhar Balwani, Dan Murtaugh, Stephen Stapczynski, Sanjit Das, Sybilla Gross and Georgina McKay/Bloomberg

Asia chipmakers powered by coal and gas jeopardize climate goals

By Betty Hou & Aaron Clark

THE energy required to make chips that underpin everything from electric cars to ballistic missiles is poised to skyrocket this decade. Without a more ambitious pivot to clean power, those operations threaten the climate, according to Greenpeace.

N one of the 13 semiconductor, display and final assembly companies have climate commitments in line with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommendations to limit global warming to 1.5C, the non-profit said in a report released Thursday. The analysis included emissions forecasts for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc.

The report focused on companies with operations in East Asia—which is home to more than a third of the semiconductor manufacturing industry’s market share—and highlights the climate impact of companies in the global technology supply chain that often receive less attention than brands like Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp. or Amazon. Inc. Consumerfacing brands often outsource the manufacturing of components for hit products.

“ Most electronics industry suppliers studied have set long-term targets for carbon reduction, but their timelines do not reflect the level of ambition that is necessary in the face of catastrophic climate change,” Greenpeace said in the report. “To achieve neutral emissions will require adopting 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.”

In East Asia, grids remain highly dependent on natural gas and coal-fired power generation, Greenpeace said. If governments or companies are aiming to neutralize their carbon footprint they must cut their emissions by half by 2030, according to the report.

T SMC’s electricity consumption is on track to grow the most among all the semiconductor manufacturers studied in East Asia, at 267 percent by 2030, according

to Greenpeace’s calculation, when it will consume as much power as roughly a fourth of Taiwan’s population. By 2030, over 80 percent of electricity consumption by Taiwanese chip manufacturers will come from TSMC alone, Greenpeace said.

In South Korea, Samsung’s electricity consumption from making chips is projected to reach 55 terawatt hours by 2030, higher than Singapore’s entire annual electricity consumption three years ago, according to Greenpeace.

Samsung last year said it was committed to achieving net zero emissions by midcentury and a company spokesperson said in an e-mail it “will continue to share our progress with various stakeholders and listen to their feedback.” SK Hynix said it will continue its efforts to achieve RE100 goal by 2050. TSMC has also pledged to use 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.

The semiconductor manufacturing industry is on track to consume 286 terawatt hours of electricity globally by 2030 under a “business as usual scenario,” which would exceed Australia’s power consumption in 2021, Greenpeace said in its analysis. Over the same timeframe it’s projected to emit 86 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is roughly equivalent to Portugal’s total emissions in 2021.“East Asia is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” Xueying Wu, the East Asia Global Tech Project Lead for Greenpeace said i n a text message, adding that catastrophic flooding, heat waves and droughts in the region have caused “devastating” impact.

“Electronics manufacturers, especially chipmakers, have been affected by the severe climate events in recent years and must on some level be aware. But they have been too slow to embrace renewable energy and instead continue to contribute to the crisis,” she said. Greenpeace said in its report that the most effective way for companies to decarbonize their operations is to purchase renewable energy with additionality through power purchase agreements and onsite generation and investment. Bloomberg News

SCORCHING temperatures are roasting Asia this week, stretching the region’s power grids and raising health risks as the chances of more extreme events later in the year increase.

TOURISTS at Beijing Olympic Park shrouded in smog during a sandstorm warning in Beijing on April 13. BLOOMBERG

A WOMAN holds an umbrella to shelter from the sun during a hot sunny day in Madrid, Spain on Monday, July 18, 2022. Europeans, particularly in the south of the continent, are being subjected to more heat stress during the summer months as climate change causes longer periods of extreme weather, a new study published Thursday, April 20, 2023, shows. AP/MANU FERNANDEZ

‘Devastating’

A BOAT navigates at night next to large icebergs near the town of Kulusuk, in eastern Greenland on August 15, 2019. A new massive study finds that Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are now losing more than three times as much ice a year as they were 30 years ago.

AP/FELIPE DANA

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION/S FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT/S (AEP/S)

Notice is hereby given that the following companies/employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for

3 BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

Lot 4044, Molino Boulevard, Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

4 BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

Lot 4044, Molino Boulevard, Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

5 BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

Lot 4044, Molino Boulevard, Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

working relationships

YU, KE Mandarin Customer Relations Officer

Brief Job Description:

Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships

ZHOU, HAN Mandarin Customer Relations Officer

Brief Job Description: Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships

ZHOU, YUEQUAN

Mandarin Customer Relations Officer

Brief Job Description:

Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships

HUANG, CHI-CHUN

6 CELERAISE ELECTRONIC CORPORATION Maguyam Road, Carillo Drive Beside Hong Chang Compound, Bancal, Carmona, Cavite

7 HONDA PHILIPPINES, INC.

Lot 34, Phase 1-B, Road 3, First Philippine Industrial Park, Ulango, City of Tanauan, Batangas

Basic Qualification:

Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary Range: Php30,000Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary Range: Php30,000Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary Range: Php30,000Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary Range: Php30,000Php59,999

Qualification: Know how to speak and read Chinese and English

Taiwan firms pull back in China as investments elsewhere surge

By Samson Ellis

TAIWANESE

companies

are cutting their exposure to China just as they ramp up investment in other parts of the world in the latest sign of how growing tensions between the US and China are reshaping global supply chains.

New investments in China by Taiwanese companies declined 10.4 year on year in the first quarter of 2023 to $758 million, according to data released by Taiwan’s Investment Commission Thursday. That follows an almost 14 percent decrease in such investment last year.  Taiwanese companies, traditionally among the biggest investors in China, have been reducing new capital expenditure in the world’s secondlargest economy over the past decade. The slowdown has accelerated since former US President Donald Trump began pushing US companies to decouple from China, a policy

largely continued by the Biden administration.

In addition to the slowdown in new money, Taiwanese firms pulled a record amount of profits out of China last year, according to local media. Taiwanese listed companies repatriated NT$114 billion ($3.7 billion) of investment income from China in 2022, according to a statement from the Financial Supervisory Commission on Tuesday.

The paring back of crossstrait investment comes as China has ratcheted up the political, military and economic pressure on Taiwan since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen. Her Democratic Progressive Party rejects China’s claims to sovereignty over Taiwan, claiming the island is a de facto independent nation, albeit one that is formally recognized by only a handful of countries.

China responded to Tsai’s recent trip to the US, during which she met House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, with days of military

drills around the island. Chinese officials have been keen to reverse the trend. Wang Huning, the No. 4 official in China’s ruling Communist Party, promised greater efforts to persuade Taiwanese businesses to invest in China and to help them integrate into the Chinese economy, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Monday.

Slowing investment in China stands in contrast to a rapid increase in Taiwanese investment elsewhere. Total Taiwanese overseas investment, excluding China, surged 240 percent to $6.9 billion in the first quarter, the Investment Commission data show, with half of that due to the $3.5 billion investment by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. in a plant in Arizona. Investment in Southeast Asia also almost doubled as companies seek alternative production bases outside China. With assistance from Miaojung Lin and James Mayger/Bloomberg

Stampede in Yemen at Ramadan charity event kills at least 78

By Ahmed Al-Haj & Samy Magdy

The Associated Press

SANAA, Yemen—A crowd apparently spooked by gunfire and an electrical explosion stampeded at an event to distribute financial aid during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Yemen’s capital late Wednesday, killing at least 78 people and injuring at least 73 others, according to witnesses and Houthi rebel officials.

The tragedy was Yemen’s deadliest in years that was not related to the country’s longrunning war, and came ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan later this week.

Armed Houthis fired into the air in an attempt at crowd control, apparently striking an electrical wire and causing it to explode, according to two witnesses, Abdel-Rahman Ahmed and Yahia Mohsen. That sparked a panic, and people, including many women and children, began stampeding, they said.

Video posted on social media showed dozens of bodies, some motionless, and others screaming as people tried to help. Separate footage of the aftermath released by Houthi officials showed bloodstains, shoes and

victims’ clothing scattered on the ground. Investigators were seen examining the area.

The crush took place in the Old City in the center of Sanaa, where hundreds of poor people had gathered for a charity event organized by merchants, according to the Houthi-run Interior Ministry.

People had gathered to receive about $10 each from a charity funded by local businessmen, witnesses said. Wealthy people and businessmen often hand out cash and food, especially to the poor, during Ramadan.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Brig. Abdel-Khaleq alAghri, blamed the crush on the “random distribution” of funds without coordination with local authorities.

Motaher al-Marouni, a senior health official, said 78 people were killed, according the rebels’ Al-Masirah satellite TV channel. At least 73 others were injured and taken to the al-Thowra Hospital in Sanaa, according to hospital deputy director Hamdan Bagheri.

The rebels quickly sealed off a school where the event was being held and barred people, including journalists, from approaching.

The Interior Ministry said it had detained two organizers and an investigation was under way.

The Houthis said they would pay some $2,000 in compensation to each family who lost a relative, while the injured would get around $400.

Yemen’s capital has been under the control of the Iranianbacked Houthis since they descended from their northern stronghold in 2014 and removed the internationally recognized government.

That prompted a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015 to try to restore the government. The conflict has turned in recent years into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, killing more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians and creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

More than 21 million people in Yemen, or two-thirds of the country’s population, need help and protection, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Among those in need, more than 17 million are considered particularly vulnerable.

In February the United Nations said it had raised only $1.2 billion out of a target of $4.3 billion at a conference aimed at generating funds to ease the humanitarian crisis.

Magdy reported from Cairo.

Saving Filipino lives on the road

EvEry year, 1.35 million people are killed on roadways around the world, and 58 percent of these road deaths occur in the AsiaPacific region. According to the World Health Organization, Southeast Asia has the second highest road traffic fatality rate of 20.7 per 100,000 population, after Africa’s 26.6 per 100,000 population.

The Philippines ranks 10th out of 21 Asian countries on the fatality list, while Singapore, Maldives and Japan are the top 3. The road traffic fatalities rate in the Philippines is 12.3 per 100,000 population. By comparison, the fatality rate in Europe is 9.3 per 100,000 population.

Road accidents in the Philippines kill more than 32 people every day, and hundreds more are severely injured. Based on Department of Transportation data, road accidents kill about 11,000 Filipinos every year. Even during the pandemic, Philippine Statistics Authority data showed 9,693 deaths caused by transportation accidents between January and November 2022. This made transportation accidents the top 13th cause of death of Filipinos during the period.

Jean Todt, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, made a four-day stopover in the Philippines from April 11 to 14 to advocate for the effective implementation of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 with the aim of halving the number of victims on the road by 2030.

Reporting about his meeting with the families of road traffic victims in the country, Todt described the impact of the crashes on the community: “Families of those injured and lost through crashes have to carry more than a heavy emotional and physical burden, they also have to face an economic one,” he said.

According to the World Bank, the cost of road crashes represents 4.1 percent of the Philippines’ gross domestic product. Road crash is also the leading cause of death for Filipinos five to 29 years old. This means road deaths do not only kill the country’s economic force but also the hope of the nation.

The Department of Health said 65 percent of road crash victims in the country are motorcycle riders. It is therefore urgent to implement proven solutions that can save lives such as wearing a certified quality helmet, which could reduce the risk of fatality by 42 percent and injuries by 69 percent. “Safe and affordable helmet can be a game changer in preventing motorcycle deaths and injuries,” Todt said.

The UN road safety envoy said educating drivers is one way to prevent transportation-related accidents that lead to injuries and deaths. “Human behavior is the main cause of most accidents. The influence of the driver makes [transportation] more dangerous, that’s why behavior is essential. This includes the behavior of pedestrians. They can also provoke an incident. Everybody needs to be respectful while on the road,” Todt said.

Republic Act No. 8750, known as the seat belt law, states that the driver and passengers (both rear and front passengers) of private and public vehicles are required to use and wear their seat belts every time they’re inside a car with the running engine on any street, road, and highway. Unfortunately, wearing seat belts and reducing speed are also key challenges in the Philippines. Only 52 percent of drivers wear seat belts in the country.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said drivers who are drunk, are driving beyond speed limits, and texting while driving also cause road accidents. Based on his discussions with Todt, Bautista said some drivers are complacent that because they live only a few kilometers away from a watering hole, they can drink to their hearts’ content, leading to accidents.

“Some countries say their target is to reduce fatalities by 50 percent. I think that’s also a good target for us, although in the first document I got from the road sector, the target is 20 percent. That might be more realistic, but if we’re talking long term, maybe it’s 50 percent,” Bautista said.

