BusinessMirror June 14, 2022 by BusinessMirror

‘Close borders, cut Omicron exposure risk’ By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

LOSING the country’s borders is one of the most immediate courses of action the government must take to prevent the latest Covid-19 variant, Omicron, from reaching Philippine shores, according to local economists. T he new var iant is a threat, e s p e c i a l l y w it h t he hol id ay s coming up and more foreigners being a llowed to travel to the Philippines, De La Sa lle Universit y economist Mar ia Ella Oplas told BusinessMirror. The holidays usually bring in Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are eager to spend Christmas

with their loved ones, while foreigners living in temperate regions usually want to relax in tropical countries like the Philippines. This year’s influx of OFWs is expected to be heavier since many of them were unable to come home for the holidays in December 2020. “My recommendation is to protect the borders. Do not allow people with a history of travel to countries with positive cases to enter,” Oplas said. “We should be more restrictive. [We have to be] more protective in terms of our measures.” Oplas said that while this will be a setback to some industries, this is a fair measure considering that this could help prevent placing the country in another strict lockdown,

which, she said, the economy can no longer afford. “It is better that we do protective preventive measures than get exposed again. We have a lot to lose,” Oplas said. “We should do it now so that we can open just before Christmas. If it gets contained, we can open it again.” Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development (ACERD) Associate Director Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes said closing the country’s borders would be effective but should still adhere to the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). What is needed, Peña-Reyes told this newspaper, is for travel restrictions to be put in place swiftly and

for government to be proactive in imposing them. Previous instances when the country had the opportunity to impose travel restrictions did not prevent the spread of Covid-19. That was mainly because the decision was not made immediately, he said. “Kung papatay patay [If we’re slow] and we get caught flat-footed, [that’s risky] We were too reactive instead of proactive before. We should learn from that,” PeñaReyes said. “It’s a delicate balancing act. We need to push testing and tracing to be properly informed of our decisions. Blanket/shotgun approaches could have dire consequences on the economy.” See “Omicron,” A2

EXTERNAL RISKS PULL NATL GOVT BORROWINGS DOWN FDISDIP INTO MARCH FOR 10 MOS P2.75T w w

n Tuesday, June 14, 249 Monday, November 29,2022 2021Vol.Vol.1717No.No.52

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

P25.00 P25.00 nationwide nationwide || 22 sections sections 22 20 pages pages ||

WTO has key role to playrisk Omicron spurs revival in fighting pandemics–DTI of quarantine rules in PHL

@BNicolasBM

HE national government’s gross borrowings as of end-October shrank by almost 6 percent year-on-year to P2.75 trillion.

By Andrea E. San Juan

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the World Trade Organization (WTO) has a significant role to play in ensuring the smooth supply of essential goods that will help the world fight future pandemics. In his speech at the multilateral body’s ongoing 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Geneva, Switzerland, outgoing Trade chief Ramon M. Lopez also underscored the importance of solidarity in addressing the ill effects of the pandemic. “The WTO pandemic response must continue to build on the core principles under pinning the smooth supply of essential goods, such as transparency, facilitation, technology transfer and the exercise of restraint,” said Lopez. As countries remain vigilant against new variants and the emergence of future pandemics, Lopez urged WTO member-countries to “look to the future.” He said the world needs a “credible and forward-looking” WTO response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In a draft ministerial declaraprograms as President Duterte tion on Friday, the WTO said the ispandemic expectedrevealed to sign the industry the significant development in early 2022. role that theplan multilateral trading Rosales saidinthe willagainst not system plays thePCA fight stop updating its list of coconut Covid-19. farmers enjoined them to reg“Theand pandemic has highlighted ister in order to reap the benefits of the decades-long idled coconut levy fund. “We will not stop at 3.1 million. We hope that more individuals will register in our coconut farmers registry,” he said. The updating of the coconut farmers registry is mandated by Republic Act (RA) 11524 or the Coconut Industry Trust Fund Act.

the importance of working towards enhancing timely, equitable and global access to safe, affordable and effective Covid-19 vaccines, By Samuel P. Medenilla therapeutics, diagnostics and other @sam_medenilla essential medical goods,” the declaration read. NTER NATIONA L concerns Moreover, the WTO said the over the possible spread the multilateral trading systemofsupmore infectious Omicron Coports the expansion and diversivid-19 variant prompted the govfication of essential goods and ernment to reimpose mandatory related services needed to combat facility-based quarantine for all Covid-19 and future pandemics. arriving passengers in the country. The WTO also underscored “the Acting Presidential spokesperimportance of a stable and predictson Karlo B. environment Nograles announced able trading for the on Sunday that the Inter-Agency provision of goods and services in Task Force with for the accordance theManagement multilateral of Emerging Infectious Diseases body’s rules to facilitate manufac(IATF) suspended the implementuring, and supply and distributationofofCovid-19 its Resolution No.thera150tion, vaccines, A (s.2021), effectivelyand imposing peutics, diagnostics, other stricter protocols for allincluding inbound essential medical goods, travelers. their inputs.” To fact, note,aIATF Resolution 150In separate draft minA had allowed fully vaccinated isterial decision by the Tradenon-visa Aspects travelers of from Green List Related Intellectual areas to enter the country withProperty Rights (TRIPS) Council out the need for facility-based enables an eligible member of quarantine long as they the WTO toas authorize the secure use of negative Covid-19 Reverse Transcriptionfinished vaccine prodPolymerase Chainand Reaction (RTucts, ingredients processes PCR) test within 72 hours prior necessary for the manufacture to the theirCovid-19 departure. of vaccine without “Except classified the consentfor ofcountries the right holder to as ‘Red,’ the testing and quarantine the extent necessary to address protocols for all inbound internathe pandemic. tional in all ports of entry Itemtravelers 3(b) of the ministerial deshall comply with the testing and cision by the TRIPS Council reads: quarantineSee protocols “WTO,” A2for ‘Yellow’ list countries,” Nograles said, citing the provision of IATF Resolution No. 151-A. He noted Hong Kong, which has confirmed a case of the Omicron variant, will also fall under the Yellow list countries. The suspension of the rules for “Green List” countries will be in effect from November 28, 2021 to December 15, 2021.

Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed that the government’s gross borrowings during the 10-month period fell by 5.99 percent from P2.92 trillion a year ago. With only two months left for this year, the latest figure is already equivalent to 89.6 percent of its P3.07-trillion borrowing program. Broken down, gross domestic borrowings from January to October settled at P2.23 trillion, down by 5.08 percent from P2.35 trillion in 2020. The bulk of the amount was PEOPLE walk past the mural of Gat Andres Bonifacio at Manila City Hall Underpass. sourced from Fixed Rate Treasury The country will celebrate the 158th birth anniversary of Filipino revolutionary Bonds (P1.19 trillion), followed by hero Gat Andres Bonifacio on Tuesday, November 30. ROY DOMINGO short-term borrowings from PORTS FERMENT Container vansBangpile up at the North Harbor in Manila on Monday, June 13, 2022. There is a restive air at the ports these days, as shippers decry what they deem the Philippine Port ko Sentral“unnecessary” ng Pilipinasport or charges BSP (P540 Authority’s amid soaring inflation. During the pandemic, the group said, the PPA had increased port charges in various ports, putting a strain on shipping lines’ overhead, billion), Bonds/Preand forcingRetail them toTreasury pass on part of the burden to consumers. Story in Economy, A4. NONIE REYES myo Bonds (P463.3 billion), Retail Onshore Dollar Bonds (P80.84 bilBy Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM lion). In the same period, there was By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas dating its registry following the them. This allows everyone to see also a net redemption of Treasury @jearcalas enactment of the Coconut Farmwho are listed in the registry and if Bills amounting to P43.94 billion. ers and Industry Trust Fund law. farmer doesn’t see his name then he Net debt redemption means ORE than 3 million Rosales explained that about shall coordinate with the PCA imthere were more debts repaid comcoconut farmers and 500,000 farmers and mediately,” at aoutrecent pared to the amount borrowed durBy Jaspercoconut Emmanuel Y. Arcalas Despite he theexplained lukewarm workers are now regisworkers were added to the PCA’s dialogue with coconut farmers. ing the period. @jearcalas look on the Philippines’s pig tered with the government’s reg2018 list that had about 2.5 million “On the otherFAO hand, if people Meanwhile, gross foreign borherd recovery, projected istry, which serves as the basis coconut farmers and farm workers. would see names on the and rowings in the same period also HE Philippines’s pork that the country’s local piglist profor the number of people to be The PCA’s next step is to conthey think they are not coconut contracted by 9.7 percent to P518.7 imports this year may duction would grow slightly this covered by the utilization of the duct an ex exclusion-inclusion profarmers theirmillion details are incorbillion from last year’s P574.4 billion. pand by 2.71 peryear to or 1.192 metric P75-billion coconut levy fund. cedure by making the updated rect, they can report it to the PCA This was raised through global cent year-on-year to a record tons (MMT) from 1.118 MMT Philippine Coconut Authority farmers’ providfor immediate action,” he added. bonds (P146.17 billion), program 341,000registry metric public, tons (MT) to last year. (PCA) Deputy Administrator Roel ing everyone the opportunity to The PCA official noted that loans (P139.98 billion), euro-deplug the shortfall in domestic Total pig utilization in the M. Rosales said about 3.11 million check the veracity of the list, Rothe completion of the initial nominated bonds (P121.97 billion), supply created by African swine Philippines is estimated to growlist coconut farmers and farm worksales added. of coconut farmers registry a project loan (P86.41 billion), and fever (ASF), a United Nations slightly to 1.531 MMT fromwould last ers have been registered with the “The list will be posted in public be just in time for the expected yen-denominated samurai bonds agency said. year’s 1.518 MMT. sinceeffect it started upspaces people can see rollout coconut levy-funded See “3-M farmers,” A2 (P24.19 billion).that foreign direct Data showed andgovernment have a multiplier on the Inwhere its biannual foodeasily outlook FAO of said the Philippines See “Borrowings,” A2 Continued on A2 investments (FDI) to the Philipeconomy. report, the UN Food and Agwould be the world’s seventh largpines hit $727 million in March The nearly 10-percent decline riculture Organization (FAO) est pork importer. China remains this year, $79 million lower than n in during month brought the 6.4722 Philippines may 7.9013 hike n as the world’s36.8968 biggest n buyer of USFDIs 50.4600 n the JAPAN 0.4374 n UK 67.2329said n HK n CHINA SINGAPORE AUSTRALIA 36.2807 n EU 56.5758 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.4531 Source: BSP (November 26, 2021) the $806 million investments that the total first quarter FDI level of its purchases of pork abroad due imported pork at 3.854 MMT. flowed into the country in the same the country to $2.44 billion. This is to the “slow” restocking of pig It also projected that the month last year. still up by 2 percent from the $2.39 farms in the aftermath of ASF. country’s total meat imports FDIs are investments that are billion seen in the same period in “Imports by the Philippines this year could grow by 1.4 made by foreign players to the Phil2021. are forecast to increase by percent to 948,000 MT from ippines in the hopes of long-term The BSP blamed the decrease around 3 percent to 341,000 935,000 MT last year. The Philreturn. in foreign investments during the tons, given the slower-thanippines’s local meat production Since these are in the country month to external factors, addanticipated recovery of the dothis year, meanwhile, may exfor a longer-term compared to their ing that the local economy remain mestic pig herd from the ASF pand by 1.32 percent year-onshort-term counterpart, the foreign sound and attractive for market virus,” the FAO said in its report year to 2.823 MMT. portfolio investments (FPIs), FDIs players. published recently. See “Pork,” A2 See “External risks,” A2 usually create jobs for Filipinos

OVER 3-M FARMERS LISTED FOR P75-B COCO LEVY FUND PHL PORK IMPORTS TO HIT RECORD

OREIGN investors’ long-term investments to the Philippines dipped in March from its level a year ago, and registered its lowest volume for the year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Monday.

AS FARMS STRUGGLE TO RECOVER

PESO EXCHANGE RATES

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 52.9510

n JAPAN 0.3940 n UK 65.2515 n HK 6.7459 n CHINA 7.8936 n SINGAPORE 38.1546 n AUSTRALIA 37.2351 n EU 55.6833 n SAUDI ARABIA 14.1154 Source: BSP (June 13, 2022)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, June 14, 2022

‘Govt must prepare hospitals for rise in Covid-19 cases’

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

MEMBER of the Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) urged the government to start boosting the capacity of healthcare facilities in anticipation of the possible increase in Covid-19 cases in the coming weeks.

WTO...

Continued from A1

“An eligible Member may waive the requirement of Article 31(f) that authorized use under Article 31 be predominantly to supply its domestic market and may allow any proportion of the products manufactured under the authorization in accordance with this Decision to be exported to eligible Members, including through International or regional joint initiatives that aim to ensure the equitable access of eligible Members to the Covid-19 vaccine covered by the authorization.”

However, the TRIPS Council noted that eligible Members shall undertake all reasonable efforts to prevent the re-exportation of the products manufactured under the authorization in accordance with the TRIPS Decision that have been imported into their territories. For his part, Pope Francis, in a tweet, also urged the World Trade Organization to adopt measures to ensure the equitable access to safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines, adding that Africa must not be left behind.

Dr. Rontgene M. Solante, a member of the VEP, made the appeal after the OCTA Research Group projected that cases will rise after the positivity rate in the National Capital Region rose to 2.2 percent last week. The positivity rate is the percentage of people who were infected with Covid-19 of those who were tested for the disease. OCTA said this indicates an increase in the number of mild Covid-19 cases in the region this month or by July. “We need to protect the healthcare viability...because once we see there is an increase in cases, many of them will be admitted [in health-

care facilities],” Solante said. Aside from beefing up health care facilities, he also called for strengthening government efforts in isolating, testing, and vaccination drive initiatives as well as the public’s compliance to minimum health standards. “We can also continue to protect the vulnerable population to prevent them from getting the severe infection and prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed,” Solante said. Citing latest government data, OCTA reported there was already an increase in Covid-19 hospital bed use in NCR, which rose to 1,520 last Wednesday from 1,372 on June 5.

“I add my voice to that of the Pan-American and Pan-African Committees of Judges for Social Rights in calling on the WTO to adopt measures to ensure access to Covid-19 vaccines for all, especially the peoples of Africa,” the Pope said. “Equitable access to safe and effective vaccines is fundamental to saving lives and livelihoods. Africa must not be left behind. No one is safe until everyone is safe,” added Pope Francis.

facilitate micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) participation in the global value chains, and facilitate investment for development. He also said he supports calls to restore the two-tiered dispute settlement system. “ T he Phi lippines suppor ts steady steps towards institutional change and adaptation so that we guarantee a robust and relevant multilateral trading system in the decades ahead,” Lopez said. According to a Washington International Trade Association (WITA) report, “The European Union (EU) and many other WTO Members are looking for reform efforts to include the restoration of a two-tier dispute settlement system. The objectives these Members have focus on timing and speed of process.” The WTO has always highlighted the importance of settling disputes in a timely and structured manner. The multilateral body said it helps to prevent the detrimental effects of unresolved international trade conflicts and to reduce the imbalances between stronger and weaker players by having their disputes settled on the basis of rules rather than having power influence the outcome.

E-commerce, MSMEs

LOPEZ also said in his speech that the WTO must continue to be “ambitious” in advancing initiatives to develop new rules on e-commerce:

Pork...

Continued on A1

The country’s meat imports in January to April rose by almost 10 percent on an annual basis to nearly 350,000 MT, the latest Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) data showed. (Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2022/05/25/phls-january-april-meat-imports-upalmost-10/) BAI data showed that meat imports during the four-month period were 30,814.584 MT higher than the 319,076.632 MT recorded same period a year ago. In the same report, FAO said the Philippines’s dairy imports this year would increase due to “rising consumer demand.” It noted that the country’s local milk production is unable to meet growing demand for the commodity. FAO added that the country’s population growth has even outpaced the increase in local milk production. This year, the country’s total dairy output would remain flat at 14 MT while imports would rise to 2.622 MMT, 2.42 percent higher than last year’s 2.56 MMT. FAO noted that the Philippines’s higher purchases of imported skim milk powder (SMP) will contribute to the overall increase in imports of dairy products this year. However, FAO said the country’s imports of butter and cheese may fall this year “due to high international prices and economic downturns.” “Currency fluctuation and higher prices may deter cheese purchases by the Philippines,” it said.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PHL, Israel aim to build ‘bridges of innovation’ By Andrea E. San Juan

many breakthrough technologies,” said Appelbaum. For the Philippines, two relevant legislations—the Philippine Innovation Act and Innovative Startup Act—were legislated in 2019. These laws, according to the Trade department, aimed to provide both fiscal and non-fiscal support to promote R&D, training and education as well as nurture the growth of a robust startup ecosystem. “With the increasing momentum among government agencies to build a healthy innovation ecosystem, the innovation agreement with Israel is a timely opportunity to forge potential R&D collaboration between Filipino companies and the academe with their respective Israeli counterparts,” said Lopez. The outgoing trade chief also noted the importance of financial support by the government. Lopez said “the key success factor to Israel’s drive for innovation that must be adopted by the Philippines is the vibrant ecosystem and clear fund support by the government to selected startups with disruptive technologies and scalability.” For his part, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said the “bridges of innovation” would strengthen trade relations between the two countries. “We look forward to the implementation and building of these bridges that will be beneficial to address together with the existing and future challenges. I believe the agreement will also help in creating more job opportunities as well as in improving the well-being and daily life of many Filipinos and Israelis alike,” said Fluss. Innovation is ingrained in the Philippine’s new industrial policy known as Inclusive Innovation Industrial Strategy (i3S) which is based on science, technology, and innovation. i3S is envisioned to drive the country’s digital and industrial information. According to DTI, by adopting fourth industrial revolution technologies and pursuing innovation, the Philippines could grow globally competitive and innovative industries. The Trade department noted that this is crucial to expedite the country’s economic recovery as it eyes a more inclusive and sustainable growth, which is necessary in alleviating poverty and inequality.

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has signed a cooperation agreement on technological innovation and research and development (R&D) with the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA). Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) Chairman of the Board and Chief Scientist Dr. Ami Appelbaum, who signed the cooperation agreement, said they recognize the importance of innovation to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Israel, known as a startup nation, is among the world’s leading technology innovation nations. In the Global Innovation Index, the metrics used to track the state of global innovation, Israel ranked 15th out of 132 countries while the Philippines ranked 51st in 2021. The DTI said the cooperation agreement aims to promote programs and activities to strengthen mutual R&D cooperation and establish a framework for support, including financial, for activities which foster R&D cooperation between the two nations. The pact encompasses exchange of information on R&D laws, regulations, practices or policies; joint seminars, symposia, conferences and workshops; joint business development, technology partnering missions, matchmaking initiatives and sharing of leads and opportunities; and collaborative research and development initiatives. Initially, the priority areas for R&D cooperation cover Advanced and Smart Manufacturing Technologies, Agricultural Technologies, Clean Technologies, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things, Health Sciences and Biotechnology; and E-commerce. Lopez said the innovation agreement would enhance not only the countries’ capacity and competitiveness but also help strengthen the two countries’ economic cooperation. For his part, Appelbaum cited the mutual technological and commercial gains that could emerge given the two countries’ own strengths, expertise and market opportunities in complementary R&D areas. “Israel has been supporting innovation and R&D through startup support leading to the creation of

External risks... “While the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals remain sound, external risks, such as the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on commodities and financial market condition, the start of policy tightening in several major central banks and the resurgence of Covid- 19 cases in many Asian economies, may have contributed to investors’ concern about the outlook on the global economic recovery,” the BSP said in a statement. Broken down, the BSP said sustained FDI net inflows in March came largely from non-residents’ net investments in debt instruments of local affiliates. These type of investments expanded by 45.1 percent to $543 million in March, from last year’s $374 million.

Continued from A1

Reinvestment of ear nings, meanwhile, declined by 5.4 percent to $78 million from $82 million during the month. Non-residents’ net investments in equity capital fell by 69.6 percent to $106 million from $349 million a year ago. This came about as equity capital placements contracted by 68.7 percent to $118 million from $378 million. The BSP said the decline could have been larger, if not “somewhat mitigated” by the 58.2-percent decline in equity capital withdrawals to $12 million from $28 million. Equity capital placements were sourced primarily from Japan, the United States, and Singapore during the month. These were infused largely into the manufacturing, real estate, and financial and insurance industries.

Lawmakers...

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“While almost everybody were forced to stay in their homes for safety during the community quarantine, House Members, officials and employees went out of their way to report for work and perform their duties diligently,” said Romualdez. Another 759 measures—310 national bills, 448 local bills, and one Resolution of Both Houses (RBH)—were passed on third and final reading during the 18th Con-

gress, according to Romualdez. Another 13 bills—eight national and local—were approved on second reading, he said. Meanwhile, Romualdez said the filing of 1,497 committee reports showed how active the House committees were even during the pandemic when the lawmakers had to make do with virtual or digital processes instead of traditional face-to-face meetings.

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The Nation BusinessMirror

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Tuesday, June 14, 2022 A3

DOJ chief reminds LGUs, public: Adhere to IATF face mask rule By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday reminded the public that the wearing of face masks is mandated by executive orders issued by President Duterte upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for

the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Executive orders issued by the President, according to Guevarra, should prevail over executive orders issued by local government units (LGUs). Guevarra issued the statement in an apparent bid to settle the contro-

versy that arose from the order issued by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia allowing the optional use of face masks in open and well-ventilated spaces. Garcia’s order was met with opposition from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) who refused to recognize the order since the IATF health and safety protocols for the pandemic are still in

place, which include the mandatory wearing of face masks except for specific instances such as when eating or during certain well-ventilated sports and other activities. The DILG chief warned that the police would continue to apprehend violators of IATF’s face mask guidelines and the minimum public health standards in Cebu province.

Sharing his thoughts on the legal issue, Guevarra explained that the mandatory wearing of face masks, whether indoors or outdoors, stemmed from executive orders issued by the President, based on IATF resolutions and recommendations. “As between an executive order issued by the President, as manifested in resolutions issued by the IATF

composed of Cabinet secretaries who are the alter egos of the President, on one hand, and executive orders issued by local government units, on the other hand, the former shall prevail, as the President exercises general supervision over local governments pursuant to Section 4, Article X of the Philippine Constitution,” Guevarra said.

Marcos Jr. invited to Egypt climate change conference I

NCOMING President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is seriously considering an invitation to attend the UN Climate Change Conference’s 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27), which will be held in Egypt this November. Ambassador Ahmed Shehabeldin Ibrahim of Egypt invited Marcos during his courtesy call Monday. “Today I had the pleasure to meet his Excellency, President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and I submitted to him an official congratulations from the Egyptian President, his Excellency Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil El-Sisi.... I also took this

opportunity to extend the invitation of his Excellency…to take part in November COP 27,” he said in a news briefing. If his schedule would allow it, Marcos, a staunch advocate of protecting and preserving the environment, could attend the conference. The meeting could be the most significant as delegates are expected to tackle subjects designed to most effectively respond to the climate change crisis. The meet will also primarily focus on implementation, with nations expected to show how they will, through legislation,

policies, and programs, begin putting the Paris Agreement into practice, at home. The ambassador further said that Egypt is also keen on strengthening relations with the Philippines by developing other areas of cooperation between the two countries, such as agriculture and tourism, as well as climate change response. Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador Marat Pavlov, in a separate courtesy call on Monday, assured Marcos that Russia is willing to extend assistance to the Philippines with its energy resources amid the spike in oil prices due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

“It is a sovereign period, we are ready to cooperate with the Filipino side, and to extend our helping hands, to satisfy the needs in the sources of energy,” he said. Oil and gas prices have surged over Russian energy supplies and soaring inflation brought by the Russian-Ukraine war that started in February of this year. Pavlov also conveyed Russia’s willingness to expand areas of cooperation with the Philippines. For his part, the President-elect also said the Philippines will cooperate with the Russian Federation, but he will maintain his independent policy in connection

with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In a related development, Asian Development Bank President Masatsugu Asakawa also paid a courtesy call to Marcos Jr. and assured him of the ADB’s strong commitment to supporting his incoming administration’s development priorities. Asakawa added that just as the ADB supports infrastructure investment, including projects under the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build program, supports agricultural development and food security, and invests in Filipinos’ welfare, the ADB will

explore opportunities with the Marcos Jr. administration’s priorities on climate change action to support a resilient and green economic recovery, climate smart transportation, and continuing investments in education, vocational skills training, employment programs, health promotion, and social protection. He also invited Marcos Jr. to be the guest of honor at the ADB’s 55th Annual Meeting in September. Aside from the envoys from Russia and Egypt, Ambassadors Grete Sillasen of Denmark, and Ilan Fluss, of Israel, also held separate courtesy calls on the same day.

