BusinessMirror June 12, 2023

4-MONTH BORROWINGS OF N.G. DOWN TO P1.109T

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE national government’s total gross borrowings from January to April declined by slightly over 6 percent yearon-year due to lower domestic borrowing despite the uptick in its external financing.

L atest Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) data showed that the national government’s total borrowings during the four-month period reached P1.109 trillion, about P74 billion lower than the P1.183 trillion outstanding borrowing recorded in the same period last year.

T he Treasury data showed that the latest total borrowings already represent half of the P2.207-trillion borrowing plan of the national government this year.

T he decline in gross borrowings was due to double-digit contraction in domestic borrowings, outpacing the 22-percent hike in external gross borrowings, based on Treasury data.

Treasury data showed domestic gross borrowings accounted for 70 percent of the total borrowings while the remaining 30 percent came from external sources.

T he national government’s domestic gross borrowings during the four-month period fell by 14.71 percent to P780.785 billion from P915.944 billion recorded last year.

T he lion’s share of gross domestic borrowings during the reference period came from Fixed Rate Treasury Bonds at P461.15 billion, followed by Retail Treasury Bonds at P283.763 billion.

See “Borrowings,” A2

DICT CHIEF RUES DIP IN STARTUP ECOSYSTEM RANK

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

ALTHOUGH the Philippines has made huge milestones in developing its startup ecosystem, the country has to exert more efforts to bring  it back to its lofty ranking in Southeast Asia, the head of the Department of Information Communications and Technology (DICT) has said.

DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said the country’s ranking dropped

to 59th this year from 57th in 2022. It is now behind Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysian, Thailand and Vietnam in terms of the development of startup ecosystem.

“ The decline in our ranking is a sovereign reminder for us that while we have made significant strides nurturing our startup ecosystem, there is a lot more to be done,” Uy said in his opening remarks during the comeback announcement of Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) in Pasig City.

GOAB is a globally-recognized in-

ternational startup event organized on scenic Philippine  beaches that aims to inspire relevant discussions on innovations and network-building. Moreover, the event serves as an avenue to discuss relevant key programs of the DICT for the Philippine Startup Ecosystem.

U y said the GOAB conference scheduled on November 23 and 24  this year in Panglao Beach, Bohol, will feature the Philippine Startup Challenge competition for high school and college students. He said the contest aims to

DOF assures defense execs of role in MUP oversight panel

THE Department of Finance (DOF) assured security and defense officials and officers that they would have representation in the oversight committee of the proposed military and uniformed personnel (MUP) reformed pension system.

T he DOF revealed that one of the new features of the proposed reforms to the MUP pension would be the inclusion of military and uniformed services representatives in the fund’s oversight committee.

T he administration’s economic team held  consultations with the Philippine Navy last week to discuss the proposed reforms to the MUP pension.

“As an additional feature to better manage the pension fund, representatives from the military and uniformed services will also be included in the oversight committee,” it said.

develop ICT products that would address societal problems.

H e stressed, along with the GOAB meeting, the competition is an aggressive campaign to enable the country to bounce back and become one of the leading destinations in Southeast Asia.

“Aside from the GOAB, the DICT will be more aggressive and invigorate the startup ecosystem which highlights the innovation, creativity and brilliance of the Filipinos,” Uy stressed.

See “DICT” A2

D eputy Treasurer Erwin D. Sta Ana assured officers from the Philippine Navy that there will be no co-mingling of funds among MUP and other funds being managed by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

“Ang pinag-usapan ng economic team ay dapat po may sariling accounting ang MUP [Per the economic team’s discussion, MUP should have its own accounting system]. That there will be an accounting standard that will be employed just to make sure that there is proper recording of all these funds,” Sta. Ana said.

( What the economic team discussed is that there should be an individual accounting per MUP.)

See “DOF,” A2

PHL, 1st-world economy in ’50-biz expo chief Palafox

By Raadee S. Sausa

THE Philippines becoming a first-world economy by 2050 is achievable if present challenges are addressed effectively, a renowned urban planner said over the weekend.

“ 2050, we have to start now,” said visionary architect Feleno Palafox Jr., this year’s chairman of the 49th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E).

“Achieving this vision entails immediate, short-, medium-, longterm, and visionary goals, plans, and programs that address barriers to growth and sustain the development of the sectors where the country has competitive edge,” he added.

human capital resources [demographic sweet spot], to name a few, are among the many advantages that will make the country a firstworld economy by 2050.”

FlorCruz: Chinese wind power firm wants to invest in PHL

tion of plans and benchmarking on the best practices around the globe to improve the country’s plans and designs,” Palafox said.

“ By implementing several programs assisting and nurturing the country’s startup ecosystem through the Digital Startup Development and Acceleration Program under the auspices of DICT’s Industry Development Bureau, we made it a priority by creating a portfolio for ICT Industry Development handled by Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue,” he said.

T he PBC&E will be held on October 25 and 26, 2023 at The Manila Hotel, organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

Palafox, who was involved in crafting the Philippine Development Plan (2023-2028) said that the initial step to take is ensure the effective implementation of the 5-year PDP plan.

He added that, “the Philippines’ strategic location, natural resources,

T ina Amper, co-founder and adviser of GeeksPh, told journalists online that angel investors with incubation companies have already identified the Philippines’s major source and potential of producing major startups. “We’re hoping that in the next few years we could probably push a few unicorns. That would really depend on the results of our collaboration with the industry and our partners identifying several of these potential startups,” Uy said. U y, a law graduate from the Uni -

Moreover, the architect said the fundamental key to maximizing benefits and returns from these resources are education or lifelong learning for the country’s human capital and demographic sweet spot, infrastructure to build on its strategic location and natural resources, and governance to fuel investments in key industries such as agriculture, mining and mineral resources, travel and tourism, manufacturing and information technology-business process management.

Leading the country to global excellence can be made possible through the effective implementa-

versity of the Philippines, said he is set to leave at the end of the month to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF)  in Tianjin, China in identifying the new digital champions. “The Philippines has been asked by the WEF to help provide and  identify potential new digital champions that will become possible unicorns and digital unicorns.

“ We’re working on that and we have also identified potential unicorns. That would be a good opportunity in the forum because a lot of angel investors would be there with

He also cited the strong collaboration between government, the private sector, and civil society and with five efficient, effective, visionary, and action-driven Presidents and administrations.

The country could achieve its goals to join the list of first-world countries by 2040 and rank as one of the top 20 economies by 2050,” Palafox added.

Meanwhile, this year’s conference will gather thought leaders, policymakers, national and LGU executives, top business leaders, and international leaders to share insights geared toward achieving the 2050 vision.

support, experience and mentorship available to help our startups. It would be good for the startups to be exposed because they would be identified by the potential investors and how they pitch some of their ideas in the initiatives,” Uy pointed out.

To bolster the government’s digitalization program, Uy said the DICT would be closely working with the legislators in the upcoming budget deliberations to get more support and funding for its digitalization programs.  Uy said he is optimistic the DICT will get the needed support as many legislators are digital natives who believe in the potential of the startups as engines of growth.

G OAB 2023 will offer plenary sessions exploring potential investment opportunities and breakout sessions that will focus on sector-specific topics like FinTech EduTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech and other category-specific themes centered around youth and women. Moreover, the event will also feature emerging technologies discussion, pitching business matching, investors’ roundtable, and exhibits from other various stakeholders.

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

ABIG Chinese wind power company is interested in investing in the Philippines, Jaime FlorCruz, the new Philippine Ambassador to Beijing said.

F lorCruz said he recently met the chief executive officer of Dajin Heavy Industry, the world’s largest maker of wind turbine towers and structural products for offshore wind power projects.

He said Dajin is interested in looking into setting up manufacturing plants in the Philippines.

“ They are looking for a place. They need a big area. They wish to set it up close to a port so that they can export, they can ship the products, the base of wind power equipment, overseas,” FlorCruz said in a virtual forum organized by a group of Filipino-Chinese business people.

“ They are very interested to invest in the Philippines and move

part of its operations there,” he added.

Dajin’s chairman of the board, Jin Xin, had participated in the Sino-Philippine Renewable Energy Roundtable Business Meeting during the state visit of President Ferdinand R.  Marcos Jr. in Beijing last January.

I n 2022, Dajin delivered wind energy products and services to the Philippines worth 150 million RMB (P1.1 billion).

T he Philippine ambassador said he also met with executives from China Power International Development and BYD, China’s equivalent of Tesla which makes electric vehicles,  who are “looking for opportunities” in the Philippines.

T he country has allowed 100-percent foreign investments in renewable energy in its bid to attain a 35-percent share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

I n allaying concerns of uniformed personnel regarding possible “co-mingling” of funds, Finance Undersecretary Maria Luwalhati C. Dorotan Tiuseco explained that they would still be MUP pensioners and not GSIS pensioners.

T he DOF noted that the MUP fund will just be managed by the GSIS and shall “remain strictly independent” from the pension of civilian government workers.

“ Napaganda po ng track record nila [the GSIS]. Ang mission po ng GSIS ay papalaguin nila ang pondo ng fund. Pero hindi po kayo magiging GSIS pensioner, MUP pensioner pa rin po kayo,” Tiuseco said.

(GSIS has a good track record. The mission of GSIS is to grow the value of the fund. But you will not be a GSIS pensioner, you will remain as a MUP pensioner.)

One of our goals is to make the pension fund sustainable to be able to make fiscal space for additional government support programs tulad ng housing, and better health and medical programs,” she said.

L ast week, finance officials announced in a statement that government’s economists are introducing changes to proposed reforms in the pension of military and uniformed personnel following a meeting with defense and security officials. (Related story: https:// businessmirror .com.ph/2023/06/05/ dof-offers-3-options-in-pensionof-mups/) Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

Global

labor reps urged PHL: Halt red-tagging of workers’ unions

LABOR representatives from Norway, United States and Indonesia called on the government to stop the “red-tagging” of trade unions during the session of the Commission on Application of Standards (CAS) of the International Labor Organization (ILO) on Saturday.

T he Philippines was among the countries tackled by the CAS due to its issues related to ILO Convention No. 87 or the Freedom of Association (FOA) and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention.

I n her intervention during the event, Nina Mjøberg, the labor representative from Norway, stressed the need for the government to engage the labor sector to address FOA violations in the country based on the recommendations of the ILOHigh Level Tripartite Mission (ILOHLTM).

D uring its Manila visit in January, ILO-HLTM  recommended the creation of a presidential body to address the reported killings of Filipino trade unionists.

A s part of its compliance with the proposals of the ILO-HLTM, the government  issued Executive Order No. 23, which created an interagency committee (IAC) to protect freedom of association. Mjøberg, however, reiterated the same concerns of the local labor leaders on the composition of the IAC, which mostly includes agencies from the security cluster of the government.  We could not be convinced that the same agencies which have been actively red-tagging, profiling and intimidating trade unionists, alleging infiltrations of the workplace by communism, could assume independence and protect the right to freedom of association,” Mjøberg said.

S ought for a reaction, Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma told BusinessMirror in an SMS, “We will wait for the conclusion of the CAS, which is expected to come out on June 15 before considering any comment/statement on the same.”

Samuel Medenilla

B orrowings by the government through auction of Treasury bills reached P35.872 billion.

D ata from the Treasury also showed that gross foreign borrowings in the January-to-April period rose by 22.76 percent to P328.883 billion from P267.905 billion recorded in the same period of 2022.

O f the total gross foreign borrowings, program loans and multitranche dollar-denominated global bonds amounted to P133.297 billion and P163.607 billion, respectively.

T he remaining amount was borrowed through a project loan estimated at P31.979 billion, based on Treasury data.

For April 2023 alone, the national government’s gross borrowings rose by 31 percent to P125.23 billion from P95.588 billion a year ago, Treasury data showed.

For the whole year, the national government plans to borrow P2.207

trillion with a 75:25 mix in favor of domestic sources.

I n terms of domestic borrowings, the national government aims to raise a total of P1.654 trillion, with P54.1 billion coming from the sale of Treasury bills while the remaining amount would come from the auction of Treasury bonds. Meanwhile, the national government plans to borrow P553.5 billion from foreign sources that include bonds, program loans and project loans.

T he Treasury earlier reported that the Philippines’s outstanding debt has climbed to P13.911 trillion, the highest in the country’s history, on the back of more external borrowings worsened by the depreciation of the local currency. (Related story: https:// businessmirror .com.ph/2023/06/01/ phl-debt-hits-new-high-of-p13911-trillion-at-end-april/)

FILE photo courtesy of Dajin Offshore Heavy Industry

Canada visa-free portal crashes after PHL included in program

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

THE portal for tourists coming to Canada

without visas crashed a few days after the Philippines was included among countries extended visa-free privileges.

The online service for Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) experienced “intermittent” connection, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said on June 9.

Then the following day, on June 10, the problem persisted.

“IRCC is aware of service degradation issues with the eTA system. We (are) treating this as a priority,” it tweeted.

The collapse of the eTA portal came two days after the IRCC expanded the number of countries that can avail of the no-visa requirements entering via air. Among the 13 countries is the Philippines.

Under the eTA program, Philippine passport holders who were issued visas by

Sen. Imee to Sec. Gibo: Check US request for PHL asylum for Afghanistan refugees

the Canadian Embassy for the past 10 years, or who have valid US non-immigrant visas, are eligible to apply for eTA program.

The Canadian public broadcaster, CBC, quoted a spokesman of the IRCC as saying that “the biggest spike in applications came from the Philippines.”

The crash in the website led to some travelers trying to reach Canada missing their flights, causing travel and financial stress.

Last Sunday, the IRCC announced that the online services for eTA applications have been restored.

“Service has been restored for the eTA system. We continue to monitor the system. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding,” the IRCC said.

The Canadian Embassy in Manila said they have yet to confirm the CBC report from the IRCC if the spike in eTA applications two days ago was caused by a deluge of applications from the Philippines.

DA-Bicol office braces for Mayon eruption

By Raadee S. Sausa @raadeeboy

THE Regional Field Office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced it is closely monitoring the situation in the province following the alert level raised by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) for Mayon Volcano.

On June 5, DA-RFO 5 Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla activated the Mayon Quick Response Team and designated the Albay Breeding Station (ABS) in Cabangan, Camalig, Albay as livestock evacuation center.

The Phivolcs has raised its alert level from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Alert Level 3 (increasing tendency towards a hazardous eruption) because of an increase in the volume and frequency of rock fall.

“Livestock raisers within the sixkilometer danger zone are advised to evacuate their carabaos, cattle, horses, goats and other ruminants to the ABS where drugs and biologics, vitamins and mineral blocks for livestock as well as ropes and animal feeds were already prepositioned,” Tornilla said.

Rice, corn and vegetable seed reserves are also being maintained.

Moreover, animals can also be brought to local government-designated animal

evacuation centers in Muladbucad Grande, Pequeño, and Masarawag in Guinobatan; and, Nasisi in Ligao City, the agriculture official said.

Hauling trucks were previously stationed at the ABS and at the DA Research Outreach Station in Tabaco City to help in the transport of animals and crops.

“Farmers are advised to harvest all harvestable crops with the aid of nine Rice

Combine Harvesters previously distributed by DA Bicol to farmers’ cooperatives and associations in Albay. Farmers may also avail of the services of the three rice processing centers established in Balinad and Balangibang in Polangui and in Maporong, Oas, Albay,” Tornilla added.

There are

25,457 Registry System for Basic

Sectors in Agriculture-listed rice, corn and coconut farmers in the eight municipalities and cities along the 6-kilometer to 8-kilometer permanent danger zones (PDZ), namely Camalig, Ligao City, Tabaco City, Daraga, Guinobatan, Legazpi City, Malilipot and Santo Domingo.

Furthermore, residents who live within the PDZ were advised to evacuate their homes because of the risks posed by the increasing volcanic activity in the area.

The DA said its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operations Center will continuously provide updates regarding Mayon Volcano.

Meralco: Human error caused T3 power failure

By Lenie Lectura

HUMAN error caused the power failure that struck Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 3 last week, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said last Sunday.

“We are issuing this statement to confirm that [employees of] MServ (Meralco Energy Inc.), in the presence of MIAA [Manila International Airport Authority] personnel, was conducting testing activities of NAIA Terminal 3’s electrical facilities when the brief power outage occurred last Friday,” Meralco Vice-President and Head of Corporate Communications Agapito R. Zaldarriaga said. The activity was part of the comprehensive technical audit aimed at improving NAIA Terminal 3’s electrical system following the outage that hit the airport terminal last May 1.

According to an incident report submitted to airport authorities, an MServ personnel accidentally left grounding conductors attached to an electrical equipment during a testing activity, which triggered an electrical

fault at 12:50 p.m. that subsequently caused the power interruption of NAIA Terminal 3’s facilities last June 9.

The affected facilities were immediately isolated and power was restored at 1:29 p.m of the same day. Meralco also dispatched crew on site to assist MServ and MIAA.

Part of the report submitted were specific recommendations to ensure smoother conduct of succeeding audit and testing activities of NAIA Terminal 3’s facilities, Meralco said.

These include, among others, the strict implementation of toolbox meeting among MIAA, MServ and Meralco prior to any activity and conduct of thorough joint inspection of work area prior to energization of facilities being tested.

“We would like to apologize for the inconvenience the power interruption last Friday caused. We also assure the MIAA, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the commuting public that measures are being undertaken to prevent a similar incident from happening again,” added Zaldarriaga.

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

Imelda Josefa

SENATOR Maria

Remedios “Imee” R. Marcos

has urged newly-appointed Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año to shed light on a request by the United States to grant some Afghans special immigrant status in the Philippines.

Marcos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, asked why the US government wanted to house Afghans in the Philippines instead of

the American mainland or countries closer to Afghanistan.

In Senate Resolution 651 filed last Thursday, she called for an inquiry into the real intention behind Washington’s request since no data have been made public on the said Afghans’ status as legitimate refugees or employees of the US government or American companies.

“During the past year, security and espionage threats have substantially increased because of the sharp escalation in tension between rival superpowers,” Marcos said.

The Presidential Management Staff (PMS) held a “technical coordination

meeting” with other government agencies last Wednesday to take up the “proposed temporary housing in the Philippines of Special Immigrant Visa applicants from Afghanistan.”

However, the government agencies called to attend could not thoroughly discuss the matter because the PMS did not provide details about the meeting other than its general topic, date, and venue.

Sources privy to the meeting told Marcos that a memorandum of agreement was already in the works.

“There’s a lack of transparency in the present case,” Marcos said, comparing

the previous administration’s policy of accepting Afghan refugees when the Taliban took over their homeland in August 2021 following the withdrawal of American troops.

The Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 states that the admission of refugees for religious, political, or racial reasons should serve a humanitarian purpose and not be opposed to the public interest.

“We need to know the real nature of the agreement between the Philippines and the United States and the course of action the executive branch plans to take,” Marcos said.

Govt assures help for families evacuated as volcano stirs up

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

ALEADER of the House of Representatives has assured evacuated families of coordinated efforts among government agencies, relief and assistance following Mayon Volcano’s increased alert level as the Lower Chamber facilitated the release of a total of P33-million worth of assistance to the province of Albay.

House Committee on Appropriations Chairman and Ako Bicol Party List Rep. Elizaldy S. Co has mobilized their efforts to extend a helping hand to the families who have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the increased alert level of Mayon Volcano.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has issued an Alert Level 3, which signifies an increased probability of eruption within weeks or even days. The Phivolcs advises immediate evacuation for those in the identified permanent danger zones (PDZ).

Co expressed his commitment to ensuring that no family is left unsupported amidst the volcanic threat.

The lawmaker said members of the Ako Bicol Party List has collaborated closely with local government units, disaster management agencies, and humanitarian organizations to coordinate efforts and provide relief to the affected communities.

“Immediate actions have been taken to address the urgent needs of the evacuated families, including the provision of food, water, shelter, and medical assistance,” he said.

In solidarity

RECENT reports have highlighted the urgent

need for evacuation in the municipality of Daraga, Albay, as families residing near the Mayon Volcano express their concerns and heed the call to ensure their safety, said Co.

“We stand in solidarity with our fellow Bicolanos who have been displaced from their homes due to the imminent danger posed by Mayon Volcano. [We remain] steadfast in our commitment to support and protect the welfare of our constituents. We are here to provide not just immediate relief but also long-term solutions to help rebuild their lives,” the lawmaker added.

The partylist group has mobilized a network of dedicated volunteers who are actively engaged in assessing the needs of affected families and distributing essential supplies efficiently and effectively while working closely with relevant agencies to ensure that the necessary resources are readily available to assist in the evacuation, monitoring, and support of the affected communities.

