BusinessMirror January 15, 2025 by BusinessMirror

‘Resilient’ peso seen to trade at ₧55.20-₧59.20

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto

DESPITE continued peso volatility due to the strength of the US dollar, the Philippine peso is expected to remain resilient amid its high carry, according to HSBC Global Private Banking (HSBC GPB).

In a statement on Tuesday, HSBC GPB Chief Investment Officer James Cheo said the local currency is “likely to face volatility” from a stronger dollar but its high carry will be a buffer.

“We are bullish on the Philippine peso and expect it to stay resilient,” Cheo said.

As such, the HSBC unit expects the peso to settle at P59.8 levels against the US dollar by the end of 2025.

The peso closed at P58.70 per dollar on Monday, its weakest finish in more than three weeks since it closed at P58.81 per dollar on December 20, 2024.

Moreover, HSBC GPB forecasts the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to reduce its policy rate to 5 percent in the third quarter, as it manages external risks, such as possible fluctuations in the peso and the US Federal Reserve’s easing cycle.

BMI’s projection IN a separate commentary, BMI

said it expects the peso to trade within the range of P55.20 to P59.20 per dollar this year.

BMI also anticipated that the peso will remain on a depreciatory trend beyond the near term as weak fundamentals limit any significant upward pressure on the currency.

There is also a “very real possibility” that the local unit could breach the P60 per dollar level depending on how US Presidentelect Donald Trump’s policies will shape up.

“With Trump’s return to the White House and the accompanying policy overhang, this will keep the dollar strong,” it said.

BMI said the BSP will need to intervene “more actively” in the coming months as US interest rate changes persist, adding more volatility to the peso.

BMI expects the BSP to lower rates less than the Fed, delivering 75 basis points this year, widening interest rate differentials in favor of the US.

“If the newly elected president opts for very aggressive protectionism policies that take markets by surprise, the dollar could reach another all-time high. And in the event this occurs, BSP intervention in the FX market will prove ineffective,” BMI added.

$1-T CHINA TRADE DATA SPARKS REFORMS

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

AFTER China posted a record trade surplus of $1 trillion with its outbound shipments swamping global trade last year, countries such as the Philippines that rely on the economic powerhouse are now pressed to improve their domestic structures and “internal efficiency,” according to a Filipino economist.

On January 13, exactly a week ahead of the beginning of the second regime of US President-elect Donald Trump, global news reports revealed that China posted a record trade surplus of $1 trillion in 2024. Trump earlier floated the possibility of slapping higher tariffs on its trading partners.

With these developments, Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) economist Leonardo Lanzona told the BusinessMirror that “The proper response of the United States as well as all the other countries to China’s dominance

Colombia, not PHL, now 3rd banana exporter

CBy Malou Talosig Bartolome & Nonie Reyes

A36-YEAR - OLD millennial overseas Filipino worker based in Dubai, UAE just ticked one of her bucket lists to travel to 195 countries recognized by the United Nations and two observer states.

Kach Umandap arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Monday via Emirates Airlines from Istanbul, Turkey, after travelling to her 195th country—Sudan.

Umandap is the youngest Filipina to travel all over the world, a rare feat for a Philippine passport holder.

The Philippine passport is ranked at low 75 among 195 countries in the world, as Filipino citizens are required to secure visas to be able to travel to other countries.

A loose network of 20,000 global explorers, Nomad Mania, has verified her travel achievement. Umandap said she started her international travel in 2009, to work as an OFW in Kuwait. In 2011, she moved to Dubai, UAE and was able to travel to other Middle East countries Bahrain, Jordan and Lebanon.

“The dream of traveling the world became my ultimate goal. In 2013, I made the bold decision to quit my corporate [job] and pursue it full-time,” she said in her Facebook post.

Her #travelgoals to complete her global tour took 12 years.

Her final country-destination was Sudan where there is an ongoing civil war

See “Passport,” A2

By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

OLOMBIA has overtaken the Philippines, which has lost its status as the world’s third-largest banana exporter, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The international agency’s preliminary report showed that Colombia shipped 2.31 million metric tons (MMT) of bananas last year, which was 29,000 metric tons (MT) more than the 2.28 MMT exported by the Philippines. Ecuador remained the world’s

top exporter of bananas, with shipments reaching 5.76 MMT last year. Guatemala trailed behind with 2.6 MMT of banana exports.

The FAO report said the spread of the Banana Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) disease continued to drag down Philippine output, with banana growers bearing the

brunt of “substantial costs” to prevent the disease.

Philippine banana exports last year fell by 3.1 percent to 2.28 MMT, lower than the 2.35 MMT it shipped in 2023. Despite this, the report noted

See “Banana,” A2

Cebu Power Alliance set amid rising energy demand

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THECebu Chamber of Com -

merce and Industry (CCCI)

said it is launching a “Power Alliance” aimed at enhancing coordination between business stakeholders and the energy sector amid the growing energy demands of one of the Philippines’ key economic centers.

The Cebu-based business group said this development comes at a “critical time” as Cebu’s industrial and commercial growth continues to drive increasing power requirements, highlighting the importance of “collaborative approaches” to energy security in expanding economic hubs.

“We’re looking into expanding our Power Committee with this alliance to support sustainable economic growth through enhanced coordination between business stakeholders and energy sector partners,” said CCCI President Jay Yuvallos.

Passport.

from A1

“As businesses expand and new industries emerge, ensuring reliable and affordable power becomes increasingly crucial for maintaining competitiveness,” Yuvallos also noted.

Citing data from the Department of Energy (DOE), the Cebubased business group said Cebu’s current demand is at 1,223 MW, compared to its local generation capacity of 1,123 MW. With the 100MW deficit comes two critical challenges for Cebu’s power security.

“First, the urgent need to expand reliable local generation capacity, and second, the region’s significant dependence on the broader Visayas transmission network, including interconnections with Luzon [via Leyte] and Mindanao,” the Cebu chamber noted.

To address both aspects, the business group said: “Increased embedded generation and enhanced transmission infrastruc -

ture—is imperative for sustaining Cebu’s economic momentum and maintaining its attractiveness as an investment destination.”

Looking ahead, CCCI said DOE projects Cebu Island’s peak demand to reach approximately 1,400 megawatts by 2026, reflecting the region’s rapid economic expansion.

This growth in demand is part of the broader Visayas region’s projected increase from 2,464 megawatts in 2023 to 10,678 megawatts by 2050.

“Our Power Alliance aims to create a collaborative platform where businesses, power providers, and stakeholders can work together effectively,” Yuvallos explained.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting both large industries and MSMEs in their growth journey through reliable power infrastructure.”

According to the Cebu-based business group, the alliance will focus on “fostering dialogue”

between business stakeholders and energy partners, promoting a reliable electricity supply that will support the growth trajectory of the province.

“With nearly 700, predominantly MSMEs, CCCI’s initiative demonstrates how business organizations can contribute constructively to addressing energy challenges,” it added.

Yuvallos pointed out that a “reliable” power infrastructure becomes fundamental in sustaining Cebu’s growth trajectory, particularly in manufacturing, hospitality, tourism and IT-BPM sectors.

“According to Neda estimates, ensuring reliable electricity and sustained economic development could help lift around 200,000 Cebuanos out of poverty. Our goal is to ensure that power supply can effectively support not just business expansion, but also the broader social development of our region,” the head of the Cebu chamber underscored.

should be to determine all the sectors where they have comparative advantage so various goods can be traded at a much lower costs.”

The proper response to China’s dominion, Lanzona added, is not to cut ties with the economic powerhouse “but to improve a country’s domestic structure so that it can stand on its own two feet.”

In the case of the Philippines, Lanzona emphasized that “Our trade relations with China should not be reduced.”

Instead, he told this paper, “It is a matter of pride that we stand up to improve our internal efficiency so that we can develop sectors that can be more competitive and more efficient than China.”

As to which industries the Philippines should focus on developing, the Ateneo economist said these would consist of unskilled labor- intensive industries such as crafts and agricultural products, which he said, “China and the rest of the countries will give up.”

shipments to the US amounted to $11.17 billion in the 11-month period in 2024, or 4.9 percent higher than the $10.64 billion recorded in the January to November 2023 period.

While China ranks third among the Philippines’s export destinations, PSA data showed that shipments to China posted a doubledigit decline in the 11-month period in 2024.

Philippine exports to China amounted to $8.71 billion in the 11-month period in 2024, a 14.8-percent decline from the $10.22 billion export receipts in the same period in 2023.

A recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) underscored that while the Asia-Pacific region is a “vital platform” for fostering economic cooperation especially in a time of intensifying geopolitical fragmention, “it has become the stage for a significant geopolitical contest between two of its major member economies—the United States and China.”

since 2021.

Umandap said it took seven months before Sudan issued her a tourist visa.

“I was the third tourist that they allowed to travel to Sudan,” she told reporters upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Tuesday. She said it helped that there are 400 OFWs in Sudan before the war and that the Sudanese government want them back to help revive their economy.

The other country which she found difficult to enter was Syria.

“It took me two years, getting many rejections by the Embassy. Until I proved that I’ll just be going there for tourism,” Umandap added.

She said after completing her travel goals, she will just take a

The Syrian government had banned the entry of single Filipino woman to Syria, citing previous cases of human trafficking from Lebanon.

break and play with her dogs.

“I hope to travel the whole Philippines next and educate,” she said.

Asked what is her advice for young travelers, “Learn digital skills because it’s changing now. Start young. Education is important but you have to survive when you are out there. So learn digital skills.

that the Philippines remained the top exporter of bananas in Asia, accounting for over half of the shipments from the region.

“Supplies from the Philippines, the main exporter from the region, reportedly continue to be affected by the spread of TR4 in the country,” the report read.

The FAO also noted that key Asian markets, such as China and Japan, saw a reduction in their banana purchases from the Philippines “due to supply shortages.”

“Available information suggests that imports into China were hindered by supply shortages experienced in Cambodia and the Philippines, from where China procured some 50 to 60 percent of banana imports combined in recent years,” it said.

“Preliminary monthly trade data show that Chinese imports of Filipino bananas dropped by 39 percent year-on-year over the first nine months of 2024.”

The international agency also noted that available trade data from January to July 2024 showed a 4-percent year-on-year decline in Japan’s banana imports from the Philippines.

However, it added these were not offset by higher imports from Ecuador and Vietnam despite fast growth in procurements from these two countries.

“While demand for bananas in the country remained relatively stable, import quantities continued to be reduced by the production shortages experienced in the Philippines, from where Japan typically sources some 75 to 80 percent of its banana imports.”

However, Lanzona emphasized that the Philippine government should let the market or the private sector decide which products are going to have a comparative advantage.

“The government should not choose winners,” he said.

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the People’s Republic of China is the Philippines’s top source of goods in the January to November 2024 period.

Data showed that the country’s imports from China amounted to $30.19 billion in the 11-month period in 2024, up 11.4 percent from the $27.11-billion imports in the same period in 2023.

Goods sourced from China represent 25.7 percent of the country’s $117.51-billion imports in the January to November 2024 period.

On the other hand, the United States continues to be the Philippines’s top export destination as

On climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction, the Philippines in cooperation with Japan, is working closely with the DENR is working closely with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to advance anticipatory action by improving both inputs to landslide and flood risk mapping.

Meanwhile, on air quality, the DENR is now part of NASA’s Asia Air Quality Program and is actively pursuing better data collection and monitoring as well as analysis in urban airsheds throughout the country.

“There are clear opportunities to enhance both science and technical capacity within the Department and through our partners through advanced emission reduction strategies and monitoring technologies,” she said.

Meanwhile, on water, YuloLoyzaga said that through the efforts of the DENR’s Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), the DENR is advancing integrated water resource management and has identified over 200 water projects and 88 potential sites for multi-purpose impounding facilities to deliver water to both underserved and unserved populations.

The initiative also aims to improve water supply to communities in local governments, agriculture, and industry.

As for the Philippines, the local think tank noted, “The Philippines finds itself uniquely positioned within this dynamic, navigating the complex pressures exerted by these global powers.”

Citing various studies, PIDS explained the impact of the US-China tensions on economies involved in the trade of the two nations such as the Philippines.

“China’s rise as an economic powerhouse, driven by rapid industrialization and an expanding middle class, has enabled it to assert a more prominent role on the global stage, often challenging established norms. Meanwhile, the United States, long dominant in economic and military spheres, is seeking to preserve its influence, framing China’s ascent as a challenge to the existing global order,” the local think tank explained. These competing agendas, PIDS said, “ripple across the APEC region, placing economies like the Philippines at the forefront of critical decision-making.”

“At the Department, we have adopted a nexus government approach by linking water management with food, health, energy, and environmental security such as by constructing multi-purpose types of infrastructure, and promoting green and blue naturebased solutions,” said Yulo-Loyzaga, who revealed that the agency is working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Department of Energy (DOE) on identifying small and medium-scale sources for hydroelectric power. On waste management, YuloLoyzaga said the agency continues to advance the Circular Economy as it enhances compliance to the Extended Producers Responsibility.

“We are now looking into enabling investments in advanced waste management technologies for domestic, industrial hazardous and electronic waste.”

She said this will allow the DENR to actively engage all the LGUs NGOs and the private sector in innovative waste management technologies to address priorities such as those for plastic pollution management and the management of marine litter.

Lastly, on biodiversity conservation, the DENR is committed to implementing the global biodiversity framework to address biodiversity loss, restoring ecosystems, and protecting indigenous peoples and communities.

By reinforcing their bilateral relationship, the Philippines and Japan are not only strengthening the bonds between the two nations but are also contributing to a legacy of innovation, inclusion, resilience, and prosperity for other countries and generations to come, she said.

Marcos to PhilHealth: Prevention better than cure

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

RESIDENT Marcos wants

Pthe Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to shift the focus of its programs and benefits delivery from cures to illness or disabilityprevention measures.

In a meeting with Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Tuesday, Marcos stressed the need for PhilHealth to adjust its priorities to provide better care to its members stating “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound in cure.”

The President wants the Department of Health to guarantee that PhilHealth will be able to continue providing services to its members even after the legislative bicameral conference decided to not to allocate any funds to subsidize the state-run health

insurer for 2025.

Marcos and the Department of Finance (DOF) earlier said that PhilHealth has at least P150 billion surplus fund to maintain its operations for this year.

“Make sure that services of PhilHealth remain unhampered… it [zero subsidy] should not affect the delivery of healthcare services,” Marcos told Herbosa during the meeting.

He also tasked the deparment to implement its digitalization initiatives “to enhance service delivery and efficiency.”

Last month, Marcos ordered PhilHealth to enhance the benefits of its members despite its fund cut this year.

The President assured that his administration will continue to prioritize the implementation of social services in key sectors such as education and health under its 2025 national budget.

PRC assists Sinulog attendees

THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has deployed its assets to the Sinulog Festival, the annual religious event in honor of Señor Sto. Niño, in Cebu City.

“Prior to the Sinulog, our staff and volunteers were already deployed. Our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams will remain on standby to provide medical attention to millions of local and international tourists expected to attend the festival. All of our assets are activated and we’re ready to serve,” said the PRC chairman and chief executive officer, Richard Gordon, assuring the public that PRC’s presence will be felt until the end of the festival.

The PRC mobilized 200 volunteers, six ambulances, two rescue boats, four service vehicles, and a food truck.

It also set up 22 first aid stations, welfare desks, water stations, a communication center,

and an Emergency Field Hospital (EFH) with ten beds. For her part, PRC SecretaryGeneral Gwen Pang reminded the public to take note of some safety measures in order to have a safe and solemn celebration.

“It’s very important to stay hydrated, bring snacks, and wear comfortable and appropriate clothing and footwear. If you have a medical condition, it’s highly recommended that you bring your medical identification tag in case of an emergency. The public may also call the Red Cross by dialing 143 for assistance,” Pang said.

The operations of the PRC started on January 9 during the Novena Mass and Walk with Jesus.

It will continue its operations for upcoming festival activities such as Walk with Mary, Fluvial Parade, Solemn Procession, and the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 19. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Legislator assails abuse of PWD cards

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

ASENIOR senator on Tuesday expressed support for the National Council on Disability Affairs’ (NCDA) push for a unified identification system for persons with disabilities (PWDs), a measure aimed at addressing the misuse of PWD identification cards.

The NCDA’s proposed system seeks to eliminate fraudulent issuance of PWD IDs to unqualified individuals.

It also aims to uphold the provisions of Republic Act 10754, ensuring the protection of benefits and privileges granted to persons with disabilities.

In a statement on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III emphasized the need to maximize government resources to achieve this goal.

“Use computers. The government has been spending billions on computerizatio n. Dapat maramdaman naman ang gamit ng mga ito,” Pimentel said.

The Senate Minority Leader also highlighted the urgency of adopting the unified system. Apart from that, Pimentel conveyed concern that the benefit may be misused. “ Hindi dapat abusuhin ang mga benepisyo na para lamang sa mga may tunay na kapansanan Ang Unified PWD ID system ay mahalaga upang maayos na maipatupad ang batas at matulungan ang mga tunay na nangangailangan ,” he added.

QuadCom chief: Duterte’s war on drugs ‘catastrophic failure’

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE lead chairman of the House Quad Committee on Tuesday branded former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs as a “catastrophic failure,” claiming it fostered corruption within the National Police (PNP), encouraged impunity, and led to rampant human-rights violations.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers made the statement as he expressed support for Interior Secretary Juan Victor Remulla’s recent assertions of a “grand conspiracy” within the PNP, aimed at concealing illegal activities.

Barbers emphasized that Re -

Moreover, Pimentel notes that a unified ID could safeguard the integrity of PWD benefits and ensure fair access for qualified individuals.

The initiatives to reform the ID system follows complaints that in many parts of the country, thousands of people are using PWD ID cards that are either fake outright, or were issued under questionable circumstances.

In some cases cited, practically all members of a family could present IDs showing almost all of them are “PWDs” even though the disabilities are not easily tangible or verifiable.

Reckless or corrupt barangay leaders or other local government officials, and doctors who simply issue certifications to an applicant’s disability—even if the disability is very remote from the doctor’s specialization—are among the factors blamed for this alarming phenomenon of abusive practices of a law that was crafted for the marginalized.

Some local governments are known for indiscriminate issuance of PWD cards as their official’s “token of appreciation” to individuals who may have done them favors.

The desire of some people who are under 60 (therefore, unqualified yet for a Senior Citizen’s ID) to avail themselves of the 20 percent discount for seniors is also being blamed for the abuse of the PWD system. The PWDs, like seniors, are entitled to 20 percent discounts.

mulla’s call for a comprehensive investigation into drug-related police operations from 2016 to 2022 was long overdue.

“While I supported the antidrug campaign of the previous administration as a necessary response to a growing crisis, it is

now undeniable that it became a catastrophic failure,” Barbers said.

“Instead of upholding justice, it opened the floodgates to corruption in the PNP, fostered a culture of impunity that left thousands of innocent lives destroyed, and even allowed recycled drugs to poison our streets again,” he added.

Barbers, who also chairs the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said the indictment of 30 police officers—including two generals—over a fabricated drug haul in 2022 is “indisputable proof” of the alleged systemic abuse fostered by Duterte’s policies.

“This only confirms what we in the QuadCom have uncovered— the Duterte administration’s reward system turned law enforcement into a criminal enterprise. It prioritized kill statistics and inflated accomplishments over genuine reform and public safety,” he pointed out.

Experts cite need for cooperation to resist

China’s aggressive acts

By Rizal Raoul Reyes @brownindio

EXPERTS called for stronger cooperation among likeminded nations amid expectations that China will continue its aggressive operations in the West Philippine Sea this year.

They made the statement during a recent forum on the JapanPhilippines strategic cooperation on Friday, organized by the Stratbase Institute, in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

China studies expert and University of Tokyo Prof. Shin Kawashima said Beijing will continue to pursue aggressive tactics, including the spread of disinformation and false narratives, in the West Philippine Sea, Senkaku Islands, and Taiwan.

“China will not stop their operations. Maybe they will slow down temporarily but from a long-term view, China will not stop, especially given their strong strategy to go beyond the First Island Chain,” he said.

In 2024, the China Coast

Guard escalated tensions in the West Philippine Sea by aiming military-grade lasers and firing water canons at Philippine Coast Guard vessels, repeatedly ramming the Philippine ships, brandishing weapons, as well as explicitly threatening the safety of Filipinos at sea.

In Japan, approximately 1,300 Chinese government ships swarmed the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands, marking a record high for the third consecutive year.

Additionally, in the same year, over 3,000 Chinese military aircraft breached Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, setting another new record.

Kawashima also said that the severity of China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea will depend on how the new United States government will respond to their operations.

“China will experiment with the Trump administration’s attitude whether it will be hard line or soft line. If the Trump administration adopts a soft attitude, China will enact more aggressive policies,” he explained.

The Japanese expert emphasized the need for stronger cooperation among like-minded countries to deter aggressive Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea and Senkaku Islands.

“If like-minded countries will cooperate against China, if all of us could enhance the level [of cooperation] against China, the cost on China will be so much. That means China will feel larger costs if they continue to adopt its aggressive attitude towards us,” Kawashima added.

The Stratbase president, Prof. Dindo Manhit, supports the call on regional allies to intensify their collective efforts in addressing China’s increasing assertiveness. He highlighted the strategic importance of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, which was unanimously ratified by the Philippine Senate on December 16.