Economy BusinessMirror

A4 Tuesday, June 14, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

DA’s failure to consult stakeholders before MC12 world meeting scored By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

FARMERS group scored the government’s lack of consultation in the country’s negotiating position on agriculture issues at the on-going 12th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (MC12). Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) said the Department of Agriculture (DA) did not conduct any stakeholder consultations regarding the government’s position on the negotiations for MC12. The high-level MC12 is currently ongoing in Geneva, Switzerland with high stakes negotiations on several agricultural issues, fisheries subsidies deal, Covid-19 pandemic and e-commerce, among others. “The DTI did have an online forum last week, but I don’t know

what they hoped to accomplish given that this was only a few days before MC12. No info on MC12 issues prior to the forum,” FFF National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor told the BusinessMirror. Montemayor revealed that the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries Committee on International Trade (CIT) had about two or three meetings this year but did not involve discussions on MC12. The CIT is the mandated committee under the PCAF to discuss agricultural issues in trade-related matters and agreements. Montemayor disclosed that the issue on curbing harmful fisheries was discussed in several CIT meetings before the committee was deactivated. However, the country’s negotiating position on the fisheries subsidies deal was never opened for consultations prior to MC12. “Still they should have kept the sector well informed. And DA can better craft negotiating strategies in consultation with stakeholders,” Montemayor, who was a former chairperson of the CIT, said. The BusinessMirror broke the story on Monday that the the Philippines is aiming to secure a multilateral agreement that would strengthen

the special safeguard mechanism (SSM) and protect its terr itor i a l w aters a nd resou rces at MC12. (Related stor y: https:// businessmirror.com. ph/2022/06/13/manila-seekswto-deal-on-ssm-fisheries/) “It is ironic that the DA is pushing for SSM even as they allowed the capping of safeguard duties under RCEP [Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership],” Montemayor said. “SSM was designed to give developing countries easier access and more effective remedies through the imposition of safeguard duties in the event of import surges. The Philippines and Indonesia led the fight for SSM in the WTO, but in the RCEP negotiations, DA/DTI agreed to cap safeguard duties,” Montemayor added. In his statement at the opening of the MC12, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, the country’s lead negotiator, emphasized that the Philippines supports the conclusion of the fisheries subsidies negotiations and pushes for an outcome on agriculture negotiations. “We believe an outcome on agriculture is indispensable at MC12 if we are to chart a pathway to credible long-term food security and development,” he said. “The Philippines reaffirms the importance of addressing trade and production distorting domes-

tic support as well as the right of developing Members to an effective special safeguard mechanism and a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security purposes,” he added. Montemayor reminded the government that the institutionalized consultative mechanism of the DA—from Task Force on WTO Agreement on Agriculture Renegotiations (TF-WAR) to the CIT—has been the “envy” of a lot of countries when it comes to crafting of negotiating positions. Montemayor explained that the TF-WAR, which had a primary role of developing and evaluating the Philippines’s negotiating positions in agriculture issues, was eventually merged with the CIT. “We were the envy of a lot of countries. Also, the process helped reduce doubts and tensions between govt and the private sector before and after the negotiations,” Montemayor said. In a 2006 paper that Montemayor authored, he argued that the “consultative and interactive” system adopted by the DA has been “beneficial and instructive” to both the government and private stakeholders. Montemayor pointed out that the system initiated by the TFWAR resulted in the crafting of “more credible” negotiating positions for the government that are “fully-supported” by stakeholders.

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Shippers decry PPA’s ‘unnecessary’ port charges amid soaring inflation

ARGE shipping groups, led by the Philippine Liner Shipping Association and Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association and Philippine Interisland Shipping Association, are calling on the incoming administration to look into “unnecessary” port charges imposed by the Philippine Port Authority (PPA), an agency under the Department of Transportation (DOTr). During the pandemic, the group said in a news statement, the PPA had increased port charges in various ports of the country, including the busy ports in Zamboaga and Tacloban, putting a strain on shipping lines’ overhead, which as a result, is passed on to the consumers. PPA rolled out a new Tier 3 port tariff in Zamboaga port despite the objections of the local chamber of commerce. As a result, general cargo non-prime commodities’ handling cost increased by 371 percent to 406 percent. Cost of containers also doubled and increased by 109 percent, while prime goods as much as 91 percent, the group added. Similarly, general cargo and nonprime commodities handling cost in Tacloban also went up from 43 percent to 475 percent, while containers’ cost increased by 119 percent and prime goods up to 200 percent. Other ports where PPA has Tier 3 port tarriff where similar increases were imposed include Iligan, Ozamiz, Calapan, Ormoc, Puerto Princessa, Legazpi, Surigao, Nasipit,

Pulupandan, Matnog, Tabaco, Calapan, Fort San Pedro Iloilo and Pasig River port. The big shipping associations claimed PPA is allegedly creating a monoploy in those ports by putting in place a single operator. They were not consulted by PPA before imposing increases in port charges and container handling. The shipping associations are concerned that the increases in port charges will further contribute to the rising inflation in the country. Another concern raised by the large shipping associations is that PPA is requiring them to link with the agency’s system to be part of the Unified Electronic Ticketing System, without consulting them first on the merits of this new policy. PPA also plans to require shipping lines to install tracking devices on their containers. According to the shipping associations, PPA is not mandated by law to track containers/cargo outside the port area, a function which falls under the Bureau of Customs. If this is implemented, it would require additional trucking cost for the shipping lines, which will be passed on to consumers. The shipping associations said if the new administration wants to revive the economy and help consumers survive the increasing prices of commodities, they need to make it easier for the shipping industry to move goods and cargo without enforcing high tariff and port charges.

Oil firms raise fuel pump Data analytics now–what does life need next? prices for 2nd week in June By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

NOTHER oil price increase takes effect this week. Oil companies announced Monday a P2.15 per liter increase in gasoline, P4.30 per liter for diesel, and P4.85 per liter for kerosene. Seaoil, PTT Philippines, Shell, Petron will implement the price adjustment at 6 a.m. of June 14. Cleanfuel, meanwhile, will adjust its prices at 8:01 am. Other oil firms are expected to also implement the same price increase. This is the second oil price increase for the month. Last week, diesel price increased by P6.55 per liter, kerosene by P5.45 per liter, and gasoline by P2.70 per liter. Oil firms adjust their prices every week to reflect movements in the world oil market. The Department of Energy (DOE) cited three prevailing events that continue to push fuel prices up. These are the start of increasing demand for northern hemisphere countries due to summer peak period from June to September; the Russian oil ban by European Union; and the easing of lockdown in China, which is projected to increase the oil demand. Oil firms continue to assure the DOE that supply is sufficient at least for the months of June and July. According to DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) Director Rino Abad, the agency had just met with the representatives of the oil firms. “We just had our meeting with them. It was mostly about supply. There is no supply problem. They have sufficient supply for June and July because their bidding contract is good for two months. We meet with them every month,” said Abad.

By Henry J. Schumacher

VERY business wants the advantages of data solutions. But analytics insights are only as good as the data—and the people—behind them. With companies committing million over the next year to analytics software, ser v ices, tra ining and consu lt ing , I T leaders are mobilizing to fill work force skill gaps, implement data quality assurance measures and improve d ata governance and security protocols, the report found. A major part of these efforts center around recruiting qualified data professionals and upskilling existing IT personnel. At Eli Lilly & Company, for example, an initiative to provide enterprise-wide analytics training

to a work force of over 30,000 is underway. Historically, chief data officers have looked at building data infrastructure, AI models, etc. Those are all important. But I think having an intentional effort to bring about organizational change and people involvement through upskilling are important parts of the success. Individual companies have distinct data needs: internal business processes and IT operations automation, as well as customer insight, engagement and service, as the most common areas for analytics upgrades. To get the most out of investments in new and emerging data technologies, the majority of survey respondents (83 percent) have prioritized self-service tools to facilitate better data access, and four in ten said they are looking to recruit talent with the skills to provide analytics training to nontechnical staff. On the technical side, data architects, data management, data security and data integration skills remain in high demand, according to industry analysts. The biggest challenge in building a data skills training program is addressing the needs around both data infrastructure and data analysis. Data analytics is a top objective for many companies; they are targeting three skill areas: data infrastructure, data security and database administration.

The demand for technical talent appears to be aligning with a broader, more nuanced understanding of what companies need in order to get the most out of data investments. Companies have been working to address the need for data engineering, data science and AI/ ML talent over the last five years, but it is not a game of the data scientists anymore. It is a game of getting the organization as a whole to be culturally evolving, to be performing in an AI enabled ecosystem. The question in conclusion: What does Life need next? The way we imagine and create new products, services and businesses is changing faster and faster—if we want to stay relevant we need to change along with it. Innovation strategies and business designs are all changing because breakthroughs in science and technology come faster and faster. They are all changing because of a greater need for diverse points of view at these uncertain times. So how can businesses stay relevant and create what life needs next?

We strongly believe that a lot of training in data science, data analytics and data management are needed to provide companies and their employees with the capabilities to stay relevant. Consequently, we have developed training in these areas. If support is needed, contact me at hjschumacher59@gmail.com

₧1.99-M Halal feed mill to rise in Maguindanao By Manuel T. Cayon

@awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AVAO CITY—The Bangsamoro government is constructing a feed mill for a small-scale farmers associations in Maguindanao and to promote the production of poultry and fish based on Islamic food preparation practices called halal. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (Mafar) started the construction

of the small-scale halal feed mill in Barangay Muti, Guindulungan in Maguindanao on June 1 with a budget of P1.99 million. Part of its objective in constructing the infrastructure was to “strengthen the halal promotion compliance in the region.” Senior Agriculturist Saidona Lawan, head of Mafar Halal Development Program, said the project would provide the halal feeds in the area and the other needs of the region to promote halal-compliant

poultry and fish production. “We proposed this project to ensure that we can provide and maintain halal-compliant products starting from farm to plate,” Lawan said. The halal feed mill building would be built in an area of 150 square meters and would be capable of storing 500 sacks to 600 sacks of feeds. The feed mill is expected to be completed in 108 calendar days, which will be turned over to

Sisiman Agriculture Cooperative. Guindulungan Municipal Administrator Datu Harabas Midtimbang expressed gratitude to Mafar for the halal programs and assistance in their area, including the construction of the feed mill. “This is a big help for us to have a halal feed mill project that will ride with our vision to be an Islamic center municipality,” Midtimbang said. On April 28 this year, Mafar officials turned over a feed mill machine to its beneficiaries.

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‘Heat wave’ culprit behind DND chief’s fainting? Not quite, weatherman says By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

HE report about Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s fainting during the Independence Day commemoration at the Rizal Park in Manila on Sunday may be attributed to a number of factors, including overfatigue and the unusually hot and humid temperature. However, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said blaming it on a “heatwave” is inaccurate. Based on the country’s weather bureau’s record, the temperature in Manila on Sunday fell short of the definition of a heatwave. “It’s not a heatwave,” said Obet Badrina, weather specialist at the Weather Division of Pagasa. To recall, Lorenzana, who is now in stable condition, fainted during the Independence Day commemoration ceremony at the Rizal Park in Manila City, on Sunday.

DND Spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong said Lorenzana will be needing to take a rest after the incident. Partly, Lorenzana’s “ hectic” schedule and the “extreme temperatures” in Manila compounded the pressures that may have led to the 78-year-old’s fatigue. While admitting that the temperature on Sunday was hot, Badrina said the maximum temperature in Manila was recorded at around 3 p.m. at 32.8 degrees Celsius. The said temperature is normal in Manila, the weather specialist said, adding the humidity may have also been a factor. But Badrina clarified that to call it a heatwave, which is defined as a prolonged period of abnormally hot weather, the temperature should go above 33 degrees Celsius in Manila that should prevail for 2 or more consecutive days. “It seldom happens in the Philippines. It is not common,” he said, referring to the heatwave. And if it does happen, it is best for the public to monitor weather reports or public advisory issued by Pagasa.

DOT, Makati Med vow quicker emergency response to tourists By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

ITH tourist safety paramount among its goals, the Department of Tourism (DOT) recently launched its Hospital-on-a-Bike project in cooperation with the Makati Medical Center (MMC) Foundation. In a news statement, the DOT said these emergency response bicycles would be deployed in Intra�� muros, Luneta Park, and Paco Park —which was recently designated as a National Cultural Treasure on its 200th year anniversary. These ER Bikes were also donated by The MMC Wellness Center and the Embassy of Israel in Manila. The vehicles are custom-built mountain bikes outfitted with appropriate lights and sirens. They are

lightweight and include a strengthened back wheel and stronger spokes, water bottles and pannier bags, which contain assorted medical supplies and equipment that can be used by first responders for an ill tourist. Intramuros Administrator (IA) Guiller Asido told the BusinessMirror the first responders in his area will be select IA “staff who will be trained by Makati Med in emergency response.” Luneta and Paco Park are managed by the National Parks and Development Committee, which, like the IA, is also under the DOT. The Hospital-on-a-Bike Project aims to distribute a total of 100 ER bikes in partnership with the public sector around the Philippines, and will be pre-positioned in chosen strategic pilot areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The MMC Foundation has previ-

45 BI employees dismissed over ‘pastillas’ scheme no longer reporting for work–DOJ By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said the 45 employees of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) who have been recently dismissed from the service by the Office of the Ombudsman for their involvement in extortion activities known as “pastillas scheme” were no longer reporting for work. Guevarra noted the Ombudsman’s dismissal order made public yesterday is immediately executory. “The penalty of dismissal carries with it perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, bar from taking civil service examinations and forfeiture of retirement benefits,”

Guevarra said. “It appears that the BI has implemented the Ombudsman decision upon its receipt. That’s why the 45 [BI personnel] are no longer reporting for work,” the DOJ chief added. In case one of the dismissed employees files a motion for reconsideration and is eventually exonerated, Guevarra said the said employee would be reinstated with payment of back wages and all benefits. The Ombudsman found the 45 employees “administratively liable for grave misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.” Among those covered by the dismissal order were Senior Immigration Officer Grifton S. Medina, former acting chief of the BI Ports

Operation Division (BI-POD); Supervising Immigration Officer Francis Dennis T. Robles Senior Immigration Officer Glen Ford. S. Comia. Earlier, the DOJ also released a resolution dismissing from the service 18 BI officers and employees for their involvement in pastillas scheme. The DOJ found the 18 BI personnel administratively liable for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service when they facilitated and/ or allowed the facilitation of the arrival and/or departure of Chinese nationals without undergoing appropriate immigration formalities “for a consideration.” Prior to this, the Ombudsman

also filed graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against 42 BI officers and a Chinese national who own a travel agency, also in connection with the pastillas scheme. Under the pastillas scheme, upon the arrival of foreign nationals at the airport, immigration officers involved are under instruction to allow them entry into the country without instituting the necessary checks, screening, or profiling as what is standard for arriving non- Filipinos. The illegal activity was dubbed pastillas scheme because the bribe used for the illicit entry of a foreign national was supposedly rolled up in a manner that resembles a pastillas de leche treat, a popular Filipino milk-based candy.

Villafuerte lauds creation of judiciary marshal office

NEW law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte that created the Office of Judiciary Marshals (OJM) will not only provide security to members of the country’s court system, but will also help ensure the efficient and effective delivery of justice in the country, a senior lawmaker said on Monday. Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said the creation of the OJM was a long-overdue step in strengthening the country’s judicial system. “When our judges and justices feel safe, secure and protected, they can render their rulings on cases more efficiently, without feeling threatened or harassed,” said Villafuerte, who was a principal author of the measure in the House of Representa-

tives that seeks to create the judiciary marshals’ office. He said President Duterte’s signing of this bill into law was timely, given the increasing number of attacks against judges in the Philippines in recent years. Citing the Philippine Judges Association (PJA), Villafuerte said five judges have been killed since 2017—totaling 31 active judges killed since 1999. Of the 31 judges, he said 90 percent were regional trials court (RTC) judges. Only 10 percent of these killings were solved, he lamented. The President signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11691 or the Judiciary Marshals Act last month. Villafuerte said the law is pat-

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 A5

terned after the United States Marshals Service, and provides that the officials and personnel of the OJM shall possess suitable and adequate firearms for the proper safety and protection of the justices, judges, court officials and personnel. Under the law, the OJM shall conduct threat assessments, investigations and forensic analyses of crimes and threats committed against judiciary members and court properties. A Chief Marshal, to be assisted by three deputy marshals in charge of assigned and stationed in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, respectively, will head the OJM. Upon the directive of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice or the Court Administrator, the Office of the Judiciary Marshals may also issue

subpoenas for the appearance of any person for investigation, apply for search warrants before any court of law, and file complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice (DOJ), or city or provincial prosecutors. The office can also take and require sworn statements from any summoned person or administer the oath of any person in relation to cases under investigation. It may also make arrests and conduct searches and seizures, have access overall public records under the custody of any government branch, possess suitable and adequate firearms, request assistance from law enforcement agencies, and establish a Judiciary Marshals Academy. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

ously partnered with the DOT in ensuring tourism workers and tourist guests’ safety. It has upgraded the Ci�� riaco Tirol Hospital in Boracay Island, helped in vaccinating tourism workers in Siargao, and provided health security during the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit, which was recently hosted in Manila. In early 2020, the DOT likewise partnered with PLDT-Smart, which provided emergency satellite phones to regional tourism offices. The company also provides free Internet service in Intramuros. The MVP Group owns and operates Makati Med, its Foundation, PLDT, and Smart Communications. While domestic security and terrorism has ceased to be a major concern among foreign tourists, health and safety continues to be an issue. In major leisure destinations like Boracay Island, El Nido in Palawan,

and Siargao for instance, there are no first-class hospitals or adequate medical facilities that can respond to emergencies involving tourists. This irony was pointed out by incoming Tourism Secretary-designate Christina Garcia Frasco who felt it was premature for the Philippines to be promoting health and wellness as a major tourism product considering the lack of proper medical facilities at the grassroots level. “Before having very lofty ideals as far asmedicaltourismisconcerned,weneed to take a serious look at the quality of the health-caresystemsalloverthecountry. Also because we want to be able to give tourists the assurance that when they visithere,andshouldanyuntowardhappen, that they will be well taken care of,” she said in a recent TV interview. (See, “New Tourism chief keen on growing domestic tourism,” in the BusinessMirror, June 6, 2022.)

DAR vows to settle agrarian dispute in Hacienda Tinang

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is finalizing its report as a result of a three-day investigation conducted last month to resolve the land dispute in Hacienda Tinang in Barangay Tinang, Concepcion, Tarlac. As such, DAR Secretary Bernie F. Cruz has appealed to the more than 236 co-owners of the collective certificates of land ownership award (CCLOAs) to patiently wait for the validated report that will include the official list of qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to be installed in the 200-hectare hacienda. “Let us wait for the result of the validation being conducted by the Task Force Tinang-Tarlac and help our farmers develop their farming for the country’s food security,” Cruz said. Task Force Tinang-Tarlac was created by Cruz on March 11, 2022, through Special Order No. 91, series of 2022 to check the records and validate the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB), farmers, and occupants of the landholding. The task force is headed by Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Research Office and concurrently Undersecretary for External Affairs and Communications Operations Office Atty. David D. Erro as chairperson and Undersecretary for Field Operations Office Atty. Elmer N. Distor as co-chairperson. Cruz assured that an immediate and impartial investigation against the ARBs and peasant advocates will be conducted. “The task force has already coordinated with the farmers in TinangTarlac and the arrested farmers, peasant rights advocates, and volunteers were freed,” Cruz said. He disclosed that the initial hear-

ing of the accused has been set on Friday, June 17, 2022. Thelanddisputeoverthe200-hectare Hacienda earlier saw the farmers fighting for their land rights, leading to the arrest and detention of 83 farmers. The arrested farmers have since been released by the police. The Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) earlier condemned the police for arresting members of the Malayang Kilusang Samahan ng Magsasaka ng Tinang (Makisama-Tinang) who have rights over the Hacienda Tinang, and siding with the complainants who are members of the Tinang Samahang Nayon Multipurpos Cooperative Inc. or Tinang SN-MPCI but are nevertheless not even the owners of the disputed land. The charges should be dropped and the policemen should be held accountable for their alleged harassment of the farmers and human rights abuses they committed, Amihan national chairperson Zenaida Soriano said for her part. She explained the land preparation conducted on June 9 by the 83 farmers was a peaceful expression of land rights assertion as they have long been calling for their installation. “The absence of a genuine agrarian reform program and the worsening landlessness and land grabbing resulted in the continuous violence, injustice, and neglect on the demands of the Filipino farmers,” Soriano said. “We thank all the individuals and groups who provided financial, material, and moral support in our campaign for the release of the farmers and advocates. Let us stand with the farmers of Hacienda Tinang as they continue to assert their rights for their land,” Soriano ended. Jonathan L. Mayuga

Sereno’s exclusion from CJ poster list sparks spirited online debate

POSTER showing all the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court (SC) from 1901 up to present—with the exception of ousted Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes A. Sereno—has sparked spirited debates on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, with some netizens questioning her exclusion from the list. The poster, which was posted in the official Facebook and Instagram accounts of the SC, was captioned “Get to know the 27 Chief Justices of the Philippines.” Sereno, who served from 2012 to 2018, who was supposed to land in SC history as the first

woman chief magistrate of the Court, was banished by majority of her fellow justices through a quo warranto proceedings. “What a great injustice to Sereno, ’Yung na impeach, ’yun pa ang kasama,” a netizen, who was obviously referring to the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, commented. Sereno was appointed by then President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III in 2012 to replace Corona, who was impeached for betraying the public trust and committing culpable violation of the Constitution when he failed to fully disclose in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth his dollar and peso accounts

Six years later, her fellow magistrates ousted Sereno after it granted the petition for quo warranto filed by the Office of the Solicitor General, seeking to declare her appointment as null and void. In granting the petition, the majority of the justices held that Sereno should have been disqualified for the Chief Justice post in the first place for engaging in private practice of profession while in government service; for representing that after her resignation from the University of the Philippines in 2006, she was engaged, full time, in private practice although documents would show that she was engaged as counsel by

the government in the arbitration proceedings against the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc. (Piatco), builder of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3; for stating in her personal data sheet (PDS) that she was deputy commission of the Commission on Human Rights, only to be later claimed that it was only a functional title; and for committing tax fraud when she failed to truthfully declare her income. “CJ Corona was impeached for betraying the public trust and committing culpable violation of the Constitution, but he remains in the list. So why deliberately remove CJ Sereno if not to erase any memory

of her stellar performance during her stint in the Supreme Court. Or maybe because she continues to fight against disinformation,” a netizen commented. “If CJ Corona was recognized as one of the Chief Justices of our country, to be truthful to history, CJ Sereno should still be in the list,” another netizen asked. Some netizens also questioned why Sereno’s ponencias and other issuances were not withdrawn, invalidated or removed despite finding her appointment as CJ null and void. However, most of the comments are seeking an explanation for Sereno’s exclusion.

Retired Associate Justice Noel Tijam, who penned the quo warranto decision against Sereno, explained in his decision that impeachment is not the only remedy by which an invalidly appointed or invalidly elected impeachable official may be removed from office, a quo warranto proceedings is another option. “Quo warranto and impeachment are, thus, not mutually exclusive remedies and may even proceed simultaneously,” Tijam said. “The existence of other remedies against the usurper does not prevent the State from commencing a quo warranto proceeding,” Tijam added. Joel R. San Juan

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1, Pitx Kennedy Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque GIP KHI TAC Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 1.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

HOEKZEMA, KARSTEN PAUL Discipline Specialist 14.

Brief Job Description: Maintain and enhance employee benefits programs

Basic Qualification: With working experience in related field

BEER, GARY GORDON Health, Safety And Security (hss) Specialist 15.

Basic Qualification: SMS and managerial skills

Brief Job Description: Lead the SMS team

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

DARSONO SAHURI Heavy Equipment Operator Specialist 16.

ACCENTURE, INC. 7f, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1, Pioneer St, City Of Mandaluyong

Brief Job Description: Manage all operational deliverables for record-toreport; communicate with clients in French relating to operations

Brief Job Description: Evaluation Of The Systems’ Problems To Recommend Enhancements ESTER NEWIREN TARIGAN Customer Support Specialist-ndonesian Speaking

Brief Job Description: Evaluation Of The Systems’ Problems To Recommend Enhancements

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

Brief Job Description: Perform inspection services and provide results of service, services undertaken

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

Brief Job Description: Will support the document support requirements of German/Austrian offices

17.

18.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 19.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 20.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree From a Reputable University. Significant Experience in Similar Role and Industry

Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs.

ESTER KRISTIN LUMBAN GAOL Bahasa Indonesian Language - Officer Marketing 10.

Brief Job Description: Create specific promotions for affiliates; develop rapport with the customers; give appropriate and relevant information to the customers; promote business and products.

LAOWONG, SUTTIDA Thai Language - Officer Marketing 11.

Brief Job Description: Create specific promotions for affiliates and promote business and product.

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, fluently speak and write in indo language and can work under pressure.

OVERGAAG, BRAM Planning Specialist 21.

HAN, QIULI Web Content Writer-mandarin Speaking 12.

Brief Job Description: Conducting In Depth Research On Industry-Related Topics In Order To Develop Original Content

JI, PENGFEI Web Content Writer-mandarin Speaking 13.

Brief Job Description: Conducting In Depth Research On Industry-Related Topics In Order To Develop Original Content

22.

23.

24.

Brief Job Description: Managers and supervises the execution of a part of the project according to the contract in safe, timely, qualitatively optimal and cost-efficient manner. SWART, JOHANNES PIETER Superintendent

Basic Qualification: Excellent Writing And Editing Skills

Brief Job Description: Managers, monitors, and supervises the execution, according to the contract in a safe, timely, qualitatively optimal and cost-efficient manner.

DE KOK, JOHANNES ADRIAAN Works Manager 26.

Basic Qualification: Excellent Writing And Editing Skills

Brief Job Description: Managers, monitors, and supervises the execution, according to the contract of a part of the dredging & reclamation project

ZIELINSKI, FRANKI ALFONS M. Works Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 27.

BOSKALIS PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 3701, 3801 The Orient Square, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

25.

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

BLUELINE ACTIVE ASIA, INC. 37/f Lkg Tower, 6801 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the setup and development of complex project schedules involving multiple business units on and on and offshore dredging & land development project. DHIVYEN S/O THAMILARASER Superintendent

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder, fluently speak and write thai language to cater foreign market.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the efficient and smooth operation of the full scope on our accommodation vessel

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Experience as discipline specialist of at least 3 years in dredging and land development industry. Experience with discipline relevant software and models.

No.

DONG XIN Chinese Speaking Marketing Officer 28.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: At least 5 years experience in a similar role. experience in an international dredging and land development industry. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Minimum of 10-year experience in dry and wet sandfill in an international dredging and Land reclamation company. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Minimum of 10-year experience in dry and wet sandfill in an international dredging and Land reclamation company.

Brief Job Description: Managers, monitors, and supervises the execution, according to the contract of a part of the dredging & reclamation project

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

BOWENHILLS TECH INC. 16/f Bdo Towers Valero, 8741 Paseo De Roxas Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Delivers day to day operational activities to the Chinese speaking markets

Basic Qualification: Strong English and mandarin communication skills (both oral and written) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

WU, JINDIAN Field Sales Consultant 29.

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

Basic Qualification: Can Research Accounts and Generate or Follow Through Sales Leads; Can Valuate Customers Skills, Needs and Build Productive Long Lasting Relationships; Can Meet Personal and Team Sales Targets Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CHROMELAB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 25/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

BRIAN SIM JIA HOW Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Executive 30.

Brief Job Description: Interprets SATA, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

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

Basic Qualification: Minimum of 10-year experience in dry and wet sandfill in an international dredging and Land reclamation company.

