BusinessMirror January 20, 2023

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE Philippines ended 2022 with its widest overall balance of payments (BOP) deficit in over five decades, according to data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

On Thursday, the BSP said the country’s BOP deficit reached $7.263 billion, the widest since 1970. Prior to 2022, the highest BOP deficit in the past 52 years was recorded at $3.363 billion in 1997.

Last year’s BOP deficit was also a reversal from the $1.345-billion surplus recorded in 2021. The last time the country had a full-year BOP deficit was in 2018, when it reached $2.306 billion.

“Based on preliminary data, this cumulative BOP deficit was

due to the widening trade in goods deficit as goods imports continued to surpass goods exports on the back of the increase in international commodity prices and resumption in domestic economic activities,” BSP explained.

In December, the country’s overall BOP position posted a surplus of $612 million in December 2022—lower than the $991-million surplus recorded in the same month in 2021.

Prices of construction items grew most in 14 yrs–PSA

METRO Manila last year saw the highest increase in construction material retail prices in 14 years, according to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

PSA said the Construction Materials Retail Price Index (CMRPI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) posted an average growth of 5.8 percent in 2022. This was the highest since the 9.3 percent posted in 2008, the year of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).

In December 2022, the CMRPI grew 5.6 percent which is also

the highest December growth since the GFC when the index rose 8.6 percent in December 2008.

“Relative to their annual average rates in 2021, year-on-year changes were higher in the indices of all the commodity groups in 2022,” the PSA said.

In 2022, miscellaneous construction materials posted the fastest growth at 8.9 percent. These materials include Basic Ferrous Metals such as Iron and Steel, which have a weight of 15.78 percent in the index.

Ukraine war, climate, China reopening to keep prices up

THE war in Ukraine, China’s reopening and climate change will continue making commodities expensive this year, according to London-based think tank the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Limited.

The EIU said that while its weighted price indexes are expected to trade downward this year, prices such as those of food, feedstuffs, and beverages will remain elevated because of the war in Ukraine.

Pr E SIDEn t Ferdinand Marcos jr. attends a session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, january 18, 2023. Earlier, Marcos jr. said his administration has stepped up efforts to establish a cybersecurity system, as he touted digitalization initiatives and improvements in bureaucratic efficiency. In its latest global cybersecurity Outlook 2023, the WEF warned that geopolitical instability could pave the way for a “catastrophic cyberattack” in two years. Story on A16, “Govt, banks need to invest more to fight cyber attacks.”

AP/MARKUS SCHREIBER

BOP...

Continued from A1

The surplus in December was only the third time in 2022 when the country recorded a BOP surplus.

“The BOP surplus in December 2022 reflected inflows arising mainly from the BSP net foreign exchange operations and net income from its investments abroad,” BSP said.

With the latest BOP data, BSP said the gross international reserves (GIR) level increased to $96.1 billion as of end-December 2022 from $95.1 billion as of end-November 2022.

The latest GIR level represents a more-thanadequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.3 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income, officials said.

Moreover, it is also about 5.9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.9 times based on residual maturity.

Based on preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS), the trade deficit for JanuaryNovember 2022 reached $53.7 billion, up from the $37.1-billion deficit posted in the same period last year.

SWS: Families reported feeling hunger amid Christmas preps

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

decreases in Metro Manila and Mindanao.

Compared to October 2022, the incidence of hunger rose by 5 points in the Visayas to 12 percent or 576,000 families from 7 percent or 336,000 families.

The data also showed that it rose by 1.7 points in Balance Luzon to 11.3 percent or 1.3 million families from 9.6 percent or 1.1 million families in October.

h o wever, it fell by 4.6 points in Metro Manila to 11.7 percent or 399,000 families from 16.3 percent or 558,000 families in October.

data showed it fell slightly among the Self-Rated Poor to 15.7 percent in December 2022 from 16 percent in October 2022.

At the same time, SWS data showed the rate of Overall hu nger rose among the Non-Food-Poor to 11.8 percent in December 2022 from 7.4 percent in October 2022.

h o wever, it fell slightly among the Self-Rated FoodPoor to 17.7 percent in December 2022 from 18.9 percent in October 2022.

Ukraine...

Continued from A1

The reopening of China will make base metal prices edge upward this year; while climate change is deemed as a “wild card” that could impair production of certain agricultural products.

“Although commodities prices will not fuel global inflation in 2023 as they did in 2021-22, upside risks to our baseline price forecasts are increasing and largely center on China, climate change and continued conflict in Ukraine,” the EIU said in its latest Commodities Outlook.

The SWS survey estimated that 3 million families or 11.8 million of all families experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months. Involuntary hunger is defined as being hungry and not having anything to eat.

The December 2022 hu nger figure is higher than the 2.89 million families who experienced involuntary hunger in October 2022 and 2.95 million families in June 2022. h o wever, it is slightly below the 3.1 million families in April 2022.

“The experience of hunger is highest in Mindanao at 12.7 percent of families, followed by the Visayas at 12 percent, Metro Manila at 11.7 percent, and Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila) at 11.3 percent. It has been highest in Mindanao in 38 out of 100 surveys since July 1998,” SWS added.

The SWS said the 0.5-point increase in Overall hu nger between October 2022 and December 2022 was due to increases in the Visayas and Balance Luzon, combined with

It also fell by 2.6 points in Mindanao to 12.7 percent or 738,000 families from 15.3 percent or 893,000 families in October 2022.

Meanwhile, SWS said the hunger rate in December 2022 is the sum of 9.5 percent or 2.4 million families who experienced Moderate hu nger and 2.3 percent or 599,000 families who experienced Severe hu nger.

“Moderate hu nger refers to those who experienced hunger ‘Only Once’ or ‘A Few Times’ in the last three months. Meanwhile, Severe hu nger refers to those who experienced it ‘Often’ or ‘Always’ in the previous three months,” SWS explained.

Self-rated Th E S WS also said the December 2022 survey found 51 percent of Filipino families rated themselves as Mahirap or Poor while 31 percent rated themselves as Borderline poor and 19 percent said they were h i ndi Mahirap or Not Poor.

The rate of Overall hu nger or Moderate plus Severe rose among the Non-Poor to 7.8 percent in December 2022 from 6.7 percent in October 2022.

h o wever, SWS said the

Based on the type of food eaten by their families, the December 2022 survey found 34 percent of families rated themselves Food-Poor.

Some 38 percent rated themselves Food Borderline and 28 percent, Not FoodPoor.

“Rates of hunger among the Self-Rated Food-Poor are always higher than rates of hunger among the SelfRated Poor at any point in time,” the SWS said.

The Fourth Quarter 2022 Social Weather Survey was conducted from December 10-14, 2022, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

Face-to-face is the standard interviewing method for Social Weather Stations; the only exceptions were early in the pandemic when movement restrictions made face-to-face impossible and mobile phone interviews were conducted.

Normal face-to-face field operations resumed in November 2020. The sampling error margins are ±2.5 percent for national percentages, ±5.7 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

Prices...

Continued from A1

This was followed by tinsmithry materials which posted an average annual growth of 7.7 percent in 2022. This is composed of Non-Ferrous Metals and Fabricated Wire Products which have a combined weight of 21.76 percent in the index, the highest in any commodity group in the index.

Plumbing materials posted the third highest growth at 6.6 percent in 2022. This is composed of Sanitary Fixtures Plumbing, he ating & Lighting Fixtures and Fittings which has a weight of 17.3 percent in the index.

In December 2022, miscellaneous construction materials and tinsmithry materials posted the highest growth at 8.9 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

The commodity group that posted the third highest growth in prices were Painting Materials and Related Compounds, which grew 5.2 percent in December 2022.

Painting Materials and Related Compounds include Paints & Varnishes & Related Compounds as well as Other Non-Metallic Products, not

elsewhere classified. This group has a weight of 13.49 percent in the CMRPI.

h o wever, PSA said the trend in the CMRPI, as indicated by the December data, was on the decline.

The year-on-year growth of CMRPI in NCR eased further to 5.6 percent in December 2022 from 6.2 percent in November 2022. Its annual growth in December 2021 was lower at 2.7 percent.

"The slowdown in the annual change of CMRPI was mainly due to the lower annual hikes in the indices of tinsmithry materials at 7 percent in December 2022, from 8.2 percent in November 2022; and miscellaneous construction materials at 8.9 percent, from 10.1 percent," PSA said.

Moreover, slower annual mark-ups were noted in the indices of the following commodity groups such as Carpentry materials at 2.9 percent; Electrical materials, 3.3 percent; Painting materials and related compounds, 5.2 percent; and Plumbing materials, 5 percent. Cai U. Ordinario

Central to the impact of the Ukraine war on global trade is the Black Sea region, where Ukraine wheat imports transit despite the Russian blockade, the EIU said.

Developments in the Black Sea will also impact the trade and prices of oilseeds and vegetable oil prices as well as on coffee, cocoa and tea prices through high fertilizer prices and possible shortages.

In terms of the impact of China’s reopening, EIU said base metal prices will be elevated but will not be as high as in 2022. The average prices of base metals is expected to drop by 11 percent in 2023 compared to 2022.

The reopening of China will, however, have a positive impact on cotton as well as energy in the domestic market. The reopening, however, will lead to more expensive gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices.

Oil prices

M E ANW h ILE , t he EIU said oil prices are expected to average more than $85 per barrel this year. This is also because of OPEC’s production which will decline by 3 million barrels per day from the peak in 2022.

Energy prices will also be elevated since Russian gas supplies will remain cut off for the European Union. This will have “lasting consequences” on the European market.

“OPEC unity and commitment to lower production quotas in the face of pressure from Western countries should be watched in 2023,” EIU said.

“Increased global demand for LNG will boost US natural gas prices and sustain higher LNG contract prices, which will fall only moderately in 2023.”

Climate change, meanwhile, will again play a major role in commodities this year. h e atwaves in the northern hemisphere and other extreme weather events will affect agriculture production.

A La Niña, EIU said, would affect maize and soybean production in the first half of 2023, in addition to other crops like sugar and coffee.

Weather conditions will also have a significant impact on energy consumption. h e atwaves would cause gas and electricity prices to spike while drought affected hydropower generation in many countries.

EIU said the combination of dry conditions and rising water temperatures will also hit nuclear power generation. Cai U. Ordinario

THE number of families experiencing hunger in Metro Manila and Mindanao were on the decline but their numbers in Balance Luzon and the Visayas were on the rise even if the country was already in the thick of Christmas preparations, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

3 BI personnel with alleged links to human traffickers axed

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

“It is already under investigation even before several names came out,” Remulla told reporters following the BI’s confirmation that two of its personnel have been relieved from their posts pending investigation into their alleged illegal activities.

BI spokesman Dana Sandoval disclosed on Wednesday that Commissioner Norman Tansingco has ordered the relief of two immigration officers after receiving intelligence reports that they have been involved in trafficking activities at the Clark International Airport (CIA) and the Ninoy Aquino Inter -

national Airport (Naia).

We have received information that the two have links to trafficking syndicates. We are initiating an investigation to verify this information, and if there is indeed probable cause, we shall file the appropriate case before the Department of Justice [DOJ],” Tansingco said.

H e added that as a preventive measure, the two subject personnel will be temporarily assigned to back-end office duties pending the investigation.

S andoval said another BI personnel assigned at the Clark In -

ternational Airport was ordered relieved pending investigation on his alleged links with human trafficking syndicates.

This is a continuing investigation and we will also look into the role of recruiters in these human trafficking activities. If there are names of recruiters that will come out from the investigation, then we will refer it to the proper investigating agency under the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking [IACAT],” Sandoval said.

Earlier, Senator Risa Hontiveros disclosed that several overseas

Filipino workers (OFW) who were promised jobs in Thailand were trafficked into Myanmar to become crypto scammers of a Chinese syndicate based in Shwe Kokko, a town in Kayin State of Myanmar.

She lamented that unscrupulous individuals continue to victimize OFWs even after the inquiries conducted by the Senate into the “pastillas” scam and other human trafficking schemes.

L ast Wednesday, Hontiveros disclosed that Filipinos were also being illegally trafficked to Cambodia to work as crypto-scammers.

No leads yet on killers of Chua-Plaza in Davao City–SITG

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

DAVAO CITY—A police investigation body has yet to report any breakthrough in the killing of a businesswoman-model here three weeks after the incident.

T he special investigation task group (SITG) that the regional police command created met on Wednesday for updating, the police here told reporters who attended the regular Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines news briefing at a local hotel.

T he reporters were also awaiting the progress of the investigation,

but were told that Major Eudisan Gultiano, spokesman of the SITG would call for a news conference once a breakthrough would come in the progress of the investigation.

T he killing of Yvonette ChuaPlaza took a twist after a military general was linked to the killing over a previous post of Chua-Plaza showing bruises on her face, and asking friends also to help her escape physical assaults on her. She also reportedly identified the person who was responsible for her bruises.

C hua-Plaza was killed at around 7:30 p.m. on December 29 by two motorcycle-riding gunmen while she was about to enter her residence at Green Meadows Subdivision in Barangay Santo Nino, Tugbok district.

A closed-circuit television camera showed her coming out from her Montero sports utility vehicle and was about to enter her rented house when a gunman shot her at close range. The gunman’s companion was the motorcycle driver but both did not remove their helmets and could not be identified.

T he victim died on the spot, responding policemen said. Chua-Plaza, 38, was a pharmaceutical representative and did commercial modeling.

M ajor Gultiano, spokesperson for the Area Police Command (APC) in Southern Mindanao and the spokesman of the SITG said the killing has generated public interest “as to the identity and motive of the suspects.” He said investigators were

looking at two “persons of interest” but did not elaborate.

T he Davao City Police has also put up a bounty.

A rmy Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, who was linked to the killing, came out publicly to belie reports he inflicted the bruises on the victim, adding that his name was only dragged into the murder because of Chua-Plaza’s social media post in April last year. He added that Chua-Plaza had taken down the post and retracted her statement against Durante.

Durante was a former head of the Presidential Security Group during the term of President Rodrigo Duterte and he is currently the commanding officer of the 1001st

Brigade based in Davao de Oro, formerly Compostela Valley province.

He said that “like everybody else,” he was saddened by the death of Plaza and was also demanding justice following her demise.

“ Yvonne was a friend,” he said in a text message to the Inquirer on Sunday night. “My name is being dragged based on an FB post made last April 2022 wherein [she said] I allegedly hurt her. She later retracted the post and issued a statement that I did not in any way harm her,” Durante said, in one of his mobile phone message to a newspaper.

A rmy chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the 10th Infantry Division, which holds jurisdiction over the 1001st Infantry Brigade, of

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

TO beat the deadline on the signup of an estimated 168 million subscriber identity module (SIM) numbers of cellular phone (celfone) owners in the country, a senior lawmaker has called on local government units (LGUs) to help facilitate the establishment of off-sites registration areas in places with limited Internet access.

C amSur Rep. LRay Villafuerte was referring to Republic Act (RA) No. 11394, of which he was among its lead authors, that set beginning last December 27, 2022 the mandatory registration of the SIM numbers or cards of all cell phone owners in the country.

“ We are glad that following the initial hitches that marred the December 27 kick-off by the PTEs [public telecommunications entities] of the SIM registration process as set by law, the signup has lately been proceeding rather smoothly, with the number of registrants exceeding 21 million as of last count,” Villafuerte said.

“However, this number of registrants is just over 12 percent of the projected 168 million SIM cards in the country, so unless the registration process is switched to overdrive from hereon, the PTEs along with the DICT [Department of Information and Communications Technology] and NTC [National Telecommunica-

tions Commission] might not have enough time to complete the registration process on or before the deadline set by the SIM Registration Act,” Villafuerte said.

According to Villafuerte, it will be easier for the authorities or PTEs to trace persons behind text scams and hold them accountable for breach of privacy along with cell phone-based fraud and other punishable offenses they are able to perpetrate by using unknown or unregistered mobile phone numbers.

Hence, he said, “the need for all concerned government agencies, PTEs and LGUs to act together in informing the public about how the SIM Registration Act could put an end to text spam, online scams, bank fraud, identity theft and other cybercrimes, how they could sign up, and how their SIM numbers would automatically be deactivated—rendering their cell phones inutile— should they fail to register before the deadline set by law.”

“And one way to accelerate the registration process is for local executives to help the PTEs, DITC, NTC and other concerned sectors establish off-site centers where people can sign up, especially in places with limited Internet or telecommunication access,” Villafuerte, a former CamSur governor, added.

For Villafuerte, it’s time for local executives to play an active part in ensuring the success of the SIM reg-

istration process in the same way that local governments have had a lead role in the Covid-19 vaccination rollout in their respective localities.

T he former governor made the appeal to local executives as the government opened its first offsite registration center in Masantol, Pampanga.

In a joint briefing with DICT and NTC officials, Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the government has already identified the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) where the other registration sites will be established, but added no specific dates can be provided yet on when these would be put up.

Under RA 11934’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the DICT has 60 days upon the release of the IRR to compel the PTEs to roll out these GIDA sites. The IRR was released last December 12.

R A 11394 requires all SIM card owners to register their respective SIM numbers on or before April 26 or risk the automatic deactivation of their cell phone numbers by their PTEs or service providers.

However, this law’s IRR states that this cutoff date may be stretched by a maximum of 120 days or four months after the April 26 deadline.

As of the morning of January 18, the NTC web site reported that an aggregate of 21.12 million SIM cards have already been registered this week.

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

RETIRED and active members of the Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PNPAAAI) have expressed their full support to the ongoing internal cleansing of the Philippine National Police (PNP) currently being implemented through the courtesy resignations of senior police officials.

PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said on Thursday that he had received a manifesto of support from the PNPAAAI in his move to weed out senior police officials involved in illegal drugs through the courtesy resignations sought by Interior and Local Government

Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. from all police colonels and generals.

On Monday, Azurin said that only 24 officials out of the more than 950 colonels and generals have yet to tender their voluntary resignations as he expressed hope that all of them will heed the call of Abalos.

In a statement also released by the PNPAAAI, the association said that its members “have been and will always” be at the forefront of the war against illegal drugs.

“ We support the latest internal cleansing campaign of the PNP and, thus, respect the decisions of any of its Third Level Police Commissioned Officers, who are PNPA alumni, following their submission of courtesy resignations called for by the SILG

[Secretary of Interior and Local Government] and the CPNP [Chief PNP]. We fervently pray that the processes involved provide a sustainable solution to end the drug menace and strengthen the PNP as an institution,” the group said.

May the hierarchy of the PNP regard the supremacy of our laws, human rights, and the tenets of Service, Honor, and Justice in resolving this latest internal controversy unfolding within the police agency. With this, the PNPAAAI assures that, as our country faces another challenging phase in our fight against criminality and illegal drugs, its members remain committed to our sworn duty to God, Country, and the Filipino people,” it added.

which Durante is the commander, is also investigating the case.

T he women’s group Gabriela had also called for a thorough investigation into the killing, saying that it could be “whitewashed” as the name of a high ranking official was dragged into the murder case.

“Gabriela sympathizes with the family and friends of Ms. Yvonne Chua. There’s a need for a deep and impartial investigation as the case involved a high ranking government official. There’s also a need to protect the family of Ms. Chua, especially as evidence that could lead to the perpetrators continue to come out,” Clarice Palce, secretary general of Gabriela, said in a statement written in Filipino.

banks need to invest more to fight cyber attacks’

“I think continuing investments appropriate to the assessment of current and future situations is recognized and are being done. Do we need to add? I think we need to see first the ‘fine prints’ or the details and assess if the current assessment has changed,” he added.

Lessons in cybersecurity

UNIONBANK Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, meanwhile, told BusinessMirror that recent “intense attacks” could provide a “wealth of lessons in cybersecurity” that can be followed by the government and the banking industry.

A suncion added that recent digitalization efforts of the government as well as of ordinary Filipinops make cybercrime and cyberattacks “attractive for bad elements.” This means the cyber security risks are real and are here now.

Cybersecurity has been the top priority of the banking sector and the National Government [NG] through regulators have been proactive in helping make the virtual world safer and conducive for expansion,” Asuncion said.

Economic losses

THE threat of cybercrime and cyber attacks are real, especially for the Philippines where, according to Ateneo Policy Center Senior Economist Ronald U. Mendoza, it already affects up to three-quarters of businesses in the country.

Mendoza said these incidents include malware, phishing, and outright cyberattacks. These incidents cost businesses significant “economic losses, stemming from business interruptions, data loss [and concurrent loss of trust by consumers and users], and regulatory fines.”

T here is “growing evidence abroad,” according to Mendoza, that cyber attacks can be part of attempts to weaken a nation’s national security as well as traceable to criminal organizations or even other state actors.

“As the Philippines ramps up

continued from a16

its digitalization and connectivity investments envisioned in the PDP [Philippine Development Plan] 2023-2028, it is clear that we must also think of the security of these systems to continue to build citizens’ trust, facilitate commerce, transport and other systems, as well as ensure our broader national security,” Mendoza said.

Guarding against cyber threats is now crucial as more Filipinos and businesses are dependent on online platforms and systems, after the Covid-19 lockdowns accelerated digitalization in the Philippines and globally. Consumers purchased various products via online malls and paid via cashless transactions as they sheltered in place.