Todt and Bautista also discussed other solutions, such as building an ecosystem of safe vehicles, safe roads, strong laws and effective post-crash care. The UN envoy also recommended that the country adhere to the international instruments and conventions on road safety to guide national policies. Putting road safety as a priority on the political agenda could have a transformative impact on saving lives on the road. However, it would do well for the government to improve our mass transportation system to reduce road deaths in the country. An efficient mass transit system may even help ease our suffering from traffic congestion because it can transport more people to their destinations in lesser time than private vehicles.

Providing adequate protection against elder fraud and abuse

pected that there will be even more of these cases as the number of Filipino senior citizens continue to increase.

sonny M. angara

Better Days

rESPEct for elders is one of the well-known attributes of Filipino culture and heritage. In fact, our constitution contains several provisions that deal with the protection of our lolos and lolas. It is the duty of the family and the State to take care of the elderly members of society. However, despite our strong tradition of filial piety, senior citizens still suffer from abuse, particularly from online scams and disinformation initiated by some unscrupulous individuals.

According to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), fraudsters mostly target senior citizens. In 2021, the NBI reported that scammers took anywhere between P1 million and P17 million from their victims. One such case involved a 67-year-old widow who lost P8 million in a “love scam”, wherein an individual would try woo the victim using fabricated stories and try to solicit money after establishing their relationship through online chats.

There are also perpetrators who use disinformation to trick their victims. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) discovered many websites posing as the agency’s official page and use these to post false announcements to deceive senior citizens regarding their pension.

We laud the DSWD, the NBI, and

other concerned agencies that have taken immediate action to prevent these scams targeting the elderly.

Cases of elder fraud grew exponentially after the Covid-19 pandemic as the use of information communication technology tools became more prevalent. In the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said that elder fraud cost elderly Americans over $996 million (approx. P52 billion) in 2020. In Singapore, it was reported that phishing and investment scams more than doubled in 2021 compared to previous years with some elders losing sizeable portions of their life savings to these schemes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that various strategies have been put in place in different countries, but evidence about its effectiveness remains limited. It is ex-

The Commission on Population and Development notes that there are 9.2 million Filipinos aged 60 years old and older as of 2020, or equivalent to 8.5 percent of the total population.

Citing a 2004 study among urban poor communities, Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit noted that around 40 percent of the older respondents have personally experienced various forms of abuse including physical and verbal, ridicule and discrimination, and negligence. Worse, the perpetrators are often children and family of the victims.

To help in the efforts to prevent senior abuse, I filed Senate Bill No. 639, which seeks to provide proper and adequate protection to our senior citizens. Taking care of our senior citizens has long been an advocacy of ours and in the measure we filed, we emphasize that the abuse of senior citizens is not a private matter but a public and serious one, which should be the concern of the entire society. It provides clear penalties covering not just acts confined in the virtual realm, but also physical abuse. The institutional support being proposed to victims of senior citizen abuse would encourage and foster participative involvement of society and afford our senior citizens greater protection. A Senior Citizen Help Desk shall be created in every barangay to provide immediate assistance to the victims of abuse. The

DSWD, together with the local government units will be tasked to provide victims with temporary shelters, provide counseling, psycho-social services and recovery, rehabilitation programs and livelihood assistance as needed.

In a public hearing on the bill conducted on April 18, 2023 by the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chaired by Sen. Francis Tolentino, it was noted that there is insufficient data on elder abuse, hindering the creation of targeted policies to protect senior citizens. What’s alarming is that, according to the WHO, around 1 in 6 people globally who are 60 years and older experienced some form of abuse in the community setting in 2020. National Commission on Senior Citizens Chairperson Franklin Quijano said that while elder abuse is not as frequent in the Philippines compared to other countries, it is critical to be proactive in preventing these abuses. With the institutionalization of an enabling framework and proper mechanisms, we will take a significant step towards ensuring the protection and promotion of the rights, dignity, security and welfare of our senior citizens.

The

role of teachers in human capital investment and inclusive development: A commentary on the value of labor

Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 18 years—9 years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and 9 as Senator. He has authored, co-authored, and sponsored more than 330 laws.  He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.   E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara about the economy and what truly matters for authentic and inclusive development.

tO be a teacher is not an easy feat. While the same could be said for practically any job anywhere in the world, being a teacher in a developing economy like the Philippines is particularly challenging because, more often than not, the level of competence and engagement demanded in the profession is hardly met with the commensurate compensation appropriate for the cost of living in major areas of the country.

Still, knowing this, many young people go into teaching as a form of mission—being called to guide young minds in preparation for the real world. I, for one, did not study to be a teacher. I trained to be an economist, but somewhere along the way, I heard the “call”, and, with much discernment, I prayed, left my corporate job, and eventually landed a job as an educator in a prestigious

institution. I then trained further to get my professional teaching license. It was not an easy road, but I did all these, and continue to improve my craft, for I truly wanted to be a teacher. I understood the pivotal role of educators in building a nation’s future through the youth, and I realized that, perhaps, my degree in economics will prove to be useful, as I, in turn, teach my students

Nevertheless, because of this understanding of the economy, I also know that comparing society today to how it was a generation ago will prove to be out of touch and futile, as much has changed, especially regarding the economy. Over the last few decades, prices have risen faster than wages, particularly affecting the purchasing power of those in the lower income brackets. Thus, with falling real wages, what they could afford previously might prove to be more of a luxury in current prices, which leads to the precarious problem of debt and worsening income inequality, even for professionals.

A developing economy like the Philippines can sustain a positive economic growth outlook, thanks to sound policies. However, circling back to our central discussion, it is also worth noting that in 2021, Manila was named the 3rd most expensive Southeast Asian city to live in, while average teacher salary in the

country fell below Asean average in 2019, albeit not at last place, with our figures hardly changing since 2004. Thus, while it is becoming more and more costly to live in the city, compensation is hardly able to catch up.

Unsurprisingly, many teachers eventually opt to work multiple jobs, augment their income with mounting debt, or leave the profession altogether to provide for their families. For highly qualified teachers, offers to work abroad arrive and become appealing enough, given the promise to earn foreign money that is usually worth much more compared to our depreciated currency. This cycle of brain drain hollows out the domestic talent bank, and it is hard to keep churning out top talent to cater to our local demand, thereby affecting productivity in the long run due to human capital deficiencies.

I write this commentary to contextualize the kind of world where we live and the realities that educators face, leading some of them to make difficult decisions despite truly lovSee “Eagle Watch,” A15

The social legitimacy of corporate sustainability

By Joshua Gabrielle Capili

ThErE is an increasing number of companies interested in the sustainability approach and integration of environmental, social, and governance (EsG) across their business operations, including supply chains, human resources, financial, and marketing management.

Moreover, private organizations are ramping up sustainability and EsG transformation in their business models due to regulatory compliance and competitive demands from various stakeholders. Different stakeholders, such as investors and consumers, demand that private companies prioritize environmental and social responsibility actions to achieve social legitimacy.

This article seeks to show the importance of social legitimacy and its relation to sustainable marketing, regulations to increase sustainability performance, and best practices on sustainability social legitimacy that can be adopted.

Aligning social legitimacy and sustainability shows how a company handles the expectations and values of multiple stakeholders, such as consumers, the workforce, investors, and local communities. Integrating this with sustainability efforts and initiatives could address social and environmental issues, mitigate the carbon footprint of their operations, enrich biodiversity, and contribute to the local community and society.

A socially legitimate company is more likely to build a positive reputation and credibility with its stakeholders, which can impact its marketing strategy in promoting sustainable products, services, and practices. In contrast, reputational damage and loss of credibility might be the result of a company’s lack of social legitimacy.

Disclosing the company’s sustainability initiatives and performance through proper communication and marketing strategies can gain the trust and awareness of its stakeholders while seeking feedback and approval.

Government regulations play a pivotal role in increasing companies’ social legitimacy through their sustainability efforts and EsG performance. These regulations promote transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability practices and social responsibility (Csr). Companies can communicate well with stakeholders while also positioning their contributions to the industry. regulations also minimize the effect of “greenwashing” when companies comply with and adhere to the policies and guidelines provided by the government. Greenwashing is an unethical practice committed by some companies where information about sustainability performance is considered false, misleading, or exaggerated.

There are some overviews of key policies and regulations in the Philippines that private companies can utilize to enhance their social legitimacy in sustainability actions and targets.

n Securities and Exchange Commission Memorandum Circular No. 3, Series of 2019: This regulation supports publicly listed companies to identify, evaluate, and manage their E sG performance, covering various material topics such as climate change, energy, waste and water management, labor relations, human rights, commitment to the local community, and anti-corruption policies. This requirement enables PLCs to inform investors and the public about their genuine actions toward achieving sustainable operations.

n B angko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Circular No. 1085 or the Sustainable Finance Framework: This highlights the importance of sustainable social legitimacy for lending and investment activities. The framework incorporates any form of financial product or service aligned with the EsG criteria into business decisions.

It also encompasses green finance to facilitate the flow of funds into green projects and activities, and to

mitigate climate change. This policy encourages companies to incorporate sustainable practices in order to ensure sustainable financing.

n Republic Act 11898 or the “Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022: The law states that it obligates large enterprises and corporations to recover 80 percent of their consumption of plastic packaging. Companies with total assets of over P100 million are considered large enterprises. The approach is to promote a circular economy by being environmentally responsible throughout the lifecycle of a product. Companies’ proactive steps and concrete actions to properly address waste management can enhance their social legitimacy and responsibilities.

Other than regulations and policies, numerous best practices from different leading companies could be used as a benchmark in legitimizing sustainability efforts of the business operations. To better integrate sustainability into the core values of the organization, here are some practices you could follow:

1. A dopting a comprehensive sustainability strategy: Formulating a comprehensive sustainability strategy together with its ambitious goals will create a better position to solidify the social legitimacy of the company. An extensive sustainability strategy should include the approach of the management, the metrics and key performance indicators of the material topics, and a robust monitoring mechanism.

2. Measuring and reporting sustainability performance: Performance frameworks provide a consistent and flexible approach to disclosing sustainability performance by demonstrating transparency and accountability, since there’s a willingness to disclose their social and environmental impacts. Also, most stakeholders can use standardized reporting to compare sustainability performance across sectors and industries. some of the common and credible international reporting frameworks in sustainability are Global reporting Initiative (Gr I) st andards, Integrated r e porting Framework (<Ir>), Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and the United Nations sustainable Development Goals (UN sDGs).

3. Engaging and collaborating with different stakeholders: st akeholder engagement can help build the trust of internal and external stakeholders, which enhances the social legitimacy of sustainability efforts. One example is using sustainable marketing strategies to communicate to the consumers the company’s efforts and actions to minimize the environmental and social impact. It is also a common practice of the company to introduce Corporate social responsibility (Csr) as part of its initiative to collaborate with communities to achieve a long-term social impact. While engaging with the government, the stakeholders’ Chamber of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) is one of the platforms available to create a more extensive mechanism for sDG implementation and to ensure that no one is left behind.

Business markets have become more unstable because of the pandemic and its consequences as well as the continuous climate challenges and risks imposed by extreme weather conditions. Increasingly, businesses are making strategic decisions about the type and extent of their corporate sustainability policies because they see sustainability as value creation and a key driver of social legitimacy. In addition to environmental and social benefits, companies that incorporate sustainability into their decision-making processes can reap significant financial advantages and attract more interest from investors, which is key to long-term profitability. Ultimately, a company is more resilient and can resolve some pressing issues and thrive in a rapidly changing world if it makes social legitimacy a critical component of corporate sustainability.

When creating art becomes critical

Tito Genova Valiente annoTaTions

First there were NFts or non-fungible tokens. But what are NFts? According to robyn Conti in FOrBEs Advisor, “an NFt is a digital asset that can come in the form of art, music, in-game items, videos, and more. they are bought and sold online, frequently with cryptocurrency, and they are generally encoded with the same underlying software as many cryptos.” But, you may ask: what are cryptos? Much as i imagine them, i am not about to expand this essay to include a discussion of the said currency. Even as i write that name down, my mind wanders off and slips and sleeps off to eternity. to nothingness, to which, as the latest news put it, becomes the common destiny of cryptos.

When did we have this crisis in the arts since the discovery of photography threatened to kill paintings? It has been a long time since we had this grave concern. But the same article states how NFTs are not exactly new, tracking its appearance back to 2014. But Conti is convinced that we cannot deny NFTs after they have become “notoriously popular”, with the same article valuing the market at about $41 billion in 2021. We can only imagine the range of activities rippling around this artistic phenomenon.