As the situation continues to evolve, Co said they remain on high alert and ready to adapt their response efforts accordingly as they are closely monitoring updates from Phivolcs and will continue to work hand in hand with local authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected families.

Historical experience

HOUSE Committee on Ways and Means

Chairman Jose Ma. Clemente “Joey” S. Salceda has expressed gratitude to Social Welfare and Development Secretary

Rexlon T. Gatchalian for quickly responding to his request for food packs for 9,829 families in the 6-kilometer PDZ and 7-kilometer danger zone around Mayon

OCD assures support to towns near Mayon

THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has assured its support to the towns and municipalities that will be affected by Mayon volcano in Albay and Taal volcano in Batangas, which continued to show unrest and forced the evacuation of already more than 2, 000 families in Albay.

The assurance was made by OCD Deputy Administrator for Administration Assistant

Secretary Hernando M. Caraig Jr. and Deputy Administrator for Operations Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV during their visits to Batangas and Albay, respectively, to coordinate preparations and response activities with the affected areas. Caraig visited the municipalities of

Balete, Mataas na Kahoy, Laurel, Agoncillo and Talisay to check on their preparations against Taal Volcano in Batangas.

A total of 8,800 pieces of N95 face masks were distributed to the municipalities.

“We want to ensure that all activities to prepare the communities surrounding Taal are done by the local government units with the support of the OCD, the NDRRMC [National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council] and the national government,” Caraig said.

On the other hand, Alejandro together with Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rexlon T. Gatchalian, met with Albay Governor Edcel Greco Alexandre B. Lagman and other local officials

in the municipalities of Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Santo Domingo and Malilipot, as the volcano has been elevated to Alert Level 3.

“The scenarios are based on historical experience with Mayon volcanic activity, where evacuation tends to be protracted to 47 days or 90 days. We hope that the DSWD will be able to grant at least 50 percent of the food pack requirements for the 45-days scenario, considering that most of these requirements will materialize once Alert Level 4 is declared,” Salceda said.

Following the advice of the Phivolcs, an initial 4,749 families or more than 18,000 persons have already been evacuated to safety, mostly in public school buildings and previously identified evacuation centers.

A subsequent statement quoted Salceda as saying that the five towns have the most families in immediate danger.

“Southeast quadrant, and Malilipot in the northeast – these have the most people exposed to immediate risk. So, we prepare what we need for their evacuation first, before anything else,” the lawmaker said.

The southeast quadrant is composed of Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan and Santo Domingo towns with 7,963 families or 29,880, while the northeast quadrant has the town of Malilipot with 1,966 families or 7,226 individuals.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Tingog Party-list have facilitated the release of assistance—in cash and in kind—to the province of Albay amid the rumblings of Mayon Volcano that has forced the evacuation of residents living in the PDZ.

Relief goods

ROMUALDEZ and Tingog Party-list Reps.

to address issues, hear their concerns and check on their preparations.

The OCD has committed to deploy its water filtration units to Albay to provide clean and potable water to the affected areas. To address sanitation issues, OCD Bicol Region will outsource the siphoning and declogging of septic tanks for evacuation centers.

Alejandro also inspected the warehouse of OCD and the stockpile of family food packs in the province.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support to all the affected LGUs as they address concerns at the evacuation centers. We will coordinate with all relevant agencies to ensure the wellbeing of the affected residents,” Alejandro said.

The 9th Infantry Division based in

Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre said last Sunday that P1-million worth of assistance was allocated to each of the three districts of Albay.

The affected areas include: the 1st District under Rep. Edcel C. Lagman; 2nd District under Salceda; and, 3rd District under Rep. Fernando T. Cabredo. The assistance from the Speaker’s office will be coursed through their respective offices.

“The members of the House are one with the people of Albay during this challenging time. Mayon Volcano’s eruption is something that we cannot stop, but so is showing malasakit to our countrymen when difficulties arise. Together, we will ride out this calamity,” the Speaker said. The P1-million assistance for each of the districts is broken down into P500,000 in cash and P500,000-worth of relief packs from Romualdez’s personal disaster response fund.

Before dawn Sunday, hundreds of volunteers trooped to a department store in Embarcadero de Legazpi, Albay, to repack and prepare relief goods for the displaced families. About 1,420 relief packs for each district were readied for distribution.

On top of this, the Speaker’s office coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) so that P10-million worth of assistance would be released to each district through the agency’s “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations” program.

According to the House leader, the P500,000 cash assistance will be turned over to each of the three districts on Monday. The relief packs will be distributed soon after.

Camarines Sur has activated its Task Force Sagip, which is assisting in the ongoing evacuation of residents in Mayon’s 6 km.radius danger zone.

Major German Franco H. Roldan, 9th ID spokesman, said the task force has already moved out 2,638 families from the towns of Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan and Malilipot as well as in the cities of Tabaco and Ligao in Albay.

Roldan said the number is expected to rise after the declaration of the State of Calamity in the entire province due to the continuous threat of Mayon.

Aside from the evacuation efforts, government troops are also distributing food packs and tents for the affected families.

Rene Acosta

Negros Occ. LGU to bid for organic agri event

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

THE province of Negros Occidental is bidding for an international conference that will help position Bacolod as a major meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (Mice) destination in the country. In a speech at the recent Organic Asia Congress in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose “Bong”

V. Lacson announced the province’s bid to host the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (Ifoam) World Congress in 2027.

“Negros Occidental has been the host of several international assemblies and events. We have good hotel accommodations, several malls, outstanding tourist destinations and cuisine, and an airport that is half an hour from the city center. As a province and as a people, we are famed for our gracious hospitality, which we cannot wait to share with our fellow advocates in organic farming,” Lacson said.

The international event, held every three years, is expected to attract 1,300 delegates, 300 of whom will be coming from all over the world. Founded in 1972, Ifoam-Organics International works to bring sustainable agriculture practices to farmers across the globe.

Lacson said that “hosting the Ifoam Organic World Congress will shine a spotlight on our province’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.”

“It will allow us to showcase our success stories, our organic farms, and the unique biodiversity that thrives within our province. By doing so, we can inspire others and encourage the adoption of organic practices worldwide,” he added.

Known as the sugar bowl of the Philippines, Negros Occidental has slowly transformed itself into a successful example of organic farming and sustainable agriculture in the country. The province is now the seat for Ifoam Asia and SlowFood Asia.

“The presence of these groups signifies the importance of Negros Occidental in the local and regional development of the organic sector,” he said.

Conventions in Bacolod

MEANWHILE, Bacolod is looking to attract 1,000 to 3,000 MICE delegates this year. The city has established the Bacolod Meetings and Conventions Promotions to market the city as an important MICE destination. This month, it is hosting events of the Municipal Health Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Neurological Association.

John Bernard G. Ongsingco, senior branch manager of SMX Convention Center, expressed optimism that the MICE sector is already picking up.

“We are hosting a minimum of two events per month,” Ongsingco said adding that the number of tourism destinations in the city, “and the warm hospitality we are known for,” can also help attract more MICE events. He noted the city is also easily accessible via local and international carriers through the Bacolod-Silay International Airport.

SMXCC is the only convention space in the Bacolod, but other meeting rooms and event spaces are located in nine hotels, with the largest event space at L’Fisher Hotel (954 square feet).

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed 60 MICE events in Bacolod with 3,163 participants in pre-pandemic 2019.

Last year, the city attracted 618,682 visitors, of which 31,000 were foreigners. Including other cities and municipalities, the entire province of Negros Occidental attracted 1.13 million visitors, of which some 36,000 were international travelers.

Among the goals of the National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028 is to increase investments in the development of high-value tourism experiences such as MICE and special events. In the Asean, major MICE destinations include Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. For the Philippines to get a slice of the big MICE pie, it must increase its usable space for exhibitions to at least 171,000 square meters by 2030.

According to Allied Marketing Research, the Asia-Pacific MICE industry generated a revenue of US$229 billion in 2017, with China and Japan dominating the market. The industry is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 8.6 percent to reach $441.1 billion by 2025.

DOE plans to hold auction for offshore-wind tech

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE Department of Energy (DOE) plans to conduct an auction for offshore wind (OSW) technology next year.

“We actually consulted with the OSW service contract awardees and they said next year would be a good time for them. So we plan to hold an auction that includes OSW by next year,” said DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara.

However, she said the agency would have to adjust accordingly the Green Energy Auction Reserve (GEAR) prices for OSW as this varies per technology.

The GEAR prices are set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

“Perhaps, the design will be a little bit different. There is a need to rationalize the GEAR prices depending on

the technologies that are being used,” Guevara said.

“This time for GEA2 [Green Energy Auction round 2], we had a lot of communication with the ERC and the developers because they were not happy with the original GEAR prices that ERC came up with. So, we may have to redesign GEA for OSW next year. I think the GEAR will be coming out next week,” she added.

The GEA program was designed to continuously trigger the increase of renewable energy (RE) capacity in the country, which will help realize the government’s target of 35 percent RE in the energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

The first round of GEA was conducted in June last year. It generated almost 2,000megawatts (MW) of capacities that were committed to deliver energy from 2023 to 2025 at a

Govt, commercial fishers told to install monitoring devices

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

competitive price lower than or equal to the GEAR prices.

During the GEA1, the DOE issued 18 Certificate of Awards of RE capacity, which are committed to go onstream beginning this year.

For GEA2, the DOE has pre-qualified 118 bidders. A total of 339 out of 378 submissions of registration for different RE technologies from 118 companies were found compliant to participate further in the bidding process for the 11,600MW offered RE capacities.

The auction will be held on June 19.

After GEA-2, the DOE will conduct GEA3 in the fourth quarter this year for geothermal and impounding hydro.

The DOE will develop a specific auction policy and guidelines for GEA4.

The DOE plans to conduct the GEA annually to encourage more RE investments in the country.

TUCP concerned PHL fails in producing quality jobs

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

THE country is still not producing enough “quality” jobs despite the lifting of restrictions on economic activities, which were imposed during the pandemic, according to the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).

The country’s largest labor group is now pushing for the government to come out with “pro-labor policies” to help attract more job-generating investments in the country.

In a statement, TUCP Vice President Luis C. Corral expressed concern over the quickening of the underemployment rate to 12.9 percent last April from 11.2 percent last March.

He said this translates to 6.20 million employed, “who are still seeking additional work because their measly salaries, further depressed by inflation, are no longer enough to feed their families and lead decent lives.”

“The economic managers cannot solely rely on the reopening of the economy and the private sector for job creation,” Corral said.

To help create more quality employment, the labor leader said the government must play a more active role in attracting more foreign direct investments (FDI) in the country with “pro-labor policies.”

“The TUCP believes that the Philippines’s pro-labor pivot and adopting [our] ‘Jobs Agenda’ can bring us out of the rut of precarious work and set us on the right track towards the creation of new, permanent and decent jobs,” Corral said.

The TUCP believes such reforms include addressing local incidents of labor rights violations by “upholding fundamental labor rights, ensuring core labor standards.”

It also pushed for the construction of a national railway system connecting agri-industrial hubs; sustainable industrial policy; and providing financial and technical aid to micro-scale, small-

scale and medium-sized enterprises.

He noted the said reforms are now more crucial especially since the government is now seeking the resumption of the negotiations for the PhilippineEuropean (EU) Free Trade Agreement (PH-EU FTA) as well as pushing for the renewal of the EU GSP+ set to expire by the end of 2023.

The EU GSP+ provides the Philippines’ tariff-free access to over 6,274 product lines to the EU market.

“All these trade privileges and prospective bilateral agreements are tied to the Philippines’ compliance with the fundamental labor rights and core labor standards,” Corral said.

“We remind our economic managers, state security forces and employers that addressing workers’ issues and passing pro-worker policies serve as an international seal of good housekeeping for sustainable businesses to export tariff-free to foreign markets and Filipino workers to get new, permanent and decent jobs,” he added.

Private sector urged to create more job-generating schemes

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Employment lauded the private

sector initiative that aims to create a million jobs for Filipinos. The panel chairman and Rizal 4th District Rep. Juan Fidel Felipe F. Nograles also urged more private sector companies to also come up with similar job-generating

programs.

“This is a great initiative that not only creates jobs but also addresses the problem of access to transportation for so many of our workers,” Nograles said last Sunday. “I hope that our other private sector companies will also come up with similar initiatives that would help generate employment for our people.”

The Motorcycle Micro Business Program, proposed by the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC)-Job Sector Group (PSAC-JSG), aims to empower the informal sector, particularly motorcycle “nanopreneurs,” by creating one million job opportunities for habal-habal riders while ensuring the highest safety standards.

The PSAC-JSG proposal was inspired by Angkas ride-hailing app operator DBDOYC Inc. that earlier proposed the “Motorcycle Nanopreneur Digital Jobs Platform,” which hopes to empower the country’s 18 million motorcycle owners to become “nanopreneurs” or small business owners.

The program also seeks to address the financial exclusion of Filipinos without access to banking services by offering secure cash handling and easier motorcycle loans.

Nograles highlighted the role that such initiatives could play in addressing poverty in the country.

Such private sector-led action helps ensure that programs are targeted and create actual value, the lawmaker added.

“I hope that the government and the private sector will continue to work together through PSAC. With such convergence and close collaboration our inclusive development will not be a pipe dream but something attainable,” the lawmaker said.

SMALL fishermen belonging to the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) added their voice to the growing sentiment against the stop order issued by Malacanang against the implementation of the vessel monitoring system (VMS) for commercial fishing boats.

The group, a national alliance of fishermen and fisherfolk organizations, also brushed aside the “price shock” warning issued by the commercial fishing sector should the vessel monitoring measure is enforced.

The group said commercial fishing companies are making it as an “excuse” to continue their unregulated and unsustainable fishing spree, including municipal fishing grounds which are supposed to be exclusive for small fishers.

Under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 266, commercial fishing vessels that weigh 3.1 gross tons and above, are required to install Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and Electronic Reporting System (ERS).

The monitoring measure seeks to keep track of commercial fishing activities including the vessel’s port of origin and arrival, date and time, location of the boat where the fish was caught, and species and volume of fish caught.

“The FAO 266 is a welcome measure to regulate the unsustainable and often destructive method of fishing of commercial vessels. Operated by big fishing firms, these commercial vessels are exhausting and exploiting the fishery and marine resources in our seas. Commercial fishing vessels usually swarm the 15-kilometer municipal waters, out-competing and overwhelming the traditional and backward fishing methods of small fishers,” Pamalakaya National Chairman Fernando L. Hicap was quoted in a statement as saying.

Incessant drive

HICAP said the commercial fishing industry is based on export, and its vessels’ incessant drive to meet the demand of the global market not only depletes our domestic market supply but also the fish stocks in our seas.

“For us, small and municipal fishers, we don’t buy the drama of some commercial fishing groups that comply with the vessel monitoring scheme could pose negative impacts to the local production, because their production is based on export to begin with. We instead urge the commercial fishing industry to strictly observe the regulatory measure to ensure that our fishing grounds, especially the municipal waters, are genuinely protected and preserved for our domestic fishery needs,” he said.

Lastly, Hicap said the government should strengthen the production of the municipal fisheries sub-sector through adequate state support, production subsidy, and ensuring the exclusive rights of small-scale and subsistence fisherfolk to our fishing grounds and coastal communities.

International ocean conservation advocacy nongovernment organization Oceana Philippines earlier assailed alleged moves to amend the Philippine Fisheries Code which they said will pave the way for commercial fishing vessels to catch fish in municipal fishing grounds.

They said instead of amending the law, the government should enforce it, starting with requiring commercial fishing boats to install vessel monitoring devices that will allow the government to monitor their behavior when on a fishing expedition.

The group has been complaining about the intrusion of commercial fishing boats in municipal fishing grounds in defiance of the Philippine Fisheries Code.

THIS undated photo courtesy of the Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) shows (from left)

Pasay City Fire Marshall Superintendent Mariano S. Taguiam, District Fire Marshall-Bureau of Fire Protection District 3 Senior Superintendent Flor-Ian A. Guerrero, Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randolph T. Estrellado and Maynilad Corporate Affairs and Communication Head Marie Antonette H. De Ocampo during the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Maynilad and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Special to the BusinessMirror

The World

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Zelenskyy: ‘Counteroffensive, defensive actions’ underway against Russian forces

By Samya Kullab & Jamey Keaten The Associated Press

The Ukrainian leader, at a Kyiv news conference alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, responded to a question about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comment a day earlier t hat Ukraine’s counteroffensive had started—and Ukrainian forces were taking “significant losses.”

Zelenskyy said that “counteroffensive, defensive actions are t aking place in Ukraine. I will not speak about which stage or phase they are in.”

Top Ukrainian authorities have stopped short of announcing a full-blown counteroffensive was underway, though some W estern analysts have said fiercer fighting and reported use of reserve troops suggests it was.

“I am in touch with our commanders of different directions e very day,” he added, citing the names of five of Ukraine’s top military leaders. “Everyone is positive. Pass this on to Putin.”

Trudeau, the first foreign leader to visit Ukraine since devastating floods caused by a breach in a Dnieper River dam, offered up monetary, military and moral support. He pledged 500 million Canadian dollars ($375 million) in new military aid, on top of more than 8 billion Canadian dollars ($6 billion) t hat Canada has already provided since the war began in February

By Frances D’emilio The Associated Press

ROME—Pope Francis, “wise -

ly” following doctors’ advice, will skip Sunday’s customary public blessing to allow himself to better heal after abdominal surgery earlier this week, his surgeon told reporters.

Blood and imaging tests indicate that the 86-year-old pope’s recovery is proceeding in an “absolutely normal” manner, Sergio Alfieri, who operated on the pontiff, also told reporters on Saturday at Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome.

During the three-hour-long operation on Wednesday, using general anesthesia, doctors removed increasingly painful scarring that resulted from previous abdominal surgeries as well as repaired a hernia in the abdominal wall, with the insertion of a prosthetic support netting, or mesh.

Alfieri said while Francis’ recovery has been medically uneventful, any extra physical exertion, like rising from bed to move to an armchair to recite the traditional Sunday noon blessing and commentary to the public through a video link, could be risky at this point.

While the Vatican said earlier in the week that Francis had occasionally been sitting in a chair to read newspapers, the weekly noon ap -

2022, and announced 10 million Canadian dollars ($7.5 million) for humanitarian assistance for the flood response.

Trudeau said the dam’s collapse was “a direct consequence o f Russia’s war,” but he didn’t blame Moscow directly.

Ukraine’s General Staff said Saturday that “heavy battles” were ongoing, with 34 clashes over the previous day in the country’s industrial east. It gave no d etails but said Russian forces were “defending themselves” and launching air and artillery strikes in Ukraine’s southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Recent Western injections of billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment—some of it high-tech and top-of-the-line— to Ukraine has raised expectations about when it would be u sed, and to what effect against dug-in Russian lines.

For months, Ukrainian commanders in the eastern city of B akhmut—which was largely devastated in a months-long fight that has been one of the bloodiest battles of the war—have used the language of counteroffensive and defensive operations to describe the activity there.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Friday that the epicenter of the fighting has been in the east, particularly in the Donetsk region, and cited “heavy battles”

i n Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka.

Valerii Shershen, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s armed forces i n Zaporizhzhia, told Radio Liberty that they were searching for weaknesses in Russia’s defense in that region, to the west.

Ukraine’s nuclear energy agency Energoatom said the last operating reactor at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, had been placed in cold shutdown” mode. That’s a process in which all control rods are inserted into the reactor core to stop the nuclear fission reaction and generation of heat and p ressure.

The plant’s other five reactors already were in cold shutdown amid concerns about the plant’s exposure to the fighting.

Energoatom said in a statement late Friday that there was “no direct threat” to the Zaporizhzhia plant because of the b reach of the Kakhovka dam further down the Dnieper River, which has forced thousands of people to flee flooding and also sharply reduced water levels in a reservoir used to help cool the facility.

Water levels in the Kakhovka reservoir, which feed the Zaporizhzhia plant, remained stable on S aturday, Energoatom said.

The site’s power units have not been operating since September last year. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency

i s due to visit Ukraine in the coming days.

Ukrainian authorities reported Saturday that at least six civilians have died across the country as Russian forces launched I ranian-made Shahed drones, missiles, and artillery and mortar strikes.

U kraine’s State Emergency Service reported that three people were killed and more than t wo-dozen wounded overnight in an attack targeting the Black Sea port of Odesa. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern operational command, Natalia Humeniuk, said two children and a pregnant woman were among those w ounded.

Two people were killed in a Russian attack on the town of Orekhova in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to governor Yuriy Malashko.

In Ukraine’s northeast, a 29-year-old man was killed as more than 10 drones targeted the Kharkiv region, its governor, Oleh Syniehubov, reported Saturday. He added that at l east three other civilians were wounded.

