BusinessMirror January 26, 2024 by BusinessMirror

Experts cite risks in DOF no-new-taxes stand

WORLD | A14

QATAR, A KEY MEDIATOR IN ISRAEL-HAMAS TALKS, LASHES OUT AT NETANYAHU OVER LEAKED REMARKS

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HERE can be no doubt about the capability of efficient tax collection in raising revenues, but in the Philippines, local economists said this could mean growth-hurting austerity measures and mounting debts while the government tries to make tax collection more efficient. Former National Economic a nd De ve lopme nt Aut hor it y (Neda) Secretary Dante B. Canlas told BusinessMirror that tax collection efficiency needs to be enhanced and that can help

shore up revenues. Canlas said attaining a deficitto-GDP ratio of 3 percent and a public debt-to-GDP ratio of below 60 percent by 2028 would require slower government spending. “If, as announced by DOF [Department of Finance] Secretary [Ralph] Recto, new taxes are ruled out, then in order to stand a chance of achieving the 2028 fiscal targets, government spending must slow down while protecting core Filipino values in health, education, national security, and infrastructure,” Canlas said.

“The BIR and BOC must deliver on their respective revenue targets without fail. DOF and DBM [Department of Budget and Management] must watch carefully the formulation of the annual National Expenditure Program that the President submits each year to Congress,” he also said. Canlas said the Executive may also need to work with Congress on a “medium-term budget” to improve the government’s chances of protecting its fiscal health. “New ta xes shou ld not be ruled out by the Administra-

tion, particularly, if current tax measures are not delivering on the envisioned fiscal targets,” Canlas said. “This is where a budget accord with Congress is helpful. If there are new public spendings that existing taxes cannot accommodate in the current planning period of 2023-2028, then new taxes are critical; hence, Congress must be on board to enact new taxes under the current Administration,” he explained. See “Experts,” A2

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POST 2-YR HIGH AT $247M ₧ T By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

HE Philippines continued to lose out on portfolio investments as the country posted its largest outflows in two years, according to the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

PHL fruits exports soar beyond 5B in ’23–DA

SWEET JOURNEY Captured on a banca, an ice-cream

cart gracefully sails through the waters, embarking on a delightful mission to bring sweet surprises to the residents of Barangay Janosa in Binangonan, Rizal. Beyond the floating sensation, this initiative not only fosters community togetherness but also indulges everyone in the irresistible taste of freshly made “dirty” ice cream, creating moments of joy and shared happiness. BERNARD TESTA

Foreign investment transactions registered with the BSP through authorized agent banks (AABs) or hot money recorded net outflows worth $247 million in 2023, the highest since the $574 million posted in 2021. Hot money net outflows in 2023 represented a reversal from the $887-million net inflows noted for the same period in 2022. “Majority [or 95.1 percent] of these outflows represented capital repatriation while the remaining 4.9 percent pertained to remittance of earnings. The US continued to be the main destination of outflows with 63.6 percent of total,” BSP said.

HE Philippines exported over P5 billion worth of fruits, including mangoes and avocados, last year on the back of higher demand from newly opened markets, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. The DA said the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) facilitated and recorded the export of 20,325.09 metric tons (MT) mangoes, avocados and durians worth P5.167 billion last year. Broken dow n, the countr y shipped 12,548.49 MT of mangoes worth P2.9 billion, 3,045.6 MT of avocados valued at P377 million and 4,731 MT of durian worth P1.89 billion. “ The 2023 export [volume] figures showed a 316-percent increase for avocado, 109 percent for mango, and a significant 4,000 percent for durian, respectively compared to last year,” the DA said in a statement on Thursday. The DA noted that the BPI issued over 83,000 sanitary and phytosanitar y certificates for the export of various agricultural products last year, as well as nearly 80,000 import clearances for the entry of foreign commodities.

See “Hot,” A2

See “PHL,” A2

GOVT, MANUFACTURERS EYE ‘PINOY SARDINES’ ALTERNATIVE By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

T ROTARIANS REPORT PT Joselito Sibayan, Chairman of the Rotary Club of Manila Foundation, Inc., provided a comprehensive update on the foundation’s status during the 25th general membership meeting at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City. Alongside him were RCM President Rafael “Raffy” Alunan III and RTN/Rotary Club of Manila Foundation Inc. President Wilfredo Peliño. NONOY LACZA

@jearcalas

H E c a n ne d s a rd i ne s manufacturers and the national government are mulling over rolling out a “Pinoy Sardines” brand that would serve as a cheaper alternative to branded sardines sold in the market. Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines (CSAP) Executive Director Francisco Buencamino said the industry and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are working towards the possibility of sell-

ing a “Pinoy Sardine” brand in the domestic market akin to the existing Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy Pandesal items. Buencamino disclosed that the idea of a Pinoy Sardines came from Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, with the CSAP working on the matter recently. The Pinoy Sardines brand is envisioned to be a cheaper alternative of the branded canned sardines available in the market today, he explained. The industry would be able to provide See “Govt,” A2

PESO exchange rates n US 56.3000 n japan 0.3817 n UK 71.6586 n HK 7.2016 n CHINA 7.8653 n singapore 42.0337 n australia 37.0229 n EU 61.2938 n KOREA 0.0423 n SAUDI arabia 15.0130 Source: BSP (January 25, 2024)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Friday, January 26, 2024

Marcos hails DepEd strides in content, infra, teaching By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the country’s basic education is on track to recovering from the impact of the pandemic as the Department of Education (DepEd) made strides in improving curriculum, school infrastructure and equipment as well as student and teacher competencies. Speaking at the presentation of DepEd’s Basic Education Report (BER) 2024 in Pasay City on Thursday, Marcos hailed ongoing efforts to “decongest” its curriculum so it can focus on the “development of foundational skills.” “I am happy that the DepEd is piloting a new K to 10 curriculum in 35 schools across the regions. As in any government project design, the way forward is to prototype in order to validate what was written in the presentation, in the PowerPoint,” Marcos said. Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte, who presented the BER 2024, said the new curriculum will

Experts… Continued from A1

be implemented in School Year 2024 to 2025. The President stressed the importance of the measure, which is being complemented by remedial initiatives like learning camps, to help students improve their learning competencies following the long class disruptions caused by the pandemic lockdowns.

Efficient spending He also recognized how DepEd was able to successfully award P11.7 billion worth of contracts for the building of more classrooms, laboratories, schools despite “institutional bottlenecks.” Duterte said at least 4,000 classrooms are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2024. Aside from infrastructure, DepEd also spent P8.2 billion to buy information and communication technology equipment such as computers, laptops, and Wi-Fi services. “The road to the future is rendered in digimap. One of the guides there calls for WiFi services to expand beyond the present 7 in 10 schools. We must do it,” Marcos said.

Ateneo de Manila University economist Louie Dumlao told BusinessMirror that improving tax efficiency can raise revenues but not trim the country’s deficit-to-GDP ratio to 3 percent. Dumlao said raising taxes too soon may be too

Better health

The President also praised DepEd’s initiative to ensure the physical wellbeing of students through its SchoolBased Feeding Program. He urged the Department of Health (DOH) to partner w ith DepEd to strengthen school-based health facilities and dental clinics. DepEd is also safeguarding the mental health of students through policies, which prevent all forms of violence and discrimination in schools, such as an effective reporting mechanism. “Every school will steadfastly stand as a no-bully zone; a sanctuary for diversity, a resource center for teens, a psychosocial first aid center, a mental health nurturer, a bulwark against the drug menace,” Marcos said. “To those who cross these lines, a layer of tripwires catches them: the Learner Rights and Protection Office, Telesafe Hotline, and the Children Protection Committees,” he added.

Core of learning Marcos noted another highlight of the BER 2024: improving teacher competen-

much as households could scrimp, leading to too much austerity. De La Salle University economist Maria Ella Oplas said new taxes could be an additional burden to consumers, especially amid rising

cies through training programs. “ Teachers occupy the core of learning. They should be at the center of our great reform movement...So as we move forward, they will be the linchpin of a national standard for learning competencies,” he said. Duterte said their interventions to improve the performance of teachers also include scholarship programs, providing them with better benefits such as insurance coverage and allowances. Marcos is confident Duterte can sustain the gains she made in DepEd in the following years. “We are cognizant that VP Sara and the whole of the DepEd family are pulling out all the stops for the betterment of our basic education by focusing on ensuring our teachers’ teaching quality, competency, and well-being; improving our learners’ capacities and nutrition; [and] building better and more facilities to aid both teaching and learning,” the President said. “These goals will be hard to meet, as are all great endeavors often are, but I believe that we will get there with all that you have done thus far and with all that you will accomplish moving forward,” he added.

inflation. Given this, Dumlao and Oplas want raising taxes postponed to the next administration in order to give consumers a reprieve. “The government should be patient that it might take years or even beyond this administration to normalize debt,“ Dumlao said. Ateneo Center for Research and Development (ACERD) Associate Director Ser Percival K. PeñaReyes backed Recto's position, saying it could make the country a more attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs). Good housekeeping, Peña-Reyes said, is a good way to communicate the country's potentials to foreign investors. Getting more investments would lead to faster growth. He admitted, though, that the country is in a “tricky place” given that last year, the country’s GDP target was not met and the country overshot its inflation target. He said fiscal policy, therefore, requires a careful balancing act. However, ADMU economist Leonardo Lanzona told B usinessM irror that Secretary Recto erred in his claim that new taxes will lead to inflation. Lanzona said new taxes become inflationary only when the proceeds are used for “unproductive activities” which does not create additional production and raises prices. He also said the government's debt burden has already reached P14.5 trillion and is even expected to grow to P15.8 trillion by the end of 2024. This level of debt cannot be addressed simply by addressing collection efficiency. “If we don’t tax, our debt burden increases, making it more difficult to finance our budget deficits. Government will again underspend, resulting in lower GDP,” Lanzona said. He alson noted that while there are those who view the country’s debt- to-GDP ratio as manageable, this “is not true.” Lanzona said the level of income should be considered when talking about the country's debts. In terms of numbers and compared to other Asean countries, the debt- to-GDP ratio may be manageable but only if the national incomes of the other countries are not considered. “Since the national income base of the other Asean countries are significantly higher than the Philippines, these ratios are hardly comparable,” Lanzona said. Meanwhile, before introducing new taxes, Oplas said the government should build the country's confidence in its ability to efficiently collect revenues and deliver public services. As long as there is no improvement in revenue collection, many Filipinos will be discouraged to contribute to national coffers, Oplas said. “The best that the government can do is really prudent public administration. [They should] lessen unnecessary expenditure; [undertake] more PPP [Public Private Partnership], BOT [Build Operate Transfer]; and allow the private sector to contribute to economic growth,” Oplas told B usinessM irror . On Wednesday, Recto said the DOF is banking on a more efficient and streamlined tax system and better inflation to hit the state’s goal of collecting a record-high P4.3 trillion in revenues this year, and it is cool to new taxes this year. Recto said the Bureaus of Customs and of Internal Revenue would depend on better performance to generate funds for the state. He confirmed that earlier proposals to impose taxes on junk food and higher sweetened beverage tax and other consumption-based taxes are now shelved. Recto said passing new taxes might burden Filipinos amid the current inflation climate of the country. Cai U. Ordinario

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Hot…

Continued from A1

Based on BSP data, outflows reached $13.1 billion for 2023 and were larger compared to the previous year’s $11.5 billion or by 14.6 percent or $1.7 billion. For 2023, foreign investments registered with the BSP, through AABs, reached $12.9 billion. This was an increase of 4.4 percent compared to the $12.3 billion level in 2022. BSP said the investments were predominantly investments in PSElisted securities accounting for 57.3 percent in banks; property; holding firms; food, beverage & tobacco; and transportation services. The rest of the investments were devoted to Peso government securities which accounted for 42.7 percent and other investments at less than 1 percent. “The UK, US, Singapore, Luxembourg, and Japan were the top five [5] investor countries during the year, with combined share to total at 83.5 percent,” BSP said. Meanwhile, BSP data showed net outflows of hot money amounted to $205 million in December 2023. Gross outflows reached $1.3 billion while gross inflows amounted to $1.1- billion gross inflows for December 2023. The BSP said the $1.1-billion reg-

Govt… Continued from A1

such an item by reducing their production costs through the use of cheaper raw materials like tomato paste, flavorings and tin cans. “In introducing the new brand that the DTI wants—Pinoy Sardines—[we will reduce costs] not [by reducing] the count of fish [in a can] but [in other costs]. [We will find] new sources of tomato paste, which are imported, or work on importation privileges to bring down our costs,” Buencamino told reporters on Thursday. “[We will also] work towards vegetable oil, flavoring items from agricultural products like carrots and pepper, those being put inside the cans. WE will work something out with the DA [Department of Agriculture] on this matter to bring down the price. If there is cooking oil, we will try to negotiate it at lower cost,” Buencamino added. Buencamino said the industry is also looking at reducing costs by slashing the fees they incur in selling the canned sardines themselves such as listing fees, shelf-spacing fees, storage fees and merchandising fees at the supermarkets. “All of what can be reduced...we will reduce, all for the intention of coming up with lower prices,” he said. Buencamino emphasized that one of the benefits of rolling out the Pinoy Sardines is that it would be the lone canned sardines product that would be covered by a Suggested Retail Price (SRP), leaving out the other branded items, just like in the case of Pinoy Tasty and Pinoy Pandesal. Buencamino explained that local canned sardines manufacturers are

PHL… Continued from A1

“The bureau likewise helped open markets for durian exports to China, Hass avocados to South Korea and mangoes to Australia,” the DA said. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. lauded the achievements of the BPI last year, emhpasizing that the bureau is in line with the Marcos Jr. administration’s of “elevating the condition of Filipino farmers and, ultimately, food sufficiency and security, through mechanization and modernization.” “For nearly a century, BPI has been at the forefront of agricultural innovation, stewardship, and progress in our nation. We are here to celebrate not just the longevity of this institution but also the milestones, advancements, and commitment it has shown towards the modernization of agricul-

istered investments for the month are lower by $509 million or by 32.3 percent compared to the $1.6 billion recorded in November 2023. In December, more than half or 52.9 percent of registered investments were in PSE-listed securities amounting to $564 million. Most of these were investments made in banks; holding firms; property; transportation services; and food, beverage and tobacco. The data showed 47.1 percent were in Peso government securities and the remaining or less than one percent were in other instruments. “Investments for the month mostly came from the United Kingdom [UK], Singapore, United States [US], Luxembourg, and Hongkong with combined share to total at 83.3 percent,” BSP said. Registration of inward foreign investments through AABs is optional under the rules on foreign exchange (FX) transactions. It is required only if the investor or its representative will purchase FX from AABs and/or their subsidiary/affiliate foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment. Without such registration, the foreign investor can still repatriate capital and remit earnings on its investment but the FX will have to be sourced outside the banking system. now working out on how to reduce the costs of production to be able to sell Pinoy Sardines, which includes replacing imported raw materials with cheaper locally available materials. Buencamino added that CSAP already submitted a draft memorandum of agreement to the DTI regarding the Pinoy Sardines project. “It would take us about one to two months if approved to launch the product,” he said.

Shrinkflation

Buencamino also noted that Pinoy Sardines is the industry’s answer to “shrinkflation,” which he strongly opposed, arguing that reducing the weight of canned sardines through fewer fish would be a disservice to the consuming public. “Ayaw namin mag-shrink! It is not fair to our clientele, to our consumers that they will suffer this desire to lower prices by reducing [the weight of the products]. We cannot do that. The standard of our canned sardines has six Tambans in one can,” he said. “In a free enterprise market there are always substitutes. If they stop eating sardines they will take something else as their viands that are cheaper. If we reduce the weight of our cans, we are cheating the consumers,” he added. This week, the DTI greenlit price increase requests from manufacturers of 9 stock-keeping units (SKUs), which included canned sardines. Four out of 15 SKUs of canned sardines in the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) bulletin posted an average of 14 to 15 percent increase or an increase of P2.69 to P2.73. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/01/24/ dti-approves-price-hike-for-9-skusin-srp-bulletin/)

tural practices in our country,” Laurel said during the BPI’s 94th anniversary last Wednesday Laurel urged the BPI to sustain its “forward-thinking” approach in addressing the needs of the country's farmers toward the growth and development of the agriculture sector. The DA said the BPI provided more than 72 MT of vegetable seeds and legumes to hundreds of farmers as well as 82,471 pieces of planting materials as part of its efforts to boost local food production and farm productivity. “It also certified over 5.8 million bags of rice, corn and field legumes that helped increase farm yield by as much as 30 percent. The agency also issued biosafety permits to foster safe biotechnology practices in the country,” the DA said. “Over 400,000 clearances were issued by BPI for domestic transport to prevent the spread of pests in the country,” the DA added. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Friday, January 26, 2024

DOTr chief says April 30, ’24 will be ‘Warriors of peace’: PBBM pays tribute to PNP-SAF 44 last extension for PUV consolidation By Samuel P. Medenilla

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan & Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

he government may no longer provide any more extensions for the consolidation of individual public utility vehicle (PUV) operators into transportation cooperatives or corporations.

According to Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, his office will be firm on the new deadline for industry consolidation on April 30. “I think three months is more than enough time for them to consolidate…what we are really after are those who are willing to consolidate,” Bautista said on Thursday. “After April 30, we will no longer recommend an extension. This is already the eight extension,” the DOTr chief added. Senator Grace Poe, presiding chair person of the Senate Public Ser vices panel, for her part said, the April 30, 2024 extension of the deadline set under the Public Utility Vehicle PU V

Moder nization Program (PUVMP) should be used for a thorough review of the program so that fears raised by transportation groups on their livelihood, and the real risk of a shortage of units for commuters can be better resolved, She reminded, “Pulling the brakes on PUVMP is a far reaching initiative when the welfare of our commuting public and the livelihood of thousands of drivers are at stake.” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on late Wednesday approved the extension of industry consolidation “to give an opportunity to those who expressed intention to consolidate but did

not make the previous cut-off.” The prior deadline for applications was set at December 31 last year. Meanwhile, Sen. Imee Marcos also hailed the three-month extension but prodded authorities to use the reprieve to sort out the serious concerns raised by stakeholders. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had allowed operators on unconsolidated routes to continue services until January 31, beyond which they would face apprehension for operating illegally. Bautista, highlighting a national consolidation rate of 76 percent, expressed confidence in the program’s implementation. He anticipates a rise in this rate to 85 percent following the April 30 deadline, indicating a strong likelihood of the project’s success. “Seventy-six percent is more than enough to implement the program,” he said. “At 85 percent, I’m very sure this will be a very successful project.” Teofilo Guadiz III, chairman of LTFRB, acknowledged the receipt of numerous requests for late consolidation filing. “With this directive for an extension, we will act on these motions ASAP,” Guadiz said. The extension will also provide a temporary reprieve from the apprehensions of unconsolidated PUV units scheduled to begin on February 1.

Unconsolidated routes

Data from the LTFRB reveal that 1,767 routes nationwide currently lack consolidated public utility jeepney (PUJ) entities. Bicol and Metro Manila lead in the number of unconsolidated routes, with the latter showing only a 52 percent consolidation rate as of the previous deadline. “We are expecting the remaining 48 percent will heed to this extension and file for consolidation,” LTFRB National Capital Region Director Zona Tamayo said. T he PU V M P, i n it i ate d b y

the Philippine government in 2017, aims to overhaul the nation’s public transportation system, particularly focusing on jeepneys, the backbone of public transit in the Philippines. The program aims to modernize and unify the fragmented public utility vehicle industry, emphasizing the replacement of older vehicles with those meeting Euro 4 emissions standards. T h e p r o g r a m’s o b j e c t i v e s include changing the franchising system, introducing new routes, and providing education to drivers. Commuter groups and networks and driver organizations have called on the government to delay the implementation of the program, as this will result in a significant loss in transport supply, which they argue has already been insufficient to meet the current demand.

‘Stumbling block’

Poe proposed the three-month extension “can be best utilized conducting a thorough review of the program to see its gains and better understand the defiance of some groups to it.” She reminded that “the high cost of the new vehicles has proven to be a big stumbling block to the rollout of modernization, and should not be ignored.” The senator recalled reports of idle units and missed amortization payments by some consolidated groups must be looked into to see the viability of the program. Poe pointed out “transport officials should also be open to low cost alternatives, such as rehabilitation of jeepneys that are roadworthy to make them environmentally-compliant.“ “Modernization is not just about consolidation and throwing to the junkyard our iconic jeepneys,” Poe reminded, adding, “It should be about rejuvenating our transportation landscape to make it safer and more reliable to our commuters, and at the same time sustainable to our drivers and operators.”

@sam_medenilla

resident Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. heroes paid tribute on Thursday to the 44 members of the Philippine National Police—Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos killed in the historic Mamasapano clash a decade ago in Maguindanao. Despite the honors accorded to the fallen policemen, however, former SAF Director Getulio P. Napeñas said justice remains elusive as those responsible for their brutal deaths remain at large.

‘Warriors of peace’

On Thursday, Marcos participated in the wreath-laying ceremony for the Day of the National Remembrance of the Heroic Sacrifice of the SAF 44 in their memorial statue at the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang Cavite. The commemoration is in line with Proclamation No. 164 of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte, which declared January 25 of every year as the Day of National Remembrance for the SAF 44. During the event, the President called the SAF 44 “warriors for peace,” who kept the country safe. He urged Filipinos to follow their example of patriotism and facing challenges head on, including defending the country against threats. “We would also be disrespecting their memory if we give quarters to those who terrorize our people. We would be devaluing their valor if we cede our territory to those who would trespass upon it,” Marcos said. The President said he hopes the country’s

recognition of the contribution of the SAF 44 will provide comfort to their loved ones.

Call for justice

Napeñas, who was also present in the ceremony, said the families of the fallen SAF members also deserve justice, which he hopes the Marcos administration would be able provide. “Was there a case filed against those people who killed the 44? Until now, not yet...so do you think justice has been served,” Napeñas told reporters in an interview. The SAF 44 were killed by insurgents during the execution of “Oplan Exodus,” a police operation to capture Malaysian bomb maker and Jemaah Islamiyah leader Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias Marwan, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25, 2015. After Marwan was “neutralized,” members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and other private armed groups ambushed the SAF troopers. Napeñas, who was the head of SAF that time, faced charges before the Sandiganbayan for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide as well as graft and usurpation of authority. The said cases, however, were later dismissed. Napeñas, however, noted the Ombudsman issued an order, which dismissed him from the service and forfeited all his government benefits. “I was already receiving my pension for almost a year then suddenly they came up with that order, which removed my pension benefits. I am still fighting [for its restoration]. I hope the present administration will give justice for what happened,” Napeñas said.

DICT: 55-M Pinoys gain access to digital version of PhilSys ID

round 55 million people now have access to the digital versions of their Philippine Identification System Cards (PhilSys ID), according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). “The digital ID can be accessed in their cell phones. They just have to download the eGov Super App,” DICT Undersecretary David L. Almirol Jr. said in an interview with reporters in Malacañang on Wednesday. The number of released digital IDs was below the 80 million goal set by DICT for 2023. Last September, DICT already announced

its expects a slowdown in its issuance of digital IDs due to corrupted and lowquality biometrics data taken from PhilSys applicants. The affected PhilSys registrant must “revalidate” their biometrics data before they can get their digital IDs. The digital ID is supposed to serve as a substitute to the physical PhilSys ID printed and issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). As of December 29, 2023, PSA reported it was able to release 50.3 million physical PhilSys IDs. Samuel P. Medenilla

BusinessMirror

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

25.

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

FANG, NAN Mandarin Collection Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese language.

26.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese language.

27.

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

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

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

28.

29.

30.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Indonesian language. 31.

Brief Job Description: Call Chinese clients/companies to remind on payments for past due accounts. Take payments and information and other pertinent data such as address and phone numbers from Chinese clients. Explain and clarify with Chinese clients on nonpayment and/or other service/product issues.

WANG, XINGFA Mandarin Collection Officer

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

QI, RONG Mandarin Collection Officer

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Malaysian language.

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

32.

34.

LIN, MENG-CHIEH Hong Kong Country Manager 35.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for overseeing and coordinating all aspects of a company’s operations within the dynamic business environment.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months to 1 year experience as Collection Staff/Finance Staff. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months to 1 year experience as Collection Staff/Finance Staff. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages.

FENG, JUN Field Sales Consultant 36.

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

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months to 1 year experience as Collection Staff/Finance Staff. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months to 1 year experience as Collection Staff/Finance Staff. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages.

Brief Job Description: The one responsible to “get the sale” using various customer sales methods.

AN, BO Chinese Speaking Cabling Infrastructure Technician 37.

Brief Job Description: Monitor network performance and troubleshoots problem areas as required.

Basic Qualification: 5 years of experience in leading a sales focused organization. 10 years of experience in management of a service based, multi-location, international business within Hongkong. Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Basic Qualification: Can research accounts and generate or follow through sales leads, can evaluate customers skills, needs and build productive long-lasting relationships and can meet personal and team sales targets.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder in any related field and 1-2 years of work experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CHINA INTERNATIONAL WATER AND ELECTRIC CORP. (BRANCH OFFICE) 5/f, Two E-com Mall Of Asia Complex Bldg., Harbor Drive St., District 1, Barangay 76, Pasay City ZHANG, WUXIAO Site Superintendent 38.

Brief Job Description: Direct day to day on site supervision, and inspection of operation is compliance with contract. YANG, BAOSHUAN TBM Operation Supervisor

39.

Brief Job Description: Manage and grow the safe and cost-effective operations of the project. CHEN, LONG TBM Operator/TBM Mechanic

40.

Brief Job Description: Knowledge of TBM technology and maintenance procedures. ZHANG, ZE Technical Manager

41.

Brief Job Description: Planning, coordinating, and executing projects, and overseeing the technical aspect of the project.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder, construction work experience, and TBM expertise. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder, construction work experience, and TBM expertise. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Technical experience in TBM and tunnel construction experience. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and/or equivalent. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

DATAMATICS GLOBAL SERVICES CORP. Units 304, 305, & 306 3/f, Rockwell Business Tower, Tower 1, Meralco Ave., Ugong, City Of Pasig MEKANDA, O’KONOR Customer Service Representative (French) 42.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for carrying out all task associated with candidate examination scheduling. CHANDRANI, ANIL MOHANDAS Executive - Customer Service Advisor (Hindi)

43.

Brief Job Description: Contacting existing customers via telephone and email on a daily basis. Consulting with clients to provide the best solution for their business goal. Building customer relationships and managing accounts while increasing program revenue. SHAKEEL AHMED LAEEQUE HAMED Executive - Customer Service Advisor (Hindi)

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

CHINA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 21st Floor Menarco Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months to 1 year experience as Collection Staff/Finance Staff. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages.

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

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months to 1 year experience as Collection Staff/Finance Staff. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages.

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

C’EST LA VIE EVENT MANAGEMENT INC. 230, Narra Street, Marikina Heights, City Of Marikina

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months to 1 year experience as Collection Staff/Finance Staff. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages.

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months to 1 year experience as Collection Staff/Finance Staff. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages.

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

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months to 1-year experience as Collection Staff/ Finance Staff. Fluent in Mandarin and English languages.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

BETTZEIT SOUTHEAST ASIA INC. 11th, 12th, 14th And 15th Floor The Brilliance Center 11th Avenue, 40th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages.

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

DONG, QINGQING Mandarin Collection Officer

33.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION XIAO, YUESHENG Mandarin Collection Officer

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages.

24.

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

No.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write in Chinese and Vietnamese languages.

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

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

Friday, January 26, 2024

44.

Basic Qualification: Must know how to speak and write in French language. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate. With previous call center experience and fluent in both English and Hindi languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate. With previous call center experience and fluent in both English and Hindi languages. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

DYN EDGE PHILS. INC. Unit 508-a 5/f Itc Bldg., 337 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

BusinessMirror

Friday, January 26, 2024

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION DEDE YUDHA YUDISTIRA Mandarin Speaking Data Analyst

45.

Brief Job Description: Setting up processes and system to make working data more efficient.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Excellent in Mandarin language.

59.

46.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

QU, YANFENG Marketing And Sales Agent 47.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

Basic Qualification: Can contribute information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies and can help to detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can contribute information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies and can help to detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

EASYTECH SUPPORT INC. 9-11/f, 14/f Capella Bldg., Asean Drive Filinvest, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa XING, XINQI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 48.

Brief Job Description: Recommends potential products or services to management by collecting information and analyzing customer needs.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin language.

KANAI, NAOTO Vice President Of Business Development Division 49.

Brief Job Description: Coordinate with the President and the other Officers of the company in managing the Corporation. Overseeing the company’s business strategies.

ERICSSON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC. 29 Floor Twenty-five Seven Mckinley Bulding, 25th Street Corner, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

BATISTAO, GILBERTO Business Controller 50.

Brief Job Description: Commit to decision forums with financial perspective. Drive governance, compliance and adherence on financial framework and business process.

CHEN, ZHAOZI Technical Specialist 60.

Basic Qualification: Financial acumen and analytical skills with solid business understanding. University degree in Finance or Business Administration or equivalent, Master’s degree will be an advantage. Financial and Business Modeling skills. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

61.

SYED BADURUDEEN, SYED SHAMSUDEEN Bop E Commissioning 51.

Brief Job Description: Ability to document, plan, market and execute programs. Deliver training to the client personnel as & when needed.

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

62.

52.

Brief Job Description: Ensures that the product supports the company’s overall strategy and goals. KANG, DAEIN Korean IT Support Specialist

53.

Brief Job Description: Analyzing, troubleshooting and evaluating technology issues. KIM, JUNGKANG Korean IT Support Specialist

54.

Brief Job Description: Answering employee questions regarding computer system. PARK, TAEEON Korean IT Support Specialist

55.

Brief Job Description: Analyzing, troubleshooting and evaluating technology issues.

56.

Brief Job Description: Improve efficiency and increase departmental profits while managing the company’s overall operations.

57.

Brief Job Description: Establish and maintain strong relationships with key account contacts. Responsible for understanding the client’s needs and goals, and developing strategies.

SONG, LUCHUAN Director For Philippines ICT Strategy And Business Development 58.

Brief Job Description: Research and manage strategic topics of the Philippines ICT business dept. and organize the development and management of strategic objectives of the Philippines ICT business dept.

Basic Qualification: Preferably graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Financial Management, Economics or another related course. With Master’s Degree is an advantage. Highly proficient in Chinese and English languages. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

63.

Brief Job Description: Overall management of machineries on or off the ships. SHI, HONGYU Technical Specialist

64.

Brief Job Description: Overall management of machineries on or off the ships. SHI, WEI Technical Specialist

65.

Brief Job Description: Overall management of machineries on or off the ships. SHI, WEILONG Technical Specialist

66.

Brief Job Description: Overall management of machineries on or off the ships. SOH BENG HUAT Technical Specialist

67.

Brief Job Description: Overall management of machineries on or off the ships. WU, BOYU Technical Specialist

68.

Brief Job Description: Overall management of machineries on or off the ships. YU, ZHIMING Technical Specialist

69.

Brief Job Description: Overall management of machineries on or off the ships.

Basic Qualification: 5 yrs. of work experience in the same field.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 5 yrs. of work experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 5 yrs. of work experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 5 yrs. of work experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 5 yrs. of work experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 5 yrs. of work experience in the same field. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

KELLY GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. Unit 1a & 1b 2nd Flr. Belagio Ii Forbes Town Center, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig MATSUZAKI, KEISUKE General Manager

Basic Qualification: College graduate.

