BusinessMirror May 24, 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

RATIFY RCEP SOON, JFC NATL GOVT BORROWINGS URGES SENATE FOR 10 MOS DIP TOANEW P2.75T w w

n Tuesday, May 24, 228 Monday, November 29,2022 2021Vol.Vol.1717No.No.52

PCC chief Balisacan accepts Omicron risk Marcos offer tospurs head revival Neda of quarantine “In returning to a post in PHL Irules have previously held,

In this photo provided by the Bongbong Marcos Byhandout Bernadette D. Nicolas (BBM) Media Bureau, presumptive president Ferdinand @BNicolasBM “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (right) meets with US Chargé d'Affaires Heather Variava in Mandaluyong City on Monday (May 23, 2022). Marcos Jr. leads in the unofficial count for the presidential race, with 31 million votes, during the May 2022 elections. See story on page A10, “BBM meets envoys from US, Japan, Sokor, India.” BBM MEDIA BUREAU VIA AP

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

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

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 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or BSP (P540 billion), Retail Treasury Bonds/Premyo Bonds (P463.3 billion), Retail Onshore Dollar Bonds (P80.84 bilBy Andrea E. San Juan 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 coconut farmers and mediately,” he explained at a recent pared to the amount borrowed durHE Bangko Sentral ng Pilithrough a fun and interactive workers are now regisworkers were added to the PCA’s dialogue with coconut farmers. ing the period. pinas (BSP) announced game. tered with the government’s reg2018 list that had about 2.5 million “On the other hand, if people Meanwhile, gross foreign borthat it is launching a fiBSP Governor Benjamin Dioistry, which serves as the basis coconut farmers and farm workers. would see names on the list and rowings in the same period also nancial education game for local kno said the creation of the game for 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 fisherfolk, targeting to educate highlights the important role of covered by the utilization of the duct an exclusion-inclusion profarmers or their details are incorbillion from last year’s P574.4 billion. over 1.9 million fishers nationour fisherfolk, who serve as food P75-billion coconut levy fund. cedure by making the updated rect, they can report it to the PCA This was raised through global wide. security frontliners in the ongoPhilippine Coconut Authority farmers’ registry public, providfor immediate action,” he added. bonds (P146.17 billion), program The game—which is called ing pandemic. (PCA) Deputy Administrator Roel ing everyone the opportunity to The PCA official noted that loans (P139.98 billion), euro-de“Fish N’ Learn”—was developed “Fish N’ Learn is meant to M. Rosales said about 3.11 million check the veracity of the list, Rothe completion of the initial list nominated bonds (P121.97 billion), under the BSP’s Financial Educagive our fisherfolk the primacy coconut farmers and farm worksales added. of coconut farmers registry would a project loan (P86.41 billion), and tion (FinEd) Program for Fisherthat they deserve by focusing ers have been registered with the “The list will be posted in public be just in time for the expected yen-denominated samurai bonds The JFC, in a news statement proved the call to ratify the regional folk, in partnership with the Deon improving their financial government since it started upspaces where people can easily see rollout of coconut levy-funded (P24.19 billion). on Monday, said that in doing so, economic deal are American Champartment of Agriculture-Bureau health and overall quality of life, See “Borrowings,” A2 the 18th Congress will build on its ber of Commerce of the Philippines; of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources which helps to foster a finanremarkable record of approving Australian-New Zealand Chamber (DA-BFAR), United States Agency cially healthy citizenry. Strong new laws of immense benefit to n of the Philippines partnerships are USCommerce 50.4600 n ofJAPAN 0.4374 n UK 67.2329fornInternational HK 6.4722 nDevelopment CHINA 7.9013 n public-private SINGAPORE 36.8968 n AUSTRALIA the national economy, including Canadian Chamber of Commerce of (USAID)-Fish Right Program, and instrumental to achieve sustainTax Reform for Acceleration and the Philippines; European Chamber BDO Foundation. able and scalable programs such Inclusion (TRAIN 1), Corporate of Commerce of the Philippines; According to the BSP, Fish N’ as this one,” Diokno said. Recovery and Tax Incentives for Japanese Chamber of Commerce Learn simulates real-life events Fish N’ Learn will form part of Enterprises Act (CREATE), the and Industry of the Philippines, that influence the financial bethe regular training programs of E-vehicles law, and the trio of libInc. ; Korean Chamber of Commerce havior of fishermen and their DA-BFAR for fisherfolk. Embederalization amendatory bills—to of the Philippines Inc.; and Philipfamilies. It aims to empower ded in the game are the five key the Public Services, Retail Trade pine Association of Multinational the agri-fisheries sector by remessages on financial literacy Liberalization, and Foreign InvestCompanies Regional Headquarters inforcing positive money habits and marine conservation: ments Acts. (Pamuri). and values among fisherfolk See “Central Bank,” A2 The seven members who apContinued on A2

P25.00 P25.00 nationwide nationwide || 22 sections sections 24 20 pages pages ||

HILIPPINE Competition Commission (PCC) Chairman Arsenio Balisacan has accepted the offer to return as secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) under the incoming Marcos administration, vowing to work with the economic team to bring back the high growth trajectory of the Philippine economy. Balisacan, who previously served as Neda secretary under the administration of former President Benigno S. Aquino III, said he will be joining the new Cabinet,“mindful of the immense work needed to accelerate economic recovery and post-recovery development.” In a statement, the PCC chief said: “Upon the invitation of presumptive President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I have decided to help meet the challenges of the economy as Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority [Neda] in this important period of our economic history.” Balisacan added that “in returning to a post I have previously held, we rely on experience and judicious reckoning of socioeconomic issues to build stronger foundations for a more robust, more inclusive, and more resilient Philippine economy.” As head of the country’s competition authority, Balisacan said it “has been most fulfilling, especially in building the fromDuterte scratch.” programs as agency President “In fulfilling this new role, I look is expected to sign the industry forward to working with the economic development plan in early 2022. team and the private sector to bring Rosales said PCA will not back the countrythe to its pre-pandemic

OVER 3-M FARMERS LISTED FOR P75-B COCO LEVY FUND

EVEN members of the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) in the Philippines have urged the 18th Senate anew to ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, as the chamber reconvened from the election recess to hold sessions until June 3.

PESO EXCHANGE RATES

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 52.2710

CENTRAL BANK HOPES GAME CAN TEACH FISHERS FINANCE

stop updating its list of coconut farmers and enjoined them to register 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. See “3-M farmers,” A2

we rely on experience By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla and judicious reckoning of socioeconomic NTER NATIONA L concerns over to thebuild possiblestronger spread of the issues more infectious Omicron Cofoundations for a more vid-19 variant prompted the government to reimpose mandatory robust, more inclusive, facility-based quarantine for all and more resilient arriving passengers in the country. Acting Presidential spokesperPhilippine economy. ”

son Karlo B. Nograles announced on Sunday that the Inter-Agency high-growth deliver rapid Task Force trajectory, for the Management poverty reduction, and reduce socioof Emerging Infectious Diseases economic inequality,” he said. (IATF) theappointment implemenPriorsuspended to his Cabinet tation of its Resolution No. 150under the Aquino administration, he A (s.2021), effectively served as dean of the UP imposing School of stricter protocols for allExecutive inbound Economics Director-Chief of the Southeast Asian Regional Centravelers. ter To for note, Graduate Study and Research IATF Resolution 150in (Searca), and UnderA Agriculture had allowed fully vaccinated secretary for Policyfrom and Planning of non-visa travelers Green List the Department of Agriculture. areas to enter withBefore this, hethe wascountry also a Research out the need for facility-based Fellow at the East West Center in Hoquarantine as long asat they nolulu and Economist thesecure World negative Reverse TranscriptionBank in Washington, D.C. Balisacan pursued his doctorate Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTdegree in Economics theprior UniPCR) test within 72from hours versity Hawaii, master’s degree to theirofdeparture. in Agricultural Economicsclassified from the “Except for countries University of the Philippines Los as ‘Red,’ the testing and quarantine Baños, and undergraduate degree in protocols for all inbound internaAgriculture (magna cum laude) from tional travelers in all ports of entry the Mariano Marcos State University. shall comply with the testing and quarantine protocols for ‘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. Continued on A2

36.2807 n EU 56.5758 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.4531

Source: BSP (November 26, 2021)

n JAPAN 0.4089 n UK 65.3126 n HK 6.6604 n CHINA 7.8109 n SINGAPORE 37.8748 n AUSTRALIA 36.8511 n EU 55.1982 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.9352

Source: BSP (May 23, 2022)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Senate leaders back early ratification of RCEP deal

By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

WO Senate leaders on Monday backed calls by foreign business groups in the Philippines for senators to quickly ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), in order to boost efforts to draw in more foreign investors. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman

Sen. Koko Pimentel, readily indicated full support for ratification in the few session days left for the

18th Senate, which reconvened on Monday (May 23) and is set to adjourn on June 3. Separately, Senate President Vicente Sotto III pointed out, however, that, “interpellations have not been taken up,” when asked for a reaction to the urgent appeal of the JFC. Sought for reaction on the call by seven members of the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) in the Philippines for senators to i mmed i ately rat if y RCEP, Recto told BusinessMirror: “I support the call for the Senate to ratify RCEP in our remaining session days. R atif ying RCEP will send a message to foreign investors to invest in the Philippines and take advantage of this new trade deal.” In an SMS to BusinessMirror, Recto added: “I call on the incoming administration to ask the Senate to

immediately ratify RCEP. This will signal to the international community that the incoming administration is ready to do business. Good first step. No time to waste.” Asked how many of his peers are similarly inclined to think that way about immediate ratification, Recto replied, “I hope many, if not the majority.” For his part, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III told BusinessMirror: “It depends on the will of the Senate.” However, Sen. Pimentel III said, the leadership has deferred the matter to May 30. Between May 24 and May 27, senators are to join the House of Representatives in constituting the National Board of Canvassers to canvass the votes for and proclaim the winners of the May 9 races for president and vice president.

RATIFY RCEP SOON, JFC URGES SENATE ANEW Continued from A1

JFC pointed out that many of its members invested in the Philippines because of the expanding access they can enjoy under trade agreements which the Philippines has with its Asean and regional

neighbors and other countries. “We have encouraged the Philippines to apply to the [comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-pacific partnership] CPTPP, and today we are asking the Philippine Senate to ratify the RCEP so

that the large network of foreign markets already accessible to exports from the Philippines will be further expanded,” said the joint foreign chambers in a statement. The JFC noted that when this happens, “a large number of our

current investors will invest more, and new investors from Australia, Europe, New Zealand, North America, and Northeast Asia, will be attracted,” leading to the creation of many thousands of new jobs. In addition, the JFC said, RCEP also offers other new advantages for exporters located in the Philippines that will benefit JFC’s member companies. RCEP is the largest trade bloc in the world, representing 30 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP). With this, the JFC emphasized that “the Philippines cannot afford to leave itself out of the bloc since being a member will bring economic benefits that will hasten recovery from the scars, higher debt, and other damage caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.” “Studies show the Philippine economy will grow at a slower pace without membership in RCEP. Nobody wants this to happen,” the JFC said. RCEP is already in force in Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Laos, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailandand Vietnam. “Honorable members of the Senate, we appeal to you to vote to approve the RCEP agreement when you return to session this week,” the JFC stressed. The JFC is a coalition of the American, Australian-New Zealand, Canadian, European, Japanese, Korean chambers and the Pamuri. JFC represents over 3,000 member companies engaged in around $100 billion worth of trade and some $30 billion worth of investments in the Philippines. The joint foreign chambers support and promote open international trade, increased foreign investment, and improved conditions for business to benefit both the Philippines and the countries the JFC members represent.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Track record...

Continued from A10

Sought to e x pound on t he energ y por t fol io, O r t i z -Lu i s Jr. shr ug ged of f names c losely ident if ied to Secreta r y A lfonso Cusi, not ing t hat a l l ot her Depa r t ment of Energ y (DOE) undersecretar ies under perfor med as c hiefs of t he DOE l ine agencies. Meanwhile, Barcelon noted: “Our cost is stil l one of the highest in Asean. That is an issue with some foreign investors when they compare the cost of power. And then the back-up of power or pace load is very minimal. We cannot afford major repair of power service generation and we’ll be experiencing brownouts.” The PCCI president added, “We had a workshop with the DOE and then they shared with us really marginal, and there’s distortion in the sense that power capacity is available in Mindanao and Visayas and lacking here in Luzon area but there’s no grid issue to have the power transmitted.” Then, Barcelon added, “And the cost, we have the EPIRA law, that’s supposed to make it workable for more competition among the generation and distribution. But in certain areas like Cebu, there’s still a lot of complaints about the high cost of power.” Closely identified with Cusi are Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) president and chief operating officer Jesus Posadas, National Electrification Administration (NEA) chief Emmanuel Janeza and National Power Corporation (Napocor) President Donato Marcos. As for the DTI, Ortiz-Luis Jr. thinks DTI Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman could be part of the government’s economic team if only to propel the Mindanao’s trade, commerce and industry potentials. For Barcelon’s part, he said: “Of course he’s from the south, but if he will be appointed as DTI

secretary, it will be good for the country, he has been Usec for some time.” “And we’re a team and we would look at the development of our country as a whole, so I’ve been hearing the possibility of him being appointed, but it’s not confirmed yet,” added Barcelon. Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the business community is not entirely happy with the performance of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade amid reports he will be retained in his post. Barcelon elaborated on this: “I wouldn’t say that we’re not happy, but it’s just that some of the issues that have been plaguing our traffic ever since t he D ut e r t e a d m i n i s t r at ion has shown little improvement. Maybe some of the plans have not been well thought out.” He added that some people “are still complaining that they cannot get their car plate number so there’s been quite a number of issues. The bureaucracy has been added, like cars requiring public seats for babies, the annual check-up or whatnot.” Barcelon said, “These people are having difficulty and these are added, so that’s why I said maybe those are the issues that people connect with,” added Barcelon. However, Barcelon pointed out that “as far as the infrastructure related to transportation, although much has been promised, it’s ongoing like the subway, wherein we talk about the station 1, station 2.” He said that, with the pandemic, “nobody can really blame them” for the delays. Ortiz-Luis Jr., Barcelon and Philippine Stock Exchange Chairman Jose Pardo are among the convenors of the Sulong Pasay, an LGU-based private public partnership group aim to help revive the economy during and after the pandemic in Pasay City. With a report by Andrea San Juan

Central Bank...

Continued from A1

(1) Magingmapagkalinga sa karagatan (Nurture oceans and aquatic resources); (2) Mag-impok ngayon para sa kinabukasan (Save for the future); (3) Magpalago ng kita sa pamamagitan ng pagne-negosyo (Expand

BIR...

income sources by putting up a business); (4) Mag-seguro para protektado (Get insurance for protection); and (5) Maging matalino sa pag-utang (Use debt wisely). Bianca Cuaresma

Continued from A10

“There is normally a notice to the taxpayer that the closure order is recommended to be implemented. There is a period for the taxpayer to explain itself. So if the BIR feels that the explanation of the taxpayer is sufficient, then it can desist from the issuance of any closure order. This, Your Honor was never afforded to Megaworld,” Uykim said. Megaworld said they have been raising the issue of jurisdiction of the BIR regional office to conduct the audit on their properties. For his part, Salceda said in a separate statement that the House tax panel’s probe on the Megaworld tax dispute issue reached “a way forward” on what are the needed legislation and tax administration rules to ensure that similar incidents are avoided in the future. “I am thus pleased to report to the public that we now have a way forward, which the committee will recommend to the tax agencies,” Salceda said. Salceda said his three main recommendations include the need for a promulgated common procedure on taxpayer dispute, codifying the rights and responsibilities, as well as timelines and procedures, for resolving taxpayer disputes on jurisdiction, coverage, applicability and other matters. He stressed the need to simplify and finalize the rules on whether joint ventures should be registered as separate entities for tax purposes. “The situation seemed to arise primarily out of a confusion as to whether Megaworld or the BCDA should settle the taxes on their joint venture. The best solution is to just require JVs to be registered as separate taxpayers,” he said. On the issue of jurisdiction, Salceda also proposed putting up all large taxpayer transactions in the Large Taxpayer Service “but they can coordinate with and utilize the revenue district offices and regional offices to help.” “Third, is the issue of jurisdiction. While I thank the DOF for putting a stop to revenue special orders which caused some of the confusion, the suspension isn’t a permanent solution. We need to clarify who is responsible for what, in codified issuances,” he said. “In the long run, though, we need to codify revenue regulations. That will probably take some herculean effort to review, revise, and compile all tax regulations, but that will also avoid all this confusion about rules,” he added.

The Nation

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BusinessMirror

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 A3 Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Seven perish in Real, Quezon ferry fire; over 120 rescued from water

IN this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, passengers are checked after being rescued at the port of Real, Quezon province on Monday, May 23, 2022. A passenger ship caught fire as it nears their port of destination in Real town killing several people on board. PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD VIA AP PHOTO

FERRY carrying more than 130 people caught fire in Real, Quezon on Monday, killing seven passengers and forcing many survivors to jump into the sea where they were rescued by other vessels. The fire rapidly spread from the engine room to the upper passenger deck of the MV Mercraft 2 while it was approaching Real, town Administrator Filomena Portales said. It had been en route to the town in Quezon province from Polillo Island. Many of the 134 passengers and

crew jumped into the water and were plucked from the sea by motorboats and cargo vessels, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officials said. “Fishing boats and other vessels were able to approach quickly and everybody helped, so the rescue was fast,” Portales told The Associated Press by telephone, adding many of those rescued were in shock and had to be treated for burns and bruises and given dry clothes and shoes. Pictures released by the PCG

showed fire engulfing the ferry and dark smoke billowing from it. Injured survivors on stretchers were taken to waiting ambulance vans while a rescuer tried to revive an unconscious survivor by pressing on his chest. The PCG said everyone on the ferry had been accounted for and 24 people who were injured were brought to a hospital. Portales said seven passengers died from burns and drowning and one possibly had a heart attack while floating in the water.

PCG Spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo identified the fatalities as Viola Impresa, 47; Marivic Samareta, 61; Edna Balanac, 64; Mina Enciso, 57; Charito Escareces; 57; Crisanto Debelles, 51; and Andy Tejares, 54. Among those reported injured were John Lerry Escareces, the captain of MV Mercraft 2. Investigators were looking into the fire and other ferries operated by the owner of MV Mercraft 2 would likely be suspended from operating while undergoing safety inspections, officials said. The wreckage was towed to shore in Real. Sea accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago because of frequent storms, badly maintained boats, overcrowding and weak enforcement of safety regulations. In December 1987, the ferry Doña Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker, killing more than 4,300 people in the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster. Based on initial investigation, the vessel, with 126 passengers and eight crewmen on board, departed from Polillo Island at around 5 a.m. bound for the town of Real. While sailing to reach its destination, a fire hit the vessel that reportedly started in its engine room, the PCG said, adding it received a distress call about the incident at around 6:30 a.m. The PCG deployed search and rescue (SAR) teams to assist the passengers and crewmen while searching for other passengers following reports that some are missing. Two roll-on and roll-off vessels and four motor bancas also augmented the PCG SAR operations. The fire was put under control at around 9:33 a.m. At around 11:30 a.m., the PCG reported that at least 103 passengers have been rescued along with 24 others who were injured. Rene Acosta with AP report

DTI to online retailers: Prepare platforms for elderly, PWD discounts By Andrea San Juan

EPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez on Monday urged online sellers to prepare and “reprogram” their platforms for the impending implementation of online special discounts accorded to senior citizen and persons with disabilities (PWDs). “Wala po sakin ’yung date ngayon pero sasabihin natin mag-prepare na ’yung mga tindahan ngayon as early as possible (I don’t have the date yet, but I’m advising concerned establishments of prepare as early now], ” Lopez said in a television interview on Monday. Although there’s still no final date

yet as to when the said discount on online purchases for the elderly and PWDs will take effect, Lopez emphasized that online sellers should reprogram their respective platforms for its eventual implementation. Last week, Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01 was released and signed by seven government agencies. The newly released guidelines apply to the sale of goods and services using the Internet as well as those conducting transactions through telephone, mobile phone/mobile application. “The rapid development of digital technology has provided new opportunities for sellers and consumers to access products and services through the Internet. During the Covid-19

pandemic, people especially vulnerable sectors of society, including senior citizens and the persons with disability became dependent on the Internet, phone, mobile phone, and mobile devices on the purchase of their basic needs given the mobility restrictions imposed,” read the circular which was issued on May 6, but a copy of which was posted on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) website on Wednesday, May 18. �� Apart from the BIR, other government agencies that signed the circular are the DTI, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Commission of Senior Citizens, National Council on Disability Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of the Interior and Lo-

cal Government. Senior citizens and PWDs may avail themselves of the 20-percent discount and 12-percent VAT exemption in their purchase of goods and services which include utilization of services in hotels, lodging establishments, restaurants, and recreation centers, admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, leisure and amusement, fare for land transportation travel in public utilities, medical and dental services, funeral and burial services, among others. Meanwhile, the 5-percent special discount shall apply to basic necessities, which refer to goods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence.

Senate OKs bill mandating lifetime validity of birth, death certificates By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

HE Senate unanimously passed Monday on third and final reading an enabling legislation conferring lifetime validity on birth, death and marriage certificates. With 23 senators voting in favor and no negative vote nor abstention, Senate Bill 2450 providing for the Permanent Validity of the Certificates of Live Birth, Death, and Marriage Act will now be endorsed to a bicameral panel tasked to hammer out a final reconciled version of the same measure earlier passed by the House of Representatives. As provided in the remedial legislation by both chambers, these official documents are issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), formerly the National Statistics Office, as well as the local governments’ Civil Registry Office and the Philippine Foreign Service Post. Its principal sponsor, Senator

Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., chairman of the endorsing Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation, acknowledged the unanimous support by the senators, thanking his colleagues for supporting the timely approval of the bill. “Mr. President, with this piece of legislation, we have clearly and categorically provided the permanent validity of the civil registry documents regardless of the date of issuance,” Revilla said in endorsing early passage of the measure. As such, he added, “the documents will be recognized and accepted in all government or private transactions, noting that through this, our people do not have to unnecessarily spend time and money in securing new copies of their documents.” In his manifestation during the plenary deliberation, Revilla Jr. also noted that while the PSA already publicly declared that the birth cer-

tificates it issues have no expiration, several government agencies and private organizations still require these documents using the latest security paper which costs the applicant P155 for an authenticated copy and P365 when delivered at their personal address. Revilla Jr. recalled “there are instances that applicants are required to submit birth certificates issued within the past six months,” adding that “for them to get these documents, Filipinos need to spend time and money.” Lamenting that “this is especially unfair to those who are first-time jobseekers,” Revilla assured that under the remedial measure he sponsored, all government offices, private companies, schools and nongovernment entities will soon be banned from requiring newly-issued birth, death or marriage certificates from those transacting business with them. The senator, citing a provision in the bill, added: “The certificates

of live birth, death, and marriage issued, signed, certified or authenticated by the PSA and its predecessor, the NSO, and the local civil registries shall have permanent validity regardless of date of issuance and shall be recognized and accepted in all government or private transactions or services requiring submission thereof, as proof of identity and legal status of a person.” As soon as it is enacted into law, Revilla reminded further that “a punishment of one to six months imprisonment or a fine of not less than P5,000 but not more than P10,000, or both at the discretion of the court, shall be meted to any person who will be found guilty of violating this law.” It further provides that “if the violation is committed by a public official or employee, an accessory penalty of temporary disqualification to hold public office shall likewise be imposed,” the bill stated.

