BusinessMirror July 25, 2023

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

AS

ISRAEL FACES A KEY VOTE–AND A CRISIS–OVER DIVISIVE LEGAL CHANGES

IT would seem that unity is working for the country’s economic recovery, a local economist said after the President delivered his 71-minute State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at professional services firm Reyes Tacandong & Co., told BusinessMirror that the President’s second SONA was able to address several pain points

such as education and jobs; affordable healthcare; and efforts to address inflation and strengthen the economy. R avelas also said it was also made clear by the President that his focus included efforts to raise revenues and reduce inflation. However, he said, these are not enough, especially given the El Niño. “ It seems the unity strategy is helping the economy turn a corner. However, challenging inflation and El Niño remains but also provided plans in mitigating these risks,” Ravelas said.

“He (the President) is taking his high approval rating for a spin.”

R avelas said it also remains to be seen whether the President’s approval ratings will be enough to sway the legislature to pass 18 measures, some of which have not been directly identified in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, the country’s medium-term socioeconomic blueprint.

A teneo Center for Research and Development (ACERD) Associate Director Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes told BusinessMirror the President’s SONA

was a “well-articulated speech.”

Portions of the SONA that appealed to him were the discussion on inflation, food production, particularly agriculture and fisheries as well as jobs creation. Peña-Reyes was also partial to the President’s “punitive stance against smugglers and hoarders.”

I hope we can attract more FDI for the renewable energy projects mentioned in the speech,” Peña-Reyes said. “I just wish housing would figure more prominently in our infrastructure push.”

BusinessMirror

STATE OF PHL ‘SOUND, IMPROVING’—MARCOS

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

SHUNNING critics’ observations of bleak economic prospects since last year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reported in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday that the government was able to successfully “revive and rejuvenate” the country’s economy.

T he chief executive vowed to keep the country on track in its economic growth target by attracting more investments, sustaining infrastructure projects, upskilling its workforce and going after agriculture smugglers.

C iting government data, Marcos said the country was able to achieve a 7.6-percent growth in 2022—the highest growth rate in 46 years.

GOVT INVESTMENTS IN MIF FREE FROM ‘POLITICAL INFLUENCES’

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R.

Congress asked: Pass audit, procurement bills

T his was sustained in the first quarter of the year, when the growth rate was at 6.4 percent. “ We are still considered to be among the fastest-growing economies in the Asian region and the world. It is a testament to our strong macroeconomic fundamentals,” Marcos said in his over an hour-long SONA, his second.

Marcos Jr. on Monday assured the public that the investments by the national government under the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) would be “absent” of “any political influences.”

I n his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos emphasized that a group of “internationally ecognized” economic managers will oversee the MIF to “ensure sound financial management” of the fund.

Guided by the principles of transparency and accountability,

this guarantees that investment decisions will be based on financial considerations alone, absent any political influence,” Marcos said in his 71-minute long speech at the Batasang Pambansa.

Marcos also reiterated the economic benefits promised by the MIF, which he signed into law last week. He maintained that the MIF allows the government to pursue “high-priority projects” without the “added debt burden.”

In pooling a small fraction but considerable underutilized government funds, the [MIF] shall be used to make high-impact and profitable investments such as the Build Better More program.

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Mar -

cos Jr. on Monday called on Congress to pass his priority measures that will enhance government audits and procurement.

I n his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President said a new government procurement law and government auditing code will empower the entire government, which is deemed a “transformative” solution amid the changing times.

Once again, on this same principle, I urge Congress to enact a new Government Procurement Law and a new Government Auditing Code, to make government procurement and auditing more attuned to these

changing times,” he said.  A ccording to him, cooperation is “key” within and among government agencies, the public and private sectors, business and academia, the government and foreign partners, and Filipinos themselves. “ We need the help and skills of the whole government and entire nation. And so, we shall do the same for the next five years. We seek not only to become more effective, but more, to become truly transformative,” he said.

He said that this strategy would be put into practice through interagency collaboration, coordinated efforts across the three levels of government, and independent constitutional entities.

‘Digitalization a key economic agenda, anti-corruption tool’

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

several government services that can be digitally accessed by users.

DICT chief’s vow

THE BusinessMirror earlier reported that Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan Uy vowed to consistently add more services into the eGov Super app, including the integration of local government services as well as the National ID System.

Consistent with this transformative policy direction, all government officers must then ensure that their vital services are digitalized immediately in response to this call,” Marcos said.

I n his second State of the Nation Address (SONA ), Marcos said digitalization is a key pillar of his economic agenda, calling all government offices to “fully embrace digitalization to provide better service to the people.”

He added: “Through its vital frontline services and its back end functions, digitalization will support the government’s data-driven and science-based planning and decision making. It is the greatest most powerful tool not just to improve the ease of doing business, but also against many forms of graft and corruption.”

D igital transformation, Marcos said, complements the streamlining efforts of government since he assumed office last year.

T his, he said, boosted efficiency

in areas such as government payments, company and business registrations, issuance of permits and licenses, loan applications and revenue collection.

All our digitalization efforts will be linked to our payment systems whose digital transformation has been accelerating at a remarkable rate. Digital payments accounted for 42 percent of the total retail payments made in 2022— whether by businesses or individuals or by the government. Its high trajectory is now well positioned to achieve Bangko Sentral’s target of 50 percent of total retail payments by this year,”

Marcos explained.

He also mentioned the launch of the eGov Super App, a single and centralize mobile app that features

T he President also highlighted the continued improvement of Internet speeds in the Philippines, citing the 11-notch improvement in global rankings for broadband to 47th in June, as well as the eighthplace improvement in mobile data ranking to 83rd.

There will be more improvements as our internet infrastructure undergoes further upgrades. Earlier this year, Starlink went live in the Philippines, now providing high-speed satellite broadband connectivity. Our national fiber backbone and broadband and massive projects will also deliver high connectivity and high speed internet,” he said.

B eyond providing better services to the Filipinos in the metropo -

lis, Marcos vowed to democratize Internet access for people in farflung areas in the country.

“ We are prioritizing geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. The DICT has been directed to consolidate all these digitalized government services into the eGov PH app to establish the National Government Portal and the Philippine Business Databank to improve the internet speed in our country,” he said.

M arcos also cited the role of e-commerce in driving further growth into the economy.

L astly, he also vowed to further beef up cybersecurity in the Philippines, indicating that this is a priority area given that the first bill he signed into law was the SIM Registration Act.

“ The first bill that I signed into law was the SIM Registration Act because we are mindful of the risks and vulnerabilities that can lead to negative consequences. Digital users and consumers shall be protected from identity theft, phishing or other online scams through essential systems and safeguards such as cybersecurity, data privacy, consumer complaint mechanisms, and financial literacy campaign,” Marcos said.

Globally, digital transformation has led to the reduction of needed manpower to operate systems and businesses, sparking a worldwide call for upskilling.

Marcos gave assurances, though, that the government, through the DICT and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), is now working towards the creation of programs to upskill workers that will be affected by digital transformation.

“ The trainings necessary to ease the transition of those whose jobs would be affected by the shift that digitalization are also now being included in the curricula and programs offered by TESDA, DICT and other agencies of government,” he said.

For Marcos, digital transformation should be embraced soon, and not a minute later.

Digitalization is the call of today, not the call of the future but of the present. It is here and it is needed and it is needed today,” he said.

W hile she agreed with some of the President’s priority bills, De La Salle University economist Maria Ella Oplas believes not all these bills are urgent and there are more important ones.

S he agreed with the need to impose a motor vehicle road tax, noting too many motorcycles on the road. These are also linked to a number of deaths and accidents.

More worthy bills

OPLAS said, however, that one bill meriting priority is the review of the Agri-Agra Law, which studies have already found to be ineffective. As the country’s Agriculture Chief, the President should have included it in his legislative agenda.

Honestly, I question the urgency of the identified bills,” Oplas told this newspaper. “I believe that there are other much worthy bills thad they have to prioritize that will bring higher impact to the economy.”

A teneo de Manila University economist Leonardo Lanzona told BusinessMirror that none of the priority measures addressed the basic concerns of the country which are inflation and jobs.

It would have been better, Lanzona said, to include “a regional based development program that

He added that private sector advisory councils and nationallocal mechanisms have also been organized to establish the needed linkages.

M arcos said the MandanasGarcia ruling of the Supreme Court in 2018, which reflects the mandate of the Constitution and the Local Government Code, will take effect “soonest” to improve collaboration between the LGUs and the national government.

M arcos said all of the LGUs’ necessary devolution transition plans have been completed.

“ To fully prepare them for optimal devolution, the necessary technical and financial assistance is being extended to our local governments. In everything that we do, the enduring Filipino quality of Bayanihan will be our guide,” he added.

Fisheries code MEANWHILE , the President also urged Congress to pass amendments to the Fisheries Code.

Our Fisheries Code must be revisited to incorporate and strengthen science-based analysis and determination of fishing areas. This approach will protect both the interests of our fisherfolk and our fisheries and aquatic resources,” he said.

“ To this end, we will seek the support of Congress to amend the Code to guarantee sustainable development of our fisheries sector in harmony with environmental balance,” he added.

M arcos also asked Congress to pass the Tatak-Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Law and the Blue Economy Law.

T he proposed Tatak Pinoy Law, filed by Sen. Sonny Angara, seeks to enhance the capabilities and standards of local industries, level up the country’s exports, create jobs, and ultimately make the economy more vibrant and competitive with the rest of the world.

T he Blue Economy Law, pending in the House, seeks to serve as the basis for marine spatial planning, the determination of investments to enhance maritime domain awareness, the preservation of the value and sustainability

of ocean resources, and their protection from threats such as land-based pollution and overfishing.

To maximize the economic and social benefits of Philippine maritime industries, Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez of Negros Occidental filed House Bill 69 to prioritize programs that promote the blue economy in the interest of national economic security.

B enitez explained that the blue economy is a framework for sustainable development of marine and coastal resources based on principles of stewardship and social responsibility.

House Bill 69, if passed into law, will strengthen interagency coordination and planning to identify the best use of maritime zones, including the EEZ, promote blue finance or funding for special economic zones concentrating on sustainable and strategic maritime industries, and enhance maritime domain awareness to flag threats to our marine environment, including unauthorized access, overexploitation, and pollution.

Marcos also pushed for the passage of essential tax measures under the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, including an excise tax on single-use plastics, a VAT on digital services, the rationalization of the mining fiscal regime, a motor vehicle user’s charge or road user’s tax, and the Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension.

A ll these tax bills and the MUP are now in advanced stages in the House.

A lso, the President said the bills creating the Department of Water Resources and Services, the amendment of the AntiAgricultural Smuggling Act, the amendment of the Cooperative Code, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, and the proclamation granting amnesty to rebel returnees must be passed. All these bills are currently under deliberation in the lower house.

M arcos also asked Congress to give its nod to bills easing the payment of taxes, LGU income classification, and the Philippine Immigration Act. Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said these three bills, which are part of the LEDAC priorities, will be approved this year.

allows each region to address these basic concerns individually.”

L ike Oplas, Lanzona questioned whether all bills cited by the President are needed now. He was also unsure if these are enough to address the country’s needs and could be accomplished. “

What about the political reforms that will create a broader participation of people and organizations in the decisions being made in government?  Good economics stem from good politics. The highly centralized system of governance with full control of the different branches of government hardly characterizes good politics,” Lanzona told BusinessMirror.

MAP’s take

MEANWHILE , Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) President Benedicta DuBaladad said the economic gains cited by the President were welcome news, but these are not the only things that matter for the country right now.

D u-Baladad cited a need to address inequality in the country. She noted that the gap between the rich and the poor is very wide as measured by a Gini coefficient —a measure of inequality—of 41

percent as of 2021. “ That translated to more than half (57 percent) of our population considered as low-income class and living in the poverty line and below. This is a heavy burden that the government has to address with urgency,” Du-Baladad said. N onetheless, she said MAP welcomed the government’s initiatives to address critical social development issues, such as malnutrition, low level of education, employment, providing better social services, improving health services, and digitalization for financial inclusion.

D u-Baladad said MAP is helping the government address inequality through its programs such as the Campaign against Malnutrition and Child Stunting (CAMACS) that called for multisectoral, concerted effort to ensure that the first 1,000 days of a child from inception to under 3 years of age are given access to healthy food and micronutrients.

A ligned with CAMACS, the MAP will soon craft a 5-year blueprint for shared prosperity, embodying commitments on how businesses can help lift the poor out of poverty as manifested in their dealings towards their employees, customers, suppliers, communities where they operate, the environment and other stakeholders.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand

R. Marcos Jr. said he is leveraging digital transformation to reduce graft and corruption, while providing Filipinos a better experience in transacting with the government.

Salceda suggests ‘back-to-basics’ tack for PBBM on 2nd yr in office

AN economist-lawmaker is hoping that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will adopt a “back-to-basics” approach to his second year in office.

B efore the Philippines’s more successful neighbors achieved their aspirations of national development, House Committee on Ways and Means chairman Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said, they undertook massive projects that the country has only recently begun to have fiscal space for.

“As President Marcos has expressed a commitment to double down on the infrastructure push of the past administration, we have the opportunity to revisit several ingredients of national development that we find ourselves currently lacking,” said Salceda in a six-page paper.

Salceda cited that the country’s main international gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, has not built a new passenger terminal in 15 years, “while all other countries in the Asean-6 have built new airport terminals over the past 10 years.”

“This clearly emphasizes the need for a new international gateway that can service not only passengers but an export and reexport sector. That is why I maintain that the Bulacan Airport and a master-planned ecozone around it are basic to our national ambitions,” the Albay lawmaker said.

Salceda also emphasized that the country has the smallest main port in the region.

“The Port of Manila, including the North and South Harbors and the MICP [Manila International Container Port], has only 34 berths and piers and the smallest land area in the region,” Salceda added.

“The size of our main Port is not the type that can allow us to compete in scalability with other manufacturing centers in the region or to aspire to be a hub for international trade,” he added.

On rail infrastructure, Salceda said that “our railway system is the shortest of all major Asean economies, which reduces our competitiveness in terms of logistics costs and prevents meaningful interconnectivity among our manufacturing centers and ports of entry and exit.”

On maritime trade, Salceda pointed out that Vietnam has already taken over the country in shipbuilding, an area the Philippines used to dominate in the region.

“The ability to build ships is the strongest indicator of our ability to connect our islands as well as our ability to project economic and trading strength into the global economy.

Vietnam has fully overtaken us in shipbuilding tonnage last year, given our own rapid decline in shipbuilding activities since 2019, with the closure of the Hanjin Shipyard,” he said.

Salceda added that the country has the largest supply deficit of power in the region, driving power costs upward.

“We also have an alarming deficit in power supply, which primarily explains our comparatively expensive power cost. The last time we built a power plant of reliable generating capacity above 1,000 MW was in the year 2000, with Ilijan Power Plant.

If Bataan Nuclear Power Plant were made operational, it would have produced some 621 MW of reliable baseload power, which would have made it the 6th largest power plant by generating capacity in the country, behind Sual, Pagbilao-Marubeni, Mariveles, Ilijan, and Santa Rita, and the only 500 MW

plant not powered by fossil fuels,” he said.

According to Salceda, the government should not just fund bigger infrastructure projects, but also bigger infrastructure items.

Salceda said these challenges would require “not merely large aggregate spending on infrastructure but also large single-item projects on these key areas of national development.”

“The funding does not need to come from the state coffers. That is why the enactment of the Maharlika Investment Fund and the Public-Private Partnership Act will be critical steps towards leveraging untapped privatesector resources for infrastructure,” he said.

Apart from foreign direct investment, Salceda added “our corporate sector has accumulated some P56 trillion in gross savings since 2000, or 66.96 percent of their total income during the same period,” which can be tapped.

Salceda also estimated some P500 billion in assets held by overseas Filipinos.

“Tapping this pool of national wealth will require economic vision and direction that is resolute, credible, and above all, investable. That is why it is essential that the President lay out a strategy that we can all pitch into,” he said.

Existential threat

LIKE abaca in the past and shipbuilding in the present, Salceda said artificial intelligence could kill our thriving services sector.

“Our strategy must thus be three-pronged: to harness the power of this awesome technological advancement, to prepare for its disruptive effects, and to create new service sectors that are resilient to artificial intelligence,” he said.

Promising subsectors

SALCEDA identified three key promising service subsectors that could be “resilient to artificial intelligence.”

“First, our tourism sector remains a sunrise sector. Tourism, being a ‘face-to-face’ industry, is resilient to artificial intelligence. Among the Asean-6, we still have the fewest tourist arrivals even in 2019 or pre-pandemic figures. We can certainly do better,” he said.

“Second, our health-care sector, while lacking in its aggregate quality, contains some of the best hospitals in the region. We also have a reputation for having topnotch nurses. The Philippines certainly has a future in medical tourism, but we must be prepared to make the necessary changes, including expedited visas for those seeking treatment and their families and allowing foreign doctors more leeway to operate in the country,” he added.

Third, he said the education sector, again suffering from aggregate deficiencies, has some of the best universities in the region.

“The University of the Philippines usually ranks among the 10 best universities in the region, while our top private universities are recognized as among the best in certain areas of study, including English,” he said.

“We are already an educational destination for countries like Japan, Korea, China, and India, and increasingly, for countries like Nepal and Pakistan. The President is right to emphasize the need to strengthen our edge in English education. We have a future in this service subsector,” he added.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

PRC deploys major assets for SONA

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

ALL Philippine Red Cross (PRC) teams were on standby, equipped and prepared on Monday to address any potential emergencies that may arise during the second State of the Nation

Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand

R. Marcos Jr.

“Our dedicated teams have undergone rigorous training to handle various emergency situations effectively. We will always be ready to serve and extend our humanitarian aid wherever it is needed,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon stated.

As of 5 a.m. the PRC has deployed following:

n Ambulances: 6

n First Aid Stations: 6

n Welfare Desks: 6

n Manpower: 75

The strategically positioned teams will be deployed across several key areas, ensuring comprehensive coverage and rapid response capabilities. The areas of deployment include:

House vows to pass 20 bills in ’23, including reforms listed by LEDAC

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz  @joveemarie

IN order to make the Philippines a more welcoming place for investors, the leadership of the House of Representatives announced on Monday that the 19th Congress will pass 20 measures this year, including numerous economic reforms that were identified by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez made the commitment during the opening of the second regular session of the 19th Congress.

“In our pursuit, we remain steadfast, focusing on the 20 legislative measures approved during the second LEDAC meeting. Our unwavering aim is to realize them before the year ends. We stay committed to spurring economic growth, alleviating poverty, augmenting health-care services, and fostering job opportunities for our fellow countrymen,” the Speaker said.

He said these 20 measures include (1) amendments to the BOT law or PublicPrivate Partnership bill; (2) National Disease Prevention Management Authority; (3) Internet Transactions Act or E-Commerce Law; (4) Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team Act, formerly Medical Reserve Corps; (5) Virology Institute of the Philippines; (6) Mandatory ROTC and National Service Training Program; (7) Revitalizing the Salt Industry; (8) Valuation Reform; (9) e-Government and e-Governance;

(10) Ease of Paying Taxes Equally; (11) National Government Rightsizing Program; (12) Unified System of Separation/Retirement and Pension of Military and Other Uniformed Personnel; (13) LGU Income Classification; (14) Wasteto-Energy Bill; (15) New Philippine Passport Act; (16) Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers; (17) National Employment Action Plan; (18) Amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act; (19) Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-endorsed Bank Deposit Secrecy; and (20) Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act. We face the remaining bills in the LEDAC priority list with enthusiasm and optimism, steadfast in our determination to transform these initiatives into concrete laws for the benefit of our fellow Filipinos,” said Romualdez.

E leven of these 20 measures have already been approved by the lower chamber.

Romualde z also reassured foreign investors that the House would continue to pursue investor-friendly measures through these priorities.

We will actively engage in discussions and cooperate with the global business community to create an international business environment in our country,” he said.

Romualde z also vowed to look into the problems besetting the agriculture sector to help millions of Filipino farmers and fishermen.

“It is equally imper ative to address the issues confronting our agricultural sector in the soonest possible time. We will redouble

our efforts to stop the smuggling of rice, sugar, and onions, which harms our farmers’ competitiveness and disrupts the agricultural value chain,” Romualdez, leader of the 312-member House of Representatives, said.

We shall safeguard our farmers’ interests, ensure equitable market conditions, and foster sustainable farming methods to ensure our nation’s food security,” he added.

E arlier, the House leader promised to closely monitor the implementation of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, under which P5.7 billion in debt incurred by 610,000 farmers and other agrarian reform beneficiaries is to be written off.

“In addition to our priority measures and in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to sustainable fisheries, we will increase the existing strategic agriculture and fisheries development zones,” Romualdez said.

“ These zones will not only reinforce our fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing but also promote responsible fishing practices, safeguard our marine resources, and support the livelihoods of our fisherfolk,” he said.

Romualde z said the House would also “upgrade and modernize” by strengthening the Public-Private Partnership program.

“ This powerful tool enables us to harness the expertise, innovation, and resources of the private sector and combine it with the reach, stability, and public purpose of government,” he said.

By leveraging the expertise and

resources of the private sector, we can accelerate the development of vital transportation networks, energy systems, and digital infrastructure that are essential for a thriving economy,” he added.

According to the House leader, these partnerships have accelerated economic growth and the development of jobs for Filipino people.

“As we move forward, we have a robust pipeline of reforms designed to propel our nation’s economic development further. We are dedicated to enacting laws that will remove obstacles, foster innovation, and support industries that have the potential to drive sustainable growth and development,” he added.

Romualdez took pride in the achievements the House made during the First Regular Session of Congress, for which he expressed his deep gratitude to his colleagues.

“The First Regular Session’s accomplishments bear testament to our collective will and determination. We have raised the standards, and the expectations are high. Yet, we are not daunted. We are inspired. We are not simply lawmakers but nation builders and champions of the people,” he said.

“ Your relentless devotion and unyielding efforts have launched us toward addressing the urgent challenges of our era and enacting impactful legislation. Now, we must ensure this momentum propels us further. Our solemn pledge is to continue championing the change our beloved nation so earnestly requires,” he said.

GOVT URGED TO REVIEW OUTCOME OF MINDORO OIL SPILL CLEANUP

ENVIRONMENTAL and climate justice advocates belonging to Protect VIP on Monday urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to thoroughly assess and address the first major environmental disaster confronting his administration.

The group said that nearly marking its fifth month, the oil spill that has reached the Verde Island Passage, has so far disrupted the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of people and is causing billions in damages.

Worse, they said, the oil spill may have caused harm to the world’s most bio diverse marine habitat.

The group issued the statement on the occasion of this year’s State of the Nation Address by Marcos.

“We are gravely alarmed by increasing pronouncements of government agencies and bodies, both local and national, to brand this situation as already resolved,” the group said.

The group noted that over the last few months, fishing bans were lifted in Oriental Mindoro, leaving Pola, the ground zero of the oil spill, as the last town with an enforced ban.