FONG HON CHUEN (FENG HANQUAN) Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Executive 31.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Brief Job Description: Interprets SATA, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

Basic Qualification: Minimum of 10-year experience in dry and wet sandfill in an international dredging and Land reclamation company.

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

LAM NHIEU TRINH Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Executive

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Minimum 5 years relevant work experience in an MCSV. preferably with experience in an international dredging and land development industry environment.

32.

Basic Qualification: Operational experience of infrastructural (dredging) projects in the last 3 years.

Brief Job Description: Interprets SATA, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

LIU VINH DUONG Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Executive 33.

Brief Job Description: Interprets SATA, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

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

ONG EU SHUAN Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Executive 34.

Basic Qualification: Minimum 3 years extensive work experience with an international dredging company.

Brief Job Description: Interprets SATA, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

PHUNG VINH DUNG Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Executive 35.

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

Brief Job Description: Interprets SATA, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

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

TRAN PHUNG AN Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Executive 36.

Brief Job Description: Interprets SATA, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

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

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Extensive project management experience of at least 5 years in an international dredging and land reclamation project environment.

Basic Qualification: Minimum 3 years extensive work experience with an international dredging company.

Basic Qualification: Extensive project management experience of at least 5 years in an international dredging and land reclamation project environment.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Minimum 3 years extensive work experience with an international dredging company.

Basic Qualification: Minimum 3 years extensive work experience with an international dredging company. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder; must be fluently speak and write bahasa indonesian language; computer proficient.

Brief Job Description: Operating the company heavy equipment in a safe and efficient manner.

PIECH, RAFAL Mcsv Manager

BIGCAT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, INC. 18/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue Cor. Rufino Street, Salcedo Vill., Bel-air, City Of Makati ANTONNIUS Bahasa Indonesian Language - Officer Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Operating the company heavy equipment in a safe and efficient manner.

MAINA GODAGE, MILTON Heavy Equipment Operator Specialist

Basic Qualification: At least 15 years of experience

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

Brief Job Description: Operating the company heavy equipment in a safe and efficient manner.

KULASEKARA, PRADEEP VIJITHA KUMARA Heavy Equipment Operator Specialist

Basic Qualification: Experience Using Help Desk Software And Remote Support Tools

B&M GLOBAL SERVICES MANILA, INC. (B&M SUPPORT CENTRE) #3030 8th Floor Bgc Corporate Center, 11th Ave. Cor. 30th St. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig GREULING, BJÖRN German Document Analyst

HANADEK MOHAMED ABDELSALAM SHERIF Heavy Equipment Operator Specialist

Basic Qualification: Experience Using Help Desk Software And Remote Support Tools

ASIAN TERMINALS, INC. Ati Head Office A Bonifacio Dr, 068, Barangay 652, Port Area, City Of Manila RAJENDRAN, PRAKASH Technical Representative

Brief Job Description: Operating the company heavy equipment in a safe and efficient manner.

Basic Qualification: Counting, RTR supervisory experience; fluent in English and French

APRICUS TECHNOLOGY INC. 8/f Aguirre Building, 107 Aguirre St. Legaspi Village, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati DESLY CLAUDYA RUMATORA Customer Support Specialist - Indonesian Speaking

Brief Job Description: Ensures that all of health, safety and security standards are followed and implemented.

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

HUANG, SHAN-SHENG Sms Team Lead

NYAMI TABIT, HUBERT General Accounting Ops Senior Analyst

Brief Job Description: Gives data management support on a large complex on- and offshore dredging & land development project.

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

AB LEISURE EXPONENT, INC. 5/f Sm Megamall Bldg. D, J Vargas, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong HO, SENG ON Hr Manager

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

RICHARD POH CHIN HAN Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 37.

Brief Job Description: Interprets SATA, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ROBIN TEO HONG YUN Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 38.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Brief Job Description: Interprets SATA, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

TAN KIM CHUAN Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 39.

Brief Job Description: Interprets SATA, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

COHERENT TECHNOLOGY INC. 5/f Aspace Greenbelt, 110 Legaspi St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

40.

NGUYEN DIEN KHAC VU Technical Lead Brief Job Description: Preparation of internal docs & technical archit.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

41.

Brief Job Description: Being the voice of our players within our fastgrowing online/offshore gaming platform, stay on track with the game updates, implementing procedures to support players, work creatively across multiple projects and platforms at the same time. DUAN, JINYOU Gaming Support Specialist

42.

Brief Job Description: BEING THE VOICE OF OUR PLAYERS WITHIN OUR FAST-GROWING ONLINE/OFFSHORE GAMING PLATFORM, STAY ON TRACK WITH THE GAME UPDATES, IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURES TO SUPPORT PLAYERS, WORK CREATIVELY ACROSS MULTIPLE PROJECTS AND PLATFORMS AT THE SAME TIME. GUO, QIAN Gaming Support Specialist

43.

44.

45.

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in chinese, both spoken and written.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZHANG, YUBIN Gaming Support Specialist

52.

53.

XU, YOUYUAN Chinese Cargo Office Agent Brief Job Description: Prepare airline and custom documentations.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LAI NGUYEN BAO QUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 68.

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

Basic Qualification: Have skills in documentations.

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

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

LE HUU THONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 69.

EFS DOCUMENTATION SERVICES INC. Unit 1102-b 11/f Aic Center Escolta St., 027, Barangay 291, Binondo, City Of Manila

54.

55.

56.

GANESAN, GURUMOORTHY Bilingual Customer Service Representative (hinduenglish) Brief Job Description: Translates a variety of documents including literary and legal from Hindu to English language SOGGI, TAJINDER KUMAR Bilingual Customer Service Representative (hinduenglish)

Basic Qualification: Can Speak and Write Hindu to English Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

VEERPAL KAUR Customer Service Representative For Virtual Assistant

Basic Qualification: Know How to Use Computer and Microsoft Office

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

NGUYEN TUAN ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 70.

Basic Qualification: Can Speak and Write Hindu to English Language

Brief Job Description: Translates a variety of documents including literary and legal from Hindu to English language

Brief Job Description: Organize communication via emails and phone calls

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

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

SAM NGOC YEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 71.

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

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

FAYTAR SERVICES CORP. 4/f Caeg Bldg., 7611 Dela Rosa St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written

GUO, YIQIANG Customer Service Representative 57.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for engaging with customers in behalf of the company JIANG, BING Customer Service Representative

58. Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written

JIANG, XIAOYAN Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in chinese, both spoken and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in chinese, both spoken and written.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for engaging with customers in behalf of the company.

KANG, MAN Customer Service Representative 60.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for engaging with customers in behalf of the company. LI, WEI Customer Service Representative

61.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for engaging with customers in behalf of the company. LIANG, LIDONG Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in chinese, both spoken and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in chinese, both spoken and written.

62.

TAN, JIANGMIN Customer Service Representative 63.

BAI, XIAOBO Marketing Manager 64.

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in chinese, both spoken and written. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

HU, WEI Project Manager 65.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for engaging with customers in behalf of the company.

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

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

72.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to multi-task and must know how to speak Mandarin. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to multi-task and must know how to speak Mandarin.

CHEN, YU Customer Service Representative

73.

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

Basic Qualification: Ability to multi-task and must know how to speak Mandarin.

74.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to multi-task and must know how to speak Mandarin

75.

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

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as project manager, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

76.

66.

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

HOANG THI NGOC GIAU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 67.

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

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

Brief Job Description: A customer service representative supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints. They’re the front line of support for clients and customers and they help ensure that customers are satisfied with products, services, and features

HOANG VAN CA Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication mandarin speaking.

LAI THI TUYEN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 78.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; Can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed; Can Manage large amounts of incoming calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; Can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed; Can Manage large amounts of incoming calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; Can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed; Can Manage large amounts of incoming calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; Can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed; Can Manage large amounts of incoming calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING, OPC Ground Level, Level 2-5 Floor, Silver City 4, Ortigas East, Ugong, City Of Pasig

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

ZHANG, PEIQUAN Customer Service Representative

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

YUAN, CHAO Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to multi-task and must know how to speak Mandarin.

XIE, SUICHAO Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to multi-task and must know how to speak Mandarin.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

GATEWAYSOLUTIONS CORP. Unit 2306 Antel Global Corporate Center, Julia Vargas Ave., San Antonio, City Of Pasig

77.

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written

UNG CUN SAU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

GAO SHOU TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. 52/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

DUONG MONG KIM CHUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in chinese, both spoken and written.

Basic Qualification: Ability to multi-task and must know how to speak Mandarin

FIBERHOME PHILS., INC. U-19d 19/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in chinese, both spoken and written.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for engaging with customers in behalf of the company

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

DEXIN INTERNATIONAL IMPORT AND EXPORT CORP. Lot 3 E&e Cmpd., F. Santiago St., Parada, City Of Valenzuela

Basic Qualification: Min. 5 years Business Tech. Mgmt..

DATACLICK INTERNATIONAL CORP. E. Rodriguez St., Roxas Blvd. St., Barangay 3, Pasay City CHIENG HUONG DI Gaming Support Specialist

No.

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication mandarin speaking.

NGUYEN THI HUYEN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 79.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication mandarin speaking.

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

A6 A8

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

NGUYEN VAN THUAT Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 80.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication mandarin speaking.

YE, SHENGLIN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 81.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication mandarin speaking.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

82.

Brief Job Description: Attends to customers’ inquiries and complaints regarding Philips products via phone calls and emails. Responds to consumer inquiries regarding Philips products.

83.

Brief Job Description: 1. Recognize the existing network form High-Level Design (HLD) and Low-Level design (LLD). 2Provide current target solution for Huawei Business products.

84.

Brief Job Description: 1. Analyze the development trend of the Philippines Home Broadband Market. 2. Select products that are suitable for local customers from the products released by the Head quarter.

QI, HAIYANG Site Solution Manager For Network Wireless Expansion Project 85.

Brief Job Description: 1. Provide updated solution for the existing network from High-Level design (HLD) and Low-Level design (LLD). 2. Prepare the site solution and network planning for network wireless expansion project.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

LE CONG TUAN Customer Support Specialist 91.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

Basic Qualification: 1. With extensive skills in the configuration of switches and routers. 2. Expert in managing Data Commutation devices, Cloud Engine, Core Switches and Routes. 3. Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Material Science. 4. Highly proficient in Chinese and English language.

LE THI MINH THANH Customer Support Specialist 92.

Basic Qualification: 1. With extensive skills in Wireless expansion equipment installation, site solution design and site deployment. 2. Must have 3-years’ experience in site solution management. Planning and implementation and network operation support. 3. Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronic and Information Engineering. Highly proficient in Chinese and English language.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

LUONG VAN TAM Customer Support Specialist 93.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

NGUYEN TIEN LY Customer Support Specialist 94.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

86.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

NGUYEN VAN BACH Customer Support Specialist 95.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

DOAN TRONG KY Customer Support Specialist 87.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

NGUYEN VAN DAI Customer Support Specialist 96.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

FANIWIDYA Customer Support Specialist 88.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

NGUYEN VAN DUNG Customer Support Specialist 97.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

HA THI DIEN Customer Support Specialist 89.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

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

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, Nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written.

TRAN VAN HIEU Customer Support Specialist 101.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 JAPAN AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CO. LTD. 2/f Oledan Square, 6788 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

TANABE, MASAYUKI Maintenance Manager 102.

PHAM THI THU Customer Support Specialist 98.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

PHAN XUAN TIEN Customer Support Specialist 99.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide worldclass service.

Brief Job Description: Overall responsible for evaluating, performing and managing aircraft maintenance for its safe operation, including the safety in JAL’s ramp area in NAIA

Basic Qualification: 1) College Graduate, 2) Advanced Aircraft Technical Skills, 3) 2 Yrs Broad Experience in Aviation Maintenance and Operations, 4) Excellent Written & Verbal Communication Skills in Nihongo, W/ N1 Certificate Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

LAZADA E-SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 23rd Floor Seven/neo, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

MASSE, CLEMENT PIERRE FABRICE Vice President, Lazmart

103.

Brief Job Description: As the vice president, Lazmart with Lazada, you are responsible of the overall growth and P&L of the grocery brands and to develop strong brands partnership to deliver again plan. You are managing a team of brands key account managers to support you to achieve your target.

Basic Qualification: 5 to 10 years in grocery industry in a retailer or a leading brand with a commercial/key account management background with strong track record in target achievement +3 yrs team management experience. Good negotiation skills, strong ability to build partnership a must Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

MAJOREL PHILIPPINES CORP. 5th Floor E-commerce Plaza Bldg., 1 Garden Rd., Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City

KOYAMA, HIDEHIKO Customer Service Representative 104.

Brief Job Description: Consult with customer and find the products or services that helps the customer to realize their potential

Basic Qualification: Minimum of 1 year customer support or service experience . Excellence language skills (native/ near native) both written and verbal language they support Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

MEGALINK, INC. Unit 31-d Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

HARRIS, MOHAMED FAHIM Project Manager 105.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for conceptualization, planning, and coordination of various technical projects. Develop and execute project work plans. Apply current methodology and enforce project standards in the execution of projects to minimize risk exposure

Basic Qualification: 8+ Years of Experience in Software Development Cycle and Project Management. Bachelor’s Degree in It / Computer Science or Equivalent. PCP Certification or Other Projects or Project Management Qualification Preferred Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

NANTAI TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 18th Floor Ore Central Building, 9th Avenue Corner 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

WANG, LINQIANG Mandarin Customer Service 106.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NEO INCORPORATED North Tower Centrum Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

HOANG THI THU HUONG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 107.

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

100.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, Nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written.

TONG HUY HOANG Customer Support Specialist

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

ITECHNO SPECIALIST INC. 7/f Aseana I Bldg., Bradco Avenue Aseana Business Park, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

CUN NHOC PHUC Customer Support Specialist

No.

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

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Basic Qualification: 1. Analyze the development trend of the Philippines Home Broadband Market. 2. Select products that are suitable for local customers from the products released by the Head quarter. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

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

ZHANG, HANZHENG Sales Manager For Broadband Access Network Construction

90.

Basic Qualification: At least high school graduate. Strictly follow procedures and requirements outlined in addressing customer issues / requests.

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. U-5302, 53/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

WANG, WEI Consultant For Huawei Products Solution & Management

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

HO TIEN NAM Customer Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

HINDUJA GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED 7th Floor Aeon Prime Centre, North Bridgeway Avenue Corner Alabang- Zapote Road, Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa DINH THI ANH DUNG Vietnamese Speaking Associate

No.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

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

NGUYEN THI TRANG Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 108.

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

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

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th/f, Pearl Marina Building Pacific Drive, Don Galo, City Of Parañaque

CHEN, QIUDONG Chinese Customer Service 109.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION FAN, SHIMAI Chinese Customer Service

110.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

JIAN, LANG Chinese Customer Service 111.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LEI, WENJIE Chinese Customer Service 112.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LI, HONGZHOU Chinese Customer Service 113.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LI, NING Chinese Customer Service 114.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LI, YUCHANG Chinese Customer Service 115.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LIANG, QIUMIN Chinese Customer Service 116.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LIU, YANG Chinese Customer Service 117.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

PENG, QINGQING Chinese Customer Service 118.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

QIU, RUJIE Chinese Customer Service 119.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

QU, JUN Chinese Customer Service 120.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents. WANG, YUEHAN Chinese Customer Service

121.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

WU, YIJIE Chinese Customer Service 122.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

YANG, GUANGZHI Chinese Customer Service 123.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents. YUAN, TAO Chinese Customer Service

124.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LAU SII WEI Malaysian Customer Service 125.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally.

No.

126.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally.

NGUYEN HONG SON Vietnamese Customer Service 127.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 year experience in the same field, Speaks and write (Native Language) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally.

HAN, YOUDE Chinese Customer Service Representative 128.

129.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 year experience in the same field, Speaks and write (Native Language)

130.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 year experience in the same field, Speaks and write (Native Language)

ZHANG, CUNLIAN Mandarin Technical Support Specialist 131.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the smooth running of computer systems and ensuring users get maximum benefits from them.

SHUAI, PEI-TSEN Mandarin Speaking Operations Manager 132.

Brief Job Description: Implement the right processes and practices across the organization SHI, WENJUN Mandarin Speaking Recruitment Specialist

133.

Brief Job Description: Sourcing and reaching out to qualified candidate for current open roles KE, CING-JHIH Mandarin Speaking Technical Support Specialist

134.

143.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in chinese

144.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

LIN, PEI-QING Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service

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

DANG AI XUAN Bilingual Customer Service Officer 145.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in chinese

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

CHAN, KUN-SHIANG Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

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

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information DO THI NGOC Bilingual Customer Service Officer

146.

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

147. Basic Qualification: can speak mandarin.

KORJANI, BHAVNABEN MANGARAM Hr Process Lead Brief Job Description: HR Process Lead for P&C Global Delivery Center

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

Brief Job Description: Evaluates expansions or enhancements by studying work load and capacity of computer system

Basic Qualification: Good Social and Presentation Skills

Basic Qualification: Good Social and Presentation Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good Oral and Written Communications Skills in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

KANG, JONG WOOK Logistics Director 135.

Brief Job Description: Work effectively across the organization to ensure successful execution of logistics support on integrated projects

Basic Qualification: College Graduate

ARNOLD, JAMES Director Regulatory Strategy & Engagement, S&sa 136.

Brief Job Description: “Advise and guide Philippines EA teams and management in developing and executing successful strategic plans to build political, legislative, regulatory and technical support for noncombustible alternatives to cigarettes (“NCAs”)” MODLIN, TROY J Vice President External Affairs, S&sa

137.

Brief Job Description: Develop, recommend and implement EA market plans and strategies aimed at implementing PMI’s core strategies

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

MU, TIEFENG Chinese Language - Marketing Staff 148.

149.

138.

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering customer complaints and work assignments. GRESYA MARLIAM LI Indonesian - Language Customer Support Staff

139.

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering customer complaints and work assignments. MEGAWATI RAHARJA PUTRI Indonesian - Language Customer Support Staff

140.

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering customer complaints and work assignments. SUSYANDO Indonesian - Language Customer Support Staff

141.

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering customer complaints and work assignments.

Basic Qualification: A native speaker of the Indonesian language (spoken and written).

150.

151.

142.

Brief Job Description: Ensure that all prices changes and delivery of events are timely and accurate

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered

Basic Qualification: A native speaker of the Indonesian language (spoken and written).

152.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: A native speaker of the Indonesian language (spoken and written). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Must Fluently Speak and Write Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malaysia and Vietnamese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered

WU, WEISHANG Chinese Language - Marketing Staff 153.

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered

YUAN, CAIGANG Chinese Language - Marketing Staff 154.

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading and Writing in Chinese. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading and Writing in Chinese. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading and Writing in Chinese. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading and Writing in Chinese. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading and Writing in Chinese. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading and Writing in Chinese. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading and Writing in Chinese. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WORLD MEDICAL RELIEF-PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BUSINESS AND COORDINATION CENTER FOUNDATION, INC. 14-d 14/f Ocean Tower Condo, Roxas Blvd., 077, Barangay 701, Malate, City Of Manila

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: A native speaker of the Indonesian language (spoken and written).

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered

SHU, CAN Chinese Language - Marketing Staff

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

SHANG SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, INC. 11/f Pbcom Tower, Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village, Bel-air, City Of Makati IMAM NUR CAHYO Bahasa Indonesian Language Trade Specialist

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered SHI, AQI Chinese Language - Marketing Staff

RUNNINGMAN CORPORATION 8/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati CATHERINE Indonesian - Language Customer Support Staff

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered. MU, YOUMENG Chinese Language - Marketing Staff

Basic Qualification: Can manage resources across the region – in terms of people, budget, and expertise Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

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

WISHLAND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY INC. 28/f Techzone Condo Corp., 213 Buendia Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

SHI, YASONG Chinese Language - Marketing Staff Basic Qualification: Can support Philippines efforts to establish legislative and regulatory frameworks and technical standards for NCAs

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in bilingual languages

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

PMFTC INC. Plant C & D, Champaca Ii, Fortune, City Of Marikina

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

Basic Qualification: “• Being link between the Digital P&C team and the GPS team - both the global team and the regional teams. Part of Super User community working closely together with the Digital P&C team and especially the Solution Owner of SuccessFactors Employee Central and SAP HCM and the Process Owner for Master Data processes • Within the GPS team being the go-to person for questions on functionality and the first level of troubleshooting. Responsible for awareness in the team on system processes and quality. Introducing and training newcomers to the team

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree Excellent communication skills Technical expertise

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in bilingual languages

VESTAS SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 12/f Five E-com Center, Harbor Drive, Barangay 76, Pasay City

PHILKO UBINS LTD. CORP. 6/f Unit A Renaissance Tower 1000, Meralco Avenue, Ugong, City Of Pasig

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

SPEED QUALITY TECH INC. 3/f Eco Plaza Bldg., 2305 Chino Roces Ave. Extn., Magallanes, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 year experience in the same field, Speaks and write (Native Language)

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

OUTWIT, INC. 2/f Marvin Plaza, 2153 Chino Roces Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 year experience in the same field, Speaks and write (Native Language)

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning, executing, integrating & Migrating IP/MPLS transport networks for multiple different services.

No.

OCEANIC SYMPHONY SERVICES INC. 3/f Salcedo One Center, 170 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: To respond to customers concerns on site and supply solutions to their concerns

EDWARD MELINTON PAKPAHAN Internet Protocol Consultant

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 year experience in the same field, Speaks and write (Native Language) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally.

NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS PHILIPPINES, INC. 18/f The Curve Bldg., 32nd St. Cor. 3rd Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: To respond to customers concerns on site and supply solutions to their concerns WU, WEN-CHU Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

NEW WEATHER FORCES GROUP INC. 26/f The Enterprise Center Tower 2, 6766 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LEE WAI LEONG Malaysian Customer Service

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

JIANG, SHIYI Executive Assistant 155.

Brief Job Description: Develop and sustain level of professionalism among staff and client

Basic Qualification: Ability to multitask and priorities tasks Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

*Date Generated: Jun 13, 2022 In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on JUNE 7, 2022 the position of ZHANG, WANYING under BLUE STAR ENTERTAINMENT INC. DIVISIONAL HEAD OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATORS, should have been read as DIVISIONAL HEAD OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION and not as published. Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

A10 Tuesday, June 14, 2022

TheWorld BusinessMirror

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

High inflation drives investors away from Asian emerging-market bonds

ond investors are avoiding Asia’s emerging markets as the region’s resilience to the global inflation threat shows signs of cracking. Abrdn plc has turned underweight on Asian debt and SEB AB has grown more cautious, while Goldman Sachs Group Inc. sees a nascent rate-hike cycle to tackle price pressures flattening its yield curves the most in the developing world. Asian sovereign bonds are among the worst performers in a gauge of local-currency debt, with some saying the pain is just starting. “We are becoming war y of Asian bonds on the deteriorating inflation backdrop,” said Eugenia Victorino, head of Asia strategy at Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB in Singapore. “Even though domestic demand in the

region is still recovering, the inflation backdrop will prompt even the most reluctant central banks to tighten.” While it’s been a terrible year for investors in local-currency debt amid intensifying global price pressures, Asian bonds have borne the brunt of the losses. Even a mini rebound over the past month has mostly bypassed the region: Securities from Central Asia are the only group to have lost money, while those from Asia Pacific have trailed peers in Latin America and Africa, data from a Bloomberg index shows. Only debt from conflict-mired Eastern Europe has performed

A customer buys fruits at Silom Market on Silom Road in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 26, 2022. Luke Duggleby/Bloomberg

worse, and a recent spate of inflation data that’s surprised to the upside is set to worsen Asia’s underperformance. Countries seen to be late to enter the rate-hike cycle are being punished. India’s decision in February not to raise borrowing costs on a wager inflation will slow proved short-lived and the country was forced to opt for 90 basis points of tightening. Its shorter-end yields are showing investors’ impatience with the pace, jumping one percentage point since the start of May. Similar yields in Thailand climbed 70 basis points in the same period, as the nation hasn’t raised rates since 2018. Global institutional investors, who had been bullish on Asia at the end of last year amid expectations for a growth recovery, are turning skeptical. The region’s

fixed-income market scored a 6 percent net sentiment rating in HSBC‘s June emerging-markets survey, compared with 31 percent for Latin America. Asia’s score is down from 16 percent in March.

Asia pressure

Supply-chain bottlenecks due to the lockdowns in China are exacerbating inflation pressure in the region, as China is the dominant trade partner for many Asian nations. Thailand’s inflation accelerated to 7.1 percent in May, faster than the 5.9 percent gain predicted by economist and the quickest since 2008. In Indonesia, consumer prices rose at the quickest pace since 2017 in the same month, while inflation in South Korea has exceeded economists’ estimate every month since January. By contrast, there are some

early sig ns inf lation may be close to topping out in Brazil and Mexico. “Inf lation will peak last in Asia,” said Edwin Gutierrez, London-based head of emerging-market sovereign debt at abrdn, which oversees about $677 billion. That uptick in inf lation is push ing t he reg ion’s cent ra l banks to act, joining their peers in Latin America and Eastern Europe in raising rates to combat price pressures. India’s central bank finally signaled more rate hikes are coming after delivering a second-straight increase last week, while at least two more moves are on the cards in the Philippines after policy makers raised rates for the first time since May 2018. Malaysia also boosted borrowing costs for the first time in four years last month. Even Asian central banks which have yet to join the global tightening cycle are now under pressure. Bank of Thailand has signaled a hike is coming after inflation hit a 14-year high and Bank Indonesia is expected to raise rates in the next few months. “Upside revisions to inflation forecasts in emerging-market Asia are starting to catch up with the rest of emerging markets,” Goldman analysts led by Kamakshya Trivedi wrote in a June 8 report. “Given the more dovish posture across emerging-market Asia curves, this has translated into a persistent rates underperformance in recent months.” Bloomberg News

Strike poses risk to South Korean economy as $1.2 billion lost so far

he risk to South Korea’s economy and global supply chains is growing as a nationwide trucker strike widens, curbing output at top steelmaker Posco and causing increasing damage to the petrochemicals sector. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy estimates the auto, petrochemical, steel and other key industries have seen production disruptions worth about 1.6 trillion won ($1.2 billion) due to the strike. It said in a statement Monday that disruptions from the stoppage will be more severe this week because many of the companies have reached the storage limits for their products. Posco stopped production at its four wire-rod factories and a coldrolled steel plant as of 7 a.m. Monday after the strike by truckers exhausted Posco’s warehouse space, it said in response to a Bloomberg query. The daily output of wire rod will be curbed by about 7,500 tons, and cold-rolled steel by 4,500 tons, the firm said.