A4 Tuesday, May 24, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

New agency on nuke energy needed–ERC Integrity By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

HE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said there is a need to form a separate agency that would oversee nuclear energy in the country. “We should really have specialists on this. For us, there should be an agency to help, to look into, to shepherd the incubation of these ideas. An EO [Executive Order] can be issued that creating maybe an agency under the Office of the President,” ERC Chairman Agnes Vicenta S. Torres Devanadera said. Last March, President Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 164, which allows the country to include nuclear power in its energy mix. The ERC said this EO should be solidified with the enactment of a law

that will provide for the policy and regulation of nuclear plants, as well as the creation of an agency that shall focus on the laying down the foundations necessary for the inclusion of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix. The EO provides four cornerstone approaches in developing the Nuclear Energy Program (NEP). These include the following: establishing a national policy on nuclear energy that could withstand changes in administration; a legislative framework by institutionalizing the NEP; alignment with international standards in which the NEP will be formulated under the guidance of the International Atomic Agency; and, public awareness and acceptability by conducting strong public consultation and information campaigns promoting scientific findings on the

benefits of nuclear energy use. The Department of Energy (DOE) has said that once the legal and regulatory framework is complete, it is possible that a new nuclear power plant can be put up from 2027 up to 2030. The inclusion of nuclear energy into the country’s energy mix will provide a stable, reliable, and sustainable energy resource. “I believe that nuclear is the way to go,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi has said. DOE Undersecretary Gerardo D. Erguiza Jr., also the chairman of the DOE Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization, has said adopting a nuclear program is not just about constructing nuclear power plants. “It is a matter of energy and national security. Should it be decided

in the future that the Philippines is fit and finally ready to embark on its nuclear energy journey then, we would be able to look back and appreciate this landmark issuance,” Erguiza said. Senate Energy Committee Chairman Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, meanwhile, urged the DOE to release the findings of a study on nuclear energy, saying the Senate funded the DOE’s nuclear research and feasibility study amounting to P266 million since 2018. “This study should be made public in order for the Filipino people to understand the risks and benefits of nuclear power injected into our energy mix. Transparency is key in building the confidence of the public on the use of this complex source of power,” Gatchalian said.

Mining’s role in economic recovery cited By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has underscored the mining sector’s potential to contribute to the country’s economic recovery. The contribution of the mining industry to the country’s economy in recent years was highlighted by DENR Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna during the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Joint Consultative Meeting on Mining Concerns in Northern Mindanao and the Zambo-

anga Peninsula last May 5. “Even during the pandemic, the mining industry was able to boost our country’s gross domestic product [GDP] by P102.3 billion in 2020 and by P22.3 billion in the first quarter of 2021,” Sampulna said in his speech read by Undersecretary for Legal, Administration, Human Resources and Legislative Affairs Ernesto D. Adobo Jr. Adobo, who is also the Supervising Undersecretary for Mining Affairs, pointed out that if responsible and sustainable utilization of resources continue, the

mining industry’s contribution to GDP would be “100 percent of what the sector is contributing today and maybe more.” “There are even numbers saying it would be in trillions,” Adobo said. However, he emphasized that mining activities should be done with due regard to the environment. MGB Director Wilfredo G. Moncano, for his part, said the DENR aims to reach a globally competitive mineral sector with the establishment of mineral processing plants across the country. “The economic contribution of having mineral processing plants in the country is 7 to 12 times more than the current setup and that is, direct shipping of minerals produced. If we have these processing plants, we will

have bigger shares of exports, revenues, taxes and fees,” Moncano said. “We aim to reduce the direct shipping of our ores and instead have the processing here. Right now, we are only processing nickel, but if we have more mineral processing plants, we can recover other minerals like chromite, scandium and cobalt,” he added. The DENR-MGB is now coordinating with the Senate and the House of Representatives to push for legislation pertaining to the establishment of mineral processing plants in the country. The consultative meeting held in Cagayan de Oro City gathered mining companies in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao identified by the MGB with mining priority projects in Phases 1 and 2.

By Henry J. Schumacher

OULDN’T we all like to see the new political decision-makers who just won in the elections put our shared interests ahead of their own?

Business and government are encouraged to scrutinize their cozy relationship and see to it that politics and regulations are made in favor of the common good and not in favor of narrow personal interests. Consequently, both the private sector and the new government should call for coordinated action against the usual efforts that are undermining integrity. Let’s also get the message across that building political integrity requires more than fighting corruption. Government and private institutions need to make immediate and concerted efforts to ensure that the lives of ordinary people are not affected by corruption, being aware that corruption aggravates inequality: the well-off can afford bribes, but the poor often do with-

out basic services. Government and private institutions should: Build people’s trust and participation by ensuring that decision-making is fully transparent, enabling citizens to hold governments to account Protect all who expose corruption, including through the protection of whistle-blowers Build integrity standards in the private sector by strengthening corporate anti-corruption standards Reduce opportunities for corruption in government contracting by improving the availability and quality of public procurement data and inviting civil-society organizations to observe the contracting processes. Let’s expand the Integrity Circles that we have established with quite a number of LGUs across the country; the representatives of the Integrity Circles are regular participants in the public procurement processes Ensure accountability for abuses of power, including breaches of the rule of law, through effective monitoring, enforcement, and dissuasive sanctions. Let’s clearly understand that the future of the country and our societies hang in the balance of integrity, ethics and equality. It is up to citizens like you and me to create change. We have to make our voices heard by those in power—both in government and in the private sector. If you too would like the common good to prevail, let’s create the Integrity Nation, a nation where transparency and integrity rule and where corruption in no longer part of everybody’s life. The time for change is now. Let’s work together in the Integrity Initiative and in Integrity Circles. Feedback is more than appreciated—contact me at hjschumacher59@gmail.com

COURTESY CALL

Presumptive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. welcomes Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko as the latter pays courtesy visit at the BBM Headquarters, Boni Edsa, on Monday morning, May 23,2022. During the visit, Marcos told Kazuhiko that he intends to further strengthen ties and expand areas of cooperation between their two countries once he formally assumes office on June 30 this year. PHOTO COURTESY OF BBM MEDIA OFFICE

Senators approve bill aiding parents supporting child devt By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

ENATORS, voting 21-0, passed on third and final reading Monday an awaited bill aiding parents in providing quality care for children during their critical stages of development. Sponsored by Senator Risa Hontiveros, the enabling legislation, once enacted into law, paves the way for implementing the “Parent Effectiveness Service [PES] Program” to strengthen parental involvement in child development and learning by expanding their knowledge and skills on parenting. Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, chairman of the endorsing Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture and co-sponsor of the bill, said the legislation will also empower parents and guardians through the program, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic which exposed learners to problems of distance learning, psychosocial issues, and increased risks of violence and abuse.

Hontiveros added that the enabling legislation would also cover, apart from fathers and mothers, so-called parent substitutes. As provided in the bill, the PES program shall be implemented in every city and municipality, with modules to be developed and produced by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and other concerned agencies. It further mandates the modules shall be consistent with existing laws and cover parental roles, needs and responsibilities, challenges of parenting, as well as child development, child abuse prevention, health and nutrition, among others. For the early implementation of the PES program, the enabling law provides funding that shall be sourced from the appropriations of the said government agencies in its first year, thereafter, to be included in the annual General Appropriations Act for its continuous rollout.

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BusinessMirror

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 A5

Manila is ‘most searched destination’ for Brits this summer–travel engine By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

RITISH citizens are making up for lost time due to the worldwide pandemic travel restrictions, and will be gallivanting farther than usual during their summer season.

Global Summit “which helped elevated the profile of Manila.” The headquarters of WTTC is in London. (See, “WTTC sees PHL tourism raising $155B by 2032,” in the BusinessMirror, April 20, 2022.) But he added that Kayak’s results are also “consistent with the Expedia UK where its point-of-sale report showed the Philippines as the most searched destination for the Brits as of December 2021. Also, the Association of British Travel Agents conducted a survey in 2021, which revealed Manila as one of the top city destinations to be visited by the Brits, post-pandemic.” To be able to get to their faraway travel destinations, Kayak said, British travelers are sacrificing their comfort. “Despite the cost of living rising, a summer break is not in question as people appear willing to compromise on luxury to fund the budget to get away. Economy class flights make up the vast majority of summer searches, while three-star hotels have surpassed four-star hotels since 2019 as the most popular star rating selection,” it said.

flight searches on their site and associated site from April 16 to May 4, 2022 for travel dates from June 1 to September 15, 2022, compared to the same search and travel dates in 2019. The Philippines reopened to inbound leisure tourists on February 10, and as of May 17, British travelers were the fifth largest market at 19,064. They accounted for 4 percent of total international arrivals for the period of 279,444, according to data shared by the Department of Tourism. Travel from Heathrow airport to Manila is about 17 hours via Middle Eastern carriers, with brief layovers in the latter’s home ports. Foreign tourists outpaced balikbayan (homecoming Filipinos) visitors, who reached 184,503 for the period, resulting in total inbound arrivals of 463,947. Americans topped the list of foreign tourists at 93,593; followed by South Koreans at 24,723; Canadians at 22,189; Australians at 20,841; the British; Japanese at 12,038; Vietnamese at 9,216; Germans at 7,938; and Singaporeans at 6,233. Arrivals from Malaysia, at 5,295, round up the top 10 foreign tourists market of the Philippines.

In its latest news release, leading travel search engine Kayak said, “Searches for summer travel have surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 30 percent, and with demand rising, flight prices are likely to rise.” It added, “Seven of the Brits’ top 10 most searched summer 2022 destinations are long-haul holidays—a stark difference from 2019—with Asia the most popular. Manila, Philippines is the most searched for holiday destinations, followed by Bangkok, Thailand.” The rest of the searches included Istanbul, New York, Alicante in Spain, with “additional newcomers” like…Dubai, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Denpasar in

Bali, and Faro in Portugal. In comparison, pre-pandemic top destination searches in 2019 were New York, Alicante, Faro, Malaga in Spain, Orlando in Florida, Bangkok, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Palma de Mallorca, and Lisbon. Kayak also noted that British travelers were planning “extended holidays” showing their average trip length increasing to 17 days from 14 days for pre-Covid summer holidays.

Gas prices up ₧3.95; diesel ₧2.30 cheaper

Cavite solon Boying Remulla takes BBM’s offer to head DOJ

ASOLINE prices will go up while diesel and kerosene prices will be reduced starting Tuesday morning. Oil firms announced Monday it will jack up gasoline prices by P3.95 per liter. However, they will slash diesel price by P2.30 per liter and kerosene by P2.45 per liter. The oil price adjustment takes effect at 6 a.m. of May 24. This was announced on Monday afternoon by Seaoil, Phoenix, PTT, Total, Unioil, Caltex, Petron, and Shell. Cleanfuel said it will implement its price adjustment at 8:01 a.m. Last week, gasoline prices went down by P0.40 per liter, diesel by P3.10 per liter, and kerosene by P2.10 per liter. These resulted to the yearto-date adjustments to stand at a net increase of P21.60/liter for gasoline, P31.40/liter for diesel and P27.65/ liter for kerosene. Oil firms adjust their prices weekly to reflect movements in the world oil market. Lenie Lectura

E-ELECTED Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Monday confirmed he has accepted the offer to become the justice secretary in the incoming administration of presumptive President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Remulla made the revelation during a news conference, where he explained that he did not even apply for the Cabinet position under the new administration. Remulla, who ran unopposed, was re-elected as the representative of the 7th District of Cavite in the May 9 elections. “At that time, I had no idea that I was being considered whatsoever, I didn’t apply for the job. It is what he really

DENR eyes stronger partnership with Jica’s new chief representative to PHL

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) welcomed on Monday the designation of Sakamoto Takema as the new chief representative of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica) to the Philippines. With the designation of the new Jica chief, the DENR is eager to pursue future partnerships with Jica. Sakamoto took over Jica Philippines from former Chief Representative Azukizawa Eigo, who steered Jica’s development cooperation projects in the PhilippinesamidtheCovid-19pandemic. “DENR and Jica have a long history of partnership, and we have achieved many milestones together. Under Mr. Sakamoto’sleadership,wewillcontinuetosupport them for the protection and conservation of our environment and natural resources,” said DENR Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna. Jonathan L. Mayuga

Traveling by coach

TOURISM attaché to the UK Gerardo Panga credited the Philippines’ “successful hosting” of the recent World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

5th top tourism market

DATA shared by Kayak was based on

wanted, like what he mentioned, ‘We cannot afford to fail. We have to do a good job,’” Remulla told reporters. “He has no other intention but to do the best job possible for the people. It is a very rare chance given by the people to serve so the opportunity is there to do it and do it the best way possible,” Remulla added. Remulla described himself as a hardworking public official, which may have made Marcos Jr. consider him for DOJ. Remulla added that he would talk to Marcos Jr. soon to iron out “specific things” concerning the Department of Justice (DOJ), citing that the country’s justice system has “a lot” of problems. “I am devoted to my duties. It doesn’t take much naman when you’re told by the president. It’s understood already,” he said.

Remulla said he has yet to talk with incumbent Justice Secretary Menardo Gueverra for the transition to the new leadership of the DOJ. Nonetheless, Remulla disclosed that he is currently studying the structure of the DOJ before talking to Gueverra and creating a good transition plan. “I expect that the turnover will be very smooth. A briefing is being scheduled by the one who will be serving as the chief of staff already. But we do not have a date yet,” he said. “It could be within the week after the canvassing. We cannot waste time,” he added. Remulla said he expects to have numerous briefings with the incumbent leadership of the DOJ to discuss various issues surrounding the department and its attached agencies.

DTI-11 to consumer: Help Senators OK bill us ensure SRP compliance boosting local By Manuel T. Cayon

@awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AVAO CITY—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office here is urging consumers assert their rights to ensure wider compliance to the suggested retail price (SRP) of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) mandated by the government. “Assert your rights, especially when it comes to accessing goods at correct prices,” DTI-11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said. The DTI issued its latest bulletin on suggested retail prices (SRPs) on May 11, and she said the provincial and other field offices of DTI-11 have been regularly monitoring different business establishments to check the prices of BNPCs they sell. But she said the DTI would call on the public “to do their part by using the new SRP bulletin as their reference in their purchases.” The latest SRP list covers the 218 stock keeping units (SKUs) of BNPCs under DTI’s jurisdiction, the DTI said. Of this number, 136 or 62 percent of them have retained their prices in accordance with the SRP bulletin issued on January 27 this year, DTI-11 explained. Ambi said the DTI approved a minimumincreasefor82BPCsinitslatestlist

of SRPs. These products include bread, canned fish, potable water in bottles and containers, processed milk, locally manufactured instant noodles, coffee, salt, laundry soap, detergent, candles, flour, processed and canned pork, processed and canned beef, vinegar, fish sauce, soy sauce, toilet soap, and batteries. The guide includes additional SKUs, such as the Bareta Bar White (360 grams) and Bareta Bar FabCon (360 grams). She disclosed that 86 percent, or 71 out of the 82 SKUs with approved price increases, have adjustment of not more than 10 percent. For example, prices of major raw materials like tamban (for canned fish products), mechanically deboned meat (for processed meat products), buttermilk (for processed milk), and palm oil (for toilet paper and instant noodles) went up by only 0.56 percent to 32.14 percent. Additionally, fuel prices went up by 28.84 percent. “The increases were just from 2 percent to 10 percent, which means that these are still less than the movements of raw materials’ prices in the global market,” Ambi said. She added the changes were made to also help the manufacturers in keeping up with the demand despite the noted escalations in their production costs.

security industry

HE Senate, acting on the endorsement of administration Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, unanimously passed on third and final reading Monday Senate Bill 2423 seeking to strengthen the private security service industry, as well as provide protection to the rights of those who belong to the industry. Voting 21-0 with no abstention, the Dela Rosa-endorsed SB 2423 or the Private Security Service Industry Act was approved on final reading, repealing the 52-year-old Republic Act (RA) 5487 or the Private Security Agency Law. Dela Rosa, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said the measure aims to strengthen the regulation of the private security services industry making it responsive to the complexity and growth of the industry and the demands of global-certifying bodies. The bill also aims to improve the protection of Filipino security guards by providing necessary training through the development of ladderized training and education, including basic security guard courses, specialized security guard courses, security officers training courses, detective training courses, and candidate protection agent courses. Butch Fernandez

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

TheWorld BusinessMirror

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

Beijing reports record number of cases, more lockdowns seen T

Biden: US will intervene if China invades Taiwan

OK YO —P resident Joe Biden said Monday that the US would intervene militarily if China were to invade Taiwan, in one of the most forceful and overt statements in support of Taiwan in decades. Biden said the burden to protect the self-ruled island was “even stronger” after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo, Biden said, “That’s the commitment we made.” He said an effort by China to use force against

eijing reported a record number of new Covid cases during the current outbreak, reviving concern the capital may face a lockdown as authorities seek to stamp out community spread of the virus.

The city posted 99 cases for Sunday, up from 61 on Saturday. While the total is still low, the spike is one of the biggest since the outbreak started, with the case tally mostly hovering around 50 a day. The growing outbreak in Beijing underscores the challenges of China’s Covid Zero approach, as the unprecedented shutdown of Shanghai sounded warnings to municipal authorities that early mistakes could lead to rapid spread of the virus. China’s strategy has become increasingly controversial in the face of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, leaving the country isolated from the rest of the world despite deploying harsh containment measures, even as officials look for ways to minimize the economic fallout. There were 802 infections reported nationwide for Sunday, from 824 on Saturday. That was the first time the tally was below 1,000 since March 9, and is down from a daily peak of almost 30,000 on April 13. Shanghai reported 558 cases on Sunday, a decrease from 622 on Saturday. No new infections were found outside of government quarantine in the financial hub. Containing the outbreak has come at a crushing social and economic cost. Millions of Shanghai residents have been confined to

their homes for weeks, and even though the lockdown is easing, many restr ict ions rema in in place. China’s ongoing pursuit of Covid Zero means the nation is likely to remain in a loop of lockdowns and swift hardline responses until the Communist Party congress later this year, where Presiding Xi Jinping is expected to secure an unprecedented third term in power. Leaders have pledged financial support to reach the country’s growth targets and are weighing other measures to curtail the damage to its international reputation. Beijing is considering a reduction in the amount of time new arrivals to the city must spend in quarantine—a week in a hotel, down from two, plus a week at home—at the behest of international companies who have struggled to bring in expatriate workers, the South China Morning Post reported. While Shanghai’s f lareup is coming under better control, the city has reported hundreds of deaths, mostly among unvaccinated elderly residents. Only 62 percent of people aged 60 or above have been fully vaccinated, a municipal health commission official said Monday. That’s below the national average of more than 80 percent and is unchanged since mid-April, when the city was mired

Frontline health-care workers help fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in China. Beijing reported 99 new Covid cases on Sunday. Bloomberg photo

in its lockdown. Health authorities are encouraging residents to get inoculated now that restrictions are easing and vaccine clinics are reopening. Shanghai authorities on Sunday laid out the criteria it would use to categorize parts of the city as low-risk for Covid as they look to end the lockdown. From June, districts that haven’t reported positive cases or community infections for 14 days will be defined as low-risk. Residents in high- and medium-risk areas will be restricted to their homes and be required to take a PCR test daily for 14 days. In Beijing, authorities on the weekend reiterated that residents in six areas, including the Chaoyang central business district and the Haidian technology hub, should work from home through May 28. The city’s western Shijingshan district, the latest addition to the list, said all office areas and buildings will conduct closed-loop management and strictly control gatherings. Five districts, including the central Dongcheng district, are

still reporting community spread of infections. All residents of a large housing complex were sent to quarantine after 26 cases were discovered in the compound, the Beijing Youth Daily reported on Saturday. Over the weekend, police also detained executives from a Covid testing lab amid an ongoing probe into underreporting of testing results. The uptick in cases in the c apit a l , a nd concer n s about the severity of the response to tame the flareup, pushed China’s benchmark CSI 300 Index as much as 1.1 percent lower in Monday’s morning session even as the broader Asian equity gauge traded slightly higher. Elsewhere, the northern port city of Tianjin is racing to contain an Omicron flareup. Mass testing over the weekend weeded out new cases, with signs of infections spreading from two districts to the downtown area of the city of 13.7 million residents. An outbreak back in January disrupted supply chains for automakers Toyota Motor Corp. and Volkswagen AG. Bloomberg News

Taiwan would “just not be appropriate,” saying it “will dislocate the entire region and be another action similar to what happened in Ukraine.” Under the “One China” policy, the US recognizes Beijing as the government of China and doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, it maintains unofficial contacts with Taiwan, including a de facto embassy in Taipei, the capital. The US also supplies military equipment for the island’s defense. AP

WHO chief: Covid pandemic is ‘most certainly not over’

E R L I N —T h e C o v i d -1 9 pandemic is “most certainly not over,” the head of the World Health Organization warned Sunday, despite a decline in reported cases since the peak of the Omicron wave. He told governments that “we lower our guard at our peril.” The UN health agency’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told officials gathered in Geneva for opening of the WHO’s annual meeting that “declining testing and sequencing means we are blinding ourselves to the evolution of the virus.” He also noted that almost 1 billion people in lower-income countries still haven’t been vaccinated. In a weekly report Thursday on the global situation, WHO said the number of new Covid-19 cases appears to have stabilized after weeks of decline since late March, while the overall number of weekly deaths dropped. While there has been progress, with 60 percent of the world’s population vaccinated, “it’s not over anywhere until it’s over everywhere,”

Tedros said. “Reported cases are increasing in almost 70 countries in all regions, and this in a world in which testing rates have plummeted,” he added. Reported deaths are rising in Africa, the continent with the lowest vaccination coverage, he said, and only 57 countries—almost all of them wealthy—have vaccinated 70 percent of their people. W h i le t he world ’s vacc i ne supply has improved, there is “insufficient political commitment to roll out vaccines” in some countries, gaps in “operational or financial capacity” in others, he said. “In all, we see vaccine hesitancy driven by misinformation and disinformation,” Tedros said. “The pandemic will not magically disappear, but we can end it.” Tedros is expected to be appointed for a second five-year term this week at the World Hea lth A ssembly, the annua l meeting of the WHO’s member countries. AP

Climate to conflict, Davos after 2 years has full plate By Jamey Keaten & Masha Macpherson

The Associated Press

AVOS, Switzerland—Davos—the hub of an elite annual gathering in the Swiss Alps—is back, more than two years after the coronavirus pandemic kept its business gurus, political leaders and high-minded activists away. There’s no shortage of urgent issues for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting to tackle. With their lofty ambition to help improve the state of the world, forum organizers have their work cut out for them: there are soaring food and fuel prices, Russia’s war in Ukraine, climate change, drought and food shortages in Africa, yawning inequality between rich and poor, and autocratic regimes gaining ground in some places— on top of signs that the pandemic is far from over. It’s hard to predict if the highminded discussions will yield substantial announcements that make headway on the world’s most pressing challenges. The war in Ukraine will be a key theme. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will speak on opening day Monday by video from Kyiv, while the country’s foreign minister and a sizable delegation of other top Ukrainian officials will be on hand. They’ll be joined this week by leaders like German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, US climate envoy John Kerry, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks on a screen inside a so-called Russian War Crimes House alongside the World Economy Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Sunday, May 22, 2022. An exhibition with pictures documenting suspected Russian war crimes in the Ukrainian war are to be shown in the house. The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos from May 22-26. AP/Markus Schreiber

“There’s no business as usual,” forum President Borge Brende told The Associated Press, saying Ukraine is not the only worry. “It is also climate change. It is also that the global growth is slowing, and we have to avoid that this very weak recovery ends with a new recession because we have very limited ammunition to fight a new recession.” “A new recession will lead to increased unemployment, increased poverty,” he added. “So much is at stake.” President Vladimir Putin’s war means Russian business and political leaders haven’t been invited to Davos this year. There will be no traditional “Russia House” social festivities with caviar and vodka spreads for the elite attendees of its evening fun. Instead, critics—notably in-

cluding Ukrainian tycoon Victor Pinchuk and the country’s Foreign Ministry—have seized on some symbolism and vowed to voice their disgust, which is shared by many around the world. “This year, Russia is not present at Davos, but its crimes will not go unnoticed. The ‘Russia War Crimes House’ takes place inside the former Russia House,” organizers of the rechristened venue said in a press release. Opening Monday, the venue will feature photos of crimes and cruelties that Russian forces are accused of perpetuating. Some victims will speak out—including Anatoliy Fedoruk, the mayor of Bucha, a town near Kyiv where images of killings of civilians drew outrage worldwide. “It’s important to understand wh at is rea l ly h appen ing in

Ukraine,” said Bjorn Geldhof, artistic director of PinchukArtCentre, which is helping organize the exhibit. “Part of this exhibition is also to bring back a human face to those people who have become victim of these Russian war crimes.” Brende, the forum president, says scores of CEOs and other business leaders will be looking into ways the private sector can support Ukraine, “in the situation where Russia is breaking international law, international humanitarian law, and not sticking to the UN Charter.” Not everyone believe Davos is the place where solutions can be found. A few dozen anti-capitalist demonstrators marching behind a “Smash WEF” banner clashed Friday with police in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, a sign of simmering antagonism against economic elites whom they accuse of putting profits over people. Police used rubber bullets and pepper spray to disperse the crowd in what was deemed an unauthorized gathering. While Ukraine will capture attention on the meeting’s first day, climate and environmental issues will be a recurring, constant theme as the forum looks to future challenges as much as the current ones. One-third of the roughly 270 panel discussions through Thursday’s finale will focus on climate change or its effects, with extreme weather, efforts to reach “net zero” emissions and finding new, cleaner sources of energy on the agenda.