Last July 20, Governor Humerlito Dolor announced the lifting of the ban in Pola based on recommendations of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of the Province of Oriental Mindoro (PDRRMO) has also sent out invitations for a demobilization ceremony to announce the termination of the oil spill response, even without so much as publishing the final assessment report supposedly conducted by technical experts and representatives

Ending insurgency, illegal drugs among top agenda of Marcos govt

ENDING the country’s decades-long problem in insurgency and illegal drugs were among the top agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

In a 71-minute-long speech at the Batasang Pambansa, Marcos announced he will push for the granting of amnesty for all rebel returnees.

from national agencies, the group lamented.

The group added they are one with all fisherfolk and adjacent sectors in demanding the return of livelihood and day-to-day normalcy.

However, the group is concerned by the alleged lack of transparency on the scientific basis and methodologies employed by the government to order such lifting of fishing bans.

“It was over a month ago since the Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR] last published a situational report, which still found oil and grease, hydrogen sulfide, and volatile organic compounds in Pola. As for the BFAR, its water quality tests are not substantiated by published reports that would establish the conduct of a robust quantitative test. BFAR’s oil spill bulletin does not show the comprehensive results of water testing in terms of oil and grease for water quality assessment and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons [PAHs] in fish samples,” the group noted.

According to Protect VIP, the presence of PAHs, some of which are carcinogenic, is of significant concern: they can bio accumulate in fish and cause harm if consumed over a prolonged period of time.

A rapid water quality assessment conducted by Protect VIP this past week in six marine protected areas (MPAs) in Pinamalayan and Pola revealed that five of them exceeded water quality guidelines for oil and grease in protected areas. Oil residue and tar balls are also still visible, such as on the rocky shores of Barangay Puting Cacao in Pola which is near the St. John the Baptist Reserve MPA and the sandy beaches of Sitio Kabilang Ibayo in Barangay, Batuhan. The interconnectivity of marine life and spillover of fish stock suggests that the quality of these MPAs can greatly influence neighboring water bodies as they serve as sanctuaries and nesting grounds. Water and fish stock flow freely across water bodies and can be influenced by the high presence of oil and grease.

1. Camp Karingal

2. Command Post

3. Batasan Road South Gate

4. Batasan Road North Gate

5. Quezon Memorial Circle

6. Commission on Human Rights, Commonwealth Avenue

7. Batoda terminal, Commonwealth Ave

8. Batasan-San Mateo Road

The PRC said that they are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the public, guests, and officials attending the SONA.

The presence of PRC’s well-trained personnel and fully equipped ambulances will provide critical emergency medical services should any situation demand immediate attention.

PRC encourages everyone attending the SONA to stay vigilant and cooperate with authorities and the PRC personnel. If any medical assistance is required, the public is urged to approach the nearest PRC team or First Aid Station.

As a humanitarian organization, the Philippine Red Cross has always been at the forefront of disaster response, emergency assistance, and medical services.

“ To complete this reintegration process, I will issue a Proclamation granting amnesty to rebel returnees, and ask Congress to support me in this endeavor,” Marcos said.

He noted the armed struggle is now ready to progress towards “peace and development.”

We have incorporated capacity-building and social protection into our reintegration programs to guarantee full decommissioning of former combatants,” the President said.

The measure is expected to encourage more rebels to surrender.

Rogue cops

MARCOS also declared a tougher stance against illegal drugs by going after unscrupulous members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade have been exposed. I will be accepting their resignations,” the chief executive said.

H e said he will replace them with individuals with unquestionable integrity.”

In May, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) asked the President to accept the resignations of two generals and two colonels for alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

The four officials were supposedly linked to drug activities following the review conducted by the five-member advisory group tasked to profile over 900 PNP executives, who submitted their courtesy resignations.

Marcos also noted his administration’s campaign against illegal drugs geared towards community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration.

The Chief Executive made the assurance as his predecessor, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, is facing an investigation by the International Criminal Court for his bloody campaign against illegal drugs, which led to the death of at least 6,000 people between 2016 and 2019. Samuel P. Medenilla

DOE outlines major gains in drive to energy security The youth and their expectations

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE Department of Energy (DOE) cited the renewal of the Malampaya service contract and enforcement of renewable energy (RE) policies as among the major accomplishments of the current administration, which has been pushing for energy security amid rising world oil prices.

In a report, the agency said the extension of Malampaya’s Service Contract (SC) 38 for 15 years, or until February 22, 2039, was a key indicator of progress in “the development of our natural gas industry in the Philippines.”

This move, it added, will allow the full production of the Malampaya gas field by ensuring the utilization of the remaining gas reserves estimated at 147 billion cubic feet.

In his 2022 S tate of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. noted the “uncertain policy in upstream gas,

particularly in the area close to Malampaya.”

Marcos said this required “clarification of the processes and review of service contract policy.”

The government took the lead in providing investment incentives by approving the sale of shares of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V.’s (SPEX) 45-percent stake in SC 38 to MEXP Holding Pte. Ltd. (MEXP) on September 30, 2022. This “resulted in an all-Filipino consortium now operating the Malampaya Deepwater Gas to Power Project, the largest upstream petroleum operations in the country.”

In July 2022, Razon led-Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., through its subsidiary Prime Energy Resources Development B.V., signed a share purchase agreement acquiring MEXP shares.

Prime Energy now holds a 45 percent operating stake in the Malampaya gas-topower project; UC38 LLC, 45 percent; and PNOC Exploration Corp., 10 percent.

The approval also led to the extension of SC 38, requiring the Malampaya consortium to explore the area around Malampaya for new wells.

“Aside from continuing the production operations, the SC38 consortium is required under the renewal agreement to conduct minimum work program consisting of geological and geophysical studies and the drilling of at least two deep-water wells during the sub-phase 1 from 2024 to 2029.

“ This firm work program is geared towards unlocking the potential both in the existing gas field and nearby prospect areas to provide incremental production,” the DOE said.

The DOE also said that with the renewal of the Malampaya SC 38, First Gen Corp. and Prime Energy has forged an alliance that will allow Prime Energy to lease and operate the First Gen’s LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal.

“This will enable a gas aggregation

facility that will provide fuel to power the country’s natural gas power plants [beginning with the power plants of First Gen] and enable them to continue running efficiently and reliably, provide blended gas prices more favorable to consumers, make the country a more serious player in the highly competitive LNG global market, and bridge ongoing efforts to locate, develop and harness more indigenous natural gas resources,” the agency said in its report.

The DOE is also pushing to achieve a 35-percent RE share in power generation mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

It said that it has streamlined the permitting process for energy projects through Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) System. T he timeframes for a number of permitting process for various government agencies were adjusted from working days to calendar days to align with Republic Act 11234 or the EVOSS Act.

Oil firms hike fuel pump price for second consecutive week

FOR the second consecutive week, oil companies will implement a price increase in petroleum products starting today, Tuesday.

In separate announcements on Monday afternoon, oil firms said they would raise gasoline prices by P1.35 per liter, diesel by

P0.45 per liter, and kerosene by P0.35 per liter.

The price adjustment will be implemented by Petron, Shell, Caltex, Total, Unioil, Seaoil, Phoenix, and PTT at 6 a.m. of July 25. Cleanfuel will adjust its prices at 4:01 p.m.

Last July 18, oil firms implemented an increase of P1.90/liter for gasoline, P2.10/

liter diesel and P1.80/liter for kerosene. These price adjustments resulted in a year-to-date net decrease of P0.85/liter for diesel and P3.70/liter for kerosene. Gasoline, on the other hand, has a net increase of P7.55/liter.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said oil prices rallied last week, as market sentiment

By Henry J. Schumacher

LUCKILY the youth and their development

were part of the President’s SONA

yesterday. We must recognize a hard truth: it’s not an easy time to be a young person.

Young people are deeply concerned about the state of the world: a recent global survey shows that they are seeking real, sustained change. And they’re not just watching from the sidelines. Young people are taking initiative through social movements and activism— with extraordinary results! Just consider the impact of the youth-led global climate movement calling for radical change.

Today’s youth are also making their mark on the fight against corruption. The youth deserve an end to corruption. Young people are not just our future. They are key to creating a just, peaceful and prosperous world just now.

Remember: 37 million youth were involved in the May 9 elections and many of them certainly listened to the President yesterday to get the confirmation that they made the right decision a year ago.

require a minimum of scientific literacy and technological skill; it will also need the setting of professional standards, the delineation of fields of expertise, and the organization of communities of knowledge. Education can no longer afford to leave anybody behind. All young people—whether they go to college or not—will need a similar set of core competencies if they are to succeed in today’s labor market. Government, the private sector and civil society have to work closely together to Save the Children. We must realize that 40 percent of the Philippine population is in school!

If the Philippines is to survive in the everchanging, fast moving, technology-driven world taking shape before our eyes, the country has to position itself strategically in this new economy. The end-effort must be to secure the Philippines’ place on the right side of the digital divide the revolutions in communications, information, and computer technologies are creating. This requires a world-class work force, something that the ICT, BPO and creative industries are asking for. And because knowledge has become the modern economy’s central resource, we must keep in mind continuous learning has become essential. So swift is the generation and transmission of knowledge that learning has become a life-long process for every one of us.

The investment in human development is a strategy for economic recovery and inclusive growth. The private sector would love to cooperate with the President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to specifically focus on technical training and “learning by doing.” Apprenticeship is playing a big role in this development, and it is trusted that the “Apprenticeship Bill” will become a law soon.

received a boost from China’s latest trade data showing a 45.3 percent on-year jump on its crude imports in June, suggesting healthy downstream demand and profitable refining margins.

Oil firms adjust their pump prices every week to reflect movements in the world oil market. Lenie Lectura

Sugar producers ask SRA to start milling in August

ASUGAR federation asked the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) over the weekend to reconsider starting the milling season in August, instead of September this year.

”Hectares of standing canes are due for harvest in August. A year ago, in June 2022, the national government urged us to start milling early. Many sugar farmers supported the call, milling 432,356 tons as reported by SRA,” Sugar Council said.

“Consequently, the ratoon plants, estimated at 400,000 tons, are now mature, and delaying their harvest to September will cause them to become overripe, compromising purity and tonnage,” it added.

In a statement, Sugar Council said that last year, five Negros mills started milling in August, with two mills commencing operations on August 8, in response to the

national government’s call to mill the canes early because of the acute sugar shortage.

Now, the producers are looking forward to the start of milling this August because the canes they planted after their early harvest last year are already ripe for milling.

In a letter addressed to Acting Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, the council has appealed to continue with the previous practice of commencing milling operations in August.

The letter was signed by Confederation of Sugar Producers’ Associations Inc. (CONFED) president Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr., National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) president Enrique Rojas, and Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers (PANAYFED) president Danilo Abelita.

“The recent typhoon Dodong, with its torrential rains and strong winds, caused

mature canes to lodge. lf left unharvested, the purity and weight of these distressed canes will suffer,” the Sugar Council said.

“Farmers fear that any delay in milling will lower the weight and sugar yield of the canes, resulting to lower sugar production and lesser returns for the farmers,” the council added.

The Sugar Council also cited the need for fresh income by the producers, especially the small farmers, after months of no work in the farm.

In view of the early start of milling last year, milling operations finished earlier than usual.

Numerous sugar mills stopped milling in April this year, instead of the traditional May up to June.

Consequently, some sugar farmers have had no income from their farms since April.

Complicating the financial quandary of the sugar producers is the obligation to their farm workers, who have also been looking forward to getting back to work this August.

“Sugar farmers have already contracted cane cutters, and delaying milling to September will force them to financially support the workers or risk losing them,” the Sugar Council said.

Furthermore, it said that if milling will start on September 1 yet, this will create an overwhelming demand for farm workers, which are already in short supply, and for hauling services of truckers.

“Farmers are apprehensive that this unprecedented demand for farm labor and hauling services will give rise to an unhealthy competition, thereby driving up their production costs,” the council added.

Raadee S. Sausa

300 more households energized in Davao City’s tribal barangay

DAVAO CITY—Another tribal community in northern Davao City has been connected to the power grid, energizing 300 households of the mixed Ata tribe and non-tribal settlers, the Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. (Davao Light), said.

The Aboitiz Power subsidiary said it energized 10 sitios and lighted more than 300 homes in Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District.

It said it conducted the ceremonial switch-on at the barangay gymnasium last May and it was participated by officials of the Davao Light, officials from the city

government, the barangay council, and residents of the barangay.

The company quoted barangay chairman Jessielito Areja as saying that 90 percent of the sitios of his barangay had been energized. “Even the sitios with no constructed roads yet now have electricity,” he said.

A resident the company identified only as Julius of Sitio Taloytoy said work productivity has since improved. “Since it becomes too dark in the evenings, we need to eat dinner by five o’clock so we retire from working in our fields at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon. Now that we have electricity,

we’re able to adjust our work hours. Now, we can tend to our fields until five o’clock.”

He said that some families were now able to buy groceries in bulk because they electricity to power up their refrigerators.

Marlyn, a food vendor in the nearby elementary school in Sitio KTC said they were able to earn extra money from selling iced water to students. She also said her family already bought a refrigerator to keep their ingredients fresh, when before the food they sell would get spoiled without a refrigerator.

Lilia, a resident of Sitio Binaton mentioned the benefits of having electricity

now for a farmer like her who sells her harvested vegetables in Panabo and Bankerohan Market.

“We’d start packing the vegetables early in the morning and then deliver them by seven o’clock in the evening. Otherwise, we need to deliver them early in the morning as there was no electricity and the roads were not fully constructed yet at that time,” she said in an interview.

The Sitio Electrification Project of Davao Light is currently 99 percent completed. It said it aims to energize sitios through ongrid electrification by connecting far-flung communities to the power grid.

Taking the “smell” of the youth spirit into consideration, we will have to look at some numbers:

The Department of Education targets 29 million enrollees this school year. The high school students are dreaming already about the next steps: college or employment. We in business have to catch those heading for employment.

There is no doubt that education must intensify and broaden the need to educate all its people. No longer will it suffice to educate a tiny elite that will then manage and direct the politics, the economy, and the culture of the many.

Development will require not only a corps of highly skilled individuals capable of absorbing advance technology; it will also

Let’s also realize that without bringing back robust internship programs, many firms may find themselves without a pool of qualified employees for entry-level positions. “Dual Tech” was and still is a program that needs to be made use of. Internships are the special entry point to a top-tier workforce; I am aware of companies that have developed special programs in which a relatively short internship leads to employment with attractive remuneration.

In conclusion, let me repeat—again— the wise words of Ramon del Rosario, chairman of Philippine Business for Education: “It’s the private sector that is creating the jobs. But government has to create an enabling environment for the jobs to be created!”

Feedback is highly appreciated; contact me at hjschumacher59@gmail.com

NGCP vows completion of transmission projects, quick shift to renewable energy

THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Monday night made a commitment to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to concentrate all available resources for the completion of ongoing transmission projects.

NGCP also said it will work with partner State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) to hasten the transition to renewable energy (RE) sources. “The collaboration with SGCC allows NGCP to accommodate the increasing adoption of renewable energy technologies into the national grid,” the grid operator said.

NGCP also prioritized improving disaster resilience of the grid infrastructure. It vowed to intensify its ongoing and continuous upgrade of equipment and manpower, especially those that will prevent disruptions, or provide expedient repair, in case of natural disasters.

“We agree with the President’s sentiments.

Even before the SONA, NGCP has already been working towards the vision that he mentioned,” said Anthony Almeda, NGCP’s president and CEO, said “After hearing it straight from him—his vision that is completely aligned with ours—we know we are on the right track and we’re more motivated to complete all our objectives in a

prompt manner,” he added.

Among the top priorities on NGCP’s agenda are the swift completion of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) and Stage 3 of the Cebu-NegrosPanay Interconnection Project (CNP). Both crucial projects have been partially energized, with the MVIP on track to be fully energized to 450 megawatts (MW) by the third quarter of this year.

To expedite these projects, NGCP called upon all local government units to extend essential support by promptly granting relevant permits and providing necessary assistance in addressing right-of-way issues that have hindered the smooth implementation of these projects.

“We reiterate our call for what the President termed as a ‘cohesive, centralized, and systematic approach’ to planning, including that for energy for stability, resiliency, and independence. We echo the President’s observation that while national goals are all within reach, ‘this will require not just the work of a single person or a single branch of government nor even the whole government acting alone, but the collective efforts achieved only by all Filipinos working together,’” NGCP said.

Lenie Lectura

‘Challenge accepted’: NEA vows 100% sitio electrification by ’28

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

We are also as relentless in pursuing total electrification. Since my assumption into office, almost half a million homes have been given access to electricity. We will spare no effort to achieve full household electrification by the end of my term. One hundred percent is within our reach,” said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his 2nd State of the Nation Address on Monday afternoon.

A s of end-2022, the total number of households energized reached 25,914,073, or an electrification level of 96.17 percent. There are still 870,232 households that need to be energized as of last year.

T he National Electrification Administration (NEA) has accepted this challenge and said that agency plans and programs will drive the country toward achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Challenge accepted. By 2028, 100 percent electrification. My administration will always be anchored in the principle of good governance. I will make sure that the Sitio Electrification Program funds are utilized well,” NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda had said.

Earlier, NEA said it aims to electrify 1,085 sitios for the year 2023 under the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP). It has allocated P1.627 billion to energize 350 sitios in Luzon, 336 sitios in Visayas and 399 sitios in Mindanao this year, subject to evaluation and validation in accordance with the provisions of the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

For the past year, the President cited 17 power generation facilities that have been switched on across the country, substantially increasing the country’s energy production by 1,174 megawatts.

When it comes to energy, renewable energy [RE] is the way forward,” he said.

T he government is targeting to achieve a 35-percent RE share in the power mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

To accelerate the realization of this green energy goal, we have opened renewable energy projects to foreign investments,” he added.

Since last year, an additional 126 RE contracts with a potential capacity of 31,000 MW have been awarded.

A ccording to Tetchi Capellan, chairperson of the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), the President has already identified the biggest stumbling block—transmission—to RE and energy security.

Removing this bottleneck and resolving the interconnection issues

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

require strict governance as the President already identified through performance audit. But above all, it demands huge investments on building the infrastructure.

Waiting is not an option for a country growing at 7 percent with an aspiration of 50 percent in its energy mix. We have to build lines and substations,” Capellan said.

The President said 60 grid connections are “much delayed” based on data provided by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). “We are conducting a performance review of our private concessionaire, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. We look to NGCP to complete its deliverables starting with the vital Mindanao-Visayas, Cebu-Negros-Panay interconnections,” the Chief Executive said.

N GCP has yet to comment as of this writing.

Look Ma, no coup! Zubiri opens Senate Second Regular Session

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SENATE President Juan Miguel

Zubiri opened the Second Regular Session of the 19th Senate early on Monday, with colleagues affirming full support in his leadership despite speculation a few weeks ago that a coup was brewing in the chamber.

Majority Leader Joel Villanueva explained there was no reason to replace Zubiri because “he works very hard, has displayed leadership in shepherding vital legislation, and deals fairly” with his peers.

The senators will then proceed to the Batasang Pambansa later on Monday for the joint session with the House of Representatives to receive President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who will deliver his second State of the Nation Address.

In his speech at the Senate’s opening, Zubiri paid tribute to senators’ efforts—besides legislating—in conducting investigations into a wide range of issues impacting Filipinos.

A mong others, Zubiri cited the inquiries conducted by Senator Grace Poe into the glitches, flight delays and other woes at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport

(Naia), by Blue Ribbon chairman Sen. Francis Tolentino into the scandalous shortage of drivers’ licenses at the Land Transportation Office, by agriculture committee chairperson Sen. Cynthia Villar into farm smuggling, and by Sen. Raffy Tulfo into energy sector problems.

Twenty-three senators attended the opening of the Second Regular Session. Sen. Pia Cayetano is abroad on an official mission.

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon and former Senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad also attended the event.

A ctress-model Heart Evangelista, wife of Senator Chiz Escudero, was wearing a white gown and drew the most attention at the gallery for senators’ guests.

In his opening address, Zubiri said that while the chamber’s investigations “make for great TV, we launch them not for show, but for solutions.”

He continued: “When we exercise our oversight powers, we do so to primarily correct laws. If, however, in the process it sends culprits to the correctional, then it is a welcome bonus.”

The bulk of committee work done here, however, may not be sensational, but nonetheless substantive.

T he fact is, most important

pieces of legislation do not trend, nor scream headlines, but at the end of the day these proposals are what the country needs.

L ike what the EDCOM 2 of Sen. Win Gatchalian is doing, which is diagnosing what ails our schools, so that when it comes to teaching our young, they will not be the last, the least, and the lost.

H is counterpart for higher education, Sen. Chiz Escudero, has also brought to the plenary a raft of bills that will raise the competency of our graduates in a highly competitive world.

Sen. Bong Revilla has been championing teachers’ causes. The House should act on his Teaching Supplies Allowance bill.

Sen. Sonny Angara has the energy of a start-up tech in finding ways to ignite the full potential of our nation’s creative industries.

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda’s tapestry of art and cultural initiatives, which, together with her quilt of environmental initiatives, should comfort us in this climate of constant change.

Oo nga’t tapos na ang Covid public health emergency,” Angara said. “ Pero patuloy ang trabaho nila

Senator Bong Go at Senator Pia Cayetano na pagandahin ang public health system. And Senator Pia, in her work as chair of Sustainable Development and Futures Thinking, fits the description of a statesperson, of one who thinks of the next generation, and not of the next election.”

For his part, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is busy on two defense fronts: Military and labor. The first to protect our sovereignty against threats, and the second to guard our workingman’s rights from being eroded.

A nother “good one” of a lawmaker, Senator JV Ejercito, is likewise juggling three major concerns adeptly: empowerment of local governments, housing for the people, and on the economic front, the Public-Private Partnership bill. “Patuloy naman ang pagsisikap ni Senator Robin Padilla upang ang karapatan ng mamamayan sa malayang impormasyon, at ng mga kapatid nating Muslim at indigenous peoples sa kaunlaran ay matugunan natin,” he added. “Ang ganung sipag ay naipakita din ni Senador Lito Lapid sa maraming usapin pero lalu na sa masalimuot na mga isyu na sakop ng kanyang Committee on Games and Amusement.”

Moreover, it was also noted by peers that Sen. Mark Villar has brought to this chamber the nobility of his work ethic—cool, calm, collected—“which we saw when he was defending the Maharlika Investment Fund.”

A Senate without fiscalizers loses its potency and forfeits its credentials as a democratic body.

I n Minority Leader Koko Pimentel and Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, fellow senators agree. “We find a vigilant opposition who do not obstruct but critique constructively, their inputs resulting in better laws.”

And the person, the floor umpire and consensus builder, who traffics these bills and resolutions in one seamless assembly line, shepherding them from committee to plenary, is our Majority Leader Joel Villanueva,” they added.

Moreover, they added, there are certain issues where senators, may be upbeat as the majority leader will be subdued.