The Korea Petrochemical Industry Association called for a halt to the strike, saying the “damage is snowballing” and will impact the national economy. Shipments from major ports such as Ulsan, Yeosu and Daesan have been halted, and daily deliveries have fallen to about 10 percent of the average level of 74,000 tons, it said in a statement Monday. The strike—one of the first economic challenges for newly elected President Yoon Suk Yeol—is entering its seventh day as truckers in the nation protest the removal of a minimum wage scheme amid soaring fuel prices. Deliveries of automobiles, fuels, steel and materials for semiconductor chips have been suspended or delayed, exacerbating disruptions to global supply chains after Covid-19 lockdowns in China and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Companies most affected by the strike slumped in early trading Monday. Hyundai Motor Co. shares fell as much as 6.2 percent, the most since February 2021. Posco Holdings Inc.

lost as much as 3.6 percent. Petrochemical company Hanwha Corp. dropped 4.2 percent, while SK Innovation Co., South Korea’s biggest oil refining and petrochemical producer, slipped 3.1 percent. It’s uncertain how long the strikes will continue, as talks over the weekend between the union and government officials failed to make progress. A prolonged dispute threatens to have ripple effects across the globe, as South Korea is the largest exporter of memory chips and is home to some of the world’s biggest car companies. The daily volume of container boxes transported to and from the nation’s 12 ports dropped 87 percent on Sunday compared with the average for May, according to data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Inbound and outbound volumes at Busan, the world’s seventh-busiest port, were less than a fifth of their usual amount. Steel, cement and petrochemicals are among the hardest hit industries so far, as drivers move to block deliveries of the Asian country’s most critical export items. The transport ministry said in a statement output by cement companies has fallen significantly and productions by some ready-mixed concrete companies have been suspended. Ulsan is a major choke point for trade. Not only is it a significant port for petrochemicals, it’s also where leading automaker Hyundai Motor Group has its productions facilities. The company said Friday it experienced partial production disruptions there, with Chosun Ilbo reporting that about 50 percent of production at Hyundai’s plant was halted. Bloomberg News

Virus cluster at nightclub sets off new Beijing clampdown

EIJING—China’s capital has put school online in one of its major districts amid a new Covid-19 outbreak linked to a nightclub, while life has yet to return to normal in Shanghai despite the lifting of a more than two-month-long lockdown. China has stuck to its “zero-Covid” policy requiring mass testing, quarantines and the sequestering of anyone who has come into contact with an infected person in concentrated locations where hygiene is generally poor. A total of 166 cases have been linked to the Heaven Supermarket club in the downtown Gongti nightlife area after an infected person visited there Thursday. Of those, 145 were customers, while the rest were staff or people with whom customers had later contact. The entire area, along with the adjacent Sanlitun shopping and dining complex, was shut down until further notice. The outbreak prompted authorities in the sprawling Chaoyang district to put school back online, with the exception of students taking middle and high school placement exams. Sports gatherings in the city have also been put on hold. Chaoyang has ordered daily mass testing, with long lines forming and wait times of two hours or more. In Shanghai, 502 people have been linked to three positive tests detected June 9 among patrons of the Red Rose Beauty Salon. The individuals involved come from 15 districts across the city of 25 million people, prompting the first largescale restrictions since the lockdown was formally ended June 1. With mass testing and restrictions on movement back in force, streets and supermarkets emptied again over the weekend. Failure to undergo testing will lead to a yellow code on a person’s health status app, forbidding them access to all public places. Most students remain at home and all but a few restaurants are open only for takeout. Many customers simply partake of their food and drink on the steps beside blooming flower bushes outside the establishments. W hile 2 2 million Shanghai re sid ent s w ere rele a s e d from lo ckdow n almost t wo weeks ago, 2 20,0 0 0 people are still re stric te d to their hom e s un d er a r ule requiring that no positive c a s e s are found within their re sid en tial compounds for more than 10 days. A nother 6 0 0,0 0 0 are in c ontrol zone s, w here their move m ent s are re stric te d within their c ompounds. Corrugated steel fences and other barriers continue to block off neighborhoods and businesses, leading to further discontent and complaints from residents who remain in lockdown. The strict implementation of lockdowns, along with a lack of information and poor distribution of food and other daily necessities, has led to rarely seen displays of anger and desperation. Residents have confronted workers and police who have become known as “big whites” for the protective gear they wear, circulated protest videos online and coordinated nightly screaming and pot-banging events to let off steam. The loosening of restrictions led to an exodus of non-Shanghai residents, including foreigners, who had found themselves trapped in the lockdown. Despite the recent outbreak, Beijing reported just 51 new cases on Monday, 22 of them asymptomatic. City residents are still undergoing regular testing—mostly every other day—and must wear masks and swipe a mobile phone app to enter public places and facilitate case tracing. China has maintained its “zero-Covid” policy despite considerable economic costs and an assertion from the head of the World Health Organization that the policy isn’t sustainable. Nationwide, China reported just 143 cases, almost all in Beijing and Shanghai. The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China remained static at 5,226. The Associated Press researcher Si Chen in Shanghai contributed to this report.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

TheWorld BusinessMirror

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 A11

India, China growing markets for sanctioned oil from Russia By Krutika Pathi & Elaine Kurtenbach

The moon is seen near a building destroyed by attacks in Borodyanka, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday, June 12, 2022. AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Moscow-backed officials try to solidify rule in Ukraine By David Keyton & John Leicester

The Associated Press

YIV, Ukraine—Kremlininstalled officials in occupied southern Ukraine celebrated Russia Day on Sunday and began issuing Russian passports to residents in one city who requested them, as Moscow sought to solidify its rule over captured parts of the country. At one of the central squares in the city of Kherson, Russian bands played a concert to celebrate Russia Day, the holiday that marks Russia’s emergence as a sovereign state after the collapse of the Soviet Union, according to Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti. In the neighboring Zaporizhzhia region, Moscow-installed officials raised a Russian flag in Melitopol’s city center. Ukrainian media reported that few, if any, local residents attended the Russia Day festivities in the two cities. Russia Day was also celebrated in other occupied parts of Ukraine, including the ravaged southern port of Mariupol, where a new city sign painted in the colors of the Russian flag was unveiled on the outskirts and Russian flags were flown on a highway leading into the city. Also, the Russia-aligned administration in Melitopol started handing out Russian passports to those who applied for Russian citizenship. RIA Novosti posted video of a Moscow-backed official congratulating new Russian citizens and telling them: “Russia will not go anywhere. We are here for good.” President Vladimir Putin earlier this year issued a decree fast-tracking Russian citizenship for residents of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. In captured cities in the south and east, Moscow has also introduced the ruble as official currency, aired Russian news broadcasts and taken steps to introduce a Russian school curriculum. The Kremlin’s administrators in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions have voiced plans to incorporate the areas into Russia, despite protests and signs of an insurgency among local residents. Russian-installed officials Sunday in Melitopol reported an explosion in a garbage bin near the city’s police headquarters and said two

residents were injured. Another blast was reported at an electrical substation in the city of Berdyansk, which is also under Russian control. The Kremlin-backed administration pronounced it a terrorist attack, and officials said electricity was shut down in parts of the city. On the battlefield, Russia said it used missiles to destroy a large depot in western Ukraine that contained anti-tank and air-defense weapons supplied to Kyiv by the US and European countries. It said the attack took place near the city of Chortkiv in the Ternopil region. Ternopil Gov. Volodymyr Trush said four Russian missiles damaged a military installation and four residential buildings in Chortkiv. More than 20 people were wounded, including a 12-year-old girl, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. “This strike had no tactical or strategic sense, just like the absolute majority of other Russian strikes. It is terror, just terror,” he said in a video address. In light of the strike, Zelenskyy made another plea for modern missile defense systems from the U.S. and other Western countries, saying, “These are lives that could have been saved, tragedies that could have been prevented if Ukraine had been listened to.” Also, heavy fighting continued for control of Sievierodonetsk, an eastern city in Luhansk province with a prewar population of 100,000 that has emerged as central to Russia’s campaign to capture the Donbas, Ukraine’s industrial heartland. Russian forces shelled a Sievierodonetsk chemical plant where up to 500 civilians, 40 of them children, were holed up, Luhansk Gov. Serhii Haidai said. An official with the pro-Moscow, self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic, Rodion Miroshnik, said 300 to 400 Ukrainian troops also remained inside the plant. He said that efforts were underway to evacuate the civilians. Leonid Pasechnik, head of the Luhansk People’s Republic, said the Ukrainians making their stand in Sievierodonetsk should save themselves the trouble. “If I were them, I would already make a decision” to surrender, he said. “We will achieve our goal in any case.”

The Associated Press

EW DELHI—India and other Asian nations are becoming an increasingly vital source of oil revenues for Moscow despite strong pressure from the US not to increase their purchases, as the European Union and other allies cut off energy imports from Russia in line with sanctions over its war on Ukraine.

Such sales are boosting Russian export revenues at a time when Washington and allies are trying to limit financial flows supporting Moscow’s war effort. India, an oil-hungry country of 1.4 billion people, has guzzled nearly 60 million barrels of Russian oil in 2022 so far, compared with 12 million barrels in all of 2021, according to commodity data firm Kpler. Shipments to other Asian countries, like China, have also increased in recent months but to a lesser extent. In an interview with The Associated Press, Sri Lanka’s prime minister said he may be compelled to buy more oil from Russia as he hunts desperately for fuel to keep the country running amid a dire economic crisis. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Saturday said he would first look to other sources, but would be open to buying more crude from Moscow. In late May, Sri Lanka bought a 90,000-metric-ton (99,000-ton) shipment of Russian crude to restart its only refinery. Since Russia’s invasion in late February, global oil prices have soared, giving refiners in India and other countries an added incentive to tap oil Moscow is offering

them at steep discounts of $30 to $35, compared with Brent crude and other international oil now trading at about $120 per barrel. Their importance to Russia rose after the 27-nation European Union, the main market for fossil fuels that supply most of Moscow’s foreign income, agreed to stop most oil purchases by the end of this year. “It seems a distinct trend is becoming ingrained now,” said Matt Smith, lead analyst at Kpler tracking Russian oil flows. As shipments of Urals oil to much of Europe are cut, crude is instead flowing to Asia, where India has become the top buyer, followed by China. Ship tracking reports show Turkey is another key destination. “People are realizing that India is such a refining hub, taking it at such a cheap price, refining it and sending it out as clean products because they can make such strong margins on that,” Smith said. In May, some 30 Russian tankers loaded with crude made their way to Indian shores, unloading about 430,000 barrels per day. An average of just 60,000 barrels per day arrived in January-March, according to the Helsinki, Finlandbased Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, an independent

think tank. Chinese state-owned and independent refiners also have stepped up purchases. In 2021, China was the largest single buyer of Russian oil, taking 1.6 million barrels per day on average, equally divided between pipeline and seaborne routes, according to the International Energy Agency. While India’s imports are still only about a quarter of that, the sharp increase since the war began is a potential source of friction between Washington and New Delhi. The US recognizes India’s need for affordable energy, but “we’re looking to allies and partners not to increase their purchases of Russian energy,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after a meeting of US and Indian foreign and defense ministers in April. Meanwhile, the US and its European allies are engaged in “extremely active” discussions on coordinating measures, perhaps forming a cartel, to try to set a price cap on Russian oil, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday. The aim would be to keep Russian oil flowing into the global market to prevent crude oil prices, already up 60 percent this year, from surging still higher, she said. “Absolutely, the objective is to limit the revenue going to Russia,” Yellen said, indicating the exact strategy had not yet been decided on. While Europe could find alternative sources for its purchases of about 60 percent of Russia’s crude exports, Russia also has options. India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, has emphasized his country’s intention to do what is in its best interests, bristling at criticism over its imports of Russian oil. “If India funding Russian oil is funding the war…tell me, then buying Russian gas is not funding the

war? Let’s be a little even-handed,” he said at a recent forum in Slovakia, referring to Europe’s imports of Russian gas. India’s imports of crude from Russia rose from 100,000 barrels per day in February to 370,000 a day in April to 870,000 a day in May. A g row i ng sh a re of t hose shipments displaced oil from Iraq and Saudi Arabia, most of it going to refineries in Sika and Jamnagar on India’s western coast. Up until April, Russian oil accounted for less than 5 percent of the crude processed at the Jamnagar oil refinery run by Reliance Industries. In May, it accounted for more than a quarter, according to Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. India’s exports of oil products like diesel have risen to 685,000 barrels per day from 580,000 barrels per day before the invasion of Ukraine. Much of its diesel exports are sold in Asia, but about 20 percent was shipped via the Suez Canal, headed for the Mediterranean or Atlantic, essentially Europe or the US, said Lauri Myllyvirta, a lead analyst at CREA. It’s impossible to quantify the exact amount of Russian crude in refined products being shipped out of India, he said. Still, “India is providing an outlet for Russian crude oil to get through the market,” he said. China’s imports also have risen further this year, helping Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government record a current account surplus, the broadest measure of trade, of $96 billion for the four months ending in April. It’s unclear if such exports might eventually be subject to sanctions meant to cut the cash flowing to Russia. Regarding the sanctions, “Are those measures effective? And if not, how is the oil market working around them?” Myllyvirta said. Kurtenbach reported from Bangkok

Lawmakers from Iraq’s biggest bloc resign amid long impasse

AGHDAD—Dozens of lawmakers who make up the biggest bloc in Iraq’s parliament resigned on Sunday amid a prolonged political impasse, plunging the divided nation into political uncertainty. The 73 lawmakers from powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s bloc submitted their resignation based on his request, to protest a persisting political deadlock eight months after general elections were held. Parliament Speaker Mohammed Halbousi accepted their resignation. Al-Sadr, a maverick leader remembered for leading an insurgency against US forces after the 2003 invasion, emerged as the winner in the election held in October. The election was held several months earlier than expected, in response to mass protests that broke out in late 2019, and

saw tens of thousands rally against endemic corruption, poor services and unemployment. The vote brought victory for powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr who won 73 out of Parliament’s 329 seats, and was a blow for his Iran-backed Shiite rivals, who lost about two-thirds of their seats and have rejected the results. Al-Sadr has been intent on forming, along with his allies, a majority government that excludes them. But he has not been able to corral enough lawmakers to parliament to get the two-thirds majority needed to elect Iraq’s next president—a necessary step ahead of naming the next prime minister and selecting a Cabinet. Speaker Halbousi tweeted later that he “reluctantly” accepted the resignations based on al-Sadr’s wishes and after sincere efforts to

discourage him from this step. “For the sake of the country and the people, he decided to proceed with this decision,” he posted. It was not immediately clear how the resignation of the biggest bloc in parliament would play out. A veteran Iraqi politician expressed concern that the resignations could lead to chaos in the country. According to Iraqi laws, if any seat in parliament becomes vacant, the candidate who obtains the second highest number votes in their electoral district would replace them. This would benefit al-Sadr’s opponents from the so-called Coordination Framework,

a coalition led by Iran-backed Shiite parties, and their allies—something al-Sadr would be unlikely to accept. There are already concerns that the stalemate and tension could boil over and lead to street protests by supporters of al-Sadr, turning into violence between them and rival armed Shiite militias. Al-Sadr, one of Iraq’s most influential political leaders with a large following, has repeatedly alluded to the capabilities of his militia, Saraya Salam, which recently opened the doors for recruits in Babylon and Diyala provinces. AP

A12 Tuesday, June 14, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

Dark days ahead

he fires of inflation are growing bigger in many countries, and governments are scrambling to find the tools needed to douse the flames before they become catastrophic conflagrations. The lowest income households are disproportionally suffering from the scourge of inflation because their incomes are so low they can’t cope with skyrocketing prices. Another bad news: The World Bank warned that the world economy could slip into a period of stagflation reminiscent of the 1970s. In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, the lender sharply downgraded its outlook for the global economy. It said global growth is expected to slump to 2.9 percent in 2022 from 5.7 percent in 2021— significantly lower than 4.1 percent that was anticipated in January. “The current juncture resembles the 1970s in three key aspects: persistent supply-side disturbances fueling inflation, preceded by a protracted period of highly accommodative monetary policy in major advanced economies, prospects for weakening growth, and vulnerabilities that emerging market and developing economies face with respect to the monetary policy tightening that will be needed to rein in inflation,” the World Bank report said. Iain Macleod, a British Conservative Party politician who became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1970, coined the term stagflation, a combination of stagnation and inflation, in 1965. It describes a malfunctioning economy, in which prices keep soaring while economic growth slumps, and unemployment remains high. Stagflation presents a dilemma for economic policymakers because actions intended to lower inflation may exacerbate unemployment. Compounding the damage from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has magnified the slowdown in the global economy, which is entering what could become a protracted period of feeble growth and elevated inflation, according to the World Bank report. “This raises the risk of stagflation, with potentially harmful consequences for middle- and low-income economies alike.” “The war in Ukraine, lockdowns in China, supply-chain disruptions, and the risk of stagflation are hammering growth. For many countries, recession will be hard to avoid,” said World Bank President David Malpass. “Markets look forward, so it is urgent to encourage production and avoid trade restrictions. Changes in fiscal, monetary, climate and debt policy are needed to counter capital misallocation and inequality.” “Restoring long-term prosperity depends on a resumption of faster growth and a more stable, rules-based policy environment. There is good reason to expect that, once the war in Ukraine stops, efforts to rebuild the Ukrainian economy and revive global growth—including by the World Bank Group—will be redoubled,” Malpass said. In the meantime, Malpass said policymakers must mitigate the other threats to development around the world—“soaring food and energy prices, persistent stagflationary pressure, increasingly perilous debt overhangs, growing inequality and instability, and the myriad risks stemming from climate change.” “Against the challenging backdrop of higher inflation, weaker growth, tighter financial conditions, and limited fiscal policy space, governments will need to reprioritize spending toward targeted relief for vulnerable populations,” the World Bank chief said. Malpass urged policymakers to refrain from distortionary policies such as price controls, subsidies, and export bans, which could worsen the recent increase in commodity prices. Governments are not listening to the World Bank chief because they want to take care of their citizens first. Brace yourself for more difficult times ahead. Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

Rising inflation should not distract us Manny B. Villar

THE Entrepreneur

ccelerating inflation is a major concern for many nations, including the Philippines. But it should not sidetrack our policymakers from pursuing a high-growth economy given the momentum achieved by the Philippines in previous quarters. The Philippine inflation rate rose to 5.4 percent in May from 4.9 percent in April because of higher fuel and food prices, mainly caused by the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The May inflation rate by every measure can already be alarming. The Philippines, however, is not faring worse than the United States and some European countries. The May inflation rate approximates the 5.4 percent in Singapore in April and Korea’s 5.5 percent in May, and is much better than India’s 7.8 percent in April. The local inflation rate, when compared with the US and some European nations, is definitely less troublesome. The US recorded 8.6 percent in May, while the European zone posted an average inflation rate of 8.1 percent in May. Germany registered 7.9 percent,

Spain at 8.7 percent, Netherlands at 8.8 percent and the United Kingdom at 9 percent in April. There is no short-term solution to rising fuel prices, unless the war between Ukraine and Russia abruptly ends and crude prices in the world market stabilize as a result of the cessation of hostilities. Or the government can do away with taxes imposed on petroleum products to temper the rise in the local pumps, but that will reduce the funds already earmarked for social services and the poorest of the poor. The long-term solution to galloping pump prices, of course, is the shift to electric-powered vehicles. And I’m confident the incoming administration will take a hard look at this emerging industry in order to lessen

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keep saying it, no one wants to believe it, but I know that you know more about economics than the experts. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was playing the harpsichord at four years old. Pablo Picasso made his first oil painting when he was nine years old. At age six and standing on a box, Willie Mosconi played an exhibition match against the reigning world billiards champion.

Korean Kim Ung-Yong could have full conversations in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, English, German, Spanish, and Vietnamese at age four. Hungarian chess grandmaster Judit Polgar began playing in tournaments at six, and by 11 years old, defeated her first grandmaster. French mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal wrote a treatise on vibrating bodies at nine years old. German musician Clara Schumann did not speak until age four, but at seven she was mastering the piano, began composing her own pieces at 10, and made her concert debut at the age of 11. Ice hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky was playing against 10-year-

olds when he was six. Tiger Woods was introduced to golf at age two, and at five appeared in Golf Digest magazine. A child prodigy is a person under the age of 10 who produces “professional” output in some field to the level of an adult expert. Even considering one expert who estimated that they are as rare as one in 10 million, there have been a large number of child prodigies. Prodigies tend to cluster in “rules-based” endeavor like mathematics, music, chess, art, and sports. But where are all the child prodigies in economics? The closest might be John Stuart Mill who at eight was studying Latin,

The high inflation rate, however, should not distract the government from further reopening the economy. We have seen the positive economic results in the past few months when the state further eased mobility restrictions. The unemployment rate in April dropped to 5.7 percent, the lowest since the start of the pandemic.

the dependence of the local transportation sector on fossil-based fuels. The Philippine inflation rate increased to 5.4 percent in May also because of rising food prices—notably meat, fish and vegetables. For an agricultural nation like the Philippines, it’s hard to believe that prices of these food items should accelerate. The Philippine Statistics Authority cited a shortage in domestic pork and fish supply as the major reason for higher food prices. If it’s a supply issue, I believe we can either remove the bottlenecks that disrupt the delivery of these food products or resort to temporary imports. One item that caught my attention in the PSA inflation figures, though, is the price of corn. Corn inflation jumped to 24.4 percent in May due to high prices and limited

Euclid, and algebra. At 13, he studied Adam Smith and David Ricardo, and at 15 helped his father write Elements of Political Economy. But of all the disciplines, economics requires sensing the world around you to be able to make any meaningful observations, including of the data. It is unlikely there will be a Korean television drama titled The Good Economist. For example, someone asked me why the US consumer price index includes the price of used cars, which means nothing in the Philippines. US car ownership is two cars for one household. In the Philippines, it’s one car for about 20 households. Therefore, the used car market, sales, and ownership are important to that economy. You might say that there are no “kid geniuses” in economics because they are not taught the subject early in life compared to physics or mathematics. But even if they were taught, economics requires an understanding of the environment that only comes after enough experience, and that takes time. So why is the average person “smart” about economics? Italian economist Antonio de Viti de Marco developed the foundation of “public choice” as applied to both economics and politics. All individuals make choices/decisions based

global supply. The Russian invasion of Ukraine disrupted the supply chain of key commodities like wheat, corn and vegetable oil, and sent prices soaring. Corn is now being used as a substitute for wheat feeds, a major feedstock for the livestock sector. We may see further increases in corn prices and those of meat in the coming months. The Philippines, per the report of the US Department of Agriculture, may import 750,000 metric tons of corn from 2022 to 2023 as supplement to feed wheat, from an earlier projection of 500,000 MT for the current market year. It is easy to say that increased local corn production is the solution to the rising price of this commodity. But I have the confidence that our incoming agriculture secretary will revisit the government’s crop production program to ease the inflationary pressures on food. The high inflation rate regime may stay for a while, depending on the resolution of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Prices for sure will eventually go down as households adapt their spending patterns to the changing market environment. Our small entrepreneurs, too, will adjust to high prices. Reducing overhead expenses and inventory, and cutting marketing costs are some of the options to See “Villar,” A13

on personal views and self-interest, no matter if the person is a voter, politician, bureaucrat, or business owner. In politics—and compared and functioning the same way as in the economy—the politician is like the business owner, the voter is like the consumer, the election system is like a marketplace, and the vote is like money. In both politics and the economy, decisions are made by the combined choices of the individuals. There is no decision made by an aggregate whole. There were about 26 million separate individual votes for Robin Padilla, no matter if all of them voted for him because they thought he was handsome or if none of them thought he was handsome. You, the individual consumer has already determined the course of the economy while the experts are still trying to figure out why “Actor Robin Padilla on way to become senator.” “June 10, 2022: US Consumer Sentiment Slumps to Record Low.” “June 5, 2022: PHL Consumer confidence soars to four-year high.” What you are thinking, feeling, and doing today is what the economy is going to do tomorrow. E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

Opinion

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 A13 BusinessMirror The BIR must compromise Carlos P. Garcia: The champion of economic independence www.businessmirror.com.ph

Atty. Irwin C. Nidea Jr.

Manny F. Dooc

Tax law for business

TELLTALES

O you want to finally settle your tax liability and do away with the stress of dealing with the revenue officers of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)? The easiest way is for you to pay your alleged deficiency tax in full as computed by the BIR. But there is a cheaper way. You can file for a compromise and just pay at most 40 percent or 10 percent of the basic tax that is being assessed. Since it is a compromise, there must be an agreement by both parties where mutual concessions are reached to settle conflicting demands. In a compromise, it is important that both parties agree and sign the compromise agreement. But can the Commissioner of Internal Revenue choose not to sign an offer of compromise based on whim or caprice? In other words, is the CIR’s discretion to accept or reject a taxpayer’s offer of compromise absolute and is not subject of judicial review? Apparently, it is not. There are instances when the CIR has no choice but to accept an offer of compromise. The CIR’s authority to compromise taxes emanates from the Tax Code. It provides that the CIR may—(A) Compromise the payment of any internal revenue tax, when: (I) A reasonable doubt as to the validity of the claim against the taxpayer exists; or (2) The financial position of the taxpayer demonstrates a clear inability to pay the assessed tax. The compromise settlement of any tax liability shall be subject to the following minimum amounts: For cases of financial incapacity, a minimum compromise rate equivalent to 10 percent of the basic assessed tax; and for other cases, a minimum compromise rate equivalent to 40 percent of the basic assessed tax. According to the Supreme Court and in a recent CTA case, the discretionary authority to compromise given to the CIR is “not absolute, uncontrolled and unrestrained.” The CIR’s authority to compromise can only be exercised within the parameters set by the law, and in case he abuses his discretion, the CTA may correct such abuse if the matter is appealed to them. Clearly, the CTA has jurisdiction to review by appeal the decisions of the CIR over compromise applications as it is a matter arising under the Tax Code. What actions of the CIR can the CTA review? As mentioned above, a taxpayer may invoke doubtful validity and just opt to pay at most 40 percent of the basic tax assessed. If the CIR rejects this offer, the CTA will determine whether the rejection is proper. It will examine the records of the case to see whether reasonable doubt exists as to the validity of the tax assessment that would warrant the compromise payment of tax liabilities. If it finds that there is doubtful validity, the CTA will overturn the CIR’s denial of the offer of compromise and rule that the CIR has abused its discretion. What are the examples of doubtful validity? The courts in some cases have demonstrated that a tax assessment is doubtful if the CIR has violated the taxpayer’s right to due process. The absence of a Letter of Authority of the revenue officers who conducted the assessment is one example. Others are when a Prelimi-

Villar. . .