“ Reforms like the national ID system and other investments in e-governance will likely intensify the reliance on these systems, along with the attendant challenges of protecting privacy and ensuring operational resilience to cyber attacks,” Mendoza said.

Based on the PDP 2023-2028, the Marcos administration aims to adopt a legal framework to strengthen cybersecurity and policies that promote information security measures.

T hese seek to protect the country’s information infrastructure and the ICT systems of public institutions, transportation, and electronic commerce transactions.

Part of these efforts is to implement the Financial Consumer Protection Act to enable financial regulators to address consumer complaints on cybercrimes and enforce sanctions against erring entities.

T he government also seeks to establish secure e-payment systems and ensure consumer and supplier protection online to earn the trust and confidence of Filipinos on digitalization.

T he Philippines also seeks to promote cybersecurity culture to increase awareness of the global and local cybersecurity context, including the threat landscape among employees, industry partners, and customers.

Cyber attacks

THE WEF report said over 93 percent of cybersecurity experts and 86 percent of business leaders believe “a far-reaching, catastrophic cyber event is likely in the next two years” and there is a critical skills gap that is threatening societies and key infrastructure.

T he report highlighted the need to address the shortage of talent and skilled experts. Some 34 percent of cybersecurity experts said they lacked some skills in their team, with 14 percent saying they lacked critical skills.

T he problem is more pronounced in key sectors like energy utilities, where nearly 25 percent of cybersecurity experts said they lacked the necessary critical skills to protect their organizations’ operations.

Geopolitics is reshaping the legal, regulatory and technological environment. “As global instability increases cyber risk, this report calls for a renewed focus on cooperation. All stakeholders from public and private sectors who are responsible for our common digital infrastructure must work together to build security, resilience and trust,” said Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director, World Economic Forum.

W EF said there is a need to expand the cybersecurity talent pool is needed to solve this problem. Several successful cybersecurity skills programmes are under way around the world, but many have difficulty scaling to large numbers. Greater cross-industry collaboration and public-private is needed to overcome this.

Despite challenges, organizations are improving cyber resilience, one of the key priorities of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity.

T he Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2023 findings were based on surveys, workshops and interviews with over 300 experts and C-suite executives. Half of the companies surveyed said the current landscape is making them re-evaluate the countries in which their organization does business.

Editor: Vittorio

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has expressed his full support to the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) ongoing investigation into the alleged involvement of its personnel in human trafficking that has so far resulted in the relief of three of its employees.

‘Govt,

BusinessMirror

PBBM, Pascual discuss widening of mining investment plans with Glencore in Davos

By Andrea E. San Juan

TRADE Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with Glencore, a Swiss multinational company, to discuss the company’s interest to expand mining and ore processing operations in the Philippines, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) organized sessions, Marcos and Pascual met with

Gary Nagle, chief executive officer of Glencore, to discuss the company’s interest to expand mining and pro -

cessing operations in the Philippines.

I n news statement issued on Thursday, the DTI said, “They [Glencore] see the Philippines as a potential partner to process nickel and copper resources responsibly and sustainability for use in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage units, among others.”

Glencore, a Swiss multinational company, is one of the largest and “globally diversified” natural resource companies in the world.

According to its web site, Glencore extracts and processes copper ore in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Australia and South America. The Swiss multinational firm added that it recycles copper scrap. Moreover, it said it smelts and refines copper.

T he natural resource firm said it supplies a wide range of customers from the automotive, electronics and

construction sectors.

A s for nickel, Glencore said, it is a “leading producer and marketer of nickel, as well as a recycler of nickel-containing materials such as batteries.”

“ We produce some of the world’s purest nickel. Our marketing business markets nickel and nickel concentrates, as well as by-products and ferronickel. Our nickel operations are in Canada, Australia, Norway, and New Caledonia,” Glencore said on its web site.

T he Philippines’s trade chief has always sought assistance from governments and private sectors of different countries such as Germany and South Korea, among others, to tap the Philippines’s “significant” green metal reserves of nickel and copper.

For Germany, Pascual said in November that “doing so would ensure

the supply of these critical resources in support of your country’s full-electrification objectives for your automobile industry by 2030.” In exchange, the trade chief noted, the Philippines will benefit from Germany’s “significant” experience and expertise in nickel and copper downstream processing.

Meanwhile, DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said in November that with Korea’s manufacturing capabilities, especially in electronics, the Philippines hopes to pursue a meaningful partnership in the area of green metals.

We are positioning the Philippines as a key player in the supply of critical minerals given our vast resources of green metals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper inputs for the production and manufacture of electronic goods and batteries for electric vehicles,” Rodolfo said.

JFC prods Senate to commence deliberation on open access bill

By Andrea E. San Juan

THE Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) has called on the Senate to commence deliberation on the Open Access in Data Transmission Act upon resumption of sessions next week.

A ccording to the members of the JFC, the House of Representatives approved House Bill 6, or the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, on third reading before going into recess last December. With this, the foreign business groups said, the bill was transmitted to the Senate for deliberation.

T his is the third time that the House has approved the bill on third reading after approvals in both the 17th and 18th Congress. However, the bill failed to get Senate approval in both Congresses.

But since the bill was approved “early” in the 19th Congress, the members of the JFC expressed optimism that the Senate will have “enough time” to deliberate and approve the measure, considering no less than the Senate President filed a counterpart measure to the Open Access bill filed by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

In a position paper sent to the chairperson of the Senate Science and Technology Committee, the JFC explained that the Open Access bill “seeks to address the need for fast, reliable and affordable Internet or data service.”

Further, the JFC said with the enactment of the bill, the market is unlocked and a competitive environment is developed that would benefit the public at large, as it lowers “regulatory barriers” and costs of entry for market players offering Internet service and promotes fair and open competition at different segments of the data transmission network.

This, the JFC said, will “significantly improve” data transmission services such as having faster Internet speed at lower costs throughout the country.

“ The proposed Open Access in Data Transmission Act is critical to establishing a forwardlooking and future-ready digital policy framework for the Philippines,” the foreign business groups said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Moreover, it said, the bill aims to create the space that will “allow and empower” as many different service providers as possible to build and operate data networks and give more choices to broadband users anywhere in the country, especially in the countryside.

T he JFC is a coalition of the American, Australian-New Zealand, Canadian, European, Japanese, Korean chambers and the Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc.

It “supports and promotes” open international trade, increased foreign investment and improved conditions for business to benefit both the Philippines and the countries the JFC members represent.

Members of the JFC are: American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, AustralianNew Zealand Commerce of the Philippines, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines; European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines; Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines; and Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DA to fund new program to boost PHL corn yield

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE agriculture department will bankroll a corn production enhancement program (CPEP) that seeks to improve local output of the critical feed material and slash the country’s dependence on imports.

T he Department of Agriculture (DA) issued Memorandum Order (MO) 06 series of 2023 that outlined the guidelines of its CPEP.

T he DA noted that the country still suffers a shortfall in its local supply despite increasing corn output in the past.

CPEP, the DA added, seeks to improve the yield per hectare of yellow and white corn by 3 percent annually and improve the income of farmers.

At present, local yellow corn production is far below the total requirements of feed millers,” it noted.

To fill in the gap, feed millers opted to import yellow corn and feed wheat from other countries,” it added.

T he DA said local yellow corn production is only able to meet 59 percent of the country’s total requirement in 2021. The DA noted that feed millers have also utilized corn alternative raw materials to produce animal feeds, such as cassava.

“On white corn, there is an increasing demand for food and other industrial uses. Hence, there is a need to improve the local production of yellow and white corn to meet the country’s demand,” it said.

T he CPEP will cover both yellow and white corn production on the first cropping of the year in priority production areas nationwide, according to the DA.

“Priority areas include new/idle lands, crop/varietal shifting and with average grain yield lower than 4.20 metric tons and 2.50 metric tons per hectare for yellow and white, respectively,” the DA added.

T he eligible farmer-beneficiaries of the program must be registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and with a corn production area of 0.5 hectare or wider, DA guidelines showed. Furthermore, the beneficiary is “preferably” a member of an active corn cluster organization.

Under CPEP, farmer-beneficiaries will receive a package of 19 kilograms of genetically modified or hybrid corn seeds or 20 kilograms of improved open pollinated varieties corn seeds and two bags of inorganic fertilizers, according to the DA.

DAVAO CITY—Farmers from former North Cotabato villages severely hit by typhoon “Paeng” in October last year received 800 heads of native chickens to restart their livelihood.

T he Bangsamoro Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) delivered the freerange native chickens to farmers in some villages of Pikit, Midsayap, Aleosan, Pigcawayan, Kabacan, and Carmen, all of North Cotabato.

T hrough MAFAR’s Halal Program, 50 farmers received 15 heads each, while members of the Integrated Bangsamoro Agricultural Development Association received 50 heads.

T he Bangsamoro government hoped that the farmers would produce again more chickens and help themselves recover from recent calamities.

The distribution was part of the Ministry’s objective focused on uplifting the living condition of every farmer in the region and aimed to help increase income and have an additional source of living other than cultivating lands,” MAFAR Head of Program, Engr. Saidona Lawan, said. Manuel T. Cayon

DOJ slaps Bantag with 2nd 90-day suspension order

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has extended the preventive suspension of embattled Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag for another 90 days.

T he new suspension order, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, was intended to prevent Bantag from “exerting undue influence or pressure on the witnesses” or “tampering of documentary evidence” pending his administrative investigation for the charges of grave misconduct and neglect in the performance of duty.

T he new suspension stemmed from the ongoing investigation by the justice department in connection with the March 30, 2021 interview conducted by the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) with former Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

P alparan is serving his jail sentence of 40 years in connection with the disappearance of two University of the Philippines students in 2006.

T he DOJ said the said media interview was conducted without complying with Section 4, Chapter 3, Part IV of the BuCor Operating Manual on the process of approval of requests for persons deprived of liberty (PDL) interview; Sections 3,4,5 (d) and 8, Chapter 3, part IV of the BuCor Operating Manual on the proper procedure/guidelines in regard to the conduct of PDL interviews; and Department Circular No. 015 dated January 27,2017, on the required approval prior to the conduct of PDL interviews.

R emulla directed Bantag to answer the administrative charges within 10 days, upon receipt of the complaint.

“ In view of the foregoing, any request for clarification, bills of particulars, or motions to dismiss which are obviously designed to delay the administrative proceedings shall be considered as an answer and shall be evaluated as such,” Remulla said.

Failure on the respondent’s part to submit his answer within the prescribed period shall be construed as a waiver thereof, and this Department shall, immediately conduct the formal investigation upon notice of the scheduled date of hearing,” he added.

It can be recalled that on January 17, 2023, Remulla placed Bantag under preventive suspension pending his investigation over the death of Jun Villamor, the alleged “middleman” in the killing of broadcaster Percy Mabasa, also known as Percy Lapid, last October 13 in Las Piñas City.

H e was replaced by former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gregorio Catapang Jr., who was appointed as officer-in-charge of BuCor.

B antag was eventually charged with murder along with BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta and several PDLs in connection with Lapid and Jun Villamor’s killings.

Bantag and Zulueta were charged as principals by inducement in the killing of Lapid and as principals for Villamor’s death.

Doing a yeoman’s job: PBBM drums up PHL’s success story to world leaders in Davos meet

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is doing a yeoman’s job at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland of driving more investments to the Philippines to boost the momentum of growth and improve the lives of the Filipino people.

In a news statement, Romualdez, who is part of the President’s official delegation to Davos, said the Chief Executive is seizing all opportunities the WEF presented to tell the Philippine success story to the world’s leaders in business and government attending the forum.

No less than Borge Brende, the

President of the WEF, recognized the sustained effort President Marcos displayed in this forum to showcase the Philippines’s remarkable story and outline the path his administration is taking to welcome more foreign investments into our country,” Romualdez noted.

T he Speaker was referring to Brende’s comments in his one-onone dialogue with President Marcos, which is among the key events in the WEF.

Mr. President Marcos, it’s great to have you here. I know you worked extremely hard today. I think I have seen you already three or four times and I know we have had so many sessions,” Brende said at the outset of their conversation.

T he Speaker noted that like other attendees to the WEF, Brende was

impressed with the performance of the Philippine economy despite the slowdown in many parts of the world.

“But even more importantly, the President was able to clearly convey his strategy for sustained growth and the peculiar advantages of the Philippines that would engender investor confidence in the realization of such objective,” Romualdez said.

On Tuesday, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told President Marcos during their bilateral meeting that IMF found the Philippines to be an “exceptionally well-performing country” despite the turbulence in the past years.

She expressed the readiness of the IMF to help its member-countries, including the Philippines, in achieving sustainable growth and

Marcos seeks more focus on research to fight climate change impacts on agri productivity

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

CONCERNED over the effects of climate change on agriculture productivity. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is now eyeing to focus government spending on research to make the sector more resilient to extreme weather.

During the Panel Session on Moving Towards Nutrition Security at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, the President disclosed the measure is part of the government initiative to further improve the country’s food and nutrition security.

Under the 2021 Global Food Security Index, he said the Philippines was ranked at a modest 64th out of 113 countries in four dimensions of food security.

“Government spending will focus on productivity-enhancing interven-

tions for the agricultural sector, research and development is going to be a very important component for this as…with the advent, as it has been mentioned, with the advent of the climate change issues, the impact on climate change has to be part of that discussion,” Marcos said.

For this year, the government allocated 9 percent of the national budget for conservation, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction initiatives.

T he President reiterated he wants to increase the said budget allocation to 15 percent annually.

“ The Philippines recognizes the importance of mitigating the impact of climate change on economic growth and resilience,” the President said during the High-Level DialogueInvesting in Infrastructure for Resilience at the 2023 WEF.

“ To this end, it is our top priority to design and build climate-resilient

Neda Davao exec asked to chair Metro Davao RDC 11 committee

DAVAO CITY—The regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) office here was asked to head the Metropolitan Davao Development Coordinating Committee (MDDCC), the interim structure until the full activation of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA).

C ongress passed last year Republic Act No. 11708, the aggrupation of the key cities in the Davao Region and the bigger towns within to form the MDDA. Davao City is the central area of the metropolitan authority.

T he Philippine Information Agency said that last month, the regional development council (RDC), of which the Neda is a key agency, passed RDC 11 Resolution No. 165 series of 2022 appointing Neda 11 Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim to head the MDDCC.

R DC 11 chairperson Corazon N. Malanyaon, provincial governor of Davao Oriental, cited “the need for Lim to continue shepherding the MDDCC which

formerly was headed by now Vice President [and Education Secretary] Sara Z. Duterte during the term 2019 to 2022.”

A fter Duterte left the MDDCC chairmanship to focus on her vicepresidency duties on June 30 last year, the MDDCC chairperson seat was rendered vacant. “The RDC 11 is duty-bound to run the MDDCC as it is a special body of RDC 11 created thru RDC 11 Resolution No. 72, series of 2017,” the RDC said in a statement issued last week.

T he RDC said the MDDCC “is the transitory structure for interlocal government unit cooperation that serves as a mechanism for coordinated planning, investment programming, project facilitation, and monitoring of the Metropolitan Davao development initiatives.”

I n appointing Lim, the RDC 11 Resolution 165 cited “the crucial work that Neda 11 Regional Director Lim rendered for the MDDCC being the vice chairperson of the RDC 11, at the transition period of 2022 national and local elections…officials.” Manuel T. Cayon

infrastructure, programs, and projects,” he added.

Such investments, the President said, is also expected to help boost the economy.

O ther measures to be adopted by the government to ensure the nutritional needs of the country’s population will be met, Marcos said, will be the promotion of nonconventional forms of agriculture such as urban and vertical farming, and community gardening for subsistence supply.

T he President said they would also look into technologies that increase the nutritional value and prolong the shelf life of food and promote values related to green and circular economy.

“ We are looking to work with the WEF and various stakeholders on a holistic and integrated plan covering both food security and nutrition security,” Marcos said.

pushing for economic policies that would benefit more Filipinos.

In his conversation with Brende, President Marcos said among the key factors for growth of the Philippine economy was the creation of jobs, particularly in the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME), which comprise about 99.5 percent of the businesses in the country.

A s a result, President Marcos said the unemployment rate now in the Philippines is even lower than it was before the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, unemployment rate in November last year declined to 4.2 percent from 4.5 percent in October 2022, and from 6.5 percent in November 2021, the lowest unemployment rate in 17 years.

Other areas of growth include

the Business Process Outsourcing companies that continued operation despite the pandemic, mining, and semi-conductor export, according to the President.

Likewise, President Marcos credited the dollar remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as among the key fuels for growth.

The President also pointed out that the Philippines is blessed with the youngest workforce in Asia, with an average age of 23 and one-half years old, who are well-trained, sophisticated, English-speaking, and equally tech savvy with their counterparts in other countries in the world.

This is the reason, according to President Marcos, why he is confident the Philippines can achieve its target growth rate of 6.5 percent or even surpass it, despite fears of global slowdown.

2nd lowest output in 22 yrs: Sugar production hovers below 1.84 MMT in ’22 and ’23–SRA

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

DESPITE higher output on an annual basis, the Philippines’s total sugar production in the current crop year would still be below 1.84 million metric tons (MMT), the second-lowest output in the past 22 years.

L atest production estimate by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) showed that total raw sugar output in crop year 2022-2023 is at 1.833 MMT, about 100,000 MT higher than previous crop year’s output of 1.82 MMT.

T he SRA’s latest production forecast for the country is lower than the 1.876 MMT it projected before the start of the crop year in September.

Historical SRA data showed that the projected output in crop year 2022-2023 would be the second lowest volume in over two decades since crop year 2000 and 2001.

Planters weigh in THE United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED) has thrown its support behind the plan of the national government to import as much as 450,000 MT of raw and refined sugar.

“ We are fully supporting the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to import refined sugar that will hopefully arrest runaway retail prices,” UNIFED President Manuel Lamata said in a statement on Thursday.

L amata confirmed that the sugar industry stakeholders are being consulted about the proposed importation program.

H e added that the 400,000 MT to 450,000 MT is an “acceptable” volume for UNIFED to ensure the country’s sugar buffer stock “amid speculation that there may be a shortage by the end of the milling season.”

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has assured his administration will not engage in an arms race with its neighboring countries amid the escalating military presence of China in Asia.

T he President made the remark on Wednesday during his dialogue with World Economic Forum President Børge Brende, when asked if he is considering emulating the increased arms spending of Japan.

Japan earlier announced it would double its defense budget to counter possible military threats from China and North Korea.

“ There is no point in the Philippines building up its armory. First, we are not in an economic situation that we are able to build up to the levels that the Americans had, to the levels that the Chinese have and more importantly perhaps is our abiding belief that the solutions are not going to be military,” the President stressed.

He noted any military engagement in Asia would ultimately be “disastrous” for the entire world. Samuel P. Medenilla

House to push bills for digitalization

However, Romualdez said the House will work equally hard for the passage of the remaining priority bills of President Marcos, particularly those included in the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) adopted by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

He was referring to the priority measures, aside from the E-Governance and E-Government Act included in the CLA: 1. The Enactment of an Enabling Law for the Natural Gas Industry, 2. Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), 3. The Unified System of

Separation, Retirement, and Pension, 4. The National Land Use Act, 5. The National Defense Act, 6. The National Government Rightsizing Program, 7. The Budget Modernization Bill, 8. The Department of Water Resources, 9. Establishing the Negros Island Region, 10.Magna Carta for

Filipino Seafarers, and 11. The Establishment of Regional Specialty Hospitals.

Meanwhile, Romualdez said he is buoyed by the interest generated by the Maharlika Investment Fund among the Davos participants.

“ With the keen interest shown by

T he lower raw sugar output is attributed to the decline in the volume of sugarcanes that will be milled this crop year. SRA’s latest forecast showed that total sugarcanes to be milled would be at 20.857 MMT, 1.77 percent lower than the 21.234 MMT recorded in the previous crop year.

SRA data showed that total sugarcane area in the current crop year would be below 400,000 hectares for the fifth consecutive year. Total sugarcane area in crop year 2022-2023 would be at 384,987 hectares, the smallest in at least five years.

T he national government earlier revealed that it is planning to import as much as 450,000 MT of raw and refined sugar to further beef up its supply and temper retail prices.

SRA board member Pablo Azcona, who represents the sugarcane planters, said Wednesday the Palace has recommended the importation of 400,000 MT to 450,000 MT of sugar to ensure that the country will have a two-month buffer stock. (Related story:  https://businessmirror. com.ph/2023/01/19/phl-keen-onimporting-450000-mt-of-sugar/)

T he country’s raw sugar output as of January 1 rose by 26.43 percent to 831,086 MT from the 657,352 MT recorded in the same period of last year, based on latest SRA data.

“[We urge the SRA to] program well the releases of these imported sugar to ensure that millgate prices will not be drastically affected to the detriment of the sugar farmers,” he said.

L amata said they leave the discretion on the formulation of the import guidelines and mechanisms to President Marcos and the SRA.

National Federation of Sugarcane Planters President Enrique Rojas said his group recognizes the need for importation and the necessity of a buffer stock of the commodity.