B ut they admit there are times they do agree on the most important point: “That the Senate has a major role to play in conquering the challenges before us.”

PRIVATE tourism stakeholders are looking forward to more MICE (meetings, incentives conventions exhibitions) events to help boost inbound arrivals, and enable the country to reach government’s target of 4.8 million international tourists this year.

S peaking in reaction to the latest inbound tourists report from the Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Congress of the Philippines president Robert Zozobrado told the BusinessMirror, “We’re grinning from ear to ear. We’re confident we can surpass our target of 4.8-million arrivals target because the Convention Season is still coming.”

Country brands in Sona

THIS developed as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pointed out during his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, the reported 3-million arrival of international tourists from January to July 19 “is already 62 percent of our 4.8-million target for the entire year.” He used the occasion to insert two of the new country brands developed by the DOT and Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications, “Love the Philippines” and “Bagong Pilipinas,” respectively.

C iting the competent and dedicated government workers, he said, “It is up to us to provide good leadership and guidance. They love the Philippines, and have responded to our call.” He added that Filipinos have risen to the challenge to be part of the country’s future, an indication that “the state of the nation is sound, and is improving. Dumating na po ang Bagong Pilipinas [The new Philippines has arrived].”

Marcos Jr. gave the keynote address at the DOT’s 50th anniversary celebration, where it unveiled the “Love the Philippines” slogan and tourism video, which used foreign scenes. The controversy continues to hound the government agency, which has yet to respond to specific questions on who at the DOT gave final say over the video’s showing and how much exactly will be paid to DDB Philippines Inc., the advertising agency which was responsible for the video. (See, “Stakeholders, TPB shut of new tourism drive decision,” in the BusinessMirror, July 3, 2023.)

Continued from A10

The OGCC affirmed in its contract review dated August 15, 2014 that the proposed lease agreement may be given due course.

Thus, the NPF and RWBCI signed the lease agreement on August 20, 2014.

H owever, the NPF sought the DOJ’s legal opinion anew on the issue in light of the findings that one of the contracts entered into by the NPF with a different private entity was illegal for non-compliance with, among others, the public bidding require -

ment of R.A. 6957, as amended by R.A. 7718 or the Build Operate Transfer (BOT Law).

B atocabe noted that the Office of the President, in a memorandum dated September 25, 2018, directed the Department of Tourism (DOT) to initiate the review of any other similar lease contracts that the agency has entered into with other parties in order to determine whether there has been any violation of laws, executive orders or regulations, particularly with respect to the requirement of a public bidding.

Batocabe told the DOJ that it believes that

its lease agreement with RWBCI is outside the definition of procurement under R.A. 9184.

H e added that the NPF, acting on its corporate power to engage in legally permissible engagement while exercising its sound business judgment, may negotiate and execute a lease with any party like RWBCI, under conditions deemed most advantageous to the government.

A cting on the NPF’s request, the DOJ noted that in its Opinion No. 172 issued in 1993 which dealt with the validity of the Board Resolution of Mactan-Cebu Interna -

GOVT INVESTMENTS IN MIF FREE FROM ‘POLITICAL INFLUENCES’

Continued from A1

The gains from the fund shall be reinvested into the country’s economic well-being,” he said.

Marcos called on the lawmakers to support the passage of a “new” government procurement law as well as a “new” government auditing code.

The chief executive argued that the two existing laws must be changed to become “more attuned” to the “changing times.” He noted that amendments to the aforementioned legislations would allow the government to be “more effective” and “more transformative.”

T he Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is pushing for the amendment of the 20-year-old Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) as it would “help government agencies

utilize their budget efficiently.”

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman earlier said the current procurement law is “too stringent.”

Pangandaman noted that certain amendments to the procurement law could be the inclusion of a provision on the use of digitalization as well as “green” procurement.

Meanwhile, the government auditing code is now about 45 years old. The current government auditing code was created by no less than the father of Marcos Jr., former President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1978 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1445.

‘Marathon, not a sprint’

FINANCE Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno lauded Marcos Jr.’s SONA, describing it as a “fitting report” of the

accomplishments made by the current administration over the past year.

The economic team is proud of what we’ve achieved so far and we’re determined to work even faster and harder in the next 5 years so that our economic gains are felt by all Filipinos,” Diokno said in a series of tweets using his verified Twitter account on Monday after the SONA. Diokno vowed that the economic managers would “continue to attract strategic investments” from domestic and foreign enterprises.

He also emphasized that “more” economic reforms are in the pipeline, particularly on the tax measures front.

This is a marathon, not a sprint. And while we’re miles away from our destination, the work towards a more resilient and prosperous economy continues,” Diokno said.

tional Airport Authority (MCIAA) granting exemption from bidding in the award of concession spaces in the airport, it held that there is no law which requires public bidding for the lease of government property.

T he DOJ added that the same legal position was reiterated in its Legal Opinion No. 97 issued in 2022, where the lease agreement subject of the opinion affirmed the legal authority of the head of agency “to determine the reasonableness of the terms of the lease and the rental rates thereof and to enter into such lease contracts without

Continued from A1

Sound policies

AMONG the factors which led to the recovery were the relaxation of pandemic restrictions as well as a sound Medium-Term Fiscal Framework crafted by the economic team, according to Marcos.

The policies, he said, have kept inflation in check, easing to 5.4 percent in June from 8.7 percent in January.

To foster continued economic growth, he said the government will also continue to invest in public infrastructure, food, education, health, jobs and social protection. Our infrastructure spending will be at 5 to 6 percent of our GDP (gross domestic product),” Marcos said.

The projects are expected to help in the government target of generating jobs for the remaining 4.3 percent of our workforce, as well as for the

need of prior approval by higher authorities subject to guidelines issued by the Commission on Audit and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

60K visitors for FIBA World Cup MEANWHILE, TCP’s Zozobrado noted that the expected participation of 800 local and international delegates from the finance sector, who will be attending the Alliance of Financial Inclusion’s Global Policy Forum on September 12 to 15 hosted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. He also said, “36 terms participating in the FIBA Basketaball World Cup is expected to draw in 60,000 visitors during its two-week run,” from August 25 to September 10. He likewise cited the recent arrival of some 300 Filipino-Americans on the VIP (Very Important Pinoy) tour, a project annually undertaken between Rajah Tours Philippines with the Department of Foreign Affairs. Formerly called the Ambassadors and Consuls General Tour, the VIP Tour involves the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C and consular offices in the US and is now in its 14th year. (See, “Envoys wooing ‘VIPs’ to come home, tour islands,” in the BusinessMirror, January 23, 2023.)

In view of the foregoing, and since the lease by NPF of its property to RWBCI is a straightforward lease, it is the considered view of this Department that the same is not covered by the BOT Law,” the DOJ said.

“ Hence, the need for public bidding is not required...subject to the requirements of the DPWH Uniform Guidelines and COA issuance on the matter,” it added.

Public bidding not needed for P1.2-B ‘Nayon’ lease deal STATE OF PHL ‘SOUND, IMPROVING’–MARCOS

11.7-percent underemployed Filipinos.

He said the government is eyeing to increase tax and revenue efforts up to 16.9 percent and 17.3 percent by 2028 to finance the investments.

Boost production, fight smuggling

SUSTAINING the economic gains, he said, will also require boosting the country’s agriculture production, “through consolidation, modernization, mechanization, value chain improvements, as well as timely and calibrated importation.“

Also part of the strategy is the government’s aggressive response against agriculture smugglers and hoarders by filing charges against them. They are putting at risk not only farmers, but also consumers. So we will not allow this kind of trend. The days of smugglers and hoarders are numbered,” Marcos said.

He attributed the spike in the prices of food commodities to price manipulation of the said

“ We, in the industry, are ablaze with excitement and enthusiasm over the bright, sunny horizon before us,” said Zozobrado.

The DOT recently reported the 3 million inbound travelers from January to July 19 this year, with South Koreans maintaining its lead as the Philippines’ top source market tourists. (See, “South Koreans ‘loving’ PHL help boost tourist arrivals to 3 million,” in the BusinessMirror , July 20, 2023.)

unscrupulous individuals.

Earlier this month, the President ordered the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to initiate the probe on individuals linked to alleged onion smuggling, hoarding and price fixing during a Congressional hearing.

New Philippines

HE expressed hope his second SONA will inspire Filipinos to join the government in reaching the said goals.

“It is up to us to provide good leadership and guidance. They love the Philippines, and have responded to our call,” Marcos said. He ended his address with words that closely reflected his SONA conclusion last year: “With this in my heart, I know that the state of the nation is sound, and is improving. The Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) has arrived,” he added.

About 2,000 people witnessed the SONA at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

THE Marcos administration vowed to attain 100-percent electrification in the country by 2028.

‘Convention season’ to help PHL reach ’23 intl arrivals goal

Russia says Moscow and Crimea hit by drones while Russian forces bombard Ukraine’s south

By Felipe Dana The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine—Russian authorities accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on Moscow early Monday that saw one of the aircraft fall near the Defense Ministry’s main headquarters, while the Russian military launched new strikes on port infrastructure in southern Ukraine.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said there were no casualties when the drones struck two nonresidential buildings. The Defense Ministry claimed that the military jammed both attacking drones, forcing them to crash.

Russian media reported that one of the drones fell on the Komsomolsky highway near Moscow’s center, close to the main Defense Ministry building. Another drone hit an office building in southern Moscow, gutting its upper floors.

Emergency workers were inspecting the damage and traffic was halted on sections of highways

where the drones fell. Ukrainian authorities didn’t immediately claim responsibility for the strike, which was the second drone attack on the Russian capital this month.

In the previous attack on July 4, the Russian military said four of the five drones were downed by air defenses on the outskirts of Moscow and the fifth was jammed by electronic warfare means and forced down. The raid prompted authorities to temporarily restrict flights at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport and divert flights to two other Moscow airports.

CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) shows off his inked finger, standing next to his wife Bun Rany, left, after voting a ballot at a polling station in Takhmua in Kandal province, southeast Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Sunday, July 23, 2023. Cambodians go to the polls Sunday with incumbent Prime Minister

AP/HENG SINITH

Hun Sen’s ruling party claims landslide win in election after opposition was suppressed

By Sopheng Cheang & David Rising

Associated Press

The

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—The ruling party of Cambodia’s longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen claimed a landslide victory in Sunday’s general election, an outcome that was virtually assured after the suppression and intimidation of the opposition in a vote called a farce of democracy.

Hun Sen posted on his Telegram channel late Sunday that unofficial results compiled by authorities in each province showed the Cambodian People’s Party won 120 seats and the royalist FUNCINPEC party won five. The National Election Committee said 84.6 percent of eligible voters had cast ballots. CPP spokesperson Sok Eysan told The Associated Press he believed his party captured 78-80 percent of the total turnout.

The European Union, the United States and other Western countries had refused to send observers to the polls, saying the election lacked the conditions to be considered free and fair. That left international officials from Russia, China and Guinea-Bissau to watch as Hun Sun voted shortly after the polls opened in his home district outside of the capital, Phnom Penh.

He held his ballot high for all to see, before depositing it into the silver metal box and leaving the station, pausing to take selfies and shake hands with supporters outside.

The longest-serving leader in Asia, Hun Sen has steadily consolidated power with strong-arm tactics over the last 38 years. But, at age 70, he has suggested he will hand off the premiership during the upcoming five-year term to his oldest son, Hun Manet, perhaps as early as the first month after the elections.

Hun Manet, 45, is chief of Cambodia’s army. He is a West Point graduate with a master’s degree from New York University and a doctorate from Bristol University in Britain.

Despite his Western education, however, observers don’t expect any immediate shifts in policy after his father steadily moved Cambodia closer to China in recent years.

“I don’t think anyone expects Hun Sen to sort of disappear once Hun Manet is prime minister,” said Astrid Norén-Nilsson, a Cambodia expert at Sweden’s Lund University. “I think they will probably be working closely together and I don’t think that there is a big difference in their political outlook, including foreign policy.”

Hun Manet is part of an expected generational change in the ruling party, which plans to install younger leaders in most ministerial positions.

“That’s going to be the big change of guard, that’s what I’m watching,” NorénNilsson said. “It’s all about the transition, it’s all about who’s going to come in and in what positions they find themselves.”

At the station where Hun Sen cast his ballot, voter Nan Sy, a former lawmaker himself with a smaller royalist party, said the main issue for him was stability.

“Without stability we cannot talk about education, we cannot talk about development,” the 59-year-old said without saying who he voted for.

There were few reports of any protests against the elections, but Gen. Khieu Sopheak, Cambodia’s national police spokesperson, said 27 people were being sought over allegations they called for voters to spoil their ballots in a Telegram chat channel. He said there had been two arrests at polling stations as well.

Hun Sen had been a middle-ranking commander in the radical communist Khmer Rouge responsible for genocide in the 1970s before defecting to Vietnam. When Vietnam ousted the Khmer Rouge from power in 1979, he quickly became a senior member of the new Cambodian government installed by Hanoi. A wily and sometimes ruthless politician,

Russian authorities said that another Ukrainian drone attack early Monday struck an ammunition depot in northern Crimea and forced a halt in traffic on a major highway and a railway crossing the Black Sea peninsula that was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014. Railway traffic was restored several hours later.

The Moscow-appointed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said that authorities also ordered the

Hun Sen has maintained power as an autocrat in a nominally democratic framework.

His party’s stranglehold on power faltered in 2013 elections, in which the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party won 44 percent of the popular vote to CPP’s 48 percent. Hun Sen responded by going after leaders of the opposition, primarily through sympathetic courts, which eventually dissolved the party after local elections in 2017 when it again fared well.

Ahead of Sunday’s election, the Candlelight Party, the unofficial successor to the CNRP and only other contender capable of mounting a credible challenge, was barred on a technicality from contesting the polls by the National Election Committee.

The methods prompted widespread criticism from rights groups.

Human Rights Watch said the “election bears little resemblance to an actual democratic process,” while the Asian Network for Free Elections, an umbrella organization of almost 20 regional NGOs, said the National Election Committee had showed a “clear bias”toward the CPP in barring the Candlelight Party.

“Such disqualification further exacerbates the imbalanced and unjust political environment, leaving minimal room for opposition voices to compete on equal footing with the ruling party,” the group said in a joint statement.

“Moreover, the shrinking space available for civil society and the deliberate targeting of human rights defenders and activists raise serious alarm. The constriction of civic space undermines the active participation of civil society in the electoral process without fear of reprisal.”

Compared to the way the opposition was neutralized in 2018, popular discontent this time did not seem widespread, Norén-Nilsson said, because Hun Sen and the CPP have been effective at building a sense among Cambodians that they are part of a new national project.

The strategy has involved careful messaging, with sweeping slogans like “small country, big heart,” and little talk about policy, she said.

“It’s really quite astonishing how the CPP has managed to gain at least acceptance for what we see now,” she said. “If before people thought that the glass was half empty, now it’s half full, so you focus more on what you have than don’t have.”

With the Candlelight Party out of the running, 18 parties participated and only two won seats.

FUNCINPEC is a French acronym for the National Front for an Independent, Neutral and Cooperative Cambodia. It was founded in 1981 by Cambodia’s late King Norodom Sihanouk and defeated the CPP in UN-run elections in 1993, but his son, Norodom Ranariddh, ended up having to agree to a co-premiership with Hun Sen. The party has evolved into a tamed opposition force that rarely challenges the ruling party’s actions.

channel that Monday’s drone attacks on Moscow and Crimea signaled that Russia’s electronic warfare means and air defenses are “less and less able to protect the skies of the invaders,” adding that “there will be more of it.”

Ukrainska Pravda reported that the drone attack on Moscow was a special operation by Ukrainian military intelligence.

On Saturday, a previous drone attack on Crimea hit another ammunition depot, sending huge plumes of black smoke skyward and also forcing the evacuation of residents.

Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum via video link over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the bridge a legitimate target for Ukraine, noting that Russia has used it to ferry military supplies and it must be “neutralized.”

Since Moscow canceled a landmark grain deal a week ago amid Kyiv’s grinding efforts to retake its occupied territories, Russia has launched repeated attacks on Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain.

evacuation of several villages within a 5-kilometer (3-mile) radius of the depot that was hit.

Aksyonov said the military shot down or jammed 11 attacking drones, while the Defense Ministry claimed later that 11 of the 17 attacking drones were jammed and crashed into the Black Sea and another three were shot down.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s digital transformation minister, noted on his messaging app

By Sopheng Cheang & David Rising The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia— Cambodia’s longtime ruling party on Monday lauded its landslide victory in weekend elections as a clear mandate for the next five years, but the United States said its stifling of the opposition meant the vote could not be considered free or fair and that Washington was taking punitive measures.

Autocratic leader Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party won 120 of 125 available seats in Sunday’s elections, according to preliminary results.

The 70-year-old, who has been in power for 38 years, has said he plans to hand the prime minister’s job off to his oldest son, 45-year-old Hun Manet, who is Cambodia’s army chief and won his first parliamentary seat Sunday.

It is part of what is expected to be a broad generational change in top positions for the CPP. And while it is not yet clear exactly when Hun Manet might take over, Hun Sen has suggested it could be as early as within the next month.

On his Facebook page Monday, Hun Manet said the election result showed that the “Cambodian people have clearly expressed their wills through votes,” adding that he thanked Cambodians for their “love and confidence in the CPP” and pledged that the party would “continue to serve Cambodia and Cambodian people better and better.”

Following a challenge from the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party in 2013 that the CPP barely overcame at the polls, Hun Sen responded by going after leaders of the opposition, and eventually the country’s sympathetic courts dissolved the party.

Ahead of Sunday’s election, the unofficial successor to the CNRP, known as the Candlelight Party, was barred on a technicality from running in the election by the National Election Committee.

Russian forces, meanwhile, struck port infrastructure on the Danube River in southern Ukraine with exploding drones early Monday, wounding four workers and destroying a grain hangar and storage for other cargo, the Ukrainian military said. It said that Ukrainian forces downed three of the attacking drones.

The strike was the latest in a barrage of attacks that has damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine in the past week. The Kremlin has described the strikes as retribution for last week’s Ukrainian strike on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with Crimea.

On Sunday, at least one person was killed and 22 others wounded in an attack on Odesa that severely damaged 25 landmarks across the city, including the Transfiguration Cathedral.

UNESCO strongly condemned the attack on the cathedral and other heritage sites and said it will send a mission in coming days to assess damage. Odesa’s historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year, and the agency said the Russian attacks contradict Moscow’s pledge to take precautions to spare World Heritage sites in Ukraine.

The Russian military denied that it targeted the Transfiguration Cathedral, claiming without offering evidence that it was likely struck by a Ukrainian air defense missile.

The US, European Union and other Western countries refused to send observers to the election, saying it lacked the conditions to be considered free and fair. Russia and China were among the countries that did send observers.

Late Sunday, the US State Department said it had “taken steps” to impose visa restrictions “on individuals who undermined democracy and implemented a pause of foreign assistance programs” after determining the elections were “neither free nor fair.”

“Cambodian authorities engaged in a pattern of threats and harassment against the political opposition, media, and civil society that undermined the spirit of the country’s constitution and Cambodia’s international obligations,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

“These actions denied the Cambodian people a voice and a choice in determining the future of their country.”

Michael Greenwald, spokesman for the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, said Monday the visa restrictions would be placed on people involved in “threatening and harassing the political opposition, media and civil society” but he would not specify who or how many individuals that would entail.

Similarly, he would not elaborate on the scope of the pause of foreign assistance programs, saying only that it involved “several” new activities, and noting that the US had contributed some $3 billion dollars to programs over the last 30 years.

The State Department urged the CPP to use its new term to restore “genuine multi-party democracy.”

Regional advocacy group Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights called on all democracies to denounce the elections.

“We must pressure the Cambodian government to end all forms of political persecution and immediately and unconditionally release political prisoners,” said Eva Kusuma Sundari, a former Indonesian lawmaker.

“There must also be an independent investigation into human rights violations and electoral irregularities, with the aim of ensuring accountability,” she added.

Under Hun Sen, Cambodia has become the Southeast Asian nation with the closest ties to Beijing, and China’s Foreign Ministry on Monday made no mention of any concerns about the way the elections were handled.

“As a good neighbor and friend, we warmly congratulate Cambodia on the successful holding of the 7th national election,” spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters.

“We believe that Cambodia will make greater achievements in national construction and development in the future, bringing more benefits to its people.”

With the Candlelight Party barred from running, FUNCINPEC, a royalist party whose name is a French acronym for the National Front for an Independent, Neutral and Cooperative Cambodia, benefitted the most from any anti-CPP sentiment.

Having won no seats in the last two elections, it won all five Sunday that did not go to the CPP.

Party president Norodom Chakravuth told The Associated Press ahead of the election that he would be prepared to work with CPP but “only if they’re fair with us.”

This would be a mistake, however, said Astrid Norén-Nilsson, a Cambodia expert at Sweden’s Lund University who was in Phnom Penh for the elections.

“The best the FUNCINPEC could do to build on that would be to keep the greatest distance possible from the CPP and take up the role of an opposition party, rather than that of a party that works hand in hand with the CPP,” she told AP.

FUNCINPEC spokesman Nhoeun Raden said the party is still collecting data and had no immediate comment on their better-than-expected results.

Rising reported from Bangkok.

Hun Sen and his party all but assured a landslide victory thanks to the effective suppression and intimidation of any real opposition that critics say has made a farce of democracy in the Southeast Asian nation.

A VIEW of the damaged building is seen after a reported drone attack in Moscow, Russia on Monday, July 24, 2023. AP

US announces punitive measures over concerns Cambodia’s elections were ‘neither free nor fair’

Netanyahu leaves hospital as Israel faces a key vote–and a crisis–over divisive legal changes

By Tia Goldenberg & Isaac Scharf The Associated Press

JERUSALEM—Israeli

Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu was released from the hospital Monday after an emergency heart procedure and now faces an unprecedented national crisis ahead of parliament’s vote on the first major piece of legislation to remake the country’s justice system.

Demonstrators, many of whom feel the very foundations of their country are being eroded by the government’s plan, stepped up their opposition, blocking a road leading up to parliament. Businesses shuttered their doors in protest at the vote.

Driven by a governing coalition made up of ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties, the judicial overhaul has divided Israel, testing the delicate social ties that bind the country, rattling the cohesion of its powerful military and repeatedly drawing concern from even its closest ally, the United States. Efforts to find a last-ditch compromise were underway, with President Isaac Herzog shuttling between the sides, including a meeting at the hospital where Netanyahu was treated, to find an agreement over the way forward. But it was unclear whether those would result in a compromise ahead of the final vote, expected Monday afternoon.

Protesters banging on drums and blowing horns blocked a road leading to the Knesset, and police used water cannons to push them back. The protest movement said

one of its leaders was arrested.

“The state of Israel stands before destruction and ruin that is being brought upon it by a gang of extremists and kooks. We must go up to Jerusalem today!” one branch of the protest movement called out to demonstrators on social media.

