HE Producer Price Index (PPI) for the manufacturing sector posted its fifth consecutive month of decline in May, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The PSA said the PPI posted a faster annual decline of 0.8 percent in May 2024 from a year-onyear decrease of 0.6 percent in April 2024.
The data, obtained from the Producer Price Survey (PPS), also showed the decline in May was a reversal from the 2.2-percent
growth in May 2023.
“This brings the average annual growth rate of PPI from January to May 2024 to negative 0.9 percent,” PSA said.
PSA said the decline was mainly caused by the slowdown in the PPI of the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products industry division at 1.9 percent in May 2024 from 4 percent in April 2024.
The data showed the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products contributed 75.3 percent to the downtrend in the annual rate of PPI for manufacturing in May 2024.
“Among the 22 industry divi -
sions for manufacturing, [the] manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products industry division has the second highest weight in the computation of PPI,” PSA added.
Other main contributors to the faster annual decline of PPI in May 2024 were the slowdown in the annual increase of manufacture of beverages at 3.4 percent in May 2024 from the 4.1-percent annual increment in April 2024.
The data also showed the faster decline in the annual rate of manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products at 2.6 percent during the period from 1.8 percent annual decrease in April 2024.
“Of the remaining 19 industry divisions, 10 industry divisions exhibited annual decreases during the period, while nine industry divisions registered annual increases during the month,” PSA added. On a month-on-month basis, the PSA said the PPI for manufacturing registered a slower increase of 0.2 percent in May 2024 from a 0.5-percent increment in April 2024. The PPI also posted a 0.4-percent monthly increase in May 2023.
The largest contributor to the slower increase in the monthly rate of PPI in May 2024 was the
See “PPI,” A2
PALACE CLEARS
Iand
THE decision to maintain key policy rates at 6.5 percent in the last meeting of the Monetary Board may be the last time the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) leaves rates unchanged this year.
Global Source Partners country analyst Diwa Guinigundo is certain that at least one rate cut is confirmed based on the forward guidance given by BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr.
Citi Philippines economist Nalin Chutchotitham, meanwhile, expects six more rate cuts in increments of 25 basis points (bps) to happen over the course of 12 months or between August 2024 and August 2025.
“One rate cut is therefore more likely, as the forward guidance has been quite confirmatory so far,” Guinigundo said.
“A second reduction in November or December is, as usual, datadriven both in terms of actual and projected inflation rates in the next two years. The balance of risks would also be an important metric for the BSP,” he added.
Chutchotitham, for her part, said the BSP may cut rates by 25 basis points in August, October and December in 2024 followed by February, May, and August in 2025.
“In any case, we note the risk
“Think tank,” A2
BusinessMirror
Vatican hands off on divorce bill, but will ‘listen’ to bishops
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome & Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
VATICAN has decided to keep its hands off on the ongoing efforts in the Philippine Congress to legalize divorce, according to Pope Francis’s top diplomat.
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, said, however, that he will listen to the sentiments of the Filipino bishops during his visit to the Philippines. Part of Gallagher’s itinerary is his participation in the Plenary Session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in Malaybalay, Bukidnon and the celebration of mass with the bishops in the Abbey of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay on July 4.
“The teachings of the Catholic Church are very well known. As far as
of slower rate cuts, which most likely depend on the speed of inflation decline, the timing of the Fed’s rate cuts and potential depreciation pressure on the peso,” Chutchotitham said.
“Governor Remolona said on June 27 that the BSP is likely to be gradual with its rate cuts, and hence sees 25bp rate cuts in the third quarter and fourth quarter as a possibility when responding to a reporters’ question,” she added.
I know, there are no official communications between Rome and the Roman Catholic Church and there are no diplomatic overtures to the Department [of Foreign Affairs] or to the [Philippine government],” Gallagher said during a joint press conference in Manila.
“On the pastoral level, it is within the competence of the Catholic Bishops ]Conference] of the Philippines.”
“At the Holy See, we obviously encourage the Filipino Catholics, particularly the political leaders, to listen to their pastors and offer what is the best approach to this. But it is essentially a matter for the bishops,” Gallagher added. Gallagher is the first foreign minister of the Holy See to visit the Philippines. On the second day of his fiveday visit, he met with his Philippine foreign counterpart, Enrique Manalo and paid a courtesy visit on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. He participated in the annual cel -
ebration of “Pope’s Day” marking the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul at the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila.
During Gallagher’s courtesy call, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said working with the Vatican is ingrained in Philippine culture.
“It is very much part of our culture and the Vatican has worked with the Philippines in very many cases even on early on, on issues that were outside the Philippines’ purview,” Marcos said during the meeting.
The Philippines has a long history of Christianity, which started with the arrival of the Spaniards on its shores in 1521. It is now among the predominantly Christian countries in Asia with 78.8 percent or over 85.65 million of its over 108.67 million population being Roman Catholic, based on the 2020 Census.
However, formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Vatican were only established on
April 8, 1951.
Several popes have since then visited the country, namely, Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Francis.
“We have continued to work in very close consonance with the Vatican for many, many years now,” Marcos said.
“We claim to be not only a Catholic country but a very Catholic country,” he added.
Gallagher’s visit to Malacañang is part of his five-day trip to the Philippines.
While meeting with the President, the Vatican official was accompanied by Archbishop Charles J. Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Monsignor Giuseppe Trentadue, Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila and Monsignor Giuseppe Siviero, Secretariat of the State of the Holy See.
He is also scheduled to deliver an address at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on July 5.
NEP.
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The approved amount is 10.1 percent higher than the P5.768-trillion budget for 2024 under the FY 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The agencies which will get the bulk of the 2025 budget appropriations are those engaged in education, particularly the Department of Education (DepEd), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
These agencies will be tasked to improve access to Early Childhood Education as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training and higher education programs; upskill and reskill the labor force; implement the Philippine Qualifications Framework and Philippine Skills Framework; strengthen existing employment facilitation services; and enhance income support and emergency employment programs.
units (LGUs).
Pangandaman said the education sector will receive the largest percentage of the national budget as mandated by the Constitution.
To enhance the operations of the Department of Health (DOH) hospitals in Metro Manila, DOH regional hospitals and other health facilities, the budget allocated to the health sector will be increased.
LGUs will be allotted P1.034 trillion as a share of the National Tax Allotment (NTA), higher by 18.73 percent than the P871.38 billion NTA share this year. The DBM added the annual block grant of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will also be higher next year.
The former Deputy Governor of the BSP stressed that non-monetary measures are important in complementing policy interventions made by the central bank. This, he noted, is crucial given the expected delay in the reduction of the rice tariff and the periodic weekly increases in petroleum prices.
This could also lead to faster June inflation, at 4 percent from the 3.9 percent posted in May 2024. The latest inflation data will be released on Friday by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Guinigundo said factors that could tip the scales in the balancing act by the BSP when deciding on policy rates would include the production of grains and meat, as well as the timely imporation in the event of a shortfall in production.
“Even the BSP admitted that with higher prices for vegetables, meat and fish plus the short-run impact of the peso depreciation, some price pressures could have accumulated during the month,” Guinigundo said.
“Although difficult to pin down, a good computation of the country’s output gap will also help in ensuring that an early or more easing would not dislodge inflation expectation and add inflationary pressure to an otherwise manageable inflation scenario,” he also said.
Earlier, the BSP said expensive food items such as rice and the depreciation of peso may have led to faster inflation in June. (See: https://businessmirror.com.
In its latest month-ahead inflation forecast, the BSP said inflation may average 3.4 percent to as high as 4.2 percent in June 2024. The high end of the forecast exceeds the revised 3- to 4-percent inflation target for this year. (See:https://businessmirror. com.ph/2024/06/28/dbcc-maintainsgrowth-outlook-despite-raisinginflation-forecast/)
Inflation increased to 3.9 percent in May 2024, placing the country’s average inflation rate of 3.5 percent in the January-to-May period. (See:https://businessmirror.com. ph/2024/06/06/more-travels-noted-asinflation-hits-3-9/)
However, the BSP noted that expectations of lower electricity rates and fruit prices could contribute in bringing down the rise in commodity prices. Cai U. Ordinario
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deceleration in the monthly rate of manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products.
On a monthly basis, the PPI of the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products posted a growth of only 0.4 percent during the period from a 2.2 percent increase in the previous month.
PSA said other contributors were the slower monthly increase of 0.2 percent during the month, from a 0.9 percent increase in April 2024.
The data also showed the manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products with a monthly decrease of 0.3 percent, from a 0.8 percent monthly increase in the previous month.
“These three industry divisions contributed 87.9 percent to the deceleration in the month-on-month growth rate of PPI for manufacturing in May 2024,” PSA said.
PSA said the PPS measures the average change over time in the prices of products or commodities produced by domestic manufactures and sold at factory gate prices to wholesalers and/or other consumers in the domestic market relative to a base period.
The PPS is used to measure monthly or yearly changes in the producer price of key products/commodities in the manufacturing section.
It is also used to serve as deflator to Value of Production Index (VaPI) and Value of Net Sales Index (VaNSI) in the estimation of the Volume of Production Index (VoPI) and Volume of Net Sales Index (VoNSI) for the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI), respectively.
The PSA said it also serves as a deflator in the estimation of manufacturing production in real terms—at constant prices—in the system of national accounts.
Other agencies that will get significant portions of the 2025 NEP are the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of National Defense (DND).
In terms of expense class, most of the budget next year will be used for maintenance and other operating expenses followed by personnel services, capital outlays, and financial expenses.
Marcos approved the 2025 NEP after it was presented by DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman in a meeting in Malacañang.
The NEP focused on funding the priority initiatives of the Marcos administration, namely, food security, social protection, healthcare, housing, disaster resilience, infrastructure, digital connectivity, and energization.
“Since I’ve seen it before on the macro level, I think the priorities in terms of our proposed appropriations, upon addressing it, weighted our priorities properly in terms of appropriations,” Marcos said.
The 2025 NEP will be submitted to Congress for its consideration in crafting the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). The 19th Congress will open its third and last session on July 22, when the President delivers his State of the Nation address (Sona).
The Marcos administration crafted the budget based on fiscal space, implementation and readiness of Program/Activity/Projects (PAPs), agency’s absorptive capacity, alignment with Budget Priorities Framework and Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
Also considered for the budget proposal are the Public Investment Program (PIP), Three-Year Infrastructure Program (TRIP), Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP), and Program Convergence.
DBM presentation
IN her presentation to the President, Budget
Secretary Pangandaman noted the 2025 budget will increase allocations to the health and education sectors and local government
PCTO. . .
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“greater collaboration” among industry players, government agencies, and stakeholders to address these emerging threats.
“This new wave of scam messages is worrisome as fraudsters have resorted to methods that do not pass through telco networks, thus they are able to evade our already robust filters,” he said. According to Castelo, there has been a significant rise in malicious messages sent through methods outside the cellular network. This trend emerged as telcos like enforced stringent security measures against scam and spam SMS, including blocking all person-to-person SMS with links in September 2022 and later restricting appto-person SMS.
Today, fraudsters are using over-the-top media services or chat apps, Rich Communication Services (RCS) chats for Android users, and other Internet-based messaging platforms to send messages to their targets.
These methods allow scammers to reach users even with foreign mobile numbers. Castelo added that another
Pangandaman said last week the higher budget is also due to the increased allowance for the staff in the upcoming national and local elections, expansion of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) including the First 1,000 Days and the recently signed law increasing the teaching allowance of public school teachers from P5,000 to P10,000. With the increased budget, Pangandaman said the availability of fiscal space and the implementation-readiness of programs, activities, and projects were considered. The budget proposal also took note of the agencies’ absorptive capacity, alignment with Budget Priorities Framework and Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, Public Investment Program/Three-Year Infrastructure Program, Information Systems Strategic Plan, and Program Convergence.
“We have crafted this carefully and meticulously to ensure that we stay on track with our economic growth targets while ensuring no one is left behind,” the Budget chief said.
The proposed budget is consistent with the three pillars of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023 to 2028, Pangandaman underscored.
Pillar 1 is to develop and protect the capabilities of individuals and families, while Pillar 2 is to transform production sectors to generate more quality jobs and competitive products. The last, Pillar 3, is to create an enabling environment.
“The proposed 2025 national budget reflects our unwavering commitment to promoting the sound, efficient, and effective management and utilization of government resources toward the achievement of our national socioeconomic development goals,” Pangandaman said.
The budget is equivalent to 22 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), as determined by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) meeting on June 27.
Pangandaman, as DBCC chair, aims to continue the growth trajectory of the economy to attain the Marcos Jr. administration’s economic targets and achieve upper middleincome status and single-digit poverty levels by 2028.
Marcos Jr. is expected to present the proposed budget to Congress within 30 days of his Sona delivery, while Pangandaman targets to submit to Congress the proposed budget within one week from the President’s Sona.
alarming tactic is the use of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers, or fake cell towers, which can intercept mobile communications within a specific area. These portable devices enable fraudsters to connect directly with SIMs and send messages using imitated sender IDs, a method known as spoofing. This makes it difficult for mobile users to detect fraudulent messages, which often appear to be official advisories directing victims to malicious online pages via clickable links.
In response to these challenges, telcos have stopped using clickable links in their official customer advisories and have repeatedly reminded customers to stay vigilant against scams. Efforts are also under way to address the issue of spoofing, including preventing the importation of spoofing devices.
“Industry players and key stakeholders must work closely together to combat this trend. Let’s focus on finding ways to defeat our common enemy: scammers,” Castelo said. Still, Castelo reminded the public to likewise protect themselves from bad actors, calling on subscribers to remain vigilant.
“At the end of the day, the first line of defense for mobile users are themselves. Be vigilant and discerning against messages from unknown numbers, and never click on any link inside unsolicited messages. More often than not, these messages are meant to defraud you,” he said. Lorenz S. Marasigan
Comelec to wait for Senate green light on special polls
HE Commission on Elec -
Ttion (Comelec) said it will wait for the go signal from the Senate before holding a special election to fill up the vacant seat that will be left by Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara.
“Unless there is a call from the Senate to call for a special election, the Senate seat will remain vacant,” Comelec Chairman George M. Garcia told reporters in a Viber message last Tuesday. Garcia made the statement after Angara announced he had accepted the offer of President Marcos to become the new secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Angara will replace Vice President Sara Duterte, whose resignation as Education Secretary, takes effect on July 19. Angara was first elected to
the Senate in 2013 and was releelected in 2019 as a senator was from 2013 to 2019.
He will finish his two-term tenure in the Senate next year.
Garcia noted that even if the Senate approves a special election for the replacement of Angara, it will not affect the number of senators to be elected during the 2025 elections.
“Because this is the last term of Senator Sonny, 12 [senators] will still be elected [in the 2025 midterm elections],” he said.
Under the 1987 Constitution, “no senator shall serve for more than two consecutive terms” and that “voluntary renunciation of office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full term for which he was elected.”
Angara is next DepEd chief
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
PRESIDENT Marcos on Tuesday announced that Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara will be the next Secretary of Education.
During the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday in Malacañang, Marcos said Angara has accepted the position.
“Sonny has agreed to take the Education portfolio,” Marcos said.
However, the lawmaker was not present in the meeting when the President made the announcement. See related story on Angara appointment on page A16.
Angara will replace Vice President Sara Duterte, whose resignation as Education Secretary takes effect on July 19. Angara’s appointment as Education Secretary has been endorsed by the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (Cocopea) and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (Pacu).
Group bares list of 15 lead-tainted paints sold locally
By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
AGLOBAL testing company has found that at least 15 imported paints contain lead above the maximum allowable limit.
This was revealed on Tuesday by EcoWaste Coalition.
In a statement, the group said based on the tests conducted by released on Tuesday a list of 15 more imported paint products containing lead above the maximum limits.
Based on the tests conducted by Société Générale de Surveillance, a global testing company, the 15 spray paints obtained by the group from local online sellers and physical retail stores and initially screened for lead using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) device were verified as containing lead over 90 parts per million (ppm), the strictest regulatory standard for lead in paint that is enforced in the Philippines and many other countries.
Worse, the toxics group watchdog said 10 of these 15 lead-containing paints incorrectly carried the “no Pb” symbol or were marked as “lead-free.” “Pb” which means plumbum, is the chemical symbol for lead.
These 10 paints plus two others were identified as “made in China,” the group said, while the remaining three provided no information about their country of manufacture.
One “no Pb” paint product contained a whopping 130,000 ppm of lead, while five others had lead concentrations ranging from over 29,000 ppm up to over 76,000 ppm, the group added. The analyses were done on dried
paint samples prepared by the EcoWaste Coalition and tested by SGS through inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy or ICP-OES, a technique used to measure elements like lead present in a sample.
“The non-stop importation, distribution, and sale of leadcontaining paint products justify the adoption of new measures to uphold our country’s ban on such paints,” said Manny Calonzo, Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.
“While the government has rightly stopped the issuance of import clearance for lead chromates used in paint manufacturing, paint products containing lead additives, including some that deceptively claim to be ‘lead-free,’ can enter our ports and get sold in the market without being penalized.”
“The continued sale of imported lead-containing paints put young children at risk of lead poisoning. Until such time when a trade of lead paints and lead chromates, the main lead-based ingredient in paint, is controlled, more children will get exposed to this neurotoxin,” said Jeiel Guarino of Global Lead Paint Elimination Campaigner, International Pollutants Elimination Network (Ipen).
Both the EcoWaste Coalition and Ipen are encouraging the government to emulate the action taken by the government of Cameroon towards the listing of lead chromates as hazardous chemicals on the Rotterdam Convention, which will then subject these lead compounds and the paints containing them under the treaty’s Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.
The government of Cameroon, with support from the environmental health group CREPD and Ipen, recently submitted a
Natl Police bans sale of digital night vision scopes to civilians
By Rex Anthony Naval
TO ASSUAGE fears that digital night vision scopes might be used for criminal activities, the National Police announced that it had issued an advisory to all firearms and importers restricting the sales of such devices to civilians.
The spokesperson for the National Police Civil Security Group, Lt. Col. Eudisan Gultiano, said the “joint public-stakeholder advisory has been sent to firearms importers and dealers on Monday and strictly prohibits sales of such items to civilians.”
“The PNP has noted that accessories such as digital night vision rifle scopes and similar devices are being sold or distributed in the local market without undergoing evaluation and classification by the FEO [Firearms Explosives Office] Classification Board, as required for regulated items,” the advisory signed by the CSG director, Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, and the FEO officer-in-charge, Col. Ericson Dilag, read.
The advisory added: “There is a significant concern that if these types of devices fall into the wrong hands and are utilized by
notification to the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention nominating lead chromates for a treaty listing. If listed in the said treaty, companies exporting lead chromates or paints containing them may not ship these commodities to a country that has not consented to receive them. Also, countries can use the PIC rules to restrict or prevent the entry of lead chromates and paints that contain them.
According to the groups, the listing of lead chromates in the Rotterdam Convention will help towards the effective enforcement of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order 2013-24, or the Chemical Control Order (CCO) for lead and its compounds, banning lead in the manufacture of paints and other similar surface coatings.
Under the CCO, decorative paints containing lead were phased out from 2013 to 2016, while leadcontaining industrial paints were phased out from 2013 to 2019.
Despite the ban, dangerous high lead content measured at 130,000 ppm was detected on the yellow Korona Spray Paint purchased by the EcoWaste Coalition from a retail outlet. The orange, lemon yellow, and grass green variants of this paint were also found to contain excessive lead at 76,300 ppm, 73,200 ppm, and 50,000 ppm in that order. Lower lead levels—431 ppm, 373 ppm, and 280 ppm—were found on the rose pink, signal red and violet colors of Korona Spray Paint, which carried the “no Pb” pictogram.
Three variants of Sinag Paint Aerosol, which are marked “leadfree,” were confirmed to be leadcontaining paints. A deep yellow paint had 29,600 ppm, while the
criminal elements, the potential consequences could be severe and disruptive.”
Gun owners are strongly advised against purchasing or otherwise acquiring digital night vision rifle scopes and similar equipment.
The National Police said the advisory is needed to uphold public safety and security.
The advisory also orders firearms importers and dealers to limit the sale of the digital night vision rifle scopes and other similar accessories to the members of the police and the Armed Forces.
Other law enforcement agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation and the Coast Guard are also allowed to purchase the item.
Marcos announced last week that he wants to immediately fillup the position to be vacated by Duterte due to the importance of the DepEd in his administration.
Angara has been a senator since 2013 and will complete his term in 2025.
As senator, he authored or cosponsored several laws related to education including Republic Act 11997 or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo (Teaching Supplies) Act.
jade green and orange-red colors had 9,440 ppm and 8,860 ppm.
Three samples of KRX Aerosol Spray, orange, grass green, and yellow, tested with 9,560 ppm, 7,690 ppm, and 7,570 ppm of lead, respectively.
Finally, two colors of Anton Spray Paint, canary yellow and grain yellow, were found to contain 37,500 ppm and 1,320 ppm of lead.
None of these lead-containing paints are manufactured, imported or distributed by companies belonging to the Philippine Paint & Coatings Association, Inc. (PPCAI), a partner of the UNbacked Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (Lead Paint Alliance), along with the Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc., Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Ipen and the EcoWaste Coalition.
Meanwhile, BAN Toxics commended the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their recent operation against the sale of mercury-tainted skin whitening creams.
The operation targeted one of the city’s established malls identified by the group where prohibited skin whitening creams are being sold over the counter despite being banned for their mercury contents.
The group said the FDA and QCHD conducted an on-site investigation on June 21 and found that three of the seven beauty shops in the mall had been selling banned beauty products in violation of Republic Act 9711 (FDA Act of 2009) and QC Ordinance 2767 S-2018, which bans the manufacture, distribution, and sale of mercury-containing skin whitening cosmetics in Quezon City.
The lawmaker, who is the son of former Senate President Edgardo J. Angara, also became involved in the passage of the RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act and RA 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (K-12).
Malacañang said Angara’s Master of Laws from Harvard University, Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines, and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics “positions him well to lead DepEd.”
Aside from his work in Congress, he also served as chairman of the Laban Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) and Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas. He is also a columnist in several newspapers, including the BusinessMirror
New EastMincom chief seeks unity due to Chinese activities at WPS
By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox
DAVAO CITY—The new commander of the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command has asked communist guerrillas to refocus their “revolutionary energy” owing to the intrusion and bullying by China at the West Philippine Sea.
“It’s time to be unified now,”
Maj. Gen. Luis Rex D. Bergante, said the newly-installed commander of Eastmincom, in his message during the opening of the Former Rebel Summit held at the headquarters of the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion.
Bergante said the New People’s Army “must to go beyond factional thinking and to think holistically as part of the Filipino nation.”
“A country much bigger than us is grabbing what is ours. China is usurping the fishing ground of Filipino fishermen,” Bergante said in a speech before former NPA guerrillas, who attended his assumption of command at Eastmincom.
Bergante said the Armed Forces, especially the Army, has to defend Philippine territory, “but they have not fully done it for a long time as they have been engaged in ending the local communist armed conflict for more than 50 years.”
He said the former guerrillas should understand that “they would eventually be affected in the long run despite their distance from the WPS because other resources in the WPS, such as marine products and fossil fuels, are generally beneficial for all Filipinos.”
“Make your respective lives better upon receiving the financial benefits from the government
through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program [E-CLIP] and other direct assistance intended for you,” he said. Bergante said the NPA should understand that “while we have been fighting for a long time, it is now time for us to be together.” Bergante addressed last week the assembly of former NPA guerrillas at the 60th Infantry Battalion camp in Asuncion, Davao del Norte.
Bergante said that the entire Armed Forces “is now shifting focus externally to defend the Philippine territory due to the pressing concern at the WPS, and solving the internal security threats would strengthen its external defense positioning.”
“If our Armed Forces, the Army, the Navy, will no longer be involved in internal security operations, then we can focus more on external defense. We lack a lot of capability because of the 50 years that we’ve been involved in internal security,” he said.
“It’s [because of our focus on] pure internal operations that we neglected our capability to address external threats,” he said. Brigante replaced Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II who served the Eastmincom top post in acting capacity after the retirement of Lt. Gen.Greg Almerol on May 31. Brigante was commander of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command and also served previously as assistant division commander of the Seventh “Kaugnay” Division, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, 10th Infantry “Agila” Division, and 22nd Infantry Battalion under the Ninth Infantry “Spear” Division in the Bicol Region.
DAR cites project for increasing farmers’ income in CamSur
AGRARIAN reform beneficiaries in Camarines Sur are enjoying significant financial gains due to the innovation introduced by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under the “Agraryo Merkado sa Kampo” project.
A collaboration between the DAR Provincial Office and the National Police, the project has generated P449,710.00 in revenue over just five sales periods from April 15 to June 28.
“The bi-monthly trade fair-style market in front of the police headquarters in Naga City provides a crucial platform for local farmers. They can sell a variety of homegrown products—ranging from fresh vegetables and fruits to processed foods and root crops—directly to consumers at fair prices,” Renato O. Bequillo, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer said in a statement.
“The initiative not only promotes sustainable farming practices by ensuring the
availability of fresh, safe, and nutritious products but also serves as a sustainable economic booster for the farmers involved,” Bequillo added.