But Rojas pointed out that the planters are “groping in the dark” sans the actual and projected production and consumption estimates for this crop year.

We are groping in the dark as to the actual volume of imported sugar which we need for domestic consumption,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

The 450,000 metric tons importation might be enough, or it might not be enough. We do not know, unless SRA will provide us with the figures,” he added.

Rojas reiterated his group’s request for SRA to “enlighten sugar producers” by giving them the actual and projected production and consumption figures for the current crop year.

investors and policymakers alike on the Maharlika Investment Fund, I believe we would be well on our way towards establishing a sovereign wealth fund to support the implementation of big-ticket infrastructure projects, particularly in energy and agriculture,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez is the principal author of House Bill (HB) No. 6608, creating the MIF, which was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives on December 15, 2022 and was transmitted to the Senate on December 19, 2022.

PBBM tells WEF: No point in building up PHL armory

Indonesian/ Vietnamese/ Indian/ Chinese fluent

Brief

Basic

Basic

Brief

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY 5/f Unit 2ecbo05005, Tower B, Two E-com Center, Bayshore Ave. St., Moa Complex, Barangay 76, Pasay City

FENG, YOUFU

Mandarin Business Development Manager

10.

11.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Business Development Manager will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

YE, LINFU Mandarin Business Manager

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Business Manager will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin Business Development Manager, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

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

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin Business Manager, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

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

12.

ZHANG, CHENGHUAN Mandarin Heavy Equipment Maintenance Analyst

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Heavy Equipment Maintenance Analyst will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

13.

LI, LIDAI Mandarin Site Officer

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Site Officer will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

COLAS RAIL PHILIPPINES,

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin Heavy Equipment Maintenance Analyst, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin Site Officer, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

20.

21.

JONES, ESTINI PEDRO Intermediate Compliance Associate (Portuguese Speaking)

Brief Job Description: Experience working as a translator or interpreter; fluent in Portuguese language; Excellent English communication skills; and risk, compliance or global markets experience is a plus.

LIM, HA EUN Korean Speaking - Compliance Associate

Brief Job Description: Translate electronic communication (English

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Portuguese language; excellent English communication skills; Degree in Economics, Business, Law.

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

Basic Qualification: Solid Skills and Knowledge in Operational Risk and Control; Analytical Mind With Excellent Judgement and Decision Making Skills to Identify Exceptions in Process Handling

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

JIU ZHOU TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 31/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Avenue, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

LIDYA TASYA MONICA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

52.

40.

Basic Qualification: College graduate with good moral character and excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Chinese. Performs desktop review of existing and potential site locations

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 31.

Brief

Basic Qualification: College graduate with good moral character and excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Chinese. Performs desktop review of existing and potential site locations

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

Basic

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

TAN JIMMY TANDIO Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective Native Language for the position applied for; Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage

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

41.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

TERRYFIN CUANDRA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective Native Language for the position applied for; Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage

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

42.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

VONG KIM TUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective Native Language for the position applied for; Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage

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

43.

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

Basic

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

53.

WANG, JINGTIAN Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

WIN THU Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help customers, give customers information about products and services

54.

55.

XU, LIANGFENG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services.

ZHANG, XIAOPENG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

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

Basic Qualification: With At least 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written.

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective Native Language for the position applied for; Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage

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

56.

LI, LIANJIAO Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate Brief Job Description: Assist/Help customers, give customers information about products and services

VU VAN THANH Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Basic Qualification: With At least 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 57.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written.

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written.

NGUYEN THI HANG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help customers, give customers information about products and services

Basic Qualification: With At least 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written

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

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

Basic

Basic

Basic

Basic

Basic

Basic

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

Basic

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 99.

Basic Qualification:

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT

Regional Office No. IV-A

4th Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362 January 20, 2023

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

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

NO. ESTABLISHMENT

1 ALMEX TECHNOLOGIES PHILIPPINES INC.

Phase 4, Block 18, Lot 9, Cavite Economic Zone, Tejeros Convention, Rosario, Cavite

2 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

3 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

4 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

5 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate with 5 years of experience in the same field

14 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

15 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

ROSI

Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

LUONG THI BICH PHUONG

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

NGUYEN THI DIEM

Brief Job Description: Plan, organize, control and evaluate IT and electronic data operations

THEIN ZAW

Burmese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

YAN YONE ANN

Burmese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

CHEN, JINGHE

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

JIANG, HAIXU

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

LI, YUTAO

6 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

7 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

8 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

9 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

LIANG, WEIMING

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

LIU, XIULI

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

LUO, QUANZHONG

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

WANG, CHENGTIAN

Salary Range: Php90,000 - Php149,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

16 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

17 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

18 LIXIN PLASTIC AND ELECTRONIC COMPANY LTD., INC. Block 1, Lot 1, Phase 2B, Lima Technology Center, Bugtong Na Pulo, City of Lipa, Batangas

19 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

PHAM VAN HUNG

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

KUO, HUANG-LIANG Injection Molding Department Manager

Brief Job Description: Set molding process parameters to ensure product meets dimensional and quality requirements

XU, CAIHUA Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: At least 5 years in plastics manufacturing industry

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 – Php59,999

20 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

21 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

22 SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Southwoods Office Tower 2, San Francisco, Biñan, City of Biñan, Laguna

ZHANG, ZHIRONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

LE THANH TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Mandarin Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help requests from end users from the People’s Republic of China via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner

LUONG THI NGUYET

10 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

11 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

WANG, XIAOXIAO

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

WU, LING

12 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

13 ANOC99 CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

HENDRO

Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

23 SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. Southwoods Office Tower 2, San Francisco, Biñan, City of Biñan, Laguna

Mandarin Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help requests from end users from the People’s Republic of China via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 – Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 – Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Must be able to fluently speak, write and read Mandarin and other local dialects spoken in other parts of China like Cantonese and Fukien

Salary Range: Php30,000 – Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Must be able to fluently speak, write and read Mandarin and other local dialects spoken in other parts of China like Cantonese and Fukien

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999 24 TERUMO (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION 124 East Main Avenue, Laguna Technopark, Malamig, City of Biñan, Laguna

TSUCHIYA, MASAKI Assistant Manager in Quality Assurance Division

Brief Job Description: Provide necessary quality assurance system

Basic Qualification: At least 4 years college degree with 5 years of experience in quality management

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

To avail of free job referral, placement, and employment guidance services, visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) or log on at http://www.philjobnet.gov.ph

TOYODA, ATSUSHI Japanese IT Manager

DUONG HUYET HONG

New Zealand PM Ardern announces shock resignation

By Matthew Brockett

NEW

ZEALAND Prime

Minister Jacinda Ardern announced she is stepping down in a shock resignation ahead of a general election later this year.

Ardern, 42, who became the world’s youngest female leader when she led her Labour Party to power in 2017, doesn’t have the energy or inspiration to seek re-election, she told reporters Thursday. She named the election date as October 14.

“I have given my absolute all to being prime minister but it has also taken a lot out of me,” she said in Napier, where Labour is holding a caucus meeting. “I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It is that simple.”

The unexpected announcement brings the curtain down on a stunning political career that saw Ardern navigate unprecedented crises and become a torchbearer for liberal values on the world stage. She was facing an uphill battle to win a third term in office, with Labour trailing the opposition National Party in opinion polls.

The Labour caucus will vote on a new leader on January 22, with the winner needing two-thirds support. If no one has that, the contest will go to the wider party membership. It is expected that process will conclude no later than February 7, Ardern said.

Crisis manager

POTENTIAL contenders for the leadership may include Education Minister Chris Hipkins, Housing Minister Megan Wood, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Immigration Minister Michael Wood. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Grant Robertson, a close ally of Ardern’s, said he will not stand.

Ardern will be remembered as an extraordinary crisis manager and a trailblazer for working women.

In 2018 she become just the second world leader to give birth in office, after former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

After an extremist went on a shooting spree at two mosques in the South Island city of Christchurch in March 2019, killing 51 and injuring dozens more, an image of Ardern wearing a headscarf as she mourned with families of the victims went around the world and helped to ease outrage in Muslim nations.

She immediately reformed gun laws, banning the semiautomatic weapons used in the attack.

Her brand of decisive, empathetic leadership was again on display when a volcano off the New Zealand coast erupted in December 2019, killing 22 people and injuring dozens, many of them tourists.

Her initial handling of the coronavirus pandemic also stood out.

Ardern put the country into one of the strictest lockdowns in the world to eliminate community transmission of the virus and allow a much quicker return to normality.

That success saw her ride a wave of popularity to a resounding election victory in 2020, with Labour securing the first outright majority in parliament since the introduction of proportional representation in 1996.

But since then her star has waned in New Zealand as voters turned their focus on the soaring cost of living and darkening economic outlook. The central bank is forecasting a recession this year as it hikes interest rates at record pace to regain control of inflation.

A 1News/Kantar poll published last month showed Labour on 33 percent support, five points behind National on 38 percent. National’s ally the ACT Party had 11 percent support, which would give the pair a parliamentary majority if the results were replicated at the election.

Ardern, whose voice trembled with emotion as she announced her resignation, said being prime minister had been the greatest honor of her life.

She said she has no plans for what she will do after she leaves parliament in April besides spending more time with daughter Neve, 4, and partner Clarke Gayford.

“To Neve, mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year,” she said. “And to Clarke, let’s finally get married.” Bloomberg News

NEW ZEALAND Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern grimaces as she announces her resignation at a press conference in Napier, New Zealand, on Thursday, January 19, 2023. Ardern says that she will not contest this year’s general elections. WARREN BUCKLAND/NEW ZEALAND HERALD VIA AP

Nearly half a million UK workers set for mass strike demanding higher pay

By Eamon Akil Farhat

CLOSE

Unions representing civil servants, teachers, university staff and train drivers have said their members will walk out on Feb. 1 as part of demands for higher pay to cope with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

About 450,000 workers have a mandate to strike, according to Bloomberg calculations. If all the union members took up their right, the day’s industrial action would come close to matching every walkout throughout the whole of November.

The Office for National Statistics said this week that 467,000 working days were lost to strikes in November—itself a 10-year high.

Nearly 100,000 civil servants said last week they would strike on February 1 as part of a dispute over

pay, disrupting various corners of the public sector including driving tests, passport applications and welfare payments. Unions representing other workers have subsequently picked the same day for their own industrial action.

Labor groups are also planning widespread protests on the day, rallying against government plans to impose minimum service levels during strikes.

Ambulance workers strike

AMBULANCE workers announced a wave of extra strike dates Wednesday as nurses protested on picket lines in the latest dispute over pay levels in Britain’s National Health Service.

The GMB union said more than 10,000 members across much of

England and Wales would walk out on February 6 and 20 and March 6 and 20. Ambulance workers in the West Midlands will strike on January 23 and those in the northwest on January 24.

Ambulance workers were already due to strike again next week having done so in December and earlier in January.

Unions representing NHS workers accuse the government of imposing years of real-terms pay cuts, resulting in mass vacancies that endanger patients. Ministers

point to extra money earmarked for health services and say this year’s pay rise was determined by an independent review body.

“The only way to solve this dispute is a proper pay offer,” said Rachel Harrison, the GMB’s general secretary. “But it seems the cold, dead hands of the Number 10 and 11 Downing Street are stopping this from happening.”

Nurses said Wednesday that people are dying unnecessarily in the beleaguered NHS as they kicked off another day of strikes.

The Royal College of Nursing staged it latest walkouts across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with Health Secretary Steve Barclay warning that the industrial action will hurt patients.

However, Pat Cullen, the union’s general secretary, said: “People aren’t dying because nurses are striking. Nurses are striking because people are dying.”

Barclay said Tuesday that around 30,000 appointments had been canceled due to the previous two days of nurses’ strikes in December.

Meanwhile, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said the best way to help workers was to bring down inflation. The government has repeatedly argued that generous raises would risk a wage-price spiral.

“Today’s figures show there is no room for any deviation from our central objective of the year to halve inflation, so we deal with the anger of public sector workers,” Hunt said after the rate of price increases dipped for a second month but remained at 10.5 percent.

Inflation must be tackled so that workers “can see an end to this very insidious erosion of their pay packets,” the chancellor added.

The RCN has announced further walkouts on February 6-7 that will affect 73 NHS trusts, compared to 55 Wednesday. The strikes next month will not take place in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Pay talks

STRIKES are building up across the NHS with ambulance workers due to protest again next week and junior doctors balloting for action, as workers reject pay rises which fail to keep up with inflation.

Unions are keen to talk about their pay package this year and although there was some indication from the government this could happen, Barclay stressed the government’s original position negotiations should deal with next year’s pay.

“I have had constructive talks with the Royal College of Nursing and other unions about the 2023-2024 pay process and look forward to continuing that dialogue,” Barclay said.

Job cuts in tech sector spread, Microsoft lays off 10,000 workers

By Matt O’brien AP Technology Writer

MICROSOFT is cutting 10,000 workers, almost 5 percent of its workforce, joining other tech companies that have scaled back their pandemic-era expansions.

The company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that the layoffs were a response to “macroeconomic conditions and changing customer priorities.”

The Redmond, Washington-based software giant said it will also be making changes to its hardware portfolio and consolidating its leased office locations.

Microsoft is cutting far fewer jobs than it had added during the Covid-19 pandemic as it responded to a boom in demand for its workplace software and cloud computing services with so many people working and studying from home.

“A big part of this is just overexuberance in hiring,” said Joshua White, a finance professor at Vanderbilt University.

Microsoft’s workforce expanded by about 36 percent in the two fiscal years following the emergence of the pandemic, growing from 163,000 workers at the end of June 2020, to 221,000 in June 2022.

The layoffs represent “less than 5 percent of our total employee base, with some notifications happening today,” CEO Satya Nadella said in an email to employees.

“While we are eliminating roles in some areas, we will continue to hire in key strategic areas,” Nadella said. He emphasized the importance of building a “new computer platform” using advances in artificial intelligence.

He said customers that were accelerating their spending on digital technology during the pandemic are now trying to “optimize their digital spend to do more with less.”

“We’re also seeing organizations in every industry and geography exercise caution as some parts of the world are in a recession and other parts are anticipating one,” Nadella wrote.

Other tech companies have also been trimming jobs amid concerns about an economic slowdown.

Amazon and business software maker Salesforce earlier this month announced major job cuts as they prune payrolls that rapidly expanded during the pandemic lockdown.

Amazon said that it will be cutting about 18,000 positions and began notifying affected employees Wednesday in the US, Canada and Costa Rica, with other regions to follow, according to emails from executives. The job cuts, which began in November, are the largest set of layoffs in the Seattle company’s history, although just a fraction of its 1.5 million global workforce.

Also Wednesday, the UK-based cybersecurity firm Sophos confirmed it had laid off 10 percent of its global work force—450 employees—on Tuesday. Sophos, known for threat intelligence and detection, was acquired in 2020 by the private equity firm Thoma Bravo for $3.9 billion.

Facebook parent Meta is laying off 11,000 people, about 13 percent of its workforce. And Elon Musk, the new Twitter CEO, has slashed the company’s work force.

Nadella made no direct mention of the layoffs on Wednesday when he put in an appearance at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting happening this week in Davos, Switzerland.

When asked by the forum’s founder Klaus Schwab on what tech layoffs meant for the industry’s business model, Nadella said companies that boomed during the Covid-19 pandemic are now seeing “normalization” of that demand.

“Quite frankly, we in the tech industry will also have to get efficient, right?” Nadella said. “It’s not about everyone else doing more with less. We will have to do more with less. So we will have to show our own productivity gains with our own sort of technology.”

Microsoft declined to answer questions about where the layoffs and office closures would be concentrated. The company sent notice to Washington state employment officials Wednesday that it was cutting 878 workers at its offices in Redmond and the nearby cities of Bellevue and Issaquah.

As of June, it had 122,000 workers in the US and 99,000 elsewhere.

White, the Vanderbilt professor, said all industries are looking to cut costs ahead of a possible recession but tech companies could be particularly sensitive to the rapid rise in interest rates, a tool that has been used aggressively in recent months by the Federal Reserve in its fight against inflation.

“This hits tech companies a little harder than it does industrials or consumer staples because a huge portion of Microsoft’s value is on projects with cash flows that won’t pay off for several years,” he said.

Among the projects that have been attracting attention recently is Microsoft’s investment in its San Francisco startup partner OpenAI, maker of the writing tool ChatGPT and other AI systems that can generate readable text, images and computer code.

Microsoft, which owns the Xbox game business, also faces regulatory uncertainty in the US and Europe delaying its planned $68.7 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard, which had about 9,800 employees as of a year ago.

uted to this story.

to half a million workers are ready to strike on a single day as Britain faces an escalation of industrial action across a number of sectors.

ROYAL College of Nursing members on strike outside University College London hospital in London, on January 18. BLOOMBERG

AP Business Writers Kelvin Chan in London and Frank Bajak in Boston contrib -

THIS July 3, 2014 file photo shows the Microsoft Corp. logo outside the Microsoft Visitor Center in Redmond, Washington. Microsoft is cutting 10,000 workers, almost 5 percent of its workforce, in response to “macroeconomic conditions and changing customer priorities.” The company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday, January 18, 2023, that it had just notified employees of the layoffs, some of which begin immediately. The company said it will also be making changes to its hardware portfolio and consolidating its leased office locations—all of which are designed to save about $1.2 billion.

China foreign investment posts record slump as Covid Zero ends

INVESTMENT into China slumped in the final two months of last year by the most on record as the government made its chaotic exit from Covid Zero and infections spread across the country.

The 76.6 billion yuan ($11.3 billion) in actually utilized new foreign direct investment in December was almost 29 percent lower than the same period a year earlier, according to Bloomberg calculations based on data from the Ministry of Commerce. That followed a 33 percent drop in November, the largest fall in data going back to 2015.

The slumps were even worse than the drop-off in investment seen in early 2020, when the pandemic began. FDI fell nearly 26 percent year-on-year that February as Wuhan went into lockdown.

For all of 2022, investment rose 6.3 percent to a record 1.2 trillion yuan, although there was no breakdown available yet for the source of those funds. However, if the pattern from 2020 and 2021 holds, more than 70 percent is likely from Hong Kong—either from local investors, or from mainland Chinese or foreign investors routing their money via the city.

Foreign businesses became increasingly pessimistic about the Chinese market last year as Covid Zero lockdowns and restrictions undermined the economy and made living in China or doing business and trade with the country much harder.

Many foreign businesspeople and investors have been unable to travel to China to inspect their businesses or consider new ones for the past three years. Even now that Covid Zero is over, it’s not clear how quickly people will return given the rapid spread of infections, along with the lack of clear data on illnesses and deaths.

Companies in at least some countries seem to be wary of boosting investment. Overall, Japanese firms are taking their money out of China, with the net flow of FDI falling 4 percent in the first 11 months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, Japanese government data showed. Japanese investment into Hong Kong was down 65 percent over the same period.

There are some exceptions, such as Panasonic Holdings Corp. But the broader trend has been underscored by comments from the government in Tokyo, which has encouraged companies to reduce their dependence on China—a significant development, given that Japan is the largest single investor in China after Hong Kong, with a stock of $123 billion invested in the country at the end of 2021, according to Chinese data.

Chinese officials, meanwhile, have said repeatedly in recent months that they’re working to attract more investment—especially into high-tech manufacturing.

Congo: 49 bodies found in mass graves after militia attacks

By Jean-Yves Kamale The Associated Press

KINSHASA, Congo—Mass graves containing the bodies of 49 civilians have been discovered in northeastern Congo after a series of weekend attacks blamed on a local militia, the United Nations said Wednesday.

UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters in New York that the graves had been uncovered in two villages in Ituri province, about (19 miles) 30 kilometers east of the town of Bunia.

A total of 42 victims, including six children, had been discovered in a mass grave in the village of Nyamamba, while the bodies of seven other men were found in another village, Mbogi, Haq added.

“Peacekeepers launched a patrol to the area immediately after receiving reports of attacks on civilians by the CODECO militias over the weekend. This is when they made the gruesome discoveries,” Haq said in New York.

Local authorities have said that CODECO— Cooperative for the Development of Congo—militants also abducted a number of women during the attacks on the villages.

Last June, seven CODECO factions announced an end to violence against civilians in Ituri, mainly in the Djugu territory where they were very active. Yet they have gradually resumed with attacks in the area.

At least 195 people have been killed since December in a series of attacks blamed on the CODECO militia and other armed groups, the UN said. More than 1.5 million people in Ituri province have been displaced by fighting.

The Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Krista Larson in Dakar, Senegal contributed.

An official from the economic planning agency said Wednesday that the government will remove unjustified restrictions, and will make greater efforts to attract and use foreign investment.

Chinese cities and provinces have already started visiting Japan in the month since the end of the Covid Zero policy to drum up investment. The deputy

mayor of Tianjin and the Chinese ambassador both spoke Monday in Tokyo at an event to promote the city to Japanese investors.

However, political tensions and bilateral disputes may make that difficult. Just after China announced it was reopening its borders, it said it would stop processing short-term visa applications from Japan and South Korea after those nations said

people coming from China would have to get tested for Covid.

Although the Chinese government reportedly soon backed down and began quietly accepting some business travelers from those nations, relations remain tense.