Brief Job Description: Interact with Japanese parents and visitors, and manage all main office functions and operations.

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

KF NETWORK LIMITED CORP. Ub 111 Paseo De Roxas Bldg., Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

71.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

72.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

73.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. With at least 7 years of global market sales experience. Fluent in both Korean and English languages.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing/ Management or other related discipline. With Masteral Degree is an advantage. Highly proficient in Chinese and English languages. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

LIANG, ZHENYAN Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

80.

YANG, JIAN Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record. ZHOU, CHUANLI Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

81.

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HUYNH NGOC TIEN Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking 74.

75.

76.

77.

78.

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service when necessary, keep updated knowledge of accounts, polices & products. HUYNH THANH LUAN Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

82.

Brief Job Description: Administering and receiving customer surveys on occasion. PHAM HOAI BANG TRAM Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

HUANG, HUIXIONG Mandarin Customer Service 83.

84.

85.

86.

87.

88.

89.

Basic Qualification: Vietnamese speaking, and fluent in English language.

TRINH QUANG LONG Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking Brief Job Description: Provide customer care, when necessary, keep updated, knowledge of account, places & products.

MPOTECH DIGITAL SYSTEM INC. 2/f 331 Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Maintains customer records by updating account information.

CHEN, JIANTING Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record. PHAN BAO NGOC Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record. WANG, YUXUE Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record. WU, MENGQI Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record. DUONG XUAN QUYNH Mandarin Team Leader Brief Job Description: Develop a strategy.

ZHANG, BO Mandarin Manager Brief Job Description: Establishes strategic goals.

HOU, JINKE Network Planning Supervisor 90.

Brief Job Description: Establishing security measures to protect network infrastructure from unauthorized access, through the use of Mandarin native language, to senior professionals in China, Taiwan and other Mandarin speaking counterpart and clients.

91.

CHENG, LONG Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record. LI, CHANGYONG Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record. MAO, YING Mandarin Operations Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, and Mandarin speaking. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

PHOENIXFIELD, INC. 7/f Iacademy Plaza, 324 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave, Bel-air, City Of Makati

94.

YACOMIEN TERISSA NAHUMURY Indonesian Language - Marketing Officer Brief Job Description: Create specific promotions for affiliates. DAVID INDRAMULJO Indonesian Language - Support Officer

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

Basic Qualification: Vietnamese speaking.

DELA DEALIF Indonesian Language - Support Officer

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

PHILIPPINE FULL DEGREE COMMUNICATIONS CORP. 18/f Yuchengco Tower 1, Rcbc Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

TRAN HUU CHINH Customer Service Representative - Vietnamese Speaking

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

PH GLOBAL JET EXPRESS INC. 11th Floor, The Marajo Tower, 26th Street Cor. 4th Avenue Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

93.

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

PANMANILA CONSULTANCY CORP. Unit 2l Kensington Place Condominium, 1st Ave Cor. 29th St. Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

Basic Qualification: Vietnamese speaking.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

ONE BORDERLINE CREATIVES INC. Unit 11-ij3, 11/f Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

92.

Brief Job Description: Administering and receiving customer surveys on occasion.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

OCEANIC SYMPHONY SERVICES INC. 17/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, 7232 Ayala Ave. Extn., Cor Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: A Bachelor’s Degree in field like communications in marketing & several years of work experiences.

Basic Qualification: Vietnamese speaking.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

VALENTINE CHANDRA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

SYARIF HIDAYAT Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problem.

MUHAMMAD ARIEF HERLY Indonesian Customer Service Representative

KNW TECHNOLOGY INC. 103 Equinox Plaza, Sierra Madre, Highway Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

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

Basic Qualification: Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology/ Computer Science or other related courses. Preferably with Masteral Degree. Highly proficient in Chinese and English languages.

79.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 5 yrs. of work experience in the same field.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION JON NARDY PRATAMA Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: 5 yrs. of work experience in the same field.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

No.

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

70.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. 53/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

HU, WEI Account Director For Globe Home Broadband Market Expansion

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking.

HITEJINRO PHILIPPINES INC. U-9b 9f Palisades Condo., 107 Perea St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati KOOK, DONG KYUN General Manager

Brief Job Description: Overall management of machineries on or off the ships. SHEN, BO Technical Specialist

GIGA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT INC. 2/f Lipam’s Building, 40 Presidents Avenue, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque GARRY ALEXANDER Indonesian Financial System Consultant

Brief Job Description: Overall management of machineries on or off the ships. HUANG, MINGLIANG Technical Specialist

GE POWER PHILIPPINES INC. 27th Floor, Wework Menarco Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City,, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: College graduate. With advance experience in refurbishment and renovation of hydropower projects.

Brief Job Description: Overall management of machineries on or off the ships. HE, SIFENG Technical Specialist

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Brief Job Description: Manage project estimation, budgeting, project operation quality, project operation compliance, project data quality, and payment collection, and be responsible for the project operation quality and standardization.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

KEEN PEAK CORPORATION Unit 4e007002, 7/f East Tower, Four E-com Center, Mall Of Asia Complex, District 1, Barangay 76, Pasay City

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

ENEOS PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 23/f Tower One & Exchange Plaza, Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

CAO, WEI Finance Specialist For Globe Account Finance

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

EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503, Nueva St., Barangay 289, Binondo, City Of Manila

HU, FEI Marketing And Sales Agent

No.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

95.

96.

Basic Qualification: Must fluently speak and write Indonesian language to cater foreign markets. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. Must speak and write fluently in Bahasa Indonesian language. Can work under pressure. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. Must speak and write fluently in Bahasa Indonesian language. Can work under pressure. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LAURA RAISSA ANASTASIA Indonesian Language - Support Officer

97.

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning & administration of the organization’s daily operation. Providing information, assistance & support to customers. Assist with the preparation of reports. Escalating complex issues to management. SUSILA TANAKA Indonesian Language - Support Officer

98.

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning & administration of the organization’s daily operation. Providing information, assistance & support to customers. Assist with the preparation of reports. Escalating complex issues to management. DESIRIA RUTH ASIAN Indonesian Language - Support Supervisor

99.

100.

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning & administration of the organization’s daily operation. Providing information, assistance & support to customers. Assist with the preparation of reports. Escalating complex issues to management. KHONG CHUN SHEE Malaysian Language - Marketing Officer Brief Job Description: Create specific promotions for affiliates. LOHAKART, PHIANGJAI Thai Language - Support Supervisor

101.

102.

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning & administration of the organization’s daily operation. Providing information, assistance & support to customers. Assist with the preparation of reports. Escalating complex issues to management. DUONG HOANG KHUONG DUY Vietnamese Language - Support Officer

103.

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning & administration of the organization’s daily operation. Providing information, assistance & support to customers. Assist with the preparation of reports. Escalating complex issues to management. MAC CHOI VINH Vietnamese Language - Support Officer

104.

Brief Job Description: Assist in the planning & administration of the organization’s daily operation. Providing information, assistance & support to customers. Assist with the preparation of reports. Escalating complex issues to management. QUANG THANH BINH Vietnamese Language - Support Officer

105.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. Must speak and write fluently in Bahasa Indonesian language. Can work under pressure.

THE PENBROTHERS INTERNATIONAL INC. 6/f Opl Bldg., 100 C. Palanca St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

113.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. Must speak and write fluently in Bahasa Indonesian language. Can work under pressure.

BIVERO JASKULSI, NICOLAS ANTONIO Chairman/CEO

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Must fluently speak and write in Malaysian language to cater foreign markets. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

114.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. Must speak and write fluently in Bahasa Indonesian language. Can work under pressure. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. Must speak and write fluently in Bahasa Indonesian language. Can work under pressure. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. Must speak and write fluently in Bahasa Indonesian language. Can work under pressure.

115.

116.

Brief Job Description: Manages daily operations of the IT department.

HE, XIN Mandarin I.T. Technical Support Brief Job Description: Debug different computer programs.

JIANG, SHANG Mandarin I.T. Technical Support Brief Job Description: Debug different computer programs.

117.

TSAI, MING-CHIH a.k.a. TSAI, MING-JI Foreign Executive Assistant Brief Job Description: Manage executives’ calendars and set up meetings.

106.

Brief Job Description: Developing training materials and conducting training sessions and workshops. SUN, XIAORAN Assistant Supervisor

107.

Brief Job Description: Developing training materials and conducting training sessions and workshops. THONG KAH CHUN Assistant Supervisor

108.

Brief Job Description: Developing training materials and conducting training sessions and workshops. HENDI SUSANTO Management Consultant

109.

110.

Brief Job Description: Gather data and organize information about the problem that has to be solved or a method that has to be improved.

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

AFDILLAH NURZA ISMA General Automotive Mechanic 118.

Brief Job Description: Automotive mechanics help diagnose and repair various issues for different automotive vehicles, including cars, trucks and vans.

I KETUT RUSTIKA General Automotive Mechanic 119.

I NENGAH MUDITA General Automotive Mechanic 120.

Basic Qualification: At least college graduate.

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

111.

Basic Qualification: At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, able to fluently speak and write in Japanese language, with an N1 Japanese language proficiency test (JLPT), and at least 10 years of work experience in the automotive industry.

LISMA SIHOMBING General Automotive Mechanic 121.

Brief Job Description: Automotive mechanics help diagnose and repair various issues for different automotive vehicles, including cars, trucks and vans.

NI LUH PUTU BUDIARI General Automotive Mechanic 122.

Brief Job Description: Automotive mechanics help diagnose and repair various issues for different automotive vehicles, including cars, trucks and vans.

112.

Brief Job Description: Primarily handle operations and may also be required to manage multisite operations.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin/ English language and with 2 years of experience related to the position.

Basic Qualification: Must develop skills in areas like problemsolving, communication, and attention to detail. Strong communication skills are a critical component of an auto mechanic’s abilities. Time management also helps mechanics estimate how long each repair will take.

Brief Job Description: Automotive mechanics help diagnose and repair various issues for different automotive vehicles, including cars, trucks and vans.

Basic Qualification: Excellent in foreign languages. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

RAYMOND CHALLESS General Automotive Mechanic 123.

Brief Job Description: Automotive mechanics help diagnose and repair various issues for different automotive vehicles, including cars, trucks and vans.

ZHUO, WEIJIN General Automotive Mechanic 125.

Brief Job Description: Automotive mechanics help diagnose and repair various issues for different automotive vehicles, including cars, trucks and vans.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 WIKITECH SERVICES INC. 10/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, 7232 Ayala Avenue Ext. Corner Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati JIANG, ZHUFENG Mandarin Product Developer 126.

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

TELEPHILIPPINES INCORPORATED Edsa Central It Center 2, United Street Corner Edsa, Greenfield District, City Of Mandaluyong

KOTIA, PRAVIN NEMICHAND Vice President, Operations

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

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: Bachelors and advanced degree, specialized training, with at least 8 years previous related experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin/ English language and with 2 years of experience related to the position.

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

SOJITZ G AUTO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 1016, Edsa Corner Corregidor St., Ramon Magsaysay, Quezon City

Brief Job Description: Oversee all operations and business activities and ensure alignment with overall strategies set to achieve business goals and objectives. Strong understanding of corporate finance, familiarity with diverse business functions, including sales and marketing.

Brief Job Description: Automotive mechanics help diagnose and repair various issues for different automotive vehicles, including cars, trucks and vans.

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

Brief Job Description: Identifying and addressing problems.

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

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language.

Brief Job Description: Responds to company initiatives by driving new products to meet customer needs.

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

CHEN, LITING Mandarin Technical Support Brief Job Description: Monitoring and maintaining computer systems and networks. LIN, KANG Mandarin Technical Support 128.

Brief Job Description: Monitoring and maintaining computer systems and networks.

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZAPPORT SERVICES, INC. Unit Aro1-03 B,c,m,n,o,p,q 28th/f & 14/f U-c, B, Ar03, Ar02, Q,p,o,g,h,i,j01,02,03, K&l, Burgundy Corporate Tower 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati 22/f & 36/f Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati CAROLLYN Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer 129.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on the daily operations of call center activities performing customeroriented telephone activities and various background operation duties. NAUFAL HABIBI DINATA Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

130.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on the daily operations of call center activities performing customeroriented telephone activities and various background operation duties. RICKY WIJAYA Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

131.

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

Basic Qualification: At least college graduate.

TAKEDA, NAOYUKI President And Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Brief Job Description: Automotive mechanics help diagnose and repair various issues for different automotive vehicles, including cars, trucks and vans.

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

CHEN, YUNXIANG Mandarin Speaking Consultant

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Basic Qualification: At least 19 years old. Ability to speak, write and communicate in their respective language.

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

Basic Qualification: At least college graduate.

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

124.

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

VEHICLE MASTER SERVICE CORP. #27, T. Santiago St., Canumay West, City Of Valenzuela

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

Basic Qualification: At least college graduate.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

SRI LESTARI DEWI General Automotive Mechanic

TOTAL CREST BUSINESS SUPPORT, INC. 26/f & 27/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, Ayala Ave. Extn. Cor. Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

RRA ONE GLOBAL CONSULTANCY CORP. Blk 1 Lot 6 Progressive St., Lucky Homes Subd., Barangay 168, City Of Caloocan SHI, BAOLEI Assistant Supervisor

Basic Qualification: Knowledge of the general procedures, principles and rules of meeting and also the limitations of the powers of the Chairman.

No.

127.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. Must speak and write fluently in Bahasa Indonesian language. Can work under pressure.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

TOPKING TECHNOLOGY INC. 5/f Phinma Plaza 39 Plaza Drive, Rockwell Center, Poblacion, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. Must speak and write fluently in Bahasa Indonesian language. Can work under pressure. Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

CHEN, CHIEN-HAO Chinese Admin Support Specialist

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

TIAN XIA TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 6/f Filinvest Cyberzone Bldg. B, Superblock A Central Business Park 1 Bay City St., Barangay 76, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree holder. Must speak and write fluently in Bahasa Indonesian language. Can work under pressure.

Brief Job Description: Communicating regularly with other board members, top management and other stakeholders such as investor or government agencies.

Friday, January 26, 2024

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on the daily operations of call center activities performing customeroriented telephone activities and various background operation duties. SINTA ASIA Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer

132.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on the daily operations of call center activities performing customeroriented telephone activities and various background operation duties.

SITI JUBAEDAH Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer 133.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on the daily operations of call center activities performing customeroriented telephone activities and various background operation duties.

URACIKEN SALSABILLA Indonesian Speaking Customer Service Officer 134.

Brief Job Description: Indonesian written reports on the daily operations of call center activities performing customeroriented telephone activities and various background operation duties.

Basic Qualification: Knows how to speak and write in Indonesian language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZENMOV PHILIPPINES INC. 11/f Insular Life Bldg., 6781 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

TOKUDA, MASAYUKI Director 135.

Brief Job Description: Management of the corporation’s business and affairs and implementation of the company bylaws.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Japanese and English languages, College graduate, technical support experience of more than 3 years, and business development experience of more than 2 years. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Jan 25, 2024

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy

Friday, January 26, 2024

DA’s first El Niño monitoring report shows ₧700,000 farm damage in Zambo del Norte By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has recorded at least P700,000 in farm damages due to El Niño, affecting about 22.25 hectares of rice farms. “Based on the initial assessment of DA Regional Field Office IX, damage and losses have been reported in Zamboanga del Norte amounting to P717,500 affecting 22 farmers, with

22.25 hectares of rice areas,” the DA Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (DRRM OpCen) said in its latest report issued late Wednesday. The DA-DRRM OpCen said the rice farms in Zamboanga del Norte that were affected by El Niño were in vegetative stages. This was the very first damage report issued by the DA-DRRM OpCen regarding the impact of El Niño in the country’s agriculture sector.

“Based on the El Niño Advisory issued on January 24, 2024, a strong and mature El Niño is ongoing and is expected to continue through January-February 2024,” it said. “Majority of global climate models suggest that El Niño will likely persist until the March-April-May 2024 season with a transition to ENSOneutral in the April-May-June 2024 season,” it added. Some of the actions taken by the DA in relation to the ongoing El Niño

phenomenon were constant monitoring of weather conditions and actual ground situation as well as validation of vulnerable areas and identification of interventions for farmers to be affected by the dry spell, according to the DA-DRRM OpCen. Furthermore, DA-DRRM OpCen said the department is regularly disseminating advisories and agro-meteorological information to the public, particularly to farmers, through Municipal and City Agriculturists and

Reporter Officers through Facebook. “[We] provided information to farmers on proper crop management during El Niño, including adjusting planting schedules and optimizing fertilizer use,” it said. “[We promoted] drought-resistant crop varieties that are better adapted to the anticipated weather conditions during El Niño,” it added. The DA unit also noted that it is consolidating and analyzing data on

planting and harvesting as well as source and status of irrigation systems nationwide. The DA earlier projected that the country’s milled rice output in the first half could decline by as much as almost 190 million kilograms because of the projected impact of the El Niño on local farms. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2023/12/15/da-sees-domesticmilled-rice-output-decline-in-h12024-amid-el-nino-threat/)

Austral

A BusinessMirr

A10 Friday, January 26, 2024 | www.businessmirror.com.ph

AUSTRALIA AND THE PHILIPPINES–WE MEAN BUSINESS A

USTRALIA’S trade relationship with the Philippines is supported by regional free trade agreements and strong people-to-people links. In 2022, two-way trade between the Philippines and Australia was P302.3 billion and two-way total investment was P315.7 billion. More than 250 Australian companies are investing in the Philippines, employing over 44,000 Filipinos, building technology, skills, and knowledge exchange, growing people to people links and facilitating economic growth. As strategic partners, Australia and the Philippines are bolstering our shared economic security and expanding two-way trade and investment. Building on the complementary nature of our two economies, in line with our new Southeast Asia 2040 Strategy, we are helping business take advantage of meaningful market access opportunities, eliminating barriers to trade and investment, fostering a competitive business environment, and pursuing trade facilitation measures to achieve inclusive economic growth for both our countries. Some of the Australian companies investing in the Philippines include:

AMSBB GLOBAL

ESTABLISHED in 2008, AMS Global is a leading force in global education services and is consistently awarded as top agent for Philippine students by several Australian universities and colleges. AMS Global is part of the extensive network of AMSBB Group with 34 offices

spanning across 24 countries, has successfully solidified its position as a prominent player in the global education services industry. By developing its own state-of-theart platforms and IT software, the company has revolutionized the way it provides services and deliver advanced solutions to its clients.

management framework development and implementation, and decarbonization or ESG governance strategy development.

LEIGHTON CONTRACTORS (ASIA) LIMITED

LEIGHTON Asia is a member of CIMIC Group, an engineering-led construction, mining, services and public private partnerships leader with a history dating back to 1899. Leveraging its international expertise and local knowledge, Leighton Asia has successfully delivered world-class infrastructure and enhanced transport network in the Philippines for 27 years, including the 3rd Candaba Viaduct, Cavite Laguna Expressway Cavite Section, North Luzon Expressway Harbour Link Segment 10 and two sections of North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) – South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP), as well as diversify its presence in the advanced technology sector with the STT Fairview 1 Data Center.

ANZ BANK

ANZ is a leading institutional bank in the Philippines, partnering and serving corporates and financial institutions which drive a significant proportion of economic activity and cross-border business. It is consistently amongst the top FX banks, in terms of overall market share and industry recognition. ANZ is strongly committed to developing talent and leadership in the Philippines; together with our onshore ANZ Global Capability Centre, the Bank is a leading advocate of financial literacy and corporate sustainability.

AUSTAL

SINCE 2012, Austal Philippines has completed an impressive 21 commercial vessels for 13 operators from 11 countries; including multiple, award-winning highspeed ferries that are setting new benchmarks for performance, comfort, seakeeping and operability. In addition to commercial vessels, Austal Philippines has the capability and capacity to design and construct a range of naval ships including patrol vessels, for domestic and international fleets; based on proven Austal platforms operating in Australia, the United States and around the world.

CLOUDSTAFF

CLOUDSTAFF is an Australianowned premium outsourcing provider offering cost-effective, scalable workforce solutions built on highly skilled staff, modern fully equipped workspaces and Cloudstaff custom-built technology to deliver a seamlessly unified global workforce. Recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the Asia Pacific region, Cloudstaff employs almost 7,000 staff in the Philippines and has been recognised by multiple awarding bodies as one of the best places to work in

the Philippines and Asia.

CPA AUSTRALIA

CPA Australia is one of the largest professional accounting bodies in the world, with more than 172,000 members in over 100 countries and regions, including close to 200 members in the Philippines. Its core services include education, training, technical support, and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local, national and international issues affecting the accounting profession and public interest. It engages with governments, regulators, and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes.

CRONE ARCHITECTS

Crone is an award-winning architectural design consulting firm with offices in Sydney and Melbourne, working in markets across Australia and Asia. Crone established a presence in Manila in the late 90s, undertaking a number of major master planning projects. Crone has designed numerous Premier Grade high rise towers in both Manila and Cebu, including, Arya Residences in Fort Bonifacio. Arya Residences won “Best Residential Architecture Design” and “Best Residential Interior Design” at the Philippine Property Awards.

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY

It is ranked in the top one percent of universities worldwide (ShanghaiRankings) and is one of the top 50 young universities in the world (QS). Deakin’s learning approach puts emphasis on practical experience and its curriculum is informed by the best in industry. DeakinTALENT, Deakin’s award-winning career service, helps increase its students’ marketability by directly connecting students with prospective employers. Deakin has welcomed hundreds of Filipino students to their four campuses and is excited to continue this growth in the next coming years.

GHD

GHD is an employee-owned global engineering, environmental, and architecture consulting firm, that serves the energy, water, resources, environment, transportation, and property markets. GHD offices in Makati City, Cebu City, and Quezon City are home to more than 1,000 employees. GHD Philippines provides a wide range of services including technical due diligence such as energy yield studies, site assessment including geotechnical and hydrological assessments, oceanographic studies, engineering design including ports and coastal engineering, stakeholder engagement, environmental permitting and monitoring, owner’s engineer and construction supervision, asset

MACQUARIE

With almost 20 years of commitment in the Philippines, Macquarie has over 1,000 employees in Manila supporting the organisation’s global operations across operations, finance, human resources, legal, technology and risk. It is one of the country's leading infrastructure asset managers and energy advisors, and among the top five foreign brokers in the country.

OCEANAGOLD

OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. operates the Didipio Mine, a world class underground gold-copper mine in the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. OceanaGold is the Philippine Government’s mining contractor under a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement, and the Company has been responsibly producing dore and copper concentrates since April 2013. It delivers to the Philippine Central Bank (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) at least 25 percent of its annual ore production.

ORICA

ORICA is one of the world’s leading mining and infrastructure solutions provider. From production and supply of explosives, blasting systems, mining chemicals and geotechnical monitoring, to its cutting-edge digital solutions and comprehensive range of services, Orica sustainably mobilizes the earth’s resources. Orica Philippines, with a presence dating back to 1969, has played a pivotal role in advancing responsible and sustainable mining practices in the country. Initially established as Philippine Explosives and later transitioning to become Orica Philippines in 1999, the company has upheld consistent ownership over the years.

PRIVASEC

PRIVASEC, a leading independent cybersecurity consultancy firm in Australia and Southeast Asia (SEA), has significantly expanded its influence in the Philippines and the broader Asia Pacific region. Privasec is committed to enhancing cybersecurity initiatives in the Philippines by strengthening its market presence through a strategic alliance with the Australian Embassy in the Philippines and key players in the Philippine cybersecurity sector.

PURE EVS/ST BAKER

PURE-EVs is dedicated to design, assemble and operate a fully sustainable e-Mobility transportation in a cost-effective demand-driven business. Its commitment aims to contribute to making a clean Philippine utility vehicle transport industry.

QANTAS

QANTAS is one of the world’s oldest continuously operating airline and one of Australia’s most iconic

brands, with a central role in the development of the Australian and international aviation industry. In November 2023, Qantas celebrated its 104th anniversary. From Manilla, Qantas offers Business and Economy on direct services to Sydney on its daily A330 service, with onward connections to over 65 destinations across Australia and New Zealand.

QBE

QBE Insurance Group is an international insurer and reinsurer with operations in all the key insurance markets. QBE is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and is headquartered in Sydney. It employs more than 11,700 people in 27 countries. In the Philippines, QBE’s Group Shared Services Centre (GSSC) was established in February 2013, with locations in Manila and Cebu.

TELSTRA

TELSTRA is a global technology company that empowers businesses to thrive in a connected world through innovative technology solutions including data and IP networks, and network application services such as managed networks, unified communications, cloud, industry solutions, integrated software applications and services, and network-as-a-service. These services are underpinned by Telstra’s subsea cable network, with licences in Asia, Europe and the Americas and access to more than 2,000 Points of Presences (PoPs) in more than 200 countries and territories globally.

UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

ESTABLISHED in 1874, the University of Adelaide (UoA) is the third oldest university in Australia, and home to over 30,000 students and 3,000 staff. The University is recognised globally as a leading research institution and is ranked in the world’s top 100 universities including #88 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2023) and #89 in QS World University Rankings (2024). The University has an expanding profile in the Philippines, involving partnerships across the country that promote diverse education and research initiatives. Partnership agreements are in place to support academic collaboration and professional training. The University welcomes opportunities to deepen relationships with agencies, organisations and universities in the Philippines.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA GOVERNMENT

THE Government of Western Australia (WA), through Invest and Trade Western Australia, provides a “front door” to assist investors and customers to do business with WA’s world-leading industries. Western Australia is an ancient and energetic land, brimming with abundant resources to invest, a thriving economy to work, globally recognised institutions for study, and unique landscapes to experience like no other.

WORLEY POWER SERVICES ASIA

WORLEY is a leading global provider of professional project and asset services in the energy, chemicals and resources sector, headquartered in Australia. Worley uses knowledge and capabilities to help its customers reduce their emissions and move towards a more sustainable future. Worley employs nearly 50,000 people across 45 countries and its purpose is delivering a more sustainable world. It partners with its customers to deliver projects and create value over the life of their portfolio of assets. Worley solves complex problems by finding integrated data-centric solutions from the first stages of consulting and engineering to installation and commissioning, to the last stages of decommissioning and remediation.

lia Day

ror Special Feature

www.businessmirror.com.ph | Friday, January 26, 2024 A11

Celebrating Australia Day in the Philippines

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr sign a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership at Malacañan Palace, September 2023. The elevation of the bilateral relation between Australia and the Philippines formalizes what is an already broad range of cooperation based on similar values and shared vision for the region.

By Australian Ambassador HK Yu PSM, FCPA (Aust)

E celebrate Australia Day in the Philippines today, on the heels of an exciting year for our bilateral relationship. The most important, of course, was the elevation of our bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by our leaders, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in September.

The Strategic Partnership signifies our shared commitment to work together in a deep and meaningful way, to create a region that we all want to live in – a region which is stable, peaceful and prosperous for all of us. In October, the sixth Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting followed, where Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell engaged with the Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual in Adelaide, Australia. Together, they agreed on a practical plan to take the Strategic Partnership forward, including new cooperation in trade, defence, maritime security and green energy. In August, Australia and the Philippines had our largest joint training activity, involving six ships, multiple aircraft and more than 2,000 defense personnel, in Palawan and Zambales. Following this, our Australian and Philippine armed forces conducted the inaugural Maritime Cooperative Activity in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines in November. These activities highlight our shared commitment to exercising freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with international law. And just as remarkable, Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic

Strategy was launched last year. Under this longterm plan, Australia and the Philippines will work closer together to realize the commercial potential between our two countries and the rest of the region. A lot of exciting things are developing in this space, including the recently signed agreement to boost our fintech cooperation, and a series of two-way business missions between our countries. With our bilateral relationship at its highest point in history, this year’s Australia Day celebration in the Philippines feels more special to me and my fellow Australians than ever before. For Australians, today is a time to reflect on the stories that have shaped modern Australia. The story of our country began a long time ago. For at least 65,000 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived in the great southern continent that we now call Australia. For millennia, Indigenous Australians have been the land’s traditional owners and custodians of a vibrant culture – the oldest living culture in the world – that continues to enrich us. In the twenty-first century, Australia is a nation of migrants including over 400,000 Filipinos who now call Australia home. We are proud to be the most successful multicultural society on earth: one in four Australians are

Australian Ambassador HK Yu PSM engages with partners across the Philippines to see for herself how Australia is creating impact. In Cebu, Ambassador Yu saw how world-class Australian company Austal is bringing their defence and commercial vessel platforms to generate local jobs and train Filipino workers. Austal Philippines plays an important role in helping the Philippines develop its sovereign capability in ship building.

migrants like me, and almost half of all Aussies have a parent born overseas. For our newest arrivals, Australia Day is a particularly

memorable occasion, as it is when local communities across the country hold Citizenship Ceremonies to formally welcome them.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles MP with Secretary of National Defence Teodoro Gilberto Jr, and Ambassador HK Yu PSM were joined by Australian Army, United States Marine Corps and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel on Exercise ALON as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023.

Ahead of what will no doubt be an even busier and more exciting 2024, I invite all of you to join us and raise a glass to toast Australia

Day, and the role that Filipinos and our countries’ bilateral relationship have played in making Australia the successful country it is today.

BusinessMirror

A12 Friday, January 26, 2024 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

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

January 26, 2024

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

AMKOR TECHNOLOGY PHILIPPINES, INC. 119 North Science Ave., Laguna Technopark, Biñan, City of Biñan, Laguna

ATLANTIC GULF AND PACIFIC COMPANY OF MANILA, INCORPORATED AG&P, Special Economic Zone, San Roque, Bauan, Batangas

DREAM ESCAPADE TRAVEL AND TOURS INC. #100, E. Gonzales Street, Barangay I (Pob.), Silang, Cavite

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL, POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Basic Qualification:

Senior Director - General Construction Manager

Must be an Engineering course graduate

Support manufacturing through line-sustaining activities such as equipment set up and troubleshooting UYTDEWILLIGEN, ROELAND PETER GERARD Vice President, Project Development and Execution Brief Job Description: Develop recovery plans with support or the project team and implement them where necessary HUANG, YANMING Marketing Officer-Mandarin Speaking

Brief Job Description: Contribute in the implementation of marketing strategies

DYSON ELECTRONICS PTE. LTD.-PHILIPPINE BRANCH Lot C3-13, Carmelray Industrial Park II, Km 54 National Highway, Punta, City of Calamba, Laguna

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

FRYER, POPPY ELIZABETH Product Development Associate

Brief Job Description: Develop detailed specifications and design requirements

LAE LAE YIN Burmese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Salary Range:

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

18 to 25 years old with six (6) months experience as Marketing Officer

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHAN, XIUYE Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries KUI LIANTO Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification:

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries WILLY Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries CHIN JIA SON Malaysian Customer Service Representative

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Malaysian Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries CAO, HOANG THUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries HO CAM TUYET Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range:

Brief Job Description:

Php150,000 Php499,999 Basic Qualification:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries HO, THI MY HANH

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Burmese language

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 19

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Php30,000 Php59,999

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification:

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Basic Qualification:

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Indonesian language.