The project has been particularly transformative for the Vegetable Growers Association of ARB Libod-Tinawagan (Vegat) in Tinawagan, Tigaon, Camarines Sur, says Vicky Purisima, chairman of Vegat, who highlighted the project’s impact.
“Before, our efforts to sell often resulted in wasted produce and fruitless journeys. Now, with DAR’s support, we simply display our products, and they swiftly attract buyers,” she said.
In April and May, farmers achieved impressive sales totaling P186,685 and P178,830, respectively. The upward trend continued with an additional P84,195 in sales recorded on June 28.
To further enhance trade opportunities, the project plans to expand its offerings to
include handmade native products.
The positive impact of the Agraryo Merkado initiative extends beyond commerce, providing substantial support to farmer households and contributing to necessary financial stability, especially for those with school-aged children.
“When you purchase from Agraryo Merkado sa Kampo, you’re not just buying quality goods. You’re supporting agrarian reform, reducing social inequalities, and significantly boosting the livelihoods of our local farmers and their families,” Bequillo said.
The initiative continues to evolve, with ongoing efforts from the DAR’s Program Beneficiaries Development Division to maximize profitability and facilitate direct connections between farmers and buyers, reaffirming the project’s role as a cornerstone of local agricultural and economic development, Bequillo also said.
SEN . Juan Edgardo M. Angara
Legislators on Metro wage hike: Timely, essential but not enough
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM & Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE Senate leadership on Tuesday called the NCR wage order of additional P35 daily timely and essential, but still short of what people need to cope with continuing high inflation.
Senate President Francis Escudero said in Filipino that the increase granted by the Metro Manila wage board was not enough and will not be able to cover the needs of the workers in view of the high prices.
Escudero asked, also in Filipino: “Why is it that the Regional Tripartite and Productivity Wage Board always grants less than what the workers need? They have never been right since the time they were created.”
The Senate, he noted, has passed a “P100 across the board wage increase bill which should be the minimum increase albeit I believe it is still not enough to provide what the Constitution requires, which is a ‘living wage’ and not a mere ‘minimum wage.’”
For his part, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada described as “Not just timely but essential” the P35 pay hike to Metro Manila workers.
“Given the rising inflation rate impacting poor households, the P35 increase in the daily minimum wage for
workers in the National Capital Region [NCR] is not just timely but essential,” Estrada said.
Estrada, a known labor advocate, steered the passage in the upper chamber of Senate Bill 2534—a landmark measure pushing for a P100 increase in the daily minimum wage of workers in the private sector.
Nonetheless, Estrada commended the NCR-Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board’s grant of pay adjustment to the estimated 1.1 million minimum wage earners in Metro Manila saying that the move reflects their recognition of the hardships that workers are enduring and the need to enhance their purchasing power.
Estrada likewise underscored the importance of supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which account for 99.5 percent of the total number of business establishments in the country.
“We must strike a balance between ensuring fair wages for our workers and
supporting the growth and sustainability of our MSMEs. Providing incentives and support for these businesses will help them adapt to wage increases while continuing to thrive and contribute to economic growth,” he explained.
Sen. Joel Villanueva meanwhile said, “While we welcome the P35 daily minimum wage hike, this is not enough to cover the daily needs of our workers, especially those who need to provide for their families.”
Reacting to the minimum wage increase in Metro Manila, Villanueva said, “This is exactly why we have been pushing for the inclusion of living wage as one of the criteria in determining the minimum wage, in line with the mandate of the Constitution.”
The NCR-TWPB issued on June 27, 2024 Wage Order NCR-25, bringing the minimum wage for non-agriculture workers from P610 to P645, and for those in the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments employing 15 or fewer workers, and manufacturing establishments regularly employing less than 10 workers, from P573 to P608.
Meanwhile, members of the House of Representatives urged other regional wage boards to act swiftly and follow the National Capital Region (NCR) wage board’s lead after it decided to boost the minimum wage in the nation’s capital.
The chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development,
Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano and a member of the House Committee on Labor and Employment, Manila Joel R. Chua made the call after they commended the Metro Manla wage board for increasing the minimum wage.
Lawmakers expressed hope that the wage boards of other regions would swiftly follow the example set by the Metro Manila wage board.
While Valeriano believed that the minimum wage increase should be more than 35 pesos, as this only constitutes a 5.7 percent increase from the previous minimum wage of P610 compared to the 6 percent inflation rate in 2023, he expressed gratitude to the NCR Wage Board, led by the labor department’s regional director in Metro Manila, Sara Buena Mirasol, for this timely decision.
“Every worker in Metro Manila feels the pinch due to the weakened purchasing power of the peso,” he added.
For his part, Chua lauded the President and Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma for recognizing the immediate need to act without further delay.
He acknowledged the struggle of workers and their families and appreciated the prompt response from the Metro Manila Wage Board.
For his part, the chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Employment, San Mateo Rep. Fidel Nograles said that despite the wage hike, Congress will continue to deliberate on various bills proposing increases ranging from P150 to P350
Local governments can now spend more for seniors, PWDs
LOCAL governments will have significantly more resources next year to fund programs and projects for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and children due to the almost 20 percent rise in the national tax allotment (NTA) share for localities, reaching over P1 trillion, a senior lawmaker said on Tuesday.
Citing the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said that the NTA for localgovernments in 2025 will be P1.03 trillion, which is P163.229 billion, or 18.73 percent higher than this year’s allocation of P871.38 billion. Of this amount, P237.96 billion will go to provinces, P239.05 billion to cities, P350.68 billion to municipalities, and P206.92 billion to barangays.
Previously known as the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), the NTA now reflects the new calculation for the 40 percent share of local governments from revenue collections. This increase stems from the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in 2018 on the Mandanas-Garcia case. The ruling stated that the local governments’ “just share” of taxes should include not only collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) but also those by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other agencies.
According to a DBM report, Villafuerte said the P1.03 trillion NTA for 2025 will be distributed among 83 provinces, 149 cities, 1,485 municipalities, and 41,905 barangays. Of this amount, P776.56 billion will come from the BIR, P258 billion from the BOC, and P41.36 million from other agencies certified by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).
Villafuerte noted that under the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991, the just tax
Go supports co-op development
IN partnership with the Cooperative Development Authority, Sen. Christopher Go spearheaded the Malasakit sa Kooperatiba Ceremonial Check Awarding at Royce Convention Center in Zamboanga City on Sunday, June 30.
A total of 23 cooperatives from various cities and municipalities in the Zamboanga Peninsula/Region 9 received P50,000 each from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) as part of its Malasakit sa Kooperatiba program which Go advocated for, highlighting his commitment to empowering cooperatives across the country.
The senator was also joined by
Zamboanga del Norte officials, including Siayan Mayor Alberto Bongcawel and Vice Mayor Josecor Gepolongca, Sibuco Mayor Joel Ventura, Sirawai Mayor Aljazar Janihim, Labason Mayor Jed Quimbo; and Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay Mayor Josecor Gepolongca.
Apart from the financial support provided through the CDA, the cooperative members present also received grocery packs, shirts, basketballs, and volleyballs from Go. Go’s initiative is part of the CDA’s Human Capital Development Program for Cooperatives, which he advocated for additional funding in the 2024 budget. This includes the
share of local governments is 40 percent of all National Internal Revenue Taxes (NIRT), to be computed from collections of the third fiscal year prior to the current fiscal year. Next year’s NTA is therefore based on tax collections in 2022.
On top of the NTA, Villafuerte said that certain local governments are also entitled to special shares in the p roceeds from taxes collected in their localities, such as the excise taxes collected from areas growing Virginia and native tobacco; gross income taxes paid by businesses in places with special economic zones (SEZs); the valueadded tax (VAT) under RA 7643, which allowed LGUs a share of VAT revenue; and a 20 percent share of fire code fees, pursuant to RA 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines. The DBM advised local governments to coordinate with relevant revenue-collection agencies and state-run corporations to reconcile their records and determine the exact amount of tax shares due to them. Villafuerte emphasized that local governments should prioritize using their NTA shares for basic services and facilities. After addressing these needs,
Malasakit sa Kooperatiba Program, providing financial assistance to micro and small cooperatives.
In his speech, Go emphasized the critical role of cooperatives in fostering community development and their significant contributions to local economies.
“I urge each cooperative to utilize this support wisely and strategically. Let it be a tool for innovation, development, and progress. Mamuhunan sa mga proyektong makikinabang ang inyong mga miyembro at ang mas malawak na komunidad . Whether it’s enhancing your operations, expanding your services, or initiating new community programs, let every peso
N. dela Cruz
contribute to the betterment of your community,” he encouraged.
As a staunch advocate for cooperatives, Go co-authored and co-sponsored several key legislations, including Republic Act 11502, which declares October of every year as National Cooperative Month; and RA 11535, making the position of a Cooperatives Development Officer mandatory in municipal, city, and provincial levels. His involvement in the Senate Committee on Cooperatives further underscores his dedication to this sector. Recognizing the invaluable contributions of cooperatives, Go vowed continued support.
The event underscored the government’s commitment to empowering cooperatives, ensuring they have the necessary resources to thrive and contribute to the nation’s growth.
Boost cybersecurity, hackers tell DICT as they breach its system
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has suffered a data breach targeting its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Division (DRRMD).
Cybersecurity watchdog Deep Web Konek reported on Tuesday morning the hack, with a threat actor known as “ph1ns,” claiming responsibility for the attack.
The bad actor left a message on the compromised subdomain, highlighting various political grievances and calling for the Philippines government to enhance its cybersecurity measures.
In the message, “ph1ns” thanked certain political figures while expressing discontent over the government’s handling of
PHL commits $30K for IMO tech co-op program
THE Philippines has committed $30,000 to support the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), according to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
In a statement, the Marina said the “modest amount” invested in the ITCP is part of the Philippines’s commitment to promoting the “human element” in maritime success.
The IMO and the Philippines entered into an agreement that required the latter to contribute $30,000 for 2024 to support the ITCP.
The contribution aims to bolster the implementation of the IMO’s strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. The funds will be used to develop seafarers’ training and skills programs, benefiting technical personnel from Philippine government agencies and other interested member states.
In her participation at the 74th Session of the Technical Cooperation Committee (TC74), Philippine Maritime Attaché in London Jean Ver Pia emphasized the need to enhance maritime training and upskilling seafarers.
She highlighted the human element in capacity-building initiatives of the Philippines, which participated in the Working Group for the development of a comprehensive IMO capacitydevelopment strategy.
The Marina said this strategy includes “cross-cutting themes such as human element, women’s empowerment, and gender mainstreaming.”
The Philippine delegation also supported the Regional Presence Scheme in facilitating IMO’s technical cooperation implementation on the ground, being the host country for the Regional Presence Office in East Asia based in the Philippines for two decades.
The Philippine delegation also engaged in several side meetings in collaboration with IMO: the Donor Partnership Meeting on the Glofouling Project and the SMART-C Projects, as well as the Informal Workshop and Exhibition on Accessing IMO’s Technical Cooperation Assistance. According to Marina, “the Philippines greatly benefited from capacity programs received that helped the maritime administration in the implementation of the IMO Conventions.”
Lorenz S. Marasigan
various issues, including the alleged identity revelation of Guo Hua Ping or Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac.
The hacker also criticized the government’s approach to the South China Sea dispute and the war on drugs, and took the opportunity to issue a stern warning about the nation’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
“To complete my message, this attack is not only to seek for my country’s reputation but also to strengthen my country’s cyber
defenses by humiliating them,” the message read. “Let’s make a wake-up call for every citizen.”
DICT Assistant Secretary Renato Paraiso Jr. confirmed that the department’s DRRMD was hacked.
“There were reports earlier that the DICT was hacked, this was partially true. One of our units in the DICT was indeed breached—hackers were able to access one of our systems, one of the external units, particularly the emergency disaster response unit. This system is not connected to the central system of the central office,” he said in a press briefing late Tuesday.
He explained that the system was designed to be “porous” with very little firewall and safeguards to
allow for the free flow of data during disasters.
“It’s designed primarily so the influx of information is porous and response time should be fast. It was designed to fulfill its task to be a response mechanism during disasters,” Paraiso said.
He also noted the compromised data was minimal and only involved information related to fewer than 10 employees and some government assets, totaling less than 5MB.
Despite the limited data breach, Paraiso, acting as data officer of the DICT, said he promptly reported the incident to the National Privacy Commission (NPC).
“Everyday, they are trying to
attack DICT and other systems of the government,” Paraiso added.
He noted that the response time to the breach was “less than an hour,” and reassured that measures are in place to expect and prepare for continuous attacks and threats to government systems and websites.
“ph1ns” is no stranger to such activities, having previously targeted several other government agencies including the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), and the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC).
The bad actor is known in the cybersecurity circle as a hacktivist, or an individual or group that exposes vulnerabilities for correction.
“And a last message to DICT: please conduct thorough tests during and after the development of your applications, websites, etc. Avoid hiring contractual developers and IT personnel for specific projects in a short period of time. In the long term hire people instead of outsourcing them,” the message of “ph1ns” on the defaced website read.
PHL, China resume talks on S. China Sea after Ayungin event
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig
THE Philippines and China returned to the negotiating table to find ways to defuse tension in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea.
Philippine Foreign Affairs
Secretary Enrique Manalo confirmed that the new round of talks for Philippine-China Bicameral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) resumed Tuesday in Manila. The BCM is the negotiating avenue for Manila and Beijing to discuss issues and identify areas for cooperation in the South China Sea.
This is the ninth meeting since it was established in May 2017.
The meeting on Tuesday came two weeks after the China Coast Guard and Philippine Navy clashed near Ayungin Shoal, some 180 nautical miles west of Palawan. A Filipino sailor’s thumb was severed as CCG rammed the
inflatable boat of the Navy.
DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro heads the Philippine delegation. The Chinese delegation is headed by a ranking China Foreign Ministry official.
Details of the meeting are still being kept under wraps by the DFA and the Chinese Embassy in Manila.
Manila, Beijing cooperating on drive vs organized crime
Continued from A16
Charged were Chinese nationals Qin Ren Gou, 37 years old and Jiang Shi Guang, 41 years old, both from Hebei province of China. They were charged with violation of Section 4(a) of Republic Act (RA 9208 as amended by RA 10364 or the Anti-Human Trafficking Act and Article 294 (robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons), Article 263 (serious physical injuries) and Article 267 (kidnapping and serious illegal detention) of the Revised Penal Code as amended. In an interview, Caloocan Deputy City Prosecutor Darwin Cañete refused to give the names of the com -
plainants for security reasons.
“I cannot disclose the name of the complainants because we are mindful of the fact that the accused or the persons associated with them may seek to either reach out to them through death threats or through relatives in China because the complainants are Chinese nationals,” Cañete explained.
The charges stemmed from the raid by PAOCC operatives on the compound of Lucky South 99 located at Grand Palazzo Royale, Royal Park, Fil-Am Friendship Highway in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Cañete said the human trafficking case was filed as the respondents allegedly used force or intimidation
on workers from abroad recruited to work in the Pogo hub.
One of the subjects of the complaint is the Chinese national who was tortured and locked inside a room for several days while tied to a bed frame.
The two respondents are currently under Paocc custody after they were arrested in the raid on the hub where Lucky South 99 was operating.
They are believed to be part of the organization that supervises Chinese nationals working in the said Pogo hub.
The complaint will undergo preliminary investigation to determine if there is a probable cause to put the
two Chinese nationals on trial.
The Supreme Court’s Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) is also looking into allegations that the influence of illegal offshore gaming operators in the country may have already reached the judiciary.
The move was prompted by PAOCC ’s claim that a trial court in Malolos, Bulacan recalled the search warrant it issued earlier, forcing their operatives to call off a planned raid on a Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga.
PAOCC spokesman Winston John Casio said the court withdrew the search warrant on mere technicalities and denied the agency’s application for a new warrant.
Angara a perfect choice, but faces heavy burden as new Education chief
Continued from A16
Castro expressed hope that Angara’s experience as a commissioner of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) would inform his approach to the critical issues facing the education sector. Brosas, meanwhile, urged Angara to reconsider his previous stance on mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and the K–12 program, both of which he had expressed support for in the past.
“As one of the authors and sponsors of the K-12 program, Secretary Angara now needs to confront the issues surrounding it. They once said that K-12 would benefit the youth, but we see now that it has only deepened poverty and unemployment among them,” Brosas said.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez emphasized Senator Angara’s rich experience and dedication to public service,
underscoring his suitability for the critical role of leading the DepEd.
The Makati Business Club (MBC) wished Angara “all the best in this critical role, to ensure that elementary and high school principals and teachers are equipped with the literacy, technical, and character skills needed to prepare Filipino children and youth to meet the challenges of the future.”
MBC said the senator’s work on education policy and legislation includes proposing Senate Joint Resolution No. 10 for the creation of the Second Congressional Commission on Education, serving as one of Edcom 2’s Commissioners, and co-chairing its Governance and Finance Standing Committee.
Citing the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s latest Program for International Assessment Report (PISA), MBC said the Philippines ranked last among its Asean peers in the areas of science, reading, and mathematics.
The Department of Education welcomed the appointment of Angara. “The DepEd community looks forward to working with the new leadership as we continue our relentless pursuit towards improving the quality of Basic Education in the country,” the DepEd said in a statement. Angara assumes his new post on July 19.
Angara’s peers in the Senate were all praises for him. “Secretary Angara’s task ahead is indeed gargantuan, but I have full confidence in his ability to lead the DepEd with excellence and integrity. His proven track record in legislative work, particularly in education reform, uniquely positions him to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. His background in both Philippine and international education systems equips him with the necessary perspective and expertise to elevate our educational standards,” said Senate President Chiz Escudero.
‘Wage hikes must balance labor needs, biz survival’
THERE is a need to “strike a balance” between the needs of the country’s workers and the sustainability of the country’s enterprises in implementing wage increases, according to Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual.
“We acknowledge that businesses may encounter challenges with this adjustment. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between the needs of our workers and the sustainability of our enterprises,” Pascual said in a statement sent to reporters on Monday.
The Philippines’ Trade chief said this after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved a P35 hike in the daily minimum wage for workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday.
Pascual said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) welcomes the recent minimum wage increase in NCR, calling it a “significant step towards enhancing the welfare of our workers.”
“This increase from P610 to P645 for the non-agriculture sector and from P573 to P608 for the agriculture sector and other specified establishments is a timely response to the escalating costs of living, reflecting our shared commitment to improving the quality of life for our workforce,” the Trade chief said.
The Trade chief said that by “aligning with the latest regional poverty threshold, the wage increase signifies our dedication to equitable growth and economic inclusivity.”
With this, he said DTI remains “steadfast” in its commitment to supporting industries through this transition.
Pascual said the agency will continue to provide assistance and implement programs that promote “business resilience and competitiveness,” ensuring that the Philippine economy “thrives and remains robust.”
Moving forward, he said DTI will collaborate “closely” with other government agencies and stakeholders to monitor the impact of this wage increase and to facilitate a “smooth adaptation” process for all sectors involved.
“Together, we aim to foster an environment where both workers and businesses can prosper, driving sustained economic growth and improving the overall socio-economic landscape of our nation,” he also noted.
In particular, DTI told reporters in a Viber message on Tuesday that it is committed to “strengthening business resilience and competitiveness,” particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which the agency said are “more vulnerable” to wage increases, saying large enterprises have the capacity to pay higher wages.
DTI unveiled the initiatives to extend assistance to SMEs which may face challenges posed by wage hikes.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said Angara’s push for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act paved the way for tuition and other fees to be free in state universities and colleges—a big boost to expanding access to majority of Filipino youth.
Sen. Nancy Binay said Angara is the best person fitted for the job as education head. “There is really a need to strengthen our curriculum which can be seen as a reflection in the results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) that we have a lack of creative thinking when it comes to solving particularly math and science problems,” said Binay when asked about what Angara should prioritize among the problems in education sector.
“Sen. Sonny Angara is one of the most qualified and acceptable DepEd Secretaries among education reform advocates,” said Sen. Risa Hontiveros. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz, Claudeth Mocon, Butch Fernandez, Andrea E. San Juan
One is through “capacity-building initiatives,” wherein the agency said it will organize regular workshops and training sessions aimed at improving operational efficiency and productivity.
“These programs equip SMEs with the necessary skills and knowledge to optimize their operations,” said DTI.
The agency will also roll out digital transformation programs. “DTI is actively promoting digital transformation among SMEs. By adopting advanced technologies, businesses can streamline their operations, reduce costs, and increase competitiveness. This includes initiatives to integrate e-commerce solutions and automation tools into daily operations,” it said.
On market development support, the Trade department said it will continue to facilitate SME participation in domestic and international trade fairs as well as on e-commerce platforms.
“This exposure helps SMEs expand their market reach and explore new business opportunities,” it said.
DTI said it is also committed to simplifying business registration processes and reducing “bureaucratic hurdles” adding that this makes it easier for SMEs to start, operate and grow their businesses. Andrea E. San Juan
Israel orders Palestinians to flee Khan Younis, signaling new assault on southern Gaza city
By Mohammad Jahjouh, Samy Magdy & Julia Frankel
KThe Associated Press
HAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip—
The Israeli army ordered a mass evacuation of Palestinians from much of Khan Younis on Monday, a sign that troops are likely to launch a new ground assault into the Gaza Strip’s secondlargest city.
The order suggests Khan Younis will be the latest target of Israel’s raids into parts of Gaza it had previously invaded in the war, as it pursues regrouping Hamas militants. Much of Khan Younis was destroyed in a long assault earlier this year, but large numbers of Palestinians had moved back to escape another Israeli offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city, Rafah.
The evacuation came as Israel released the director of what was once Gaza’s largest hospital after holding him for seven months without charge or trial. Israel alleged the hospital had been used as a Hamas command center, which he and other Palestinian health officials have denied. The doctor said he and other detainees were held under harsh conditions and tortured.
The decision to release Mohammed Abu Selmia raised questions over Israel’s claims surrounding Shifa Hospital, which Israeli forces have raided twice since the start of the war with Hamas. The hospital was left severely damaged after the raids.
Abu Selmia’s release triggered an uproar across Israel’s political spectrum. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called it “a grave mistake.” Government
ministers and opposition leaders expressed outrage and insisted Abu Selmia played a role in Hamas’ alleged use of the hospital—although Israeli security services rarely unilaterally free prisoners if they have a suspicion of militant links.
Khan Younis evacuation
MONDAY’S evacuation order covered the eastern half of Khan Younis and a large swath of the Gaza Strip’s southeast corner. Earlier in the day, the army said a barrage of rockets out of Gaza was fired from Khan Younis.
As night fell, streams of civilians trudged on foot beside a steady flow of vehicles as people began making their way out of the evacuation zone. A woman dragged a rolling suitcase with a little girl riding on top. Others carried a few crucial belongings—mattresses, clothing, plastic buckets for washing, and an electric fan. Trucks were piled high with possessions and furniture.
“We received a message on our mobile phones” to evacuate, said one displaced woman Zeinab Abu Jazar, holding back tears. “Look at these children, how they walk. We did not find a car to ride in.”
Israel told people to move to Muwasi, a coastal area designated by the Israeli army as a safe zone and which has become filled with crowded and unsanitary tent camps.
The order suggested a new assault into Khan Younis was imminent. Israeli forces fought for weeks in Khan Younis earlier this year and withdrew, claiming to have destroyed Hamas battalions. But in other places where the military has made similar claims,
renewed raids have underscored Hamas’ capabilities.
Last week, the military ordered an evacuation from the north Gaza district of Shijaiyah, and intensive fighting has followed.
Netanyahu said Monday that the military was “making progress toward ending the phase of the destruction of Hamas’ terror army.” But he said forces will continue to “target their remains going forward.”
More fighting in the Khan Younis area could further hamper Palestinians’ access to much-needed potable water. Included in the evacuation zone is a water line that Israel installed following criticism over its cutoff of water to the strip early in the war.
Also in the zone is the area surrounding the Kerem Shalom crossing, the major aid crossing to southern Gaza, and an aid route inside the territory that Israel has said it would safeguard.
Most of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have fled their homes, with many displaced multiple times. Israeli restrictions, fighting and the breakdown of public order have hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid, fueling widespread hunger and sparking fears of famine.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the new evacuation order “just shows yet again that no place is safe in Gaza” for Palestinian civilians. “It’s another stop in this deadly circular movement that the population in Gaza has to undergo on a regular basis,” he said in a statement calling for a cease-fire.
Shifa Hospital director’s release THE decision to release Abu Selmia and 54 other Palestinian detainees back into Gaza appeared to be meant to free up space in overcrowded detention centers. Since the start of the war, Israeli
forces have detained thousands of Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Many are being held without charge or trial in what is known as administrative detention.
“Our detainees have been subjected to all kinds of torture behind bars,” Abu Selmia told a news conference. “There was almost daily torture.”
He said guards used batons to beat detainees and terrorized them with dogs. He said some detainees had limbs amputated because of poor medical care. He said a beating caused his head to bleed and guards broke his finger.