A decade has not passed yet but already a new phenomenon in the arts is disturbing not only the market but also the academe as well as the world of artists. This is the socalled AI-driven art. This art created by artificial intelligence has proven to be more complex than NFTs. Any discourse involving the said two phenomena will invariably compare them.

In Maya Garabedian’s essay “The Ethics of AI Art,” she poses new areas of concern. This is the effect on the environment of activities around NFTs, with the bewildering data of “the computational power required in the sale process” that “amounts to 120.7 pounds of CO2, which is equivalent to driving a car 200 miles or 322 kilometers.” And I am barely

coping with carbon footprints.

Garabedian’s other issue is one that has the most impact on humanities, where she says:

“From an analytical standpoint, there is something incredibly fascinating about a machine creating a work of art with seemingly little intervention, but on the other hand, there is something dystopian about a machine’s ability to extrapolate and appropriate stylistic elements from art that already exists, with blatant disregard for copyright that actively threatens artists’ intellectual property.”

These points raised divide the art world, with artists rejoicing at the intersection of arts as we know it and technologies as they are continuously being invented.

When people talk of AIcreated art, they (including this writer) often refer to algorithmic acts. Garabedian simplifies this information by stating how in “its simplest form, an image generator responds to a prompt in the form of text inputted by a human.”

The fact of the matter is there is a difference, as the many literatures claim, between AI-driven art and the

merely algorithmic. In the AI-created art, there are sources of images and lines that are sourced to induce the appearance of another art piece. The artist must be a connoisseur—even cunning and astute—enough to be able to create from existing forms already vetted by years, or even centuries of critical reading, a new piece of art.

Ethics is the present point of contention for AI-induced art. But there is something more, and that is the less explored notions of creation, of creating something out of nothing. Technology brings us back to the Garden. Before the Fall.

Peter Conrad has this book called “Creation. Artists, Gods & Origin.” It is thick in its form, dense in its proposals. For how can you make light of a topic that mentions Artists in the same vein as Gods and Origins? And that is what the book says: there are

called “Frankenstein.” For Conrad, the God who is “invoked in the introduction to Frankenstein created a world that is indeed a “stupendous mechanism.” shelley, following this criticism, can be said to have connected “creativity” and “reproduction” bringing about art in her novel “between biology and theology.”

Continuing, Conrad states how “male artists have a different genealogy” and, as such, are more likely to describe creation as a disembodied feat, a brainstorm like God’s abrupt decision in Genesis to call into being heaven and earth.

Conrad also talks about Vasari and his collection of artist’s lives.

In this regard, Conrad will prepare us for what he deems to be a monumental feat of Vasari by proposing that “any investigation of art has to ponder the notion of God’s creation.”

Where lies AI-art in an analysis that presupposes creation and that process can only come from God. Be that as it may, do we call AI “godless?” But isn’t godlessness another tested wellspring of aesthetics.

In 1550, Vasari would pay homage to the “ultimate initiator”, the Christian God. Vasari would go further, defining the Genesis as adventures of ‘creative intellect.’

the artists who can claim that a work came from them solely and because of that they are the only beings who can confront God who claims originality in his theory of the origins of the universe— s/he created it.

Conrad, in examining the phenomenon of creation, looks into several writers. he singles out Mary shelley who created the literary form

To convolute this discussion, Conrad goes back to Frankenstein and his monster, which is paralleling technology giving birth to AI art. Conrad’s gaze is unflinching as he posits the following scenario: “Frankenstein makes the monster but cannot understand him, and catches him when he escapes from his bondage.” The counterpoint is this: “God endows Adam and Eve with free will, then berates them for using it when they choose to eat the forbidden fruit.”

Ay, there’s the rub: AI has no free will.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Macron’s diplomatic push on Ukraine threatens unity, allies warn

By Ania Nussbaum

FrENCh President Emmanuel

Macron’s push to enlist China’s help to sketch out parameters for possible talks between russia and Ukraine has drawn criticism from some allies who think that such an effort is premature and fear it could undermine European unity.

Macron’s strategy, which envisions a framework for talks between Moscow and Kyiv as soon as this summer if all goes well, may muddy the water regarding Ukraine’s demand that russia relinquish all Ukrainian territory, according to officials in some European capitals.

Bloomberg News earlier reported the details of the French idea, which would see foreign policy adviser Emmanuel Bonne work with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, according to people familiar with the plan.

“Macron is dealing with exactly what a Western leader should not be dealing with,” Marko Mihkelson, chairman of the foreign affairs committee in Estonia’s parliament, told the public broadcaster Er r Wednesday. “Where does he get the fact that China can be trusted as an honest mediator in the current situation?”

‘International law’

A sPOKEsPEr sON from the Elysee said in a statement that during Macron’s Beijing trip earlier this month,

Eagle Watch . . .

continued from A14

ing this beautiful profession. It is not necessarily a lack of gratitude that pushes people to move on to new chapters of their career. Nothing probably hurts more than being judged and guilt-tripped for making a decision that was done out of necessity.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was ready to work toward a negotiation. The statement added that France’s diplomatic adviser and the secretary of China’s foreign relations commission will exchange views on “how to achieve peace while respecting Ukraine’s legitimate rights.”  Macron told Xi “that such a negotiation should be done in accordance with international law and the sovereignty of Ukraine,” according to the statement. “he said that only the Ukrainians should decide.” some have expressed skepticism that China can serve as a neutral intermediary given its “no-limits friendship” with russia. The countries have repeatedly pledged to strengthen ties, including a call on Monday to boost cooperation between their militaries.

One European diplomat in Beijing said France may succeed in getting parties to the negotiating table but then may not know what to do once they are there.

Intelligence, charm

U K r A INE ’s de facto presidential spokesman, Mikhail Podolyak, said in a television interview in response to the Bloomberg story that Kyiv couldn’t envisage any compromise that preserved the status quo with regards to territory russia has occupied. “This is not a peace plan— it’s a way of Ukraine’s capitulation.”

Thus, in recognition of the empirical evidence of how labor is generally valued in the country across industries vis-a-vis the rising cost of living, may there be more policies to incentivize the youth to consider a career in the academe and stay for the long haul, not just because of the many prospects for growth that it can offer, but because it can provide sustainable means of livelihood for a family.

“One can put forward any peace initiatives but there is the main point in the foundation of it all— the withdrawal of russian troops,” Podolyak said. “If this provision is included, then it can be regarded as a serious plan.”

Macron has shown a willingness to conduct solo diplomatic efforts, many of which have come up short. he traveled to China in early April, seeking to convince Xi to talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but left without such a commitment from Xi, who hasn’t spoken to Zelenskyy since the war started more than a year ago.

The French president kept in regular contact with Vladimir Putin over the past six years, and he rolled out the red carpet for the r u ssian president in Versailles just a month after his election in 2017. Macron traveled to Moscow in February of 2022 to try to get assurances that Moscow wouldn’t invade Ukraine. French officials then said they had received a commitment from Putin not to escalate the situation, which the Kremlin later denied.

Two weeks later, r u ssia invaded Ukraine.

Macron has previously said that he sees a major role for China and that thanks to its relationship with russia it could “bring Moscow back to reason.” Beijing so far hasn’t shown signs that it’s willing to pressure Mos-

The role of teachers is noble and crucial as they help strengthen a country’s human capital through education, from preschool to tertiary level, but competitive teacher compensation should be part of human capital investment to ensure stability in the labor force amidst global competition.

To be a teacher is not an easy feat because teachers are always all-in when it comes to their students’ wel-

cow to withdraw troops.

“There’s the idea that Macron can bring them back to reason with his intelligence and his charm,” Thomas Gomart, head of the French Institute for International relations, said in an interview. “But maybe he’s wrong.” Germany and France are coordinating on Macron’s initiative, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Over the past months, German Chancellor Olaf scholz repeatedly insisted that russia first has to withdraw troops from occupied territory in Ukraine before there can be negotiations about a peace agreement.

Zelenskyy said on Telegram over the weekend that he talked with Macron about his recent visit to China. The two spoke about the next steps in organizing a peace summit, according to an official in Macron’s office.

“Macron is following the same path that he has shown in recent years, when he tried to forcefully invite russia to dialog,” the Estonian lawmaker Mihkelson told Er r “Even now, hoping that China will bring russia to its senses, Macron is signaling that he is ready to deal with the war criminal Putin.” With assistance from Alberto Nardelli, Michael Nienaber, Alex Wickham, Natalia Drozdiak, Jasmina Kuzmanovic, Ott Tammik, Colum Murphy, Kateryna Choursina and Chiara Albanese.)

fare. As the students’ second parents in school and the nation’s partners in inclusive development, let us give teachers more reasons to stay in a world that gives more alluring options than ever.

Ms. Ma. Angelica B. America is a part-time faculty member who teaches SocSci13 (The Economy, Society, and Sustainable Development) in the School of

Social Sciences of the Ateneo de Manila University.

DICT ‘doubles down’ on data leak probe of govt agencies

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan & Andrea San Juan

The DICT considers the incident as a grave concern that threatened the confidentiality, integrity, and privacy of user data. The Department assures the public that investigation on the matter is underway,” the DICT said in a statement on Thursday.

T his, as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) have confirmed—after conducting a series of investigations and vulnerability tests—that there were no breaches on their part, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) said.

T he DICT, meanwhile, told gov -

ernment agencies to build up their cybersecurity capacities, especially with the alleged data breach issue.

The Department would also like to remind all government agencies to increase its cybersecurity measures and to coordinate with the DICT for further capacity building in this area.

Cybersecurity should be a concerted effort of everyone and all agencies are encouraged to seek assistance to help secure their respective cyber assets,” the DICT said.

T he NPC said it was to meet with the PNP, NBI, and other concerned agencies on Thursday to investigate the alleged leak of documents containing personal

data involving law enforcement.

N PC said it decided to investigate the alleged leak of documents after an online report claimed the documents include personal information such as names, addresses, contact details, and even medical records of police officers, prosecutors and judges.

The NPC considers this matter of utmost importance and has taken immediate action to ensure that those responsible for the alleged breach will be held accountable,” NPC said in a statement on Thursday.

I n line with this, Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga reminded those who process personal data of their duty to protect the data they collect.

“As your data privacy authority, the NPC is fully committed to protecting personal information and assures the public that we will not leave a stone unturned in getting to the bottom of this alleged breach,” Naga said in a statement on Thursday.

We would also like to have this opportunity to remind those who process personal data that they concomitantly have the duty to protect the data they collect. Do not collect if you can’t protect,”

the NPC chief stressed.

Following the alleged records leak and breach, the NPC said it immediately called the PNP, requiring them to provide additional information and explanation regarding the incident.

W ith this, the privacy body said it will continue to work closely with the PNP, NBI, and other concerned agencies to ensure that “appropriate” actions are taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

T he report published by a cybersecurity research firm noted that these documents are relating to individuals who “either applied for law enforcement roles or had been employed to work in law enforcement roles in the Republic of the Philippines and ancillary documents relating to the affairs and administration of law enforcement agencies in the Philippines.”

“ These Applicant Records and Employee Records contained highly sensitive personally identifiable information (PII). I saw scans of official documentation such as passports, birth and marriage certificates, drivers’ licenses, academic transcripts, security clearance documents, and many more,” the online report stressed.

DOTR STEPS IN

AS LTO ADMITS LICENSES LACK

WITH the Land Transportation Office (LTO) admitting on Thursday that there is a shortage of drivers license cards in the country, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is stepping in to seek approval of its initiative to purchase part of the total volume of the license cards needed by its attached agency.

The DOTr is communicating with the Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office—under the Department of Budget and Management—to expedite the purchase of the license cards, after LTO’s failure to undertake early procurement activities in compliance with existing rules,” the transport department said.

T he LTO submitted to the DOTr the terms of reference (TOR) for the license card procurement in late March. It held a pre-bid conference earlier this month.

H owever, the DOTr “decided to assess the TOR to determine a more efficient, effective and economic option at procuring the license cards.”

DOTr hopes to procure

enough license cards before supply runs out and while the TOR is being remedied so the bidding for supply of license cards can proceed,” the agency said.

I n a press conference on Thursday, LTO Chief Jay Art Tugade admitted that there is a “shortage” of license cards in the country, saying that “as of today [Thursday], we have LTO offices that have run out of drivers license.”

A s such, Tugade said the agency is allowing drivers to use their official receipts as “temporary driver’s license” in lieu of the physical cards.

H e noted that the official receipts should have complete details, a unique QR code, and a “screenshot of the license card’s front and back portions.”