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Indonesian language. Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Malaysian language. Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Malaysian language. Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description:

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

HOANG QUOC TUYEN

Basic Qualification:

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description:

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

HOANG THI HOA

Basic Qualification:

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description:

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

HOANG, NGOC HAI

Basic Qualification:

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Salary Range:

Php30,000 Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Salary Range:

HOANG BE LAN

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Salary Range:

Php30,000 Php59,999

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Salary Range:

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Salary Range:

Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range:

A Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/ Automotive/ Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Php500,000 and above Basic Qualification:

Chinese Customer Service Representative

ZENG, TAO

Salary Range:

Basic Qualification:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Indonesian language.

Graduate of Engineering, must have global experience across Middle East, Europe and Asia

HU, LINYUN

Brief Job Description:

Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries YAP BOON JING

Able to speak, read and write Chinese language.

CUI, YAN

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Basic Qualification:

Brief Job Description:

Chinese Customer Service Representative

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SURYANTI

Basic Qualification:

Brief Job Description:

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Php60,000 Php89,999

CUI, SHIHUI

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries 8

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

LEE, JONGHUN

Brief Job Description:

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

LE THI HOA

Basic Qualification:

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

BusinessMirror

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GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

LUONG, THI NHUNG

Basic Qualification:

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries LUU, VAN NAM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries LY QUYEN HOANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN HUU HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN, DUC QUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN, LAN ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN, SI TUAN ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

NGUYEN, THI HUONG GIANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Basic Qualification:

Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification:

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification:

LEADWAY TRAVEL CONSULTANCY CORPORATION

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

Ground Floor, Paseo De Bacoor, Molino III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

PARKSON E-COM CORPORATION FRC Supermall, General Aguinaldo Highway, Palico III, City of Imus, Cavite

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

PARKSON E-COM CORPORATION FRC Supermall, General Aguinaldo Highway, Palico III, City of Imus, Cavite

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

PARKSON E-COM CORPORATION FRC Supermall, General Aguinaldo Highway, Palico III, City of Imus, Cavite

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification:

Salary Range:

Php30,000 Php59,999

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

PHILIPPINE MANUFACTURING CO. OF MURATA, INC. Lot 2A, Phase 1B, First Philippine Industrial Park, Pantay Bata, City of Tanauan, Batangas

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Salary Range:

Basic Qualification:

Brief Job Description:

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

NGUYEN, VAN NHAN

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Salary Range:

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN, VAN THANG

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Php30,000 Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

GLARION TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Salary Range:

NGUYEN, THI MAI

Brief Job Description:

SHINDENGEN PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 120 Excellence Avenue Corner Quality Drive, Carmelray Industrial Park 1, Canlubang, City of Calamba, Laguna

Friday, January 26, 2024

NGUYEN, VAN THANG

Basic Qualification:

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN HOANG HIEP Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries VI VAN DUC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries VU LINH TAM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries OKAFOR, CHUKWUEBUKA NONSO Regional Manager

Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language. Salary Range: Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with excellent in oral and written communication skills

Brief Job Description:

Salary Range:

Prepare and present regional reports to senior management CHEN, LIJING

Php30,000 Php59,999 Basic Qualification:

Chinese Site Supervisor

Proven experience as Supervisor or relevant role

Brief Job Description:

Salary Range:

Set up goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision XU, YU

Php30,000 Php59,999

Chinese Site Supervisor

Proven experience as Supervisor or relevant role

Brief Job Description:

Salary Range:

Set up goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision YANG, SANLONG

Php30,000 Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Chinese Site Supervisor

Proven experience as Supervisor or relevant role

Brief Job Description:

Salary Range:

Set up goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision TSUTSUMI, TAKESHI

Php30,000 Php59,999

Deputy Director

Has a more than 10 years of experience in production from Murata affiliates

Brief Job Description: Ensure and improve compliance to environment, health and safety company principles SATO, TOMOYA President and General Manager Brief Job Description: Oversee the over-all control of the company

STEELWELL INDUSTRIAL HARDWARE (PHILS.) CORPORATION

WANG, QI

Bldg. 1 & 2, Panorama Compound 6, Lot 4, Block 3, Laguna Technopark Annex, Biñan, City of Biñan, Laguna

Brief Job Description:

Project Manager

Lead the project teams from of various sizes and see them through completion

A13

Basic Qualification:

Salary Range: Php90,000 Php149,999 Basic Qualification: University graduate in Japanese curriculum Salary Range: Php150,000 Php499,999 Basic Qualification: Has ability to lead project teams of various sizes and see them through to completion Salary Range: Php150,000 Php499,999

Salary Range:

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

Php30,000 Php59,999

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

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

TheWorld BusinessMirror

A14 Friday, January 26, 2024

Editor: Angel R. Calso • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Qatar, a key mediator in Israel-Hamas talks, lashes out at Netanyahu over leaked remarks By Najib Jobain, Jack Jeffery & Tia Goldenberg

The Associated Press

AFAH, Gaza Strip—Qatar said it was appalled Wednesday by leaked remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he criticized the country’s mediation efforts with Hamas, complicating already arduous negotiations meant to halt the hostilities in exchange for a hostage release.

In a meeting with families of hostages held by Hamas, Netanyahu said Qatar’s role in the mediation was “problematic.” Qatar, a key mediator that also has deep ties to the militant group and hosts some of its exiled leaders, said Netanyahu’s remarks were “irresponsible and destructive.” The public spat came as sensitive talks were underway in an effort to advance a potential agreement that might offer some respite in the devastating 3-month-old war. The fighting has killed more than 25,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, displaced some 85 percent of the territory’s 2.3 million people and triggered a humanitarian catastrophe that has spread hunger, malnutrition and disease across the embattled coastal enclave. As the diplomacy continued, fierce fighting still raged, especially in southern Gaza, where the United Nations said an Israeli tank strike on a UN facility

killed at least nine people and wounded dozens. Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the offensive until “complete victory” against Hamas, which started the war with its October 7 assault across the border, killing some 1,200 people in Israel and abducting 250 others. Israel says it is fighting in selfdefense, but it faces charges that it is committing genocide at the UN world court at The Hague, which announced that it would issue a decision Friday on South Africa’s request for an interim order telling Israel to halt the hostilities.

A ‘problematic’ mediator

QATAR has been a critical link in negotiating efforts between Israel and Hamas. In Netanyahu’s leaked remarks, which were broadcasted Tuesday on Israeli Channel 12 television, he also told the families that he has intentionally not thanked Qatar for its mediation efforts, claiming it could put more pressure on the

PALESTINIANS displaced by the Israel air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip take shelter near the border fence with Egypt in Rafah on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. AP/HATEM ALI

Islamic militant group. “Qatar in my opinion is no different, in essence, from the UN. It is no different, in essence, from the Red Cross, and in some ways it is even more problematic,” he said. Israel views those organizations with suspicion, seeing them as biased against it and not helpful enough in securing the hostages’ freedom. Netanyahu also said in the leaked audio that he had expressed anger at the United States for renewing a military base in the Gulf state. He said he told the Americans to put pressure on Qatar to put pressure on Hamas. Qatar helped secure a weeklong truce in November in which over 100 hostages were released. It also is involved in efforts to broker a new deal to bring home the roughly 130 hostages that remain in captivity. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Qatar’s Foreign Ministr y spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said his government was “appalled” by the reported remarks by Netanyahu but that they were “not surprising.”

“If the reported remarks are found to be true, the Israeli PM would only be obstructing and undermining the mediation process, for reasons that appear to serve his political career instead of prioritizing saving innocent lives, including Israeli hostages,” al-Ansari said. Qatar, along with Egypt, is working on a new agreement that could set free more hostages. The White House’s Middle East envoy, Brett McGurk, was in Doha on Wednesday, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said. The visit came a day after McGurk met with officials in Egypt in hopes of establishing a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas. But officials say the gap between the two sides is still wide, and the spat between Netanyahu and Qatar could rattle the negotiations.

Fighting rages in southern Gaza

SINCE the last truce ended in late November, fighting has intensified. The second-largest city of Khan Younis has been the latest focus of

the war. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, said at least nine people were killed when tank rounds struck a UN training center where 800 people were sheltering, according to the agency’s Gaza director, Thomas White. The number of deaths was likely to climb, agency head Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X. He said the compound was clearly marked and its coordinates shared with Israeli authorities. “Once again a blatant disregard of basic rules of war,” he wrote. The agency said the same site was also hit earlier in the week, killing six. The militar y said it had “currently ruled out” that its aircraft or artiller y had carried out the latest strike but was still investigating. Israel has accused Hamas of fighting near UN shelters and of endangering civilians by positioning fighters and militant infrastructure in dense residential areas. E a rl ier We d nesd ay, I sr ae l battled Pa lestinian militants outside of the city’s main Nasser Hospital, where medics said 850 patients and thousands of displaced people were trapped by the fighting because the surrounding roads were inaccessible or too dangerous. Thousands of people fled south Tuesday from Khan Younis toward the town of Rafah on Tuesday. The UN says some 1.5 million people—around two-thirds of Gaza’s population—are crowded into shelters and tent camps in and around Rafah, which is on the border with Egypt. Even there, Palestinians have found little safety, with Israel regularly carrying out strikes in and around the town. At least five people were killed when a strike

hit a mosque Wednesday in Rafah, according to Associated Press journalists who viewed the bodies at a nearby hospital. At least 210 Palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll from the war to 25,700, according to the Health Ministry. The agency’s count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but it says most of the dead are women and minors.

A temporary buffer zone

HAMAS was still attacking Israeli forces, even in some of the most devastated areas, and firing rockets into Israel. An attack Monday near the border killed 21 Israeli soldiers as they were preparing explosives for a controlled demolition. It was the military’s biggest loss of life in a single attack since October 7. Israeli media said the troops were working to create an informal buffer zone about a kilometer (half a mile) wide along the border to prevent militants from attacking Israeli communities near Gaza. Two TV channels ran footage showing what appeared to be a controlled demolition of several structures near the border, which the broadcasters said was done in the area of the attack. An Israeli government official said the country was considering the idea of a temporary buffer zone. “In the context of demilitarizing Gaza, a temporary security buffer zone may be established,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity pending a formal decision. Jeffery reported from Cairo and Goldenberg from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Josef Federman contributed from Jerusalem.

rebels attack 2 US-flagged ships Pope Francis: Holocaust Remembrance Day Houthi with cargo for US Defense Department reminds world that war can never be justified By Jon Gambrell

OME—Pope Francis recalled the extermination of millions of Jews in calling Wednesday for the upcoming Holocaust Day of Remembrance to reaffirm that war can never be justified and only benefits weapons makers. At the end of his weekly general audience, Francis referred to Saturday’s commemoration, which has become fraught this year given Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and a rise in anti-Semitism in Europe and around the world. “The remembrance and condemnation of that horrific exter-

mination of millions of Jews and of other faiths, which occurred in the first half of the last century, help us all not to forget that the logic of hatred and violence can never be justified, because they deny our very humanity,” Francis said. Italy’s Jewish community has denounced a rise in anti-Semitic sentiment, including what leaders call the improper use of terms like “genocide,” following the October 7 Hamas attacks in southern Israel and Israel’s military response in Gaza. On Tuesday, the head of the umbrella group of Jewish communities

in Italy, Noemi Di Segni, announced that marathons around Italy that have traditionally marked past Holocaust Remembrance Days had been cancelled this year because of security concerns. She also complained about unnamed Catholic leaders who had “minimized the recognition of what happened on October 7 as a terrorist act compared to the right of Israel to defend itself.” She didn’t name names, but some Jewish leaders have complained about Francis’ initial comments, in which he didn’t identify Hamas by name and complained generally

that “we’ve gone beyond war … this is terrorism.” Francis has subsequently always referred to suffering in both Israel and Gaza, and specifically condemned the October 7 attack. Francis said this year’s commemoration falls amid not only the war in Gaza but also in “tormented Ukraine” and called for prayers for the victims and for political leaders to “cherish human life by putting an end to wars.” “Let us not forget: War is always a defeat, always,” he said. “The only ‘winner’ is the arms manufacturers.” AP

N. Korea says it tested a cruise missile, flaunting new nuclear-capable weapon By Kim Tong-Hyung & Jiwon Song The Associated Press

EOUL, South Korea—North Korea said Thursday it conducted its first flight test of a new cruise missile, as it expands its military capabilities in the face of deepening tensions with the United States and neighbors. The report in state media came a day after South Korea’s military said it detected the North firing several cruise missiles into waters off its western coast. It didn’t immediately provide more details about the numbers of missiles fired or their flight characteristics. The North’s official Korean Central News

Agency said the Pulhwasal-3-31 missile is still in its development phase and that the launch did not pose a threat to neighbors. It described the missile as “strategic,” implying an intent to arm them with nuclear weapons. Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the missiles flew a shorter distance than previous North Korean cruise missile launches, which he said suggested that the North was trying to improve the performance of existing systems. The cruise missile launches were North Korea’s second known launch event of the year, following a January 14 test-firing of the country’s first solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile, which reflected its efforts to advance its lineup of weapons targeting

US military bases in Japan and Guam. Yang Uk, an analyst at Seoul’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said North Korea is trying to highlight its diversifying arsenal of nuclear-capable weapons to increase pressure on rivals. But the recent displays of new weapons systems came amid a slowdown in tests of short-range ballistic missiles, which could indicate inventory shortages as North Korea continues its alleged arms transfers to Russia, Yang said. US and South Korean officials have accused North Korea of providing artillery shells, missiles and other supplies to Russia for its war in Ukraine, possibly in exchange for economic assistance and military technology. Kim, who traveled to a Russian space

launch center in September for a summit with Putin, has been taking aggressive steps to strengthen ties with Moscow as he tries to break out of isolation and join a united front against Washington. Both Pyongyang and Moscow have denied that North Korea was sending weapons to Russia. North Korea’s cruise missiles are among its growing arsenal of weapons aimed at overwhelming missile defenses in South Korea and Japan. They supplement the country’s huge lineup of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to reach the US mainland. Continued on A16

The Associated Press

ERUSALEM—Two American-flagged ships carrying cargo for the US Defense and State departments came under attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday, officials said, with the US Navy intercepting some of the incoming fire. The attacks on the container ships Maersk Detroit and Maersk Chesapeake further raise the stakes of the group’s ongoing attacks on shipping through the vital Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The US and the United Kingdom have launched multiple rounds of airstrikes seeking to stop the attacks. Meanwhile, Qatar, one of the world’s top exporters of liquefied natural gas, warned that its deliveries were affected by ongoing Houthi attacks over Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Danish shipper Maersk, in a statement to The Associated Press, identified two of its vessels affected by the attacks as the US-flagged container ships Maersk Detroit and Maersk Chesapeake. It said the US Navy was accompanying its ships at the time. “While en route, both ships reported seeing explosions close by and the US Navy accompaniment also intercepted multiple projectiles,” Maersk said. “The crew, ship, and cargo are safe and unharmed. The US Navy has turned both ships around and is escorting them back to the Gulf of Aden.” Maersk said both vessels carried cargo belonging to the US Defense and State Departments, as well as other government agencies, meaning they were “afforded the protection of the US Navy for passage through the strait.”

The ships were operated by Maersk Line, a US subsidiary of Maersk that is “suspending transits in the region until further notice,” the company said. The US military’s Central Command in an online statement blamed the Houthis for the attack, saying they fired “three anti-ship ballistic missiles.” “One missile impacted in the sea,” the statement said. “The two other missiles were successfully engaged and shot down by the USS Gravely,” an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. Central Command did not respond to further questions from the AP. The Houthis, who have been launching attacks on ships since November over Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, later claimed the attacks in a prerecorded statement by their military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree. He vowed the Houthis would continue their attacks. Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade. The US and the UK have launched rounds of airstrikes targeting suspected missile storage and launch sites used by the Houthis in their attacks. The rebels now say they’ll target American and British ships as well. Meanwhile, Qatar announced its shipments of liquified natural gas had been affected by the Houthi attacks. Previous shipments had been delayed previously before heading through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

TheWorld BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Friday, January 26, 2024 A15

Russia says plane with Ukrainian POWs crashes, killing all aboard, and accuses Kyiv of downing it

By The Associated Press

RUSSIAN military transport plane crashed Wednesday in a border region near Ukraine, and Moscow accused Kyiv of shooting it down, saying all 74 people aboard were killed, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war headed for a swap. Russia offered no evidence and Ukraine didn’t immediately confirm or deny it. Video of the crash on social media from the Belgorod border region of Russia showed a plane falling from the sky in a snowy, rural area, and a huge ball of fire erupting where it apparently hit the ground. The Associated Press couldn’t confirm who was aboard or other details on what brought the plane down. Throughout the 700-day war, Russia and Ukraine have traded conflicting accusations, and establishing the facts has often been difficult, both because of the constraints of a war zone and because each side tightly controls information. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Il-76 transport plane was carrying 65 POWs, a crew of six and three Russian servicemen. Russian radar registered the launch of two missiles from Ukraine’s Kharkiv region that borders Belgorod, the statement said. “We’ve seen the reports, but we’re not in any position to confirm them,” U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. Separately, a US official said it was not clear that there were actually Ukrainian POWs aboard the

aircraft that crashed. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details that haven’t been announced publicly. Hours after the crash, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine made no mention of the crash in a statement. But it added that Ukraine targets Russian military transport planes believed to be delivering missiles, especially near the border. Russia lost two warplanes and two helicopters in its own airspace in one day in May 2023. Kyiv officials initially denied involvement, but later said they had used Patriot missiles to hit the aircraft. The Kharkiv and Belgorod regions have long been a focus of the fighting between the neighbors, including airstrikes with missiles and drones. The Russian military said the POWs were being flown to the region for a prisoner swap when the plane was downed at 11:15 a.m. local time. The Il-76 is designed to carry up to 225 troops, cargo, military equipment and weapons, according to Russia’s military export agency. Ukrainian military intelligence confirmed a swap was due to take place, but said it had no information about who was on the plane.

IN this handout photo taken from validated UGC video show flames rising from the scene of a warplane crashed at a residential area near Yablonovo, Belgorod region on Wednesday, January 23, 2024. Russia says a military transport plane that was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war has crashed in a Russian region near Ukraine. VALIDATED UGC VIDEO VIA AP

Moscow didn’t ask for specific airspace to be kept safe for a certain length of time, as has happened in past exchanges, it said in a statement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would push for an international investigation of what happened. “It is necessary to establish all the facts, as much as possible, considering that the plane crash occurred on Russian territory—beyond our control,” he said in his nightly address. “It ’s obv ious Russians are playing with lives of Ukrainian POWs, w ith feelings of their relatives and emotions of our society,” Zelenskyy said. At a news conference at the United Nations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for an emergency meeting later Wednesday of the U.N. Security Council, saying he had “no concern” about the international community believing Moscow’s allegations. But the Security Council already had a meeting scheduled to hear from many countries that didn’t get to speak at Tuesday’s ministerial meeting on the Israeli-Hamas war, and France, which holds the council’s presidency,

indicated the emergency Ukraine meeting would take place Thursday afternoon. Russian officials and lawmakers questioned whether there should be further prisoner swaps between Moscow and Kyiv. The most recent one, brokered by the United Arab Emirates, took place this month and was the biggest to date, with 230 Ukrainian POWs returning home and 248 Russians released. It was the first in almost five months and the 49th of the war. Russia has largely ensured its air dominance during the war against Ukraine’s fleet of Sovietera warplanes. But Russia has suffered a series of crashes that some observers have attributed to a higher number of flights amid the fighting in Ukraine. At the same time, Kyiv has boasted of shooting down two Russian command and control planes, which would be a major feat for Ukraine if true. Cross-border attacks on Russia’s Belgorod region also have increased, with the deadliest one killing 25 people in December. Shortly before the crash, Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said on his Telegram channel that a “missile alert” had been trig-

gered in the region. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said that it was looking into the crash, but didn’t immediately provide any information. Instead, it cautioned against sharing “unverified information.” “We emphasize that the enemy is actively conducting information special operations against Ukraine aimed at destabilizing Ukrainian society,” it said in a statement on Telegram. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters in the morning that he couldn’t comment on the crash, because he didn’t have enough information about it. There was no comment from the Kremlin later in the day. T he 1,500 -kilometer (930 mile) front line in the war has been largely static amid a second winter of fighting. As both sides seek to replenish their weapons stockpiles, the war recently has focused on long-range strikes. Earlier, Ukraine’s president said that a major Russian missile attack Tuesday had killed 18 people and injured 130 others. The barrage, employing more than 40 ballistic, cruise, antiaircraft and guided missiles, hit 130 residential buildings in three Ukrainian cities, “all ordinary houses,” Zelenskyy said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Russia’s onslaught, which included targets in Kyiv and the second-largest city of Kharkiv, was the heaviest in weeks and lent weight to Zelenskyy’s appeals for Western allies to provide more military aid. “This year, the main priority is to strengthen air defense to protect our cities and towns, as well as defend front-line positions,” Zelenskyy tweeted Tuesday. Analysts say Russia has stockpiled missiles to pursue a winter of aerial bombardment, while Ukraine has sought to strike inside Russia with new types of

drones. Russia may have employed decoy missiles in Tuesday’s attack in an effort to open up holes in Ukraine’s air defenses, a US think tank said. The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said that Moscow is likely trying to acquire more ballistic missiles from foreign countries, including Iran and North Korea, because they may be more effective in some circumstances. A further barrage of Russian S-300 missiles struck residential districts of Kharkiv late Tuesday, wounding nine people and damaging residential buildings, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. Russia denies its forces strike civilian areas, although there is substantial evidence to the contrary. Also on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that its air defenses shot down four Ukrainian drones in the Oryol region of western Russia. Oryol Mayor Yuri Parakhin said that several drones were downed over the city with no casualties. Another Ukrainian drone was downed early Wednesday over the Belgorod border region, according to Gladkov. He said that there were no casualties or damage. Two Ukrainian drones were downed over the Bryansk region in the evening, Gov. Alexander Bogomaz said. Ukraine’s allies have promised more military aid even though their resources are stretched. Help from the United States, by far Ukraine’s single biggest provider, has also hit political snags. The German Defense Ministry said Wednesday that it plans to send six Sea King Mk41 helicopters to Ukraine.

The Associated Press wrieters Tara Copp in Washington, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report.

Witness: Fatal shooting of American-Palestinian teen in the occupied West Bank was unprovoked By Julia Frankel

The Associated Press

L-MAZRA’A ASH-SHARQIYA, West Bank—The fatal shooting of an American-Palestinian teen driving a pickup truck in the occupied West Bank was unprovoked, the sole passenger told The Associated Press, describing apparent Israeli fire hitting the back of the vehicle before it overturned several times on a dirt road. At least 10 bullets struck the truck, which was seen by The Associated Press after Israeli investigators examined it. Most hit the back windshield and truck bed, supporting 16-year-old Mohammed Salameh’s account of the incident that killed his friend, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, 17, a Louisiana native. In an initial statement, Israeli police said Friday’s shooting targeted people “purportedly engaged in rock-throwing activities along Highway 60,” a main West Bank thoroughfare. Police didn’t identify who fired the shots but described the incident “ostensibly involving an off-duty law enforcement officer, a soldier and a civilian.” Salameh denied suggestions he and Abdel Jabbar had been throwing stones and said there had been no attempt to arrest him. Salameh—interviewed Tuesday along with Abdel Jabbar’s father, Hafeth, in the family’s ancestral village of Al-Mazra’a AshSharquiya—said he and his friend were driving on a dirt road several hundred meters from Highway 60. He said shots suddenly hit

the back of the truck, striking Abdel Jabbar. Salameh said the pickup overturned several times, and he managed to get out and run back to the village for help. Hafeth Abdel Jabbar said that when he arrived, he found his son’s lifeless body in the pickup, amid shattered glass and blood stains. He rejected claims that his son had thrown stones as “a big lie.” Even if the teens had thrown rocks, he said, they posed no imminent threat—to police, military, or civilians—as they drove through the brush. An Israeli police official told AP on Wednesday that the witness account and bullet holes in the back of the truck represented only one side of the story and that the investigation is ongoing. He declined to comment further. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to discuss the case with news outlets. The White House has demanded a transparent investigation into the death, which came after repeated US warnings that Israel must rein in rising violence against Palestinians in the territory. The teen’s family said US embassy officials visited the village, photographed the car and interviewed relatives.

On the scene

SALAMEH said the events leading to the shooting began Friday afternoon, when he and Abdel Jabbar decided to have a picnic in the family’s fields—a typical thing to do on sunny days. They jumped in the family truck and headed out, he said, but realized they’d forgotten charcoal. Abdel Jabbar turned the car around, heading back to the village on a dirt road perpendicular to the highway—

AMIR ABDEL JABBAR, whose younger brother Tawfic was fatally shot last week, comforts their mother, Mona, while she poses with a framed photo of the family in their home village of AlMazra’a ash-Sharqiya, West Bank on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Tawfic was from Louisiana, and the White House has demanded a transparent investigation into the death. AP/NASSER NASSER

that’s when shots began hitting the back windshield, Salameh said. He said he ducked as bullets pounded the vehicle, the fourth one hitting Tawfic in the head. The car skidded off the road and flipped several times before coming to a stop, Salameh said. Hafeth Abdel Jabbar said that when he and other relatives arrived, Israeli soldiers trained their guns on them and made two of them take their shirts off to show they weren’t a threat. He said he ignored the soldiers and ran to the car, which had landed upright. He described his son’s body as splayed on the passenger side of the car, where blood pooled onto the floor and spread to the backseat.

He said he and others began extricating his son’s body, loading him into an ambulance. Tawfic Abdel Jabbar was pronounced dead upon arrival at a Ramallah hospital. Video his father provided shows the car about 500 meters from the highway. “It’s a scene that I hope never happens again,” Hafeth said Tuesday. “You have six or seven Israeli soldiers pointing the gun at you. Telling you not to go see your son. Your 17-year-old son is inside the car, dead from them, shot from the back.”

In the village

THE killing shocked the village, where most inhabitants carry American passports and split their time between the West Bank and the US.

The Abdel Jabbar family’s roots there run back almost 200 years. Tawfic’s parents, Hafeth and Mona, grew up in the village. They moved to Gretna, Louisiana, where they married. The extended family owns a chain of shoe stores in the US. The family returned frequently to their ancestral home, an ornate stone compound perched on a village hilltop. During summers, Tawfic and his siblings took part in traditional village life. He was in his senior year in high school when he was killed. Studying remotely over the past few months, he hoped to finish in February and eventually attend college in the US, his father said. Immediately after the shooting, Palestinian health officials identified the teen as Tawfiq Ajaq, but his parents said the family goes by the last name Abdel Jabbar and their son’s first name is Tawfic, an unusual spelling. After Israeli investigators examined the vehicle Saturday, the family took it back to the village, where it sat under tarp. AP saw the truck Tuesday. Bullet holes had been marked with Hebrew stickers left by a police forensics team. Later Tuesday, investigators took the truck, Abdel Jabbar said. Ac c o rd i n g to f i g u re s f ro m t h e Israeli watchdog Yesh Din, killings of Palestinians in the West Bank rarely result in investigations—and when they do, indictments are uncommon. Also Tuesday, Abdel Jabbar said, he accompanied Salameh to provide witness testimony to Israeli investigators.

After shock, anger

FOUR days after the shooting, friends and

relatives clustered into the family home to pay their respects, piling hummus and falafel onto platters and gathering around fires with cups of Arabic coffee. Tawfic’s uncle, Rami, said that in Louisiana, Tawfic had refused to work in the family’s shoe stores—spending time instead studying. Abdel Jabbar said his son wanted to become an engineer. His mother, 36-year-old Mona, said she wants to see those who killed her son prosecuted and punished in Israel, and added that she’s furious at US President Joe Biden’s administration. “How many children have to get killed for the US to stop supporting Israel?” she said. Biden’s administration has provided military and diplomatic support for Israel’s war against Hamas. Over 25,000 Palestinians, about two-thirds of them women and children, have been killed, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The war was triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, in which the militants killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. The administration has condemned rising violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. Since October 7, 370 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, according to Palestinian health officials. Most have been killed in clashes during near nightly Israeli army raids aimed at suspected militants. “My son, he was killed by—I don’t want to say American bullets, but at least by American money,” Mona Abdel Jabbar said. “We live there, we work there. Our business is there, we pay in taxes there. So my taxes are going to the bullet that killed my son.”

TheWorld BusinessMirror

A16 Friday, January 26, 2024

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UN court to issue ruling Friday on South Africa’s request for order to halt Israel’s Gaza offensive By Mike Corder

The Associated Press

HE HAGUE, Netherlands—The United Nations’ top court will issue a decision Friday on South Africa’s request for interim orders in a genocide case against Israel, including that Israel halt its offensive in Gaza. The decision is a preliminary stage of a case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice alleging that Israel’s military action in its war with Hamas in Gaza amounts to genocide. Israel strongly rejects the accusation and has asked the court to throw out the case. The court in The Hague, Netherlands, announced the timing of the interim ruling on Wednesday. South Africa’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor would travel to The Hague to represent the country at Friday’s ruling. Israel launched its massive air and ground assault on Gaza soon after Hamas militants stormed

through Israeli communities on October 7 and killed some 1,200 people, mainly civilians. Israel often boycotts international tribunals and UN investigations, saying they are unfair and biased. But the country’s leaders sent a high-level legal team to two days of hearings earlier this month. That was a sign of how seriously they regard the case and an indication of likely concerns that any court order to halt operations would be a major blow to the country’s international standing. If the court grants some or all of South Africa’s eight requests for so-called provisional measures, it is unclear if Israel will comply.

VIEW of the Peace Palace which houses World Court in The Hague, Netherlands on September 19, 2023. Israel is sending top legal minds, including a Holocaust survivor, to The Hague t his week to counter allegations that it is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. AP/PETER DEJONG, FILE

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead with the offensive until “complete victory” against Hamas, which started the war with its assault across the border on October 7, killing some 1,200 people and abducting another 250. Gaza’s Health Ministry says the offensive has killed at least 25,490 people—the majority women and children—and wounded another 63,354. Its count does not differentiate between civilians and

combatants. UN officials have expressed fears that even more people could die from disease, with at least one-quarter of the population facing starvation. Israel ’s attacks have driven nearly 85 percent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million from their homes. Much of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, has been reduced to rubble. Friday’s ruling will not be on the merits of South Africa’s claims. Israel can still challenge the court’s

jurisdiction and the admissibility of the case before any hearings on the legal merits of the case. For it to order so-called “provisional measures,” the 17-judge panel must decide that the court appears to have jurisdiction in the case, that there is a dispute between South Africa and Israel about the 1948 Genocide Convention and that there is an urgent need to order emergency measures while the case continues. At hearings earlier this month, South African lawyers said that acts by Israel’s military and statements by senior officials demonstrated intent to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. “The scale of destruction in Gaza, the targeting of family homes and civilians, the war being a war on children, all make clear that genocidal intent is both understood and has been put into practice. The articulated intent is the destruction of Palestinian life,” said lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi. He said the case’s “distinctive feature” was “the reiteration and repetition of genocidal speech throughout every sphere of the state in Israel.”