Financial investors were also negative on China last year, with foreigners selling a net 610 billion yuan of Chinese interbank bonds

in 2022, data released this week showed. However, the reopening of the Chinese economy and borders does seem to be encouraging some new investment, with foreign stock investors being net buyers via the northbound stock connect so far this month.

With assistance from Erica Yokoyama and Helen Sun/Bloomberg.

Bird flu cracks egg sector, spikes prices

There are warning signs of an impending egg shortage in Metro Manila. Some supermarket shelves are bare of eggs, and prices in public markets have gone up. An avian flu outbreak and increasing costs of feed reportedly contributed to an egg supply shortage and high prices in some parts of the country, particularly in urban areas.

Reports said that at least seven million chickens have been culled from the bird flu outbreak in Central Luzon, which explains the falling egg production and rising prices. A price monitoring report by the Department of Agriculture showed that the retail price of medium eggs in Metro Manila public markets as of January 12 ranged from P7 to P9 per piece.

The Bureau of Animal Industry reported last week that at least three regions in the country are still affected by the avian influenza. BAI data showed that ongoing bird flu cases were reported in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 12 (Soccsksargen) and 4A (Calabarzon), particularly in Ilocos Sur, North Cotabato and Batangas. The agency said at least eight regions, 20 provinces, 72 municipalities and 142 villages were previously affected by the highly contagious avian influenza H5N1. If it’s any consolation to local consumers, the egg industry seems to be cracking in many countries as well, not just in the Philippines.

From CNN, January 11, 2023: “Japan has culled just under 10 million birds as it confronts a massive outbreak of avian flu, which is threatening to put further strain on poultry supply and increase the price of eggs. In a statement Tuesday, the agriculture ministry said 9.98 million animals had been killed this season. The National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, known as Zen-Noh, gave a higher tally, saying approximately 10.9 million birds had been killed as of Tuesday night. “The supply of chicken eggs is expected to decrease due to the recent outbreak,” Zen-Noh, which is part of a national farm industry group, told CNN. “The market price is expected to soar.”

From channelnewsasia.com: “The shortage of eggs in Malaysia was reduced to one million in December last year, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said on Tuesday (January 17), following the import of the product from foreign countries. This is compared to the shortage of 157 million eggs in November and 118 million eggs the month before.”

From taiwanplus.com, January 12, 2023: “Taiwan’s recent egg shortage, brought on by a wave of avian flu, has caused the price of this commodity to surge. Consumers have been hit hard, but egg vendors and farmers are also having trouble keeping up with soaring demand.”

From BBC, January 15, 2023: “New Zealand is in the grip of a nationwide egg shortage which is driving up wholesale prices and putting its much-loved dessert, pavlova, at risk. Supermarket shelves are bare and some stores are putting restrictions on the number of eggs customers can buy.”

From CNN, January 12, 2023: “US Consumers and businesses are seeing an increase in egg prices and an egg shortage at grocery stores. The egg shortage has resulted in plenty of empty shelves and customers having to shell out more cash for the hard-to-find egg cartons. According to the food market data company Urner Barry, the average price for eggs was $4.33 per dozen as of Tuesday. Last year around this time, the price was around $1.33. Businesses are being forced to pass on the higher costs to consumers. An avian flu that’s wiped out egg-producing hens, leading to a major squeeze, is one of the reasons for the shortage. According to the USDA, about 60 million birds are gone because of the disease. Farmers across the country have had to destroy entire flocks of chickens if one or more of the birds test positive for the avian flu.”

Egg producers from around the world are currently facing one of the most challenging times they have ever seen, as they battle one of the worst-ever outbreaks of avian flu.

In the Philippines, where shortages of agricultural products are becoming rampant, it’s about time for concerned government agencies to make concrete and substantial commitments to address the needs of Filipino farmers, including poultry growers.

In his inaugural message on June 30, President Marcos noted that the country’s agriculture sector “cries for urgent attention” after years of neglect and misdirection. It would do well for government officials to buckle down soon to protect our food producers. Filipino farmers are the lynchpin of our food security and crucial to economic growth and job creation. For every farmer there are many related jobs in food processing, food preparation, shipping, and sales.

Social safety nets for OFWs

sonny M. angara

Better Days

Filipino families reunited during the holidays. For many, it was the first opportunity to be with each other again since the pandemic started in 2020. it was sweeter for many overseas Filipino workers, or oFWs, who toiled abroad despite the threat of Covid-19. The lifting of travel restrictions in almost all parts of the world allowed them to come home. The loosened borders in fact resulted last month in a two-year high number of travelers to the philippines, composed mostly of overseas Filipinos, including oFWs, as reported by the Bureau of immigration. on Christmas day alone, 30,000 arrived.

In addition to the smiles and the pasalubongs that our OFWs brought, it was their labor and remittances that buoyed the Philippine economy amid disproportionate foreign exchange rates and a global market plagued by high inflation. Preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) show that overseas Filipinos’ remittances from January to October 2022 peaked at $26.7 billion, growing by 3.1 percent as compared to the same period in 2021 at $25.9 billion. The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) and other economists expect remittances to hit a “yearly high” by the end of the year that would boost consumer spending, which approximately account for 70 percent of the economy, and help prop the Philippine peso against US dollar.

There are several fronts, however, where our OFWs are being challenged. One of them is the rising cost of living, which in turn dampens the benefits of increased remittances. A recent survey by a London-based remittance firm disclosed that the cost of living of remittances’ beneficiaries worldwide has gone up, where almost half or 45 percent of those who remit said they now only send money to immediate family, rather than friends and distant relatives, and that their households are set to revisit their spending habits due to inflation.

The second is the reported lack of access to social protection programs. A paper by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) found that our modern-day heroes are not sufficiently covered by social protection schemes or insurance such as

those offered by the Social Security System (SSS), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and other health insurance programs.

The same PIDS study identified specific Filipino migrant workers who are likely to be not covered by social protection or insurance, particularly those with lower educational attainment; workers belonging to poorer households or the lowest income quintile; individuals working in skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery works including those employed in elementary occupations; migrant workers employed in Malaysia, Lebanon, and Bahrain; women migrant workers; and those directly hired by employers or who did not need a visa or used a tourist visa upon entry or those without written contracts.

Moreover, the study emphasized that only 53 percent of all workers have health insurance or medical allowance. The most common benefits received by OFWs in their first migration experience were those serving their immediate on-site needs instead of programs considered as safety nets such as health insurance, overtime pay, paid sick leave, work accident compensation, among others.

The authors of the paper, namely Dr. Audrey D. Tabuga, Anna Rita P. Vargas, and Maria Blesila D. Mondez, recommended that there should be initiatives to improve the accessibility of social protection programs especially for vulnerable OFWs and

that the current processes in obtaining the overseas employment certificate (OEC) must be revisited to ensure that all outbound migrant workers have ample opportunity to enroll in social protection.

Indeed, OFWs, our country’s unsung heroes, who work far away from their families should not be left without adequate social protection as this condition makes them vulnerable to economic shocks and unforeseen job disruptions while they are deployed.

I filed Senate Resolution No. 31 that directs the appropriate Senate Committee to conduct an inquiry on this particular issue to identify specific interventions to preserve and promote their welfare. This is a problem that must not be overlooked considering that there are at least 1.8 million OFWs deployed worldwide according to the latest Philippine Statistics Authority data.

While the government is already taking the correct strides toward advancing the rights and interests of OFWs when it created the Department of Migrant Workers, it must not let up its campaign of providing adequate safeguards to all Filipino migrant workers who have been severely hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent string of high inflation rates.

Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 18 years—9 years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and 9 as Senator. He has authored, co-authored, and sponsored more than 330 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.

E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara

Elon Musk depicted as liar, visionary in Tesla tweet trial

By Michael Liedtke | AP Technology Writer

SAn Fr AnCiSCo elon Musk was depicted Wednesday as either a liar who callously jeopardized the savings of “regular people” or a well-intentioned visionary as attorneys delivered opening statements at a trial focused on a Tesla buyout that never happened.

Lawyers on opposing sides drew the starkly different portraits of Musk for a nine-person jury that will hear the three-week trial. The case is focused on two August 2018 tweets that the billionaire posted on Twitter, which he now owns.

The tweets indicated that Musk had lined up the financing to take Tesla private at a time when the automaker’s stock was slumping amid production problems.

The prospect of a $72 billion buyout fueled a rally in the company’s stock price that abruptly ended a week later after it became apparent that he did not have the funding to pull off the deal after all. Tesla shareholders then sued him, saying that Tesla shares would not have swung so widely in value if he had not dangled

the idea of buying the company for $420 per share.

Nicholas Porritt, a lawyer representing Glen Littleton and other Tesla shareholders in the class-action case, promptly vilified Musk as he addressed jurors.

“Why are we here?” Porritt asked. “We are here because Elon Musk, chairman and chief executive of Tesla, lied. His lies caused regular people like Glen Littleton to lose millions and millions of dollars.” He also asserted that Musk’s tweet also hurt pension funds and other organizations that owned Tesla stock at the time.

Musk’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, countered that the run-up in Tesla’s stock after the tweet mostly reflected investors’ belief in Musk’s ability to pull off stunning feats, including build-

ing the world’s largest electric automaker while also running SpaceX, a maker of rocket ships.

“Mr. Musk tries to do things that have never been done before. Everyone knows that,” Spiro told the jury.

Spiro added that Musk had been in advanced talks with representatives from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to take Tesla private.

“He didn’t plan to tweet this,” Spiro said of Musk’s August 7, 2018, statement at the heart of the trial. “It was a split-second decision” aimed at being as transparent as possible about the discussions with the Saudi fund about a potential deal.

After saying “funding secured” for the buyout, Musk followed up with another tweet that suggested a deal was imminent.

Littleton, a 71-year-old investor from Kansas City, Missouri, was the first witness called to the stand. He said Musk’s claim about the financing alarmed him because he had purchased Tesla investments designed to reward him for his belief that the automaker’s stock would eventually be worth far more than the $420.

He said he sold most of his holdings to cut his losses but still saw the value of his Tesla portfolio plunge by 75 percent.

“The damage was done,” Littleton lamented. “I was in a state of shock.”

Littleton’s frustration escalated in October 2018, when he lashed out at Tesla for late deliveries on vehicles for some of his nieces and nephews. That led him to become a lead investor in the lawsuit.

“I still believe in Tesla to this day. I do,” Littleton said.

During cross-examination, a lawyer for Tesla’s board of directors repeatedly questioned whether Littleton had legitimate reason to believe a buyout was inevitable, but the investor remained steadfast even while seeming confused at times.

“’Funding secured’ was the only thing that mattered to me,” Littleton testified. “That was such a defining statement.”

Musk’s 2018 tweets attracted the attention of securities regulators, who concluded that they were improper and that he was lying. In See “Elon,” A15

a settlement, they forced him to pay $40 million and required him to step down as Tesla chairman.

US District Judge Edward Chen, who is presiding over the trial, ruled that the shareholders’ lawyers can’t mention that settlement in the case.

But Chen has already ruled that Musk’s tweet was false, a finding that can be alluded to during the trial without specifically mentioning the determination made by the judge. Pollitt seized on that opportunity during his opening statement, informing jurors that they are to assume Musk’s tweet was false, as the judge allowed. Spiro shook his head as he listened.

The trial’s outcome may turn on the jury’s interpretation of Musk’s motive for the tweets. And Musk will have his chance to make his case to the jury.

After the trial adjourned Wednesday, Porritt told The Associated Press he hopes to call Musk to the stand when the proceedings resume Friday after two other witnesses testify. If the allotted time runs out Friday, Musk will likely testify Monday, Porritt said.

Musk’s leadership of Twitter— where he has gutted the staff and alienated users and advertisers— has proven unpopular among Tesla’s current stockholders, who are worried that he has been devoting less time to automaker at a time of intensifying competition.

Those concerns contributed to a 65% percent decline in Tesla’s stock last year that wiped out more than $700 billion in shareholder wealth — far more than the $14 billion swing that occurred between the company’s high and low stock prices from August 7 to August 17, 2018, the period covered in the lawsuit.

Resurfacing: Carlos Castaneda and the Teachings of Don Juan

Tito Genova Valiente annoTaTions

Para mi solo recorrer los caminos que tienen corazón, cualquier camino que tenga corazón (For me there is only the traveling on paths, that have heart, on any path that may have heart.)—Don Juan

Iam writing about Carlos Castaneda out of nostalgia for a period long gone.

a week ago, a book sale from Savage mind, a bookshop and cultural hub in Naga City, yielded for me a bundle worth P200. On top of the haul was the book The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge, on its cover the drawing of a crow, its back of deep blue and its beak seemingly indicating two small human figures in the distance. The surreal art is by Roger Hane, a popular illustrator of paperback books.

Upon its release, the work of Castaneda became a hit. It was hailed as a spiritual journey. The period where it saw its beginning of popularity was in the late ’60s and ’70s. Early on the Age of Aquarius was declared and as with any proclamations, it breached calendrical boundaries. That “Age” went on and on, it seemed, with the appearance of a comet, an augury and a new sense of living that began and ended with the cosmic.

There were other books spawned by an age where planets and the stars aligned, like Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Little Prince, and Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, and authors like Erich Fromm and J. R. R. Tolkien.

There were other schools of thought that were resurrected: Existentialism and Theatre of the Absurd whose purveyors became interchangeable—Sartre and his No Exit, Albert Camus and The State of Siege

India’s population has already overtaken China’s–Analysts

By Karthikeyan Sundaram Bloomberg Opinion

INDIA may have already surpassed China as the world’s mostpopulous nation in a milestone that adds urgency for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create more jobs and ensure the country sustains its world-beating growth.

The South Asian nation’s population stood at 1.417 billion as of end 2022, according to estimates from the World Population Review, an independent organization focused on census and demographics.

That’s a little over 5 million more than the 1.412 billion reported by China Tuesday when authorities there announced the first decline since the 1960s.

India, where half the population is under the age of 30, is set to be the world’s fastest-growing major economy in the coming years. To make the most of the demographic dividend, Modi needs to create jobs for the millions of people entering the workforce every year as the nation moves away from farm jobs.

The United Nations had expected the milestone to be reached later this year. As of Jan. 18, India’s population had already climbed to 1.423 billion, according to WPR.

Another estimate by research platform Macrotrends puts the latest number for India at 1.428 billion. The country didn’t publish its once-ina-decade census data in 2021, after deferring population surveys due to pandemic disruptions.

The government’s move last year to restrict the tenure of soldiers in India’s armed forces to four years illustrated the strain on the administration to create jobs and pay for them. Modi, who is due to seek reelection by May 2024, has been pushing to improve the share of manufacturing in the economy to 25 percent from the current 14 percent.

Despite India’s rapid economic growth pre-Covid and its relatively strong recovery from the pandemic, about 800 million people still rely on free food rations from the government, the largest program of its kind in the world.

Despite India’s rapid economic growth pre-Covid and its relatively strong recovery from the pandemic, about 800 million people still rely on free food rations from the government, the largest program of its kind in the world.

For now, Asia’s third-largest economy is self-sufficient in food production. It is the second-largest producer of rice, wheat and sugar. It is also the biggest consumer of sugar, while being the top importer of edible oils. As a market, India is the second-largest consumer of gold and steel and the third-biggest buyer of crude oil. It is also home to the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market.

Although India’s population growth has slowed, WPR expects the number to continue to rise until at least 2050.

China, on the other hand, is currently seeing a slight contraction, which Bloomberg Economist Eric Zhu described as a “growth crushing headwind for a long time” in his Jan. 18 note. China’s population shrank by 850,000 in 2022 compared to a year ago, according to data released by the National Statistics Bureau.

The UN estimates that more than half of the projected increase in the global population between 2022 and 2050 to be concentrated in just eight countries: the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Tanzania. With assistance from Pratik Parija, Swansy Afonso, Anurag Kotoky, Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Muneeza Naqvi and Debjit Chakraborty / Bloomberg.

Beckett and his waiting, Brecht and his dramatic bracketing of the real/ political, even Ionesco’s multiplication of chairs and unseen guests. Kurt Vonnegut and Philip Roth inserted themselves somewhere.

I do not know how the readers that cut across several generations did it, but freedom, a reflection of the self in relation to the world, which always stretched into the universe, and grand ideas regarding Life were the navigable spaces in which these works and their ideas thrived. And one book, The Teachings of Don Juan was our prayer book, the document against which our youthful sorrows and dreams not only made sense but also proved to be assuredly transcendental.

The book by Castaneda began as a fieldwork for his course on Anthropology. Reading the book at present made me realize how I (and, I assume

the other fans of the books) negated the presence of the mundane and practical about the author. Something mesmerized me about this young man in search of a new reality that he was getting from a brujo. A male witch, a sorcerer. While I grew up accepting the “aswang,” the validity of witches and witchcraft, it was the first time for me to encounter a White Man (his ethnicity was not clear then) not only on his road to studying them but really in the pro-

induces hallucination. In a session, he ingested seven peyote buttons and then it happened: “I turned around to look for Don Juan, but I could not distinguish anything or anyone. All I was capable of seeing was the dog becoming iridescent, an intense light radiated from his body. I saw again the water flowing through him, kindling him like a bonfire. I got to the water, sank my face in the pan and drank with him…I drank more and more. I drank until I was all afire; I

awareness; and the passing was smooth and clear. But this second change, the awakening to serious, sober consciousness, was genuinely shocking. I had forgotten I was a man!” Castaneda would close this long passage with the most singular experience: “The sadness of such an irreconcilable situation was so intense that I wept.”

cess of becoming them.

It was scary, and exciting. This was not a seagull—“Jonathan,” if you care—trying to learn how to fly and finding the self. This was unreal real.

Castaneda would go on to write two more books, A Separate Reality and Journey to Ixtlan, creating a triumvirate of altered perceptions. There would, in fact, be more books, but The Teachings grabbed me at the jugular and never let me go.

Who can forget Castaneda’s first encounter with the peyote, a tiny cactus that contains psychoactive alkaloids, which affects the brain and

was all aglow.”

Within that state, Castaneda became the dog: “I looked at the dog and his mane was like mine. A supreme happiness filled my whole body, and we ran together toward a sort of yellow warmth that came from some indefinite place. And there we played. We played and wrestled until I knew his wishes and he knew mine.”

Then, he was back to reality: “The passage from my normal state had taken place almost without my realizing it: I was aware; my thoughts and feelings were a corollary of that

Science. Security. Clarita Carlos

Dr. Carl E. Balita

Entrepreneurs’ Footprints

RegR eT! That’s what I felt after confirming the resignation or transfer (or whatever it is called) of University of the Philippines Professor Dr. Clarita Carlos from her 7-month stint as the first woman National Security adviser (NSa) at that moment, I was holding the well-written draft of The National Strategy (NS) distilled from most recent empirical data and expertise of scientists and researchers that she pulled together to create a roadmap for government action that has a timeframe of six to 10 years or more. as the public was made aware, this social scientist gathered a circle of experts from different fields equipped with depth of scientific knowledge in their respective discipline. I was lucky to be in the circle serving as one of the experts during round table discussions on various topics that are all matters of national security.

What will happen to this 47-page document ready to roll for consultation among stakeholders through the facilitation of more scientists to enrich and finalize the national strategies? I cannot help but regret the loss of an ideal science-based NSA, but I have trust that the President has his wisdom and reason to give up on a cabinet member who in the first place did not apply for the position. Also, I am sure that Dr. Carlos’s developmental milestone is towards legacy building and her love of country is nurtured through decades of academic excellence.

Who are we losing in NSA?

ThE Filipino public saw a Miriam Defensor-Santiago in her with her brave and witty comments and use of vocabulary that will drive you to search in Google. her personality reminds us of our terror professor whom we may want to learn from but will make us tremble to death during recitation. I had that feeling during the SMNI Senatorial Debate where she grilled me like a panelist in a dissertation defense.

h e r academic credits include Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, master’s and doctorate degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines. She is one of the

pioneers in Political Psychology with post-doctoral work in Political Psychology at the Cornell University and Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis at the University of California. Aside from being a Full Professor at the University of the Philippines, she served as President of the National Defense College of the Philippines and consultant to the Senate of the Philippines and Local Government Development Foundation, among others.

She had 56 years of solid experience as a social scientist. She has written as many books, researches and academic papers as her age. The National Strategy was crafted through her theoretical insights harmonized with empirical evidences on the ground, which potentially could create impact for transformational change.

The national strategy from science

ThE NS posits that human security thrives on two key preconditions. First, a strong economy that can generate the financial means and capacity to sustain, nurture, and promote the welfare and well being of the populace. Second, a stable and tranquil environment that only the State can ensure, where strong State is essential. It asserts that human security, economic development and

national security are inextricably intertwined and reinforce one another. One cannot prosper without satisfying the two others. These should develop and grow simultaneously.

The vision of “matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay” seeks a balance between fulfilling the needs of the Filipino individual and his family, and the needs of economic development and national security. The National Security relies on a firmly established government that serves as the nation’s bedrock of stability and dependability. The National Security is a call for action and unity in government and whole of Philippine society.