The allegations could not be independently confirmed but matched other accounts of Palestinians who have been held in Israeli custody. There was no immediate response from the prison service, which has denied similar accusations.
Israeli forces raided Shifa Hospital in November, alleging that Hamas had created an elaborate command and control center inside. Abu Selmia and other staff denied the allegations and accused Israel of recklessly endangering thousands of patients and displaced people sheltering there. Abu Selmia was detained on November 22.
After its first raid on Shifa Hospital, the military uncovered a tunnel beneath it leading to two empty rooms, as well as evidence that militants had brought wounded hostages to the facility. But the evidence fell short of showing an extensive base as claimed. Israel has since raided other Gaza hospitals on similar allegations, forcing them to shut down or dramatically reduce services.
Amid the uproar over Abu Selmia’s release, the various Israeli state organs responsible for detentions scrambled to shift blame.
Netanyahu’s office said Abu Selmia “belongs in prison” and that the prime minister had ordered a thorough review into how the release happened. It said the decision was made “without the knowledge of the political echelon or the heads of the organizations.”
Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s farright national security minister who controls the country’s police and prison service, blamed the Defense Ministry.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s office said prisoner releases are the responsibility of the prison service and the Shin Bet internal security agency. The prison service said the decision was made by the Shin Bet and the army, and released a document ordering his release that was signed by an army reserve general. The Shin Bet said Abu Selmia had passed a risk assessment, “compared to other detainees.” It said the government had decided against its advice to release detainees determined to be less of a threat to free up space.
Israel launched its offensive after Hamas’ October 7 attack, in which Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people across southern Israel and took another 250 hostage. In its campaign, Israel has killed at least 37,900 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many were civilians or fighters.
Magdy reported from Cairo and Frankel from Jerusalem. The Associated Press correspondent Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.
Haiti’s gang violence displaced 300,000 children, UNICEF says
By Coral Murphy Marcos The Associated Press
AN JUAN, Puerto Rico—
SGang violence in Haiti has displaced more than 300,000 children since March, the UN children’s agency said Tuesday as the Caribbean country struggles to curb killings and kidnappings. Children are more than half of the nearly 580,000 people who have become homeless in the last four months. The spike in violence began in late February after a series of coordinated attacks on key
government infrastructure eventually led Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign in April.
“The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes is tak-
ing a devastating toll on children,” Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director, said in a statement.
“Displaced children are in desperate need of a safe and protective
environment, and increased support and funding from the international community.”
Gangs now control at least 80% of the capital Port-au-Prince and the key roads leading in and out of it, with more than 2,500 people killed or injured across the country in the first three months of the year, according to the UN
Many children are living in makeshift shelters, including schools that are in poor hygienic conditions, placing them at risk of disease. School closures are also leading to a higher dropout rate.
The agency said children in Haiti are being forced to join violent gangs to survive as they often lack access to food, health care, clean water and sanitation. Displaced children and teenagers in Haiti also face a higher risk of sexual assault, exploitation, abuse and family separation, according to UNICEF.
The announcement comes days after hundreds of Kenyans arrived in Haiti to help rescue the country from the tight hold of armed gangs. The deployment received mixed reactions after a UN peacekeeping mission years ago introduced cholera in the country and was tainted with sexual allegations.
On Monday, US Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer met with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille to discuss the initial deployment of the UN-backed mission to Haiti. Finer reminded Conille of the United States’ strong support for accountability and oversight mechanisms as part of mission.
Haiti is also bracing for a strong hurricane season, which started earlier than usual. A tropical storm watch was in effect for Haiti’s southern coast as Hurricane Beryl moved into the Caribbean Sea.
A SERVER ladles soup into a container as children line up to receive food at a shelter for families displaced by gang violence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on March 14, 2024. Gang violence in Haiti has displaced over 300,000 children since March, according to a new report from the UN children’s agency released late Tuesday, July 2, as the Caribbean country struggles to curb killings and kidnappings. AP/ODELYN JOSEPH)
Ukraine taps prison inmates to bolster depleted ranks in war against Russia
By Vasilisa Stepanenko, Evgeniy Maloletka & Derek Gatopoulos
The Associated Press
NIPROPETROVSK RE -
DGION, Ukraine—At a rural penal colony in southeast Ukraine, several convicts stand assembled under barbed wire to hear an army recruiter offer them a shot at parole. In return, they must join the grueling fight against Russia.
“You can put an end to this and start a new life,” said the recruiter, a member of a volunteer assault battalion. “The main thing is your will, because you are going to defend the motherland. You won’t succeed at 50 percent, you have to give 100 percent of yourself, even 150 percent.”
Ukraine is expanding the draft to cope with acute battlefield shortages more than two years into fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion. And its recruiting efforts have turned, for the first time, to the country’s prison population.
Although Ukraine does not announce any details of troop deployment numbers or casualties,
frontline commanders openly acknowledge that they are facing serious manpower problems as Russian continues to build up forces in eastern Ukraine and make incremental gains westward.
More than 3,000 prisoners already have been released on parole and assigned to military units after such recruitment was approved by parliament in a controversial mobilization bill last month, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told The Associated Press.
About 27,000 inmates could potentially be eligible for the new program, according to Justice Ministry estimates.
“A lot of the motivation comes from (inmates) wanting to return home a hero, and not to return home from prison,” Vysotska said.
Ernest Volvach, 27, wants to take up the offer. He’s serving a two-year sentence for robbery, at the penal colony in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region. He works in the kitchen, ladling dollops of food into tin bowls.
“It’s stupid to sit here doing nothing,” Volvach said, adding
UN adopts Chinese resolution with US support on closing gap in access to artificial intelligence
By Edith M. Lederer The Associated Press
NATIONS—The
NITED
UUnited Nations General Assembly adopted a Chinesesponsored resolution with US support urging wealthy developed nations to close the widening gap with poorer developing countries and ensure that they have equal opportunities to use and benefit from artificial intelligence.
The resolution approved Monday follows the March 21 adoption of the first U.N. resolution on artificial intelligence spearheaded by the United States and cosponsored by 123 countries including China. It gave global support to the international effort to ensure that AI is “safe, secure and trustworthy” and that all nations can take advantage of it.
Adoption of the two non-binding resolutions shows that the United States and China, rivals in many areas, are both determined to be key players in shaping the future of this powerful new technology— and have been cooperating on these first important international steps.
The adoption of both resolutions by consensus by the 193-member General Assembly shows widespread global support for their leadership on the issue.
China’s U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong told reporters Monday that the two resolutions are complementary, with the US measure being “more general” and the just-adopted one focusing on “capacity building.”
He called the Chinese resolution, which had over 140 sponsors, “great and farreaching,” and said, “We’re very appreciative of the positive role that the US has played in
this whole process.”
Fu said AI technology is advancing extremely fast and the issue has been discussed at very senior levels, including by the US and Chinese leaders.
“We do look forward to intensifying our cooperation with the United States and for that matter with all countries in the world on this issue, which...will have far-reaching implications in all dimensions,” he said.
The Chinese ambassador, however, strongly criticized the US Treasury Department’s proposed rule, announced on June 21, that would restrict and monitor US investments in China for artificial intelligence, computer chips and quantum computing.
“We are firmly opposed to these sanctions,” Fu said. China doesn’t believe the rule will be “helpful to the healthy development of the AI technology per se, and will, by extension, divide the world in terms of the standards, and in terms of the rules governing AI.” He called on the US to lift the sanctions.
The Chinese resolution calls on the international community “to provide and promote a fair, open, inclusive and nondiscriminatory business environment,” from AI’s design and development to its use. Fu said China doesn’t think the US actions foster an inclusive business environment.
Both the US and Chinese resolutions focus on the civilian applications of AI, but Fu told reporters the military dimension of artificial intelligence is also very important.
“We do believe that it is necessary for the international community to take measures to reduce the dangers and the risks posed by the development of AI,” he said.
that since the start of the war he’s wanted to “do something for Ukraine” and have the opportunity to enlist. “Now it’s appeared.” Ukrainian soldiers on active duty are typically identified only by their first name, or a call sign, for security reasons. Many of the inmates at the Dnipropetrovsk penal colony also asked to be identified only by their first names to
avoid difficulties if they enlist.
Another inmate, 30, who gave his name only as Volodymyr, makes rivets at a penal colony workshop. He said he plans to volunteer after his sentence ends in one year, but wouldn’t do so now because there’s effectively no home leave under the parole program.
Prisoners can get the conditional release after an interview,
medical exam, and a review of their conviction. Those convicted of rape, sexual assault, murdering two or more people or crimes against Ukraine’s national security aren’t eligible.
Ukrainian officials are keen to draw a distinction between their program and recruitment in Russia of convicts to serve in the notorious Wagner mercenary group. Those fighters typically have been funneled to the deadliest battles, the officials say, but the Ukrainian program aims to integrate the inmates into regular Ukrainian frontline units.
The country has a prison population of some 42,000, according to figures forwarded by the government to the European Union.
While recent reforms have reduced the number of prisoners and are credited with improving conditions at some facilities, the US State Department noted credible reports of “degrading treatment or punishment” by prison authorities in its annual report on human rights last year.
After screening, paroled inmates are rushed to basic training at camps
where they learn how to handle weapons and other combat fundamentals. Training is completed later once they join the individual units.
Paroled inmate Mykhailo joined an assault course and said it was hard to keep up with the physical demands after months of relative inactivity in prison—clambering in and out of armed personnel carriers and running through obstacle courses.
“I decided to sign up for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army because I have a family at home, children, parents,” the 29-yearold said, speaking over the noise of gunfire at a shooting range. “I will be more useful in the war.” Vysotska, the deputy justice minister, said interest in the military parole program has exceeded early expectations, and that it could provide as many as 5,000 new recruits. “That would definitely help,” she said.
Gatopoulos reported from Kyiv. Volodymyr Yurchuk in the Dnipropetrovsk region and Dmytro Zhyhinas in Kyiv contributed to this report.
Trump says he can end the Russia-Ukraine war in 1 day. Russia’s UN ambassador says he can’t
By Edith M. Lederer
The Associated Press
NITED NATIONS—Don -
Uald Trump has said repeatedly he could settle the war between Russia and Ukraine in one day if he’s elected president again. Russia’s United Nations ambassador says he can’t.
When asked to respond to the claim from the presumptive Republican nominee, Vassily Nebenzia told reporters Monday that “the Ukrainian crisis cannot be solved in one day.”
At a CNN town hall in May 2023, Trump said: “They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done — I’ll have that done in 24 hours.” He said that would happen after he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. And he keeps repeating the claim on the campaign trail.
During last week’s debate with President Joe Biden, Trump claimed, “If we had a real president, a president that knew — that was respected by Putin ... he would have never invaded Ukraine.”
Nebenzia said the war could have ended in April 2022 in Istanbul when Russia and Ukraine were “very close” to an agreement.
Moscow invaded its neighbor two months earlier on Feb. 24, 2022, though Russia insists its “special military operation” began in 2014 after clashes in Ukraine’s east resulted in Moscow seizing the Crimea Peninsula.
The Russian ambassador blamed Ukraine’s Western backers for blocking the April 2022 peace deal and telling Kyiv to keep fighting Russia.
Now, he said, Zelenskyy “is running around with his so-called peace plan which, of course, is not a
Lawsuit accuses Iran, Syria and North Korea of providing support for Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack
By Jennifer Peltz & Jon Gambrell
The Associated Press
EW
NYORK—Victims of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel sued Iran, Syria and North Korea on Monday, saying their governments supplied the militants with money, weapons and know-how needed to carry out the assault that precipitated Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, seeks at least $4 billion in damages for “a coordination of extrajudicial killings, hostage takings, and related horrors for which the defendants provided material support and resources.”
Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined to comment on the allegations, while Syria and North Korea did not respond.
The United States has deemed Iran, Syria and North Korea to be state sponsors of terrorism, and Washington has designated Hamas as what’s known as a specially designated global terrorist.
Because such countries rarely abide by court rulings against them in the United States, if the lawsuit’s plaintiffs are successful, they could seek compensation from a fund created by Congress that allows American victims of terrorism to receive payouts. The money comes from seized assets, fines or other penalties
leveled against those that, for example, do business with a state sponsor of terrorism.
The lawsuit draws on previous court findings, reports from US and other government agencies, and statements over some years by Hamas, Iranian and Syrian officials about their ties. The complaint also points to indications that Hamas fighters used North Korean weapons in the October 7 attack.
But the suit doesn’t provide specific evidence that Tehran, Damascus or Pyongyang knew in advance about the assault. It accuses the three countries of providing weapons, technology and financial support necessary for the attack to occur.
Iran has denied knowing about the October
7 attack ahead of time, though officials up to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have praised the assault. Iran has armed Hamas as a counter to Israel, which the Islamic Republic has long viewed as its regional archenemy.
In the years since the collapse of Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran and Israel have been locked in a shadow war of attacks on land and at sea. Those attacks exploded into the open after an apparent Israeli attack targeting Iran’s embassy complex in Damascus, Syria, during the Israel-Hamas war, which sparked Tehran’s unprecedented
peace plan but a joke.” While meeting in Switzerland last month, nearly 80 countries called for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end the war. But some key developing nations did not join in and Russia did not attend the conference.
Zelenskyy, who has vowed not to give up any territory, rejected what he called an ultimatum by Putin to surrender more land. The Trump campaign didn’t immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment about Nebenzia’s remarks.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian forces thwarted their drive to the capital. Much of the fighting has been focused in Ukraine’s south and east, where Moscow illegally seized four regions, although it doesn’t fully control any of them. But Ukraine is still struggling to stabilize parts of its front line after desperately needed military assistance from the United States was delayed for months before being approved in April. And Russia took advantage of the Ukrainian weapons shortage to launch an offensive and has made gains.
Nebenzia called Zelenskyy’s peace formula “a nonstarter” and said he needs to be “realistic” and take into account what’s happened since April. The more difficult the situation becomes for Ukraine on the ground, he warned, the more difficult diplomacy will become to end the war.
Nebenzia pointed to Putin’s offer on June 14 to “immediately” order a cease-fire in Ukraine and start negotiations if Kyiv begins withdrawing troops from the four regions annexed by Moscow in 2022 and renounces plans to join NATO.
PRISONERS stand behind the fence in the barrack’s yard in a prison, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine on June 21, 2024. Ukraine is expanding its military recruiting to cope with battlefield shortages more than two years into fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion.
AP/EVGENIY MALOLETKA
IN this photo provided by the United Nations, Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation, and President of the Security Council for the month of July, briefs reporters on the program of work of the Security Council, at the United Nations on Monday, July 1, 2024.
July 3, 2024
NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP/S)
Notice is hereby given that the following employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s.
College Graduate, preferably 1year experience in the similar field, Speaks and write fluently
WANG, KAI
Chinese Customer Service Representative
Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.
Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.
ZHOU, XIANG
Chinese Customer Service Representative
Brief Job Description:
Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.
HSUEH, YEN-PAN Director
Brief Job Description:
Responsible for developing and qualifying environmental, functional and reliability test programs to continually monitor and improve products, establishes and maintains annual plans and systems for measuring necessary aspects of organizational performance, Monitors, measures and reports on organizational development plans and achievements
Basic Qualification:
College Graduate, preferably 1year experience in the similar field, Speaks and write fluently (Native Language)
Salary Range:
Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Basic Qualification:
College Graduate, preferably 1year experience in the similar field, Speaks and write fluently (Native Language)
Salary Range:
Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Basic Qualification:
Complete a Bachelor degree, Strong working knowledge of performance and all operations management. Familiarity with industry regulations and quality standards. Solid computer skills, including Microsoft office and relational databases and software. Exceptional Communication and public speaking skills, must be able to communicate especially English. Outstanding leadership and organizational skills computer collaborator and skilled cross functional communicator
Salary Range:
Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Basic Qualification:
XIAO, SHOUQIANG
Chinese Customer Service Representative
Brief Job Description:
Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries
XU, MENGDA
Chinese Customer Service Representative
Brief Job Description:
Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries
CHEN, QIUCHENG
Chinese Customer Service Representative
Brief Job Description:
Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries
Able to speak, read and write Chinese language
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Basic Qualification:
Able to speak, read and write Chinese language
Salary Range:
Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Basic Qualification:
Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language
Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries
NEDY LIU
Indonesian Customer Service Representative
Basic Qualification:
Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Indonesian language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Indonesian language
Covelandia Road, Binakayan, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite STEVEN
Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification:
WINDY WIJAYA
Indonesian Customer Service Representative
Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Indonesian language
Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Indonesian language
Landmark ruling: Supreme Court shields former presidents from criminal charges
By Mark Sherman The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court on Monday ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, extending the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss and all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.
In a historic 6-3 ruling, the court’s conservative majority, including the three justices appointed by Trump, narrowed the case against him and returned it to the trial court to determine what is left of special counsel Jack Smith’s indictment.
Trump celebrated a “BIG WIN” on X. President Joe Biden said the justices set “a dangerous precedent (that) undermines the rule of this nation.”
The ruling reflected a muscular view of presidential power, and left dissenting judges to criticize it as undermining a core democratic principle that no person is above the law.
The court’s decision highlighted how the justices have been thrust into an impactful role in the November presidential election. Earlier, they had rejected efforts to bar him from the ballot because of his actions following the 2020 election. The court last week also limited an obstruction charge faced by Trump and used against hundreds of his supporters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The split among the justices also in many ways mirrored the political divide in the country.
“Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power entitles a former president to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. “And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.”
The chief justice insisted that the president “is not above the law.” But in a fiery dissent for the court’s three liberals, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, “In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.”
Reading from her opinion in the courtroom, Sotomayor said, “Because our Constitution does not shield a former president from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, dissent.” Sotomayor said the decision “makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law.”
The protection afforded presidents by the court, she said, “is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.”
Trump posted in all capital letters on his social media network shortly after the decision was released: “BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”
Biden, in evening remarks from the White House, cited accepted restraints on presidential power all the way back to George Washington and bemoaned that “for all practical purposes, today’s decision almost certainly means that there are virtually no limits on what a president can do.”
Smith’s office declined to comment on the ruling.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer
denounced the ruling as “a disgraceful decision,” made with the help of the three justices that Trump appointed.
“It undermines SCOTUS’s credibility and suggests political influence trumps all in our courts today,” the New York Democrat said on X. The justices knocked out one aspect of the indictment. The opinion found Trump is “absolutely immune” from prosecution for alleged conduct involving discussions with the Justice Department.
Trump is also “at least presumptively immune” from allegations that he tried to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to reject certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s electoral vote win on Jan. 6, 2021. Prosecutors can try to make the case that Trump’s pressure on Pence still can be part of the case against him, Roberts wrote.
The court directed a fact-finding analysis on one of the more striking allegations in the indictment -- that Trump participated in a scheme to enlist fake electors in battleground states won by Biden who would falsely assert that Trump had won. Both sides had dramatically different interpretations as to whether that effort could be construed as official, and the conservative justices said determining which side is correct would require additional analysis at the trial court level.
Roberts’ opinion further restricted prosecutors by prohibiting them from using any official acts as evidence in trying to prove a president’s unofficial actions violated the law. One example not relevant to this case but which came up in arguments was the hypothetical payment of a bribe in return for an ambassadorial appointment.
Under Monday’s decision, a former president could be prosecuted for accepting a bribe, but prosecutors could not mention the official act, the appointment, in their case.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who joined the rest of Roberts’ opinion, parted company on this point. “The Constitution does not require blinding juries to the circumstances surrounding conduct for which Presidents can be held liable,” Barrett wrote.
She also described as unnecessary the analysis of the fake electors claim. “I see no plausible argument for barring prosecution of that alleged conduct,” Barrett wrote.
The work of figuring out how to proceed will fall to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who would preside over Trump’s trial.
Trump still could face a trial, said Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller. “But the fact remains that it is almost impossible to happen before the election.”
David Becker, an election law expert and the executive director of the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research, called the breadth of immunity granted to Trump “incredibly broad” and “deeply disturbing.”
“Almost anything that a president does with the executive branch is characterized as an official act,” he said on a call with reporters following the ruling. He said that “for any unscrupulous individual holding the seat of the Oval Office who might lose an election, the way I read this opinion is it could be a roadmap for them seeking to stay in power.”
The ruling was the last of the term, and it came more than two months after the court heard arguments, far slower than in other epic high court cases involving the presidency, including the Watergate tapes case.
Lawsuit accuses Iran, Syria and North Korea of providing support for Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack
Continued from A7
drone-and-missile attack on Israel in April.
Neighboring Syria has relied on Iranian support to keep embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad in power amid a grinding civil war that began with the 2011 Arab Spring protests. Like Iran, Syria also offered public support for Hamas after the October 7 attack.
North Korea denies that it arms Hamas. However, a militant video and weapons seized by Israel show Hamas fighters likely fired North Korean weapons during the October 7 attack.
South Korean officials, two experts on North Korean arms and an Associated Press analysis of weapons captured on the battlefield by Israel point toward Hamas using Pyongyang’s F-7 rocket-propelled grenade, a shoulder-fired weapon that fighters typically
The Republican former president has denied doing anything wrong and has said this prosecution and three others are politically motivated to try to keep him from returning to the White House.
In May, Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a felony, in a New York court. He was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment made during the 2016 presidential election to a porn actor who says she had sex with him, which he denies. After Monday’s ruling, Trump’s lawyers asked the New York judge who presided over that trial to set aside his conviction and delay his sentencing. He still faces three other indictments. Smith is leading the two federal inquiries of the former president, both of which have led to criminal charges. The Washington case focuses on Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election after he lost to Biden. The case in Florida revolves around the mishandling of classified documents. A separate case, in Georgia, also turns on Trump’s actions after his defeat in 2020.
If Trump’s Washington trial does not take place before the 2024 election and he is not given another four years in the White House, he presumably would stand trial soon thereafter. But if he wins, he could appoint an attorney general who would seek the dismissal of this case and the other federal prosecution he faces. He could also attempt to pardon himself if he reclaims the White House. He could not pardon himself for the conviction in state court in New York.
The Supreme Court that heard the case included three justices appointed by Trump—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Barrett—and two justices who opted not to step aside after questions were raised about their impartiality.
Thomas’ wife, Ginni, attended the rally near the White House where Trump spoke on Jan. 6, 2021, though she did not go the Capitol when a mob of Trump supporters attacked it soon after. Following the 2020 election, she called the outcome a “heist” and exchanged messages with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, urging him to stand firm with Trump as he falsely claimed that there was widespread election fraud. Justice Samuel Alito said there was no reason for him to step aside from the cases following reports by The New York Times that said flags similar to those carried by the Jan. 6 rioters flew above his homes in Virginia and on the New Jersey shore. His wife, Martha-Ann Alito, was responsible for flying both the inverted American flag in January 2021 and the “Appeal to Heaven” banner in the summer of 2023, he said in letters to Democratic lawmakers responding to their recusal demands. Before the Supreme Court got involved, a trial judge and a three-judge appellate panel had ruled unanimously that Trump could be prosecuted for actions undertaken while in the White House and in the run-up to January 6. Chutkan ruled against Trump’s immunity claim in December. In her ruling, Chutkan said the office of the president “does not confer a lifelong ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ pass.”
The Associated Press writers Lindsay Whitehurst, Alanna Durkin Richer, Eric Tucker, Stephen Groves, Farnoush Amiri, Michelle Price and Ali Swenson contributed to this report.
use against armored vehicles.
The lawsuit specifically cites the use of the F-7 grenade in the attack as a sign of Pyongyang’s involvement.
“Through this case, we will be able to prove what occurred, who the victims were, who the perpetrators were—and it will not just create a record in real time, but for all of history,” said one of the attorneys, James Pasch of the ADL, also called the Anti-Defamation League. The Jewish advocacy group frequently speaks out against antisemitism and extremism. Hamas fighters killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250 during the October 7 attack. Israel invaded Gaza in response. The war has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It doesn’t say how many were civilians or fighters.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of over 125 plaintiffs, including the estates and relatives of people who were killed, plus people who were physically and/or emotionally injured. All are related to, or are themselves, US citizens. Under US law, foreign governments can be held liable, in some circumstances, for deaths or injuries caused by acts of terrorism or by providing material support or resources for them. The 1976 statute cited in the lawsuit, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, is a frequent tool for American plaintiffs seeking to hold foreign governments accountable. In one example, a federal judge in Washington ordered North Korea in 2018 to pay $500 million in a wrongful death suit filed by the parents of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who died shortly after being released from that country.
Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP writers Courtney Bonnell and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed.
Revitalizing agriculture: Embracing innovation and modern farming methods
ApopulAR folk song composed by Felipe de leon many decades ago is still relevant today.
“Magtanim Ay ‘Di Biro” depicted the hardships faced by Filipino farmers. Some scholars said the lyrics of the Tagalog song referred to rice cultivation, with farmers bending over and being submerged in flooded fields for hours to plant their crop.