“The RAA sends a resounding message that the Philippines and Japan will stand resolute in the Indo-Pacific. It is crucial for the Philippines and like-minded partners, such as Japan, to deepen strategic cooperation to uphold peace

Metro Manila Council orders sanggunians to crack down on sale of tobacco products

By Claudeth Mocon Ciriaco @claudethmc3

THE Metro Manila Council has ordered local governments in the metropolis to enact ordinances meant to prevent the sale of tobacco produts to minors.

The council told local government to adopt the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) “to ensure that the laws on selling cigarettes and other tobacco products including e-cigarettes in restricted areas, especially where minors are present, will be stricly implemented.”

GIS is used by several local governments in the issuance of business permits and licenses related to the sale of cigarettes

Barbers cited testimonies from the QuadCom hearings, including statements from retired police colonel Royina Garma, which revealed that cash rewards were offered during Duterte’s term for drug suspects killed, arrests made, and drugs seized.

He echoed Remulla’s condemnation of this incentive scheme, claiming it promoted malpractice across the PNP.

“This reward system didn’t just encourage shortcuts—it bred criminal enterprises within the very institution tasked with upholding the law,” Barbers said.

“Officers fabricated evidence, inflated statistics, and exploited the system for personal profit, while those who should have been held accountable were shielded,” he stressed.

Barbers emphasized the need for sweeping reforms to dismantle the “culture of impunity” entrenched in the PNP.

and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” he explained.

“It is crucial for the Philippines and like-minded partners, such as Japan, to deepen strategic cooperation to uphold peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Fortunately, our leaders are more engaged than ever, actively participating in dialogue, open to new agreements, and committed to forging partnerships that strengthen collective efforts in addressing regional threats,” Manhit added.

The RAA will strengthen the cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and SelfDefense Forces of Japan. It will allow the Self-Defense Forces of Japan to engage in advanced training, particularly in joint US-Philippine exercises such as Balikatan, Kamandag, and Sama-Sama.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Enzo Kazuya said Japan is determined to unlock the full potential of its relationship with the Philippines.

“Once the RAA comes into effect, our level of cooperation will enter a new phase. We will continue to fortify our security and defense cooperation with allies and likeminded partners such as the US and Australia, sending a powerful message of our unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability, anchored on the rule of law,” Kazuya said.

Accurate, efficient means

and other tobacco products including e-cigarettes.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes noted that Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 and Republic Act 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, prohibits the selling of these products within a 100-meter perimeter of schools, playgrounds, and other areas of youth activities.

This move, Artes said, is to ensure that point-ofsale establishments selling tobacco and electronic smoking products are not situated within schools, public playgrounds, or other facilities frequented by minors.

Artes explained that this strategy is one of the agency’s major support to National Capital Region (NCR) local governments under the Smoke Free Project, stressing the need to strengthen and strictly enforce vape and tobacco control policies by crafting their respective local ordinances.

“Ordinances to be enacted by the local governments must include provisions prohibiting ambulant or mobile vendors from selling cigarettes and electronic smoking products, as these vendors are capable of circumventing laws prohibiting the sale of such products within prohibited areas,” said Artes.

ARTES stressed that the use of GIS technology will provide an accurate and efficient means for local governments to guarantee that locations are verified prior to the issuance of business permits and licenses.

GIS information is a tool to guide local governments before issuing or renewing business permits and licenses to ensure compliance with existing laws and ordinances. Furthermore, NCR local governments are also enjoined to enact rules on display of signages prohibiting the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes within the prohibited distance. The signages shall include graphic health warning illustrations and legal citations.

The MMC, composed of the 17 Metro Manila mayors, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.

Marcos to PhilHealth: Prevention better than cure

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

RESIDENT Marcos wants

Pthe Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to shift the focus of its programs and benefits delivery from cures to illness or disabilityprevention measures.

insurer for 2025.

Marcos and the Department of Finance (DOF) earlier said that PhilHealth has at least P150 billion surplus fund to maintain its operations for this year.

“Make sure that services of PhilHealth remain unhampered… it [zero subsidy] should not affect the delivery of healthcare services,” Marcos told Herbosa during the meeting.

He also tasked the deparment to implement its digitalization initiatives “to enhance service delivery and efficiency.”

Last month, Marcos ordered PhilHealth to enhance the benefits of its members despite its fund cut this year.

The President assured that his administration will continue to prioritize the implementation of social services in key sectors such as education and health under its 2025 national budget.

PRC assists Sinulog attendees

THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has deployed its assets to the Sinulog Festival, the annual religious event in honor of Señor Sto. Niño, in Cebu City.

The PRC mobilized 200 volunteers, six ambulances, two rescue boats, four service vehicles, and a food truck.

It also set up 22 first aid stations, welfare desks, water stations, a communication center,

The operations of the PRC started on January 9 during the Novena Mass and Walk with Jesus.

It will continue its operations for upcoming festival activities such as Walk with Mary, Fluvial Parade, Solemn Procession, and the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 19. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Legislator assails abuse of PWD cards

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

The NCDA’s proposed system seeks to eliminate fraudulent issuance of PWD IDs to unqualified individuals.

It also aims to uphold the provisions of Republic Act 10754, ensuring the protection of benefits and privileges granted to persons with disabilities.

In a statement on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III emphasized the need to maximize government resources to achieve this goal.

“Use computers. The government has been spending billions on computerizatio n. Dapat maramdaman naman ang gamit ng mga ito,” Pimentel said.

QuadCom chief: Duterte’s war on drugs ‘catastrophic failure’

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

Barbers emphasized that Re -

Moreover, Pimentel notes that a unified ID could safeguard the integrity of PWD benefits and ensure fair access for qualified individuals.

In some cases cited, practically all members of a family could present IDs showing almost all of them are “PWDs” even though the disabilities are not easily tangible or verifiable.

Some local governments are known for indiscriminate issuance of PWD cards as their official’s “token of appreciation” to individuals who may have done them favors.

mulla’s call for a comprehensive investigation into drug-related police operations from 2016 to 2022 was long overdue.

“While I supported the antidrug campaign of the previous administration as a necessary response to a growing crisis, it is

now undeniable that it became a catastrophic failure,” Barbers said.

Experts cite need for cooperation to resist

China’s aggressive acts

By Rizal Raoul Reyes @brownindio

EXPERTS called for stronger cooperation among likeminded nations amid expectations that China will continue its aggressive operations in the West Philippine Sea this year.

In 2024, the China Coast

In Japan, approximately 1,300 Chinese government ships swarmed the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands, marking a record high for the third consecutive year.

Additionally, in the same year, over 3,000 Chinese military aircraft breached Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, setting another new record.

Kawashima also said that the severity of China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea will depend on how the new United States government will respond to their operations.

The Japanese expert emphasized the need for stronger cooperation among like-minded countries to deter aggressive Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea and Senkaku Islands.

Metro Manila Council orders sanggunians to crack down on sale of tobacco products

By Claudeth Mocon Ciriaco @claudethmc3

THE Metro Manila Council has ordered local governments in the metropolis to enact ordinances meant to prevent the sale of tobacco produts to minors.

GIS is used by several local governments in the issuance of business permits and licenses related to the sale of cigarettes

He echoed Remulla’s condemnation of this incentive scheme, claiming it promoted malpractice across the PNP.

“This reward system didn’t just encourage shortcuts—it bred criminal enterprises within the very institution tasked with upholding the law,” Barbers said.

“Officers fabricated evidence, inflated statistics, and exploited the system for personal profit, while those who should have been held accountable were shielded,” he stressed.

Barbers emphasized the need for sweeping reforms to dismantle the “culture of impunity” entrenched in the PNP.

and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” he explained.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Enzo Kazuya said Japan is determined to unlock the full potential of its relationship with the Philippines.

Accurate, efficient means

and other tobacco products including e-cigarettes.

The MMC, composed of the 17 Metro Manila mayors, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Palay farmgate prices hit all-time high in ’24

TBy Ada Pelonia

HE farmgate price of pa -

lay or dry unmilled rice reached an all-time high in 2024, latest government data showed.

Figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicate that the average quotation of palay jumped by 17.4 percent to P23.33 per kilo last year from P19.88 per kilo in 2023.

Historical data indicated that this was the highest average farmgate quotation since 2010. It was also the second time the country breached the P20 per kilo mark since 2018 at P20.06 per kilo.

PSA data also showed that the highest increase was observed

in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where the average prices registered a year-on-year growth of 29.6 percent.

The average palay farmgate price in BARMM settled at P25.08 per kilo in 2024, higher than the previous year’s P19.35 per kilo.

This was followed by Western Visayas which recorded a 26.6 percent growth to P25.14 per kilo last year from P19.85 per kilo in 2023.

“Farmgate prices refer to the prices received by farmers for the sale of their produce at the first point of sale net of the total marketing cost paid by the farmers,” the PSA explained. “These prices are determined at

the farmgate or first point of sale transactions and are also known as ‘producer prices.’”

Reasons

INDUSTRY experts said several factors could account for the record-high average quotation of palay last year.

The Philippine Chamber for Agriculture and Food Inc. (Pcafi) president Danilo Fausto said that owing to the anticipated lower palay output, the farmgate price during the wet harvest season ranged from P21-P23 per kilo for wet palay and P25-P27 per kilo for dry.

“Before 2010, I recall that farmgate palay prices were around P17-18 [per kilo] for wet palay. This is because price of

inputs like [the] fertilizers and seeds are still lower during those times,” Fausto told the BusinessMirror on Tuesday.

Roehlano Briones, senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), said the increase in international prices of the food staple coupled with the effects of the dry spell likely caused this all-time high average palay price.

“High world prices and El Niño [could have caused the record-high farmgate price],” Briones told this reporter.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that rice export prices skyrocketed after India, the world’s largest rice exporter, issued a ban

DOT awards ₧273-M in branding, marketing projects

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM

Special to the BusinessMirror

DESPITE its lower branding budget this year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) continues to promote the Philippines in key markets abroad, tapping various media.

In a recent television interview, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said in a

mix of Filipino and English, “As we continue to promote the Philippines to the world, in various jurisdictions, we have continued our global campaign for ‘Love the Philippines [LVP].’ This has reached the United States, Europe, many areas of Asia, even the Middle East, and the like.”

She added that the LVP campaign was being implemented “by way of traditional marketing, ad placements; we also have executions with the globally-

recognized multimedia platforms, as well as social media. Also included are billboard executions.”

According to a list of awarded projects available on the DOT website, the agency last year awarded some P273 million in branding and marketing communication projects, the largest of which was the Consulting Services for Local and International Events Marketing Communication at P96 million, awarded to CTV Corporate Television Inc.

Branding funds cut by P1 billion OTHER Consulting Services projects were awarded for: International Media Placements through Integrated Branded Content for Philippine Destinations and Tourism Products (P92.69 million) to Universal Vision Solutions Communications Inc., Local Public Relations (P60 million) to David and Golyat Management Inc., Film Tourism (P14.71 million) to Ubuntu Premium Studios Inc., Social Media Management and Strategic Planning Agency (P8 million) also to Universal Vision, and Production, Content-Creation and

Printing of the Muslim-Friendly Travelogue of the Philippines (P1.84 million) to New Perspective Media FZ LLC.

These awarded projects were less than the P712 million in branding projects awarded in 2023. Universal Vision along with David and Golyat were among the companies which also awarded projects in 2023.

Frasco said: “In 2023, the budget for branding and marketing was P1.2 billion. In 2024, it was reduced by P1 billion, so [we got] just P200 million.” The agency has yet to post new bid announcements for branding projects this year.

She said a reduced branding and marketing budget will make it more challenging to sell the Philippines abroad and keep it top of mind among would-be international travelers. Last year, there were just 5.95 million international tourists in the Philippines, 23 percent less than the DOT’s 7.7 million target for the year, and 28.3 percent less than the 8.3-million historic high arrivals in 2019, prior to the pandemic. (See, “DOT marketing arm gets lift with P40-M

on non-basmati rice shipments in 2023.

Because of this, USDA said the next largest suppliers, Thailand and Vietnam, caused export quotes to surge to “the highest levels” since 2008. India lifted the ban last September.

Vietnam and Thailand are the Philippines’s two largest suppliers of imported rice, with shipments from both countries accounting for over 4 million metric tons (MMT), based on government data. The Philippines imported a recordhigh 4.78 MMT in 2024.

Meanwhile, the agriculture damage caused by El Niño reached P15.30 billion last year, based on a report from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

subsidy,” in the B usiness M irror , January 13, 2025.)

RE for Siargao FRASCO, at the same time, said the DOT is working to help address the challenging power supply situation on Siargao Island, the surfing capital of the Philippines.

“I have been closely working with Secretary [Raphael] Lotilla of the Department of Energy [DOE], as well as with the local stakeholders of Siargao through our regional office, where we articulated the necessity of managing the power situation to cut short the power shortage.”

She added that the DOT is also currently discussing with the DOE “on exploring renewable energy options that Tieza (Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority) can extend to the island to ensure that their power supply is sustained.

Last year, Sen. Miguel Zubiri revealed that owners of hospitality accommodations were being discouraged from constructing in Siargao as they could not to be reassured of continuous power supply. (See, “Power shortfall in Siargao forces hotel investors to halt construction—Zubiri,” in the B usiness M irror , August 29, 2024.)

As for her “wish list” this year, Frasco said she is looking forward to the continued improvement of airport infrastructure and the development of more regional airports to increase domestic flights to island destinations. She added that she was “very eager” for the implementation of the Value-Added Tax refund mechanism for international travelers, and the orderly launch of the electronic visa system “and that it can be implemented in the same manner that our neighbors have done, same with our neighbors globally.”

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Shabu seized at intl airport

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto

MORE than 10 kilos of unsuspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, worth P72.800 million was intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal (Naia) 3, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) announed on Monday.

The BOC-Naia, in coordination with the Naia Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG), seized 10.706 kilograms of shabu in an operation on January 6. A passenger from South Africa, who went for a stopover in Doha, Qatar, before proceeding to Manila, was found to be carrying the illicit drugs.

A BOC statement said, the seized drugs were concealed in five handbags, four file organizer bags and one portfolio bag stored in improvised pouches made of packaging tape wrapped in carbon paper. The illegal drugs were immediately handed over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (Pdea) for laboratory examination and safekeeping.

Further investigation is also underway for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act No. 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act).

The BOC-Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, Pdea, the National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avseg), the Airport Police Department, the PNP Drug Enforcement Group and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were among the other agencies involved in the interdiction operation.

“Our efforts reflect the BOC’s determination to take decisive action against illegal drug smuggling and ensure the safety of our communities,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said in the statement.

District Collector Yasmin O. Mapa said the operation sends a strong message to drug traffickers about the BOC-NAIA’s staunch opposition to illegal drug smuggling. In 2024, the BOC confiscated illegal drugs with an estimated value of P2.512 billion, resulting from 154 seizure operations.

Comelec urges lawmakers to tackle premature campaigning as political ads flood public spaces

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

WITH political posters and advertisements flooding public spaces, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has once again urged lawmakers to amend the law to regulate candidates who campaign before the official campaign period begins.

In a recent press briefing, Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said that the commission has limited power to act on the issue because there is no provision in the election laws that addresses premature campaigning.

“Talagang nakaka disappoint… wala talaga tayong magagawa sa kasalukuyan kasi sa bandang huli, kung ano ang batas, yun ang dapat masusunod,” he said. In the Penera vs. Comelec ruling, the Supreme Court clarified that simply filing a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in an automated election does not officially make someone a candidate until the campaign period starts.

This means that anyone who has filed a COC is legally free to engage in what would otherwise be considered campaigning—including posting political advertisements, airing commercials, and distributing flyers—so long as the campaign period has not yet commenced.

The poll chief urged lawmakers to change this to prevent more political aspirants from exploiting their early reach to outpace other candidates.

“Isinusulong natin ang pagbabago... Dapat pag file ng COC, naniniwala tayo dapat kandidato na. Andun na yung intention tumakbo eh. Kung hindi pa kandidato, bakit pag namatay o disqualify, pwede palitan? Paano papalitan ang hindi pa kandidato?” he said.

Garcia also reminded lawmakers that Republic Act 9006, or the Fair Election Act, is supposed to provide equal opportunities for all those wishing to become government officials.

Chavit’s name stays on ballots

DESPITE Ilocos Sur’s longtime governor, Luis “Chavit” Singson, announcing his intention to withdraw from the senatorial race, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed that his name will remain on the ballot since the printing process has already begun.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said on Monday that even if a candidate withdraws, the order of candidates on the ballot cannot be adjusted at this stage.

“Paano lalaban mahihirap na kandidato kung yung mayayaman ay pagkalalaki na agad ng campaign materials sa kalsada, bayad agad sa telebisyon, radyo, dyaryo. Nasaan naman ang fairness dun?” he said.

In previous years, the issue has been discussed in Congress.

Several bills seeking to criminalize premature campaigning have been introduced, including Senate Bills No. 3305 and No. 2445 by the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and House Bills No. 5332 and No. 909 by former Representatives Joaquin Chipeco Jr. and Fredenil Castro. However, the law has yet to change—leaving Comelec struggling to find solutions as early campaigning continues unchecked.

This year, the official campaign period for national candidates will start on February 11 and end on May 10.

Local candidates, meanwhile, will have 45 days to campaign from March 28 to May 10.

Nothing regular with continued ops of Chinese ships in PHL waters–NSC

By Rex Anthony Naval

ASSISTANT Director General Jonathan Malaya, of the National Security Council (NSC), on Tuesday said there is nothing regular with the continued operations of Chinese maritime forces in the country’s waters, including the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“There is nothing regular to the actions of Chinese vessels in these areas. The presence of the ‘monster ship’ [China Coast Guard vessel 5901] in our waters is illegal and inconsistent with the exercise of freedom of navigation and innocent passage. It is clearly a provocative act,” he said in a media briefing.

we know we are in the right. We wish to reiterate the legitimacy and effectivity of the 2016 Arbitral Award and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act. It remains unquestionable and irrefutable,” he added.

Also, Malaya said China’s continued illegal presence in Philippine waters is part of its efforts to establish its “own perspective and narrative on what is normal in the areas and claims within the WPS.”

“China used this increasing inversion into the inclusive economic zone of the Philippines as part of its regular maritime activities within areas it claims ownership of. This is a narrative that the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) strongly opposes the challenge as disclosed against international law, particularly those in the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 on the WPS,” Malaya noted.

“Hindi na tayo makakapag adjust sapagkat nakapagsimula na tayong mag imprenta ng balota… pagka may adjustment, uulitin muli ang pag imprenta sa kaunaunahan,” he said. The printing of ballots began on January 6 and is expected to take 75 days to complete, with around 73 million ballots to be printed for the national, local, and parliamentary elections on May 12. Approximately 950,000 ballots are set to be printed each day.

Rep.

Garcia further clarified that, in the unlikely event Singson still receives votes despite his withdrawal, any ballots cast for him would be considered “stray” or invalid. Moreover, the poll chief stressed

that Singson himself must appear in person at the Comelec office where his candidacy was filed. A special power of attorney will not be accepted for this purpose.

He said that voluntary withdrawal, without death or disqualification, disqualifies any possibility for a candidate’s substitution.

“Only in cases of death or disqualification can a person be substituted,” he added.

Singson announced his decision to withdraw from the senatorial race on Sunday, citing his need to focus on recovering from a recent battle with pneumonia.

Stella Luz Quimbo named as acting House Appropriations Committee chair

MARIKINA City Rep.

Stella Luz Quimbo has been designated as the acting chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, following the resignation of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co due to health concerns.

“Hindi po biro ang kampanya, lalo na ang trabaho ng isang senador, kung talagang magtatrabaho. Ayaw kong ipilit, ang aking kalusugan ay maaring magdusa,” the 83-year-old politician said.

In October, Singson had expressed his desire to become a senator to advocate for the modernization of jeepneys at a lower cost.

He said he had already secured a partnership with a foreign manufacturer capable of producing cheaper e-jeepneys—priced around P1.2 million—compared to the “very expensive” units endorsed by the government.

The latest Pulse Asia survey ranked Singson between 22nd and 24th, with an 11.5 percent voting preference. Justine Xyrah Garcia

capacity until the House designates a permanent chairperson in accordance with the applicable rules,” Velasco said.

Malaya also added that the presence of CCG 5901 and smaller Chinese Coast Guard vessels in Zambales waters, which forms part of the WPS, it attempt to intimidate Filipino fishermen from going about their business in their traditional fishing grounds.

CCG 5901 has been repeatedly detected in Zambales since January 4.

This action aims to deprive these Filipino fisher folk of their livelihood, the NSC official noted, and part of China’s “intimidation tactic”.

“I think they are underestimating the resolve of the Philippine government to support our Filipino fishermen. As a nation unified in securing what is rightfully and legally ours, we do not and will not dignify these scare tactics by backing down,” Malaya said.

“We do not waver or cower in the face of intimidation. On the contrary, it strengthens our resolve because

He also added the Philippines is committed to enforcing all necessary means to protect its territories.