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Biden launches trade deal with Indo-Pacific nations By Josh Boak & Aamer Madhani

The Associated Press

OKYO—President Joe Biden on Monday launched a new trade deal with 12 Indo-Pacific nations aimed at strengthening their economies as he warned Americans worried about high inflation that it was “going to be a haul” before they feel relief. The president said he does not believe an economic recession is inevitable in the US. Biden, speaking at a news conference after holding talks with Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, acknowledged the US economy has “problems” but said they were “less consequential than the rest of the world has.” He added: “This is going to be a haul. This is going to take some time,” even as he rejected the idea a recession in the US was inevitable. The comments came just before Biden’s launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a new trade deal his administration designed to signal US dedication to the contested economic sphere and to address the need for stability in commerce after disruptions caused by the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nations joining the US in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework are Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Along with the United States, they represent 40 percent of world GDP. The countries said in a joint statement that the pact will help them collectively “prepare our economies for the future” following disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Meeting with Kishida, Biden said the new framework would also increase US cooperation with other nations in the region. The White House said the framework will help the United States and Asian economies work more closely on issues including supply chains, digital trade, clean energy, worker protections and anticorruption efforts. The details still need to be negotiated among the member countries, making it difficult for the administration to say how this agreement would fulfill the promise of helping US workers and businesses while also meeting global needs. Critics say the framework has gaping shortcomings. It doesn’t offer incentives to prospective partners by lowering tariffs or provide signatories with greater access to US markets. Those limitations may not make the US framework an attractive alternative to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which still moved forward after the US bailed out. China, the largest trading partner for many in the region, is also seeking to join TPP. “I think a lot of partners are going to look at that list and say: ‘That’s a good list of issues. I’m happy to be involved,’” said Matthew Goodman, a former director for international economics on the National Security Council during President Barack Obama’s administration. But he said they also may ask, “Are we going to get any tangible benefits out of participating in this framework?” Kishida hosted a formal state welcome for Biden at Akasaka Palace, including a white-clad military honor guard and band in the front plaza. Reviewing the assembled troops, Biden

placed his hand over his heart as he passed the American flag and bowed slightly as he passed the Japanese standard. Kishida said at their meeting that he was “absolutely delighted” to welcome Biden to Tokyo on the first Asia trip of his presidency. Along with Biden, he drove a tough line against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, saying it “undermines the foundation of global order.” Biden, who is in the midst of a five-day visit to South Korea and Japan, called the US-Japanese alliance a “cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific” and thanked Japan for its “strong leadership” in standing up to Russia. The White House announced plans to build the economic framework in October as a replacement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which the US dropped out of in 2017 under thenPresident Donald Trump. Kishida, while welcoming the new Biden trade pact, said he hoped Biden would reconsider the United States’ position on TPP. “Our position remains unchanged,” Kishida said. “We think it’s desirable for the United States to return to the TPP.” The new pact comes at a moment when the administration believes it has the edge in its competition with Beijing. Bloomberg Economics published a report last week projecting US GDP growth at about 2.8 percent in 2022 compared to 2 percent for China, which has been trying to contain the coronavirus through strict

lockdowns while also dealing with a property bust. The slowdown has undermined assumptions that China would automatically supplant the US as the world’s leading economy. “The fact that the United States will grow faster than China this year, for the first time since 1976, is a quite striking example of how countries in this region should be looking at the question of trends and trajectories,” said White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. The two leaders also met with families of Japanese citizens abducted decades ago by North Korea. The Japanese premier took office last fall and is looking to strengthen ties with the US and build a personal relationship with Biden. He’ll host the president at a restaurant for dinner. The launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, also known as IPEF, has been billed by the White House as one of the bigger moments of Biden’s Asia trip and of his ongoing effort to bolster ties with Pacific allies. Through it all, administration officials have kept a close eye on China’s growing economic and military might in the region. In September the US announced a new partnership with Australia and Britain called AUKUS that is aimed and deepening security, diplomatic and defense cooperation in the AsiaPacific region. Through that AUKUS partnership, Australia will purchase nuclear-powered submarines, and the US is to increase rotational force deployments to Australia. The US president has also devoted great attention to the informal alliance known as the Quad, formed during the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people. Biden and fellow leaders from the alliance, which also includes Australia, India and Japan, are set to gather in Tokyo for their second in-person meeting in less than a year. The leaders have also held two video calls since Biden took office. And earlier this month, Biden gathered representatives from nine of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Washington for a summit, the first ever by the organization in the US capital. Biden announced at the summit the US would invest some $150 million in clean energy and infrastructure initiatives in Asean. Taiwan—which had sought mem-

bership in the IPEF framework— isn’t among the governments that will be included. Participation of the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own, would have irked Beijing. Sullivan said the US wants to deepen its economic partnership with Taiwan, including on high technology issues and semiconductor supply on a one-to-one basis. Biden also issued a stern warning to China over Taiwan, saying the US would respond militarily if China were to invade the self-ruled island. “That’s the commitment we made,” Biden said. The US recognizes Beijing as the one government of China and doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, it maintains unofficial contacts with Taiwan, including a de facto embassy in Taipei, the capital, and supplies military equipment to the island for its defense. Biden’s comments were likely to draw a sharp response from China, which has claimed Taiwan to be a rogue province. A White House official said Biden’s comments did not reflect a policy shift. The Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Kim, other North Koreans attend large funeral amid Covid worry By Hyung-Jin Kim The Associated Press

EOUL, South Korea—A large number of North Koreans including leader Kim Jong Un attended a funeral for a top official, state media reported Monday, as the country maintained the much-disputed claim that its suspected coronavirus outbreak is subsiding. Since admitting earlier this month to an outbreak of the omicron variant, North Korea has only stated how many people have fevers daily, and has only identified a few of the cases as Covid-19. Its state media said Monday that 2.8 million people have fallen ill due to an unidentified fever but only 68 of them died since late April, an extremely low fatality rate if the illness is Covid-19 as suspected. North Korea has limited testing capability for that many sick people, but some experts say it is also likely underreporting mortalities to protect Kim from political damage. The official Korean Central News Agency said Kim attended the funeral Sunday of Hyon Chol Hae, a Korean People’s Army marshal who reportedly played a key role in grooming him as the country’s next leader before Kim’s father died in late 2011. State media photos showed a bare-faced Kim carrying Hyon’s coffin with other men wearing masks before he threw earth to his grave at the national cemetery. They showed many soldiers clad in olive-green uniforms saluting while other officials dressed in dark suits stood at attention. KCNA said “a great many” soldiers and citizens earlier turned out along streets to express their condolences when Hyon’s coffin was moved to the cemetery.

North Korea maintains a nationwide lockdown and other stringent rules to curb the virus outbreak. Region-to-region movement is banned, but key agricultural, economic and other industrial activities were continuing in an apparent effort to minimize harm to the country’s already moribund economy. KCNA said Monday that 167,650 new fever cases had been detected in the past 24-hour period, a notable drop from the peak of about 390,000 reported about one week ago. It said one more person died and that the fever’s fatality rate was 0.002 percent. “All the people of (North Korea) maintain the current favorable turn in the anti-epidemic campaign with maximum awareness, in response to the call of the party central committee for defending their precious life and future with confidence in sure victory and redoubled great efforts,” KCNA said. Experts question the the true toll, given North Korea’s 26 million people are mostly unvaccinated and about 40 percent are reportedly undernourished. The public health care system is almost broken and chronically short of medicine and supplies. In South Korea, where most of its 52 million people are fully vaccinated, the fatality rate of Covid-19 was 0.13 percent as of Monday. South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers last week that some of the fever cases tallied by North Korea include people suffering from other illnesses like measles, typhoid and pertussis. But some civilian experts believe most of the cases were Covid-19. The Associated Press writer Kim Tonghyung contributed to this report.

A8 Tuesday, May 24, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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editorial

Monkeypox: A new global threat?

he world is still reeling from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic, but there’s another virus threatening to spread globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) called for an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the recent outbreak of monkeypox, a viral infection more common to west and central Africa, after more than 100 cases were reported in Europe.

Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. It can also spread between people. Monkeypox symptoms typically include a fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash or lesions. In most cases, the symptoms go away on their own in a few weeks, but in some individuals, they can lead to medical complications and even death. The disease is called monkeypox because it was first identified in colonies of monkeys kept for research in 1958. It was detected in humans in 1970. From May 13 to 21, WHO said 12 non-endemic countries have reported monkeypox infections: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK and the US. From the Associated Press: “Israeli authorities say they have detected the country’s first case of monkeypox in a man who returned from abroad and were looking into other suspected cases. Israel’s Health Ministry said late Saturday the man was in a Tel Aviv hospital in good condition. It called on anyone returning from abroad with fever and lesions to see a doctor.” WHO has identified the following as monkeypox endemic countries: Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana (identified in animals only), Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan. US President Joe Biden said the growing monkeypox outbreak is something everyone should be concerned about. “It is a concern in that if it were to spread it would be consequential. We’re working hard to figure out what we do and what vaccine if any might be available for it,” he said. Could the monkeypox virus become more transmissible, like the new Covid variants, and thus become another global threat? Experts said it is normal for viruses to change. “Every time there’s an outbreak, and the more people get infected, the more chances that monkeypox has to adapt to people,” said Jay Hooper of the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. This means the more people the virus infects, the more chances it has to evolve. That’s why scientists are keeping a close eye on the outbreaks that occur, especially if the virus appears to change its route of transmission, as may be happening in the current monkeypox outbreak. Monkeypox has not been detected in the Philippines or in the country’s borders, according to the Department of Health. “In the interest of protecting the general public from both diseases and misinformation, the Department of Health provides this advisory about the recent cases of monkeypox found in European countries, the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom,” the DOH said in an advisory. It assured the public that it is intensifying screening in Philippine gateways and ensuring that surveillance systems are actively monitoring the situation (Read, “DOH says there is no case of Monkey pox yet in PHL,” in the BusinessMirror, May 20, 2022). Let’s be clear about the current situation: The monkeypox outbreak is not another Covid that requires lockdowns to contain the spread. WHO said the risk to the general public is low, but it is working closely with countries in responding to the monkeypox outbreak as a high priority to avoid further spread. “Raising awareness about this new situation will help to stop further transmission,” WHO said. Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

Challenges and opportunities Manny B. Villar

THE Entrepreneur

want to congratulate the set of newly elected officials who will guide our nation for the next three to six years. Challenges and opportunities await those who received fresh mandate from the electorate to serve the government and our people. I am confident that they are up to the task of serving the interest of the majority of our population, which, at 110 million, is now one of the largest in the world. The incoming administration may have an easier task of managing the pandemic because much of the workload has been accomplished by President Rodrigo Duterte and his Cabinet. But ending the pandemic remains a challenge because it is a global crisis that will continue to affect all of us as part of the international community. I hope that the massive vaccination will continue, including the administration of second booster shots, to protect our people from a possible surge of infections. The Department of Health has detected the local transmission of Omicron

Stay positive John Mangun

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subvariant BA.2.12.1, which authorities believe is about 20 percent more transmissible than the BA.2. The good news is that the situation remains manageable, despite the hectic election period that saw huge political gatherings and rallies. OCTA Research, a group that closely watches the Covid-19 situation, noted no sustained increase in cases following the May 9 polls. Our numbers of active Covid-19 cases have hovered around the 2,000 mark last week, while daily new cases averaged only 160, which were among the lowest since the pandemic started in early 2020.

take a positive approach about the future. Perhaps I am genetically hard-wired that way. Maybe it is from my life experiences. When I was a child, medical treatment consisted of sulfa drugs, penicillin, aspirin, and iodine. Many parents back then—including my own—were told, “If he makes to morning, he will be fine.”

Today, millennials are worried about hearing the wrong pronoun. Sixty-years ago in a speech to the UN, Lorenzo Sumulong, head of the Philippine delegation, said “the peoples of Eastern Europe have been deprived of the free exercise of their civil and political rights and which have been swallowed up by the Soviet Union.” Nikita Khrushchev, First Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, denounced Sumulong as “a jerk, a stooge, and a lackey,” a “toady of American imperialism”, at one point picking up his shoe and banging the desk with it. Soviet military thinkers believed that they could achieve a decisive victory by preemptive nuclear strikes. Today students require universities build rooms designated as “Safe Spaces.” In 1963 St. Olaf College, founded in 1874, built 16 fully

stocked bomb shelters to house its 2,000 students to survive radioactive fallout after a nuclear blast. Tell me more about how you were traumatized by online classes during the pandemic. My first job at 16 was in a store owned by a Holocaust survivor who carried an Auschwitz concentration camp forearm tattoo. Tell me more of the oppression and abuse you suffer being forced to use Twitter and Facebook. I am a firm believer in that motivational cliché for recovering alcoholics. “Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change... etc.” The “Serenity” part is the only thing that matters. I keep the list of things that I worry about to a bare minimum. But even with a positive attitude and understanding of cycles, I am

On the economic front, I am confident the next administration will address the challenges that lie ahead. Among these are the accelerating inflation rate, widening budget deficit and rising public debt. These challenges were actually caused by the health crisis and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. On the economic front, I am confident the next administration will address the challenges that lie ahead. Among these are the accelerating inflation rate, widening budget deficit and rising public debt. These challenges were actually caused by the health crisis and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It will require a delicate balancing act to manage our fiscal affairs. On one hand, we have to sustain public spending to build infrastructure and support our economic recovery. On the other, we need to prevent the widening of the budget deficit to retain our investment-grade sovereign ratings. The key is to raise more revenues by enhancing our collection efficiency and allowing the tax reforms passed by Congress to work over time.

concerned about the future. We have a firestorm of cycles converging— disease, war, and economic chaos. It is a great time to be alive if you do not like being bored. Last week India announced it would ban exports of wheat. Sara Menker, food insecurity analyst and CEO of Gro Intelligence, told the UN Security Council last week that the world has about 10 weeks of stored wheat supplies. “We are in a crisis right now as far as the food chain goes,” said the president of one US Farmers Association. “I never imagined paying $5.63 for a gallon of diesel, $900 a ton for fertilizer, and all-time high prices for soybean seeds.” US Department of Agriculture: “Global corn and global wheat production is forecast down with lower crops in the US, Europe, China, Argentina, and Brazil. Global rice production is forecast at a record with larger crops in South and Southeast Asia.” The good news. Philippine volume of rice and corn production is up 6.6 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively, from Q1 2020 and Q1 2022. The bad news is that all volumes of livestock, poultry and fishery production are down. But from 2021, hopefully the worst is behind us with poultry/pork up but with fish still dropping. The global food price/supply problem is one of several potential failures. Most seem insignificant like

On inflation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas started raising interest rates this year, beginning with a 25-basis-point adjustment in overnight borrowing rate on Thursday, to temper the demand for money, which unfortunately may affect our economic growth assumptions. I just hope that bank interest rates will remain affordable to provide businesses and households with incentives to invest and spend in support of the economic recovery. Following the remarkable 8.3-percent expansion in the first quarter of 2022, our gross domestic product is expected to sustain its growth in the coming quarters. The full impact of the recovery will be more pronounced in the second quarter, when we really started to ramp up business activities. The recovery is supported by election-related spending that usually boosts the growth of several sectors, such as fast-food restaurants, printing, media, transportation and other services. Many economists upgraded their 2022 growth forecasts for the Philippines in line with the government’s target of 7 percent to 9 percent after the first-quarter performance was released. To sustain this growth traction, See “Villar,” A9

the “German beer-bottle shortage.” German Brewers’ Federation: “If you don’t have long-term contracts, you currently have to pay 80 percent more for new glass bottles than you did a year ago.” That is a tip of the iceberg. If the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates, it will kill the US housing market. An appreciating US dollar will cause sovereign defaults in “poor” countries and for “poor” households in “rich” countries. Now the T.G.Y. Filipino. The government’s fiscal condition is good despite all the political propaganda. There is considerable wiggle room with both monetary and fiscal policy, and it is unlikely that the Marcos administration will steer any other course. Let me introduce T.G.Y. Asean. Divide the world into one billion population areas and Asean comes out on top for economic growth, manageable inflation and debt, domestic and foreign investment, capital formation, and peace. The next 12 months, even with the ogres China and US lurking in the shadows, should see a closer unity among Asean nations. All the political and economic garbage from the West may be a blessing in disguise for the Philippines and our regional neighbors. 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.

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BIR’s power to order closure of business

The dwindling opposition Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

Atty. Rodel C. Unciano

Tax Law for Business

ndeed, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is so powerful that it can even suspend business operations and close down business establishments of non-compliant taxpayers.

Section 115 of the Tax Code does authorize the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR) or his authorized representative to suspend business operations and close a business establishment of any person for failure to issue receipts or invoices, failure to file value-added tax return, understatement of taxable sales or receipts, and failure to register as required under Section 236 of the Tax Code. As provided under Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) 3-2009, these are the only grounds for suspension or temporary closure of business. Other infractions therefore not falling under any of the above-mentioned circumstances would not be a sufficient ground for the suspension or temporary closure of a business. And similar with the other powers of the CIR under the Tax Code, the law requires the observance of due process in the CIR’s power to close business operations of a noncompliant taxpayer. Consistent with the due process requirement of the Constitution, the taxpayer should always be given the opportunity to explain his side of the case. Under RMO 3-2009, a non-compliant taxpayer is defined as a taxpayer, who, as a result of surveillance/ stocktaking activities, has been found to have committed the above violations, and who, notwithstanding the issuance of several notices of violations, continues to refuse to comply with the requirements provided under existing rules and regulations. If there is a sufficient ground for the closure of the establishment, a recommendation shall be made to effect such closure. Upon the approval of the recommendation to effect the closure, the BIR shall issue to the taxpayer concerned a notice requiring him to explain under oath within 48 hours why he should not be dealt with administratively, by suspension of business or temporary closure of his business establishment, and/or criminally, for violation of pertinent provisions of the Tax Code. Upon the taxpayer’s submission of the explanation or failure to submit his explanation on or before the deadline, the BIR shall decide

Villar. . .

Continued from A8

it is up to the next administration to address the challenges I mentioned above and take advantage of the opportunities that are available to us, including a large pool of young graduates who are prepared and eager to join the labor force. Unlike other countries that now realize the problem of low population growth rate, the Philippines continues to enjoy the “demographic sweet spot” that led to the booming IT and business process outsourcing industry and other service exports. Remittances continue to contribute to the economy, increasing 2.4 percent in the first quarter of 2022 to $7.77 billion from $7.59 billion in the same period last year. I hope that aside from our labor exports, more local industries will benefit from this demographic dividend, including tourism and manufacturing. Other opportunities that await the next administration include the completion of major infrastructure projects that will benefit other parts of the country. These will further unleash the economic potential of more areas in Luzon, including Subic

whether or not to terminate the case or to pursue administrative/criminal action against the taxpayer. If the BIR deems it necessary to pursue administrative or criminal action, it shall then cause the preparation of a five-day VAT Compliance Notice (VCN). The taxpayer may refute the findings of the BIR and submit his response thereto within two days from receipt of the VCN. If the taxpayer refuses, neglects or fails to submit a response within the prescribed period; or submitted a response that is insufficient; or refuses, neglects or fails to comply with the terms of the five-day VCN, a Closure Order shall then be prepared. The temporary closure of the establishment shall be for the duration of not less than five days and shall be lifted only upon compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Commissioner in the closure order. Although the Tax Code empowers the BIR to order closure of noncompliant business, its enforcement should be exercised with the highest degree of restraint as the impact of closure of business is far reaching. It should be exercised with extreme caution and under the full observance of due process of law as it will not only affect the business operations of the taxpayer under investigation but also the lives of so many people whose livelihood and business activities depend upon its operations. Rather than killing the source of its collection, it would probably be wiser for the tax authority to proceed with the audit, cause the assessment of the taxpayer’s internal revenue tax liabilities, and collect the same, if warranted. The author is a partner of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law), a member-firm of WTS Global. The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at rodel.unciano@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 140.

and Clark, and unlock land values in Visayas and Mindanao. We should also take advantage of various trade agreements we have with our Asean, East Asian, AsiaPacific and European partners, not only to increase our exports but also to allow imports that will help us stabilize inflation. These trade pacts will enable us to bring more of our local bumper harvests such as mangoes, bananas, pineapples and coconut oil to our trading partners. At the same time, the trade agreements will allow us to bring in food items such as rice and wheat at low tariffs to ensure food security for our large population. As much as we would like to be self-sufficient in rice, we have to accept the fact that our population has doubled since 1985, while our rice production area remained the same or even dwindled. Nonetheless, I am upbeat that our next government leaders will fully take advantage of these economic opportunities that will help improve the lives of the Filipinos over the coming years. For comments, send e-mail to mbv_secretariat@vistaland.com.ph or visit www.mannyvillar. com.ph

t’s an understatement to say that there’s a dwindling political opposition in this country. Maybe the proper term is a dying or vanishing opposition. This is very evident in the results of the past two senatorial elections. In 2019, the entire opposition slate, the Otso Diretso or Straight Eight ticket representing the opposition coalition of the anti-Duterte elements was completely overwhelmed by the administration candidates. This decimated the anti-establishment ranks in the Senate, which is generally regarded as the bastion of opposition in the government. After the winning senators were sworn in, only four certified opposition senators answered the call—Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Kiko Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima who had been under detention. While there were independent members who occasionally took an adversarial stance from the administration’s line or policy, they were practically enablers of the majority party except after they had declared themselves as opposition candidates in the last elections. The 2019 senatorial contest demonstrated the formidable machinery of the Duterte political organization. Not even the revered names of Aquino and Roxas represented in the Otso Diretso line-up by reelectionists Bam Aquino and former presidential contender Mar Roxas could save the day for the opposition. Bam Aquino was closest to the winning circle by placing 14th. He was edged out by fellow reelectionist JV Ejercito, 13th placer, and by Nancy Binay who captured the 12th position and the last winning slot. Roxas, who was frequently absent from the campaign sorties, could only manage to land No. 16. This is the most lopsided win in a senatorial contest since 1949 when Elpidio Quirino defeated Jose P. Laurel for the presidency. The entire LP senatorial ticket led by Senator Quintin Paredes won with Teodoro de Vera occupying the