Israeli media reported that a consortium of businesses announced late Sunday that some of their members wouldn’t open on Monday in protest at the government’s plans, leading to big mall chains and some gas stations sealing their doors.

The dramatic events were being watched closely in Washington, from where the Biden administration has frequently spoken out against Netanyahu’s government and its overhaul plan. In a statement to the news site Axios late Sunday, Biden warned against pushing ahead with the legal changes that were sparking so much division.

“Given the range of threats and challenges confronting Israel right now, it doesn’t make sense for Israeli leaders to rush this—the focus should be on pulling people

together and finding consensus,” he told the site.

Biden has also been critical of the government’s steps to deepen Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. The massive, sustained democracy protests have shunned mention of Israel’s 56-year occupation of lands the Palestinians seek for their hoped-for independent state, fearing the issue might alienate supporters. But critics portray this rule over another people as a major stain on Israel’s claim to be a liberal democracy and accuse the protesters of harboring a significant blind spot in their struggle.

Netanyahu’s sudden hospitalization for the implant of a pacemaker added another dizzying twist to an already dramatic series of events that have bitterly divided his country and are certain to shape Israel’s future.

Netanyahu’s doctors said Sunday the procedure had gone smoothly. In a short video statement from the hospital late Sunday, Netanyahu, 73, said he felt

fine and thanked his doctors for his treatment and the public for wishing him well.

Wearing a white dress shirt and dark blazer, Netanyahu said he was pursuing a compromise with his opponents while also preparing for a vote on Monday that would enshrine a key piece of the legislation into law.

“I want you to know that tomorrow morning I’m joining my colleagues at the Knesset,” he said.

The overhaul calls for sweeping changes aimed at curbing the powers of the judiciary, from limiting the Supreme Court’s ability to challenge parliamentary decisions to changing the way judges are selected.

Netanyahu and his far-right allies, a collection of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties, say the changes are needed to curb the powers of unelected judges. Their opponents, coming largely from Israel’s professional middle class, say the plan will destroy the country’s fragile system

Blinken says international community seeks responsible US-China relationship

By Tony Czuczka

SECRETARY of State Antony

Blinken said the rest of the world is eager to see a responsibly managed US-Chinese relationship and he urged China to do its part.

Blinken’s comment on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS hints at concern among America’s allies, including in Europe, that US efforts to counter China militarily and economically are forcing them to choose sides in a new Cold War.

“There’s a clear demand signal that I’m hearing around the world

everywhere I go that each of us, the United States and China, will responsibly manage this relationship,” Blinken said in the interview broadcast Sunday.

Blinken cited a recent flurry of engagement by top Biden administration officials, including visits to Beijing by himself, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and climate envoy John Kerry, as a sign that the US is “trying to at least put some stability” into the relationship between the two biggest economies.

During her visit, Yellen said there’s “ample room” for trade

and investment while saying the US won’t shy away from “targeted actions to protect our national security”—a reference to measures such as limits on exports of advanced chip-making technology to China.

Her visit was part of a broader push by President Joe Biden’s administration to mend relations with America’s main geopolitical rival while also sending clear messages about US policy.

Blinken said “these are early days” in the search for a greater US-China dialogue.

The “demand signal” for China

of checks and balances and push Israel toward authoritarian rule.

President Herzog, who returned Sunday from a trip to the White House, immediately rushed to Netanyahu’s hospital room.

“We are in a state of national emergency,” Herzog said in a statement Monday, saying he was continuing efforts to find an agreement. “During these decisive hours, I call on elected officials to act with courage, and to reach out in order to arrive at understanding.”

Herzog held meetings later Sunday with Israel’s opposition leader, Yair Lapid, and Benny Gantz, head of National Unity, another opposition party.

As they spoke, tens of thousands of people gathered for mass rallies for and against the plan. Netanyahu’s supporters thronged central Tel Aviv—normally the setting for anti-government protests—while his opponents marched on Israel’s Knesset, or parliament.

Many of the protesters in Jerusalem had camped out in a nearby park, after completing a four-day march into the city from Tel Aviv on Saturday.

Further ratcheting up the pressure on the Israeli leader, thousands of military reservists have been declaring their refusal to serve under a government taking steps that they see as setting the country on a path to dictatorship. Those moves have prompted fears that the military’s preparedness could be compromised.

“These are dangerous cracks,” military chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi wrote in a letter to soldiers Sunday meant to address the tensions. “If we will not be a strong and cohesive military, if the best do not serve in the IDF, we will no longer be able to exist as a country

in the region.”

Despite the attempts to project business as usual, Netanyahu’s schedule was disrupted by his hospitalization. His weekly Cabinet meeting scheduled for Sunday morning was postponed. Two upcoming overseas trips, to Cyprus and Turkey, were being rescheduled, his office said.

In Monday’s vote, legislators are to decide on an overhaul measure that would prevent judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are “unreasonable.”

Proponents say the current “reasonability” standard gives judges excessive powers over decision-making by elected officials. Critics say removing it would allow the government to pass arbitrary decisions, make improper appointments or firings and open the door to corruption.

Protesters, who come from a wide swath of Israeli society, see the overhaul as a power grab fueled by personal and political grievances of Netanyahu—who is on trial for corruption charges—and his partners who want to deepen Israel’s control of the occupied West Bank and perpetuate controversial draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.

Netanyahu and his far-right allies announced the overhaul plan in January, days after taking office.

Netanyahu paused the overhaul in March after intense pressure by protesters and labor strikes that halted outgoing flights and shut down parts of the economy. After talks to find a compromise failed last month, he said his government was pressing on with the overhaul.

G oldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel.

Thailand’s PM vote faces delay as Pita’s exclusion challenged

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat & Pathom Sangwongwanich

“to engage responsibly is strong, is clear, is loud from around the world,” he said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday at a regular press briefing in Beijing her nation hoped “the US will work with us to bring bilateral relations back to the right track of sound and steady growth.”

“This not only serves the interests of both peoples, but it’s also the shared expectation of the international community,” she added. With assistance from Martin Ritchie/Bloomberg

Protests rock India’s Parliament for 3rd day over ethnic violence in remote state

NEW DELHI—India’s Parliament was disrupted for a third day Monday by opposition protests over ethnic clashes in a remote northeastern state in which more than 130 people have been killed since May.

Opposition lawmakers carried placards and chanted slogans outside the Parliament building, as they demanded a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the violence in Manipur state before a debate on the issue.

Last week, Modi broke more than two months of public silence over the ethnic clashes, telling reporters that mob assaults on two women who were paraded

naked were unforgivable, but he did not refer directly to the larger violence. His comments came after a video showing the assaults sparked widespread outrage on social media despite the Internet being largely blocked and journalists being locked out in the state. It shows two naked women surrounded by scores of young men who grope their genitals and drag them to a field. The video was emblematic of the near-civil war in Manipur, where mobs have rampaged through villages and torched houses. The conflict was sparked by an affirmative action controversy in

which Christian Kukis protested a demand by mostly Hindu Meiteis for a special status that would let them buy land in the hills populated by Kukis and other tribal groups and get a share of government jobs.

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the government is ready to discuss the situation in Manipur. “I request the opposition to let a discussion take place on this issue. It is important that the country gets to know the truth on this sensitive matter,” he said in the lower house of Parliament.

Both houses of Parliament were adjourned various times

as the opposition stopped proceedings with their demand for a statement from Modi. Sessions were also disrupted on Thursday and Friday.

The main opposition Congress party’s president, Mallikarjun Kharge, tweeted it was Modi’s “duty to make a comprehensive statement inside the Parliament on Manipur violence.”

Violence in Manipur and the harrowing video have triggered protests across the country. On Monday, scores of people gathered in Indian-controlled Kashmir and protesters carrying placards took to the streets of the eastern city of Kolkata. AP

THAILAND’S wait for a new prime minister after the May general election may get longer as the nation’s ombudsman plans to challenge a parliament move to deny renomination of pro-democracy leader Pita Limjaroenrat.

The Office of the Ombudsman plans to petition the constitutional court to delay a fresh vote to select a prime minister until it rules on the legality of the parliament’s decision against Pita, Secretary-General Keirov Kritteranon told a briefing on Monday. The move follows a clutch of petitions from lawmakers and legal experts seeking the ombudsman’s help in approaching the court, he said.

A majority of Thai lawmakers voted against Pita’s bid to be nominated as the prime ministerial candidate for a second time after he lost a vote a week earlier.

The leader of Move Forward Party lost his first premier vote after proroyalist parties and members of the conservative Senate voted against him, citing their opposition to his party’s pledge to amend the royal insult law which penalizes criticisms against the monarchs.

The parliament decision, slammed by Pita’s camp as unconstitutional, forced Move Forward to make way for its alliance partner Pheu Thai to take the lead in government formation. But the ally,

linked to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is under pressure to snap ties with Pita’s party in exchange for support from the Senate and the conservative parties.

The delay in government formation has weighed on Thailand’s stocks with foreign investors pulling out more than $3.3 billion this year. The political gridlock is a key reason for souring business outlook over the next three months, the Federation of Thai Industries said on Monday.

Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha said on Monday that members of the upper house may support Pheu Thai’s efforts to form the government, provided it doesn’t involve Move Forward.

The pro-democracy alliance is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, and the ombudsman’s move to seek a charter ruling may prevent an immediate implosion of the coalition.

While parliament has scheduled the next prime minister vote on July 27, Pheu Thai has yet to announce who it would pick as its nominee from prime minister from among its three candidates that include property tycoon Srettha Thavisin and Thaksin’s youngest daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Leaders of conservative parties— Bhumjaithai, Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation—told Pheu Thai executives at the weekend that they will not support its candidate as long as Pita’s party remains part of the alliance.

ISRAELI police disperse demonstrators blocking the road leading to the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to overhaul the judicial system, in Jerusalem on Monday, July 24, 2023. The demonstration came hours before parliament is expected to vote on a key part of the plan.

AP/MAHMOUD ILLEAN

editorial

China-US ‘tech cold war’ simmers

The post-war technological leadership of the United States was the result of massive investments in science and technology, education, and research and development. American preeminence in high technology industries, however, slowly diminished as other countries matched US investments in science and technology. By the late 1960s, the major industrial nations were sharing technology as never before.

Fast forward to the 21st century: An Australian think tank said China currently has a “stunning lead” over the US in the research of critical and emerging technologies across a range of sectors that include defense, space, and energy.

In a study partly funded by the US State Department, Canberra-based independent think tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) said China is leading the US in researching 37 out of 44 critical and emerging technologies across the defense, space, energy, and biotechnology sectors—including research of advanced aircraft engines, drones, and electric batteries.

The ASPI found that for a few fields, all of the world’s top 10 research institutions are in China, and they collectively generate nine times more high-impact research papers than the second-ranked country—which, in many cases, is the US. “In particular, China has the edge in defense and space-related technologies.”

The ASPI said China’s lead is the product of “deliberate design and long-term policy planning.” It said China’s research dominance in strategic sectors could have adverse implications for democratic nations. In the immediate term, the lead could allow China “to gain a stranglehold on the global supply of certain critical technologies.” In the longer run, China’s leading position could propel it to excel in almost all sectors, including technologies that don’t exist yet, the ASPI said.

The think tank added: “Unchecked, this could shift not just technological development and control but global power and influence to an authoritarian state where the development, testing and application of emerging, critical and military technologies is not open and transparent and where it can’t be scrutinized by independent civil society and media.”

The ASPI urged governments around the world to collaborate and invest more in research to catch up to China. It also recommended measures such as visa screening for visitors to research facilities to limit “illegal technology transfers” to China.

From Harvard Business Review: “Our studies show that since 2006 the Chinese government has been implementing new policies that seek to appropriate technology from foreign multinationals in several technology-based industries, such as air transportation, power generation, high-speed rail, information technology, and now possibly electric automobiles. These rules limit investment by foreign companies as well as their access to China’s markets, stipulate a high degree of local content in equipment produced in the country, and force the transfer of proprietary technologies from foreign companies to their joint ventures with China’s state-owned enterprises.”

For the US, the forced transfer of proprietary technologies that led to China’s growing advantage in cutting-edge technology represents a national security threat by undermining American military supremacy. That’s why the Biden administration announced export controls to cut off China’s access to advanced chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The US also got its allies on board. In January, the Netherlands and Japan joined in the restrictions on exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China.

Beijing, on the other hand, launched a trade dispute in the World Trade Organization over the US export controls. “We oppose hegemonism in science, decoupling, and breaking of industrial and supply chains. Politicizing scientific and technological issues, and using them as weapons for ideological confrontation harm the interests of the whole world,” said China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

“Western democracies are losing the global technological competition, including the race for scientific and research breakthroughs,” the ASPI report concluded.

Will the US strategy to cut off China’s access to advanced chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment succeed to block China’s rise in artificial intelligence, supercomputing, as well as AI-related military advancements? How will the China-US “tech cold war” be resolved?

Despite the two nations seeking better relations, analysts said the tech tensions will continue because both governments understand that leadership in advanced technologies, especially in generative AI, will determine success in the 21st century. The winner of that race will lead the global economy, and will enjoy the influence and power reserved for a global top dog.

Sovereign wealth fund is critical to development

THE EnTrEprEnEur

The infrastructure gap in the Philippines will keep growing unless we put a funding vehicle in place to bridge the divide.

Many of our citizens are perhaps perplexed over the slow progress of infrastructure development in the country. But we can learn a lesson or two from our Asian neighbors, which have found a way to push big infrastructure projects.

The creation of the Philippines’ own version of a sovereign wealth fund, or the Maharlika Investment Fund, hopefully will put us at par with our neighbors in the race to infrastructure investments. I am pleased that the divisive but healthy debates in both houses of Congress over the passage of Maharlika Investment Fund Bill are over. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the bill into law, to be known as Republic Act 11954, just days before delivering his second State of the Nation Address (SONA). It is a landmark law and, as President Marcos puts it, a “bold step towards our country’s meaningful economic transformation.” The government can use the funds generated by the MIF to develop agriculture, infrastructure and the digitalization of the country.

My son, Senator Mark Villar, the principal author and sponsor of the MIF bill, sees the law as generating more jobs for the Filipino people and providing appropriate funding in sectors left behind, such as agriculture, energy, health, information

technology and infrastructure.

I agree with Mark. The MIF can be used to boost investments in undercapitalized industries like infrastructure and agriculture. This will allow the construction of more roads, airports, power plants and cold storages, which in return will spur economic growth.

Major developing nations, including China, India, Brazil and Russia, have tapped into their sovereign funds to finance critical infrastructure projects. Our immediate neighbor Indonesia created a sovereign wealth fund in 2021 to assist in infrastructure investment. Indonesia started with a seed funding of $5.4 billion, which jumped to $24.5 billion after just one year following investments from foreign institutions.

One of our friends in the Lower House, House Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda, is probably the best spokesman for the MIF. For Mr. Salceda, the fund is the bridge between “trillions” in investible funds and investable development projects. The Philippine banking system has

close to P19 trillion in investible funds that need to go somewhere productive in order to contribute to the economy. Banks, including stateowned Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines, can pour part of those funds to the Maharlika Investment Fund to bankroll infrastructure projects.

I will not argue with Mr. Salceda. The private and the government sectors combined have trillions of investible funds that are passively locked up in foreign bonds, stocks and other forms of investible securities that earn dividends. Our big conglomerates with gross savings of P5.7 trillion are another source of funds for the MIF.

Investing in the MIF may turn out to be rewarding for our banks and conglomerates in terms of the dividends they will earn. It is a patriotic act since their investments in the fund will also help the government cut down on its local and foreign borrowings. With the MIF undertaking and financing those infrastructure projects, the private sector will also avoid red-tape issues tied to building toll roads, airports, dams and bridges, and make their investment less risky.

The Philippines, per the research report of Mr. Salceda, has an infrastructure financing gap of around P2 trillion annually until 2030. The MIF will exactly fill in the role of funding this requirement and enable the government to reduce its reliance on foreign and domestic loans to fund its annual budgetary requirements.

In sum, the MIF will ease the government’s fiscal restraints and move it closer to self-sustainability in terms of obtaining its financial

The genuine existential threat

sion Fallout.” The Namibian: “Orano confident of long-term water supply security for Erongo.”

requirements. Will the MIF lure investors and notable foreign funding institutions? I am optimistic it will. Sovereign wealth funds are designed to make one’s investible money earn a return. The funds are invested in a variety of viable assets. The Norway Government Pension Fund Global, the largest in the world with assets of over US$1 trillion, invests in equities, fixed income and real estate. It reported a return of 19.9 percent in 2019, with equity investments leading with earnings of 26 percent. Our economic managers assured us that the MIF will enable government financial institutions like the DBP and LandBank to obtain medium- to long-term returns that are higher than their 10-year average return. LandBank’s 10-year average return on investment is 4.23 percent, while that of the DBP is 3.59 percent.  The expected return of Maharlika, in comparison, is estimated to be around 8.6 percent on the average, or much higher than the cost of capital and the return in the current investments of the two state-owned banks. I trust our economic managers, who are upbeat on the MIF’s prospects. Foreign investors, this early, including the Japan Bank for International Corp. and several US investors, have already expressed interest in investing in the MIF. I won’t be surprised if more investors join the bandwagon once the MIF is officially launched. The MIF is our first sovereign wealth fund that needs the support of every Filipino.

For comments, send e-mail to mbv_secretariat@vistaland.com.ph or visit www.mannyvillar.com.ph

leader is doing.

Do We the People know something that government leaders do not?

Mangun

OuTSIDE THE BOX John

The Internet has opened up a world far beyond “Google it.” To keep abreast of what was happening at any given time in the past, I sought out the two or three newspapers that could be found—maybe a month out of date—at a local hotel while on the road. The International Herald Tribune, the Wall Street Journal, or The Times of London were usually available.

Now with a mouse click, we can read any of several dozen English language online national newspapers. The priority story is always local politics. Bangkok Post: “Police to monitor political gatherings for 3rd PM vote.” The Asahi Shimbun: “Prime Minister Kishida mulling mid-September Cabinet reshuffle as ratings dive.”

Local community stories are important. The Chosun Ilbo: “Rural Areas Suffer Severe Shortage of Doctors.” The Jakarta Post: “Communications minister pledges to ramp up fight against online gambling.”

Economic news is a mixture of general and specific concerns. The Moscow Times: “Russia Hikes Interest Rates for First Time Since Post-Inva-

There is one common news theme though that tracks through many countries and can be found in the top leader’s approval ratings and “Direction of the Country” rating. It is that there is a widening gap between We the People and The Government.

Morning Consult is a business intelligence firm conducting 20,000 global interviews daily in 22 nations considered “major economies.” As of July 20, 2023, only five leaders have a majority (+50 percent) approval rating, including Modi (IND), Berset (CHE), Obrador (MEX), da Silva (BRA), and Albanese (AUS).

The latest “US Direction of Country” by Harvard’s Center for American Political Studies shows respondents saying “Right Direction” 29 percent; “Wrong Track” 61 percent.

In GER, NLD, POL, JPN, NOR, AUS, FRA, and KOR, not even a minority 30 percent approve of the job their

The first two decades of the 21st century have seen a continuous firestorm including the “War on Terror,” the global financial crisis and Great Recession, Covid pandemic, “The hottest day on record,” and several “existential threats to humanity” including Climate change (UN Chief Guterres) and Artificial Intelligence (journalist Jonathan Freedland).

Maybe it is because of my background, but I am much more worried about the collapse of the international monetary system and the current currency war and how in my opinion governments are covering up the issue.

For 100 years, monetary systems changed every 30 to 40 years, first from the classic gold standard to the dollar as the reserve currency, to floating exchange rates in 1971. However, the current exchange rate

Manny B. Villar

Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro fades from the spotlight

By Eléonore Hughes | The Associated Press

Brazil’s top electoral court ruled last month that Bolsonaro is ineligible to run for any political office until 2030 for abusing his power and casting unfounded doubts on the country’s electronic voting system.

Bolsonaro was once called the “Trump of the Tropics” after emerging as a crusading outsider promising to shake up the system and pursuing an aggressive brand of identity politics including conservative values. Trump, who also cast doubt on the US electoral system and faces legal trouble, remains the frontrunner for the Republican Party’s nomination.

A clear demonstration of Bolsonaro’s waning power was a tax reform vote in Congress’ lower house this month.

A proposal supported by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government to overhaul Brazil’s notoriously complicated tax system was also backed by lawmakers and the general public. Bolsonaro tried to marshal opposition—his first attempt at doing so—but the reform passed by a greater than 3-to-1 margin. Almost two-dozen members of Bolsonaro’s party defied his will.

Bolsonaro has “little to no influence as a potential opposition leader,” political analyst Leandro Loyola wrote after the vote.

A political cartoon in Brazil this month showed a scientist peering into a microscope at an irate, fistclenching Bolsonaro.

“Fascinating,” the caption read. “He keeps diminishing.”

Construction executive Alexandre Cohim donated to Bolsonaro’s re-election campaign but said Friday that the court making the former president ineligible was a “blessing.”

“It will allow other people from the right who are more capable to emerge,” Cohim, 60, said by phone from Salvador. After he lost the race by the narrowest margin since Brazil’s return to democracy over three decades ago, the presumption of many in his party was that Bolsonaro would lead fierce opposition against Lula.

But just before Lula’s inauguration on January 1, Bolsonaro decamped to Florida for an extended stay. He returned in March and now he may even lose the monthly salary he receives from his party, reported by local media to be around $8,500. His allies have already called on supporters to help the former president pay his bills, while a newly founded Bolsonaro Store hawks everything from Bolsonaro-themed wall calendars to party decorations.

The threat of jail time also looms amid multiple criminal investigations into the former president’s

Foreign digital service providers: Income taxation

fulvio D. Dawilan

Tax Law for Business

actions, and the question of who might lead a viable challenge to Lula’s Workers Party in 2026 is being openly discussed.

“Bolsonaro seems to be on his way toward an inevitable end of his career,” political columnist Merval Pereira wrote in newspaper O Globo this month.

Sao Paulo state Gov. Tarcísio de Freitas, Bolsonaro’s former infrastructure minister and a close ally who backed his reelection bid, is among the politicians floated as potential standard-bearers for the right.

Some scoff at the conclusion that Bolsonaro has no shot of returning to the nation’s highest office less than a year after he received 58 million votes against Lula’s 60 million. But Geraldo Tadeu, a political scientist from the State University of Rio de Janeiro, said Bolsonaro’s rise to power in 2018 could be mostly explained by a confluence of one-off factors.

Brazil had just suffered its worst recession in almost a century, and t he Car Wash corruption probe implicated dozens of politicians, opening space for an outsider. Lula—who had been leading the polls—was ejected from the race by corruption and money-laundering convictions, and imprisoned. His convictions were later annulled.

“The circumstances left a vacuum that Bolsonaro filled,” said Tadeu. Bolsonaro’s lack of “leadership and negotiation skills” and inability to maintain political support undermine his odds of a comeback, Tadeu said.