“Through our various maritime assets, we continue to strongly and firmly enforce the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, international law, and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling in protecting and securing our interests and national security to safeguard the national interests as well as the rights of Filipino fishermen. These forms of intimidation and coercion have not only strengthened our resolve to protect the WPS but have also galvanized the international community in support of our country’s position, international law, and the rules-based international order.-

Bong Go strengthens support for tricycle operators and drivers in Parañaque City

SThe announcement was made by House Secretary General Reginald Velasco on Tuesday, who clarified that Quimbo’s designation complies with the Rules of the House of Representatives under Rule IX, Section 32 on Vacancy and Succession. Quimbo serves as the House Appropriations Committee’s senior vice chairman. Under the House rules, in case of absence or temporary incapacity of the committee chairperson, the highest-ranking vice-chairperson or the member whose name appears next in the list of committee members shall automatically assume the duties of the chairperson until such time that the latter returns to office and resumes work.

duties of the chairperson until a permanent replacement is chosen.

In a statement, Velasco affirmed that Quimbo’s role as officer-in-charge (OIC) ensures the committee’s operations continue seamlessly while the House identifies a permanent successor.

It said if a vacancy occurs due to resignation, death, permanent disability, or removal, the next member in succession takes over the

Remulla says INC’s rally won’t influence outcome of NBI’s probe vs Sara Duterte

J USTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as the massive peace rally organized by the religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) would not influence the outcome of the ongoing criminal investigation against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The INC’s nationwide peace rally attended by millions of its members and supporters was believed to be a show of force for Duterte who is a subject of several impeachment complaints filed before the House of Representatives arising from her alleged misuse of her confidential funds.

Duterte is also under investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation(NBI) in connection with the supposed threat she issued against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, First Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Duterte’s camp had questioned the impartiality of the NBI in conducting the investigation, noting that its investigation stemmed from the statement made by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin referring to the Presidential Security Command the supposed active threat on the President as well as upon the directive of Remulla. They pointed out that Remulla is NBI’s “administrative superior,

“Therefore, the designation of Rep. Stella Quimbo as the acting leader of the House Committee on Appropriations is in compliance with the rules. She is serving as the officer-incharge (OIC) of the committee and will perform the functions of the chairperson in an acting

head of agency and the President’s chief alter-ego.”

“I am not concerned about that because it’s their freedom to express themselves and we respect that freedom. We regard that freedom zealously,” Remulla said when asked if the INC’s rally was intended to pressure the government not to touch the vice president.

Remulla said he expects the NBI to submit the result of its investigation against Duterte very soon.

When asked if the rally would affect the outcome of the investigation, Remulla replied:

“I don’t think so. We just have to look at the law as something that equalizes everything between all of us, that’s why we cannot give special favors to people because of standing,” Remulla said.

Joel R. San Juan

“This designation ensures the uninterrupted operations of the committee in fulfilling its crucial legislative duties, especially during this period of transition,” he added.

For her part, Quimbo confirmed her new role, stating, “I was advised by the leadership [that] I am to ensure that our Committee on Appropriations will continue to function as before.”

Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co formally stepped down from the appropriations committee chairmanship on Monday, citing health challenges as the primary reason for his decision.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Savellano was also declared a nuisance candidate by the Comelec for the position of Representative of Ilocos Sur’s 1st District. Balintay, a member of the indigenous people of Zambales, filed a petition challenging the Comelec’s resolution rejecting his application to run for Zambales governor.

The SC’s TRO in effect directs the Comelec to accept and give due course to Balintay’s certificate of candidacy. Ritualo, on the other hand, is challenging the Comelec resolution cancelling his COC for Sangguniang Panlungsod Member for San Juan City’s 1st District in the 2025 elections.

The SC’s TRO prohibited the Comelec from cancelling his COC.

The High Tribunal gave the Comelec five days from receipt of notice to comment on the petitions of Mustapha, Savellano, Balintay and Ritualo.

ENATOR Bong Go strengthen ties with Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) members in Parañaque City, and vow unwavering support for the transport sector.

“Kayo po ang ating mga modern-day heroes na hindi napapagod sa pagsiguro namakaratingangbawatisasakanilang mga destinasyon, mula eskwelahan, trabaho,oanumangmahalaganggawain. Hindimatatawarananginyongsakripisyo, lalo na sa mga oras na kinakailangan ng mabilis at maaasahang transportasyon ng ating mga kababayan,” Senator Christopher “Bong” Go stressed in his speech during the general assembly of TODA members in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City on Sunday, January 12, highlighting the indispensable contribution of the TODA sector not only to the local economy but also to the daily lives of Filipinos.

T he event at BFFHAI Park saw an estimated 500 TODA members in attendance, underscoring the vital role of tricycle drivers and operators in their communities. The senator also gave attendees relief items, such as cash assistance, grocery packs, and shirts. There were also select recipients of basketballs, volleyballs, phones, and shoes.

G o emphasized his commitment to

continue supporting the transport sector to the best of his capacity. He cited his advocacy for improving transportation systems and addressing the needs of drivers and operators, which he considers vital for the country’s progress.

“Alam ko po ang mga hamon na inyong hinaharap, tulad ng pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina at mga gastusin sa pagmamantinenginyongmgasasakyan. Kayanaman,sinisigurokonaanginyong mga hinaing ay makarating sa tamang ahensya ng gobyerno,” said Go. C ouncilors Raffy dela Peña and Edwin “Bong” Benzon, BF TODA President Felix Nonato, former congresswoman Joy Tambunting, and aspiring councilor Shiella Benzon also joined the event. Senator Go expressed his appreciation for their support and dedication to the TODA community. Go also reflected on his long-standing partnership with the tricycle sector. He recalled a chance encounter with NCR TODA President Ismael Sevilla in 2018, which inspired the senator to organize the first TODA Summit in January 2019. Held in Pasay City, the summit served as a platform to hear out the concerns of the country’s tricycle oper ators and drivers, including uniform regulations and other pressing issues.

The bill also stated that “the next regular barangay and SK elections shall be held on the first Monday of October 2027 and every four years thereafter. The term of office of barangay officials and members of the SK elected subsequent to the effectivity of this Act shall commence on the first day of November following their election.” Once passed into law, all incumbent barangay officials and members of the SK shall remain in office unless sooner removed or suspended for cause until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. Incumbent elective barangay officials serving their third consecutive term in the same position shall not be eligible to run for the same

2025

Israeli strikes on Gaza kill 18 as hopes rise for ceasefire and hostage release

By Wafaa Shurafa & Natalie Melzer

The Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip—

Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 18 people overnight, including six women and four children, health officials said Tuesday, as Israel and Hamas appeared to be narrowing in on a ceasefire deal to end the 15-month war and release dozens of hostages.

Officials have expressed mounting optimism that they can conclude an agreement in the coming days after more than a year of talks that have repeatedly stalled.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels meanwhile fired a missile at central Israel, setting off sirens and sending people fleeing to shelters without causing any casualties. Police said several homes were damaged outside Jerusalem and released a photo of a missile casing that had crashed into a roof.

Two strikes in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah killed two

women and their four children, who ranged in age from 1 month to 9 years old. One of the women was pregnant and the baby did not survive, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the bodies. Another 12 people were killed in two strikes on the southern city of Khan Younis, according to the European Hospital. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel says it only targets militants and accuses them of hiding among civilians in shelters and tent camps for the displaced.

Israel and Hamas have come under renewed pressure to halt the conflict in the lead-up to the Jan. 20 inauguration of Presidentelect Donald Trump, whose Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently joined US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators in the Gulf country’s capital, Doha.

The phased deal would be based on a framework laid out by President Joe Biden in May and endorsed by the UN Security Council.

In the first phase, Hamas would release dozens of the most vulnerable hostages seized in the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners as Israeli forces pull back from population centers. At least some Palestinians would be allowed to return to their homes and there would be a surge of humanitarian aid.

In the second phase, Hamas says it would release the remaining hostages in exchange for a large number of prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to keep fighting until Hamas’ military and governing capabilities have been destroyed and it no longer poses a threat. The gap between the two sides would be negotiated during the first phase.

Hamas-led militants killed

around 1,200 people in the October 7 attack and abducted another 250. Some 100 hostages are still being held inside Gaza. The Israeli military believes that at least a third and up to half of them are dead.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 46,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 fighters, without providing evidence.

The offensive has reduced large areas of the territory to rubble

and displaced around 90 percent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, with hundreds of thousands packed into tent camps along the coast where hunger is widespread. The war has rippled across the region, igniting over a year of fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants that ended with a tense ceasefire in November. Israel has also traded direct fire with Iran, which backs Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis.

The Israeli military said it made several attempts to intercept the missile launched from Yemen early Tuesday and that “the missile was

likely intercepted.” It said an earlier missile fired from Yemen was also intercepted.

The Houthis, who captured Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and much of the country’s north in 2014, have launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Israel and have attacked international shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis say they are fighting in solidarity with the Palestinians, but the vast majority of the targeted ships have no connection to the conflict.

Melzer reported from Nahariya, Israel.

Southern California braces for fierce winds as reinforcements arrive to battle wildfires

By Christopher Weber, Julie Watson & John Seewer

The Associated Press

OS ANGELES—Additional

Lwater tankers and scores of firefighters have arrived at the Los Angeles area ahead of fierce winds that were forecast to return and threaten the progress made so far on two massive infernos that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.

On Monday, planes doused homes and hillsides with bright pink fire-retardant chemicals, while crews and fire engines were being placed near particularly vulnerable spots with dry brush. Dozens of water trucks rolled in to replenish supplies after hydrants ran dry last week when the two largest fires erupted.

Tabitha Trosen and her boyfriend said she feels like they are “teetering” on the edge with the constant fear that their neighborhood could be the next under threat.

“Our cats are ready to go, we have their carriers by the door prepped with their little stuffed animals and things like that,”

Trosen said, adding that she’s packed things as she thinks about what she could lose. “It’s like, how do I take care of myself, and what are the things that will ground me as a human and remind me of my background and my life and my family.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other officials—who have faced criticism over their initial response to fires that began last week—expressed confidence Monday that the region was ready to face the new threat with additional firefighters brought in from around the US, as well as Canada and Mexico.

“We’re absolutely better prepared,” LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said when asked what will be different from a week ago, when hurricane-force winds propelled multiple fires across the parched, brush-filled region that hasn’t seen rain in more than eight months.

There have been more than a dozen wildfires in Southern California since Jan. 1, mostly in the greater Los Angeles area. The latest started late Monday in a dry riverbed in Oxnard, about 55 miles (about 89 kilometers) northwest of

Los Angeles, and was burning in an agricultural area.

The winds are predicted to pick up starting early Tuesday and continue through midday Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. They are not expected to reach hurricane-force like last week, but they could ground firefighting aircraft, Marrone said, warning if winds reach 70 mph (112 kph), “it’s going to be very difficult to contain that fire.”

Fire officials advised residents in high-risk areas to just leave home – and not wait for formal evacuation orders – if they sense danger.

That’s exactly what Tim Kang of La Crescenta did last Wednesday. Feeling sick from the smoky air and fearful of nearby fires spreading, Kang and his brothers packed up and have stayed away from their neighborhood.

“Everything just felt like, ‘Oh man, the world’s ending,’” said Kang, who’s staying with his girlfriend in Pasadena.

In less than a week, four fires around the nation’s second-biggest city have scorched more than 62 square miles (160 square kilometers), roughly three times the

size of Manhattan.

The National Weather Service warned the weather will be “particularly dangerous” on Tuesday, when wind gusts could reach 65 mph (105 kph). A large part of Southern California around Los Angeles is under this extreme fire danger warning through Wednesday, including densely populated Thousand Oaks, Northridge and Simi Valley.

The Eaton Fire near Pasadena is roughly one-third contained, while the largest blaze in Pacific Palisades on the coast is far less contained.

Search for victims continues THE death toll is likely to rise, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday. At least twodozen were missing, he said.

Luna said he understands that people are eager to return to their homes and neighborhoods to survey the damage, but he asked for their patience. “We have people literally looking for the remains of your neighbors,” he said.

At a Monday evening community meeting about the Palisades Fire, a Los Angeles Police Depart -

ment official said many people reported as missing had been found. It wasn’t clear if there was overlap in the numbers shared by the sheriff.

Checking on their homes

THE slower winds over the weekend allowed some people to return to previously evacuated areas. Many had no idea if their homes or neighborhoods were still standing.

Jim Orlandini, who lost his hardware store in Altadena, a hard-hit neighborhood next to Pasadena, said his home of 40 years survived.

“The whole time I was thinking, I don’t know what I’m going to find when I get back here and after 40 years, you know, you got a lot of stuff you forget about that would disappear if the house burned down. So we’re thankful that it didn’t.”

Warnings to stay out of disaster zones

LA city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley urged people to stay away from burned neighborhoods filled with broken gas lines and unstable buildings.

Just under 100,000 in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation orders, half the number from last week.

Fighting flames on multiple fronts

FIREFIGHTERS over the weekend fought flames in Mandeville Canyon—home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities— after the Palisades Fire spread, prompting new evacuation orders. Crews continued battling there Monday before potentially strong winds could push the flames toward the famous J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Beyoncé, Disney and other celebrities and entertainment organizations have pledged millions

to help those who have been displaced or lost their homes. Other stars—and ordinary people—have left large donations of clothing and other items along street corners in around the city.

Investigating looting, fundraising scams

Dozens of people have been arrested for looting after the wildfires. Officials are now starting to see price gouging and scams, including with hotels and shortterm rentals and medical supplies, said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

Counting up and investigating the destruction THE fires that began Tuesday north of downtown LA have burned more than 12,000 homes, cars and other structures. Authorities haven’t determined an official cause for any of the fires. Southern California Edison has acknowledged agencies are investigating whether its equipment may have started a smaller blaze. A lawsuit filed Monday claims the utility’s equipment sparked the much bigger Eaton Fire. Edison did not respond to a request for comment and last week said it had not received any suggestions that its equipment ignited that blaze.

AccuWeather’s early estimates suggest the fires could be the nation’s costliest ever, topping $250 billion including what’s to come in the next days. The reconstruction cost for commercial and residential properties inside areas with active fires could be

lion, according to real

data tracker CoreLogic. Watson reported from

DESTROYED buildings in the Gaza Strip are visible from southern Israel on Monday, January 13, 2025. AP/ARIEL SCHALIT

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 A11

153 winners of Nobel and World Food prizes seek new ways to grow food to meet surging global need

By Scott Mcfetridge The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa—More than 150 recipients of the Nobel and World Food prizes released an open letter Tuesday calling for a dramatic increase in research and a commitment to new food distribution efforts with a goal of producing more crops and avoiding a global hunger crisis in coming decades.

The letter notes that an estimated 700 million people now are “food insecure and desperately poor” but that without a “moonshot” effort to grow more and different kinds of food, far more people will be in dire need of food because of climate change and population growth.

“As difficult and as uncomfortable as it might be to imagine, humanity is headed towards an even more food insecure, unstable world by mid-century than exists today, worsened by a vicious cycle of conflict and food insecurity,” states the letter, signed by 153 recipients of the two prizes. “Climate change is projected to decrease the productivity of most major staples when substantial increases are needed to feed a world which will add another 1.5 billion people to its population by 2050.”

Corn production in Africa is expected to decline and much of the world could see more soil degradation and water shortages, the letter says.

“We are not on track to meet future food needs. Not even close,” it adds.

The letter grew from a meeting of food accessibility experts last fall. Despite the potential gloom, it holds out hope for an optimistic vision of the future if people take needed actions. The letter says that a dramatic increase in research funding coupled with more effective ways to share information and distribute food could prevent a hunger crisis.

Brian Schmidt, who won the Nobel Prize in physics in 2011, said the need to dramatically increase food production in the coming decades is a huge challenge. He calls it a “destination with

destiny,” but one that can be achieved with proper funding to enhance existing knowledge as well as global leadership.

“It is an imminently solvable problem. It is a problem that will affect billions of people in 25 years. It is a problem that to solve it, there are no losers, only winners,” Schmidt said in an interview.

“All we have to do is do it.”

Schmidt said he hopes governments in the US, Europe and elsewhere can commit to solving the problem, but he thinks private groups like the Gates Foundation may need to take the lead in funding initial steps that will draw attention and prompt action by politicians.

The letter calls for “transformational efforts” such as enhancing photosynthesis in essential crops such as wheat and rice, developing crops that are not as reliant on chemical fertilizers and lengthening the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

Cynthia Rosenzweig, a climate research scientist at NASA who won the World Food Prize in 2022, said in an interview that researchers are already making progress toward breakthroughs, but their work needs to be turbocharged with more funding and emphasis from world leaders.

“It’s not that we have to dream up new solutions,” Rosenzweig said. “The solutions are very much being tested but in order to actually take them from the lab out into the agriculture regions of the world, we really do need the moonshot approach.”

The term moonshot refers to an unprecedented effort, stemming from President John F. Kennedy’s call in 1962 for Americans to rocket to the Moon. Rosenzweig, noting she works for NASA, said meeting the food needs of a growing population will take the kind of commitment the US made in achieving Kennedy’s goal of reaching the Moon.

“Look at how the scientists had to come together. The engineers had to be part of it. The funding had to come together as well as the general public,” she said. “That base of support has to be there as well.”

Top aide of impeached South Korean president pleads for investigators to halt detention efforts

By Kim Tong-Hyung The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea—The top aide of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol pleaded with law enforcement on Tuesday to abandon their efforts to detain him over last month’s martial law imposition, as authorities prepared a second attempt to take him into custody.

In his statement, presidential chief of staff Chung Jin-suk said Yoon could instead be questioned at a “third site” or at his residence and claimed that the anti-corruption agency and police were trying to drag him out like he was a member of a “South American drug cartel.”

However, Yoon Kab-keun, one of the president’s lawyers, said Chung issued the message without consulting them and that the legal team has no immediate plans to make the president available for questioning by investigators.

Yoon Suk Yeol has not left his official residence in Seoul for weeks, and the presidential security service prevented dozens of investigators from detaining Yoon after a nearly six-hour standoff on Jan. 3.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials and police pledged more forceful measures to detain Yoon while they jointly investigate whether Yoon’s brief martial law declaration on Dec. 3 amounted to an attempted rebellion. The National Police Agency has convened multiple meetings of field commanders in Seoul and nearby Gyeonggi province in recent days to plan the detainment efforts and the size of those forces fueled speculation that more than a thousand officers could be deployed in a possible

multiday operation. The agency and police have openly warned that presidential bodyguards obstructing the execution of the warrant could be arrested on site.

The anti-corruption agency and police haven’t confirmed when they would return to the presidential residence, which has been fortified with barbed wire and rows of vehicles blocking paths. But Chung said he understood “D-day” to be Wednesday, without specifying the information he had.

Anti-corruption agency and police officials met with representatives of the presidential security service Tuesday morning for unspecified discussions regarding efforts to execute the detention warrant for Yoon, the agency said. It wasn’t immediately clear whether they any kind of compromise was reached.

The country’s acting leader, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, had raised concerns on Monday about potential clashes between authorities and the presidential security service, which, despite a court warrant for Yoon’s detention, has insisted it’s obligated to protect the president.

The anti-corruption agency and police have “completed preparations for a siege,” Chung said.

“They are ready to tear down the walls at any moment and handcuff President Yoon Suk Yeol, who remains isolated in his residence in Hannamdong and forcibly remove him,” he added, accusing investigators of trying to humiliate the president.

“Thousands of citizens are staying up through the night in front of the presidential residence, vowing to protect the president. If a conflict were to break out between the police and citizens, an unimaginable tragedy could occur.”

The World BusinessMirror

Trump team questioning civil servants on loyalty at National Security Council

By Aamer Madhani & Zeke Miller The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—

Incoming senior Trump administration officials have begun questioning career civil servants who work on the White House National Security Council about who they voted for in the 2024 election, their political contributions and whether they have made social media posts that could be considered incriminating by President-elect Donald Trump’s team, according to a US official familiar with the matter.

At least some of these nonpolitical employees have begun packing up their belongings since being asked about their loyalty to Trump—after they had earlier been given indications that they would be asked to stay on at the NSC in the new administration, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters.

Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, in recent days publicly signaled his intention to get rid of all

nonpolitical appointees and career intelligence officials serving on the NSC by Inauguration Day to ensure the council is staffed with those who support Trump’s agenda.

A wholesale removal of foreign policy and national security experts from the NSC on Day 1 of the new administration could deprive Trump’s team of considerable expertise and institutional knowledge at a time when the US is grappling with difficult policy challenges in Ukraine, the Mid -

east and beyond. Such questioning could also make new policy experts brought in to the NSC less likely to speak up about policy differences and concerns.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Monday that he has not been told by Waltz or Trump transition team officials that the incoming team has conducted or planned on conducting such vetting.

But Sullivan in recent days has made a robust case for the incoming Trump administration to hold over career government employees assigned to the NSC at least through the early going of the new administration. He called the career appointees “patriots” who have served “without fear or favor for both Democratic and Republican administrations. “

“And many of them have raised their hands to say, ‘I’m ready to stay and keep serving,’” Sullivan told reporters.

The NSC staff members being questioned about their loyalty are largely subject matter experts who have been loaned to the White House by federal agencies—the State Department, FBI and CIA, for example—for temporary duty that typically lasts one to two years. If removed from the NSC, they would be returned to their home agencies.

Vetting of the civil servants began in the last week, the official said. Some of them have been questioned about their politics by Trump appointees who will serve as directors on the NSC and who

January 07, 2025

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

January 07, 2025

had weeks earlier asked them to stick around. There are dozens of civil servants at the directorate level at the NSC who had anticipated remaining at the White House in the new administration.