Malcolm Shaw, part of Israel’s legal team at hearings in The Hague, rejected the accusation of genocidal intent and called remarks cited by South Africa “random quotes not in conformity with government policy.” Israeli legal advisor Tal Becker told the court that the country is fighting a “war it did not start and did not want.” “In these circumstances, there can hardly be a charge more false and more malevolent than the allegation against Israel of genocide,” he added, noting that the horrible suffering of civilians in war was not enough to support an allegation of genocide. The case strikes at the national identity of Israel, which was founded as a Jewish state after the Nazi slaughter of 6 million Jews during World War II. South Africa’s own identity is key to it bringing the case. Its governing party, the African National Congress, has long compared Israel’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank to its own history under the apartheid regime of white minority rule, which restricted most Black people to “ homelands” before ending in 1994.

toll in China landslide rises US Congress delegation affirms bipartisan Death to 39, with 5 people still missing Taiwan support in first visit after election B By Christopher Bodeen The Associated Press

AIPEI, Taiwan—A bipartisan delegation from the United States Congress reaffirmed support for Taiwan during a visit Thursday, following the election of its new president. The delegation’s visit is the first from US lawmakers to the island since the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party won a third-straight term in the January 13 presidential election. China, America’s chief compet itor for globa l i nf luence, claims Taiwan as its own territory and threatens to use force to bring the self-ruling island under its control. Beijing strongly condemned Lai Ching-te’s election and appears set to continue its policy of refusing to engage with the island’s government—a practice that’s been in place since Tsai Ing-wen’s election in 2016. “The support of the United States for Taiwan is firm. It’s real, and it is 100 percent bipartisan,” US Representative Mario Díaz Balart said. Balart, a Florida Republican, was joined by California Democrat Ami Bera. “In the 21st century, there’s no place for aggressive action. We have to learn to live together, to trade together, to work together, to solve problems

IN this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, center exchange gifts with US Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., left and Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif, right in Taipei, Taiwan on Thursday, January 25, 2024. The co-chairs of the US Congressional Taiwan Caucus are making their first trip to the island after an independence-leaning party won a third straight term in the island’s presidential elections this month. TAIWAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE VIA AP

together,” Bera said. “Just know that we are proud of the people of Taiwan. We are proud of the relationship and as strong as that relationship has always been. That is assured. It will even be stronger,” Balart said. “So, we look forward to working together to continue to protect the peace, prosperity (and) the future of Taiwan. It’s up to people of Taiwan,” said Bera. President-elect Lai thanked the visiting co-chairs of the US Congressional Taiwan Caucus for their visit, saying that “today’s Taiwan

is a Taiwan of the world.” “Moving forward, I will work with Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim to build upon the foundation laid by President Tsai to unite the people of Taiwan, strengthen social resilience and continue to defend the cross-strait status quo of peace and stability.” T h e p r e s i d e nt - e l e c t a l s o touched on continued military assistance from the US and a proposed an agreement to avoid mutual taxation of companies. Beijing objects to any form of official contact between the US

and Taiwan. In 2022, it responded to a visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with some of its largest military maneuvers in years, including missile launches and a simulated blockade of the island. It views visits by foreign government officials as them recognizing the island’s sovereignty. President Joe Biden, seeking to calm that complaint, insists there’s no change in America’s longstanding “One-China” policy, which recognizes Beijing as representing China but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei. Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 in order to recognize China, but US law requires it to ensure the island has the ability to defend itself. That has translated into a heavy reliance on US military hardware and a law saying that Washington must treat threats against the island as a matter of “grave concern.” China regularly sends warplanes and navy ships to intimidate and harass Taiwan, with 18 planes and six ships operating near the island in the 24 hours before 6 a.m. Thursday. Another three Chinese balloons were recorded as crossing the island, although it remains unclear if they have a military or intelligence gathering purpose.

EIJING—The death toll from a landslide in a remote, mountainous part of southwestern China rose to 39 on Thursday, while five people remained missing, Chinese state media reported. The disaster struck early Monday in the village of Liangshui in the northeastern part of Yunnan province. Search and rescue operations continued amid freezing temperatures and falling snow. More than 1,000 rescuers were working at the site with the help of excavators, drones and rescue dogs, the Ministry of Emergency Management said Tuesday. Two survivors were found Monday and were recovering at a local hospital. State news agency Xinhua, citing a preliminary investigation by local experts, said the landslide was triggered by the collapse of a steep clifftop area, with the collapsed mass measuring around 100 meters (330 feet) wide, 60 meters (200 feet) in height and an average of 6 meters (20 feet) in thickness. It did not elaborate on what caused the initial collapse. Aerial photos posted by Xinhua showed the side of a heavily terraced mountain had spilled over several village homes. More than 900 villagers were relocated. Zhenxiong county lies about 2,250 kilometers (1,400 miles) southwest of Beijing, with altitudes ranging as high as 2,400

meters (7,900 feet). Rescuers struggled with snow, icy roads and freezing temperatures that were forecast to persist for the next days. Heav y snow has been falling in many parts of China, causing transportation chaos and endangering lives. Last week, rescuers evacuated tourists from a remote skiing area in northwestern China where dozens of avalanches triggered by heavy snow had trapped more than 1,000 people for a week. The avalanches blocked roads, stranding both tourists and residents in a village in Altay prefecture in the Xinjiang region, close to China’s border with Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan. On Tuesday, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in a remote part of Xinjiang killed at least three people and caused extensive damage in freezing weather. Officials suggested the area’s sparse population contributed to the “very strong” quake’s low death toll. In all, natural disasters in China left 691 people dead and missing last year, causing direct economic losses of about 345 billion yuan ($48 billion), according to the National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Emergency Management. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Natural Resources implemented emergency response measures for geological disasters and sent a team of experts to the site.

N. Korea says it tested a cruise missile, flaunting new nuclear-capable weapon Continued from A14

While North Korean cruise missile activities aren’t directly banned under UN sanctions, experts say those weapons potentially pose a serious threat to South Korea and Japan. They are designed to be harder to detect by radar, and North Korea claims they are nuclear-capable and their range is up to 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles), a distance that would include US military bases in Japan.

Since 2021, North Korea has conducted at least 10 rounds of tests of what it described as longrange cruise missiles fired from both land and sea. Tensions in the region have increased in recent months as Kim continues to accelerate his weapons development and make provocative threats of nuclear conflict with the United States and its Asian allies. In response, the United States, South Korea and Japan have been expanding their combined military

exercises, which Kim condemns as invasion rehearsals and has used as a pretext to further ramp up his military demonstrations. There are concerns that Kim could dial up pressure in an election year in the United States and South Korea. South Korean experts and officials say Kim’s weapons drive has put further strain on a broken economy, crippled by decades of mismanagement and US-led sanctions over his nuclear ambitions. In a separate report, KCNA said

Kim during a two-day ruling party meeting held through Wednesday criticized officials for failing to provide enough of “basic living necessities including condiments, foodstuff and consumption goods” to people living in the countryside and less developed cities and towns. Kim called the meeting to discuss a 10-year project he announced last week to promote more balanced regional development, which includes a goal of building modern factories in every county nationwide.

Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press this week suggest North Korea has torn down a huge arch in its capital that symbolized reconciliation with South Korea, a week after Kim dismissed decades of hopes for peaceful reunification with the war-divided peninsula’s south. Kim last week described the Pyongyang monument as an “eyesore” and called for its removal while declaring that the North was abandoning long-standing goals of a peaceful unification with South

Korea and ordered a rewriting of the North’s constitution to define the South as its most hostile foreign adversary. He accused South Korea of acting as “top-class stooges” of the Americans and repeated a threat that he would use his nukes to annihilate the South if provoked. Analysts say North Korea could be aiming to diminish South Korea’s voice in the regional nuclear standoff and eventually force direct dealings with Washington as it looks to cement its nuclear status.

www.businessmirror.com.ph | Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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AFP chief cites education as ‘powerful tool’ vs extremism and discrimination By Rex Anthony Naval

S it joined the worldwide observance of International Day of Education on Wednesday, January 24, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Supreme Court (SC), led by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, assured United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan that the Judiciary would ensure balance between such freedoms and the right of the state to protect itself. Gesmundo, along with Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and Associate Justices Amy C. LazaroJavier, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Japar B. Dimaampao, Jose Midas P. Marquez, and Maria Filomena D. Singh, met Khan last Wednesday during the latter’s courtesy visit. The SC said CJ Gesmundo, made a “positive impression” on Khan as the latter expressed her gratitude to the magistrates for their time in what she described as “an inspirational meeting.” I n h e r o p e n i n g s t ate m e n t , Khan underscored that human rights cannot exist without the rule of law and highlighted the Judiciary’s role in setting the tone and in its implementation. During the meeting, the magistrates discussed several matters, which included the SC’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations, which serves as the institutional blueprint of the judiciary’s plans and programs for the delivery of “responsive and real time justice” in the coming years. It outlines the Court’s system-wide

Salary hikes likely at same rate as 2023– think tank Continued from A20 “This trend looks set to continue in 2024 and employers in the Philippines will continue to face significant talent challenges including the attraction and retention of key talent,” Marquina said. Based on the data, the industry that is expected to provide the highest salary increases are financial services and shared services and outsourcing which are projected to provide a salary increase of 6 percent. However, for financial services— covering Banking, Insurance and Financial Institutions—the rate of increase in salaries projected for 2024 is the same rate posted in 2023. Nonetheless, for the Shared Services & Outsourcing, the projected salary increase of 6 percent is higher than the actual increase of 5.6 percent in 2023. The lowest projected increase is 5.7 percent in Real Estate, Construction & Engineering as well as in Manufacturing in 2024. The expected increase in salaries for these industries in 2024 are both higher than the 5.6 percent actual increase for Real Estate, Construction & Engineering and 5.5 percent for Manufacturing. The BioPharma and Life Sciences industry, however, is expected to see a slower increase in salaries at 5.8 percent in 2024 from the 6 percent increase recorded in 2023. A total of over 500 companies participated in the Philippines Total Compensation Survey conducted in 2023, across industries. Respondents who participated in the survey, employ over 1 million employees in the Philippines. The Salary Budget Planning Report—December Edition was participated by 425 companies in the Philippines and fielded in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Romeo Brawner Jr. said education is a “powerful tool” against extremism and discrimination. “Cognizant of its theme, ‘Learning for Lasting Peace,’ we emphasize the importance of education as a tool to counter violence and extremism, discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and hate speech and

its crucial role in fostering understanding, cooperation, justice, and peace,” he said. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed January 24 as International Day of Education in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Brawner also said that without access

to quality education—a human right, a public good, and a public responsibility— the youth would remain vulnerable to violent ideologies. “As your Armed Forces, we are committed to winning the hearts and minds of every Filipino. This has been the foundation of our whole-of-nation

approach to end the root causes of conflict, chief of which are poverty and illiteracy,” he pointed out. He also urged every soldier, airman, sailor, and Marine to be acquainted with the struggles of the underprivileged so they can dispense their duties with compassion and humility.

Khan holds ‘inspirational meeting’ with SC justices judicial reforms currently being implemented, which aims to address institutional challenges using four guiding principles—Timely and Fair Justice, Transparent and Accountable Justice, Equal and Inclusive Justice, and Technologically Adaptive Management—and aimed at three critical outcomes—Efficiency, Innovation and Justice. Justice Leonen also relayed to Khan recent SC decisions that tackled the freedom of speech and expression which include the St. Anthony v. Commission on Elections (G.R. No. 258805), where the Court en banc held that the Comelec cannot remove or destroy privately-owned campaign materials displayed on private property; the ABSCBN v. Ampatuan (G.R. No. 227004), where the Court protected the right of the media to report on cases pending in courts; Atty. Lorenzo G. Gadon’s viral video against Raissa Robles (A.C. No. 13521), where the Court, voting unanimously, resolved to disbar Gabon for the viral video clip where he repeatedly cursed and uttered profane remarks against Robles. Khan was also provided a copy of the Court’s Rules on the AntiTerrorism Act of 2020 and Related Laws, which according to the Chief Justice, was promulgated “to ensure that our judges will handle properly and effectively, protecting the rights of people vis-à-vis prosecution against anti-

terrorism.” Also tackled was the case of Calleja v. Executive Secretary (G.R. No. 252578), where the Court declared unconstitutional certain provisions of Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. “Actually, it said we could only rule upon on its face with respect to certain provisions that clearly violate freedom of expression. And therefore, we went on to strike down certain conditions, which were vague in terms of the definition of the Anti-Terror law. But I think you may have noticed that we did not rule on certain aspects of the Anti-Terror Law simply because we wanted to make sure that the balance between expression opinion as well as security can come out in an actual case,” the SC said. “We fully appreciate that the special rapporteur understands that there is always a balance between expression and the security,” Leonen said. On the matter of strengthening the Shari’ah justice system, Justice Dimaampao discussed how the SC recognizes “that Shari’ah justice system has been an indispensable component of the country’s national legal framework,” adding that “it coexists alongside the Constitution, traditional tribal laws and other relevant laws in this regard.” For her part, Justice Lazaro noted the steady increase in the number of female judges in all trial court levels.

As of December 31, 2023, of the 2,119 total number of judges, 1,172 are female while the remaining 947 are male. Justice Lazaro also disclosed that gender balance, on the other hand, is more mixed for collegiate courts, adding that as of December 31, 2023, two of the 15 members of the Supreme Court are female. In the Court of Appeals, she said 31 of 68 justices are female; in the Sandiganbayan, 9 of the 21 justices are female; and in the Court of Tax Appeals, 7 of 9 justices are female. Meanwhile, Justice Singh shared that the Court has embarked on a study on gender representation and mobility to trace the career path of female judges. She likewise related that the Court conducted a study on legal feminism, which involved the review of decisions for the past 15 years. On the issue of human rights, the CJ also shared with Khan that the judiciary issued in 2022 the Rule on Facilitated Naturalization of Refugees and Stateless Persons, which governs the procedure for the filing of petitions for naturalization by refugees and stateless persons recognized by the Philippine Government. The Philippine Judiciary is the first in the world to issue such a procedural rule. He also reiterated the Court’s commitment to ensure the protection

of its judges, and cited the proposed creation of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals (OJM). Justice Marquez, who is overseeing the operation of OJM, said the Court is now in the process of organizing the OJM as it is currently accepting applications for the position of Chief Marshal. Khan was accompanied by Mr. Thibaut Guillet, Human Rights Officer, Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, United Nations during the meeting. Also present were Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) Executive Director Undersecretary Paul M. Gutierrez and Chief of Staff Atty. Hue Jyro Go and Head Executive Assistant Kristine Venet Andal, also of PTFoMS. Meanwhile, the representatives from the United States (US) Department of Justice’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training (OPDAT) visited the SC on Thursday for a courtesy call with the CJ. CJ Gesmundo and Justice Marquez discussed with US-OPDAT representatives oppor tunities for partnership, such as possible assistance on the preparation of a manual training for judges with regard to the Rules on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 as well as the selection process and composition of the OJM.

WR Numero poll shows VP Duterte remains top presidential bet in ’28

ICE President Sara Duterte is the most preferred candidate of Filipinos for the 2028 presidential election, public opinion research firm WR Numero showed. In its inaugural Philippine Public Opinion Monitor (The Opinion Monitor), WR Numero found that almost 36 percent of Filipinos would vote for the incumbent vice president if the 2028 presidential elections were held last December 2023. Senator Raffy Tulfo ranked as the second most preferred candidate at 23 percent, followed by former Vice President Leni Robredo at 9 percent. The support of nearly 19 percent Filipinos was split among six candidates—Senator Imee Marcos (7 percent), former senator Manny Pacquiao (5 percent), Senator Robin Padilla (5 percent), Senator Risa Hontiveros (1 percent), and Speaker Martin Romualdez (1 percent). The remaining 14 percent were undecided. This nationally representative survey is conducted face-to-face every quarter among 1,457 Filipino adults, aged 18 years old and above, across the country between

November 24 and December 24, 2023. The nationwide survey has a ± 3 percent error margin at the 99 percent confidence level. At the sub-national level, the estimates for error margin are ± 9 percent for the National Capital Region, ± 5 percent for the rest of Luzon, ± 8 percent for Visayas, and ± 7 percent for Mindanao at a similar 99 percent confidence level. No individual or entity, partisan or otherwise, has singularly commissioned the independent survey. The nationwide survey also revealed that Vice President Duterte emerged as the top choice of Filipinos who were firsttime voters (43 percent), likely voters (33 percent), non-participating registered voters (38 percent), and unregistered eligible voters (28 percent). She was also the preferred candidate of administration supporters (44 percent), those who identify themselves as independent (31 percent) and unsure (31 percent). The Vice President only ranked third among opposition supporters, after Tulfo (35 percent) and Robredo (24 percent). Moreover, the survey reported that

Duterte is the preferred candidate of both female (35 percent) and male (36 percent) voters. This also extends across different gender groups including those identifying as heterosexual (35 percent) and as members of LGBTQIA+ community (45 percent), and those who refuse to disclose their gender (74 percent). Duterte also received the highest level of voter preference across all age groups: 30 years old and below (37 percent), 31 to 59 years old (36 percent), and 60 years old and above (30 percent); and income class: Class ABC (41 percent), Class D (36 percent), and Class E (35 percent) (See Figure 6 and Figure 8, respectively). The same can be observed from both OFW-remittances receiving and nonremittances receiving households with 40 percent and 35 percent of Filipinos, respectively, saying they would vote for Duterte for president (See Figure 7). Duterte recorded the highest voter preference in Mindanao (57 percent), followed by Metro Manila (39 percent), and Visayas (35 percent). She placed second in the Rest of Luzon at 23 percent after Tulfo

(26 percent). She is also the top choice in both rural (33 percent) and urban areas (38 percent), as well as in most geographic areas (See Figure 9 and Figure 10, respectively). These findings form part of WR Numero’s flagship public opinion research initiative, the Philippine Public Opinion Monitor, which will be launched on 30 January 2024 (Tuesday) on the WR Numero website (www.wrnumero.com). A full report will be made public on the same date discussing in detail the results of the survey as well as its methodology. The Opinion Monitor aims to further enrich the Philippine polling landscape by pioneering survey design that brings a specialized focus on tracking the political attitudes and preferences of Filipino voters according to partisanship and voter type. This innovation introduces novel demographic groupings that matter most to understanding and analyzing trends in political and social behavior. It also gives attention to new demographic groups, such as different age groups (youth, adult, and senior) and genders (heterosexual, LGBTQIA+, etc.)

EVIDA revision to bring down EV cost pressed

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

HINK tank Stratbase Institute on Thursday urged the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to create more opportunities that would make electric vehicles (EV) more affordable to many Filipinos. Professor Victor Andres Manhit, president of Stratbase Inc., said Republic Act 11697 also known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which was passed into law in 2022, stressed that the amendments to the law will demonstrate the Philippines’ international commitment to decrease its carbon emissions and to be less dependent on “dirty” sources of energy like fossil fuels. “We have to create opportunities for more Filipinos to live sustainably with affordable electric vehicles,” said Manhit. Manhit also urged the House of Representatives to immediately pass HB 9573 authored by Committee on Ways and Means chairman Albay Rep. Jose “Joey” Salceda, which seeks “to further amend RA No. 11697, in order to boost our country’s commitments to the international community under the Paris Agreement, as well as to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.” “We fully support the amendments proposed by HB 9573 specifically to expand the definition of EVs to include two, three and four-wheeled vehicles or such other vehicles with at least one electric drive for vehicle propulsion, which may include a battery electric vehicles [BEV], a hybrid electric vehicle, light electric vehicle, and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle—and to make EVs more accessible, a zero percent tariff rate on the importation of completely built electric vehicles,” Manhit said. In 2023, EVIDA spurred a six-fold growth in the sales of electric cars from the previous year’s level. “This is all laudable, and it tells us that more Filipinos are willing to do the environmentally right thing, while addressing their transportation and mobility needs,” Manhit said. He added, however, that more people would be able to afford clean modes of transportation by rectifying the limiting interpretations of the EVIDA would be lifted and if two and three wheeled electric vehicles would also be granted the same tax incentives as expensive as four-wheeled EVs. “Imagine this. Some 60 percent of electric vehicles are two-wheeled. This means that the majority of electric vehicles do not even benefit from tax incentives granted by law,”said Manhit. He also said that two-wheeled electric vehicles are most affordable, being only 3 percent the price of an electric car. “Given this, more and more Filipinos, given the worsening traffic situation and the soaring prices of fuel, could now consider buying their own two-wheeled electric vehicles that are environmentally sustainable, having zero emissions.” Manhit pointed out that it looks patently discriminatory and anti-poor to limit the incentives for electric vehicles to those who could afford to buy the four-wheel variety. This limited view also does nothing to stop—and in fact worsens— the traffic congestion in the city. Manhit stressed that, “As the Philippines transitions to meet commitments to reduce fossil fuel emissions in the Paris Agreement, it is expected that our policy leaders may be pressured by conventional vehicle manufacturers to delay the shift to EVs. We urge our legislators to be steadfast and accelerate policy reforms that will align with the global urgency to mitigate the looming planetary climate crisis.” “We have to be open and even be more aggressive to be more responsive as we go along, so that we do not frustrate the law’s goals with shortsightedness. Ultimately, we want more Filipinos to have access to sustainable means of transportation, those that are also affordable and would not contribute to traffic congestion and air pollution, and those that can enhance their productivity and quality of life,” Manhit said.

Villafuerte calls for natl debate on merits of Charter change

SENIOR lawmaker on Thursday invited critics to engage in a national debate on the merits of Charter change as he shot down the Senate’s “diversionary ploy” in response to the renewed call for constitutional reform, specifically through the People’s Initiative (PI). Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte dismissed the Senate’s focus on political reforms in its January 23 manifesto, emphasizing that the public’s demand is primarily centered on removing outdated economic provisions that hinder foreign investments. He suggested that the Senate’s hesitance stems from concerns about potential amendments affecting term limits, which significantly benefit senators. “Our senators seem seized with mental anguish about the possibility of political reforms in the 37-year-oldConstitutionthatwouldrationalizeterm limits and thereby put them on equal footing with

all other elective officials in the land,” he added.

‘One Nation, One Opposition’

IN Mindanao meanwhile, over 50,000 people from around the country are expected to join “One Nation, One Opposition,” a multi-sectoral prayer rally set on Sunday in Davao City to protest the use ofgovernmentprogramsandpublicfundstomislead voters into signing documents intended to support amendments to the Constitution. In a privilege speech Tuesday, Davao Third District Councilor Conrado C. Baluran called on the whole country to participate in the peace rally that will be led by Davao leaders, members of the academe and concerned citizens. “Together with the calling for every Filipino people to participate in this greater cause for a nationwide campaign, Davao City will remain resilient and will not just stand aside as an observer but shall take part continuously striving to unite for

one nation, one strong opposition,” said Baluran, who revealed in a media interview that they are expecting 50,000 people from various regions in the country to participate in the rally. “We have to act in one goal, dapat respetuhon pud ta nila just because of their intention to remain in power,” he added. The Davao lawmaker emphasized that “Dabawenyos are not for sale,” as he explained that the prayer rally is being organized to protest the tactics of those behind the PI, as monetary benefits like the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program are allegedly being dangled to secure the signatures of voters.

Unequal term limits

VILLAFUERTE,NationalUnityParty(NUP)president, highlighted the unequal term limits outlined in the 1987 Constitution, granting senators 12 years in

office compared to the six-year term limit for the President and Vice President. Villafuerte also questioned the senators’ special status and proposed equalizing their terms with other elected officials. Villafuerte refuted the Senate’s alleged diversionary tactic, asserting that the primary focus should be on economic recovery post-Covid and job creation. He also emphasized the urgency of amending the Constitution to remove outdated economic provisions and attract much-needed foreign investments. While acknowledging the senators’ concerns about the mode of amendment, particularly the Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), Villafuerte argued that the people, through their elected representatives, possess the power to influence and vote for proposed amendments. He urged the Senate to abandon unfounded fears of marginalization in a Con-Ass, emphasizing

the senators’ ability to garner public support. Villafuerte heads the NUP, which, with 45 members, is the biggest political bloc in the House next to the Lakas-CMD party headed by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez. The NUP had voted unanimously in the first regular session of the 19th Congress for both the House-passed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6 on amending the Constitution and House Bill (HB) No. 7352 that was to be RBH 6’s implementing law. Villafuerte clarified that the House’s current advocacy is limited to lifting economic protectionist provisions, emphasizing that the Philippines needs progressive action to compete with its more investor-friendly neighbors. He invited critics to engage in a national debate on the merits of charter change and how it could attract foreign direct investments crucial for job creation and economic improvement. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

A18 Friday, January 26, 2024 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

Urgent action needed to address illegal lead smelting in Pampanga

rotecting the environment and ensuring the safety and well-being of communities should be a top priority for any government. Unfortunately, the recent revelations about allegedly illegal lead smelting operations in San Simon, Pampanga highlight a worrisome situation that demands immediate attention. It is imperative that the government takes swift action to address this issue and prevent further harm to both the environment and the people living in the affected areas. At a meeting with members of the Capampangan in Media Inc. (CAMI), Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza, chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries Inc., played a videoconference he had with Barangay Chairman Raul Mangay, whose constituents had been complaining about the discharge of toxic materials into the river. As a result, the barangay chieftain said fish kills have become a common occurrence down the river. Additionally, foul smell also allegedly emanate from the warehouses he believed to have been hiding the operation. (Read the BusinessMirror report, “Closure of ‘polluting’ firms in Pampanga town pushed,” January 22, 2024). The call for an ocular inspection of these operations by Arranza is a step in the right direction. By bringing this matter to the attention of the public and concerned authorities, he emphasized the gravity of the situation and underscored the urgent need for action. Reports of fish kills and foul smells originating from the warehouses allegedly involved in the illegal lead smelting operations are deeply concerning. The reported release of toxic materials into the river poses a significant threat to the ecosystem and the health of the community. The dangers of lead exposure, especially to children, cannot be underestimated. It can have severe physical and mental development impacts, making it crucial to address this issue promptly and effectively. Arranza’s emphasis on the importance of proper safeguards in recycling operations is commendable. Recycling, in itself, is a vital process that helps conserve resources and reduce waste. However, it must be carried out responsibly, with stringent measures in place to protect both workers and the environment from the dangers associated with handling toxic materials like lead. Without proper treatment and containment, these hazardous substances can contaminate water sources, pollute the air, and have far-reaching consequences on public health. The issue of illegal lead smelting operations in San Simon, Pampanga is a reflection of a larger problem plaguing the Philippines—the presence of illegal recycling firms across the country. These firms not only pose a threat to the environment and public health but also undermine legitimate businesses that adhere to proper recycling practices. It is crucial to delve deeper into this issue to understand its wide-ranging implications and the necessary actions to address it effectively. The presence of illegal recycling firms throughout the country, as highlighted by Arranza, is deeply troubling. Not only do these operations pose a direct threat to the environment and public health, but they also undermine legitimate businesses that invest in safe recycling technologies. It would do well for concerned government agencies to take decisive action to shut down these illegal operations and enforce stricter regulations to protect the environment and support legitimate recycling companies. It is the duty of the government and relevant regulatory agencies to ensure that environmental laws and regulations are strictly enforced. These hazardous activities also highlight the need for the government to allocate the necessary resources to conduct thorough investigations, hold accountable those responsible for the illegal operations, and implement robust measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The case of the allegedly illegal lead smelting operations in San Simon should serve as a wake-up call for the government to strengthen its environmental protection efforts. Protecting the environment, safeguarding public health, and supporting legitimate businesses should be at the forefront of policymaking and enforcement. By doing so, the government will not only preserve the country’s natural resources but also promote sustainable development and ensure the well-being of its citizens for generations to come.

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The Philippines’ new lung transplant program Sonny M. Angara

Better Days

ccording to Department of Health (DOH) data, pulmonary-related illnesses were the first, fifth, seventh, and ninth top causes of morbidity in the Philippines in 2022. In fact, acute respiratory tract infections remained the top ailment reported by Filipinos from 2012 to 2022. Either viral or bacterial, these infections are easily treatable. But when allowed to fester, they can escalate into more serious illnesses such as pneumonia; chronic lower respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma; and respiratory tuberculosis. Incidentally, these more serious pulmonary ailments were the sixth, seventh, and tenth leading causes of deaths among Filipinos in 2022. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Filipinos are afflicted with lung diseases. This only under-

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ing the procedure. The only recourse for Filipinos who need the transplant is to try their luck abroad. Even if they have the means to travel and avail themselves of medical services elsewhere, such as in Toronto, Canada, there is no guarantee that they would be accommodated or prioritized. One of the LCP’s doctors even shared how one patient passed away while waiting for a donor abroad. In truth, efforts to establish a working lung transplant program have long been underway. Arguably, they started in 1974 when then First Lady Imelda Marcos shared with then Minister of Health, Dr. Enrique M. Garcia, her vision of setting up several specialty medical institutions, which included the LCP. The dream gained ground when Presidential Decree No. 1823 creating the LCP was signed by the elder President Marcos in January 1981 and when the center was inaugurated a year later. Then, in the 1990s, doctors from LCP were sent abroad to train and gain hands-on experience with lung transplants. These efforts may have See “Angara,” A19

Anti-labor bill on execution of monetary awards prejudicial to migrant workers

✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Publisher

scores the importance of improving the capabilities of specialty health centers like the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), and ensuring that similar facilities are set up across the country. We made headway in this regard with the enactment last August of the Regional Specialty Centers Act (RA 11959), which we co-authored. This law designates the DOH to establish specialty centers in its hospitals in every region, prioritizing such specializations as cancer care, cardiovascular care, renal care and

kidney transplants, brain and spine care, trauma care, burn care, and lung care. Another milestone in this regard happened recently. No less than President Bongbong Marcos launched the Lung Transplant Program to be implemented jointly by the LCP and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI). We were fortunate to be present at the event, alongside Batanes Representative Ciriaco Gato, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, LCP Executive Director Dr. Vincent Balanag, NTKI Executive Director Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquette, and Chairperson of the LCP-NKTI Lung Transplant Program Dr. Edmund Villaroman. The immediate goal of the program is for the first human lung transplant in the Philippines to take place within the year. Achieving such a medical milestone would bring much hope and optimism not only to LCP’s patients who are waiting for the right donor to be identified, but also to the many other Filipinos afflicted with pulmonary diseases. Currently, no hospital in the country is equipped or capable of perform-

nother bill that contains anti-labor provision on execution of monetary awards is in the offing with the proposed creation of the Migrant Worker Relations Commission (MWRC). House Bill 8805 seeks the creation of the MWRC, a quasi-judicial body that will have jurisdiction over all claims and disputes involving Filipino migrant workers. The bill was proposed by Rep. Ron Salo of the Kabayan party-list group. The bill seeks to provide timely and fair resolution of the grievances of the migrant workers, which will be transferred to the MWRC from the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) or National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB). However, the proposed bill contained provisions in connection with the execution of monetary awards, which essentially are anti-labor, unconstitutional and pro-employers. In essence, it will amend the Labor Code that will have adverse significant impact on the “immediately final and executory” nature of decisions issued by the quasi-judicial

bodies like the NLRC/NCMB. Under the bill, within 15 days after the decision granting the monetary award becomes final and executory, a writ of execution may be issued by the MWRC after hearing on the (a) disputed amount, including payment of damages if possible and/ or (b) other discretionary awards such as moral, exemplary damages and similar awards, provided that the migrant worker posts a sufficient bond to ensure full restitution in case of reversal. Pending appeal or judicial review, the execution of the monetary award may also be satisfied without need of a bond by depositing and holding the amount above in a fiduciary bank account. Interest earned on the deposit shall go to the prevailing party. The same controversial provision on the escrow/fiduciary deposit and execution bond was also includ-

ed during the deliberations of the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers. The Senate and the House of Representatives approved and ratified the bicameral conference committee version of the Magna Carta. Sweepingly linked with ambulance chasing, proponents stressed that such move is necessary to ensure the restitution of monetary awards in case the appropriate appellate court annuls or partially or totally reverses the monetary judgment award. The Senate approved the measure on September 27, 2023 without the escrow/execution bond provision with 14 votes, no negative vote, and no abstention. The House of Representatives earlier approved on March 6, 2023 its version of the Magna Carta (House Bill 7325) that contains the escrow/ execution bond provision. The bicameral conference committee met to reconcile the provisions of the two versions and to come up with the common bill and presented to both houses for final reading and vote. The escrow portion was omitted but the execution bond was retained. Following the ratification, the proposed bill will be transmitted to the Office of the President for his approval and signature. The seafarers were the first group to be the target of these anti-labor provisions, and now even land based migrant workers will be adversely

affected. The migrant workers will wait for longer years before they receive the monetary award if the proposed provision on fiduciary deposit will be included. It will take 7.2 years on average for an OFW money claims case to go through the entire judicial process from the date of filing of the complaint up to the time the Supreme Court decides on it. A migrant worker seeks payment of monetary benefits because of the fact that he is in financial distress due to his medical condition. Many are jobless, sick, disabled and infirm who incur huge debts to sustain their medication while others die before the decision by the Supreme Court is released. Under the Labor Code, the posting of bond is imposed only on the side of employer. Labor is required to pay only a minimal appeal fee. The proponents erroneously presumed that the migrant worker is in the same economic footing as the employer. Instead of saving his earnings for his medication, he will be forced to redirect them to the execution bond, jeopardizing further his economic well-being. The fiduciary deposit or the requirement for an execution bond violates the constitutional guarantee on equal protection, which means that all persons or things similarly situSee “Gorecho,” A19

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Opinion BusinessMirror

Friday, January 26, 2024 A19

Jokowi cabinet shows cracks with Finance chief weighing exit

Almanaque: Counting the days of our lives

Tito Genova Valiente

annotations

By Faris Mokhtar, Chandra Asmara & Grace Sihombing

ndonesian President Joko Widodo’s behind-the-scenes backing of a presidential candidate is fracturing his government, with several ministers weighing resignation.