8th and last slot. The great Claro M. Recto, an NP, landed No. 9 but he protested the results and eventually dislodged de Vera as per a decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal handed down on April 3, 1952. This eclipsed the outcome of the mid-year senatorial election in 1967, two years into President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ first term where the Nacionalista Party almost shut out the Liberal Party allowing only Governor Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. (Ninoy) as the sole opposition candidate to win a seat in the Senate. Liberal Party stalwarts and reelectionists Camilo Osias, Maria Kalaw Katigbak and Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo dismally lost. The complete shellacking of the Otso Diretso team in 2019 midterm elections was a black day for the opposition. The 12-0 victory of the Duterte slate did not augur well for our democracy. A government with a token opposition is not healthy as there are not enough fiscalizers to check the excesses of the ruling regime. An effective system of checks-and-balances prevents abuses of those in power and ensures accountability of responsible officers. This was not lost on the opposition as we approached the 2022 elections. Under the leadership of the civic society and a rainbow coalition of anti-establishment political forces, 1SAMBAYAN called for all genuine oppositions to unite and consolidate. The primordial objective was to gather all opposition elements and to form a ticket that can

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 A9

I can bet my life that the opposition will not die or vanish in the halls of the Senate. There are still courageous senators who will place honor above political expediency. overcome the powerful candidates of the administration and avert a repeat of the 2019 disaster. However, the strict and exacting standards of the convenor 1SAMBAYAN had outrightly disqualified a number of viable candidates. Some established political groups had subordinated themselves to 1SAMBAYAN hoping that the latter could succeed to form a unity ticket under one political banner. Liberal Party, a perennial contender in every election, did not field its candidates. Its chairman, VP Leni Robredo, and the party president, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, did not carry the banner of their own party. LP has produced three of our post-war presidents, Manuel A. Roxas, Elpidio Quirino, and Diosdado Macapagal. Even Presidents Ramon F. Magsaysay and Ferdinand E. Marcos were members of the LP until they joined the NP in order to run successfully for president against the incumbent president. Without question, the failure of the opposition to field a common candidate, including their senatorial slate, had spelled their doom. The abominable practice of adopting common senatorial candidates only helped the ruling party. Common candidates gravitated to the more powerful party, which was represented by the ruling party, and joined the winning party after the elections. In the 2022 election, the popular candidates with huge public following like Robin Padilla and Ramon Tulfo were shoo-in to enter the winning column. Movie actor siblings JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada were formidable contenders with their own “masa” loyalists. President Erap Estrada still commanded a sizable following, which placed the two ahead of their rivals without political pedigree. That left us only with eight slots for grabs. Reelectionist Migz Ziubiri, Win Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Joel Villanueva and

Richard Gordon were viable winners, although Gordon failed at the end of the day. The comebacking senators were equally daunting given their previous achievements in the Senate. Who could challenge the credentials of Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, and Alan Peter Cayetano? And last but not the least, Mark Villar was a cinch to be included in the Magic 12 given the fact that he is an heir to a glorious name with a national following and, most of all, a financial fortune that is second to none in the country. In his own right, Mark was one of the achievers of the Duterte administration. With an 11-1 result, the Senate of the 19th Congress is strongly pro-administration. Even if BBM loses support of a couple of senators, he will still enjoy a majority support that guarantees smooth sailing of his legislative agenda in the Senate. With nary an opposition in the Upper Chamber, many believe that the Senate will become a mere rubber stamp of the administration and it will cease to be an organ of the people. But sheer numbers alone do not constitute a majority. US President Andrew Jackson once said: “One man with courage makes a majority.” Senator Claro M. Recto was known as a lone dissenter and a staunch oppositionist, whether he belonged to the majority or minority party. In the Senate where he served for several terms, he was dubbed “one-man fiscalizer.” The feisty Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago was fiercely independent and she was hardly intimidated by the majority. Senator Hontiveros, the only elected senator from the opposition, may not be a lonely voice from the minority. Senator Koko Pimentel, a thoroughbred anti-Marcos, has already declared to join the minority in the Senate. And he may not be alone. Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano, Chiz Escudero, Nancy Binay and Grace Poe, who are noted for their independent streak, may also follow suit. I can bet my life that the opposition will not die or vanish in the halls of the Senate. There are still courageous senators who will place honor above political expediency.

Russian ties shred German ex-leader Schroeder’s standing By Geir Moulson | The Associated Press

ERLIN—Gerhard Schroeder left the German chancellery after a narrow election defeat in 2005 with every chance of a future as a respected elder statesman.

His ambitious overhaul of the country’s welfare state was just beginning to kick in and he had won plaudits among voters for opposing the US-led war in Iraq. Fast-forward to last week: German lawmakers agreed to shut down Schroeder’s taxpayer-funded office, the European Parliament called for him to be sanctioned, and his own party set a mid-June hearing on applications to have him expelled. Schroeder’s reportedly lucrative involvement with the Russian energy sector and his friendly relationship with President Vladimir Putin have raised eyebrows for years, even as many others in Germany backed business and energy ties. But it was his stubbornness in sticking to his energy posts and his failure to wholeheartedly distance himself from Putin after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 that turned the 78-year-old into a political pariah in Germany and estranged him from his party, the center-left Social Democrats of current Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “Gerhard Schroeder has been acting for many years now only as a businessman, and we should stop seeing him as an elder statesman, as a former chancellor,” party co-leader Saskia Esken said last month. On Friday, Russian state energy company Rosneft said that Schroeder plans to step down from its board of directors, which he had chaired since 2017. The move appeared unlikely to undo the damage to his

standing; the Social Democrats’ general secretary, Kevin Kuehnert, said it was “unfortunately much too late.” Scholz said he should quit other Russian energy jobs. The ex-chancellor has for years chaired the shareholders’ committee of Nord Stream AG and headed the board of directors of Nord Stream 2, a second pipeline built to bring gas directly from Russia to Germany that Scholz’s government halted in February. Schroeder, who rose from a poor, working-class background to become Germany’s leader, was chancellor from 1998 to 2005. He initiated an overhaul of Germany’s labor market that was unpopular at the time but was later credited with making Europe’s biggest economy more competitive, helping it weather a series of crises. He also vehemently opposed the US-led war in Iraq, a stance that struck a chord with German voters and helped him secure his second term, but chilled relations with President George W. Bush. Schroeder bonded with Putin, however. He welcomed the Russian leader to his home in Hannover, while the pair also made a joint appearance on a German television talk show. Asked in 2004 whether he considered Putin a “flawless democrat,” the chancellor replied that he did. Within weeks of leaving office, Schroeder drew criticism for his appointment to a German-Rus-

Schroeder bonded with Putin. He welcomed the Russian leader to his home in Hannover, while the pair also made a joint appearance on a German television talk show. Asked in 2004 whether he considered Putin a “flawless democrat,” the chancellor replied that he did.

sian consortium building the Nord Stream gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea, which he had championed as chancellor. He said it was “a matter of honor” to help. In April 2014, he was pictured hugging Putin at a party in St. Petersburg marking his 70th birthday, just as tensions between Russia and the West soared following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. In early February this year, Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom said he had been nominated to join its board of directors — shortly after the ex-chancellor had accused Ukraine of “saber-rattling.” It’s unclear whether the appointment, which was to be confirmed in June, will go ahead. When Scholz visited Moscow shortly before Russia’s invasion, Putin praised Schroeder as an “independent expert” and “a decent person whom we respect.” He said Germans who didn’t want to pay much more for gas should be thankful to their former leader. On the day of the invasion, Schroeder said it was the Russian government’s responsibility to end the war as soon as possible, and that Moscow’s security interests didn’t justify a military intervention. But he didn’t address his own energy posts, and said in a LinkedIn post that “there were many mistakes —

on both sides” in relations between Russia and the West. Schroeder’s stock plummeted further. He gave up the title of honorary citizen of Hannover, preempting a likely decision by city officials, and had his honorary membership of Germany’s soccer federation and leading soccer club Borussia Dortmund withdrawn. Staff resigned in protest. Prominent Social Democrats urged him to leave the party he led from 1999 to 2004; the party’s Hannover branch received 14 applications for his expulsion, which it plans to consider on June 15. Schroeder was defiant in an April interview with The New York Times, declaring that “I don’t do mea culpa.” And he was quoted as saying that a massacre in Bucha, outside Kyiv, “has to be investigated” but he didn’t think the orders would have come from Putin. It’s not clear what eventually prompted Schroeder to pull out of Rosneft. But the announcement came a day after German lawmakers decided to strip him of his office, while the European Parliament approved a resolution that “strongly demands” he give up his positions with Russian firms and calls for politicians “who continue to receive Russian money” to be sanctioned. Scholz indicated that he doesn’t support sanctions against Schroeder at present. “The public self-destruction of his reputation was as sad to watch as it was unsettling,” the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper commented. “No one could explain how a man who was once marked by outstanding political instinct let the discussion run until his privileges were withdrawn.”

A10 Tuesday, May 24, 2022

BIR’S LARGE TAXPAYERS’ UNIT TO HANDLE MEGAWORLD AUDIT By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

UBLICLY-LISTED property developer Megaworld Corp. is still not yet off the hook as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) - Large Taxpayers Service will now be the one auditing the sale of Taguig properties that the company is developing under its joint venture (JV) with state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). Speaking before the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Finance Assistant Secretary Dakila Napao confirmed that the BIR will still look into the issues related to Megaworld but this would no longer be done by the special audit task force following Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez’s recent suspension order. The Department of Finance (DOF) on Saturday announced that the revenue special orders and operations memoranda creating special audit task forces were suspended to avoid confusion among taxpayers. Asked by House Ways and Means Committee Chair Albay Rep. Joey Salceda whether the BIR Large Taxpayers Service will be auditing Megaworld, Napao said: “Yes, Mr. Chair. That is the instruction.” This came days after the BIR released a media advisory announcing that it would supposedly issue a closure order against Megaworld Corporation. However, the BIR later in the day advised the media that the event was “held in abeyance until further notice” as Mega-

world vowed full cooperation in complying with the taxman’s requirements. Prior to the suspension of the creation of special audit task forces, BIR Regional Director Eduardo Pagulayan, Jr. of the agency’s Revenue Region 8-B said during the hearing that it was looking into the properties owned by BCDA which were being developed by Megaworld. The joint venture that was the subject of the dispute is t he one Megaworld sig ned with the BCDA in 2009 regarding the development of Taguig properties. On top of this, Pagulayan said the joint venture between Megaworld and BCDA was not also registered with the BIR. He said Megaworld initially refused to give their records for the audit done by the special task force, prompting BIR’s plan to issue a closure order against the company.

Megaworld: We were responsive

HOWEVER, Megaworld Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Kevin L. Tan argued that they have been responsive since the first letter of authority was issued by BIR. Megaworld Head of Corporate Advisory and Compliance Division Maria Carla T. Uykim also stressed that the taxman denied the company due process because they were not notified about the supposed issuance of the closure order and they were not given the time to hear their side.

Unused GOCC subsidies, 4 options eyed to fund ‘BBM’

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

LBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda on Monday proposed five options that the incoming administration could do to bankroll its economic recovery package, including passing a provision that allows the President to use unused or unreleased subsidies to GOCCs. In a statement, Salceda, the incumbent chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means, pointed out that realignment of budget is not the only recourse for the incoming administration to finance its “Bayan Bangon Muli” (BBM) economic stimulus package. “Realignment is not the only recourse for the President-elect [Ferdinand Marcos Jr]. I can see at least five other possible courses of action for the package to be funded adequately,” he said.

First, Salceda said the incoming administration can do a “cash sweep” similar to what President Duterte did through Executive Order (EO) 87, which ordered the reversion to the Bureau of the Treasury of unliquidated balances of accounts payable prior to the issuance of the EO in 2019. Salceda noted that the economic stimulus package could be in the form a “supplemental appropriations bill” with “unprogrammed allocations” that can be funded using excess revenues and augmentations like the usual unprogrammed al-

locations in a regular General Appropriations Act (GAA). “So, augmentation, excess revenues, and other relevant provisions under unprogrammed allocations in the 2022 GAA can be lifted into this provision,” he said. Salceda also proposed measures that allow easier financing of the incoming administration’s economic recovery package, such as adopting provisions from the Duterte administration’s Bayanihan law. “We can adopt the Bayanihan provision on the power to discontinue programs, projects, and activities, provided that certain parameters for discontinuance can be set. I think we can place a moratorium on some wasteful spending practices, such as year-end on-site seminars,” he said. “The package can include a provision that utilizes any unused funds in Special Purpose Funds for the programs under the package,” he added. Salceda also proposed that a provision, allowing the President to use unused or unreleased subsidies to GOCCs and government agencies that “will no longer be able to finish the program subsidized this year,”

be included in the bill. “In any case, let’s give the new administration a chance to fund and enact its own plans and programs for the country’s economic recovery,” he said. Majority Leader Martin Romualdez last week said the next Congress is eyeing the passage of Bayanihantype of legislation called Bayan Bangon Muli and resetting of the scheduled December barangay elections to save P8 billion that can be used to fight the pandemic. “It was [presumptive] President Marcos’s initials, BBM or Bayan Bangon Muli bill stimulus package that will allow the incoming President to harness the resources available during the closing period of 2022 and [pass] measures that are needed for the pandemic, hopefully endemic stage of this COVID,” Romualdez said. He added that one of the appeals of the barangay chairpersons they met at the Liga ng mga Barangays, is the resetting of barangay polls, “so we shall consider that.” Romualdez said the next Congress will prioritize the passage of presumptive President Marcos Jr.’s legislative agenda.

See “BIR,” A2

Solid track record, no political ties: biz groups’ wish for economic team

HE country’s biggest business groups appear more inclined to see a clean slate for economic managers with no political attachments, if only to ensure delivery of results seen to jumpstart the sluggish economy. Citing the need for presumptive president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to come up with a formidable economic team, Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) Chairman Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. hinted at a list of merits for “bankable” experts in fields related and crucial to the economy. According to Ortiz-Luis Jr., who is also the chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PCCI), deciding whom to appoint as economic managers is crucial as the country tries to recover from the economic slump caused by the two-year-plus Covid-19 pandemic, the oil crisis and the war in Ukraine. The government’s economic team includes top officials of the Department of Finance, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Agriculture (DA) the Department of Transportation (DOTR) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Ortiz-Luis Jr., Barcelon and Philippine Stock Exchange Chairman Jose Pardo are among the convenors of the Sulong Pasay, an LGU-based private-public partnership group aim to help revive the economy during and after the pandemic in Pasay City.

Asked as to whom the business community would endorse for these agencies, they said that it was never their policy to make endorsements. He, however, hinted at criteria which the next administration may consider in appointing Cabinet Secretaries, especially for a dream economic team. High on these criteria for economic team players is appointing apolitical individuals, with remarkable track record in their fields of expertise—or somebody from within the agencies with unblemished record and known workhorse. Sought to validate names which have been circulating in the social media, Ortiz-Luis Jr. warded off the supposed roster of Cabinet Secretaries, adding this “could just be a figment of imagination of somebody else, out of boredom.” However, Ortiz-Luis Jr. mentioned the likes of Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, Neda chief Karl Chua, DTI Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman, DOE Undersecretary Benito Ranque and even Senate Energy Committee Chairman Senator Sherwin Gatcha lian—names which he claimed impressed the business community. For his part, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president George T. Barcelon said: “I would agree. We have invited Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to our forum regarding power. And of course the credit must go to the Economic team headed by the Secretary of Finance on our tax reform.” See “Track record,” A2

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III presides over the opening of the hybrid plenary session at the Senate Session hall on Monday (May 23, 2022), as the chamber reconvened from the election recess. Among the first items adopted was a Resolution expressing the profound sympathy and sincere condolences of the Senate of the Philippines on the death of Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora Poe, popularly known as Susan Roces, considered the “Queen of Philippine Movies.” ROY DOMINGO

BBM meets envoys from US, Japan, Sokor, India

NCOMING President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. received United States Chargé d’Affaires, and the Ambassadors from Japan, South Korea, and India during separate meetings Monday at the BBM headquarters in Mandaluyong city. First to visit Marcos was Kazuhiko Koshik awa, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines at around 9 am, followed by Ambassador Kim Inchul of South Korea, who paid a courtesy call at 10 am. At around 11 am Indian Ambassador Shambhu S. Kumaran also paid a visit followed by US Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava who arrived at about 12 noon. During their private meetings, the envoys vowed to strengthen the ties in trade and diplomacy, as well as their common interests in democracy, self-determination,

and economic recovery. “We were able to discuss many of the things that how are we going to handle the next few years in terms of the relationship of our countries,” Marcos told reporters in a press conference after the series of meetings. The envoys from the four countries also assured Marcos of their willingness to provide necessary assistance to hasten the country’s recovery from the ill-effects of the pandemic. Speaking partly in Filipino, Marcos said he reminded the diplomats that, “In my view, recovery from this pandemic cannot be done by just one country, no matter how big. The partnership will be the one that will bring us to keep the global economy at least as stable as possible.” The Indian Ambassador, for his

part, told reporters after his meeting with Marcos: “We’ve been having excellent progress for the past few years, and we look forward to continuing the progress that in the relevance under the new administration.” Other representatives were not able to meet the media after their meetings with Marcos as they had to leave soon due to prior engagements. Marcos also assured the envoys from the four countries that the Philippines has always held them in high regard as friends, allies and partners. Marcos won via landslide after garnering more than 31 million votes during the May 9 national polls. Earlier, world leaders including those from US, China, Russia, Japan, Australia, South Korea and

from the European Union congratulated Marcos on his win. “As you know, I have received congratulatory messages from heads of state. I have talked to them. The first to call me were US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi,” Marcos noted. “Also, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida, I even spoke with the outgoing Prime Minister of Australia, PM Morrison who had just gone through an election. So, a lot of things have really happened, we’re already being recognized,” he said. “This new administration is being recognized; it seems there is no problem with recognition. Maybe the comfortable margin that we enjoy during the election has a part to play in that,” Marcos said. Earlier, various world leaders hailed the peaceful and orderly conduct of elections in the country.

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

3D ANALYZER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES INC. 7-8/f Double Dragon Plaza, 255 Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd., Barangay 76, Pasay City DIEP THANH TUAN Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking 1.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services. Maintains customer records by updating account information in Mandarin Format.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Spoken & Written Mandarin and Other Dialects Spoken in Other Parts of China.

COWPAR, NICHOLAS Compliance Director 2.

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with the commercial director in setting and driving organizational vision

ZHENG, WEIJUN Mandarin Customer Relations Officer 15.

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

800 FITNESS WEST TO EAST CORPORTION Unit 609-611,, 6th Floor The Infinity Tower 26th Street, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: 3-5 years relevant work experience in compliance environment, preferably in operations and legal compliance

16.

Brief Job Description: Perform core business process transactions including data entry, data capture, data verification, according to standards delivery solutions

17.

Brief Job Description: Tasked with technical development of securing business payment solutions, including integration with third party systems.

18.

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

Brief Job Description: Build strong, long-lasting customer relationships by partnering with them and understand their needs

Brief Job Description: Makes technical recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of equipment to increase production rate

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

CHEN, YINGYING Mandarin Customer Relations Officer 8.

Brief Job Description: Handles the concerns of the people who buy their company’s products or services.

JIANG, SONG Mandarin Customer Relations Officer 9.

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

KE, JIAJING Mandarin Customer Relations Officer 10.

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

LONG, XIONG Mandarin Customer Relations Officer 11.

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

LUO, CHENG Mandarin Customer Relations Officer 12.

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate of business communications

20.

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

Basic Qualification: with experience with grab and cutter equipment

21.

13.

Brief Job Description: Handles the concerns of the people who buy their company’s products or services.

WANG, WENZHI Mandarin Customer Relations Officer 14.

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

Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

NGUYEN HOANG CHAU KHA Vietnamese Language-officer Fund Management Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

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

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in mandarin, with related BPO experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in mandarin language.

28.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in mandarin, with related BPO experience

KIM, SUNG HWAN General Manager 29.

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in mandarin, with related BPO experience

KANPLUK, SUPHOT Heavy Equipment Operator Specialist 22.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in mandarin, with related BPO experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BELFEKI, NIZAR Sand Fill Master 23.

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in mandarin, with related BPO experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in mandarin, with related BPO experience

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the safe and correct execution of the sand fill plan. To lead a team of personnel (operators and pipe filters) on a wet sand fill.

KESAVAN, MURALEEDHARAN Sand Fill Master 24.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the safe and correct execution of the sand fill plan. To lead a team of personnel (operators and pipe filters) on a wet sand fill.

30.

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in mandarin, with related BPO experience

SEGURA BARRAGAN, JUAN MANUEL Sand Fill Master 25.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the safe and correct execution of the sand fill plan. To lead a team of personnel (operators and pipe filters) on a wet sand fill.

SHAFEEK, ABDUL JAMEEL Sand Fill Master

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in mandarin, with related BPO experience

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the safe and correct execution of the sand fill plan. To lead a team of personnel (operators and pipe filters) on a wet sand fill.

TRAVESSA PEREIRA, BRUNO ALEXANDRE Sand Fill Master 27.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the safe and correct execution of the sand fill plan. To lead a team of personnel (operators and pipe filters) on a wet sand fill.

MOHAMMAD ALFATH AZAKI HARNIM Team Manager Brief Job Description: Contract Creation, Negotiation and Review

KIMURA, KAZUMASA Project Manager 31.

Basic Qualification: Must have extensive work experience of at least 3 years in a sand fill position with an international Dredging and Land reclamation company or international construction projects.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in written and spoken Indonesian (Bahasa) language, experience in Legal and Contract Management Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Brief Job Description: In charge of the overall execution of the Project and Reports to the Management about the result of the Project

Basic Qualification: With at least 10 years’ experience in construction or related industry and 10 years managerial position Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

COMWORKS INFRATECH CORP. 1050 Cwi Corporate Center, Quezon Ave., Paligsahan, Quezon City

KIEL, ALEXANDER CHRISTOPH CEO 32.

Brief Job Description: Set the overall direction of the company comprising long term strategies as well as annual operating plans, including financial targets and investment needed; leads the SMT and other key functions to achieve business objectives via robust execution process.

Basic Qualification: At least 15 years’ experience in Telecommunication infrastructure sector of which at least 10 years in a Director/CxO role; At least 5 years of relevant experience in a reputable infrastructure company; relevant experience in multiple markets/regions is preferred; candidates with Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline or MBA is preferred. Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

COTECH CONSULTANCY CORP. 9/f 6780 Bldg., 6780 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati FAN, CHENYI Chinese Customer Service Representative 33.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers’ needs to achieve satisfaction. LI, WANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

34.

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Responsible for the safe and correct execution of the sand fill plan. To lead a team of personnel (operators and pipe filters) on a wet sand fill.

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

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in mandarin, with related BPO experience

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

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

CCT CONSTRUCTORS CORPORATION 3/f Planters Products Bldg., 109 Esteban St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English language both in written and verbal. Must familiar in expert planning and administrative writing and reporting skills.

CAPGEMINI PHILIPPINES CORP. 12f, Ten West Campus Bldg., Le Grand Avenue, Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers’ needs to achieve satisfaction. QI, LIN Chinese Customer Service Representative

35.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers’ needs to achieve satisfaction. XU, JIUYIN Chinese Customer Service Representative

36.

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

Brief Job Description: Design strategy and goals for growth, control budget and optimize expenses, ensure employee are motivated and productive.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write in Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai and Mandarin to cater foreign market

BYTE COMPUTER INT’L TRADING INC. Alabang Zapote Rd., Rsti Compound, Manuyo Uno, City Of Las Piñas

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

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write in Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai and Mandarin to cater foreign market

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the safe and correct execution of the sand fill plan. To lead a team of personnel (operators and pipe filters) on a wet sand fill.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in mandarin, with related BPO experience

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

VAN WAGENINGEN, JAN Sand Fill Master

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

26. TAN, BILU Mandarin Customer Relations Officer

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

BIGCAT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, INC. 18/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue Cor. Rufino Street, Salcedo Vill., Bel-air, City Of Makati

TRAN MAI YEN VY Vietnamese Language-officer Customer Service

No.