A second US official told the AP that he was informed weeks ago by incoming Trump administration officials that they planned on raising questions with career appointees that work at the White House, including those at the NSC, about their political leanings. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, however, had not yet been formally vetted.

Waltz told Breitbart News last week that “everybody is going to resign at 12:01 on January 20.”

He added that he wanted the NSC to be staffed by personnel who are “100 percent aligned with the president’s agenda.”

“We’re working through our process to get everybody their clearances and through the transition process now,” Waltz said. “Our folks know who we want out in the agencies, we’re putting those requests in, and in terms of the detailees they’re all going to go back.”

A Trump transition official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters, said the incoming administration felt it was “entirely appropriate” to seek officials who share the incoming president’s vision and would be focused on common goals.

The NSC was launched as an

arm of the White House during the Truman administration, tasked with advising and assisting the president on national security and foreign policy and coordinating among various government agencies. It is common for experts detailed to the NSC to carry over from one administration to the next, even when the White House changes parties.

Sullivan has also said it was “up to the next national security adviser to decide how they want to play things. All I can say is how we did it and what I thought worked.”

“When they are selected to come over, they’re not selected based on their political affiliation or their policy opinions, they’re selected based on their experience and capacity and so we have a real diversity of people in terms of their views, their politics, their backgrounds,” Sullivan said of those assigned to the NSC, during a reporters roundtable hosted by the White House on Friday. “The common element of all of it is we get the best of the best here” from agencies including the State Department, the intelligence community, the Pentagon and the Homeland Security and Treasury departments.

Sullivan noted when Biden took office in 2021, he inherited most of his NSC staff from the outgoing Trump administration.

“Those folks were awesome,” Sullivan said. “They were really good.”

Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, the top Democrat on the House

France’s new prime minister faces first big test amid political instability and budget challenges

By Sylvie Corbet The Associated Press

he does, comparing the challenges faced to a “Himalaya.”

Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said such vetting “threatens our national security and our ability to respond quickly and effectively to the ongoing and very real global threats in a dangerous world.”

Trump, during his first term, was scarred when two career military officers detailed to the NSC became whistleblowers, raising their concerns about Trump’s 2019 call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which the president sought an investigation of Biden and his son Hunter. That episode led to Trump’s first impeachment. Alexander Vindman was listening to the call in his role as an NSC official when he became alarmed at what he heard. He approached his twin brother, Eugene, who at the time was serving as an ethics lawyer at the NSC. Both Vindmans reported their concerns to superiors.

Alexander Vindman said in a statement Friday that the Trump team’s approach to staffing the NSC “will have a chilling effect on senior policy staff across the government.”

He added, “Talented professionals, wary of being dismissed for principled stances or offering objective advice, will either selfcensor or forgo service altogether.” The two men were heralded by Democrats as patriots for speaking out and derided by Trump as insubordinate. Eugene Vindman in November was elected as a Democrat to represent Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.

January 07, 2025

January 15, 2025

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

NO ESTABLISHMENT

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL, POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

NO ESTABLISHMENT NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL, POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

1 JH PRECISION PHILIPPINES INC.

SONG, YICHUN

AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Basic Qualification:

PARIS—France’s new prime minister, François Bayrou, is facing his first major test at parliament on Tuesday as his government has no majority amid unprecedented political instability.

Can the government be toppled again?

1 JH PRECISION PHILIPPINES INC.

Injection Specialist

1 JH PRECISION PHILIPPINES INC.

Block 4 Lot 6, Filinvest Technology Park-Calamba, Punta, City of Calamba, Laguna

Block 4 Lot 6, Filinvest Technology Park-Calamba, Punta, City of Calamba, Laguna SONG, YICHUN Injection Specialist

(A.P.C.) B.V.

Block 4 Lot 6, Filinvest Technology Park-Calamba, Punta, City of Calamba, Laguna SONG, YICHUN

Strong understanding of injection molding machines, materials, and tooling.

Basic Qualification:

Injection Specialist

Brief Job Description:

Purchasing Support Specialist

Brief Job Description:

Lot 1, Block 5, Phase 2, Cavite Economic Zone, Tejeros Convention, Rosario, Cavite IZIA, JUDITH TUTU

Inspect finished products to identify and correct defects, ensuring adherence to quality standards; Implement quality control measures and maintain accurate production records; Stay updated on advancements in injection technologies and industry best practices.

Brief Job Description:

Providing guidance, support, and mentorship to team members in executing procurement activities; Overseeing the procurement process, monitor open Purchase Requisitions, clear related issues, and convert to Purchase Order on a timely manner. Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Sciences or Business Admin; Experience in order management or logistics an advantage; Knowledge in ERP system such as SAP, Oracle, BAAN; Familiarity with computers and related software

Vocational Course/Training in related field required. Can speak & read Mandarin and English. Ability to read & interpret engineering drawings & specifications.

Strong understanding of injection molding machines, materials, and tooling. Vocational Course/Training in related field required. Can speak & read Mandarin and English. Ability to read & interpret engineering drawings & specifications.

Salary Range:

Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE Regional Office IV-A located at 3rd and 4th Floors, Andenson Building II, Parian, Calamba City, Laguna, within 30 days after this publication.

Bayrou will address lawmakers through a general policy speech meant to outline his top priorities, including key budget decisions, one month after he was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron.

What is Bayrou proposing?

BAYROU’S Cabinet relies on a fragile deal between Macron’s centrist allies and conservatives of The Republicans party who even together have no parliamentary majority.

The previous government was in place for only three months before being brought down by opposition lawmakers from both the left and the far right amid a budget dispute.

retirement age from 62 to 64 unleashed months of mass protests from January to June 2023 that damaged his leadership. The legislation, which has gradually started being implemented, also requires people to work 43 years to receive a full pension.

The Socialists are now urging Bayrou to announce a “suspension” of the reform in order to provide time to renegotiate it, with the aim of backtracking on the age of 64 and introducing specific measures for those who have long careers and certain professions considered to be hard work.

To avoid a repetition of that scenario, Bayrou seeks to secure a nonaggression pact with the Socialists so that they wouldn’t support any future move to topple the new government.

A suspension, if it was to be announced, would prompt anger on the other side of the political spectrum, possibly weakening Bayrou’s government even further.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

BAYROU urgently needs to pass a budget bill for 2025. Following the collapse of the previous government, an emergency law has been approved to enable the state to levy taxes from January 1, pay basic expenses and avoid a shutdown. But only a proper budget would help reduce France’s deficit and allow key expenses such as defense measures needed amid the war in Ukraine or aid promised to angry farmers.

The Socialists said they are open to talks on the condition that they would include negotiations on Macron’s unpopular pension reform that passed two years ago. However, the possibility of another no-confidence vote is still looming.

The conservative Senate president, Gérard Larcher, warned that the pension measures shouldn’t be suspended or rescinded.

“If we were to repeal the pension reform, the cost would be 3.4 billion euros ($3,47 billion) in 2025 and almost 16 billion ($16.3 billion) in 2032,” he said.

Please inform DOLE Regional Office IV-A if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

by the foreign nationals. By

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Financial markets, ratings agencies and the European Commission are pushing France to comply with EU rules limiting debt and keep France’s borrowing costs from spiraling. That would threaten the prosperity of eurozone countries.

The hard-left France Unbowed party refused to enter into talks with the government and already announced it would file a no-confidence motion.

Does the far right still have leverage?

(PESO) or

(PESO)

ATTY.

Assistant Regional Director

ATTY.

MARION S. SEVILLA,

France’s deficit is estimated to reach 6 percent of its gross domestic product in 2024. Finance Minister Éric Lombard said last week the government is “aiming for a deficit of between 5 and 5.5 percent” this year.

When he took office, Bayrou said that “no one knows the difficulty of the situation better” than

A vote later this week would have little chance of succeeding as the far right appears unwilling to support such move in the immediate term.

Yet the question could be raised again during the future budget debate at parliament, with more uncertainty on the result.

Why pension reform talks are key?

MACRON’S plan to raise the

FAR-RIGHT leader Marine Le Pen—Macron’s fiercest rival—was instrumental in ousting the previous government.

Bayrou consulted her when forming the new government, and Le Pen remains a powerful force. Her National Rally party has the largest single group in the National Assembly, France’s powerful lower house of parliament. In recent days, Bayrou’s government sought to sideline Le Pen by negotiating instead with the Socialists, the Greens and the Communists on budget issues.

Special counsel’s DOJ report says Trump would have been convicted if not for election victory

By Alanna Durkin Richer, Eric Tucker And Colleen Long The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—Special counsel Jack Smith said his team

“stood up for the rule of law” as it investigated Presidentelect Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, writing in a much-anticipated report released Tuesday that he stands fully behind his decision to bring criminal charges he believes would have resulted in a conviction had voters not returned Trump to the White House.

“The throughline of all of Mr. Trump’s criminal efforts was deceit— knowingly false claims of election fraud—and the evidence shows that Mr. Trump used these lies as a weapon to defeat a federal government function foundational to the United States’ democratic process,” the report states.

The report, arriving just days before Trump is to return to office on Jan. 20, focuses fresh attention on his frantic but failed effort to cling to power in 2020. With the prosecution foreclosed thanks to Trump’s election victory, the document is expected to be the final Justice Department chronicle of a dark chapter in American history that threatened to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, a bedrock of democracy for centuries, and complements already released indictments and reports.

Trump responded early Tuesday with a post on his Truth Social platform, claiming he was “totally innocent” and calling Smith “a lamebrain prosecutor who was unable to get his case tried before the Election.” He added, “THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN!!!”

Trump had been indicted in August 2023 on charges of working to overturn the election, but the case was delayed by appeals and ultimately significantly narrowed by a conservative-majority Supreme Court that held for the first time that former presidents enjoy sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts.

Though Smith sought to salvage the indictment, the team dismissed it entirely in November because of longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face federal prosecution.

“The Department’s view that the Constitution prohibits the continued indictment and prosecution of a President is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Office stands fully behind,” the report states. “Indeed, but for Mr. Trump’s election and imminent return to the Presidency, the Office assessed that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial.”

The Justice Department transmitted the report to Congress early Tuesday after a judge refused a defense effort to block its release. A separate volume of the report focused on Trump’s hoarding of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, actions that formed the basis of a separate indictment against Trump, will remain under wraps for now. Though most of the details of Trump’s efforts to undo the election are already well established, the document includes for the first time a detailed assessment from Smith about his investigation, as well as a defense by Smith against criticism by Trump and his allies that the inquiry was politicized or that he worked in collaboration with the White House—an assessment he called “laughable.”

“While we were not able to bring the cases we charged to trial, I believe the fact that our team stood up for the rule of law matters,” Smith wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland attached to the report. “I believe the example our team set for others to fight for justice without regard for the personal costs matters.”

The special counsel also laid out the challenges it faced in its investigation, including Trump’s assertion of executive privilege to try to block witnesses from providing evidence, which forced prosecutors into sealed court battles before the case was charged.

Another “significant challenge” was Trump’s “ability and willingness to use his influence and following on social media to target witnesses, courts, prosecutors,” which led prosecutors to seek a gag order to protect potential witnesses from harassment, Smith wrote.

“Mr. Trump’s resort to intimidation and harassment during the investigation was not new, as demonstrated by his actions during the charged conspiracies,” Smith wrote.

“A fundamental component of Mr. Trump’s conduct underlying the charges in the Election Case was his pattern of using social media—at the time, Twitter—to publicly attack and seek to influence state and federal officials, judges, and election workers who refused to support false claims that the election had been stolen or who otherwise resisted complicity in Mr. Trump’s scheme,” he added. Smith also for the first time explained the thought process behind his team’s prosecution decisions, writing that his office decided not to charge Trump with incitement in part because of free speech concerns, or with insurrection because he was the sitting president at the time and there was doubt about proceeding to trial with the offense—of which there was no record of having been prosecuted before.

The Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to the report.

SPECIAL counsel Jack Smith AL DRAGO/BLOOMBERG

Inflation’s devastating impact on children and the future workforce

The inflation data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recently showed the immense challenges confronting policymakers in preparing the country’s future workforce. Last week, the national statistics agency reported that the inflation print in December 2024 caused the value of a hundred peso to erode. What people can buy for P100 in 2018 is now worth P121, according to the PSA (See, “Costly goods seen spurring search for gigs, better jobs,” in the BusinessMirror, January 8, 2025).

A cause for concern is the continuous rise in food prices as Filipino consumers spend a huge chunk of their income for food items. The average annual food inflation in 2024 reached 4.5 percent due mainly to more expensive rice, meat and vegetables. While the annual price hikes for food items were slower in 2024 compared to the 8 percent in 2023, data from the PSA indicated that the increase was much faster than the national headline inflation of 3.2 percent.

Filipinos spend more than a third of their income on food, based on the Consumer Price Index. This means that any increment, however small, will have a huge impact on the budget of consumers, particularly those belonging to the so-called Bottom 30 percent of households or the poorest Filipinos. Data from the PSA indicated that inflation for the Bottom 30 accelerated to 24.8 percent, the highest in the series that began in 2013.

This does not bode well for the state’s efforts to reduce hunger and eliminate malnutrition particularly among children –the future workforce of the country. A report released by Unicef in June 2024 revealed that the Philippines is still one of the countries that account for 65 percent of the total number of children living in severe child food poverty. This despite the government’s effort of making cash transfers more nutrition-sensitive by targeting the most vulnerable families to help alleviate poverty and make quality food more affordable.

According to the report, around 18 percent or two million of children in the Philippines are severely food poor. It noted that four out of five children in this situation are fed only breastmilk/milk and/ or a starchy staple, such as rice, corn, or wheat. Less than 10 percent of these kids are fed fruits and vegetables and less than five percent are fed nutrient-dense foods, such as eggs, fish, poultry and meat. Unicef Representative to the Philippines Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov warned that children living in severe food poverty are “living on the brink.” Their lack of access to nutritious food can have an irreversible negative impact on their survival, growth and brain development, he added. And those who consume just rice and some vegetable soup a day are up to 50 percent more likely to experience severe forms of malnutrition.

For a country that is aspiring to become competitive in a knowledge-based economy, half-hungry students and workers will make it difficult for the Philippines to achieve its economic goals. It is only by improving the access of mothers and children to nutritious food that the Philippines can realize its dream of transforming its economic sectors and becoming competitive in the global arena.

Construction and employment

eTHE BUILDER

mPLoymeNT is a key indicator of economic health. The rise in the number of jobs in the labor market reflects the growth of the economy and supports all other industries.

In the United States, considered as the world’s largest economy, among the most-awaited economic data are job openings, new hires, non-farm payrolls, jobless claims and wage increases. These data accurately reflect the state of the American economy.

The Philippines is increasingly recognizing the importance of these metrics, consistently releasing reports on employment, unemployment, underemployment, labor force participation, youth labor force participation and wage and salary of workers. These figures are categorized by industry, facilitating the identification of growth sources and challenges.

One sector that supports employment growth in the Philippines is construction. Before factories can start producing goods, they need to be built first. This progression underscores the construction sector’s continued contribution to employment and the Philippine economy.

Anticipated real estate recovery amid falling interest rates, the government’s intensified infrastructure

Tdevelopment and increased investment inflows will require a larger workforce for building homes, office buildings, hotels, factories, roads, bridges and other projects.

The results of the Philippine Labor Force Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) consistently highlight the construction sector’s crucial role in job creation.

The unemployment rate in November 2024 declined to 3.2 percent from 3.9 percent in October 2024 and 3.6 percent a year ago. It marked the second-lowest unemployment level since reaching 3.1 percent in December 2023 and June 2024.

Per the PSA data, the jobless rate averaged 3.9 percent in the first 11 months of 2024, below the Philippine Development Plan’s 2024 fullyear target range of 4.4 percent to 4.7 percent.

In terms of magnitude, the number of unemployed Filipinos in November 2024 decreased to 1.66 million from 1.97 million in October 2024 and 1.83 million in November 2023.

Job quality also improved, with the underemployment rate falling

By Ruth Carson & Matthew Burgess

he dollar fell against almost every major currency after Bloomberg News reported that Donald Trump’s incoming economic team is considering gradual hikes in tariffs.

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index dropped as much as 0.4% in early Asia trading Tuesday, after a report showed Trump’s economic advisors are discussing a slow and steady approach to tariffs, rather than a large one-time increase. The move could slow inflationary pressure from tariffs, and potentially give more breathing room for the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates.

It was the biggest drop in the dollar gauge since January 6, when the greenback fell following a Washington Post story that claimed Trump was planning to pare back his tariff plans. The president-elect denied that story in a post on Truth Social.

“Dollar weakness can be sustained unless President Trump denies the reporting like he did in reac-

tion to the report by the Washington Post,” said Carol Kong, a strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Risk-sensitive currencies like the Australian and kiwi dollars jumped against the greenback, pointing to a sense of relief that a large tariff shock may be avoided. China’s offshore yuan, a prime selling target for traders betting on US tariffs, also edged higher. “The US dollar’s dominance shows no signs of abating, setting the stage for a challenging year ahead for Asian currencies,” said Bloomberg strategist Mary Nicola. The dollar’s drop underscores the key role tariffs play in swaying sentiment across the $7.5 trillion-a-day foreign-exchange market. But the move may prove temporary: Most Wall Street banks expect the green-

to 10.8 percent in November 2024 from 12.6 percent in October 2024 and 11.7 percent in November 2023. This indicates that fewer workers sought additional work hours or jobs in November 2024.

About 5.35 million individuals in November 2024 expressed a desire for additional work hours in their current job, additional jobs or new tasks with longer hours. In the first 11 months of 2024, the underemployment rate averaged 12 percent, the lowest level recorded, based on PSA data.

Overall, the PSA reported 49.54 million employed individuals in November 2024, an increase of 1.4 million from 48.2 million in October 2024, translating into 1.4 million new jobs for the month. The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) described the Philippine labor market as robust, characterized by consistently high employment rates and reduced underemployment.

I am not surprised that the construction sector continues to support the labor market growth. PSA data show that construction sector employment reached 4.76 million in November 2024, a 142,000 increase from 4.62 million a year ago and higher than the 4.69 million in October 2024. Construction accounts for nearly 10 percent of the labor force in the country.

I am optimistic that construction sector employment will continue to rise this year as committed investments materialize and more homes are built, driven by falling interest rates.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipi-

back to strengthen, and blowout employment numbers last week have raised further questions about the pace of potential rate cuts.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. sees potential for the dollar to climb 5 percent or more this year. Speculative traders including hedge funds and asset managers are more bullish on the greenback than they have been since 2019, according to Commodity Futures Trading Commission data compiled by Bloomberg for the week ended January 7. “You can’t chase this thing, as a denial will be coming soon,” said Win Thin, global head of currency strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. in New York said of the recent headlines. “Look through the noise and rest assured the dollar rally will continue on the US economic outperformance alone.”

Even those predicting that the greenback will lose steam think the decline may be some way off. The dollar is somewhat overvalued but a bout of dollar weakness is likely to be “more of a second-half phe-

nas (BSP) is expected to maintain its monetary easing as inflation stabilizes within the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent, supporting economic expansion. The BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board reduced the benchmark interest rates by a cumulative 75 basis points in 2024. The adjustment is expected to be felt this year as banks reprice their loan rates.

Per the Board of Investments (BOI), more than P4.5-trillion worth of investments have been certified as urgent under the green lane program, which expedites the processing of licenses and permits for strategic investments that support economic growth.

Most of these investments are in the renewable energy sector, which will require skilled construction workers and service providers. These investments complement the government’s flagship infrastructure projects and public-private partnerships for toll roads, railways, seaports and airports.

With the implementation of the newly enacted Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act, I believe the improved business climate and increased investment will generate more jobs for Filipinos.

This development will create ripple effects on various industries, leading to increased income and better quality of life.

For feedback e-mail to senatormarkvillar@ gmail.com or visit our web site: https://markvillar.com.ph

nomenon,” according to Mark Haefele, chief investment officer at UBS Global Wealth Management.

Knee jerk reaction THE Philippine peso, the Thai baht and the South African rand led emerging market currencies higher on Tuesday. That pared their losses since the start of the year, as investors shunned riskier assets in the face of the incoming Trump administration.

“The tariff headlines are positive for Asia FX as it suggests a less draconian approach, but at the moment it’s still headlines,” said Eddie Cheung, a senior emerging markets strategist at Credit Agricole CIB in Hong Kong. “While the knee jerk reaction is positive, I think markets will still want a bit more confirmation.” The decline in the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index on Tuesday followed five days of gains. The gauge is around 0.6 percent higher this year, following an 8 percent rise in 2024. With assistance from Catherine Bosley /Bloomberg

Mark Villar

NYC’s new congestion pricing zone sees 7.5% drop in traffic

By Michelle Kaske

Tr AffiC on new York City’s busiest streets dropped by 7.5 percent and morning travel times fell on most major crossings into Manhattan during the first work week of the city’s congestion pricing plan, signaling that some motorists changed their driving patterns to avoid the new toll.

The preliminary data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city’s transit system and is implementing the toll, is the first glimpse into how the new charge is impacting commuting patterns and movement in and out of Manhattan.

The MTA on January 5 started charging most motorists $9 during peak hours to drive into Manhattan’s Central Business District, which runs from 60th Street to the southernmost tip of the island. It’s the first such program in the US.