Tugade has also ordered the reallocation of the supply of plastic cards in LTO offices.

A ccording to data from the LTO, about 147,522 plastic cards are left for printing, which “might only be enough until the end of this month.”  We are doing immediate actions to address the shortage,” Tugade said.

Lorenz S. Marasigan

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology

(DICT) said on Thursday it has “doubled down on its investigation” of the alleged personal data leak involving several agencies, including the Philippine National Police.

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

B1

Friday, April 21, 2023

Atlas Mining income dives as tonnage declines in Q1

By VG Cabuag @villygc

“The lower income was mainly due to lower grade and milling tonnage as well as a non-recurring noncash gain booked in 2022 by its whollyowned subsidiary, Carmen Copper Corp.,” the company said.

Gross revenues fell 10 percent to P4.93 billion from the previous year’s P5.49 billion.

Carmen Copper milled 4.18 million dry metric tons, down by 9 percent from the previous year’s 4.57 dry metric tons.

The company made 7.25 ship-

ments during the three months of the year, slightly lower than last year’s 8 shipments. Copper metal price stood at $4.05 per pound, lower by 11 percent from last year’s $4.56 per pound but gold price increased to $1,890/ounce from $1,885/ounce during the period.

ea rnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization reached P1.69 billion, 35 percent lower compared to P2.59 billion for the same period in 2022.

During the period, the company

said Carmen Copper was able to pay down its loan obligations by another $15 million coming from internally generated cash.

Carmen Copper is engaged in metallic mining and mineral exploration and development. It is the operator of the company’s copper mines in the city of Toledo, Cebu, which primarily produces and exports copper metal in concentrate, and gold and silver as the principal by-products.

It is also pursuing the development and commercial production

of other marketable by-products such as pyrite, magnetite and molybdenum.

The company exports all of the copper it produces to smelters to China and Japan.

Currently, it has three approved mineral production sharing agreements in Cebu.

Atlas Mining also has a stake in the nickel laterite mining project of Berong Nickel Corp. in Palawan. Berong Nickel has been engaged in the direct shipping of nickel laterite ore since 2007.

Meralco power sales up 2% in Jan-March

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

The Manila e l ectric Co.

(Meralco) said its energy sales volume went up by 2 percent year-on-year in the first three months of 2023.

According to Meralco Chief Commercial Officer Ferdinand Geluz, energy sales of the utility firm reached 11,287 gigawatt hours (GWh) at end-March, higher than the previous year’s 11,069GWh.

Geluz said the increase was driven by the double-digit commercial sales growth at 11 percent. The full operation of retail, restaurants, and hospitality sectors contributed to the higher commercial sales volumes.

however, both the residential and industrial segments, registered a 3 percent decline.

As more veered away from homebased learning arrangement, this affected electricity usage at home.

“Residential was down at 3 percent—normalizing on close to prepandemic mobility with more faceto-face school and work arrangements resulting in less time spent at home, and the late start of summer,” Geluz said.

Still, after two years of pandemic lockdowns, Meralco is seeing a strong recovery in energy sales, exceeding prepandemic levels.

Meralco recorded 7.6 million subscribers at-end 2022 from 7.4 million in 2021 on the back of higher ener-

china Bank declares dividends

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

Sh A R ehOLDeR S of publicly-listed China Banking Corp. are set to receive higher dividends next month as the Board of Directors approved an increase in their regular cash dividends.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock exchange (PSe), China Bank declared P5.1 billion worth of cash dividends. This is a 28 percent increase compared to the previous year’s level.

The bank’s Board of Directors approved the declaration of P1.00 per share regular cash dividend and an additional P0.90 per share special cash dividend, payable on May 18 to all stockholders on record as of May 5.

“We are committed to distribute a fair share of the bank’s profits to our shareholders resulting in an attractive yield to their equity” China Bank President and CeO Romeo D. Uyan Jr. said.

The bank said the dividends represent 27 percent of China Bank’s full year 2022 net income of P19.1 billion and translate to a cash dividend yield of 5.9 percent based on the bank’s closing price of P32 as of April 19.

China Bank said its strong earnings, which more than doubled since 2018, enabled it to consistently pay cash dividends every year.

In 2022, the bank paid a total of P4 billion in cash dividends consisting of P1 per share regular dividend and P0.50 per share special dividend.

The bank earlier reported that despite the rise in its operating expenses driven by higher inflation, its net income rose by 27 percent to P19.1 billion in 2022.

gization for both project-covered applications and ordinary service applications. The utility firm will report its first quarter financial performance on Monday.

Meralco Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan had said that 2022 was a very good year for the utility firm.

“We hope to improve this 2023.”

In February, the company reported that it booked a net income of P28.4 billion last year, up 21 percent from the 2021 level, mainly due to higher revenues.

In a report presented by Meralco officials during the company’s 2022 financial performance, the company also reported a Consolidated Core Net Income (CCNI) of P27.1 billion, 10 percent higher than the previous

year’s P24.6 billion. The company said energy sales volumes exceeded prepandemic levels and the power generation business booked significant earnings from its gas-fired power plant in Singapore.

Consolidated revenues stood at P426.5 billion, 34 percent higher than the P318.5 billion recorded in 2021 mainly due to higher passthrough charges.

Govt pressed to extend SIM registration

SMART Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. on Thursday highlighted the need to extend the SIM registration deadline, citing registration data.

In separate statements, Smart and Globe said they are appealing for the extension before the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) with Smart only registering a success rate of 55.1 percent, while that of Globe is at 38.2 percent.

“ e x tending the deadline will give the remaining 45 percent of our subscriber base ample time to register. At present, all 160 million subscribers in the country are given only 121 days to register.

Comparatively, in other countries like Indonesia and India, PT e s were given 1 to 2 years of a registration window to better prepare for and promote SIM registration,” said Cathy Yang, PLDT and Smart FVP and Group h e ad for Corporate Communications.

As of April 18, Smart leads the telco industry with over 36.5 million subscribers already registered. “The extension will also help our subscribers secure valid IDs or proofs needed to register their SIM. We don’t want to alienate or leave behind the remaining 45 percent who have not yet registered,” Yang added. Globe, meanwhile, has registered about 33.067 million of its 86.5 million

customer base. Globe Group President and C e O e r nest Cu agreed, saying that valid IDs “prevent them [subscribers] from completing registration.”

Globe also requested the government to allow the use of alternative forms of identification for SIM registration, citing that many citizens may not possess official government papers.

“We encourage all our subscribers to register their SIMs as soon as possible to maintain uninterrupted access to mobile and broadband services. Pending response to our appeal for the government to extend the deadline, we call on all Globe SIM users to comply with the law,” said Cu.

The deadline for the registration of SIM cards is on April 26 and if the government does not extend this, all unregistered SIMs will be forced to be deactivated, barring them from receiving and sending calls and text messages and accessing mobile applications and digital wallets.

The ICT department on Wednesday said “there is no extension of SIM registration,” and it “encourages everyone to reqister to promote the responsible use of SIMs and provide law enforcement agencies the necessary tools to crack down on perpetrators who use SIMs for their crimes, consistent with the declared policy of the law.” Dito Telecommunity Corp., which also requested for an extension, has yet to respond to media queries. Lorenz S. Marasigan

AtlAs Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. on Thursday said its income plunged 78 percent to P264 million in the first quarter from the previous year’s P1.22 billion.

Carmen Copper Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of atlas Consolidated mining and Development Corp. Photo from www.atlasmining.com.Ph

Insolvency Act’s study supported

By Andrea San Juan

ACONgRESSIONAL review of a law to help companies return from insolvency has received support from industrialists.

Jesus L. Arranza, chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), said the association of traders supports the review of the Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act (FRIA) of 2010 for possible improvements.

Arranza said the review is timely as more businesses remain encumbered with the adverse effects of lockdowns in 2020.

“We need [a] review of the efficacy of the country’s corporate rehab law to see the intricacies and learn from actual cases of how companies were successfully resuscitated or not,” Arranza was quoted in a statement that the FPI released last Tuesday. “We need new investments but we also need a better batting average on rehabilitation cases because this will save us a lot of economic wastage.”

The review of the FRIA or Republic Act (RA) 10142 was launched last March 23 as the Lower House issued House Resolution (HR) 797 authored by Rep. Rodante D. Marcoleta.

The House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries launched the inquiry, “in aid of legislation,” on whether the FRIA “has adequately or effectively assisted financially distressed persons or entities to recover their businesses, especially in the recent past when the country experienced the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Over the course of the hearings, the FPI said it believes lawmakers will seek to know the outcomes of rehabilitation proceedings filed during the recent past with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and regular courts. The association said they would also know the actual length of time that transpired or was required in the disposition of such proceedings and reasons for delays, if any, as well as the reasons and causes for failed petitions for rehabilitation, i.e. denial of petitions and/or liquidation of the persons or entities involved.

Hopefully, the FPI said, new legislation would also be crafted. The proposed measures should further assist and facilitate the resolution of such proceedings as well as address problems or issues encountered by financially-stressed persons or entities.

Also to be scrutinized are successful and failed corporate rehabs under the guidance of the SEC and courts to determine how the lapses in the existing law can be corrected and how the good provisions can be improved further, according to the FPI. The association said Arranza would know these as their chairman was invited as a resource person in the inquiry.

According to the FPI, the actual cases to be reviewed include the failed rehabilitation of Uniwide g r oup of Companies under the supervision of SEC-appointed receiver Monico V. Jacob.

Other cases include the rehabilitation of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd. (overseen by the Regional Trial Court of Zambales) and of Victoria Milling under the guidance of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Arranza said he is hoping the lawmakers will dig deeper into the Uniwide experience as it will detail the interplay among the regulator, the creditor banks and the officials of the former retail giant led by its then-Chief Financial Officer Jaime I. Cabangis.

“I believe the Uniwide case will be a very good case study and will provide Congress a wealth of information that they will need in introducing revisions to the FRIA, including the restructuring of bank loans and valuation of properties subjected to dacion en pago,” Arranza said.

He added that the FPI and its member companies and industries are ready to help Congress in preparing a “wellcrafted” law that will hopefully “perfect” the system and speed up rehabilitation proceedings so as not to prevent further bleeding on the part of troubled companies.

“The FPI members share the view of the lawmakers that there shouldn’t be more failed rehab cases to prevent economic wastages and the loss of jobs due to the closure of businesses. No business is immune to the impact of the pandemic so this inquiry is really timely,” Arranza said.

DBP, LBP merger-plan to be probed

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

was mulling over a merger between the two state-run financing institutions with LBP as surviving entity. The move is expected to create the largest banking institution in the country, with a total of more than P4.179 trillion in assets. Should the merger be finalized, Hontiveros anticipates “the welfare and livelihood of thousands of employees of both institutions may be at risk.”

Moreover, she expects that “changes in leadership, organizational structure, and company culture can create anxiety,” asserting that “employees should not carry the burden of job uncertainty and financial hardship that will result from this merger.”

No rush

In filing Senate Resolution (SR)

570, Hontiveros on Tuesday paved the way for “an investigation, in aid of legislation,” into the proposed merger of the two state-owned lenders.

As filed, SR 570 conveyed apprehensions that the merger “raises concerns on the potential risks and

benefits it may bring to the economy, the stability of the financial system, and various stakeholders, including the employees of both institutions.”

It recalled that on March 28, 2023, Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno disclosed the government

Motivational quotes for associations to ponder on

IREAD an article by Abdo Riani, a senior contributor at Forbes. com, entitled “11 Quotes from great Philosophers Useful for Startup Founders” from where I have adapted the following five quotes that associations can relate with:

1. “He who has a why to live for, can bear almost any how.”—Friedrich Nietzsche Associations are built around a purpose, advocacy or a cause. Research shows that associations that have stuck to their “reason for being,” despite the changes around them, have survived and thrived. The power of purpose motivates association leaders to find the determination and perseverance “to keep going when the going gets tough.”

2. “The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it.”—Epictetus

It is a known fact pilots and mariners gain skills and reputation from storms and tempests. In a way, this is similar to association leaders who face challenges in making sure they stay on course with their organization’s purpose and mission and they have the means to sustain it. Overcoming obstacles make association leaders stronger and set an example for those around them.

3. “Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny.”—Christopher Markus

Association leaders face difficulties such as the pandemic as well as failures in navigating the many operational aspects of their organizations. However, these all provide worthwhile lessons and experiences that make them more competent and successful going forward. They should also not lose sight that success is never short-lived when it is used to help those around them, especially the association members.