Since returning to Brazil from the US, Bolsonaro has been ordered to provide testimony to the Federal Police on several occasions, and criminal convictions could extend the ban on him running for office and subject him to imprisonment. Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing.

Bolsonaro’s lawmaker son Eduardo in February launched an online store selling Bolsonaro merchandise. Boosters can snap up notebooks bearing the president’s smiling face, key rings and mugs with his silhouette, or wall calendars marking milestones of his administration. Eduardo Bolsonaro celebrated his own July 10 birthday with a party featuring the store’s Bolsonaro-themed decor.

Cursive on his cake read: “Our dream remains more alive than ever!”

“The shop is a form of propaganda, a way of maintaining Bolsonaro alive as a symbol,” said Caio Marcondes, a political scientist from the University of Sao Paulo. “He’s a brand, a product that represents the right in Brazil.” AP reporter Carla Bridi contributed from Brasilia

will be under threat from those who control the dollar payments systems.

UNtIl such time as existing tax treaties and tax laws are revised and revisited to account for the digital economy, the Courts must apply the laws as they currently are (Saint Wealth LTD. v. Bureau of Internal Revenue, GR 252965, December 7, 2021). the Supreme Court made this pronouncement when it declared that there was no basis to impose tax on offshore-based gaming operators.

The reason for that decision—no income is derived by these offshore gaming licensees from sources within the Philippines, based on the laws existing at that time. Our laws have changed where we now have specific provisions dealing with the imposition on offshore gaming licensees of gaming taxes on their gaming revenues and income taxes on nongaming revenues derived from within the Philippines.

While the Court made that decision, it also observed that “with the proliferation of digital and online commerce, it had become more complicated and less straightforward to determine where the activity which produces the income occurs, as when the transaction is conducted over the Internet.” Indeed there are challenges in taxing the digital economy, many of which were already identified by international organizations like the OECD.

Why am I mentioning this? Because these observations will remain as we are not expecting any change soon. At least for VAT, there is a move

to modify the law to include digital transactions in the coverage of our VAT system. The final version of the law is not yet clear, but definitely it would include non-resident providers transacting with consumers in the Philippines. But for income tax, there is none. And that is because there are complications related to the modification of the income tax system. What does that mean? Our current income tax rules will continue to govern, including the income taxation of digital transactions.

As in the Saint Wealth LTD case, we may never have the right to impose tax, even if we Filipinos are among the consumers of digital services provided by foreign suppliers. Compared to domestic corporations that are taxed on their worldwide income, foreign corporations are liable to income tax in the country only on their income derived from sources within the Philippines. Hence, there is a need to determine the source of their income.

Our current domestic law is clear

that for services, the related income is considered derived from sources within the Philippines if the service is performed in the Philippines. On the other hand, income for services performed without the Philippines is considered income derived from sources without the Philippines. Thus, we simply refer to the place where the service is rendered in determining the source of the income. Jurisprudence had further explained the “source of income” as relating to the property, activity or service that produced the income.

Compared to traditional services, there may indeed be a challenge in determining the source of income for digital transactions and other business activities transacted online or electronically. But again, applying the Saint Wealth LTD case, as long as the property, activity or service is not located or done in the Philippines, then the country has no right to impose tax. Our tax authority had in fact made pronouncements that if the servers, websites and other related facilities are located outside the country, the income generated from the activity should be treated as sourced from outside the Philippines and therefore not taxable in the Philippines.

There are some views that the recent case of Aces Philippines Cellular Satellite Corp. v. CIR, GR 226680 could be basis for imposing income tax on digital transactions consummated outside the Philippines but provided with Philippine subscribers/consumers. That is misplaced. In that case, there are two segments in providing the services—the transmission of communication time by the satellite located in outer space and the delivery of the communica-

tion time to the gateway located in the Philippines. The gateway’s receipt of the call in the Philippines signifies the completion of the service by the non-resident service provider. In this case, the Court determined that the source of the income is associated with the gateway that is located in the Philippines. In other words, the property, activity and service that produce the income are located in the Philippines. That makes the income subject to Philippine income tax.

That cannot be said to apply to all types of digital transactions. Transactions conducted over the Internet have varying business models. But most of the facilities used to provide the services are located outside the Philippines. The delivery and completion of services transpire outside the Philippines. As in the Saint Wealth LTD case, incomes generated from these services by foreign providers are not subject to Philippine income taxes. If we want to impose tax, we have to change the laws.

Indeed, until such time as existing tax treaties and tax laws are revised and revisited to account for the digital economy, we will continue to lose our rightful share in the digital economy.

The author is the Managing Partner of DuBaladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law), a member-firm of WTS Global.

The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at fulvio.dawilan@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 loc 310.

Fukushima nuclear plant water release within weeks raises worries about setbacks to businesses

By Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press

IWAKI, Japan—Beach season has started across Japan, which means seafood for holidaymakers and good times for business owners. But in Fukushima, that may end soon.

Within weeks, the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is expected to start releasing treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, a highly contested plan still facing fierce protests in and outside Japan.

The residents worry that the water discharge 12 years after the nuclear disaster could deal another setback to Fukushima’s image and hurt their businesses and livelihoods.

“Without a healthy ocean, I cannot make a living,” said Yukinaga Suzuki, a 70-year-old innkeeper at Usuiso beach in Iwaki about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the plant. And the government has yet to announce when the water release will begin.

It’s not yet clear whether, or how, damaging the release will be. But residents say they feel “shikataganai”—meaning helpless.

water, dilute it with more than a hundred times the seawater and then release it into the Pacific Ocean through an undersea tunnel. Doing so, they said, is safer than national and international standards require.

Suzuki is among those who are not fully convinced by the government’s awareness campaign that critics say only highlights safety. “We don’t know if it’s safe yet,” Suzuki said. “We just can’t tell until much later.”

The Usuiso area used to have more than a dozen family-run inns before the disaster. Now, Suzuki’s half-century old Suzukame, which he inherited from his parents 30 years ago, is the only one still in business after surviving the tsunami. He heads a safety committee for the area and operates its only beach house.

Suzuki says his inn guests won’t mention the water issue if they cancel their reservations and he would only have to guess. “I serve fresh local fish to my guests, and the beach house is for visitors to rest and chill out. The ocean is the source of my livelihood.”

adds, to have to live near the damaged plant for decades.

Fukushima’s badly hit fisheries community, tourism and the economy are still recovering. The government has allocated 80 billion yen ($573 million) to support still-feeble fisheries and seafood processing and combat potential reputation damage from the water release.

His wife evacuated to her parents’ home in Yokohama, near Tokyo with their four children, but Okawa stayed in Iwaki to work on reopening the store. In July 2011, Okawa resumed sale of fresh fish—but none from Fukushima.

Local fishing was returning to normal operation in 2021 when the government announced the water release plan.

Fukushima’s local catch today is still about one-fifth of its predisaster levels due to a decline in the fishing population and smaller catch sizes.

Japan sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency for transparency and credibility. IAEA’s final report, released this month and handed directly to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, concluded that the method meets international standards and its environmental and health impacts would be negligible. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said radioactivity in the water would be almost undetectable and there is no crossborder impact.

Scientists generally agree that environmental impact from the treated water would be negligible, but some call for more attention on dozens of low-dose radionuclides that remain in the water, saying data on their long-term effect on the environment and marine life is insufficient.

monetary system depends on the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT founded in 1973), executing financial transactions and payments between banks worldwide. The US first damaged SWIFT in 2012 seeking to deny Iran access.

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU, the UK, Canada, and the US agreed to remove a few Russian banks from SWIFT. However, in March 2023, Russia itself banned the use of SWIFT entirely, accelerating the move toward a new monetary system.

US Investment banker James G. Rickards wrote that nations realize that as long as they are dependent on dollars for holding assets or purchasing global commodities, they

The only way to escape sanctions is to escape dollars. Think of a goldbacked BRICS currency.

The currency war plays out this way. When global economic growth is strong, no one really cares if some country cheapens its exchange rate to encourage more foreign investment. Not enough growth and then it is a pack of dogs fighting over an empty bone.

There have always been “brushfire” currency wars. But this time the sovereign debt is too high, economic growth is too low, and every one of the top 50 (PHL is 30) largest by PPP economies is a threat to the US and the EU “Old Boys Club.”

Suzuki has requested officials to hold the plan at least until the swimming season ends in mid-August.

“If you ask me what I think about the water release, I’m against it. But there is nothing I can do to stop it as the government has one-sidedly crafted the plan and will release it anyway,” he said. “Releasing the water just as people are swimming at sea is totally out of line, even if there is no harm.”

The beach, he said, will be in the path of treated water traveling south on the Oyashio current from off the coast of Fukushima Daiichi.

The government and the operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, or TEPCO, have struggled to manage the massive amount of contaminated water accumulating since the 2011 nuclear disaster, and announced plans to release it to the ocean during the summer. They say the plan is to treat the

The March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi plant’s cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and contaminating their cooling water, which has since leaked continuously. The water is collected, filtered and stored in some 1,000 tanks, which will reach their capacity in early 2024.

The government and TEPCO say the water must be removed to make room for the plant’s decommissioning, and to prevent accidental leaks from the tanks because much of the water is still contaminated and needs retreatment.

Katsumasa Okawa, who runs a seafood business in Iwaki, says those tanks containing contaminated water bother him more than the treated water release. He wants to have them removed as soon as possible, especially after seeing “immense” tanks occupying much of the plant complex during his visit few years ago.

An accidental leak would be “an ultimate strikeout...It will cause actual damage, not reputation,” Okawa says. “I think the treated water release is unavoidable.” It’s eerie, he

Japanese fishing organizations strongly opposed Fukushima’s water release, as they worry about further damage to the reputation of their seafood as they struggle to recover. Groups in South Korea and China have also raised concerns, turning it a political and diplomatic issue. Hong Kong has vowed to ban the import of aquatic products from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures if Tokyo discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea.

China plans to step up import restrictions and Hong Kong restaurants began switching menus to exclude Japanese seafood. Agricultural Minister Tetsuro Nomura acknowledged some fishery exports from Japan have been suspended at Chinese customs, and that Japan was urging Beijing to honor science.

“Our plan is scientific and safe, and it is most important to firmly convey that and gain understanding,” TEPCO official Tomohiko Mayuzumi told The Associated Press during its plant visit. Still, people have concerns and so a final decision on the timing of the release will be “a political decision by the government,” he said.

Radioactivity of the treated water is so low that once it hits the ocean it will quickly disperse and become almost undetectable, which makes pre-release sampling of the water important for data analysis, said University of Tokyo environmental chemistry professor Katsumi Shozugawa.

He said the release can be safely carried out and trusted “only if TEPCO strictly follows the procedures as planned.” Diligent sampling of the water, transparency and broader cross-checks—not just limited to IAEA and two labs commissioned by TEPCO and the government—is key to gaining trust, Shozugawa said.

Japanese officials characterize the treated water as a tritium issue, but it also contains dozens of other radionuclides that leaked from the damaged fuel. Though they are filtered to legally releasable levels and their environmental impact deemed minimal, they still require close scrutiny, experts say.

TEPCO and government officials say tritium is the only radionuclide inseparable from water and is being diluted to contain only a fraction of the national discharge cap, while experts say heavy dilution is needed to also sufficiently lower concentration of other radionuclides.

RIO DE JANEIRO—Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is fading from the spotlight, showing the courts’ power over the electoral system and the political shortcomings of the increasingly powerless former leader.

‘BM’ RUNNER-UP IN INT’L AGRI JOURNALISM TILT

Private construction projects value up 8% to ₧99.6 billion

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE BusinessMirror earned a runner-up finish in its debut in a global competition for journalists reporting on agricultural issues.

A team of BusinessMirror reporters composed of Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas, Cai U. Ordinario, Jovee Marie Dela Cruz, and Jovynelle Rodriguez, a student from the Lyceum of the Philippines University, were adjudged runners up in this year’s International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Star Prize Award for Print.

T hey bagged the citation for the multimedia explanatory story titled “Skyrocketing sugar prices stoke industry liberalization stakes” published in the paper’s Broader Look section last August 4, 2022. ( Read story here: https:// businessmirror .com.ph/2022/08/04/ skyrocketing-sugar-pricesstoke-industry-liberalization-stakes)

T he story focused on the Philippine sugar crisis last year, tackling and tracing the events, issues, and problems that led to the unprecedented record-high prices of domestic sugar in the country.

T he story also scrutinized the implications of the crisis on the domestic economy, particularly its impacts for Filipino farmers, consumers, and even small businesses like sorbetero and banana-Q vendors.

T he story was edited by Senior Editor Dennis D. Estopace with production guidance from Associate Editor Jennifer A. Ng and Editor-in-Chief Lourdes M. Fernandez.

T homas Weber’s story titled “Zurück Zum Ursprung” (“Back to the Origin”) placed first in the IFAJ tilt. The story explored a family’s struggle with the economic challenges of dairy farming, according to the IFAJ.

T he IFAJ said the award “recognizes excellence in reporting on agricultural topics around the world.” (See IFAJ press release: https://www. ifaj.org/thomas-weber-fromaustria-receives-international-federation-of-agriculturaljournalists-star-prize-forprint/44645/)

T he IFAJ disclosed that the international judging panel for this year’s Star Prize for Print award was composed of John Morriss of Canada and Markus Rediger and Ingold Jonas of Switzerland.

“ The power of print remains a driving force in journalism, and the IFAJ Star Prize celebrates the power of excellent research and great storytelling,” said Adalberto Rossi, IFAJ secretary-general, in an earlier statement released this month.

T he IFAJ is an international group of communications with more than 5,000 members across 61 countries, according to the organization’s website.

Public bidding not needed for ₧1.2-B ‘Nayon’ lease deal

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

PUBLIC bidding is not required for the validity of the P1.2billion lease agreement entered into by the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) with West Side City, Inc., formerly known as Resorts World Bayshore City Inc. (RWBCI) covering 5.43 hectares of the former’s property, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has declared.

I n a four-page legal opinion by Undersecretary Nicholas Ty, the DOJ reiterated its previous legal opinions that there is no law requiring the conduct of public bidding for the lease of government property.

T he DOJ issued its Legal Opinion No.  29 last July 6, 2023 in response to the request of NPF Executive Director Gertrudes Duran-Batocabe. Batocabe sought the DOJ’s legal position on whether public bidding is an indispensable requirement for the validity of the lease agreement entered into by the NPF and RWBCI on August 20, 2014.

B atocabe told the DOJ that the NPF decided to lease to RWBCI a

portion of NPF’s property, with an area of 5.43 hectares, with an upfront advance rental of P1.2 billion in order to generate funds necessary for the development of Nayong Pilipino Cultural Part (NPCP).

T he advance rental, according to Batocabe, enabled the NPF to sustain its operations since it did not receive any allocation of government funds under the General Appropriations Act.      B atocabe recounted that prior to the execution of the lease agreement, the NPF consulted the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), which declared that the proposed lease agreement with RWBCI need not undergo public bidding because the leasing out of its property does not constitute procurement under Republic Act No. 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

T he OGCC stressed that the NPF, in the exercise of its sound business judgment, may negotiate and execute a lease with any party like RWBCI, under such conditions deemed most advantageous to the government.

Data obtained from approved building permits showed the value of these projects amounted to P99.6 billion, an 8-percent growth in 2022 from the same period in 2021.

T he amount covered 39,638 projects in the second quarter of 2022, which represented a contraction of 6.4 percent.

T he bulk of these construction projects are accounted for by residential building constructions, valued at P49.27 billion, representing almost half or 49.5 percent of the total value of constructions during the quarter.

P SA said this amount increased

by 3.5 percent from the P47.6-billion total construction value in the same quarter of 2021.

A mong residential constructions, single houses had the highest value of constructions at P34.3 billion or 69.6 percent of the total.

T he value of non-residential constructions, amounting to P44.06 billion, contributed 44.2 percent to the total value of constructions during the quarter.

T his reflects a 21.7-percent annual increment from the P36.2billion value of non-residential constructions in the same quarter of the previous year.

A mong non-residential con -

structions, commercial buildings registered the highest value of constructions at P21.29 billion or 48.3 percent of the total.

I n the second quarter of 2022, the value of constructions of addition, and alteration and repair to existing structures, amounted to P0.93 billion or 0.9 percent of the total and P5.34 billion or 5.4 percent, respectively.

T he construction value for addition to existing structures expanded at an annual rate of 2 percent, while the value of constructions for alteration and repair of existing structures contracted 29.2 percent.

B y type of construction, residential buildings reported the highest number of 28,411 constructions or 71.7 percent of the total number of constructions during the quarter.

T his type of construction contracted 5.7 percent compared with the 30,139 constructions in the same quarter of the previous year. Majority of the total residential constructions were single-type houses with 24,727 or 87 percent

of the total.

PSA said non-residential type of constructions ranked second with 6,646 or 16.8 percent of the total number of constructions during the quarter. T his indicates an increase of 5.7 percent compared with the 6,285 constructions recorded in the same period of the previous year. Most of the non-residential constructions were commercial buildings with 4,584 or 69 percent of the total.

D ata showed that Additions, which refer to any new construction that increases the height or area of an existing building/structure, and alteration and repair of existing structures contributed 3.1 percent and 8.4 percent to the total number of constructions during the quarter, respectively.

Compared with their respective number of constructions in the same period of the previous year, addition-type of construction expanded at an annual rate of 0.1 percent this quarter, while alteration and repair contracted 28.9 percent.

Govt to spend 6% of GDP for infra devt–PBBM

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. committed to keep spending as much as 6 percent of the country’s GDP for infrastructure development, driven by its goal of linking not only the three major island groups but “all prospective sites of economic development.”

I n his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the government has beefed up its infrastructure development program with the addition of 123 new projects into the Build, Better, More (BBM) Program.

“ We are not just continuing what has been started, but we are expanding the portfolio,” he said.

A n offshoot of the Build, Build, Build (BBB) Program of the Duterte administration, the BBM program covers flagship investment proj -

ects in areas of physical connectivity, water resources, agriculture, health, digital connectivity, and energy.

M arcos said 83 percent of the program involves investments in physical connectivity.  “ Physical connectivity infrastructure such as roads, bridges, airports, seaports, and mass transport account for 83 percent of this program. Our infrastructure spending will stay at five to six percent of our GDP. The underlying logic to our infrastructure development is economic efficiency. We are opening up all gateways to mobilize goods and services at less cost with less time and ultimately drive the economy forward. Our road network plans must link not only our three major islands, but all prospective sites of economic development,” he said.

He cited the 1,200-kilometer (km) Luzon Spine Expressway

Network Program and the 90-km Mega Bridge Program as some of the crucial components of the BBM Program.

M arcos also highlighted the development of more than 4,000 kilometers of roads and 500 bridges across the country.

T he President also stressed that airport and seaport developments are “crucial” in ensuring a connected Philippines.

M ass transport, he noted, is also a priority for this administration.

“ We initiated several railway projects with a length of more than 1,000 km. Notably, the southern leg of the North-South Commuter Railway System is now in full swing. In a few years, travel from Pampanga to Laguna will be reduced from four hours to just two,” he said.

L astly, creating a network of interconnected infrastructure systems will be the target of the

Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Intermodal connectivity will also be a primary consideration. Roads, bridges, and mass transport systems will be interconnected. This network will provide access and passage to vital and bustling economic markets such as agriculture hubs, tourism sites, and key business districts,” Marcos said.

T he BusinessMirror earlier reported that advocacy groups Move as One Coalition and AltMobility called on Marcos to develop a “transportation system,” an environment where all the modes of transportation are carefully coordinated with each other. A ccording to the two groups, the success of the reforms in the transport industry must be measured by how much the commuters have felt improvements—if any.

THE value of private sector construction projects reached almost P100 billion in the second quarter of 2022, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

(FROM L to R): Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas, Cai U. Ordinario, Jovee Marie Dela Cruz, Jovynelle Rodriguez.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. applauds beside Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez after his State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday, July 24, 2023. In his speech, Marcos reflected on his first year in office, during which he made significant decisions, such as permitting an expanded US military presence and choosing not to rejoin the International Criminal Court, aligning with his predecessor's policies. AP/AARON FAVILA

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Repower share price little changed on market debut

By VG Cabuag @villygc

The share price of Repower energy Development Corp., a subsidiary of Pure energy holdings Corp., was little changed during its debut in the Philippine Stock exchange (PSe) on Monday.

Repower’s shares closed less than 1 percent higher to P5.04 from the initial public offering (IPO) price of P5. It opened at P5.01 before climbing to P5.20, but almost succumbed to profit-taking during the afternoon trade.

“The listing of Repower Energy and Development Corp. or REDC was indeed a long and an eye-opening journey. Since September of 2022 or so, we had to hold weekly meetings

and work through a lot of lists, a long list of regulatory requirements,” Eric Peter Y. Roxas, president and CEO of Repower, said during his speech.

“This is the very reason why we are here today to be able to generate more funds. So we can build more plants to enhance shareholder value and in our own small way, contribute to preserving the environment and uplifting the lives of our fellow Filipinos.”

A total of 200 million common shares at P5 per share has been offered to the public, with an overallotment option that allows for the sale of up to 30 million common shares.

Meanwhile, the benchmark PSE index fell by 16.31 points to close at 6,631.25, after posting gains for three consecutive days.

“Investors were also waiting for the President’s State of the Nation Address later which would be crucial in shaping investors’ sentiment. Given this, many stayed on the sidelines with the net market value turnover recording at P2.77 billion, lower than this month’s average so far of P3.93 billion,” Claire Alviar, Research and Engagement Officer at Philstocks Financial Inc., said.

Repower said Tokai Holdings Corp., a Japan-based conglomerate with interests in sectors such as gas, solar power and real estate, served as an anchor investor in its IPO.

Tokai has committed to purchase up to 32.5 percent of shares available for sale in the IPO, a transaction that could result in the ownership of almost 10 percent of its post-IPO outstanding shares.

The primary shares have gross proceeds of about P1 billion for the company.

Of the primary proceeds, the company plans to use it to fund the equity portion of its hydropower projects, the development and acquisition of renewable energy projects and operating and working capital requirements.

In particular, the company will use the proceeds to fund the equity portion of the 15-megawatts Pulanai MHP project located in Bukidnon and the equity portion of the 4.5MW Piapi MHP project in Quezon Province.

China Bank Capital Corp. served as the sole issue manager, lead underwriter, and sole bookrunner for the transaction.

Cisco, Baguio govt expand tie-up

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

CISCO said on Monday the local government of Baguio expanded their partnership to train personnel that man the city’s smart city command center.

Through its partnership with technology solutions provider Quantela, Cisco conducted its Center of Excellence Training Capability Program to ensure that both IT professionals and non-IT personnel in Baguio City’s Smart City Command Center are “equipped to operate and maximize the full use of the command center.”

By capacitating city personnel, the local government of Baguio expects emergency response to be more efficient and disaster resilience to be improved.