The early data follows a week of social media postings and reports of residents and drivers enjoying easier-flowing traffic and less vehicle honking. Prior to congestion pricing, morning traffic on the Williamsburg Bridge, which connects Manhattan and Brooklyn and serves about 92,000 vehicles a day, can extend from Manhattan streets all the way back to the bridge’s main tower in Brooklyn, according to a New York City Department of Transportation Official. This past week that line of traffic didn’t even reach the bridge’s tower on the Manhattan side, according to the official.

“This has absolutely met our expectations, Juliette Michaelson, the MTA’s deputy chief of policy and external relations, told reporters Monday during a briefing. “The numbers are impressive. Whether they are pedestrian, or a driver or a bus rider, everybody here has noticed a difference and that’s just really significant for the city.”

Afternoon travel times within the tolled zone declined, year over year, according to MTA data. They also dropped on Manhattan’s two major highways, the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive and the West Side Highway, although southbound afternoon traffic did increase by almost three minutes on the FDR Drive. Buses are moving faster overall, especially during the morning hours and on express routes. Along with reducing traffic, MTA officials anticipate the program will

improve air quality and raise $15 billion to help modernize a more than 100-year old transit system. MTA officials expect to release revenuecollection data in the coming weeks.

An average 539,216 vehicles drove into the tolled zone per day during the first work week of the program, from Jan. 6 through January 10, according to MTA data. That’s about 43,784 fewer vehicles on those streets, or a 7.5 percent decline, from an estimated 583,000 weekday baseline for January if congestion pricing weren’t in place, according to MTA data. It took less time, on average, to travel on most major crossings that connect into Manhattan. It took four minutes and 27 seconds to drive through the Holland Tunnel, which links New Jersey to lower Manhattan, during Wednesday’s morning peak, according to MTA data. That’s down from an average of nearly 13 minutes during a morning commute on an average Wednesday in January 2024, according to MTA data.

MTA officials are optimistic that travel times will continue to be shorter than pre-congestion pricing levels even as traffic is expected to pick up.

“Into the spring months under ordinary circumstances without congestive pricing, you would have a growth in driving,” John McCarthy, MTA’s chief of policy and external relations, said during the briefing.

“And you might see some growth compared to today, but it will be below that baseline, we believe and we hope.” Bloomberg

Los Angeles City utility sued over water shortage for Palisades fire

By Jef Feeley, Mark Chediak & Robert Burnson

The city of Los Angeles’ electric and water utility was hit with a lawsuit faulting it for not supplying enough water to fight the biggest fire still raging in the second-largest Us metropolis.

Property owners in the city’s tony Pacific Palisades neighborhood sued the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the largest municipal utility in the US. The complaint appeared late Monday on the Los Angeles Superior Court’s website, but hasn’t yet been fully processed by the court.

The plaintiffs claim that a reservoir that had been drained and not repaired, coupled with inadequate water pressure in fire hydrants, undercut efforts by firefighters and ultimately allowed the wind-whipped fire to spread out of control. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

‘Homeowners to homeless’ T HE city’s mishandling of the Santa Ynez Reservoir left the upscale neighborhood with no defense against the flames and turned victims from “homeowners to homeless in a matter of hours,” according to the complaint.

The LADWP referred an inquiry

to the city attorney’s office, which didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Earlier Monday, Edison International Inc.’s southern California utility was hit with several lawsuits blaming the energy provider’s equipment for igniting the Eaton Fire in the Pasadena area, the second-largest of the conflagrations that have ravaged Los Angeles since last week.

The Palisades Fire, stretched across an area larger than Manhattan and where the median home price approaches $4 million, has damaged or destroyed more than 5,000 structures. As of early Monday, it was 13 percent contained but had consumed almost 24,000 acres and killed at least eight people.

Angelenos have been unnerved as fires have spread across the city and its surrounding communities over the last week, turning thousands of homes and businesses into charred rubble. The fires are the most devastating natural disaster to strike Los Angeles since the 1994 Northridge

earthquake, which killed 57 people, and are likely to rank among the costliest natural disasters in modern US history.

Wells Fargo & Co. analysts estimated that the fires could result in losses of as much as $30 billion for the insurance industry, significantly exceeding last week’s highest prediction from JPMorgan Chase & Co. that the fires stood to cost insurers roughly $20 billion.

Pizza shop

THE plaintiffs listed in the LADWP suit include about 14 people who lost their homes in the fire, along with a pizza shop that burned down.

According to the 13-page complaint, the Santa Ynez Reservoir has been out of commission since February 2024, when a tear several feet wide was discovered in its floating cover. The reservoir, which can hold up to 117 million gallons, was then drained over concerns about water quality. The city then moved too slowly to hire a contractor to make repairs, the plaintiffs allege.

“With the Santa Ynez reservoir out of commission, hydrants in Pacific Palisades failed after 3 tanks, each holding 1 million gallons of water, went dry within a span of 12 hours,”

lawyers said in the suit. They said that if the utility had acted responsibly, the damage caused by the fire could have been “greatly reduced.” California Governor Gavin Newsom last week ordered a state investigation of the Los Angeles agencies running the city’s water systems after fire hydrants ran dry.

History of wildfires

T HE state has a history of catastrophic wildfires tied to electricutility equipment operating during wind storms. PG&E Corp.—the state’s largest utility—was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2019 to deal with a tidal wave of suits tied to multiple fatal northern California fires blamed on its wires. Under California law, a utility can be held liable for property damage when its equipment ignites a fire even if it didn’t act negligently.

Utilities in western states including Oregon, Colorado and Hawaii also have been pummeled with litigation over devastating fires. Last year, Hawaiian Electric Industries agreed to pay about half of a $4 billion settlement of home and business owners’ suits tied to the 2023 Maui wildfires. That settlement is still awaiting final approval. Bloomberg

India’s $556 billion equity rout seen worsening as growth cools

By Ashutosh Joshi & Chiranjivi Chakraborty

invesTors are expecting indian stocks to post another quarter of losses as a slowdown in economic growth and sticky inflation hurt corporate earnings and foreign flows.

The benchmark NSE Nifty 50 Index will likely drop at least 5 percent in the three-months through March, according to a majority of 22 strategists and fund managers in an informal survey conducted by Bloomberg early this month. Concerns over geopolitical tensions during Donald Trump’s second presidency add to headwinds for local stocks.

After hitting multiple new highs last year, India’s nearly $5 trillion equity market has come under pressure due to foreign outflows sparked by fears over falling consumption. The aggregate market value of companies included in the MSCI India Index has declined by $556 billion after the gauge fell more than 13 percent from a September peak.

“Indian markets are navigating a bout of uncertainty,” said Mohit Khanna, a fund manager with Purnartha Investment Advisers Pvt., which manages more than $250 million of assets. “The pessimism can be attributed to multiple domestic and global developments that took place in 2024 and will impact local shares over a short term.” Worries over India’s growth ambitions are intensifying after the latest government figures show the economy will expand 6.4% in the current fiscal year, well below the 8% average of the past three years. Vehicle sales fell in December, while consumer companies have flagged challenging market conditions. HSBC Holdings Plc. strategists including Herald van Der Linde downgraded Indian stocks to neu-

Worries over India’s growth ambitions are intensifying after the latest government figures show the economy will expand 6.4 percent in the current fiscal year, well below the 8 percent average of the past three years. Vehicle sales fell in December, while consumer companies have flagged challenging market conditions.

tral last week, saying investors will likely re-evaluate their positions after consensus reduced FY25 earnings growth estimates for the Nifty 50 to 5 percent from 15 percent.

While some of the survey respondents see negative returns for the benchmark on a full year basis, one-third of them expect the Nifty 50 gauge to rise 10 percent to 15 percent in 2025. This is mainly seen on the back of continued flows from domestic investors.

The Nifty 50 fell 8.4 percent last quarter but still capped an annual

China discusses sale of TikTok US to Musk as one possible option

Chinese officials are evaluating a potential option that involves elon Musk acquiring the Us operations of TikTok if the company fails to fend off a controversial ban on the shortvideo app, according to people familiar with the matter.

Beijing officials strongly prefer that TikTok remains under the ownership of parent ByteDance Ltd., the people say, and the company is contesting the impending ban with an appeal to the US Supreme Court. But the justices signaled during arguments on Jan. 10 that they are likely to uphold the law. Senior Chinese officials had already begun to debate contingency plans for TikTok as part of an expansive discussion on how to work with Donald Trump’s administration, one of which involves Musk, said the people, asking not to be identified revealing confidential discussions.

A potential high-profile deal with one of Trump’s closest allies holds some appeal for the Chinese government, which is expected to have some say over whether TikTok is ultimately sold, said the people.

Musk spent more than $250 million supporting Trump’s re-election, and has been tapped for a prominent role in improving government efficiency after the Republican takes office. Under one scenario that’s been discussed by the Chinese government, Musk’s X—the former Twitter—would take control of TikTok US and run the businesses together,

the people said. With more than 170 million users in the US, TikTok could bolster X’s efforts to attract advertisers. Musk also founded a separate artificial intelligence company, xAI, that could benefit from the huge amounts of data generated from TikTok.

Chinese officials have yet to reach any firm consensus about how to proceed and their deliberations are still preliminary, the people said. It’s not clear how much ByteDance knows about the Chinese government discussions or whether TikTok and Musk have been involved. It’s also unclear whether Musk, TikTok and ByteDance have held any talks about the terms of any possible deal. Musk and his representatives did not respond to a request for comment. Musk posted in April that he thinks TikTok should remain available in the US. “In my opinion, TikTok should not be banned in the USA, even though such a ban may benefit the X platform,” he wrote on X. “Doing so would be contrary to freedom of speech and expression. It is not what America stands for.”

ByteDance and TikTok representatives didn’t respond to messages seeking comment. The Cyberspace

Administration of China and China’s Ministry of Commerce, government agencies that could be involved in decisions about TikTok’s future, also didn’t respond to requests for comment.

The talks in Beijing suggest that TikTok’s fate may no longer be in ByteDance’s sole control, said the people. Chinese officials recognize they will face tough negotiations with the Trump administration over tariffs, export controls and other issues, and they see the TikTok negotiations as a potential area for reconciliation, they said.

The Chinese government holds a so-called golden share in a ByteDance affiliate that gives it influence over the company’s strategy and operations. TikTok maintains that the control only applies to the Chinabased subsidiary Douyin Information Service Co., and has no bearing on ByteDance operations outside China. Still, Beijing’s export rules prevent Chinese companies from selling their software algorithms, like the one integral to TikTok. Because the Chinese government would have to approve of a sale that includes TikTok’s valuable recommendation engine, it has a significant voice in any possible deal.

TikTok’s US operations could be valued at around $40 billion to $50 billion, Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Mandeep Singh and Damian Reimertz estimated last year. That’s a

Under one scenario that’s been discussed by the Chinese government, Musk’s X—the former Twitter—would take control of TikTok US and run the businesses together, the people said. With more than 170 million users in the US, TikTok could bolster X’s efforts to attract advertisers. Musk also founded a separate artificial intelligence company, xAI, that could benefit from the huge amounts of data generated from TikTok.

substantial sum even for the world’s richest person. It’s not clear how Musk could pull off such a transaction, whether it would require the sale of other holdings, or whether the US government would approve. He paid $44 billion for Twitter in 2022, and is still paying off sizable loans.

Musk has a positive reputation among many ByteDance employees in China, according to a person familiar with the matter. He is seen as a very successful entrepreneur, who has experience engaging with the Chinese government through his Tesla Inc. business, the person added.

ByteDance’s leaders have repeatedly said their priority is to fight US legislation that requires the Beijingbased company sell or shut down the US operations because of national

security concerns. TikTok’s lawyers have argued the legislation violates free speech laws under the Constitution’s First Amendment.

A majority of the Supreme Court justices suggested the security concerns take priority over free speech, although they have yet to issue a formal decision. President-elect Trump, who takes office January 20, has sought to delay the TikTok ban—which takes effect January 19—so he can work on the negotiations. He has said he wants to “save” the app and there’s been speculation he could take last-minute action to sidestep the ban.

On a practical level, spinning off TikTok’s US business would be highly complex, affecting shareholders in China as well as the US. Lawyers for TikTok argued before the Supreme Court that separating the US portions of the product would be “extraordinarily difficult.”

It’s unclear if US TikTok would be sold off in a competitive process, or if a sale would be arranged by the government. Billionaire Frank McCourt and “Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary are part of a bid through Project Liberty to acquire TikTok, which O’Leary has said he discussed with Trump. In the past, Microsoft Corp. had sought to acquire the business, and Oracle Corp. has a deep technology partnership with the company.

One alternative for TikTok would

advance of 8.8 percent in 2024, its ninth straight year of gains.

“If we step back from the near term, we are at the inflection of an economic boom,” said Vikas Gupta, chief investment strategist at Mumbai-based OmniScience Capital, who estimates a more than 10 percent climb in local shares. “Interest-rate cuts will define the broader direction of the Indian stock market.” Respondents of the survey also expect health-care and information technology stocks—beneficiaries of the record-low rupee—to be key gainers this year. None of the 22 respondents were bullish on real estate after the sectoral gauge’s more than 110 percent rally over the last two years.

“We are looking for an opportunity to upgrade our position” once earnings growth momentum turns positive, Dong Chen, chief Asia strategist at Pictet Wealth Management said at a briefing on Thursday. Chen, who didn’t participate in the survey, retained a neutral allocation on India. Bloomberg

be to move its existing US customers over to a similar app—with different branding—to potentially sidestep the ban, one of the people said. It’s not clear how effective such a move would be.

One person close to the company, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the strategy, said before the Supreme Court hearing that the legal battle is still the focus of top executives and they would prefer to keep fighting in the US rather than sell TikTok US and cede control for good. Musk is in a position to influence the China-US relationship as the world’s richest person with businesses that straddle the world’s two largest economies. Tesla, where Musk is chief executive officer, erected a sprawling factory in Shanghai in 2019 and has since expanded the facility into the company’s largest production base. The effort helped Tesla expand its market share in China despite tough local competition, and build goodwill with government officials.

While Trump is staffing his incoming administration with China hawks like Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, Musk has spoken out against some recent China trade policies, including the Biden administration’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles With assistance from Zheping Huang, Alexandra S. Levine and Kurt Wagner /Bloomberg

Solons: Time to end ‘pilot,’ motorcycle taxis needed

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

THE five-year stalemate on the passage of a law regulating motorcycle taxis in the Philippines has reignited calls for immediate legislative action, as lawmakers, advocates, and riders stress the urgent need to address gaps in urban mobility.

During the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services, Senator Grace Poe highlighted the critical role motorcycle taxis play in alleviating transportation woes, citing “overwhelming data” from a protracted pilot program that has demonstrated the sector’s viability.

“I think we can all agree that we have gathered enough data to craft a regulatory framework that is dynamic and responsive to the needs of the commuting public and the industry stakeholders. The motorcycle for hire bill has been through the long and winding road to passage. Our tank is full. It is now time to start our engines and put our years of work into motion,” she said.

Her statement echoes the demands of nearly 500 members of the Motorcycle Taxi Community Philippines (MTCP), who gathered outside the Senate on Tuesday to urge lawmakers to prioritize the measure.

They emphasized that legalizing the service would not only improve urban mobility but also secure the livelihoods of riders and enhance commuter safety. At Tuesday’s hearing, Poe said it has been half a decade since the pilot implementation of motorcycle-for-hire and the pilot study is the strength of this policy. “The failure of our transportation system to address mobility challenges led to the unprecedented growth of motorcycles-for-hire. Traffic, congested roads, non-interconnected transportation systems, long queues and waiting times at terminals, distant boarding areas, and lack of public transportation in other areas and routes--these situations make riding a motorcycle for transportation a more affordable, faster, convenient and practical option,” Poe explained.

MTCP Chairman Romeo Maglunsod called on Senate Public Services Committee Chair Sena -

PHL enhances readiness, participation in global carbon market

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

THE Philippines is enhancing readiness for carbon market mechanisms and is eyeing participation in the global carbon market with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other partners.

Speaking at the kick-off of a three-day policy dialogue as part of the 2nd Philippines-Japan Week on Monday, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said the Philippines is also working on improving its monitoring, reporting, and verification systems related to carbon trading.

In this connection, the DENR will release information within the first quarter of the year on the 1.2-million hectares of classified forest land as priority investment areas for reforestation, agroforestry, and forest-related development, said Yulo-Loyzaga.

Yulo-Loyzaga led key Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) officials on Monday in welcoming the agency’s counterpart from Japan to mark the 2nd Philippines-Japan Environment Week.

The event, at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati, is organized by the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan.

“This event is a testament to our commitment that we formalized in our Memorandum of Cooperation, which we signed in December of 2023. This embodied the endur -

ing friendship and shared ambition of our two nations to achieve mutual prosperity, sustainable development, and regional stability through a rule-based international order,” Yulo-Loyzaga said.

The three-day celebration will provide both countries with concrete opportunities to pursue mutual goals while addressing the most pressing challenges brought about by climate change, adaptation and mitigation, pollution and environmental management, clean energy, safe and sustainable water, and access to innovative technologies and financing to achieve these goals, the DENR chief stressed.

Loyzaga highlighted the Philippines-Japan collaboration as she proposed to explore areas of cooperation.

“On Climate Change, we are accelerating the rate of our climate action including optimizing opportunities for co-benefits and the combination of investments in both green and grey infrastructure,” Loyzaga said.

Loyzaga said both countries aim to identify areas for reforestation and the introduction of multipurpose water facilities and infrastructure.

Currently, the Philippines is updating its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and accelerating its implementation, focusing on strengthening institutional capacity.

tor Raffy Tulfo to fast-track the bill, which has faced repeated delays since the pilot program began in 2019.

“We have long been a part of the daily lives of many Filipinos. It’s time to establish clear regulations so we can further improve the quality of service across all platforms,” he said.

The motorcycle taxi pilot study in the Philippines was launched in 2019 as a government initiative to evaluate the viability and safety of motorcycles-for-hire as a mode of public transportation.

The program, spearheaded by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), allowed select operators, including Angkas, JoyRide, and MOVE IT, to operate under controlled conditions while gathering data on their operations.

With over 45,000 riders participating primarily in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro, the study focused on assessing the capacity of these services to address urban mobility challenges, including traffic congestion and the lack of sufficient public transportation options.

Key aspects of the pilot study included monitoring the safety practices, operational efficiency, and commuter satisfaction associated with motorcycle taxis.

It also aimed to develop baseline regulations, such as safety protocols, driver training programs, and fare-setting mechanisms, that could be implemented if the service were to be legalized.

While the program demonstrated the sector’s potential to provide faster and more afford -

able transportation for commuters, the absence of a formal legal framework has left the service in a state of regulatory limbo, hindering its long-term growth and integration into the public transportation system.

“Don’t worry, we will finish this pilot study. I feel you. I can see your hardships and sacrifices, the problems you encounter as a result of this pilot study. That has long been hanging . . . Don’t worry, under my watch i’ll make sure we can pass this measure. I’ll do everything,” Tulfo said.

Issue of PWD discounts

TULFO also urged the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to immediately address the complaint of senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) who are having a hard time to book on transportation network vehicle service (TNVS) such as Grab, Angkas, among others. “Based on your study [LTFRB’s], what if we let the company [TNVS] shoulder the discounts, because one of the problems that we realized upon consultation with students, PWDs, and senior citizens, the discount was shouldered partly by the drivers. So for this reason, drivers are avoiding these types of passengers,” Tulfo said. The senator said his office has been receiving complaints from the students, PWDs, and senior citizens against the TNVS. Atty. Teofilo E. Guadiz III, LTFRB chairperson, agreed with the proposal of Tulfo and vowed to issue a memorandum circular for all the TNVS.

THE Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) enjoining the Commission on Elections from disqualifying former Caloocan City congressman Edgar Erice from running as representative of Caloocan City’s 2nd district in the 2025 midterm elections.

The Court issued the TRO during its regular Tuesday en banc session, where it also acted on similar petitions filed by several candidates who were earlier disqualified by the Comelec from running in the May 12 polls.

In the case of Erice, the Court also directed the Comelec to comment on his petition within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of the notice.

Erice’s disqualification was made final by the Comelec in a resolution issued January 3 affirming the Comelec Second Division’s ruling issued on December 27, 2024.

Erice was disqualified for disseminating “false and alarming” information, which the poll body deemed a violation of Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.

The poll body was referring to Erice’s claims about corruption and irregularities involving the Comelec’s P18-billion contract with Korean-based firm Miru Systems for the automated election system.

The Comelec held that Erice’s “act of propagating false information across multiple platforms demonstrates his deliberate intent to disrupt elections rather than legitimate criticism.”

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia earlier said Erice’s name would be excluded from

the official ballots, with printing set to begin on January 6, 2025. SC spokesman Camille Sue Mae Ting said the TRO issued by the Comelec in favor of Erice and several other disqualified candidates would mean that their names should be reinstated in the ballots.

“So the TROs prohibit Comelec from disqualifying them, so this means their names would have to be included in the ballot. So, it’s up to Comelec how they will implement this but they will just have to follow the order of the Supreme Court,” Ting explained. Sought for reaction, Garcia said: “We will have to find a way to comply with the SC directive. That is part of the implications but we are now going to meet if indeed we are to suspend the printing in the meantime. The EMS will be changed, including the database and we have to start again the serialization of each and every candidate’s name nationwide.”