Among them is Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who has been integral in steadying Southeast Asia’s largest economy, according to people who asked not to be named discussing sensitive information. Others who are considering leaving their posts include Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and Minister of Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, the people said. The situation is very fluid and the ministers could decide to stay, the people said. Any resignations may not be announced immediately out of concern of the potential backlash to the rupiah and markets, they said. The Indonesian rupiah extended its loss to 0.5 percent at 10:33 a.m. local time, falling to a level unseen since early November against the dollar. The currency has slumped 2.5 percent in January, headed for the worst month since October, amid uncertainty with the elections and a rebound in the greenback. That has prompted Bank Indonesia’s intervention in the FX spot, forwards and bond markets, Director Edi Susianto said. The cabinet rift casts a spotlight on Jokowi who is seen as maneuvering to secure a successor in the upcoming presidential elections. His behind-the-scenes backing of Prabowo Subianto is unusual given that the ex-general belongs to an opposition party, and is campaigning for a coalition opposed to Jokowi’s own party. Prabowo is currently the defense minister and was appointed to the post by Jokowi as an act of reconciliation after the two men fiercely campaigned against each other in the 2019 elections.

Final term

Jokowi’s support for Prabowo has created unease among the ministers from his Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle or PDI-P. Tensions have been brewing ever since Jokowi’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, was made the running mate to the defense minister following a controversial constitutional court ruling, the people said. Some 204 million Indonesians will elect their next leader on February 14. It is unusual for ministers to resign ahead of the end of the current administration’s term in October, when Jokowi will wrap up his second and final term. At stake for Jokowi is the continuation of his policies that include refining raw minerals onshore and the construction of a $34 billion new capital city, which he argued is necessary for Indonesia to achieve 7 percent economic growth and become a high-income status country by 2045.

Angara . . .

continued from A18

been derailed by the huge LCP fire in 1998, but they nevertheless resumed, albeit incrementally. The stars started to align in recent years. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, we worked so that the LCP would be appropriated under the 2022 national budget up to P20 million for the center to start building up its transplant program, and P25 million for an initiative on the Early Detection of Lung Cancer. These funds helped the hospital send some of its doctors in 2022 to train and gain exposure at institutions with high volumes of transplants, such as the Medical University of Vienna and Toronto General Hospital. Procurement for the necessary equipment also started. In the same year, the LCP and the NKTI entered into a memorandum of agreement jumpstarting the establishment of the lung transplant program through the development of a lung transplant manual. This manual is meant to help guide both institutions address such challenges

In response to questions from Bloomberg News, Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana pointed to an earlier statement that said all ministers remain united and committed in supporting the president until the end of his term. The foreign ministry’s spokesman said Marsudi is focused on ensuring Indonesia’s leadership in global issues, while representatives for Hadimuljono and Prabowo didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Indrawati told reporters that she’s focused on her work when rumors of her resignation picked up pace last week. But in one recent meeting with her senior officers, she is already focused on safeguarding the ministry beyond her term. Indrawati isn’t from the PDI-P party. “Particularly in a time of potential political flux heading into the elections, this isn’t great news for investors,” says Vishnu Varathan, head of economics and strategy at Mizuho Bank Ltd. in Singapore. “Sri Mulyani has a lot of allure for markets—she’s a very prominent figure and there’s a factor of familiarity and comfort that she’s a steady pair of hands,” he said. The finance minister has come under pressure from both Jokowi and Prabowo to allocate and accelerate more spending—especially the social assistance budget—that’s seen by many as beneficial to the defense minister’s campaign, the people said. At a January 20 meeting with top ministry officials in Bogor, about an hour’s drive from the capital Jakarta, she emphasized the need for officers to protect the ministry’s budget. Indrawati has asked ministries to adjust their spending through a mechanism called “automatic adjustment” this year, which would limit any additional spending by ministries. This was reported by local news outlet Tempo earlier this week.

Divided cabinet

Jokowi’s vast volunteer network had started backing Prabowo as early as October and he has held meetings with the ex-general numerous times since late 2022, the latest of which was a private dinner on January 5. Prabowo is leading opinion polls by a wide margin over the other two contenders. Jokowi’s backing of Prabowo didn’t sit well with some ministers from the ruling PDI-P, people familiar said. That’s because Jokowi and Gibran’s support for Prabowo runs contrary to the stance of the party, which is backing former Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, the people said. Ganjar was once the president’s preferred successor before they fell out. With assistance from Soraya Permatasari, Claire Jiao and Ruth Carson / Bloomberg

as lack of infrastructure, the development of an organ donation and allocation system, and limited access to trained personnel and financial constraints. The most critical lynchpin, however, was the broad policy guidance that President Bongbong Marcos had laid out as early as his presidential campaign. During many of his sorties, he underscored his promise of ramping up support and funding for the country’s specialty hospitals. We followed through in this regard by ensuring that in the 2024 budget, up to P130 million is appropriated for the LCP including additional funds to continue implementing the newly launched lung transplant program. This is but one clear example of the good that can be achieved if several sectors collaborate, and get their act together—or in simpler terms, unite under a single cause. Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 19 years—9 years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and 10 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

he first almanac (spelled that way by the time I encountered one) I saw was printed by Cecilio Press, a pre-war printing press in Naga City. It was already in the ’80s and people— mostly middle-aged and old residents of the city—were buying them. The store that carried them was in a public market of Naga, which held for a long time the odd record of being the biggest supermarket in Asia. How valid this claim was no one really cares now; history has overtaken any of these records about the biggest and longest and oldest in our locale.

The store selling the almanac, which also bore the name “Kalendaryong Bikol” sat there beside cigarettes with brands like “Bataan” and “Quiapo,” with their characteristic brown rolling paper. Areca nuts, leaves of betel-vine, and slaked lime were there on rows and rows of circular baskets. Was there a one-to-one correspondence between the chewers and those who consulted the days of their lives in an annual book that also spoke of stars and planets aligning? There may not be but there in the complicit air of the public market were elements of social life slowly becoming part of the shadow culture. The term “almanac” itself is considered obscure in its etymology. However, the 4th edition of the Webster’s New World Dictionary speaks of the word as having been derived from the Greek word for “calendar.” This perhaps explains the Kalendaryong Bikol containing other information such as auspicious dates. It was in this Bikol calendar that I also first witnessed the Bakunawa, the mythical serpent (monster is much derogatory a concept) created to swallow the moon or the earth (in some tales, the universe) and disgorge it later through propitiatory rites. This proto explanation of the cycle of life is crystallized by the myth of eternal return a la Eliade. Turning the page of the Kalen-

daryong Bikol, one could see the Serpent, with a crown on top of her head. On the same page it was stated how one should always think of this Being as the orientation of all elements above it. The note said, when building a house, one should avoid hitting the head of the Serpent with the major posts used to prop up said structure. The calendar is thus an almanac, which doubles as our own wellspring of geomancy—earth magic. The notion of the pillar is crucial in geomantic literatures. Mircea Eliade, mentioned above already, coined the term “axis mundi,” which refers to the “cosmic axis” or “world pillar.” In other narratives, this could be represented by a magical giant tree; in architecture, the spires or domes could be supplanted poles. The domain of religious symbols offers us the parallel shafts of light, which connect the Divine to the supplicating Mortals. Or, the unseen two points linking Heaven to Earth.

In the National Library of the Philippines, I found two almanacs— one in 1839 and the other in 1909. The latter is published by Tagumpay Printing through the works of the Union de la Tipografos Filipinos (typographer referred to an earlier version of a typewriter). The title page of the almanac shows only the date of the calendar. In the said almanac, each page devoted to a month is dominated by feast days of saints and reminding the faithful of the important Catholic events for that week and month. The second page carries a Cronologia or a historical chronology, which mixes the biblical (apocryphal): For example, the first item is about the “la encarnación del hijo de dios” (the incarnation of the Son of God). This is followed by the “creacion del mundo” or the creation of

the earth. The “diluvio universal” is mentioned matter-of-factly as if it could be followed by the discovery of the Philippines (“descubrimiento de las islas Filipinas”).

A game of bluff scuttled Sony-Zee’s plans to create $10-billion media giant By Anto Antony

N November, Sony Group Corp.’s lawyers got a nasty surprise during a routine call from the legal team of Zee Enterprises Entertainment Ltd. Nearly two years into tortuous merger negotiations to create a $10 billion Indian entertainment giant, Zee wanted the Japanese company to agree to a so-called “hold harmless” clause for its Chief Executive Officer, Punit Goenka, just weeks before the December 21 deal deadline. Already wary of Goenka, who had been accused of financial impropriety by India’s markets regulator several months earlier, Sony executives wondered why he requested indemnity. On his part, Goenka was worried that Sony would start a witch hunt against him after the merger was completed and it got what it wanted: access to Zee’s deep library of local entertainment content. The account of this weeks-long stalemate was pieced together by speaking to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified, as the talks were private. Goenka was refusing to relinquish the CEO role of the merged entity, and Sony no longer was willing to move forward with him at the helm. By January 19, when Sony’s board members met in Tokyo, the deal was dead in the water. A 62-page termination letter was sent to

Gorecho . . .

continued from A18

ated should be treated alike, both as to rights conferred and responsibilities imposed. It will partake of the nature of class legislation because it singles out migrant workers’ (landbased and seabased) claims from other

Zee on Jan. 22, citing non-fulfillment of some pre-requisite conditions outlined in the merger pact.

Disproportionate influence

The aborted deal underscores the challenges facing foreign companies attempting to crack the biggest entertainment market in Asia. A culture gap and the disproportionate influence that India’s founding generation of company honchos still wield over their companies continue to stymie those wanting access to a $25 billion market. “Cross-border transactions in India represent a challenge, mostly stemming from differences in corporate culture, accounting practices and reporting standards,” said Utkarsh Sinha, managing director at Bexley Advisors, a Mumbai-based boutique investment bank. “There’s a bridge to cross,” but also a “pot of gold” in the form of the Indian demographic, he said. Representatives for Sony and Zee didn’t immediately respond to e-mailed requests for comments on issues that scuppered the deal. While Sony’s India head sought to rally the morale of his employees in a letter Wednesday, it was thin on details on how it plans to fend off rivals. Walt Disney Co. is talking to Reliance Industries Ltd. to combine its India operations, creating India’s largest entertainment company. With Sony and Zee’s collapse, the

labor claims. It is discriminatory against migrant workers as there is no substantial distinction between the claims of a migrant worker and any other local laborer. It undermines the constitutional mandate to protect the rights of OFWs and to promote their welfare when it deprives migrant workers an avenue to receive the fruits of their legal battle.

Reliance-Disney entity “will have all the might in the market,” said Karan Taurani, analyst at Elara Securities India. “They will become the preferred platform for advertisers and content creators, which in turn will give them pricing power in the market.”

Miffed bosses

Sony bosses in the US and Japan were also miffed when Zee made an exchange filing on December 17 seeking a deadline extension without any conversations with them, another person familiar said. The tiff started soon after Securities and Exchange Board of India, or Sebi, said in June that Goenka and his father, Subhash Chandra, had “abused their position” and siphoned off funds “for their own benefit.” The regulator also barred them from holding any executive or director positions in listed firms while its investigation was underway. In October, an appellate authority gave partial relief to Goenka from Sebi’s ban, allowing him to hold these positions during the probe. Zee saw this appellate win as a green light for Goenka to be CEO of the merged entity, but Sony disagreed. The tycoon offered to be the interim CEO while a search committee could be instituted to scout for another candidate, according to people familiar with the matter, but Sony now wanted to ap-

In the end, the “balance of scale” will tilt more to capital as this will protect the business interest of the manning agencies and their principal rather than the migrant workers themselves. Without any leverage in prosecuting his monetary claims, chances are, the migrant worker bows to the demand of his employer to either drop his claim or accept a small settlement.

For 1909, the formal calendar was preceded by a poem, “Ang Aking Wika” dedicated to Francisco Balagtas by Lope K. Santos. This was followed by a “himno” or hymn called “Gloria” dedicated to the anniversary of the execution of Jose Rizal. The author was Jesus Balmori. The calendar honored the heroism of Rizal, some 12 to 13 years after the execution. For all the religiosity of the almanac, for example, in 1909, the page for Enero was filled with ads, featuring almost monthly, the same maker of hats, the Sombreria de Ramon Yan, who makes all “large assortment of all country hats” (“gran surtido de toda de sombrero de país”). Above the word Enero, was another ad: Germinal, the manufacturer of “Tabacos” and “cigarillos.” In January, the 1897 execution by shooting of some martyrs was documented. February 22, 1909 was declared Fiesta Official because of the birthday of Washington J. Was this referring to the first US president? Yes, “J” was a Hispanized version of “George,” which was “Jorge.” Kalendaryong Bikol, I would discover, is incomplete without the “Prognostico,” a small booklet that, while ignoring the Bakunawa, was more conscious of each particular day. Here in this book of prognosis—of reading what is at stake out there—even the propitious time to build a home or plant a camote was included in the near-mystical experiences with the future. Not spared was the right time to sleep with your wife (the gaze is always male), love (or, quietly, sex) having been marked by this almanac that dwells on the imaginary and real. E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

point N.P. Singh, its head of India operations, as CEO.

Game of bluff

The months that followed were like a game of bluff. Goenka expected Sony to relent since Zee’s was the only sizeable media asset in the market that could bolster the Japanese company’s less than 10 percent market share. Zee, with 17 percent share in Indian television market, has a rich library of regional language content and dozens of local television channels. Sony expected Zee to blink given its deteriorating financial health—profit for the year ended March 31 dropped 95 percent—and the debts Chandra and Goenka needed to pay off. Also, with the founders only holding a 4 percent stake in Zee, Sony hoped that larger shareholders would prevail upon Goenka to step aside. After the deal was called off, Zee’s stock nosedived 30 percent during trading in Mumbai Tuesday and at least 10 brokerages, including CLSA, downgraded recommendations on the stock. Some investors could still be hoping to revive the deal. “There is also some likelihood of the shareholders—top five owning about 30 percent put together—who may work together to do the deal with Sony” without Goenka, Elara’s Taurani said. With as-

sistance from P R Sanjai, Advait Palepu, Preeti Singh and Takashi Mochizuki / Bloomberg

Migrant workers, both landbased and seabased, will be “penalized,” which will downplay their rights guaranteed by the constitution instead of protecting their rights and promoting their welfare. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, January 26, 2024

Land: Flagship BOI endorses Edotco telco Ayala malls to get facelift infra project for green lane By VG Cabuag @villygc

By Andrea E. San Juan

@andreasanjuan

he Board of Investments (BOI) has given green lane certification to a P150-billion Malaysian telecommunications project, which “will play a huge role” in introducing 5th Generation (5G) mobile network in the Philippines. The investment promotion agency attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it has given a green lane certification to Edotco Towers Inc. for its telecommunications infrastructure project through the BOI’s One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI). “Expecting an investment of approximately P150 billion in the coming years, Edotco plans a balanced rollout of 25,000 common telecommunications infrastructures,” BOI said in a statement on Thursday. According to the BOI, this “strategic” deployment spans urban and rural areas, addressing the needs of mobile network operators (MNO)

and aligning with the government’s efforts to “enhance” mobile network access and internet penetration in underserved and unserved regions. Moreover, the agency noted the telecommunications infrastructure developed by the company will form the base and platform for future mobile broadband networks in the country. “The project will play a huge role in introducing new technologies such as 5th Generation (5G) mobile broadband networks and large-scale Internet of Things (IoT) applications through its shared infrastructure offered to services providers and government agencies with open access and a non- dis-

criminatory basis,” the BOI said. On the operations side, Edotco will utilize “non-conventional” energy resources, such as photovoltaic systems, wind, biomass, fuel cells, energy storage systems, or hybrid solutions, if site conditions are optimal for its use. The BOI also noted that Edotco will tap different analytics software to ensure “continuous improvement” in the operations of the network and avoid or minimize outages at sites. As to the project’s economic impact, the agency said this project can help entice more investors as well as help beef up the country’s national employment rate. “Edotco’s project will strengthen the telecommunications infrastructure in the country. It will attract more investors as connectivity is critical in supporting business operations,” the BOI said. “The project will benefit Filipinos through an increase in national employment rates and positive growth to domestic skilled labor pools with long-term transfer of knowledge from multinationals. Employment will not only come from the construction of infrastructure but from operations and maintenance as well.” The agency noted the sustainable

solutions attached to this project. For one, energy costs are “substantially” reduced to the advantage of the MNO and this reduced consumption (on an aggregated basis) places less demand on the national grid. “Another sustainable solution is the introduction of green energy.” According to the BOI, Edotco focuses on constructing, owning, operating, maintaining, and leasing out telecommunication towers to telecommunication operators. It was the first foreign investor in common towers in the Philippines and was recognized as a government-linked company in Malaysia. Edotco is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edotco Group Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian-based entity renowned for its reputation as the first regional and integrated infrastructure services company in Asia with a portfolio of over 58,000 towers across nine countries. The green lanes for strategic investments were established through Executive Order 18, which was approved by the Office of the President in February last year. Green lanes aim to hasten, simplify, and automate the permit and license application processes for strategic investments in the Philippines.

InDrive reviews pricing mechanism By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

ransport network company (TNC) InDrive has paused its operations, following its temporary suspension due to its pricing mechanism. InDrive said it “acknowledges” the concern raised by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regarding its fare system and is now working on compliance. “As part of these ongoing improvements, we will be temporarily pausing our service operations. This is a necessary step to ensure that our enhancements are implemented effectively and align with both our users’ needs and regulatory standards,” the company said in a statement. On Tuesday, the LTFRB issued an order suspending the operations of InDrive, the ride hailing

brand under RL Soft Corp. According to LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III, InDrive’s operations shall be suspended until it complies with Memorandum Circular (MC) 2019-036 or the Fare Rates For Transportation Network Vehicle Services (TNVS). The MC lists down the fare matrix for TNVS pricing, including the flag down rate, a per minute charge, a distance rate, and a surge component. In contrast, according to InDrive’s website, passengers may place fare “offers” to drivers nearby through its platform. “The suspension comes in response to alleged violations concerning the haggling of fares, a clear breach of the terms and conditions outlined in its accreditation as a transportation network company,” Guadiz had said. InDrive was given 15 days to comply.

“During our recent engagement with the LTFRB, productive discussions transpired and we are now in the process of further developing our application to ensure that there is no confusion among our users and that they experience the best possible service,” InDrive said. InDrive secured last December its accreditation as a TNC from the LTFRB, initially operating in five cities namely: Baguio, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and Bacolod. A Russian-founded company based in the United States, inDrive is currently operating in more than 700 cities across over 46 countries and is the second-most downloaded mobility app. In Southeast Asia, inDrive’s services are already being offered in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. It has set sights on operating in Metro Manila this quarter.

Hyundai Motor warns of uncertainty as profit misses estimate

yundai Motor Co. warned of uncertainties for the year ahead after fourth-quarter profit missed analysts’ estimates as a stronger Korean won outweighed solid sales growth in the United States and Europe. Operating profit for the three months ended December 31 rose 0.2 percent from a year earlier to 3.4 trillion won ($2.5 billion), compared with the 3.67 trillion won estimate. Sales were 41.7 trillion won, rising 8.3 percent from a year ago and broadly in line with analysts’ expectations. A stronger local currency has eaten into the bottom line, including a 635-billion-won hit to the fourth quarter’s operating profit, the company said. Improvement in its model mix and sales growth offset the impact, it said. Despite the weaker end to the year, the company reported record annual profit of 15 trillion won and

said it will pay a 11,400 won annual dividend. Shares rose 2 percent in Seoul. Still, the company warned that headwinds are clouding the outlook for 2024. That includes macroeconomic uncertainties and a downturn in the real economy that’s likely to weigh on demand for both gaspowered cars and electric vehicles. It also expects that it will continue to contend with exchange-rate fluctuations and increased sales-related costs due to intensified competition among carmakers. Hyundai set a 4 percent to 5 percent growth target for sales for 2024. It plans total investment this year of 12.4 trillion won, including 5.6 trillion won in capital expenditure and 4.9 trillion won for research and development.

Resilient sales

Retail sales proved resilient last year, increasing 6 percent despite

higher interest rates and inflation. Hyundai has previously said it wants a 6.2 percent increase in global sales volumes for 2024 after missing the target for 2023. Hyundai’s sales have been helped by a number of incentives it gives to both buyers and dealers, though it expects to rein in some enticements this year. Its incentives for gas-powered vehicles are set to decline as it releases new SUV models in the US, Lee Seung Jo, Hyundai’s chief financial officer, said on a call following the earnings release. The company has also “spent a lot” on incentives for purchases of EVs, as its vehicles don’t qualify for tax credits under President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, Lee said. He didn’t mention what will happen to the cash bonuses of as much as $7,500 the company pays to buyers in the US, which are due to expire at the end of the month. Bloomberg News

yala Land Inc. is renovating four of its flagship malls over the next two years as part of the company’s efforts to refresh its facilities after the pandemic. Ma r i a n a Beat r i z Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Land director and senior vice president for leasing, said the company is renovating Glorietta and Greenbelt malls in Makati, Trinoma in Quezon City and Ayala Center Cebu. “So in all of those projects, we’ve taken a step back to really understand our target market, what their needs are, what they’re looking for, how we might be able to excite and surprise them in a different way,” she said. Zobel said the company is also doubling its hotel room count to about 8,000 in five years from the current 4,000 room keys. “ We’re really proud of our homegrown brands so we have 12 locations today. We see a lot of opportunity for the SEDA. It has done really well with consumers really take to the ground. So we’re looking at expanding… adding more hotels in tourist dense locations as well.” She said the company is already on the planning stage for its mall renovation and the public may see parts of it over the next year through 2026. The re-planning has resulted in additional leasable area for the

malls, she said. “It also resulted in what I think is more dynamic use of our open and common spaces. So in the case of Glorietta, for example, we have several parks, we’ve worked with global planners to help us rethink how to integrate those parts parks better within the mall experience. Right now, they sit a little bit separate.” In Glorietta, there are two parks but there’s a road in between those parks. “We’re actually planning to reroute traffic to make that walkable area. It’ll expand the plaza so that the garden is connected to the entrance of Glorietta and you won’t have any cars there so people can walk sit, enjoy. We gave a sneak peek to one of our tenant partners, longtime partners the other day, and they were shocked,” Zobel said. She said the work they now do in the company requires “re-imagination” as they bring its resorts and hotels up to global standards to fulfill the promise of the Philippines as a top travel destination. “The same goes for our flagship mall reinvention project, as we look to provide Filipino consumers with an unparalleled customer experience, staying true to who we are as builders of communities and places that people love, and leveraging digital technologies to create unforgettable experiences,” she said in her speech at the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines.

A20 Friday, January 26, 2024

Salary hikes likely at same S rate as 2023–think tank S

AT SENATE PROBE, PCSO SAYS DRAWS ARE NOT BEING GAMED

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

ALARY increases nationwide are expected to remain at the same rate recorded last year, according to the latest WTW Salary Budget Planning Survey Report for Asia Pacific.

In the report, the New Yorkbased think tank said the expected salary increase in 2024 is 5.7 percent, the same rate of increase in salaries in 2023. WTW said high inflation and the “tight labor market” are expected to continue influencing salary increases this year, as well as budget planning. “Winning the talent race will require employers to stay focused on balancing the entire package of rewards they offer, both monetary and non-monetary, in order to re-

VIP TOUR The Philippine Consulate General in New York, led by Consul General Senen Mangalile, recently announced a collaborative initiative with the Philippine Department of Tourism, featuring the launch of the highly anticipated Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour. This exclusive tour, curated to provide an extraordinary experience, will showcase the enchanting destinations of Manila, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon from July 21 to July 30, 2024. TROI SANTOS main competitive and align with employees’ needs and wants,” said Patrick Marquina, Head of Work & Rewards, Philippines, WTW. Marquina said voluntary turn-

over and attrition continue to increase in the Philippines and reached 15.9 percent in 2023, higher than the 14.2 percent recorded in 2022. Common reasons cited for leav-

ing, WTW said, were better pay and growth opportunity, relocation/ family migration and flexible work, arrangement or work-life balance. Continued on A17

ENATE probers on Thursday grilled Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) executives over controversies swirling around the agency, including the trustworthiness of its draw, especially a recent mega lotto draw that sparked rumors of a “favored winner”because it came after the PCSO plunked in an additional P500 million in the cash prize as part of a promotion. Sen. Raffy Tulfo presided over the Games and Amusement Subcommittee hearing to discuss Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 253 or The Integrity and Trustworthiness of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Lotto Games, and SRN 466 or the Prize Fund Tax Remitted by the PCSO. At Thursday’s hearing on January 25, 2024, Tulfo said the committee wanted to ferret out the truth on an issue that they said has been tarnishing the reputation of the PCSO. “We will tackle a very important and pressing issue that has been the main concern for a long time by many lotto players and that issue pertains to the integrity of the game,” Tulfo said. The senator asked PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles why the agency gave P500 million as additional cash prize in the lotto draw. In response, Robles said it was part of the PCSO marketing campaign to encourage more bettors and to boost revenue for charity. Robles also repeatedly denied to the senators that any manipulation

was taking place, saying their system made this impossible. Tulfo in turn prodded Robles to use the additional funds they use to “sweeten the pot” in order to allot more funds for charity, adding the would check the PCSO charter on this. Also at the hearing, Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III asked PCSO to submit a position paper on a resolution he filed on October 5, 2022 which seeks to determine and maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of the PCSO games amid allegations of controversies and irregularities. Pimentel said he filed the resolution after the 6/55 draw announced a total of 433 winners on Oct 2, 2022 with multiple number of 9 wins. “It’s really a relevant resolution. I want an explanation on how come there were 433 winners in that draw. Do you have a system to check the multiples of 9 betting system? If you have those systems to check it, can you prove it?” Pimentel, a mathematics major before taking up law and topping the Bar, asked. The minority leader said he also wanted to know the “distinct” number of bets that were placed in that October draw. As for the recent mega lotto draw, senators said they were compelled to ask PCSO to explain amid persistent rumors and social media memes making it appear that the agency had manipulated the draw so that people it knows would win the over P600-million pot. Butch Fernandez

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, January 26, 2024

‘Slower inflation, new models to whet appetite for vehicles’

By Andrea E. San Juan

@andreasanjuan

he Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) said tempered inflation and the introduction of new models could help local vehicle sales reach the 500,000-unit mark this year. On Tuesday, Campi President Rommel Gutierrez told reporters on the sidelines of an event held in Taguig City on Tuesday that sales of the local automotive industry could grow by 16 in 2024. This, after the sector’s sales jumped by 22 percent to 429,807 units in 2023, from 352,596 units

in 2022. Gutierrez said sustained economic growth and tempered inflation rate, among others, could propel sales to reach half a million units. “The usual [factors]. Model and production, GDP, controlled inflation; ‘yung inflation rate medyo tempered, OFW remittance.”

In terms of the production of new units, Gutierrez said the production of the next-generation Tamaraw could bolster the local auto industry’s sales this year as the market leader is on track to rollout the new Tamaraw by the third quarter of this year. Gutierrez is first vice president at Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP). TMP Chairman Alfred Ty told reporters that the Toyota head office reported an additional P1.1 billion in investments for the manufacture of the next-generation Tamaraw. In August 2023, Toyota Motor Corp. announced it would invest P4.4 billion to start producing the new Tamaraw in the Philippines by the third quarter of 2024. Of the P5.5 billion investment commitment, Ty said TMP has so far invested 25 percent or P1.375 billion for the return of the Toyota Tamaraw.

Toyota Motor Corp. earlier said that the new Tamaraw aims to provide a “more suitable and affordable” option for Filipino entrepreneurs. In 2023, Campi announced that local carmakers breached their sales target of 423,000 units. It attributed the industry’s 2023 performance to “sustained consumer demand, easier access to credit, and improved supply conditions across all brands.” Toyota led the auto market in 2023 as it sold 200,031 units and cornered 46.54 percent of the domestic market. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. ranked second, accounting for an 18.23-percent share of the automotive market and selling 78,371 units last year. Ford Motor Co. Phils. ranked third as it had a 7.29-percent share. It sold 31,320 units during the period.

Smart, GSMA push for disaster resilience By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

mart Communications Inc. and the GSM Association (GSMA), the global alliance of mobile operators, have announced a strategic collaboration to advocate for policies fostering a comprehensive, nationwide approach to disaster preparedness. The partnership aims to enhance the Philippines’s resilience against natural disasters, which have been exacerbated by climate change, according to PLDT Inc. FVP Cathy Yang. “At a time when the impact of disasters is heightened by climate change, we as network operators play a vital role in providing communications support before, during and immediately after calamities

and emergencies, keeping disaster affected communities connected,” Yang said. “In close collaboration with global partners like the GSMA and key industry stakeholders from government and the private sector, we can further enhance the country’s disaster resilience and help shape policies and protocols to ensure more efficient communications to the public whenever disasters strike.” The partnership was announced at the GSMA’s Humanitarian Connectivity Charter (HCC) Asia-Pacific workshop in Clark. “The GSMA is proud to support PLDT and Smart’s work on disaster resilience in the Philippines,” GSMA Head of Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Mobile for Development Kimberly Brown said. According to Yang, Smart was among the first global operators to adopt the principles of the GSMA’s HCC in 2015. The HCC outlines collaborative principles and best practices for mobile network operators in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.