Continued from A12

manage inflation. Investing in technology in this digital age is also one way of reducing the overhead costs. The high inflation rate, however, should not distract the government from further reopening the economy. We have seen the positive economic results in the past few months when the state further eased mobility restrictions. The unemployment rate in April dropped to 5.7 percent, the lowest since the

According to the Supreme Court and in a recent CTA case, the discretionary authority to compromise given to the CIR is “not absolute, uncontrolled and unrestrained.” The CIR’s authority to compromise can only be exercised within the parameters set by the law, and in case he abuses his discretion, the CTA may correct such abuse if the matter is appealed to them. nary Assessment Notice (PAN) was not issued or received by the taxpayer. Final Assessment Notice was prematurely issued, or it does not state a valid demand to pay. Also, a tax assessment becomes doubtful when it has prescribed, i.e., it was issued beyond the 3-year period set by law. In all these cases, the CIR has no choice but to accept the offer of compromise. Please note that these are just examples. There are many other instances when you can consider the validity of a tax assessment doubtful. In these pronouncements by the SC and the CTA, is the very essence of the word compromise being compromised? In an ordinary compromise agreement, either party can choose not to proceed for any reason, however flimsy it may be. But in a tax compromise, the courts find it prudent to clip the power of the CIR in negotiating a compromise agreement, maybe for good reason. Any government officer must not be given absolute power. He must perform his functions within the bounds of the law. In this case, the CIR must accept or deny an offer of compromise if an assessment is doubtful and the definition of doubtful validity of an assessment has been defined in many cases by the courts. What if the taxpayer can show that he is financially incapable to pay the tax that is being assessed? The Tax Code provides that it can apply for compromise and just pay 10 percent of the basic tax. It means that the government will lose the remaining 90 percent of the basic tax plus interest and the CIR cannot do anything about it. So, if you think that the tax assessment of the BIR against you is doubtful or that you can prove financial incapacity, buy your peace of mind, and apply for a compromise. The BIR has no choice but to accept it. The author is a senior partner of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices, a member-firm of WTS Global. The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at irwin.c.nideajr@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 330.

start of the pandemic. The employment rate in April, per the PSA figures, rose to 94.3 percent, translating to about 45.63 million employed Filipinos and higher than 91.3 percent in April last year. In sum, the number of employed yearon-year increased by 2.36 million, from 43.27 million last year. The Philippines, thus, has growth momentum on its side and should overcome the inflation menace. For comments, send e-mail to mbv_secretariat@vistaland.com.ph or visit www.mannyvillar. com.ph

oday marks the 51st death anniversary of the 8th President of the Philippines but hardly anyone remembers him now. Except for streets and public schools named after him, no town, city, or province has been named after the late President Carlos Polestico Garcia. President Emilio Aguinaldo has two towns named in his honor—one in Cavite and another in Ifugao. President Manuel Quezon has a city, a province and six towns named after him—in Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon, Palawan and Bukidnon. President Manuel Roxas has Roxas City and a total of four towns located in Isabela, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan and North Cotabato that carry his name. Quirino province is named after President Elpidio Quirino who was also honored with three towns named after him—one each in Ilocos Sur, Isabela and Sultan Kudarat. One town in Ilocos Norte is named after former President Ferdinand E. Marcos. President Garcia was not a colorful and controversial politician. He was not a fiery orator like Quezon, he did not have the eloquence of Roxas nor the mass appeal of Magsaysay. Yet he was one of the most experienced public servants who became president. He served as a Representative of his province of Bohol for two terms, Governor for three terms and elected to the Senate three times. In 1953, he was voted vice president as the running mate of President Ramon F. Magsaysay. He ascended to the presidency when Magsaysay perished in a plane crash on Mt. Manunggal in Cebu on its way back to Manila on March 17, 1957. President Garcia hurriedly left the SEATO Conference in Canberra, Australia and took his oath as the 8th President of the Philippines on March 18, 1957. Lacking the massive popularity of his predecessor,

both his partymates and political adversaries considered President Garcia a weak leader. Many ambitious politicians from his own party, the Nacionalista Party, were raring to challenge him for the presidency. President Garcia assumed the presidency just barely eight months into the presidential election where President Magsaysay was certain to win a reelection. Magsaysay’s untimely demise had opened the gates to Malacañang wide open and it encouraged powerful NP members like Jose P. Laurel, Claro M. Recto, Gil Puyat and Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson to set their eyes on the Palace. On July 27,1957, the NP National Convention to nominate the party’s presidential candidate took place at the Philippine Racing Club in Pasong Tamo, Makati. President Garcia disproved all doubters that he commanded the votes in his own party by trouncing all other contenders. On his proclamation, he announced: “A President has to be pretty stupid not to get his party’s nomination in the convention. And I’m not stupid.” If President Garcia were dense, he would have not won the presidential election held on November 12, 1957. He defeated renowned political figures such as former Speaker Jose Yulo of the Liberal Party, Senator Claro M. Recto of the Nationalist Citizens’ Party, Manuel Manahan of the Progressive Party, Antonio Quirino (LP Quirino Wing) and others. Presi-

dent Garcia received 41.28 percent of the votes, edging out Yulo, his closest rival, by over 600,000 votes. His running mate, Speaker Jose Laurel, Jr., however, lost to Representative Diosdado Macapagal of the LP. It was the first time in our political history that the vice president belonged to a rival party. President Garcia’s administration introduced major reforms in our economic policies. Addressing the serious economic difficulties confronting our country at that time, he launched the austerity program, which he explained in this wise: “Austerity, as a policy, means temperate spending. It signifies more work, more thrift, more productive investment and more efficiency. It means less imports and less extravagant consumption…. The austerity program has two phases: the first is the tightening of the belt, and the second is the flexing of the muscles in the supreme effort to achieve maximum production. But the whole program boils down to a way of life for all of us—a life of frugality, self-discipline, and industry…” President-elect BBM may take a cue from President Garcia to jumpstart our economic recovery. But President Garcia’s boldest move was when he virtually declared himself an enemy of the free enterprise system in our economy. He claimed that free enterprise means the “preservation of alien domination of the national economy.” Instead, President Garcia promoted economic independence by adopting the so-called “Filipino First Policy.” While the Philippines gained political independence in 1946 from the Americans, President Garcia lamented that “economically we are still semi-colonial. This is especially true in our foreign trade. This policy is therefore designed to regain economic independence.” President Garcia adopted the Filipino First Policy, which became the hallmark of his presidency. This policy strongly favored Filipino entrepreneurs over foreign businessmen. He advocated complete eco-

nomic freedom as he rejected the dominance of foreign interests in our national economy. His administration pursued a nationalist policy, which promoted Filipinism in all aspects of our life—in politics, trade and commerce, industry and arts. He undertook to deliver us from foreign bondage and free our country from “the yoke of alien domination in business, trade, commerce and industry.” Last Sunday, we observed our Independence Day, but sadly we continue to remain a vassal of economically powerful nations like the US and China. President Garcia was a true and dedicated public servant. He graduated class valedictorian of his law class at the Philippine Law School in 1923. After passing the bar examinations among the top 10, the young lawyer chose to teach at the Bohol Provincial High School for two years, instead of pursuing a lucrative law practice in the big city. This inspired no end the youngsters of his native province who looked up to him as their role model. Later in life, after serving as our president for almost five years, he could not refuse the call of public service. At the age of 75, he ran and won as a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention to lead the framing of our new Constitution. He won over another former president, Diosdado Macapagal, and was elected as the Convention President on June 11, 1971, but he was overtaken by sudden sickness and died three days later. Former President Carlos P. Garcia typifies the noble man described in Vachel Lindsay’s famous poem, “The Eagle That Is Forgotten,” which reads: “Sleep softly,…eagle forgotten… under the stone, Time has its way with you there and the clay has its own. Sleep on, Oh brave-hearted, Oh wise man, that kindled the flame To live in mankind is far more than to live in a name, To live in mankind, far, far more… than to live in a name.” Rest in your glory, great eagle of Talibon!

Jan. 6 panelists: Enough evidence uncovered to indict Trump

By Hope Yen | The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—Members of the House committee investigating the Capitol riot said Sunday they have uncovered enough evidence for the Justice Department to consider an unprecedented criminal indictment against former President Donald Trump for seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

The committee announced that Trump’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, is among the witnesses scheduled to testify at a hearing Monday that focuses on Trump’s effort to spread his lies about a stolen election. Stepien was subpoenaed for his public testimony. As the hearings unfold, Rep. Adam Schiff said he would like the department to “investigate any credible allegation of criminal activity on the part of Donald Trump.” Schiff, D-Calif., who also leads the House Intelligence Committee, said that “there are certain actions, parts of these different lines of effort to overturn the election that I don’t see evidence the Justice Department is investigating.” The committee launched its public hearings last week, with members laying out their case against Trump to show how the defeated president relentlessly pushed his false claims of a rigged election despite multiple advisers telling him otherwise and how he intensified an extraordinary scheme to overturn Joe Biden’s victory. Additional evidence is to be released in hearings this week, Democrats say, that will demonstrate that Trump and some of his advisers engaged in a “massive effort” to spread misinformation, pressured the Justice Department to embrace his false claims, and urged thenVice President Mike Pence to reject state electors and block the vote certification on January 6, 2021.

Stepien, a longtime Trump ally, is now a top campaign adviser to the Trump-endorsed House candidate in Wyoming’s Republican primary, Harriet Hageman, who is challenging Rep. Liz Cheney, the committee’s vice chair and a vociferous critic of the former president. A Trump spokesman, Taylor Budowich, suggested that the committee’s decision to call Stepien was politically motivated. Monday’s witness list also includes BJay Pak, the top federal prosecutor in Atlanta who left his position on January 4, 2021, a day after an audio recording was made public in which Trump called him a “never-Trumper”; Chris Stirewalt, the former political editor for Fox News; noted Washington elections attorney Benjamin Ginsberg; and Al Schmidt, a former city commissioner in Philadelphia. The panel will also focus on the millions of dollars Trump’s team brought in fundraising in the run-up to January 6, according to a committee aide who insisted on anonymity to discuss the details. The committee has said most of those interviewed in the investigation are coming forward voluntarily, although some have wanted subpoenas to appear in public. Filmmaker Nick Quested, who provided documentary footage of the attack, said during last week’s hearing he received a subpoena to appear. Committee members said they

Legal experts have said a Justice Department prosecution of Trump over the riot could set an uneasy precedent in which an administration of one party could more routinely go after the former president of another. would present clear evidence that “multiple” GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., had sought a pardon from Trump, which would protect him from prosecution. Perry on Friday denied he ever did so, calling the assertion an “absolute, shameless, and soulless lie.” “We’re not going to make accusations or say things without proof or evidence backing it,” said Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill. Lawmakers indicated that perhaps their most important audience member over the course of the hearings may be Attorney General Merrick Garland, who must decide whether his department can and should prosecute Trump. They left no doubt as to their own view whether the evidence is sufficient to proceed. “Once the evidence is accumulated by the Justice Department, it needs to make a decision about whether it can prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt the president’s guilt or anyone else’s,” Schiff said. “But they need to be investigated if there’s credible evidence, which I think there is.” Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, said he doesn’t intend to “browbeat” Garland but noted the committee has already laid out in legal pleadings criminal statutes they believe Trump violated. “I think that he knows, his staff knows, the US attorneys know, what’s at stake here,” Raskin said. “They know the importance of it, but I think they are rightfully pay-

ing close attention to precedent in history as well, as the facts of this case.” Garland has not specified whether he would be willing to prosecute, which would be unprecedented and may be complicated in a political election season in which Trump has openly flirted with the idea of running for president again. No president or ex-president has ever been indicted. Richard Nixon resigned from office in 1974 as he faced an impeachment and a likely grand jury indictment on charges of bribery, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. President Gerald Ford later pardoned his predecessor before any criminal charges related to Watergate could be filed. Legal experts have said a Justice Department prosecution of Trump over the riot could set an uneasy precedent in which an administration of one party could more routinely go after the former president of another. “We will follow the facts wherever they lead,” Garland said in his speech at Harvard University’s commencement ceremony last month. A federal judge in California said in a March ruling in a civil case that Trump “more likely than not” committed federal crimes in seeking to obstruct the congressional count of the Electoral College ballots on Jan. 6, 2021. The judge cited two statutes: obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Trump has denied all wrongdoing. Schiff appeared on ABC’s “This Week,” Raskin spoke on CNN’s “State of the Union,” and Kinzinger was on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro in Washington and Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.

A14 Tuesday, June 14, 2022

LAWMAKERS SET SIGHTS ON POST-PANDEMIC MEASURES By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

HE incom ing 19t h Congress will immediately work on postpandemic measures to help the country out of the Covid-19 pandemic and sustain its economic recovery. House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez said the pandemic will not prevent the House of Representatives from having a “productive” 19th Congress. “Together with Presidentelect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., we, the incoming members of the 19th Congress look forward to working in a post-pandemic setting so we may put forward our 100 percent effort in helping the country rise from the effects of Covid-19. The Marcos administration is fully aware of this humongous challenge,” Romualdez said. “The answer, as ably demonstrated by the 18th Congress, is unity, perseverance, and compassion,” he added. Romualdez, who will most likely be elected Speaker of the House in the 19th Congress, said he is looking for a supermajority coalition in the next Congress. He has said the next Congress is eyeing the passage of Bayanihan-type of legislation to be called Bayan Bangon Muli (BBM) and resetting of the scheduled December barangay elections to save P8 billion that can be used to fight the pandemic.

Earlier, Romualdez said lawmakers are now in consultations with the Department of Budget and Management and Department of Finance for needed legislation.

Measures filed

DURING the three-year run of the 18th Congress from July 22, 2019 to June 3,2022, Romualdez said House members filed a total of 13,526 measures. Of the number, Romualdez said 10,845 were bills while 2,681 were resolutions. A total of 1,618 measures were approved by the House of Representatives from July 2019 to June 2022 under the leaderships of former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and outgoing Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. As of June 1, a total of 311 received President Duterte’s signature and were enacted into law. One hundred and nineteen of the laws were national in scope, while 192 were local. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the onset of the Covide-19 pandemic in March 2020. As such, a number of laws enacted were specifically crafted to address the ill-effects brought by the pandemic. The most significant of these Covid-19 response laws were the Bayanihan 1 and 2, which allowed the release of billions of pesos to fight the effects of the pandemic and more importantly protect the citizenry from the disease.

BSP signals cut in reserve requirement ratio of banks

By Bianca Cuaresma

@BcuaresmaBM

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said monetary authorities will likely consider cutting the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) of banks within the year. In a virtual press briefing on Monday, Diokno said they will consider reducing the banks’ RRR “a month or two” before withdrawing their Covid-19 regulatory assistance for micro, small, and medium Enterprises (MSMEs) “sometime in the fourth quarter.” The reserve requirement is the portion of depositors’ balances that banks are asked to keep idle in the

BSP’s vaults as reserves. A reduction of the reserve requirement means that banks are required to deposit less in the BSP’s coffers, thus leaving them with more loanable funds for the public. The BSP last cut its RRR in mid2020, effectively releasing about P10 billion worth of liquidity into the economy’s cash stream as part of the package of moves aimed at

DIOKNO

assisting the banking public with their liquidity requirements during the peak of Covid-19 economic disruptions. The universal and commercial banks’ (U/KBs) RRR is currently at 12 percent, still some 3 percentage points away from the goal of bringing it down to singledigit levels. For thrift and rural banks, RRR stands at 3 percent and 2, respectively. In the same briefing, Diokno reported that bigger banks in the country sustained growth and supported the country’s financing re-

quirements in 2021. “Key U/KBs performance indicators showed a steady rise in assets, loans, and deposits, and sustained profitability with ample credit loss reserves, sufficient liquidity and capital buffers,” the governor said. U/KB assets grew by 8.2 percent year-on-year to P19.4 trillion at endApril 2022, faster than the 4 percent posted a year ago. The increase was financed mainly by deposits, which rose by 8.7 percent year-on-year during the same period. The total loan portfolio, which largely comprised U/KBs’ assets, went up by 9.8 percent to P10.7 trillion at end-April. These loans were extended to productive sectors like real estate, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing. U/KB credit to MSMEs, meanwhile, stood at P334.8 billion, while lending to households, including residential real estate, reached P1.7 trillion. The industry’s net profit also rose by 26.7 percent to reach P61.4 billion at end-March this year, a reversal from the 4-percent contraction in the same period in 2021.

See “Lawmakers,” A2

USTR meets with IPEF partners, including PHL

NITED States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai recently convened a meeting with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) partner countries including the Philippines to discuss objectives related to digital economy and trade facilitation among others. The meeting included participation from all 13 IPEF partners Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. During the meeting, Ambassador Tai shared her vision for the IPEF’s trade pillar, including how the US-led economic initiative can advance resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability. She said the United States looks forward to launching negotiations under the trade pillar, which will help bolster economic activity and investment, promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and benefit workers and consumers across the region. The US Trade Representative explained her hope “that the United States and IPEF partners that choose to join the trade pillar will seek to build high-standard, inclusive, free, and fair trade commitments and develop new and creative approaches in trade and technology policy.” Further, Tai hopes framework partners will advance a broad set of objectives related to labor, environment, the digital economy, agriculture, transparency and good regulatory practices, competition policy, and trade facilitation. On May 23, the US and the 12 partner countries launched the pro-

cess to establish the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. On May 26, Fiji also became a founding member of the IPEF. This US-led economic framework is intended to advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness for the countries’ respective economies. Through this initiative, the framework partners aim to contribute to cooperation, stability, prosperity, development, and peace within the region. The IPEF partners are engaged in collective discussions toward future negotiations on the following pillars: trade, supply chains, clean energy, decarbonization, infrastructure, and tax and anticorruption. The Office of the US Trade Representative is spearheading the discussions on the trade pillar, while the US Department of Commerce leads discussions on the other three pillars. Along with the US, the 12 initial framework partner countries represent 40 percent of world gross domestic product (GDP). The 13 initial IPEF membercountries have encouraged participation from additional IndoPacific partners that share their goals, interests, and ambitions for the region. “We are committed to collaborating with our framework partners in a manner that acknowledges the importance of technical assistance and capacity building, allows us to maintain a flexible approach, and delivers tangible benefits for our peoples,” the 13 countries said in a joint statement in May. Andrea E. San Juan

PEOPLE stand on the service road area along Roxas Boulevard as they wait for the reopening of the Manila Baywalk Dolomite beach at the weekend. Besides regulating the pedestrian traffic, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the department has to ensure the cleanliness and safety of the water in Manila Bay before the reopening. ROY DOMINGO

Cebu LGU faces show-cause order over no-mask fiat

HE Cebu provincial government will be facing a showcause order from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) if it continues to defy national government policy for wearing of face masks. In a televised interview on Monday, Interior Undersecretary Epimaco V. Densing disclosed this will be their “last resort” to compel the national government to revise Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia’s Executive Order (EO) No. 16. Under EO 16, Garcia allows the optional wearing of a face mask in well ventilated and open spaces. The interior official said the EO violates the policy of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), which was

approved by President Duterte, requiring the wearing of face masks at all times except when eating or during certain well-ventilated activities. “When I reviewed the EO, it has some areas which are not in line [with the national government policies] like encouraging people to wear face masks in crowded places. It should not be encouraged, but must be mandatory in crowded areas since people are close to one another,” Densing said. Currently, he reiterated that the DILG ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to enforce the IATF policy for mask wearing in Cebu. (Related story in A3 Nation.) “If our citizens refuse to comply with the [IATF] order or the directive or our police, they could be

detained on the basis of disobedience to the persons in authority,” Densing said. He said they are giving Garcia or her representative until this week to start the revision of EO 16 to align it with the national government policy. Following Garcia’s issuance of her controversial EO, the provincial government of Quirino said last Monday it is now also considering easing the rules for wearing face masks in its jurisdiction. Vaccine Expert Panel member Dr. Rontgene M. Solante stressed the importance of the mask mandate especially amid the recent increase in active Covid-19 cases in the country. “We always say not to remove masks whether it’s outdoor or indoor. This is very important es-

pecially with the new variants of concerns, which could increase infection,” Solante said. Senator Imee Marcos waded Monday, meanwhile into the brewing conflict over where and when to wear face masks to protect people from Covid infections. “I think living with Covid will include wearing a face mask in crowded enclosed spaces, as many countries learned during the SARS and other contagions,” the senator told DWIZ in a separate interview. Sen. Marcos added: “Really, it’s a small price to pay for our families’ health.” The senator was apparently commenting on Governor Garcia’s unilateral order to tell Cebuanos they can stop wearing masks in open spaces. Samuel P. Medenilla, Butch Fernandez

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

EDC leads 7 firms given OK for renewable energy plans

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

HE Energy Development Corp. (EDC) leads seven companies whose renewable energy (RE) projects nine with a total capacity of over 800 megawatts (MW) received approval from the Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct system impact studies (SIS).

Two of the RE projects are by the EDC: the 100MW Burgos 4 wind power project located in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and the 100MW Burgos 3 wind power project in Burgos and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. The DOE approved EDC’s application for the conduct of SIS last May 30.

The 168.95MW Calatrava solar power project by Aboitiz Solar Power Inc. in Negros Occidental was also approved by the agency last May 27. The 20MW Bugallon solar power project of PetroGreen Energy Corp. can also proceed with the SIS. In addition, the 288MW So-

larAce3 power project of SolarAce3 Energy Corp. in Cagayan was also approved. The two Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects of SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet Inc. and SN Aboitiz Power-Magat Inc., 40MW and 4MW, respectively, also received the green light of the DOE. The other RE projects are the 5MW biogas power of Trustpower Corp. in Pampanga and the 200MW San Isidro wind power project of Lihangin Wind Energy Corp. in Northern Samar. All were approved for the conduct of SIS last month. These bring to 51 the total number of power projects that received the go ahead of the DOE for the conduct of SIS since the start of the year. The latest list was uploaded on the DOE website last week. These projects have been issued with certificates of endorse-

ment to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines for clearance to undertake SIS. According to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), SIS is an assessment conducted by the transmission network provider or system operator in addition to a “grid impact study,” or GIS, it prepared in accordance with the Philippine Grid Code. This study is needed to determine the adequacy of the grid and its capability to accommodate a request for power delivery service; and the costs, if any, that may be incurred in order to provide power delivery service to a transmission customer. The GIS is a set of technical studies, which are used to assess the possible effects of a proposed expansion, reinforcement, or modification of the grid or a user development and to evaluate significant incidents.

COA gives SEC unqualified opinion T

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has received an unmodified opinion from the Commission on Audit for the fourth consecutive year. In an independent auditor’s report dated May 31, State Auditor Concepcion C. Reyes rendered an “unmodified opinion,” also known as an “unqualified opinion,” on the fairness of the presentation of the SEC’s 2021 financial statements. “In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the SEC as at December 31, 2021, and its financial performance, changes in net assets/equity, cash flows, comparison of budget and actual amounts for the year then ended, and notes to financial statements, in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards,” the report said. The audit was conducted in accordance with the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions, and in order to ascertain the level of assurance that may be placed on the management’s assertion on

the financial statements; determine the propriety of transactions; recommend improvement opportunities; and determine the extent of the implementation of prior years’ audit recommendations. An unqualified or unmodified opinion is given when auditors conclude that the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatements, which could arise from either error or fraud, according to the IPSAS. The SEC also received an unqualified opinion on the fairness of presentation of its financial statements for 2018, 2019, and 2020, making this the longest streak of unqualified opinions the SEC has received over the past decade. “We take pride in the 4-year streak of unqualified opinions we have obtained from COA, which serves as a concrete proof of our adherence to transparency, accountability, and good governance,” SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said. “This testament to the honest, sound, and prudent use of public funds, is especially important for the SEC, which is mandated

Cebu Pacific adds flights to Dubai leg

EBU Air Inc. (CEB), the airline company that operates under the trade name “Cebu Pacific Air,” announced last Monday that it “continues to boost its international network to address rising demand for travel as it adds flights from Manila to Dubai beginning July 2, bringing its total to 10x weekly.” CEB said it will operate the additional Manila-Dubai flight 5J18 every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, scheduled to depart Manila at 10:20pm, and arrive in Dubai at 3:25am the next day. This is on top of daily flights 5J14 with 7:20pm departure from Manila, and 12:45am arrival at Dubai, the listed firm said. “This is a chance for every [Filipino] to experience a bit of what Dubai

has to offer – from its megastructures, shopping, food and cultural heritage. With the easing of travel protocols in and out of the country, travelers also need not to worry about hassles when coming back to the Philippines,” CEB Chief Commercial Officer Alexander G. Lao was quoted in the statement as saying.