Aside from Erice, other candidates who managed to secure a TRO against their disqualification by the Comelec were Subair Guinthum Mustapha, Charles Savellano, Chito Bulatao Balintay, Florendo de Ramos Ritualo Jr. Mustapha filed a petition with a prayer for TRO challenging the Comelec’s resolution declaring him a nuisance candidate and cancelling his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator in the 2025 elections. The SC issued a TRO prohibiting the poll body from declaring Mustapha a nuisance candidate.

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

See “Comelec,” A5

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

January 15, 2025

Coal shipments of Semirara reach new record in 2024

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

Consunji-led semirara Mining and Power Corp. (sMPC) sold a record 16.5 million metric tons (MMT) of coal in 2024, surpassing the previous year’s all-time high of 15.8 MMT.

“For the third consecutive year, we have hit our maximum coal production of 16 million metric tons under our existing Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). This milestone underscores the SMPC team’s dedication and commitment to meet rising local and global energy demand,” said SMPC President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer Maria Cristina C. Gotianun.

“While we anticipate market prices to further normalize in 2025, we remain focused on strengthening our customer network and enhancing operational efficiencies to effectively support national energy security and meet the growing demand from the industrial and cement sectors.”

Last year’s coal shipment was predominantly propelled by stronger demand from China and domestic

markets. Foreign shipments climbed 4 percent to 8.4 MMT, with exports to China surging by 46 percent to 7.6 MMT.

Domestic shipments also grew by 4 percent to 8 MMT driven by increased sale to local cement producers and Calaca power plants.

The subsidiary of engineering conglomerate DMCI Holdings added that 20 percent of the 1.3 MMT sold to cement plants were supplied to associate company Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. (CHP).

Last November, DMCI reported that its net income fell by 23 percent to P15.1 billion due to weaker contributions from the integrated energy, real estate, and nickel businesses. It said stronger contributions from the water utility, off-grid power generation, and construction segments partially offset the decline.

The group’s nine-month bottom line remains 62 percent higher than

the pre-pandemic level of P9.3 billion and 12 percent above the pre-global energy crisis level of P13.5 billion recorded in 2021.

In the third quarter of 2024, Semirara’s attributable net income contribution declined by 5 percent to P1.8 billion, from P1.9 billion last year, mainly due to weaker coal selling prices. Improved power generation contribution and higher coal shipments partially offset the impact of the stabilizing energy market.

“Each of our businesses has been affected differently by the new normal in an increasingly complex environment. We are working hard to strengthen our group’s ecosystem, enhance operational efficiency to address macroeconomic challenges and weaker commodity prices, and effectively protect our margins,” said DMCI Chairman and President Isidro A. Consunji.

‘Axelum bounces back in 2024’

CBy VG Cabuag @villygc

OCON u T pr oducts trader Axelum Resources Corp. said it posted a “sharp turnaround” in its performance last year on the back of its core product segments.

The company said this was driven by rapidly-growing mainstream demand for plant-based eating, expanding commercial uses, innovative non-food applications and other emerging market trends.

“We have identified unique opportunities that will help propel us into a new era of growth in the long-term. As a company, we are

positive that the current global macroeconomic backdrop will remain conducive and supportive of this ambition,” Henry J. Raperoga, the company’s president and COO, said. “For 2025, we will concentrate resources on strategy execution and optimizing efficiencies across the business to maximize value generation.”

The company in 2023 logged a net loss of P818.03 million, from an income of P983.51 million in 2022. Revenues fell 19 percent to P5.67 billion from the previous year’s P7.04 billion.

Based on independent publications, the global coconut products industry will continue to see ro -

bust demand, upward pricing and supply tightness in 2025, it said.

“This puts Axelum in a strong position to capitalize on these prevailing conditions amid supply volatility due to climate variability,” the company said.

Axelum said it has fully-commissioned its new filling line to enhance coconut water output by more than 30 percent annually.

Last year, the company signed a multiyear renewal agreement with Vita Coco, the world’s largest coconut water brand, to secure one of its fastest growing revenue streams for the next decade.

The company has installed new equipment to improve manufacturing yields and completed the

renovation of existing warehouses to augment storage capacity for finished goods.

To ensure raw material availability, Axelum has extended its sourcing areas to guarantee sufficient quantities of fresh coconuts for its daily operational requirements.

“We have charted a clear path forward to expand our institutional business, while realizing the massive untapped potential of our consumer segment both domestically and overseas. Last year, we were focused on redefining plans, establishing new customer touch points, building strategic capabilities and strengthening our overall distribution network,” Raperoga said.

NGCP maintains compliance with existing regulations amid regulatory reset delay

WITHOu T a n approved regulatory reset process, NGCP maintained that it adhered to the regulations in place at the time by requesting an interim revenue scheme from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure the continuity of its operations.

“Noong panahon po na patuloy ang trabaho ng NGCP bagamat wala kaming regulatory reset process, ang sinundan namin iyong huling approved rules na wala kaming choice kasi hindi naumpisahan ang pagpataw ng bagong rules,” Cynthia Alabanza, NGCP Assistant Vice President and head of the Public Relations Department, told the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.

“Kaay ginamit namin ang dating rules at humingi kami ng interim revenue scheme para patuloy ang trabaho ng NGCP,” she added.

With the regulatory reset process delayed by almost 10 years, Alabanza stressed that NGCP had no other choice but to follow the previous rules to keep its business running.

“Based on the rules in place at that time, may particular rules na pinapayagan ang NGCP na ganon iyong regulatory framework na untiunti pong sinisingil para hindi mabulunan ang mga consumer,” Alabanza explained.

“Pangalawa po, kada proyekto po namin ay ina-apply namin sa ERC ay

Smart: Phishing website blocked

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

SMART Communications Inc. has blocked a phishing website designed to steal customers’ personal information by luring them with a fake rewards points promotion.

Roy Ibay, VP and Head of Regulatory Affairs at Smart, said the website mimicked Smart’s website, tricking subscribers to divulge personal information for loyalty rewards.

“Criminal syndicates have been using fake cell site devices to push scam messages directly to mobile subscribers. To make their messages believable, they spoof the sender to make it appear as if the SMS is legitimate and was sent by the mobile carrier. As a rule, Smart does not include or send clickable links either in person to person or official messages to its customers.”

kasama po doon ang ganung klaseng framework,” she added. For its part, the ERC agreed with the NGCP’s position, admitting there was an absence of rules following its failure to approve the 4th regulatory reset application in time.

“The regulatory reset rules apply for a particular regulatory period. Paglampas po ng regulatory period na iyon, mayroon na talagang vacuum in the law,” Dimalanta said.

Based on the original timeline, NGCP’s 4th and 5th regulatory reset applications should have covered the years 2016 to 2020 and 2021 to

2025, respectively.

The ERC, however, modified the regulatory reset periods to 2016 to 2022 and 2023 to 2027.

While NGCP filed its issues paper to demonstrate its desire for a reset, Dimalanta stressed that “it doesn’t cure the fact that there were no rules at that time.”

“In 2020, NGCP applied for an interim rate. It’s a recognition that there were no valid issued, approved rates from 2016 all the way to 2020, kaya po sila nag-apply ng interim,” Dimalanta explained. She added that when the ERC

issued a decision on the interim maximum allowable revenue (MAR), its temporary nature was explicitly stated, and a full regulatory reset remained necessary to establish the correct rates.

“Kaya po interim lang ang pinasa ng Commission because it’s all subject to a full reset,” she explained. When asked by Committee Chairperson Gus Tambunting what rules NGCP must follow, Dimalanta admitted that the ERC should have resolved the 4th regulatory reset instead of relying on interim arrangements.

“Klaro naman po na dapat naglabas ang ERC noon. I think it was also recognized that the interim that they’ve applied for in 2020 was only an interim arrangement. Hindi siya final rules. It’s all subject to the final action in a reset,” Dimalanta maintained.

The scam in question attempted to convince customers to redeem a fabricated reward before an alleged expiration. Victims who clicked on the link were redirected to a fraudulent website designed to collect personal data.

Ibay clarified that no such promotion exists.

In addition to taking down the phishing website, Ibay also raised

concerns over another scam involving account hijacking on a popular instant messaging platform. According to the company, scam links shared on this platform lead users to bogus login pages designed to steal their credentials. He advised customers to verify any suspicious messages with their contacts before taking action.

To combat the broader issue of cybercrime, Ibay said Smart has fortified its network defenses, blocking more than 2.3 billion malicious text messages in 2024 alone. The company has also deactivated over one million mobile numbers engaged in fraudulent activities.

Ibay advised customers to remain cautious when dealing with unverified messages. He reminded subscribers not to reply to suspicious texts, open links, or provide personal or financial information to unfamiliar entities. Scammers often employ attention-grabbing offers that seem too good to be true, such as claiming that recipients have won prizes or rewards they never applied for.

To report scams, customers can use the HuliScam portal, where they can provide details such as the sender’s mobile number, message content, and the time and location the message was received.

Photo from www.smart.com.Ph

From Ilocos to Silicon Valley: Pinoy student’s AI innovation set to revolutionize agriculture

By Leilanie Adriano

Time to intensify

You read it right.

If you want to grow your business this year, this is the time to get intensified in the way you do things. Leveling-up is now the name of the game. As a sales leader, be intentional in your team’s growth, especially on the pace by which it should go. Remember, there is no such thing as an “overnight success.”

You need to capture it daily with your eyes on the prize. Here are three tips to intensify your business for 2025.

Seize the day

JoHn M A x weLL said that “Momentum is a leader’s best friend.”

It is indeed.

For some, momentum is like a huge wave in the ocean that surfers patiently wait for. once they see it coming, they immediately seize the opportunity, hoping that they capture that perfect wave and experience the “ride of their life.” However, in sales leadership, simply waiting for that big moment is not enough. In most cases, you need to create that golden opportunity.

And that’s why company’s hold kick-off meetings to start their business year. These kick-offs are designed to inspire and motivate people to move towards the goal.

Intentionally create “momentum & intensity builders.” These are events and activities that are designed to catapult your team forward faster and stronger. My generation, and hopefully the younger ones too, can liken it to the ladders in the board game Snakes & Ladders.

once your token reaches the foot of a ladder, you automatically advance to a stage closer to the finish line. Momentum and intensity builders are spread across the entire business and selling cycle to ensure that your team is always running

SAn JoSe De BuenAVISTA, Antique – The P5 million solar-powered greenhouse for hydroponics and drip fertigation system project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) will ensure a stable supply of high-value crops (HVC) in Libertad municipality and its neighboring towns in Antique province.

Sonie Guanco, DA agricultural program coordinating officer in Antique, said in an interview Thursday that the greenhouse facilities, established in Barangay union in november last year, would be managed by the Libertad’s municipal government.

at full speed.

Run at full speed

In T enSITY requires running at full speed in between business milestones. each milestone serves as a momentary pitstop to celebrate small successes and retool the team for the next journey forward. once you catch or build that momentum, be like a well-oiled train running at full speed. nothing can stop you until you reach the next station. That’s how you should treat every momentum—you ride it out until the next milestone.

Spread your enthusiasm for success IT is best to keep in mind that running with intensity is never a one man job, although it certainly starts with you as the sales leader. And as you begin to run, make sure to actively involve others in the process. Infect them with your enthusiasm for success and get your team to run at full speed at all times. An effective runner in marathon relays starts moving even before he is handed with the baton by the previous runner. This is to make sure the he will match the other runner’s speed during the handover, and in effect will also enable him to run faster than the previous player. That’s how you should also design your team to move—you run faster after each milestone.

It’s your time to grow, so better be intensified in 2025!

Alexey Rola Cajilig is the President of ARCWAY Consultancy Inc., Executive Director of ARC DOCENDI, and Senior Vice President & Chief Operations Officer of EM-CORE DOTNET Inc. He is a Sales Leadership Coach, Strategic Sales Operations Consultant, Christian Motivational Speaker, Human Ecologist and Author of The Effective Seller. He is also the creator of ARCH Styles, a behavioral and personality assessment tool. If you have questions and suggestions, you may send an email to alexey.cajilig@gmail.com.

LAOAG CITY—Twenty-two year old Aldrin Sojourner Gamayon from San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province is taking a leap of faith when he pitched an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solution to help farmers manage potential risks such as diseases, pests, and climate change.

wanting to give back to farmers who are regarded as heroes that everyone needs for a sustainable future, Gamayo’s groundbreaking innovation, AgriConnect app, won in the recent Red Bull Basement world Finals in Tokyo, Japan. He stood among the top 10 young innovators and the only Asian who competed against 110,000 others from 39 countries.

He is also the first Filipino to win in the said event.

After winning in the global innovation competition, the fourth year Bachelor of Science in Communications Technology Management student of the Ateneo De Manila university told the Philippine news Agency on wednesday that he is now gearing up for a three-week immersion program in Silicon Valley, California this year to realize a bigger dream to make farmers more resilient through modern technology.

“I am currently working with Ateneo Blue nest to prepare for Silicon Valley,” said Gamayon, adding the details are still being ironed out while he is on the process of registering his company.

He is backed by Ateneo’s startup incubation program, which caters to the needs of startups both within and outside of the university by facilitating access to the university’s resources as well as drawing intellectual talents from the university’s extensive roster of faculty, scientists, researchers, alumni and students. Gamayon said he is determined to scale up his project and broaden its impact to benefit farmers.

Seeing the challenges of farming in his home province, he said he was inspired to “create solutions that empower our farmers and enhance the agricultural sector for the long term.”

His app uses a simple traffic lightlike warning system to e complex data into clear actions for farmers.

Green means you are good to go. Yellow means keep an eye out for pests or the weather might cause problems soon. Red means act now.

Through AgriConnect, the young innovator hopes to provide farmers with greater access to technology to protect their livelihood.

Specifically, the goal is to reduce at least 30 percent production loss annually due to lack of real-time data to manage crop risks.

“I’ve seen firsthand how farming can feel like a constant gamble. My family would talk about the anxiety of planting a crop, never knowing if pests, weather, or bad luck would

ruin everything,” he said. Gamayon said he has “spoken to farmers who mix seven pesticides hoping that one of these works, not realizing it’s hurting their crops in the long run.”

“For them, it’s not just about growing rice—it’s about whether there’s enough to eat or if their kids can stay in school. That weight, that uncertainty, it’s what made me want to create something that could help,” he said in an earlier media interview.

For now, Gamayon looks forward to partnering with public and private institutions to make his dream into a reality for the next generation of farmers who could use the technology for the better. PNA

Iloilo province boosts startup growth with new ordinance

ILoILo CITY—The Iloilo Provincial Board has opened its 2025 session with the passage of an ordinance aimed at fostering the growth of startups in the province.

“For Iloilo province, this is our attempt to help provide an enabling environment for our startups by coming up with mechanisms to help them expand,” Board Member Jason Gonzales, author of the ordinance, said in an interview on Thursday.

Provincial ordinance no. 2025332, titled “An ordinance Institutionalizing the Community and Academe-Based Startup Development in Iloilo Province and Providing Funds Therefor,” establishes financial and technical support mechanisms for qualified startups.

The ordinance allocates PHP5 million annually as a starting budget, with a maximum grant of PHP500,000 available to individual startups.

we’re looking to work with technology business incubators in state universities, colleges, and private institutions,” Gonzales said.

A Startup Development Committee will be formed, chaired by the

governor and including representatives from the business community and private sector.

The committee will finalize the ordinance’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within the first

quarter of 2025 and set guidelines for a competitive application process.

“our goal is to help bring startups to market, focusing on those with promising technologies, products, or services,” Gonzales said. He underscored the potential economic benefits of attracting entrepreneurs to the province, adding that startups have been significant contributors to economic growth worldwide.

The ordinance reflects Iloilo’s commitment to fostering innovation across sectors such as technology, agriculture, and biotechnology.

“In many cases, startups are driven by young people applying technology to solve new and old problems,” Gonzales said. The initiative underscores Iloilo’s vision of becoming a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. PNA

Farmers in the municipality will be trained on how to grow HVCs and avail of the seedlings from the greenhouse facilities.

“The municipality, being near Boracay island in Aklan province, could also sell the produce to restaurants and other establishments there as part of its economic enterprise,” Guanco said.

ot her than Libertad, San Remigio town also availed of greenhouse facilities from the DA. It is operated by the of fice of the Provincial Agriculturist.

The greenhouse enables farmers to grow strawberries and cherry tomatoes that they sell to tourists visiting Barangay Aningalan, a tourism destination in San Remigio known for its cold climate and mountain sceneries. PNA

“There are three units of greenhouse that would be planted with HVCs, such as lettuce, bell pepper, cabbage, cherry tomato,” he said. The greenhouse facilities, funded through the initiatives of Senator Loren Legarda and Antique Rep. Antonio Agapito Legarda, are equipped with two overhead water tanks, a hydroponics system, a soilless drip system, and a drip fertigation system. Guanco said farmers in Libertad usually produce lowland vegetables, such as squash, eggplants, and string beans, but with the greenhouse facilities, they could produce cold-tolerant HVCs.

Aldrin Sojourner GAmAyon receives a commendation from the San nicolas town council in ilocos norte province in this undated photo. He is the first Filipino to win the red Bull Basement World Finals held in Tokyo, japan last december 2024 for his innovative technology app that can help farmers reduce productivity loss. Photo courtesy of soj

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace

Initial data shows BIR may have exceeded ’24 collection target

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

THE

Bureau of Internal Revenue

(BIR) announced that it exceeded the P2.848-trillion target collection set by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) for 2024.

In a statement the agency issued last Tuesday, the BIR said the main tax collecting agency “has definitely reached” the record-high revenue target despite the figures still being finalized.

“The exact figures will be finalized by around mid-February, and by then, the collection figures will only increase past the DBCC target,”

Internal Revenue Commissioner

Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. was quoted in the statement as saying.

The BIR said this is the first time in 20 years that the agency achieved its goal, with the exception of 2020 when the target was reduced due to the pandemic.

This, the BIR said, was also amid the Philippine economy’s “weaker-

Capital market watchlist

THE Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 has brought to surface the realization that Asian economies cannot and should not be so over-reliant on bank financing for businesses but should develop their capital markets as a balancing source of alternative financing.

So how are we doing in our capital market development efforts?

The Capital Market Development Council (CMDC) will probably make a formal assessment since it oversees the implementation of the Capital Market Development blueprint currently in place until year-end 2025.

There are interesting developments to watch out for 2025-2026. Here they are.

First, the plan for the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to offer their shares to the public has been percolating since the time of Finance Secretary Carlos “Sonny” G. Dominguez. Now is as good a time as any to push through with the plan. It fulfills the state policy of democratizing wealth, allowing Filipinos to invest and share in those two banks which have a hoard of mandatory deposits from local government units (LGUs). It also will support the capital build-up of the banks which have contributed heavily to the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund.

Second, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has just issued the guidelines for the issuance of Sukuk bonds, a type of bond that are Sharia compliant. Our government has issued sukuk bonds in the Middle East market, so why not introduce sukuk bonds domestically?

A Google search reveals that the Islamic finance market size (largely sukuk) was $3.154 billion in 2023, projected to grow annually by 5.13 percent, to $4.945 billion in 2032. The Philippines can immediately partake of the Islamic funds, which are driven by a growing demand for so-called ethical financial products (no charging of interest) accompanied by the growing affluence of Muslim investors. Islamic finance offers an interesting menu of Sharia-compliant investment options. But sukuk bonds are the popular ones.

Third, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is poised to launch its Philippine Global Depositary Receipts project, which should make it easier for foreign investors to participate in the local trade of shares.

Fourth, the PSE and SEC are working to prepare the regulatory legal framework for derivatives, using a PSE-crafted index. This will probably take a little time to launch but they’re seriously working at it.

Fifth, there is the move to revive interest in securitized products, more specifically, residential mortgage bond securities. While the legal framework has been there, there have been just a very few securitization products in the market, largely by the National Home Mortgage Financing Corp. Securitization indeed has suffered from a bad name arising from the experiences in the Global

than-expected” 5.2 percent growth in the third quarter.

The BIR figure is equivalent to 10.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). It would also negate the earlier statement by Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto who said the BIR’s collection may fall short of its targets set by the DBCC. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/12/24/ finance-chief-sets-higher-barfor-bir-boc/)

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the BIR generated P2.667 trillion from January to November 2024. The Bureau only needs to raise at least P181 billion in December to meet its tax goal.

“Our dedication to Good Governance reforms, manifested by our shift to a taxpayer-oriented agency, has increased the voluntary compliance of taxpayers,” Lumagui said.

“This goes to show that if govern-

Finex Free enterprise

Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 when the securitizations of sub-prime mortgages was marked by malpractices by banks and the global rating agencies.

But the concept of securitization is valid, workable, tested and is the answer to the need for financing the President’s “one million housing units per year” program during his administration.

Then, sixth, there are the new asset classes of bonds: Green Bonds or, more expansively, for Environment, Social, Governance bonds and the more comprehensively described Sustainability Bonds. A new generation of investors has become more meticulous in choosing investments with clear commitments to social purpose.

Seventh, there are what can be described as lower-tier bonds of mediumsized companies with much growth potential and already doing profitably well. These companies may not merit the highest triple A rating in the standard corporate rating scale, but they are still investment grade that yield good returns.

PhilRatings (Philippine Rating Services Corp.) provides the same independent objective assessment of creditworthiness. But it has also developed an “SME Credit Rating” scale customized for small-scale and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In other words, there are more available ways to get reliable credit opinions to help both issuers and investors.