While technology has grown by leaps and bounds, the Philippines remains unable to maximize the advantages presented by these developments to significantly raise agricultural output. Based on official government data, the sector’s contribution to gross domestic output—the sum of all goods and services produced within a country’s borders—has been shrinking in recent years. From double digits a decade ago, the contribution of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to GDP has fallen to a single digit and reached only 8.6 percent in the first quarter, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
This may have been in the minds of policymakers, particularly those in the Department of Agriculture, which recently declared that it will embrace “innovative farming methods.” The businessas-usual scenario is no longer feasible and will not help the cause of the administration to increase food production and enable the country to achieve food security. It is only with the help of technology and other scientific advancements that the Marcos administration can deliver on its promise to make food affordable for all Filipinos.
Policymakers must hasten efforts to modernize the sector considering that our farmers are aging fast (See, “DA to embrace innovative farming methods,” in the BusinessMirror, July 1, 2024). The average age of Filipino farmers is pegged at 56 years old, which means droves of young planters must go into farming to revitalize the sector. Encouraging them to go into agriculture, however, would require more than emotional appeals and rhetoric about the need to feed more than 110 million Filipinos three times a day, which would translate to around 330 million meals per day. Apart from investing in mechanization, farm-to-market road and other postharvest facilities, the state should consider looking into other initiatives that would change the perception about agriculture that it entails backbreaking labor for little remuneration. Malaysia, which has been plagued by labor shortages in recent years, is currently tinkering with automation and robots (See, “Robots are stepping into one of Asia’s dirtiest farm jobs,” in the BusinessMirror, July 1, 2024). Top palm growers in Malaysia understand that perfecting the robots and deploying them at a commercially viable scale will take years, but they are pressing ahead, according to a Bloomberg report.
Malaysian firm SD Guthrie has started using machines to take over non-harvesting jobs like spraying pesticide or monitoring fruit and yields. Another plus for its automation push is that women were encouraged to join a traditionally male-dominated workforce, as the robots help with backbreaking tasks like lifting 30-kilogram fruit bunches and loading them into trucks. There are other best practices that our policymakers can adopt to make farming profitable and finally change the perception about agriculture and inspire the youth and the next generation of farmers to sing a different tune.
Workers are our most valuable assets
TTHE BUILDER
hE philippines is on the cusp of achieving upper middleincome country (uMIc) status, a significant milestone that could unlock new business opportunities. The World Bank acknowledged that the strong economic growth could propel the country to this status within a couple of years.
Reaching UMIC status would be an economic turning point. Multinational companies are expected to view the Philippines as a more attractive market once we reach the income threshold.
A country needs a minimum gross national income per capita of around $4,500 to be considered UMIC. The Philippines’ GNI per capita was estimated at $3,950 in 2023. With a sustained 6-percent annual growth and a stable exchange rate, the Philippines could achieve its goal in the next couple of years, joining the likes of Malaysia and Thailand in Southeast Asia.
Our northern neighbors Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are already considered high-income countries, while China is widely acknowledged the world’s second largest economy. For the Philippines, becoming a UMIC, therefore, is a long time coming.
Beyond the economic status, being a UMIC would be an acknowledgement of the Filipino workers’ perseverance and resilience despite the numerous challenges we faced since World War 2, when the race towards industrialization among then newly-emancipated Asian countries
F(Circulation) 893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news.businessmirror@gmail.com www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com Printed by brown madonna Press, Inc.–Sun Valley Drive KM-15, South Superhighway, Parañaque, Metro Manila
from their colonizers began.
However, true progress extends beyond income brackets. The World Bank’s Human Capital Review highlights a crucial area for development: investing in our people. While the Philippines boasts of a young and engaged workforce, significant gaps exist in education, healthcare and skills training compared with regional peers.
“Catching up with these peers will require more and better investments in human capital across the life cycle,” the bank says. The Philippines performs lower than its regional peers and the average UMIC across all six subcomponents of the human capital index (HCI), except for expected years of schooling.
Per World Bank Country Director Ndiamé Diop, the Philippines should “catch up with upper middle-income countries not just in income, but also in access to quality education, healthcare, quality jobs and effective social protection, all of which are crucial for maximizing productivity.”
The World Bank assigned the Philippines an HCI of 0.52, indicating that a child born in 2020 could only achieve 52 percent of his or her
By Samy Adghirni, Ania Nussbaum & Jenny Che
REnch president Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance and the left-wing new popular Front are weighing whether to pull candidates from the second round of the legislative election on Sunday to keep the ascendant far right out of power.
Marine Le Pen’s National Rally and its allies dominated the first round of voting Sunday, locking up 33.2% of the vote, according to interior ministry figures. The New Popular Front got 28 percent and Macron’s coalition got 20.8 percent. Le Pen’s margin of victory was smaller than some polls and indicated. That, together with the news that mainstream parties were exploring ways to lock her group out of power, drove an initial market rally before investor optimism about the outcome began to fade. Winning an absolute majority
of seats in the second round would hand the premiership to National Rally President Jordan Bardella and assure the party’s ability to easily pass legislation. Traditionally, France’s mainstream has banded together to keep the far right— which has never held power in the modern French republic—out of government.
“I believe the National Rally can win the election Sunday with an absolute majority,” Bardella told BFM Television on Monday. “I plan on putting together a government of national unity, based on this
The latest World Bank report serves as a wake-up call. While economic growth is commendable, it’s our people who are our most valuable asset. By prioritizing human capital development, we can unlock the Philippines’ full potential and pave the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future.
potential productivity by age 18. This falls short of Vietnam (0.69), Malaysia and Thailand (0.61) and Indonesia (0.54) as well as the regional UMIC average of 0.56.
These figures underscore the need for increased investment in education, training and healthcare. The government should prioritize investments in its people, alongside infrastructure development, to create a healthier, stronger and more productive workforce.
We have a relatively young labor force with a median age of 25 years, giving us the advantage of demographic dividend where workers comprise a large part of the whole population.
Our labor participation rate, or the proportion of people at least 15 years old who are working or actively looking for work, is about 65 percent.
We need to make sure our workers get the education and training they need to become more effective and productive in the workplace.
A skilled labor force would also bolster the growth of various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing and services. Data show the services sector now accounts for more than 60 percent of our GDP and is the main economic and employment growth driver.
Even though Macron’s presidency isn’t formally at stake—and he’s said he has no plans to resign— Sunday’s result indicates it’s likely he’ll either have to share governing responsibilities with Le Pen’s group or manage a parliament that is basically gridlocked.
absolute majority, to carry out the recovery project that I presented to the country.” In wake of the results, France’s CAC 40 index jumped in early trading before then paring gains. French bonds outperformed German peers, putting the yield spread between the two on track to close at the tightest level in two weeks. The euro gained as much as 0.6 percent, the biggest intraday jump since mid-June.
The rise of business process outsourcing, professional services and tourism has employed millions of Filipinos. The tourism sector, in particular, saw the fastest expansion in 2023.
The tourism industry’s recent boom exemplifies the power of a skilled workforce. With Filipinos excelling in hospitality and service roles, the sector directly contributes over 8 percent to our GDP and employs millions.
Per the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), tourism’s contribution to the economy grew from 6.4 percent in 2022 to 8.6 percent in 2023. Tourism’s direct gross value added amounted to P2.09 trillion in 2023, a 48-percent increase from 2022. This marks the highest growth rate since data collection began in 2000. The Philippines also sends skilled tourism workers overseas to man hotels, resorts and cruise ships. We are among the largest sources of healthcare professionals, seafarers and construction workers. About 10 million Filipinos live and work overseas, remitting more than $30 billion to the Philippines annually. The amount fuels household spending in the country and supports the growth of banking, transportation, education and other sectors. The latest World Bank report serves as a wake-up call. While economic growth is commendable, it’s our people who are our most valuable asset. By prioritizing human capital development, we can unlock the Philippines’ full potential and pave the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future.
Markets have been in turmoil since Macron called the snap election on June 9. The extra yield investors demand to hold 10-year French bonds over safer German debt rocketed to more than 80 basis points, levels last seen during the euro area’s sovereign debt crisis. The euro fell to its lowest since early May.
The French political world is now embarking on an intense two-day period of horse-trading as each party tries to maximize its chances in the final ballot next weekend.
“The lesson of today is that the far right is at the gates of power,” French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told supporters Sunday night. “Our objective is clear: to prevent the National Rally from having an absolute majority.” The far-right party and its allies won outright or made it to the See “Macron,” A15
Mark Villar
The elephant in the room: The Meralco refund ruling
By Atty. Marciano G. Delson
MY former student asked my opinion about the recent ERc decision on the Meralco refund application. Having been assured that there is no pending case on the matter, I hereby oblige, as a teacher must.
Under the ePIRA, the eRc has the responsibility of ensuring a reasonable price of electricity and operational efficiency by establishing and enforcing a methodology for setting transmission and distribution wheeling rates and retail rates of a distribution utility, taking into account all relevant considerations enumerated in the law. Meralco is subject to the Performance Based Regulation (PBR) rate-setting methodology set by the eRc , which requires a regulatory reset process prior to the start of a regulatory period. It appears that due to the non-completion of the reset process and the subsequent failure to comply with the publication requirement for the modified Rules for setting Distribution Wheeling Rates (RDWR) to govern distribution utilities under the PBR for the 4th regulatory period, a void was created in the rate-setting process from July 2015 to November 2020. t his is referred to as the “l apsed Period” because the period ended with no rules becoming effective. BIG PROBleM! Without the rules for the 4th regulatory period, Meralco filed an application on June 11, 2015 (eRc case No. 2015-112Rc) for an Interim Average Rate (IAR) of P1.3939/kWh, which the eRc reduced to P1.3810/ kWh in its provisional approval. On June 16, 2022, the eRc , after several hearings, decided to lower the IAR to P1.3522/kWh and mandated that this revised IAR shall be implemented as the final distribution rate for the period July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2022.
In December 2020, Meralco also filed an application (eRc case No. 2020-043 Rc) for the approval of a refund scheme where it proposed to true-up and compare its Actual Weighted Average tariff (AWAt ) as against the approved IAR.
Meralco offered to refund the difference to its customers. In a Decision dated June 16, 2022, but promulgated on July 5, 2022, the eRc approved the application and directed Meralco to refund the additional amount of P21,769,496,221.00 to its customers covering the period July 2015 to June 2022. On the whole, the decision favored Meralco consumers a refund of more than P40 billion.
In recently denying the Motions for Reconsideration, the energy Regulatory commission (eRc) stressed that as a quasi-judicial body, it exercised its general rate-setting authority and the power to act on applications (like Meralco’s AWAt application) under the ePIRA and its IRR. t his is in light of the lack of applicable rules that would govern the l apsed Period. It also highlighted compliance with due process by conducting public hearings where stakeholders were given the opportunity to be heard and to present their evidence. Interventions filed on behalf of the consuming public were also allowed. Interestingly, the c hairperson and one commissioner dissented, resulting to a 3-2 voting by the eRc en banc. t he honorable chairperson stressed that the eRc ’s rate-setting authority “must flow from a set of rules by which the regulated entity can formulate its proposed rates”. Under normal circumstances, this would have been the set-up. Yet, the commission was in an abnormal situation due to its failure to conduct a regulatory reset process that would have resulted to the ratesetting rules applicable to the lapsed period. Must the eRc instead dismiss Meralco’s AWAt application on the justification that it failed to issue the applicable rules for the 4th regulatory period and therefore, Meralco had
The devastating impact of illicit trade and all forms of smuggling
IMeralco offered to refund the difference to its customers. In a Decision dated June 16, 2022, but promulgated on July 5, 2022, the ERC approved the application and directed Meralco to refund the additional amount of P21,769,496,221.00 to its customers covering the period July 2015 to June 2022. On the whole, the decision favored Meralco consumers a refund of more than P40 billion.
no basis in establishing its rates? Was it not more logical for the commission to resort, as it did, to its broad regulatory powers under the ePIRA, which partakes of the nature of delegated police power? Besides, quasi-judicial bodies have the implied power to formulate its own rules in resolving controversies brought before it. In other jurisdictions, agencies are even allowed to apply, to an extent necessary and appropriate, a similar or most relevant rule in the absence of a specific governing rule. t he eRc would have failed miserably as a regulatory body, if it did not act on the AWAt application. t he dissent suggests that the eRc should have instead considered the AWAt application as a rule-making petition and incorporated Meralco’s proposal into the Revised RDWR that was issued in 2021. however, the idea of formulating a rule to govern a regulatory period that already lapsed may not only violate non-retroactivity of rules, but more significantly, it also conflicts with the principles of the PBR scheme. t his could adversely affect regulatory stability, efficiency, and the broader interests of stakeholders in the electric power industry. t he PBR regime is designed to foster efficiency and stability within the regulatory framework of the electric power industry. It aims to ensure that the regulatory environment is predictable and conducive to investment, thereby promoting the development of a reliable and economically efficient power supply. While there may be exceptions to the rule on prospectivity, the retroactive application of rules in the instant case will necessarily disrupt the established expectations of stakeholders, including investors, utility companies, and consumers, which can deter investment in the sector that is crucial to ensure affordable electricity.
If Meralco did not voluntarily submit itself for “regulation” by filing its AWAt application, the eRc may not have been given the opportunity to resolve the issues arising from the lack of rate-setting rules during the lapsed period, until prescription would have set in. Speculatively speaking, there may be a possibility for Meralco to have been ordered to refund more than the P40 billion had a different course been adopted. Yet, considering possible legal challenges, the adverse effects of the unreasonable delay on the regulatory environment, and the chance that the different course may never happen, there is great wisdom in the eRc decision granting the refund scheme of Meralco. At the end of the day, the decision provided a timely breathing space by alleviating the effects of the pandemic on the people. It is always better to have an actual refund, although not as big as others would have expected, than to expect a big refund that will not actually happen.
Atty.
MAKE SENSE
llIcIt trade, encompassing activities such as smuggling, hoarding, cartel formation, price fixing, counterfeit goods, and fake medicine, poses a grave threat to the Philippine economy and its consumers. these unlawful practices not only undermine legitimate businesses but also jeopardize public health and safety. Recognizing the urgent need to address this issue, the Fight Illicit trade and the Federation of Philippine Industries have joined forces to organize a National Anti-Illicit trade Summit at the Manila Hotel. this summit aims to facilitate collaboration between government regulators and the private sector in order to save the Philippine economy and put an end to illicit trade.
The economic toll Ill Ic I t trade inflicts significant damage on the Philippine economy in various ways. It erodes government revenues, hampers investment, stifles innovation, and undermines fair competition. t he smuggling of goods, for instance, has a huge economic toll on the Philippines. Recent studies reveal that the country faces an annual influx of goods worth approximately P2.3 trillion due to both outright smuggling and technical smuggling. t hese illicit activities not only result in massive revenue losses of approximately P250 billion for the government. t his revenue shortfall limits the government’s ability to fund vital public services, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. It is commendable that President Marcos has acknowledged the severity of the smuggling problem and expressed his commitment to taking legal action against smugglers during his recent State-of-the-Nation Address.
Furthermore, illicit trade distorts market dynamics by creating an uneven playing field. l egitimate businesses that abide by laws and regulations face unfair competition from those involved in illicit activities. t his unfair competition discourages local and foreign investments, hindering economic growth and job creation.
While it may not be immediately apparent, even media companies are susceptible to the negative impacts of smuggling activities. t his is because smuggling undermines industries that rely on advertising their products and services. Smugglers, for understandable reasons, do not engage in any advertising whatsoever. As a result, media companies that depend on advertising revenue from legitimate businesses can suffer when those businesses are affected by the presence of smuggling operations.
Consumer consequences
t he adverse effects of illicit trade extend beyond the economy and impact Filipino consumers directly. counterfeit goods and fake medicines, which often flood the market through illegal channels, put con-
Macron
continued from A14
second round in 485 districts out of 577. t heir candidates came first or were elected in 297 of them, according to Franceinfo radio.
In more than half of districts, three people got through to the run-off. In those situations, the third-placed candidate can withdraw to boost the chances of another mainstream party defeating the National Rally.
t he deadline for filing papers for the second round is 6 p.m. on tuesday, and at that point the picture will become clearer.
Jean- l uc Melenchon of the New Popular Front, an alliance of leftwing parties, said that he would encourage third-placed candidates from his group to withdraw, while Macron himself released a statement calling for “a broad, clearly democratic and republican alliance
The National Anti-Illicit Trade Summit organized by the Fight Illicit Trade and the Federation of Philippine Industries provides a crucial platform for stakeholders to collaborate and devise effective strategies. By addressing the economic and consumer consequences of illicit trade, this summit seeks to safeguard the Philippine economy, protect consumers, and pave the way for sustainable growth and development.
the Philippine economy and protecting consumers.
sumers at significant risk. counterfeit and substandard products undermine consumer trust and compromise their safety. t hese substandard products may cause serious harm, putting consumers’ health and well-being at stake.
Fake medicines, in particular, pose a serious threat to public health. t hey often contain incorrect ingredients, rendering them ineffective or even harmful. t he consumption of such counterfeit drugs can lead to treatment failures, drug resistance, and, in extreme cases, fatalities. Protecting consumers from these hazardous products should be a top priority for the government and private sector.
Combating illicit trade
t he Fight Illicit trade (Fight I t ) and the Federation of Philippine Industries recognize the urgency of tackling illicit trade and its detrimental impact on the economy and consumers. t he National Anti-Illicit trade Summit at the Manila hotel on July 25, 2024 serves as a platform for key stakeholders to come together and collaborate on effective strategies to combat this menace.
By fostering cooperation between government regulators and the private sector, this summit aims to strengthen law enforcement and regulatory frameworks. It seeks to enhance information sharing, intelligence gathering, and cross-border cooperation to identify and dismantle illicit trade networks. Additionally, the summit will focus on raising public awareness about the risks associated with counterfeit goods and fake medicines, empowering consumers to make informed choices. Illicit trade exacts a severe toll on the Philippine economy and the well-being of consumers. t he Fight I t and the Federation of Philippine Industries have taken a commendable step by organizing the National Anti-Illicit trade Summit. t his summit provides a vital platform for collaboration between government regulators and the private sector, with the shared goal of safeguarding
for the second round.”
Macron’s Renaissance party said it would pull third-placed candidates to help those who respect “the values of the republic” beat the far right.
t hat’s the catch though—Melenchon’s France Unbowed has proposed a raft of spending that would flout european Union budget rules and potentially alarm investors.
So it’s not clear whether Macron’s party will withdraw in races where the far left would benefit.
French Finance Minister Bruno l e Maire was among those saying he would not call for voters to pick France Unbowed candidates in the second round. Macron’s first prime minister, e douard Philippe, has also said no votes should go to Melenchon’s party.
“France Unbowed is a danger for the nation, the National Rally is a danger for the republic—you don’t choose one danger in favor of another,” l e Maire said on France
c. Vulnerability to fraud: Illicit trade also exposes consumers to various forms of fraud, such as online scams, counterfeit currency, and identity theft. t hese fraudulent activities can have long-lasting financial and personal consequences for individuals.
3. What the National Anti-Illicit trade Summit wants to achieve:
a. collaborative approach: t he Fight Illicit trade and the Federation of Philippine Industries recognize the need for a united front in combating illicit trade. t heir collaboration brings together government regulators and private sector representatives, fostering cooperation and the exchange of expertise to develop comprehensive solutions.
Addressing illicit trade requires a multi-faceted approach involving robust legislation, effective enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and international cooperation. By working together, stakeholders can disrupt illicit trade networks, restore fair competition, protect public health, and ensure a prosperous future for the Philippines. It is essential that all sectors unite to “Save the Philippine economy and stop illicit trade” for the benefit of the nation and its citizens.
The Ill Effects of Illicit Trade
1. Economic repercussions:
a. Government revenue loss: Illicit trade, particularly smuggling, deprives the government of substantial tax revenues. t his loss hampers the government’s ability to invest in critical infrastructure projects, social services, and development programs.
b. Job market impact: Illicit trade undermines legitimate businesses, leading to reduced employment opportunities. t he presence of counterfeit goods and smuggled products often results in market distortions, hampering the growth of local industries and causing job losses.
c. Discouraging foreign investment: Illicit trade creates an unfavorable business environment, deterring foreign investors from entering the Philippine market. t his lack of investment can hinder economic growth, technological advancements, and the transfer of knowledge and skills.
2. Consumer harm:
a. health and safety risks: c ounterfeit goods, such as fake medicines, pose significant health and safety risks to consumers. t hese products often bypass quality control measures and may contain hazardous materials, endangering the wellbeing of unsuspecting buyers.
b. economic exploitation: Illicit trade drives up the prices of genuine products by flooding the market with cheap counterfeit alternatives. consumers who unknowingly purchase counterfeit goods may face financial losses due to the inferior quality and shorter lifespan of these products.
Inter radio Monday. “In politics you have to take positions of principle, not of circumstances.”
In an early sign that Macron’s team is seeking to build alliances with the left, the prime minister decided Sunday evening to suspend the implementation of an unpopular change to unemployment insurance. t he government had said the plans would encourage people into work by paring back the generosity of welfare, but opposition parties widely criticized the move at a time when joblessness has risen. e ven though Macron’s presidency isn’t formally at stake – and he’s said he has no plans to resign – Sunday’s result indicates it’s likely he’ll either have to share governing responsibilities with l e Pen’s group or manage a parliament that is basically gridlocked.
An absolute majority by the National Rally would set up Bardella to become prime minister in a powersharing arrangement called cohabi-
b. Strengthening regulatory frameworks: t he summit aims to enhance existing laws and regulations, making them more effective in combating illicit trade. By addressing gaps in legislation and enforcement, the authorities can better prevent, detect, and prosecute those involved in illicit activities.
c. Public awareness and education: t he summit emphasizes the importance of raising public awareness about the risks associated with counterfeit goods and fake medicines. educating consumers about the telltale signs of illicit trade can empower them to make informed choices and avoid potentially harmful products.
t he National Anti-Illicit trade Summit provides a crucial platform for stakeholders to collaborate and devise effective strategies. By addressing the economic and consumer consequences of illicit trade, this summit seeks to safeguard the Philippine economy, protect consumers, and pave the way for sustainable growth and development.
t he National Anti-Illicit trade Summit is being held in direct response to President Marcos’ strong stance against illicit trade, particularly smuggling. h is pronouncements have emboldened us to take action, and we believe his presence as keynote speaker will further solidify our collective commitment to fighting this destructive force that undermines the Philippine economy.
I have dedicated a significant amount of time to the crusade against smuggling, and we applaud President Marcos’ unwavering commitment to combating this issue. We wholeheartedly support his efforts to create a better Philippines, including his initiatives to attract foreign investment. l et us stand united behind President Marcos as he works tirelessly to improve the Philippine economy and the lives of all Filipinos.
Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade; a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.
tation—when the president and premier are from different parties. Bardella has sought to reassure voters that he will take a responsible approach to economic policy, while offering little in the way of detail. t he National Rally opposes most of Macron’s priorities, from migration and pension reform to strengthening the eU, and investors would prefer gridlock. t he party has said that it won’t lead the next government unless it has full control of the legislature. If alliances forming to block l e Pen from absolute power start to look credible, French markets would likely recover, according to Kathleen Brooks, research director at X t B. “A hung parliament could make it hard to get anything done in France in the current parliament, which is exactly what the markets would like,” she said. With assistance from William Horobin, Rachel Evans, Blaise Robinson and Aline
Marciano Delson is currently the Dean of the San Beda University College of Law.
Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza
Oyamada/Bloomberg
A16 Wednesday, July 3, 2024
DTI LAUNCHING NATIONAL AI STRATEGY ROADMAP, CAIR
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), will launch the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy Roadmap 2.0 (NAISR 2.0) and the Center for AI Research (CAIR) on July 3 as the government aims to harness artificial intelligence’s “transformative potential” in boosting the Philippine economy.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Trade department said the NAISR 2.0, which builds upon the foundation laid by the first AI roadmap in 2021, “incorporates” recent technological advancements, including Generative AI.
“This recalibrates the strategic actions, considering recent developments, and addresses emerging themes such as ethics and governance,” the DTI said.
Meanwhile, the Center for AI Research (CAIR) is seen to play a “pivotal role in leveraging AI’s transformative potential to address societal and industrial challenges, stimulate economic growth, and promote inclusive development.”
According to DTI, CAIR’s mission is to transform the Philippines into a premier destination for AI-driven innovation and investments.
In fact, DTI said the center for AI research will create AI solutions for “regional concerns” particularly on sustainable agriculture, urban planning and disaster resilience. It added that “CAIR hopes to establish the Philippines as a leader in multiple AI application areas.”
For instance, DTI said that
through technological innovation, multidisciplinary and crossdisciplinary research and the development of full-time research scientists, engineers, and R&D personnel, the research center aims to promote “socioeconomic” R&D, improve scientific knowledge, and strengthen the competitiveness of science and technology in the country while balancing and ensuring “responsible” AI adoption to improve public services and the lives of Filipinos.
According to DTI, the groundbreaking launch planned for Wednesday marks the establishment of the first AI hub in the Philippines.
This hub will house “pioneering” AI experts who will be spearheading the Center’s goals.
“The event will unveil the pioneering CAIR team and mark the Center’s official commencement of operations,” said DTI.