The Ukrainian air force said that during the night, it had shot down 20 out of 35 Shahed drones and two out of eight missiles “of various types” launched by Russian forces.

T he fighting and civilian casualties took renewed attention as aut horities in southern Ukraine said water levels have been declining in a vast area beneath the r uptured dam.

Nearly one-third of protected natural areas in the Kherson region could be obliterated by flooding following the breach of the Kakhovka dam, the Ukrainian environment minister warned S aturday.

The UN’s humanitarian aid chief, Martin Griffiths, said in an Associated Press interview Friday that an “extraordinary” 700,000 people were in need of drinking water. Jon Gambrell in Kyiv, Joanna Kozlowska and Jill Lawless in London, and Frank Jordans in Bonn, Germany, contributed to this story.

“to his work with more strength and safety.”

By Aamer Madhani The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—China has been operating a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019, part of a global effort by Beijing to upgrade its intelligence-gathering capabilities, according to a Biden administration official.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the US intelligence community has been aware of C hina’s spying from Cuba and a larger effort to set up intelligence-gathering operations around the globe for some time.

The Biden administration has stepped up efforts to thwart the Chinese push to expand its spying operations and believes it has made some p rogress through diplomacy and other unspecified action, according to the official, who was familiar with US intelligence on the matter.

T he existence of the Chinese spy base was confirmed after The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that China and Cuba had reached an agreement in principle to build an electronic eavesdropping station on the island. The Journal reported that China planned to pay a cash-strapped Cuba billions of dollars as part of the negotiations.

The White House and Cuban officials, however, called the report inaccurate.

I’ve seen that press report, it’s not accurate,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said i n an MSNBC interview on Thursday. “What I can tell you is that we have been concerned since day one of this administration about China’s influence activities around the world; certainly in this hemisphere and in this region, we’re watching this very, very closely.”

The US intelligence community had determined that Chinese spying from Cuba has been an “ongoing” matter and is “not a new development,” the administration official said.

P resident Joe Biden’s national security team was briefed by the intelligence community soon after he took o ffice in January 2021 about a number of sensitive Chinese efforts around the globe where Beijing was weighing expanding logistics, basing and collection i nfrastructure as part of the People’s Liberation Army’s attempt to further

its influence, the official said.

Chinese officials looked at sites that spanned the Atlantic Ocean, Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and the Indo-Pacific. The effort included looking at existing collection facilities in Cuba, and China conducted an upgrade of its spying operation on the island in 2019, the official said. Tensions between the US and China have been fraught throughout Biden’s term.

The relationship may have hit a nadir last year after then-House Speaker N ancy Pelosi’s visit to democratically governed Taiwan. That visit, the first by a sitting House speaker since Newt Gingrich in 1997, led China, which claims t he island as its territory, to launch military exercises around Taiwan.

US-China relations became further strained early this year after the US shot down a Chinese spy balloon that had crossed the United States.

Beijing also was angered by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s stopover in the US last month that included an encounter with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The speaker hosted the Taiwanese leader at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in southern Ca lifornia.

Still, the White House has been eager to resume high-level communications between the two sides.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning to travel to China next week, a trip that was canceled as the balloon was flying over the US. Blinken expects to be in Beijing on June 18 for meetings with senior Chinese officials, according to US officials, who spoke Friday o n condition of anonymity because neither the State Department nor the Chinese foreign ministry has yet confirmed the trip.

C IA Director William Burns met in Beijing with his counterpart last month. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with his C hinese counterpart in Vienna over two days in May and made clear that the administration wanted to improve high-level communications with the Chinese side.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently spoke briefly with Li Shangfu, C hina’s minister of national defense, at the opening dinner of a security forum in Singapore. China had earlier rejected Austin’s request for a meeting on the sidelines of the forum. AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

pointment customarily involves the pope speaking to the public for about 15 minutes and giving his blessing.

Advice by his doctors and the pope’s trusted Vatican nurse to forgo the Sunday appearance is aimed at achieving “the least strain on the abdominal wall in order to allow the implanted mesh and the muscle fascia repaired to heal optimally,’’ Alfieri said.

“In the next few days, if he’s not careful about healing, the netting could tear and he’ll be back in the operating room,” the surgeon said.

“If he has a careful recovery, he’ll be back better” than before at the Vatican, Alfieri said. “It’s prudence that we suggested and that he wisely accepted.”

Francis has graduated from a liquid to a semiliquid diet and had no fever, according to his medical staff. His cardiac and respiratory status was also fine, Alfieri said in his first medical briefing on the pontiff’s condition since the one he gave Wednesday shortly after the pope came round from the anesthetic.

“For his age, 86, he doesn’t have pathologies” regarding his heart or respiratory systems, Alfieri said in response to a reporter’s question.

Francis will recite the traditional Sunday noon prayer privately in his hospital room, and faithful are encouraged to join in the prayer, Bruni said.

While praying privately, Francis will unite “spiritually, with affection and gratitude, to the faithful who want to accompany him, wherever they are” in prayer, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a separate, written statement.

Meanwhile, thousands of people turned out in St. Peter’s Square for a gathering to promote the value of brotherhood — a quality so dear to Francis that he wrote an encyclical on its importance in 2020.

But since Francis couldn’t speak to them, a cardinal read out the pontiff’s speech, which acknowledged his absence.

“Even though I am unable to greet you in person, I would like to welcome and thank you wholeheartedly for coming,’’ the prepared speech began. Those listening heard a reminder from Francis that there is “the possibility of being brothers and sisters even when we are not close, as has happened to me.”

Francis is convalescing in the 10th-floor apartment reserved for papal use at Gemelli Polyclinic.

No date has yet been announced for his release from the hospital.

“We hope we will convince him to stay at least the whole next week,’’ Alfieri said on Saturday.

Alfieri said by opting to spend more of his convalescence in the hospital instead of leaving after a handful of days, the pope can return

Alfieri recalled his remarks, hours after the surgery, that Francis had experienced no complications during the surgery or from the general anesthesia.

During the operation, the surgical team removed adhesions, a kind of internal scarring not infrequent after previous surgery. Two years earlier, Francis had part of his colon removed following a narrowing of a section of the bowel. The hernia that was repaired had formed over a previous scar.

Alfieri had performed the 2021 bowel surgery as well. When he operated this time, “I found the same scars I found two years ago,” the surgeon said Saturday. “Then they weren’t causing symptoms.” But in the time since, the adhesions were increasingly causing pain.

Post-surgery, Francis “doesn’t have much pain,” Alfieri said, adding that the pontiff was on “bland” anti-pain medication “so he can breathe well.”

Francis has two trips abroad set for August, the first to Portugal, for a Catholic youth jamboree, and then, at the end of that month, to Mongolia, the first-ever pilgrimage by a pontiff to that Asian country.

Asked about the prospects for those strenuous trips given his surgery, Alfieri said the pontiff, “made these calculations” when deciding to go ahead with the June 7 surgery, an indication that Francis felt that the timing of the operation would allow him to stick to his travel plans.

By Zoe Tillman

THE f ederal indictment against Donald Trump is rooted in the contents of the classified documents he kept after leaving the White House, but charging papers show how the famously unfiltered former president’s own words helped prosecutors build a case against him.

In order to win at trial, Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team will have to persuade a jury that Trump not only mishandled sensitive national security information and interfered with the government’s efforts to get the records back, but that he did so “willfully” and “knowingly.” It’s a high bar to clear, and one that requires tapping into a defendant’s state of mind.

The numerous Trump quotations in the 44-page indictment unsealed on Friday – from his 2016 attacks on political rival Hillary Clinton to what prosecutors described as recorded comments in 2021 lamenting that he could no longer declassify a military “plan of attack” he still had—provide rhetorical flourish to the indictment, said former New York federal prosecutor Sarah Krissoff. They “show that he’s saying one thing and doing another,” she said.

But more importantly, she said, Trump’s running commentary over the years is an important way the special counsel office can “show that he knew exactly what he was supposed to do with these documents and didn’t do that.”

The indictment goes back to 2016, offering five excerpts from Trump’s campaign speeches attacking Clinton for her

use of a private e-mail server. Prosecutors highlighted that Trump declared his intention, if elected, to “enforce all laws concerning the protection of classified information.”

“No one will be above the law,” Trump is quoted from August 2016—echoing comments that Smith made on Friday announcing the indictment.

Prosecutors excerpted from Trump’s r emarks at a February 2017 press conference shortly after he’d taken office, when he criticized people who shared classified information with the media and said they should be “ashamed.” And in July 2018, when the White House announced it was revoking or reviewing security clearances of former officials who had emerged as his critics or political foes, prosecutors pulled from a statement he put out at the time.

“Such access is particularly inappropriate when former officials have transitioned into highly partisan positions and seek to use real or perceived access to sensitive information to validate their political attacks,” they quoted from the statement. “Any access granted to our nation’s secrets should be in furtherance of national, not personal, interests.”

More recently, in a July 2021 meeting at Trump’s Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club, prosecutors say the former president was recorded talking about a military “plan of attack” document that was “highly confidential” and “secret”—and the government alleges he showed it to other attendees who lacked the required security clearance to see it.

KYIV, Ukraine—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that counteroffensive and defensive actions are underway against Russian forces, asserting that his top commanders are in a “positive” mindset as their troops engaged in intense fighting along the front line.

Pope Francis takes doctors’ advice to skip Sunday public blessing as he recovers from major surgery

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during joint press conference with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in kyiv, Ukraine on Saturday, June 10, 2023.

U.S. ConfirMS China haS had a SPy baSe in CUba SinCe aT leaST 2019

Trump’s own words play star role in the case against him

| www.businessmirror.com.ph

Independence

A BusinessMirror

The spirit of freedom lives on in history, but what if Pinoys neglect their heritage?

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

WHEN the Manila Central Post Office in Lawton went up in flames last May 22, it riled up netizens and heritage advocates, who mourned the loss of the historical structure, bawling over the seeming neglect of many of the vestiges of our glorious past. And expectedly, on cue, lawmakers and various politicians, wanted to set off yet another hearing to probe the cause of the fire, bring possible culprits to justice, and then perhaps push legislation to protect the country’s important heritage structures.

As a tourist destination, however, the Manila Central Post Office rates very low in a traveler’s itineraries. “There’s nothing to see there,” said a veteran tour operator, when asked why he never brought foreign tourists to visit the landmark, constructed between 1926 and 1928, as part of architect Daniel Burnham’s master plan for Manila. (In contrast, the Saigon Post Office, which was completed in 1891, is a major attraction in Vietnam, with droves of international visitors touring inside the still working snail-mail service.) Elsewhere in Manila or in many parts of the country, heritage buildings, ancestral homes, and other iconic historical landmarks

are being torn down, replaced with supermarkets and other modern structures. This seeming lack of reverence for glorious reminders of the past is so evident, such that even foreign tourists rate the country very poorly for history and culture, and visit mostly for nature’s offerings (which is not necessarily a bad thing). In Frost & Sullivan’s 2022 Consumer Insight Survey of Target Markets commissioned by the Department of Tourism (DOT), international respondents felt the Philippines wasn’t an ideal destination for historical landmarks (51 percent); cultural/art activities (29 percent); and museums and religious/places of worship (11 percent). (See, “They won’t visit PHL for history, culture,” in the BusinessMirror, May 26, 2023.)

Building vital infrastructure Government appropriations, for one, are focused mostly on building vital infrastructure to attract foreign investments that will keep supporting economic growth. As such, the preservation and protection of historical edifices and cultural landmarks ranks far below in the national budget. The Intramuros Administration, which oversees major heritage structures in the walled city such as Fort Santiago, the Museo de Intramuros, the Maestranza Curtain Wall and Chambers, is receiving just P97.3 million this

year, of which P47.2 million will go to conserve and preserve the properties within. The Department of Budget and Management also refuses to include an appropriation to insure the cultural artifacts and artwork in IA’s possession.

Promotion of these celebrated landmarks are also at a minimum. Because the Philippines continuously rates highly as a sun and beach, nature and mountain trekking, and diving and water sports destination, most of government’s tourism marketing efforts are geared toward these.

But there may be a bright spot. There is a growing number of tours available online

and via established tour operators to ancestral homes in Taal, Batangas; to Vigan, for its Spanish colonial architecture; to Bohol’s heritage churches; as well as so-called Old Manila tours to Intramuros, Binondo, and Luneta. Demand for these tours are picking up, especially from domestic travelers, who are quite engaged, asking questions about the history in these destinations. Foreign tourists, on the other hand, enjoy walking tours and “experiential” activities like riding the bamboo bikes and visiting the museums in Intramuros.

According to the IA, visitors to the walled

city already reached 2.8 million as of June 8, exceeding the 1.9 million target for the year, and most likely on track to surpass the 3.3-million total arrivals in pre-pandemic 2019. IA Administrator lawyer Joan M. Padilla said, “We are focused on making Intramuros a hub of cleanliness, heritage, culture, and tourism. By organizing more activities, we can generate greater awareness among Filipinos and increase the influx of domestic and international tourists flocking to our beloved Intramuros.” (In celebration of Independence Day this year, IA will provide a free guided tour at Fort Santiago and a free tranvia Ride going to Fort Santiago and Museo de Intramuros.)

Visitor space

Meanwhile, there were 2.7 million visitors to Luneta and Paco Park as of June 8 this year, just 33 percent of the 8.1 million visitors in 2019. National Parks Development Committee Executive Director Cecille Lorenzana Romero explained that visitor space at the Rizal Park has decreased due to the ongoing construction at the National Museum area, and the still unrehabilitated Quirino Grandstand, which used to host the drive-thru vaccination site of the Manila City Hall.

Still, Luneta continues to be on the list of tour operators’ itineraries for foreign tourists, with a stop at the

Rizal monument a must. Lorenzana Romero also said the agency continues to “offer events and activities such as concerts, film showings, exhibits, walking tours, food, arts and crafts bazaars,” including the award-winning Concert at the Park and Paco Park Presents series. (On June 12, the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal monument by government officials will be followed by Alab ng Puso, a grand military and civic parade at the Quirino Grandstand.)

According to the National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028, while the Department of Tourism will continue to promote the Philippines’ key strengths in nature destinations, “the country’s long-term growth as a global destination requires that we invest in and build deeper cultural experiences and communicate the stories of our peoples and communities. Through our heritage sites and cultural centers, our food, farms, and festivals, our arts and crafts, our traditions and faiths, we can properly anchor the tourism experience as being distinctly Filipino.” Amen to that. Indeed, that “being distinctly Filipino” is precisely the kind of spirit that should infuse celebrations marking the 125th anniversary of our independence. The Philippines as Asia’s first republic, after all, should count for something.

Anchoring tourism on our rich history and heritage is a worthy goal; we can only hope the funds needed to fire up the needed strategies and projects to accomplish just that, will be appropriated.

MMDA BARES TRAFFIC REROUTING SCHEME FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement a traffic rerouting scheme to give way to ceremonies in celebration of the 125th Philippine Independence Day today.

In an advisory, the MMDA said temporary road closures will be implemented from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday along Roxas Boulevard (Blvd.) from TM Kalaw to P. Burgos, TM Kalaw from Taft to Roxas Blvd, Maria Orosa St. from TM Kalaw to P. Burgos, including Katigbak Drive, Independence Road, and South Road for the flag raising and wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument and Civic-Military Parade to be held at the Quirino Grandstand.

Plan your travels, follow traffic laws, and drive carefully,” the MMDA said.

It advised affected motorists to take the following alternate routes:

nVehicles headed southbound from the three bridges (Jones, Mc Arthur, Quezon) shall use Taft Avenue to their destination;

nThose coming from U.N. Ave. westbound lane shall turn left to Roxas Blvd their destination;

nAll vehicles coming from Roxas Blvd northbound lane shall turn right to U.N. Ave. to their destination;

nVehicles coming from Mel Lopez Blvd. to Roxas Blvd. shall turn left at A. Soriano Ave. or straight to Bonifacio Drive, left to P. Burgos Ave. to Finance Rd. and to their destination;

nAll vehicles coming from Gen. Luna inside Intramuros shall turn left to the Eastbound lane

of P. Burgos or Finance Rd. to their destination;

nAll trailer trucks/heavy vehicles coming from Roxas Blvd. northbound shall turn right to Pres. Quirino Ave. to their destination;

nSimilar large vehicles coming from Delpan Bridge shall turn around at Anda Circle to the northbound lane of Mel Lopez Blvd. to C-3 and to their destination.

nOn the other hand, vehicles going to Quiapo from Roxas Blvd. shall turn right to UN Ave, and take a left to Taft Ave to their destination.

nThose going to the PICC area may take Taft Ave, turn right to UN Ave, and left turn to Roxas Blvd. to their destination.

MMDA traffic enforcers will also be deployed to assist in traffic management; as well as tow trucks, ambulances, and vacuum trucks. Concrete and plastic barriers as well as traffic cones will be placed in key areas,” it said.

Meanwhile, trucks going to North Harbor from SLEX may go straight to Osmeña Highway, turn right to Quirino Ave., straight to Nagtahan St., go to Lacson Ave., left turn to Yuseco St., straight ahead to Capulong St., then turn left or right to R-10 Road to their destination.

Trucks coming from Parañaque and headed south are advised to turn right at Quirino Avenue to Nagtahan then Lacson Ave. to their destination.

The number coding scheme is also lifted on Monday, which was declared a regular holiday under Proclamation No. 90 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in November last year. (PNA)

The Manila Central Post Office went up in flames on May 22. Nonie Reyes

People on the Intramuros wall. Namhwi Kim | Dreamstime.com

Independence Day

BARMM colors, cultural shows debut at 125th PHL Independence Day celebrations in New York City

By Manuel T. Cayon and Troi Santos

AMORO performing group

and other participants from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) performed cultural shows at the beat of traditional instruments to mesmerize onlookers at the 125th

Philippine Independence Day celebrations in New York City.

Tindig Sindaw, a performing group from the Bangsamoro re-

gion, captivated the audience with mesmerizing traditional dances and enchanting melodies played on indigenous musical instruments.

Moreover, BARMM's exceptional creative float was awarded the 2nd runner-up,” the BARMM information office said.

The annual program was held in the New York State Capitol in Albany and was led by Assembly Member Steven Raga, the first ever Filipino American official in the New York.

Festivities started with the raising of

Grand parade

the Philippine flag on June 4 at the Philippine Consulate in New York. On hand to witness the celebration were New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Philippine Consul General Senen Mangalile of New York, Parade Grand Marshal Dr. Dely Po Go, Sol Kapunan of Kalayaan 1521 Council, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez and Philippine Ambassador to the UN Antonio Manuel Lagdameo, among others.

A grand parade took place, featuring vibrant displays of the diverse provinces, cities, regions, and Filipino organizations across the United States. The parade route stretched from 38th Madison Avenue to 27th, captivating spectators with its colorful floats and energetic performances.

A midst the weeklong festivities and street fairs, the BARMM also showcased its unique indigenous and cultural products “an opportunity for attendees to explore and appreciate the vibrant arts and crafts of the region”, it added.

The regional government said it wanted to establish business con-

nections with the Filipino diaspora in New York City when it joined and presented its cultural heritage.

An investment forum was scheduled on Monday to highlight the progress achieved in the BARMM's business environment and discuss its potential for further development.

The information office said investors and entrepreneurs in New York may explore various sectors and learn about the investment prospects in the region. The forum is set to provide valuable insights into the BARMM's economic landscape, encouraging potential partnerships and collaborations.

The inclusion of the BARMM in the 125th Philippine Independence Day celebrations in New York City

“not only strengthens the unity of the Filipino community but also serves as a platform to showcase the region's cultural and economic contributions”, it said.

“ This participation signifies the recognition and acceptance of the BARMM's unique identity within the broader Filipino community,” the information office said.