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in mandarin, with related BPO experience

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

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center, Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd., Barangay 76, Pasay City BAI, ZHONG Mandarin Customer Relations Officer

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

19.

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

A11

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Basic Qualification: With knowledge in NFC and advance Cryptography Experience in algorithm

BAUER FOUNDATIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit A To K 12/f Cyberone Bldg., 11 Eastwood Ave., Eastwood City Cyberpark, Bagumbayan, Quezon City ZISSER, HOLGER Specialist Mechanic

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

NANG SAN PAUNG Myanmari Customer Service

ANGEL TECHNOLOGY PHILIPPINES INC U-706 Phil. Axa Life Centre, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Cor. Tindalo St., San Antonio, City Of Makati TEO KEAN YIN Senior Sales Manager

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

AUNG HTET Myanmari Customer Service

ACTION.ABLE INC. 2/f Crown Center, 158 N. Garcia Cor. Jupiter Sts., Bel-air, City Of Makati MUNTEANU, LUCIAN Technical Operations Manager

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

YANG, LIQIN Mandarin Customer Service

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

Basic Qualification: JLPT N2 Certified

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

CUI, JIA Mandarin Customer Service

ACCENTURE, INC. 7f, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1, Pioneer St, City Of Mandaluyong NDIKUBWIMANA, BONHEUR Service Delivery Ops Analyst

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers’ needs to achieve satisfaction. ZENG, YAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

37.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers’ needs to achieve satisfaction.

Basic Qualification: Expert in Chinese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Expert in Chinese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Expert in Chinese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Expert in Chinese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Expert in Chinese language. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CURRENTCORE SERVICES INC. Unit 2c, Flr. No. 4f, One Ecom Center Bldg. Ocean Drive St., Barangay 76, Pasay City

38.

HE, ZHI Mandarin Site Technical Officer Brief Job Description: Preparing and following general maintenance schedule

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

DREAMFIT CONSULTING CORPORATION 117a-117b, Grace Residences, Cayetano Boulevard, Ususan, City Of Taguig SALE, STEPHANIE JESSICA Country Manager 39.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing all operation within the Philippines.

Basic Qualification: Sensitivity to different cultural norms, 5 years or more experience in management. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

DYNASTY TEPPANYAKI BUFFET CORPORATION U117-118 6/f, Met Live Metro Pa Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City CHAU, RICHARD Restaurant Supervisor/manager 40.

Brief Job Description: Enduring incoming staff complies with company policy, training staff to follow restaurant procedures, maintaining safety and food quality standards organizing schedules

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Language both in written and verbal. Have knowledge for handling heavy equipment machine. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

EASYTECH SUPPORT INC. 9-11/f, 14/f Capella Bldg., Asean Drive Filinvest, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

BusinessMirror

A12 A6 Tuesday, May 24, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION SY MY VAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

41.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin.

ZHANG, TINGTING Mandarin Supervisor

Basic Qualification: Can speak mandarin

Brief Job Description: Establish and manage budget

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

INQUICK SERVICES INC. Unit 606 6/f Itc Bldg., 337 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati XU, YANAN Mandarin Speaking Marketing Officer 43.

Brief Job Description: Optimize crm campaigns & newsletter based on performance and engagement data.

57.

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

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

42.

No.

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

KO, SHENG-BIN Bilingual Admin Coordinator 44.

Brief Job Description: Will be in-charge of helping the customers with complaints and questions, give customers information about products and services, take orders, and process returns.

58.

59.

YANG, YU-HAO Bilingual Admin Coordinator 45.

Brief Job Description: Will be in-charge of helping the customers with complaints and questions, give customers information about products and services, take orders, and process returns.

60.

SU, DAXUN Junior Marketing Analyst - Mandarin Speaking 46.

Brief Job Description: Gather and analyze statistical data using modern and traditional methods to collect it. ZHENG, CHANGMING Marketing Promotions Specialist - Mandarin Speaking

47.

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research and analyze trends to identify new marketing opportunities

48.

Brief Job Description: Monitor company weekly cash flow; ensure timely manner submission of tax. LEE CHENG TAI Sales Executive

49.

Brief Job Description: Manage live birds and dress birds sales from farm to market. Schedule day of chicks stocking to company’s farm and customer’s farm.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Strong prioritization, organization, project management skills and fluent in Mandarin.

50.

Brief Job Description: Customer service representative to manage customer queries and complaints.

63.

64.

65.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/ Financial management or related field Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

66.

67.

68.

69.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor of journalism. Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Must be bachelor’s / college degree in any fields, at least 2 yrs. Of working experience in the Related positions, ability to maintain high level of confidentiality

70.

71.

72.

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

KIM, JONGWON Operations Manager (Korean) 51.

Brief Job Description: Operations manager in performing their duties, ensure proper staffing at all store

Basic Qualification: Must be bachelor’s / college degree in any fields, at least 2 yrs. Of working experience in the Related positions, ability to maintain high level of confidentiality Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MAYEKAWA PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 4f Unit A&b Suntree Tower, 13 Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig UENO, HIROYUKI Technical Director 52.

Brief Job Description: In charge and checks the design, detailed engineering, installation and supervision of various cold storage or cooling system project

Basic Qualification: 10 years or more experience as electrical engineer in industrial engineering and with strong background on MYCOM brand compressors

WANG, SHIHAO Mandarin Operations Specialist 53.

Brief Job Description: Committed to improving customer experience and operational efficiency

73.

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

54.

55.

56.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HLA MYO OO Burmese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires SAN SAN MYINT Burmese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

74.

75.

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

DYORA DHERNISSA Indonesian Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries EVIANA Indonesian Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HENDRIK Indonesian Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires SUWARDI Indonesian Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WINSTON Indonesian Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries. HA THI HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HO THE NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HO THI HOAI THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG THI THU HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG TRONG TUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN THU HANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires VO ANH HAO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problems. RAYMOND Indonesian Customer Service Representative

76.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

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

No.

80.

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

81.

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

82.

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

83.

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

84.

85.

86.

77.

87.

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

78.

88.

79.

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

89.

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

JIA, HONG Chinese Customer Service 90.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

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

LIU, MENG Chinese Customer Service 91.

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

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

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

92.

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

93.

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

94.

95.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

WU, YUTE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WU, ZEWEI Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: German language skills

QIN, SI Chinese Customer Service

SU, YONGZHI Chinese Customer Service

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

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

Brief Job Description: Provide customer service across all contact channels (voice/ non-voice)

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

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

Brief Job Description: German speaking customer support

SCHUSTER, HEIKO Customer Support Advisor - German Agent

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

HUANG, ZHENGLONG Chinese Customer Service

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

Basic Qualification: German language skills

Brief Job Description: Agent who will take in chats/emails and provide customer service

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

HAN, DAJIAN Chinese Customer Service

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

ANDERKA, DANIEL MARCEL Customer Support Advisor - German Agent

DITTMAR, DENNIS Customer Support Advisor - German Agent

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

GAO, AILING Chinese Customer Service

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

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

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

CHEN, KANGLE Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Manages sports trading

Basic Qualification: College degree and relevant work experience Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above Basic Qualification: College degree and relevant work experience Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above Basic Qualification: College degree and relevant work experience Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 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 Sky Garage Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

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

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

CAIRNS, ROSS PAUL Trading Performance Manager

XU, YALING Chinese Speaking Program Designer

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

Brief Job Description: Analysis of sports markets and events in Southeast Asia

SHI, WANBIN Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

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

TOWNSEND, NICHOLAS DAVID Managing Director

MAK LOONG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the overall management of NCH Customer Support Services Inc.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION DUNNING, IAN MICHAEL Managing Director

NCH CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES, INC. Flr. No. 6/f, 7/f, Tower 3 West Bldg., Double Dragon Plaza, Edsa Ext. Cor. Macapagal Ave. St., Barangay 76, Pasay City

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

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

KELVIN HALIM Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

JOHAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City HAY MAR LINN Burmese Customer Service Representative

ZHANG, JIANFEI Chinese Customer Service Representative

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

MPOTECH DIGITAL SYSTEM INC. 47/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

MINDSCAPE CREATIVES INC. Unit 19-o, Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

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

KEE WEI SIANG Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

MAGKING SERVICES CORPORATION Unit 5d Rose Industries Bldg., #11, Pioneer Street, Kapitolyo, City Of Pasig

KIM, DONGKYU Customer Service Representative

62.

Basic Qualification: Strong communication, presentation and skills and fluent in Mandarin.

LEONG HUP (PHILIPPINES), INCORPORATED Penthouse 6 Landsdale Tower, #86 Mother Ignacia Ave., Paligsahan, Quezon City SAM JIA XIN Assistant Finance Manager

61.

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

JQ INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION INC. Unit 9 & 10, 2f Bttc Centre,, 288 Ortigas Ave., Greenhills, City Of San Juan

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

ZOU, WEIQIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months experience in the said field With good oral and communication skills, specifically English language Knowledgeable in basic computer applications and software

HUANG, SHI-HAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

LU, SHANSHAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

INTEGRITY GLOBAL GROUP, INC. 2/f-3/f Ayala Malls Circuit, A.p. Reyes Ave., Carmona, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months experience in the said field With good oral and communication skills, specifically English language Knowledgeable in basic computer applications and software

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

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

ZHANG, QIZHEN Chinese Customer Service 96.

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 experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION KAEWNO, MONTAKAN Customer Service Representative

97.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handing complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents. KELLY Customer Service Representative

98.

99.

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

PHUENNAK, KAWISARA Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ANG KOK KEONG Malaysian Customer Service 100.

101.

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

CHEONG HWEE PING Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

DERRICK TEH CHUN WEI Malaysian Customer Service 102.

103.

104.

105.

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

ERIC CHAN WAI HOU Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ERIC LIAU HAN CHOON Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

IVAN CHAN KAH PENG Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services KONG JUN HAO Malaysian Customer Service

106.

107.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills LAM JIA QI Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services LEE KENG HONG Malaysian Customer Service

108.

109.

110.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills LEONG JIA YEANG Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LOH JIAN QUAN Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

MARVIN TSEU JENN JYE Malaysian Customer Service 111.

112.

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

THAM DI SHEN Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

AUNG AUNG OO Myanmari Customer Service 113.

114.

115.

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

AYE THIDA Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

CHAN KWE LIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

No.

116.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

117.

118.

119.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

120.

121.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

122.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

123.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

124.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

125.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

126.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

127.

128.

129.

130.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

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

KAUNG SHEIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

KYAW SWAR OO Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

MYAT THIRI KYAW Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

MYO MYINT HTWE Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NANG MYAT PHOO NGOHN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NANG SU SANDAR KYAW Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NAW AUNG Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NAY TUN WIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SAI AUNG MYO MIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WAI WAI MOE MYINT Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TUNG, YEN-CHEN Taiwanese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

YANG, CHIA-WEI Taiwanese Customer Service 131.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language). Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

KYAW KYAW NAING Myanmari Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

JAUNG PYINT SAUT Myanmari Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

EANT EANT OO Myanmari Customer Service

HTET HTET AYE Myanmari Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents. BAN VAN SON Vietnamese Customer Service

132.

133.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills BE HUU KHANH Vietnamese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

BUI DINH HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service

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

134.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

A13

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

No.

135.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

136.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

137.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

138.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (native language).

139.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

140.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

141.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

142.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

143.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

144.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

145.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

146.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

147.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

148.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

149.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English)

150.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CAI THI MY LE Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CAO THI THU HA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

CHANG CA HAU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CHANG NHOC TSUI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

CHU THAI THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CHU THANH HUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CHU THI SON Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

CHUONG NIN OI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DANG THUY DUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DANG TRONG PHONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DAO BICH HOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DAO HOANG AN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DAO NGOC NGA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DAO VAN TRI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DIEP KIEU DIEM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DINH CHUNG HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

151.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

152.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

153.

DINH QUOC TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

DOAN TRUNG DUC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HA THI HOAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A14 A6 Tuesday, May 24, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HA VAN QUYET Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HO MY LAY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HO NHI CONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HO SY KIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG THI THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG THI THUY TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG VAN NGA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG VAN TRONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services LA DINH LONG Vietnamese Customer Service

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Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills LAM THI THO Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LANG THI THUY NA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LANG VAN TUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LE HOANG AN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LE THI ANH LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services LE THI HANG Vietnamese Customer Service

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Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills LE THI HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LE THI KIM CHI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services LE VAN PHU Vietnamese Customer Service

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Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills LE XUAN HAO Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services LEO VAN CUONG Vietnamese Customer Service

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Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

No.

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

191.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LO DIEU THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LO VAN TAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LUAN VAN MANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LUONG VAN HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LUU VAN CHIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

MAI THI TUYET HOA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGO THI HOAI AN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGO VAN TRIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN HUNG HAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN HUYNH BAO TRAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services NGUYEN MINH TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

192.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills NGUYEN NANG VU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN NGOC SON Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN NGOC TAY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN QUOC LUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN THANH HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THANH TU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THANH TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THAO NGUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

203.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN THI BICH QUYNH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THI CAM LY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THI HUYEN TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THI NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN THI PHUONG ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THI QUYNH NHU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THI THANH THUY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN THI THAO Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THI THU THAO Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THI THU TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN TRONG VINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN TRUNG TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN VAN AN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN VAN HAO Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN VAN LE Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN VIET THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAM MINH PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

PHAM THI THU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAM THI THUY VY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION PHAM VIET NGAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

PHUN CA DANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services. SY A TAT Vietnamese Customer Service

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Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills TA THU LAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

THAI HOANG ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

THAI VAN TAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TO VAN KHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRAN THI NGAT Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TRAN THI NGOC TUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRAN TRI NHIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TRAN TRUNG KIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TRAN VAN HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRIEU QUANG TRUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TRINH THI QUYNH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TRUONG VAN THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TSAN SET HOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

UNG CAM DAU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VAY PAC SANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VI VAN DUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VO MINH THUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

No.

232.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

VO THI TIEN Vietnamese Customer Service 233.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

234.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

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Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

239.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

240.

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

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VU DINH THE Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

VU VAN DONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

VU VAN DUC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

VUI A TIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: Monitoring and maintaining computer systems and networks

TAKAHASHI, RYOSUKE President And Managing Director Brief Job Description: Overall Management of the Company

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Brief Job Description: Accountable in providing end to end HR Operations support to employees, line managers, and local HR. Provides translation support for cases/request from French to English or vice versa. Acts as the owner of the schedules during its execution. Acts as primary point of contact for haulers, terminals and Customer Operations (CSC) in managing amendments to schedule and ensure operational excellence and process compliance.

DUONG THI THAO NGUYEN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service GUO, ZONG-HAN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service HO THI THU THAO Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service SU, YU-DE Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service SU, YU-TING Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service

LI, ZITAO Chinese Speaking Brand Marketing Specialist 248.

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

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

MA, HAILONG Chinese Speaking Brand Marketing Specialist 249.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

253.

Basic Qualification: Confidential employee appointed by the principal office in Japan Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in French Language

254.

255.

256.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Both Oral and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Both Oral and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

257.

OUYANG, WENJIE Chinese Speaking Brand Marketing Specialist 250.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information. NGUYEN TRI CONG Vietnam - Speaking Customer Service Officer

258.

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information. NGUYEN VAN THIEN Vietnam - Speaking Customer Service Officer

259.

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information. PHAM VAN THANG Vietnam - Speaking Customer Service Officer

260.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign Language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign Language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign Language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign Language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign Language speaking. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign Language speaking. 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

261.

TU GIA VINH Vietnamese Language-customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Deal with and help resolve customer complaints.

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

WNS GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 9/f 1880 Bldg., Eastwood City Cyberpark, Bagumbayan, Quezon City NEDUNURI, SRIKANTH General Manager - Operations 262.

Brief Job Description: Customer & client facing & strive to deliver excellent customer experience continuous improvement experiments through your team harvest ideas MOTADOO, SAMRUDDHI Senior General Manager - Operations Brief Job Description: Customer & client facing & strive to deliver excellent customer experience continuous improvement experiments through your team harvest ideas SINGH, AMITDEEP Sr. Director - Transitions

264.

Brief Job Description: Customer & client facing & strive to deliver excellent customer experience continuous improvement experiments through your team harvest ideas

SHARMA, ROHIT Sr. General Manager - Operations 265.

Brief Job Description: Client management, service delivery and people management.

Basic Qualification: Black belt experience of 2 years and above Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Black belt experience of 2 years and above Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Black belt experience of 2 years and above Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Healthcare / collections experience mandatory. Minimum requirement at least 3 years with relevant experience as a Group Manager or as a Sr. Group Manager. Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

XUSHENG TECHNOLOGY CORP. Flr. No. 1-5 Bldg., No. 0050 F.b. Harrison St. Cor. Williams And Roberts St. Zone 4, District 1, Barangay 13, Pasay City LI, I-HSUAN Bilingual Customer Service Representative 266.

Brief Job Description: Build strong and lasting relationship with customer and provide excellent customer service experience

Basic Qualification: Excellent in Bilingual Languages Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

YOUBIN CONSULTANCY INC. 7/f Ba Lepanto Bldg., Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati LI, MING Chinese Consultant 267.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written

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

NGUYEN THI CAM THUY Vietnam - Speaking Customer Service Officer

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Both Oral and Written

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

Brief Job Description: Management & supervision of the company

NGUYEN THANH TUNG Vietnam - Speaking Customer Service Officer

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Both Oral and Written

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

Basic Qualification: College Degree/Japanese Translator

SHIMADA, TAKEHIRO General Manager

HOANG VAN TIEN Vietnam - Speaking Customer Service Officer

263.

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

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written

VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor., Washington St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin Both Oral and Written

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

TT&V CONSULTANCY INC. 12/f 28/f Pacific Star Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Cor. Makati Aves., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services ZHU, HUAWEI Chinese Speaking Digital Marketing Specialist

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

SPRITZER TRADING CORP. 37/f Lkg Tower, 6801 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

252.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services WAN, ZHENGXI Chinese Speaking Brand Marketing Specialist

SPEED QUALITY TECH INC. 20/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

251.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION PAN, XINGLIN Chinese Speaking Brand Marketing Specialist

SAMBONE, FILBERT ISMAILA HR Advisor (French Speaker)

246.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

VONG HONG CON Vietnamese Customer Service

No.

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

SHELL SHARED SERVICES (ASIA) B.V. 16/f-25/f Solaris One Bldg., 130 Dela Rosa St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

ORIENTAL COFFEE ALLIANCE, INC. 2203 High Street Corporate South Plaza Tower 1, 9th Ave. Cor. 26th Street, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

VO VAN CUONG Vietnamese Customer Service

DENG, QINGHUI Mandarin Technical Support

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

A15

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION VO NGUYEN HAI QUYNH Vietnamese Customer Service

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Brief Job Description: Responsible for meeting clients to discuss their advertising needs.

Basic Qualification: Proficiency speaking, reading and writing in mandarin. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

FUJITA CORPORATION-PHILIPPINE BRANCH OFFICE U-14A Chatham House, 118 Valero Street, Bel-Air, Makati City 268.

YAMAMOTO, NARAI Treasurer

*Date Generated: May 23, 2022 In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on May 18, 2022, the name of LAI, YI-HSIEN of SPEED QUALITY TECH INC., should have been read as LAI, YI-HSIEN 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.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Tech retailer to raise ₧5.4B via IPO to fund expansion

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

pson International Corp., a retailer of personal computers and other gadgets, has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) that could raise P5.42 billion. The operator of Octagon Computer Superstore, Micro Valley and Gadget King is targeting to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange in July. According to the registration statement it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company is offering 888.15 million common shares of firm offer, of which 98.68 million common shares are secondary common shares with a par value of 20 centavos each. Upson is also offering an over-allotment option

of another 98.68 common shares. The company said it is selling the shares at an indicative price of P5.50 apiece. Upson said it will only raise some P4.34 billion in gross proceeds from the IPO since it will not receive any proceeds from the secondary shares offering and over-allotment option, both worth P1.05 billion. A chunk of the proceeds, or about P3.55 billion, will be earmarked for store expansion that will be disbursed starting this year through

2026 while P600 million will be used for general corporate purposes. “To further cement our market leading position, we intend to continue to grow our store network and penetrate cities with high growth potential,” the company said. It said the company plans to open 50 stores this year in Metro Manila, and key cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It is targeting to open 250 stores, or an additional retail space of 25,000 square meters from 2022 to 2026, via an “aggressive” rollout in the next three years. “We intend to use majority of the net proceeds from the primary offer for store network expansion which also includes improvements in our supply chain and logistics.” It also plans to build nine new warehouses and distribution facilities and renovate the current six warehouses. The new warehouses and distribution facilities will be set up in key

areas, such as Manila, Cabanatuan, Dagupan, Naga, Iloilo, Bacolod, General Santos, Zamboanga and Palawan to service store expansion in these regions. “In addition, we plan to strengthen our logistical capability by adding delivery vehicles. We are looking to add ten-wheeler trucks and delivery vans which we believe will improve our productivity and allow us to have control in the transport of our products,” the company said. Meanwhile, the P600 million will serve as additional working capital for additional store inventory for the new and existing stores. “With 27 years in operation, we have built a strong relationship with suppliers, customers, lessors, and regulators. This enables us to gain valuable insights for our store operations including retaining and attracting new customers as well as improving our consumer experience and operational efficiencies throughout our branches and warehouses.”

AirAsia expands cargo operations By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

UDGET carrier AirAsia Philippines is set to expand its operations in Zamboanga City next month with the launch of its cargo services and the addition of new frequencies to the so-called Latin City of Asia. AirAsia Philippines will start its daily cargo operations in Zamboanga City in June, after it successfully deployed the necessary equipment in a warehouse. The company said this will “allow

Davao Light upgrades control system

boitiz Power Corp. subsidiary Davao Light and Power Company has upgraded a key element in its power distribution network to prevent cyber-attacks. Davao Light said it continues to innovate and update its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system since its initial installation in 1996. The SCADA system is a collection of both hardware and software elements that allows for a more seamless way of gathering, monitoring, and controlling real-time data and distant electrical devices installed in the power distribution network. Without the SCADA system, fixing power outages would take several hours as the team would be required to go onsite for manual assessment. With the upgrade, Davao Light will be able to improve the distrbution network’s efficiency, reliability, and quality of service for the 465,000 customers within its franchise area. Currently, the team is able to restore 65 percent of unplanned interruptions in less than five minutes, resulting in a more efficient and reliable way of providing power to customers. As the energy industry continues to shift with the digital age, Davao Light has also made strides to protect its assets against modern threats like cyber-attacks which can cause electrical blackouts, failure of equipment, and data breaches. Lenie Lectura

AirAsia to fly more than 200 tons of both passengers and commercial cargo per month – an auspicious development for partner enterprises set to increase their shipments between Zamboanga and Manila.” It is also expanding its flight operations in Zamboanga City, turning its twice-weekly flights into daily flights starting June. “Zamboanga City is the gateway to the entire peninsula, making it a critical and strategic hub for any transport business. We hope that with the increased flight frequency and expanded cargo operations, we

can continue to aid in the growth of the city’s tourism and trade industries,” AirAsia Philippines Spokesperson and Head of Communications and Public Affairs Steve Dailisan said. Zamboanga City is the center of economic activity in the Mindanao region and is also known as a tourist destination, owing to its Latininfluenced culture. “We are confident that Zamboanga City, through the Zamboanga City International Airport, is poised to be a key economic driver for the region as the country gears for postpandemic recovery,” Dailisan added.