Every agendum is predicated by a set of data that midwifes goals that in return give birth to some of the most brilliant strategies.

The first chapter, or Key Result Area, of the NS focuses on Good Governance and Social Cohesion, where the two-fold sub-goals include the respect for human dignity and human rights, cited as the heart of the NS, and the development of sense of community. It acknowledges that good governance is the fundamental basis for national unity, political stability, social cohesion and economic growth.

The second is the NS for a humane Society, which considers the Filipino welfare and well being to be as paramount as the State’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Included in this broad agenda are strategies toward the goals of Quality health Care; Inclusive and Equitable Education; Safe, Accessible and Affordable Water; Affordable and Decent housing; Available, Accessible, Affordable, Safe Nutritious Foods for All; and Decent Work for All.

The third focus is on the Environment and Natural Resource, which recognizes that responsible natural resource exploitation and environmental protection are vital components of sustainable development planning. It endeavors towards a Climate Change Resilient Community, and Efficient, Sufficient and Affordable Energy.

The Fourth NS highlights a Prosperous, Inclusive and Sustainable

Many readers of that period cried over Erich Segal’s A Love Story (“Love means never having to say you’re sorry”). I, all of seventeen years of age, wept at that moment with Castaneda without a hallucinogenic drug. Castaneda was first an anthropologist doing fieldwork. The foreword to The Teachings was written by Walter Goldschmidt who would later be famous for his work on anthropology and public policies. Academics, particularly anthropologists, would doubt the veracity of the data presented by Castaneda but the foreword was clear: “This book is both ethnography and allegory.” Goldschmidt praises the author for demonstrating “the essential skill of good ethnography— the capacity to enter into an alien world.” In a social-scientific society that still prized value-free research then, there was no way mysticism could be accepted as methodology. Castaneda would be awarded later a doctorate degree, with many anthropologists demanding that the honor be withdrawn.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Economy, which would usher in a better quality of life for all Filipinos. It has strategies for intensified Infrastructure Development; Inclusive, Safe, and Secure Digital Philippines; A Robust Maritime Industry; and, A Fair and Effective Tax Administration.

The Fifth cluster of NS covers the Safe and Secure Philippines. The priority goals are the promotion of safe and secure community, and the development of multi-mission and world-class armed forces.

Lastly, the NS also focuses on the Regional Strategic Environment. It recognizes that the Indo-Pacific region is the center of gravity of global economic growth, hence strategies toward a peaceful, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific Region. It also addresses the possibility of chemical, biological, and radiologic weapons attack by group of terrorists as well as nuclear arms race involving big and rogue powers.

The comprehensive NS, hopefully, would be adopted by the new NSA, otherwise it will just gather cobwebs elsewhere like many researches that are filed in vain. Afterall, the NSA should be more of a wise counsel to the President, and Dr. Carlos’s thumbprint in this document is a guarantee that it is of high scientific value.

Many are as broken-hearted as Dr. Clarita Carlos because of her departure as NSA. But like her, we surrender our personal preferences to national interests, which we hope were reasons for the big decision. hope springs eternal given her assurance that there is mutual trust between her and the President, and which ensures that she will be relocated where she is needed most. The former NSA wants the President to succeed and she surely wants to serve the country. And with the limited time she has in her mortality, our country simply couldn’t afford to miss that chance to make the most of her enlightened wisdom. It will take another seven decades to create her kind, or she, simply, is one of a kind. Thank you, Professor!

For feedback, please send e-mail to drcarlbalita@ yahoo.com.

‘Govt, banks need to invest more to fight cyberattacks’

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

invest by creating a framework to fight cyberattacks given that it is “pushing digital payments.”

R avelas said the general public also cannot be passive bystanders in the fight against cyberattacks and cybercrime. Filipinos in general must employ “digital hygiene” practices. “More so there is a need to build a very strong defense for both govt and the banking sector as well as the general public,” Ravelas told BusinessMirror on Thursday.

create programs seeking to increase public awareness, share information security updates, and formalize tie up with law enforcement to guard against cybercrimes and cyberattacks.

HOUSE TO PUSH BILLS FOR DIGITALIZATION

I n its latest Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2023, the World Economic Forum (WEF) warned that geopolitical instability could pave the way for a “catastrophic cyberattack” in two years.

B PI Chief Economist Emilio S. Neri Jr. told BusinessMirror that ensuring that “minimum standards” such as having updated cybersecurity software are crucial investments for the public and private sectors. What’s crucial is how well local banks invest in their cyber security. Some minimum standards need to be met to keep our financial system safe,” Neri told this newspaper.

O n Tuesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said his admin -

istration has stepped up efforts to establish a cybersecurity system, a crucial part of his administration’s push to digitalize the bureaucracy.

T he President spoke in an open forum at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, where he touted the government’s digitalization initiative and improvements in bureaucratic efficiency. “The security has become a huge issue… that’s what we are trying to design now, a cybersecurity system for this sensitive information,” Marcos said.

Digital payments

IN Manila, Managing Director of eManagement for Business and Marketing Services Jonathan Ravelas said the public sector must also

“ For us users, we need to ensure that we follow a strict hygiene of our digital practices. Such as when making digital transactions, ensure we are using our mobile/home networks and not on free wifi, as we are vulnerable,” he added.

M eanwhile, Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) President Antonio C. Moncupa Jr. told BusinessMirror that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and local banks have been aware and rolled out programs to fight cybercrimes and cyberattacks.

BSP, Moncupa said, has put in place the necessary framework and has ensured compliance with these regulations to promote cybersecurity.

L ocal banks have also helped

T he BSP recently partnered with the BAP and the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) to fight cybercrime through the “Check-Protect-Report” (CPR) information drive to foster cyber hygiene among Filipinos.

T he “Check” is about being careful when sharing information as legitimate banks and financial institutions (FIs) will only ask for personal data when they are contacted by their clients. (Full story: https:// businessmirror .com.ph/2023/01/03/bsptaps-bankers-to-promote-cybersecurity/)

“The BSP and the banks have always been aware that cybercrimes and cyberattacks are continuing threats.  Recognizing this, information security has always been on the top agenda of the banking industry,” Moncupa told this newspaper.

TO enhance gains achieved in Davos, the leadership of the House of Representatives on Thursday vowed to work for the speedy passage of measures to ramp up digitalization that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. highlighted in the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a key component in sustaining the country’s growth momentum.

Upon the resumption of the session, among the top priorities of the House is the passage of the E-Government and E-Governance Act, which would help accelerate our digital transformation to fuel growth momentum,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said in a statement.

The House of Representatives remains committed to pass the priority legislations of President Marcos, including measures for digitalization in both government and private transactions that would bolster efficiency, productivity, and security,” Romualdez said.

“Establishment of the framework for digital transformation will undoubtedly help to enhance the prospect of the Philippines as an investment hub that President Marcos has successfully built up in Davos,” added the Speaker, who

is part of the official delegation of President Marcos to the WEF.

I n his opening remarks at the Country Strategy Dialogue on Tuesday, Marcos stressed the importance of digitalization as a key driver for the long-term development and economic transformation of the Philippines to the post-pandemic global economy.

I n his one-on-one dialogue with WEF President Borge Brende, Marcos pointed out the immense potential of digitalization to boost economic growth.

T he digital transformation agenda also received another boost as WEF founder and executive chairman Professor Klaus Schwab invited the Philippines Tuesday to join a center the WEF is establishing, geared at working and sharing the newest technologies that could help countries develop economically.

B efore the House adjourned for the Christmas break, Romualdez noted that it had fulfilled its commitment to pass propeople measures, including the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill, the P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023, and 20 other priority bills of the Marcos administration.

PS-DBM, DepEd officials charged over laptops deal

THE Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) has recommended the filing of graft and corruption charges against the controversial former chief of the Department of Budget and Management’s Procurement Service (PSDBM) Christopher Lloyd Lao, along with several former and current Department of Education officials, over the procurement of what state auditors called “overpriced” laptops bought in 2021.

Twelve senators signed the draft committee report; 11 voted for and one dissented, according to BRC chairman Francis Tolentino, but declined to name the dissenter.

T he report established the amount of overprice of the laptops— procured by DepEd through the PSDBM in 2021—at P979 million, with Tolentino noting this amount came from the Commission on Audit.

B lue Ribbon probers said based on evidence turned up in five committee hearings, there is an apparent conspiracy between DepEd and PS-DBM officials to pad the contract.

B esides Lao, who was also investigated in the 18th Congress by the Blue Ribbon probers—under then-chairman Sen. Richard J. Gordon—over procurement of pandemic supplies, the other PS-DBM and DepEd officials recommended to be charged are:

Former PS-DBM OIC Executive Director Jasonmer Uayan, Bids and

Awards Committee chair Ulysses Mora, Engr. Marwan Amil, former DepEd Undersecretary Alain Pascua, former DepEd Assistant Secretary Salvador Malana III, DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla, DepEd Director for Information and Communications Technology Service Abram Abanil.

Tolentino said former DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones was not included among those recommended to be charged, saying she was apparently “used” to approve the changes in the procurement contract for the overpriced laptops, funding for which was sourced from Republic Act No. 11494, or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.

T here is no evidence, Tolentino added, that Briones was involved in any conspiracy to manipulate the transaction in order to generate the nearly P1 billion in overprice.

T here were “many” lessons learned from this episode, Tolentino said, but noted that this scandal badly impaired government’s response to the critical need of learners and teachers during the pandemic, when lockdowns made it important for them to have ensured connectivity.

A part from the “overpriced and outdated DepEd laptops,” Blue Ribbon probers’ key findings included “evidence of conspiracy” apart from “evident bad faith and gross inexcusable neglect” on the part of DepEd and DBM officials, creating

an opportunity for separate bidders to submit overpriced bids.

Moreover, the report said the transfer of funds and procurement tasks to PS-DBM was contrary to RA 9184, as DepEd has the capability to handle procurement and need not have turned to PS-DBM.

T he report also said the February 16, 2021 memorandum of agreement was obviously “antedated,” as the signing happened only in May 2021.  Without the MOA in place, proceeding with the contrary was irregular and questionable.

T he change of per-unit price of the laptops, from P36,000 to P59,000, which caused a reduction in the number of units, is likewise irregular, the report added.

High on the list of the BRC recommendations is: the abolition of the PS-DBM; a move to require government departments, agencies and offices to conduct their own bidding; amendment of Republic Act 9184; and the recovery of the overprice in the amount of P979 million as “proceeds of corruption” with the amount recovered to be placed in a national teachers trust fund, to support teachers’medical needs and their children’s education.

It also endorsed the conduct of a special audit by COA to examine financial accounts, and an inquiry by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on the bank deposits of public officials identified in this investigation. Butch Fernandez

Marcos signs EO on tariff breaks for EVs, parts

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

SOME electric vehicles (EV) will soon be made tariff-free under a new executive order signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. last week.

I n his Executive Order (EO) No. 12, Marcos finally approved the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board in November to bring down to zero percent the most-favored nation (MFN) tariff rate of certain electric vehicles and their spare parts, except for hybridtype EVs.

T he President is allowed to make adjustments in import duties under Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

H ybrid EVs are those which make use of an electric motor and a traditional combustion engine and protect the well-being of Filipinos.

T he issuance aims to “help boost the electronic vehicle market in the country, support the transition to emerging technologies and encourage consumers to consider electric vehicles as a cleaner and greener transportation option.”

It is also expected to bring down

the country’s greenhouse emissions.

T he adjusted tariff for EVs will remain in effect for five years from the effectivity EO 12.

T he new issuance was signed on January 13, 2023, but was only released to the media on Thursday.

It will take effect 30 days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

N EDA is mandated to review the implementation of EO 12 a year after its implementation then submit its findings and recommendations to the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary.

PHILIPPINE banks and the government may need to make additional investments to guard against possible cyberattacks, according to experts.

DOE, Shell team up to hasten

PHL shift to electric vehicles

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

The Department of energy (DOe) on Thursday signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (PSPC) and Shell energy Philippines Inc. (SePh) to help achieve the target 10-percent penetration rate of electric vehicles (eVs) for road transport by 2040.

u n der the MO a , which was signed by Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla, PSPC President and CEO Lorelie Q. Osial, and SEPH President Bernd Krukenberg, a pilot study of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCs) to be supplied by renewable energy (RE), such as solar, will be conducted.

The parties will determine the key components of the pilot project including supply, installation, operation, and maintenance of EVCs, monitoring and verification of energy efficiency, performance, and savings through the utilization of RE, and optimization of the use of cleaner energy.

The outputs of the pilot project will then be used as a reference for the dOE to further develop programs, policies, and regulations for the sustainable and safe adoption and operation of EVCs involving the use of RE.

Meanwhile, the data generated in this pilot project will serve as a benchmark for PSPC and SEPH to develop and roll out the EVC network in its existing and future Shell-branded mobility sites. Thus, the parties expect a high likelihood of more EVCs in the near future.

“These alternative opportunities could also position Shell at the forefront of their quest for sustainable and inclusive growth by adding a more compelling long-term vision for clean technologies and renewable energy investment into their portfolio,” said Lotilla.

He added that this undertaking will reinforce the government’s implementation of the Electric Vehicle Industry d e velopment a c t (EVI da ) and its Implement-

ing Rules and Regulations (IRR) signed and adopted in 2022, with an enabling environment for the adoption of EVs and its support charging station infrastructures and support innovation of clean, sustainable, and energy-efficient technologies.

“I commend PSPC and SEPH for collaborating with the dOE for this laudable undertaking—a sound testament of their resoluteness in maximizing value creation while contributing to global climate change mitigation,” Lotilla said.

a s of end of 2021, there were around 9,000 registered EVs, of which 378 are public utility vehicles in the Philippines. a lso, 327 charging stations have already been deployed nationwide.

Meanwhile, the national plan for the EV industry through the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry will be released by the end of the first quarter of this year after a series of nationwide public consultations.

Tanduay enters Austrian market

By VG Cabuag @villygc

Tanduay, a brand of rum produced by Lucio Tan’s LT Group Inc., has partnered with Weisshaus, a leading distributor of international spirits, to bring the local brand to a u stria. a ndreas Osler, Weisshaus managing director, said the company sees Tanduay’s “enormous potential” in the a u strian market. Tanduay is the first a s ian rum brand to enter the European nation.

“In our experience, rum connoisseurs in a u stria generally like to experiment and are constantly on the lookout for new rums. a s ian rums, in particular, are currently very popular, as

they are also seen as an expression of the a s ian way of life and nightlife, which is very trendy in this country.”

Rum is the second most popular among spirits in austria and is consumed more frequently than whisky.

“Rum is enjoyed both at home and in bars and restaurants,” Osler said.

Tanduay President and COO Lucio Tan III said the brand’s foray into more European countries is a new chapter in its 168-year-old history.

“It is a great time for Tanduay as we bring our Philippine-made rums to more countries that have a rich spirits culture. With Weisshaus as our partner, we believe that we will reach more customers in a u stria,” Tan said.

Osler said Tanduay double Rum, one of the brand’s most-awarded products, had impressed their team the most as they were surprised that no sugar was added during its production. “It can become a serious competitor for leading rum brands in the premium rum segment in a u stria. We see great potential in this rum to position it as a pure sipping rum,” he said.

The Tanduay a s ian Rum Gold, Tanduay a s ian Rum Silver and Especia Spiced Rum, meanwhile, are for mixing with cocktails.

“They have what it takes to capture significant market shares from leading rum brands,” Osler said.

He said Weishauss will bring Tanduay to trade fairs where they could give samples or hold tasting

events and master classes.

a m ong other things, we plan to offer Tanduay tasting samples in our shop. d u e to the excellent quality of Tanduay rums, we assume that the initial spark for Tanduay’s success will have been given after this introductory phase.”

With its entry into a u stria, Tanduay is bringing its products to more European countries. In the past two years, it has already entered the markets of Germany, Belgium, the ne therlands, Luxembourg and the un ited Kingdom.

Tanduay is also available in 11 a m erican states and the territory of Guam, the u n ited a r ab Emirates, China, Singapore and Hong Kong.

CAB probes AirSWIFT on canceled flights, passenger complaints

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

THE Civil a e ronautics Board (C a B) has asked a i rSWIFT a i rlines Philippines to explain its flight cancellations on January 9, following the temporary closure of the Lio a i rport in El n i do, Palawan due to its plane’s trouble.

This is the second whammy for the country in the eyes of tourists, just after the n e w ye ar’s d a y glitch in government’s air traffic management system, which caused the closure of the Philippine airspace for seven hours.

In a phone interview with the BusinessMirror, C a B Executive d i rector Carmelo a r cilla said the Lio airport is privately-owned “so we don’t have passenger officers there. We are asking them ( a i rSWIFT) to submit a sworn statement on the incident [on January 9], but they have not yet submitted. We are making them explain [what happened] under oath.” Formerly Island Trasnvoyager Inc., a i rSWIFT is owned by the ay ala Group.

He said the C a B sent a i rSWIFT a letter on January 17. a s per the Facebook page of a i rSWIFT, 12

flights had to be canceled on January 9, starting at 1:05 pm from El n i do to Caticlan until 5:20 pm from El n i do to Manila, after the airport closure.

‘Horrendous service’

aCCOR d I n G to separate reports, “tire failure” caused an a i rSWIFT flight to get stuck at the runway of Lio airport, which is also owned by the ay ala Group. This resulted in the airport’s closure on January 9, and subsequent cancelation of flights that day. Passengers complaining on a i rSWIFT’s Facebook page alleged they only found out their flights were cancelled when they arrived at the airport. Other passengers who were in a rush to return home, were told to go to Puerto Princess a i rport for possible accommodations in other carriers back to Manila.

Meanwhile, at n a ia-3 on the same day, passengers who were bound for El n i do complained of a i rSWIFT’s “horrendous service” and “poor management skills” for failing to properly inform them of their flight cancelation. They also alleged there were no representatives on the ground to explain to them what happened.

The runway was eventually reopened on January 10 for flights

starting at 1 p.m. “ d u e to the number of flights we need to recover as a result of the airport closure, some of our flights will be diverted to Puerto Princesa. With this, a i rSWIFT will be providing the necessary transfers between the airport,” said an advisory by the carrier at 11 p.m., on January 9. The carrier likewise limited the comments feature on said advisory.

a s of press time, the a y ala Group has yet to revert to this paper’s request for a statement on the incident. u n der its hotels and resorts units, the group operates several resorts in the municipality, including the Lio tourism estate town on the mainland and on Miniloc, Pangalusian, and Lagen islands. El n i do has been recognized by several foreign travel publications and websites as among the best islands in the world.

Lower fuel surcharge

M E a n W HILE , C a B lowered the fuel surcharge carriers can impose on air tickets, which a r cilla described as “good news,” and bodes well for the country’s tourism industry.

In an advisory issued on January 16 signed by a r cilla, the

applicable fuel surcharge from February 1-28, 2023 is Level 6, following the lowering of the cost of jet fuel to P38.92 per liter from d e cember 10 to January 9, 2023. “For fuel surcharge to the collected in equivalent currency, the applicable conversion rate for the same period is 1u S d = 55.60 PHP.”

“[The cost of jet fuel] is getting low, but it’s very hard to say if it will continue its downward path because of the uncertainties in the market, as you know the world, we cannot predict what will happen. a l so because there are political upheavals, like realignments, and sanctions — so it’s very, very difficult to predict how it will behave. But so far in the past few months, it is downwards so we can only hope it will continue,” said a r cilla.

under Level 6, passengers can be charged anywhere from P185 to P665 in fuel surcharge on domestic flights, and P610.37 to P4,538.40 on international flights depending on the distance from the port of origin to the destination.

The C a B maintained the Level 8 fuel surcharge in d e cember, which kept the cost of air tickets steady. (See, “Carriers, hotels: Brisk holiday travel as airfare cost steady,” in the BusinessMirror, November 28, 2022.)

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

TWO multinational firms have pledged to invest in the Philippines during their meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of the ongoing 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) in davos, Switzerland.

In a statement issued last Thursday, the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said Morgan Stanley a sia Pacific Chairman Gokul Laroia had committed to set up an office in Manila.

Morgan Stanley is an a merican multinational investment management and financial services company.

Laroia also said they are ready to provide aid to the government for its development initiatives.

PCO said he lauded the government’s push to undertake more infrastructure projects by partnering with the private sector and its planned creation of a sovereign wealth fund.

“We’re seeing some evidence of diversification of supply chains, the need to have the infrastructure benefit from that,” Laroia said.

d u ba-based logistics firm dP World is also keen on setting up shop in the Philippines, according to PCO.

PCO said the firm’s chairman and CEO, Sultan a hmed bin Sulayem,

disclosed in his meeting with Marcos that they are now considering starting operations in the industrial park in Clarkfield in Pampanga.

“With 90 percent of the transportation coming by the sea in the Philippines, the official said dP World can add value to the supply chain, with sea transportation being the cheapest means of moving cargo.”

dP World currently has operations in Senegal, Egypt, India as well as in Pakistan.

Marcos is currently at the ongoing WEF in a bid to attract more foreign investments in the country to generate more jobs accelerate economic growth.

du ring his meeting with WEF President President Børge Brende, Marcos said he is hoping to sustain economic growth by ensuring that the country’s workforce will remain productive and skilled and focus on the government’s infrastructure program and the digitalization of its operations.