Composing the delegation from the BARMM were officials from the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) such as Director-General Rosslaini Alonto-Sinarimbo, Directors Hussein Biruar and Shamera Abobakar, the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO), and Provincial Tourism Office of Lanao del Sur.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (2nd from left), presents a proclamation to Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) president Nora Galleros Tinilo and Parade Grand Marshal Dr. Dely Po Go, officially declaring June 4, 2023, as the Philippine Independence Day Celebration Day in the city. The proclamation served as a testament to the profound impact of the Filipino community in shaping the vibrant cultural tapestry of New York City. From left, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, NYC Mayor Adams, Dr. Po Go, Galleros Tinilo, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez, Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros, and Philippine Ambassador to the UN Antonio Manuel Lagdameo. PHOTO BY TROI SANTOS

A group from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao perform during the 125th Philippine Independence Day celebration in New York City. PHOTO FROM BARMM

The Philippine flag was raised to signify the start of the Independence Day celebrations. PHOTO BY TROI SANTOS

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

Notice is hereby given that the following companies/employers have filed with this

Office application/s for

Cavite

HUA THI LA

Customer Service

Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

5 BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

Lot 4044, Molino Boulevard, Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

HUANG, CAIJIA Mandarin Customer Service

Brief Job Description:

Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships

KANG, QIQI

6 BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

Lot 4044, Molino Boulevard, Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

Mandarin Customer Service

Brief Job Description:

Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships

YANG, YAN

7 BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

Lot 4044, Molino Boulevard, Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

Mandarin Customer Service

Brief Job Description:

Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction by maintaining strong working relationships

ZHANG, CHAO

8 BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC.

Lot 4044, Molino Boulevard, Niog III, City of Bacoor, Cavite

Mandarin Customer Service

Brief Job Description:

Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problem-solving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problem-solving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problem-solving and communication skills in Mandarin, with related BPO experience

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic

Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

18 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP.

Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

19 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP.

Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

20 SANRITSU GREAT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Lot 6, Block 14, Phase III, Cavite Economic Zone, Tejeros Convention, Rosario, Cavite

TRIEU, THI LINH

Vietnamese Customer Service

Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

TRUONG, MY HANG

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

VANG, THI MAI

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

KOBAYASHI, MASANOBU

General Manager

Brief Job Description:

Develop strategic plan by studying technological and financial opportunities; presenting assumptions; recommending objectives.

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

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

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

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

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

Salary Range:

Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

With knowledge on manufacturing production and processes, ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools.

Salary Range: Php60,000 - Php89,999

Senate told: Pass bill reviving salt industry

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

Citing a statement from the Department of Labor and Employment, Bicol Saro Partylist

Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan said crafting and implementing

a roadmap for the development of the salt industry would create 20,000 direct jobs and another 80,000 indirect or related jobs in the agriculture sector.

The House of Representatives has already approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) 8278 or the proposed Philippine Salt Industry Development Act.

HB 8278, of which Yamsuan is among the principal authors, aims to create a comprehensive plan for the salt industry to increase domestic production and boost investments in this sector.

“However, we can only realize this goal if we have solid funding to help our salt farmers access the technology and equipment they need to boost production.

This is why we are urging the Senate to swiftly act on its counterpart measure for the revival of our salt industry once

Cost of your caffeine, sugar fix to stay high on El Niño

BY NONIE REYES

Congress resumes its session next month,” Yamsuan said.

The Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council has included the bill among the priority measures of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

On top of modernizing the industry, the lawmaker noted that salt producers also need to expand their market linkages to be able to promote Philippine salt not only as a food flavoring, but also as a key element in various industries.

“Being an archipelagic country, we have a vast shoreline that can be utilized to produce salt. Sadly, instead of harnessing this natural advantage to develop the salt industry, our salt production has drastically declined and we have been importing 93 percent of our salt requirements for the past years.”

Under the Houseapproved measure, salt— whether unprocessed or processed—is classified as a basic agricultural product with all its necessary legal and regulatory implications.

HB 8278 creates the Philippine Salt Industry Development Council (PSIDC) which is tasked to formulate the Philippine Salt Industry Development Roadmap.

The roadmap outlines the short-, medium-, and long-term development plan to accelerate the modernization and industrialization of the salt industry.

Through the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the PSIDC will also put up new smallscale artisanal salt farms.

PSIDC will provide development funds, technical assistance, and equipment to salt farmers and the industry.

Program to protect livestock in areas near Mayon pushed

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

THE evacuation in areas affected by Mayon Volcano’s restiveness should consider, from the start, the need to find good shelter as well for the evacuee-families’ livestock, according to Senator Francis Tolentino.

Speaking in his weekly radio program, Tolentino pushed for an “adopt a livestock” program in various localities in the province of Albay amid the increasing restiveness of Mayon Volcano.

“‘Yung experience po naman namin noon sa Taal eruption…’yung mga kabayo, mga baka, ang ginawa po, in-adopt po ng iba’t ibang lugar [na safe pero malapit] kung saan sila pwedeng alagaan. Sila muna ang nagalaga—siguro, nag-usap na lang sila ng may-ari [ng hayop]) pagkatapos ng eruption kung may ire-reimburse kapag may kaunting nagastos,” said Tolentino.

The senator, under the Duterte administration, was the overall onsite point person during the aftermath of the 2018 Mayon and 2020 Taal eruptions.

Albay Governor Grex Lagman welcomed Tolentino’s recommendation for the “adopt a livestock” program as the provincial government will soon begin its evacuation for some 10,000 heads of livestock from the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) of Mayon Volcano and will be placed in a separate evacuation center.

“Itong ‘adopt a livestock’ program ay bago po ito sa akin Magandang ideya po ito, Senator,” said Lagman, adding that the program is a good solution to avoid overcrowding the evacuation center.

Close to 10,600 residents of Albay residing inside the PDZ have already been evacuated, including around 5,000 people from Tolentino’s birthplace in the Municipality of Guinobatan.

The governor maintained that beyond the 6-kilometer PDZ is safe for all, including tourists.

Tolentino lauded the swift response of the Albay’s provincial government following its declaration of a state of calamity to ensure the safety not only of its residents but also the existing livestock in the province.

THERE’S an aisle of the grocery store where inflation is looking exceptionally sticky: indulgent treats. Think coffee, chocolates and your favorite snacks. Prices of soft commodities have soared this year because of supply constraints. The return of El Niño and prospects of hotter, drier weather in producing countries is now threatening to exacerbate tight supply.

In the United Kingdom, retailers are locking instant coffee jars in security cases to prevent theft. In Japan, one beverage giant suspended the sale of Tropicana orange juice because of a shortage. And in Germany, chocolate and biscuit makers complain of soaring sugar and cocoa costs.

It’s one corner of the commodities market, along with gold, bucking the deflationary trend even as the cost of food staples like bread and pasta eases. This week, robusta prices surged to the highest level since at least 2008, making it more expensive for buyers around the world to get a cheap brew.

Prices of soft commodities have been outperformers this year, surging about 24 percent while the broader agriculture index eased 3 percent weighed by falling wheat and corn prices. “Consumers will start to see the cost of bread and pasta falling as the prices of grains have come down, but the last thing to fall will be your sugar and coffee and sweets,” said Kona Haque, head of research at ED&F Man.

Robusta bean production is expected to fall by 5 percent in Brazil, while in Indonesia, the world’s second-biggest robusta exporter, output is projected to drop by 20 percent. That combined with shrinking stockpiles in Vietnam, the largest-robusta producer, is likely to keep prices elevated.

For already-suffering chocolate makers, the pain brought by an El Niño could also get worse.

Production of cocoa beans in West Africa—the largest growing region—may fall in the next season by as much as 8 percent on adverse weather, according to Fuad Mohammed Abubakar, head of Ghana Cocoa Marketing Company. Cocoa prices already surged to the highest in seven years this season following a disappointing harvest in top exporter Ivory Coast that worsened the global deficit.

But among breakfast items, orange juice has probably seen the highest price increase following a staggering supply shortage caused by disease and hurricane damage in US top producing state Florida. That led futures to rally to a 56year record, with little relief in sight.

“We don’t expect major supply increases, while demand could slowdown especially in lower-income segments of the population that cannot afford such high prices,” said Marcos Fava Neves, a researcher at University of Sao Paulo.

There are already signs the beverage industry is moving away from orange juice, with bottlers shifting to different fruits or blends. In Japan, it was Kirin Beverage Company Ltd, for example, that recently said it is temporarily suspending the sale of Tropicana orange juice, blaming the tight global supply.

While supermarket prices may not fall much soon, sales of sweet treats are expected to remain resilient as they are considered small luxuries people are unwilling to give up compared to big ticket purchases like a holiday or a new car, according to ED&F Man’s Haque.

“There is also the whole science about coffee, sugar and cocoa being fairly addictive,” she said, “based on that alone it means consumption will hold up well.”

THE Senate must fast-track the approval of its counterpart measure that aims to revitalize the country’s salt industry to help create about 100,000 jobs in the agriculture sector, according to a lawmaker.

editorial

The best way to thank our healthcare workers

Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation is a supplier of medical equipment, including face masks and face shields. according to Securities and Exchange Commission, the company was established on September 4, 2019 with a paid-up capital of P625,000. Despite being a small, newly created company that lacked the funds, track record, and credibility to handle big-ticket government procurement, Pharmally bagged 13 contracts with the government worth P10.85 billion.

Amid allegations of overpriced medical supplies that Pharmally delivered to the government for its Covid response, the Senate blue ribbon committee launched an investigation into the matter and uncovered other issues.

For example, Senator Risa Hontiveros presented a video of an alleged male Pharmally warehouse employee who claimed that the company directed them to repack “deformed, soiled and substandard” face shields meant for healthcare workers (HCWs). The man claimed that they were asked to repack deformed and dirty face shields and to replace the certificates of face shields dated 2020 with new certificates dated 2021.

Was it possible that the “dirty, soiled and substandard” face shields that Pharmally delivered to the Department of Health and worn by our healthcare workers made them vulnerable to the virus? As of September 13, 2021, based on the DOH Covid-19 situation report, a total of 104 healthcare workers who contracted Covid-19 have died. They were among 24,284 HCWs that tested positive for Covid during the period.

The government did not only make tens of thousands of our healthcare workers wear dirty and substandard face shields. About 20,000 HCWs and non-HCWs that rendered duty in private hospitals during the pandemic have yet to receive their Covid-19 allowances.

Taking up the cudgels for them, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte wants to know from the Department of Health when it intends to pay about P12.57 billion worth of health emergency allowances due health-care workers and non-HCWs. He said the Department of Budget and Management claimed to have already released the money to the DOH. (Read, “Villafuerte to DOH: When do you intend to settle P12.57B allowances due health-care workers?,” in the BusinessMirror, June 5, 2023).

“That our medical frontliners have yet to receive the promised remuneration for their life-saving efforts at the height of Covid-19 after the World Health Organization had already declared this global public health emergency as over leaves a bad taste in the mouth,” said Villafuerte, the principal author in the House of Representatives of Republic Act (RA) 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” (Bayanihan 1) that provided for such extra benefits to HCWs and non-HCWs.

The DBM claimed to have already released P19.96 billion to the DOH to pay for the public health emergency benefits and allowances of HCWs and non-HCWs, in accordance with RA 11469 and RA 11712. It added that of the P19.96 billion in released funds, the DOH already utilized P7.39 billion as of March 31, 2023.

RA 11712 gives HCWs a monthly health emergency allowance of P3,000 for health workers in low-risk areas; P6,000 for those in moderate-risk areas; and P9,000 for medical frontliners in high-risk places. Healthcare workers are supposed to receive the benefits during the pandemic.

According to the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines (UPHUP), the total unpaid benefits of 20,304 HCWs is P1.84 billion, broken down as follows: One Covid-19 allowance worth P985.6 million; P737.5 million worth of health emergency allowance; special risk allowance totaling P16.8 million; and meals, accommodation and transportation benefits reaching P6.7 million. The intended HCW-beneficiaries are working in 23 private hospitals in Metro Manila and in Batangas, Cavite, Cebu and Davao del Sur, the UPHUP said.

Villafuerte said one of the options reportedly being eyed by the DOH to speed up the release of the Covid-19 allowances and other benefits for HCWs is to amend its joint administrative order with the DBM by tapping authorized government depository banks to clear the way for the direct payment of the One Covid-19 allowance and other benefits to the medical frontliners.

Our healthcare workers sacrificed their lives to save patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is disheartening to see them beg for unpaid benefits and allowances. It would do well for the government to recognize the difficult and incredibly valuable service they did during the pandemic. And the best way to show our gratitude to our healthcare workers is to speed up the payment of their Covid-19 allowances and other benefits.

Celebrating our 125th independence anniversary

for a child-labor-free country.

RISING SUN

Our celebration of Philippine independence is special this year because we are commemorating the 125th anniversary of our sovereignty. From establishments and companies to organizations and families, everyone is taking part in this celebration, whether by prominently displaying our national flag or attending events like concerts, parades, and bazaars. and the celebrations are not just happening here, Filipinos from all over the globe are one with us in celebrating this special day. here are some of the events and activities related to this occasion.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is launching a month-long event with the theme, “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan. (Freedom. Future. History.).” There will be concerts, parades, ceremonies, and job fairs across the

country from June 11 to 30. NHCP is also launching today the #BatangMalaya campaign, in alignment with the International Labor Organization’s 2023 World Day Against Child Labor. This aims to help create safe spaces for Filipino children and push

The Department of Trade and Industry-Calabarzon is having a regional trade fair, the 10th Kalakal Calabarzon. Its theme is “Kalakalan ng mga Produktong Galing sa Calabarzon sa Araw ng Kalayaan” and it will run from June 9 to June 13 at the Palm Drive Activity Center in Glorietta 2, Makati City. Another ongoing event is Araneta Center’s “Iisang Kalayaan,” a weeklong program filled with concerts, bazaars, and exhibits in different malls in Cubao. This event ends today.

For job hunters, check out the Department of Labor and Employment job fair, the Kalayaan Job Fair, happening today in various venues nationwide. This is being done in partnership with the NHCP. The Department of Migrant Workers is also holding an overseas mega job fair today at the Blas F. Ople Building in Mandaluyong City. Applicants must bring their resume, a copy of their passport, a pen, face mask,

and alcohol.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights and People Empowerment Center is inviting everyone to join its cultural festival, “MiyerKULET! Freedom Extravaganza,” happening on Wednesdays and Fridays, 6:00 p.m., from June to July, at the Rooftop, Fil Garcia Tower, Kalayaan Avenue, Quezon City. This free event will feature more than 30 films, live performances, and discussions. Abroad, the Philippine Embassy in Israel is doing a cultural festival titled “Halina sa Hayarkon: Magsama-sama para sa Kalayaan.” This event features song and cultural dance numbers by the members of the Filipino community in the Middle East. This is happening on Saturday, June 17, at Sky Town, Hayarkon Park, Tel Aviv.

Allow me to greet everyone a Happy Independence Day! May we all have a meaningful, safe, and peaceful celebration. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino!

defenders in Congress leap into action on charges after months of preparation

Trump’s GOP

By Mary Clare Jalonick & Farnoush Amiri | The Associated Press

WaShINGTON—Former President Donald Trump’s indictment on charges of mishandling classified documents is set to play out in a federal court in Florida. But about a thousand miles away, part of Trump’s defense is well underway in a different venue—the halls of Congress, where republicans have been preparing for months to wage an aggressive counteroffensive against the Justice Department.

The federal indictment against Trump, unsealed Friday, includes 37 counts, including allegations that the former president intentionally possessed classified documents, showed them off to visitors, willfully defied Justice Department demands to return them and made false statements to federal authorities about them. The evidence details Trump’s own words and actions as recounted by lawyers, close aides and other witnesses.

The Republican campaign to discredit federal prosecutors skims over the substance of those charges, which were brought by a grand jury in Florida. GOP lawmakers are instead working, as they have for several years, to foster a broader argument that law enforcement—and President Joe Biden—are conspiring against the former president and possible Republican nominee for president in 2024.

“Today is indeed a dark day for the United States of America,” tweeted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, soon after Trump said on his social media platform Thursday night that an indictment was coming. McCarthy blamed Biden, who has declined to comment on the case and said he

is not at all involved in the Justice Department’s decisions.

McCarthy called it a “grave injustice” and said that House Republicans “will hold this brazen weaponization of power accountable.”

Republican lawmakers in the House have already laid extensive groundwork for the effort to defend Trump since taking the majority in January. A near constant string of hearings featuring former FBI agents, Twitter executives and federal officials have sought to paint the narrative of a corrupt government using its powers against Trump and the right. A GOP-led House subcommittee on the “weaponization” of government is probing the Justice Department and other government agencies, while at the same time Republicans are investigating Biden’s son Hunter Biden.

“It’s a sad day for America,” said Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, the House Judiciary Committee chairman who is a leading Trump defender and ally, in a statement Thursday. “God bless President Trump.” Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs was more strident. “We have now reached a war phase,” he tweeted. “Eye for an eye.”

Democrats say the Republicans are trafficking in conspiracy theories, with potentially dangerous consequences. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both Democrats from New York, issued a joint statement Friday urging calm around the Trump case, saying everyone should “let this case proceed peacefully in court.”

Recent Republicans rhetoric “not only undermines the Department of Justice but betrays the essential principle of justice that no one is above the commands of law, not even a former President or a self-proclaimed billionaire,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.

Key elements of the GOP strategy are to discredit the prosecutors and investigate the investigators—a playbook that Republicans employed during Trump’s presidency as his own Justice Department probed his connections to Russia, and also used in April when Trump was charged in a hush money investigation in New York. In the days leading to the New York indictment, House Republicans laid out a full-on campaign against Alvin Bragg, the Democratic district attorney in Manhattan who brought the case against the former president.

Charging that the prosecution was “pure politics,” Jordan held a field hearing near Bragg’s New York offices to examine what they said were his “pro-crime, anti-victim” policies. Jordan is also the top Republican on the weaponization subcommittee.

As special counsel Jack Smith was preparing this week to release the indictment, Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill were working overtime to prepare the defense of the former president. Jordan issued a series of letters to the Justice Department, demanding documents related to his investigation into Trump’s handling of classified records. Jordan cited the recent report by special counsel John Durham that found that the FBI rushed into its investigation of ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and routinely ignored or rationalized evidence that undercut its premise.

In the June 1 letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Jordan requested information about the ongoing investigation in order to “ensure any ongoing investigations are not poisoned by this same politicization.”

Just as the indictment was unsealed on Friday, Jordan sent another letter to Garland, this time laying out testimony from a former FBI official who testified to the committee about the raid at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Jordan wrote that Steven D’Antuono, a former assistant director at the FBI’s Washington Field Office, told the committee the Justice Department “was not following the same principles” as previous raids.

Defending Trump also has the potential to ease tensions among House Republicans as they face their own troubles on Capitol Hill, after a conservative-led revolt over the recent debt ceiling deal divided

Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

Carmen’s Best eyes Asian mart

LITO GAGNI

PreTTy soon Pinoys accustomed to savoring Carmen’s Best ice cream can taste their favorite dessert when they travel abroad. That will come to fruition soon, according to Francisco “Paco” Magsaysay, with the entry of the Metro Pacific Investment Corp. into the company via a 51 percent buy-in that will give it the financial muscle and logistics to have the product marketed abroad.

Paco Magsaysay bared the envisioned thrust of Carmen’s Best during the inaugural broadcast of “Nego-Show,” a three-times-a-week program offering of DWIZ, part of the Aliw Media Conglomerate, last week where he gamely answered questions on the evolution of Carmen’s Best and bared the personal touch that made it a household name and the secret to its success.

There were at least three takeaways in his interview at the “Nego-Show” last Tuesday that could provide budding entrepreneurs the snippets to guide their own journeys to a successful enterprise. First is to concoct a product, second to know your market, and third to ensure quality. These are the three things that had guided him in successfully shepherding the product that arose from his own fascination with ice cream during his travels.

But that journey towards an ice cream product started when he was consulted by his dad, Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., for the marketing of fresh milk following the latter’s foray into a cattle farm in Bay, Laguna in 2007. Leaving the management of the family’s cable business, Paco was faced with the problem of fresh milk produce that easily spoils given its 7-day shelf life.

He ventured first in marketing the fresh milk but he was faced with a tough selling proposition that made him do research where he discovered that he has two choices: produce cheese or ice cream. The idea for a fresh milk by-product was to extend the shelf life of the fresh milk, much of which is spoiled due to the lack of a market. And as for the two choices it was a no-brainer given his penchant for sampling ice cream when he travels.

So two years after that Bay, Laguna cattle farm venture of his father, Paco put up Carmen’s Best Dairy Products, so named after his unica hija, a fact that provided the push for him to ensure the success of the company even when he had to confront a personal battle against leukemia. He told the “Nego-Show” that knowing that he was given three years to live, he endeavored to do his best to leave behind a legacy, a company named after his only daughter.

Justice

What Paco did for Carmen’s Best was to have a product consistent with the standards he had set, and for this he did not scrimp on the ingredients, putting in real pistachio and premium Swiss chocolate. And he saw to it that the quality is maintained when he marketed the product to his target consumer group. That is what made the difference for Carmen’s Best, Paco said.

Paco conquered the dreaded disease, stamped a successful footprint for Carmen’s Best, which is even offered at Nina’s Café in Bayambang, Pangasinan, and saw through a partnership with MPIC big boss Manny Pangilinan. Perhaps, when one’s perspective is centered on leaving behind a legacy, the neurons in the brain fire up to produce chemicals that conquer cancer cells and that is what provided the backdrop for him to be freed of leukemia. But I digress.