In February, AirAsia said travel demand will pick up after it recorded an increase in forward bookings. “Travel is set to rebound this year and we are in full throttle to maintain the momentum. We are opening local and international routes to cater to the rising demand for travel as more countries relax border protocols. AirAsia Philippines will continue to champion inclusive and safe travelling as we work together with national and local agencies on tourism recovery in the post-pandemic era,” Dailisan said.

Philippine Airlines earns double victory

BusinessMirror file photo

egacy carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said on Monday it “earned a double victory” after receiving awards from two Europebased international publications for its restructuring agreements in 2021. PAL announced that it won the Asia Pacific Restructuring Deal of the Year honors from Airline Economics magazine and the AirFinance Journal Deal of the Year award. The airline said the awards “recognized the success of PAL’s financial restructuring through a breakthrough series of cross-border agreements with major aircraft and bank creditors, aviation manufacturers, and other stakeholders.” To recall, PAL emerged successfully in its restructuring program in December 2021, freeing up the carrier from significant amounts of debt and providing the company with additional liquidity for longterm growth. “We will not rest on our laurels, but we will persevere in our efforts to complete PAL’s recovery and reclaim its place in the aviation world. We dedicate these efforts to our customers and the Filipino people whom we are committed to serve as best as we can,” PAL President and COO Stanley K. Ng said in a statement.

The Airline Economics Aviation 100 Awards reward resilience and ingenuity in a challenging environment for the worldwide aviation industry. Airline Economics is the flagship publication owned by Aviation News Ltd and dedicated to the commercial aviation finance and leasing industry. AirFinance Journal Awards 2021 considered 30 categories across several regions. PAL’s Chapter 11 crossborder restructuring won as the Deal of the Year for the Asia Pacific region. PAL posted a comprehensive net income of P1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2022, giving the carrier a fresh start. PAL last recorded a positive first-quarter result in 2016. The airline said in March that it will strengthen its network, which covers 39 international and 27 domestic destinations. PAL has since resumed its operations and increased frequencies for flights to the United States, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Southeast Asia, China and local destinations, among many others. The carrier plans to “expand partnerships with other airlines” to build on alliances and interline agreements to “allow PAL customers to reach over 1,000 destinations.” Lorenz S. Marasigan

Max’s ventures into food manufacturing M

ax’s Group Inc. (MGI), the countr y’s largest casual dining restaurant operator, said the pandemic pushed the company to go into food manufacturing and offer ready-to-cook meals. The company’s P1-billion No Bia Food Manufacturing and Distribution Center, which folded all its previous three commissaries into one location, has the capability to export some of the items being churned out by the facility to other Asia Pacific branches of the group. MGI Supply Chain Management director Robeson Mateo said the facility, which occupies some two hectares of land in Carmona, Cavite, can supply the needs of other companies outside of the Max’s Group since it is a standalone company of Max’s. The commissary can churn out about 2,000 metric tons of food per month and has the capability to scale its operations when needed. “Our supply chain is end to end. We’re bringing the supply chain closer to both the source and the market. We export some of the pre mixes to several of our locations in Southeast Asia as well as in the Visayas and Mindanao where volumes are not that big but continuity has to happen,” Mateo said. He said the company has not been exporting on larger scale, such as its ready-to-cook items like Ma x’s Restaurant’s fried chicken or Dencio’s Grill’s sisig.

the new store models is about half of what it was before. And therefore in terms of returns, it’s more attractive to the franchisee.” Cloud kitchen operates like a regular restaurant but it does not have dine-in facilities and the food is mainly for deliveries. Fuentebella said the group has shifted its approach in its store expansions from a brick and mortar concept to a point of access, which makes expansion much faster. For the year, Max’s is looking to open 143 point of access stores, and 60 brick and mortar stores,

Contributed photo

Its exports are currently limited to pre-mixes for its caramel bars and ensaymada. Max’s officials said its food manufacturing operation is still in at a nascent stage, and just occupies some 10 percent of the facility’s production. There are, however, plans to export the branded ready-to-cook products in about two years when the market matures. The Covid-19 pandemic has seen the ready-to-cook or readycooked items of many fast food companies and restaurants in the freezers of grocery stores, such as marinated fried chickens, as dining in restaurants was not allowed by the government. When Max’s inaugurated the facility last year, it needed to

boost its production immediately despite the lockdown measures. The company’s revenues are derived mostly from dine-in customers. Max’s is also pushing the franchise strategy, that now includes cloud kitchen, despite its cautious optimism on its recovery as its stable of brands remains appealing to customers. “And easily more than half of those applying (for a Max’s franchise) have their own lots, you know, they have their own space,” Dave Fuentebella, Max’s director, said during the company’s briefing. “What makes it more interesting to them is that the new store models are more accommodating, in terms of capex, because the spend base in

of which nine will be in North America while the rest will be put up in the Philippines. “Then you add on around 50 delivered fresh daily formats of Krispy Kreme, and around 33 cloud kitchens,” Fuentebella said. “So franchising is not just confined to totally building a new store. Of course, it’s part of the deal. It also includes, by the way, franchising of cloud kitchens, which of course, we have a number in the market to date. So that’s a new format for the current franchisees to consider.” VG Cabuag

Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

ERC aims to issue advanced metering infra rules this year

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

he Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is targeting to release the rules governing the deployment of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) within the year.

“It should be this year, but we are also dependent on the funder of the consultancy. We have started. We should see that in place this year,” said ERC Chairperson Agnes Devanadera. AMI is an integrated system of smart meters, communication networks and data management

systems that enables two-way communication between power distribution utilities (DUs) and customers. The smart meters can handle prepaid and postpaid electricity services. Subscribers with smart meters can manage their electricity usage and budget through consumption information, alerts

Airbus sees business jet sales boost despite war

irbus SE’s corporate-jet division is more optimistic about prospects for this year, even as the RussiaUkraine confliwct and Chinese coronavirus lockdowns weigh on sales. The European planemaker had a slow couple of years for orders for its newest business-jet model during the Covid-19 pandemic, with almost all work travel curtailed. The corporate version of the A220 was launched in 2020, yet got no orders in 2021 after six commitments the previous year. Sales are now trending upwards with five corporate-jet orders so far in 2022, including four for the A220 variant, and there are opportunities in the Middle East and the United States to complete more business, global head of Airbus Corporate Jets Benoit Defforge said in an interview ahead of the EBACE business aviation conference. “We had to face headwinds during the last 12 to 18 months,” said Lefforge. “We anticipate in the Middle East a real opportunity for the coming years.”

There are more than 60 Airbus corporate jets flying in the Middle East with an average age of over 10 years, meaning the company sees an opportunity to renew an ageing fleet. The US is a more difficult market to get a foothold in, Defforge said, but the rebound in the market there means there is also plenty of room for growth. China, on the other hand, is becoming more challenging due to the difficulty of accessing the market as the country brings back sweeping virus restrictions. The company also had to stop sales efforts in Russia to comply with sanctions and has 10-15 percent of its fleet in the country. The A220 corporate jet will enter into service at the beginning of next year and this is expected to bring further sales momentum, Defforge said. The company is looking to make five to ten ACJ220 sales a year in the longer term. The model is based on the A220-100 and will be able to fly as far as 10,500 km, enough to connect London to Los Angeles. Bloomberg News

and notifications. AMI is already being implemented in other countries. The Philippines’s largest DU, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), is awaiting approval from the ERC to implement its AMI. Meralco wants to initially deploy two million AMI meters, with an investment cost of P19 billion. This has yet to be approved by the ERC. “We held on to the processing of AMI because the rules right now require that there should be an approval of the project, but without the costing yet. We, however, think it shouldn’t be that way. It should have approval of the program, factoring in the costing,” Devanadera said. The ERC has tapped consultants to assist it in crafting the rules.

“AMI is advance in other countries but not in the Philippines. So, we decided to get consultants. Right now, we have a partner on this and it’s a subject of a study right now. We have not finalized but we already tapped assistance from international funding agencies.” Meralco’s application has been pending with the ERC for many years now. Devanadera said her office wants to make sure that the cost implication of AMI will not be passed on to consumers. The ERC had estimated that an average of P0.2309 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) could be added to the customers’ electric bill if the smart meters are shared by all Meralco customers. The rate impact could go higher to P0. 3972 per kWh if charged only to Meralco bulk customers.

mutual funds

May 23, 2022

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

NAV

One Year Three Year Five Year

per share Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

216.21

7.79%

-6.13%

-4.47%

-7.24%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.4454

15.67%

-3.42%

-1.36%

-13.15%

8.42%

-9.88%

-7.01%

-8.09%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 2.976

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7301 2.76%

-7.9% n.a.

-3.49%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6829 0.4%

-7.66% n.a.

-11.42%

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 4.8806

9.96%

-3.43%

-1.91%

-5.83%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.7263

15.38%

-5.75%

-5.18%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

80.49

-14.1%

-13.26% n.a.

-14.76%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

44.507

8.86%

-4.81%

-3.01%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

463.29

7.38%

-4.86%

-3.18%

-7.47%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.3268

24.24%

0.43%

0.5%

-2.18%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

33.9603

9.82%

-4.04%

-1.93%

-7.2%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.8796

10.38%

-5.25% n.a.

-6.56%

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.6051

9.86%

-4.15%

-2.37%

-7.17%

767.1

9.47%

-4.22%

-2.43%

-7.41%

0.6866

7.57%

-9.45%

-5.33%

-8.77%

7.95%

-6.91%

-3.81%

-8.38%

0.8734

9.19%

-4.53%

-2.68%

8.1%

-4.71%

-1.65%

-6.62%

-7.28%

-7.52%

May 23, 2022

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK COMMERCE BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG MEDCO HLDG NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

122,750 414,994,437 3,635,888 161,742,580 3,210,425 1,019,548 137,790,834 68,982 341,226 1,038,500 100,485,244 545,351.50 313,090 78,700 8,480 8,700 600 645,968 529,480

-69,756,373 17,532 -54,979,292.50 -713,700 -28,356,670 3,700 -8,618,532.50 3,313 -290,030 230,000

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 7.1 7.11 7.17 7.23 7.08 7.1 12,718,800 90,408,263 1 1.02 1 1 0.98 1 302,000 300,780 ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER 31.4 31.5 31.5 31.7 31 31.5 374,900 11,795,895 BASIC ENERGY 0.415 0.42 0.41 0.43 0.41 0.42 13,940,000 5,893,800 20.2 20.3 20.7 20.9 20.3 20.3 892,200 18,402,980 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 68.55 69 70 70 68.55 68.55 23,460 1,618,114.50 MERALCO 350 351.6 360 360 346 350 149,340 52,310,620 17.38 17.4 17.56 17.56 17.36 17.4 747,100 13,053,778 MANILA WATER PETRON 3.24 3.25 3.29 3.29 3.24 3.25 552,000 1,797,420 PHX PETROLEUM 8.83 9.3 9.4 9.4 9 9.3 89,800 830,616 12.4 12.42 12.5 12.5 12.34 12.4 2,066,700 25,613,862 SYNERGY GRID PILIPINAS SHELL 18.2 18.24 18.1 18.3 18 18.12 48,500 880,984 13.24 13.26 13.24 13.26 13.14 13.24 457,000 6,038,284 SPC POWER 1.81 1.82 1.76 1.82 1.76 1.82 39,697,000 71,674,840 SOLAR PH 4.73 4.74 4.7 4.83 4.69 4.74 237,000 1,135,430 AGRINURTURE AXELUM 2.39 2.4 2.4 2.41 2.39 2.4 513,000 1,230,890 10.02 11.98 11.02 11.02 11 11 1,700 18,712 CNTRL AZUCARERA 21.6 21.65 21.6 21.8 21.6 21.6 1,892,800 40,885,580 CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE 12.94 13 13.2 13.2 13 13 64,800 843,630 7.27 7.35 7.26 7.35 7.26 7.35 569,200 4,160,529 DNL INDUS 18.74 18.78 19 19.18 18.6 18.78 1,127,100 21,139,670 EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV 59.95 61.45 60.5 61.45 59.95 61.45 70,110 4,278,996 0.5 0.51 0.5 0.51 0.495 0.5 1,540,000 769,150 FIGARO COFFEE 0.59 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.59 0.59 52,000 30,700 ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG 1.09 1.11 1.1 1.12 1.07 1.11 10,711,000 11,690,820 107 109.5 109.5 109.5 108 109.5 220 23,940 GINEBRA 210 210.4 212.4 214.6 210 210 409,300 87,009,476 JOLLIBEE KEEPERS HLDG 1.16 1.17 1.17 1.18 1.15 1.16 2,429,000 2,810,460 MACAY HLDG 5.58 6.24 5.52 5.52 5.52 5.52 200 1,104 5.62 5.78 5.8 5.8 5.6 5.62 7,500 42,230 MAXS GROUP MG HLDG 0.121 0.129 0.129 0.129 0.12 0.129 180,000 21,950 15.92 15.94 15.7 16.04 15.52 15.92 16,012,400 254,582,738 MONDE NISSIN 7.48 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.6 17,200 130,720 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 0.57 0.59 0.58 0.59 0.54 0.59 1,685,000 948,900 RFM CORP 4.15 4.29 4 4.07 4 4.07 3,000 12,070 1.14 1.15 1.13 1.2 1.13 1.15 235,000 270,360 ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS 0.1 0.105 0.102 0.102 0.1 0.1 1,200,000 120,400 106 107.2 108.5 109.4 106 106 749,280 80,231,915 UNIV ROBINA 0.62 0.63 0.64 0.64 0.63 0.63 29,000 18,320 VITARICH VICTORIAS 2.5 2.85 2.49 2.85 2.49 2.85 112,000 279,450 45.15 47 47 47 47 47 100 4,700 CONCRETE A 0.73 0.75 0.75 0.76 0.73 0.74 892,000 667,650 CEMEX HLDG 12.66 12.96 12.82 14.68 12.64 12.66 2,200 28,052 EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP 3.63 3.64 3.78 3.79 3.62 3.64 1,555,000 5,682,950 5.26 5.3 5.3 5.35 5.25 5.25 99,600 525,410 HOLCIM 4.42 4.52 4.56 4.56 4.39 4.52 80,000 355,210 MEGAWIDE PHINMA 19.9 19.92 19.8 19.9 19.8 19.9 10,300 204,940 0.73 0.78 0.72 0.78 0.72 0.78 6,000 4,440 TKC METALS 0.83 0.85 0.84 0.85 0.83 0.85 1,845,000 1,551,480 VULCAN INDL CROWN ASIA 1.81 1.84 1.81 1.84 1.81 1.84 60,000 109,500 1.01 1.09 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1,000 1,010 EUROMED 4.5 5.49 4.3 5.5 4.3 5.49 8,000 40,230 MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP 5.32 5.4 5.38 5.57 5.3 5.4 32,400 174,154 17.94 18 18.62 18.88 18 18 91,200 1,644,548 CONCEPCION 1.67 1.68 1.6 1.71 1.6 1.68 9,484,000 15,668,520 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 7 7.05 7.05 7.05 7 7 34,000 238,160 IONICS 0.6 0.63 0.61 0.63 0.59 0.63 192,000 114,350 6.2 6.25 6.59 6.59 6.01 6.25 387,000 2,380,252 PANASONIC CIRTEK HLDG 2.92 2.94 3.04 3.04 2.9 2.92 333,000 982,280

-10,460,218 100,000 2,601,480 1,295,835 -1,516,902 -29,885,090 -1,529,838 6,500 1,750,390 -145,140 -26,260 -194,060 -1,072,710 -153,680 25,080 1,449,798 5,100,028 -3,423,063 11,100 2,160 -44,689,850 550,950.00 1,120 87,483,994 -126,920 215,210.00 -26,208,584 -359,770 -21,430 -110,490 84,000 1,840 -1,635,322 1,077,740 7,700 205,900

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

19,636,780 -52,903,185 2,008,305 -642,970 200,480 -41,930 6,483,695 26,235,360 -102,807,074 -483,230 -15,475,011 -7,900,860 -38,084,335 -703,724 -

HOLDING & FRIMS

www.businessmirror.com.ph

43.8 126.8 10.36 94.5 26.9 7.24 52 7.51 18.44 20.3 93.2 80 2.15 3.53 2.12 0.29 0.6 199.8 2,300

1.3 3.6 678 48 10.66 9 0.93 0.47 0.48 4.65 8.92 525 52.05 0.465 3 8.61 3.82 1.73 2.64 0.9 845 105 112 0.275 0.153

44 127.4 10.38 95.05 27 7.25 52.2 7.69 18.64 20.45 93.75 80.25 2.16 3.55 2.59 0.31 0.67 200 2,400

1.31 4.47 680 48.2 10.68 9.2 0.95 0.48 0.5 4.69 8.94 527.5 52.1 0.57 3.02 8.68 3.85 1.75 2.9 0.91 848 105.1 114 0.28 0.16

43.75 129 11.12 97.05 27.1 7.2 52 7.8 18.88 20.3 94.45 81.1 2.11 3.62 2.12 0.29 0.6 200 2,304

1.28 3.6 697 48.5 10.88 9.18 0.97 0.485 0.49 4.76 8.91 528.5 54.1 0.59 3.03 8.5 3.89 1.78 2.9 0.87 848 104.9 114 0.275 0.153

44 130 11.12 97.9 27.2 7.26 52.2 7.8 18.88 20.3 95 81.1 2.17 3.62 2.12 0.29 0.6 200 2,304

1.32 3.6 697 48.9 10.96 9.2 0.97 0.485 0.5 4.76 9.01 528.5 54.1 0.59 3.03 8.75 3.91 1.79 2.9 0.9 860 105 114 0.275 0.153

43.75 126.8 10.26 94.5 27 7.2 51.15 7.51 18.4 20 93 80 2.1 3.55 2.12 0.29 0.6 199.8 2,300

1.27 3.6 675 47.95 10.5 9.18 0.97 0.47 0.49 4.64 8.81 520 51.25 0.59 3 8.5 3.8 1.72 2.9 0.87 842 102.9 112.5 0.275 0.153

44 126.8 10.38 94.5 27 7.25 52.2 7.51 18.44 20.3 93.75 80 2.15 3.55 2.12 0.29 0.6 200 2,300

1.31 3.6 680 48.2 10.66 9.2 0.97 0.48 0.5 4.65 8.94 527.5 52.1 0.59 3 8.61 3.82 1.73 2.9 0.9 848 105 114 0.275 0.153

2,800 3,248,840 341,700 1,692,400 118,700 140,900 2,649,090 9,000 18,200 51,400 1,067,150 6,770 147,000 22,000 4,000 30,000 1,000 3,230 230

22,920,000 3,000 212,780 1,074,100 3,823,800 23,500 3,000 530,000 210,000 228,000 6,442,200 127,980 2,884,960 20,000 191,000 10,134,600 6,591,000 443,000 240,000 167,000 288,260 182,410 470,110 80,000 130,000

29,761,650 10,800 145,298,315 51,675,865 40,900,654 216,116 2,910 252,500 104,300 1,061,930 57,561,198 67,161,185 150,888,292 11,800 576,820 87,926,907 25,291,740 774,350 696,000 148,600 244,314,280 19,124,582 52,887,540 22,000 19,890

-3.26%

0.26%

0.81%

-2.99%

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.56 0.58 0.56 0.59 0.56 0.58 266,000 154,130 6 6.87 6 6 6 6 2,300 13,800 ANCHOR LAND AYALA LAND 28.5 28.6 29.3 29.3 28.3 28.5 16,208,900 462,790,645 AYALA LAND LOG 4.22 4.24 4.29 4.35 4.2 4.24 746,000 3,160,630 16.7 17.2 16.6 16.7 16.6 16.7 8,600 143,600 ALTUS PROP ARANETA PROP 1.65 1.7 1.76 1.79 1.63 1.69 1,054,000 1,765,700 38.65 38.7 38.2 38.7 38.2 38.65 319,700 12,343,425 AREIT RT 0.79 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 1,000 800 A BROWN CROWN EQUITIES 0.091 0.096 0.091 0.096 0.091 0.096 60,000 5,510 2.73 2.78 2.77 2.78 2.72 2.73 135,000 373,210 CEB LANDMASTERS 0.415 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.42 0.42 1,100,000 462,000 CENTURY PROP CITICORE RT 2.45 2.46 2.46 2.47 2.45 2.46 8,541,000 20,974,970 DOUBLEDRAGON 8.03 8.2 8.17 8.38 8.02 8.03 64,200 521,315 1.62 1.63 1.61 1.63 1.59 1.63 3,685,000 5,944,950 DDMP RT 6.88 6.9 6.88 6.9 6.88 6.9 18,000 124,140 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.22 0.221 0.222 0.222 0.221 0.221 2,420,000 535,050 0.248 0.25 0.25 0.255 0.248 0.25 3,500,000 872,120 EVER GOTESCO 7.35 7.37 7.39 7.4 7.35 7.35 132,100 975,596 FILINVEST RT FILINVEST LAND 1 1.01 1.02 1.02 1 1 5,675,000 5,767,080 0.86 0.88 0.86 0.88 0.86 0.88 14,000 12,140 GLOBAL ESTATE 10.2 10.4 10.3 10.54 10.22 10.22 161,300 1,655,384 8990 HLDG PHIL INFRADEV 0.89 0.96 0.89 0.89 0.89 0.89 1,000 890 0.77 0.79 0.78 0.79 0.78 0.78 38,000 29,660 CITY AND LAND 2.76 2.77 2.83 2.84 2.77 2.77 8,792,000 24,555,610 MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED 0.225 0.228 0.214 0.232 0.214 0.228 22,620,000 5,068,360 16.78 16.8 16.88 16.9 16.76 16.8 1,211,700 20,357,710 MREIT RT 0.35 0.36 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 310,000 108,500 OMICO CORP PHIL ESTATES 0.39 0.41 0.395 0.395 0.395 0.395 220,000 86,900 2.34 2.35 2.4 2.43 2.33 2.35 282,000 667,960 PRIMEX CORP 7.14 7.15 7.2 7.2 7.12 7.15 3,371,500 24,232,709 RL COMM RT ROBINSONS LAND 18.54 18.78 18.4 18.78 18.34 18.78 488,500 9,101,420 PHIL REALTY 0.241 0.246 0.241 0.241 0.241 0.241 30,000 7,230 2.51 2.57 2.51 2.51 2.51 2.51 15,000 37,650 SHANG PROP STA LUCIA LAND 2.79 2.93 2.76 2.93 2.76 2.93 1,023,000 2,827,110 SM PRIME HLDG 37.65 37.95 37.8 38.25 37.55 37.95 13,592,400 515,538,435 3.21 3.39 3.17 3.39 3.17 3.39 4,000 13,130 VISTAMALLS SUNTRUST HOME 0.98 1.01 0.96 1.02 0.96 1.02 7,000 6,840 2.43 2.46 2.51 2.51 2.43 2.44 1,350,000 3,323,090 VISTA LAND SERVICES ABS CBN 9.9 9.97 9.98 9.99 9.8 9.9 65,200 647,603 11.78 11.8 11.64 11.8 11.62 11.8 1,023,700 12,014,758 GMA NETWORK MANILA BULLETIN 0.35 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 420,000 151,200 2,540 2,550 2,506 2,556 2,500 2,550 85,485 216,746,920 GLOBE TELECOM 1,960 1,961 1,968 1,981 1,951 1,960 77,045 151,388,115 PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.046 0.047 0.049 0.049 0.047 0.047 383,200,000 18,321,300 CONVERGE 26.3 26.4 28.05 28.15 26.3 26.3 35,251,000 948,746,445 3.01 3.07 3.04 3.14 3.01 3.01 136,000 412,260 DFNN INC DITO CME HLDG 4.85 4.9 4.94 4.94 4.85 4.9 3,266,000 15,957,510 NOW CORP 1.31 1.32 1.35 1.35 1.31 1.31 1,034,000 1,363,010 0.3 0.305 0.295 0.305 0.29 0.3 2,260,000 672,650 TRANSPACIFIC BR 2GO GROUP 6.86 7.41 6.9 7.42 6.84 6.86 29,400 202,912 13.5 13.7 13.1 14 13.1 13.7 10,008,500 131,114,286 ASIAN TERMINALS 1.55 1.56 1.55 1.59 1.55 1.55 102,000 158,230 CHELSEA 48.45 48.7 48.3 48.7 47 48.7 419,300 20,169,505 CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 209.2 210 211 211.8 206 210 1,306,120 273,966,676 23.05 24.8 23 23.05 23 23.05 500 11,505 LBC EXPRESS 4.95 4.96 5 5.03 4.95 4.96 281,700 1,405,180 MACROASIA PAL HLDG 6.15 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.05 6.2 34,400 212,985 0.84 0.85 0.78 0.84 0.75 0.84 1,864,000 1,507,820 HARBOR STAR 1.41 1.75 1.41 1.41 1.41 1.41 2,000 2,820 ACESITE HOTEL BOULEVARD HLDG 0.1 0.101 0.108 0.109 0.1 0.101 213,910,000 22,264,790 1.68 1.83 1.74 1.74 1.74 1.74 5,000 8,700 DISCOVERY WORLD 530 540 540 540 540 540 40 21,600 FAR EASTERN U IPEOPLE 6.57 7.95 7 7.97 7 7.97 300 2,294 0.345 0.355 0.36 0.36 0.35 0.355 3,830,000 1,345,450 STI HLDG 1.28 1.3 1.26 1.28 1.26 1.28 151,000 193,230 BELLE CORP BLOOMBERRY 6.59 6.6 6.74 6.74 6.5 6.6 5,722,700 37,780,975 PACIFIC ONLINE 1.37 1.42 1.32 1.45 1.32 1.45 70,000 93,910 1.34 1.35 1.38 1.4 1.35 1.35 1,515,000 2,099,430 LEISURE AND RES PH RESORTS GRP 1.3 1.31 1.3 1.36 1.26 1.3 4,679,000 6,122,390 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.41 0.415 0.425 0.43 0.41 0.415 5,850,000 2,434,950 3.59 3.6 3.76 3.76 3.54 3.6 2,260,000 8,165,590 PHILWEB ALLDAY 0.4 0.405 0.415 0.425 0.405 0.405 13,530,000 5,597,100 ALLHOME 5.67 5.73 5.98 5.98 5.65 5.73 2,606,900 15,079,614 1.43 1.44 1.43 1.43 1.42 1.43 343,000 489,670 METRO RETAIL PUREGOLD 33.35 33.45 34 34.5 33.2 33.45 767,500 25,655,665 ROBINSONS RTL 51.7 52 52.65 52.65 51.55 51.7 160,230 8,290,245 53.9 54.5 54 54.5 54 54.5 10,410 562,180 PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 1.28 1.3 1.33 1.33 1.28 1.28 6,798,000 8,827,460 WILCON DEPOT 27.3 27.7 27.75 28.4 27.3 27.7 932,100 25,862,785 0.215 0.228 0.218 0.218 0.215 0.215 700,000 151,100 APC GROUP 3.51 5.2 4 5 4 5 88,000 421,710 EASYCALL IPM HLDG 6.85 7 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 3,000 20,400 0.71 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.7 0.73 386,000 276,630 MEDILINES 1.83 1.98 1.83 1.83 1.83 1.83 1,000 1,830 PAXYS PRMIERE HORIZON 0.435 0.44 0.455 0.46 0.43 0.435 2,770,000 1,232,550