Requirements

TRAVELERS intending to fly to Dubai via Manila need a valid visa, a valid passport and vaccination certificates approved by the World Health Organization or the United Arab Emirates, the airline company said. Dubai also recognizes negative test results for Covid-19 or medical certificates issued by relevant authorities for unvaccinated passengers. Lorenz S. Marasigan

to oversee the country’s corporate sector and should thereby serve as a model for the highest

standards of transparency and accountability in the industry,” Aquino added. VG Cabuag

Medilines’s income in 2021 surges 65%

EDICAL equipment supplier Medilines Distributors Inc. said its income in 2021 rose 65 percent to P170 million from P103 million in 2020. The company said its dual strategy of expanding its consumables product offerings as well as strong fiscal policies resulted to a doubledigit growth in net profits. Medilines Chairman Virgilio B. Villar said the company “is fully committed to boosting our fundamentals as well as continuously introducing quality life-saving innovations to the country.” Medilines’s share price closed at P0.66 per share on Monday. Medilines said it posted a gross profit margin of 21 percent, higher from the previous year’s 17 percent and a net profit margin of 11 percent as compared to the previous 7 percent. It improved its credit position significantly by paying out the majority of its interest-bearing loans, the company said. As for its debt-to-equity ratio, which is the company’s interest bear-

ing debt over total equity, Medilines recorded an outstanding ratio of 0.33 from 1.84, while seeing an improvement in its balance sheet liabilities. Operating expenditures also benefited from implementing cost improvements, with 13 percent operating margin recorded for 2021 compared to 11 percent from the previous year. While the pandemic contributed to the growth in company sales because of the surge in demand for medical equipment and supplies, other more important factors include the government’s initiative to advance medical facilities, the Filipino’s realization of the importance of healthcare and the implementation of the Universal Healthcare law (Republic Act 11223), the company said. As of the first quarter of 2022, Medilines already has P1-billion worth of cancer-therapy projects that it is working on through the year, according to Maria Patricia Dolor V. Yambing, the company’s president and director. VG Cabuag

Companies B2

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

EDC to supply power to TDK Laguna plant

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

nergy Development Corp. (EDC) has been tapped to supply geothermal energy to the manufacturing plant of TDK Philippines Corp. in Laguna. EDC, a subsidiary of First Gen Corp., has a geothermal capacity portfolio of 1,185.40 megawatts (MW) that accounts for 62 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity and has put the Philippines on the map as the 3rdlargest geothermal producer in the world. EDC will supply TDK 2.5 MW. “The partnership with First Gen is a big step for TDK Philippines to achieve our environmental mission to a cleaner, decarbonized world,” TDK President and CEO Tamotsu Aiba said. “TDK will continue to reach its environmental targets from the perspective of the entire supply chain and create value for a sustainable society.” Geothermal energy provides uninterrupted base-load power all yearround or what First Gen-EDC, the country’s leading renewable energy (RE) firm, refers to as Geo 24/7. Being powered by Geo 24/7 will enable TDK to avoid a minimum of 13,139 tonnes of

carbon dioxide in lieu of coal each year. “As a partner, we will make sure to support TDK’s sustainable business operations by supplying 100-percent renewable energy sourced from EDC’s Unified Leyte and Green Core Geothermal, Inc. power facilities. TDK’s green initiatives, which include cutting down carbon emissions by 50 percent in 2035 and achieving net zero by 2050, are aligned with our decarbonization and regeneration mission. We are honored to be your partner in your initiatives and we are proud to share this journey with you,” said Arlene Sy Soriano, head of First Gen’s Power Marketing and Sales. Apart from being able to lower their carbon footprint, TDK will also be able to enjoy more affordable electricity rates that mainly come from having zero-value added tax on generation charges and fixed rates that are not indexed to any fuel commodities and foreign exchange.

Traders super selloff on bets for Fed hikes

‘S

ell everything but the dollar” is resounding across trading desks as investors reprice the risk that the Federal Reserve hikes rates more aggressively than previously thought. A global wipeout sparked by fasterthan-forecast US inflation data gathered pace on Monday amid a dramatic shift in bets on the pace of interest-rate increase. Traders now see the Fed will jacking up borrowing costs by 175 basis points by its September decision, which would mean at least one 75 basis-point move. More aggressive tightening is also seen at the European Central Bank. Asian and European equities dropped, while S&P 500 futures sank as much as 2.6 percent, putting the US stock benchmark on track to enter bear-market territory. It’s down 19 percent from its January high, while the Nasdaq 100 has dropped 29 percent from its January high. In bond markets, a closely-watched part of the US yield curve inverted Monday on concern that aggressive rate hikes will lead to an economic slowdown. Ger-

man two-year debt the most sensitive to changes in policy rose above 1 percent for the first time in more than a decade. Benchmark Italian bond yields increased to their highest level since 2014. The repricing is being driven by data that showed price growth in the world’s biggest economy accelerated to a fresh 40-year high and consumer sentiment hit a record low. The news has dashed hopes that US inflation has peaked and undermined any hopes that the Fed would take its foot off the tightening pedal. “The problem for risk assets is that it’s in a conundrum. We’ve got the choice between two bad choices” of stronger inflation or weaker growth, said Max Kettner, chief multi-asset strategist at HSBC. “The big change from Friday that narrow path of goldilocks, that soft landing path has become ever more unlikely.” With supersized hikes on the agenda, Europe’s Stoxx 600 tumbled 2 percent to its lowest since early March. S&P 500 futures sank 2.6 percent and Nasdaq 100 contracts slid 3.3 percent. Bloomberg News

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Tuesday, June 14, 2022

BTr nearly meets programmed T-bill offering

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of the Treasury raised P14 billion out of its P15billion programmed offering of Treasury bills (T-bills) as investors stuck to their positions resulting to uptick in rates across all tenors. The auction committee fully awarded P5 billion each for the 91-

day and the 182-day T-bills while it partially awarded P4 billion out of

6 money-saving tips for living in a condo home

UYING a condominium and calling it home is now common in urban cities such as Metro Manila. While buying a house and lot is still a dream for many Filipinos, young urban professionals and newlyweds are opting for condos as their starter home. If you’re among those who are living a condo lifestyle today, then here are six money-saving tips for you. 1. Develop and follow a budget. Regardless of where and how you live, keeping a budget is important. If you don’t monitor your cash flow and spending, then your money-saving efforts won’t make much impact. Living in a condominium means paying association dues apart from the usual household expenses. Sometimes, there are also other fees, such as garbage collection and maintenance fees, that you need to include in your budgeting. 2. Be mindful of your appliances. Don’t furnish your condo unit like a house. Be mindful of the appliances you bring in—some might be inappropriate or unnecessary. Bringing your 2-horsepower (HP) air conditioner from home and into your 20-square meter condo unit will just result in wasted energy and higher electric bills. It’ll be cheaper, in the long run, to just buy a 1-HP aircon, which is what’s recommended for that room size. It’s also important to analyze your lifestyle and buy only what’s essential. For example, a friend bought an electric stove for his condo even though he doesn’t really cook. He says that it seems necessary to have one. He later admits that he usually just uses it to reheat food he bought outside. That’s when I told him to sell the stove and replace it with a microwave oven, which uses less electricity for that purpose. 3. Keep it simple. Condominium units usually have limited space so it’s important to maximize their utility. A minimalist interior design is easy to execute and will save you money from buying unnecessary furniture.

Fitz Gerard Villafuerte

personal finance If there’s a particular theme or color scheme that you want, you can ask help from an interior design expert, who also usually has contacts with affordable furniture suppliers. 4. Maximize the use of your windows. Don’t block your windows with furniture and use the light from the outside to illuminate your condo home. Even at night, the city lights can provide good supplementary lighting for the room. And if you live on a floor high enough to get clean air and a fresh breeze, then opening up your windows can help you save money on your electric bill. 5. Take advantage of the condominium amenities. Instead of paying for gym membership outside, you can opt to just use the health and fitness amenities and sports facilities provided for free to condo residents. After all, its maintenance is usually included in your monthly dues. You can also take advantage of public areas such as the condo lobby, cafeteria and function rooms for activities such as casual business meetings or hanging out with friends. 6. Patronize nearby establishments. Finally, if you want to save time and money on gasoline, parking, or commuting costs, then just walk and patronize nearby establishments. Condominium properties are rarely isolated from commercial establishments. So, there’s usually a convenience store, supermarket, coffee shop and restaurants located inside or around a condominium project. Fitz Villafuerte is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. To learn more about personal-financial planning, attend the 96th RFP program this July 2022. To inquire, e-mail info@ rfp.ph or text at 0917-6248110.

the P5 billion offering for the 364day T-bills. National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon said investors are still factoring in possible rate hikes from both the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the US Federal Reserve. “Rates moved north with higher inflation particularly in US becoming persistent necessitating more aggressive rate hike. Locally, BSP has signalled to move this coming MB [Monetary Board] policy meet with 25bps [basis points] hike,” De Leon told reporters. The BSP is set to hold its next policy meeting on June 23.

The auction, however, was almost twice oversubscribed as total bids reached P29.7 billion. The awarded 364-day T-bills capped at an average rate of 2.325 percent, posting an uptick of 21.8 basis points from the Bloomberg Valuation (BVAL) Service Reference Rate of 2.107 percent. Had the Treasury decided to fully award the 364-day debt papers, the security would have been capped at a much higher rate of 2.454 percent, or 34.7 basis points above the comparable BVAL rate. Meanwhile, rates for the 91-day T-bills have averaged 1.572 percent,

up by 8.6 basis points from the BVAL rate for the tenor at 1.486 percent. Likewise, rates for the 182-day T-bills have also reached an average of 1.934 percent, higher by 5.5 basis points compared with the BVAL rate of 1.879 percent. The Treasury is set to borrow this month about P250 billion from the domestic debt market, of which P175 billion is expected to come from auctioning off Treasury Bonds and another P75 billion through it sale of T-bills. Since the start of this month, the Treasury has raised P72.4 billion out of its P115 billion offering.

As of end-April, the national government’s outstanding debt hit another record-high at P12.76 trillion, just two months before President Duterte steps down from office. The national government’s debtto-GDP ratio as of the first quarter of the year rose to a 17-year-high at 63.5 percent, above the internationally recommended 60-percent threshold by multilateral lenders for emerging markets like the Philippines. It is also the highest since the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio hit 65.7 percent in 2005 under the Arroyo administration.

BSP to make govt securities facility ‘more structured’ By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBMa

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it is set to “reconfigure” its government securities purchasing window into a standard liquidity facility of the monetary authority. In a news briefing last Monday, BSP Governor Benjamin E, Diokno said they are currently reviewing refinements that will be included in

the reconfiguration of the government securities window. This move, according to Diokno, is part of their Covid-19 pandemic exit measures. The governor said the redesigned government securities facility will be more structured, similar to the practices of other central banks. “This is consistent with the BSP’s thrust to develop a broad range of instruments and new operating procedures to fight future crises,” Diokno said.

Bitcoin tumbles to 18-mo low as US inflation impact spreads to global risk assets

ITCOIN plunged to the lowest in about 18 months in Asia trading Monday as the impact of Friday’s shock US inflation data continued to reverberate through global risk assets. The world’s largest digital token tumbled as much as 12 percent to $23,981—its lowest since December 2020. Other cryptocurrencies also declined as a broader sell-off continued. The MVIS CryptoCompare Digital Assets 100 Index, which measures 100 of the top tokens, dropped as much as 14 percent. And the total crypto market cap, which topped $3 trillion in November, was $1.02 trillion as of 5 a.m. New York time on Monday, according to CoinGecko. “Cryptos remain at the mercy of the Fed and stuck in a merry dance with the Nasdaq and other risk assets,” said Antoni Trenchev, co-founder and managing partner of crypto lender Nexo. “We’re hearing Bitcoin forecasts in the midteen and single-digit thousands which tells you the type of macro environment crypto is facing for the first time— and the levels of fear.” Traders are boosting bets for a more aggressive pace of Federal Reserve tightening after data Friday showed US inflation jumped to a fresh 40year high in May. Cryptocur-

rencies, which have struggled amid the Fed’s policy in recent months, have been hit particularly hard. The collapse of the Terra/ Luna ecosystem last month, and lender Celsius pausing withdrawals Monday morning Asia time, have further eroded confidence in the space. “If you do get long, perhaps think about doing so with either a long call spread or short put spread to limit risk” on Bitcoin futures, said Rick Bensignor, president of Bensignor Investment Strategies and a former strategist at Morgan Stanley. “If this dives, there’s no reliable support nearby.” Crypto long liquidations hit about $437 million on Monday, according to CoinGlass, the most since May 11. This is the fourth day the tally has been above $250 million. Altcoins were suffering more than Bitcoin. Ether declined as much as 20 percent to its lowest level since January 2021. Avalanche dropped as much as 20 percent, Solana up to 19 percent and Dogecoin as much as 20 percent. “If Ethereum continues to bleed toward $1,200 [the 200week moving average] the outlook for other altcoins becomes even bleaker,” Trenchev said. Bloomberg News

The central bank also noted that demand for BSP Securities has been strong since their maiden issuance in September 2020. Demand for these securities then further rose with the inclusion of trust entities as eligible participants in the secondary market for BSP Securities effective December 2021. “Favorable market reception is reflected in the frequent oversubscriptions of these securities,” Diokno said. The restoration of BSP’s author-

ity to issue securities in 2019 gave the central bank an additional tool for ensuring monetary stability, and greater flexibility in managing liquidity in the financial system under the interest rate corridor framework for monetary operations. “The BSP will continue to refine its monetary operations moving forward to help ensure that the monetary policy stance is transmitted to the economy through short-term interest rates,” Diokno said.

Devotees deny crypto is ‘based on nothing’ By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

lthough the value of cryptocurrencies may be speculative, they cannot be considered to be “based on nothing,” as their value depends on a collective group of people who agree on the same set of values, an executive of a financial technology (fintech) firm said. “Cryptocurrencies and digital assets cannot be generalized as based on nothing and come with risks and benefits alike. One must be able to distinguish digital assets as either utility tokens, stable coins, meme coins or NFTs, etc.; all based on their actual use case,” Viridian Technologies Inc. CEO Emmanuel Navalan told the BusinessMirror. Navalan spoked out after European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde slammed cryptocurrencies as “worth nothing.” Although Navalan agrees that the government providing protection to digital asset investors is a good move, he said Lagarde’s stand on cryptocurrencies would cause more harm than good. He added that regulators must look for a better approach to protect not just new investors but the current communities that are into cryptocurrencies. “One of the reasons why crypto became popular was because of financial inclusion and the concept of creator economy that allowed early investors reach their financial goals and this inspired many,” Navalan said. Although institutional money

entering Internet 3.0 is considered a field, he said crypto enthusiasts saw a validation that the technology works and is here to stay. Moreover, Navalan said regulators must also adopt an open mind and take a deeper look into Web 3.0 technologies such as blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Blockchain, he added, is not a stand-alone ecosystem but is very effective when integrated into different situations. Navalan said it would be a challenge to regulators to control and monitor cryptocurrencies because it is a new area, mostly decentralized and highly volatile. In general, he said Web 3.0 can definitely improve the quality of life of many and the way forward is through proper education and awareness, and an approach that leverages the technology. Navalan said Filipinos should have an open mind in investing in asset class instruments. He added there is a huge potential because bigger companies such as Binance, Coinbase, and others are optimistic because they know that this is going to pave the way for even more adoption in the mainstream. Navalan urged the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to give protection to crypto investors because it will give them confidence and adoption would follow if done right. “Our government has seen the potential of the technology as a whole but as far as protecting crypto investors is concerned there is still a lot to be established and this is attributed to the fast adoption associated with Web 3.0,” he said.

DOF: Over ₧8.2B in cash aid distributed through LandBank, DBP in 2019-2021

TATE-run Land Bank of the Philippines Inc. (LandBank) and the Development Bank of the Philippines Inc. (DBP) facilitated the distribution of a combined total of over P8.2 billion in cash aid to more than a million qualified small palay farmers from 2019 to 2021. Citing data from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Finance (DOF) on Monday said the P5,000 direct and unconditional cash aid that was distributed to each beneficiary was part of the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program of the agriculture department under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) or Republic Act 11203.

Farmer-beneficiaries receiving the P5,000 cash aid should be registered in the Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture. “The RTL has achieved its dual goal of bringing down retail rice prices while helping farmers improve productivity through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund [RCEF],” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said. Signed by President Duterte in February 2019, the law opened up the Philippine rice market by replacing rice import quantitative restrictions (QRs) with tariffs. The government has since claimed that the implementation of the RTL

paved the way for the lowering rice prices to an average of P39 per kilogram (kg) today or a reduction of about P7 per kilo compared to its cost in 2018 when it peaked to around P47 per kilo. The law also mandated that rice import tariffs in excess of the P10 billion earmarked annually for the RCEF could be used to provide financial assistance to palay growers, among other possible options. All rice tariffs in excess of P10 billion must be used solely for financial assistance until 2024 to farmers each tilling 2 hectares (ha) or below. In 2019, the year when the RTL began implementation, the Bureau

of Customs certified an excess in rice tariff collection of about P2.135 billion. This amount rose to P5.5 billion in excess collections in 2020 and to P8.9 billion in 2021, when the BOC was able to collect P18.9 billion from rice shipments entering the country. From March 2019 to 2021, the BOC also collected a total of P46.6 billion in rice import duties. Moreover, the DOF also said DA data show that over one million rice farmers have received more than 8.7 million bags of certified inbred rice seeds which are proven to be higher yielding than traditional homesaved seeds.

Over 830,000 ha of palay farms nationwide are now yielding more grains than before, according to the DA. Apart from this, the DOF said 950,000 farmers now enjoy access to 19,542 units of farm machinery equipment due to the RCEF. Likewise, over 90,000 farmers have benefited from 4,978 batches of training sessions. 14,459 specialists, trainers, and extension intermediaries have also received training on palay farming. Some 220 farm schools have also been established since the implementation of RCEF, bringing the total to 470, while 49,649 rice farm-

ers have accessed over P1.5 billionworth of loans from the Landbank and DBP as part of the credit component of RCEF. With RTL, the role of the National Food Authority has been limited to ensuring emergency rice stocks which are exclusively procured from local palay growers. The windfall of financial resources for agricultural modernization under the RTL is a complete reversal of the P11 billion average annual tax subsidies that the government provided for over a decade to subsidize the NFA, which used to monopolize rice importations, the DOF said. Bernadette D. Nicolas

Art

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

www.businessmirror.com.ph

special number as well by Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas featuring Curtismith, Toni B., Faye Yupano and Zsaris, with more surprises and performers to be announced soon. Picking up from 2021’s virtual #FeteFromMyIsland theme, Fête PH 2022 also teams up with various partners across the Philippines to support their own physical “Fete-stivities.” Partners include Lokal Lab for the Siargao Stage on June 21 in Santa Fe Beachfront Playground; Kalye Artisano x Lio Estate for the El Nido Stages on June 26 and 28, both in Kalye Artisano; and Melt Records x Alliance Française de Cebu for the Cebu Stages on June 25 in Draft Punk and June 26 in La Vie. Meanwhile, French artists Marc Fichel, DJ Blutch and Maxime Cozic will be flying in from Paris to perform around the country. Singer-songwriter and pianist Marc Fichel will perform in Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila on June 23; at the main stage in Intramuros on June 25 in a collaboration with The Voice Teens grand winner Cydel Gabutero; and alongside Palawan-based musicians in El Nido on June 26. DJ Blutch, known for his abstract hip-hop and house mixes with video mapping, will

DANCER and choreographer Maxime Cozic

Fête de la Musique PHL returns to live festivities this June FILIPINO indie-pop band Cheats

Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Lucy Hale, 33; Kevin McHale, 34; Diablo Cody, 44; Boy George, 61. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Stabilize your life. Fewer risks will lead to security and ease stress. Plan your path carefully. You’ll discover what makes you happy once you take a minimalist approach to life. A change in circumstances is within reach, but you must begin the process. Take nothing for granted, and expect to do the work yourself. Your numbers are 3, 10, 19, 23, 33, 40, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You’ll gain momentum by focusing on what matters. Being well-informed will help you find solutions to issues that surface when dealing with a friend, relative or colleague. A rational approach will help you gain respect and support from influential people. ★★★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Being frivolous or trying to impress someone using money will tempt you, but in the end, you’ll have regrets. Be willing to follow through before you make promises or sign up for something that conflicts with your routine or beliefs. ★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll get what you deserve if you give your best effort. An attentive attitude will help you pick out any flaws that may hold you back. Rely on your energy and mastery to help you get things done on time and to your expectations. ★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Intuition and emotion will lead to assumptions and poor decisions. Use your imagination productively to work toward a satisfying goal. A physical change will lead to compliments that give your ego a boost. Romance is in the stars. ★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take better care of yourself and your reputation. A sudden change of plans can damage your position if you are all talk and no action. Put your heart and soul into whatever you do, and keep the momentum flowing. ★★★★★

RANDED as the “most popular free music event celebrated in 130 countries around the world,” Fête de la Musique marks its first inperson celebrations in the Philippines this month since the pandemic began. The annual showcase features some of the country’s most diverse acts in the local music scene through a series of live events across Metro Manila, Palawan, Baguio, Cebu, and Siargao. This year’s edition presents new collaborations between artists from the Philippines and France, in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Franco-Phil bilateral relations. “We’re excited to bring the Fête de la Musique celebrations back to the beautiful places of the Philippines,” said Xavier Leroux, executive director of Alliance Française de Manille. “This year’s festivities will find us rediscovering the joys of live and inperson music once again.” Titled “Tara Allez!”—or “let’s go!” in colloquial

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your power of persuasion will win support. An issue will arise if you or someone you work alongside isn’t honest, straightforward or careful when handling responsibilities. Verify information before proceeding. A romantic gesture or compliment will take you by surprise. ★★

also perform in Sofitel on June 24 and at the main stage in Intramuros on June 25 in a collaboration with a surprise Filipino movement act. He will be also joining Cebu-based musicians in the City of Smiles on June 26. Dancer and choreographer Maxime Cozic will perform both his 18-minute solo piece and in collaboration with embodiment artist Dona Tumacder-Esteban and improvisational drum circle Bathala Na at the final Fête PH 2022 stage in Kalye Artisano in Lio Estate on June 28. Fête de la Musique in the Philippines 2022 is presented by Alliance Française de Manille, in partnership with the Embassy of France to the Philippines and B-Side Productions, and co-organized by the Department of Tourism. ■

Filipino (“tara”) and French (“allez”)—Fête PH 2022 celebrates the artists and music from various parts of the country, alongside the Philippines’s most popular tourist destinations as part of the event’s continued partnership with the Department of Tourism. “Now that the Philippines is open to fullyvaccinated individuals from all over the world, there’s no better time than now to explore our islands, and immerse in our vibrant arts, music, and culture,” said Howard Uyking, Tourism assistant secretary for branding and marketing communications. The main stage for Fête de la Musique 2022 will be at the Puerta Real Gardens, Intramuros on June 25 with performances from Cheats, The Itchyworms, Lola Amour, and Anima Tierra. There will be a

Shining a light on Filipino art A STEADFAST supporter of Filipino arts, top leisure destination Shangri-La Plaza (www.facebook.com/ shangrilaplazaofficial) is holding Sinag, an art exhibit happening at the Grand Atrium until June 18. With the participation of the local galleries at the Shang, the event aims to give the spotlight on Filipino creativity and culture in time for the celebration of the country’s 124th Independence Day. Art Circle Gallery is curating Tangkilikin Ang Sariling Atin featuring Otep Bañez, who’s known for Pinoy pop social realism; Jef Albea, an international fashion designer known for his artistic sculptures; Ramon Cajipe, a hard wood sculptor from Paete, Laguna; and Glenn Cagandahan, a sculptor using the convergence of folk imagery and

Baluyut, Caress Banson, Joy Calanasan, Marco Coching, Gary Custodio, Raul Isidro, Dr. Ronnie Lim, Art Lozano, April Lopez, Almer Moneda, Ann Moneda, Milmar Onal, Mikel Parial, Jax Pasimio, Michael Pastorizo, Richard Perez, Aljo Pingol, Juanito Torres, Ryan Velsaco, Camille Ver, and Ralph Villaluz. Artologist, home of young, emerging and midcareer contemporary artists, is also part of Sinag. It’s presenting Obra with participating artists Mark Albea, Manny Cabrera, Joe Marie Sanclaria Chua, Dennis Francisco, Honesto Guiruela III, Caloy Gabuco, Ram Mallari, Eric Madrigal Masangkay, Kenneth Montegrande, Adam Nacianceno, Wilfred Offemaria Jr., Sam Penaso, and Atty. Joy Rojas. Jef Albea will also display his other pieces for this collection.

unfamiliar shapes. Galerie Raphael is taking Kalayaan: Isang Parangal to Sinag, bringing together 25 artists to showcase the various aspects of freedom in the Philippines. The special exhibit is in commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day, solidifying the citizens’ rights to self-determination, liberty and sovereignty. The exhibition feature works by National Artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, who is mainly known for his gestural paintings, sculptures and textile art; and Medal of Merit Awardee Juvenal Sanso, a multi-faceted artist who used oils, watercolor, acrylic, and ink and dry brush medium in his childhood-inspired creations. The gallery also displays works by other visual artists: Barbara Angeles, Vic Bachoco, Karina

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Spend time with a friend or relative. Discuss issues that can influence your relationship. Look over shared expenses or joint ventures, and recap the pros and cons before you make a move. Be innovative but mindful of others, and remain within budget. ★★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Lighten up and share your thoughts and feelings. The changes you implement will help you discover what’s possible. Put a budget in place that will encourage you to make positive adjustments at home and to how you handle money. ★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Working with those who can help you advance will be beneficial. A change at home will push you to take on a new project or share something special with someone you love. ★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Be secretive. If you overreact, it will be challenging to get what you want. Consider the logistics of a situation or a plan; use your charm and know-how to convince others to help put your ideas to the test. ★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t dawdle, or you’ll fall behind. Maintain where you are rather than stretch for something that isn’t attainable. Adjust your plans, and use your intelligence to set priorities and put things in place. Keep up and be observant. ★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Embrace fitness and lifestyle changes. Be thorough, but keep your plans secret until you have tested every adjustment you want to make. A new look or image will attract attention and cause resentment from someone possessive or jealous. ★★ BIRTHDAY BABY: You are persistent, energetic and opportunistic. You are pioneering and an idealist.