He told the DWIZ radio program that he personally saw through the success of Carmen’s Best knowing that he cannot fail his daughter. That was what drove him. He marketed the ice cream all over the country, sacrificing personal comfort to do so and took charge even of marketing Carmen’s Best to targeted consumers.

Paco did not leave anything to chance, even taking a course on ice cream at the Pennsylvania State Ice Cream School in the United States. And he differentiated the ice cream varieties, coming up with products that he remembered tasting from his travels abroad.

What Paco did for Carmen’s Best was to have a product consistent with the standards he had set, and for this he did not scrimp on the ingredients, putting in real pistachio and premium Swiss chocolate. And he saw to it that the quality is maintained when he marketed the product to his target consumer group. That is what made the difference for Carmen’s Best, Paco said.

Now, he feels that he has been successful in bequeathing a product to his unica hija and now looks forward to sampling Carmen’s Best when he travels to other Asian nations.

Ex/changing languages

Tito Genova Valiente

ANNOTATIONs

ON stage were three poets, each one holding a book the cover of which contains the color red and green in the form of a ribbon. From the center of the knot was a white flower emanating from three leaves. For that day, the red and green colors meant Hungary. Around the symbols were words also in blue-green—Hindi Pasisiil ang Pagsibol at iba pang tula mula Hungaria (Spring Cannot be Suppressed and other poems from Hungary). But there is in that book design the word “pasisiil” that has become a grave word we often attribute to noble acts. The said word appears on the first paragraph, third line of the Philippine National Anthem—“sa manlulupig/Di ka pasisiil.” It is a battlecry—to the conqueror we shall not be vanquished. And sung as a marcha, the anthem possesses vigor. As the title of the book announces, it is not to the conquering human force that we subject ourselves; rather, it is that season, that Spring, that refuses to be cowered.

Translations command us to look at words and find not only nuances but also the natural selection of kinship, the subjectivity of humanness.

The event was the First Philippine Book festival, and that third day was auspicious for Philippine literature, at least for the six languages that were used for translation that day.

Through the joint initiative of the Hungarian Embassy, the National Book Development Board, the Ateneo de Naga University Press and the Savage Mind: Arts, Books & Cinema, a singular project was launched on June 4, 2003. From the words of Mme. Titanilla Tóth, the Ambassador of Hungary to the Philippines, it was clear how she valued the literatures of her country, talking about them intimately insofar as she remembered them. But then adding concepts intimately linked to the memories of the writings—remembering lines that were relevant and poets who were still remembered up to this day, seeing images that she believed would resonate also among non-Hungarians, in this case, Filipinos.

In her message, a significant aspect of the collection, Ambassador Toth spoke of Sándor Petőfi as “a visionary artist, who used his pen as a tool to fight for freedom, democracy and national identity. Through

his works he became a symbol of Hungarian literature and culture, inspiring generations of writers and artists.” Petőfi is described by Mme. Toth as an “emblematic figure of the history and literature of Hungary” and calls him the “soulmate of the celebrated Filipino writer, Jose Rizal.” She continues: “Despite the geographic distance between Hungary and the Philippines, Petőfi and Rizal share many similarities in their lives and works. Both are national heroes, and they were advocates of freedom and patriotism.”

The Hungarian poet is just one of the poets whose works were translated into Filipino and five other Philippine languages. These other languages are Bicol, Rinconada, Bwînën (this orthography a sharp turn from the more common and older “Buhinon”), Tigaonon, and Minasbate.

How does one figure out the value of translation? In the earlier years, translation was meant to test the so-called “intellectual” aspect of a language. Can the language be used for intellectual discourse? The translator then in those periods was one who concentrated on the nuances, connotations and denotations of the vocabulary supplied by another language. Much, much later, the Bikolanos began to employ

the term “dakit-taramon,” which literally meant “to transfer a language or word.” On that fateful day in the World Trade Center, Ambassador Toth, however, intoned the idea of cultural diplomacy, where two or even more countries’ literatures are used to conduct dialogues between two cultures. In translations, we not only learn about ideas that would have remained unknown had we not re-located said images, concepts, and sensing from the “foreign” language to one we call our own.

In another message in the book, Dante Francis Ang II, Chairman of the National Book Development Board (NBDB), wrote: “In today’s globalized world where ideas and cultures have become fluid and boundaries have been redrawn, our relationship with the printed word and the bounded pages have remained vital and necessary.”

Kristian Sendon Cordero, one of the co-editors of the anthology/ translation (Enrique S. Villasis is the other editor), expands the urgency of the season by entitling his own introduction to the poems as “Hindi Pasisiil ang Pagsibol ng Tula” (Poetry cannot be stopped from blooming).

The collection of Hungarian poems translated into six Philippine languages, and released during the First Philippine Book Festival

should make us all giddy. First, it should test us about our knowledge of our islands’ languages; next, we should look to other languages and thereby derive not the lack of understanding but the desire to know them more, even in translations. Personally, I understand all the languages used in the collection but I am curious: how do these poems sound in their original Hungarian? What changes were made in the course of the translation?

Online there is an English version of Sándor Petőfi’s “It is Not Possible to Forbid a Flower” by Miklós Nádasdi. It says: “It is not possible to forbid a flower/To bloom in Spring when it has the power.”

Villasis in his translation says, Hindi mapipigilan ang isang bulaklak/ Na mamukadkad sa tagsibol ” (No one can stop a flower from blooming in the Spring). Cordero in his transference of the words (“dakit”) presents to us Petőfi’s first two lines: “Dai mo dai mapapabuskad an burak/kun nag abot na an saiyang kabagsikan” (You cannot stop a flower to open when its power has arrived). In Villasis, the blooming implicates the power; in Cordero, he needs to explicate such strength.

Let the banquet and the debate begin!

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

the party this week and halted most legislation from passing on the floor.

But even if Republicans are able to shape public perception of the probes, there is one thing they cannot do — control the outcome of Trump’s trial. The former president is at great legal risk, no matter what the public believes, under two indictments— and potentially more as prosecutors in Georgia and Washington investigate his actions leading up to the January 6 insurrection.

Still, some Republicans main-

delayed is justice denied

Alfredo J. Non

DEBIT CREDIT

Part One

We are all victims of the “justice delayed is justice denied” syndrome. I am referring to the situation of our ever-increasing electric bills. I have assessed this and believe that most of us have been over-billed and hence, deserve a refund or rebate on these excess billings. These over billings have been occurring for several years now. Failure on the part of the government regulator to correct this injustice is further prolonging our right to recover the amounts due to us.

Let me explain.

For the past more than 10 years after the implementation of a new rate-setting methodology (the Performance Based Rate (PBR) methodology), the distribution rate billed by

Meralco and other privately owned distribution utilities (PDUs) to consumers did not change. This is in spite of the strong indications that there were over-recoveries or overbillings due to an error in calculat-

ing the provisional or interim rates. Thus, consumers were held captive to an unusual cycle that benefits only the PDUs. It starts with the PDU filing an application with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for a maximum allowable rate (MAP). This MAP will be used to translate distribution rates by customer segment. The PDU may intentionally or unintentionally try to get approval for a much higher rate. Since the allowed rate by ERC is only provisional (subject to adjustment when final rates are determined), this creates an opportunity for the PDU to generate excess funds that will either be returned to the consumers as a refund, or retained by the PDU as a windfall profit—depending on how ERC finally determines the rate. So, in case of over-recoveries (intentionally or not), PDUs are greatly benefited from the accumulation of excess cash during the period when the rate is being finalized. This is like borrowing funds from

tain that the multiple indictments could help Trump improve his standing in polls of Republican voters and solidify the impression that the government is conspiring against him.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina told CNN she believes the indictment “handed Donald Trump the nomination” in the 2024 GOP primary.

And as the House panel has ramped up its efforts to defend the former president, the word “weaponization” has taken root among Trump’s Republican allies. Nearly every GOP lawmaker used the term as did a member of Trump’s legal

consumers without authorization, collateral, interest, or repayment period. Even if the regulator decides for Meralco to refund the excess, the consumers may end up paying the refund to themselves if, during the refund period, the monthly bills also contain an over-recovery. If for any reason, the regulator finally decides there is a lower recovery or no over-recovery, the PDU generates a windfall profit. A case called Vicious Cycle.

Consumer protection can only be provided by the regulator and the auditors (internal and external). There are consumer advocate groups, but they are disadvantaged by a lack of information (critical information treated as confidential) and a lack of funds.

The regulator ERC is mandated by law to protect the interests of consumers. Sections 41 and 43 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) state the role of the ERC specifically in enforcing the implemen-

team hours before the charges were unsealed to the public.

“It puts a stamp of reality on something that really is unreal in terms of the weaponization of the Department of Justice,” said James Trusty, one of Trump’s lawyers, on ABC Friday morning. Trump announced later in the day that Trusty was leaving his team.

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas tweeted that “the weaponization of our Department of Justice against enemies of the Biden admin. will do enormous damage to the rule of law & have a lasting impact.”

Cruz’s GOP colleagues in the Senate were more muted, with Re-

tation of the rules and regulations of the Act and, establishing and enforcing a methodology for setting transmission and distribution wheeling rates and retail rates, among others.

A new rate-setting methodology was adopted after the implementation of EPIRA, called the PBR, from which the rules governing the setting of transmission and wheeling rates were promulgated. Under the PBR, forward-looking rates are set every five years for transmission and every four years for distribution.

The external auditors are principally involved in the statutory audit of and assessing the reporting of the financial statements of the PDUs. In this statutory audit, the auditors follow generally accepted accounting principles and reporting rules by the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, it is also required to follow a set of auditing guidelines or standards prescribed under the Philippine Standards on Auditing (PSA). More specifically,

publican Leader Mitch McConnell and others who have criticized the former president declining to weigh in on the indictment.

Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, the only GOP senator to vote to convict Trump in both of his impeachment trials, was a rare voice of criticism. While Romney stressed that Trump is entitled to presumption of innocence, he said he believes the charges are serious and Trump brought them on himself.

“These allegations are serious and if proven, would be consistent with his other actions offensive to the national interest,” Romney said.

if the audit client is a regulated entity, the auditor is also mandated to follow one specific standard, PSA 250. This PSA deals with the auditor’s responsibility to consider laws and regulations or the legal and regulatory framework when performing the audit for the benefit of the public.

Are the auditors complying with their mandate of ensuring that the PSA 250 is complied with by assessing the presentation of the financial operations of the PDUs? What is the impact on us electric consumers if there is a compliance failure on the part of the concerned entities?

To be continued.

45th CATHOLIC MASS MEDIA AWARDS

WHO CAN NOMINATE?

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL :

Entries may be submitted by any person or organization wishing to direct the attention of the CMMA to a meritorious program, series, article, material and the like. A person or a company may submit more than one entry in each category. Entries need not be Christian and nominees need not be Catholics. All entries must be those media works released from May 2022 to April 2023.

STUDENT LEVEL:

All bona fide students enrolled in any of the participating schools, colleges and universities within the school year 2022-2023.

ADVERTISING

Best TV Ad-Branded

Best TV Ad-Public Service

Best Digital Ad-Branded

Best Digital Ad-Public Service

MUSIC

Best Inspirational Song-Religious

Best Inspirational Song-Secular

Best Music Video

PRINT / E-PUB

Best Children’s Magazine

Best Editorial Cartoon

Best Investigative Report

Best Local Community / Parish Newspaper

Best News Coverage

Best News Photograph

Best Opinion Column

Best Short Story

Best Special Feature

Best Comic Story

Best Children’s Short Story

Best Youth Magazine

Best Family-Oriented Magazine

RADIO (AM OR FM) / PODCAST

Best Business News

Best Counseling Program

Best Public Service Program

Best Drama Program (Episodic or Serial)

Best Educational Program

Best Entertainment Program

Best News Commentary

Best News Program

Best News Feature

TELEVISION

Best Adult Educational / Cultural Program

Best Children and Youth Program

Best Comedy Program

Best Drama Series / Program

Best Entertainment Program

Best News Magazine

Best News Program

Best Public Service Program

Best Special Event Coverage

Best Talk Show

Best Tv Special (One-Time feature)

Best Station ID

FOR INQUIRIES PLEASE WRITE OR CALL:

THE CMMA Secretariat Office: 5/f Dominga Building III , 2113 Chino Roces Ave. corner Dela Rosa Street, Makati City 0922-8568220  0922-8356147

thecatholicmassmediaawards@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/Official CMMA

SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES FOR CMMA:

 Student—April 24–June 23, 2023

 Professional—April 24–June 30, 2023

SOCIAL MEDIA

Best Website

Best Vlog

STUDENT CMMA

Best Student Organ-Grade School

Best Student Organ-High School

Best Student Organ-College

Best Short Film (Documentary or Narrative)

Best TV Production (Documentary or Narrative)

Best Student Public Service-Radio Ad

Best Student Public Service-Print Ad

Best Student Public Service-TV Ad

Best Literary Publication

SERVIAM AWARD

Individual

Corporate / Institutional

ST. JOHN PAUL II AWARD

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Monday, June 12, 2023

NGCP seeks ERC approval for ancillary service deals

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

In separate filings, the grid operator asked the regulator to give the go-ahead to its ASPAs with SB Aboitiz Power-Magat, Inc. (SNAP-MI), Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI), Ingrid Power h o ldings, Inc. (IP h I ), Therma Visayas, Inc. (TV), Therma Luzon, Inc. (TLI), and GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co. (GNPK).

Ancillary services support the transmission of power from generators to consumers to maintain reliable operations. These are necessary for NGCP to manage power fluctuations to ensure the quality and reliability of power flowing through its system. If not managed properly, fluctuations can cause damage to sensitive equipment, or even automatic load dropping (ALD) if the fluctuations are severe enough to pose a danger to the transmission

system as a whole.

These ASPAs become effective upon approval by the e R C.

“NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS. h o wever, the Commission must first approve the contract before the same can be implemented,” NGCP said.

Further, NGCP said the immediate approval of the ASPAs is needed to maintain the present reliability and security of the grid.

“As the demand for power in Luzon increases, the requirements of the system likewise increase. e n suring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth.”

SNAP-MI owns and operates the 388MW Magat hydro power plant.

TMI owns and operates a100MW bunker diesel power plant in Davao de Oro. TLI is the independent power producer administrator of the 700MW Pagbilao coal power plant in Quezon.

TVI owns and operates a 354MW coal power plant in Toledo City, Cebu. They are all units of Aboitiz Power.

IP h I , a unit of AC e N Corp., owns and operates 162 modular diesel engine generating units, with a rated capacity of 180MW, in Pililia, Rizal.

GNPK, meanwhile, owns and operates the 4x138MW coal power plant in Lanao del Norte.

The duration of their ASPAs with NGCP is 5years. All ASPAs were signed on May 2.

NGCP is anticipating that a provisional approval for the said ASPAs would be out soon.

“The Philippine Transmission Grid shall be vulnerable to power interruptions resulting from an artificial lack of AS. Without an existing ASPA, NGCP cannot nominate power plants to provide the critical services.”

B1

The Securities and exchange Commission (SeC ) has ordered Baguio-based real estate firm Casa Infini Builders and Realty Co. Ltd., Ray education Directions Consultancy Services and their affiliated entities to stop soliciting investments from the public in the guise of real estate-related investments.

In an order dated June 8, the SeC d irected Casa Infini and its affiliated companies to stop offering and selling investments to the public without the necessary license from the SeC Firms include Ray e ducation, Casa Infini Realty Management Co. Ltd., Ray International Philippines Corp., doing business under the names Ray e ducation Directions Consultancy Services, Be Unrivaled Productions and Sine Cordillera and Casa Infini Properties and Development Corp. “[T]he [groups’] unauthorized investment-taking activities warrant the prompt issuance of a cease and desist order as it operates as a fraud to the public which, if unrestrained, will likely cause grave or irreparable injury or prejudice to the investing public,” SeC ’s order read.

The order also covers Jennylyn Galletes De Los Santos Floresca, Raffy Palangdan Floresca, Jovielyn Malonzo Mina, Jinky delos Santos Lontoc, Jacqueline Corel Melchor, Peter Omaweng Wasing, er ic M. Pineda, Jerick Bambi Sadernas and Kenjie Millar, along with others such as salesmen, solicitors, agents, uplines, enablers and influencer acting on behalf of the groups. VG Cabuag

ENHANCING PHL-ISRAEL TRADE

The Philippine Exporters

Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) and the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue mutual interest in trade and economic development to help improve its bilateral trade worth about $534 million in goods last year. PHILEXPORT president Dr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. (seated, left) and IEICI Deputy Director General Sabine Segal (seated, right) signed the MOA representing the two organizations. (Standing, from left) NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the State of Israel Eli Cohen and Ambassador Yael Ravia-Zadok witnessed the signing rites at the the Israel-Philippines Business Forum last June 5 at New World Hotel in Makati City.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is asking the energy Regulatory Commission (eRC) to provisionally approve the ancillary service procurement agreements (ASPAs) it forged with 6 power producers.

Baguio firm told to stop soliciting investments

Crypto weekend slump adds to investor jitters

AShA RP weekend selloff in crypto led by a slump in smaller digital tokens set off a fresh wave of anxiety among investors, following a week in which a crackdown by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the sector gained significant pace.

Altcoins including Cardano’s ADA tumbled as much as 25 percent on Saturday before paring a sliver of the decline, while tokens including Solana’s SOL, Polygon’s MATIC and Avalanche’s AVAX posted double-digit percentage drops. Bitcoin, the largest digital asset, was down almost 3 percent as of 4:15 p.m. in New York.

Second-ranked Ether earlier shed more than 6 percent to hit its lowest level since late March.

The crypto market is notorious for big swings during weekends, when activity is typically thinner and even small trades can make an impact. This time around, investors were already on edge after the SEC launched lawsuits earlier in the week against market leaders Binance holdings Ltd. and Coinbase Global Inc., and flagged a throng of altcoins as unregistered securities, including SOL, MATIC and ADA.

“Altcoins have been in the spotlight” ever since the SEC categorized some of these tokens as securities in recent lawsuits, said Gordon Grant, co-head of trading at Genesis, in an interview Saturday. “Coming into this weekend, as we got to that witching-hour time, these alts suddenly came under fire.”

Jitters were compounded by speculation over a rumor that a fund sold its entire holdings of such tokens. An image was circulated on Twitter showing a fake news article covering the liquidation, though market analysts said there was little reason to believe the rumor was true. Further speculation of selling pressure around Robinhood Markets Inc.’s decision Friday to drop certain altcoins from its platform also fed the negative sentiment.

Noelle Acheson, former head of market insights at Genesis Global

Trading Inc., said there may be another cause for the price drop, such as a large holder or fund exiting its positions or an attempt to drive prices lower to cover shorts.

“Early Saturday morning UTC time is not a good time to exit unless you want to really move the price,”

Acheson wrote in her newsletter on Saturday. “Today’s move is not good news, and not just because of the lower prices. It reminds investors how thin the market currently is, and how prices could be manipulated.” A designation as an unregistered security could make tokens harder to trade if exchanges shy away from listing them for fear of irking the SEC. Robinhood said Friday it will drop Solana’s SOL, Cardano’s ADA and Polygon’s MATIC from June 27.

“Regardless of if the physical tokens held by Robinhood have moved or not, the fact that at end of month the tokens will be sold if not moved sets in motion a very easy trade for folks to pre-position for,” Spencer ha llarn, derivatives trader at crypto investment firm GSR, said. “On top of that, there has been a general withdrawal of liquidity from the market as various folks have retrenched.”

SEC scrutiny

T hE past week’s events featured a momentous few days of enforcement actions against the crypto industry in the US. The SEC accused Binance and its founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao of mishandling customer funds, misleading investors and regulators, and breaking securities rules. Binance has called the SEC action “disappointing” and said that it intends to defend its platform “vigorously.”

Coinbase has disputed the SEC’s allegation that it’s running an illegal exchange and said it’s prepared to take the legal fight all the way to the Supreme Court. BNB, a cryptoasset which can be viewed as arbiter of sentiment toward its original creator Binance, declined more than 6 percent on Saturday to reach the lowest level since last July. Bloomberg News

ICT Month seen to boost digital transformation

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SENATOR Sherwin T. Gatchal-

ian, moving to boost the nationwide observance of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) month, sought to ramp up the digital transformation of the country’s basic education sector.

Outlining his proposal for Congress to pass the Digital Transformation of Basic Education Act embodied in Senate Bill 383, the senator said the proposed law aligns with the mandate of Republic Act 10929 (Free Internet Access in Public Places Act).

The proposed measure mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to accelerate the installation, deployment and activation of free public Wi-Fi in all public basic education institutions.