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4108 -0.97%

2.07%

1.72%

-0.63%

MINING & OIL

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.25%

0.75%

-3.97% -0.46%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.4591 Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a United Fund, Inc. -a

3.2097

-7.53%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

1.0976

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

935.13 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

10.17% n.a. n.a.

-5.6%

Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 103.5797

10.18%

-3.95%

-1.99%

-7.08%

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

$0.9361

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.4943

-24.42%

-0.8%

-0.76%

-16.9%

-12.27%

5.81%

5.53%

-19.07%

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

1.5456

-3.54%

-3.29%

-2.75%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.1457

1.8%

-2.19%

-1.83%

-5.95%

5.24%

-0.45%

0.02%

-3.94%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.5849

-8.65%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.2006

9.02% n.a. n.a.

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

0.15%

1.9255

3.53%

0.29%

-4.52% -5.88%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.5439

2.16%

-1.13%

-1.03%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

15.8817

2.07%

-1.36%

-1.06%

-5.72%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.0231

4.08%

-1.79%

-1.09%

-4.63%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.4186 3.6%

-3.76%

-1.9%

-6.27%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

-3.11%

-1.46%

-6.56%

0.8916

9.97%

-4.02%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) 0.9198

-2.29%

-2.59% n.a.

-7.07%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a 0.8644

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a

3.35%

-4.47% n.a.

-8.48%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a

4.54%

-4.79% n.a.

-8.56%

0.854

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$0.03356

-11.5%

-2.71%

-1.17%

-11.54%

$0.9329

-17.17%

-0.64%

-0.49%

-12.58%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.0374 -11.41% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.0363 -11.56%

3.31%

3.64%

-15.92%

-0.22%

0.69%

-13.54%

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

372.31

0.27%

2.2%

2.28%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.8875

-1.46%

0.03%

0.15%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2316

0.22%

2.14%

3.41%

-0.38%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.1841

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

4.2211

-5.72%

-0.53%

1.313

-0.77%

2.98%

2.72%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.8734

-2.58%

2.22%

2.2%

-2.33%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0089

-1.72%

3.05%

1.73%

-1.88%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1368

-1.88%

2.63%

2.75%

-1.59%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-2.61%

1.83%

2.04%

-1.9%

1.6978

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

$481.82

-0.44%

1.88%

1.89%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є213.14

-2.9%

-0.45%

0.21%

-1.58% -3.12%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.0669

-9.18%

-3.06%

-0.96%

-11.38%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0245 -5.41% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

-1.07%

-0.32%

-5.77%

$0.9022

-13.93%

-5.46%

-3.42%

-11.79%

$2.2367

-9.85%

-0.63%

0.2%

-10.74%

$0.0608317

-3.09%

1.29%

1.28%

-2.34%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.7765 -11.32%

-2.45%

-1.37%

-13.13%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

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

131.72

1.25%

2.31%

2.51%

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

1.0624

1.04%

1.64% n.a.

0.4%

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3235

1.53%

2.22%

2.48%

0.44%

0.6%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.063

0.58%

1.2% n.a.

0.23%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

42.8737 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.1811

-2.18% n.a. n.a.

-14.59%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

$0.8459

-14.56% n.a. n.a.

-12.79%

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU). 1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.). 2 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last November 25, 2021.

"While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

ATOK 7 7.1 7.15 7.15 6.85 7 190,900 1,320,240 APEX MINING 1.64 1.65 1.62 1.68 1.6 1.65 3,031,000 5,025,770 ATLAS MINING 6.1 6.13 6.06 6.15 6.05 6.13 152,400 924,156 7.1 7.16 7.2 7.2 7.1 7.1 11,300 80,913 BENGUET A BENGUET B 7.1 7.15 7.01 7.18 7.01 7.15 72,000 506,330 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.21 0.229 0.21 0.229 0.209 0.229 260,000 54,630 2.69 2.76 2.7 2.76 2.6 2.69 362,000 958,200 CENTURY PEAK DIZON MINES 4.41 4.7 4.88 4.88 4.5 4.7 8,000 36,820 FERRONICKEL 2.58 2.59 2.55 2.59 2.51 2.59 2,357,000 6,020,230 0.178 0.183 0.182 0.183 0.182 0.183 320,000 58,250 GEOGRACE LEPANTO A 0.136 0.137 0.138 0.138 0.136 0.137 4,770,000 655,350 0.134 0.14 0.134 0.134 0.134 0.134 170,000 22,780 LEPANTO B 0.0096 0.01 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 10,000,000 96,000 MANILA MINING A 1.67 1.69 1.69 1.72 1.66 1.68 4,116,000 6,978,650 MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA 7 7.03 7.02 7.04 6.8 7.03 5,328,700 37,139,863 0.75 0.77 0.77 0.78 0.75 0.75 695,000 529,750 ORNTL PENINSULA 4.56 4.6 4.48 4.6 4.43 4.56 735,000 3,352,570 PX MINING SEMIRARA MINING 32.5 32.8 32.6 33.45 32.5 32.5 5,279,600 174,000,640 13 13.54 13.68 13.68 13 13 173,400 2,290,130 ACE ENEXOR 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 137,800,000 1,515,800 ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 2,900,000 31,900 0.0091 0.0093 0.0092 0.0092 0.0091 0.0092 13,000,000 118,600 PHILODRILL 4.86 4.99 5 5.1 4.99 4.99 150,000 755,090 PXP ENERGY PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 97.5 100 97 99 97 99 10,120 1,001,640 101 108.4 108.4 108.4 108.4 108.4 300 32,520 ALCO PREF C ALCO PREF D 500.5 510 508 508 500 500 200 100,320 103.1 107 107 107 107 107 100 10,700 BRN PREF A 46.55 47.35 46.5 47.35 46.5 47.35 8,400 391,125 CEB PREF CPG PREF A 100.5 102.3 101 102.3 101 102.3 6,850 691,915 99.6 99.8 99.7 99.8 99.6 99.8 3,670 366,005 DD PREF 108.9 109.3 109.5 109.5 109.5 109.5 53,900 5,902,050 EEI PREF B GTCAP PREF A 1,000 1,010 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 100 100,000 1,005 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 15,145 15,296,450 GTCAP PREF B 980 990 990 990 985 985 1,010 994,900 JFC PREF A JFC PREF B 965.5 990 966 966 965 965 280 270,230 95.65 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 490 49,245 MWIDE PREF 2B 96.6 99.7 99.7 99.7 99.7 99.7 30 2,991 MWIDE PREF 4 99.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 10 1,005 PNX PREF 3B PCOR PREF 3A 1,060 1,069 1,061 1,061 1,057 1,057 1,560 1,653,200 1,086 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,100 25 27,500 PCOR PREF 3B 77 77.9 76.55 77.9 76.4 77.9 12,040 920,666 SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H 75.5 75.55 75.55 75.55 75.5 75.5 17,010 1,284,470 77 78.8 76.8 77.5 76.8 77.5 45,600 3,516,380 SMC PREF 2I 74.5 75 74.5 75 74.5 75 709,480 52,856,270 SMC PREF 2J SMC PREF 2K 74.85 74.9 73.85 74.9 73.85 74.85 739,670 55,364,050.50 54.95 55 55 55 54.75 54.95 5,200 285,490 TECH PREF B2C 55.2 58.6 58.95 58.95 58.95 58.95 1,740 102,573 TECH PREF B2D PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS GMA HLDG PDR 11.5 11.78 11.52 11.78 11.5 11.5 23,900 279,646 WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.54 0.57 0.6 0.6 0.53 0.57 86,000 49,720

-52,316,555 -38,010 -3,320 679,390 -30,470 -135,140 -54,154 -70,840 116,050 2,780,450 87,490 -7,152,640 254,010 10,543,728 9,360,219 3,469,762 -2,754,480 161,404,350 3,170 -2,731,520 50,527,710 24,044,175 1,014,100 -214,053,330 -4,160,110 10,480 -3,000 -131,043,200 -1,358,085 -21,434,534 -6,200 -26,400 -613,310 -700 10,700 -32,000 1,939,245 -76,560 -387,930 8,300 160,000 103,100 -222,467 -5,741,090 -3,059,499.50 -552,960 6,120,580 6,982,870 79,550 4,000 -135,500 -376,460 41,242.00 -70,100 560,600 4,880 4,583,920 12,060 72,170 9,082,008 786,090 62,994,375 -173,064 5,573,550 3,116 262,985 2,949,090 5,495 226,638 -

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES CTS GLOBAL HAUS TALK ITALPINAS MERRYMART XURPAS

0.85 1 0.8 1.65 0.295

0.86 1.05 0.81 1.66 0.31

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

102.6

102.7

0.86 1.06 0.8 1.6 0.285

0.87 1.06 0.8 1.65 0.305

0.85 1.02 0.78 1.58 0.28

0.86 1.02 0.8 1.65 0.305

10,970,000 76,000 508,000 1,258,000 1,660,000

9,460,670 77,900 398,220 2,055,590 491,500

-72,480 -28,050 -2,850.00

104 104 102.6 102.7 19,400 2,001,420 480,981

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Tuesday, May 24, 2022

BTr rejects all bids for 364-day Treasury bills

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of the Treasury raised P8.5 billion from its Treasury Bills (T-bills) offering on Monday as rates edged higher than comparable secondary-market benchmark rates. The Treasury’s auction committee fully awarded P5 billion in 91-day Tbills while it partially awarded P3.5

billion in 182-day T-bills. Meanwhile, all bids for the 364day T-bills were rejected. Had the

Money advice from the scriptures

HE future is uncertain. One needs a reliable compass in to effectively navigate a world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. One such compass is the Holy Bible. It is a source of many life lessons and inspiring stories. Many aspects of life are discussed and one of these would be personal finance. Lessons on how to manage money better are found in various parts of the Holy Bible. It is, therefore, interesting to see some of the Biblical verses that share advice on the proper use of money. Proverbs 13:16 reads “A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t and even brags about it.” Everything starts with a clear goal. Everything starts with a glimpse of the future. We need our personal finance goal to be specific, measurable, ambitious, realistic and time-bound. Some examples of goals are the amount needed in retirement, the amount needed to build a house and the amount needed for education of children. Having a goal will then determine what our priorities and key activities will be in order to achieve the goal. Proverbs 30:25 reads “Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.” Saving is important. It is the first step in attaining financial freedom. We save when the weather is sunny so that when the rainy days occur, we have enough resources to support our needs and wants. One special type of saving is the emergency fund. This buffer worth between six months to twelve months of our monthly lifestyle figures comes in handy during tough times like economic dips and health emergencies. Luke 14:28 reads “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” Budgeting allows us to live within our means and make ends meet. Our total income must dictate the lifestyle we have. In budgeting, we pay ourselves first by allocating money to saving and investment. Needs should then be identified and funded. Whatever excess amount is made available after saving, investment and needs can then be allocated to wants. Proverbs 22:7 reads “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” Debt is a reality for many. Having debt can be cumbersome. Living

Genesis Kelly S. Lontoc

personal finance beyond means can lead to a chronic debt cycle. The burden of having to pay the principal and interest can trigger a host of physical and emotional problems. Debt repayment techniques like the debt snowball approach and the debt avalanche approach can help lessen the debt. A prudent way of living can help get finances back on track so that new debt is avoided. Ecclesiastes 11:2 reads “Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight: you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.” Investment is imperative because it helps grow wealth over time. However, every type of investment has risk. Diversification is imperative in minimizing risk. If we just invest in one type of asset and if it so happens that something bad happens to that asset, then we stand to lose everything. Being clear with our goal, time horizon and risk profile aids us in developing a diversified investment portfolio. Proverbs 13:11 reads “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Honesty is truly the best policy when it comes to money. The process through which money is earned is important. The promises of easy money and extraordinary returns lure many people to fall to scams. Financial freedom is not a sprint but a marathon. It is something that takes time and habit. We should have the fortitude and discipline to build our financial future one day and one Peso at a time. The Holy Bible offers many nuggets of wisdom. Money is not the goal but an instrument in achieving the goal. We have to remember that we are stewards of money here on earth. Hopefully, the insights drawn from the Holy Bible spur good acts, which help us achieve financial freedom and economic development. Gemmy Lontoc is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. To learn more about personal-financial planning, attend the 95th RFP program this May 2022. To inquire, e-mail info@rfp.ph or text at 0917-6248110.

Treasury decided to fully award bids for the tenor, the rates would have shot up to 2.93 percent, surging b 91.8 basis points from the comparable Bloomberg Valuation (BVAL) Service Reference Rate of 2.012 percent. The 91-day T-bills fetched an average rate of 1.675 percent, up by 21.2 basis points from the BVAL rate of 1.463 percent. Meanwhile, the 182-day Tbills capped at an average rate of 1.892 percent, higher by 13.7 basis points from the BVAL rate of 1.755 percent. Nonetheless, total bids for all debt papers reached P36.5 billion,

making the auction more than twice oversubscribed. Investors’ demand for higher rates on Monday came days after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) raised rates for the first time since the pandemic as the country’s monetary authority tries to get a hold of the rising inflation expectations in the country. At its meeting, BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno announced that the Monetary Board decided to raise the interest rate on the BSP’s overnight reverse repurchase facility by 25 basis points to 2.25 percent, effective May 20. Accordingly, the interest rates on the overnight deposit

and lending facilities were raised to 1.75 percent and 2.75 percent, respectively. Based on BSP’s latest forecast, inflation is seen to hit 4.6 percent for the year, from the previous forecast of 4.3 percent. This is beyond the ceiling of the government’s inflation target band of 2 percent to 4 percent. The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee is set to meet today (May 24) to review its macroeconomic assumptions for the year. For this month, the Treasury is targeting to raise P200 billion from the domestic debt market. Since the start of this month, the

Treasury has so far sold P106.3 billion in government securities. As of end-March, the national government’s outstanding debt has hit a new record-high of P12.68 trillion as borrowings continued to pile up amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The national government’s debtto-GDP ratio has also risen 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 and also the highest since the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio hit 65.7 percent in 2005 under the Arroyo administration.

Crypto traders see digital-currency deals to grow in PHL By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

RADERS in cryptocurrency expressed optimism that crypto transactions will continue to grow in the country. Data from the Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX) revealed that In the first half of 2021 alone, crypto transactions in the Philippines grew 362 percent year-on-year, as part of the broader acceptance and adoption of digital finance in the country. Moreover, the Philippines also ranks third among 74 surveyed countries with the highest rate of crypto use, following Nigeria and Vietnam, added the PDAX, a digital currency exchange that enables trading and settlement against the Philippine peso.

In a recent webinar, PDAX Founder and CEO Nichel O. Gaba said they are capable to meet this growing local demand for crypto. “As the leading digital exchange in the country, we are constantly finding ways to expand our crypto offerings and address the needs and pain points of our users,” Gaba said. “With these new coins, we hope to encourage more Filipinos to start trading crypto.” Before this month’s rollout, PDAX made some of the coins available for early access to members of PDAX Prime, a new exclusive service that provides high-volume Filipino crypto investors full access to even more tokens. PDAX Prime gives clients access to 50 tokens, including 30 exclusive over-the-counter (OTC) digital assets. PDAX recently launched four

new additional coins that Filipino crypto enthusiasts can buy, sell and trade via the platform’s mobile app. With the launch of the additional cryptocurrencies, Gaba said PDAX now stands as one of the crypto exchanges with the widest coin offering in the country. The new coins—Solana, SUSHI, XLM, and BNB—are now available to all members beginning this month. Solana is considered a more viable alternative to Ethereum due to its high speed and low transaction fees. Attracted by these advantages, the global NFT market, in particular, is having increased interest and preference towards Solana, over the erstwhile in-demand Ethereum. SUSHI is an Ethereum-based token that runs Sushi (formerly Su-

shiSwap), a decentralized exchange platform where people can trade unique and hard-to-find cryptocurrencies that aren’t yet listed in major coin exchanges. XLM, otherwise known as Stellar Lumens, was designed to make transferring money as simple and affordable as possible. BNB is used to avail of discounts on trading fees, pay for transaction fees and to invest in other cryptocurrency projects. BNB’s current price is $307.21. Among these new coins, SOL, and BNB are currently in the top 10 most traded cryptocurrencies in the market today, based on CoinMarketCap data. With the launch of these four new coins, Gaba said PDAX mobile app now offers a total of 26 coins, the most out of all the licensed local exchanges.

Pinoy-founded US tech firm raises $12.5M seed round

LOX, a Wyoming, USA-based decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) limited liability company (LLC) and cofounded by a Filipino technopreneur, recently completed a seed round of $12.5 million. Blox Co-Founder Jay Anonuevo said the company, launched in 2020, already made significant traction on its product roadmap, all of which is aimed at achieving “true decentralization.” “Filipinos have been at the forefront of many technological revolutions: It’s high time that we also start leading in blockchain. I hope Blox shows other Filipino developers how blockchain can help the country and our Filipinos all over the world: Together we can create solutions that are more transparent, efficient and affordable than legacy systems,” Anonuevo said in a recent webinar. He explained that Blox’s product and usage milestones are diverse. He added its current capabilities offer banking functionalities such as peer-to-peer instant global transfers, fiat and crypto exchanges, card issuance, point-of-sale transactions and extends to decentralized finance projects, as well as nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and smart contracts, “which can be executed at a fraction of the gas fees of other blockchains.” Moreover, the transactions are facilitated by five global nodes across Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and North America and

by proof-of-stake miners who have collectively mined more than 33 million out of the total supply of 84 million BLX coins set to be distributed by 2088. The BLX coin has also been approved on COEX STAR, a virtual assets exchange in the Philippines, set for listing sometime later this 2022. Anonuevo, who is now based in Silicon Valley, said he is proud of the organization’s progress to date, especially for what it means for the Philippines. He said using blockchain will benefit a lot of Filipinos. Anonuevo pointed to the recently launched BLOXWeb, a decentralized, blockchain-based Internet. He explained that BLOXWeb enables users to freely surf the net, free from any censorship or state suppression. This unfiltered access to information is of course an important right in the current world climate, where many states are controlling what information their citizens can consume. Anonuevo further added that Blox’s current functionalities can enable a central bank’s digital currency (CBDC) and that Blox is pursuing US licensing that would make it the first blockchain bank in the world, capable of storing and transacting with both fiat and crypto. He said Blox’s seed round highlighted the blockchain’s capabilities. Anonuevo said the consortium of angel investors saw its potential and bought into the organization via DAO stakes that came in either

PRINTING PARTNERS

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has partnered with Note Printing Australia (NPA), a subsidiary of the Australian central bank, in the initial roll-out of modern polymer banknotes. During a high-level event at the Manila residence of Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson AO (left, above), BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno (center) received uncut 1000-Piso polymer banknotes from NPA CEO Malcolm McDowell (right), witnessed by BSP and Australian Embassy officials, as well as leaders from the Philippine banking industry. The new polymer banknote is more durable and cost-effective because of its extended lifespan; more environmentally friendly because of its smaller carbon footprint and recyclability; and more hygienic and sanitary because of the shorter survival periods of viruses and bacteria on its surface. It also has advanced security features to further deter counterfeiting. Photo courtesy OF Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

BTC and ETH (totaling close to $12.5 million as of current exchange rates) and gave them ownership and voting power over the DAO’s direction. The round was oversubscribed, but would-be investors are encouraged to consider BLOX’s series A, set for completion by year’s end. The new funds will be used to support Blox’s operations, development, marketing and most of all, globalization, according to Anonuevo.