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

Ay A LA - L ED Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) saw its net income surge 52 percent in the first quarter of 2023 which it attributed to its “solid performance” during the period.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), BPI said its net income reached P12.1 billion in the first three months of the year. This led to a return on equity of 15.4 percent.

SR 570 also conveyed concerns raised by the Land Bank of the Philippines Employees Association (LBPEA) and the DBP Employees’ Union (DBPEU) whose members lamented that the LBP and the DBP “violated the terms of their Collective Negotiations Agreements by failing to consult with the unions beforehand.”

“As the two banks merge operations, it is possible that certain jobs will be eliminated or reduced in size,” the senator said, conveying concerns that “it will negatively affect employee morale and job satisfaction.”

HONTIVEROS also noted in the resolution, coconut farmers are also in peril as this impending merger will “make it even more difficult for the beneficiaries to access support from the fund and will further dilute the mandate of the LBP to assist cocolevy beneficiaries.”

At the same time, Hontiveros prodded Malacañang to “not rush the proposed merger and instead devote more time to analyze it extensively, consult with key stakeholders, and resolve not just the legal issues, but all the operational and personal issues voiced out by the employees and the small coconut farmers.”

The lawmaker lamented why the

move was being rushed. “Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit minamadali. Sa paglalakad na ito ng matulin, ang mga empleyado ng dalawang banko at coco levy beneficiaries ang matitinik ng malalim. Hindi ba dapat ayusin muna ang mga isyu gaya ng non-payment of benefits o proper turnover bago umarangkada na naman sa panibagong merger?” the Senator said. Hontiveros earlier warned the merger would result in a financial entity “too big to fail” as the 2008 global financial crisis proved that large banks are riskier, and tend to introduce more systemic risk into the financial system. Moreover, the resolution stressed that “there is a need for the government to proceed cautiously and prudently vis-à-vis the contemplated merger, as well as clarify all legal issues involved, for the purpose of ensuring that this does not prejudice the country’s economy, the stability of the financial system, and the welfare of affected employees and depositors.”

4. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”—Will Durant

Association leaders could adopt this way of thinking in practice since excellence is a continuous process and involves action, not just promises or goals they hope to accomplish. When excellence is a habit, it manifests itself in everything an association leader does and all the positive outcomes that arise out of it.

5. “One cannot step twice in the same river.”—Heraclitus

This quote reflects the everchanging environment association leaders face each day. There is always a new reality, whatever that may look like for them. Since the pandemic, there have been unprecedented changes and everything is in a state of flux. Even if success is at hand, association leaders need not deceive themselves into thinking that their job is done. To be successful in the long run, they need to constantly adapt to the changes within their midst.

Motivational quotes capture timeless and concise thoughts or wisdom that can enlighten, inspire and get one’s focus back. Scientific research has even shown that motivational quotes make one feels as actually accomplishing them. What are your favorite motivational quotes?

Octavio Peralta is currently the executive director of the UN Global Compact Network Philippines and founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” E-mail: bobby@ pcaae.org.

Total revenues for the first quarter of the year grew 25.1 percent to P31.7 billion driven by the 27.2 percent increase in net interest income, which reached P24.2 billion.

Interest income, BPI said, grew on the back of a 10 percent expansion in average asset base coupled with a 52-basis point increase in net interest margin to 3.94 percent.

Further boosting revenues, the bank said, was the 18.6-percent growth in non-interest in-

ERC lauds LBP’s credit line to utilities

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) expressed gratitude to the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for offering financial assistance to distribution utilities (DUs) via credit facility to help augment their working capital.

“In its efforts to mitigate the impact of high electricity rates, the ERC committed to support [LBP’s] assistance to narrow and trim down incremental power cost increase via bridge-financing to lower and spread out hot summer-triggered monthly consumption on consumers’ elec-

come to P7.6 billion.

“[This was] driven by higher credit card billings and charges, securities trading gains, and fees from investment banking project finance deals,” BPI said.

The Ayala-led financial institution said asset quality continued to improve as its nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio improved to 1.82 percent from 2.38 percent in March 2022, with a robust NPL Coverage Ratio of 176.71 percent. The Bank booked provisions

tricity or anti-bill shock lending program,” the ERC said last Thursday. The LBP’s “anti-bill shock lending program” will help DUs cushion the spike in electricity generation and distribution expenses, a statement from the RC read. This will enable DUs to spread out incremental increases on the monthly bills during summer months, thereby mitigating its significant impact on the consumers’ electricity bill. This will provide relief to consumers by providing options in the payment schemes of their bills, through installment or payment on a staggered basis.

“The ERC extends its deepest gratitude to the [LBP] for responding to the call for help in ensuring the availability of sustainable and affordable energy for electricity consumers,” ERC Chairman Monalisa C. Dimalanta was quoted in a statement as saying. “For our fellow workers in the government, this is truly one of the best examples of what we can accomplish together adopting a whole-ofgovernment approach: those of us in energy sector working hand-in-hand with our counterparts in the private financing sector in finding solutions to provide some much-needed relief for our consumers.”

Q1

of P1 billion year-to-date, lower by 60 percent from the P2.5 billion recorded over the same period last year, as asset quality has been on an improving trend.

Total assets stood at P2.7 trillion, up 12.4 percent versus the same period last year, while Return on Assets was 1.88 percent.

Total loans as of March 31, 2023 climbed 13.6 percent to P1.7 trillion, coming from higher loan growth in the corporate, credit card, and auto portfolios

of 12.6 percent, 38.7 percent, and 16.4percent, respectively.

Total deposits also grew yearon-year to P2.1 trillion, up 13.6 percent. The Bank’s CASA Ratio was 70.3 percent, while the Loan-to-Deposit Ratio was 77.3 percent.

Total equity was P331.6 billion, with an indicative Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio of 15.7 percent and a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 16.6 percent, both above regulatory requirements.

THE Senate, acting on a Resolution filed by Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros, is poised to mount an inquiry into the proposed merger of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), seen to imperil bank employees and coconut-levy beneficiaries.

Credit card, securities trade segments boost BPI’s income to P12.1B in

Octavio Peralta Association World

COURTESY CALL Executives of Fortune Life Insurance Co.; Fortune General Insurance Corp. and Eternal Plans Inc. recently paid a courtesy call on newly-appointed Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado last April 14 at the IC’s main office in Ermita, Manila. In photo with Commissioner Regalado (fourth from left) are (left to right): EPI President and Chief Operating Officer Elmer M. Lorica; Eternal Plans Vice Chairman and CEO D. Antoinette C. Cabangon-Jacinto; FLIC Consulting Actuary Evelyn T. Carada; FGIC President and CEO Manuel M. Maloles; FLIC Special Assistant to the President and Head for Life Operation Process Division Bessie G. Cancio; FLIC SVP and Chief Financial Officer Rolan L. dela Vega; and, FLIC Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Floreda C. Constantino.

Motoring

MIASShowcASeShybrIdAndeVModelS

Peregrino

The first-ever all-electric truck

T H IS year, Foton Philippines brought in their first-ever all-electric light-truck Tornado 3.6 EV, to show the public that the truck brand has taken sustainable mobility in the country to the next stage. Interestingly, Foton utilized the same ladder frame chassis for retrofitting the components. The controller and converter are up front, the two lithium battery packs are on both sides, and the electric traction motor sits in the middle, connected to a drive shaft with a differential.

Those two battery packs have an 81-kWh combined capacity. Delivery-wise, the electric motor generates a peak power of 154 hp and a maximum torque of 300 N-m. Foton claims the top speed is 90 km/. The estimated drive range at full charge is 208 kilometers. Leafsprung suspensions are on both the front and rear. Overall dimensions are 5,960 mm long, 1,950 mm wide, and 2,260 mm tall with a 3,360 mm wheelbase. The all-electric Tornado 3.6 EV (cab and chassis) retails at P3.6 million (an additional P275,000 for a closed van setup). The portable charger is sold separately.

The Electrified Lion

FR ENCH auto brand previewed the Peugeot E-2008, giving Filipinos a glimpse into the Lion brand’s upcoming electrification initiative for the market. Globally, PEUGEOT has bold targets for electrification, aiming to have a 100% fully electric lineup in Europe by 2030. Sustainable power comes from a 100kW (136hp) electric motor generating 260 N-m

maximum torque. It utilizes a high-capacity high-voltage 50kWh battery with a driving range of over 340 kilometers. Charging-wise, 30 minutes is all it would take to achieve 80 percent charge from a 100kW public charger, and a 7.4 kW wall box charger would take around 7.5 hours.

Daniel Gonzalez, COO for ASEAN & General Distributors, Stellantis, said, “Our goal is to provide more sustainable mobility options for our customers and exceed their expectations, a key element of the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan. We aim to become an industry leader in the fight against climate change, achieve net zero carbon emissions globally by 2038, and introduce more than 75 BEVs by 2030. To achieve this, we have a substantial electrified product lineup coming soon.”

Hyundai’s “Vision for Electrification”

A F TER successfully introducing the IONIQ 5, Hyundai Motor has recently previewed the IONIQ 6, representing the brand’s pledge to play a pivotal role in pioneering technologies and in leading society’s transition to clean mobility. The IONIQ is Hyundai’s first dedicated line of purely electric vehicles, manifesting its global vision of Progress for Humanity. Both models share the same design DNA but have their unique typologies. “Sporty and sleek” for the IONIQ against the “bold and space” of the IONIQ 5.

Built on the brand’s trademark ElectricGlobal Modular Platform or E-GMP, the IONIQ 6 has better stability, handling, and added safety. Charging-wise, it also supports 400V and 800V boosts battery life from 10%

to 80% in just under 18 minutes. The top speed is 185 km/h with zero to 100 km/h acceleration in 5.1 seconds. The total drive range on a full battery charge is 545 kilometers - made possible through an upgraded battery capacity and a more aerodynamic design. The IONIQ 6 is set to be officially launched towards the middle of the year for

around P4.0 million.

Build Your Dreams

BYD first came into the Philippines with ICE-powered models, for the most part.

Lately, the official Philippine distributor Solar Transport started offering models of what the brand is known for – EV models.

The premium mid-size sedan Han EV, the Mid-size SUV Tang EV, and the sub-compact hatchback Dolphin EV were displayed during the show. All these EV models utilize what the brand calls “Blade Battery” (Lithium Iron Phosphate).

Continued on B5

pines produced 9,706 cars, which was higher than the 5,805 units churned out in the same month in 2022.

This was a whopping 67.2 percent increase as the country continued to outpace its five rival Southeast Asian nations.

That growth was more than double over the mere 24.4 percent growth of secondrunning Malaysia, according to data from the ASANAF (Association of Southeast Asian Nations Automotive Federation).

THE March sales showed a continuous growth in the industry as 36,880 units got gobbled up by car buffs still cuffed on revenge-buying binge. That was a huge 24.2-percent increase over the 29,685 units sold in the same period in 2022, data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed.

CAMPI President Rommel Gutierrez said: “Achieving the 36,880-unit sales in March is good news as the industry continues to hinge on strong consumer demand for new motor vehicles, which hopefully will further improve in the coming months. It is worth noting that the March 2023 sales performance is the second highest monthly performance in

a post-pandemic time, after the more than 37,000-unit sales level recorded in December last year.”

For the first quarter, CAMPI-TMA sold 97,284 units, equivalent to 30.1 percent growth compared with the same period last year.

A friend of mine, so “starved” at not being able to purchase his dream car since 2020, ordered three vehicles last February.

“I was told to wait from three to six months for all three,” he said.

He got his first purchase (Elite Grandia) on April 10. His dealer assured him he could get the second (Land Cruiser) before the end of the month and the third one (the 11-seater GL) by mid-May. In February alone this year, the Philip-

Indonesia was third at 7.8 percent and Thailand fourth at 6.4 percent. But horribly, Myanmar suffered a decline of 90.5 percent and Vietnam 90.2 percent.

With trade winds now blowing smoothly in our midst—chips issues notwithstanding—the industry looks rosy going into the second quarter?

You bet.

PEE STOP I had my driver’s license renewed (10 years!) in 17 minutes flat April 14 at the LTO branch in SM Annex North Edsa. Credit goes to Topher Bautista, the franchise’s humble owner, whose motto is: “Fast service is our business.” May your tribe increase, Topher. Disclosure: Topher and I are Beatlemaniacs...Happy birthday to Dr. Lito Durante and Jake P. Ayson (both on April 17). Cheers!

March sales 2nd highest in post-pandemic

Story & photos by Randy S.

THE recently concluded Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) with the theme “Shaping Mobility” was a tribute to EV and Hybrid cars. Never in the history of MIAS did the show showcase many green machines for the spectators to appreciate. It only shows that the country is indeed on the right path toward sustainable mobility.