“So that is where my confidence comes from and that is the confidence that I hope to exude sufficiently, to bring that confidence also to all of you and all of our potential partners in the world,” Marcos said.

Brende said the Philippines is one of the best performing economies in the a ssociation of Southeast a sian nations.

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against investing in Oriental Peak Mining or with its president Ranillo Paz as the company and Paz are not authorized to solicit investments.

In its advisory, the SEC noted that individuals or group of persons, particularly Paz, is soliciting from the public to invest in Oriental Peak Mining, an unregistered entity that claims to be engaged in nickel mining operations.

The entity entices the public to invest online by paying an amount ranging from P500 to P1 million with a guaranteed daily profit of 5 percent for 60 days or for a total earning of 300 percent in just 60 days.

The SEC said that such offer was subsequently modified to a daily profit of 5 percent for 45 days or for a total of 225 percent in just 45 days. at present, Paz now offers a 15-day payout wherein funds invested will double in just 15 days.

“In the initial assessment of the activities of Oriental Peak Mining,

it appears that the said unregistered entity is engaged in fraudulent transactions and in the solicitation, offering, and/or selling of unregistered securities from the public in the form of investment contract without the necessary license in violation of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC),” the SEC said in its advisory.

The SEC said unscrupulous individuals and entities violating laws, including the Securities Regulation Code and the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, face stiff penalties.

Those who act as salesmen, brokers, dealers or agents of Oriental Peak Mining and Paz in selling or convincing people to invest in what appears to be an investment scheme being offered by said entity including solicitations and recruitment through the internet may be prosecuted, the SEC said.

They can also be held criminally liable and penalized with a maximum fine of P5 million pesos or penalty of 21 years of imprisonment or both. VG Cabuag

‘Multinational firms will invest in PHL’

Oriental Peak Mining lacks permit to offer securities, says SEC

Bill seeks revenues from FZs

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

ALA w M AKER is pushing for the amendments to Republic Act (RA) 7227 or the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, as amended, to improve revenue collection within free-port zones (FZs) and thereby increasing the shares of the Local Government Units (LGU) affected and the share of the national government.

Bataan First District Rep. Geraldine B. Roman said she believes her proposal (House Bill 530) will strengthen the administration and operational governance of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) by amending provisions of RA 7227.

Reallocation formulas as to the sharing received by the Province of Bataan and Pampanga from the 2-percent tax on gross income from all business enterprises within the free-port zone were introduced in her bill.

Also, sections designating additional seats to the Board of Directors of the SBMA of LGU and from Indigenous Peoples residing within the Subic Bay FZ were incorporated.

The lawmaker appealed to her colleagues for the immediate passage of her bill, revitalizing the bases conversion development, amending for the purpose Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992 (as amended).

Roman, who heads the House Committee on women and Gender Equality, added it is high time to incorporate provisions to professionalize the SBMA Board of Directors and also to ensure and strengthen the public safety and security of the free-port zone.

She said amendments were taken into consideration during the 17th Congress on the basis of reaffirming the powers granted to the SBMA by RA 7227 (as amended).

Banking&Finance

‘Tax billionaires, not luxury goods’

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

The proposed “Louis Vuitton tax” will be levied on the purchase of luxury lifestyle items such as jewelry and bags, wines and art, cars, private jets, residences and others.

The wealth tax, meanwhile, is a tax on not even one-third of onethousandth of a percent (0.0026 percent) of the country’s population and will still leave them with P7.7 trillion.

Ibon proposed a graduated wealth tax of 1 percent on wealth above P1 billion, 2 percent on wealth above P2 billion and 3 percent on wealth above P3 billion.

ing worsening wealth inequality in the country. Citing data from Credit Suisse AG, Ibon said the median wealth per adult in the country is at around P140,000 ($2,557.87 at current exchange rates) as of 2021, which means that half of Filipinos have wealth less than this.

The group also initially estimates at most that there are around 10 million Filipinos with P1 million or more in wealth out of a population of over 110 million.

Enrique Anselmo K. Razon Jr. are worth P424.9 billion and P305.1 billion, respectively.

They are followed by the following: the Sy siblings who together have P686.4 billion; the Gokongwei siblings, P168.9 billion; and, the Aboitiz family, P158 billion.

The billionaire-wealth tax proposes to redistribute a small sliver of wealth from the top 0.003 percent of the population to the majority.

House of Representatives ways and Means Committee Chairman Jose Sarte Salceda estimates that a “Louis Vuitton” tax could generate P12.4 billion in revenues, a wealth tax can raise more than 10 times the amount.

However, Ibon said a billionairewealth tax can raise at least P468.8

billion annually from the country’s estimated 2,945 billionaires who collectively have P8.2 trillion in wealth.

“A higher consumption tax on luxury goods is desirable but is not a substitute for a wealth tax, which can raise far more revenues for social and economic development,” Ibon said.

“These are very incremental taxes that will, nonetheless, raise substantial revenues for the government while still leaving billionaires with more than enough for their luxurious lifestyles and businesses,” Ibon said.

Ibon said a billionaire-wealth tax will play a vital role in address-

DTI taps PJ Lhuillier for a digital platform

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced its Negosyo Center Program Management Unit (NC-PMU) has signed a partnership with P.J. Lhuillier Inc. (PJLI) to develop a digital platform aiming to strengthen business information and advocacy for micro-sized, small-scale and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs).

Complementary to the Negosyo Centers’ role to provide access to DTI services such as business registration, the Trade department said the proposed “MSME Business and Shared Services Center” project will serve as a website that will assist MSMEs on their business needs.

The latter includes: financing; micro-insurance; micro-investments; business advisory; and, payment and settlement options.

According to the DTI, the said portal will be accessible in any web browser and in kiosks to be located in selected branches of PJLI subsidiary Cebuana Lhuillier Services Corp., which operates the eponymous Cebuana Lhuillier pawnshops-chain.

DTI-Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona expressed her support to PJLI

in supporting MSME development through this digital initiative that, she added, will contribute to inclusive growth and help the government in digitalizing its public services and processes.

Joining the Trade undersecretary in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing were: DTI-Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development OIC-Director and Negosyo Center Program Manager Emma C. Asusano; PJLI Chief Finance Officer Filemon C. Cabungcal; PJLI Finance Business Management Partner Michael Contreras; and, support staff.

Last December, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said that the MSME Development (MSMED) Council he heads is planning to develop the Omnibus MSME Code in 2023 “to address prevailing gaps” on existing MSME laws and measures.

The gaps that the trade department acknowledged include addressing constraints related to access to finance, technology and the market for MSMEs to continue to widen their knowledge, upscale their digital capabilities and improve their business operations.

with the development of MSMEs as one of DTI’s strategic actions, Pascual also earlier gave an overview of another initiative of the trade department related to uplifting small merchants in the country. This is the e-commerce platform that the DTI aims to launch in the second quarter of this year.

Pascual eyes this platform to be set up as a way by which “Filipinos can really see and focus on what’s available from Philippine enterprises across different regions.”

The Trade chief said last December that the entire process—which includes onboarding, training and “linking” them up to the e-commerce platform—can be likened to that of a supermarket. Pascual envisions that the platform will feature an “e-catalog” of Philippine products.

On top of these MSME initiatives, the Trade department is also hoping that a program by the US Agency for International Development (“Strengthening Private Enterprise for the Digital Economy”) will support the DTI’s electronic commerce-related targets to assist the small merchants.

SSS enforces contribution hike for longer fund life

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE chief of the Social Security System (SSS) said last Thursday the state-run pension has enforced its mandatory contribution hike.

SSS President and CEO Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said the increase in contribution would translate to “immediate benefits to the country’s 13 million workers and will ensure the viability of the SSS fund designed to provide them with social security protection.”

Under the law, the SSS should gradually increase the contribution rate by one percentage point every two years until it reaches 15 percent by 2025.

“In accordance with the schedule provided under RA 11199, the contribution rate increased to 14 percent from 13 percent in the pre-

vious year,” read a statement issued last Thursday by the SSS.

The SSS said the employers will shoulder the 1-percent increase, which means their contribution will now be at 9.5 percent. The remaining 4.5 percent will be deducted from the employee.

The SSS added that Finance Secretary and Social Security Commission Chairman Benjamin E. Diokno has expressed support for the new contribution rate. The SSS said Diokno noted that the contribution hike was the “the right thing to do for the institution and its members.”

“The contribution hike will benefit the workers with the SSS being able to provide a financially viable social protection system to Filipino workers and their families,” Macasaet said.

“It will not be a burden on workers but will be shouldered by employ-

ers,” he added. Macasaet said that workers earning less than P25,000 per month, who comprise 78 percent of SSS-paying employee members, will not be affected.

Macasaet explained the fund’s officials opposed the request by various business groups to suspend the contribution hike. He said the SSS’s argument is that “postponing the measure would reduce the actuarial life of the fund.”

The groups that called for the suspension of the contribution hike included the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PECI).

“[we] gave due consideration to the plight of small employers in past contribution hikes, but [we] ultimately had to act in favor of workers’ interests and the fund’s long-term

solvency,” the SSS statement read. Macasaet clarified that employees would not be required to shoulder the additional financial burden that goes with the contribution hike.

The SSS chief said he is “appealing” to the PCCI, the ECOP and the PECI, “who we consider our valuable partners in our mission to provide social protection to our workers, to treat the contribution hike not as another operational expense but as a noble investment to ensure the viability of the workers’ pension fund.”

we appeal to our friends in big business to help us provide meaningful protection to the members of the working class and their families against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden,” Macasaet added.

Ibon said, converted to pesos using the average exchange rate for 2022, the wealth of the two richest Filipino billionaires are over three million times and over two million times the median wealth, respectively.

Using data converted into pesos from Forbes & Co., Ibon said the two richest individual Filipino billionaires Manuel B. Villar Jr. and

It will provide the government with additional resources to invest in long underfunded but essential public services such as education, health, housing and social protection, including emergency cash assistance.

It can also give support to micro, small and medium enterprises, which spur inclusive economic development, Ibon said.

Making association leaders matter

JANUARY, named after the Roman god Janus, is the time for beginnings and transitions. It is the first month of the year when you start planning and set new goals. The pandemic, however, has added a new dimension in the way organizations now plan and operate.

So when I read “ w hat matters most? Six Priorities for CEOs in Turbulent Times” by Homayoun Hatami and Liz Hilton Segel on the website of McKinsey & Co., I thought their findings would resonate to associations as well.

1. Resilience: The capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from adversity. The pandemic has made businesses move much faster and for their leaders to deploy speed across six dimensions of resilience: finance, operations, technology organization, business model, and reputation. In the context of associations, these areas of resilience are in governance, member engagement, communications, branding and marketing, new service offerings, revenue diversification, and digital transformation.

2. Courage: The strength to venture, persevere, and cope with danger, fear or difficulty. The pandemic has caused some businesses to pull back, postpone initiatives, and scale down on growth plans. The best leaders, however, spurred their organizations to seek for new opportunities and reset their strategies in light of the current volatility. Association leaders that have followed this same tact of bravely pursuing the upside (e.g., active collaboration, people care and upskilling, hybrid work) rather than the downside of the crisis, have survived and even thrived.

3. Entrepreneurial Spirit: The desire to take risks and the confidence to start a business. More than half of top executives in the study considered business-building a topthree priority. They began by setting the bar very high and protected the new business from “business as usual.” In the same vein, many associations have invested in new member offerings during the pandemic, e.g.,

setting up online communities, enhancing educational and certification programs, and mentoring.

4. Tech-savviness: The ability or depth of knowledge and ease of working with technologies. Building a new business means having up-todate and better technology. This is true for all the companies seeking to get maximum value from their digital transformation. But technology is always evolving and so keeping an eye constantly at the top tech trends is essential. This is the same for associations which believe there is no way to grow but to go digital.

5. Sustainability-focused: A business approach to creating longterm value by taking into consideration how an organization operates in the ecological, social, and economic environments. At COP26, business leaders pledged to reduce nearly 90% of CO2 emissions. It is clear that the net-zero transition is taking off. Associations are following suit by undertaking, among others, climate action advocacy, as well as legacy programs based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals when organizing meetings, conferences, and exhibitions.

6. Employee-reengaged: Organizing a workplace experience for employees that creates an emotional connection with the workplace and their colleagues. Getting the hybrid work model right is only one dimension. CEOs need to think hard about the office of the future, a place where workers want to be: to see friends, generate new ideas, and find meaning in their work.

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

Swiss Bank EFG plans Asia wealth expansion with ex-Banque Pictet & Cie partner

EFG International AG plans to expand in Asia with the help of former Banque Pictet & Cie partner Boris Collardi, CEO Giorgio Pradelli said.

Collardi, a board member representing the Latsis family, the largest shareholder of the Swiss wealth manager, has a role in advising on the bank’s growth, according to Pradelli. The private banker, who abruptly exited Pictet in 2021, bought a roughly 3.5 percent stake in EFG from Spiro J. Latsis last year.

The Zurich-based firm has several hundred million Swiss francs of excess capital for deals, Pradelli said in an interview in Singapore. Targets will be in key markets

that include the city state, Hong Kong, as well as London and Europe, which are also among the areas where the bank plans to add headcount, he said.

“If we could do acquisitions in Singapore or Hong Kong, we’d love to do that,” said Pradelli.

EFG, established in 1995 by the Greek billionaire family, is among international wealth firms competing to expand market share in Asia. It ranks 20th among wealth firms by assets in Asia excluding China, trailing the largest in the region UBS Group AG and Credit Suisse Group AG, according to a league table by Asian Private Banker.

Still, EFG has been building with deals

such as Swiss private bank BSI in 2016 and Australia’s Shaw and Partners more recently.

Sparked investigations COLLARDI has been to Hong Kong this year. His connections, which also include clients in Asia, have been helpful to the bank, said Albert Chiu, head of EFG’s AsiaPacific operations.

As Julius Baer CEO, Collardi led a period of breakneck expansion through nearly a dozen acquisitions and joint ventures. That later sparked investigations into how well the bank vetted its clients and monitored their business activities. In 2018, he became the first outsider in almost two decades to

join Pictet as a partner.

Under the current 3-year plan ending 2025, EFG plans to hire 50 to 70 bankers per year globally, Pradelli said. The bank is targeting senior ones handling large amounts of client assets.

Asia is a strategic priority for the bank, newly appointed Chairman Alex Classen, who headed the Swiss private banking operations of HSBC Holdings Plc until last year, said in the interview.

Classen and Collardi were elected to the board in October, marking a change in direction that adds experienced private bankers as the bank plans for growth, Pradelli said. Bloomberg News

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace

WHILE the proposal to tax luxury items is desirable, it is not a good substitute for a wealth tax on the country’s billionaires, according to nongovernment Ibon Foundation Inc.

Octavio Peralta Association World

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe, 42; Skeet Ulrich, 53; Rainn Wilson, 57; David Lynch, 77.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Distance yourself from troublemakers and bad influences. Keep things in perspective by concentrating on what you want to achieve. You have plenty to gain this year if you stay focused and intent on broadening your awareness and skills, and pushing yourself in a direction that will help you reach your dreams. Make stability, fitness and love your priorities. Your numbers are 6, 17, 23, 29, 31, 37, 48.

AS I start writing this piece, I am super full, just having had a delicious lunch of an Ebi Katsu Burger and fries from MOS Burger. My entire order, including the (pay attention now, LTFRB) P40-priority fee, on top of Grab’s basic delivery fee of P50, just cost me P388. So, it was inexpensive, delicious, and arrived hot.

(The last time I ordered from MOS Burger, it was from its Eastwood branch and not surprisingly my burger arrived almost an hour later, all meh. So, thank goodness it has just opened a kiosk in a mall just two kilometers away from my home.)

And its packaging is just as impressive. The order arrives in a smooth brown paper bag, printed with the hamburger chain’s trade name in grassgreen, along with the same color stripes on the bag’s sides. On the reverse side is the restaurant’s name (initials, apparently) spelled out: Mountain, Ocean and Sun. Above each word are tiny, almost child-like illustrations of the words, indicating the founder Satoshi Sakurada’s commitment to making people happy through food, and his devotion to nature.

The burger itself is wrapped in a white and blue square glossy paper packaging, a throwback to the blue and white ceramics from the Meiji period, with the same mountain, ocean and sun imprint. This time, the design is seemingly inspired by the woodblock prints of nature from the Edo period.

The care that the Japanese put into creating their food, and making this appealing through artistic touches, are among the reasons many of us just love their cuisine. This is part of the distinctive ethos that permeates every facet of Japanese life and enables them to market all sorts of products to the world. They pay attention to the smallest details, use prime-grade ingredients or materials, and take inspiration from their history, nature and local culture.

And it doesn’t matter whether it’s an expensive Japanese product like Wagyu steak or luxury clothing from Commes de Garcons, or a store brand like Daiso with its P88-tagged items—Japanese developers and manufacturers will always offer pretty good value for one’s money.

Just take the clothing store, Uniqlo. Who hasn’t shopped there? If I open my cabinet right now, I am guessing 6 out of 10 casual pieces will be from Uniqlo. Despite falling under the “fast fashion” category, Uniqlo’s clothing stand the test of time. I have Relaco shorts in different prints and casual T-shirts purchased three to four years ago that I still use to this day. (The only reason I have given up on some of them is because I don’t fit them anymore—ugh, those Christmas pounds are cruel.) And their jeans and leggings are classic and comfortable.

Some of their pieces can be trendy, but never to the extreme that can put off the normally

fashion-conservative Filipinos. But the brand does compensate by using loud colors (purples, oranges, reds) or prints (checks, dots, cartoon characters) on their classic cuts. I try through to stick to their pieces made of cotton, instead of synthetic fibers like rayon, to ensure maximum comfort and durability.

And I did mention my favorite store Daiso, which is like an affordable kitchen and homeware playground. Every time I go into a Daiso, I often come out with something I never thought I needed...like tempura paper. I often use it when I need to fry food, as it works perfectly in absorbing all the extra oil drippings. And they come into two sizes: regular and large. Another item I buy there are tea packs, which are white fabric envelopes, which one can use for brewing tea leaves. I use these instead for cold

Continued on B5

FOR many of us, the new year often means a clean slate for us to start anew with resolutions we hope to accomplish in the next 365 days. For some, this means setting health goals such as following a healthier lifestyle by eating right and regularly exercising.

However most of these tend to be unsustainable, leading to broken resolutions within a few weeks. To avoid this, it’s important to list things that can not only improve health but also be followed for life.

Have a delicious start to your healthy new year’s resolution with Quaker Oats, which can be used as the new go-to main ingredient in creating better-for-you food all year round. The oats brand has seven times more fiber vs. long grain white rice that aids digestion, powers up your day, and even has Beta-Glucan which helps lower cholesterol levels. A promo ongoing in all leading supermarkets until supplies last, a 1.2 kg bag of Quaker Rolled Oats for only P180 comes with a free can of tuna. Here are a couple of recipes to start out with:

On a

Oats & Tuna Mushroom Risotto Serves 1 big tray

Oats

broth (can be vegetable, pork or chicken)

fresh or canned mushrooms (mushroom can be substituted by any other vegetable)

In a saucepan, simmer chopped onions, spring onions, and mushrooms together until translucent, then add tuna. In another saucepan, put Quaker Rolled Oats and slowly add the broth (around half a cup each time) until the consistency is thick but flowing.

Combine tuna mix and oats risotto. Serve in a big tray and garnish with spring onion.

aARIES (March 21-April 19): Fight for the underdog, but don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Think big, be moderate and do the work yourself; you will make headway. A financial gain or perk will take you by surprise. HHHHH

bTAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ll learn from the experiences you encounter. Address sensitive issues fairly to avoid backlash. If you or someone else overreacts, it will defeat the purpose, and nothing will change for the better. HHHHH

cGEMINI (May 21-June 20): Leave nothing undone. The extra hours or work you put in will give you an advantage. Actions speak louder than words when it comes time to advance. An opportunity will develop through someone you enjoy working alongside. HHH

dCANCER (June 21-July 22): Emotional issues will make you more demonstrative and encourage you to speak your mind and bring about change. Keep an open mind, but don’t give in to someone who is taking advantage of you or being manipulative. Protect your assets and feelings. HHH

eLEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Tune in to what your body is telling you. Make your health, appearance and meaningful relationships priorities. You’ll develop an exciting plan that will bring you more significant opportunities to use your skills effectively. Be true to yourself. HHH

fVIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t be shy. Accept an invitation, participate in events and make personal changes that spark your imagination and bring you one step closer to living up to your expectations. An encounter with someone unique will give you the incentive to do your own thing. HHHHH

gLIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Socialize or pursue knowledge and skills that offer solutions to troublesome or uncertain situations. You’ll get what you want if you do your best to please others. Be a good listener and a trusted friend. Refuse to let your emotions lead you astray. HH

hSCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Stop procrastinating and implement the changes that bring you closer to the happiness you desire. Be bold, ask questions and get the lowdown regarding who is an accomplice and who isn’t. HHHH

iSAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put everything you’ve got into physical changes and clean living. Eliminate clutter by passing along what you no longer use to someone in need. Set an example for friends and family, and you’ll gain respect and help to implement your suggestions. HHHH

jCAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Complete your plans and embrace change and new beginnings wholeheartedly. Keeping minimalism in the back of your mind will help ward off overindulgence and overspending. HHH

kAQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take pride in how you run your home and treat others. Look for common ground when dealing with others, and a solid friendship and support system will unfold. Personal growth, fitness and proper eating habits will build confidence and fetch compliments. HHH

lPISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Share your thoughts and listen to suggestions. Protect your health and physical well-being. Don’t make a change to please someone. Take pride in how you present who you are, how you look and what you are willing to offer. HHHH

BIRTHDAY BABY: You are expressive, bright and articulate. You are charming and unbiased.