During last year’s deliberations on the 2023 national budget, Gatchalian flagged that only 1.8 percent or only 860 public schools of the country’s 47,421 public schools have free public Wi-Fi as of September 2, 2022. This is according to the Free Public Wi-Fi Dashboard. The lawmaker also reiterated how the digital divide hit hardest on learners from low-income households during the Covid-19 pandemic. A 2021 World Bank survey on low-income households revealed that only 40 percent have access to the internet. The same survey also revealed that 95.5 percent of these households used paper-based learning modules and materials.

To escalate the building of the national infrastructure for ICT, the bill also mandates the National Telecommunications Commission to iden-

Retailers unfazed by inflation pressures, eye organic growth

By Roderick Abad @rodrik_28 Contributor

“Cooling inflation, definitely, it’s a welcome development for us, especially [as] for the past several months we’ve been experiencing high [costs of products and services],” Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) President Rosemarie B. Ong told reporters in an interview last week. “[So] we’re looking at full recovery growth this year despite the headwinds.”

According to Ong, the PRA expects a “single-digit” growth this year. She said, though, that “it’s not in the same magnitude or it’s not in the same level as what happened in 2022 where almost all sectors ramped up.”

While the industry’s expansion for this year will taper off, Ong underscored that the market will “still experience growth organically.”

She attributed this to the resiliency of Filipino retailers and the increased consumption that drives the economy.

“As we see now, if you go to the malls, it’s like going back to prepandemic levels. hopefully, it will continue to improve,” she said.

The PRA president cited reports showing that some sectors have already reached the 2019 growth levels; but others are still grappling with the impact of the pandemic like garments, which is very fragmented due to competition with the online marketplace.

As a whole, retail “grew more than the GDP [gross domestic product]” rate, with the food and beverage, as well as home improvement as the strongest categories, Ong noted.

“People continue to spend,” she said. “I also think that home improvement is very resilient because everybody was focused on renovating and improving their homes since during pandemic.”

As the economy reopens, the public is now going out for “revenge travel” that spurs domestic tourism, she pointed out.

“So it will help the MSMEs [micro, small and medium enterprises] because if there is movement, if there’s travel, definitely, it will have a domino effect on the retail business,” Ong said.

‘Oscars’ of retailing

AFTER three years of hiatus, big retailers, top executives and business leaders once again walked down the red carpet to grace the Oscars of Philippine Retailing.

The PRA, together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), presented the Outstanding Filipino Retailers (OFR) Awards Special Edition 2023 to honor outstanding individuals and businesses that exhibited strength and responsiveness throughout the Covid-19 crisis.

“This special edition aims to recognize the resilient and unwavering spirit of Filipino retailers during the

challenging times of the pandemic, while also acknowledging that invaluable support extended to us by our partners and stakeholders,” Ong said.

With focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, the awards feted exceptional Filipinos and establishments on the following categories: pandemic resiliency, sustainability and pandemic retail innovation.

Proud of the accomplishments of the winners and finalists, the PRA vowed to continue to champion exemplary performance of the local players in the Philippine retail landscape.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a retail environment that promotes and embraces world-class standards and practices, which enables all the Filipino retailers to thrive in the global stage,” Ong said.

For their part, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual stressed the DTI’s dedication to aid homegrown businesses harness digital and technological capabilities so as to broaden their reach and profitability.

“Further, we assure businesses that DTI will continue to assist them to facilitate MSMEs’ upscaling, upsizing, and upgrading,” he added.

Lumagui: More to come after RR-Makati ISO expansion

IN line with Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo

D. Lumagui Jr.’s program to continuously provide taxpayer-oriented service and to professionalize the institution, the Bureau adopted an expansion on ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) for One-Time Transaction (ONETT), Processing and Issuance of Tax Clearance, Processing of Tax Returns and

Batch Control Sheet. The pilot region of the ISO expansion was Revenue Region 8A-Makati City.

“Congratulations to Revenue Region 8A-Makati City for their ISO 9001:2015 expansion. The improvement of your systems and services serves as a testament to the commitment of revenuers to our shared vision of a BIR that is a service-oriented agency. This is also

Perspectives A galaxy of opportunities

tify locations for the construction of telecommunications tower sites, which will prioritize unconnected, unserved or underserved areas.

The Department of Education shall also mandate all schools to enhance and strengthen schools’ ICT capacity to implement distance learning. To improve traditional teaching and learning processes and boost the basic education sector towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Department of Science and Technology will assist both the DepEd and the DICT on the use of science, technology and innovation.

Matapos ang karanasan natin noong kasagsagan ng pandemya, nakita nating hindi na natin maaaring ipagpaliban pa ang modernisasyon at digitalization sa sektor ng edukasyon upang walang mag-aaral ang mapag-iiwanan. Patuloy nating isusulong ang mga panukalang batas upang palawakin ang paggamit ng teknolohiya sa ating mga paaralan upang matiyak ang patuloy na edukasyon sa lahat sa gitna ng mga krisis ,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education. [After our experience during the pandemic, we saw that we cannot postpone the modernization and digitalization of the education sector any longer so that no student is left behind. We will continue to promote bills to expand the use of technology in our schools to ensure continued education for all in the midst of crises.]

Gatchalian also filed several measures to accelerate digitalization in the basic education sector such as the Philippine Online Library Act (SB 477), the Public School Database Act (SB 478) and the One Learner, One Laptop Act (SB 474).

AS the commercial space industry evolves, few sectors remain untouched by its technological advances.

Commercial space is moving quickly along its inevitable trajectory from sci-fi to business reality, as pioneering companies around the world pursue vast potential markets for space tourism, space manufacturing, space-enabled connectivity and more. Barely a week goes by without the mainstream media marking another step in the space tourism journey; sector cheerleaders speak of a “new industrial revolution.” While hype is inevitable and real obstacles remain, it is clear to most observers that commercial space has entered a new era—viability is finally catching up to ambition. With that in mind, the time is right for other sectors to pay attention.

The implications are broad. Just as the first, government-driven wave of space exploration eventually revolutionized fields such as medical imaging, cardiac monitoring, water purification and human implant devices, so today’s private enterprisedriven space commercialization is expected to yield technology breakthroughs whose applications go far beyond their first use case.

Commercial space is therefore conceived as not a vertical but as a galaxy of multi-sectoral opportunities to be derived from accessing, operating in and connecting to space. Whole new suites of services, products and value await discovery there, representing a huge opportunity for today’s corporate leaders. But first they must understand the implications of commercial space advances for their own sectors—the

earlier the better.

Two sectors facing an urgent need to engage with these questions are life sciences and healthcare, both of which are already experiencing a breadth of applicable advances, services and revenue streams made possible by technologies and infrastructure developed in and for commercial space.

In healthcare, there are new opportunities to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs and increase efficiency via advances such as satellite-based medical imaging, remote medical monitoring, device miniaturization and medical supply chain management. The Covid-19 pandemic has given new relevance to the applicability of space-created technologies to healthcare, with space assets being used to facilitate epidemic mapping, deliver health education to remote communities, quantify the impacts of lockdown and monitor post-lockdown recovery.

n Telemedicine

n Clinical trials

n Medical supply chain

n Precision medicine

n Remote monitoring

n Medical imaging

Meanwhile in the life sciences, space’s differentiated gravity and radiation levels provide a unique environment for experimentation. Space-based biomanufacturing promises purer drugs, while spacebased research into the effects of microgravity on the human body may yield new insights and treatments. The list of commercial opportunities is already long and growing fast:

n Microgravity research

n Remote monitoring and telemedicine

a step towards our dream of further professionalizing the institution,” Lumagui said.

Lumagui has adopted Excellent Taxpayers Service and Integrity and Professionalism in the Institution and its Employees as two of the pillars of his administration. These include the program of nationwide ISO certification for the BIR.

“May the ISO expansion of

Revenue Region No. 8A-Makati City serve as an inspiration to all other BIR Revenue Regions. If we can do it in the financial capital of the country, we can do it anywhere. We now have a blueprint for improving our services. I will personally monitor the ISO certifications of all regions. We owe the best of services to the Filipino people,” Lumagui said.

n Life support systems

n Biomanufacturing

n Space tourism

n Medical technology development

n Biomedical research

n Space agriculture

Of course, commercial space players also stand to gain from these opportunities and have a vested interest in finding appropriate partners. While they can provide the enabling infrastructure, it is healthcare and life sciences companies that are expected to identify the relevant commercial opportunities for their sectors, and that are likely to be needed to secure the data, biological and medical knowledge, and regulatory compliance necessary to safely commercialize new tech solutions.

Engaging with interested parties from life sciences and healthcare is therefore likely to loom large in the strategies of commercial space industry businesses looking to develop new business models and grow their market.

What all these opportunities have in common is collaboration.

Siloed activity may not build the value-creation ecosystem that commercial space promises. Spinoffs and job creation will likely emerge from the interplay of startups, fastgrowth SMEs, multinationals and regulators across sectors seeking to surface, test and bring tech solutions to market, creating a virtuous cycle of innovation, value creation and growth. Policymakers and regulators have a key role to play here, unlocking obstacles such as cross-border data access restrictions whilst finding the right balance between mitigating risk and nurtur-

ing innovation. A stable regulatory environment, giving organizations as much visibility and predictability as possible when it comes to the risks of doing business in this highly dynamic sector, is expected to be critical to the maximization of investment.

As the new space economy continues to evolve, all businesses need to consider the growth opportunities it has to offer. Those organizations that seize such opportunities today are expected to be best positioned to capitalize on the growth expected in coming years. Life sciences and healthcare businesses have much to gain from unearthing the hidden value at the intersection of space, technology and their own ambitions, but actually doing so will be challenging. Management teams should not only have a dynamic awareness of the space sector’s evolving technological possibilities, but the vision to proactively identify those most relevant to their customers and stakeholders.

The excerpt was taken from the KPMG Thought Leadership publication: https://kpmg.com/xx/en/ home/insights/2023/03/a-galaxy-of-opportunities.html.

© 2023 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member-firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member-firms affiliated with KPMG Intl. Ltd., a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. For more information, email kpmgmla@kpmg. com or visit www.home.kpmg/ph. This article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice to a specific issue or entity. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent KPMG International, KPMG in the Philippines or the BusinessMirror

LOCAL and global inflation pressures have unfazed the country’s biggest group of retailers, which remains bullish on the industry’s growth in 2023.

Trump indicTed:

What to know about the documents case and what’s next

By Meg Kinnard The Associated Press

DonalD Trump’s indictment on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate represents the most serious legal jeopardy so far for Trump, coming less than three months after he was charged in new York with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Here's a look at the charges, the special counsel's investigation and how Trump's case differs from those of other politicians known to be in possession of classified documents:

What are the charges, and how is Trump reacting?

Trump faces seven charges related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to two people familiar with the indictment but not authorized to speak publicly about it.

Trump lawyer James Trusty said Thursday night on CNN that the indictment includes charges of willful retention of national defense information, obstruction of justice, false statements and conspiracy. By Friday morning, Trusty and another Trump lawyer, John Rowley, said they had resigned and would no longer be representing him.

Trump, on his Truth Social app on Thursday, called his indictment “a DARK DAY for the United States of America.” In a video post, he said, “I’m innocent and we will prove that very, very soundly and hopefully very quickly.” Within 20 minutes of breaking the news, his 2024 presidential campaign sent out a fundraising missive asking for financial support.

What happens next?

The Justice Department did not immediately publicly confirm the indictment, and charges were not publicly filed.

Trump said he’d been summoned to appear in court Tuesday in Miami. It wasn’t immediately clear what the procedure would look like.

When he was charged by the Manhattan district attorney in the New York case, Trump surrendered to authorities, where he was booked behind closed doors and appeared in the courtroom, sitting with his law -

yers at the defense table.

The Florida case was initially assigned to Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed to the bench by Trump and who previously granted his request for an independent arbiter to review documents obtained during an FBI search of his Florida estate.

How did this case come about?

Officials with the National Archives and Records Administration reached out to representatives for Trump in spring 2021 when they realized that important material from his time in office was missing.

According to the Presidential Records Act, White House documents are considered property of the US government and must be preserved.

A Trump representative told the National Archives in December 2021 that presidential records had been found at Mar-a-Lago. In January 2022, the National Archives retrieved 15 boxes of documents from Trump’s Florida home, later telling Justice Department officials that they contained “a lot” of classified material.

That May, the FBI and Justice Department issued a subpoena for remaining classified documents in Trump’s possession. Investigators who went to visit the property weeks later to collect the records were given roughly three dozen documents and a sworn statement from Trump’s lawyers attesting that the requested information had been returned.

But that assertion turned out to be false. With a search warrant, federal officials returned to Mar-a-Lago in August 2022 and seized more than 33 boxes and containers totaling 11,000 documents from a storage room and an office, including 100 classified documents.

In all, roughly 300 documents with classification markings—in -

cluding some at the top secret level—have been recovered from Trump since he left office in January 2021.

How did a special counsel get involved?

Last year, US Attorney General Merrick Garland picked Jack Smith, a veteran war crimes prosecutor with a background in public corruption probes, to lead investigations into the presence of classified documents at Trump’s Florida estate, as well as key aspects of a separate probe involving the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and efforts to undo the 2020 election.

Smith's appointment was a recognition by Garland of the politics involved in an investigation into a former president and current White House candidate. Garland himself was selected by Democratic President Joe Biden, whom Trump is seeking to challenge for the White House in 2024.

Special counsels are appointed in cases in which the Justice Department perceives itself as having a conflict or where it’s deemed to be in the public interest to have someone outside the government come in and take responsibility for a matter.

According to the Code of Federal Regulations, a special counsel must have “a reputation for integrity and impartial decision-making,” as well as “an informed understanding of the criminal law and Department of Justice policies.”

Didn’t Biden and former vice president Mike Pence have classified documents, too?

Yes, but the circumstances of their cases are vastly different from those involving Trump.

After classified documents were found at Biden's think tank and Pence's Indiana home, their lawyers notified authorities and quickly arranged for them to be handed over. They also authorized other searches by federal authorities to search for additional documents.

There is no indication either was aware of the existence of the records before they were found, and no evidence has so far emerged that Biden or Pence sought to conceal the discoveries. That’s important because the Justice Department historically looks for willfulness in deciding whether to bring criminal charges.

A special counsel was appointed earlier this year to probe how classified materials ended up at Biden’s Delaware home and former office. But even if the Justice Department were to find Biden’s case prosecutable on the evidence, its Office of Legal Counsel has concluded that a president is immune from prosecution during his time in office.

As for Pence, the Justice Department informed his legal team earlier this month that it would not be pursuing criminal charges against him over his handling of the documents.

Does a federal indictment prevent Trump from running for president?

No. Neither the indictment itself nor a conviction would prevent Trump from running for or winning the presidency in 2024.

And as the New York case showed, criminal charges have historically been a boon to his fundraising. The campaign announced that it had raised over $4 million in the 24 hours after that indictment became public, far smashing its previous record after the FBI search of Trump’s Mara-Lago club.

How are Trump’s republican rivals reacting to the news?

Many of Trump's challengers for the GOP nomination jumped to his defense after news of the indict -

ment broke.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump's top rival for the 2024 nomination, accused the Justice Department of political bias in charging the former president.

“The weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society,” DeSantis tweeted. “We have for years witnessed an uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation."

He questioned why the Justice Department had been “so zealous” in bringing charges against Trump and “so passive” about going after former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton or Biden's son Hunter. Campaigning in New Hampshire on Friday, former Vice President Pence said he was “deeply troubled” to see the indictment because he believed it would further divide the nation. He also called on Garland to make the indictment public as soon as possible.

“You need to stand up and explain to us why this was necessary before the sun sets today," Pence said.

Trump's United Nations ambassador, Nikki Haley, also decried the indictment, saying, “This is not how justice should be pursued in our country.”

“The American people are exhausted by the prosecutorial overreach, double standards and vendetta politics," she said Friday. "It’s time to move beyond the endless drama and distractions.”

Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina said Thursday that he felt the justice system’s “scales are weighted” based on politics. “In America, every single person is presumed innocent, not guilty,” Scott said on Fox News, decrying “the weaponization of the Department of Justice against the former president.”

Biotech entrepreneur and “antiwoke” activist Vivek Ramaswamy said the federal case was part of “an affront to every citizen.” Reiterating his comments that he would pardon Trump, Ramaswamy called it “hypocritical for the DOJ to selectively prosecute Trump but not” Biden over his own classified documents case.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who called for Trump to drop out of the race after the New York charges were filed, said the federal indictment marked “a sad day for our country” and “reaffirms the need for Donald Trump to respect the office and end his campaign.”

For M er President Donald Trump announces he is running for president for the third time as he smiles while speaking at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, November 15, 2022. AP/Andrew H A r nik

AN aerial view of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate is seen, August 10, 2022, in Palm Beach, Florida. AP/Steve Helber

PAg es from a Department of Justice court filing on August 30, 2022. Included in the filing was an FBI photo of documents that were seized during the search. AP/Jon e l S wick

GLOBAL FASHION BRAND CELEBRATES QUEER CLUB CULTURE, SAFER SPACES

IN celebration of queer club culture and the safer spaces they provide, global fashion brand COS presents a limited-edition T-shirt capsule this Pride featuring unique designs created with four iconic club experiences worldwide; Horse Meat Disco, House of Yes, Sink The Pink, and Churros con Chocolate, continuing to support LGBTQIA+ communities internationally so that everyone can feel respected, safe and seen.

Since before the pandemic, these spaces have declined in numbers, with several still facing battles due to transphobia, homophobia and gentrification. The beating heart of many queer communities and an important way to be inspired, each of the collectives offer their communities a space to connect and celebrate, allowing freedom to be themselves, whether performing or in the crowd.

Embodying the creativity and individuality of each collaborator, international music festival headliners, Horse Meat Disco’s T-shirt features a bold and colorful DISCO design representing the community coming together through the love of disco and dancing, while New York-based House of Yes, a space dedicated to connection and creativity, offers a powerful heart-shaped design with interconnected lines to represent love while creating something unique and beautiful. Alongside this, legendary UK collective and advocates of self-expression Sink The Pink share a playful Queen of Club’s design, a beautiful representation of their legacy; and Spain’s festival of fun Churros con Chocolate recreates their iconic poster designs which illustrate dress-up and their flamboyant guests.

Shot by Brett Lloyd, the campaign features faces that form the heart and soul of worldwide LGBTQIA+ communities.

COS will donate 100 percent of the profits from sales of this collaboration to support Metro Manila Pride, a volunteer-managed organization dedicated to educating, equipping and empowering the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community, working toward a future without discrimination and prejudice.

The COS Pride collection is available globally at cos.com and the COS Store Manila in SM Aura Premier.

Fake it till you make it

Style

Pride 2023: Rage, resistance and resilience

‘IT takes no compromise to give people their rights...It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression.” Forty-five years after the death of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected into public office in California who was assassinated in 1978, his statement still rings true about the struggles of LGBTs.

The fight continues with Pride parades being held around the world this month. Metro Manila Pride, which puts “Community, Justice and Intersectionality” at the center of the movement, will hold its celebration, #TAYOangKULAYAAN Pride March and Festival, on June 24 at the Circuit Event Grounds in Makati City.

On the same day, Mindanao Pride will be held in Cagayan de Oro City, supported by Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy, in a celebration called “Kahilwayan,” a vernacular term which means “Freedom.” The solidarity fest will be joined by member organizations such as TLF Share, Initiatives and Movement for Gender Liberation Against Discrimination (IMGLAD), Tagoloan Gender Advocacy Group (TAGAD), Mindanao Pride, and Out and Proud League of Colors (OPLC) in close collaboration with The Pride of Villanueva and other local national Pride groups.

n WONDER WOMEN. No argument that Vera Wang, who comes from two fields highly favored by LGBTs (figure skating and fashion), is beloved in the community. She came out swinging as an ally as she posed in front of a Pride Progress flag: “Celebrating Pride!”

The beloved Binibinis—Binibining Pilipinas International Angelica Lopez, Binibining Pilipinas Globe Anna Valencia Lakrini, First Runner-up Katrina Anne Johnson and Second Runner-up Atasha Reign Parani—showed their gratitude to their LGBT fans by strutting down the “Pridestrian” walk at Araneta City in Cubao: “Always remember that you are loved and you are worthy! Happy Pride Month to the lovely people of LGBTQIA+ community.”