At the launch, the Trade department said an exchange of ideas is expected through a panel session on “Balancing AI Innovation and Responsible AI Adoption,” where leaders in AI from various sectors will discuss trends, considerations and opportunities of AI.
Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said DTI “commits to working towards a future where innovation thrives, businesses flourish, and the lives of Filipinos are transformed.”
DTI said the NAISR 2.0 and CAIR present an opportunity for the government, academia, and industry to continue collaborating and guarantee that Filipinos will reap the most benefits from these AI advancements. Andrea E. San Juan
Angara a perfect choice, but faces heavy burden as new Education chief
THE health secretary, lawmakers and business groups on Tuesday hailed President Marcos Jr’s selection of Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara as the new Education Secretary, calling it a perfect choice for a sector in crisis, but said he had a lot on his plate because of this.
“We thank President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for his excellent choice in the next leader of our partner DepEd,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement.
“Health and Education are natural partners in the development of our nation. The prevention and control of disease as well as the promotion of wellness begins in the hearts and minds of our children,” Herbosa said. Health literacy, he stressed, is needed for Universal Health Care to succeed, and the campaign needs a good leader in education.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) was not too happy, though: the DepEd Secretary should ideally be an educator or someone from the academic sector with public school teaching experience, it said.
Nonetheless, the group acknowledged President Marcos’s prerogative to appoint Angara as the new DepEd Secretary, succeeding Vice President Sara Duterte effective July 19, 2024. They also presented critical areas that they said require Angara’s immediate attention: Support legislation proposing salary increases for teachers; Implement the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670) welfare provisions; Provide mandatory legal support for teachers facing charges while on
Manila, Beijing cooperating on drive vs organized crime
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla & Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
IN a display of cooperation amid continuing tensions over their maritime dispute, the Philippines and China have vowed to strengthen their partnership against transnational criminal activities, especially those linked to the illegal Pogo operations.
Both countries made the commitment during the “fruitful” meeting of Executive Secretary and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Lucas P. Bersamin with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, where they discussed the government’s ongoing crackdown against illegal offshore gambling.
The Commission noted in a report to media on Monday that the Chinese embassy has maintained open communication channels
duty; Incorporate discipline enforcement into the child protection policy; Implement DepEd Orders No. 2 and 5, s. 2024, addressing administrative task reduction and overtime pay for teachers; Reform the GSIS or establish a separate insurance system for teachers; Simplify the employee performance rating system by abolishing the RPMS and provide comprehensive, free training for teachers; Expedite the promotion system, particularly for senior high school teachers, and implement the career progression policy outlined in EO 174; Address resource shortages, including classrooms, instructional materials, and support personnel such as guidance counselors, librarians, health workers, and other non-academic staf; and Revise the curriculum to align with our sociocultural context and reinstate Philippine history in high school.
House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro and House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas challenged Angara “to hit the ground running and immediately address the education crisis in our country as well as the long-standing demands of teachers and education support personnel.”
with authorities in their campaign against illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo), which victimized foreign nationals, including some Chinese, and were perpetrated by foreigners—many of them also Chinese.
“China expressed its appreciation for the recent action taken by the Philippine law enforcement authorities to counter illegal offshore gambling and to rescue several Chinese nationals,” PAOCC said in a statement on Tuesday.
China wants to enhance cooperation with the Philippines in its antigambling campaign, which will allow the “exchange of expertise, intelligence sharing, and collaborations,” between law enforcement agencies of the two countries, the statement said.
Beijing has repeatedly aired its plea for Manila to stop allowing Pogo operations because gambling is prohibited in China, and the Pogos victimize many of their countrymen.
“The strengthened cooperation between China and the Philippines sends a clear message to criminal syndicates operating across borders that their malicious activities will not be tolerated nor allowed to undermine the security and stability of these nations,” PAOCC said.
There was no mention in the PAOCC statement on whether the June 17, Ayungin incident, wherein Chinese Coast Guard personnel deliberately attacked a Philippine resupply vessel, was discussed.
The dialogue between Bersamin
and Huang happened after it was recently revealed that Bamban, Tarlac City Alice Guo has the same fingerprint as Guo Hua Ping, a Chinese national who entered the country on January 12, 2003. Guo is now facing human trafficking charges from the Department of Justice for alleged involvement in an illegal Pogo hub in Bamban, Tarlac and a possible misrepresentation case from the Commission on Elections for falesely claiming she is Filipino in her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the 2022 polls. Guo is suspected of being either a Chinese spy or a member of a Chinese criminal syndicate.
PAOCC files more raps
MEANWHILE , PAOCC on Monday led the filing of various criminal charges against two Chinese nationals in connection with the illegal activities inside a Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga.
“We urge the new secretary to face the challenges and problems of the K-12 program head-on and overhaul the system. The program has been fraught with issues since its implementation, and it’s high time for a comprehensive review and necessary reforms,” Castro asserted. Continued
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized a private yacht used to transport 1.4 tons of methamphetamine, commonly known as shabu, worth P9.68 billion in Nasugbu, Batangas.
The yacht carried the illicit drugs confiscated at a police checkpoint in Alitagtag, Batangas on April 15, 2024, according to the BOC on Tuesday.
Subsequent investigation by the BOC, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency ( PDEA ), revealed three additional undocumented private yachts. All these belong to the same person linked to the drug haul, the BOC added.
The BOC issued a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) on
June 27, 2024, against the subject vessels for transporting smuggled drugs in violation of Section 1113 (Property Subject to Seizure and Forfeiture) of Republic Act (RA) 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
The private yachts are currently docked in Nasugbu, Batangas, the BOC said.
Pursuant to Customs Administrative Order No. 10-2020 “Seizure and Forfeiture Proceedings and Appeals Process,” the BOC said the private yachts will be turned over to the Port of Manila (POM) Auction and Cargo Disposal Division.
Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had tasked the BOC to ensure the country’s
borders are secure, trade is lawful and the communities are safe.
“In response, we have launched a series of comprehensive initiatives aimed at dismantling drug smuggling, among others, through eradicating customs fraud,” Rubio added.
Rubio assured the public the BOC continues to collaborate closely with international partners, law enforcement agencies and other government bodies to ensure “coordinated and effective responses.”
“Their efforts have already yielded significant results, and we are confident that with continued vigilance, we will disrupt and dismantle these criminal operations,” Rubio added.
In April, high-quality shabu worth P13.3 billion was seized in
Alitagtag, Batangas, the biggest drug haul in a single local drug bust operation.
Marcos Jr. said that his administration will continue to intensify its campaign against drug trafficking and prosecute the people behind such activities. He added that there is no “silver bullet” for solving the drug problem. (See:https:// businessmirror .com.ph/2024/04/16/ shabu-haul-shows-success-ofbloodless-drug-war/).
The BOC has so far intercepted P19.284 billion worth of illegal drugs, including marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy pills, since the start of the Marcos Jr. administration in July 2022.
CELEBRATING ASIAN GREATNESS Filipino honorees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award were feted on July 2 for their distinct contributions to improving millions of lives since the “Nobel Prize of Asia” was established 65 years ago. The recognition event coincided with the formal launch of the seven-volume book “Celebrating Greatness of Spirit,” which chronicles the awardees’ singular achievements throughout the RMA's existence. In her keynote, Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation member of the board of trustees and the first-ever female secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia
Domingo-Albert (inset) extolled the 65 Filipino laureates for their “service to humanity” since the RMA was established in 1957---just six weeks after the untimely demise of the Philippine president for whom the award was named after. MIKE POLICARPIO
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Salary
211. TRUONG THI NGOC HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service
Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.
Unit 801 & 904 Orient Square, Don F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center,
260. CHIGARA, FRANCIS ZEZI SIMBA Project Manager
Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing the comprehensive geological/ geotechnical design review process and ensuring the quality of project output. Basic Qualification: Civil Engineer.
261. MULMEE, MAHESOR RAJ Project Manager
Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing the comprehensive geological/ geotechnical design review process and ensuring the quality of project output.
Basic Qualification: Civil Engineer. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and
262. PEH QING LI (BAI QINGLI) Project Manager
Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing the comprehensive geological/ geotechnical design review process and ensuring the quality of project output.
263. PRADHAN, JEETENDRA MAN Project Manager
Brief Job Description: Entrusted with leading the onsite team and providing supervision to ensure smooth project execution.
STEC PHILS. INC. Unit 1505 Richville Corporate Tower, Alabang-zapote Road Mbp Ayala, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa
Brief Job Description: Managing and developing digital marketing campaigns. Research, analyze and identify target market. Conducts promotional activities.
TOSHIBA (PHILIPPINES), INC.
278. ZHANG,
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
B1 Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Meralco gets 1,220MW offered supply capacity
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) received six offers for the supply of its 400 megawatts (MW) of mid-merit requirement.
“By yesterday’s deadline to express interest to participate in the 400MW mid-merit CSP [Competitive Selection Process], Meralco’s BAC [Bids and Awards Committee] received an aggregate offered capacity of 1,220MW from six interested bidders,” said Meralco utility economics head Lawrence Fernandez via Viber.
With mid-merit power supply, the gap between baseload and peaking plants is filled. Baseload supply is mostly sourced from coal power plants that must run 24-hours a day while peak power is required when demand is at its highest.
Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Regulatory Management
Jose Ronald V. Valles earlier said the CSP involves a 15-year power supply agreement (PSA), which is targeted to start on August 26, 2025.
“This is open to brownfield or greenfield,” the Meralco official said.
Meanwhile, the Power for People Coalition (P4P) has filed a petition at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) seeking to deny Meralco’s power supply contracts with four fossil fuel plants. The organization believes granting the contracts will result to more expensive electricity.
Meralco earlier initiated a bidding process that awarded contracts worth three gigawatts (GW) to fossil fuel plants.
“The terms of these power contracts are unfavorable to consumers and small businesses,” P4P Convenor
Gerry Arances was quoted as saying in a statement. “Everyone loses except big power players.”
Corporate greed
THE contracts allegedly allow the plants to automatically pass on fuel costs to consumers, which is against the “least-cost” provision of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira).
“This is precisely what Sanlakas [party-list organization] warned about two decades ago when Congress railroaded Epira under the guise of preventing another energy crisis,” said Sanlakas SecretaryGeneral Atty. Jose Aaron M. Pedrosa Jr. “Privatization inspires corporate greed and these contracts are further proof that these generation companies will willingly throw consumers under the bus to protect their bottom lines.”
The P4P and Sanlakas argued that the terms of the contracts are anti-competitive in the first place, deliberately keeping out renewable energy projects from entering.
According to Pedrosa, the terms of reference of the contracts set energy requirements, technical parameters and minimum capacity offers “that clearly favor big fossil fuel players.”
“That’s already too many red flags for the ERC to ignore,” he added.
Arances said they are asking the ERC to “reject these contracts as part of their responsibility of
protecting the public.” “Otherwise, they will condemn a new generation of consumers to 15 years or more of expensive power,” he added.
Claims ‘baseless’
HOWEVER, Meralco has rejected the “baseless” claims made by the P4P that its power supply contracts are unfavorable to consumers.
The privately-owned utility firm said “it is committed to sourcing the least-cost available supply through, among others, the conduct of a transparent CSP.”
“We strictly observe and follow the requirements and standards set by the government, which includes securing prior approval from the Department of Energy (DOE) of our Power Supply Procurement Plan and the corresponding Terms of Reference (TOR) of the CSPs,” according to Meralco.
In addition, these TORs also considered suggestions of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson before they were published,” Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said.
Ultimate goal
ZALDARRIAGA explained that the CSP involving the 1,200MW baseload PSA was awarded to South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC) after it submitted the lowest bid of P7.0718 per kilowatthour (kWh). SPPC’s bid bested the P7.1006 per kWh offer of the joint venture of Limay Power Inc. and San Roque Hydropower Inc. for 150MW capacity. SPPC also bested the bid by First Natgas Power Corp. of P8.4489 per kWh, which was deemed non-compliant as the offer went beyond the reserve price set for the bidding.
For the 1,800-MW CSP, Meralco
MPTC fortifies SEA expansion goal
METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is set to significantly enhance its infrastructure portfolio with a major investment in Indonesia’s Trans-Java Toll. Through a partnership with Singaporean institutional investor GIC, the Filipino expressway operator acquired a 35-percent stake in the Jasamarga Transjawa Tol (JTT) through a $1-billion investment.
With this investment, MPTC’s total road network now stands at 1,130 kilometers, spanning the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
“This deal fortifies MPTC’s goal to expand in Southeast Asia and enhance our infrastructure portfolio. This expansion in Indonesia aligns well with our commitment to improve our regional presence in toll road operations,” MPTC President and CEO Rogelio L. Singson said.
JTT comprises a network of 13 toll roads stretching 676 kilometers across West Java, Central Java, and East Java. This network, often referred to as Indonesia’s crown jewel, facilitates the movement of 850,000 vehicles daily on Java Island, Indonesia’s economic powerhouse. Singson added that the investment will enable JTT to raise capital, maintain a healthy leverage level, and continue expanding its toll road networks across Indonesia.
MPTC and GIC invested in PTT through PT Margautama Nusantara (MUN) and PT Metro Pacific Tollways Indonesia Services (MPTIS).
In 2023, GIC acquired a 33-percent stake in MUN for $209.9 million, reducing MPTC’s stake in MUN to 60.3 percent.
secured the best bids from three generation companies. GNPower Dinginin Co. Ltd., Mariveles Power Generation Corp. and Excellent Energy Resources Inc. offered P6.8580 per kWh (300 MW), P6.9971 per kWh (300MW) and P7.1094 per kWh (1,200MW), respectively.
“The CSPs involve an open and competitive process with the ultimate goal to secure the lowest bid from qualified generation companies, with no preferential treatment,” Zaldarriaga said. “Thus, the allegations that contracts emanating from CSPs are anti-competitive have no basis.”
Previous CSPs of Meralco are also proof of transparency as these are required to comply with the policies of the DOE and rules of the ERC.
“We would like to assure our customers that all power supply contracts resulting from our CSPs undergo a strict review and approval from the ERC before being implemented to ensure that rates are fair and reasonable,” Zaldarriaga said.
More facilities to rise in Villar City’s next development step
BILLIONAIRE Manuel B. Villar Jr. said last Tuesday his company is launching the next phase of development for the 3,500-hectare Villar City in the southern part of Metro Manila.
“One year after we launched Villar City, we are now firming up plans for two golf courses, a church, an events arena, a prestigious university, an integrated entertainment complex, a partnership with a renowned hospital, and more road networks to cut travel time across Cavite and Metro Manila, among other features. These components will be spread throughout Villar City to cater to the evolving needs not only of today’s market but also those of the next generation of homeowners,” Villar said.
The businessman added this new phase marks his commitment to sustain the development of Villar City, an emerging, expansive megalopolis that connects 15 towns and cities across Metro Manila and Cavite.
Launched in August last year, this massive integrated development is envisioned to become a thriving community where economic, lifestyle, cultural and leisure activities will converge.
Rising amid 10 million trees, 100 cafes and verdant pocket parks, the community will feature modern districts including a CBD, a Tech Valley, university town, and a premier lifestyle hub, along with leisure and recreational facilities meant to nurture health and well-being.
“We carefully selected the different components that will be included in Villar City to ensure that future residents and workers will get to live in a safe and healthy, yet modern and complete environment, where they can be near nature, have access to lush open spaces, walk around the community freely, while still enjoying top tier facilities, leisure hubs and other recreational options, all in an interconnected area,” Villar said.
The golf courses, arena, and integrated entertainment complex with a casino will provide avenues for residents and guests to relax, unwind or stay active, the company said. The university and hospital will meanwhile ensure convenient access to premier education and topnotch medical facilities, respectively, without needing to go out of this expansive community.
HSBC served as the joint financial advisor to MPTC and the sole financial advisor to GIC for
the transaction. BCA Sekuritas acted as the joint financial advisor to MPTC.
Aim for explosive growth
AS a sales leader, your goal is not to simply grow. Ultimately, your aim is to achieve explosive growth! This is the phase where your team is growing by leaps and bounds in terms of business size—number of people, production and monetary contribution. Simply put, explosive growth is what separates champions from occasional winners. But how do you achieve this? Here are four tips to successfully attain explosive growth.
Go back to basics
IN this day and age, most organizations tend to dive into highlyautomated processes and solutions. Leaders also often adopt “new techniques” in the belief that in order to change the outcome, one must change how things are done. Unfortunately, while this principle holds water, its bucket is usually filled with holes. What I suggest is for sales leaders to go back to basics. That’s right. Just go back to the basic skills and principles, and stick with it. In most cases, you will find that it’s more practical, efficient and effective. However, it needs getting used to, but I’m sure that you and your team can do it.
Consciously lead leaders
Sk ILLS and processes are indeed essential. But in order to make these processes work, you need to consciously recruit leaders into your team. As a sales leader, you need to develop yourself as a leader of leaders. Remember, sustained leadership is the key ingredient to explosive growth. So always be on the lookout for leaders, and learn
to act like a magnet that attracts leaders into your team.
Continuously push forward A LWAYS push forward. Achieving explosive growth is not done in a day—you accomplish this on a daily basis. And that’s why you need to continuously move forward, no matter how difficult and challenging it may be. Consistency in doing the basics while leading leaders will surely get you closer to your goal. As the saying goes, do what the clock does—move.
Reward your team
I WILL not sugarcoat it—achieving explosive growth is not a walk in the park. It is challenging and in most cases, very difficult. Nevertheless, it is achievable. And that is why you need to reward your team every time you reach certain milestones. This will keep your team energized and motivated to push forward, anytime, every time.
Explosive growth is what every sales leader aspires for. Once you achieve this, it may catapult your career towards the pinnacle of leadership, where you get to stand among those who excelled not just in business, but in nation-building. Can you actually do this? Why not?
Alexey Rola Cajilig is the President of ARCWAY Consultancy Inc., Executive Director of ARC DOCENDI, and Senior Vice President & Chief Operations Officer of EM-CORE DOTNET Inc. He is a Sales Leadership Coach, Strategic Sales Operations Consultant, Christian Motivational Speaker, Human Ecologist and Author of The Effective Seller. He is also the creator of ARCH Styles, a behavioral and personality assessment tool. If you have questions and suggestions, you may send an e-mail to alexey.cajilig@gmail.com.
FedEx moves to help SMEs enter China, Japan markets
TCustomer ‘TLC’ rekindles cooking gas biz in Zambales
By Henry Empeño
CASTILLEJOS, Zambales—Despite the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of the Hanjin shipbuilding facility in Zambales, business is picking up again for this cooking gas dealership, thanks to unmatched customer service that builds and continues to deliver brand loyalty to this enterprise.
Cherylle Raguini, who owns five of the 10 stores selling the Brent Gas and Superkalan Gaz brands in Zambales, says the secret formula is quality product, consistent availability, and the “tender loving care” her team lavishes on customers, big or small.
“We are the pioneer LPG store in terms of free delivery, aside from the fact that the franchise is packaged as a convenience store which is open 12/7. We only close shop on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Holy Thursday and Good Friday,” Raguini said.
“But more than these, we really go out of our way to grow loyal customers—we give them our own brand of TLC. We do safety check every delivery if the household allows us; conduct safety seminars in barangays to educate consumers on safety; and also do after-sales services like stove cleaning and safety test,” she added.
Raguini, who once worked as community organizer after the Mount Pinatubo eruption devasted Zambales and nearby provinces, had since leveraged her understanding of the needs of the community going forward.
In June 2013, she opened her first store in this town, the so-called bedroom community for thousands of workers in the Hanjin shipyard at the nearby Redondo Peninsula, a part of Subic, Zambales.
Despite the existence of estab -
lished brands, Raguini chose to open up a Brent Gas franchise seeing that it can potentially hold a candle to big competitors.
“Brent Gas, formerly PR Gaz, was packaged like a convenience store for LPG and LPG-related merchandise— with a uniform look for stores and delivery vehicles, and smart-looking uniforms for personnel. And because it’s a franchise, there is an operating system already in place, and the investment package is also attractive for small entrepreneurs like us,” Raguini explained.
The following year, she added three more stores in the neighboring towns of San Narciso, San Marcelino, and then San Felipe. The fifth store, in Subic town, was opened eight years later, in 2022.
The main market, of course, was the community of housewives, whom the Brent Gas team interacts with by conducting safety seminars and community cooking festivals.
“They make the most loyal customers,” Raguini pointed out. “They stay with our brand because of the quality of our products and services, and we’ve built a durable relationship with them through the years. We are, after all, with them in one of the most important aspects of their daily life: food and how it is prepared.”
“Our heyday was during the Hanjin years, when most of our stores were selling an average 35 to 45 tanks per day,” Raguini recalled. “There was
a significant decrease in sales after Hanjin pulled out of the Subic Freeport, and then the pandemic came.
That further reduced our sales as household, the bulk of our market, lost income and had to make do with using firewood or charcoal for fuel.”
Another pandemic scourge was the surge in colorum LPG brands.
“These were also eating at our bottom line,” Raguini revealed.
At that time of the pandemic, sales went down to a low of 15 tanks per day, she recalled.
With the revival of the local economy post-Covid, Brent Gas is regaining market strength, selling an average of from 25 to 40 tanks per store per day. “We’re not yet back to
the Hanjin heydays, but we’re getting closer,” Raguini enthused.
Right now, Raguini’s five Brent Gas stores are staying with their niche market, the households, which consume the 11-kilogram tank bestsellers, while eyeing potential market among food businesses and big farms that may favor the bigger 50-kilogram cylinders.
One other product that shows a lot of promise, Raguini said, is the 2.7-kilogram tank that is mostly used as a reserve. She said more and more of these units are being bought by campers, transient workers and students, and “viajeros”—drivers and delivery personnel who cook their meals on the road.
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
HE Federal Express Corp.
(FedEx) announced last Monday having launched two new cross-border e-commerce handbooks designed to help Filipino small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand their reach into the lucrative markets of China and Japan.
These handbooks “leverage FedEx’s extensive e-commerce expertise and local insights” to provide essential guidance for navigating the Chinese and Japanese markets, which stand as the largest e-commerce markets in the Asia Pacific region.
“Finding new customers in international markets is a smart approach for SMEs wanting to drive consumer and revenue growth. Digital channels lower the barriers for market entry, but the best business strategies are underpinned by smart, local market insights. That’s critical in sectors like e-commerce which move incredibly quickly,” FedEx Asia Pacific President k awal Preet said.
The handbooks cover key aspects such as geographic consumer insights, offering detailed overviews of consumer landscapes to help businesses target areas with high buyer potential.
They also include analysis of top e-commerce product categories to identify competitive and underserved sectors, information on local
e-commerce platforms to help merchants achieve maximum engagement, and insights into consumer preferences for marketing strategies such as livestreaming, short videos, and social commerce.
The handbooks also highlight significant shopping events like Chinese Valentine’s Day, Singles Day, and Golden Week, and provide details on preferred payment methods and delivery preferences in each market.
“China and Japan are strategically important markets in the APAC region. We’ve built our local knowledge based on our decades-long operations which is a critical component of the e-commerce experience. We’re also integrated in platforms and processes to provide a seamless experience for both merchants and consumers. That gives us a unique viewpoint on the latest local knowhow to help e-tailers operate more effectively,” Preet said.
Maribeth Espinosa, managing director of FedEx Philippines, said the handbooks aim to “empower our customers to expand their reach, optimize operations, and achieve sustainable growth by leveraging our extensive market knowledge and integrated solutions.”
“As the global e-commerce landscape evolves, there are vast opportunities for Filipino businesses to tap into the lucrative markets of China and Japan, which offer unparalleled opportunities with their robust consumer base and high demand for diverse products,” Espinosa added.
DTI, TikTok team up for Camp Asenso to drive MSME growth in robust digital marketplace
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its MSME Development Group (MDG), has partnered with TikTok Shop Philippines to propel Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into the digital age with the “Camp Asenso” learning session.
Held at the DTI head office on June 24 and 25, the learning session attracted a significant number of participants with 380 MSMEs attending both onsite and online. This overwhelming response underscores the MSMEs’ eagerness and readiness to embrace digital innovation and expand their reach.
The two-day program equipped MSMEs with practical knowledge and skills to leverage TikTok Shop for business growth in the thriving digital marketplace. Experts from TikTok Shop shared valuable insights on maximizing the platform’s features, along with a mock live selling session demonstrating effective marketing and product selling techniques.
As part of “Camp Asenso,” participants received comprehensive seller kits from TikTok to kickstart their live selling journeys. These kits included essential tools such as mini tripods, mini light-emitting diode (LED) lights, portable
microphones, microphone clips, learning modules, notebooks, pens, and stickers. Equipped with these resources, MSME participants can produce high-quality content, connect with a wider audience, and unlock their e-commerce potential.
DTI-MSME Development Group Undersecretary Cris A. Roque emphasized the learning session’s significance in empowering MSMEs for sustainable growth.
“Let’s seize the opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together. With the strengths of TikTok and the unwavering support of the DTI, we can propel our
businesses to new heights,” she stated, encouraging participants to fully engage in the learning opportunities presented by “Camp Asenso.”