MUTUAL FUNDS NAV

One Year Three Year

per share

Five Year

Return

Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

217.5

-1.5%

-1%

-4.15%

-0.32%

3.2%

1.4941

2.81%

4.74%

0.15%

1.85%

1.45%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.0309

-2.71%

-0.7%

-6.15%

-2.17%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7094 -0.21%

-3.4%

-5.83% n.a

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

First Metro Consumer Fund, Inc. -a

0.6379

-9.89%

-4.36%

-6.25% n.a

1.97%

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund, Inc. -a 4.757-4.13%

-0.89%

-3.16%

2.74%

-0.23%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.7145-4.63% -1.32% n.a n.a MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

84.47

5.18%

-6.21%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 44.41

-4.08%

-1.3%

-3.49% n.a

3.49%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

462.04

-1.63%

-1.43%

-3.42%

-0.38%

3.28%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.2284

-0.57%

1.98%

-1.59% n.a

1.92%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

-2.16%

0.32%

-2.4%

1.43%

34.6737

-7.19% n.a

-0.24%

-3.24% n.a

3.23%

4.6651

-3.12%

-0.43%

-2.72%

1.28%

3.43%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

776.29

-3.26%

-0.61%

-2.79%

1.26%

3.43%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.7022

-2.94%

-0.4%

-5.13% n.a

2.41%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.4841

-3.23%

-0.97%

-4.27%

-0.23%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8804-3.52%

-0.92%

-3.08% n.a

United Fund, Inc. -a

0.59%

3.15%

-0.9%

-3%

3.18%

3.09%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8949-1.59%

-3.36%

1.53%

-0.61%

Philequity PSE Index Fund, Inc. -a

3.1887

2.9%

3.56% 3.45%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) COL Equity Index Unitized Mutual Fund, Inc. -a 1.0911-3.45% n.a n.a n.a COL Strategic Growth Equity Unitized Mutual Fund, Inc. -a,2

3.36%

1.017 n.a n.a n.a n.a

1.22% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

1.0284

-9.33%

-1.82% n.a n.a

0.92%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

942.42

-3.25% n.a n.a n.a

3.44%

Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 105.4799-2.68% -0.2%

-2.48%

1.94%

3.48%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$0.774

-17.94%

-16.73%

-4.21%

-2.06%

-5.84%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.6739

11.82%

-1.16%

7.25% n.a

ATRAM 0.73%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.2354

-0.57%

-0.64%

0.51%

0.98%

ATRAM Unicapital Diversified Growth Fund, Inc. -a,41.5328

3.76%

2.25%

-2.86%

-2.46%

-1.36%

1.47%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.536

-3.37%

-0.93%

-0.91%

-0.69%

1.57%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.1944

-4.75%

-0.46% n.a n.a

2.1% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

1.9678

-2.81%

0.15%

0.53%

1.46%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.6135

0.43%

-1.37%

-0.12%

0.6%

1.63%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

15.8278

0.15%

-2.05%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.0638

-0.16%

-0.29%

-0.81%

0.3%

1.8%

1.7%

-0.92%

1.25%

1.77%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.4651

-0.56%

-0.84%

-1.99%

0.19%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.9177

1.24%

-1.1% n.a

1.48%

-1.35%

1.68%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a 0.9477 0%

-2.38% n.a n.a

0.79%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a 0.8667-2.85%

-2.63% n.a n.a

2.31%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a 0.8484-3.42%

-2.73% n.a n.a

2.76%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03263

-1.15%

-5.84%

-1.66%

0.03%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $0.8684 -10.62%

-11.05%

-1.79%

-1.33%

-5.1%

-1.75%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.2872

6.97%

-2.59%

4.31%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a $1.0306

2.37%

-4.4%

0.86% n.a

2.87%

-0.11% -1%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 391.19

3.07%

1.73%

2.57%

2.32%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9141

1.39%

0.19%

0.48%

0.18% 0.11%

0.27%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.3336

2.34%

1.19%

2.26%

3.76%

0.25%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund, Inc. -a 2.2782

2.7%

-0.33%

1.24%

1.52%

-0.35%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 2.4506

1.28%

-0.04%

1.97%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

2.06%

1.09%

4.2977

1.78%

-2.6%

1.25%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3813

3.83%

1.45%

3.16%

1.84%

0.59%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.034

2.57%

0.37%

2.51%

1.76%

-0.01%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

2.45%

0.3%

2.95% n.a

0.12%

1.051

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.3021

3.1%

0.95%

3.26%

2.33%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

2.34%

0.19%

2.43%

1.7%

-0.33%

1.7636

-0.27%

-0.32%

Corporate Debt Vehicle (units) ATRAM Unitized Corporate Debt Vehicle, Inc. -a,3

1.0126 n.a n.a n.a n.a

0.5%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $495.81

2.76%

0.77%

1.97%

2.52%

0.12%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є214.09

1.57%

-0.8%

0.07%

0.82%

0.05%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.0322-0.88% -6.94%

-1.9%

0.06%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0248

2.9%

-2.06%

-0.08% n.a

-1.02%

-3.88%

-3.07%

-0.54%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc. -b $0.8528

-2.54%

-7.89%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.2818

2.24%

-3.42%

1.79%

-1.64%

1.44%

-0.72%

1.33%

1.58%

0.2%

-2.05%

-5.13%

-1.05%

0.37%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund, Inc. -a $0.0610364

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.7472

0.77%

-0.4%

-3.05%

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 137.13

2.47%

2.06%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.111

2.82%

1.81%

3.3%

1.95% n.a n.a

0.19%

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a 1.37872.86%

2.04%

2.44%

2.05%

0.23%

0.22%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 104.91

4.2% n.a n.a n.a

0.32%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.1006 2.71%

1.48%

1.58% n.a

Sun

0.28%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, Inc. -a 43.59940.74% n.a n.a n.a Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.4871

16.23%

1.13%

8.29% n.a n.a

1.22% Sun Life Prosperity World Income Fund, Inc. -a,1

1.0097 n.a n.a n.a n.a

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (Units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, Inc. -a $0.7985-2.51%

-6.91% n.a n.a

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. 1 - Launch date is August 22, 2023.

2 - Launch date is October 6, 2023.

-0.52%

c - Listed in the PSE.

3 - Launch date is May 25, 2023.

4 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last May 21, 2020 (formerly, ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc.) “While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www.

pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU.”

January 25, 2024

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALs

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK COMMERCE BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG MANULIFE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

144,475 412,246,518 73,833 185,515,934 842,110 393,018 47,642,259.50 814,080 14,477.50 4,480,360 6,331,339 15,817,495 94,350 13,450 2,805,600 2,696,766 2,116,500

-57,035.00 -49,167,977 83,708,570 -590,070 -3,460 13,442,195 -287,150 -1,800,900 -1,475,191.50 -2,908,820 133,324 1,096,500

INDUSTRIAL ACEN CORP 4.26 4.27 4.19 4.27 4.16 4.26 5,330,000 22,543,790 0.54 0.55 0.54 0.54 0.54 0.54 20,000 10,800 ALSONS CONS ALTERNERGY HLDG 0.74 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.75 0.75 347,000 261,360 37.5 37.65 37.8 37.8 37.5 37.5 1,280,800 48,204,510 ABOITIZ POWER RASLAG 1.19 1.22 1.23 1.23 1.19 1.22 117,000 141,590 0.187 0.19 0.19 0.192 0.188 0.188 1,490,000 282,810 BASIC ENERGY 18.2 18.26 18.5 18.58 18.22 18.26 458,700 8,379,848 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 65 65.1 64.5 65.1 64.3 65.1 96,770 6,264,050.50 379.8 380 383 383 380 380 209,120 79,670,816 MERALCO 18.36 18.4 18.32 18.52 18.18 18.4 1,728,200 31,685,832 MANILA WATER PETRON 3.3 3.31 3.3 3.3 3.29 3.3 115,000 379,200 4.47 4.7 4.5 4.7 4.5 4.7 128,000 590,440 PETROENERGY REPOWER ENERGY 7.3 7.4 7.45 7.45 7.3 7.4 34,700 256,774 SEMIRARA MINING 32 32.1 32 32.15 31.85 32 890,900 28,524,635 7.59 7.68 7.77 7.8 7.57 7.59 1,214,100 9,278,967 SYNERGY GRID SHELL PILIPINAS 10.8 10.82 10.8 10.82 10.78 10.8 92,500 999,364 7 7.1 7.15 7.15 7 7 44,600 314,922 SPC POWER SP NEW ENERGY 1.19 1.2 1.2 1.21 1.18 1.2 17,057,000 20,305,770 AGRINURTURE 0.67 0.68 0.65 0.7 0.63 0.68 13,867,000 9,263,350 2.18 2.29 2.17 2.29 2.17 2.19 18,000 39,500 AXELUM CENTURY FOOD 32.9 33.1 32.8 33 32.5 32.95 2,063,700 67,872,760 6.02 6.19 6.2 6.25 6 6.19 47,600 291,792 DEL MONTE 6.61 6.71 6.74 6.75 6.6 6.61 2,845,500 18,961,153 DNL INDUS EMPERADOR 20.8 20.85 20.9 20.95 20.75 20.8 1,544,200 32,122,685 48.65 48.7 48.5 48.7 48.45 48.7 19,600 953,135 SMC FOODANDBEV FIGARO COFFEE 0.66 0.67 0.63 0.67 0.63 0.67 27,717,000 18,224,070 FRUITAS HLDG 0.83 0.84 0.85 0.85 0.83 0.84 745,000 627,140 162 163 163.4 165 162 162 2,730 445,017 GINEBRA JOLLIBEE 270.2 272 271 273 269.2 270.2 741,180 200,363,476 1.44 1.45 1.44 1.45 1.43 1.44 993,000 1,427,630 KEEPERS HLDG 6 6.27 6 6 6 6 800 4,800 MACAY HLDG MAXS GROUP 3.32 3.36 3.32 3.37 3.32 3.36 14,000 46,710 8.6 8.64 8.6 8.67 8.58 8.6 7,167,200 61,851,181 MONDE NISSIN SHAKEYS PIZZA 10.48 10.6 10.48 10.5 10.48 10.48 28,600 299,842 2.89 2.9 2.9 2.91 2.89 2.9 4,475,000 12,980,980 RFM CORP 0.6 0.62 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 8,000 4,800 ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS 0.062 0.064 0.064 0.064 0.064 0.064 160,000 10,240 114.7 114.8 114.5 116.5 113 114.8 2,049,830 234,706,347 UNIV ROBINA VITARICH 0.5 0.51 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 41,000 20,500 2.51 3 2.88 3 2.88 3 3,000 8,760 VICTORIAS 0.9 0.91 0.92 0.92 0.89 0.9 120,000 108,530 CEMEX HLDG EC VULCAN CORP 0.67 0.69 0.71 0.71 0.66 0.67 280,000 188,770 5.99 6 6.05 6.05 5.93 5.99 1,140,300 6,810,676 EEI CORP 3.38 3.4 3.43 3.44 3.38 3.4 577,000 1,964,570 MEGAWIDE PHINMA 19.9 20.35 19.9 20 19.9 19.9 2,400 47,860 1.59 1.6 1.57 1.61 1.57 1.61 493,000 785,760 CROWN ASIA PRYCE CORP 5.19 5.3 5.2 5.28 5.2 5.2 130,600 680,316 13.3 13.62 13.62 13.62 13.36 13.36 1,800 24,386 CONCEPCION 0.232 0.233 0.229 0.234 0.229 0.233 6,800,000 1,581,980 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 2.52 2.53 2.6 2.6 2.52 2.52 272,000 690,110 1.18 1.2 1.19 1.23 1.18 1.18 9,140,000 10,977,060 IONICS PANASONIC 5.12 5.48 5.85 5.85 5.48 5.48 6,700 37,160 2.42 2.45 2.42 2.45 2.42 2.45 371,000 902,400 SFA SEMICON 1.83 1.87 1.84 1.89 1.83 1.87 82,000 151,500 CIRTEK HLDG

-1,450,400 10,800 6,000 4,520,170 15,190 -3,516,188 -1,936,725.50 -10,618 -239,272 6,600 9,620 -7,682,565 -2,451,329 -661,384 -113,705 3,203,450 -1,827,240 -13,140 -34,927,485 -175,978 -14,662,258 -4,368,650 -291,870 3,004,880 42,500 1,629 84,169,682 100,800 -10,040 -43,497,834 256,834 -4,127,190 -86,537,160 12,100 -13,760 8,172 -357,950 -1,565,720 -119,950 7,350

HOLDING & FRIMS

Y-T-D

Return*

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

ABACORE CAPITAL AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LT GROUP PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

January 25, 2024

www.businessmirror.com.ph

33.8 143 6.51 111.2 31.3 8.6 57.5 18.76 55.65 22.6 72.35 43.1 2.51 2.68 1,004 183 2,550

1.08 680 49.1 11.48 11.62 0.375 0.375 5.04 10.56 655 38.05 5.5 0.39 9.3 1.4 2.62 903.5 112.7 96.1 0.27 0.076

34 143.9 6.8 111.3 31.55 8.68 57.85 18.86 55.7 23 72.5 43.15 2.55 2.71 1,200 184 2,600

1.09 685 49.25 11.5 11.98 0.39 0.415 5.05 10.68 658 38.6 5.7 0.43 9.32 1.5 2.68 904 113.8 100 0.275 0.081

33.55 145 6.75 109 31.55 8.6 58 18.82 55.65 23 72.05 43.55 2.55 2.69 1,002 190.9 2,550

1.08 689.5 49.15 11.5 12 0.38 0.375 5.04 10.52 653 39 5.5 0.385 9.2 1.54 2.62 899 113 99.95 0.27 0.078

33.8 145 6.82 111.2 31.55 8.7 58 18.82 55.7 23 72.55 43.55 2.55 2.69 1,002 191 2,550

1.09 695 49.25 11.5 12 0.38 0.375 5.05 10.68 660 39.3 5.5 0.39 9.32 1.54 2.62 908.5 114.9 100 0.27 0.078

33 142 6.51 109 31.2 8.58 57.05 18.76 55.65 22.8 72 43.15 2.55 2.69 1,002 184 2,550

1.07 679 49.1 11.46 11.98 0.375 0.375 5.03 10.5 653 38 5.5 0.36 9.18 1.54 2.62 889.5 112.7 99.95 0.27 0.078

33.8 143.9 6.8 111.2 31.3 8.68 57.5 18.76 55.65 23 72.45 43.15 2.55 2.69 1,002 184 2,550

1.09 680 49.1 11.5 11.98 0.375 0.375 5.05 10.68 655 38.05 5.5 0.39 9.3 1.54 2.62 904 112.7 100 0.27 0.078

4,300 2,871,540 11,100 1,676,780 26,800 45,700 827,170 43,300 260 194,800 87,630 366,200 37,000 5,000 2,800 14,630 830

1,322,000 154,120 594,800 6,038,600 4,400 140,000 10,000 320,600 9,318,700 189,050 2,507,800 118,800 250,000 2,720,600 4,000 9,000 243,810 92,760 690 200,000 300,000

1,431,990 105,119,785 29,209,815 69,437,140 52,792 52,850 3,750 1,617,892 99,028,614 124,296,715 96,172,210 653,400 96,000 25,215,325 6,160 23,580 219,985,400 10,530,824 68,982 54,000 23,400

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.425 0.435 0.425 0.425 0.425 0.425 20,000 8,500 34.15 34.2 34.5 34.5 33.8 34.15 4,117,100 140,378,000 AYALA LAND AYALA LAND LOG 1.74 1.75 1.76 1.76 1.73 1.74 223,000 390,230 1.17 1.19 1.19 1.19 1.16 1.19 2,022,000 2,365,080 ARANETA PROP AREIT RT 33.35 33.5 34 34 33.1 33.5 1,887,100 63,331,450 A BROWN 0.64 0.66 0.66 0.66 0.66 0.66 21,000 13,860 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 21,000 14,700 CITYLAND DEVT CEB LANDMASTERS 2.63 2.65 2.65 2.65 2.63 2.63 152,000 402,600 0.27 0.275 0.275 0.275 0.275 0.275 20,000 5,500 CENTURY PROP 2.66 2.67 2.72 2.72 2.65 2.66 6,766,000 18,152,410 CITICORE RT DOUBLEDRAGON 7.95 7.96 7.9 7.96 7.85 7.95 43,500 345,825 1.22 1.24 1.24 1.24 1.23 1.24 446,000 551,110 DDMP RT DM WENCESLAO 5.51 6 5.9 5.9 5.8 5.8 32,000 187,660 0.124 0.125 0.123 0.124 0.123 0.124 330,000 40,840 EMPIRE EAST 0.275 0.285 0.285 0.285 0.275 0.285 130,000 36,750 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST RT 3.13 3.15 3.15 3.17 3.14 3.15 596,000 1,878,330 0.67 0.68 0.68 0.68 0.67 0.68 284,000 191,550 FILINVEST LAND 8990 HLDG 8.36 8.94 8.96 8.97 8.3 8.97 69,900 611,705 0.51 0.54 0.53 0.54 0.52 0.54 89,000 47,190 PHIL INFRADEV 5.5 6.86 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 1,400 9,380 KEPPEL PROP CITY AND LAND 0.76 0.78 0.76 0.78 0.76 0.78 2,000 1,540 1.97 1.98 1.98 1.99 1.97 1.97 11,612,000 22,911,600 MEGAWORLD 1.4 1.41 1.48 1.49 1.41 1.41 309,000 442,340 MRC ALLIED MREIT RT 14.14 14.16 14.14 14.16 14.12 14.14 692,300 9,790,270 0.325 0.34 0.33 0.33 0.33 0.33 20,000 6,600 PHIL ESTATES PREMIERE RT 1.54 1.55 1.54 1.55 1.54 1.55 41,000 63,270 2.32 2.38 2.32 2.32 2.32 2.32 4,000 9,280 PRIMEX CORP 5.5 5.51 5.51 5.51 5.4 5.5 3,504,700 19,196,729 RL COMM RT ROBINSONS LAND 16.52 16.58 16.56 16.68 16.5 16.58 4,578,700 76,092,828 0.146 0.179 0.145 0.179 0.145 0.179 910,000 159,410 PHIL REALTY 1.39 1.44 1.45 1.45 1.39 1.45 8,000 11,240 ROCKWELL SHANG PROP 3.87 3.9 3.88 3.89 3.86 3.89 111,000 430,110 3.11 3.32 3.33 3.33 3.33 3.33 3,000 9,990 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 33.5 33.6 33.65 33.75 33.25 33.6 3,533,400 118,338,685 2.3 2.38 2.27 2.38 2.27 2.38 11,000 25,320 VISTAMALLS 1.73 1.75 1.75 1.77 1.72 1.73 3,062,000 5,328,260 VISTA LAND VISTAREIT RT 1.73 1.74 1.75 1.75 1.72 1.73 208,000 360,500 SERVICES ABS CBN 4.63 4.7 4.81 4.81 4.6 4.7 694,000 3,256,620 8.89 8.9 8.9 8.9 8.88 8.9 96,400 857,735 GMA NETWORK MLA BRDCASTING 6.01 8.52 8.52 8.52 8.52 8.52 100 852 1,747 1,748 1,742 1,759 1,742 1,748 44,110 77,142,325 GLOBE TELECOM PLDT 1,288 1,291 1,283 1,291 1,283 1,288 93,945 120,894,600 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.013 0.014 0.013 0.014 0.013 0.014 74,500,000 972,700 9.05 9.06 8.92 9.17 8.92 9.06 3,374,800 30,527,050 CONVERGE DITO CME HLDG 2.45 2.46 2.39 2.46 2.39 2.45 3,710,000 9,055,340 1.16 1.17 1.16 1.17 1.16 1.16 252,000 292,990 NOW CORP 0.13 0.132 0.132 0.132 0.13 0.13 1,610,000 210,330 TRANSPACIFIC BR ASIAN TERMINALS 16.26 17 23 23 16.2 17 24,600 454,140 1.47 1.53 1.48 1.53 1.48 1.53 77,000 116,460 CHELSEA CEBU AIR 33 33.1 32.8 33.15 32.8 33 164,900 5,439,115 INTL CONTAINER 241 242 243 248 241 241 940,460 227,839,764 15.8 17.68 17.84 17.84 17.68 17.68 700 12,408 LBC EXPRESS MACROASIA 4.03 4.04 4.08 4.09 4.03 4.04 519,000 2,098,800 0.435 0.44 0.435 0.435 0.435 0.435 10,000 4,350 METROALLIANCE A PAL HLDG 5.3 5.39 5.5 5.5 5.25 5.3 35,000 186,329 HARBOR STAR 0.82 0.85 0.85 0.86 0.85 0.86 40,000 34,350 0.061 0.062 0.062 0.062 0.06 0.062 3,540,000 217,330 BOULEVARD HLDG WATERFRONT 0.4 0.41 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 190,000 76,000 8.5 8.74 8.7 8.73 8.7 8.7 14,400 125,429 CENTRO ESCOLAR 566 584 566 566 566 566 3,030 1,714,980 FAR EASTERN U IPEOPLE 6.9 7.45 7.45 7.45 7.25 7.25 29,500 214,860 0.56 0.57 0.59 0.59 0.56 0.57 4,725,000 2,735,830 STI HLDG BELLE CORP 1.16 1.17 1.17 1.18 1.14 1.18 341,000 392,180 BLOOMBERRY 11.32 11.4 10.76 11.4 10.68 11.4 26,153,000 292,983,498 4.24 4.33 4.18 4.33 4.14 4.33 663,000 2,794,690 PACIFIC ONLINE PH RESORTS GRP 0.83 0.84 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.83 210,000 174,300 0.66 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.66 0.66 6,048,000 4,003,890 PREMIUM LEISURE 7.84 7.85 7.86 7.96 7.85 7.85 651,600 5,140,743 DIGIPLUS PHILWEB 1.82 1.89 1.8 1.92 1.8 1.82 351,000 654,490 0.158 0.159 0.159 0.159 0.157 0.158 1,610,000 253,750 ALLDAY BERJAYA 7.45 7.84 7.45 7.48 7.45 7.48 4,500 33,537 1.12 1.13 1.15 1.15 1.12 1.13 1,835,000 2,065,000 ALLHOME 1.29 1.3 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29 42,000 54,180 METRO RETAIL PUREGOLD 28.5 28.6 28.7 28.8 28.5 28.5 1,467,800 42,003,580 36.55 36.65 36.75 36.85 36.5 36.65 307,200 11,258,270 ROBINSONS RTL PHIL SEVEN CORP 77 79 77.3 78.15 77 77 5,320 414,181.50 SSI GROUP 2.7 2.71 2.71 2.71 2.69 2.7 354,000 953,180 1.32 1.39 1.5 1.5 1.3 1.39 130,000 172,840 UPSON INTL CORP WILCON DEPOT 21.8 22 22 22 21.65 21.8 281,300 6,141,445 0.212 0.216 0.216 0.216 0.216 0.216 260,000 56,160 APC GROUP 2.2 2.39 2.15 2.2 2.1 2.2 81,000 171,550 EASYCALL MEDILINES 0.315 0.32 0.315 0.315 0.315 0.315 80,000 25,200 0.169 0.171 0.169 0.171 0.169 0.169 290,000 49,030 PRMIERE HORIZON SBS PHIL CORP 4.31 4.65 4.45 4.65 4.44 4.65 31,000 139,210 MINING & OIL ATOK 4.72 4.98 4.66 4.98 4.66 4.98 300 1,430 APEX MINING 2.81 2.82 2.87 2.87 2.8 2.81 4,758,000 13,396,780 3.38 3.5 3.36 3.5 3.36 3.5 286,000 991,820 ATLAS MINING BENGUET A 4.65 4.68 4.66 4.66 4.65 4.65 135,000 628,550 0.135 0.145 0.136 0.136 0.136 0.136 20,000 2,720 COAL ASIA HLDG 2.01 2.1 2.05 2.1 2.01 2.01 1,146,000 2,320,690 FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE 0.038 0.04 0.038 0.039 0.038 0.039 1,400,000 53,300 0.074 0.077 0.077 0.077 0.077 0.077 10,000 770 LEPANTO A 0.073 0.074 0.073 0.074 0.073 0.073 2,190,000 161,910 LEPANTO B MARCVENTURES 0.8 0.81 0.81 0.81 0.8 0.81 596,000 476,850 4.79 4.8 4.84 4.86 4.79 4.79 1,225,000 5,892,510 NICKEL ASIA ORNTL PENINSULA 0.63 0.64 0.64 0.64 0.63 0.64 41,000 26,040 3.13 3.14 3.12 3.16 3.12 3.14 131,000 411,530 PX MINING 4.68 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.68 4.68 4,000 18,760 ENEX ENERGY ORNTL PETROL B 0.0079 0.0082 0.008 0.008 0.008 0.008 5,000,000 40,000 0.0078 0.008 0.0078 0.0078 0.0078 0.0078 1,000,000 7,800 PHILODRILL PXP ENERGY 3.83 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.81 3.9 47,000 181,670 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 100.9 101 100.9 100.9 100.9 100.9 2,540 256,286 97 99 97.05 97.05 97.05 97.05 500 48,525 ALCO PREF C AC PREF B2R 490 495 492 492 490 490 5,800 2,842,200 33.95 35 33.95 33.95 33.95 33.95 2,600 88,270 CEB PREF DD PREF 93.8 94.85 93.6 93.6 93.6 93.6 10,000 936,000 96.5 97 97 97 97 97 500 48,500 EEI PREF B 922 925 925 925 925 925 70 64,750 JFC PREF B MWIDE PREF 2B 97 98 97.9 97.9 97.9 97.9 500 48,950 93.5 94 94 94 94 94 1,200 112,800 MWIDE PREF 4 100.5 100.9 101 101 100.9 100.9 2,000 201,900 MWIDE PREF 5 PNX PREF 3B 25.5 32.25 32.25 32.25 32.2 32.25 700 22,570 985 990 985 985 985 985 780 768,300 PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B 990 997 995 995 990 990 130 128,750 990 998 990 998 988 990 1,505 1,490,230 PCOR PREF 4C 72.4 72.85 72.95 72.95 72.4 72.85 12,080 875,622 SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I 71 72 72 72 71 71 7,700 549,700 70.5 71 70.65 70.65 70.65 70.65 500 35,325 SMC PREF 2J SMC PREF 2K 70 70.65 70 70 70 70 2,000 140,000 77.9 78.5 77.9 77.9 77.9 77.9 2,000 155,800 SMC PREF 2L 78.85 79.25 78.75 79.25 78.75 79.25 37,800 2,993,450 SMC PREF 2O TECH PREF B2D 48 48.5 48.5 48.5 48.5 48.5 2,200 106,700

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

55,680 2,189,825 -6,723,380 -7,988,746 -464,592 3,130,096 17,593,590 -66,965,935 -7,793,267.00 63,276,370 -3,404,595 49,991.50 23,988,690 -1,730 -8,858,520 10,560 -6,512,500 -3,960 -28,500.00 -47,400 26,600 -1,111,050 222,054 -5,585,634 -8,093,964.00 -2,900 -58,340 -13,489,395 -9,240 -271,580 -26,491,870 -76,461,710 -6,992,201.00 -1,017,290 -54,520 84,790 -891,370 -35,378,570 16,220.00 7,350 -22,634.00 11,175 1,979,980 -54,650 158,468,010 99,000 -388,860 191,220 -177,590 2,414,600 -7,935,070.00 293,834 -80,020 -1,454,215 -8,640 -50,590 -89,680 -599,620.00 8,030.00 -1,230,140 245,390 () -2,842,200 79,520 -159,500 -

ABS HLDG PDR 4.4 4.6 4.5 4.6 4.5 4.6 6,000 27,100 8.31 8.95 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 100 820 GMA HLDG PDR

TECH WARRANT

WARRANTS

0.27

0.295

SMALL, MEDIUM & EMERGING

0.425 0.425 0.41 0.41 80,000 33,100 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 402,000 301,500 0.96 0.99 0.96 0.99 286,000 277,420 0.62 0.66 0.62 0.62 48,000 29,840 1.01 1.03 1 1.03 6,736,000 6,761,040 514,290 0.255 0.285 0.255 0.265 6,150,000 1,600,650 -1,095,300

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

105.2 105.5 105 105.5 20,310 2,136,670 25,237

BALAI FRUITAS CTS GLOBAL HAUS TALK ITALPINAS MERRYMART XURPAS

FIRST METRO ETF

0.405 0.73 0.96 0.63 1.02 0.26 105.2

0.425 0.75 0.98 0.66 1.03 0.265 105.5

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

BIR to stick to its guns in revenue generation By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will continue with its approach to ensure tax compliance and efficiency in revenue generation by addressing the illicit trade in e-cigarettes and vapor (vaping) products. “We will continue what we’ve been doing—the fearless and aggressive enforcement activities. We’ll still pursue those outright and illegal activities like illicit trades, [of] illicit cigarettes, [and] vape products,” said Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. during a joint news briefing with the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said during the briefing last Wednesday that the BIR “must aggressively run after tax cheats and bring action against them in court.” Recto laid the government’s plan to generate P4.3 trillion in revenues and borrow P2.4 trillion to fuel economic growth. The revenues, he said, must “not rely solely on imposing new or additional taxes” but through intensifying the BIR’s “campaign for tax compliance in a fair manner that favors no one.” E-cigarette and vapor products manufacturers and distributor in the country expressed their support to the DOF’s thrust to ensure correct duties and taxes are efficiently collected and not evaded, a statement by the Philippine E-cigarette Industry Association (Pecia) read. The Pecia is “fully committed to compliance with Philippine government regulations, including the laws covering the so-called ‘sin’ industries,” it added. The organization said its members follow both Republic Act (RA) 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act) and RA 11467, a new sin tax reform law that raised taxes on alcohol products and e-cigarettes to which a substantial portion of the revenue will be allocated to fund the Universal Health Care (UHC) program. Pecia’s statement comes after an ongoing investigation of the House Committee on Ways and Means found the “Flava” brand depriving the government of tax revenues. The lawmakers also accused its manufacturer Flava Corp. of aggressively marketing its vaping devices to minors through social media. According to the House Committee on Ways and Means, Flava underdeclared its imports from China by labeling its vape products as having freebase nicotine, which has a lower excise tax, rather than the nicotine salt ingredient it has. More than P800 million in taxes were allegedly unpaid by Flava, which are funds intended for the UHC to provide medical access to Filipinos through the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), as estimated by Cagayan de Oro City Second District Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez who leads the probe in the Lower House. However, the Pecia said it takes “any allegations of under declaration seriously and are dedicated to upholding transparency and accountability within our members.” The organization added it has established internal mechanisms to ensure that its members adhere to tax obligations and are open to collaborating with government authorities to address any concerns. “Rest assured, we prioritize lawful practices to contribute positively to the nation’s revenue goals,” read the organization’s statement.

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Friday, January 26, 2024

‘More creative’ climate insurance sought

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Insurance Commission (IC) was ordered by Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto to be “more creative” in issuing and packaging products addressing disaster and climate risks. “Our vulnerability to disasters and climate change calls for the development of new products, implementation of innovative solutions and utilization of new technologies,” Recto said during the IC’s 75th-anniversary celebration last Wednesday.