NissaN’s e-Power platform

The hyundai iONiQ 6

Editor: Tet Andolong

MIASShowcASeShybrIdAndeVModelS

Continued from B4

The Han’s sustainable power comes from combined (front and rear electric motors) 363 kW and 680N-m of maximum torque in all four wheels with a claimed drive range of over 600 kilometers. Battery capacity is 76.9kWh. On the other hand, the Tang also has combined front and rear electric motors generating 360 kW and 660 N-m of maximum torque. Battery capacity is 82.8 kWh with a driving range of around 500 kilometers. As for the smallest, the Dolphin EV’s sustainable power generates 70kW and 180 N-m of torque. Battery capacity is 44.9 kWh with a driving range of around 405 kilometers.

“Ice Cream” EV

Am O N g all the EVs on display, the Jetour Ice Cream EV is the smallest and most affordable (P699,000). With dimensions 2980mm long, 1496mm wide, and 1637mm tall, the small EV still achieved a 1960-mm wheelbase with a safe 120 mm ground clearance. The EV’s sustainable power comes from a 20 kW electric motor generating 26 hp and 85 N-m of torque from the rear wheels. Battery capacities range from 9.6 kWh to 13.9 kWh providing drive ranges between 120 and 170 km on a full charge. Charging time to full capacity is between 6 to 8 hours. Interestingly, this tiny EV’s top speed is 100 km/h.

Nissan’s “e-Power”

T H I s year, Nissan focuses its display on electrification with e-POWER. It is in line with the show’s theme, “ s h aping m o bility,” which focuses on technologies that drive the future of the local automotive industry into a more sustainable path. Nissan’s e-POWER is a 100% electric motor-driven system that provides a powerful and smooth drive powered by an electric motor and charges through an efficient gas engine. It delivers an EV-like drive that is powerful, smooth, and quiet without needing external charging.

As part of Nissan’s transition to electric vehicles, e-POWER acts as a bridge between traditional ICE vehicles and full EVs, allowing customers to experience the future of mobility. “We aim to create technologies and innovations that have an impact in the automotive sector and empower mobility. We have recently done this with our e-POWER technology, which continues to break barriers in electrified mobility. We are very proud of ePOWER and happy that the market fully accepts it. We are also excited to talk about our CC s technology. We believe this is an important feature that will change how we relate with our cars,” said Nissan Philippines President Juan m i guel Hoyos. Hybrid comeback

Af T ER staging a successful comeback, g r eat Wall mo tor (g W m ) r ecently launched its hybrid lineup for the Philippines market. g W m is set to take on the country’s competitive segments as the brand offers two crossover s U V hybrid models - the Haval H6 and Haval Jolion. The H6 HEV compact crossover s U V will be g W m ’s flagship model in the Philippines and comes in two variants—the s u preme (top spec) and m a x. m o tivation comes from a hybrid system of a 1.5-liter turbocharged internal combustion engine paired with a 130-kW Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) capable of producing a combined output of 240 HP and 530 N-m maximum torque. The Haval H6 HEV DHT s u preme and DHT m a x variants retail at P1.883 million and P1.788million, respectively

On the other hand, the Jolion is the company’s newest and most intelligent premium B- s U V with a top-spec HEV DHT sup reme variant. motivation comes from a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine mated to a 115 kW Dedicated Hybrid Transmission capable of producing a combined output of 186 hp and 375 N-m of torque. Interestingly, the non-hybrid variants are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 141 hp and 220 N-m of torque. The Joilion Hybrid variant retails at P1.588 million.

Chery’s Mild Hybrid

C H ER y Philippines also unveiled two new mild hybrid models – the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid and the Tiggo 5X Pro Hybrid. Both models are motivated by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with its traditional alternator replaced by a Belt s t arter g e nerator, or g sg used to assist and increase power on demand. The g sg recovers kinetic energy generated during braking and is stored in a 48-volt battery. Intelligent enough, the system detects the need for economy or performance drive mode based on the driver’s driving style. As a result, there is a 14 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and savings of up to 13 percent in fuel consumption. m o reover, the system also delivers additional power of 10 horsepower and 40 N, providing a combined 160 hp and 250 N-m of maximum torque.

The all-electric light truck Foton Tornado 3.6 eV

Ditching a friend who is not like you can deepen social inequality

BY MARK C. PACHUCKI & ANTHONY PAIK UMass Amherst

SINCE the 2016 presidential election, news accounts and scientific research have illustrated how defriending, a term originally associated with dropping Facebook friends, echoes in our broader, offline social lives. And what may seem like a simple decision to cut off a difficult relationship may actually deepen divisions in society. As social scientists who study social networks, we were keen to take a closer look at defriending beyond social media and the internet, particularly as the US approaches what is likely to be another contentious presidential election.

Some relationships are difficult to keep going because of conflicts, disagreements, life changes or busy schedules. Those things make defriending practical and reasonable. After all, cutting social ties isn’t new. The practice has likely been around as long as relationships have existed. But we wondered if relationships across racial, political or religious boundaries are more at risk of being severed during highly charged political times than other relationships.

Newly available data, gathered from northern California residents between April 2015 and May 2017, gave us a chance to look at relationships during a critical turning point in the United States. The study— comprised of 1,159 respondents—was a representative sampling of the six counties that make up the San Francisco Bay area. Researchers measured whether ties were family or nonfamily, close or not close, difficult or not difficult.

CUTTING INTERRACIAL TIES

IN an analysis of the data, we found that people were 2.5 times more likely to cut interracial friendship ties, which are often weaker than same-race ties, after the 2016 presidential election. We also found that participants were 2.3 times more likely to cut ties with people of another religion. Importantly, a subgroup of study participants, the 21- to 30-year-olds, was almost two times more likely to drop weaker ties across the political divide due to disagreements.

In other words, people were self-segregating, and younger people, in particular, were distancing themselves from exposure to people who were different from them.

In practice, defriending can range from silently ghosting old friends to more overt acts, such as Dilbert creator Scott Adams’ racist diatribe exhorting

white Americans to defriend Black Americans.

VULNERABLE WEAK TIES

ONE clear takeaway from our study is that people were more likely to drop weaker ties to people unlike them than they were to drop strong family ties. In other words, they weren’t willing to cut off the uncle who says offensive things under his breath at every family gathering, but they did easily cut off casual acquaintances from the gym or grocery store.

Despite their seeming fragility, weak ties— which can range from the relationships developed during short, water cooler conversations at work, to connections forged from interactions with strangers during the daily commute—are critically important to our lives.

They create job opportunities, facilitate social mobility and promote well-being.

Weak ties can also foster creativity and innovation and lead to new opportunities across social boundaries, defined by race, politics and religion. One example of that is the new BFF relationship between actors Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis. Though longtime acquaintances, they had never worked

together until recently. The chance to collaborate led to a much closer relationship and a pair of Oscar wins.

THE PRICE OF INSULARITY REGARDLESS of how it happens, when people segregate into groups that look or think like them, there are significant consequences for society. In addition to losing resources such as job opportunities that are controlled by someone to whom they were formerly associated, people may lose opportunities for building successful, inclusive political coalitions. Others may not recognize challenges that people in a different group face. And because of an inability to understand someone else’s problems, people may be less willing to help.

These imbalances have long been difficult to reconcile, as pointed out in 1903 by pioneering sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois. He famously drew attention to “the problem of the color line” in American life. Radically for the time, he researched race relations and social interactions, showing how race symbolically and physically divided the SEE “DITCHING,” B7

Three more lucky motorists win free lifetime supply of fuel

ONE of the country’s leading fuel providers, SEAOIL has just announced the grand winners of their sixth Lifetime Free Gas (LFG) promo. Luzon winner Patricia Mae Goyeneche, Visayas winner Oscar Alain Aguilar, and Mindanao winner Justine Michael Omega, who are regular SEAOIL customers, will mark their win of a lifetime supply of free fuel in various ways.

Luzon winner Goyeneche, 42, who hails from Pasig City, works as a Senior Relationship Manager at a local bank and has been gassing up at SEAOIL since her college days. With her husband’s encouragement, Goyeneche joined the LFG promo. With her winnings, she can significantly save up on her fuel expenses, especially with her son heading to college soon. Aside from saving for the future, she plans to use the free gas on family trips and

give more to charities close to her heart.

Visayas winner Aguilar, 47, hails from Consolacion, Cebu, and owns a trucking company that offers transportation services to businesses, with a focus on moving essential goods. While he is a recent yet consistent SEAOIL customer, this was his first time joining the LFG promo. He roughly spends P6,000 on fuel each week for both his personal and business trips. By winning in the LFG promo, Aguilar will get to significantly save and put the extra money aside for future family trips and growing his business.

Mindanao winner, Omega, 26, is a technical draftsman who comes from Tagum City, Davao del Norte. Since getting his first car in 2021, he’s been a regular SEAOIL customer and PriceLOCQ user. With the volatile fuel prices, Omega enjoys the

savings he gets from using PriceLOCQ, and also the convenience of redeeming fuel and tracking his fuel transactions. His winning the LFG promo is special because he found out that he won last February 14. On top of winning, it was also his birthday, and his second month celebration of being married. With the free fuel, Omega looks forward to taking more road trips with his wife and saving up for his dream house and business.

SEAOIL’s sixth run of the Lifetime Free Gas promo boasted major and minor prizes. There were exclusive prices in the PriceLOCQ mobile app for one-year, special draws for TNVS and delivery partners, minor prize draws, and over P3 million worth of instant prizes. Currently, SEAOIL’s Lifetime Free Gas promo has a total of 21 grand winners nationwide since it began in 2017.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS

DAY: Emma Tremblay, 19; Rob Riggle, 53; Andie MacDowell, 65; Tony Danza, 72.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Emotions will be your driving force this year. Recognize that you must look at every angle and go over every detail before making decisions that can influence your position, reputation and prospects. If you use your intelligence, the experience and connections you have built over the years and your ability to live up to your promises, you will meet your expectations. Your numbers are 5, 16, 22, 25, 32, 34, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take a moment to follow the dots and figure out what you want before you head in a different direction. Seek knowledge and wisdom from someone you trust to coach you along the way. ★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take care of personal problems before you help others. You’ll do better with less stress, a clear head and a good understanding of what’s possible. Once your vision is evident, reach out, and you’ll make a difference to someone in need. ★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Refuse to let others push you in an undesirable direction. Don’t fuel the fire when honesty and a simple yes or no are sufficient. Put your time and effort into increasing your income and winning over people who can influence your future. ★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Let helping others be your trademark, and something good will transpire. Your kindness, hands-on help and wisdom will encourage others to make the most of what they’ve got and push you to find and fulfill your lifelong purpose. ★★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): If something doesn’t interest you, take a pass. You owe it to yourself to look for opportunities that feature something you know and do well. Discuss your options with someone who knows you well, and the suggestions you receive will pay off. ★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You can do anything you set your mind to if you believe in yourself and your attributes. Discuss your plans, set up meetings and listen to the suggestions you receive. Take precautions to avoid health risks when attending functions or meetings.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll learn plenty if you observe others. Take a crash course to help increase your qualifications to fit what’s trending in today’s market. A reunion or conference will offer interesting proposals and enhance an intimate relationship. Proceed with caution. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Different directions will beckon you. The people you meet will introduce you to options that previously were out of reach. Learn all you can and map out a plan conducive to improving your life and building a bright future. ★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stay home and tidy up loose ends. Taking care of personal business will help you make room for people and the things you enjoy doing most in life. Love is flourishing, and romance will enhance your relationship with someone special. ★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll score big with the people you encounter today. Your wisdom, help and influence will make a difference to someone who can offer something worthwhile in return. Investments, partnerships and home improvements are favored, but don’t offer to pay for someone else’s mistakes. ★★★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Use your connections to get what you want. Don’t waste time trying to get people to see and do things your way. Follow your path and give others the freedom to do as they please. ★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You’re in a perfect position, so don’t hesitate to move. Reach out, start a conversation, and negotiate and barter for what you feel you deserve. Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll capture attention, support and an offer that piques your interest.

BIRTHDAY BABY:

You are sympathetic, thorough and proactive. You are dedicated and helpful.