“Transforming a city, like

India blocks

BYD’s bid to set up plant

INDIA rejected Chinese carmaker BYD Co.’s proposal to build a $1 billion electric-vehicle plant in partnership with a local company, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The Indian government dismissed the plan from BYD and Hyderabadbased Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd. on national security concerns, the people said, asking not to be identified as the decision is not yet public. The use of Chinese homegrown technology is a concern, one of the people said.

Foreign direct investment in India’s automobile sector doesn’t typically require approval. Investment proposals from countries that share a border with India, however, need political and security clearance from the ministries of external and home affairs.

BYD declined to comment. Representatives for Megha, which was established in 1989 and has infrastructure projects in sectors from power to transport, didn’t return phone calls or an email seeking comment. Bloomberg News

transforming a business, requires investment in people, processes, and technology. Our close partnership with Mayor Benjamin Magalong to design a holistic upskilling blueprint for the Smart City Command Center personnel is integral to the vast improvements we see in the urbanized city of Baguio today. We are thrilled to see the progress that the team has made and how it has enabled them to better meet the needs of citizens,” Cisco Philippines Managing Director Zaza SorianoNicart said.

The capacity-building program consisted of a two-week training conducted on-site at Baguio’s Smart City Command Center, which engaged personnel across the city’s public sector agencies, such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO).

Through the program aimed at enabling them to assess security risks and emergencies, provide up-to-date information to citizens on city services on the “Baguio in my pocket” application, and track and resolve help requests submitted by citizens.

Nicart noted that apart from training, Cisco invested in resources to build a simulated environment for the command center, deployed by its partner Quantela, to enable developers to experiment with new technologies, application integrations, configurations, and features.

Earlier this month, Cisco announced the completion of the Smart City Command Center, which will allow city planners to “streamline and transform city management decisions and public services.”

The command center now serves as the core of the city’s

operations, enabling real-time monitoring, analysis, decisionmaking, and rapid response to emergencies. Cisco’s networking, security, and collaboration technologies power the underlying infrastructure of the platform. The solution includes industrial and network switches, data center architecture, as well as firewalls, and advanced threat detection response tools, ensuring that the command center is secure from end to end at all times.

“Empowering Baguio City with the right skills and resources to navigate their digital shift not only allows the local government to carry out their mandate holistically but also elevates the way of life for its citizens and tourists,” Nicart said. “All these are in line with Cisco’s purpose to power an inclusive future for all, as we bridge the digital divide one city at a time.”

Landers opens new branch in Laguna

SANTA Rosa, Laguna—Landers Superstore has opened its 10th branch in Nuvali to bring “world-class brands” not only to the residents of the province, but also to those living in other provinces in Southern Tagalog.

“We’re the fastest-growing retailer in the Philippines that opened three stores in three months,” Landers President and CEO Greg Davis said during the recent store opening ceremony last July 20.

In June, Landers opened its 9th outlet at Arca South in Taguig City, following the soft launching of its 8th store in Angeles City, Pampanga last April 28.

The Laguna store, according to officials, features an expansive retail area, cozy dining spot, high ceilings, and beautiful accent lights, complemented by its “Instagrammable interiors.”

From everyday essentials to special purchases, members can choose all the items they need—from the store’s wide array of imported and local goods, hard-to-find items, exclusive labels and premium brands.

Another interesting feature of the store is the Farmer’s Market section that offers the freshest fruits and vegetables sourced from community farms in the region and nearby provinces.

Delicious food options are varied—from Landers Central that serves American comfort food like New York-style pizza, pasta and fried chicken to the in-house cafe Doppio that sells coffee, milk tea, blended drinks

and pastries.

Members of Landers Superstores enjoy exclusive perks, such as low-priced medicines from Capital Care Pharmacy, big fuel discounts from Landers-Caltex, free haircut and blow-dry from Federal Barbers, and exclusive deals on Solane tanks and refills which can be purchased online at its website www. landers.ph or via its app.

“What’s more, they can look forward to promos and events like the Super Crazy Sale, Super Fuel Sale, Piso Sale, Fresh & Produce Sale, and Sampling Festivals that bring big price markdowns and year-round savings,” company officials said.

According to Davis, Landers is on an “aggressive expansion mode” as Filipinos are now going out again to shop in physical stores.

“We’re seeing lots of our members come out and shop again. It’s not just like once a month or once a week, [but] sometimes even twice a week [that] we’re seeing more customers shopping more often,” he told the BusinessMirror on the sidelines of the event.

He said the company is opening other outlet in Bacolod next month. Davis, however, did not provide more details.

“The rest is we’re still working on how we construct the buildings [and] what’s the right time to open them. We want to make sure that when we land in a community, it’s a great landing and everyone knows and loves it.”

B1

LEGACY carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said on Monday it has entered into a codeshare agreement with China Airlines to beef up its Taiwan operations.

PAL VP for Sales Bud Britanico said with the agreement, the Filipino carrier is expanding its international network to include Manila-Kaohsiung and Cebu-Taipei services.

He noted that the expanded codeshare arrangement allows PAL and China Airlines to offer “greater connectivity and convenience to their customers, with each carrier promoting the development of the air travel market between the Philippines and Taiwan.”

“Philippine Airlines is keen to serve the growing demand for travel stimulated by the continuing visafree arrangement for Filipino travel to Taiwan. We will build on our strong partnership with China Airlines to offer more convenient access for Filipino tourists to visit Taiwan, even as we welcome Taiwanese tourists to come and visit the fun and festive Philippines.”

The agreement allows PAL to offer four weekly codeshared services between Manila and Kaoshiung and five weekly flights between Cebu and Taipei.

“Cebu is a great destination for both business and leisure, while Kaohsiung is a dynamic port city and economic hub that also houses many Overseas Filipino Workers. We are glad to expand our network, even as we continue to offer regular twice daily flights between Manila

and Taipei,” Britanico said.

The codeshare agreement also allows China Airlines to access PAL’s domestic network by placing its “CI” code on select PAL-operated flights from Manila to Cebu, Davao and Iloilo, as well as from Cebu to Davao and Iloilo, for the carriage of passengers traveling between Taiwan and these Philippine cities.

“China Airlines has been focusing on the Filipino market as part of our ongoing efforts to expand the Southeast Asia network in recent years. The Taipei-Cebu route flown by the new A321neo aircraft was introduced at the end of 2022 alongside the existing Taipei-Manila and Kaohsiung-Manila services to further expand the travel network between Taiwan and the Philippines,” China Airlines VP of Corporate Development Jeremy Chang said.

The newly offered services build on an existing the two groups’ codeshare partnership on the Manila-Taipei and Taipei-Manila routes, where PAL operates 14 weekly flights and China Airlines likewise operates 14 weekly flights.

“Philippine Airlines is a longstanding China Airlines partner and the latest expansion to the codesharing arrangement will not only strengthen collaboration between the two airlines but also promote business and tourism between the two regions,” Chang said.

PAL and China Airlines have been codeshare partners since 2015.

Lorenz S. Marasigan

Govt eyes raising ₧225B in Aug from GS sale

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

The Treasury on Monday announced its borrowing program for August, outlining the schedule and volume of Treasury bills (T-bills) and Treasury bonds (T-bonds) to be auctioned next month.

The Treasury said it targets to raise a total of P75 billion from the auction of short-term T-bills across five weeks.

Each auction would have a volume of P15 billion divided equally in three tenors: 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day T-bills.

The national government is also

planning to borrow a total of P150 billion from the sale of five T-bonds next month, according to the Treasury’s schedule.

The Treasury will be auctioning off 5-year, 6-year, 10-year, and 15year T-bonds in August.

The national government has been behind its borrowing program this month as it has only been able to raise P122.222 billion so far until the third week of July out of its target P135 billion during the covered period.

For the whole month, the Treasury

targets to raise a total of P180 billion from the auction of P120-billion worth of T-bonds and P60-billion worth of T-bills.

The Treasury’s final T-bills and T-bonds auction for July is scheduled on July 25 and July 26, respectively.

The national government was unable to borrow its intended amount of P185 billion for June from the domestic market as rising interest rates hounded much of the state’s auction for short-term debt papers.

The Treasury was able to raise nearly P173 billion from the auction of T-bills and Treasury bonds T-bonds, which was about 93.5 percent of the programmed amount of P185 billion for June.

For the whole year, the national government plans to borrow P2.207 trillion with a 75:25 mix in favor of domestic sources.

Some analysts believe the Philippine government can raise revenue from the sale of government securities if it follows the pace of the US Federal Reserve’s hawkishness.

Payoneer survey bares SMBs keen on going global

Part four

Consideration

Cryptocurrency Chaos: Cautious

OVER the course of three articles, I have provided a comprehensive introduction and meticulously enumerated the reasons that render cryptocurrencies an unfavorable investment choice. The second and third segments of this series delved deep into the inherent issues of extreme volatility and the prevailing absence of regulation in the crypto landscape, respectively. Moving forward to Part 4 of this series, we will delve into the third key reason that illuminates why cryptocurrencies might be considered a less desirable investment option.

While it is true that cryptocurrencies have gained significant popularity over the past few years and touted as an alternative of investment, however, they are not without their issues, particularly when it comes to security. One of the biggest concerns surrounding cryptocurrencies is their susceptibility to hacking and the potential for funds to be sent to the wrong recipient.

These security issues, along with a lack of consumer protection, make cryptocurrencies a highly risky investment, and it is one of the reasons why several experts in investments and personal finance caution against putting money in what is touted as a new but untested asset class. This article will explore the security issues associated with cryptocurrencies and why they make crypto a bad investment.

One of the most prominent security issues with cryptocurrencies is the risk of hacking. Cryptocurrencies are stored in digital wallets, and these wallets are vulnerable to hacking, just like any other computer or internet-connected device.

Hackers can gain access to digital wallets and steal the funds stored within them. In addition, cryptocurrency exchanges, where users buy and sell cryptocurrencies, are also vulnerable to hacking. If a cryptocurrency exchange is hacked, the funds stored on the exchange can be stolen, and there may be no recourse for users to recover their lost funds.

The Mt. Gox breach in 2014 serves as a critical case study in understanding the security risks affiliated with cryptocurrencies. As one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges at the time, Mt. Gox fell victim to a massive hack resulting in a loss of 850,000 Bitcoins, valued roughly around $450 million back then.

This incident, marked as the inaugural substantial breach in cryptocurrency history, underscores the inherent vulnerabilities of digital wallets and cryptocurrency exchanges. Almost a decade later, the problem has unfortunately persisted rather than abated.

In 2022 alone, it is reported that users suffered losses approximating $20 billion from a series of high-profile hacks. These include significant breaches on platforms like Binance

($570 million), the Ronin Network, the backbone of the popular Axie Infinity game ($625 million), the illfated FTX exchange, ($600 million), Wormhole ($325 million) and Wintermute ($162 million). A standout episode involved the decentralized platform Beanstalk where a shocking $162 million was siphoned off in a staggering 13 seconds, emphasizing the relentless and sophisticated nature of these cyber-attacks.

Another security issue with cryptocurrencies is the potential for funds to be sent to the wrong recipient. Unlike traditional investments where transactions can be reversed if the wrong recipient is identified, cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. This means that if a user mistakenly sends funds to the wrong recipient, there is no way to recover those funds. This lack of consumer protection makes cryptocurrencies a particularly risky investment for individuals who are not familiar with the market and who may make mistakes when sending funds.

The security issues associated with cryptocurrencies also make it difficult for individuals to recover their funds if their digital wallet is lost or stolen. Unlike traditional investments, where lost or stolen funds can often be recovered through insurance or other means, there is no such protection for cryptocurrency investors.

This lack of protection for the investing public makes cryptocurrencies a risky investment for individuals who do not even have the technical knowledge to properly secure their digital wallets and who may be susceptible to losing or having their wallets stolen.

In summary, the security issues associated with cryptocurrencies, including the risk of hacking, the potential for funds to be sent to the wrong recipient and the lack of consumer protection make cryptocurrencies a highly risky investment. Despite the potential for high returns, the risks associated with cryptocurrencies, such as those mentioned above, cannot be ignored.

Investing in cryptocurrencies may be tempting, but it is important to remember that the security issues associated with crypto can result in significant losses, making it a bad investment especially for those who value stability and most especially security in their investments.

Atty. EnP, Zigfred Diaz, RFP, ReA, ReB and CSS, is a Cebu-based registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. Aside from practicing law, he is a licensed environmental planner (EnP), realestate broker (ReB) and appraiser (ReA). To join the 103rd Registered Financial Planner program this September 2023, e-mail info@rfp.ph or text 0917-6248110.

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

DESPITE global supply chain disruptions, small-scale and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Asia and the Pacific remain keen on going global, according to cross-border payments-platform operator Payoneer Global Inc.

Based on the results of Payoneer’s regional survey, majority or 73 percent of SMBs in the region believe expanding globally would make their businesses resilient even if only 13 percent of them considered globalization as their priority.

More than half or 53 percent of SMBs in the region are focused on increasing revenue growth while 39 percent are focused on profitability. About 43 percent want to improve customer satisfaction. Only a third or 30 percent of SMBs would like to priori-

tize expanding their customer base.

“Going beyond borders presents a world of growth opportunities, untapped markets, and diverse talent. Those who dare to leave their comfort zones create a better future for themselves, their community, and the economy,” Payoneer Country Manager for the Philippines Monique Avila said.

The data showed that despite the lower priority accorded to globalization, SMBs in the Asia and the Pacific (APac) are on track for global expansion.

Payoneer said the customers of SMBs are now composed of international consumers at 43 percent and 40 percent of their vendors are international. While their customers and vendors are still largely local, the company believes there are indications that the split is expected

to even out in the next two years.

The data showed that the revenue earned from exports grew from an average of 52 percent in 2021 to 61 percent in 2022. This is expected to continue growing to an average of 69 percent in 2023.

In the Philippines, SMBs are expected to enjoy a 16 percent increase in revenue growth from exports. They are also one of the most optimistic about their business outlook.

“Those who are already operating internationally have reaped the benefits of today’s global economy,” noted the New York, US-headquartered firm.

Payoneer said, however, that while SMBs benefit from global expansion, they also face barriers. Businesses in APac are more likely than others to have been hurt by global events in the past two years, it added.

This is particularly true for the Philippines, which is among the most negatively impacted by these events. The country suffered under the weight of global supply chain disruptions.

Cross-border trade is another challenge with issues related to foreign exchange rates, slow transaction times, international trade compliance requirements, lack of choice in payment options, regulatory and compliance costs, fraud and weak security practices, and more.

The data was gathered by Payoneer in its inaugural “SMB Ambitions Barometer” report. The leading cross-border payments platform surveyed 3,575 businesses across 15 international markets to find out their thoughts on global expansion, their ambitions and how they plan to achieve them.

Digitization seen solving ‘archipelagic’ challenges

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

AN executive of a financial technology (fintech) company believes hastening the digitization of the local banking and finance sector would democratize access to innovation and bridge gaps in the digital economy.

“The faster the money moves through an economy, the faster the economy can grow. There will always be friction points that can potentially slow the momentum of growth, but the moment we are able to fully digitize the payments process for all Filipinos, we can erase the effect of the natural infrastructure challenges of an archipelagic nation,” Xendit Philippines Inc. President and CEO Yang Yang Zhang was quoted in a statement as saying.

Up until 2021, Statista Research Department noted that cash was still king in the Philippines. But as tech-

nology paved the way for new and innovative ways to pay for goods and services, it observed that consumer behavior, likewise, shifted. Digital banking, e-wallets, QR code payments and “buy now pay later” methods have gained significant traction.

With the establishment by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas of a favorable regulatory environment, Zhang said Xendit decided to establish its presence in the Philippines hoping that its technology could introduce robust payments infrastructure. Xendit’s partner businesses enjoy its reliable service delivered through a single integration, with an end-goal of creating a payment experience that is responsive to local needs and promotes inclusive progress, he added.

“Fundamentally, we build infrastructure on multiple layers. We work directly with banks to co-build world-class solutions to address their own challenges and those of

everyday consumers,” Zhang said.

“By doing so, we aggregate financial institutions for merchants to create a seamless payment experience that ultimately empowers both customers and businesses.”

Prior to Xendit’s foray as a local player, many of the payment integrations currently available did not exist and had to be built from the ground up. The firm’s portfolio of products and services include one that allows bank-account holders to directly access their funds to make payments on e-commerce sites and top up their e-wallets.

Zhang also noted that support from consumers is an important factor to the success of a digital payment infrastructure. With a strong consumer trust in the system, she said digital acceleration and financial inclusion can be achieved.

Nevertheless, stakeholders in both the government and private sectors must work together to ensure

that transactions are safe and secure and that consumers are educated on their rights and responsibilities in the digital economy.

Zhang said they aim to work with not just merchants but with more government and private agencies involved in the transfer of money in the economy. She added the company is currently offering to the local market the capability to scale operations and process millions of transactions efficiently while maintaining uptime all the time.

The BSP’s twin objectives of converting at least 50 percent of total retail transactions volume to digital and onboarding 70 percent of Filipino adults to the financial system is nearing its 2023 set deadline. Now is the time to strengthen the country’s digital payments infrastructure, as its inherent reliability, scalability, and cybersecurity safeguards can help expedite the fulfillment of such vision.

Citi welcomes PHL economic managers to NY headquarters

CITIGROUP Inc. welcomed the Philippines’s economic managers to its headquarters at 388 Greenwich in New York City, USA. Citi hosted the Republic of the Philippines (ROP) delegation led by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr., Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan and National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon.

A statement issued by Citi said the ROP delegation was in New York and Toronto for their non-deal roadshow (NDR), which sought to update senior business leaders and investors in the US and Canada on the country’s growth potential and to market the Philippines’s upcoming plans to establish its first sovereign wealth fund, the Maharlika Investment Fund.

Citi CEO Jane Fraser personally met the delegation. Citi Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory (BCMA) Vice Chairman Jay Collins, who hosted a dinner for the group, affirmed Citi’s commitment to con-

tinue supporting the republic.

“By leveraging its experience of working with sovereign wealth funds globally, Citi is confident of its ability to act as strategic advisors to the Philippines and drive greater interest from the investment community into the Philippines as the country creates its sovereign wealth fund,” Citi’s statement read.

Citi Philippines Corporate Bank

Head Fernando Fleury and Citi Philippines Public Sector Head Aesha

Pabillon welcomed the delegation and hosted their two-day visit to New York.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to host the Philippine government at Citi’s headquarters in New York City and to support their

efforts to attract investments into the country by leveraging Citi’s global network,” Citi Philippines CEO Paul A. Favila was quoted in the statement as saying. “This further affirms our commitment to enable growth and economic progress in the country where we have been doing business for more than 120 years.”

“We are very happy to host the Philippine economics team in New York. It was a rewarding series of meetings and discussions, and we are excited to see the investments and partnerships that come out of it in the years ahead,” added Fleury.

Citi hosted all the Philippine government’s investor meetings in New York and together with other partner banks, organized the nondeal roadshow and the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) held in Toronto, Canada.

The roadshow and the PEB served as a platform for the economic team to update international businesses and financial communities on the country’s economic performance, investment opportunities, and the administration’s development plan.

THE administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. plans to borrow P225 billion from the local market next month through the tender of government securities, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

PersoNaL fiNaNCe

atty. Zigfred Diaz

Citigroup inc. CEo Jane Fraser (center) poses with the philippines Economic delegation composed of (left to right) Socioeconomic p anning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, Budget Secretary Amenah F. pangandaman and Bangko Sentral ng pilipinas governor Eli M. remolona Jr. at Citi’s New York headquarters. CREDIT: CITIgRoup InC

German director of Florence’s Academy Gallery who defended David’s image fears for museum’s future

BY COLLEEN BAR�Y The Associated Press

director of the Accademia Gallery poses in front of Michelangelo’s white marble statue “David” in Florence, Italy, in this March 28, 2023 file photo. AP

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS

DAY: James Lafferty, 38; D.B. Woodside, 54; Matt LeBlanc, 56; Illeana Douglas, 62.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Refuse to let your emotions take over this year, leading you down a path that can cost you financially, physically or legally. Leave nothing to chance by overseeing every move you want to make. Precision and detail will play roles in your success, so don’t scrimp, and make continuity part of your plan. An offer is only worthwhile if it’s in your best interest. Choose wisely. Your numbers are 3, 15, 22, 26, 34, 41, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Embrace life, focus on accomplishment and stop fretting over what you cannot change. Use your intelligence to guide you and your strength and courage to help you follow through. Take on any challenge you encounter with enthusiasm and the will to win. ★★★

MILAN—The German director of Florence’s Galleria dell’Accademia has succeeded in drawing visitors’ attention to masterpieces beyond Michelangelo’s towering David, while winning landmark court cases to protect the marble masterpiece’s familiar image against misuse.

But even as Cecilie Hollberg highlights her achievements at Italy’s second-most-visited museum since arriving in 2015, rumors circulate that Italy’s farright-led government intends to revoke the museum’s independence once more, potentially draining resources and energy after eight years of innovations.

It would be deja vu all over again. In 2019, another right-wing government put the Accademia under the control of another Florence landmark, the Uffizi museum, and fired Hollberg on short notice. She was reinstated the following year and the Accademia’s autonomy restored after that government fell.

Hollberg said she can’t explain why the Accademia’s role as an independent museum is again under siege. She said she has never had a conversation with the culture minister or anyone else in the ministry to make her case for the continued independence of the 141-year-old museum, which was founded as a teaching facility.

“That’s a very good question to ask: Why is the Accademia being targeted?’’ Hollberg said in telephone interview Monday with The Associated Press after leading foreign journalists on a tour of the museum.

Italy’s culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, has made clear he feels too many foreigners are running top Italian cultural institutions, not just museums but also its opera houses. In a state TV interview this spring, he denied the government was prejudiced against the foreign managers, but said their prevalence demonstrated “a certain xenophile provincialism that we must by every account appoint a foreigner.”

Ten museum director positions are in the process of being filled, including at the Uffizi and Milan’s Brera, both now held by foreigners. Unlike a muchballyhooed 2014 open call for museum directors, when a left-wing government actively sought to bring in foreigners, the new bid now requires fluency in Italian. Under contract through June 2024, Hollberg is nervously awaiting an expected government

independence. This time, the Accademia would not be put under the Uffizi but with the Bargello National Museum, another Florence institution that is home to Donatello’s more diminutive David.

One of Hollberg’s top achievements as the Accademia’s director has been to draw more attention to other masterpieces in the museum, including Giambologna’s sculpture Rape of the Sabines, as well as paintings by Botticelli and Perugino.

Renovating the halls and improving the lighting have produced a new presentation to the artworks, giving “the sensation that they just came out of the workshop yesterday, or the day before,’’ she said.

Hollberg said visitors now slow down guides so they can take in the other artworks, and people are spread throughout the gallery, not just congregated at David’s feet.

She also won landmark court cases protecting rights to the use of David’s image, recovering some €300,000 ($337,000) this year and she expects that

Dwelling on abstractions

ELUSIVE Edge: Philippine Abstract Forms focuses on expressions of abstraction in Philippine modern art. Abstraction was a mode of thinking and making within modernism that circulated between diverse artworlds across most of the 20th century.