Eighth, LGU bonds are being discovered by well-managed provinces and cities as a useful, workable funding source for local infrastructure development projects. These local development projects that need to be undertaken now cannot be financed by current tax sources.

We have few more in our list but let’s end by calling attention to the recent purchase by PSE of majority of the Philippines Dealing System Holdings Corp. shares. This consolidates the trading of equities and fixed income securities under one “house” with all the possibilities of synergies in processes, technology, manpower, research and product development.

Lastly, the term of the incumbent SEC chairman ends in June this year. What will this mean to the many initiatives on capital market development he has started?

Santiago F. Dumlao Jr. is the Secretary General of the Association of Credit Rating Agencies in Asia, chairman of

ment agencies improve their services, processes, and programs, our countrymen will do the right thing and pay their proper share of taxes,” the BIR chief added.

In 2024, the BIR obtained 100 percent nationwide ISO certification for various frontline processes, secured the Civil Service Commission’s Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (CSC PRIME-HRM) Maturity Level II Accreditation and received the National Privacy Commission (NPC) Seal of Registration.

The BIR’s tax collection accounts for 76 percent of the total P3.729trillion revenue goal for 2024.

For 2025, Recto said the government aims to post double-digit growth in revenue collections from the BIR.

The DBCC projects revenues to reach P4.644 trillion this year.

BTr raises ₧30B

via sale of high-rated T-bonds

THE Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised P30 billion through the sale of Treasury bonds (Tbonds) on Tuesday at rates higher than the benchmark secondary market.

With a remaining term of even years and eight months, the government securities’ average yield stood at 6.249 percent. This is higher by 8.9 basis points (bps) than the comparable 7-year PHP Bloomberg Valuation Service Reference Rates (PHP BVAL) yield of 6.16 percent. The T-bond average auction yield also increased by 55.9 bps from an earlier rate of 5.690 percent set during the sale of the same tenor on October 15, 2024.

Investors asking yields were as low as 6.075 percent to a high of 6.290 percent. The coupon rate for the debt papers was set at 6.750 percent. The auction was 1.8 times oversubscribed, with total bids reaching P54.219 billion while P24.219 billion was rejected. Rising yields on the United States T-bonds and expectations about potential protectionist actions by Presidentelect Donald Trump drive the 7-year

T-bonds to increase, according to Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort.

“The 7-year tenor at among 5.5-month highs or since July 31, 2024, largely due to possible protectionist measures by U.S. Presidentelect Trump,” Ricafort said. Market expectations that the US Federal Reserve will reduce interest rates, less than what is initially anticipated this year, also increased the yields of the 7-year T-bonds auctioned. The stronger-than-expected US economic and jobs data have also nfluenced expectations that the Fed may be less aggressive in cutting rates, Ricafort added.

This year, the national government aims to borrow P2.545 trillion, following an 80:20 borrowing mix in favor of domestic sources amounting to P2.037 trillion, based on the state’s budget documents. The Treasury will raise a total of P1.977 trillion from T-bonds and P60 billion from Treasury bills. The Treasury aims to raise as much as P125 billion from its sale of T-bonds this January. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

NEA issues rules for tax exemption of electric co-ops

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) has laid down the criteria and parameters for electric cooperatives (ECs) who want to avail exemptions from local taxes, fees and charges in their respective local government units (LGUs). Under NEA Memorandum 2025-02 dated January 9 and released last Tuesday, a perfect score of 25 points will be awarded to an EC if it obtains a

97-percent collection efficiency rating. Non-efficient ECs graded 89 percent and below will only be awarded five points. Meanwhile, a 10-point bonus will be granted to ECs that will maintain “positive” result of financial operation, inclusive of reinvestment fund for sustainable capital expenditures.

On the technical side, NEA said the cooperatives will be scored based on the frequency and duration of power outages to gauge network system reliability.

At an institutional level, NEA

‘Compensate Philhealth members for data breach’

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

MIGRANT-R IGHTS

Aadvocacy group called for the government to ensure that the fine to be imposed on the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) for its data breach in 2023 will not be at the expense of state-run health insurer’s members.

In a statement, Migrante International sought the assurance as it backed the move of the National Privacy Commission (NPC) to sanction PhilHealth for its negligence, which resulted in a data breach and risked 42 million records of individuals.

It noted that PhiHealth members, including overseas Filipino workers (OFW), should be compensated for the data breach and that the NPC fine should not affect the state-run health insurer’s service delivery.

Under Republic Act (RA) 11223, or the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, all Filipinos, including OFWs, are required to be enrolled in PhiHealth.

“It is not fair for OFWs and PhilHealth members to be punished for the negligence of PhiHealth. [President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.] already reduced the budget for public service and health, and they will steal more from us,” Migrante International Deputy Secretary General Josie Pingkihan said in Filipino.

The proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) approved by the bicameral

conference committee drew massive criticisms even from the President after it significantly reduced the budget of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Marcos, however, supported the move of Congress not to provide government subsidy to PhilHealth this year due to its massive surplus fund.

Migrante issued the statement after a column published in a national broadsheet last week claimed that the NPC ordered PhilHealth to pay a P4.6-billion fine to the government for the 2023 data breach.

The alleged amount is over the stipulated maximum limit for administrative fines of P5 million for single or multiple infractions under NPC Circular 2022-01.

Migrante expressed concern about the amount of the fine stated in the column, which it said may prompt PhilHealth to impose additional financial burden on OFWs, while they are “suffering from the impacts of job insecurity, low wages, and mounting debt.”

In a Viber message, PhilHealth Corporate Affairs Group Acting Vice President Rey T. Baleña confirmed that they submitted a motion for reconsideration (MR) on 6 January 2025 on the NPC fine.

Baleña said they are still waiting for the action of the NPC on their MR.

NPC deferred any comment on the matter since the PhilHealth case remains “live and ongoing.”

said ECs must hold annual general membership assemblies and district elections to earn a perfect score of 10 points, respectively. The ECs must also achieve 90 percent to 100 percent energization rates to gain 15 points. Energization rates at 59 percent and below are awarded 11 points.

Organizations that are deemed compliant with respect to their submissions of reportorial requirements, including their corporate operating budget, will be granted 10 points.

The ECs need to achieve a 75-percent score using the per-

formance assessment criteria to receive a certificate of compliance.

Earlier, the Department of Energy and the Department of Finance signed a joint circular mandating ECs to secure an annual certificate of compliance from NEA.

“This local tax exemption is a significant milestone for our qualified ECs, as it directly translates to reduced financial burdens that can be reinvested into improving services and achieving 100 percent total electrification,” Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said earlier.

Workers push to halt SSS contribution hike

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

ALABOR coalition has called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to suspend the impending 1 percent increase in Social Security System (SSS) premium contributions set to take effect this month, citing the financial strain it will impose on workers “already burdened by economic challenges.”

In a letter dated January 13, the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition highlighted legal, economic, and ethical grounds for the deferment, particularly pointing out the government’s failure to meet its financial obligations under Republic Act (RA) 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018).

Section 20 of RA 11199 mandates the government to provide direct contributions to the SSS fund, a responsibility that NAGKAISA says has been neglected since the law’s inception.

In a letter addressed to Marcos and copies of which were circulated to the media, Nagkaisa Chairman Jose G. Matula criticized the government’s decades-long neglect in supporting the SSS fund, stating that its last financial contribution was an initial P500,000 allocation in 1957.

“Workers and employers have shouldered the SSS fund’s sustainability for decades, while the government has not fulfilled its legal mandate to contribute,” Matula wrote in the letter.

According to the labor leader, “this failure has unfairly shifted the burden of sustaining the fund onto workers and employers, compounding the financial hardships faced by Filipino families.”

If the increase pushes through, the total contribution rate of Filipinos will rise from 14 percent to 15 percent, the coalition calculated. While the SSS said that higher contributions will extend the fund’s life to 2054, Matula argued that this comes at the expense of workers—who will see their already meager take-home pay reduced further.

“The incremental wage increases, even if implemented, will not be enough to address the growing gap between wages and the cost of living,” he said, emphasizing that the P150 nationwide wage hike has yet to be approved in the House of Representatives.

The coalition also questioned the necessity of the hike, pointing out that the SSS has reported record-breaking earnings of P80 billion in 2023 and P100 billion in 2024.

They urged the SSS Commission to exercise its authority under RA 11199 to defer increases during periods of economic hardship.

“These figures demonstrate the SSS’s financial capacity to sustain operations without an immediate premium hike. The current hardships experienced by workers warrant the exercise of this authority,” Matula added.

As the premium hike takes effect this January, NAGKAISA and other labor groups staged a protest outside the SSS Main Office in Quezon City on Tuesday, calling on the government to act swiftly on their demands. The coalition has yet to receive a formal response from the Marcos administration.

s antiago F. Dumlao Jr.

CDC rolls out Freeport-wide ‘Alagang Nanay’ vaccination program to employees, stakeholders

THE Clark Development Corp. (CDC) in partnership with the Pampanga Provincial Government launched a free flu vaccination program. This initiative, which kicked off on January 6, aims to safeguard employees, partner agencies and locators during the influenza season.

CDC President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera thanked Vice Governor Lilia Pineda for extending the “Alagang Nanay” program to Clark. The vaccines, provided by the provincial authorities under Pineda’s leadership, are part of this initiative. Facilitated by CDC’s Health and Sanitation Division (HSD), the program initially allocated 15,000 flu vaccines. These vaccines have been distributed to CDC employees, Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) medical frontliners, government agency staff, and employees from key sectors, including manufacturing, tourism and business process outsourcing

4 TIPS TO FIND YOUR LIFE

PURPOSE THIS NEW YEAR

THE new year ushers in a feeling of hope and a promise of good fortune to come. With fresh opportunities and renewed energy, it also serves as the perfect time to reflect and reset goals, as well as add a more defined direction to one’s life.

Well-being expert, consultant and writer Tchiki Davis, PhD, highlighted having a purpose comes with a sense of connectedness and satisfaction. “You might feel that there is some ultimate reason for your actions, and that you are contributing to the world in some important way,” she stated. Davis was instrumental behind happiness programs, products and services which have reached more than a million people worldwide. She shared four types of purposes: prosocial, creative, financial and personal recognition. She stated that prosocial, or the propensity to influence the societal structure, is the best strategy to increase happiness. “Get involved in projects that help others and try to give back in ways that matter to you,” she advised. Likewise, social connection, self-expression, excitement, impact and personal growth serve as contributing factors.

Echoing Davis, the experts from the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) highlighted that having a personal purpose or mission statement can assist one to stay on track and make decisions which are in accordance with their values and objectives. To guide the general public, they shared several guidelines by Davis on the digital platform of Berkeley WellBeing Institute.

Here are some tips:

n START BY THINKING ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHO YOU WANT TO BECOME. Consider your current identity. Identify your long-term personal missions. Make a plan on how to best achieve this.

n CLARIFY YOUR MOST IMPORTANT GOALS. Think of how you can reach your self-imposed objectives. Aim for community-oriented results, rather than self-focused ones.

n IDENTIFY YOUR GREATEST STRENGTHS AND HOW YOU CAN APPLY THESE. Know yourself inside and out. By being cognizant of what you can do best, you can apply your greatest traits in a constructive manner.

n THINK ABOUT THE MARK YOU WANT TO MAKE ON THE WORLD. Ask yourself about the impact you want your objectives to leave. This may motivate you to reach them, no matter how big or small they may be.

“Finding your purpose feels a lot like finding yourself,” Davis stated. “You know who you are, what you are meant to do, and nothing can stop you from doing it. Pursuing this does not require that you be successful because it is the journey that matters more than the destination,” Davis opined.

“Living your purpose feels like walking a path that is only yours,” she concluded. “So you might have to step off the path you’re currently on. You might need to figure out your own special way forward,” she ended.

(BPO). An additional 25,000 vaccines will be distributed to employees of other CFZ locators in the coming weeks. Around the region, several local government units have also launched their respective flu vaccination programs. The CDC chief also emphasized the importance of vaccination, noting that influenza viruses can cause yearround outbreaks in tropical regions.

The program also extends to the dependents of CDC employees to provide comprehensive protection against respiratory diseases.

Influenza, a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, can lead to severe illness and outbreaks. The flu vaccine helps reduce the risk of infection and mitigates the severity of symptoms, protecting both individuals and communities according to health authorities.

Finding time for your goals

WHEN juggling work, family and other commitments, making time for personal goals can feel challenging especially when so many things demand our attention. However, prioritizing your own aspirations is necessary for personal growth and satisfaction. In the face of conflicting demands, what can you do to help yourself carve out time for your personal goals?

Start by defining what you want to achieve.

Writing down your goals can help you articulate it better and remind you of what you want to achieve. After writing down your goals, break them into smaller, actionable steps so it becomes less daunting to do. For example, if your goal is to become more active, begin by committing to walk 5,000 steps daily or discovering a sport that you enjoy. When your goals are specific and manageable, it becomes easier to find time to incorporate it in your everyday schedule. So, the next time you want to have more steps daily to become active, you can take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Next, track your daily activities to identify where your time goes. This process often reveals pockets of time wasted on low-priority tasks, like excessive scrolling on social media or spending too much time gossiping with colleagues.

For instance, if you notice you spend an hour a day on social media, consider reallocating half of that time to practicing a hobby or learning a new skill. Or, instead of gossiping with coworkers, you might want to read on new trends for your work. However you do it, audit your time so you can devote more time to your personal goals.

Once you have identified a goal and the schedule for pursuing it, treat them like appointments. Block out dedicated time on your calendar and stick to it. For example, schedule 30 minutes every morning to work on a fitness routine or reserve Saturday afternoons for painting. The key here is consistency because even small, regular efforts can lead to significant progress over time.

You also need to learn to say “no” to activities that do not add value to your development. Protect your time by setting boundaries. Politely decline commitments that do not align with your priorities. For example, if a friend invites you to an event during your dedicated hobby, explain your commitment and

Intentional design key to inspired living

INTERIOR design trends come and go. With cultural shifts happening around the world, they can be as short as 5 to 10 years. Your interiors, on the other hand, should have a longer lifespan: forever.

Choosing a personal, intentional style that matches the interior architecture of your home is the first step to designing spaces that you’ll love forever yet are easy enough to transform once in a while to keep things feeling fresh and inviting.

The Velaris Residences North Tower takes the lead in creating true elegance that’s effortless and intentional—units that reflect who you are, and amenities that get you to where you want to be. Designed to inspire its residents, The Velaris Residences is a threetower residential enclave located in Bridgetowne along C5.

Developed by RHK Land Corp., it features smart technology that makes life convenient and generous living spaces that make everyday living a joy. The luxury condominium is a breathtaking blend of modern architecture and nature-inspired aesthetics, seamlessly incorporating Hongkong Land’s signature earth tones into its design. With this palette and within this

canvas, the art of curation for your own unit begins. Inside a unit at The Velaris Residences North Tower, the spaces are designed in such a way that an owner can personalize their home according to their needs. You can turn the extra bedroom into a work station, a children’s nursery or playroom, a media room or a meditation room. The layout is only limited by your imagination. But your core needs never change: the goal remains to have a healthy, happy life at whatever stage or age you’re in. Outside your unit, The North Tower lets you enjoy daily living with amenities in line with its signature intentional design philosophy. Like curated pieces, every amenity exists to enhance and inspire your daily life. Starting with convenience, the tower’s facilities include five exclusive lobbies on the ground floor, eight elevators, access card for the lifts and units, smart

suggest meeting another time. Saying “no” can free up valuable time and energy for your personal goals.

You can also start small by beginning with short, manageable time blocks, especially if you are adjusting to a new routine. For instance, commit 15 minutes a day to walking or learning a new language using an app. Gradually increase this time as it becomes a habit and it feels more natural. The key here is to start small and increase time spent in achieving your goal.

When you are working on your goals, eliminate distractions by creating an environment conducive to focus. Turn off notifications, find a quiet space, or use tools like timers to maintain concentration during your goal-oriented time. For example, if you are working, consider using noise-canceling headphones and a productivity app to stay on track.

You can also look for opportunities to integrate personal goals with existing routines. For instance, listen to educational podcasts while exercising or brainstorm ideas during your commute. If you want to spend more time with family, turn meal preparation into a shared cooking experience where everyone can bond while doing the activity.

Share your goals with friends and family to be accountable to your goals. Having a support system

can keep you committed and motivated. For example, if you aim to join a running event, join a running group or partner with a friend who shares the same goal. You can even find a mentor or coach to guide you and keep you motivated to pursue your goals. Do not forget to review and adjust as you pursue your goals. Periodically evaluate your progress and make adjustments as needed. Celebrate small wins to stay motivated, and do not hesitate to refine your approach if something is not working. For example, if your plan to wake up early for exercise is not sustainable, try fitting workouts into your lunch break instead.

It is important for you to remember that pursuing personal goals should enhance your life, not exhaust you. Balance your goals with rest, relaxation and other self-care practices. For example, ensure you get enough sleep and schedule time to unwind, such as reading a book or taking a leisurely walk in nature. Take time to enjoy the things you want without overly burdening yourself with too many activities. By taking these steps, you can create a sustainable routine that supports your personal goals while managing life’s other demands. The key is to start small, stay consistent and remain flexible as you navigate the journey toward your aspirations. n

Metro Pacific Water Solutions, Hitachi sign MOU to Accelerate Sustainable Water Solution Initiatives

METRO Pacific Water Solutions (MPWS), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Water (MPW), announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hitachi Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., dedicated to solving societal challenges with technology and data-driven solutions in Southeast Asia. The MOU signifies a collaboration between the two companies to explore potential joint projects in the water and wastewater management sector in the Philippines.

The Philippines is facing significant challenges in wastewater management, with only an estimated 10 percent of the country’s wastewater currently being treated. This inadequacy poses serious risks to public health and the environment. In response, the government has set an ambitious target to increase wastewater treatment coverage to 80 percent by 2028, demonstrating its commitment to addressing this critical issue.

MPWS is a leading provider of water and wastewater solutions in the Philippines, serving a diverse range of industrial and commercial clients across the country.

The company has a strong track record of delivering high-quality and sustainable solutions to meet the specific needs of businesses.

With a strong track record of delivering sustainable water solutions in various regions in the Philippines, Hitachi is constantly exploring new technologies to provide sufficient water supply in compliance with the latest water quality guidelines. Multiple technologies, such as the re-designed desalination capabilities and advanced wastewater treatment technologies, are part of the latest

MERALCO INTENSIFIES WIRE CLEARING OPERATIONS Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) conducts wire clearing operations in the streets of Quiapo, Manila days ahead of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno on January 9, 2025 when millions of Catholic devotees are expected to gather in the area. As shown in the photo, Meralco personnel raised sagging cables and checked the integrity of the poles along Conception Aguila Street for a safe and orderly procession of the carriage of the Jesus Nazareno image. “The annual Traslacion is one of the biggest religious gatherings that draws millions of Filipinos in Quiapo. Prioritizing public safety, Meralco has collaborated with the Manila City government to carry out operations that will ensure everyone’s safety,” Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said. Meralco continuously conducts its Anti-Urban Blight Program within its franchise area as part of its commitment to promote public safety, while delivering reliable and continuous electricity service for its customers.

Okada Manila Welcomes the Year

of the Snake with Fortune,

Oat P2,550 nett and the creamy Milk Chocolate Iris Macadamia Petit Gateaux at P420 nett. At Red Spice, the “Fortune-Filled Feast” that’s full of lucky flavors

Feasts, Fun

await, bringing fortune and joy to you and your loved ones. The limited-time spread is available at P2,800 nett person with a minimum of 2 diners. Renewing Rituals Start the year rejuvenated and refreshed from head to toe with restorative treatments that elevate your relaxation. At The Retreat Spa, an award-winning tranquility oasis, get a scalp or hand treatment at the special price of P2,888 with any of the holistic Yin and Yang therapies. For those seeking deeper relaxation, head to The Sole Retreat and indulge in a Deep Sleep Wellness Therapy, available at a discounted rate of P1,688 when combined with a Gua Sha Back Treatment. Moments of Togetherness Make this the year of stronger connections with family and friends. Spend meaningful moments with friends and family at Okada Manila’s outlets for boundless fun. Visit PLAY with the kids for a bash full of fortune and fun. Take on Thrillscape’s Lucky Numbers Challenge for an exhilarating and fortune-filled start to the year.

Auspicious Beginnings

WITH blessings from the God of Wealth, fortune from the Chinese New Year Ritual, and the festive Dragon and Lion Dance, Okada Manila rings in the new year with excitement and big wins. Fortunes abound at the Lunar Fortune Hunt where guests can pick a virtual ang pao in a special game after earning enough Tier Points for a chance to win amazing prizes daily. VIP members get a chance to win P4,000,000 in prizes including a Tesla Model Y. This promotion will run until March 2, 2025. More exciting surprises are coming this year at Okada Manila. For updates on events, promos, and experiences, check out: https://www.okadamanila.com/good-fortunebegins-okada-manila.

advancements to provide greater operational efficiency as well as enhance monitoring of the water facility using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for data collection.

Under the MOU, MPWS and Hitachi Asia Ltd. will explore a range of potential joint projects focused on improving wastewater management in the Philippines. This includes developing new wastewater treatment plants and upgrading existing facilities to enhance their capacity and operational efficiency. They will also work together to implement advanced treatment technologies and explore innovative solutions to address the country’s challenge of providing sufficient water supply. This collaboration aims to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of advanced water and wastewater treatment management across the Philippines.