When someone said that Wonder Woman is not a superhero for gays, the iconic Lynda Carter fired back, as quoted in Variety: “I didn’t write Wonder Woman, but if you want to argue that she is somehow not a queer or trans icon, then you’re not paying attention.” Carter later explained: “Every time someone comes up to me and says that Wonder Woman helped them while they were closeted, it reminds me how special the role is.”

n “HORSE BARBIE.” Model and trans activist Geena Rocero was name-called a horse when she competed in Miss Gay pageants back in the day. Now she’s reclaiming the moniker and turned it into a bestselling critically acclaimed memoir:

“After close to two years of writing, I can’t wait for you all to immerse yourselves in the universe of the little alley where I grew up, to becoming a trans pageant queen at the age of 15. I am peeling away layers of my childhood and family story, and sharing much about my Filipino culture and what it was like to immigrate to the United States. For the first time, I’m speaking about love, sex, and the trauma and beauty of my ‘stealth’ years as a model in NYC. I faced some of my biggest fears writing this book. It’s a celebratory and universal story of survival, love and pure joy.”

Anyway, back on the topic of lashes—it was French actress Brigitte Bardot who made wearing falsies iconic. Her smoky eye look with lots of lashes is a beauty classic that would look good now as it did in the 1950s and 1960s.

You can wear layers of mascara to achieve that look but that would probably be too clumpy for real life. The next option would be lash curls and/or extensions but that may be too high maintenance.

n SASHA VELOUR. The Season 9 champion of RuPaul’s Drag Race and author of The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag, is the cover star of The New Yorker magazine which they illustrated themselves: “Drag is an antidote to shame. Drag shows us that we don’t need to be afraid of who we are...and, if anything, we should exaggerate our quirks!”

n ‘PREVIEW’ COVER STARS. The fashion magazine gathered the most visible trans celebrities for its Pride issue: Alexa Dignos, Barbie Q, Cheetah Rivera, Deo Cabrera, EJ Jallorina, EJ Nacion, Fuschia Ravena, Gaiapoly, Iyah Mina, Jade So, Janlee Dungca, Justine Llarena, Kaladkaren, Mav Bernardo, Mela Habijan, Pao Mendoza, Pipay, Rod Singh, and Sassa Gurl… n KALADKAREN. The MMFF 2023 Best Supporting Actress (for Here Comes the Groom), TV and digital presenter, and Drag Race Philippines resident judge recently became the first transgender news anchor in the country: “Mas inklusibo na po ang pagbabalita. Gabi-gabi niyo na po tayong mapapanood sa prime-time newscast ng TV5—Frontline Pilipinas. Sa wakas, may transgender news anchor na sa PHILIPPINE NEWS!!! Happy Pride!”

Of the Preview cover, she said: Welcome to Barangay Malamvowt!!! Preview Magazine’s Pride issue! So proud to be on the cover with my fellow

lightweight and flattering on Asian eyes. Launched in 2015, Faboulash offers an inclusive lash collection and tools that can help simplify makeup routines.

powerful, exceptional and transformational sisters! Mga pinalamvowt ng estrofem, androcur at kaunting fabric softener! This is Trans Revolution 2023!”

n ROCK HUDSON. The Hollywood icon is featured in a Max (formerly HBO Max) documentary, Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed, which will premiere on June 28. The original documentary from Stephen Kijak examines the life and legacy of one of Hollywood’s heartthrobs who led a double life and became a reluctant pioneer in the fight against AIDS.

n THE POPE. About 64 countries have laws that criminalize homosexuality, with nearly half of them in Africa. According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, 33 countries in the world recognize same-sex marriages, and 34 others provide for some partnership recognition for same-sex couples.

Meanwhile, the SOGIE Equality Bill, filed by our fierce ally Sen. Risa Hontiveros, has languished in our sluggish Congress since 2016.

“This is not right. Persons with homosexual tendencies are children of God. God loves them. God accompanies them...condemning a person like this is a sin,” Pope Francis said as he was returning to Rome after a trip in February 2023 to the Congo and South Sudan. “Criminalizing people with homosexual tendencies is an injustice.” n

Jerina Amber, Dr. Denise Aguirre and Karina Ramos.

NEVER have women been more obsessed with lashes than they are now. Every beauty girl gets their lashes done for daily wear and put on falsies for events. In case you didn’t know, attending events is now better than going to a club or a party. Attending an event means that you’re relevant and brands want to be associated with you.

False or artificial eyelashes (or falsies) were patented in 1911 but they have most probably been around longer than that. The first falsies were glue-on lashes, or strip lashes, which were thought to be made from human hair. These days, there are different types and lengths for falsies. Some look almost natural. Celebrity makeup artist Mikka Marcaida, whose clients include Anne Curtis, Maine Mendoza, and Sarah Lahbati, founded Faboulash to give the market the option to wear quality lashes that are

“We create the best lashes for everyone, from the novice makeup user to the professional makeup artist on set,” said Marcaida. Before Faboulash, Marcaida struggled to find affordable false lashes which cater to monolids and other eyelid types. Marcaida’s signature look for her clients includes bushy brows, long wispy lashes, and glowing skin.

Faboulash recently launched its “Amplify You” campaign to celebrate how each makeup user is different from everyone else. The campaign features five models from different backgrounds showcasing the versatility of Faboulash. Faboulash’s lightweight lashes are perfect for Rols Serrano, who is a student. Lawyer Ellaine Collado finds a boost of confidence through Faboulash’s diverse collection. The other faces of the campaign are

“Faboulash is all about embracing and expressing yourself. We hope to inspire people to add our glamorous lashes to their every day routine, even in unexpected places like the gym, office, or even while doing household chores,” said Marcaida.

Here are some tips from Marcaida on how to use falsies:

n Use tweezers to keep the lashes clean and have a firmer grip on the product.

n Apply a thin layer of glue on the lash band and wait 30 seconds to keep the lash from sliding on the natural lashes.

n Look down on a mirror while putting the false lashes on natural ones to allow more space between the eyelid and the lash line, so that application is easier.

More information about Faboulash can be found at www.shopfaboulash.com.

Solis’ new inverter with generator connections to make solar energy accessible to more Pinoys

DoubleDragon’s 548-room Hotel101-Cebu Mactan Airport now 100% Sold Out

DOUBLEDRAGON

Corporation’s hotel subsidiary, Hotel of Asia, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has fully sold out its most recently launched project-Hotel101–Cebu Mactan Airport in just 21 months from the start of preselling and over a year ahead of the target completion date. Hotel101Cebu Mactan Airport with its 548 rooms is poised to be the biggest airport hotel in the Visayas and Mindanao Region and is currently being construction on a 5,493 square meter prime commercial lot along the Cebu Mactan Airport Terminal Road near Mactan Marina Mall.

With Hotel101–Cebu Mactan Airport as a new addition, Hotel101 now has the essential strategic seeds in place towards its near term goal of becoming the top-of-mind branded hotel chain in the country and eventually, in other parts of the world.

“Having just fully sold out the 548room Hotel101-Cebu Mactan Airport project, and having fully sold out the first two Metro Manila Hotel101 projects – 606-room Hotel101-Fort and 518-room Hotel101–Manila – we are excited to very soon announce the start of our third Hotel101 project in Metro Manila and first in Quezon City, the 745-room Hotel101-Libis Bridgetowne in E.Rodriguez Avenue, Libis Quezon City,” said DoubleDragon Chief Investment Officer Hannah Yulo-Luccini.

Hotel101–Cebu Mactan Airport is set to be the first Hotel101 project to adopt the new global version of Hotel101’s 21 sqm standardized signature HappyRoom.

The new Hotel101 global look has been designed for construction and operational efficiency, optimizing the use of modular furniture and fixtures as well as the use of prefabricated bathrooms. Hotel101 is expected to become known as one of the most technologically advanced hotel chains across all parts of its value chain. The next version of the Hotel101 App is set to integrate the fully automated

self-check-in system with IOT (Internet Of Things) capability.

For its signature look, Hotel101 has chosen the ‘banig’ -- the traditional handwoven mat of the Philippines. Banigs are where Filipino families would gather, form lasting bonds and shape memories. The banig symbolizes home, and that’s how we want you to feel when you are staying at Hotel101. The Hotel101 banig colors were carefully chosen to radiate happiness and intended to evoke a Filipino touch in all Hotel101 projects across different countries worldwide.

The Hotel101 signature modern banig was designed by AI (Artificial Intelligence) to symbolize that Hotel101 will always stay ahead of the curve in technological advances.

“Hotel101 Global has spent several months putting together the most ideal hotel room, we have meticulously gone over each and every detail of the new signature 1 SKU Hotel101 HappyRoom to ensure that it can become the most efficient hotel room to build and maintain, while fulfilling every essential need to delight the growing number of Hotel101 customers from various parts of the world.

If there is one hotel chain that can

optimize the use of modern technology in the global hospitality space, we believe it will be Hotel101, given its pioneering standardized signature 21 sqm HappyRooms and asset-light concept globally. Eventually, when you stay in any Hotel101, no matter what country you are in, for the first time you will know exactly what to expect,” said DoubleDragon Corporation and Hotel101 Global Chairman Edgar Injap Sia II.

As previously disclosed, Hotel101 pipeline of inventory from secured prime titled land sites in Cebu, Libis, Boracay, Palawan and Bohol are expected to generate P18.14 Billion in revenues, excluding the dollar revenues to be generated from the Hotel101 overseas projects.

Hotel 101 adopts dynamic pricing on its room rates similar to airline tickets where its room price moves up and down depending on the real time supply and demand on the chosen date of booking. he Asset Light Hotel 101 concept allows DoubleDragon to generate revenue and income twice, first from the pre-selling of the Happy Rooms, then second after the project is constructed it generates long term recurring revenue from hotel operations.

Asterra Condominium soon to rise in Butuan City, a prime location with strong economic potential

ASTERRA, a fast-rising affordable condominium brand, has announced the forthcoming launch of its prime development in Butuan, a firstclass highly urbanized city in Agusan del Norte. Envisioned to rise in select cities and towns that tout strong economic potential, Asterra is poised to provide quality housing to Butuan’s prospective home buyers and investors who are buoyantly optimistic about the bustling business and tourism trade in the city.

Asterra, as it turns out, will be right where the action is. Butuan City stands out as one that has made enormous strides over the last decade owing to its robust economy. Currently ranked by the Department of Trade and Industry as the 13th Most Improving City in the Philippines, “the Land of the Balangays” lives up to its historic

significance because, just like the precolonial boats, Butuan continuously steers its constituents to prosperity.

Butuan has more going for it than its expansive growth. Its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural attractions also entice aspiring homeowners to set down roots or reclaim their cherished home. Even now, Asterra Butuan is rousing interest among the new demographics of Filipino home buyers, which span individuals as diverse as returning or retired migrant workers and young, ambitious professionals.

Asterra’s strategic location offers them a host of advantages—convenience, access to fine retail and recreational amenities, and other elements needed for a holistic living experience. With Butuan City’s efficient transportation network and ongoing infrastructure upgrades, residents

of Asterra will enjoy reduced time on road travel and proximity to commercial and leisure centers, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. This accessibility will enhance homeowners’ overall living experience and ensure work-life balance as they perform their professional and personal responsibilities.

Noting the Asterra brand’s plan to deliver affordable and quality condominium units to Butuan’s housing market, Division Head Rey Montoya is confident that Asterra will be an integral part of Butuan City’s growth moving forward. “Indeed, we expect our residents to directly contribute to the progress of this beautiful city,” says Montoya, who points out that condo dwellers are mostly productive, highly mobile, and ambitious professionals or entrepreneurs that help the cities of their birth thrive under all circumstances.

Residents of the upcoming Asterra condo development in Butuan can look forward to modern amenities, thoughtfully designed living spaces, and a sense of community that Asterra is renowned for. After all, the project aligns with Asterra’s vision of creating homes that are not only affordable but also meet the evolving needs of Filipino individuals and families.

With Asterra condominium soon to rise in Butuan City, the local housing market is set to witness a new era of modern living, where convenience, comfort, and economic potential converge to create a truly exceptional lifestyle.

TO address the problem of unstable power supply causing frequent interruptions in Filipino households, companies are taking steps to make solar technology more accessible to middle-income families.

Among the companies leading this initiative is Ginlong (Solis) Technologies, which recently unveiled its S6 Advanced Power Hybrid Inverter in the Philippines during the Future Energy Show 2023. The company aims to empower more Filipino families by providing them with easy access to solar power technology.

According to Solis after-sales support engineer, John Karlo de Guzman, “Our focus is to help middle-class Filipinos gain access to renewable energy technology. By introducing the S6 Advanced Power Hybrid Inverter, we are enabling households to have a reliable and uninterrupted power supply, ultimately improving their quality of life.”

Solis’ newest technology, with added generator connections and control functions, works as a fully independent power center to meet the needs of Filipino residential and C&I (commerce and industry) markets, where power interruptions occur, especially during the summer due to high power demand.

“So we know that in the Philippines, there are some power interruptions lately, especially in summer. So using S6 hybrid on-grid, you won’t experience power interruption when the distribution utility [can’t] supply power from the grid,” De Guzman said.

Solis’ newest product, the S6 Advanced Power Hybrid Inverter, is equipped with enhanced connectivity and control capabilities allowing easy incorporation with generators thanks to the multiple input methods and automatic on/off control. Furthermore, it comes with an automatic UPS switch that allows households and businesses to manage power outages.

The product has five operating modes; the work mode, where the inverter is in energy storage mode, and uses the available PV power to support home loads; the self-use mode stores excess PV power unto the battery; the feed-in-priority mode which would export the excess PV power after the home loads are supplied; the off-grid mode where the systems

can be used in cases where power is not connected to the grid; and the back-up mode, which can be used during the self-use or feedin-priority mode.

As electricity prices continue to rise, the installation of Solis’ new product, equipped with a solar PV system, can help generate savings in a residential home.

“Using the generator and PV itself with the S6 inverter, I think it can [save] up to 60 to 80 percent of the monthly consumption or monthly electrical bill,” De Guzman said.

Furthermore, the S6 Advanced Power Hybrid Inverter can be connected to smartphones via bluetooth or WiFi, allowing Filipino households to easily navigate through the product depending on their current needs.

The S6 Advanced Power Hybrid Inverter can also accommodate up to six connections in parallel, with a maximum total load of 48 kilowatts (kW), with a 10-second 200 percent surge backup overload capability.

The hybrid inverter is compatible with lead-acid and lithium batteries, with multiple protection features, allowing the product to be as flexible as possible.

“This flexibility avoids over-specifying higher capacity inverters, PV arrays, generators, and batteries than necessarily required, with considerable CAPEX and OPEX savings over our competition. Users can be confident of a seamless supply during grid interruptions, even for the most sensitive electronic equipment,” Solis Country Manager James Frank said.

Empire East posts P17.03 B in reservation sales in 2022

In addition, Empire East’s transit-oriented developments and urban resort projects continued to experience robust demand. The visionary “city-within-a-city” development spanning 22 hectares in the Pasig-Cainta area exemplifies Empire East’s dedication to pushing boundaries, creating sustainable communities, and redefining urban living.

REAL estate pioneer Empire East Land Holdings Inc. cements its place in the industry with a strong 2022 finish by recording P17.03 billion in reservation sales.

The company’s stellar performance postpandemic is its testament to established client trust, excellent customer service, and quality developments. In addition, this achievement underscores the company’s sustained growth and strong presence in the market, solidifying its position as the benchmark for success.

“At Empire East, 2022 is a year of accelerated growth,” shared Empire East President and CEO Atty. Anthony Charlemagne C. Yu. “Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, we triumphantly adapted to the evolving business landscape, positioning Empire East to reach new heights.”

Empire East’s success extends beyond reservation sales, having served 23,446 satisfied homebuyers, a testament to the market’s confidence in the company. Furthermore, the company achieved an impressive 169 percent of its target sales in 2022, showcasing its ability to capitalize on market opportunities and deliver exceptional results.

The completion and turnover of 1,300 units to new Empire East homeowners further exemplify the company’s commitment to deliver its developments.

“Our strong and strategic orientation toward customer value has always been the driving force behind Empire East,” emphasized Yu. “We understand that our success lies in delivering on our commitments and exceeding the expectations of our valued clientele.”

Empire East’s success in 2022 can be attributed to its ability to understand market dynamics and seize unique growth opportunities. The company’s portfolio boasts unparalleled communities and developments, including topping off of Mango Tree Residences, alongside other towers of Empire East developments that will soon be ready-foroccupancy - as reported from the recent Annual Stockholders Meeting.

Following the brisk sales of Empire East Highland City, the developer’s upcoming township in Pasig-Cainta, the company recently launched the second installment of its residential phase, Highland Residences named Bellara Towers 1 and 2, which features a healthy mix of studio, one-bedroom, and twobedroom units to accommodate the needs of every homebuyer.

To ensure timely project delivery, Empire East spent P3 billion for construction and development activities in 2022. The company plans to invest P25 billion in five years for these activities, further solidifying its commitment to meeting all project timelines. Empire East has also secured prime properties spanning 426 hectares, bolstering its land bank for future development.

“Our portfolio is continuously expanding due to the progressing demands of Filipinos aspiring to own a home,” added Yu.

Since its inception, Empire East has been known for its unwavering commitment to innovation. “Innovation is at the core of Empire East’s DNA,” Yu explained. “We constantly strive to challenge conventions and introduce fresh concepts that revolutionize the real estate industry.”

As Empire East celebrates its 29th year in the real estate industry on July 15th, it stands as one of the leading property developers with a solid track record of delivering exceptional residential projects. With a commitment to innovation and customer value, the company has earned the trust of the industry over the last three decades.

“As we tread our path to our 30th year in the real estate industry, we shall strive not only to bring innovative city living to raised standards but also to redefine authenticity in home buying and lifestyles. Thus, ensuring that Empire East remains at the forefront of the industry,” emphasized Yu.

Empire East Land Holdings Inc. is an esteemed real estate developer in the Philippines with a rich history spanning nearly three decades. Its projects are designed to cater to the evolving needs and aspirations of Filipinos the company improves their quality of life by offering them sustainable and vibrant communities to call their true home.

The S6 Advanced Power Hybrid Inverter, launched during the Future Energy Show Philippines, can work as an independent power center to help meet the power demands of a Filipino Household.

EMPIRE East President and CEO

Atty. Anthony Charlemagne C. Yu

Homespun wisdom

THIS column comes as a cusp between Mother’s Day/Women’s Month in May, and Father’s Day in June as we honor mothers and fathers whose experiences in life have shaped and influenced the next generation. Theirs are the hands that rock the cradle, gender equality-stated.

And with the generations, come those of us who have chosen to make communication our field of expertise and our profession.

The keyword that comes to mind is “homespun wisdom” defined as “simple and not learned from books,” “straightforward and easy to understand,” “makes sense.” (https://www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/)

Sometimes we get trapped in too many complicated thoughts, options and scenario building; too immersed in so much data, messages, trends, pressures, macro concerns, and minute and incessant details.

When this happens, it may be the best time to return to the roots of effective communication. And, that a way to stay calm and balanced, is still going back to basics and foundations, back to what we have learned or what our earlier generations have learned, in times left to our own humanity, without the devices of today.

Sometimes, especially in difficulties, we dismiss these inner, nagging albeit sensible thoughts that surface again and again, as lacking in science, substance or basis. We forget sometimes that our being human and being communicators still have a lot of unexplored dimensions, some explainable, others not.

Data and humanity

I FIRST encountered the term “homespun wisdom” from a Harvard-educated scholar and doctorate graduate with highest honors who was a senior executive in the company where I was. He was a scholar in culture, history and the arts. He wrote most excellently, was a history major, and was our company’s historian on top of his heading our diverse

human resources group.

I thought of him as a renaissance man as he crunched numbers and understood the human spirit effortlessly together. It was he who would, in defining moments, acknowledge a piece of advice as homespun wisdom and proceed to resolve the issue with that in mind, parallel with the data.

He and I had common experiences performing in our respective school’s choirs as students, and having an interest in writing and editing, as at that time I was corporate editor and doing multiple publications and communication management. We worked together especially for special projects.

Impeccably mannered, honest and educated, he epitomized what we especially value today as a respect for the other, regardless of rank or stature in life. As we worked together, not once did he make me feel less in rank than him. He always addressed each employee with courtesy, always asking if a decision was a fair one. For someone who pored over voluminous documents, treatises, compedia and facts and data, I found it interesting that he recognized and valued homespun wisdom.

‘In time, you will.’ BACKTRACKING, as a child, I remember asking my mother, a former teacher, why she could cut paper straight without drawing a line as a guide. I would draw a line in pencil and still struggle with cutting the paper cleanly.

She replied, “In time, you will.”

And she was right, in time, I can now cut paper straight without drawing a line, although I still sometimes fold the paper a bit at times as a guide, but no longer with a pencil-drawn line. I used to ask her how she knew certain things and she would reply that experience counts and it would be over time.