Heeding the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for a “Bagong Pilipinas,” this initiative is part of the DTI’s goal to elevate enterprises and entrepreneurs. The DTI achieves this through various initiatives, including upskilling programs, digitalization efforts, and industry development projects aimed at increasing competitiveness and fostering business growth.
Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug
Brent Gas entrepreneur Cherylle raguini (center) in a community cookfest with housewives, the brand’s major clients
Brent Gas team conducts a safety demonstration in a barangay plaza
Brent Gas entrepreneur Cherylle raguini (left) with her store staff in Castillejos, Zambales
DOF to support initiatives of UK, UN-funded climate finance group
By Reine Juvierre Alberto
THE Department of Finance
(DOF) pledged to support the initiatives of the Climate Finance Network (CFN) in the Philippines and its intergovernmental solutions for climate finance, disaster risk financing and insurance and sustainable finance coordination.
The DOF, as the lead facilitator for CFN initiatives in the country, spearheaded a hybrid roundtable discussion to integrate climate change into public financial management and increase access to climate finance.
“As climate finance remains an emerging area of focus, we leverage the expertise of each agency so we can amplify our impact, accelerate the implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation projects, and ultimately attain our national targets,” Chief-of-Staff and Undersecretary for Climate Finance Policy
By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief
Group (CFPG) Maria Luwalhati C. Dorotan Tiuseco said.
The CFN, funded by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK-FCDO) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supports Ministries of Finance across member countries by providing knowledge management and technical support to identify and expand climate finance innovations, involving sector ministries and local governments. The UNDP introduced the CFN Programme and Country Plan,
support or charity mission support pledge form.’”
alongside initial findings from the Climate Change Budget Integration Index (CCBII++) report in the Philippines, to better integrate climate considerations into financial management and enhance the effectiveness of funds for adaptation and mitigation.
The CCBII, developed by UNDP, evaluates how climate change finances are integrated into the public financial management systems of Asia Pacific countries. The index was modified to include gender and human rights, which is now called CCBII++.
The CFN aims to establish CCBII++ baselines for each country to provide an empirical basis for assessing progress on the integration of climate change in the planning and budgeting process in countries included in the CFN.
The DOF said it will collaborate closely with the CFN to further enhance the Climate Change Expenditure Tagging with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Climate Change Commission.
Meanwhile, the CFN Philippine Country Strategy 2022 to 2026 identifies assistance to the National Economic and Development Authority and the DBM for
a results-based budgeting process, specifically for climate programs and activities.
This includes the preparation of guidelines for a budget call that incorporates provisions for the budgeting of climate-aligned programs, as well as guidelines for the mainstreaming of climate change in the government’s medium-term expenditure framework.
The strategy also supports the Commission on Audit in climate performance audits through various mechanisms. It also assesses audit results for strategic planning and investment programming as well as tracks completed and ongoing projects on climate change.
Moreover, the CFN has started working with the Department of Social Welfare and Development this year to develop an Adaptive Social Protection Baseline Assessment and Agenda for climate integration for a more adaptive social protection agenda for the government.
Tiuseco extended the DOF’s gratitude to international partners for their support in advancing climate finance initiatives to build long-term resilience against climate risks while transitioning to low-carbon, sustainable development pathways.
Bonds’ average auction yield seen ‘slightly’ low
By Reine Juvierre Alberto
THE national government made a full award at an auction on Tuesday as a result of lower interest rates for the reissued 7-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds).
The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised P30 billion from the sale of Tbonds with a remaining life of four years and nine months.
The long-tenor debt papers fetched an average rate of 6.406 percent, higher by 10.7 basis points than the previous average rate of 6.299 percent, with a coupon rate of 6.500 percent.
Offers made by investors for the yield ranged from a low of 6.390 percent to a high of 6.440 percent.
Meanwhile, the average yield is lower than the comparable 5-year PHP BVAL yield at 6.42 percent as of July 1.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the average auction yield of 6.406 percent is “slightly lower or better” amid the recent signals on possible -0.25 local rate cut as early as August and a -0.50 rate cut for 2024.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli M. Remolona said earlier that monetary authorities may start gradually cutting policy rates by August as it banks on the reduction of rice tariffs.
Remolona said the Monetary Board is now “less hawkish” or “more dovish” than before as inflation is
expected to slow to the midpoint of the 2 to 4 percent target range.
The Monetary Board has maintained the BSP’s Target Reverse Repurchase (RRP) rate at 6.5 percent. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities will remain at 6 percent and 7 percent, respectively.
“[The] markets recently priced in about -0.45 or nearly two US Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2024 after mostly softer US economic data recently; a day before the latest inflation data that could ease in the coming months largely due to the reduction in the tariff rate on imported rice to 15 percent,” Ricafort said. The auction was 2.4 times oversubscribed with total tenders reaching P73 billion, the Treasury said.
“With its decision, the committee raised the full program of P30.0 billion, bringing the total outstanding volume for the series to P159.7 billion,” it added. The state boosted its domestic borrowings in July as it aims to borrow P215 billion, higher by 19.44 percent than the P210 billion programmed amount in July 2023 and June 2024.
The Treasury will hold an auction to raise P115 billion from the sale of T-bonds and P100 billion from Treasury bills (T-bills).
The government has borrowed P1.422 trillion from January to May this year, with domestic borrowings reaching P1.170 trillion and foreign borrowings at P251.712 billion.
Confluence of business and communications SEC stops groups from asking for ‘missionary’ pledges
DAVAO CITY—The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ordered entities to stop asking people to cough up money for purported “humanitarian” and “spiritual mission” apostolates with a promise of higher investment returns.
The new advisory was the latest of the 45 advisories that the SEC has issued in the first hundred days of the year. The SEC’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department issued a cease and desist order against the Humanitarian and Spiritual Mission Apostolates (HSMA) of Davao and Asia Inc., Hasmadai Foundation Inc. and Hasmadai Institute of Technology Corp. “for engaging in unauthorized investment-taking activities in the form of ‘mission
ECONOMISTS and some Federal Reserve officials are increasingly on alert that pain could be on the horizon for American workers amid signs the labor market is losing steam.
Companies are posting fewer job openings this year and employees are quitting less as unemployment has begun creeping up from low levels, signaling the end of the historicallytight labor conditions that characterized the rapid recovery from the pandemic shock.
Strength in hiring has so far helped the economy weather aggressive Fed tightening, which brought interest rates to the highest levels in two decades. With inflation still running above the central bank’s 2 percent target, the fear is that any further softening in labor conditions could start to snowball and put economic growth at risk.
“Any change in the outlook for the labor market could have significant implications for the direction of the economy and monetary policy,” said Rubeela Farooqi, chief US economist at High Frequency Economics. “If there is one thing we know for sure, it is that conditions change very quickly.”
Two key reports this week from the Bureau of Labor Statistics—Tuesday’s monthly update on job openings and Friday’s on broader employment trends—will offer more clues about where the labor market is headed.
It said the groups collectively operate within the SEC-Davao’s area of responsibility covering Davao Region, Soccssargen, Cotabato City and Maguindanao Province.
The order directed the company officers and owners to immediately cease their Internet presence relating to the transactions and investment scheme. The SEC identified them as: Ralph Jimmy Calaor Gayatin a.k.a. Dante “Bong” Encarnacion Tabusares; Rowel Dagan Bacat; Cyrus Mark Cabasag; Cipriano Quizon Jr.; Lecerio A. Lavente Jr.; Duraliza Baja Mahusay; Erwin S. Gabieta; Jeofrie A. Jala; Maria Lourdes Biongan Domosmog; Ledevina M. Generalao; Rodel B. Mahusay; and, Roy T. Velasco. The same directive covers operators, administrators, promoters, representatives, salesmen, agents, investment team planners, men-
Last month’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey release, known as JOLTS, showed total listings for open positions fell in April to 8.1 million, a three-year low. That is down more than a third from the peak of 12.2 million reached in 2022, when employers hampered by labor shortages were struggling to keep up with a surge in demand as the economy reopened. There are now just 1.2 postings for each person looking for work, similar to pre-pandemic levels. The quits rate, at 2.2 percent in April, has also returned to levels that prevailed before Covid-19.
Kelly Bonn, a headhunter and executive coach in St Petersburg, Florida, said inquiries from jobseekers asking for help are up about 30 percent since the end of 2023. Finding a job can often take two to five months now, compared to one or two months in 2021 and 2022, according to Bonn.
“Employers are definitely taking their time and being choosier about who they bring in,” she said. Meanwhile those with jobs have become more wary about leaving stable positions for new opportunities: “They don’t want to be unemployed in this market.”
Fed officials are still mostly sanguine about the state of the labor market, though they’ve begun to acknowledge rising risks.
tors, enablers, influencers, assigns, conduit entities, subsidiaries and any and all persons claiming and/ or acting for and in behalf of the company.
The SEC said these people will require a donor to pledge an amount ranging from P5,000 to P20,000. They claim doing so entitles the donor or investor to a monthly “missionary allowance” equivalent to 27 percent to 34 percent of the donation. Thus, a pledge of P5,000, for example, entitles the donor to receive a monthly missionary allowance of P1,850. The entities will also deduct another amount of P500 as “spiritual medical assistance,” (which leaves the donor with a net “missionary allowance,” or guaranteed return, of P1,350.
The SEC warned it will “institute the appropriate administrative and criminal action against any persons or entities found to act as solicitors, information providers, salesmen,
“Overall, we’re looking at what is still a very strong labor market, but not the superheated labor market of two years ago or even one year ago,”
Fed Chair Jerome Powell told reporters on June 12, after central bank officials kept rates unchanged and scaled back projections for cuts in 2024.
‘Inflection point’
THE question some economists are asking now is whether the market is also more vulnerable to a downturn.
Goldman Sachs Chief Economist Jan Hatzius recently described it as at a potential “inflection point,” where a further material softening in demand for workers will register in higher unemployment and not just fewer openings.
“Future labor market slowing could translate into higher unemployment, as firms need to adjust not just vacancies but actual jobs,” San Francisco Fed chief Mary Daly said in a June 24 speech. “At this point, inflation is not the only risk we face.”
Monitoring the job market for that potential tipping point has become more challenging in recent months, with different indicators in the monthly BLS report on hiring sending conflicting signals.
One one hand, the data show employers have added 248,000 jobs a month so far this year on average, a robust pace that exceeded economists’ expectations, perhaps in part
agents, brokers, dealers or the like for and on their behalf.”
“We are reminding the public to exercise caution when dealing with individuals or groups soliciting investments for and on their behalf,” the SEC said. It also “highly encourages our LGUs to double check in approving the permits of these businesses.”
The regulator has topped the 100-mark in the number of advisories issued per year against illegal investment-taking entities since the Covid-19 pandemic, except in 2022 when it was one advisory less of reaching 100.
In 2023, the SEC issued 126 advisories, the highest since 2020, when it issued 123 advisories that year. In 2022, the regulator came out with 99 advisories and 116 the year prior. Some advisories though, named multiple companies in one issuance.
driven by a surge in immigration.
But the unemployment rate—derived from a survey of households instead of businesses—rose to 4 percent in May, up from the low of 3.4 percent reached last year.
“We’re left with ambiguous results and we have to deal with that uncertainty around data,” Powell said on June 12.
Making the moment all the more critical for the Fed is the awareness based on past experience that labormarket losses can pile up quickly once they get going. Unemployment rose gradually from 4.4 percent in March 2007 to 5.1 percent a year later, as the economy slowed amid the onset of the financial crisis. As the recession took hold, the jobless rate rose more rapidly, reaching 7.3 percent by the end of 2008 before topping out at 10 percent the following year.
So far, hiring and wage growth have remained steady in the data. But the backdrop has clearly shifted. One sign of that: Employers have largely stopped offering the huge incentives they were providing to attract new hires in recent years, said Becky Frankiewicz, North America president at ManpowerGroup, a staffing services company.
“It was almost like, what can we do with the workers to get their attention?” Frankiewicz said. “All of that has really stabilized. Now it’s much more back to base pay.” Bloomberg News
CHICAGO, United States–The global headquarters of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is located at the Chicago Loop, one of the largest central business districts in America. This densely populated area in downtown Chicago is home to such iconic landmarks as the 110-story Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), the Wrigley Building, the Millennium Park, the Rookery and the Tribune Tower.
Established in 1970, the IABC is a worldwide network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. It has more than a hundred chapters in 80 countries, including the IABC Philippines and is recognized as the only global communication association.
The just-concluded 2024 IABC World Conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago with the theme of “Communication Creates.” Among the featured events were master classes on AI-driven strategy and financial acumen; a fireside chat and town hall meeting on leadership as an act of extended storytelling; spotlight sessions on the communicator’s calling and sustainability efforts; and, a boot camp for counselors and advisors.
Highlighting the 4-day conference was the awarding ceremony for winners of the 2024 IABC Gold Quill Awards, which honors communications excellence in 29 categories. This year’s awardees represent the diversity of communicators in terms of personal identity, experience, perspective and geography. They were chosen by blueribbon panels at nine global sites from a competitive slate of 378 entries submitted by organizations of all sizes that included boutique agencies, startups, consultancies, non-profits, educational institutions, corporate businesses and government agencies.
A coffee table book from the Philippines won two Gold Quill Awards for 2024 under the categories of Creative Design and Publications. Co-published by multi-awarded Media Wise Communications Inc. and the Riviera Golf Club, the book titled “Playing the Course” is all about the first 25 years of the so-called Riviera lifestyle.
Celebrating its silver anniversary in 2022, the Cavite-based Riviera Golf Club has emerged as one of Asia’s toptier golf destinations. Club President Alex Escalona said over the past quar -
ter-century, the Riviera has basked in the esteem of golfers as the venue of choice for golf events. In this 200-page book, special attention is given to avian life since birds abound in Riviera’s two courses–the Langer Course and the Couples Course designed respectively by champion golfers Bernhard Langer of Germany and Fred Couples of California.
“The diversity of birdlife in Riviera makes it fetchingly unique among golf courses in the Philippines and testifies to Riviera’s embrace of nature as part of its design philosophy,” Escalona explained. Media Wise President and CEO Ramoncito O. Cruz disclosed that the Riviera book’s twin wins this year have boosted the boutique agency’s prize haul to a remarkable eight Gold Quill Awards in as many years. In Toronto last year, Media Wise also won two Gold Quills but in the same Publications category—one each for “Honora Medicum: 150 Years of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of University of Santo Tomas” and “Sugar & Smiles: The Negrense Legacy Beyond 2020.” During the pandemic, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) and Media Wise jointly won the 2021 Gold Quill Award for the coffee table book titled “FINEX 50: Leading on to Wider Frontiers.” This 50th Anniversary book of FINEX was recognized during a virtual awards ceremony in 2021 and again at the 2022 IABC World Conference in New York City. The IABC has honored communication works of strategic relevance, timeliness and innovation for more than 40 years. In
FInex Free enterprIse
Joseph Araneta Gamboa
Skip, skip to the loo for extra number twos? It shouldn’t be a cause for concern
NATURE’S call is hard to deny, especially if it’s the number two. This is why we know the malls and gasoline stations with the best comfort rooms—we need that reliable flush and bidet for the extra trip. One can’t help but wonder: Is my twice-a-day-or-more bathroom habit something to panic about?
Carlo M. Cornejo, MD, Section Chief of Gastroenterology in the top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed, www.makatimed.net. ph) says there’s no need to panic—just yet.
“First, there’s really no absolute standard for how often one should poop. Most experts agree healthy bowel movement frequency can range from three times a day to three times a week, depending on the person,” says Dr. Cornejo. “Any changes to this frequency can be caused by a number of dietary and lifestyle factors.”
In fact, pooping more often might be a sign of a healthier body. One of the most common reasons for an increase in bowel movements is due to more fiber intake from vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and beets. Even exercising more causes frequent trips to the bathroom as it helps digestion and makes colon muscles contract more, which helps move stools regularly.
“Eating more fiber and working out are actually things doctors recommend if a patient is constipated. In some cases, pooping more often should be welcomed,” adds Dr. Cornejo.
Other causes for pooping more might just be simple lifestyle factors such as being stressed and frequently drinking coffee. “If you’re stressed out at work, then neurotransmitters send signals from the brain to the gut, which may cause the gut to alter your digestion,” explains Dr. Cornejo. “It doesn’t help that many people cope with stress by turning to coffee. One extra cup is enough to cause more movement and muscle contraction in the intestines.”
So, when is pooping more a sign of a serious problem? MakatiMed says to watch out for discomforts like abdominal cramps and pain, bloody stool, and mucus in poop. You should also stay vigilant for possible accompanying symptoms like weight and hair loss. These could be signs of more serious underlying conditions ranging from gastroenteritis to Crohn’s disease.
“Pooping more frequently shouldn’t be anything more than a mild inconvenience at most. You should still be able to go through your daily life largely unaffected,” shares Dr. Cornejo. “As soon as there’s a sign of anything else going on, I highly recommend visiting your doctor before the problem gets worse.”
Are older adults
Develop empathy within your team
EMPATHY, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, is a cornerstone of effective leadership and team dynamics. As a leader, cultivating empathy can help you transform a group of individuals into a cohesive, motivated and high-performing team. Just as much as your need to develop empathy for your team, you also need to develop their empathy toward each other.
Empathy allows team members to communicate more effectively by understanding each other’s perspectives and emotional states. By putting themselves in other team member’s shoes, their communication becomes clearer, which in turn helps develop open conversations and avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. By enhancing communication, they can work more efficiently and productively together.
Additionally, when communication becomes clear, it enhances trust and collaboration. When leaders and team members demonstrate empathy, it fosters an environment where everyone can depend on each other for support. Team members feel valued and understood, which encourages them to collaborate more openly and share ideas without fear of judgment. This in turn breaks down silos and factions which could adversely affect team dynamics.
It is also no surprise that with clear communication and collaboration, team members become better at problem-solving. They can leverage each other’s strengths to complete projects and assist other team members who might be struggling with certain tasks. Empathetic teams are better equipped to tackle challenges because they consider diverse viewpoints and emotional impacts when making decisions. This holistic approach leads to more innovative and effective solutions that considers what works best for everyone in the team.
Given all these benefits, teams with developed empathy for each other are more likely to also have increased levels of job satisfaction which leads to better retention. Team members who feel understood and appreciated are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and remain with their team. Empathy reduces burnout and turnover by addressing the emotional and psychological needs of team members and helps them cope with unexpected challenges or difficulties.
To develop empathy within your team, you
need to help them actively listen. Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding and remembering what someone is saying. It is not just hearing someone out, but about engaging with someone on an emotional level. When someone is speaking, ask your team to give their full attention to each other. As the leader, summarize what people say in team meetings and show that you understand and respect their feelings and perspectives.
You also do this by regularly acknowledging and celebrating the contributions and achievements of team members. Recognizing their efforts demonstrates that you value them not just for their work but as individuals. This can significantly boost morale and empathy within the team.
Encourage team members to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns openly. Create a safe space where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves without fear of retribution or dismissal. You can do this by doing regular individual check-ins and open forums so that your team can express their concerns and challenges. If you have not done so, set regular meetings with your team so that issues do not snowball into crises. By establishing a venue where their concerns are expressed, you can immediately address it and even solicit recommendations from your team. It goes without saying that leaders set the tone for the team in terms of what can and cannot be expressed in the team. Demonstrate empathy in your interactions by showing genuine concern for team members’ well-being. If possible, share your own experiences and emotions to create a culture of openness and vulnerability. Team members
take their cue from you on how they address each other.
One thing that people managers can do is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment and being aware of your own thoughts and feelings without judgment. This awareness can help you better understand and respond to the emotions of your team members.
You also develop empathy in your team when you encourage diversity. Diversity brings a wealth of different experiences and viewpoints which also promotes an inclusive environment where all team members feel their perspectives are valued. This not only builds empathy but also leads to more creative and comprehensive problem-solving.
Lastly, organize team-building exercises. Engage your team in activities that foster trust and understanding like planned sessions, social events, and collaborative projects which can help team members connect with each other on a personal level and appreciate each other’s strengths and experiences.
Developing empathy within your team is not just a nice-to-have but a critical component of effective leadership and team success. By actively listening, showing appreciation, fostering open communication, leading by example, practicing mindfulness, encouraging diverse perspectives, and conducting team-building activities, you can cultivate a culture of empathy within your team. This will not only enhance communication and collaboration but also drive innovation, job satisfaction and overall team performance. Remember, empathy starts with understanding, and understanding begins with active listening.
more vulnerable to scams? What psychologists have learned about who’s most susceptible, and when
By Natalie C. Ebner University of Florida
ABOUT 1 in 6 Americans are age 65 or older, and that percentage is projected to grow. Older adults often hold positions of power, have retirement savings accumulated over the course of their lifetimes, and make important financial and health-related decisions—all of which makes them attractive targets for financial exploitation.
In 2021, there were more than 90,000 older victims of fraud, according to the FBI. These cases resulted in US$1.7 billion in losses, a 74 percent increase compared with 2020. Even so, that may be a significant undercount, since embarrassment or lack of awareness keeps some victims from reporting.
Financial exploitation represents one of the most common forms of elder abuse. Perpetrators are often individuals in the victims’ inner social circles—family members, caregivers or friends— but can also be strangers.
When older adults experience financial fraud,
they typically lose more money than younger victims. Those losses can have devastating consequences, especially since older adults have limited time to recoup—dramatically reducing their independence, health and well-being.
But older adults have been largely neglected in research on this burgeoning type of crime.
We are psychologists who study social cognition and decision-making, and our research lab at the University of Florida is aimed at understanding the factors that shape vulnerability to deception in adulthood and aging.
DEFINING VULNERABILITY
Financial exploitation involves a variety of exploitative tactics, such as coercion, manipulation, undue influence and, frequently, some sort of deception.
The majority of current research focuses on people’s ability to distinguish between truth and lies during interpersonal communication. However, deception occurs in many contexts—
increasingly, over the internet.
Our lab conducts laboratory experiments and real-world studies to measure susceptibility under various conditions: investment games, lie/truth scenarios, phishing emails, text messages, fake news and deepfakes—fabricated videos or images that are created by artificial intelligence technology.
To study how people respond to deception, we use measures like surveys, brain imaging, behavior, eye movement and heart rate. We also collect healthrelated biomarkers, such as being a carrier of gene variants that increase risk for Alzheimer’s disease, to identify individuals with particular vulnerability.
And our work shows that an older adult’s ability to detect deception is not just about their individual characteristics. It also depends on how they are being targeted.
REDUCING VULNERABILITY
Identifying who is especially at risk for financial exploitation in aging is crucial for preventing victimization.
Building solutions take center stage in new rock-inspired ad
We believe interventions should be tailored, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, perhaps machine learning algorithms could someday determine the most dangerous types of deceptive messages that certain groups encounter— such as in text messages, emails or social media platforms—and provide on-the-spot warnings. Black and Hispanic consumers are more likely to be victimized, so there is also a dire need for interventions that resonate with their communities. Prevention efforts would benefit from taking a holistic approach to help older adults reduce their vulnerability to scams. Training in financial, health and digital literacy are important, but so are programs to address loneliness.
People of all ages need to keep these lessons in mind when interacting with online content or strangers—but not only then. Unfortunately, financial exploitation often comes from individuals close to the victim.
THE CONVERSATION
BDO LIFE LAUNCHES ONLINE TOOL AMID STRONG INTEREST IN INSURANCE
AUpgrade your PC game with Lenovo’s AI-powered innovation
INNOVATION for games and devices go hand in hand. In order to get the best immersive gaming experience, one will need a high-performing device and the latest upgrades. Keeping this in mind, Lenovo unveils the next generation of Legion and Lenovo LOQ devices that can effortlessly handle the heavy demands of AAA games while managing overheating issues to achieve a seamless gameplay.
“Our mission is to provide Smarter Technology For All and we achieve this by bringing together the best features and innovations to bring our users the best in performance, design, and functionality. The latest generation of Lenovo devices is a testament to that commitment as the devices embody the perfect blend of power, precision, and style that every gamer dreams of,” shared Mike Ngan, General Manager of Lenovo Philippines.
The newly released gaming device line-up sets the standard for using AI-innovation to achieve peak power efficiency. The new devices in both Legion and Lenovo LOQ are equipped with the newly developed Lenovo LA AI Core Chips that provide a fully usercustomizable AI-assisted performance boost to enable higher FPS and an overall, top-tier experience. In addition, gamers can also expect a brand-new thermal design solution built to keep up with long hours of gaming.
Lenovo, in partnership with Intel, redefined thermal design with the Legion Coldfront Hyper thermal solution to help manage airflow within gaming laptops. Exclusive to the Lenovo Legion 7i and Lenovo Legion 5i, this new system optimizes heat management by transforming the airflow within the chassis and channeling the hot air from the chips through a central hyperbaric chamber. Gamers can also expect significantly cooler temperatures as the bottom D-cover isolates the expelled hot air from the cold air drawn in by dual fans allowing for higher frame rates during game sessions.