Beauty is tyranny (a�ter Socrates)

POWER COUPLE

SO someone has been fetching the handsome actor from his tapings and it’s not his driver—but an actor from another network. If it is indeed true that they are together, as a lot of people have been saying, then they are the new power couple. The two actors are at the top of their game in terms of TV and movie projects and endorsements. It’s said that the younger actor has had a longtime crush on the older actor but was too shy to make the first move. A common friend reportedly played matchmaker and did everything to make the two actors more comfortable with each other. So, yes, the older actor often fetches the younger one from tapings and he has been spotted many times in the vicinity of the other network.

PURSUING HER DREAMS

THE split of a celebrated couple is said to be an open secret in showbiz circles. The actress is pursuing greener pastures while the actor is laying low. They are still kind of friends and even see each other from time to time because their families are close, but they are no longer involved with each other romantically. No one cheated. The breakup was reportedly caused by both parties wanting different things. This is because of their huge age gap. When they became a couple, the actress was a minor so she didn’t get to do a lot of the things girls of her age did. So now, she is making up for lost time and pursuing her dreams.

SCARED OF HIS EX’S DAD

THE actress and her former boyfriend, who she dumped because he allegedly cheated, were set to reconcile until the latter got a warning from his father-in-law. The dad of the guy’s ex-wife reportedly told him that if he continues the relationship with the actress, he would never see his kids again. It’s not that the guy is not in love with the actress. He is in love with her but he’s scared at what his father-in-law could be capable of. Meanwhile, the actress is no longer young and wants a real commitment and not just a boyfriend to show off on social media.

A GOOD ACTRESS

THE young actress has had her fair share of controversies. For some reason, she is also not well-liked in the industry. But her network can’t let go of her and continues to give her good projects. That’s because she is a competent actress and tackles each role to the best of her ability. Thus, despite being plagued by rumors and controversies, she remains a favorite. The young actress has survived two very public breakups and a nasty rumor involving a relative of one of her exes. But she’s remained dedicated to her career while many of her colleagues have lied low or quit showbiz altogether.

THE saying is true: the Greeks have known many things first. But when they told the story of the Apple of Discord, I bet they were thinking of us Filipinos.

Let the ancient tale speak: The goddess of Discord or Anger, annoyed after not being on the guest list during the wedding of Thetis and Peleus, threw an apple in the middle of the carousing with these words: “To the fairest of them all.” In the banquet were three magnificent goddesses known for their allure. They claimed the fruit at the same time. They were Hera, the goddess of marriage; Athena, the deity in charge of wisdom; and Aphrodite, no less, the goddess of love and beauty.

We know the cause and we have learned about the results: abductions, wars and deaths. Also, long poems to celebrate such negativity.

Millenia after, discord again is defining a civilization—ours. The cause: a title—the most beautiful woman in the universe—was thrown up into the air and our representative failed to catch it.

We lost. Badly.

In fact, as records (for there are records involved in this undertaking) show, we made the winning streak in 12 long, glittering years. We were up there, honey. It did not matter that our economy could never make it to any good list. And that, outside that list of allure, we possess one of the most corrupt bureaucracies in the world, with conditions of poverty where children and women are always placed in vulnerable, dire statuses. We were beautiful for twelve years and our selected female representative made sure the world noticed that.

And presently, we literally lost our footing, our placement and our mind.

The self-deprecating (honest, in other words) among us came up with a label—sore losers. Oh, the honest ones did not expect the backlash. “We are not sore losers...it’s just that we should have sent a representative who could communicate better in the English language. One who could express substance in English, the point being substance is not sensed but spoken out there—in English, of course.”

The language problem—mother tongue, bilingualism, multilingualism, IQ and EQ correlated with language, nationalism and national identities, etc.—was so articulated days after the Miss Universe debacle (perspective: beauty pageant fans) that you would have thought the fiery exchange was regarding

Turning Japanese

CONTINUED FROM B4

brewing coffee in a cup during summer, if I’m too lazy to use my pitcher-sized cold brewer.

I don’t know how many I-didn’t-know-I-needed stuff I have bought from Daiso all these years, but I’ve been happy with each purchase. They are often inexpensive (I think the highest-priced item there is P288) and practical.

Other Japanese brands and products I patronize include UCC (their beans just taste amazing and never give me a bum tummy); the many Japanese restaurants in the city because I love sushi and sashimi (take a bow, Tsukiji, Sushi Nori, Izakaya Shonantei) and ramen (hello, Hanamaruken and Ippudo, but the latter more for their pork buns); along with Panasonic appliances, which include my nonSmart but hardwearing TV, and washing machine with spinner. Unfortunately, the single-malt Japanese whiskies I crave for are now too much out of my reach, though at one time I did have a Hibiki and Yamazaki.

That is not to say, Filipino brands are no good. I do patronize a number of Philippine brands that sell excellent products, though these are mostly in the food and beverage sector—Potato Corner, Mama Sita coconut vinegar, Montaño sardines, along with local coffee beans from Benguet, Kalinga, Bukidnon, and Capiz, and chocolates from Bohol, Cebu, and Mindanao. I also buy a few cosmetics from Happy Skin and use a locally-manufactured tea-tree soap and skin toner for my face.

That said, for the other sectors, perhaps we can still learn a thing or two from the Japanese. ■

the mind of our people and not the physical beauty of some beings selected by a fewer number of beings. Given the syntax and the elegance of their sentences, these individuals ruminating with nostrils flaring and eyes blazing about the role of beauty pageants in our lives could have been no less educated (formal education of, let’s say, at least two years in college with more than 12 units of the English language and English literature, throw in a few units of Philosophy). It was actually impressive, the debates. If only we could employ the same passion to discuss our future as a people. Let me take that back and say instead: “If we could only use the intellectual acumen applied to an overclaiming Miss Universe title (we are not serious with the title, are we?) to realize, to bracket our consciousness, that we cannot waste our energy and that bit of matter between our ears on the subject of beauty pageant.”

We have given so much importance to beauty pageants, we have become blind to the collateral damages that such absurd competitions have caused our mothers and children (the fathers are absentee authorities in this social configuration). Online, we see young girls being trained how to walk on the ramp. The experts call this walk “pasarela,”which in the original refers to the runway but, in the evolution of the beauty contest almanac, indicates the kind of movement made by a contestant from point to point on a ramp. What could have been a difficult term to understand has become part of the vocabulary of a people and, by extension, a subject in the syllabus for educating future beauty queens (without a fiefdom).

As a people, therefore, we do not only talk to our pets in English but we also teach our children how to walk for a crown and a sash. In this quest for titles, it seems, as we follow the debates, we have forgotten to teach them the English language. Isn’t this the most pathetic thing that has ever happened to us? We are back to the language problem and it does not have to do with the educative aspect of culture.

While we are at this debate among “intellectuals,” has anyone paused to rethink the exploitative aspect of beauty pageants? For each foray into a contest to determine who is the most beautiful, or who could carry a bikini, we have actually thrown into the pit a public display of condemnation of our young girls and women (including, boys and men, why not?). I can understand if gay males are into beauty pageants (the straight men are into it also for a different reason) because they run the thing. There are women who are behind the organization but imagine a beauty pageant without the fashion designers, makeup artists, shoe designers, conjurers of national costumes, and review masters for the Q&A, etc. And with due respect to the pasarela teacher, I cannot imagine why women allow themselves to be taught how to walk by men!

Can an explanation from Japanese culture matter? The reason for onnagata (men who assume the form of women) onstage is because the essence of being a woman is so difficult to portray, it takes a man to do that. That sounds like a beauty pageant remark,

‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda’ debuts on GMA January 23

DUBBED as King of Talk, Boy Abunda makes his much-awaited TV comeback via Fast Talk with Boy Abunda beginning January 23 from 4:05 to 4:25 pm on GMA Network.

Senior vice president for entertainment group Lilybeth G. Rasonable guarantees the program will “add spice to the afternoons” of viewers. “For so many years, nasanay na tayo sa weekday afternoons na napapanood ang dramas ng GMA, produced by the Entertainment Group. Pero this year, naisip namin na dagdagan ng something and give them drama also, but this time real drama from our favorite artists.”

Boy Abunda also briefly explains the fresh and exciting format of his program: “This was a brilliant idea by

my head writer to call the show Fast Talk with Boy Abunda because that is my brand, that is who I am. It’s specific and personal to the guests and that is where the fun will be coming from. I’ll be doing fast talk, headlines, commentary, and the centerpiece of the show is the interview.”

Fast Talk with Boy Abunda is a multiplatform talk show that features a rundown and analysis of the latest showbiz news and interviews with celebrities.

The program promises to be a credible source about everything in the industry and aims to provide quality entertainment to viewers. Aside from the TV broadcast, its content is also available for consumption on GMA’s digital

platforms.

With his expertise and influence, Boy Abunda gives the audience a deeper understanding of the hottest showbiz updates. He also maintains exclusive access to personalities and invites them to fun, insightful and never-before-seen conversations.

and

to

For the pilot week, Boy has

For the pilot week, Boy has a powerhouse list of guests, including Marian Rivera, Alden Richards, Bea Alonzo, Glaiza de Castro and Paolo Contis.

de Castro and Paolo Contis.

This program is under the supervision of GMA SVP for entertainment group Lilybeth G. Rasonable.

The creative team behind this highlyanticipated show

Actor Julian Sands missing in Southern California mountains

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, California—Actor Julian

Sands, star of several Oscar-nominated films including A Room With a View, has been missing for five days in the Southern California mountains, where he was hiking, authorities said on Wednesday.

Sands, 65, was reported missing Friday on a trail on Mount Baldy, San Bernardino County sheriff’s spokesman Gloria Huerta said.

Search and rescue crews looked for Sands in the area of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 40 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, but had to

suspend the ground search on Saturday because of trail conditions and avalanche risks, and have not been able to resume since, Huerta said.

They are searching for Sands as weather allows with helicopters and drones, and will resume the ground search when it’s safe, authorities said.

The latest in a series of storms that have created dangerous mountain conditions swept into Southern California on Friday and lasted through the weekend. Two other hikers have recently died in the area.

Representatives for Sands, an English-born

actor who now lives in North Hollywood, did not immediately reply to e-mails seeking comment or further details.

Sands starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter in the 1985 British romance from director James Ivory, A Room With a View.

He also had major roles in in 1989’s Warlock, 1990’s Arachnophobia, 1991’s Naked Lunch, 1993’s Boxing Helena, and 1995’s Leaving Las Vegas

Sands has worked consistently in the decades since with smaller roles in film and television.

is composed of head writer Ardee Delola, and writers Yani Bautista, Bam Salvani

Jessie Villabrille. It is directed by Rommel Gacho.

PHOTO BY ERIC WARD ON UNSPLASH

GMA Cavite adopts Starpay digital solution for e-gov online system

initiative towards a “One Digitized GMA.” “Patuloy po nating pagsisikapang maabot ang One Digitized GMA! Tuloy na at mag uumpisa na ating online payment with Starpay,” Torres said.

Starpay began its cashless payment rollout for public markets in December 2022. During the holiday season market shoppers in Baguio, Davao and Tagbilaran discovered the convenience of cashless payment for fresh meat and produce using Starpay. The event is under the PalengQR PH Plus initiative of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

THE Municipality of General Mariano Alvarez, led by Mayor Maricel Torres, signed a memorandum of agreement with Uplink Integrated Solution Inc. and Starpay Corporation for its e-gov online system. The agreement will fast-track transaction payments for the LGU’s Electronic Business One-Stop Shop (E-BOSS).

Residents and entrepreneurs of GMA Cavite have been processing their business permits and taxes using E-BOSS. With Starpay, they do not have to physically visit the municipal office for payment

transactions. Upon completion of the online forms, and submission of required documents, business owners will receive their assessment via email together with payment instructions. Simply scan the QR code using the Starpay app. and transfer the required amount.

Payors can also scan the QRPHcompliant application to settle payments. The app is equipped with an interoperable QRPH standard, so even non-Starpay users can settle their payments by simply scanning the Starpay QR code.

The partnership is in line with the

“We have been targeting users at the community level, to grow our client base. So far the public has been very receptive because the platform is userfriendly and very convenient, “ shared Starpay President Lamberto Scarella.

Organizations and LGU units who wish to kickstart the transformational efforts can send an email to partnerships@starpay.com.ph.

Starpay Corporation is a licensed electronic money issuer, regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Starpay is available for download at Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Huawei App Gallery.

Metro Pacific Health signs Collaboration Agreement with mWell, PHL’s first fully integrated health app

and

Tech Corporation (MPHTC) have signed a Collaboration Agreement to deliver the best possible health-care services to the Filipino people. MPH, the largest integrated health-care network in the Philippines, and MPHTC, the developer of the country’s first fully integrated health platform, mWell, are both under the corporate umbrella of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).

The collaboration involves several areas of cooperation, including integration of services, branding and marketing partnership, and the streamlining of resources and services to make the healthcare-related services of MPH and MPHTC available to as many Filipinos as possible. The agreement will allow MPHTC and MPH to align their efforts in engaging with patients and doctors to get them onboard the Metro Pacific Group’s healthcare ecosystem.

This follows MPH’s unveiling of its blueprint for growth to expand services to meet customer needs better, modernize health-care with state-of-theart technology in medical science and data, improve the end-to-end customer experience, and make world-class quality health-care more accessible to many Filipinos.

As the country’s leading and mostvalued integrated healthcare network, MPH shall harness the power of technology to deliver world-class treatment with compassionate care at accessible prices for every Filipino. Recognizing the challenges of providing health-care in the scattered islands of the Philippines, MPH shall roll out virtual care and online consultations via its digital platform mWell MPH.

Through this platform, patients can access the outpatient services of MPH's nationwide network of 19 hospitals, 22

outpatient care centers (OCC), and its roster of thousands of doctors accredited within the MPH network.

MPIC Chairman and CEO, Manny V. Pangilinan says, “Our mission is to create a truly responsive health-care system for the Filipino. We should allow more permanent access to medical services and the answer is technology. This partnership complements the health service that is delivered traditionally through our hospital network, facilitated by the reach and equity of the mWell brand. Our digital infrastructure transcends the geographic limitations of traditional delivery platforms.”

With mWell MPH, patients can schedule face-to-face or 24/7 virtual consultations with doctors holding clinics at MPH hospitals or OCCs, order medicines for pick-up or home delivery, and schedule onsite or home service laboratory and diagnostic procedures. mWell MPH will also provide patients with easy access to their electronic medical records (EMR) and the ability to share these with their doctors.

“mWell MPH is our effort to provide a digital front door to our network of integrated healthcare services delivered by our hospitals and other fulfillment centers,” said Celso Bernard G. Lopez, MPH’s Chief Transformation Officer, while adding that “mWell MPH will allow our customers to experience a patient journey like never before, which leverages on digitalization and synergies across our network.”

For doctors, mWell MPH will allow them to easily access a full calendar and appointment management system for consultations at the clinic or virtually. This is in addition to the platform's EMR management system and the ability to seamlessly order procedures and prescriptions from MPH facilities for their patients. Doctor-to-doctor referrals and multi-disciplinary patient management are also made possible by the platform.

“Metro Pacific Health is the heart of Filipino health-care. As we complete the development of our digital platform and tap into mWell’s reach and brand, we shall care with compassion, cure with expertise, and serve a wider network of patients while responding to the needs of more doctors nationwide,” said MPH’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Harish Pillai.

“At the forefront of digital health-care, mWell in partnership with Metro Pacific Health, will utilize the power of the mWell and mWell MPH platforms to provide better healthcare for more Filipinos—this is our shared north star” said MPIC Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla.

mWell MPH will be made available to MPH partners, such as smaller hospitals, primary care clinics, and maternity clinics. As the Philippine Government prepares for the launch of the Universal Healthcare Act, the use of a virtual care platform by these partners will allow them to refer their patients with more specialized needs easily to the country’s leading hospitals, such as Makati Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Riverside Medical Center, and Davao Doctors Hospital.

mWell’s fully integrated health ecosystem provides access to over 500 family doctors, specialists, and mind health experts. Aside from 24/7 consultation, mWell offers fitness and nutrition programs designed by experts and the mWellness Score—a digital tracker that measures physical health, step count and sleep daily. Insurance products, home care, medicine delivery, and emergency service are also available on the app. mWell’s advocacy programs include the National mWellness Day—the biggest nationwide digital medical mission and mWell OnTheGo, a portable digital clinic for remote communities and partner LGUs.

discomfort

lozenges

Formulated with myrrh oil, Throzz lozenges are your all-natural sore throat solution. This plant extract has effective antiinflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties. If you have a sore throat, Throzz lozenges will give you your most-needed pain relief while ridding your throat of unwelcome bacteria and fungi. This helps prevent worsening of infections which may lead to more serious illnesses.

Absolutely sugar-free, these great-tasting blackcurrant-flavored lozenges are the best way to relieve pain in the throat and deter more germs from getting into your system. It’s always best to keep a pack of Throzz lozenges at home or in your everyday carry. It’s a very convenient way to combat sore throat at its earliest onset.

Throzz lozenges are available at Mercury Drug branches, Landers Superstore, Medical Depot, and selected branches of Robinsons and Shopwise.

KAAGAPAY SA HANAP-BUHAY.  Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PDO), in collaboration with the Ang-Hortaleza Foundation, Inc. (AHFI), conducted the Kaagapay sa Hanap-Buhay: Community Livelihood for Women program which provides entrepreneurship training for women from its adopted community in Barangay Carmen, San Fernando, Pampanga. The workshop focused on running a homebased carinderia or food stall. Pueblo de Oro has partnered with AHFI since 2016 to teach women in its host barangays in Bataan, Batangas, and Pampanga to utilize their skills to start and run small businesses. It is part of Pueblo de Oro’s social welfare initiatives that provide employment opportunities, training programs, and life skills workshops to benefit these communities.

BDO wins the ‘Industry Champion of the Year,’ ‘Top Sustainability Advocate’ in Asia at ACES Awards

BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) was named Industry Champion of the Year and Top Sustainability Advocate in Asia, both for the second time at the 2022 Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Industry Champion award is presented to companies that have a distinct competitive advantage, set industry trends, and have commendable best practices in place. Winners in this category have shown the ability to evolve the focus of their enterprises along with the dynamic changes of the industries they serve to sustain as market leaders.

BDO is the country’s largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits and trust funds under management. The Bank has the country’s largest distribution network, with over 1,600 consolidated operating branches and more than 4,500 ATMs nationwide. It also has 16 international offices in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East. The Bank also offers extensive digital banking solutions to make banking easier, faster, and more secure for its clients.

said Nestor V. Tan, President and CEO of BDO Unibank.

BDO also won the Top Sustainability Advocate in Asia award for the second straight year. The Bank recognizes the critical role of financial institutions to manage its environmental and social risks and finance the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy. In 2021, BDO financed a mix of 54 renewable energy projects for wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and biomass energy sources accounting for 2,230 megawatts of total installed capacity nationwide. BDO continues to expand its Sustainable Finance initiatives, in place since 2010, towards funding new and existing renewable energy projects to increase their capacity, and support the country’s avoidance of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Bank also finances energy efficiency projects and green buildings.

The Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards (ACES) recognizes successful companies and individuals in Asia across two main domains; leadership and corporate social responsibility. The awards value and recognize services and achievements of businesses, both large and small, national, and international, for their esteemed contributions to their communities and the world.

The ACES Awards is organized annually by MORS Group, an organization committed to assisting companies, corporate leaders, and eminent industrialists share a platform to exhibit leadership and sustainability excellence.

LOOKING for delicious and affordable snacks this 2023? Mang Inasal, the country’s Grill Expert, treats its customers with Snack Savers — the sulitsarap merienda treats.

“Mang Inasal has been a dining partner of our customers for two decades and we know how important merienda meals are for them. So this year, we are offering everyone our Snack Savers composed of our bestselling snacks at affordable prices,” said Mang Inasal’s Business Unit Head Mike V. Castro.

Choose from Chicken Empanada at P52, Palabok at P75, or small Extra Creamy Halo-Halo at P69, and enjoy your sulit-sarap merienda anytime of the day! Check out the Snack Savers at all Mang Inasal stores nationwide.

Want more Mang Inasal exclusives NOW? Visit www.manginasal.com for the latest updates, https://manginasaldelivery.