“We are excited to be partnering with Hitachi Asia Ltd. to explore potential wastewater management projects in the Philippines,” said MPWS President Christopher Andrew B. Pangilinan.” Hitachi is a leader in providing innovative solutions,

and we believe that their expertise will be invaluable as we work to address the challenges in the wastewater management sector in the Philippines.”

“Water is a basic source of living, unfortunately some in our region still lack access to stable and clean supply of water. We are honored to join Metro Pacific Water Solutions in solving water shortages,

ensuring reliable access and sustainability. At Hitachi, we are driven by a commitment to innovate for a better, more inclusive future.” said Chay Wee Tang, COO of Hitachi Asia Ltd.

The MOU marks a significant step toward developing innovative and sustainable water solutions aimed at improving public health and protecting the environment.

New Year, New Travels: Sun Life to Bring Clients to More Destinations this 2025

THE new year brings a fresh wave of travel goals for many Filipinos who seek new adventures this 2025. This is especially true for two Sun Life Clients, Juan Carlo “JC” Bernardo and Ricky De Borja, who have each won a travel voucher worth P100,000.

In line with the launch of Sun Life’s original game, “Play for Life: A Game of Choices,” they held a special promo that gives clients a chance to win Giftaway vouchers and the grand prize of a travel voucher to Japan worth P100,000.

JC Bernardo, an employee who enjoys gaming during his free time, decided to try the online version of Sun Life’s Play for Life: A Game of Choices. He played it, successfully reached his goal in the game, and submitted his raffle entry, not expecting to win. However, months later, he woke up to several missed calls from his Sun Life advisor, Queenie Gorospe. She was calling to let JC know that he was the grand winner of the P100,000 travel voucher to Japan from the Play for Life promo.

“When I got the call, it didn’t sink in at first because I wasn’t expecting to win the promo at all; I just wanted to try the game,” said JC.

“With my busy schedule and graveyard shift, it can get very hard to travel. I’m usually only able to go to local destinations. But with this prize, I will definitely take the opportunity to explore Japan with my partner, Jane. It will be our first international trip together, which makes it even more special.”

Every month, Sun Life releases a trivia

question about insurance and investments to clients via an email newsletter, and by answering the question, clients automatically qualify for the Bright Quiz raffle draw. In this promo, they have a chance to win Giftaway vouchers and the grand prize of a travel voucher to any local destination of their choice worth P100,000. Ricky De Borja, an architect working remotely, was the lucky winner of this promo.

And after confirming from his Sun Life advisor, Abbey Aquino, that he was, indeed, the winner, he and his wife immediately knew that they wanted to use the travel voucher on a trip to Boracay.

“This will be a new experience for my family because it will be our first time going

to Boracay,” said Ricky. “We love to travel as a family, and this prize came just in time because this trip will be our graduation gift for our daughter. I would like to thank Sun Life and my advisor, Abbey, for the opportunity to travel to a new destination this year.” Sun Life encourages everyone to prioritize their financial well-being, knowing that these efforts can unlock amazing opportunities. These winners’ stories serve as an inspiration, reminding us that with the right planning and a little bit of luck, dreams can truly become a reality.

To learn more about Sun Life’s products, services, and promos, follow @SunLifePH on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok or visit www.sunlife.com.ph.

Kuya J boosts presence in Laguna with back-to-back resto openings

CEBUANO restaurant chain Kuya J is showing no signs of slowing down and has officially established its newest franchise stores in Laguna, with no less than its celebrity ambassador, actor Jericho Rosales, gracing the opening events.

Last December 12, 2024, Kuya J relaunched its caférestaurant at SM City Santa Rosa which is now enhanced with an upgraded design that features a Filipino-themed dining interiors. The newly reopened café-restaurant is offering a diverse menu option, from flavorful beverages and delightful cakes and pastries to savory Filipino dishes, making it the perfect spot for customers who are either looking for light snacks or full meals. On the same day, Kuya J also opened a second store at SM Center San Pedro, marking a successful back-toback opening that highlights its strengthened expansion efforts.

those gatherings even more memorable and special with our delicious food and exceptional service,” said Don Edrian Tirol, Group Chief Operating Officer of Kuya J. Kuya J serves a variety of classic Pinoy favorites that are masterfully crafted using their own signature style to elevate

“We are thrilled to finally open our doors at SM City Santa Rosa and SM Center San Pedro, just in time for the holiday season. We understand that bonding over food has been a beloved tradition during reunion with friends and families, which is why at Kuya J, we want to make

ANDREW Pangilinan of Metro Pacific Water Solutions (center left) and Okido Kakudo, General Manager of Hitachi, Ltd.’s Water & Environment Business Unit (center right), solidify their partnership during an MOU signing ceremony in Tokyo. They are joined by executives from their respective companies.

QUEENIE Gorospe, Sun Life Philippines Financial Advisor; Juan Carlo “JC” Bernardo”; Lennie Arboleda, Sun Life Philippines Head of Public Relations and Corporate Communications; Shiela Torres, Sun Life Philippines Client Lifecycle Marketing Specialist; Nelson Sequitin, Sun Life Philippines Sales Manager

At Red Spice, the “Fortune-Filled Feast” that’s full of lucky flavors await, bringing fortune and joy to you and your loved ones.

Property sector to remain resilient

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

Although the Philippine property industry will face headwinds in 2025, it remains resilient, and the balance sheets of the country’s largest developers are strong.

C e O J oe Curran said office developers should focus on quality projects with green features located near major transport hubs. These projects will continue to attract quality tenants willing to pay a premium. “Developers and owners will also need to repurpose or redevelop older buildings within the traditional CBDs, as many have become untenantable. While this will certainly be a challenge, it’s one that the market can embrace and could be seen as a positive from a tenant’s perspective,” Curran said. h e p ointed out that 2024 was a “mixed bag” for the office sector. Although there was some take-up in the second half of the year, Curran stressed that the sector has not yet reached the level from the pre-Covid days. To boost demand, companies have rightsized their portfolios, and the five-year leases signed before the pandemic have now expired.

h e s aid many are waiting to see

how the CR e AT e law will impact the need for additional desks. Curran said the banning of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) resulted in the huge vacancy rates at their highest levels since the Asian Financial Crisis.

h e s aid many of the country’s larger developers had little to no exposure to POGOs. h o wever, he said those developers with existing inventory that was previously tenanted by POGOs would be well advised to reinstate and make the

ProPerT yGuru

The 10th edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Real e s tate Summit (AR e S ), the thought leadership platform of PropertyGuru Group, gathered experts and thought leaders to discuss the intersecting issues moving and shaking the real estate industry, including technology, design, business development, economics, and more.

Themed “Shaping the Aspirations of Future Cities,” AR e S 2 024 attracted more than 300 delegates to The Athenee h o tel, a Luxury Collection h o tel, Bangkok on Thursday, 12 December 2024 for a series of insightful discourses. Around 30 speakers from around the world participated in talks, keynotes, and panel discussions at the 2024 Summit, which was thematically segmented into Building Future Communities; Powering Innovative Businesses; and e mbracing Shared Prosperity.

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and e v ents, said: “Cities are a canvas for the real estate industry, and the 10th edition of the PropertyGuru Asia Real e s tate Summit provided valuable insights into the aspirations of urban living. Through these discussions and critical conversations, we learned how residents and businesses will create and inhabit built spaces moving forward. The collective ideas and collaboration we’ve witnessed during PropertyGuru Week once again made it a truly meaningful milestone for our industry in Asia.” The Summit showcased keynote addresses from leading personages who provided invaluable insights into urban living, economic trends, and the life-changing potential of real estate, among others. h a ri V Krishnan, C e O and managing director of Prop -

space “show ready.” “Many of the fit-outs left behind by POGOs may not meet the requirements of a traditional or BPO enterprise, and as a result, prospective tenants may not be able to fully appreciate the offering when they come to view the spaces,” he said.

“ h o wever, for corporate occupiers with a clear strategy, the next 12–36 months offer a great opportunity to lease space at highly favorable terms,” he said.

Meanwhile, Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) recently reported a 29 months’ worth of unsold

condominium units in Metro Manila resulting from the high interest rates and external risks together with changes in buyer’s priorities.

At present, LPC said there are 67,600 units unsold across 510 actively selling buildings in Metro Manila, the highest since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Quezon City has the biggest number of unsold units with 18,500 while Ortigas ranked second with 13,500. The Bay Area in Pasay placed third place with 10,500; Manila with 8,500; and Caloocan with 8,100. Alabang, located in Muntinlupa

City, has 5,800 available units. Major districts Makati (3,400 units) and Bonifacio Global City or Taguig posted the lowest inventories with 3,400 and 1,300 units respectively.

residential sector

Cu RRA n s aid the Philippine residential market is currently undergoing a dynamic shift due to recent changes in interest rates. As of the fourth quarter of 2024, several banks have reduced their home loan interest rates by 0.50%, especially for short-term fixed loans. “This improves upon Bangko Sentral ng

Pilipinas’ decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points earlier in the year, driven by better economic conditions and easing inflation,” he said.

Curran observed that the residential market outside Metro Manila remains strong, with developers expanding into key hubs and launching integrated projects. ho wever, it is a different scenario Metro Manil’as the pre-selling condominium market as it continues to face challenges due to high mortgage rates and slow inventory turnover. Overall, he said the market remains cautiously optimistic, with a focus on attractive pricing and innovative features to drive demand. As long as landlords are not overextended in terms of borrowing, they should be able to weather the current glut and focus on attracting quality covenants to their buildings.

“In terms of office leasing, we are already in a tenant’s market, and this will likely remain the case until the excess supply is absorbed. Some submarkets will be more affected than others,” he said. As for the residential market, Curran said “we are currently in a period of price discovery, with the secondary market offering strong opportunities for buyers seeking below-market deals. h o wever, the luxury segment remains robust, with affluent buyers continuing to drive sales.”

ertyGuru Group, welcomed attendees by emphasising the importance of developing real estate development in sync with the aspirations of urban dwellers.

h a ri V Krishnan said: “We power communities to live, work, and thrive in tomorrow's cities. This year’s summit convened leading experts and stakeholders from across Asia and beyond to address the challenges and opportunities impacting our urban environments. This exchange of ideas reaffirmed that thoughtfully planned, environmentally conscious spaces are crucial to sustaining cities as they accommodate the next generations of property seekers and enterprises. We all leave the event

inspired for the future.” Returning this year was Sumana Rajarethnam, director for South- e a st Asia at The e c onomist Intelligence Corporate n e twork, who provided an in-depth, data-driven keynote on the Asian economy, contextualising the region’s growth opportunities and challenges into the next year.

Pop superstar, actor, and creator Golf Pichaya n i tipaisalkul humanised the summit with a keynote that resonated with the universal aspirations of city dwellers and shared his journey to finding his dream home.

Stephen Oehme, chairperson of the Summit, value management specialist, sustainability advocate, and managing director of Quantum, deliv -

ered a message on the global outlook for Asia Pacific. Complementing the keynote addresses, the Summit’s panel discussions offered diverse perspectives on pivotal topics. e x perts joined Dr. n a i Jia Lee, head of real estate intelligence at PropertyGuru Group, in a panel discussion defining future homes: Anton Wormann, creator of Anton in Japan, entrepreneur, and real estate advisor; David Chong, chief operating officer of R e h DA Institute (Malaysia); and Muhammad Adhiguna Sosiawan, CMO and director of architecture at Mas Group (Indonesia).

In addition to future homes, the Summit provided an analysis on the branded residences sector. Bill Bar -

nett, founder and managing director of C9 h o telworks, moderated a panel that included hospitality stalwarts Gianfranco Bianchi, general manager for Asia Pacific at The One Atelier; Leanne Reddie, chief development officer of G h M h o tels; Penny Trinh, vice-president for mixed-use development at Marriott International; and Saowarin Chanprakaisi, vicepresident for business development at The Ascott Limited.

The influence of culture, communites, and built spaces also took centre stage with a panel discussion among Wendy Mc e w an, VP for transformation and chief of staff at the Office of the C e O , PropertyGuru Group; Alex Bentley, digital creator; Chelsea Perino, managing director of global communications of The e x ecutive Centre; Kristin Thorsteins, founder and co-managing partner of Portman Investments; and Michael Jones, certified ergonomist and wellness coach at Pain-Free Me Studio.

Leading thinkers in architecture and design also shared their insights in a panel discussion on designing for impact. Moderated by Stephen Pimbley, founder partner and director of SPARK Architects, the panel featured Colin Chee, creator and creative director of n ever Too Small; Jessica Bianca

Sy, VP and head of design, innovation, and strategy at SMDC; Patrick Keane, founder of e nter Projects Asia; and Shao-wei h u ang, associate director of Zaha h a did Architects.

The final panel discussion tackled the convergence of culture and innovation in giga-cities within the Middle e a st, with David Johnson, C e O o f Delivering Asia, moderating. Panellists included James A. Kaplan, C e O of Destination Capital; Khalid Otain, managing partner of h L B Middle e a st; and Stephen Oehme. e m ceed by international events and podcast host Tina Ryan, AR e S 2024 was one of the anchor events of PropertyGuru Week. The Summit was followed by the AR e S V IP Cocktail

POC president Tolentino:

PSA Executive of the Year

THE man who sparked the renaissance of Philippine sports shares the spotlight in the January 27 staging of the San Miguel Corp.Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Annual Awards Night at the grand ballroom of the Manila Hotel.

Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino will be recognized as Executive of the Year during the traditional gala night by the country’s sports writing fraternity for his hands-on job in overseeing the participation and performance of the Filipino athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympics as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

With Tolentino—also president of the PhilCycling and mayor of Tagaytay City—at the helm and waving the baton, Team Philippines achieved its best-ever showing in its 100 hundred years of Olympic participation highlighted by the country’s very first double gold medal performance courtesy of gymnastics wonder boy Carlos Yulo.

This marks the third time the father of the country’s Olympic movement will be feted with the award during the festivity co-presented by ArenaPlus, Cignal and MediaQuest.

Tolentino was named Executive of the Year for consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.

Yulo, of course, leads all awardees in the celebration considered as the “Oscars of Philippine Sports” and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, PLDT/ Smart, Milo, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and Januarius Holdings with backing from the Philippine Basketball Association, Premiere Volleyball

League, 1-Pacman Party List, Rain or Shine, Akari and AcroCity. The 24-year-old gymnast is the undisputed choice as 2024 Athlete of the Year by the country’s oldest media organization headed Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine Star. T he Philippines also bagged two bronze medals in Paris courtesy of boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas as the contingent lived up to Tolentino’s bold prediction the country will surpass its medal haul in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It was also under Tolentino’s leadership when weightlifting icon Hidilyn Diaz delivered the Philippines’ first-ever gold in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games by topping the women’s 55 kgs class in record fashion. The 32nd edition of the Summer Games also saw three boxers bringing home medals—Petecio and Carlo Paalam silvers and Eumir Felix Marcial bronze. Tolentino, also president of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling), earned a new mandate as POC president just before the end of 2024.

Djokovic-Murray tandem debut not exactly rousing

MELBOURNE, Australia— Novak Djokovic’s first match with former rival Andy Murray as his coach did not start all that well, even against a 19-year-old making his Grand Slam debut.

Still, after dropping his opening set at the 2025 Australian Open on Monday night to Nishesh Basavareddy, an American who left Stanford University and turned pro last month, Djokovic eventually asserted himself for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory to begin his bid for an 11th championship at Melbourne Park and a record 25th major title overall.

“I’m obviously thrilled to have him in my corner,” Djokovic said about Murray.

“I must say, it was a little bit of a strange experience to have him at courtside in my box. We played for over 20 years against each other at the highest level. Great to

have him on the same side of the net. He gave me some great advice mid-match.”

Before heading out into Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic and Murray chatted in the gym. They wrapped up the conversation with a fist bump, before Djokovic hopped on the treadmill to warm up.

During the match, apart from an extended conversation before the fourth set, there was only the occasional interaction between player and coach—a pairing between 37-year-olds born a week apart, and opponents from the age of 12, including in a series of Slam finals as pros. Murray retired at the Paris Olympics in August; Djokovic proposed teaming up in November. As a player, Murray was known for mid-match dramatics, plenty of gesticulating and muttering, often directed at his entourage. Djokovic does similar.

Hail Lassiter, King of Threes

FOR

Lipa City’s Barako Cup golfest on at Summit Point, Malarayat

By Aldrin Quinto

B8 Wednesday, January 15, 2025

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

LDjokovic showed some of his usual fire when that vital break came at the one and a half-hour mark. He watched the 107thranked Basavareddy’s forehand land wide and let out a yell, clenched a fist, pointed a finger at his ear.

T hat was the beginning of the end for Basavareddy, who started stepping gingerly between points and grabbing at his legs, and took a medical timeout before the third set.

On a busy and warm Day 2, which included nine Grand Slam champions with a combined 43 major trophies in action plus another half-dozen players with runner-up showings, the winners included No. 2 Iga Swiatek, No. 3 Coco Gauff, No. 7 Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka among the women, and No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz among the men. AP

MELBOURNE, Australia— While Naomi Osaka is busy competing—and winning—at the Australian Open, she needed to send someone to retrieve her one-and-a-halfyear-old daughter’s birth certificate from their California home in case it got caught up in the wildfires ravaging the greater Los Angeles area.

After a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory against Caroline Garcia of France in the first round at Melbourne Park on Monday night, Osaka said during an on-court interview at Rod Laver Arena that she had learned that there was a fire burning three blocks from her house.

Osaka said she figured it would be a good idea to keep the birth certificate safe. Her daughter, Shai, was born in July 2023 and has traveled with Osaka on the tennis tour.

Osaka announced this month on social

from three-point country in a manner as ordinary as tossing pebbles into a manhole. Seemingly, that’s not news anymore. He does it all the time that’s why he is known as the King of Threes.

But what about when Lassiter does it in an almost unexpected moment?

Like last Sunday, when he did it again, in succession at that, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. Time was winding down. Lassiter had been a virtual nobody in an encounter deemed a won-game for San Miguel Beer over Magnolia. First quarter, zero. Second quarter, zero. I f memory serves, first time Lassiter had gone scoreless in a first half. OK, he scored two points in the third quarter. That was it? Uh-oh. Not so fast.

Birth certificate means much to Osaka

media that she and Shai’s father, rapper Cordae, had ended their relationship.

“Honestly I don’t think I’ve been doing the greatest keeping focus, but obviously I won, so I think it’s an acceptable job,” Osaka said about dividing her thoughts between Los Angeles and the tournament where she’s competing. “It is really difficult for me... because I find now my home is more of a home because I have memories with my daughter. There’s so many things— keepsakes and stuff like that.”

Os aka wore a black Dodgers hat with “LA” and a red heart stitched on it, along with a purple Lakers jersey to her news conference.

“I ’m not there, so I don’t know how bad it is or how bad it’s going to get,” she said. “But I think the biggest thing that I am grateful for is that everyone in my family is safe.” AP

TBy Josef Ramos

HE Philippine Rowing Association (PRA) aims to remain as aggressive and progressive in 2025 and beyond after having qualified athletes in consecutive Summer Olympics, according to federation president John Patrick Gregorio.

“The country’s rowing community became alive not only for holding various programs last year but also for qualifying another rower for the second consecutive Olympics,” said Gregorio, who on Monday released the PRA’s Annual Report. Cris Nievarez qualified for Tokyo 2020 to amend a 21-year lull—Edgardo Maerina rowed at the Seoul 1988 Games and is now the national head coach while Benjie Tolentino qualified for Sydney 2000.

Joanie Delgaco, a beach volleyball convert, continued the tradition at Paris 2024 as the first Filipina to compete in Olympic rowing—she’s now

Suddenly, but not shockingly, Lassiter climbed out of the grave, resurrected.

With 1:51 left, Lassiter passed the ball to June Mar Fajardo with the obvious signal for Fajardo to shoot.

But with Fajardo being gruesomely double-teamed, the 6-foot-10 Cebuano elected to toss the ball back to Lassiter positioned at left quarter court behind the arc.

With the shot clock expiring, and defying Calvin Abueva’s toxic defense, Lassiter fired, hitting the three that gave San Miguel a 77-76 lead after Magnolia had grabbed a 76-74 margin from a huge 13-point deficit.

It seemed Lassiter’s three was written in the stars since before it hit the nets, a travelling violation on Beerman Jabari Narcis was overturned on a challenge by coach Leo Austria.

After Lassiter’s crippling triple, Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe committed a costly turnover, resulting in yet another booming three from Lassiter, this time from right quarter court, for SMB’s irreversible 80-76 lead, 51 ticks left. L assiter’s rampage seemed infectious as it induced another triple,

LIPA City Mayor Eric Africa (fourth from left) with (from left) three-time national seniors champion Abe Avena, Summit Point general manager Vic de Guzman, Lipa City Fiesta organizing committee chief Gwendolyn Ku Wong, Barako Cup tournament chairman Damasus Wong and Mount Malarayat Golf

ATHLETE of the Year Carlos Yulo (right) with Executive of the Year Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino

DURING the match, apart from an extended conversation between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray before the fourth set, there was only the occasional interaction between player and coach. AP

PARIS 2024 veteran Joanie Delgaco highlights the

OSAKA