As it moved from place to place, it morphed as a resonance and an inflection of the norm. The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, or The M, explores this transformation through the distinct history of the abstract form taking root and thriving in the Philippines.

The exhibition is curated by Dr. Patrick D. Flores. Flores is a professor at the UP Diliman Department of Art Studies and is currently the deputy director for curatorial and exhibitions at the National Gallery in Singapore. His research and curatorial projects delve into the art historical and postcolonial conditions of the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Elusive Edge: Philippine Abstract Forms is now on view until August 31, 2023 at Third Floor, North Gallery, Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

has challenged is the French brand Longchamp’s prominent placement of David’s genitalia on a handbag.

“This is a very important precedent for all cultural heritage. It says that whoever uses the image of David without authorization not only must pay for offending the work,’’ she said. “I did this battle for the dignity of the work, and we won. It is an epochal victory.”

Along the way, she has also increased the number of visitors, in part by extending museum hours two nights a week to allow people to visit when there are fewer crowds. The museum has had over a million visitors so far this year, and is well on its way to exceeding its 2019 record of 1.7 million visitors.

“This museum has been reborn. It has retaken its place in the hearts of Florentines. It has been renovated without changing its essence. There are a series of positive changes, which is what counts, the results that have been brought home,’’ Hollberg said. “The nationality is not important.” ■

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Look for an alternative when faced with negativity, and you’ll accomplish your objective. Create opportunities instead of expecting them to manifest out of thin air. Don’t give a platform to anyone creating division options. Take charge, keep the peace and defuse discord. ★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Anger and upset will lead to restrictions. Look for the bright side of a situation, and evoke positive affirmations to anyone trying to bring you down. Make decisions based on your findings, not hearsay or what someone else is peddling for their advantage. ★★★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Participate in something you feel passionate about, and you will make a difference. Self-improvement will help you add to your assets and decrease your liabilities. Think outside the box, talk to experts and make goal-oriented changes. Do the work yourself. ★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Clarify information before agreeing to participate. Someone will leave out off-putting details to deter you from walking away. Ask challenging questions and raise issues of concern. Use your intelligence, and don’t be afraid to decline. Protect your rights and reputation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Go beyond what others are willing to do, and you’ll set an example. Raise the bar and set the standard, and you will make a difference. Not everyone will like the changes you implement, but those who do will be worth your time and effort. ★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Pay attention to what the experts say, ask questions and accept any help offered. The connections you make will encourage you to participate in something that makes a difference. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Step outside your comfort zone and tour what’s available. Make a move because it suits your needs, not because someone else is prompting you to participate. Take aggressive action to improve your living arrangements and lifestyle. ★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Communication and consistency rule. Be specific regarding beliefs and requests. Say no to anyone trying to manipulate or confuse you with unproven theories or fake information. ★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Push forward with a positive attitude and your eye on any opportunity that comes your way. A change that has the potential to benefit you financially, physically or emotionally will ease stress and stimulate your imagination. ★★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Be aware of what others do and say. Don’t get involved in a situation that is emotionally draining. Limit your expenses, and don’t spend on unnecessary alterations. Put your energy into nurturing what you have. Make your relationships priorities. ★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Designate what you can afford to what you want to achieve. Map out a path that helps fulfill the lifestyle you want to live. Changing how you handle or earn your keep looks promising if you market your skills accordingly. ★★★★★

BIRTHDAY BABY:

You are flexible, helpful, and compelling. You are sensitive and proud.

‘plane fun’ BY

CECILIE HOLLBERG

‘Barbie’ takes the box office crown and ‘Oppenheimer’ soars in a historic weekend

GMA Network honored as Best Employer at leadership congress & Awards 2023

KNOWN for valuing employees as their best assets, GMA Network Inc. was conferred with the Best Employer Brand Award at The Philippines’ Leadership Congress & Awards 2023 held last June.

“We would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to The Philippines’ Leadership Congress Awards 2023 for recognizing our efforts, and for making us a recipient of the Best Employer Brand Award. This will serve as an inspiration for us to stay true to being ‘Buong Puso Para sa Pilipino’ and to continuously uphold our core value of valuing our people, who are our partners in making GMA Network the leader in promoting the best in the Filipino,” says GMA Network First Vice President for Human Resources Development Department Atty. Gerrome Y. Apolona.

Photo shows (from left) GMA human resources department (HRDD) senior personnel manager Maria Rosalina B. Oregas, Advantage Club c0founder and COO Smiti Bhatt Deorah, and GMA HRDD senior benefits manager Rachel C. Mendez during the awarding ceremony.

For over 70 years, the leading broadcast network in the country continues to offer great professional opportunities to its employees, helping them realize their potential and find their career path. The company provides its employees with worldclass training, dynamic work environment, and competitive compensation benefits making it an employer of choice in the country.

The Philippines Leadership Congress & Awards 2023 is a prestigious event that recognizes companies for their outstanding contributions to Hr practices and employer branding.

By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press

B‘ARBENHEIMEr” didn’t just work—it spun box office gold. The social mediafueled fusion of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer brought moviegoers back to the theaters in record numbers this weekend, vastly outperforming projections and giving a glimmer of hope to the lagging exhibition business, amid the sobering backdrop of strikes.

Warner Bros.’ Barbie claimed the top spot with a massive $155 million in ticket sales from North American theaters from 4,243 locations, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie (as well as every Marvel movie this year) as the biggest opening of the year and breaking the first weekend record for a film directed by a woman.

Universal’s Oppenheimer also soared past expectations, taking in $80.5 million from 3,610 theaters in the US and Canada, marking Nolan’s biggest non-Batman debut and one of the best-ever starts for an r-rated biographical drama.

It’s also the first time that one movie opened to more than $100 million and another movie opened to more than $80 million in the same weekend. When all is settled, it will likely turn out to be the fourth biggest box office weekend of all time with over $300 million industrywide. And all this in a marketplace that increasingly curved toward intellectual propertydriven winner takes all.

The “Barbenheimer” phenomenon may have started out as good-natured competition between two aesthetic opposites, but, as many hoped, both movies benefitted in the end. Internationally, Barbie $182 million from 69 territories, fueling a $337 million global weekend. Oppenheimer did $93.7 million from 78 territories, ranking above Barbie in India, for a $174.2 million global total.

The only real casualty was Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part I, which despite strong reviews and a healthy opening weekend fell 64 percent in weekend two. Overshadowed by the “Barbenheimer” glow as well as the blow of losing its IMAX screens to Oppenheimer, the Tom Cruise vehicle added $19.5 million, bringing its domestic total to $118.8 million.

“Barbenheimer” is not merely counterprogramming either. But while a certain section of enthusiastic moviegoers overlapped, in aggregate the audiences were distinct.

Women drove the historic Barbie opening, making up 65 percent of the audience, according to PostTrak, and 40 percent of ticket buyers were under the age of 25 for the PG-13 rated movie.

“It’s just a joyous time in the world. This is history in so many ways,” said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ president of domestic distribution. “I think this

Vincent del Rosario’s business star shines brighter than ever

we were already in the process of putting up Vivamax when Covid-19 struck the world.”

The family-owned multimillion company banks heavily on film production and it was left with no theatrical venues for its movies during the pandemic. “We worked double time to set up Vivamax and we went into full operations in February of 2021. From there it just grew and grew, and the number of our subscribers just ballooned.

THE president and chief operating officer of Viva Communications Inc. Vincent del Rosario was named one of the Rising Stars by The Business Manual, the country’s premier subscription-based business platform, during its Growth Con PH summit recently.

Del Rosario was recognized for the phenomenal success of Vivamax, the video streaming platform of the Viva entertainment empire, which has recently crossed the 7 million subscribers’ mark, making it the undisputed number one OTT (over-the-top) service in the Philippines.

“I am very honored and humbled with this recognition. We at Viva are very happy about the success of Vivamax. We consider Vivamax our pandemic baby venture. We are always on the lookout for new business opportunities at Viva and we discovered streaming as an interesting addition to the existing outlets for our films and creative contents. So

Some people call it luck or serendipity, because Vivamax provided some form of entertainment and maybe a pleasurable escape, too, during the anxietyfilled period of the lockdown.“

He added, “I believe that Vivamax was launched at the right time and our wonderful team saw the opportunity and we just seized it.” Whether it was strategically planned or a result of underlying circumstances, Vivamax became a byword as the go-to platform for content geared toward mature audiences. From the update that we got, it now owns a library of more than 400 titles with one new title coming out every week.The streaming platform is also accessible in more than 100 countries and territories around the globe.

Aside from being the head honcho for Viva, with his sister Valerie as his invaluable partner in Vivamax, Del Rosario is actively involved with the day-to-day operations of Viva Communications. This includes production of content for film, television and on-line media, music production and publishing, and

“The ‘Barbenheimer’ thing was a real boost for both movies,” Goldstein said. “It is a crowning achievement for all of us.”

“It was a truly historic weekend and continues the positive box office momentum of 2023,” said Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners. “People recognized that something special was happening and they wanted to be a part of it.”

And yet in the background looms disaster as Hollywood studios continue to squabble with striking actors and writers over a fair contract. were the last films on the 2023 calendar to get a massive, global press tour. Both went right up to the 11th hour, squeezing in every last even pushed up its London premiere by an hour, knowing that Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Cillian Murphy would have to leave to symbolically join the picket lines by the time the

Without movie stars to promote their films, studios have started pushing some falls releases, including the high-profile Zendaya tennis drama

In keeping with Viva’s commitment to provide quality entertainment to a wider spectrum, Viva recently launched VIVA ONE, a streaming platform with content dedicated to the general audience. “We are working to make it also as successful as Vivamax,”

Del Rosario also credits his father Vic, Viva founder and concurrent chairman, as the one who continuously inspires him to be the best leader he can

“My dad always allows his children to flex our muscles, spread our wings, and be the best that we can possibly be. Dad has taught me so much about the value of work, leadership and discipline, and never forgets to remind us that work should always be a source of happiness and fulfilment more than monetary and material gains. And that once we commit to something, we give our best and our all. I also pray for guidance, strength and wisdom so that my leadership can inspire many and make the lives of people who work with us and for us, so much happier,”

When we were growing up, Vincent and I went to the same school run by the Benedictines, and we always heard the motto of the monks in Latin, “Ora et labora”, which means pray and work. I’m pretty sure that Vincent del Rosario has heeded it all these years and he will continue to do so as he propels the Viva entertainment empire to greater heights in the future.

THE promotional art for Barbie (left) and Oppenheimer, both of which dominated the North American box office. AP

ViNcENT dEl RosARio, president and chief operating officer of Viva communications inc.

DepeD welcomes learners in 2023 nspc, nFoT opening

Palaweños avail of free medical, dental services courtesy of SM Foundation

duct of the n S p C and n F OT culminating activities are aligned in keeping with our m aTaTaG a g enda—to m a k e our curriculum relevant for lifelong learning and Ta k e good care of our learners to promote their welfare regardless of their background and social status, among other things,” u n dersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching Gina O. Gonong said.

The 2023 n S p C and n F OT are hosted by d e p e d Region X- n o rthern m i ndanao led by Regional d i rector a r turo B. Bayocot.

FOu R medical missions were conducted by Sm Foundation in collaboration with its program partners in pa lawan last week to coincide with the turnover and inauguration of the nav al Station a polinario Jalandoon medical d i spensary ( nS a J md) and the Barangay irawan Birthing Facility.

With the theme “From Campus Journalism to Real-World Journalism: Shaping m i nds from Schools to Societies” and “Reinforcing 21st Century l e arning and Fostering Creative i n dustries through Talents and Skills e x hibition,” the 2023 n S p C and n F OT aim to provide a platform to strengthen teachers' and learners' creativity, talent, and communication skills.

“Remember that youth can shape a brighter future by raising awareness, staying informed, and working collectively with like-minded individuals locally and globally to take action,” Vice p r esident of the

p h ilippines and e d ucation Secretary Sara Z. d u terte said in her written message.

he aded by the Curriculum and Teaching strand through the Bureau of Curriculum d e velopment (BC d) and Bureau of l e arning d e livery (B l d), this year’s n S p C and n F OT highlight the comeback of its faceto-face contests and exhibition.

“Both n S p C and n F OT give the chance for our learners to showcase their talents. This also allows us to assess what we are doing to improve the learning outcomes of our students. With the new direction for basic education, we make sure that the con-

a s we pursue our m aT aT aG a g enda and also celebrate the resounding success of the 2023 n F OT- n S p C , let us remain resilient, triumph over any challenges, and sustain our commitment,” Bayocot noted. d e p e d likewise gathered support from the local leaders of n o rthern m i ndanao through p r ovincial Governor pe ter u n abia and Cagayan de Oro City m a yor Rolando “Klarex” u y

Various contests and exhibitions will be held from July 17 to 21, 2023 in Cagayan de Oro City, including news writing, TV/ radio scriptwriting and broadcasting, and photojournalism contests for nSpC and Sining Tanghalan, story retelling, Filipino Sign l a nguage, Braille Reading, Technolympics, and other contests for n FOT.

Go Lokal goes to Lucky Chinatown Mall, showcases local craftsmanship, artistry

Philippine-made premium items will be showcased at the Go l o kal x m a nila Canvas pop-up store at the a t rium of l u cky Chinatown m a ll in Binondo, m a nila until July 30, 2023.

Offering a wide range of products made by local craftsmen and artisans and carefully curated to bring only the best creations to market, the Go l o kal x m a nila Canvas display will surely be a treat to mallgoers.

This is part of the “Wonders of a r tisan” mall event, bringing local craftsmanship and artistry under one roof. i n addition to the Go l okal x m a nila Canvas exhibit, there will also be a series of art workshops during weekends, as follows:

July 29 (Saturday)

2:00 PM

Journaling and Notebook Making with 1372 Designs

4:00 PM Accessories Making with Disenyong Pinili

July 30 (Sunday)

2:00 PM

Sketch and Paint with Tinta sa Abaca

4:00 PM C andle ma king by Kakayanin ph

The art workshops are open to the public and free of charge.

a project of the d e partment of Trade and i n dustry – Bureau of d o mestic Trade p r omotion ( d T i - B d T p ) , Go l o kal was conceptualized as a market access platform to help the country’s m S m e s enter the mainstream market. i t provides market access to stores or spaces provided by

retail partners such as malls and retail operators. a t the same time, it also offers merchandise development assistance so m S m e s are able to produce commercially viable products.

a s piring entrepreneurs may visit https://bit.ly/GoLokalApply to access all the documents and information needed to start their Go l o kal journey. p l ease note that applications should be endorsed by the applicant’s d T i Regional Office.

Experience the power of myrrh with Throzz lozenges

YO u can now experience the healing power of myrrh with Throzz lozenges! m y rrh, known as one of the gifts given by the wise men at the birth of Jesus, has been used throughout history as an analgesic and antiseptic. Throzz has harnessed this wisdom of the ages to bring relief to throat discomfort.

Formulated with myrrh oil, Throzz lozenges are your all-natural sore throat solution. This plant extract has effective antiinflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties. i f you have a sore throat, Throzz lozenges will give you your most-needed pain relief while ridding your throat of

unwelcome bacteria and fungi. This helps prevent worsening of infections which may lead to more serious illnesses.

a b solutely sugar-free, these greattasting blackcurrant-flavored lozenges are the best way to relieve pain in the throat and deter more germs from getting into your system. it ’s always best to keep a pack of Throzz lozenges at home or in your everyday carry. it ’s a very convenient way to combat sore throat at its earliest onset.

Throzz lozenges are available at me rcury d r ug branches, l a nders Superstore, m e dical d e pot, and selected branches of Robinsons and Shopwise.

p a rtners in all four medical and dental missions were d mi R i e Foundation, i n c., 2GO Travel, n e grense m a rine i ntegrated Services, i n c. The S m Foundation mobile clinic was transported by 2Go and n e grense m a rine i nt egrated Services. a s in all medical missions, d mi R i e Foundation, i n c. provided unlimited coffee and gift packs to the patients. The first medical and dental mission was conducted in Barangay Sta. Cruz, p uerto p r incesa last July 7. a total of 770 services were provided: medical (531), surgical (38), dental (39), sugar test (46), cholesterol test (16), uric acid test (39), urinalysis (35), eCG (5), and x-ray (21). Other partners for the medical mission were Brgy Sta. Cruz officials, p uerto p r incesa City health Office, Joint Task Force m a lampaya, ph ilippine nav y, p uerto p r incesa Commando 9, Brotherhood Organization, i nc., and em ilio a g uinaldo m a sonic l odge #31.

On July 10, at the nav al i n stallation and Facilities West another medical mission was held simultaneous with the inauguration of the nS a J m d with 171 services dispensed. These were medical (109), sugar test (12), sugar test (12), cholesterol test (19), uric acid test (20), hemoglobin test (3), eCG (5) and x-ray (3). ph ilippine nav y and local hospitals complete the list of partners. at the vicinity of the birthing facility of Barangay i rawan, the medical and dental mission on July 11 logged a total of 492 services consisting of medical (299), dental (30), sugar test (39), cholesterol test (34), uric acid test (43), eCG (10), and x-ray (37). Other partners were ph ilippine nav y, p uerto p r incesa City health Office, Brgy. i rawan officials and Sm City p uerto p r incesa.

On July 12, the Octagon Gymnasium at Brooke’s point was the venue of the medical and dental mission conducted by Sm Foundation in collaboration with the BdO network Bank, l Gu of Brooke’s point, the pa lawan medical Society, and local hospitals and pharmacy. a total of 700 services were given by the volunteer health professionals. Of this number, 390 were medical; 50, dental; 52, sugar tests; 11, cholesterol tests; 49, uric acid tests; 13, hemoglobin test; 65, eCG; and 70, x-ray.

Young designer Ellis Co to showcase cutting-edge collection at .ARCHIVES’ upcoming fashion show

AFT eR two successful runway features, e ll is Co is preparing to unveil another line of unconventional outfits that defy traditional fashion norms, celebrating individuality and self-expression.

The highly anticipated collection from e l lis Co is scheduled to take place at the m idas hotel and Casino and is poised to deliver the brand's signature bold statement. By seamlessly merging street culture with high fashion and minimal aesthetics, the collection promises a captivating blend of edgy designs and urban influences. e l lis Co’s next fashion show will revolve around his a RC 02 collection. d ubbed as the “ d igital Oasis,” Co's upcoming show will feature 44 unique looks that embody a new form of contemporary elegance. e ach look is meticulously tailored to perfection, showcasing clean lines, sleek silhouettes, and an understated sophistication that captivates the eye.

e v er since its inception in 2022, . a RC h i V e S has been turning heads in the industry. a s a fashion brand featuring unconventional, avant-garde, and unique designs, each garment from . a R C h i V e S tells a distinct story, challenges norms, and breaks free from traditional fashion molds.

One of . a RC h i V e S ’ earliest yet significant milestones was its showcase during the prestigious Rakuten Fashion Week. a s a notable participant in the show’s ph mode X TYO last m a rch 2023, Co’s collection garnered acclaim from the audience, solidifying . a RC h i V e S as a brand to watch in the fashion world.

“Japanese culture has largely influenced my work from the get-go. When Rakuten Fashion Week happened, i realized how Tokyo is so fastpaced and cosmopolitan. Because of that, i had a heightened awareness of how a body moves underneath different kinds of fabric. it ’s like poetry in motion, and that plays a very important role in my research and development of pieces,” said Co. a f ter his debut collection showcase in Japan, success seems to have followed . a RC h i V e S back to the ph ilippines as they prepare to unveil their next collection. To give a truly immersive experience, . a RC h i V e S collaborates with m i sibis Bay Resort, a beautiful hideaway in a lbay, where they

can perfectly showcase their capsule collection that transcend traditional boundaries.

Renowned for its breathtaking venue and prestigious audience, the m i sibis Bay Fashion Show attracts the crème de la crème of the fashion industry, making it the perfect platform for a RC h i V e S to showcase its unique and boundary-pushing designs. i just want to preface that all my collections are deeply personal. For this show in m i sibis, the visual references are heavily inspired by various people i ve met in my life,” he said.

“These people are like archetypes in themselves, and so each look is going to be based on several of them and codified from their attitudes and style. So the message i ’m trying to convey is how these people influenced me into the person i am now, literally and figuratively.”

With a track record of groundbreaking designs and visionary concepts, e l lis Co has garnered a loyal following of trendsetters and fashion enthusiasts who eagerly anticipate each new release. With the F/W 2023 Collection on the horizon, anticipation and excitement are building for the next chapter in e l lis Co’s fashion journey.

“We’re gearing up for our 2nd main show in m a nila on July 28, which will feature our take on Futurism and p r imitivism. a s ide from this, we have a lot of upcoming projects and collaborations this Q3 and Q4 of 2023. We can’t divulge the specific details yet, but we’re definitely excited and grateful,” he added.

The future of . a RC h i V e S indeed remains bright as the brand continues to redefine the fashion landscape with its visionary approach and unique perspective, one fashion show at a time. With each passing season, the brand has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to innovation, creativity, and pushing the boundaries of what is considered possible in fashion.

l ooking ahead, e l lis Co and . a RC h i V e S are poised to expand its reach and influence, further cementing its position as a fashion trailblazer. With its ability to seamlessly blend art, design, and culture, the brand is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the fashion world.

after three years, the Department of education (Deped) physically welcomed some of the most talented and skillful filipino learners in the joint opening of the 2023 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) and National festival of talents (NfOt) held today in Cagayan de Oro.

SketcheS of ARc 02 co llection for .ARchIVeS Fashion Show

China enlists old friend Henry Kissinger to translate as US negotiations hit wall

By Bloomberg News

President Xi Jinping welcomed centenarian Henry Kissinger last week at the same guesthouse where the former secretary of state sat down with Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on his historic, clandestine 1971 trip that paved the way to restoring bilateral relations. The Chinese leader told Kissinger on Friday: “We’ll never forget our old friend.”

China is struggling to find a common language to talk productively with its biggest trading partner as President Joe Biden leads a global campaign to block Beijing from a vast swath of high-end technology, citing security reasons.

In that environment, Xi has turned to established friendly figures outside the US government to try to better push China’s agenda. Kissinger is expected to share a detailed memo on his meetings with the Biden administration.

“Even though there’s been a resumption of senior-level discussions between China and the US in recent months, it’s still not enough,” said Victor Gao, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization think tank who served as translator to the late leader Deng Xiaoping.

Days before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Beijing last month, the Chinese leader met with American billionaire Bill Gates, telling him China “pins hopes on American people” for bilateral ties — suggesting his country’s problems are with the US government and not its citizens or business people.

Xi also sat down with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Beijing last week, praising ties between Manila and Beijing during his tenure. The Asian nation’s current leader, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is expanding military ties with the US, is likely to get any Xi message via his predecessor: his vice president is Duterte’s daughter.