WINNING WAYS. BDO wins the Industry Champion of the Year for the 2nd Time and the Top Sustainability Advocate in Asia for the 2nd consecutive year at the 2022 Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“This recognition embodies BDO’s commitment to sustainability for the benefit of all its stakeholders, its customers and the hard work of its employees who are at the core of our business. We believe that our success as an institution is dependent on the growth and resiliency of the ecosystem we operate in.”

YOU can now experience the healing power of myrrh with Throzz lozenges! Myrrh, known as one of the gifts given by the wise men at the birth of Jesus, has been used throughout history as an analgesic and antiseptic. Throzz has harnessed this wisdom of the ages to bring relief to throat discomfort.

Bring relief to throat

through the healing power of myrrh with sugar-free Throzz

METRO Pacific Health (MPH)

Metro Pacific Health

MPIC Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer and mWell CEO Chaye Cabal-Revilla with MPIC Chairman and CEO, Manny V. Pangilinan

MPIC Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer and mWell CEO Chaye Cabal-Revilla during the signing ceremony with MPH Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Harish Pillai and MPH Chief Transformation Officer Celso Bernard G. Lopez.

GMA Cavite Municipal Mayor Maricel Torres and Vice Mayor Percival Cabuhat with Starpay President Lamberto Scarella and Starpay Head of Operations Richard Rosettes.

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Editor: Jun Lomibao

POC, PSC get pedals rotating for Cambodia SEAG–Tolentino

AFIRST-TIME meet between Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and newly-appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) brass happened Wednesday night to get the pedals circling for the country’s preparations for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

It was a fellowship and working dinner meeting that delved more on the training of the SEA Gamesbound athletes,” said POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also head of the cycling association PhilCycling.

“

There, too, were discussions on equipment that would be handed over to national sports associations and even local government units,” Tolentino added.

But issues on the late transmission of technical handbooks (THBs) on the 49 sports that Cambodia has programmed for the May 5 to 17 Games are hampering preparations that Tolentino described as “already late in the day.”

The THBs were issued only days ago and most of them contain some errors, mistakes the host organizer has apologized for,” Tolentino said.

The Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee, or Camsoc, set a deadline for the entry by numbers last Saturday, but according to Tolentino, revisions had to be made on Team Philippines’s entry.

PSC Chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann met with Tolentino for the second time since his appointment last December 28 and brought with him commissioners Walter Torres and Olivia “Bong” Coo to the dinner at the Barcino of the Maison Mall at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City. Absent was commissioner Edward Hayco.

W ith Tolentino were POC auditor and Team Philippines chef de mission to Cambodia Chito Loyzaga, chairman Steve Hontiveros, secretary-general Atty. Edwin Gastanes, treasurer Cynthia Carrion-Norton and Athletes Commission head Nikko Huelgas.

The fellowship-cum-working dinner between the POC and PSC precedes a meeting late yesterday (Thursday) among members of Loyzaga’s team and the secretariat ahead of only the first Chef de Mission Meeting that Camsoc set for January 24 and 25 in Phnom Penh, main hub of the Games.

L oyzaga has earlier stared at an 800-athlete Team Philippines and a total delegation of 1,200—counting the coaches, medical and administrative staff.

The PSC, on the other hand, has allocated from general appropriations a P250 million budget for Cambodia, which is hosting 608 events in 49 sports, far bigger than the 530 events in 56 sports in the 2019 edition the Philippines hosted and the 526 events in 40 sports in Vietnam last year.

Marcial in harness for 4th pro fight in Las Vegas in February

By Josef Ramos

LAS VEGAS, Nevada—Tokyo

bronze medalist

Olympics

Eumir Felix Marcial has gone full throttle in training for his fourth professional fight in February.

BusinessMirror visited Marcial on Wednesday and saw him tear apart three middleweight sparring partners at the Top Rank Gym here.

I’m in good shape and I can’t wait to fight as a pro again,” said Marcial, whose 3-0 won-lost since turning professional in October 2020.

H is opponent has yet to be named but his Mexican trainer and coach, Jorge Capetillo, is confident his ward can take on anyone.

I’m happy with Eumir’s progress and he’s developing a lot. He is a tremendous athlete, a great person and a great fighter,” Capetillo said. “I can see his hunger to learn, I see every day that he wants to learn something new and little by little he’s transitioning from amateur to a real professional fighter.”

M arcial fights on February 11 in San Antonio, Texas. He opened his professional career with a unanimous decision four-rounder win over Andrew Whitfield in Los Angeles in December 2020, followed it up with a fourth-round technical knockout win over Isiah Hart in April 2022 here in

C apetillo said molding Marcial into a solid world champion has to be taken step by step.

I don’t see which year because we’re doing it step-by-step,” Capetillo said. “Our goal is to make him not only a world champion but a champion who can establish himself for years, that’s what we’ve wanted him to be.”

The Hangzhou 19th Asian Games—a Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier set in

September—momentarily takes a backseat as Marcial focus on his February fight.

We are focusing for now on the professional side and that’s what we need to be a 100 percent focused because it’s one thing to be in the professional side and one thing in the amateur side,” Capetillo said. “It’s round by round or day by day, we’re growing and developing, making sure he’s in good shape.”

M arcial’s wife Princess is also here to monitor his progress.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR RAFA?

By Howard Fendrich The Associated Press

MELBOURNE—This is hardly the first time Rafael Nadal’s body has betrayed him. That much we know. What no one—not even the 22time Grand Slam champion himself— can possibly pinpoint accurately is what comes next.

First things first: An MRI exam on Thursday showed that Nadal injured his left hip flexor during a 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 loss to 65th-ranked Mackenzie McDonald in the Australian Open’s second round a day earlier. And he is expected to need up to eight weeks for a full recovery. W hat no tests can reveal, what no doctor can determine, is perhaps the most vital question of all: How much more of this sort of thing is he willing to put up with?

“ I went through this process too many times in my career and I am ready to

keep doing (it), I think,” Nadal said Wednesday after his earliest exit from a major tournament in seven years, “but that’s not easy, without a doubt.”

It is only natural that folks will wonder what this all means for his future, especially with the retirements of Roger Federer and Serena Williams still top of mind.

Nadal injured his left hip flexor, his manager said Thursday.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion had an MRI exam at a hospital in Melbourne under his doctor’s supervision on Thursday. He will head home to Spain to rest.

Nadal has lost seven of his past nine matches, dating to a fourthround defeat at the US Open in September.

Nadal turns 37 in four-and-a-half months. The wear and tear produced by his punishing brand of play-eachpoint-as-if-it-might-be-the-last is undeniable. So, perhaps, is the psychological toll of the work it takes to be able to compete at the level to which he has grown accustomed.

Sometimes it’s frustrating. Sometimes it’s difficult to accept,” a downcast Nadal said. “Sometimes you feel super tired about all this stuff, in terms of injuries.”

Over the past 12 months alone,

he has been troubled by damaged rib cartilage...and by chronic pain in his left foot that was dulled via nervenumbing injections during his title run at the French Open ... and by a torn abdominal muscle that forced him to pull out of Wimbledon.

It’s a tough moment. It’s a tough day,” he said. “I can’t say that I am not destroyed mentally at this moment, because I would be lying.”

N adal explained that his left hip was so bad Wednesday, he couldn’t hit a backhand or run much at all. He considered quitting but played on because he was the reigning champion.

Nadal also was seeded No. 1 at Melbourne Park , because top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz is out with a leg injury. (As an aside: All of the absences, for various reasons, are staggering: Naomi Osaka, Ash Barty, Simona Halep, Venus Williams, Nick Kyrgios.)

McDonald, a 27-year-old American who won NCAA singles and doubles titles for UCLA in 2016, claimed only four total games during a loss to Nadal the other time they played, nearly 2 1/2 years ago.

McDonald said his emotions Wednesday after the biggest victory of his career were “a little more flat and stale than I thought they would be.”

W hy? “Because,” McDonald said, “of the circumstances.”

Th is was not a Nadal at the height of his powers.

He has won two of his last nine matches, dating to a fourth-round loss to Frances Tiafoe at the US Open in September.

“

I definitely thought it was an opportunity.... He seems a step slow,” McDonald said. “Look, he’s doing his best. I mean, he’s a great champion. He’s trying to make the most of what he can do. He’s (almost) 37 out here. His body’s not what it used to be, I’m sure. I definitely think now is the best time to be playing him.”

PGT goes

Baisa targets ‘twin’ repeat in Roxas City

VINCE BAISA tries to match his surprise two-title feat in Iloilo last week this time as a seeded entry in the boys’ 16- and 18-under divisions of the Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala (PPSPEPP) Gov. F. Castro national juniors tennis championships which got under way at the Villareal Stadium courts in Roxas City, Capiz, Thursday.

The unranked Baisa stunned the fancied bets to score a “double” in the recent Dinagyang Festival event, enabling him to earn ranking points and gain the No. 2 seeding behind No. 1 Vince Serna in the premier side of this week’s Group 2 tournament serving as the third leg of a season-long junior circuit presented by Dunlop.

The Puerto Princesa City, Palawan find is also ranked No. 3 in 16-under play top-billed by Reign Maravilla and Ian Ituriaga, while Gabrio Serillo and Rafael Santiago lead the boys’ 14-under cast in the week-long tournament of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro.

grassroots,

launches jr program

S erillo, one of the winners in the circuit’s kickoff tournament, the Masters Top 8 in Negros Occidental two weeks ago, headlines the 12-under field that includes Bjorn Castigador, Francisco de Juan and Prince Crisosto, while Andre Mejia, Naeem Serillo, Crisosto and de Juan are tipped to dispute the 10-under trophy in the event sponsored by Gov. Fredenil Castro with support from sports coordinator Matty Viterbo and consultant Atty. Rudy Alba.

Bulacan, San Pedro in thrilling wins

KOPONANG Lakan ng Bulacan and San Pedro

Laguna-ARS escaped past separate foes Wednesday in the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Bulacan leaned on Jason Ballesteros’s free throw in the final 11 seconds and forced Tricky Peromingan to miss a short jumper at the buzzer to score a 63-62 victory over Quezon City.

Jan Formento’s steady hands at the foul line, meanwhile, lifted the Warriors to a pulsating 59-56 decision over

Bagong Cabuyao-Homelab Nation.

B allesteros almost had a doubledouble of 13 points and nine rebounds for Bulacan, while JL Delos Santos complemented the former Philippine Basketball Association player with 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Joseph Celso also had 12 points and seven rebounds for Bulacan, which atoned for a 74-81 loss to Manila last week and improved to 4-3 won-lost for eight place.

The Beacons dropped to their fifth straight loss, counting a 65-72 setback to Pampanga Royce also last week, for a 1-6 card.

TAEKWONDO FAMILY

THE Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) is putting premium on its continuing effort to boost local golf and develop and produce more talents by establishing an innovative program at the junior level—the Junior PGT—that kicks off on January 29 at The Country Club (TCC) in Laguna.

A d rive, chip and putt competition, the JPGT features four age categories for boys and girls—9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-17— with the TCC driving range, putting green and chipping areas to be roped off exclusively for the participants.

Tournaments Inc. is eyeing to expand to Visayas and Mindanao, long considered as the spawning ground of golf talents.

There will be no membership fees with the new junior tour not competing nor associated with the existing junior golf organizations.

It will be handled, managed and conducted by professional tour directors, rulesmen and marshals with the program also aimed at determining the player’s skill development and help them achieve their (golfing) goals.

Meanwhile, the host city will resume its free training and clinic sessions, which is open to all, including beginners, in its commitment to help develop the sport and keep the youngsters busy and away from gadgets, according to tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay. For details, contact 0915-4046464.

A ction in the girls’ side is also expected to be fierce with Abigail Aguirre, Jana Diaz, Princess Tana and Aleeva Suave all primed for the 18-under battle. Diaz, Suace and Tana, along with Louraine Jallorina, also loom as the players to watch in the 16-under division.

Baku (Azerbaijan), Hangzhou 19th Asian Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Bangkok and Chonburi and the Asean Taekwondo Federation Taekwondo Championships set March 11 and 12 at the Ayala Malls in Parañaque City.

A brainchild of long-time golf patron Ricky Razon, chairman and CEO of the International Container Terminal Services Inc., which sponsors the men’s and ladies pro circuits and supports a number of top amateurs’ overseas campaigns, the circuit will feature 17 events in Luzon for its inaugural staging.

The organizing Pilipinas Golf

“On the drawing board the last few years, this (junior) golf program will not only create value formation for the youngsters but more importantly it will help discover and develop talents who could be trained to become future world-class players,” PGTI general manager Colo Ventosa said. “In order to achieve its strategic outcomes, we believe new, progressive sports program at the junior level is needed.”

Jallorina also gains the top seeding in 14-under play with Diana Alcarde, Claire Fungo, Aramae Mostrero, Joy Marquez and Ysabelle Cordovero joining the title hunt. Alcarde, Fungo and Marquez also banner the 12-under class with Donarose Olavides also out to stir up play in the tournament backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, Unified Tennis Philippines and Universal Tennis Rating.

More than 500 officers and members of the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) pose for a group picture during its National General Assembly Meeting last January 8. National Instructors, Regional Management Committee chairpersons, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines officers and members are in attendance at the event held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The agenda include the Cambodia 32nd Southeast Asian Games, world championships in

AN MRI exam on Thursday shows that Rafael Nadal injured his left hip flexor and is expected to need up to eight weeks for a full recovery. AP

FILIPINO-CANADIAN

Leylah Fernandez plays a backhand return to Caroline Garcia of France during their second round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne Thursday. Garcia beat 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, 7-6 (5), 7-5. AP

Las Vegas and capped his young pro schedule with a six-round unanimous decision triumph over Steven Pichardo in Carson City last October.

Motoring

SUZUKI ROLLS OUT THE NEW ERTIGA HYBRID

Story & photos by Randy S. Peregrino

SUZUKI Philippines Inc. (SPH) finally rolled out its take on sustainable mobility in the country—the highly-anticipated New Ertiga Hybrid version. During the last 8th PIMS, SPH previewed the new version highlighting the manufacturer’s proprietary Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki (SHVS) technology. The latest “mild” hybrid version now comes standard and offers in GA M/T, GL AT, and GLX AT variants—the first and only in the seven-seater compact MPV class.

“The introduction of the New Ertiga Hybrid marks a great beginning for SPH as we introduce our first hybrid entry in the market. With the Ertiga being our flagship and best-selling model, incorporating the hybrid technology and other benefits that it has, this makes the product a well-packed choice for our customers,” said Norihide Takei, Director and General Manager for Suzuki Automobile.

Upgrades inside and out

EXTERIOR-WISE , this hybrid version received a new front grill design with chrome (GL and GLX) and black (GA)

finishes. Of course, there is the “Hybrid” badge at the back. Exclusive to the topspec GLX is the Follow-me-home headlights function, Electric folding Side Mirrors, Chrome Door Handles, and 15-inch two-tone polished Alloy Wheels.

Inside, the instrument panel’s 4.2inch full-color LCD TFT Display, Hybrid operation display, and Driving range, to name a few, are standard. Exclusive to the GLX grade are the tilt-adjusted and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio, cruise control, and Bluetooth hands-free phone controls, among others. Moreover, highlighted in the dash panel are the GLX’s 10-inch touchscreen infotainment with SmartLink connec-

tivity

Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki (SHVS)

ACCORDING to Suzuki, the SHVS is a lightweight and compact hybrid system, also known as a “mild” hybrid. The technique combines an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), a 12-volt lithium-ion battery, and a gasoline engine. Suzuki utilized the same 1.5-liter K15B petrol engine, generating 103 hp at 6,000 rpm and 138 N-m of maximum torque at 4,400 rpm. It is paired with a four-

speed automatic transmission (GL and GLX) and a five-speed manual gearbox (GA and GL).

The system’s primary function involves the ISG acting as the conventional alternator’s replacement while functioning as a generator that charges both batteries. More importantly, this mechanism operates as an electric motor that assists start and acceleration. In this case, it is the ISG helping the engine via a rubber belt.

Meanwhile, the 12-volt lithium-ion battery supplies the ISG’s power, providing the motor assist. Further, it delivers power to the vehicle’s electrical components and store electrical energy generated by the ISG. Via the Engine Auto Stop-Start System (EASS) function, electrical components get their juice from the batteries. Then on restart, the ISG functions as a starter, seamlessly and quietly restarting the engine.

Aside from assisting the engine during starting and acceleration, the ISG also uses deceleration energy to generate electricity and efficiently charge the batteries. To test the system, SPH conducted a fuel-efficiency test observed by the Automotive Association of the Philippines (AAP). Test results showed a 12.54 km/L or 7.6 percent

more efficient than the regular Ertiga powertrain on city driving.

Incentive-wise, Suzuki’s first hybrid vehicle offering qualifies for EVIDA implementing rules and regulations. Future owners are exempted from number coding, a 15 percent discount on vehicle registration, priority lane on vehicle and franchise registration, and the TESDA training program, among others.

Safety Features

APART from the long list of convenience

features, the New Ertiga Hybrid is built on a light yet highly rigid body derived from Suzuki’s new generation platformHEARTECT. This new continuous frame design increases underbody stiffness and effectively disperses impact energy to improve safety while reducing noise and vibration. Add to that the Total Effective Control Technology (TECT), which disseminates collision forces across the vehicle frame to mitigate damage to the car and passengers. Other standard safety features are the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), SRS airbags, an antilock-braking system with electronic brake distribution, and ISOFIX child seat anchorages. The Hill-Hold-Control function, meantime, is exclusive to GL and GLX.

Color and pricing

THE New Ertiga Hybrid is available in Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver Metallic, and Cool Black Pearl for the GA variant. At the same time, additional colors of Metallic Magma Gray, Burgundy Red Pearl, and Brave Khaki Pearl are available for the GL/GLX variants. The base GA M/T retails at P954,000 while the GL M/T is at P1.068 million. As for the automatic versions, the GL A/T retails at P1.103 million, while the top-spec GLX A/T is at P1.153 million.

Isuzu on environment; industry rebound

“It is worth mentioning that the 37,000-level figure was recorded back in 2017,” said Campi president Rommel Gutierrez.

Achieving it again brings us renewed optimism for a better year.”

Year-to-date, Campi-TMA sold 352,596 units in 2022, equivalent to a 31.3-percent growth compared with the same period in 2021.

ISN’T it nice to note that of late, many of our industry players have become environment-conscious?

The latest to catch fire is Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), whose “2022 Road t o Progress” vision saw the recent launch of its Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Project. Its main goal is to become energy self-sufficient and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emission of its manufacturing plant in Biñan, Laguna. It is part of IPC’s ESG perspective: EnvironmentSocial-Governance.

Last year alone, IPC took a bold environmental step by sourcing 100 percent of its power from renewable energy from the Bataan Solar Plant by mounting 1,100 solar PV panels on the roof of its manufacturing plant towards the last quarter of 2022.

With a 500-kilowatt capacity, the solar PV panels have been successfully catering up to 22 percent of the energy consumption of IPC’s manufacturing plant. With the combined renewable energy sourced from Bataan Solar Plant and IPC’s own Solar PV Project, IPC has been reducing as much as 1,790 tons of CO2 emission annually.

“As the global race to decarbonize

accelerates, Isuzu Philippines is up to the challenge to prove itself as ‘Your Responsible Partner’ always,” IPC president Noboru Murakami said.

Murakami, appointed IPC president in May 2022, did the honors of launching the Solar PV project only this month with Hoshiki Yanai, the IPV vice president for manufacturing.

“With the launch of our Solar PV Project, we are taking a big step towards leading the industry on the road to sustainability,” Murakami said.

To know more about Isuzu’s environment thrusts, visit www.isuzuphil.com and follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ IsuzuPhilippines.

Continuing sales rebound

DECEMBER sales totaled 37,259 units, which is a 33.8-percent growth compared with 27,846 vehicles sold in the same period in 2021.

The figure completed a full year sales of 352,596 units for 2022, said the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (Campi) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).

It surpassed the forecast of 336,000, which

H e said the industry will continue to capitalize on the growing market demand for new models.

But to digress, the microchip business continues to cripple vehicle manufacturing worldwide, stunting the growth of many brands while putting under the radar the future of the supply chain.

May the chip malady end soon.

PEE STOP India has surpassed Japan in sales with 4.25 million vehicles sold to Japan’s 4.2M. According to Nikkei Asia, India is now the world’s No. 3 car-seller, with China No. 1 at 5.5 M vehicles sold in 2022...San Miguel Corp. chieftain Ramon S. Ang (RSA), also the country’s main BMW distributor, received a special birthday gift last weekend when the Gin Kings handed him the PBA Commissioner’s Cup trophy following Ginebra’s impressive 114-99 rout of Hong Kong’s Bay Area Dragons in their Game 7 decider at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Ginebra is one of three PBA teams owned by RSA—the other two being Magnolia and San Miguel Beer. Cheers!

functions, automatic climate control, and wooden finishes, among others. The dark-themed interior matches the seat’s two-toned material.

is another proof that the industry’s continuing rebound is for real in that the pandemic hump has now been practically hurdled.

DARK-THEMED interior with several enhancements

DIRECTOR and General Manager for Suzuki Automobile Norihide Takei

THE top-spec GLX

variant sporting the new chrome grille