“The Commission should take a leading role in pioneering creative, out-of-the-box solutions to tackle these emerging issues,” Recto added. Recto advised the IC to “take advantage” of the “emerging” techno-

logical innovations in broadening the Filipinos’ access to financial products and services. For one, the adoption of digital technology would provide wider access to financial products and result in a “more” responsive, reliable and effective insurance industry, Recto explained. Recto also pointed out that the IC must expand the availability of insurance products toward overseas Filipinos. “A credible insurance industry encourages more people to avail themselves of financial protection. That is important to strengthening our people’s financial resilience in the face of so many uncertainties,” he said. Recto said the IC must also strengthen its implementation of

the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act. “This will empower our consumers by providing them with confidence in accessing financial products and services within a secure environment that prioritizes their rights and interests,” he said. Recto urged IC to collaborate with schools and universities to expand financial education among Filipino students nationwide, which he pointed out would expand the number of people that would avail financial products. “The Commission must also continuously strive to build financial literacy among our people. This will help cultivate a generation of financially literate individuals capable of making prudent financial choices from an early age,” he said.

Never try, never know

QR USER

This January 25, 2024, photo shows Jasmin Mangalisan, a vegetable vendor at the Iloilo Terminal Market, who notes the significant convenience that payment using Quick Response technology has afforded her since the recent rollout by the Land Bank of the Philippines of PalengQR Ph Plus in Iloilo City. “My collections are readily accessible through my Landbank account, and with my ATM card and Mobile Banking App, cash in and out is a breeze,” Mangalisan said in Ilonggo. The Paleng-QR Ph Plus program aims to promote the use of QR Ph, the national standard for electronic payments, through QR codes. CREDIT: Land Bank of the Philippines

IFC to invest $15M in fund pool for eco-energy projects By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE private sector arm of the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corp. (IFC), is investing $15 million in the Southeast Asia Clean Energy Fund II (Seacef 2). In a statement, the IFC said the investment platform will provide equity for early-stage and growthstage investments in energy projects in Southeast Asia. Managed by Clime Capital Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based fund manager, Seacef 2 will be the first fund to combine public, private, and philanthropic capital with a specialized focus on Southeast Asia. “IFC supports innovative, climate-focused equity investments aimed at strengthening the climate finance market across emerging markets, including Southeast Asia,” IFC’s Vice President of Industries Mohamed Gouled was quoted in the statement as saying. “Private equity funds can play an important role in bridging the gap in financing earlystage climate infrastructure projects, advancing the energy transition and reducing greenhouse gas emissions along the way.” The IFC said the fund will invest equity in utility-scale solar, wind and energy storage, in addition to helping businesses go to scale in areas ranging from rooftop solar, energy efficiency, electric mobility and grid management. The Seacef 2 will target investments in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, with the remaining capital expected to fund companies with a regional footprint across Southeast Asia. “We are delighted to partner with Clime Capital to provide much-need-

ed capital to utility-scale clean energy startups and climate transition initiatives in the region, especially in Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines,” Gouled said. Along with the investment by the IFC, Seacef 2’s first closing was backed by Allied Climate Partners, British International Investment (BII), and the Cisco Foundation. It is also backed by the Australian Development Investments (ADI), The Netherlands’ FMO, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Impact Assets, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund Norfund and Sweden’s Swedfund. “As time passes without sufficient progress in developing the critical resources to reduce carbon emissions, the planet needs more businesses focused on accelerating the low carbon transition to thrive,” Clime Capital CEO and Co-Founder Mason Wallick said. “Clime Capital has proven that our unique combination of earlystage investment ability and cleanenergy expertise applied through dedicated on-the-ground teams in Southeast Asia can make a real difference,” he added. IFC is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets we working in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record $43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises.

NCE my 5-year-old granddaughter was scaling up the iron grill divider in our living room as if she was rock climbing. I told her not to go so high as she may slip and fall down, to which she countered, “If I don’t try it, I’ll never know what’ll happen.” The phrase “never try, never know” conveys the idea that without making an effort or attempting something, one will never discover the potential outcomes, experiences, or opportunities that might arise. It emphasizes the importance of taking risks, being proactive, and embracing new challenges rather than staying in a state of uncertainty or hesitation. In the context of associations, there are some key actions and results related to the mantra “never try, never know.” 1. Encouraging bold initiatives. Associations are more likely to embark on innovative projects, experimental programs, and transformative strategies as the willingness to try new approaches fosters a culture of creativity and adaptability within the association community. 2. Enhancing member recruitment and retention. Associations can try diverse approaches to member recruitment and retention by experimenting with different benefits, value-driven strategies, and communication methods that lead to a more robust and satisfied membership base.

Association World Octavio Peralta 3. Promoting member engagement. Associations can create diverse engagement opportunities that cater to the evolving needs and interests of their members. Whether it’s introducing new events, interactive platforms, or collaborative projects, the spirit of exploration enhances member engagement. 4. Adopting emerging technologies. Associations can explore and adopt emerging technologies that enhance communication, streamline processes, and deliver value to members. Embracing digital transformation ensures associations stay relevant in a rapidly changing environment. 5. Facilitating learning and development. By encouraging a culture of continuous learning, associations can be inspired to provide diverse educational opportunities, training programs, and resources. This commitment to learning ensures that members and leaders are well-equipped to cope with industry changes and challenges. 6. Navigating uncertainty with resilience. Associations can face challenges head-on and find in-

“A financially literate population is crucial for the development of a robust capital market and a globally competitive Philippine economy,” he added. The IC must also institute regulatory measures and enforcement mechanisms to ensure the financial stability of its regulated industry, Recto said. “By effectively fulfilling its role as a regulator, the Commission ensures consumer protection and the reliability of insurance coverage,” he said. “In turn, a credible insurance industry encourages more people to avail themselves of financial protection. That is important to strengthening our people’s financial resilience in the face of so many uncertainties,” he added.

novative solutions because the act of trying becomes a powerful tool for adaptation and growth. 7. Fostering a culture of innovation. This involves encouraging members and teams to think outside the box, challenge conventional wisdom, and contribute to the evolution of the association. The spirit of innovation ensures that associations remain at the forefront of their professions or industries. 8. Enhancing collaborative partnerships. Associations are encouraged to seek out and forge partnerships with other organizations, both within and outside their industries, fostering a spirit of mutual exploration and shared growth. In the dynamic world of associations, where innovation, collaboration, and adaptability are paramount, the motto “never try, never know” encapsulates a philosophy that urges members and leaders to embrace opportunities, take risks, and explore uncharted territories. This guiding principle goes beyond mere encouragement; it serves as a rallying call for associations to continually evolve, learn, and discover the full extent of their potential. Octavio Peralta is the founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” E-mail: bobby@pcaae.org.

SC junks DOE plea in ₧18.4B tax case By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Supreme Court (SC) has junked with finality the petition filed by the Department of Energy (DOE) seeking the reversal of the decision issued by the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA), which denied the DOE’s plea to nullify the warrants of distraint and/or levy and garnishment issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) over the Energy department’s failure to settle deficiency excise taxes amounting P18.37 billion. In a 6-page resolution made public only last Thursday, the Court’s Third Division denied the DOE’s motion for reconsideration of its decision issued on August 17, 2022, which held that the jurisdiction to settle the said tax dispute belongs to either the Secretary of Justice or the Solicitor General. “For failing to raise matters compellingly persuasive to warrant the reconsideration of the assailed resolution, the motion is denied,” the SC said. “Accordingly, the motion for reconsideration is denied. The decision, dated August 17, 2022, of the Court stands,” added the High Tribunal. The SC held that the CTA correctly steered clear of the case since it is a “purely intra-governmental dispute.” The DOE, in its motion for reconsideration, argued the CTA has the expertise and experience to resolve tax issues, the DOE said. It argued that Republic Act (RA) 1125 (An Act Creating the Court of Tax Appeals) prevails over Presidential Decree 242 (Prescribing the Procedure for Administrative Settlement or Adjudication of Disputes, Claims and Controversies Between or Among Govern-

ment Offices, Agencies and Instrumentalities, Including Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations, and for Other Purposes). The energy department maintained that not all disputes involving government agencies fall under the coverage of PD 242. However, the SC stressed that the DOE’s motion “is a mere reiteration” of the arguments raised in the main petition. “Being an administrative dispute or a dispute involving two agencies of the Executive Branch of government, the authority to resolve the same vested by PD 242 upon the President of the Philippines is well within its power of control,” the SC said. “Moreover, disputes between or among agencies or offices of the Executive Department requires an understanding of how their different and competing mandates and goals affect one another, a function that is also within the President’s expertise as Chief Executive.” The High Tribunal also rejected the DOE’s invocation of the higher interest of “substantial justice” in seeking the Court’s intervention on the tax dispute. “The mere invocation of substantial justice does not automatically suspend the application of the rules, especially when it seeks to alter is a matter of jurisdiction,” the SC pointed out. In its August 2022 ruling, the Court ruled that PD 242 should prevail against laws defining general jurisdiction of the CTA, such as RA 1125, as amended, and the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC). According to the SC, PD 242 deals specifically with the resolution of disputes, claims and controversies where the parties involved are the agencies and

instrumentalities of the government. Furthermore, the SC said the President, as Chief Executive, has control over all government agencies; thus, it is only proper that he first be given a chance to resolve a dispute before resorting to courts. The dispute stemmed on December 7, 2018, when the BIR issued a “preliminary assessment notice,” or “PAN,” to the DOE for deficiency excise taxes amounting to P18.37 billion. The BIR gave the latter 15 days to settle the amount. Ten days later, the BIR issued a formal letter of demand for the assessment amount. On December 21, 2018, the DOE responded to the BIR and insisted that it is not liable for the amount since the department is not among those being compelled to pay excise taxes under Section 130(A)(I) of the NIRC. The DOE maintained that it is not the “owner, lessee, concessionaire or operator of the mining claim,” and that it merely grants mining rights or service contracts on behalf of the State. The DOE further contended that the subject transactions involve condensates, which are classified as natural gas, that are exempt from excise taxes. The DOE cited BIR Revenue Regulations 1-2018 dated January 5, 2018, for the argument. On September 19, 2019, the BIR issued the warrants of distraint and/or levy and garnishment. The DOE said these were issued prematurely and without due process. A month later, on October 18, the DOE filed a petition for review—with urgent motion for suspension of collection of taxes—with the CTA, assailing the said warrants.

Relationships

Friday, January 26, 2024 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

BusinessMirror

You know you’re old when... PAL president and COO Stanley K. Ng (seated, fourth from left) and airline officers with the BUSINESSMIRROR team: (from left) Jen Ng, associate editor; Butch Fernandez, senior reporter; Chuchay Fernandez, editor-in-chief; Lenie Lectura, senior reporter; PAL spokesman Cielo Villaluna; PAL VP for corporate communications Josen Perez de Tagle; publisher Anton Cabangon Chua; and the author

PAL president and COO Stanley K. Ng

www.businessmirror.com.ph

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Colin O’Donoghue, 43; Sara Rue, 45; Ellen DeGeneres, 66; Lucinda Williams, 71. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Choose intelligence over emotions. If you act in haste, you’ll make a mistake that can affect your home and relationships. Plan your actions and initiate changes that offer more opportunities and less emotional stress. Take matters into your hands and carve out how you want your life to move forward. Do what makes you happy. Your numbers are 3, 10, 16, 25, 36, 40, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Forgo trivial matters, don’t let anyone goad you into a debate and sidestep anyone tempting you to take a physical or financial risk. Make plans to do something that lowers stress, puts a smile on your face and brings you joy. Start a new hobby. ★★★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Stick to the facts and leave no room for error. Stop anyone who exaggerates or gossips before someone gets hurt. Take control and complete what you set out to achieve. Personal gain is within reach. ★★

OU know you’re old when you don’t even know today’s pop stars and matinee idols. So, yeah, I admit I couldn’t relate when the #KathNielBreakup trended on social media. Sure, I’ve heard of them separately (to those in the same dinosaur generation as myself, that’s Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla), but have never watched their movies, accidentally or otherwise. So, I’d probably not be able to pick out these celebrities in a restaurant unless they were pointed out to me. (A niece had to update me about who would be the kawawa of the two because of the split, since apparently one’s career only thrived because of the other.) To be honest, the last matinee idol I was familiar with was Coco Martin, and that was only because he was on the same flight as I was from Abu Dhabi to Manila many years ago, and there were streams of passengers, mostly overseas Filipino workers, having their photos taken with him. (I had to ask my seatmate Pepper if he knew who the young man was, as I don’t really follow local showbiz news. After telling me his name, Pepper introduced me to Coco’s then-manager who was seated across the aisle from me. It was quite amazing how Coco was super patient with his fans who came around at every chance while we were in the air, and he genuinely smiled in every photo with them.) It’s similar in journalism; you know you’ve been working at the trenches or at the news desk far too long when today’s CEOs may carry familiar (sur) names but are much, much younger than you. Last week, the 43-year-old Philippine Airlines president and COO Stanley K. Ng hosted a buffet Japanese lunch for BUSINESSMIRRO� led by our publisher Anton Cabangon Chua and Editor-inChief Chuchay Fernandez. So we spent some part of our dessert meal educating the good captain, a pilot by training, on the terms “blue seal” and “PX.” It all started because someone mentioned that coffee and cigarettes were the usual props of most journalists (they forgot to mention bottles of beer), to which I responded that I gave up smoking a long time ago, though drinking good coffee has become a passion. Which brought me to the story how, when I was still in college, I would often go to the PX stores in Dau, Pampanga, with my family to buy Marlboro Menthol (or Benson and Hedges) cigarettes. These cigarettes had “blue seals” on top of their boxes, which were stamped “Made in the USA.” Being the youngest at our dining table, Capt. Stanley naturally asked how these came to be, and we explained that these smokes and other imported goods came from the US military base in Clark. In those days, if your significant other was a US serviceman stationed at the then Clark Airbase, chances are you had opened your own PX kiosk (even out of your family’s car garage) where you sold Pringles potato chips, Hostess Twinkies—those sweet sponges of golden goodness—Levi’s jeans, Johnnie Walker Black Label whiskies, Fruit of the Loom underwear, Hanes T-shirts, and the like. These stores

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Travel for educational purposes or research. Keep your pursuits a secret until you have enough information to formulate your next move. Don’t make decisions based on what others do or while under emotional duress. ★★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): A situation that could be emotional requires adjustment. Avoid joint ventures and sharing expenses. Set an agenda and head in a direction that doesn’t require approval or permission. A creative project will change your direction or lifestyle. ★★★

and goods were called “PX”, short for “post-exchange,” which are stores at military installations that sell consumer goods and services to military personnel and their families. It will be two years this February since the softspoken Capt. Stanley was appointed to head PAL. Despite his youth, he has been ably piloting the country’s pioneering flag carrier, recently emerged from bankruptcy and coming from the Covid pandemic, which rendered many planes grounded with most domestic and international destinations closed to traffic. He told us that it wasn’t such as huge and difficult

a transition for him from flying planes on a daily basis. Even as an aircraft pilot, “as I was moving up, I was put in positions of management where I had to oversee operations and staff,” he said. Prior to his current post, Capt. Stanley was senior vice president for airline operations so he oversaw the movement of aircraft and managed PAL’s pilots, many of whom he may have also personally trained, being also an instructor of Airbus narrow-body planes. I suppose Capt. Stanley’s training as a pilot is the reason he is able to remain calm, despite the current turbulence being experienced by the aviation sector largely due to delays in the supply of replacement engines and other spare parts from manufacturer Pratt & Whitney. This has resulted in the grounding of four aircraft, and despite the huge demand and requests, the carrier is unable to add long-haul routes like to Israel, India and Italy. (It did add flights to Da Nang last December.) Still, PAL has recovered most of its pre-pandemic flights and frequencies, and added a few domestic routes from its Cebu hub like to Baguio and Laoag, while having restructured some international routes. Having started in customer relations at PAL, Capt. Stanley is also intent on enhancing the travel experience of passengers. The carrier recently opened its Mabuhay Lounge at passenger Terminal 1 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, designed by the sisters Ivy and Cynthia Almario. Capt. Stanley said they will be formally launching the lounge after Chinese New Year, as he promised to give us a tour of the new beautiful space. Needless to say, aside from the comfort and convenience that Mabuhay Milers will experience at the new lounge, it will continue to serve the passengers’ merienda favorite—the arroz caldo. Capt. Stanley hopes calmer skies will prevail by 2025, as it receives new planes. PAL has ordered nine Airbus 350-1000 long-range aircraft, which can accommodate 380 passengers. This will allow the carrier to increase its international routes and fly non-stop services from Manila to North America, including the US East Coast and Canada, and possibly, even to Europe. Wow! Sounds like a return to the good old days of PAL. Paris or Milan anyone? ■

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A risk can change your status quo. Listen, observe and assess situations rationally before you act. Your tendency to overreact will work against you. Protect your reputation and position. When in doubt, get an expert’s advice. ★★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Make changes at home that lower your overhead and improve your living conditions. Take part in something that will broaden your awareness or bring you in touch with someone from your past. A trip or online chat will offer valuable information. ★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t mix emotions and money. The cost of a repair or replacement will take you by surprise. Look for a payment plan you can afford or an alternative that doesn’t cost as much. ★★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Settle differences with compromise, and it will encourage opportunities instead of setting boundaries. You’ll get feedback that helps expand your plans. A chance to work with someone special will bring you closer together. ★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Know where your money goes. Spending on things you don’t need will collide with unexpected expenses, leaving you short of cash and feeling stressed. Get expert advice rather than listening to a know-it-all who will point you in the wrong direction. ★★★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Consider what you want to pursue and what makes you happy. Focus on your living space and how it affects your functionality and relationships with others. An opportunity to engage in community events will lead to an exciting connection and personal growth. ★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Put your energy to good use. Concentrate on closure and prepping for something you want to pursue. Focus on what you do best and what makes you happy instead of letting someone use manipulation to occupy your time and take advantage of your skills. ★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Change what’s necessary. Keep your money and possessions in a safe place and avoid unnecessary purchases. Concentrate on personal gains that will raise your confidence and give you the courage to control what happens next. ★★★ BIRTHDAY BABY: You are creative, kind and flexible. You are intelligent and proactive.

‘themeless sunday 69’ BY REBECCA GOLDSTEIN The Universal Crossword • Edited by David Steinberg/Anna Gundlach/Jared Goudsmit/Andrian Johnson

ACROSS 1 Little devils 5 Jan. 15, for Martin Luther King Jr. 9 Moisten, as a turkey 14 Ironic tattoo words in a Milky Way commercial 16 Crooked 17 Smart aleck 18 Back track? 19 Capitol one?: Abbr. 20 Berenstain bear in a blue bonnet 21 Enlist again 22 Abound (with) 24 Sailing the ocean 26 Actress Sorvino 29 Pie charts? 32 Soda in some Shirley Temples 35 Father, as a horse 36 “Truthfully,” in a text 37 “Is there a third option?!” 39 Structure for a feline 41 End of the Mayo Clinic’s URL 42 Freshly 44 Sings like Frank Sinatra

45 “This just isn’t worth it” 48 Grand ___ (baseball feat) 49 Banks of “Coyote Ugly” 50 “Say it ___ so!” 53 Wrap at a spa 55 Sign of an old injury 57 Carry debt 59 Skip the wedding ceremony 61 What some psychics read 63 Raptor’s grabber 64 “Volunteers?” 65 Like an expert 66 Rae who portrayed President Barbie in Barbie 67 Iams competitor DOWN 1 Liquids for quills 2 Claude who painted poppies 3 Likely (to) 4 Do some quilting 5 In ___ (still being tested) 6 Serious TV shows 7 Legendary books? 8 Paris fashion monogram

9 Iconic pig of film 10 “I would ___ so!” 11 Button at the beginning of a streaming TV show 12 Danson of The Good Place 13 Female sheep 15 “I gotta have it!” 21 Corporate grind 23 Make grammatically correct, say 25 Ncuti’s Sex Education character 27 Name that sounds like a corned beef sandwich 28 Hibachi remnants 30 (More info below) 31 City and its suburbs 32 Little devils 33 Grave danger 34 Long and tedious process 38 ___ Martin cognac 40 Colette of The Staircase 43 Deteriorates 46 Angsty and mainstream music genre 47 Quick getaways? 51 Unprecedented

52 Silly sort 54 Stooped (over) 56 High, in Guadalajara 58 Canadian gas brand 59 Touchdown stat? 60 Chap 61 ___ chi 62 Letters before a pseudonym

Solution to today’s puzzle:

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Show BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Friday, January 26, 2024

‘Beef’: And it ain’t about any meat Young Mazino as Paul is the beefcake in, well, Beef; he gets closer to Amy not knowing the road rage incident will get in the way of their own raging hormones (or at least, Paul’s). However, the steak in Beef comes from two marvelous actors: Steven Yeun as Danny Cho and Ali Wong as Amy Lau. Yeun became popular through the series The Walking Dead and the acclaimed film Minari. He has shed the good looks for Beef as he wails in a Christian church service and tries to exact revenge against Amy. Ali Wong is a stand-up comedian but here she shows a range that is so delicious to experience. In a marriage counseling session, we savor the lies her face tries to hide. Beef is a miniseries created for Netflix by Korean-American director Lee Sung Jin. At the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, Beef received eight wins, including acting awards for Yeun and Wong, and the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. At the 81st Golden Globe Awards, Beef won, among other awards, the Best Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film. A footnote: When the episodes (1 and 5) are directed by Hikari, the series assumes this terrific burst of energy. n

HERE is Beef on Netflix but it talks about a different kind of meat. Asian meat—hot, charming, magical characters meant to steal the thunder from other TV series and, of course, your heart. We all can relate to the story: road rage. But it is not merely about two people fighting over traffic rules or bumping each other and going into an endless blame game. The crisis begins with our man, Danny Cho, who is returning a grill for the third time. “Do you count?” Danny pointedly asks the guy at the counter, hinting at racial profiling. But Danny is one odd guy. And we do not know what the grill is for. Something is amiss. Danny is not able to produce the receipt necessary for the “return” of the merchandise. And the cashier is quick to push the public announcement blaring for everyone to hear how the receipt indeed is crucial to any engagement in this store. Danny Cho rushes out of the store, annoyed, after having given up on his goal that morning. Outside, he is dazed and loses concentration; before he realizes it, he is almost bumping a tonier car. Or what is the latter that was about to crush him? A car chase ensues, where at stake is not simply the mental health of the two protagonists but their autobiography. Danny is not alone, for there is Amy with beef all of her own. Thus, the title of the series and thus the metaphor that celebrates the sinews and blood of being Asian—Japanese, Korean, everything other than White American—in a land that is by default always white and, to a point, American. I believe the first episode of any wonderful series is the key to being hooked to the drama being presented. And Beef is not one to disappoint. In the episode, titled in a pseudo-poetic “The Birds Don’t Sing, They Screech in Pain,” the road rage introduces two individuals each caught in their own personal problem. Danny is a contractor who does not land any contract and ends up doing the most menial of jobs. Amy is the zealous woman entrepreneur out to sell her own business for $10 million to Jordan who, despite and maybe because of her sublime taste, operates a home-improvement business serving the most ordinary classes of people. Amy’s husband is George Nakai, a Japanese American, son of the fashionably eccentric artist, Fumi Nakai. Danny has his own problem: his younger brother Paul. Good-looking, Paul will sort of mediate the gap between his brother Danny and the other party in the road rage, Amy. If Amy had this househusband, then

CINEMALAYA 2024 CALLS FOR SHORT FILM ENTRIES

Danny has his own brother who would not budge away from his computer. At the end of the first episode,when we are well-informed that the plot is about failed revenge, mistaken identities and botched romances, the music from Hoobastank soars. The song is “The Reason” and we remember the MTV of that song when it was released many years earlier: a woman steps out and gets run over by a car, as a heist happens while the death of this woman steals the attention from everyone. It is once more the road and a car and a rage over how misfortune is always just around the corner. Here is the promise of Beef, a tight story that is summed up by the most caustic use of songs with their own dose of references. Somewhere along the way, Scott, Paul’s and Danny’s cousin, arrives, fresh from prison, and becomes the financial and strategic adviser to Danny. Gripping as the narrative may be, the magic and

charm of the series can be found really in its ensemble of Asian actors. If there is a beef about how they are handled, one could perhaps see it in how the nonJapanese are asked to play the role of that ethnicity, the idea being that all Asians look the same. And yet there is the benediction: here are Asian actors playing the tragicomic roles that, in another era, would have been given to White Americans. Be that as it may, the actors and the characters they play are the factors that make Beef a rare meat, in the sense of not being seen always and not to point at the rawness of their portrayal. Patty Yasutake as Fumi Nakai is a virago of an artist and mother-in-law. With those eyelids always covered in kohl and contempt, she does not need to speak to spew her disappointment at the fact that her son’s wife stays out of the house most of the time. David Choe as Isaac is this guy recently paroled with a misplaced tenderness in that thug of a persona.

AFTER two decades of celebrating Philippine independent filmmaking, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. open the screens for submission to the Short Film Category of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2024. The deadline for submissions is on or before 6 pm on March 8, 2024. The country’s biggest independent film competition is open to all Filipino filmmakers. Interested participants may submit a maximum of three entries but only one entry per proponent may be considered as a finalist. Submitted entries must have been produced from March 3, 2023 to March 8, 2024. Short film entries that participated in other local and international festivals and competitions are qualified to join Cinemalaya. However, if an entry is submitted and selected as a finalist in both the Cinemalaya and Gawad Alternatibo, the said entry will automatically be removed from the Gawad Alternatibo lineup, in favor of Cinemalaya. Entries may be submitted online or offline. For online application, submit all requirements through forms.gle/gb4csK1rcDqFwnhs7. Requirements include a duly completed entry form, synopsis in English, a brief resume with 2x2 photo/s of the filmmaker/s, and the final work in MP4 format, with violator/watermark (for screening purposes only) and properly labeled with title, production company, address and contact numbers, production date, director’s name, running time which should not exceed 20 minutes including credits. For offline submission, send entries to the Film, Broadcast, and New Media Division office, located at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Annex Building, Vicente Sotto Street, Pasay City. For offline submission, film entry must be submitted on a thumb drive (USB), with the entry form, synopsis, and filmmaker’s profile. All must be submitted in a long brown envelope properly labeled with the proponent’s name, title of the film, and contact details. The Cinemalaya Selection Committee will shortlist 10 film finalists which will be screened at the 2024 Cinemalaya Film Festival on August 2 to 11, and will have the chance to compete for the coveted Balanghai trophies. For full mechanics, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) or the Cinemalaya website (www.cinemalaya.org).

Greta Gerwig snubbed for best director and other Oscar nominations surprises By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press CUE all the “did Barbie direct itself” snark. But Greta Gerwig not being among the five best director nominees for this year’s Oscars is one of the biggest shocks in recent memory. Here are some other major “snubs” and “surprises” from Oscar nomination morning. n GRETA GERWIG SHUT OUT FOR DIRECTOR. If we knew anything going into Oscar nominations morning, it was that Gerwig was obviously going to be nominated for directing Barbie. It was that rarest of things, a critically praised original blockbuster (about a woman to boot) that became the highest earner of the year by a wide margin and was a legitimate cultural phenomenon. Gerwig was previously nominated for best director for Lady Bird, and missing out for Little Women was even a snub. Unfortunately many will likely point to Justine Triet (Anatomy of a Fall) for taking Gerwig’s spot, but let’s not pit two great female directors against one another. If it’s any consolation to Gerwig, last year’s blockbuster directors were also shut out of this category—neither James Cameron (Avatar: The Way of Water) nor Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) made it in. n ACADEMY CONTINUES TO DISAPPOINT WITH BLACK WOMEN. Even with her years of service to the academy, Ava DuVernay could see the writing on the wall: Origin was completely overlooked by her fellow members, most upsettingly for Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor’s leading performance as Isabel Wilkerson. It’s not a secret that the Oscars have a bad track record with Black female directors—remember last year how Gina Prince-Bythewood’s The Woman King was also shut out? DuVernay’s Selma remains the only best picture nominee directed by a Black woman. And Halle Berry will for another year continue to be the only Black woman to ever win best actress, as The

Color Purple’s Fantasia Barrino also missed out on a nomination. n CHARLES MELTON MISSES THE CUT. Someone tell Charles Melton’s mom to get a comforting batch of her kimchi going ASAP. The May December actor was not nominated for his heartbreaking performance as the unknowing victim of an older woman’s grooming. The surprise inclusion in this category was Sterling K. Brown for American Fiction. May December did not do well at all, getting only one nomination for screenwriter Samy Burch. n AMERICA FERRERA IN, MARGOT ROBBIE OUT. Barbie’s chaos didn’t stop with Gerwig’s exclusion from best director. Margot Robbie was not among the lead actress nominees Tuesday morning but her co-star America Ferrera, of that now-famous monologue, made it into supporting. Robbie did snag one nomination for the film, as producer in the best picture category. n DIANE WARREN GETS ANOTHER SHOT; DUA LIPA IS ‘BARBIE’ CASUALTY. It’s not the Oscars without a Diane Warren nomination. The songwriter got her 15th nomination, this time for “The Fire Inside” from Flamin’ Hot. Though she has now received an honorary Oscar, Warren has not yet won a competitive statuette. This is not likely to be her year either, up against two Barbie juggernauts: “I’m Just Ken” and “What Was I Made For.” Oscar rules state that only two original songs from a single film can be nominated, meaning Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night Away” was the unlucky Barbie exclusion. n FAREWELL ‘FALLEN LEAVES’ AND THE ‘TASTE OF THINGS’. The international feature category always has some heartbreakers but this year stung a little more: Aki Kaurismäki’s acclaimed deadpan romantic comedy Fallen Leaves looked like it could have been a shoo-in for the Oscars, but it got zero nominations on Tuesday. It’s in good company with France’s selection The Taste of Things, which

ACTORS Ryan Gosling (left), Margot Robbie (center) with director Greta Gerwig on the set of Barbie. AP

was also shut out. Many thought it wild that France selected that film over Anatomy of a Fall, which was rewarded with four nominations in other categories including director and picture. n ‘PAST LIVES’ NEARLY DISAPPEARS. In one version of nominations morning, Past Lives could have been among the top six nominees but Celine Song’s graceful romance came out with only two, for screenplay and best picture. Besides Song missing out for her direction, the biggest snub is for Greta Lee’s gorgeous, soulful lead performance. n GAME OVER FOR SUPER MARIO BROS. Oh no, Mario! The Super Mario Bros. movie, the second highest-grossing film of the year, was completely shut out from nominations including animation. We knew going into the morning that Bowser’s ballad to Princess Peach had not made the shortlist for original song, but it is pretty surprising that it wasn’t at least among the best animated movies. Perhaps the

unexpected element of chaos here was Neon’s Robot Dreams, a Cannes acquisition that has not yet been released in the US. n SHORTS ARE A LITTLE LESS STARRY. The Almodóvar/Anderson duel in the short film category just became a draw. Pedro Almodóvar was not nominated for his Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke led film Strange Way of Life, making the category a little less starry. Wes Anderson, who has never won an Oscar, did make it in however for his Roald Dahl short The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. This makes eight nominations for Anderson over the years. n ‘SALTBURN’ GOES DOWN THE DRAIN. Listen, we didn’t really think that Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn would make a big splash nominations morning, but it had been trending that way based on its popularity on Prime Video over the holidays. Time to blast Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dance Floor.” Clothing optional.