For my part, I look back to the homespun wisdom that my 94-year-old Mom still clearly has as a cornerstone that keeps me grounded. Many times, I turn to that cornerstone for strength, drive and optimism. I remember her consoling me

during one trying day, simply, with these words: “Tomorrow is another day.”

And so for life, I always look forward to the sunrise, for a new day to rise above adversities. She never put it dramatically, but her words, said with gentleness and quiet conviction, always give me strength.

Walking home at dusk

MY father never preached to us. Instead, he lived his life in moments I will always remember for the unspoken wisdom and kindness in it. He lived a life of service to others, even for those he didn’t know.

I remember we had just moved to a new home in a subdivision reached at the far end of a highway of cogonlined roads and sparse public transportation. One day, as the sun was setting, going home from school, we chanced upon two young boys and their female companion (their nanny/yaya) who were walking along the roadside. The boys were in their school uniform trying their best to keep pace moving forward, and their yaya was lugging along their school bags.

My Dad stopped the ride we were in and asked them where they were going. They said they were left by the school bus and decided to walk home, which was quite a long way! My Dad introduced us to reassure them of our trustworthiness, and offered to bring them home. While in our vehicle, we shared with them the snack we

were munching on (which the boys ate with gusto, they must have been exhausted from the trek), as the yaya gave directions to my Dad to where they lived.

When we reached their home, the boys’ father opened the door and was so surprised to see us. Unthinkable today, but at that time, there were no cell phones, and it being a newer developed suburb, there were hardly any landlines! So when one left for school, one just had to trust that the kids would safely go home.

I don’t remember the names of the boys and their family, nor where their home was anymore. But what I do remember, now as a parent, was that heart-stopping and alarming sight of two small, elementary boys in school uniform walking home along a long, near desolate, cogon-lined highway as the sun was setting. They would not have made it back home in time before darkness set in. And the long stretch of road was bereft of streetlights.

My Dad didn’t pontificate to us about it. He just lived his life of service.

Thus, the homespun wisdom that words are words, but what we do in times of need and duress, especially for others, are what matter most. And that was what became an adage of sorts for me as a communicator and professional later on.

Thunderstorms

STILL back at our new home, there

were hardly any other houses as the area was being developed. Our area was elevated and so when thunderstorms struck which seemed to be often in the rainy season, you could see the lightning cutting across the sky (there were no high buildings back then) and sometimes hear it hit the lone street light down the road. You could hear the angry thunder in its rawest and most terrifying level. Our place being a bungalow, you had no other level to filter the sound. And if the lights went off, you simply had to hang on until the thunderstorm ended. Unperturbed, my petite paternal grandmother would walk in her slow shuffle, and turn to me and say as the thunderstorm raged, “Just pray” and proceed to light a candle and calmly go to her room. And true enough, even before the lighted candle finished burning, the thunderstorms would end.

I remember those two words that I always turn to. Wisdom and courage from an 87-year old petite grandmother who would not be bullied by thunderstorms. A balance to turn to AS a communicator, especially in this age today of artificial intelligence that continues to spark anxiousness and questions on its role, impact and usage, it may be best to do both—study and understand these developments. Then, back it up with the basics, the homespun wisdom to take on the journey that this new world of data and intelligence is taking us.

It may be time to go back to the wisdom borne of experience, to the wisdom borne of reflecting on what has happened and picking up the messages and lessons it brings. It’s that sensible voice whether from parents, mentors, and even from the youth, that keeps us balanced.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of Ipra Philippines, the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association, the world’s premier association for senior communications professionals around the world. Ritzi VillaricoRonquillo, APR, IABC Fellow is a Consultant, Coach and Speaker on Business Communication and Strategic Public Relations with 43 years of experience in leading internal and external communication and PR in corporate, communities, academe and associations.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.

CONTEMPLATION. Before giving a talk at a leadership institute in a regional conference in Hong Kong, I took some time for pause and contemplation while viewing the harbor and city skyline on one side, and the mountains and fog on the other.

PRAYERS ON THE MOUNTAIN. Lighting and watching the flickering lights on the rows of votive candles at the Chapel of the Holy Cross atop the red rocks of the Sedona Mountains in Arizona, gave quiet moments of insights and peace.

NATURE’S WISDOM. Nature has its silent way of conveying lessons to us by the life cycles of plants, the changing of the weather and time, and the unique attributes of each flora and fauna. This sunflower (a graduation symbol of my Alma Mater, the University of the Philippines) spotted in Tagaytay, is but one of the many living things and beings that make up our ecosystem from which today we are listening to more and more as we champion sustainability.

EJ CLEARS 6 METERS!

By Josef Ramos

ERNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA cemented his name in pole vault immortality by breaking the 6-meter ceiling at the Bergen Jump Challenge on Saturday in Bruggen, Norway.

Obiena is only the 28th pole vaulter in history to clear 6 meters and the first Asian to accomplish the feat.

The 27-year-old also didn’t only win gold in the Norway meet, but got a clearer view on his bid to return to the Olympics in Paris next year.

“What a competition!,” said Obiena’s confidante, Jim Lafferty. “EJ says it’s the only competition he has heard of where 6 meters got second place.”

American KC Lightfoot also cleared 6 meters, but settled for the silver medal after making two attempts to Obiena’s one at the height.

Both targeted 6.06 meters and failed.

Lightfoot entered the eight-strong field at Bruggen fresh from clearing 6.07 meters only last June 2 at the Music City Track Carnival in Nashville, Tennessee. He was at his peak in Norway, but Obiena was in his strongest elements.

“We are proud of him as he’s now a member of the 6-meter club and now the first ever Asian to break that standard,” Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said. “We’re looking forward to see that same performance in the Asian Games. If he does

SBP eyes FIBA crowd record in Gilas match at PHL Arena

WITH an eye at breaking the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) all-time attendance record, all roads will lead to the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on August 25 when Gilas Pilipinas makes its FIBA World Cup (FIBAWC) debut against Dominican Republic.

While a huge hometown crowd is a sure bet, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, led by its president Al Panlilio, is calling on all basketball-loving Filipinos to arrive in droves and fill up the 55,000-seat venue with the goal of setting a new FIBA gate record, a historic milestone the Philippines as lead co-host of FIBA’s centerpiece event.

Game time is at 8 p.m. after the Group A opening match between FIBA Africa’s Angola and European qualifier Italy at 4 p.m.—the only games scheduled at the Philippine Arena for the duration of the FIBAWC.

The magic number to break is 32,616, majority of which the United States Dream Team II—made up of National Basketball Association stars Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Dominique Wilkins, Shawn Kemp and Alonzo Mourning, among others—drew in the Final of the 1994 Toronto world championship where the Americans routed Russia, 137-91, the most lopsided win in World Cup history.

“What we would like to do is to break the record of 32,000plus attendance in a FIBA game,” Panlilio said. “If we play at the Philippine Arena, we’ll definitely go for that record.”The FIBAWC Local Organizing Committee—specifically for the August 25 inaugural games—is rolling out the Independence Day Ticket Promo Package which covers the five days from June 12 (from 12 a.m.) to June 16 (until 11:59 p.m.) with tickets available for purchase online at: https://philippines-ticketing. worldcup.basketball/

Promo Mechanics are as follows:

n For every purchase of the Gilas Independence Day World Cup Promo package which includes five Day Passes, the customer will get the Fifth Day Pass for free. This is equivalent to 20% savings.

n This package is only applicable to the following ticket categories:

n Category 4 Upper Box—August 25 Philippine Arena

FIBA World Cup 2023 Games

n Category 5 General Admission—August 25 Philippine Arena FIBA World Cup 2023 Games

n A customer can purchase as many packages as he wants.

n Package and seating is only in groups of five.

Customers will receive an email confirmation for the successful transaction. Those who purchased Category 4 Upper Box of this package will be notified in a separate email for their seat allocation in July.

Surpassing the number of spectators who attended that Toronto game 29 years ago isn’t as far-fetched an objective as it seems. After all, an unbelievable crowd of 54,086 witnessed Game Seven of the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco, figures that could last for ages at FIBA if they are reached on Opening Day.

that again, that will be gold.”

Obiena opened the outdoor season with a bronze medal at the Memorial Ireny Szewinska competition in Bydgoszcz, Poland, last week. He’s again competing at the Oslo Bislett Games in the Norwegian capital on Thursday.

The 6-meter effort, however, won’t qualify Obiena for Paris with the Olympic qualifying window set to start on July 1. He gets that chance to meet the 5.82 Olympic standard in the world championships in Antwerp next month or at the Hangzhou Asian Games in September.

Leading the exclusive 6-meter club is world No. 1 and record holder Armand Duplantis (Sweden, 6.22), followed by Renaud Lavillenie (France, 6.16) and the legendary Sergey Bubka (Ukraine, 6.15).

The other elite are Lightfoot (USA, 6.07), Steve Hooker (Australia, 6.06), Chris Nilsen (USA, 6.05), Thiago Braz de Silva (Brazil, 6.03), Brad Walker (USA, 6.03), Paul Burgess (Australia, 6.0), Toby Stevenson (USA, 6.0), Jeff Hartwig (USA, 6.03), Timothy Mack (USA, 6.01), Sam Kendricks (USA, 6.06), Maksim Tarasov (Russia, 6.05), Dmitri Markov (Belarus, 6.05), Okkert Brits (South Africa, 6.03), Radion Gataullin (Russia, 6.02), Yevgeny Lukyanenko (Russia, 6.01), Igor Trandenkov (Russia, 6.01), Piotr Lisek (Poland, 6.02), Bjorn Otto (Germany, 6.01), Tim Lobinger (German, 6.0), Danny Ecker (Germany, 6.0), Jean Galfione (France, 6.0), Shawnacy Barber (Canada, 6.0), Timothy Morgunov (6.0) and Sondre Guttormsen (Authorized Neutral Athlete, 6.0).

B8 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph sports@businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

Commissioner Marcial targets PBA globalization in next three seasons

THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will pave a wider path toward globalization in the next three seasons, according to league commissioner Willie Marcial.

“The PBA is following the trend of globalization … slowly but surely,” Marcial told BusinessMirror over the weekend. “We have already played in the EASL [East Asia Super League] and we’re heading in that direction.”

Marcial said that the PBA, Asia’s first professional basketball league established in 1975, has drawn the interest of several professional leagues abroad that they have made proposals for possible collaboration in the next three years.

“There are leagues in Europe and Asia which want to collaborate or interact or exchange technology and

ideas with us, but cannot reveal their identities yet,” said Marcial, whose term as commissioner was extended for another three seasons by the PBA Board of Governors during its strategic planning session in Paris, France, recently.

“We’ve been in Japan, South Korea and Taipei, so globally, the PBA is becoming widely known,” he said.

The PBA’s path to globalization, Marcial said, could be modestly cleared when the league celebrates its 50th year in 2025.

The PBA, Marcial added, generated a P200-million incone in the pandemic-recovery year of 2023— including revenues from the league’s social media and YouTube platforms.

Marcial also took in stride the exodus of PBA and up-andcoming stars to foreign leagues that offer juicy salaries and incentives and likened the situation to skilled and professional Filipinos who seek “greener pastuers” abroad.

“In every profession, there are opportunities to work abroad. It’s like doctors, lawyers and other career employees who are seeking greener pastures abroad,” he said.

The league opens its 48th season in mid-October after the country hosts the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup from August 25 to September 10. Josef Ramos

Alcala, Santiago triumph under heavy rain

JOHN DEDEUS ALCALA and Ines Santiago reigned supreme amid incessant rains that made swimming, cycling and running more difficult in the Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay on Sunday.

Alcala withstood strong waves and windy conditions in the bike leg then pushed himself in the run stage to pound out the win in four hours, 43 minutes and 45 seconds.

Santiago, on the other hand, was first out of the water and cruised to victory in 5:35:59 in her side of the 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike and 21-km run race that started and ended at the Subic Bay Boardwalk.

With a big field of triathletes from 33 countries still disputing the centerpiece Century Tuna Ironman Philippines crowns late Sunday, Alcala and Santiago took the spotlight in the half-triathlon and banked $1,000 each in damp and cold conditions.

Alcala put up the kind of finish he flaunted in stealing the show—but in stifling heat (4:32:20) in the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Puerto Princesa City last November—as he raced at his own pace in the swim (39:19) and bike (2:33:21) before pouring it out with a best 1:27:05 clocking in the run leg.

Alcala barely held off young Irienold Reig Jr., who splashed his way to the early lead in 0:31:27 (swim) and held sway with a 2:40:07 clocking on the bike but failed to match Alcala’s strong finish and big strides (1:28:29 in the run) for an overall time of 4:44:46.

“It was challenging, especially in the swim and bike because the waves were really rough and when I was on the bike, it was windy and I had to grip on my dropbars so I won’t be affected,” Alcala said. “But when it was my turn to run, it

Pep and all that GOAT Talk

rick OLivarEs bleachersbrew@gmail.com

BLEachErs’

LET’S get this out of the way—congratulations to Manchester City—the organization, its coaching staff and the players—for not just winning its first UEFA Champions League, but the Treble (including the Premier League and the FA Cup). It is well deserved.

Prior to the match, noted Spanish football writer Guillem Balague postulated that win or lose (in the Champions League Finals against Internazionale), Man City head coach Pep Guardiola is the greatest coach of them all.

Without a doubt or even prejudice, would say that

Guardiola is one of the greatest. He is in the same sentence as Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti as one of the greatest to have won with multiple teams.

I am not hating on Guardiola; I am a fan; I must say even if I do not root for any of the clubs he’s managed. However, when he took over Barcelona, that side, they had previously won not only the La Liga (twice) but also the Champions League (once) under Frank Rijkaard.

And the players under Rijkaard were staples under Guardiola’s tenure—Carles Puyol, Xavi, Lionel Messi, Victor

was okay. mean, this really couldn’t be called the Ironman if isn’t challenging.”

The tough swim conditions forced some participants to withdraw.

August Benedicto, winner of the Ironman 70.3 Cebu last year, wound up third in 4:48:28 with leg clockings of 39:02 (swim)-2:30:40 (bike)-1:34:21 (run), while Kenneth Bonda and Satar Salem took the next two spots in 4:48:33 (37:592:33:26-1:32:39) and 4:55:33 (34:03-2:32:15-1:42:37), respectively.

Santiago pulled away with a big swim start (39:23) then sustained her charge in the next two stages (2:58:29 bike and 1:51:40 run), beating Beverly Cariño by almost 18 minutes.

Cariño timed 5:53:34 (55:28 swim, 3:00:08 bike and 1:51:10 run) while Mary Jane Baluyot posted a 6:04:16 clocking for third, her 2:53:18 time in bike topped Santiago’s effort but she could only post 54:36 in swim and 2:04:08 in the closing run part.

Aside from the cash prizes courtesy of Century Pacific

Valdes and Andres Iniesta.

The Bayern Munich squad Guardiola inherited from Jupp Heynckes came off a Treble of their own.

The Man City team he inherited had won two Premier League titles with Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and Pablo Zabaleta to name a few.

Without a doubt, he brought out the best in Barcelona and Man City. No doubt. They were even better.

I don’t mind Guardiola being the GOAT of football managers. However, in my opinion, I give greater weight to what coaches like Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp have done. They brought to prominence clubs that were underachieving and led them to greater heights.

I know of the counter argument to National Basketball Association (NBA) coach Phil Jackson being the GOAT of pro basketball coaches as he won with Hall of Famers who were already present.

The knock on that argument is that the line-ups of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers he inherited did not

Swiatek rules

French Open for fourth grand slam trophy

PARIS—Iga Swiatek suddenly seemed lost in the French Open final. Her strokes were awry. Her confidence was gone. Her big early lead vanished, too.

Food COO and EVP Greg Banzon, Alcala and Santiago, along with 28 others, earned berths to the Vinfast Ironman 70.3 World Championships on August 26 and 27 in Lahti, Finland.

Alcala and Santiago also led the winners in various age group categories with the former bagging the men’s 30-34 title and the latter pocketing the women’s 40-44 diadem in the event organized by The Ironman Group/ Sunrise Events Inc.

Other age-group winners were Reig (18-24), Salem (2529), Benedicto (35-39), Jarmo Makelainen (40-44 – 5:09:47), Miguel Lopez (45-49 – 5:23:41), Jason Edwards (50-54 – 5:16:58), Andrew Hughes (55-59 – 5:05:26) and Michael Klose (60-64 – 5:46:24).

Anne Nuñez, who placed fifth overall, topped the women’s 18-24 side in 6:18:05, while Almira Lopez ruled the 25-29 class in 6:25:54. Cariño grabbed the 30-34 plum, Baluyot bagged the 35-39 crown; Liew Sun snared the 4549 title in 6:46:41 and Hitalia Celma reigned in the 55-59 category in 6:24:37.

Team Century Superbod Trihard, meanwhile, captured the overall relay crown in 4:58:18, besting Team Gas Coaching (5:07:48) and Team Lifewave (5:09:34), while Team Les Meres Feroces posted a 6:16:10 clocking to beat Team Southplus Multisport (6:25:09) and Team Jesfam Tri (6:34:36) for the all-female relay crown.

Team Century Superbod Trihard also clinched the all-male relay trophy while The Swim Academy PH team claimed the mixed relay title in 5:26:52 with Team Davy and Team Palmera 1 Tri-Team finishing second and third with 5:30:23 and 5:41:47 clocking, respectively.

win anything before his arrival. Besides, it wasn’t like the Bulls had so much money to bring in all these top players. They didn’t. They even underpaid Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

Yes, the Bulls and the Lakers were teams on the rise prior to Jackson’s arrival. But teams on the rise in the NBA are a dime-a-dozen. Winning is something else.

While no doubt, Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest winners football has ever seen and is one of the best managers of all time, I would love to see him go to a lesser team without the budget of what he is accustomed to.

Let’s see him work his magic there. Even just taking them to the finals out of say, the Second Division, is going to make that point.

Alas, now that he has won the Treble with Man City, I’d say he is off to Italy. Anyone figure he’ll be headed for AC Milan, Juventus, or even Inter Milan? But if he wins the Treble there, rich club or not, hang on him the title of GOAT.

She kept looking up into the stands, seeking guidance from her coach and her sports psychologist.

So much was amiss right up until she was two games from defeat against unseeded Karolina Muchova on Saturday. And then, when she needed to most, Swiatek transformed back into, well, Swiatek. The No. 1 player in women’s tennis for more than a year. The defending champion at Roland Garros. Aggressive. Decisive. Full of clarity.

Swiatek overcame a second-set crisis and a third-set deficit to reel off the last three games, topping Muchova, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4, to collect a third career championship at the French Open and fourth Grand Slam title.

“It’s pretty surreal, everything. But the match was really intense, a lot of ups and downs. Stressful moments and coming back,” said Swiatek, now 4-0 in major finals. “So I’m pretty happy that at the end could be solid in those few last games and finish it.”

Looking comfortable as can be at the outset, she raced to a 3-0 lead after just 10 minutes in Court Philippe Chatrier—taking 12 of the initial 15 points—and then was ahead 3-0 in the second set, too, before Muchova made things more intriguing.

“I could see that she was a little bit struggling, a little bit more tense,” Muchova said.

Swiatek seemed out of sorts, unable to find the right strokes and unable to figure out why. Players are allowed to communicate with their coaches, but whatever Tomasz Wiktorowski—or sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz—might have been trying to tell Swiatek, either the message wasn’t getting through or it wasn’t working right away.

“For sure, in second set, I was more looking for some kind of advice,” Swiatek explained, “and just a view of what I’m doing wrong sometimes.”

Muchova grabbed five of six games on the way to pulling even at a set apiece. She carried that momentum into the deciding set, going ahead by a break twice.

“I came a live, a little bit,” Muchova said.

Sure did. And yet that’s when Swiatek returned to her usual brand of crisp, clean tennis, scurrying around the red clay with sublime defense and finding just the occasions to try for a winner.

“I just kind of felt like I need to be more courageous,” Swiatek said, “and make some good decisions.”

When it ended on a double-fault by Muchova, Swiatek dropped her racket, crouched and covered her face as she cried.

The 22-year-old from Poland has won the French Open twice in a row now, along with her 2020 title there and her triumph at the US Open last September. That makes Swiatek the youngest woman with four Grand Slam trophies since Serena Williams was 20 when she got to that number at the 2002 US Open. “When she’s on a roll, it’s tough to break in,” said Muchova, who is ranked 43rd and was participating in a championship match at a Slam for the first time. AP

ERNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA (left) with his legendary coach Vitaly Petrov of Ukraine.

JOHN DEDEUS ALCALA and Ines Santiago are going to the world championships.