LUZON grand winner Patricia Mae Goyeneche

‘Nocebo’: The Philippine ‘aswang’ goes global

J-HOpE bECOmES 2Nd bTS mEmbER TO JOIN SOuTH KOREAN ARmy

SEOUL, South Korea—J-Hope, a member of K-pop sensation BTS, entered a South Korean boot camp on Tuesday to start his 18-month compulsory military service, becoming the group’s second member to join the country’s army. There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether to offer special exemptions of mandatory military service for BTS members, until the group’s management agency announced in October that all seven members would fulfill their duties. In December, Jin, 30 and the oldest member of BTS, became the band’s first member to enter the army after revoking his request to delay his conscription.

South Korean TV footage Tuesday afternoon showed what they called a black minivan likely carrying J-Hope moving into the boot camp in Wonju, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) east of Seoul. Hybe Corp., the parent company of BTS’ management agency Big Hit Music, later confirmed the 29-year-old singer entered the camp.

Dozens of fans showed up near the base after arriving via rented buses wrapped with large photos of J-Hope and words hoping for his safe service. Authorities mobilized soldiers and police officers to maintain order, and there were no immediate reports of safety-related accidents. Big Hit Music had pleaded with fans, who call themselves the “Army,” not to come to the site due to safety reasons.

“I love you, Army. I’ll see you again,” J-Hope, whose real name is Jung Ho-seok, said Monday in a message posted on the online fan platform Weverse, with photos of himself with a military buzz cut. Five other younger BTS members — RM, Suga, Jimin, V and Jungkook — are to join the South Korean military one by one in the coming years. That means the world’s biggest boy band is expected to reconvene as a group again a few years later.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea. The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren’t subject to such privileges. That has caused an intense domestic debate over whether it was time to amend the law to expand exemptions to entertainers like BTS members. Jin, who turned 30 in December, had faced an impending conscription because the law disallows most South Korean men from further delaying their services after they turn 30.

Lawmakers bickered over the issue at the National Assembly, while a series of public surveys showed sharply split opinions over possible service exemptions for BTS members. Defense Minister Lee Jong-Sup said at the time that it would be “desirable” for BTS members to implement their duties to promote fairness in the country’s military service. Exemptions or dodging of military duties are a highly sensitive issue in South Korea, because the draft forces young men to suspend their studies or professional careers.

Formed in 2013, BTS expanded its popularity in the West with its 2020 megahit “Dynamite,” the band’s first all-English song that made BTS the first K-pop act to top Billboard’s Hot 100. Hybe Corp. said in October that each member of the band for the time being would focus on individual activities scheduled around their military service plans. A p

Ditching...

Continued from B6 country. This perspective resonates in modern-day racial disparities in American life, such as how Black Americans are expected to navigate white social spaces, and that Black and white workers think about inequality and economic security in different ways.

SEGREGATION THEN, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE

SOME of the most heinous epochs in American history have occurred when a dominant group has failed to recognize a common humanity. Vestiges of slavery, for instance, lingered in Jim Crow laws. And remnants of Jim Crow are present in our system of mass incarceration, which legal scholar and author Michelle Alexander has described as a system of racialized social control that disproportionately affects Black men.

Even though modern American social segregation now emerges from a mix of voluntary choices to defriend and residential segregation by race and class, the net result can be the same as enforced segregation. Social boundaries can lead to population-wide inequalities because segregation leads to differential opportunities for different groups. These inequalities are unjust, preventable and, it turns out, very difficult to get rid of. Fewer cross-group connections makes meaningful political conversation more challenging when neither group has a meaningful grasp of, or a willingness to engage with, another group’s perspectives. Self-segregation by defriending denies us the opportunity to learn from differences and to discover commonalities. THE CONVERSATION

ONE can cop out and talk of a film belonging to the horror genre. Gothic is the word that comes to mind.

A few minutes into the film, however, the narrative eases into a plot of guilt and psychosis, control and command. It plays with reversal and inversion, all mythic elements.

The film must be saying something else. Or, it has some tricks up its dark sleeves and aims to surprise/ shock us into a path of didactic cinema. But whether Nocebo has intentions to moralize or make a grand political statement, it doesn’t really matter. For the film goes for the jugular and we are waiting...waiting... for that bite. The bite is a promise and, like promises, it will remain unfulfilled; what will be delivered at the end is the most satisfying coup de grâce on the myths of women aiding women, or of women seeing through the exploitation of men.

As a horror tale, it follows an old template: a stranger arrives at the door of a well-appointed home. She is a domestic help (a term seemingly reserved for Filipinas given the literature of labor export). Her name is Diana. The lady of the house, Christine, opens the door and wonders who sent her. But Diana, confident and not at all the timid Asian, implies to Christine how she is expected to be in that house. Forgetful because of her medical condition, Christine allows Diana into her home.

Who is Diana? After Christine has left the room, Diana opens her old luggage. A well-arranged pharmacopeia is on top of her clothes. This is Diana. She is different, a trait she will keep on repeating to others, including Bobs or Roberta, the little daughter of Christine. From the luggage, Diana gets something, which looks like a photograph. She holds it close to her breast and is lost in reverie. She falls asleep. In another room, Christine looks as if she is losing consciousness. What follows is a vision from each woman of burning landscapes and objects.

Something binds Diana and Christine, and it smells of loss.

When Felix, Christine’s husband, arrives, the man shows a distrust of this stranger who has now, in a sense, invaded their privacy. Even Bobs refuses to look at Diana, and avoids being touched by the stranger with a stranger accent. But Diana proves to be an efficient worker. She is allowed to introduce herself— somebody from the Philippines. This is a terrific scene as Diana’s identification brings onto the scenario two conflicting domains: a person who is both wanted and unwanted.

Diana, the unknown person at the door, has a biography. She has her own youth and love. She has her man and they have gone through crisis after crisis as they escape from terror of local crime and

corruption. She has her own daughter. She works in a sweatshop that is once visited by Christine, unidentified and a stranger. This is a different Christine. She is a woman fierce enough to run a factory where women work hard— underpaid, violated, and sweltering in the heat of a poorly ventilated space.

Christine and Diana are kindred through oppositions: Christine has surplus to Diana’s subsistence. But when Diana comes into the life of Christine, the latter has become weak. She is debilitated by a disease that affects the mind and soul. Diana though has a solution to Christine’s problems. The screenplay of Garret Shanley threatens to be a wholesale political indictment of a global economy made evil by its nature to exploit the resources of the underdeveloping economies. It proves to be wanting. There is an escape: locate the reading in a medium that taps into the psyche and politics of the Philippine aswang. For the first time—finally—the aswang receives a terrific assessment onscreen and the writer is not even Filipino. Folklorists and scholars of the same social phenomena (think of the gloriously unfettered inquisitions of Allan Derain) will certainly be gratified by the healing conceptualization of Nocebo

As the woman responsible for the tragedy— spoiler alert—of another person, Christine’s consequent fragility indicates the weakness of a capitalist enterprise. Eva Green is perfection in her vulnerability in the face of a memory that has only served her character’s greed disguised as acquisitive

GMA shows win big at New York Festivals

GMA Network gives the Philippines another set of international recognitions as it brings home two Gold and two Bronze medals, and five Finalist Certificates at the prestigious 2023 New York Festivals TV & Film (NYF) Awards. Winners were revealed last April 19 (Philippine time) Storytellers Gala.

Setting another record is award-winning public affairs show and multi-platform leader (KMJS), earning its first-ever NYF World Gold medal for the segment “Sugat ng Pangungulila [Wounds of Woes].”

Besting other entries in the Documentary: Health/Medical Information category, the segment featured a 14-year-old boy suffering from wounds all over his body and later diagnosed with lamellar ichthyosis. Its host, Jessica Soho, is the first-ever Filipino to win a Bronze medal in the Best News Anchor category at the NYF Awards in 2018. Multi-awarded documentary program The Atom Araullo Specials another World Gold medal to its roster of NYF trophies after conquering the Documentary: Social Issues category with “Mata sa Dilim [Eye in the Dark].” First aired in 2022, the story by Atom Araullo showed how and why online sexual abuse and exploitation of children has become a silent pandemic.

GMA Integrated News-Digital Video Lab’s online newscast Stand for Truth home the Bronze medal in the Documentary: Cultural Issues category. The Integrated News and Public Affairs’ entry

“Runaway Child Brides: Ang Kuwento ng mga Tumakas sa Buya [Stories of Escape from the Manobos’ Buya],” tackled arranged marriages or a tradition called “buya” among Manobo tribes. Maria Clara at Ibarra, GMA Entertainment Group’s primetime masterpiece, makes history anew as it won a Bronze

achievement.

Completing her revelations, Diana matter-offactly tells Christine the source of her healing power. It was the “ongo.” Or “wakwak.” Or “asbo.” It has many names, the closest in the English vocabulary is “witch.” Diana has become the “ongo”, imbibing with her open mouth the frail “chick” whose body holds inchoate the terror and terroir of potions.

As the “ongo,” Angie Ferro, in a very brief role, is unforgettable. She is not the dying witch but rather an opera star vainly grasping for the last breath of fame, the distorted remains of a Grand Guignol tradition.

As Diana, Chai Fonacier holds the screen the way she keeps in her soul her “kinaptanan” (literally, the force one holds). The “birtud” or virtue of the powerful woman in Fonacier is so fused, one is left to wonder where her power lies—in her performance as an actor, or her action as a dominant female aberration? Diana in the art of Fonacier is an avenger of the downtrodden. Behold her in the many scenes where as a helper she commands Felix and Christine how to behave. When they disobey the servant, the comeuppance is great but we cheer her on, this symbolic shape-shifting of class structure. Chai Fonacier is simply the best actor of her generation. Nocebo is produced by Bianca Balbuena-Liew, Brunella Cocchiglia and Emily Leo; it is co-produced by the Filipino production company Epicmedia and executive produced by XYZ Films. Nocebo is the first recipient of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)’s International Co-production Fund. It streams now on Netflix. n

medal in the Entertainment Program: Drama category. The highly-successful series, which made waves on-air and online during its TV run, featured the story of Klay Infantes, a nursing student who is transported to the world of Dr. Jose El Filibusterismo. The series is headlined by Barbie Forteza as Klay, Julie Anne San Jose as Maria Clara, and Dennis Trillo as Ibarra. KMJS and The Atom made it to the NYF shortlist for their other

The Atom Araullo Specials’ “Ang Nawawala [The Missing]” each received a Finalist Certificate in the Documentary: Human Concerns and Documentary: Health/Medical Information and Documentary: Human Also scoring Finalist Certificates for the Philippines

Reporter’s Notebook, Reporter’s Notebook was conferred with Finalist Certificate for “Baha to School [Our School is Sinking]” in the Documentary: Community Portraits category. Long-running public affairs program I-Witness made it to the list of finalists in the Documentary: Science & Technology category for “Ang Langaw na Hindi Binubugaw [Black Soldier Fly].” Completing the Public Affairs shows was the environment and wildlife program Born to Be Wild which won a Finalist Certificate for “Primate Planet” in the Documentary: Environment & Ecology category. Held annually, the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards honors content in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries. GMA Network has been representing the Philippines at the NYF, consistently getting the most nominees and winners for the country over the years.

ATOM ARAULLO hosts a multiawarded eponymous show on GMA

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (fifth from left) receives in Malacañang (from left) world champion Marlon Tapales, Mike Pelayo, world champion Melvin Jerusalem, Jerry Pelayo and international matchmaker Sean Gibbons.

NIFIED super bantamweight world champion Marlon “The Nightmare” Tapales wants former undisputed bantamweight king Naoya Inoue of Japan for his next opponent. “ I can fight toe-to-toe with Naoya Inoue even though he’s a highly-skilled fighter because we will be fighting at 122 [pounds],” said Tapales, who paid President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. a courtesy call in Malacañang on Thursday.knockouts) held the World Boxing Organization bantamweight belt in 2016 when he beat Panya Uthok via 11th-round technical knockout in Thailand.

W BO minimum weight champion Melvin Jerusalem, Sanman promoter JC Mananquil, managers Mike and Jerry Pelayo and international matchmaker Sean Gibbons joined Tapales in Malacañang.

Sports

B8 Friday, april 21, 2023

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

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A double-bogey mishap on No. 13 didn’t unsettle him, the blistering summer heat didn’t impede him, nor did his old rival’s romp that led to a new course mark of 64 unnerve him.

H e just kept coming, moving 18 holes away from snapping a pair of runner-up finishes in the Visayan swing of the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) last month with a 67 and a four-stroke lead over Reymon Jaraula in third round of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Caliraya Springs Championship in Cavinti, Laguna, on Thursday.

Tapales said he’ll be dominating Inoue at 122 pounds, catch weight for super bantamweight.

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It’s my big advantage to fight at 122 because I can endure his punches,” he said.