‘three-peats’ BY JON PENNINGTON The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 “Deck the Halls” contraction 4 Tyrants 11 Roofing goop 14 Singer DiFranco 15 “Oh, so that’s the reason!” 16 1 or 11 in blackjack 17 Radio station identifiers 19 Covertly include on an e-mail 20 Protest like Kaepernick 21 Silicon Valley start-up exec 22 Ripped 23 Dryer detritus 24 “Surely that could be more subtle!” 27 And so on: Abbr. 28 Gooey mass 29 Lets up 30 Go green, perhaps? 31 ___ Canal (Mohawk Valley waterway) 33 (Shivers) 34 Dame Kristin who starred in The English Patient 38 Had a meal 39 Garment worn by Indira Gandhi 40 Medical drama settings, for short

43 46 47 48 52

Orzo, e.g. Spy novelist Deighton Goat’s cry Feminist punk rockers of the 1990s Like the egg whites in a good mousse 53 “Works for me!” 54 Tee-___ 55 Digs for gold 56 Piece of advice 57 Initialism for a Tolkien series, and what can be found in 17-, 24-, 34and 48-Across 60 “homage to my hips,” e.g. 61 Completely destroyed 62 Apt name for MGM’s lion mascot 63 Silent acknowledgment 64 It lights up OPEN signs 65 Bird that won a 1932 Australian “war” DOWN 1 Took down, in rugby 2 Ridiculousness 3 Rests, in music 4 Pickling herb 5 Suffix for “Vietnam”

6 Broadway backdrop 7 Retailer with a PupBox subscription service 8 Have a loan from 9 Pulsate 10 The “S” of GPS: Abbr. 11 Unmentionables? 12 Amass over time 13 Schoolchild’s playtime 18 Allow 22 Quinceanera headwear 24 Rich cake 25 “In memoriam” bio 26 Rats and roaches, e.g. 28 Online photo’s location stamp 32 UFO passengers, allegedly 33 Snoozefests 35 Subtly spiteful 36 Word after “study” or “city” 37 Florida tribe once led by Osceola 41 Jewel heist target 42 “That’s not what I’ve heard!” 43 Positive particle 44 Japanese martial art based on The Art of Peace

45 49 50 51 52 55 57 58 59

___ up (got sudsy) River flowing through Lake Geneva Fashionably nostalgic Any Seinfeld episode, now Feel ill Fail to hit ___-Manuel Miranda Comedian Notaro Moderna vaccine molecule

Solution to today’s puzzle:

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‘WASHINGTON POST’ FIRES REPORTER IN CENTER OF ONLINE BATTLE NEW YORK—The Washington Post has fired Felicia Sonmez, who triggered a vigorous online debate last week over social-media policy and public treatment of colleagues after she criticized a fellow reporter for retweeting an offensive joke. The Post said on Friday it would not comment on personnel issues. But a copy of a termination letter sent on Thursday, accusing her of “insubordination, maligning your coworkers online and violating the Post’s standards on workplace collegiality and inclusivity” was published on the Mediaite web site and quoted in other news accounts. The outspoken political writer, whose second stint at the Post began in 2018, declined comment on Friday. The incident began when Sonmez tweeted a screenshot of an offensive joke that a colleague, Dave Weigel, had sent out on Twitter, adding the comment: “Fantastic to work at a news outlet where retweets like this are allowed.” The Post suspended Weigel for a month for his retweet, according to published reports. That prompted another reporter, Jose del Real, to criticize Sonmez online. While saying Weigel had been wrong, Del Real called for compassion. “Rallying the Internet to attack him for a mistake he made doesn’t actually solve anything,” he wrote. That led to a contentious back-and-forth, with Sonmez accusing Del Real of attacking her. As an online debate widened and drew in more people, Post executive editor Sally Buzbee sent out two memos calling on staff members to show respect for each other. The second, on Tuesday, was more stern: Buzbee wrote that “we do not tolerate colleagues attacking colleagues either face to face or online.” As it consumed more attention, a handful of Post employees tweeted their support of the newspaper as a good place to work. Sonmez noted that those people were among the newspaper’s best-paid stars, and suggested there has been a longstanding double standard in how socialmedia policy is applied to them. She also retweeted a screenshot that said Del Real had blocked her on Twitter, adding the comment, “So I hear the Washington Post is a collegial workplace.” While it was consuming attention, another Post reporter, Lisa Rein, tweeted to Sonmez: “please stop.” Sonmez, who worked at the Post in the early 2010s, left and rejoined, sued the Post and its top editors last year, charging discrimination in barring her from covering stories related to sexual assault after she had previously gone public as an assault victim herself. In the termination letter, signed by human resources officer Wayne Connell, the Post said that in questioning the motives of colleagues, Sonmez was undermining the Post’s reputation for journalistic integrity and fairness. “The same is true of your baseless derision directed to our policies and practices, and our commitment to a safe and supportive work environment,” he wrote. Sonmez’s union, the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, said it is committed to ensuring that workers are only disciplined with just cause, but that it did not comment on individual personnel issues. One Post columnist, Karen Attiah, tweeted on Friday that Sonmez had “always been incredibly kind and supportive” of her, and had reached out when Attiah had been the target of online abuse. AP

• Tuesday, June 14, 2022

All systems go for Arthur Nery’s first major show T

HE first is always priceless, so they say. Rising crooner Arthur Nery believes so, too. Preparations for Nery’s first major solo concert, scheduled on July 2 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City, are already in high gear, and the singing sensation from Cagayan de Oro is more than excited to showcase the many reasons why he is being celebrated by the local music industry as the breakthrough singer of the pandemic. Born to a musical family, Nery recalled that his folks were a big influence on his musicality. “My parents listened to a lot of jazz and blues, and my father’s favorite singer was Frank Sinatra. If my memory serves me right, I sang ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ in my very first public performance when I was around eight years old, for a birthday party. It was very well-received naman.” Songwriting also came naturally, especially during his student years at the Ateneo campus in Cagayan de Oro. “I was, and still am, very shy, so I took to writing songs as an outlet to express my emotions, my observations about life, people and situations, and sometimes just to let time pass by. I also joined the glee club.” It was comedian Wacky Kiray who first saw Nery’s huge potential during a gig in Bukidnon, and Kiray made a few calls to his friend Kean Cipriano, the frontman of the band CallaLily, who produces songs under his own OC label under the Viva Music group. “I guess I was at the right place, with the right people, at the right time. And the elements of the universe helped in conspiring to which doors would open for me, and which door I’d choose to enter first,” Nery said. When the decision makers of Viva Music heard Nery, they knew they had a gem, a diamond no longer in the rough, but one that just needed constant care. To date, Nery’s signature song “Pagsamo” has already garnered more than 70 million views on YouTube and millions of streams on other music

platforms. This massive hit single was also used as theme song for the Mac Alejandre movie My Husband, My Lover, which starred Adrian Alandy, Kylie Verzosa and Marco Gumabao. His other hits include “Higa,” “Binhi,” “Life Puzzle,” “Happy w/ U,” and “Take All the Love,” which bagged the Wish R&B Song of the Year. His latest single “Isa Lang” is now at the top spot of the Spotify charts for local recordings. Nery is more than ready for his first major concert, and his team is making sure no stone is left unturned, and all details are being checked, readied

and addressed. Tickets are also selling fast, and the most expensive seats are already sold-out when we checked. “I am taking each day at a time. As concert day gets nearer, my mind tends to get overwhelmed with information so I just try to chill, relax and keep a happy spirit, knowing that all will work wonderfully because it is meant to be. My team and I, and every one we gathered for this first solo concert, are one in vision to make it truly unforgettable. It’s my first, and we will make sure that it will be a show that we will all remember for a long time.” he said. ■

Britney Spears marries Sam Asghari in California BY JONATHAN LAND�UM JR. The Associated Press

JUSTIN BIEBER REVEALS RARE DISORDER BEHIND FACIAL PARALYSIS

LOS ANGELES—Justin Bieber says a rare disorder that paralyzed half of the superstar performer’s face is the reason behind his tour postponement. The multi-Grammy winner is suffering from Ramsay Hunt syndrome, he said in video he posted Friday on Instagram. The syndrome causes facial paralysis and affects nerves in the face through a shingles outbreak. Bieber’s post comes after he canceled his shows in Toronto and Washington, D.C. The singer demonstrated in the video that he could barely move one side of his face, calling the ailment “pretty serious.” “For those frustrated by my cancellations of the next shows, I’m just physically, obviously not capable of doing them,” he said. The singer added, “My body’s telling me I’ve got to slow down. I hope you guys understand.” Bieber said he’s unsure how long he’ll take to heal. But he appeared positive about making a full recovery through rest and therapy. “I’ll be using this time to just rest and relax and get back to a hundred percent, so that I can do what I was born to do,” he said. Derick Wade, a consultant in neurological rehabilitation and visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University in the UK, told Sky News that recovery time can vary significantly. “If a nerve is damaged in this way, it can recover in some people very quickly, in a few days or a few weeks and in other people can take several months. So it’s a very unpredictable affair,” he said. In March, Bieber’s wife, Hailey Bieber, was hospitalized for a blood clot to her brain. AP

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

BRITNEY SPEARS and Sam Asghari appear at the Los Angeles premiere of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in July 2019. AP

LOS ANGELES—Britney Spears has married her longtime partner Sam Asghari at a Southern California ceremony that came months after the pop superstar won her freedom from a court conservatorship. Asghari’s representative Brandon Cohen confirmed the couple’s nuptials. He said: “I am very ecstatic this day has come, and they are married. I know he wanted this for so long. He is so caring and supportive every step of the way.” The wedding happened nine months after the pair were engaged and nearly seven months after Spears’s conservatorship ended. While seeking an end to the court case that controlled many aspects of her life, Spears expressed her desire to marry Asghari and have children. Spears got pregnant earlier this year, but experienced a miscarriage in March.

The couple met on the set of the “Slumber Party” music video in 2016. The wedding day was not without unexpected drama—Spears’s first husband was arrested after attempting to crash their wedding. Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. Cameron Henderson said officers responded to a trespassing call after 2 pm, Thursday. He says the pop singer’s first husband, Jason Alexander, was detained at the site of the ceremony. Henderson says Alexander was arrested after officers noticed he had a warrant for his arrest in another county. Alexander went on his Instagram live when he approached the event security. In what appeared to be a mostly empty but decorated room, he told them Spears invited him. “She’s my first wife, my only wife,” said Alexander, who was briefly married to Spears—his childhood friend—in 2004. Their marriage lasted only 55 hours. Spears was previously married to Kevin Federline, with whom she shares two sons, ages 14 and 15.

‘Pepito Manaloto’ welcomes new season with ‘Tuloy Ang Kuwento’ AFTER more than 12 years of bringing one-of-a-kind entertainment and important family values to viewers, the Filipinos’ favorite and original cast is making a big comeback via Pepito Manaloto: Tuloy Ang Kuwento, which debuted on June 11. The program is now also livestreaming its episodes via the YouLOL channel on YouTube. The new season welcomes back the pioneering cast members led by multitalented comedian, content creator, lead star and now the director of the program Michael V., together with Manilyn Reynes as Elsa Manaloto, Jake Vargas as Chito, and Angel Satsumi as Clarissa. Completing the well-loved characters of Pepito Manaloto are Ronnie Henares as Tommy; John Feir as Patrick; Chariz Solomon as Janice; Mosang as Baby; Janna Dominguez as Maria; Jen Rosendahl as Roberta; and Arthur Solinap as Robert. Michael V. admitted that it is challenging to be an actor and the director of the show at the same time: “Sa totoo lang, mahirap pero wala akong choice kasi in the first place, ayaw namin palitan si Direk Bert (de Leon, who passed last year). Since kami naman ang magkasama since conceptualization

ng show, at alam ko naman ’yung patutunguhan ng istorya, parang ako na lang ’yung designated director. Hindi lang naman ako yung nagdi-direct. Nandiyan din ’yung mga mini-mentor niya before. Nandyan sila to support me.” Meanwhile, Manilyn admitted that she felt lonely when the original cast had to take a break with the airing of the prequel last year. But now that they are all back, the viewers will enjoy watching the new season even more: “Totoo Totoo pong malungkot. Siyempre masaya naman kami ni Bitoy na nag work together sa ‘Unang Kuwento.’ Pero iba pa rin ’yung samahan namin, family na kasi talaga. Minsan kapag magkasama kami ni Bitoy, napag-uusapan namin ’yung mga kasama namin.. We were so happy noong ibinalita sa amin, hindi lang itong pagbabalik, kundi yung ‘Unang Kuwento’ dahil mas nalaman at nakilala ng televiewers ’yung characters. Kung dalhin man natin sila sa ‘Tuloy Ang Kuwento,’ hindi po sila maliligaw.” Pepito Manaloto: Tuloy Ang Kuwento airs Saturdays at 6:15 pm, after 24 Oras Weekend on GMA.

B6 Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Nayong Pilipino earns “qualified opinion” from COA

Pasay tourism advocates launch alliance to boost business and city tourism

HE Pasay City Alliance of Tourism Advocates or PCATA was formally launched last June 1, alongside with the induction of its Board of Officers, at the Citadines Bay City Manila, led by Department of Tourism National Capital Region Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin. Newly inducted officers include Mr. Michael Albaña of the Conrad Hotel as its President, Ms. Gel Gomez of Hotel 101 Group as its Vice President, Ms. Magdalena Tolosa of Selah Garden Hotel as its Secretary-General, Ms. Geraldine Gaw of Heritage Hotel as its Tresurer, and Ms. Joanne Golong-Gomez of Hilton Manila as its PRO. Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto Rubiano thanks the group for rising to the challenge of playing part in revitalizing tourism in the city. “I am happy that the PCATA is rising above the challenges and making your mark in the tourism industry. From a handful of members to more than 30 members strong, your group has shown perseverance and effective collaboration. We have high hopes for our hospitality industry,” the Mayor said. “Being the gateway to the country, and being the travel city, Pasay is at the forefront of welcoming foreign tourist, while proudly showing how urbanized and developed our cities. With this, we

appreciate PCATA and your reliability in enhancing tourist experiences while they travel,” she added. Catch PCATA and its members at the Philippine Travel Agencies Association’s 29th Travel Tour Expo at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City this June 24 – 26, 2022 for exciting discounted travel offers. Likewise, guests may enjoy 20 percent off of Food and Beverages and up to 60 percent off in hotel accommodations for the whole month of July in participating PCATA establishments, with its upcoming partnership with BDO.

PCATA members include Belmont Hotel Manila, Citadines Bay City Manila, Conrad Manila, Golden Phoenix Hotels, Hilton Manila, Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City, Hotel 101 – Manila, JEN Manila by Shangri-La, Kabayan Hotel, Lime Hotel Manila, Marriott Hotel, Microtel Manila, Midas Hotel and Casino, Hotel Okura Manila, Savoy Hotel Manila, Selah Garden Hotel, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, The Henry Hotel, The Heritage Hotel, Tryp Hotel, Park Avenue Guest House, Starlight Bed and Breakfast, Sogo Group of Hotel, Vikings Group and Cebu Air Inc.

N the Annual Audit Report dated May 31, 2022, the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) earned a “QUALIFIED OPINION” audit rating from the Commission on Audit (COA) for its financial report for the fiscal year 2021, the Foundation’s highest since 2016. Under the helm of the then newly-installed Executive Director Gertie Duran-Batocabe, it has improved its performance through strategic interventions, full implementation and compliance with the state auditors’ recommendations after the agency received a “Disclaimer of Audit Opinion” in the past year. NPF has also made significant strides in addressing its fiscal challenges and is finally on its way to closing the gap in budget utilization. From a 56.86 percent obligation rate in 2020, the agency’s budget utilization is up at 90 percent in 2021. In her speech during the agency’s Strategic Planning Workshop on Tuesday held at the Rizal Park Hotel in Manila, Duran-Batocabe acknowledged the efforts of her employees and profusely thanked them. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, NPF, an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT), has been steadfast in its support of the National Government’s COVID-19 pandemic response while pursuing its mandate in promoting the Filipino identity and cultural heritage. In June 2020, NPF opened its doors to host the 2-hectare InterAgency Task Force quarantine facility and in June 2021, the agency once again paved the way to accommodate the 10,000-square-meter mega vaccination site. The NPF produced a Conceptual Master Plan that shall serve as a compendium of site information and planning tools that can be used for the development of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation Cultural Parks and Creative Hub.

Front (L-R) Deputy Executive Director for Administration and Finance Atty. Joyce Ann Caigas, BoT Atty. Edson Byron K. Sy, Executive Director Gertie Duran-Batocabe, BoT Attorney Judy A. Lardizabal, Deputy Executive Director for Marketing and Operations Dr. Jovertlee C. Pudan, EnP, BoT Chairman Edgar Frederick V. Generoso, BoT Teresita M. Amansec, BoT Bartolome “Barbie” L. Atienza during the 40th Board Meeting on May 18, 2022. NPF also spearheaded the Museo ng Nayong Pilipino - Virtual Museum Project, a quarterly digital exhibition showcasing the various ethnographic categories in the NPF Collection. Likewise, the agency conducted its first virtual Research Summit in August 2021, gathering several experts from different disciplines and attended by students from various universities and Local Government Units. NPF’s Cultural Leadership Institute was further amplified through the implementation of the MakaNayon Leadership Course, a seminar for cultural and/or tourism frontline workers. The 5-module interactive courses were recently vetted and shall serve as a resource material for a more cumulative capacity building which may be utilized by the DOT, its attached agencies, and other allied government institutions.

Exporters brace as EU eyes carbon reduction in traded goods

Santevi by Ovialand: Instant homes, instant financing

HE European Union (EU) is committed to pass a suite of policies and regulations that aims to cut its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030 to address climate change issues, a commitment its trading partners should pay close attention to and prepare for as early as now, according to an international expert. In a recent technical briefing prepared for the International Trade Centre, development economist Aaron Cosbey said that the European Commission has committed to establish a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) to enable the EU to impose a high carbon price, via its emissions trading system (ETS), on its energy-intensive trade-exposed industries like steel, aluminum, fertilizers and cement. Aside from these four, electricity is also covered. The Commission published in July 2021 its proposal to create the CBAM, part of the Fit for 55 climate policy package under the EU Green Deal. The Fit for 55 is

FTER the success of its first two projects in San Pablo, Laguna— Savana and Sannera—Ovialand is onto its third development. Santeví is the newest development that continues the company’s commitment to premium affordable housing. With Ovialand’s proprietary precast building technology and solid financing partners, clients can move into their brand new homes within 3-6 months! True to its commitment of Premier Family Living, Ovialand’s Santevi remains to be a unique mass housing development in San Pablo. The company’s innovative methods allow for the building of solid concrete houses that are durable. This also allows the construction to be completed in a fraction of a time compared to other housing developers. Likewise, Ovialand invests in quality

a proposed measure that seeks to deliver the EU’s 2030 climate target by reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels on the way to climate neutrality by 2050. The EU emissions trading system requires GHG-emitting industries to buy allowances for every tonne of carbon produced. The CBAM requires importers to purchase emissions allowances for imported goods as if those goods had been produced domestically and subjected to the EU ETS. This is to prevent high domestic carbon prices from simply shifting emissions to other countries as EU producers compete with foreign producers that are not subject to a carbon price. The CBAM has not yet been passed into law. Before that happens, the EU Council and the EU Parliament will negotiate to produce final legislation. This negotiation is supposed to be completed in time for the CBAM to come into effect by January 1, 2023, but it seems likely to be delayed, said Cosbey.

The Commission proposal would see a three-year period during which data is required but no charges imposed, with charges starting in 2026, he added. “It is important to put the CBAM into context as an example of a trend toward the consideration of embedded carbon in traded goods” in the crafting of government policies by advanced nations such as the US, UK, Canada and EU member states such as Germany, said Cosbey. This trend also manifests in private sector transactions, such as buyers setting standards or locking in contracts to decarbonize their supply chains and buyers’ coalitions pledging to procure only low-carbon products. “For GHG-intensive exporters, that means it makes sense to explore the viability for tracking and reducing GHG emissions. Governments that host such producers should be thinking about ways to boost the capacity of producers to do so, helping them to succeed in the greener global markets of the future,” Cosbey said.

BRIA Homes to participate in NREA-DSHUD’s 26th National Convention on the bright outlook of the Philippine housing industry

RIA Homes, one of the country’s leading housing developers, is set to participate in the National Real Estate Association (NREA)’s 26th National Convention, a virtual event that the alliance will hold jointly with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on June 16 and 17, 2022. According to MA. Ysolde Flores Prado, NREA Secretary-General and overall

convention chairperson, the NREADSHUD’s 26th National Convention online is part of a series of on-ground and online activities that the NREA has mapped out for its members and other industry stakeholders. Bearing the buoyant theme “Real Estate: Roaring Into 2022 and Beyond,” the convention will hold virtual consultations on real estate concerns and seek solutions to housing issues.

During the convention, stakeholders will present forecasts and the outlook of real estate in forthcoming years, and a proposed roadmap on addressing the housing backlog in the country. Participants will gain a deeper perspective on the real estate market—how it works, how it affects prices, the demand and supply of residential and commercial developments, the impact of government laws in the real estate industry, and a general picture of what the future holds for the national housing industry. Likewise joining this centerpiece event are the country’s trusted real estate developers such as BRIA Homes, which, as one of NREA’s convention sponsors and partners, is also participating in NREA’s trade exhibits on July 1 to 3. BRIA Homes Division Head Eduardo Aguilar says, “BRIA Homes is excited to be a part of NREA’s National Convention and upcoming real estate activities, because we know these initiatives bring us closer to providing viable homes for every Filipino family.” BRIA house models are available via virtual tours in the BRIA website (www. bria.com.ph). Prospective homeowners can also inquire via the official BRIA Facebook page.

finishing materials to complete their homes. This allows clients to move in without having to spend more to finish their homes. Each Ovialand development is created with its own unique concept, and Santevi is no different. Featuring a modern Mediterranean design, Santevi clients will get to experience a clean and classic design that remains highly functional for their needs. Families can also choose from a duplex, townhouse or a single detached house depending on their needs. First-time owners can move into their Santevi property with as little as 8-10% down payment. The developer works closely with PAG-IBIG Fund to help clients apply for their loans. This year, Ovialand expanded its financing partners to include Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Banco de Oro (BDO) so that clients will have more options for their home financing needs. Ovialand’s precast technology allows homes to be constructed in as fast as 45 days. As such, clients can immediately see how their house in Santevi looks before moving in. Due to the speed of Ovialand’s building technology, they can already see what a unit actually looks like in real life instead of relying on the scale model of their house. Instant homes with instant financing. With this, Ovialand is changing the game of homebuying for the Filipino family.

AMC celebrates World Milk Day 2022 in Manila

N its 50th year, Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) continues to further its purpose providing affordable nutrion for every Filipino family with a World Milk Day celebration at Kartilya ng Katipunan in partnership with the City Government of Manila. With the theme “Nagbibigay ng Alaga at Nutrisyon sa Bawat Pamilyang Pilipino sa loob ng 50 taon, AMC’s World Milk Day campaign and celebration underscore its role in addressing the issue of malnutrition in the country which has worsened during the pandemic. According to United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), 95 children in the Philippines die from malnutrition every day, while a third Filipino children are stunted or short for their age. Staying true to its commitment of bringing affordable nutrition to Filipino families, AMC has pledged to donate 100,000 glasses of milk to malnourished school children. ‘World Milk Day is more than just 24hour long celebration.’ shared AMC People and Culture Director Edalyn HadjulaLegarde. ‘It brings to light the importance of dairy as part of healthy diet, especially for Filipinos.’ The average Filipino consumes only 22 kilograms of milk in 2021, which is much lower than 91.25 kilograms recommended by

the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST – FNRI). Among the highlights of AMC’s World Milk Day celebration is the ‘Alagang Alaska Coof-Off’. It is a culinary competition between selected AMC employees and mothers from Manila using Alaska Milk products. Booths sponsored by various AMC departments also offered games, exciting prizes and food products using Alaska. “This is AMC‘s first time to hold a face to face again after the pandemic. But the world milk day has been celebrating for more than 20 years. Here in the country, Alaska spearheads the celebration since 2013,” said AMC Corporate Affairs Director Maria Angela Esquivel. “We have a lot of activities coming up leading to AMC‘s 50th year in September. We also look into partnering with public schools to supplement the nutribun project of the government,” Esquivel added. The Manila event was also graced by Vice Mayor-elect Yul Servo, Manila City Government Executive Assistant to the Mayor on Special Projects Architect Joy DawisAsuncion, AMC’s Customer Supply Chain Director Gary Siu, and Registered NutritionistDietrician Mrs, Jhoanne Cruz-Balili.