Friday, January 26, 2024

www.businessmirror.com.ph

FI CONFIRMS DOUBLEDRAGON’S HOTEL101-MADRID PROPERTY IS LOCATED BESIDE GRAND PRIX TRACK

STUDENTS, parent-leaders gather together with Sun Life Foundation President Alex Narciso, Sun Life Global President and CEO Kevin Strain and Sun Life Philippines CEO and Country Head and Sun Life Foundation Chairman Benedict Sison for the event.

Sun Life Foundation launches urban gardening initiative to fight undernutrition among students MAP illustration of the Madrid F1 Grand Prix based on official track layout released by F1

OU B L E DR AG ON a n no u n c e d January 24, 2024 that the 6,593 square-meter property recently purchased by Hotel101 Global for the upcoming 680 Rooms Hotel101-Madrid in Valdebebas in Madrid, Spain is located right beside the F1 Grand Prix Track that was released by Formula 1. Hotel101-Madrid is currently the only upcoming hotel right beside the F1 Madrid Track and is expected to be one of the Top 5 largest hotels in Madrid, Spain. Given this new development as announced by F1 regarding Madrid F1 Grand Prix, DoubleDragon expects the land value of the prime and centrally located commercial land it has purchased to have substantially appreciated and could translate to a

faster sales offtake. Robust condotel sales revenue of about €143.3 Million Euros (P8.8 billion) is expected to be generated from the Hotel101-Madrid project. Following completion of the land purchase last October 31, 2023, Hotel101 Global has taken full possession of the prime land in Valdebebas Madrid Spain, located in Avenida Fuerzas Armadas, Valdebebas, Madrid which is surrounded by major landmark buildings and is about three minute walk to the Valdebebas Train Station, four minute walk to IFEMA convention complex, five minute walk to Real Madrid Sports Complex, and around seven minutes to the new Madrid Barajas International Airport. Formula 1 officially announced January

23, 2024 that the Spanish Grand Prix will be held in Madrid starting 2026 following an agreement with MADRID IFEMA to bring an all-new circuit to Madrid, Spain with street and non-street sections. It has been over 40 years since the last F1 in Madrid was conducted, thus making this news a great welcome development for Madrid. The upcoming Grand Prix in Madrid is projected to have the capacity to host more than 100,000 per day, making Madrid one of the largest venues on the F1 calendar. Hotel101-Madrid is scheduled and expected to begin construction in March 2024, and poised to be completed by Q4 2025, just in time for the 2026 F1 Grand Prix in Madrid, Spain.

HE Su n L i fe Fou nd at ion recent ly launched an urban gardening program at Comembo Elementary School as part of the Tulong Eskwela project, an initiative in partnership with AHA Learning Center that provides quality education to studentbeneficiaries. The urban garden aims to support the school ’s feeding program to help combat undernourishment among the students. It also aims to encourage parents to start the practice at home. “Aside from providing opportunities to learn, we also want to look after the welfare and holistic health of our student-beneficiaries,” Sun Life Foundation Executive Director Kristine Millete said. “This initiative can help provide them with more sustenance in a more sustainable way.” During the launch, Comembo Elementary School also hosted “Palarong Pinoy” where students, teachers, and parent-leaders played traditional Filipino games together with

Millete and Sun Life executives, including Sun Life Philippines CEO and Country Head and Sun Life Foundation Chairman Benedict Sison, Sun Life Foundation President Alex Narciso, and other members of the Sun Life Philippine Leadership Team. Sun Life Global President and CEO Kevin Strain, who was also in town from Canada, made sure to join the launch and festivities as well. Meanwhile, the students, parent-leaders, and teachers received gift packs just in time for the holiday season. The event culminated with a scrumptious boodle fight feast. Tulong Eskwela is a f lagship education program of AHA Learning Center. The Sun Life Foundation partnered with AHA Learning Center in 2020 to support teachers, students, and parents pivot towards distance and hybrid learning setup during the pandemic. Since its launch, it has aided thousands of beneficiaries and has helped ease the challenges of learning in a post-pandemic environment.

SMX Convention Center Clark, Olongapo win honors at DOT event

MX Convention Center Clark and Olongapo bagged multiple awards at the recently concluded Department of Tourism Region 3-Tourism Recognition for Enterprises and Stakeholders (TRES) Awards that took place at the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. These esteemed awards are testaments to SMX Convention Center’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the tourism and hospitality industry. The TRES Awards hosted by DOT Region 3 aims to recognize the outstanding contributions of public and private stakeholders in Central Luzon’s tourism sector. SMX Convention Center Clark and Olongapo, being part of the scenic and rich lands of Central Luzon, made their mark on the

Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) categories. On one hand, SMX Convention Center Clark brought home the following awards: Winner-Tourism Quality Awards-MICE Exhibition Category, Winner-Tourism Quality Awards-MICE Event Venue Category, and 2nd Runner Up-Tourism Quality Awards-MICE Meeting Room Category. These accolades serve as great honors for SMX Convention Center Clark as it has been gearing up for the upcoming M.I.C.E Conference which will happen on July 10 to 12, 2024. On the other hand, SMX Convention Center Olongapo successfully garnered these awards: 1st Runner Up-Tourism Q u a l it y Aw a rd s - M IC E Eve nt Ve nue

Categor y and 1st Runner Up-Mabuhay Award for Charlene Peralta in the Supervisory category. These honors are not just merely recognitions but also a celebration of the collective efforts made by each member of the SMX Force that have transformed SMX Convention Center Olongapo as an outstanding venue for hosting events in the region. These recognitions would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the exceptional event-professional team to further promote and enhance the experiences of clients. SMX Convention Center Clark and Olongapo aim to continuously thrive in creating memorable events and strive for even greater heights in the MICE industry.

ACCIONA achieves ‘Top Employer 2024’ Certification in the Philippines

CCIONA has achieved, for the first time, the Top Employer 2024 certification in the Philippines. ACCIONA’s team in the country underwent an audit last year and successfully obtained certification for the years 2023 and 2024. The certificate awarded by the Top Employers Institute, a leading global organization in the recognition of excellence in human resources practices, is one of the most demanding and prestigious in the world in the field of corporate people management. To obtain this accreditation, organizations are evaluated through the HR Best Practices Survey, which analyzes aspects related to twenty topics, including people

strategy, the work environment, talent recruitment, training, promotion of employee well-being and diversity and inclusion, among others. For more than 30 years, the Top Employers program has certified over 2,200 companies in 122 countries on the five continents. These companies have a positive impact on the lives of more than nine million employees worldwide. The company has drawn up a global strategy called ACCIONA´s People, with the aim of putting people at its center through four key approaches: recognition of merit, diversity and inclusion, a transformative work environment and leadership. ACCIONA has localized its practices in

the Philippines, with the global strategy as its north star, by understanding that the people-centric strategy is to create sustainable and successful places that promote well-being by empathizing and learning what employees need from the places they operate in. ACCIONA´s People has been consolidated as a proposition of value for employees and is part of the company’s 2025 Sustainability Master Plan, as the first of its strategic principles, with the aim of investing in people to include and enhance the best diverse talent. ACCIONA inaugurated its commercial office in Manila in 2019, and currently has over 400 employees strong.

PRSP Youth Congress breaks from tradition with Podcast Series

HE Public Relations Society of the Philippines kicks off the new year breaking from tradition by entering digital platforms. The PRSP Education Committee has partnered with The Pod Network to create Breaking Down The Buzz, a 12-episode Youth Congress in a podcast, curated for the academe and young professionals. This is the latest evolution of the congress, which went from physical event to virtual during the lockdowns. A pioneer milestone in the Public Relations and Communications industry, Breaking Down The Buzz makes use of the technical and creative services of The Pod Network, one of the leaders in the podcast industry. “Choosing to do the YouthCon in a podcast and partner with TPN shows the time is now to leave comfort zones to pursue endeavours not yet tried before like using data and analytics to push boundaries. It’s inspiring for our Board to get the chance show the next gen of PRSP a new way forward,” says Harold Geronimo, PRSP 2023 President. From Alan Fontanilla, The Pod Network CEO and Co-founder, “We are excited to work with PRSP on this groundbreaking YouthCon. Podcast is a platform that is so now, catering to the youth and how they access information. Putting the YouthCon a podcast makes the information convenient so many more can benefit from it.” “Breaking Down The Buzz challenges norms

and methodologies. The Education Committee wanted to revitalize learning pushing the idea ‘one should never stop learning’ and provide a top-of-mind platform that stays relevant— for everyone, anytime, anywhere,” shares Aye Ubaldo, Education Committee Chair, and 2023 PRSP Treasurer. The recently launched series features the country’s top-notch educators, industry veterans, renowned and award-winning communicators, and a crop of exceptional young business leaders and content creators. Episodes range from PR Evolution: From Classroom to Workplace; Preparing the Next Gen: Careers in PR and Communications; and Public Relations in Omnichannel Communications; to even current buzz discussions about Communicating In the Age of Info Overload and Fake News; and Influencers, KOLs, Content Creators, and their Rise to Relevance. “By breaking down these diverse topics into bite-sized casual conversations, we hope to be able to smoothen the transition between theory and practice for our student listeners. And for current practitioners - further augment their PR knowledge and reignite their passion for communications”, concludes Gerald Lim, Breaking Down the Buzz co-project lead and MullenLowe MARC Head of Accounts. The series may be accessed on Spotify. First five episodes are out, with a new episode released every week.

Sports BusinessMirror

Editor: Jun Lomibao

Operation Refugee: Doping ‘em young

TONY LASCUÑA pulls through with flying colors after another punishing day. ROY DOMINGO

Lascuña wrests TCC Invitational 3rd-round lead

ONY LASCUÑA took charge in a gripping turn of events on another punishing day at The Country Club (TCC) and snatched the lead from Miguel Tabuena with a clutch two-shot swing on the last hole in the third round of the TCC Invitational in Santa Rosa City on Thursday. Short in length but long in talent, Lascuña showed tenacity and skill as he crafted a gritty 72, bucking challenging conditions with a masterful frontside assault and dislodging Tabuena with a stupefying birdie off a spectacular shot on the demanding closing hole to find himself the bewildered leader at even-par 216. Lascuña’s bold 3-wood second shot from 225 yards sailed against the high winds and landed 12 feet off the cup. After twice studying the line of his putt, he drilled it in to rescue a 35-37 and complete his remarkable charge from four shots down halfway through the P6 million tournament and closer to a second championship. “The course’s just wild, it gives long hitters the advantage, but my pitch-and-putt went well,” said Lascuña, whose performance mirrored his victory 20 years ago in what used to be the Don Pocholo Razon Memorial Cup, highlighting the enduring quality of his game. Despite giving away significant yardage off the mound to Tabuena and Clyde Mondilla, Lascuña’s exceptional shots, including a chip-in birdie on the wind-raked par-three No. 6 brought him within striking distance. The seasoned campaigner’s monster 60-foot birdie putt on the par-5 No. 2 hinted at a day of brilliance, setting the stage for a compelling showdown with Tabuena, who finished without a birdie for the second straight day, leading to a 77 and a 217. Tabuena clung onto the lead despite a four-bogey card after 17 holes but came up short on the 18th

green and failed to get up-and-down from 15 feet and slipped to second after a dominant start with a record 64 and holding sway in the second round after a 76. “I putted the ball well but I wasn’t happy with the way I struck it [ball]. My long game wasn’t to my standards,” rued Tabuena, who bogeyed three of the last five holes for an uncharacteristic 38-39. The two-time Philippine Open champion faced early challenges as he missed makeable putts, leading to bogeys on Nos. 6 and 9. Lascuña, 53, capitalized on these opportunities, closing the gap and guaranteeing another title duel reminiscent of their clash in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. TCC Match Play Invitational last November. The 29-year-old Tabuena took that one in emphatic fashion, romping off with a 4&3 victory in a rain-hit finale and he looked poised to zeroing in on a second TCC Invitational championship after staying in control after 36 holes. But Lascuña, the only four-time Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit (PGT OOM) winner, including three straight from 2012, continued to defy time and odds, showcasing toughness and resolve. While the rest of the select field struggled to contend with the demanding course, the fight for the top P2 million prize narrowed down to Lascuña and Tabuena, transcending generations in a battle for supremacy in the country’s premier championship. Lloyd Go, runner-up to Guido van der Valk last year, matched Lascuña’s day-best 72 to earn a share of third at seven-over 223 with reigning PGT OOM winner Jhonnel Ababa, who carded a 75, while Mondilla bounced back from a 10-over card after 8 holes with four birdies to save a 79 for a 224.

Padel Pilipinas gets POC recognition

HE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has recognized Padel Pilipinas as the country’s official padel federation. “We are happy to receive the trust and support of the POC, the governing body of all National Sports Associations [NSAs] in the Philippines,” said Padel Pilipinas secretary-general Duane Santos, who, together with his brother Derrick, are the reigning national padel champions. “Under Senator Pia Cayetano’s leadership and our team of Filipino coaches, we are committed to prioritizing a grassroots padel program in the country. We will continue to bring the sport closer to more Filipinos,” he added. Cayetano is the woman behind Padel Pilipinas. “I’ve always been a believer that sports is the great equalizer. Through sports, deserving kids can get a good education through scholarships,” Cayetano said. “They get to meet, train with and compete against equally determined and talented individuals outside of their schools and hometowns.”

Padel Pilipinas has been actively conducting clinics and training all over the country and have pushed for the construction of public courts to ensure accessibility for the sport. “I am confident that through the consistent efforts and unwavering dedication of Padel Pilipinas, padel will continue to grow in our country, one locality at a time,” Cayetano added. Casao earned his professional certification from Spain-based PadelMBA and manages the training of beginners in the country, including Tarlac, Pampanga, Laguna, Batangas, Bataan and Aurora. SENATOR Pia Cayetano with coach Bryan Casao and Padel Pilipinas secretary-general Duane Santos

A TEST kit for human urine doping testing with A and B sample bottles. AP

ONTREAL, Canada—A 10-year global study of positive doping tests by children and young teenagers showed most sanctions came from Russia, India and China and in sports like weightlifting, athletics and cycling, the World Anti-Doping Agency said Wednesday. Diuretics, stimulants and anabolic steroids were the most commonly found substances in more than 1,500 positive tests involving more than

1,400 minors since 2012. The youngest athlete tested was 8 years old and the youngest sanctioned in a doping case was a 12-yearold, WADA said in the “Operation Refuge” study. “Operation Refuge reports in heartbreaking detail the deep trauma and isolation child athletes experience following a positive test and a doping sanction,” the chair of WADA’s athlete council, Ryan Pini, said in a statement. It cited the testimony of a female minor “who recalled the extreme

pressure she and other female athletes felt from the male coaches to keep their weight down,” the report said. “This pressure included an impossible expectation to slow down the effects of puberty because puberty would supposedly negatively impact their ability to compete.” WADA said its intelligence and investigations unit analyzed testing data of samples collected from minors since 2012. The investigators also received 58 alerts since 2018 on a confidential hotline that implicated minors in doping.

Romeros, Capital1 Power Spikers adding jolt to PVL

EAMS take time to become great so Capital1 Solar Energy president Mandy Romero is giving her Premier Volleyball League (PVL) squad two to three years to win the ultimate prize. “Great teams take time. We hope we can create a formidable team in the next two to three years and hope we can find diverse talents around the country and create a culture to elevate our team,” Romero, co-owner of the Power Spikers with sister Milka, told the team’s press launch on Thursday at the Milky Way Café in Makati City. The Capital1Solar Energy Power Spikers are the newest members of the 12-team PVL and the Romero sisters are excited to be part of the family. Milka Romero, also a member of the board of directors of the familyowned solar energy company, is hoping that they can help elevate the sport to great heights. “We want to apply what we learned in business to sport. We want

TEAM owners Mandy and Milka Romero with (from left) Premiere Volleyball League President Ricky Palou and chair Tonyboy Liao, coach Roger Gorayeb and assistant team manager Edwin Galvez. to instill discipline and teamwork,” said Milka, who once co-captained the Ateneo football team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. “But more importantly, we want to contribute to women’s sports, especially volleyball.” Like Milka, Mandy is also

the previous year, the 27-year-old Boholano, now with Team Core Pacific Money Exchange, is set to leave it all on the course in pursuit of 5150 glory. Joining him in this quest is Lorbes, a stalwart of The Next Step Tri. Motivated by a strong resolve to improve upon his fourth place finish in 5150 Dapitan, topped by Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Fernando Casares, Lorbes is likewise gearing up for a strong performance. But the duo faces formidable

competition from an international field, featuring athletes hailing from Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, France, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Singapore and Turkey. Registration is ongoing with the organizing The Ironman Group/ Sunrise Events Inc. anticipating a surge of participants eager to take on the challenge in the event. To secure a coveted spot in the top endurance race, visit ironman. com/5150-camsur-register.

“Analysis of those disclosures revealed that the majority had originated from Russia and India, and that the most reported sports, globally, were aquatics and athletics,” the agency said. In cases that reached a sanction, the most commonly found doping substance was the diuretic furosemide in Russia, the anabolic steroid stanozolol in India and clenbuterol in China, the report said. In weightlifting cases, the most common substance was stanozolol, in track and field it was the endurance boosting hormone EPO and in cycling it was meldonium, WADA said. Meldonium is the heart medication most widely known for the doping case of Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova. WADA said about 80 percent of positive tests led to sanctions and others were for substances allowed for therapeutic use. Those included a stimulant for treating ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Some evidence suggested systematic doping, including multiple minors testing positive for the same substance in samples taken on the same day. WADA highlighted a 2012 case of four boxers in Romania testing positive for furosemide; three track and field athletes in China testing positive for stanozolol in 2021; two Belarusian skaters testing positive for furosemide in 2022; and two Kazakh weightlifters testing positive for ostarine last year. “‘Operation Refuge’ places a difficult but important issue into the spotlight,” said WADA director of intelligence and investigations Günter Younger. “We are working towards ensuring that the experiences of those interviewed during this operation do not continue to repeat themselves.” AP

Rabe limps out of Youth Games, Balbanida ready for competition

athletic having been a national Muay Thai athlete. GlobalPort President Sheila Romero graced the launch along with PVL President Ricky Palou and chair Tonyboy Liao, assistant team manager Edwin Galvez and champion coach in Roger Gorayeb.

Senator Jinggoy honors Samboy Lim

Pagaura, Lorbes locked, loaded for 5150 CamSur ONATHAN PAGAURA and Emil Lorbes top-bill a field that blends experienced competitors with emerging stars in the 5150 CamSur on February 11 in Camarines Sur. Pagaura, who narrowly missed clinching the 5150 crown to Satar Salem in a fiercely contested duel in Bohol in 2022, is primed for redemption. Fueled by a burning desire to make amends for his fourth place finish and ninth place effort in Bohol and Dapitan, respectively,

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Friday, January 26, 2024 B7

ENATOR Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said the late Avelino “Samboy” Lim merits the recognition of the Senate for “exemplifying his boundless passion for the sport and exhibiting the ideals of sportsmanship on the court.” Estrada stressed in Senate Resolution No. 911 the Senate’s sympathy and condolences on the passing of the basketball legend and one of the 25 greatest players in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Called “The Skywalker,” Lim passed away last December 23 at 61. “His love and dedication to the sport as demonstrated by his outstanding performances exhilarated fans, inspired generations of athletes, and contributed immensely to the growth of Philippine basketball,” Estrada said. Lim was the first recipient of the PBA Sportsmanship Award in 1993 for embodying the ideals of sportsmanship—ethical behavior, fair play and integrity—and in 2016, the award was renamed as the Samboy Lim PBA Sportsmanship Award.

He steered Colegio de San Juan de Letran to three consecutive championships in the National Collegiate Athletic Association where he was named Most Valuable Player in 1984. Two years after, he joined San Miguel Beer and spent his entire 11year PBA career with the celebrated franchise where he won for the team nine championships and the 1989 Grand Slam. He was a five-time PBA All-Star and two-time PBA Mythical Second Team Selection. Lim played for the national team and won gold medal in the Southeast Asian in Singapore (1983) and Bangkok (1985) and the Asian Basketball Confederation Championship in Kuala Lumpur in 1985 and was part of the all-pro team that clinched silver in the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing and bronze in the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. He also established the Skywalker Basketball Clinic. “Lim’s passing is an immense loss not only to his family, but to the entire nation as well,” Estrada said.

By Josef Ramos

ANGWON, South Korea— Freestyle skier Laetaz Amihan Rabe was officially ruled out of the Fourth Winter Youth Olympic Games leaving the country’s campaign on cross-country skiier Avery Uriel Balbanida who flew in on Thursday night Doctors at the Wonju Severance Christian Hospital declared the 14-year-old Rabe unfit to continue because of a left knee injury she sustained from a bad landing after a practice jump ahead of her slopestyle competition Wednesday. “She [Rabe] needs to rest for four to six weeks because of her injury, but she’s doing fine,” Rabe’s father Ric said. The young Rabe was discharged from the hospital and was treated to a lunch of snow crabs by his dad in a seaside seafood restaurant. She didn’t need crutches although she walked with a limp. The Rabes plan to watch the freestyle big air competition on Sunday before flying home to Geneva on Monday. Balbanida wished both Rabe and speedskater Peter Groseclose, who was also injured in the men’s 500 meters, for a quick recovery. “I’m praying and wishing for their fast recovery,” he said. Balbanida, a 16-year-old from Calgary City in Canada arrived with his American trainer and coach Allison McArdle and parents Voltaire and Rosalia, “It’s going to be an interesting week and I’m so proud to be here,” Balbanida said. “I’m really excited to compete for the Philippines, but I’m a little bit scared because it’s all by myself now.” He will compete in men’s sprint freestyle on Mondy and 7.5-km classic skiing on Tuesday. “It’s a proactive week, no rest for me as I took two more competitions and had a couple of examinations last week, like Math 20, but I’m ready now,” added the 11th grader at the All Saints High School in Calgary. Groseclose, meanwhile, will be leaving for the US on Friday.

Motoring BusinessMirror

Friday, January 26, 2024

Editor: Tet Andolong

Here comes the all-electric

Mercedes-Benz EQS D

Story by Randy S. Peregrino

UBBED “The Pinnacle of Sustainable Luxury”, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC AMG recently made its Philippine debut as the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz EQ family introduced locally last year. IC Star Automotive Inc., the country’s official and sole distributor of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, unveiled a much-awaited all-electric sedan as the first model built on the modular design envisioned for executive and luxuryclass electric cars. Mercedes-Benz claims that the all-electric EQS offers features that can be experienced with almost all human senses. Moreover, it elevates the “Sustainable Luxury” experience to a new dimension in aesthetics, innovation, design, and performance. At the same time, the EQS testifies to the passionate commitment of its developers and designers to electric mobility to bring pleasure to drivers and passengers through technology, safety, and connectivity.

Opulence styling

Notable to the new EQS is the iconic Black Panel radiator trim with a three-dimensional Mercedes-Benz pattern, representing the commitment to the brand’s highest standards. At a glance, the EQS Sedan embodies progress and dynamism. Mercedes-Benz defines the exterior as flowing, with seamless transitions and generously modelled surfaces that are true to the design concept of sensuous clarity. The sedan’s characteristic one-bow design highlights the coupé-like roofline, extending an arc over and to the rear frameless doors. With its one-bow lines and cab-forward fastback design, the EQS features a short nose and a one-piece aluminum clamshell hood that rises forcefully and slopes, flowing into a windshield with a severe incline and, as a result, achieving a 0.20 coefficient of drag, making it the world’s most aerodynamic production vehicle. A Panoramic Sliding Roof, whether open or closed, attracts a bright and pleasant ambience inside. In addition, the new EQS features seamless door handles with chrome inserts, contributing to its stunningly sculpted design. For illumination, there is digital light with an ultra-range high beam. It has a visually digital light consisting of three light dots linked by a light band. The Digital Light adapts to the driving situation for relaxed and safe driving. It constantly adapts the illumination of the road for you to the lighting conditions, the traffic situation, the course of the road and the weather. Meanwhile, the rear lights, which have internal mechanisms shaped like a curved 3D helix and are joined by a light band, are equally iconic of the EQ family. The new EQS

has a 21-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheel for that sporty and robust character.

All the tech leading the way

Mercedes-Benz claims that the new EQS is already on the next level. Through Artificial Intelligence, it can make instantaneous decisions while learning over time about how the car is driven. Also available is the Zero-Layer interface that brings vehicle functions and infotainment to new dimensions. The control and display concept are utterly refined to its users, making them personalized for the driver by suggesting numerous infotainments and vehicle functions. As part of the MBUX infotainment system, adaptive software ensures that the most pertinent applications are available at the top layer of the system and can make personalized suggestions about comfort, entertainment, or vehicle functions based on context and situation. The MBUX Hyperscreen is the absolute highlight in the interior. It boasts a 56-inch curved display stretching to the front passenger dash area. The system allows the user to view all information and conveniently issue voice commands. The display has three screens merged by a bonded glass length. The driver section has an OLED 12.3-inch, the center dash has a 17.7-inch display, and the front passenger section has a 12.3inch display. For a crisp audio experience, the system is supported by a Burmester 3D surround sound system with 15 speakers. Other features include Wireless charging, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Screen contents are quickly and easily shared with other passengers. Selection and modification of navigation destinations are also possible from the rear seats. MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment System comprises two 11.6-inch displays with touch controls on the backrests of the driver and front passenger seats. The MBUX rear tablet is also available as standard. It is a fully-fledged tablet and can also be used outside the vehicle. In addition, users can install Android apps. With the convenient remote control, all rear seat entertainment functions can be comfortably controlled by users from any seat position. Each seat offers an opportunity to interact with the vehicle for a unique experience for both driver and passengers. The Mercedes-Benz EQS has up to 350 sensors, feeding control units, and algorithm information to process. Obvious information

Record broken; 5th generation Jeep

Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc.) and TMA (Truck Manufacturers Association). The record growth was, again, attributed to constant consumer demand, easier access to loan/credit platforms and supply availability of even the elusive but preferred brands. Again, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) retained its huge chunk of market leadership at 46.5 percent,

all-new EQS emphasizes a luxurious and smooth driving experience.

High-performance and all-electric

The MBUX Hyperscreen is the absolute interior highlight boasting a 56-inch curved display. Mercedes-Benz

includes distances, speeds and acceleration, deceleration, lighting conditions, precipitation, temperatures, and seat occupancy.

First-Class comfort

Step inside and be enchanted with its firstclass amenities and superb comfort. The new EQS prioritizes ride comfort with a four-link front and multi-link rear suspension similar to the luxurious flagship sedan S-Class. It features AIRMATIC air suspension with adjustable damping and real-time adaptation to road conditions. The new EQS can transform the rear passenger compartment into a first-class cabin.

followed by Mitsubishi at 18.2 percent, Ford 7.3 percent, Nissan 6.3 percent and Suzuki 4.3 percent. Here’s to a continuous upward trend in our ever-volatile automotive world.

Iconic Jeep ITH 39,153 units sold in December, the past year registered a record-shattering total of 429,807 vehicles sold in an astonishing industry performance surpassing the annual sales target of 423,000. Data showed that only 223,793 units were sold in 2020, 268,488 in 2021 before climbing up to an inspiring 352,596 in 2022 as per CAMPI (Chamber of Automotive

The new Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC AMG. Mercedes-Benz

COLENE Jalalon writes to say that the fifth generation Jeep Grand Cherokee L has finally hit town. Her report: “IC Automotive Inc., general distributor of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM Trucks in the Philippines, brands the Jeep Grand Cherokee L as the perfect road trip companion. “With its world-class styling and craftsmanship, the flagship sevenseater SUV wears its signature seven-slot grille that well represents Jeep as the most awarded SUV.

Seats offer superb comfort thanks to the electronically adjustable backrests, climatized front and rear seats and a comfortable armrest at the back. The intelligent control option via the MBUX rear tablet in the comfort armrest is also an exciting feature. The interior of EQS comes with Active Ambient Lighting, consisting of 190 LEDs that wrap around light strips and elements meld to form an additional lighting level with 64 colors available. The system works visually with the MBUX voice assistant and recognizes the position of the person speaking so it can direct cues like the system waiting for further input. Overall, the

“Launched in March 2023, the Grand Cherokee L is meticulously curated with its iconic and striking appearance, premium and functional interior, exhilarating driving performance, uncompromised comfort and convenience, top-notch safety features, and legendary 4x4 capability. “Driven by freedom, adventure, authenticity and passion, the Jeep Life is all about living to the fullest. It encourages you to find your tribe, explore new places and have a taste of the best adventures that life has to offer. “The new Jeep has a 3.6L V6 Engine with Engine Start-Stop (ESS) platform, and a 487L of cargo space behind the third-row seats, 2,395L of cargo room when the fold flat 2nd & 3rd row seats are down. “It retails at P5,490,000, and is

Motivation comes from an electric motor generating 360 horsepower and 565 N-m of torque. As a result, zero to 100 km/h is achieved in 5.3 seconds. The next-generation lithium-ion battery powers the electric motor, a sophisticated, high-energy density that sets a performance, efficiency, and charging capacity benchmark. It has a 108.4 kWh battery pack with a maximum range of 717 km (WLTP). Supporting the powerful electric traction motor is a responsive 4MATIC allwheel Drive. At constant speed, an optimization process determines the most efficient all-wheel-drive distribution. The new EQS can quickly achieve a Manila to Baguio and back trips depending on road conditions, driving manners and vehicle load. The new EQS also offers the benefits of conditionally automated driving. The Mercedes-Benz Driving Assistance Package Plus gives you safety technology: thanks to the modern, intelligently networked sensor systems, you can enjoy the many benefits of semi-automated driving. Unsurprisingly, the new Mercedes-Benz EQS is designed to exceed all expectations. While the new EQS is a close relative to the new S-Class, the electric architecture is all its own. This luxurious electric sedan marks a significant milestone in integrating progressive mobility with executive-class luxury. The price of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 starts at P 9.990 million.

available in Midnight Sky, Velvet Red Pearl Coat, Rocky Mountain Pearl Coat, Silver Zynith, Diamond Black, Bright White Clear Coat, Baltic Grey Metallic Clear Coat. Global Black serves as the standard interior color while the Wicker Beige is available for limited units. “Buyers from today until February 15 are entitled to a free grand staycation package at the ShangriLa The Fort, Manila with the following inclusions: Overnight stay at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila’s Premium Suite; in-room check-in with guaranteed 4PM late check out; access to Horizon Club Lounge and Kerry Sports Manila; dinner for two at Raging Bull Chophouse & Bar; and, lunch for two at Samba. “On top of the grand staycation package, customers may also

choose between: A 90-minute Deep Tissue Treatment for two in Spa at Kerry Sports Manila; or a 1-hour Gin-Making Master Class in The Back Room. “Visit jeep.com.ph or Jeep dealerships at Alabang, Cebu, Clark, Greenhills and Pampanga for more details.”

PEE STOP Christine Giray of Gadgets is still euphoric over Petron’s Christmas package of P10,000 each handed out to more than 300 lucky PVC (Petron Value Card) holders. Cheers!…Let’s pray Ramon S. Ang and Manuel V. Pangilinan will succeed in their bid to partner in building the 88-km Cavite-Batangas Expressway and the Nasugbu-Bauan Expressway. They are a known success mix when teaming up.