The Lenovo LOQ, Lenovo’s entry-level gaming line, also received an upgrade perfect for newbie gamers who wish to be at par with the world’s best gamers. In these devices is Lenovo’s hyperchamber thermal technology that can draw out up to an additional
MARK your calendars for September 8, 2024, as the most anticipated event in the business world is back and bigger than ever. The 2nd Philippine Finest Business Awards Outstanding Achievers 2024, organized by La Visual Corporation & SIRBISU Channel, will take place at the prestigious Hexagon Events Place in Quezon City.
This year’s awards ceremony promises to be an unforgettable celebration of excellence, innovation, and success in the Philippine business landscape. From industry titans to rising stars, we’ll be honoring the outstanding achievers who have made a significant impact in their respective fields. The media partners for the event include Malaya Business Insight, B usiness M irror , Business World, Philippines Graphic, Pilipino Mirror, The Market Monitor, Light TV, Light Radio, Balitang A2Z, Zoe TV, Media House Express, The Metropolista, Amazing Manila Journal, Hataw Tabloid, Consumer Asia Magazine, DWIZ-AM, 97.9 Home Radio, Aliw Channel 23, Cook Magazine, Pinoy OFW, Daily Tribune. The 2nd Philippine Finest Business Awards & Outstanding Achievers 2024 recognize outstanding individuals, CEO, entrepreneurs, public servants, artists and celebrities who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. This year’s awardees include Bhinky Reyes as the Trusted and
25W of power in Extreme Mode while maintaining skin temperatures up to 2°C cooler. Fan noise is also reduced by up to 2dB as compared to the last generation, keeping processors cool to perform at their maximum.
“Lenovo’s latest Legion and LOQ lineups exemplify the brand’s commitment to continuous innovation.
With these recent improvements to the devices’ internal and external hardware, complimented further by AI-assisted performance boosts and core chips, this generation of devices is the perfect representation of Lenovo’s vision to deliver Smarter Technology, and AI for all,” said Clifford Chong, AP Gaming Category Manager, Lenovo Asia Pacific.
With a work-by-day and game-by-night lifestyle, today’s gamers are on the lookout for a device that can handle the heaviest AAA games and rigorous multitasking. The Lenovo Legion Gen 9 series, made up of the Lenovo Legion 9i, Lenovo Legion 7i, Lenovo Legion 5i, Lenovo Legion Pro 7i, and Lenovo Legion
Excellent Female Entrepreneur; Salvacion Paparon (Golden Achiever) as the Most Outstanding Business Leader of the year; Lae Manego (Golden Achiever) who is recognized as the Excellent Performing Artist of the year; Annabelle Surara (Golden Achiever) as the Remarkable Female Veteran Radio Host; Wej
Pro 5i offers gamers the best of both worlds.
This lineup boasts of fully-powered 14th Gen Intel® Core™ processors and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ graphics for unbeatable processing power. Each device also comes with a 16-inch PureSight display which are per-unit color calibrated, up to 64GB of memory, and up to 2TB of Gen4 PCIe storage on select devices. Power ranges from an integrated 80wh for the Lenovo Legion 5i and Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, and a 99.99Whr battery for the Lenovo Legion 9i, Lenovo Legion 7i, and Lenovo Legion Pro 7i. Gamers can also expect a TrueStrike keyboard 4-zone RGB backlit on the Lenovo Legion 5i, and the Lenovo Legion 5i Pro. On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion 9i, Lenovo Legion 7i, and Lenovo Legion Pro 7i sports a per-key RGB backlit (with lighting lens) version. Pricing for these devices start at PHP 144,995.
More often than not, a gamer’s performance depends on how well a device can greatly perform. For the beginner gamers who wish to be at the top of their game from the get-go, Lenovo LOQ’s Gen 9 laptops featuring the Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9 and Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9 packs a serious punch by being equipped with up to an 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor and up to a NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050 graphics card.
In addition to this, gamers can expect even more with the Lenovo LOQ Gen 9 devices as it includes the Lenovo LA1 AI chip powered by the Lenovo AI Engine+ through Lenovo Vantage to dynamically tune the laptop’s power, fan curves, and other necessary settings to maximize performance according to the specific task at hand. The lineup also features a 15.6inch display, up to 32GB of memory, and up to 2TB of Gen4 PCIe storage. Pricing for the Lenovo LOQ devices starts at PHP 51,995.
Don’t miss out on experiencing Lenovo’s newest thermal design and AI-powered innovation. To learn more about the latest Gen 9 offerings, check out [link]. To purchase your own Gen 9 device, head to Lenovo Experience Stores and authorized resellers nationwide. For more information, follow Lenovo Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.
Cudiamat as Outstanding Male News Anchor of Mata ng Agila; Shirley B. Belangel CPA, MBA (Golden Achiever) as Trusted Accountant in the Philippines; Dennis Antennor Jr. (Golden Achiever) as Excellent Radio Host of the year; Carmela Betonio who is recognize as the Most Inspiring Female Recording Artist; Braggy Braganza (Golden Achiever) as the Trusted FM Radio Personality; Miller Daniolco (Golden Achiever) recognized as the Most Outstanding Event Director in the Philippines; Jamin Lim as the Best Event Photographer; Bhinky Reyes as the Trusted and Excellent Female Entrepreneur; Bon Jheo Exconde as the Outstanding Filipino Photographer; Janice Delima as the Most Trusted CEO of the year; Judge Tarcelo Sabarre Jr. (Golden Achiever) as the Remarkable Presiding Judge in the Philippines; Jeffrey Dy as the Outstanding Outstanding Achiever in Beauty Industry and Performing Arts; Boobay recognized as the Outstanding Comedian in the Philippines; Julie Anne San Jose as the Outstanding Female Dance Performer; Rayver Cruz as the Outstanding Male Dance Performer; Rita Daniella as the Outstanding Female Dance Performer; Anthony Rosaldo as Outstanding Male Dance Performer; Ruru Madrid as the Outstanding Actor in the Philippines; Bianca Umali as the Outstanding Actress in the Philippines; Miguel Tanfelix as the Outstanding Actor in the Philippines;
IN celebration of the 70th anniversary of the iconic Piña Colada, Hilton Hotels in the Philippines are set to honor the beloved Hiltonborn tropical cocktail with a series of exclusive offers and events throughout the entire month of July. Hilton proudly commemorates the invention of the Piña Colada in 1954 by barman Ramón “Monchito” Marrero at the Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico, with unique dining experiences across its esteemed properties in the Philippines.
Conrad Manila: A Tropical Toast to Tradition CONRAD Manila’s C Lounge invites guests to savor their signature Piña Colada, crafted with Havana Rum, Pineapple Juice, and Coconut Cream, served in a fresh coconut. This tropical delight is priced at P450++ per serving and will be available throughout the celebration period, providing a perfect escape into a world of exotic flavors.
Hilton Manila: The Ultimate Piña Colada Palooza ON July 10th, 2024, from 6 pm to 9 pm, Hilton Manila will host the Piña Colada Pool Party at
Barbie Forteza as the Outstanding Actress in the Philippines; Ken Chan as the Remarkable Business Owner & Outstanding Actor; Ashley Sarmiento and Marco Masa as the Most Promising Love Team in the Philippines; Allen Ansay and Sofia Pablo as the Best Love Team in the Philippines; Earlo Bringas as the Outstanding Radyo Agila Host/Reporter; Dr. Elva Evasco-Auza as the Trusted Health Care Provider in the Philippines; Dylan Menor as the Most Promising Male Artist. Audrey Gorriceta as the Best Male Host/ Anchor; DJ Mama Colleen as the Best Mommy Vlogger/ Influencer and Radio DJ. Papa Marky as the Best FM Radio DJ in the Philippines; DJ Kuya Machete as the Best Male Win Radio DJ in the Philippines; Sarah Luningning Medina as the Outstanding Business Owner in the Philippines; The Flippers (3rd Gen) as the Outstanding Filipino Music Group. Usec. Robert Rivera as the Remarkable Male Teleradio Talkshow Host in the Philippines; Nerlisa Elyza Franciso Rivera as the Remarkable Female Teleradio Talkshow Host in the Philippines; George Sison-Tagle as the Remarkable Singer in the Philippines. & Merjohn Lagaya as the Remarkable Musician in the Philippines. The confirmed awardees are from different business industries and have been recognized as the best in their respective fields. These include The Voice Academy of the Philippines Inc., The Hexagon Events Place (Golden Awardee), JP Catering Services (Golden Awardee), Sheanne Roll
Vega Pool Club, promising an unforgettable evening of fun and flavor. For P1,500++ per person, guests can enjoy free-flowing Piña Coladas and unlimited bar snacks. The event will feature entertainment by DJ Christine and renowned Global Master Bacardi Troy Arquiza. The party will repurpose pineapple shells as Piña Colada cups, as part of the property’s ongoing commitment to eco-friendly practices. In addition, the Hilton Manila will offer a Piña Colada Pie at Madison Lounge and Bar for P350++, a delightful twist on the classic drink. Guests can also purchase a Piña Colada Making Kit, available at the Hilton Manila E-shop and in-room dining for P1,300++ per set.
From July 10th to August 31st, 2024, patrons can visit Port Bar and Madison Lounge and Bar to savor four specially crafted Piña Colada drinks by the regional culinary team, priced at P1,500++ per person. This offer is perfect for those looking to explore innovative variations of the classic cocktail.
Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort: Summer Nights and Piña Colada Delights HILTON Clark Sun Valley Resort is thrilled to join the celebration with an innovative take on the classic Piña Colada, featuring Filipino-inspired flavors at P300++ per serving. On top of the traditional cocktail blend, guests can indulge in the Maria Colada, made with ginger syrup and calamansi, or opt for the Pandan Colada, a bespoke rendition infused with the essence of pandan. These offerings not only celebrate the cocktail’s storied past but also underscore Hilton’s dedication to culinary innovation in every sip.
Hilton Hotels in the Philippines are proud to honor the legacy of the Piña Colada and invite guests to join in the celebration of this timeless cocktail. For more information and reservations, please visit www. conradmanila.com, www.hiltonmanila.com, www. hiltonclarksunvalleyresort.comor email MNLMB.FB@ conradhotels.com MNLPH_F&Binquiries@hilton. com, CRKPP_FB@hilton.com Hilton Hotels in PHL celebrates 70 Years of Iconic Hilton-born Piña Colada
Up Door Construction Services (Golden Awardee), Intele Builders and Development Corporation, Lucky GHL Advertising (Golden Awardee), JFBV (Golden Awardee), 97.9 Home Radio(Golden Awardee), Aliw Channel 23(Golden Awardee), DWIZ-AM(Golden Awardee), Wella Rose Garden, Myeongdong Corner, Lagniappe Printshop(Golden Awardee), Eyeleen Hair and Make up by: Aileen Sebua(Golden Awardee), Gown and Events Management by Touting(Golden Awardee), Media House Express(Golden Awardee), Studio45k(Golden Awardee), Jam Lim Enterprises, Cave Beach Resort(Golden Awardee), Alegre de Pilipinas, The Metropolista, Rise and Shine Pilipinas(Golden Awardee) & Light TV (Golden Awardee). Sparkle GMA Artist, TAGM Marketing Solution Inc., Win Radio, RTU Himig Rizalia(Golden Awardee), JL Photoworks, Iconiec Skin Essentials Corporation, Jammybox’s BBC Geoinstruments & Links Digital. This year’s event is made possible with the support of the following sponsors, JFBV, Lucky GHL Advertising, Salvacion Paparon(Golden Achiever), Sheanne Roll Up Door Construction Services(Golden Awardee) & Intele Builders and Development Corporation as Primary Sponsors. JP Catering Services (Golden Awardee) & Bhinky Reyes as Minor Sponsors. And The Voice Academy of the Philippines and The Hexagon Events Place (Golden Awardee) as Major Sponsors.
22, 2024 at The Fifth at Rockwell Makati City, Philippines. Present during the launch were, from left, Mohammad Mobeen Choi-IBO, Aphrozone South Korea; Choi Sun Mi-IBO, Aphrozone South Korea; Ed Dames-IBO, Aphrozone Philippines; Ma. Linda S/ Moya, President and cEO, Aphrozone Philippines; Atty. Romeo C. Alfredo, Chairman, Aphrozone Philippines; Kim Bong JoonChairman, Aphrozone South Korea; Dr. Sandy Sanchez-Montano-First IBO, Aphrozone Philippines; Lim Hye JeongPresident, Aphrozone, South Korea; Alvin Mondato-IBO, Aphrozone Philippines.
IN the photo are, from left, Clifford Chong, AP Gaming Category Manager, Lenovo Asia Pacific; Charlotte Koa, Consumer Segment Lead; Trippy Padilla, Consumer Marketing Manager; and Mario Carmona, AP Marketing Lead.
2nd Philippine Finest Business Awards & Outstanding Achievers 2024 slated for Sept. 8
Editor: Tet Andolong
5G and the development of smart cities
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio
If you combine fifth generation (5G) technology with artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML), it would become a formidable force in developing smart and sustainable cities through improved connectivity, real-time data processing, and seamless IoT integration.
With extremely fast data transfer and low latency, Daniel Ode, head of Swedish telecommunication giant Ericsson in Singapore, the Philippines and Brunei, told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail interview that 5G enables realtime communication and decisionmaking, crucial for applications like traffic management, public safety, and health care. “It supports a high density of connected devices, facilitating comprehensive data collection and predictive analytics for efficient resource management,” says Ode.
Furthermore, Ode points out that 5G empowers smart grids and environmental monitoring systems, promoting sustainability. 5G, according to Ode, can boost economic growth and enhance the quality of life of all citizens. According to a new report by
Oxford Economics, commissioned by Qualcomm Incorporated, revealed that 5G integration tapping mmWave spectrum has the potential to boost global productivity by 1.7percent of global GDP in 2030—equivalent to 10 percent of global GDP growth in this period.
“These productivity gains are enabled through 5G’s enhanced capabilities—faster speeds, lowerlatency and greater traffic capacity—which will continue to unlock value across industries through new use cases, applications and services,” the report said.
Accelerating climate action W IT h 5G, sustainability goals can be achieved through higher speeds, lower latency, and enhanced capacity. For instance, 5Gpowered smart grids optimize en -
ergy distribution, reducing waste and promoting the integration of renewable sources. 5G also enables the widespread adoption of smart building management systems, optimizing energy efficiency in homes and offices.
Powered by 5G networks, Ode says smart cities are now capable of building automation to save energy, reduce carbon emissions, and combat climate change. “Simple changes, like implementing Internet of Things [IoT]-based smart sensors that automatically turn lights off when not needed, can significantly reduce energy consumption,” says Ode.
Ode says Ericsson is helping traditional buildings transform into IoT-connected smart buildings. By leveraging cellular connectivity, he says property managers are now
Pinay barista champ tapped as endorser to bring Breville closer to Pinoy homes, build coffee culture in PHL
By Roderick L. Abad Contributor
IAJ Wellness (IAJWC), the exclusive distributor of Breville in the Philippines, officially signed up multi-awarded barista and famed content creator Vanessa Maclang Caceres as the country’s ambassadress of the leading small kitchen appliances brand from Australia.
The first encounter of Vanessa, who is known for her monickers Ms. V or Mamita, with Breville was when IAJWC started to tap her to use in her blog the Breville Bambino Plus last March 2023 for Women’s Month celebration. She had no inkling that this would turn her as a firm believer and, eventually, ambassadress of the brand.
tion in the country,” she said during their contract signing held recently in Makati City.
“We want to be in the forefront of educating the people about Third Wave Coffee. That’s why we really want Vanessa to become our ambassadress because her vast knowledge of the industry will be of big help to elevate the peoples’ understanding of specialty coffee,” added Elijah Marie Cortez-Flores, Food & Beverage (F&B) Business Unit Manager at Breville Philippines.
in a position to optimize energy use and address potential issues before they become a big expense.
The significant role of 5G in sustainability and environmental protection is highlighted in Ericsson’s partnership with PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local government unit (LGU) of Sasmuan, Pampanga. The collaboration focuses on the Sasmuan Bangkung Malapad Critical h abitat and Ecotourism Area (SBMC h EA), a 405-hectare mangrove wetland. The deployment of AI-enabled CCTV cameras by Ericsson aids in identifying migratory bird species and preserving endangered wildlife.
The data collected is processed via a cloud system hosted by PLDT
and supported by Smart’s internet connectivity, providing valuable insights to the DENR and LGU. These initiatives demonstrate how 5G can support environmental sustainability by enhancing urban infrastructure, promoting energy efficiency, and contributing to the conservation of critical habitats amidst the challenges of climate change.
Future-proofing Baguio City
M A y OR Benjamin Magalong is aware that a populous urban center like Baguio City is facing decline, stressing that a do-nothing scenario “in the next 25 years the effects of urban decay would be irreversible.”
To help address air pollution, water quality, urban mobility and tourism demand, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) officially turned over a P17 million smart city project to Baguio City.
DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, and Monitoring of Indicators for Efficient Redevelopment and Value Assessment (MINERVA) project leader Academician Christopher Monterola handed over the outputs of the project to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Project MINERVA aims to help
the Baguio City local government’s smart city and urban rehabilitation projects by utilizing data science and artificial intelligence.
With MINERVA, tourism influx and flow and traffic can be modeled. Air quality and water supply and quality can be monitored and forecast models be provided to city planners and administrators.
Using the decision support tools, Baguio will be in a better position to create targeted, datadriven programs and policies in key areas that will enhance the standard of living, means of sustenance, social cohesion, and health of its residents.
Solidum says challenges faced by urban centers like Baguio City can be solved through science and technology and boost its potential for growth and development.
“Project MINERVA represents a significant step forward in enhancing our country’s readiness. The project is also a testament to forging partnerships and collaboration between local government units and national agencies like Baguio City and DOST,” he says.
“Part of the project outputs are the deployment of 500 GPS trackers, 80 Atmotube Pro or Air Quality Sensors [AQS], and six [6] mobile Water Quality Sensors [WQS]. These devices have all been game changers as essential conduits for data collection required for the project,” Monterola explains.
2While it’s positioned as a premium brand, Breville is worth it for the limitless possibilities it does. No wonder it’s now Vanessa’s constant kitchen companion.
“It’s really a part of my daily life. Once you have it in your kitchen, you cannot stop using it. That’s why you really get your money’s worth,” she enthused.
The deal goes beyond endorsement. It’s purpose-driven to build a coffee culture in the country, where most, if not all Filipinos, have a general knowledge and appreciation of this well-loved drink, coupled with their strong familiarity and exposure, as well as wide use of available technologies in the market to make a cup of Joe.
IAJWC President Cris Llamo wants to replicate locally such a revolutionary movement in some parts of the world that reshapes the peoples’ connection to a cup of Joe and develops among them the art and deep recognition of its unique flavors and origins.
“ hence, our partnership is aimed at raising more awareness on coffee culture and apprecia -
“It’s not like other similar products, wherein everyone can pull a shot of espresso. No one can do steamed milk that is much better than Breville,” Vanessa said. What she loves about the brand is its innovative range of products that do not only address the complex processes of making coffee, but the whole kitchen concerns as well. Their designs go well with functionalities, befitting the requirement of each client.
As an ambassadress, Vanessa will mainly help promote the brand’s coffee category, plus other kitchen appliances via her social media contents. Also, she will also work closely with the brand in equipping the frontliners, which include promo merchandizers, with the most up-todate knowledge about specialty coffee so that they be effective in selling Breville products to customers.
“Transfer of knowledge should not go wrong. We want to make sure that our people who interact with the customers are saying the right things about coffee and how best to enjoy it using Breville products. So it’s important to have somebody like Ms. Vanessa, who’s been in the industry for a long time—19 years to be exact. There’s a wealth of information and experience that we can learn from her,” Llamo said.
“Through her hands-on training, we also believe that we will be able to foster a deeper appreciation for Breville products, especially the espresso machine category,” Flores noted.
Caceres is very thankful of their confidence to partner with her. She quipped: “I’m happy that they trust me with this partnership. I’m really grateful to train their frontliners and share my knowledge on Third Wave Coffee to other people.”
024 is shaping up to be another winning year for RLC Residences as the developer received numerous accolades from local and international award-giving bodies, including a major award given to Robinsons Land Corporation Chairman, President and CEO Lance y. Gokongwei.
Last May 31 in Bangkok, Thailand, the prestigious International Property Awards (IPA) recognized RLC Residences’ pre-selling developments as country victors in the Asia Pacific region. Mantawi Residences in Mandaue City, Cebu, won in the Apartment/Condominium Development Category for its premium offerings, strategic location, and extensive facilities. Meanwhile, Le Pont Residences in Bridgetowne East, Pasig City received the Residential h igh-Rise Development citation and a coveted five-star rating, thanks to its spacious units, exceptional multiple-floor amenities, and a prime location within a master-planned destination estate.
On top of this, RLC Residences was hailed as the Philippines’ Developer of the year by the Real Estate Asia Awards, a distinguished program that honors real estate projects and companies throughout Asia. The awardgiving body recognizes the developer’s commitment to building beautiful, well-designed homes with features tailored to home seekers’ needs and lifestyles.
“We are honored to be recognized by prestigious organizations such as the International Property Awards
and the Real Estate Asia Awards. This success is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the team at RLC Residences, who strive to provide home buyers with exceptional investment options. We also extend our gratitude to our clients, whose insights have been instrumental in guiding the design and features of our developments. These recognitions are owed to you,” shares Chad Sotelo, RLC Residences Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager. h ere in the Philippines, two RLC Residences projects were awarded at the recently held FIABCI Philippines Property and Real Estate Excellence Awards on June 4 at The Manila hotel. Led by industry veterans and experts as judges, FIABCI Philippines hailed The Radiance Manila Bay, a two-tower
development along Roxas Boulevard, as a Gold Winner of the Mixed-use Development category. Galleria Residences in Cebu, on the other hand, also won Gold in the Residential h igh-Rise category, a three-building property within the Robinsons
‘Dad’ in charge in Metz N
INE days after arriving in Metz and 21 days before the opening ceremony and the Filipino athletes on their final preps for Paris are making full use of the privilege no Team Philippines has ever experienced ahead of an Olympic participation.
For all Africans! Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay is the first Black rider to win a Tour de France stage on Monday in Stage 3—the longest this year at 231 kilometers—from Piacenza to Turin in Italy. Racing for Intermarche-Wanty team, Girmay is also the first rider from a sub-Saharan country to win a single-day classic at the Gent-Wevelgem race in 2022. AP
Veteran Morales snatches men elite gold in Cebu crit
“I
“Thank
the
of Cebu City Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros made it doubly successful,” said Go For Gold founder Jeremy Go, who also expressed gratitude to the cycling teams that competed. Steven Tablizo saw a narrow path to victory and took it in the men’s under-23 category to the frustration of SIP’s Rrking Roque and James Paul Ryan Escumbien.
John Arwin Velasco cut loose in the last three laps to show the way in a 1-2 finish for Go For Gold in the men junior category.
Velasco soloed it home in completing the 22-km top-acceleration pursuit in 32:03.37 followed by teammate Marvin Mandac (23.14 seconds behind) and UTB’s Clent Detalla (23.20). Mary Gweniele Francisco nosed out Vianne Angel Pagnanawon in claiming the women junior title after racing for 16 laps in 36 minutes and 35 seconds.
June
By Josef Ramos
“It’s home away from home that makes our athletes feel better and all psyched up for the Olympics,” Tolentino said. At the training camp are weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando
“You can feel it in their eyes and you can see it in their actions,” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Monday night, referring to the enthusiasm and high spirits the eight of the 20 Paris Olympics-bound athletes have been showing at training camp. No Philippine delegation arrived in earnest for an Olympic campaign until for these Paris Games—a brainchild of Tolentino under whose watch weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo 2020. And with a lean and mean administrative team, Tolentino himself has to go hands-on for the athletes.
“It’s like doing what a dad does to his family,” said Tolentino, who along with secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan and training camp director Nico Huelgas, have become familiar faces with the staff of the local supermarket and stores where they do errands and marketing themselves at least once in four days for the athletes’ needs.
“Tatay na tatay,” said Tolentino, adding “but we won’t forget to thank Him for all the reasons why we’re here and for all the goals we have set in Paris.”
The first Sunday in Metz saw the team attending Holy Mass at the St. Bernard Church with members of the Filipino Community, Department of Moselle and the Philippine Embassy in France.
Tropang Giga kids complete sweep
TALK ‘N TEXT pulled off a thrilling 63-62 comeback win against Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Greats to cap a championship sweep in the 2024 Batang PBA-Centrum Kids 11-under tournament on Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Thiago Cruz drained the go-ahead basket in the last 21 seconds as the Batang Tropang Giga banked on one last defensive stand to carve out the thrilling victory over the resilient PBA Greats squad.
Cruz finished with 24 points while his brother
Theon fired 15 in TNT’s perfect campaign in six games.
Ginebra shared the spotlight following its 59-43 victory over Blackwater in the other Finals duel to rule the 9-Under category.
Jariel Centeno scored 12 points to lead the Batang Gin Kings to its fourth straight win, wiing Liam Lazaro contributed 11 and Nicole Gab Dapatnapo adding 10 points.
Ginebra—which beat Blackwater, Magnolia and Converge in the eliminations—opened the game with a 16-5 run and held on from there en route to its 16-point triumph.