World Features BusinessMirror

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

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Battle of Donbas region could prove decisive in Ukraine war

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., speaks during a rally near Capitol Hill in Washington on Friday, June 10, 2022, urging Congress to pass gun legislation. AP/Susan Walsh

Senate negotiators announce deal on guns, breaking logjam By Alan Fram

The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—Senate bargainers on Sunday announced the framework of a bipartisan response to last month’s mass shootings, a noteworthy but limited breakthrough offering modest gun curbs and stepped-up efforts to improve school safety and mental health programs. The proposal falls far short of tougher steps long sought by President Joe Biden and many Democrats. Even so, the accord was embraced by Biden and enactment would signal a significant turnabout after years of gun massacres that have yielded little but stalemate in Congress. Biden said in a statement that the framework “does not do everything that I think is needed, but it reflects important steps in the right direction, and would be the most significant gun safety legislation to pass Congress in decades.” Given the bipartisan support, “there are no excuses for delay, and no reason why it should not quickly move through the Senate and the House,” he said. Leaders hope to push any agreement into law rapidly—they hope this month—before the political momentum fades that has been stirred by the recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas. Participants cautioned that final details and legislative language remain to be completed, meaning fresh disputes and delays might emerge. In a consequential development, 20 senators, including 10 Republicans, released a statement calling for passage. That is potentially crucial because the biggest obstacle to enacting the measure is probably in the 50-50 Senate, where at least 10 GOP votes will be needed to attain the usual 60-vote threshold for approval. “Families are scared, and it is our duty to come together and get something done that will help restore their sense of safety and security in their communities,” the lawmakers said. The group, led by Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Krysten Sinema, D-Ariz., produced the agreement after two weeks of closed-door talks. The compromise would make the juvenile records of gun buyers under age 21 available when they undergo background checks. The suspects who killed 10 Black people at a grocery store in Buffalo and 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde were both 18, and many perpetrators of recent years’ mass shootings have been young. The agreement would offer money to states to enact and put in place “red flag” laws that make it easier to temporarily take guns from people considered potentially violent, plus funds to bolster school safety and mental health programs. Some people who informally sell guns for profit would be required to obtain federal dealers’ licenses, which means they would have to conduct background checks of buyers. Convicted domestic abusers who do not live with a former partner, such as estranged exboyfriends, would be barred from buying firearms, and it would be a crime for a person to legally purchase a weapon for someone who would not qualify for ownership. Congressional aides said billions of dollars would be spent expanding the number of community mental health centers and suicide prevention programs. But they said some spending decisions are unresolved, as are final wording on juvenile records and other gun provisions that might prove contentious. Yet underscoring election-year pressures from Buffalo and Uvalde, the parties’ shared desire to demonstrate a response to those shootings suggested momentum toward enactment was strong. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the accord “a good first step to ending the persistent inaction to the gun violence epidemic” and said he would bring the completed measure to a vote as soon as possible. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who has supported the talks, was more restrained. He praised the bargainers’ work and said he is hoping for a deal that makes “significant headway on key issues like mental health and school safety, respects the Second Amendment, earns broad support in the Senate, and makes a difference for our country.” The agreement was quickly endorsed by groups that support gun restrictions including Brady, Everytown for Gun Safety and March for Our Lives, which organized rallies held around the country on Saturday. The National Rifle Association said in a statement that it opposes gun control and infringing on people’s “fundamental right to protect themselves and their loved ones,” but supports strengthening school security, mental health and law enforcement. The group has long exerted its sway with millions of firearms-owning voters to derail gun control drives in Congress. The agreement represents a lowest common denominator compromise on gun violence, not a complete sea change in Congress. Lawmakers have demonstrated a newfound desire to move ahead after saying their constituents have shown a heightened desire for congressional action since Buffalo and Uvalde, but Republicans still oppose more sweeping steps that Democrats want and Sunday’s agreement omits. These include banning assault-style firearms such as the AR-15 style rifles used in Buffalo and Uvalde, or raising the legal age for buying them. AR-15s are popular and powerful semiautomatic weapons that can fire high-capacity magazines and have been used in many of the nation’s highest-profile slaughters in recent years. One of them, the killing of 49 people at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, occurred six years ago Sunday. Democrats have also wanted to ban high capacity magazines and to expand required background checks to far more gun purchases. None of those proposals has a chance in Congress. Highlighting that, the Democratic-controlled House approved sweeping bills this past week barring sales of semiautomatic weapons to people under age 21 and large-capacity magazines, and giving federal courts the power to rule when local authorities want to remove guns from people considered dangerous. Currently, only 19 states and the District of Columbia have red-flag laws. Those measures will go nowhere in the Senate, where Republicans can block them. The last major firearms restriction enacted by lawmakers was the 1994 assault weapons ban, which Congress let expire 10 years later. For years, congressional Republicans representing rural, pro-gun voters have blocked robust restrictions on firearms purchases, citing the Constitution’s Second Amendment. Democrats, whose voters overwhelmingly favor gun restrictions, have been reluctant to approve incremental steps that they have thought would let GOP lawmakers argue they have tried stemming the tide of violence without meaningfully addressing the problem.

ay after day, Russia is pounding the Donbas region of Ukraine with relentless artillery and air raids, making slow but steady progress to seize the industrial heartland of its neighbor. With the conflict now in its fourth month, it’s a high-stakes campaign that could dictate the course of the entire war. If Russia prevails in the battle of Donbas, it will mean that Ukraine loses not only land but also perhaps the bulk of its most capable military forces, opening the way for Moscow to grab more territory and dictate its terms to Kyiv. A Russian failure could lay the grounds for a Ukrainian counteroffensive—and possibly lead to political upheaval for the Kremlin. Following botched early attempts in the invasion to capture Kyiv and the second-largest city of Kharkiv without proper planning and coordination, Russia turned its attention to the Donbas, a region of mines and factories where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces since 2014. Learning from its earlier missteps, Russia is treading more carefully there, relying on longer-range bombardments to soften Ukrainian defenses. It seems to be working: The better-equipped Russian forces have made gains in both the Luhansk and Donetsk regions that make up the Donbas, controlling over 95 percent of the former and about half of the latter. Ukraine is losing between 100 and 200 soldiers a day, presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told the BBC, as Russia has “thrown pretty much everything non-nuclear at the front.” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier put the daily death toll at up to 100. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov described the combat situation as “extremely difficult,” using a reference to an ancient deity of sacrifice by saying: “The Russian Moloch has plenty of means to devour human lives to satisfy its imperial ego.” When the war was going badly for Russia, many thought President Vladimir Putin might claim victory after some gains in Donbas and then exit a conflict that has seriously bruised the economy and stretched its resources. But the Kremlin has made clear it expects Ukraine to recognize all the gains Russia has made since the start of the invasion—something Kyiv has ruled out. Russian forces control the entire Sea of Azov coast, including the

strategic port of Mariupol, the entire Kherson region—a key gateway to Crimea—and a large chunk of the Zaporizhzhia region that could aid a further push deeper into Ukraine, and few expect that Putin will stop. On Thursday, he drew parallels between the Ukrainian conflict and the 18th century wars with Sweden waged by Peter the Great. Now, as in those czarist times, “our lot is to take back and consolidate” historic Russian lands, Putin said. Moscow has long regarded Ukraine as part of its sphere of influence. Unlike earlier battlefield failures, Russia appears to be using more conservative tactics. Many had expected it to try to encircle Ukrainian forces with a massive pincer movement from the north and south, but instead it has used a series of smaller moves to force a retreat and not overextend its supply lines. Keir Giles, a Russia expert at London’s Chatham House think-tank, said Russia was “concentrating all of its artillery on a single section of the front line in order to grind its way forward by flattening everything in its path.” Western officials still praise the ability of Ukrainian forces to defend their country, fighting back fiercely and similarly relying on artillery and retreating in some sections while launching frequent counterattacks. “Ukraine has been pursuing a policy of flexible defense, giving ground where it makes sense to do so instead of holding on to every inch of the territory,” Giles said. A senior Western official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to discuss the sensitive issue in public said the Russian campaign “continues to be deeply troubled at all levels,” noting that Moscow’s forces are taking “weeks to achieve even modest tactical goals such as taking individual villages.” Last month, the Russians lost nearly an entire battalion in a botched attempt to cross the Siverskyi Donets River and set up a bridgehead. Hundreds were killed and dozens of armored vehicles were destroyed. “There is a sense of strategic improvisation or muddling through,” the official said, predicting that over the summer the Russian military could reach a “point where they can no longer effectively generate offensive combat power.”

A Donetsk People’s Republic militia’s multiple rocket launcher fires from its position not far from Panteleimonivka, in territory under the government of the Donetsk People’s Republic, eastern Ukraine, on May 28, 2022. Day after day, Russia is pounding the Donbas region of Ukraine with relentless artillery and air raids, making slow but steady progress to seize the industrial heartland of its neighbor. With the conflict now in its fourth month, it’s a high-stakes campaign that could dictate the course of the entire war. AP/Alexei Alexandrov Russia has a clear edge in artillery in the battle for Donbas, thanks to a bigger number of heavy howitzers and rocket launchers and abundant ammunition. The Ukrainians have had to be economical in using their artillery, with the Russians constantly targeting their supply lines. Ukraine has begun to receive more heavy weapons from Western allies, who have provided dozens of howitzers and are now planning to start delivering multiple rocket launchers. Putin has warned that if the West gives Kyiv longer-range rockets that could hit Russian territory, Moscow could hit targets in Ukraine that it has spared until now. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said that Russia could respond by seizing more land as a buffer zone from such weapons. Moscow’s earlier territorial gains in the south, including the Kherson region and a large part of the neighboring Zaporizhzhia region, have prompted Russian officials and their local appointees to ponder plans to fold those areas into Russia or declare them to be independent, like the so-called “people’s republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk. Ukrainian officials and Western analysts voiced concern that Moscow could try to press its offensive into the heavily populated and industrialized Dnipro region farther north, an advance that could potentially slice Ukraine in two and raise a new threat for Kyiv. “Russian objectives in the context of this war are shifting in relation to the situation on the ground,” said Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti, an analyst with the Milan-based Italian Institute for International Political Studies. “Their goals are sort of flexible enough to be adaptive to context on the ground,” she said, noting that Russia could try to damage Ukraine’s economy by seizing the entire coastline to deny access to shipping. A top Russian general already has spoken of plans to cut off Ukraine from the Black Sea by seizing the Mykolaiv and Odesa regions all the way to the border with Romania, a

move that would also allow Moscow to build a land corridor to Moldova’s separatist region of Transnistria that hosts a Russian military base. Such ambitions all hinge on Moscow’s success in the east. A defeat in the Donbas would put Kyiv in a precarious position, with new recruits lacking the skills of battle-hardened soldiers now fighting in the east and supplies of Western weapons insufficient to fend off a potentially deeper Russian push. Ukrainian officials brushed off such fears, voicing confidence that its military can hold out to stem the Russian advances and even launch a counterattack. “Ukraine’s plan is clear: Kyiv is wearing the Russian army out, trying to win time for more deliveries of Western weapons, including air defense systems, in the hope of launching an efficient counteroffensive,” said analyst Mykola Sunhurovsky of the Razumkov Center, a Kyiv-based think tank. Philip Breedlove, a retired US Air Force general who was Nato’s top commander from 2013 to 2016, warned against any cease-fire that would codify Russia’s battlefield gains. “This is like raising a 2-year-old,” he said. “If you allow bad behavior to stand, or worse if you reward bad behavior, you’re going to get more bad behavior.” When Russia invaded Georgia in 2008, Washington’s response was inadequate, and when Moscow seized Crimea in 2014, “the West and the United States response to that was inadequate to task,” Breedlove added. Now that Russia has come back for more, the West gets another chance to respond. “How we finish this war will decide, in my opinion, whether we are going to see more of this in the future,” he added. The Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor in Washington, Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Ukraine, Jill Lawless and Sylvia Hui in London and Frances D’Emilio in Rome contributed.

Macron has a week to convince voters with his agenda at risk By Ania Nussbaum & Samy Adghirni

rench President Emmanuel Macron has a week to convince voters to give him an outright majority in parliament to ease the way for the controversial social and economic reforms he promised. Shares in France fell on the results. Macron’s party and its allies are likely to remain the largest bloc in the 577-seat National Assembly, according to an average of five pollsters based on Sunday’s first round of votes. But his majority will likely shrink dramatically, just as his margin of victory narrowed sharply in April’s presidential election from his result five years ago, and he could lose it. The grouping led by the 44-year-old centrist is expected to win between 262 and 301 seats. A total of 289 lawmakers are needed for an outright majority. “Only a clear and strong majority will

enable us to respond to the emergencies that weigh on the French people’s daily lives and to face the challenges of the future,” Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said in a speech after polls closed. Jean-Luc Melenchon’s left-wing alliance is on track to become the second-biggest bloc with 164-208 seats. The far-right National Rally should get 17-36, while the conservative Republicans will likely take at least 40. With an outright majority, Macron could push through his delayed plan to raise the retirement age and lower taxes. Without one, the government would often be forced to pick up extra votes to pass laws, either by forming a coalition or by pulling in votes on a case-bycase basis. That scenario would, at minimum, require concessions, and forming a coalition could mean giving more ministerial positions to rival parties to cement cooperation. Melenchon’s alliance has said it will seek to implement a “significant” tax on financial transactions. Shares of banks, carmakers

and luxury-goods companies were among the biggest decliners in Paris. Renault was down 3.9 percent, Societe Generale was off 3.7 percent and Kering was 3.1 percent lower at 9:54 a.m. in Paris Macron faces other risks, too. If Melenchon’s alliance, named Nupes, gets 185 lawmakers, it will be able to demand referendums. It will also be able to call for parliamentary investigations, and could flood debates over bills with amendment proposals. The National Rally could also emerge as a disruptive force. It looks set to secure a formal legislative status meaning it will be able influence committees and get a designated amount of floor time to air its views, an important step in the decade-long effort by Marine Le Pen to bring the party to the center of French politics. France’s legislative elections aren’t linked to the proportion of the national vote obtained by each group. Although her party got nearly 19 percent of the overall vote, based on interior

ministry figures, the National Rally is only expected to get around 5 percent of the seats in parliament. The group supporting Macron, called Ensemble!, got about a quarter of the total vote, just edging out the parties led by Melenchon. The precise outcome of the second round of the vote on June 19 is hard to predict as it’s not always clear with whom supporters of losing candidates will cast their lot. Macron could end up forced to reshuffle his government, as ministers, including EU affairs minister Clement Beaune, are running to become lawmakers and will lose their current jobs if they don’t get elected. Melenchon came third in the presidential ballot and was written off as a spent force, along with other left-wing parties. But his fortunes reversed after communists, socialists and greens coalesced around him to form Nupes, and he eclipsed Le Pen to become Macron’s biggest challenger.

Bloomberg News

Sports BusinessMirror

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph • Editor: Jun Lomibao

CELTICS GOAL: STOP CURRY

AN FRANCISCO—As the Boston Celtics search for answers in an effort to stop Stephen Curry in these National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals, they know even their best defense won’t always be good enough. “Steph Curry is pretty good, if you guys haven’t noticed. He can shoot the ball unbelievably,” Boston guard Jaylen Brown said Sunday. “Even watching it, playing against it and even in the finals, I feel like he’s taking it up a notch a little bit. He had a hell of a performance in Game 4, and we have to respond to that.” Whether the Celtics can do a better job containing the two-time MVP will be a major key as the best-of-seven series resumes at Chase Center on Monday night with the teams tied 2-2. Coach Ime Udoka is calling for the Celtics to mix things up and be more physical on the heels of Curry’s 43-point masterpiece in the Warriors’ 107-97 victory Friday in Boston. Udoka will allow his guards some leeway in deciding exactly where to begin pressuring Golden State’s superstar—often starting well beyond the three-point arc with the big men staying at the ready to assist. Curry went 14 for 26 with seven 3-pointers and also grabbed 10 rebounds. Once he finds a rhythm, he can hit from anywhere, even with a defender’s hand in his face. But Udoka realizes how the career 3-point leader can quickly become just as dangerous a playmaker, too.

Curry’s Splash Brother scored 18 points on 7-for-17 shooting in Game 4. Thompson’s 35.8 percent shooting is the lowest for any NBA Finals he has played, and he is making just 34.2 percent from deep—down from 58.5 percent on 3s in the 2019 finals. Monday will mark the three-year anniversary of when he got injured in those finals, during the Warriors’ decisive Game 6 loss to Toronto that clinched the Raptors’ first title at Oracle Arena. Thompson tore the ACL in his left knee that required surgery and began a more than 2 1/2-year absence. During that stretch he also tore his right Achilles tendon and needed that repaired.

Curry’s kicks THE Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry is double teamed by the Celtics’ Al Horford (42) and Jayson Tatum during the fourth quarter of Game 4. AP “Obviously, the range extends the floor some. Some of the shots that he’s hitting are only shots that he can hit and have been highly contested,” Udoka said. “He’s hit a few of those.” The 34-year-old Curry recorded the second-best scoring performance of his career on the finals stage—second only to the 47 points he put up in Game 3 of 2019 against eventual champion Toronto—and joined Michael Jordan and LeBron James as the only players age 34 or older with at least 40 points in a finals game. So, was watching the film session from Friday’s game almost as fun for Curry as what he did during it?

“Whether you play well individually or not, you always know what happens at the end. It’s like watching the end of a movie. It’s always nice to know that the movie turns out great at the end,” he said. “But I think it’s more so just the balance of watching what worked and trying to understand those patterns so that you can repeat that for the next game. Maybe anticipate some adjustments that might happen. Try to slow it down and try to be one step ahead of that. In the meantime, also watching a lot of different reactions in the crowd and on the bench and stuff like that, too. That’s always some good entertainment.”

RAMOS BAGs 2 GOLDS IN MEXICO By Josef Ramos

OSE JEAN RAMOS lifted her way to two gold and one silver medals at the International Weightlifting Federation Youth World Championships on Monday to underscore her own potentially bright future in the sport that has produced the country’s first Olympic gold medal. Ramos won gold in clean and jerk and total lift—letting the snatch mint slip away—to repeat as champion in the youth competitions staged at the Domo dela Feria Arena in Leon, Mexico. “We were just aiming for the silver after the snatch, but we found the weakness in

the clean and jerk of the Venezuelan so we strategized and we got it,” said Ramos’s coach, Allen Diaz. Diaz is a cousin of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo last year. Since then, the sport came alive especially in Barangay Mampang in Zamboanga City where Diaz and Ramos hails from. Ramos could only lift 70 kgs in the snatch to give the gold medal away to Venezuela’s Kerlys Montilla Madrid by a mere kilo. But Ramos fought back with a gold medal-clinching 85 kgs in the clean and jerk to secure a second gold with a total lift

of 155 kgs. Diaz dominated the girls’ 45 kgs division with those three medals as Montilla couldn’t catch up in the clean and jerk to yield the silver to India’s Soumya Dalvi, who managed 83 kgs. Montilla lifted a 153-kg total for the silver and Dalvi got bronze with 148 kgs. “It’s a big win for me and all I can say is thank you God,” said Ramos, whose targeting the Asian Youth and Junior Championships in Uzbekistan next month. “I’ll just prepare myself again.” Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella joined Ramos in Mexico.

WORLD-CLASS VOLLEYBALL ACTION ON AT BIG DOME

ILIPINO fans are up for a worldclass treat as Week 2 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) kicks off today (Tuesday) with two explosive matches at the Smart Araneta Coliseum that’s been dressed up to conform with international flavor. First up among the top eight women’s teams in the world are Southeast Asia queen Thailand and Canada which clash at 3 p.m. and Asian power Japan which stakes its unbeaten streak against Poland at 7 p.m. Tokyo Olympics gold medalist and reigning VNL champions United States will make its debut at 3 p.m. on Wednesday against Bulgaria, while China, now ranked No. 3 in the latest women’s world rankings, plays Belgium at 7 p.m. The Japanese won all their four matches in Shreveport-Bossier City in the US in Week 1, a streak they capped with a 25-22, 25-20, 25-20 win over the

Americans. “We wanted to play hard and enjoy fast sets,” said Japan’s new captain and outside hitter Sarina Koga through an interpreter after last Sunday’s four-set sweep of the Philippines in an exhibition match. Just like the Japanese, the Thais, who made noise by stunning the fancied Chinese in five sets Ankara, Turkey, have a strong Filipino fan base. Thailand open spiker Ajacharporn Kongyot hopes to sustain the gains from her team’s 3-1 record in the opening week. Despite the absence of injured middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang, the Thais are ready to put up a show in their opening match against the Canadians. “Thailand team will give its best,” said Ajcharaporn also through an interpreter after her team’s straight-set romp of the Filipinas last Saturday. The Poles have the same win-loss

record as the Thais at 3-1 for eight points The Canadians, on the other hand, sport a 2-2 card for six points in the event that has Mikasa, Ganten, Gerflor and Senoh as global sponsors and global suppliers, PLDT Home as presenting partner, Rebisco, MG Philippines, TOP Speed Insurance, Asics and Maynilad as official sponsors, Havas Ortega, The Look Company, Summit Outdoor Media, The Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Marketing Media Ventures, Strong Media Advertising Solutions. 91.5 Win Radio, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, City of Taguig, Quezon City and F2 Logistics as official suppliers. The US and Poland were the last teams to arrive for Week 2 of the VNL which the country is hosting for the first time through the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.

Klay refresh

KLAY THOMPSON posted on social media he jumped in the bay Saturday for an openwater swim. He wrote: “The ocean heals the mind, body & soul.”

WHEN told he is 3-0 in his purple game sneakers, Stephen Curry could only laugh and hope he hadn’t now been jinxed. And, no, he wasn’t keeping track of that obscure stat. “I did not even know that, so I appreciate you,” Curry said. “I don’t know if that messes with the juju on there if I’m aware of the record now. I’ve got a lot of different colors, so we’ll see. We’ll see what happens. Got me thinking now, too.” AP

Amateurs go all out to outshine pros in Pradera

OUR young guns of varying strength and skills spice up the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Pradera Verde Ladies Championship cast as all seek to steal the thunder from the fancied pros when the P750,000 event starts Wednesday in Lubao, Pampanga. Arnie Taguines, the low amateur at Eagle Ridge-Norman last year, primes up for a series of tournaments in the US, including the Junior World and the FCG Callaway World next month, as she spearheads the crew of Eagle Ace Superal, Mariel Tee and Aily Kidwell against the likes of Chanelle Avaricio, Sunshine Baraquiel, Harmie Constantino and Chihiro Ikeda. They are all driven to match Mafy Singson’s stirring triumph at Splendido Taal last month where she upstaged the pros in a backside battle of wits and nerves to nail her first pro victory after at least four failed bids. Rising star Rianne Malixi set in motion the amateurs’ romp in the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-backed circuit, humbling multi-titled Princess Superal in a final round shootout to rule the kickoff leg of this year’s Tour at Luisita last March. But Malixi resumed her campaign abroad and the pros reasserted their might at Hallow Ridge and Caliraya Springs, which Avaricio both ruled, and at Mt. Malarayat that saw Ikeda snap a long title spell before Singson stepped up to reign at Splendido before embarking on her own mission in the US. But Taguines and company will need more than talent and luck to make it two-inrow for the amateurs with Avaricio all geared up for a crack at a third championship in the ICTSI-sponsored circuit and Baraquiel out to atone for her late foldup at Splendido. Constantino, who won two tournaments to mark her pro debut last year on her way to clinching the Order of Merit title, has also regained her form after a string of so-so finishes, placing third at Mt. Malarayat and

The national championships are a four-day event starting Tuesday with the criterium races, Wednesday (June 22) with the individual time trial competitions, Thursday (June 23) with the women’s road race or massed start and Friday (June 24) with the men’s road race. Organized by the PhilCycling headed by Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, the national championships are officially on the International Cycling Union (UCI) calendar thus providing UCI points to the top finishers. Co-presented by Standard Insurance,

MVP Sports Foundation and Smart, the championships feature races in men and women elite, under 23, juniors and youth categories. Close to 400 cyclists have so far registered online but the PhilCycling will screen participants especially in the younger categories based on a rider’s skill set to conform to regulations on the maximum number of athletes that are allowed for a particular event and road condition. The top five finishers in road, ITT and criterium in the men and women elite categories will be named to the national team for the second half of the year.

ARNIE TAGUINES is one of the girls to watch in Lubao. tying for second at Splendido. Ikeda also brims with confidence despite a tied for fifth effort at Splendido after scoring a three-stroke victory at Mt. Malarayat, the two-week break giving her ample time to get back into fighting form. A number of pros are also all set for a stab at LPGT glory, including a vastly-improved Pamela Mariano and rookies Martina Miñoza, Lesley Icoy and Kristine Fleetwood while the likes of Marvi Monsalve, Florence Bisera and Gretchen Villacencio seek to put up three big rounds and contend in the 54-hole championship. Korean Jane Jeong, who has had a number of strong starts in the circuit, is also in the hunt, hoping to get into early contention again and this time, sustain the momentum for a shot at the crown, along with locals Shery Villasencio, Apple Fudolin, Lucy Landicho, Eva Miñoza, Sarah Ababa, Lovelynn Guioguio and Majorie Pulumbarit.

PARTICIPANTS in the cycling event strike a pose.

Red Cross holds virtual run

HE Philippines Red Cross (PRC) staged the Virtual Million Volunteer Run 6 (MVR 6) as one of the highlights of the Independence Day celebration on Sunday in various venues. The event was also the culmination of the Virtual Million Volunteer Run 6 (MVR 6) Virtual Bike and Run Edition that was

RELLANO University guns for the early lead against San Beda, while Letran and Jose Rizal University make their season debuts on Tuesday in the National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena. The Lady Chiefs and the Lady Red Spikers clash at 12:30 p.m., right after the 12 noon duel between the Lady Knights and the Lady Bombers. Arellano University and San Beda are parading very different rosters this year from the coronavirus-aborted 2020 season. Even with the graduation of their main offensive options Regine Arocha, Necole Ebuen and Andrea Marzan, and setter Sarah Verutiao, the Lady Chiefs sent an early message that they will still contend for the championship. Nicole Sasuman, Carla Donato, Princess Bello and playmaker Donna Paralejas proved that they are ready to lead Arellano as proven in last Saturday’s 2514, 25-12, 25-21 romp of Mapua. The Lady Red Spikers hope to cope up from the loss of sisters Cesca and Daryl Racraquin, twins Iza and Ella Viray, Kim Manzano and Lynne Matias. San Beda dropped a 10-25, 13-25, 15-25 decision to College of Saint Benilde last Saturday. Letran and JRU, which saw their Final Four bids fell short in 2020 before the season was canceled due to the pandemic, hope to fare well in the tournament. The Lady Knights will be bannered by high-scoring Cha Cuñada, while veteran Dolly Verzosa will power the Lady Bombers. Also posting season-opening wins over the weekend were San Sebastian and Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Chair Butch in forum

Tagaytay mayor Tolentino hails national championships for road AGAYTAY City Mayor Agnes Tolentino expressed enthusiasm over the PhilCycling National Championships for Road 2022 which will kick off right on the city’s 84th foundation anniversary on Monday, June 21. “The City of Tagaytay rolls out the red carpet for the national championships for road as the major PhilCycling race coincides with the city’s biggest celebration,” Tolentino said. “And this major sports event marks a victory not only for Tagaytay City, but for the entire country as well, against the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Arellano U vs San Beda in ‘NC’

staged in partnership with Runrio Inc. More than 3,000 cyclists from different from all over the country participated in the event that raised funds for the PRC’s programs against COVID-19. As a non-competitive event, the MVR 6 allowed the participants to finish their

HE Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum holds a special face-to-face session on Tuesday with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez as special guest. The public sports program starts at 10:30 a.m. at the PSC conference room of its Manila offices. Ramirez is expected to talk about the government sports agency’s programs and accomplishments in the last six years under his term—and what lies ahead for Philippine sports under the new administration. The session is presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Unilever, Amelie Hotel Manila and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. The Forum will be livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page and aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2 and officially shared through its Facebook page. selected categories and follow their own pace, time, distance and venue. Lucky winners of the raffle prizes received massage chairs, mountain bikes, a laptop, tablets, Airpods, Fitbits and cash. The MVR 6 was held instead of the originally planned face-to-face program in response to the government’s efforts to keep the public safe against the new COVID-19 subvariants detected in the National Capital Region, Palawan and Baguio City. “I thank the participants and volunteers who joined the event,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said. “And I enjoin them to continue cooperating with the Red Cross in providing service to those in need.” The PRC continues to deliver its COVID-19 response through its vaccination programs, including the deployment of Bakuna Buses to different areas in the Philippines.