Tapales upset Murodjon Akhmadaliev last April 8 in San Antonio, Texas, to snatch the Uzbekistan fighter’s World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) belts.

Tapales (37-3 record with 19

I noue and American unified super bantamweight champion Stephen Fulton are fighting in July and the 31-year-old Tapales said he’s not counting out Fulton as his next assignment.

Fulton, undefeated in 21 fights, holds the WBO and World Boxing Council super bantamweight crowns. Inoue, on the other hand, has 24-0 win-loss record with 21 knockouts.

I am not discounting Fulton, who is more of a technical fighter,” Tapales said. “He is not there to engage but I will be ready for him if ever he beats Inoue.” Josef Ramos

LASTIMOSA PREPS FOR HUGE CONE, GIN KINGS COMEBACK

By Josef Ramos

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But for TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa, it will be extremely tough facing Tim Cone and his Gin Kings with their backs against the wall. “ I have been with Tim [Cone] for so long and I’ve known him really well and his coaching style, but he has some secrets that I do not know of,”

Lastimosa said. “It’s a long series and a lot of things can happen and closing out games is really, really hard.”

The Tropang Giga lead the series 3-2 with Game 6 set at 5:45 p.m. Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The series seasawed in the first four games with TNT surviving a never-saydie Ginebra side in Game 5, 104-95, where Justin Brownlee was down with food poisoning and played for only 25 minutes and managed 14 points.

He left for the dugout early in the third quarter and never came back.

“ Bottomline? We made some turnovers and we couldn’t rebound without Justin [Brownlee] there,” Cone said. “That is the story of the game. It’s really tough when your best player couldn’t play.”

L astimosa admitted that Brownlee’s absence opened up opportunities for the Tropang Giga.

But with one more win to wrap the conference up, Lastimosa, who played under Cone at Alaska winning several championships including a grand slam, knows his team mustn’t relax.

“ Even we’re up 3-2, we are not feeling comfortable. It’s easier said than done against Ginebra and Tim,” he said. “I know they will come back strong and Christian Standhardinger is really a monster in that last game.”

Standhardinger, the conference’s best player, had 29 points and 13 rebounds in Game 5.

Lastimosa said Calvin Oftana has been filling up the void left by the injured Roger Pogoy (fractured finger).

I wouldn’t say that he’s a revelation, but he’s a breath of fresh air now that Roger isn’t there. He has filled that role very well,” Lastimosa said.

NT Tropang Giga shoots for the franchise’s first Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup crown against a Barangay Ginebra San Miguel side that’s limping from back-toback losses in the best-of-seven championship series.T he former San Beda star contributed 20 points on Wednesday night.

“ The hardest thing in this league is to be consistent and Calvin is trying to be that person,” Lastimosa said.

I mport Rondae Hollis-Jefferson finished with a triple-double of 32 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists while Mikey Williams had 15 points in Game 5.

The challenge for the Gin Kings has toughened up. They never got themselves in a 2-3 situation with Brownlee around—they’re 6 of 6 winning a championships with Brownlee since 2016.

GINEBRA head coach Tim Cone checks on Justin Brownlee in Game 5.

Tallo, Desiderio lead ‘Chooks!’ in Mongolia

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The country’s top-ranked 3x3 player Mac Tallo welcomed the addition of Desiderio for their campaign in the FIBA Level 8 tournament that starts Saturday at the Royal 3x3 Lounge in Ub Palace, Mongolia.

Paul is a big help because we all

ORMER University of the Philippines standout Paul Desiderio will beef up the Manila Chooks! 3x3 squad in the FIBA 3x3 Ulaanbaatar Super Quest in Mongolia.know how he plays,” Tallo said of Desiderio, a native of Liloan town in Cebu. “He’s a scoring machine and has a high basketball IQ.”

We jelled instantly in practice primarily because we’re both from Cebu,” Tallo added.

The 6-foot-1 Desiderio vowed to prove his worth in his maiden stint in 3x3 international play. I’m excited and determined to do well in this tournament, and it feels

PAULINE DEL ROSARIO goes coast-to-coast in bagging the championship in Laguna. NONIE REYES

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K im charged back from four strokes down in the last six holes with three birdies in from No. 13 then came threateningly close after del Rosario put to naught a birdie on the 16th with a bogey on the next, making it a one-shot lead heading to the par-four 18th of the Caliraya Springs Golf Club.

A fter both reached the green in regulation, the Korean putted first from 20 feet out with the ball rolling into the cup before swerving

to the right at the finish for a 68, enabling del Rosario to pound the victory after muffing her own birdie bid from closer range.

Del Rosario pocketed the top P115,000 prize on an eight-under 208 total while on a three-week break from the Epson Tour with the victory serving as a big confidence booster as she builds up for the Copper Rock Championship in Utah next week.

AULINE DEL ROSARIO survived a scare from Kim Seoyun and closed out with a two-putt par 71 then watched the Korean miss a roll for birdie to pull off a one-stroke victory in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Caliraya Springs Championship in Cavinti, Laguna, on Thursday.“I think what I would take away from this week is my short game since Caliraya Springs is not really a long course, so my approach shots and putting were very much used,” said del Rosario, due for a big finish in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour’s farm league. What I noticed about my game is that I made a lot of shots below 100 yards, so I would focus on practicing those yardages just to fine-tune it a little bit more,” added the ICTSI-backed 2017 Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order (LPGT) of Merit winner, who missed the Anvaya Ladies International ruled by fellow Epson Tour campaigner Bianca Pagdanganan last February. It’s so nice to see familiar faces and back in local competition. There’s a lot of talents here and I’m glad to be a part of it,” said del Rosario, who also topped the LPGT Riviera leg in 2020 before embarking on the US tour.

A head by four on 69-68 rounds, del Rosario was cruising along with a two-birdie, two-bogey card after nine holes then birdied Nos. 12 and 16 to hold off the 19-year-old Kim’s late charge that featured birdies on Nos. 13, 14 and 16.

K im’s closing four-under card gave her a 209 total worth P83,000 for her second runner-up effort after yielding the crown to amateur sensation Rianne Malixi at RivieraLanger last year.

H armie Constantino failed to sustain a three-birdie roll after five holes as she reeled back with bogeys on Nos. 7 and 13 before birdying the last for a 70.

S he tied Florence Bisera, who rallied with a 68, at third at 214. Each received P63,000.

C hanelle Avaricio, the come-frombehind winner at Bacolod, wound up with a 72 to finish tied at fifth at 215 with Sarah Ababa, who fought back with her own version of a 68, and Daniella Uy, who limped with a 74 after a tournament-best 67 in the second round.

M arvi Monsalve also carded a 71 for eighth at 218 while Pamela Mariano matched par 72 for joint ninth with Korean Jane Jeong, who shot a 74, at 220.

Mafy Singson fumbled with a 74 for a share of 11th at 221 with Chihiro Ikeda and Apple Fudolin, who fired 71 and 74, respectively, but still took the low amateur honors as SEA Games-bound national teammate Lois Kaye Go wound up with a 225 after a third straight 75.

Torres confident of strong finish by para athletes

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You can never tell, even if it’s a big lead. I have lost tournaments after leading in the third round and came up short while chasing the leader in some,” said Lascuña, who extended his hot run at the undulating layout after a 68-66 for a 54-hole total of 15-under 201. “

I’m happy with my game— seven birdies against a doublebogey. I will just play my game and enjoy tomorrow, (today),” said the 52-year-old Lascuna, who birdied Nos. 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14 and 16 to negate a double-bogey on No. 13 after a mishit on his approach shot and a flubbed bogey-putt from eight feet.

He also stressed the need to regain energy and stamina following a grueling round in sweltering heat.

Too hot!” said the four-time Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit winner, who also made a pitch of sorts for the host club. “It’s just nice and refreshing here in Caliraya Springs, a vacation would be fine.”

But he found a new rival in Jaraula, who matched his fiveunder card in bogey-free fashion to wrest solo second at 205, and an equally hot-charging Clyde Mondilla, who also bucked a double-bogey miscue on No. 8 with a cluster of backside birdies—five—to shoot a 66 and move to sixth at 206.

great to be playing with Mac because he is the No.1 3x3 player in the country,” Desiderio said.  Chooks-to-to president Ronald Mascariñas is convinced the wards of head trainer Chico Lanete have what it takes.

The Mongolian teams have proven to be our fiercest rivals in the pro circuit,” Mascariñas said. “Our team will have to bring its A-Game to Ulaanbaatar.”

Grouped in Pool D, Manila Chooks! takes on Utsunomiya Brex of Japan at 6:05 p.m. before it battles Mongolia’s Bayangol Broncos at 7:55 p.m.

HEF DE MISSION Walter Torres expressed high hopes over a strong performance by Filipino athletes in the 12th ASEAN Para Games Cambodia is hosting in June. We would like to do better than the last time,” said Torres,a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission. “Our team will definitely give its best because everybody wants to win.”

A 259-member Philippine para team delegation—including 174 athletes—will see action in the June 3 to 9 Asean Para Games in Phnom Penh that are set two weeks after the 32nd Southeast Asiam Games.

Pray for the success of our athletes in their pursuit of excellence,” said Torres, who will attend a Delegation Registration Meeting on May 28 in Cambodia. “Excellence doesn’t just mean the number of medals won, it can also mean the development of one’s personality, character and leadership so that he or she becomes a positive influence on others.”

Filipino athletes placed fifth with a 28-30-46 gold-silver-bronze haul in the Asean Para Games last year in

Surakarta, Indonesia, where Torres was also the chef de mission.

T he Philippines will compete in 13 sports in Cambodia—athletics (23 athletes), badminton (9), boccia (8), chess (22), cerebral palsy football (10), goalball (12), judo (4), powerlifting (11), sitting volleyball (14) swimming (12), table tennis (21) and wheelchair basketball (23). Five athletes will vie in demonstration sport esports.

T he PSC and Philippine Paralympic Committee will host a send off party for the para athletes on May 21 at the PhilSports Multi-Purpose Arena Pasig City.

16 teams vie in girls volleyball tilt

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Five schools from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), four from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and schools representing other leagues, including several from the provinces, will be vying in the tournament to be held Saturdays and Sundays.

Since games will only be played every weekends, there will be six matches to be played per day during the first three weeks of an expected five-week run of the meet.

We’re excited because not only do we have the top UAAP schools, we have the top NCAA schools, and we also have the top non-UAAP and NCAA schools joining the tournament. So

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IXTEEN teams will see action in the Shakeys Girls Volleyball Invitational League that comes off the wraps May 6 at the New San Andres gym.we got the best of the best in the high school division,” Ian Laurel, president of the organizing Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc. (ACES) told the recent Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Following the successful Shakeys’ Super League Collegiate Pre-Season, ACES chairman Philip Ella Juico stressed it’s time to focus on developing young girls at the high school level.

Now we’re turning our eyes on the high school division, both junior and high school. Suffice it to say, ACES is confining ourselves to schools,” Juico said. “We are non-professional, strictly amateur organization that thrives on developing young men, and women and girls for future endeavor. It starts here, but it doesn’t end here.”

Que matched Mondilla’s 10-under total over 54 holes, fighting back from as many as eight strokes down with a barrage of birdies that came in as rare as rain during summer in the first two days. Five shots behind, the three-time Asian Tour champion said he would need to do a reprise in the final round to get a crack at the championship worth P450,000.

ANGELO QUE makes his move in a hot and sunny day at Caliraya Springs. NONIE REYES

NAWARE of Angelo Que’s record-breaking binge on the other side, Tony Lascuña kept pounding the Caliraya Springs Golf Club with a display of consistency and savvy that have been the trademark of his illustrious career.Gaite wins Amit Cup

It was one tough tournament,” said the pretty Gaite A Criminology student at the Philippine College of Criminology who’s been playing billiards for the last decade.

ESLIE GAITE edged Carmille Lumawag, 9-8, to rule the Amit Cup—the country’s first all-women billiards tournament—at the Marboys Billiards Cafe inside BF Parañaque recently.Gaite and Lumawag, playing out of Bacolod City, breezed through the semifinals with similar 7-2 victories over Cheeya Navarro and Phoy Andal, respectively.

Th ree-time world champion Rubilen Amit initiated the six-leg tournament for her advocacy to discover new female players.

There were 58 entrees, most of them returnees, in the final leg of the tournament sponsored by Scarab with Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo also providing assistance to Amit’s grassroots program. The tournament rolls off its second season in June.

Lascuña stretches lead to 4 with 67; Que breaks record

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Tapales presents world titles to PBBM