“Xi Jinping is doubling down on other channels to try to cultivate alternative voices to lobby D.C. but it is unlikely to bring success,” said Theresa Fallon, director of the Brussels-based Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies.

Sticking points

KISSINGER’S decision to hold his first public meeting in Beijing last week with Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu was

notable. China has refused to agree to talks between Li and his US counterparts until the Biden administration lifts sanctions placed on him in 2018.

That is potentially one of the most dangerous logjams in the US-China relationship, considering the possibility of an accident in the South China Sea spilling into war between the nucleararmed powers.

Li told Kissinger some people in the US had failed to “meet China halfway” and “destroyed” the possibility for friendly communication. Kissinger said “neither the US or China can afford to treat one another as an enemy,” according to a Chinese government statement.

Sun Yun, a senior fellow and

director of the China Program at the Washington-based Stimson Center, said the meeting was striking given China’s refusal to meet Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at a security forum in Singapore earlier this year.

“It symbolizes that the US government position is the cause of the lack of military to military communication,” she added, “as Beijing is willing to let Li have a meeting with Kissinger, who is seen as friendly and reasonable.”

US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the White House was looking “forward to hearing from Dr. Kissinger when he returns,” adding that the US side had known of the trip in advance. “It’s unfortunate that a private citizen can

meet with the defense minister and have a communication and the United States can’t,” Kirby added. “That is something that we want to solve.”

Kissinger also discussed the volatile topic of Taiwan with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, who said the US should publicly denounce what he termed Taiwanese “separatist forces.” Washington needs “Kissingerstyle diplomatic wisdom” in its China policies, Wang said.

Neither Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen nor US climate envoy John Kerry, whose four-day visit briefly overlapped with Kissinger’s, met Xi during their visits to China. Blinken’s meeting where Xi sat head of the table flanked by US and Chinese representatives

contrasted sharply with Xi’s side-by-side meeting just days before with Gates, who arrived in the capital on the eve of Xi’s 70th birthday.

Weeks before, executives from American corporations including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Tesla Inc. came to China and met with top leaders. Business delegations from Japan and France have also visited recently, as have the chief executive officers of Intel Corp. and Mastercard Inc.

‘Old friends’ STILL , it’s unclear how effective China’s old friends strategy will be. While Gates has been an influential political figure on US climate and Covid policies, it’s not apparent he’d enter other areas of the US-China relationship.

Kissinger, who published his history On China in 2011, acknowledged in an interview last year he hadn’t heard from Biden since he’d taken office, even though he’d been invited to meet every president at the White House since Richard Nixon.

Zhou Zhixing, a Chinese political commentator, wrote on social media that Xi’s embrace of “old friends” only exposed Beijing had failed to connect with a new generation of China experts in the US.

George Magnus, a research associate at Oxford University’s China Centre, said Kissinger’s role as an emissary likely wouldn’t lead to anything of “substance”.

“The strong message this friendship sends out is China would like nothing better than to be able to engage with a new 21st century Kissinger on whom Beijing could depend,” he said. With assistance from Jenny Leonard / Bloomberg

Scholarships helped displaced Afghan students find homes on university campuses across US

By Jamie Stengle The Associated Press

DALLAS—As the Taliban swept back into power in Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, Fahima Sultani and her fellow university students tried for days to get into the Kabul airport, only to be turned away by gun-wielding extremists.

“No education, just go back home,” she recalled one shouting.

Nearly two years later, Sultani, now 21, is safely in the US and working toward her bachelor’s degree in data science at Arizona State University in Tempe on a scholarship. When she’s not studying, she likes to hike up nearby Tempe Butte, the kind of outing she enjoyed in her mountainous homeland.

Seeing students like Sultani rush to leave in August 2021 as the US withdrew from Afghanistan after 20 years, colleges, universities and other groups across the US started piecing together the funding for hundreds of scholarships so they could continue their education outside of their home country.

Women of Sultani’s generation, born around the time the US ousted the Taliban after the 9/11 attacks in 2001, grew up attending school and watching as women pursued careers. The Taliban’s return upended those freedoms.

“Within minutes of the collapse of the government in Kabul, US universities said, ‘We’ll take one;’ ‘We’ll take three;’ ‘We’ll take a professor;’ ‘We’ll take a student,’” said Allan Goodman, CEO of the Institute of International Education,

a global not-for-profit that helps fund such scholarships.

The fears leading the students to quickly board flights were soon justified as the Taliban ushered in a harsh Islamic rule: Girls cannot attend school beyond the sixth grade and women, once again required to wear burqas, have been banned from universities, parks and gyms and are restricted from most employment.

Sultani is one of more than 60 Afghan women who arrived at ASU by December 2021 after fleeing Afghanistan, where she’d been studying online through Asian University for Women in Bangladesh during the pandemic.

“These women came out of a crisis, a traumatic experience, boarded a plane not knowing where they were going, ended up in the US,” said Susan Edgington, executive director and head of operations of ASU’s Global Academic Initiatives.

After making their way to universities and colleges across the US over the last two years, many are nearing graduation and planning their futures.

Mashal Aziz, 22, was a few months from graduating from American University of Afghanistan when Kabul fell and she boarded a plane. After leaving, she began scouring the Internet, researching which schools were offering scholarships and what organizations might be able to help.

“You’ve already left everything and you are thinking maybe there are barriers for your higher education,” Aziz said.

She and three other Afghan

students arrived at Northeastern University in Boston in January 2022 after first being taken to Qatar and then a military base in New Jersey.

Aziz graduated this spring with a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting management. She plans to start working on her master’s degree in finance this fall at Northeastern.

The hurdles for students who left can include everything from needing help to overcome language barriers to getting credit for the courses they completed in their home country to affording tuition, Aziz said.

Just two days after the fall of Kabul, the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma announced it had created two scholarships for Afghans seeking refuge in the US. Later, the university created five more scholarships that went to some of the young Afghans who settled in the area. Five more Afghans have received scholarships to study there this fall.

Danielle Macdonald, an associate anthropology professor at the school, has organized a regular meetup between TU students and college-aged Afghans who have settled in the Tulsa area.

Around two-dozen young people attend the events, where they talk about everything from US slang to finding jobs. Their outings have included visiting a museum and going to a basketball game, Macdonald said.

“It’s become a really lovely community,” she said.

For many young people leaving Afghanistan, familiarity with the US made the country a natural destination.

That was the case for Hamasa Zeerak, 24, and her 30-year-old husband, Hussain Saifnijat. In Kabul, Zeerak attended the American University of Afghanistan, while Saifnijat worked for a US-based technology company.

They both began studying at Rutgers University, in New Jersey, last fall. He may be able to

graduate as early as this fall with a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering. She is studying to get her bachelor’s degree in business administration and graduates in 2025.

“My worries were a lot at the beginning because I was thinking about how to continue our life in America; how can we find a job?” Zeerak said. “It was stressful at the beginning but everything goes smooth.”

Sultani, like many others who left Afghanistan, often thinks about those who remained behind, including her sister, who had been studying at a university, but now must stay home.

“I can go to universities while millions of girls back in Afghanistan, they do not have this opportunity that I have,” Sultani said. “I can dress the way I want and millions of girls now in Afghanistan, they do not have this opportunity.”

There will be 20 Afghans studying this fall at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Atifa Kabuli, 46, had studied nursing there for the last two semesters but now is focused on studying for exams that will allow her to practice medicine in the US.

Older than most of the arriving students, Kabuli left behind her career as an obstetrician and gynecologist. During the Taliban’s first rule, from 1996 to 2001, she was only able to continue her education by studying in Pakistan.

When the Taliban regained control, she knew she and her husband would have to leave so their daughters, now 15 and 10, would

be able to continue going to school. Her time at WKU, she said, helped her find the confidence to pursue a medical license in the US.

Since the initial flurry of scholarships, efforts to assist Afghan students have continued, including the creation of the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project, which has helped fund 250 scholarships at dozens of US colleges and universities.

But there are still more young people in need of support to continue their educations in the US or even reach the US from Afghanistan or other countries, explained Jonah Kokodyniak, a senior vice president at the Institute of International Education.

Yasamin Sohrabi, 26, is among those still trying to find a way to the US. Sohrabi, who had been studying law at American University of Afghanistan, realized as the withdrawal of US forces neared that she might need to go overseas to continue her studies. The day after the Taliban took Kabul, she learned of her admission to WKU but wasn’t able to get into the airport to leave Afghanistan.

A year later, she and her younger sister, who also has been accepted at the university, got visas to Pakistan. Now they are trying to find a way to get into the US. Their brother, who accompanied them to Pakistan, is applying to the school, as well.

Sohrabi said she and her siblings try not to focus on what they have lost, but instead on how to get to the US to continue their studies.

“That’s one of the things in these days we think about,” she said. “It keeps us going.”

CHINA and the US are finally talking after a months-long freeze but the two sides still agree on little. Now, Beijing is reverting to a tried tactic to get its message over: enlisting old friends.

PRESIDENT Xi Jinping (right) welcomes centenarian Henry Kissinger at the same guesthouse where the former secretary of state sat down with Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on his historic 1971 trip that paved the way to restoring bilateral relations. BLOOMBERG

FAHIMA SULTANI stands at the entrance of Arizona State University on Friday, April 7, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. Sultani and others tried for days in the summer of 2021 to get into the Kabul airport, only to be turned away by the gun-wielding extremists as the Taliban swept back into power. After a harrowing escape, Sultani is one of more than 60 Afghan women who arrived at ASU in December 2021. AP/MATT YORK

B8 Tuesday, July 25, 2023

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

‘VINGO’ GETS JOB DONE!

PARIS—Danish rider Jonas

Vingegaard won the Tour de France for a second straight year as cycling’s most storied race finished Sunday on the famed Champs-Élysées.

With a huge lead built up over main rival Tadej Pogačar, the 2020 and 2021 winner, Vingegaard knew the victory was effectively his again before the largely ceremonial stage at the end of the 110th edition of the Tour.

T he 26-year-old Vingegaard drank champagne with his JumboVisma teammates as they lined up together and posed for photos on the way to Paris.

“ It’s been a long journey, yet it went by so fast,” said Vingegaard, also called “Vingo” in the cycling world. “Day after day, it was a super hard race with a super nice fight between me and Tadej. I’ve enjoyed every day. I hope to come back next year and see if I can take a third win.”

It had been a three-week slog over 3,405 kilometers with eight mountain stages across five mountain ranges. Vingegaard seized control of the race over two stages in the Alps.

L ittle had separated the two rivals until Vingegaard finished a time trial one minute and 38 seconds ahead of Pogačar on Tuesday, then followed up the next day by finishing the toughest

mountain stage of the race almost six minutes ahead of his exhausted rival.

I’m dead,” Pogačar said.

The Slovenian rider responded by winning the penultimate stage on Saturday, but Vingegaard still had an insurmountable lead of seven minutes and 29 seconds going into the final stage—a mostly ceremonial stage which is contested at the end by the sprinters.

We have to be careful not to do anything stupid,” Vingegaard warned Saturday, “but yeah, it’s amazing to take my second victory in the Tour de France.”

Vingegaard kept that lead and was able to celebrate early Sunday as organizers decided to take the times one lap before the finish when it started raining on the cobblestones of the Champs-Élysées. The decision invited the sprinters to fight for the stage victory—the only remaining uncertainty.

B elgian cyclist Jordi Meeus prevailed in a photo finish among four riders on the line, just ahead of Jasper Philipsen, Dylan Groenewegen and Mads Pedersen.

It was my first Tour. It was a super nice experience already so far, and to take the win today is an indescribable feeling,” said Meeus, who clocked a top speed of 68.8 kph on the last kilometer.

Pogačar, who attacked after just one lap of eight altogether on the Champs-Élysées, was wearing the white jersey as the best young rider for the 75th day—extending a career Tour record.

The 24-year-old Slovenian rider has won the best young rider classification every year since 2020.

But Pogačar had to be content with second place in the general classification again.

British rider Adam Yates, Pogačar’s teammate, finished third overall, ahead of his twin brother Simon.

Filipinas battle Ferns, local crowd in Wellington

TUNING out the hometown crowd and being totally focused on their foes are what  Australian coach Alan Stajcic and striker Katrina Guillou said they need for the Filipinas to beat the Ferns in their pivotal FIFA Women’s World Cup Group A match at the Sky Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday.

“ Playing in front of a hometown crowd is [obviously] a big advantage for New Zealand. Being a host nation and being a home team has always been an advantage in 150 years of football,” Stajcic acknowledged during the pre-match press conference Monday.

The Australian tactician, however, noted that “fortunately we don’t have to play 25,000 people but against the 11 players on the field and whoever comes in as a substitute.”

PACQUIAO VS. THAI IN $25-M ‘FIGHT’

By Josef Ramos

BOXING icon Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring in January for an exhibition fight in Macau against Thailand’s own muay legend Buakaw Banchamek.

The combined purse for both fighters is a staggering $25 million put up by Fresh Air Festival Co. LTD. CEO Vinij Lertratanachai, the promoter of the event.  International matchmaker and MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons confirmed Pacquiao’s fight to BusinessMirror on Monday from Bangkok, where the eight division world champion and the world-famous muay fighter Buakaw were presented in a press conference at the Icon Siam.

Mojdeh, 4 other national record holders qualify for world juniors championships

TEIA SALVINO led five national junior record holders who qualified for the Ninth World Aquatics Junior Championships set September 4 to 9 in Netanya, Israel.

A ccording to Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) secretarygeneral Batangas Rep. Eric Buhain, the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Salvino and company achieved the minimum 680 World Aquatics points standard during the qualifying window from May 1, 2022 to July 30, 2023. The other qualifiers for the world

Tuning out the crowd and being 100 percent focused and  putting our best forward will give us the best  possible chance to win the game,” stressed Guillou, who nearly scored the opening marker that was ruled offside in the 0-2 loss to

Colombian rider Egan Bernal, the 2019 Tour winner, completed the race as he made his impressive comeback from a life-threatening crash. The 26-year-old Bernal said he narrowly avoided becoming paralyzed after an accident with a bus while training in Colombia in January 2022.

“ It’s difficult to compare with the year I won but it’s almost the same feeling because for me it’s a great victory,” Bernal said. “Yesterday, in the last climb, I was so lucky I was alone and could enjoy the last kilometers. I was so emotional.” AP

Switzerland in Dunedin last week.

B oth stakes are high for both squads as they play their second game in the group at 5:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. Manila time).

A w in by the Ferns, who opened their campaign with a close 1-0 triumph over Norway at packed Eden Park in Auckland last week, will boost them into the knockout round while  the Filipinas will be fighting for survival and hope to extend their debut stint in the women’s football showcase.

But as his wont, Stajcic did not dwell on the negatives.

Obviously we are looking forward to this game,” he said. “It is exciting to play the host nation, a wonderful occasion and a wonderful opportunity to showcase our team.”

I nstead of being intimidated by the hometown gallery, he  added that situation might just have an opposite effect on his underdog side.

On the opposite spectrum, we have to embrace it. It (the match) is a brilliant occasion for our team as well. Playing in front of a big crowd and taking it all is a very special moment. One that they (the Filipinas) will cherish for the rest of their lives,” Stacjic pointed out.

1:01.64 in Cambodia last May.

juniors are Jasmine Mojdeh (100 butterfly), Heather White (50, 100 and 200 freestyle), Gian Santos (100, 200 and 400 freestyle) and FilipinoGerman Alexander Eichler (100 and 200 butterfly).

“Congratulations to all the qualifiers, their coaches and parents,” said Buhain, a two-time Olympian and Philippine Sports Hall-of-Famer.

Salvino qualified for six events–50 meters and 100 backstroke, 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly—is joining the team to Israel as she focuses on the 19th

High boxing IQ monster

TURNING pro in 2012, Naoya Inoue signed an agreement with Hideyuki Ohashi which includes a clause or stipulation to “never fight easy opponents.”

A s eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao used

Asian Games slated September 28 to October 8 in Hangzhou.

The 15-year-old is a shoo-in for the Asian Games team after winning the women’s 100 backstroke, resetting the national record at

to say, “if you train hard, the fight becomes easy.” When you train hard, you’re more prepared and you can better anticipate what your opponent will do next. You have the luxury of taking chances and risks. Chance favors the prepared mind.

I t hink what Inoue meant by not fighting easy opponents is he’s not going to dodge anyone. He’ll fight only the best of the best and only the most decorated pugilists out there.

I c ame across an ESPN boxing piece written by Mike Coppinger “Why Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue should be your favorite fighter.”

Coppinger lists down several factors that make Inoue virtually unbeatable.

Coppinger quotes Teddy Atlas telling ESPN, “Inoue has great ‘eyes’ with a steely calm enabling him to see where the openings and proper placement for specific punches are.”

His supreme confidence and belief of himself with these attributes and his sense of timing and foot placement that gives him solid balance for delivery of his punches makes

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced that the gold and silver medalists in Cambodia are automatically included on the Philippine Asian Games team.

Right after the memorandum was sent to the Philippine aquatics family, we received a report that Thea [Salvino] could not make it to Israel World Junior as she is currently in training for the Asian Games,” PSI Executive Committee member Chito Rivera said.

him extremely effective offensively.

Lertratanachai is a famous Thai DJ and actor in films and several TV shows before becoming the CEO of Fresh Air

Festival, which organizes dozens of events in Thailand. He was responsible for bringing to Thailand some of the biggest names in soccer last year.

The fight, dubbed “The Match of Legends: Manny Pacquiao vs Buakaw Banchamek,” will be at a catch weight of 154 pounds (70 kg) and will apply World Boxing Council rules.

The 44-year-old Pacquiao and Banchamek, who’s three years younger, will fight in six three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks.

The winner will get the WBC Legend Belt.  Pacquiao last fought in December 2022 and won via unanimous decision over South Korean DK Yoo also in an exhibition match in Goyang. “ The Match of Legend” was conceived by Fresh Air Festival Co.from a concept of creating a new event that focuses on attracting world-class athletes to organize competitions.

Talion, Ungco top respective groups in JPGT at Valley

LEVONNE TALION turned a losing stand into a winning run and along with Roman Ungco dominated their respective divisions with 42 and 53 points, respectively, in Round 3 of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Junior Philippine Golf Tou (JPGT) Series’ 18-hole stroke play tournament at the Valley Golf Club’s North course in Antipolo City Sunday.

Talion birdied the 18th for an 84 in medal play to complete a clutch two-shot swing as Rafa Anciano bogeyed the closing par-four hole in an earlier flight, enabling the former to score a repeat of her feat in the girls’ 13-14 division at Mt. Malarayat in Batangas where she prevailed by one point last month.

A nciano dropped four strokes in the last three holes, including a double-bogey on No. 16, and finished with an 85 worth 41 points, while Talion charged back with a bogey-bogey-birdie finish to spike her fightback from three strokes

down for the victory in the one-day tournament played under the Molave scoring system.

Chloe Lim actually made it a threeway battle as she tied Talion at 11-over with three holes left. But she posted a bogey-bogey-triple bogey windup for third with an 88 for 38 points in the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.organized event, which drew a huge field of 45 players in three age-group classes (boys’ and girls’ 9-10, boys’ and girls’ 11-12 and girls’ 13-14).

W hile Talion won in a cliffhanger, Ungco ran away with the boys’ 11-12 trophy as he bucked a double bogeybogey start with a birdie-eagle-parbirdie feat from No. 6. He made the turn at one-under 35 and closed out with a 38 that included two more birdies for an impressive one-over 73 for 53 points. Ungco beat Jacobo Gomez by 12 points as the latter scored 41 points on a gross 85, while Aenzo Sulaik ended up third as he lost to Gomez in the countback after also carding 41 points.

PHL, China go after Asian berths for Paris

ATICKET to Paris for the 2024 Olympics will be up for grabs for Asian teams competing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023—and a possible meeting between China and the Philippines could be a crucial game.

The Philippines is in Group A with Italy, Dominican Republic and Angola, while China is in Group B with South Sudan, Serbia and Puerto Rico.

Both groups will then merge for the second group stage (top two) or for the classification phase (bottom two).

I n 2019, no Asian squad made it to the second group stage, so any Asian squad that picks up two wins in the first group stage will be a heavy favorite.  Jordan is in an unbelievably difficult group with the USA, New Zealand and Greece, and Japan will

“Add in his habits of good cover with his hands, and just overall solid fundamentals and he’s a ‘Monster’ to deal with.”

I noue has solid boxing textbook boxing fundamentals. He’s neither flashy nor flamboyant but he gets the job done. It’s simple and it works for him.

I noue was resilient and showed a lot of heart and determination which are trademarks of Japanese boxers, in his epic fight with future boxing Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire, from the same article, “In the World Boxing Super Series final, Inoue stepped up in competition in a bout with future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire in November 2019. The brutal battle, ESPN’s fight of the year displayed just the sort of character Inoue possesses.

The then-26-year-old suffered a broken nose along with a broken orbital bone in the first three rounds, but never wavered. Inoue continued to press forward against an imposing puncher and broke through in Round 11 when he folded Donaire with a body shot.”

Coppinger quoted Mike Tyson on his “Hotboxin”

need all the help it can get against Germany, Finland and Australia.

I ran is grouped with Spain, Brazil and Cote d’Ivoire, and Lebanon will be heavy underdogs against Canada, Latvia and France.

A sian teams only scored wins against other Asian or African squads in the last FIBA Basketball World Cup so the Philippines, China and Iran got a bit of luck from the draw. I f the Philippines and China perform similarly in the first group stage, then a meeting will be inevitable.

Back in 2019, Iran finished with the same 2-3 win-loss record as China, but Iran qualified for the Olympics due to a better point difference. It was a frustrating finish for the Chinese side as the team had high hopes, being the host of the tournament.

podcast, “He’s a mean son of a b____ ... He don’t look like much. He’s better than Manny Pacquiao.... He’s vicious.... He’s a f ___ ing monster.”

I noue is similar to Pacquiao in some ways. Both have knockout power in both hands. Both have hand-speed and can overwhelm their opponents with both power and speed  punches from different angles.

Naoya is arguably the best boxer to ever to come from Japan. He’ll be the GOAT of Japanese boxing after it’s all said and done.

Coppinger writes, “Japanese boxing has a storied century-old history...he’s the best fighter ever from Japan,” DiBella said. “He has no weaknesses. Fulton is a really terrific talent, he’s not without a chance here. But ‘The Monster’ doesn’t do anything wrong. You have to fight him so perfectly to have a chance. He’s just an extraordinary fighter to watch.”

We see this young man winning titles in five to six different weight classes. He will come dangerously close to Pacquiao’s titles in eight different weight divisions so we’ll see.

JONAS VINGEGAARD wins for the second straight year as cycling’s most storied race finishes Sunday on the famed Champs-Élysées. AP

WHITE MOJDEH

TALION ZARAGOSA

BRITISH OPEN CHAMP Brian Harman has his eyes on the shiny claret jug that’s his after he rules the British Open by six shots on Sunday at the Royal Liverpool in Hoylake, England. AP