Early in the morning, Blackwater and Converge
Mar: Defense key in OQT Division A for 2026. The development was welcome news for the Gilas program after its senior team, Gilas women, previously made it to Division A as the U16 team in the Asia Cup.
DEFENSE will be key to the national team’s campaign in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia, big man June Mar Fajardo told BusinessMirror on Tuesday.
“We should pay attention to our defense when we face the teams here in the OQT especially against the hosts who are our first opponent,” San Miguel Beer’s top player Fajardo said via internet call from the team’s official hotel Park Inn in Riga.
“Our offense will always be there, and anyone can score in our team,” he said. “So defense is very important.”
The 6-foot-10 Fajardo and Gilas Pilipinas take on the Latvians starting at midnight (Manila time) Friday and then Georgia at 8:30 p.m. on the
Frank feedback
same day also in Manila. Head coach Tim Cone’s wards are up for one of the toughest challenges faced by a men’s national team—only the winner of the OQT will make it to Paris—as the Philippines tries to return to the Olympics since Munich 1972.
Fajardo said they need to fight their opponents’ ball screens to disrupt their offense specifically the guards who can shoot from the perimeter and beyond the arc or the big men who can roll down to the basket or set up outside shots.
“That’s the toughest part of playing defense—how to break their ball screens all the way,” he said.
Fajardo and Cone’s other big men— Kai Sotto and Japeth Aguilar—are expected to have their hands full against the Charlotte Hornets’ 6-foot10 Latvian center Davis Bertans.
debuted in style while San Miguel rebounded with a big win at the resumption 15-under tournament. The Batang Bossing clobbered NLEX, 62-43, in Group A, while the Batang FiberXers blasted NorthPort, 98-51 in Group B. Prince Cabog tallied 20 points while Hanz Sarte added 12 in Blackwater’s roaring debut.
Five players scored in double digits for Converge led by Prince Cariño with 19 points. Jacob Datu contributed 17 points, Ian San Gabriel had 13, Kierdy Victoria chipped in 12 and Jericho Padilla added 10. In the other 15-under duel, San Miguel downed Magnolia, 77-48, to even its record at 1-1 in Group A. It lost to Phoenix, 82-52, on opening day last Thursday. Von Xanthien Dalangin rifled in 23 points, Zoilo Dagami III had 14 while Inigo del Rosario and Jeremiah Gastador threw in 10 points each for the Batang Beermen. Rain or Shine avenged its 59-43 loss against Ginebra also on Thursday by escaping past Meralco, 70-68, in Group B in the lone 13-under match. Neale Sigue fired 16 points to headline the Batang Elasto Painters.
Gilas Pilipinas women’s future assured with U18 squad’s success in Shenzhen
THE hard work continues for the successful Gilas Pilipinas women’s program following its masterful conquest in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup Division B in Shenzhen, China, last week.
Program director Pat Aquino said the Gilas women (senior) takes over when they see action in the Jones Cup in Taiwan from July 13 to 21 and the prequalifiers for the next FIBA World Cup in Rwanda scheduled August 19 to 25.
“Then there’s the next Southeast Asian Games [Thailand, December 2025]—we need to win gold again there,” Aquino told the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Aquino and head coach Julie Amos graced the forum along with members of the U18 team that swept Division B of the Asia Cup and earned a spot in
“This is the future of our women’s basketball and I feel I won’t have problems in the coming years,” Aquino said. “We should continue the program for the 16-under and 18-under with the help of SBP
[Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas] president Al Panlilio and executive director Erika Dy.” Amos, a former top national player, said all but one of the members of this U18 team will no longer be eligible for 2026.
“Only one will be left [Tiffany Reyes] so I hope the SBP continues to help us,” she told the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo, Smart/PLDT and ArenaPLus, the Philippines’ 24/7 sports app.
“But we have a good problem because more players are asking how they can join the team,” she said.
“It’s just a matter of identifying the talents that will fit the program.” Moving up to Division A for the U18 team was not a complete surprise, according to Aquino.
interesting and controversial events of the past. Perhaps your commentaries struck some raw nerves and led to some changes in the way things were done. Only God knows. Now looking at our present, I am
PHILIPPINE
JAN PAUL MORALES celebrates atop the podium.
EMMANUEL JUAN “ENJO” LUMACTAO sets up a shot in Batang San Miguel’s 77-48 rout of Magnolia in the under-15 tournament.
MEMBERS of the Gilas Pilipinas girls’ under-18 team pose with their championship banner during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday. COURTESY RUDY ESPERAS
A 75-Year Journey
The Three Pillars of Central Banking Through the Years
The First Pillar: Price Stability
The approach to price stability in the Philippines has evolved, reflecting shifts in economic theories, policy approaches, and global best practices. The central bank’s role in maintaining price stability has become more sophisticated, emphasizing inflation targeting, data-driven analysis, and proactive policy adjustments to manage inflation while supporting overall economic growth.
1949-1960s: Basic framework and initial mandate. Upon its establishment, the primary mandate of the Central Bank of the Philippines (CBP) was to promote economic stability, focusing on maintaining external and internal monetary stability.
n Basic tools. The Central Bank utilized traditional tools like reserve requirements, discount rates, and selective credit controls to manage liquidity and influence prices.
1970s: Inflation challenges and response. Like many other countries, the Philippines faced inflationary pressures during this period, partly due to the oil crisis and increased global commodity prices.
n Policy response. The Central Bank responded with tighter monetary policies, including higher reserve requirements and interest rate adjustments. However, these measures were often constrained by broader economic and political factors.
1980s: Economic crisis and structural adjustment. The 1980s marked a severe debt crisis and economic instability, leading to high inflation rates.
n Structural adjustments. In response, the government and international financial institutions implemented structural adjustment programs, including monetary tightening measures to control inflation.
1990s: Shift toward inflation targeting and economic reforms. The 1990s witnessed significant economic reforms, including liberalization and deregulation.
n Emergence of inflation targeting. Toward the end of the 1990s, there was a global shift toward inflation targeting as a framework for monetary policy. The Philippines moved in the same direction, although full adoption came later.
2000s: Adoption of inflationtargeting framework. In 2002, the Philippines formally adopted an inflation-targeting approach. This marked a significant shift in the BSP’s policy framework, which focused on achieving and maintaining price stability as
its primary objective.
n Transparent and forwardlooking. The new framework was more transparent and forwardlooking, using a range of indicators, including inflation forecasts, to guide monetary policy.
2010s: Enhanced policy tools and challenges. The BSP refined its policy tools, such as through interest rate adjustments, open market operations, and reduction in reserve requirements.
n New challenges. New challenges emerged in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, thus requiring careful balancing between growth and inflation objectives.
2020s: Pandemic response and current approach. The pandemic posed unprecedented challenges, leading to economic contraction and volatile prices.
n Policy response. The BSP responded with significant monetary easing measures to support the economy while keeping an eye on inflation trends.
n Digital transformation and sustainability. The current policymaking approach incorporates digital transformation in financial sector regulation and efforts to promote sustainable finance.
The Second Pillar: Financial Stability
The central bank's supervisory approach has expanded from focusing solely on individual banks to encompassing the broader financial system. This shift has been driven by various internal and external factors, such as economic crises, global trends, technological advancements, and legislative changes. As a result, the central bank's role has evolved significantly to ensure the stability and integrity of the Philippine financial system.
1949: Establishment of the Central Bank of the Philippines. The Central Bank of the Philippines (CBP) was established post-independence in 1949, primarily to stabilize the country's monetary system.
n Early role in supervision. Initially, the CBP's role in banking supervision focused on individual banks, ensuring their solvency, liquidity, and overall financial health.
1950s-1960s: Regulatory framework development: During this period, the CBP developed regulatory frameworks focusing on licensing, reserve requirements, and inspections.
n Individual bank focus: The
emphasis was still mainly on individual bank performance and regulation compliance.
1970s-1980s: Centralization and control. Under martial law, the government implemented policies that increased the centralization of economic decision-making, and the Central Bank was instrumental in this process. This included control over foreign exchange, regulation of banking activities, and the supervision of credit.
n Challenges in supervision. This period was marked by political interference, which affected the efficacy of banking supervision.
1980s-1990s: Liberalization and more reforms. Post-martial law, there was a significant shift toward deregulation and liberalization in the banking sector.
n Introduction of new laws. Laws such as the New Central Bank Act (Republic Act No. 7653) in 1993 redefined the role of the CBP (renamed Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, BSP, in 1993).
n Shift to system-wide supervision: This period marked the beginning of the shift in supervision toward a more holistic, systemwide approach. The BSP also began to focus on the stability and soundness of the banking system rather than just individual entities.
2000s: Adoption of risk-based supervision. The BSP started aligning its regulatory framework with international standards, notably the Basel Accords, which focus on risk-based supervision.
n Risk-based supervision. Marking a significant shift from traditional, compliance-focused supervision, the risk-based approach emphasizes assessing the risk profile of banks and tailoring supervisory attention accordingly.
n Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP). Participation in the FSAP, led by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, further enhanced the BSP’s focus on system-wide risks and macroprudential supervision. Compliance with the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision is an important aspect of the FSAP.
2010 onwards: Further evolution and challenges. The 2007-2008 global financial crisis led to further refinements in supervision, emphasizing systemic risk, stress testing, and crisis management.
n Digital transformation. With the advent of digital banking, the BSP has been adapting its superviso-
ry frameworks to include cyber risk management and financial technology (fintech) innovations. n Sustainable finance and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. Recently,
there has been an increasing focus on sustainable finance and incorporating ESG factors into the banking supervision framework.
The Third Pillar: Efficient Payments and Settlements System
The approach to the payments and settlements system in the Philippines has transitioned from traditional, manual processes to a more sophisticated, integrated, and digital framework. Moreover, from being the operator of the PESO Real-Time Gross Settlement, the BSP is now mandated to oversee the National Payment System and exercise supervisory and regulatory powers for the purpose of ensuring the stability and effectiveness of the monetary and financial system.
Pre-1990s: Basic framework. Initially, the payments and settlements system in the Philippines
was predominantly manual and paper-based, involving physical cheques and cash transactions.
n Central Bank's role. The Central Bank of the Philippines (now Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, BSP) played a central role in overseeing and facilitating these transactions, although the system was relatively rudimentary.
1990s: Introduction of electronic systems. In the 1990s, the Philippines began adopting electronic payment and settlement methods in line with global trends.
n Establishment of payment systems: Electronic fund transfer systems were introduced, providing more convenience and efficiency. 2000s: Modernization and integration. The BSP initiated efforts to modernize the payments and settlements infrastructure to enhance
Continued on C3
BSP Governor Eli Remolona
Hulking structure. The iconic building of the country’s central monetary authority.
Charting the Future: Strategic Vision for BSP
BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipi -
nas Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. has identified eight key challenges the central bank should address to make the BSP a more agile, responsive, and inclusive institution.
1. Enhancing macroeconomic management.
Refining the BSP's research methodologies, data sets, forecasting models, and indicators is critical, especially with big data to foster more agile and informed policymaking
2. Promoting financial stability through systemic risk management. Implementing an integrated approach to systemic risk management, enhancing both macroprudential oversight and microprudential supervision to safeguard financial stability
3. Deepening capital markets. Participating in a whole-ofgovernment strategy to enhance the financial sector's infrastructure and expand market participation
4. Balancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Aligning the bank’s operations with ESG goals to ensure fair transition and inclusive adaptation within the BSP's sustainability agenda
5. Advancing high-quality research for evidence-based policymaking. Empowering the BSP to craft effective, timely policies through high-quality, evidence-based research
6. Building resilience in a dynamic operating landscape. Navigating emerging issues promptly to maintain resilience and ensure the effective delivery of the BSP’s mandates
7. Leveraging technology to enhance operational capabilities. Strengthening capabilities in utilizing existing and emerging technologies to thrive in a digital world
8. Engaging stakeholders to promote awareness and advocacy. Enhancing engagement with stakeholders to foster understanding and support for the BSP’s mandates and advocacies
Enhancing Financial Access and Protection
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has launched several important initiatives to improve how people access and use financial services, making a significant impact nationwide. Some of the more recent ones are discussed below.
Making financial services accessible to all
One of the BSP's major efforts is the Paleng-QR Ph Plus Program, developed with the Department of the Interior and Local Government. This initiative has changed how small business owners, like market vendors and transport workers, handle money by introducing them to QR
payments. Since its start in June 2022, the program has grown rapidly, with 70 local governments implementing it and a significant increase in new user accounts, demonstrating a growing comfort with digital transactions among small entrepreneurs.
The BSP also tackled the challenge of getting loans to small and medium-sized businesses with the Credit Risk Database, introduced in April 2023. This tool helps banks assess loans without needing as much collateral, making it easier for businesses to get the funding they need. It is now used by 33 financial institutions, making lending fairer and more accessible.
Banking services are reaching more households than ever, with the BSP's survey showing that nearly 71 percent of Filipino households had transaction accounts by late 2023. The increase in simple bank and electronic money accounts has been impressive, thanks in part to a strategy linking these accounts to the Philippine Identification System.
Strengthening protection for financial consumers
On the consumer protection front, the BSP has set strict rules with Circular No. 1160, or Regulations on Financial Consumer Protection, which ensures that all financial prod-
ucts and services, especially digital ones, are safe for consumers. Following this, financial institutions were required to evaluate their services and make plans for improvement, boosting consumer confidence in the safety of their transactions.
The BSP has also improved how financial complaints are handled by setting up a more direct way for consumers to resolve disputes without going to court. The BSP's Online Buddy chatbot managed over 43,000 complaints in 2023.
Boosting financial knowledge
Lastly, the BSP is working to make Filipinos more financially knowl-
edgeable through an e-learning platform. This initiative, set to run from April 2024 to April 2025, will allow hundreds of learners each month to take online courses that enhance their understanding of finances. These initiatives were acknowledged by Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, during her visit in May 2024. She noted the significant progress in financial inclusion since her last visit in 2015. She underscored the need for collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector to bring financial services to everyone.
The BSP’s Priority Legislative Measures
Standard Chartered Bank supports financial inclusion and sustainability in
Chartered Bank (SCB), the
Sinternational bank in the country, has been helping drive the development of the Philippine economy since 1872 by striving to be an enabler of growth by
the Philippines
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has two priority legislative measures included in the LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council’s list of priority legislations approved by the President for the 19th Congress.
Amendments to the Bank Deposits Secrecy Law. The Bank Deposits Secrecy Law is a legislative measure that seeks to address the unintended consequences of bank deposit laws' secrecy, which create barriers to the effective investigation of corrupt or illegal financial actions of stockholders, owners, directors, trustees, officers, or employees of entities subject to the BSP’s supervision.
Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) is a major penal legislation that will promote and maintain the integrity of financial accounts and the financial system. It seeks to promote awareness of the proper use of financial accounts and protect the public from cybercriminals and criminal syndicates who target financial accounts and lure account owners into becoming accessories or perpetrators of fraudulent activities. It addresses the increasing number of cases involving financial cybercrimes committed through the abuse of information technology and its derivatives.
LEGISLATIVE TIMELINE AND MILESTONES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CENTRAL BANKING IN THE PHILIPPINES
1900 n The First Philippine Commission enacted Act No. 52, placing all banks under the supervision of the Bureau of the Treasury. The Insular Treasurer was granted authority over bank supervision and examination.
February 1929
n The Bureau of Banking under the Department of Finance assumes responsibility for banking supervision.
1939 n A central bank bill, drafted by Secretary of Finance Manuel Roxas, was approved by the Philippine legislature but returned by the US government to the Commonwealth Government without action.
1946 n The Philippine-American Finance Commission was established to study the Philippine currency and banking system, recommending monetary reforms and the establishment of a central bank based on the Central Bank of Guatemala's charter.
August 1947
n The Central Bank Council was formed to review the commission’s recommendations and draft the necessary legislative measures.
February 1948 n President Manuel Roxas submitted a bill to Congress titled "Establishing the Central Bank of the Philippines," which included comprehensive provisions for the management of the monetary and banking system.
and financial inclusion. SCB was among the banks mandated as joint lead managers and joint bookrunners for the Philippines’ maiden offering of $1 billion Islamic or sukuk bonds. Early this year, the bank supported the government’s $2 billion dual tranche global bond sale. Funds raised from the 25-year sustainability bonds will support the government’s refinancing programs and expenditures in line with the Republic's sustainable finance framework, where SCB acted as a sustainability structuring bank.
Recently, SCB Philippines has been recognized by prestigious institutions and publications reflecting its leadership position in delivering innovative and bespoke banking solutions in response to changing market trends and client needs.
The Asset Triple A Treasurise Awards 2024 recognized Standard Chartered as Best Service Provider as E-Solutions Partner for the third consecutive year, demonstrating the bank’s commitment to invest in platforms and capabilities to deliver optimal client experience. The bank also won Best Solution Healthcare Award for its digital solution to IDS Medical Systems Philippines, Inc. (IDSMED) for the use of Straight2Bank payment link which provides seamless online collections from various InstaPay and PESONet participating firms and Best Solution E-Commerce-Media-Technology Award for its Virtual Account solution deployed to Ksher Philippines to aid in reconciliation and ensuring all collections are accounted for and properly identified.
The bank also won Best Bank for Cash Management in the Philippines at the 2024 Global Finance’s World’s Best Treasury & Cash Management Systems & Services Awards
The bank acts as the Republic’s sovereign credit rating adviser since 2010 and has assisted the government in achieving positive rating actions and upgrades, resulting in strong investment grade credit ratings by both S&P and Fitch, establishing the country as a strong investment destination to offshore investors.
highlighting the bank’s leadership position in transaction banking for product development, breadth of coverage and service excellence.
The bank’s Financing and Securities Services also received recognition as Best Subcustodian Bank in the Philippines at The Asset Triple A Sustainable Investing Awards 2024 (for the 4th consecutive year) and Global Finance’s Best Sub-custodian Bank Awards 2024 (for the 5th consecutive year). These awards highlight the bank’s market leadership through mandates won, product innovation and service quality.
The bank also received the Best Sustainability Bond – Philippines Award for the RoP $1.25 billion sustainability bond issued in January 2023 from The Asset Triple A Awards 2024, testament to SCB’s leadership in bringing innovation to Philippine issuers consistent with our focus on sustainable finance.
The Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. & Subsidiaries (PDS Group) also recognized Standard Chartered as among the Top 4 Corporate Issue Manager/Arrangers at the PDS Awards 2024. The bank was also recognized as part of the Top 5 Fixed Income Dealing Participants. These awards highlight the bank’s contribution to the growth and stability of the Philippine financial markets.
SCB was also recognized Best in Foreign Market Coverage (First Place) for the second consecutive year at the 2023 Fund Managers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (FMAP) Awards highlighting the bank’s capabilities and commitment to serve its clients amid the changing markets.
SCB Philippines Chief Executive Officer Mike Samson reaffirms, “Standard Chartered Bank is committed to support the nation’s development as well as our clients’ growth and strategic aspirations. We will continue to leverage our unique position in the Philippines and the ASEAN region to deliver sustainable growth for all our stakeholders.”
Granting the BSP’s limited authority to examine the deposits of key individuals in supervised entities would address concerns from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund regarding the restrictive bank secrecy laws in the Philippines. This change would enhance the BSP's ability to combat financial crimes such as tax evasion and money laundering, foster supportive international relations, and align with global transparency standards.
Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act. The Anti-
The AFASA penalizes the punishable acts of money muling, social engineering schemes, such as phishing, vishing, and smishing, and other offenses involving financial accounts. It likewise allows the BSP to aid in the investigation of the law enforcement agencies in tracing the persons involved in the commission of the punishable acts under the law. It empowers the BSP to legally require financial institutions under its jurisdiction to provide and adopt adequate risk and fraud management systems in their operations that will ensure the protection of their clients’ financial accounts.
Sustainable Central Banking
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recognizes that the impact of climate change and other environmental and social risks may undermine its efforts to promote price and financial stability, thus affecting the lives and livelihoods of Filipinos.
As such, the BSP launched its 11-point Sustainable Central Banking (SCB) Strategy in December 2022. The SCB Strategy embodies the BSP’s roles as enabler, mobilizer, and doer in promoting the climate and sustainability agenda.
This was followed by a selfassessment exercise to determine how ESG-related principles and practices could be incorporated into the Bank’s operations and functions as effectively as possible.
Other notable accomplishments of the BSP under the SCB program include the following: n issuance of various sustainable finance policies and regulations;
n publication of various research on the potential impacts of climate change on the banking system and the link between
climate change and monetary policy;
n enhancement of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework to integrate sustainability and ESG-related risks;
n adoption of sustainable practices in currency production and disposal;
n reduction of paper wastes through the adoption of electronic document and data processing systems;
n implementation of green, sustainable, and responsible building designs and energy efficiency measures in BSP facilities;
n investments in the Bank for International Settlements’ Green Bond Fund; n integration of green lending criteria in the pension fund;
n signing of the United Nations (UN)-supported Principles for Responsible Investment and subsequent establishment of a Responsible Investment Committee to oversee policy implementation; and n publication of the maiden Sustainability Report, featuring the BSP’s accomplishments and pipeline of activities for the succeeding years.
15 June 1948 n President Elpidio Quirino enacted the bill as Republic Act No. 265 (The Central Bank Act)
3 January 1949
n The Central Bank of the Philippines (CBP) was officially inaugurated with Miguel P. Cuaderno, Sr. as its first governor, operating under the broad policy objectives of RA No. 265 to promote economic development and maintain monetary stability.
November 1972 n Presidential Decree No. 72 amended RA No. 265, enhancing the CBP's role in maintaining monetary stability and expanding its regulatory authority over the financial system.
January 1981 n Presidential Decree No. 1771 further amended the financial system's framework, significantly increasing the CBP’s capitalization from PHP 10 million to PHP 10 billion.
1986 n Executive Order No. 16 revised the membership of the Monetary Board to enhance the coordination of monetary and fiscal policies.
3 July 1993 n Republic Act No. 7653 was passed, establishing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which replaced the CBP as the national central monetary authority.
14 February 2019 n Republic Act No. 11211 amended RA No. 7653, strengthening the BSP's capabilities to ensure price stability and oversee the financial system's stability.
75-Year Journey
The Three Pillars of Central Banking Through the Years
efficiency, reduce risks, and comply with international standards.
n Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) System: The introduction of the RTGS system was a significant step, allowing for the immediate and final settlement of large-value interbank transfers.
2010: Expansion and diversification. The 2010s saw a diversification in payment services with the introduction of mobile banking, online transactions, and various digital payment platforms.
n Strengthening regulatory framework. The BSP strengthened its regulatory framework to ensure the safety, efficiency, and reliability of these emerging digital payment methods.
Late 2010-2020s: Digital transformation and financial inclusion. The BSP launched the National Retail Payment System Framework to establish a safe, efficient, and reliable retail payment system. This enables launch of interoperable electronic fund transfer facilities (EFTs) such as PESONet and InstaPay. It also enabled the establishment of QR Ph which is the national QR code standard for payments.
n PESONet and InstaPay. Key developments under the NRPS included PESONet for batch electronic fund transfers and InstaPay for real-time low-value fund transfers.
n Focus on financial inclusion. These developments aim to enhance financial inclusion by modernizing and making digital payments accessible to a broader segment of the population, since digital payments serve as a gateway to financial inclusion.
n Response to COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic accelerated the shift toward adoption of digital payments, significantly increasing electronic payment transactions due to mobility restrictions and health protocols.
n Central bank digital currency (CBDC) exploration. The Project Agila, BSP’s wholesale CBDC project is one of the major capacity building initiatives to ensure that the BSP is abreast of the fast-evolving technologies that drive emergence of alternative payment instruments.
n Cross-border payments. The BSP seeks to modernize cross-border payments to make the country more competitive amid increasing globalization of trades and investments as well as growing tourism and manpower mobility. The BSP pursues both bilateral and multilateral approach with focus on linking our fast payment system, InstaPay, with those of other countries in the ASEAN region.
n Sustainability and cybersecurity. Current and future efforts will include enhancing the sustainability of payment systems
and strengthening cybersecurity measures to protect against digital fraud and cyber threats.
n Designation of payment systems. Upon its determination that a payment system poses or has the potential to pose systemic risk, or is necessary to protect public interest, the BSP designates such payment system. To date, there are five payment systems designated by the BSP and they are: Philippine Peso Real-Time Gross Settlement Payment System, Philippine Domestic Dollar Transfer System, PhP-USD Payment vs Payment System, Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer System and Operations Network (PESONet), and InstaPay or Real-Time Low Value Electronic Fund Transfer System. Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11127 or the National Payment Systems Act (NPSA), the BSP is not only empowered to own and operate payment systems; it also now has the authority to oversee the payment systems in the Philippines and exercise supervisory and regulatory powers for the purpose of ensuring the stability and effectiveness of the monetary and financial system. BSP Circular No. 1049 on Registration of Operators of Payment Systems and BSP Circular No. 1089 on Payment System Oversight Framework are two of the implementing rules and regulations issued by the BSP under the NPSA. References: BSP website, The Story of Philippine Central Banking (2019).