“The technology underpinning Blox is made through developers located all over the world, with Filipino technologists playing a major role. As a team, we’re eager to show that Blox can be a foundational technology for use cases across the globe. I’ll also take pride in what this means for Filipino innovation: It’ll show we can be pioneers for blockchain development and adoption,” Anonuevo explained. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

GSIS notes Palace’s commendation for 100% resolution of clients’ concerns

TATE pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced it was recently lauded by Malacañang’s 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center for attaining 100-percent resolution rate of citizens’ concerns. This is the fifth consecutive year that it received a perfect rating from the Office of the President. GSIS was reported to have resolved 299 citizen’s concerns as of March 2022, the fund manager

said. It added that from January to December last year, a total of 1,104 concerns were similarly acted upon within the 72-hour turnaround time. GSIS was similarly commended by Malacañang from 2018 to 2020 for consistently addressing all referrals from the President’s Hotline 8888 within the prescribed period: 1,518 concerns in 2020; 1,275 concerns in 2019; and 1,236 concerns in 2018. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa bumubuo

ng 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center na patuloy na tumutulong sa GSIS para makapagbigay ng simple, mabilis, at maginhawang aksyon sa concerns ng ating members at pensioners,” GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet was quoted in the statement as saying. [I am grateful to the constituents of the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center who continue to assist GSIS to provide simple, fast, and convenient action on the

concerns of our members and pensioners.] The 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center serves as a mechanism where citizens may report complaints and grievances. It monitors the monthly performance of government agencies and financial institutions through its 8888 portal. “And, of course, I also thank the men and women of GSIS who continue to immediately respond to our clients’ needs amid the limitations

resulting from this pandemic,” Macasaet added. Last year, GSIS was likewise commended by Anti-Red Tape Authority Director General Jeremiah B. Belgica for making its Citizen’s Charter, named “Guide to Transactions and Processes,” or GTAP, available online. Belgica considered the initiative “fully aligned with ARTA’s mandate to make people’s lives easier and faster through streamlining and automation solutions,”

the GSIS said. GSIS similarly launched its corporate rebranding campaign in November 2021, dubbed Ginhawa for All, to make its products and services simpler and easier to understand. Under the new branding program, the benefits and services for members, pensioners and other stakeholders are grouped according to bundle, namely GFAL Active, GFAL Grand, and GFAL Plus.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

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Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Mark Ballas, 36; John C. Reilly, 57; Priscilla Presley, 77; Bob Dylan, 81. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Stand alone if that’s what it takes to get things done your way and on time. Put your heart and soul into what matters most to you, and don’t buy into outlandish schemes that have no guarantees. Be smart when it comes to money matters, and steer clear of joint ventures that can tie you up emotionally and financially. Your numbers are 3, 15, 21, 28, 33, 36, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Pick up the pace and finish what you start. Your relentless attitude will draw others to your side and encourage personal growth and a strategy that helps you outmaneuver anyone who tries to come between you and victory. HHH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Leave nothing to chance, and be ready for unexpected changes or interference. Know what you want, and prepare to do whatever it takes to reach your destination. A personal improvement will give you the confidence to share your thoughts. HHHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Listen to reason, but take the road less traveled. Follow your heart and use your skills to promote what you want. Let your voice be heard by those who have an impact on how you live and what you accomplish. HH

JP PINING, The Keith Haring Group Show

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Embrace change and enjoy the ride. Use your skills to get ahead and to help others. Choose to be unique and implement innovative ideas into your everyday routine. Standing out in the crowd will feel good and help you gain respect. HHHHH

BRYAN YABUT, The Keith Haring Group Show

Honoring Haring ‘I

T wouldn’t matter if you lived until you were 75,” Keith Haring, the iconic American pop artist who died in 1990 at age 31, once said. “There would still be new ideas. There would still be things that you wished you would have accomplished.” His artistic desire may have been insatiable, but Haring’s prodigious oeuvre continues to fill cultural consciousness around the world and decades after his death. In time for his birth month this May, Pasigbased Space Encounters Gallery mounts an exhibition

in honor of Haring and his jazzy hieroglyphics. The Keith Haring Show gathers some of the most prominent young Filipino artists who, like the show’s namesake, have made the successful jump from street art to the mainstream circuit. The group exhibition’s participating artists include Jappy Agoncillo, Studio Bitto, Emard Cañedo, Isad Diwa, Tyang Karyel, Distort Monsters, JP Pining, Brent Sabas, Arvin Santos and Bryan Yabut. Each one pays homage to Haring by depicting his figures and works using their own respective styles. Distort Monsters, for instance, choreographs his wide-eyed, bright-colored creatures to mimic the wiggly motions of Haring’s stick persons. Meanwhile, JP Pining bathes the barking dog with his signature hues and geometric lines. Elsewhere, we see other executions of paying respect to one of the foremost figures in contemporary pop art. Brent Sabas reimagined Haring’s piece titled Self-Portrait Polaroid in the vein of his textured human portraits with animal heads. Arvin Santos, who cuts out custom canvasses, outlines one of Haring’s last

works, titled Flying Devil (Batman), and on it pieces together a rich montage in the style of Haring’s street graffiti. Alongside the ongoing Haring tribute exhibition is the second solo show of Edwin Martinez with Space Encounters Gallery, titled Still Sailing. Martinez is mostly known for his portraits of monochromatic astronauts in various situations. In his latest presentation, we see the artist take his characters almost exclusively to more hopeful territory. The astronauts seem to be no longer directionless as they have found purpose in their new settings. In Not All Those Who Wander are Lost, we see a picture of life, wherein an astronaut is shown riding a boat surrounded by daylight and water, holding a breathing plant in his hands. Two other pieces feature plants crawling across the subject’s air-tight helmet. Still Sailing and The Keith Haring Show opened on May 20 and will run for three weeks. Space Encounters Gallery is located at Unit 7D, 7th Floor, Padilla Building, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. n

Nippon Paint Asia Young Designers Summit lauds student-artists YOUNG creators were recognized with major and special awards at the recently concluded 2021 Nippon Paint Asia Young Designer Awards (NPAYDA) Philippines. Themed Forward: Amplifying Empathy Through Design, NPAYDA was first launched in 2008 as the Philippine edition of the leading and prestigious Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA) with the common goal to motivate interior design and architecture students to be more innovative, creative and socially involved in design implementation. Moira Kayla Ramiro and Nuri Hong, De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Interior Design Students, clinched the Gold and Silver Awards, respectively. Dubbed as Marahuyo Design Camp, Ramiro’s winning project proposed a refreshing and

enlightening restorative environment that aims to nurture creativity and inspire, revive and support artistry. The design likewise earned the People’s Choice Award. This victorious piece was made under the guidance of Benilde Interior Design instructor IDr. Candice Arboleda, who was recognized as Best Mentor. Hong’s Namnama Community Hub was envisioned as a space to cultivate discovery, learning and community livelihood. For the locals of Baler, it resembled a treasure house that instilled and promoted their arts, culture, history, tradition and resources. Meanwhile, Mary Margareth Calvo, fellow Benilde Interior Design student, bagged Best Color Choice, while Kizzie Marie Pacaro from the University of San Carlos took home the Best Green Innovation Award.

Benildeans Joey Mae Perez, Aliya Josianne Raymundo, Angelica Jane Reyes and Winona Te likewise made it as top contenders for the Interior Design division. DLS-CSB was hailed as the Best School/University for Interior Design, while University of Santo Tomas was named as the Best Supporting College/University. For the Architecture Category, Karen Joy Robines from the University of Mindanao secured the Gold Award for her sustainable and reimagined Tagum City Garden. Her adviser Architect Matias Baring bagged the Best Mentor title. The Gold awardees will represent the Philippines in the regional leg of the competition, where they will compete for the prestigious title of Asia Young Designer of the Year with fellow creators from other AYDA countries.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Be open and receptive to what others have to say, but be resourceful about what you want to pursue. Don’t let what others do lead you astray or make you second-guess your plans. Trust and believe in yourself. HHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Get out there and strut your stuff. Be part of the solution, share your thoughts and act when action is needed. Pool your resources, and you’ll find it easier to reach your goal. Don’t limit what you can do; ask for assistance. HHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Your discipline and persistence will pay off. Whether dealing with work or pleasure, speak up and fight for what you want. Your keen perception will help you stay focused and remain mindful of what others need and want. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take the path that you find most inviting. Looking at something from a different angle will change how you perceive yourself and your future. Change begins with you, so don’t dawdle—clear up your mess and move along. HHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Concentrate on home, family and building a stable environment that encourages you and those you live with to give their all and do their best. Success requires a good foundation and trusted allies. Romance and self-improvement are in your best interest. HHHHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take a moment to evaluate what’s happening. Don’t get into a no-win situation. Keeping the peace will help you get things done and save face. Anger and revenge are wastes of time and energy. Be smart, not sorry. HH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Rethink your strategy, and you’ll come up with an alternative plan that will help you sidestep situations and people detrimental to what you are trying to achieve. Don’t get pulled into someone’s dream when you have a plan already. HHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t lose sight of your target. Establish what you want to do and speak to those who can help your dreams come true. Don’t waffle when you know in your heart that change is in your best interest. Take command and forge ahead. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are clever, quick-witted and resourceful. You are original and proactive.

‘tuesday themeless 3’ BY ADRIAN JOHNSON The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Say hoarsely 5 Let in 10 Firecracker cord 14 Andy Warhol muse Sedgwick 15 One working on a grand scale? 17 Run for it 18 Transport for a four-legged friend 19 Watching cake-decorating videos at 2 am, say 21 “And there it is!” 22 NY Giants’ scores 23 Pigpen 24 Picnic pest 26 Therapy appointment, informally 28 Party plans? 31 “Two ___ up!” 35 Soup base 36 Tense for “wined” and “dined” 38 Beyonce’s role in The Lion King (2019) 39 “I messed up big-time” 42 Fair to middling 43 “That makes sense” 44 Second chances

45 47 49 51 52 54 57 59

Cause for a blessing? Locked down Pack of cards ___ on the back Confidentiality doc Request Concoction in a cauldron Horned animals of the savanna, for short 61 “I’ll get there when I get there!” 64 Second starter? 65 Top worn with a lei, perhaps 66 “Whatcha waitin’ for?!” 67 Ration (out) 68 Fruit-filled desserts 69 “Take this” DOWN 1 Puzzle in which “you” may be a ewe 2 Animal shelter promotion 3 “You goofball!” 4 Anti-leather grp. 5 Attach as a supplement 6 Monopoly cube 7 Name that sounds like a doorstep cover

8 South American people whose Earth goddess was Pachamama 9 Pink character in Mario games 10 Lab coat? 11 Light-year or liter, e.g. 12 Sesame bit 13 Serves a vegan a whole milk latte, say 16 Treasure’s opposite 20 Sleeveless tops, informally 25 Small dishes such as gambas al ajillo 27 Orion, with “the” 29 Bounced back, like sound 30 Confucius and Lao-tzu, for two 32 What may be sacrificed at the altar? 33 One who gives pints to a bank 34 Cheeky talk 35 Figure (out) 37 Mindless followers 40 Flaky, buttery shell 41 Objective fact 46 Animal represented by the stripes on Botswana’s flag 48 Insertion symbols

50 53 54 55 56 58 60 62 63

“TiK ToK” singer Collectively Driver in Hollywood Step on it! Massage target Noise from a fan 1/63,360 of a mile Most common word in English The A-Team actor

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Ode to sweetness: Susan Roces, 1941-2022 B

ORN in Bacolod, Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora would travel to Manila not to seek her fortune but, as the tale goes, to find a school where she could train in Speech and Drama. A teacher had encouraged her to train in that field having shown her skill in drama and oration while studying in the Augustinian’s La Consolacion College. In Manila, she would head off to Sampaguita Pictures to see in person her idol, Gloria Romero, then the reigning Queen of Philippine Movies. Never did she think perhaps that one day she would gain the status of her own screen idol when Dr. Jose Perez approached her and offered Susan the chance to be a movie star. Did it occur to the big man at Sampaguita, the legendary discoverer of stars, that that in that moment he beheld the next queen of the local film industry? Queens of cinema in those days never really faded; they just stood by, witnessing an era passing even as they remained respectable and beloved, with roles that were tailored to fit their age and status. Thus, Jesusa would be Susan—Susan Roces—and she would reign for decades. Not alone but with another queen, Amalia Fuentes. The fact of her not being alone on that throne did not diminish the aura of dignity and attention around Susan Roces; rather, it highlighted what she was vis-avis this other beauty, Amalia. To Amalia Fuentes’s elegance and strong Caucasian features, Susan Roces had this loveliness and charm, accessible but nevertheless a beauty of stellar proportion. To Doc Perez, Roces would possess “the face that refreshes,” a title that became a counterpoint to how her rival, Fuentes, was presented. Their rivalry was so strong that it defined the kind of beauty favored in the land. Was female independence acceptable? Was sweetness and graciousness a default trait for women? It divided the generation of women (and men) in the ‘50s and until the ‘60s. From these two fiefdoms of fans were produced the taste and aesthetics of the films wherein Susan Roces and, for that matter, Amalia Fuentes would star. Susan and Amalia would first costar in Tulisan in 1962. In the same year, the two actresses would be given, to use a favorite word, “challenging” roles in separate films: Fuentes would star in Amaliang Mali-Mali and Roces would appear in her own film, Susanang Daldal. Both roles would be defined as “offbeat.” While Luis Gonzales provided a light romp

as leading man to Amalia Fuentes, imagine Susan Roces with Dolphy and Panchito in her own comic outing. The marked—as marketed—differences between these two stars would reach its early apotheosis with a film, titled Amaliang Mali-Mali vs. Susanang Daldal. This time, the two would play warring, wild and wacky stepsisters. It was billed as the “bout of the century” and, mot surprisingly, turned out to be a box-office hit. This film followed the first time they faced off as adversaries in the film Tulisan. The poster available on Video48 (video48.blogspot.com) shows the two actresses with daggers, out to harm each other, in a movie described as “the most electrifying clash of the year.” By the late 1960s, Roces and Fuentes were still the movie queens but this time, they have charted

a different course in filmography. Fuentes favored more offbeat roles; Roces remained the actress, undisturbed in her gentility and sweetness, and most beautiful even in her most dramatic, heart-wrenching scenes. As such, Susan Roces was never favored to win the awards from what was then the most prestigious award-giving body, the FAMAS. Great names like Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden, Rita Gomez and Charito Solis were monopolizing the field. However, by the 1970s, Susan Roces would experience a succession of nominations for FAMAS Best Actress. In 1974, the industry took notice of her appearance in Celso Ad. Castillo’s Patayin mo sa Sindak si Barbara, a film that would see a remake in 1995 starring the major stars of that decade. Working against typecasting, the actress would appear in another Ad. Castillo’s gothic masterpiece, Maligno,

which brought Susan Roces her first FAMAS trophy. This was in 1978. In 1979, Susan would again win an acting award for her role as Maruja (a character she already played in Armando de Guzman’s Maruja in 1967) in Lino Brocka’s Gumising Ka, Maruja. As the heroine from the magical pen of Mars Ravelo, her Maruja remains a study in how pure beauty can seduce through time and space, love endless and terrifying. The actress who called to mind bloom and vitality had now become the undisputed leading lady of a genre, the horror film. Melodrama playing with the terrifying became her domain. The awards may have come late for Susan Roces but when they were given, they came bountiful. In 2003, the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) honored her with the Lifetime Achievement Award. From FAMAS, belated as it may appear, she received in 2017 the FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award, reminding us of this actress with some 150 films to her name outside of her being an outstanding symbol of glamor during the years FAMAS held sway over the film circle. From Cinema One Original, one of the major bastions of independent filmmaking, Susan would get the Cinema One Legend Award. From her beloved movie press, the actress who never became controversial in her long career was offered the Natatanging Bituin ng Siglo (Outstanding Star of the Century). These are but just some of her great commendations. From many sources also came the talk that Susan was a consistent but silent donor to charities. For her admirers, fans and critics, there could be constant debate as to which film did she really excel in. For historians of cinema, however, Susan Roces recalls the era, long gone, of actors who spoke of conviction and with such verve when lines about principles, values and notions of humanity were written into those long dialogs. In those moments—in the 1950s and in the 1960s—Susan Roces rose to the occasion as the voice of unwavering personal beliefs, in that halting but effervescent cadence that marked the tradition of acting in the lost golden years of Philippine cinema. She portrayed these characters of goodness and kindness with such aplomb, we thought all beautiful women should have good hearts in them. For this and more, we thank Susan Roces. There is more to thank Susan Roces, however, and this was in those fateful days following the death of her husband, Fernando Poe Jr., when she faced the media and the government. Recall her face in tears, her face grimaced, the kindness gone, rage in place, as she berates and mocks a major TV newscaster on how the networks belittled her Ronnie, the actor running for president. Then, in June 2005, a day that was meant for her alone, the universe listened and listened long, as she declared, together with those calling for the resignation of Arroyo, how this president’s government had stolen the election not once but twice. That was her role for the century and humanity, a role that convinced us the face that refreshes could also be the face of moral authority and political vigor. n

Ariella, Angeli, Ayanna: Streaming queens of Vivamax

WHILE Vivamax continues to reign on the available streaming platforms in the Philippines, it has also produced three wonderful discoveries that continue to thrill, trigger, tickle, titillate and treat its millions of viewers: Ariella Arida, Angeli Khang and Ayanna Misola. Miss Universe runner-up Ariella Arida is enjoying her life as an actor. We touched base with her recently and she shared with us the joys of being part of the new movie Breathe Again. “Filming was an amazing experience. This is my first lead role and I am thankful for the trust that Vivamax gave me. I was working with very pleasant and professional people, and we shot in beautiful Batangas for most of the outdoor scenes.” Arida has Tony Labrusca for her leading man in this movie directed by Raffy Francisco, who told us that the narrative also affirms the importance of taking care of the natural environment. The 33-year-old Arida continued: “We had to make time to train for free diving, which is different from scuba diving. I enjoy being in and around the sea—it is calming, the sound of the waves, the colors of the sky and the water, the breeze, the warmth of the sun...

these are the stuff I often miss when I am busy in the big city, and I am glad that our script required us to shoot in Anilao.” Once a Binibini, always a Binibini. Arida assured her followers that she continues to have a very good relationship with the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., the original franchise holder of Miss Universe Philippines. “We are very okay. We have this special bond formed almost 10 years ago, when they entrusted the crown to me. They understand that my being an actor requires me to play different characters with different requirements, and some of these characters need to show some skin. The organization continues to trust and support my decisions and for my part, I will continue to take good care of myself and my reputation as a former title holder.” ANGELI IS DESTINED TO BECOME A BIG STAR IT was in the Mac Alejandre movie Silip sa Apoy where we took a longer look at newcomer Angeli Khang. She was pitting talents with the award-winning actor Sid Lucero, and Khang held her own and was consistent in her performance as the abused partner. When we spoke to Viva honcho Vincent del Rosario recently, he shared that Silip sa Apoy remains on top of the mostviewed movies in Vivamax whose subscription will soon reach its 4 million. “Angeli Khang is looming to be the prized possession of Viva and we are happy to give her more substantial projects, and giving her the best leading men like Sid Lucero. She is truly destined to become a big star,” he shared. Khang showed promise in her early films like Taya, Mahjong Nights and Eva, and after Silip sa Apoy, her star shone brighter and Viva gave her Pusoy, where she plays the trophy girlfriend of a gambling lord. She

FROM left: Ayanna Misola, Angeli Khang and Ariella Arida

has already wrapped up work in Brillante Mendoza’s Virgin Forest and will start shooting two movies: My Mother’s Keeper and Itago sa Dilim. “Strike while the iron is very hot,“ Khang said in jest, adding, “Not every girl in town who dreams of becoming an actor will get these good breaks like what I am blessed with right now. I will continue to be grateful.” AYANNA HAS WHAT IT TAKES ONE of the youngest contract artists of Viva, Ayanna Misola is happy that she finally saw herself on the big screen. “During the entire pandemic, even after the films I was part of were released on the Vivamax

streaming platform, I secretly wished that I’d be able to watch myself on the big screen, in a cinema. I’m glad that it came true recently when they had a special screening of our latest movie Putahe.” The movie, which fuses local island cuisine in its sexual narrative about a woman’s awakening, is directed by the brave and bold filmmaker Roman Perez, Jr., and is a certified hit when it premiered recently. “I enjoyed the shoot. I got to see some of the beautiful islands we have, and I learned a lot about regional cuisine too!” she shared. “I love location shoots because I get to commune with nature while working.”

B6 Tuesday, May 24, 2022

SSS resumes updates of members via My.SSS

Suzuki’s Cebu Parts Warehouse reaffirms commitment to service

SUZUKI PHILIPPINES INC. General Manager for Aftersales Service and Marine Tamotsu Shimizu (center) led the warehouse opening. With him are Spare Parts Department Head Ms. Nonito Dayandante (right) and Visayas Regional Sales Supervisor for Motorcycles Engelbert Alinsug (left).

UZUKI Philippines recently unveiled its Spare Parts Warehouse in Cebu as a testament to its commitment to delivering the best satisfaction to its customers and dealerships. The 450 square meter Suzuki Philippines’ Spare Parts Expansion in Cabancalan, Mandaue, Cebu City was completed this month and will provide a more reliable service offering for Suzuki customers in the Visayas Region by enabling quicker parts delivery which enhances uptime within the current competitive business landscape. “The Cebu Parts Warehouse also allows us to rebalance part stocks in the Visayas from the central distribution Center in Laguna,” said Suzuki Philippines General Manager for AfterSales Division Tamotsu Shimizu, to describe the opening of the regional warehouse. Indeed, establishing a spare parts warehouse in Cebu is a strategic move as Cebu’s economy is partly driven by wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, according to data from the Philippine Statistics

Authority – Region VII Visayas office. The wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles accounted for 25.0 percent of Cebu’s economy in 2020, or nearly Php 67 billion. According to Suzuki, the strategic location of the facility supports the different Suzuki Dealerships across the Visayas Region and enables the company to provide all parts needed by motorcycle and marine customers faster, particularly during critical situations. With the critical expansion and renovation of the Cebu Parts Warehouse facility, Suzuki could extend its vital service and support to its customers within the region.

Same day delivery

THE supply of Suzuki Genuine Parts on time is critical to keeping Suzuki’s valued customers satisfied and happy. Suzuki Philippines’ After Sales Service has elevated service and customer satisfaction through fast delivery to achieve this goal. In December 2021, Suzuki piloted the Spare Parts Same Day Delivery Program for its Motorcycle and Automobile Dealers located within a 75

km radius of SPH Laguna Warehouse. This service of the expanded delivery system for parts will address all concerns across the Visayas Region, especially for the After Sales warranty concerns, the company added.

updating their contact information at the comfort of their homes or offices, 24/7. Moreover, it has always been our goal to give a better service to our members and help them facilitate their SSS transactions,” Regino said. The state-run pension fund has suspended the online updating of contact details on the My.SSS starting on August 3, 2021 to enhance the online portal and boost its security features to protect the confidential information of its members. The online updating of members’ contact details has now been reverted to give its members a more convenient and safer way of updating their SSS records. Members can update their contact information by logging in to their respective My.SSS account and access the “Update Contact Info” which they can find in the “Member Info” menu. They can also update or change their contact numbers, e-mail addresses, and mailing addresses, except their home address, and submit them online. SSS will send a notification message to their existing or new e-mail address and mobile number. They just need to confirm their request to update their contact details by clicking the link sent to them.

NGCP conducts nationwide blackout drill

Time to ride

MORE importantly, Suzuki’s positioning of its spare parts and facility in the Visayan region comes at a critical period when the domestic motorcycle market slowly recovers after the “deep loss” in 2020 and as the economy faces the postpandemic challenges of mobility and social distancing. With the easing of travel restrictions and all economic, business, and even school activities returning to in-person undertakings, the volume of vehicles on the streets is expected to increase. In this New Normal environment, Suzuki encourages the public to embrace motorcycles as the best alternative for these problems because these two-wheel rides offer the most practical, economical, convenient, and efficient way to travel. Suzuki’s current office is located at J.A.C. Bldg. in Cabancalan, Mandaue City.

Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings unveils new trio of promos

O urge more Filipinos to save up for their future, Cebuana Lhuillier, one of the country’s top micro financial institutions, is offering three exciting promos for its new and existing microsavings clients that will run until July 31, 2022. Clients who will open a new micro savings account may purchase their 24k card at half the price for only PHP75. Along with this, they will also automatically earn an entry to Cebuana Lhuillier’s Lucky Savings e-raffle promo, where they can win up to PHP50,000. The raffle is also open to existing clients who will upgrade their micro savings account Quick cards to Cebuana Lhuillier 24k debit cards. On top of these offers, Cebuana Lhuillier micro savings account holders can also enjoy free money transfer services to any of its over 3,000 branches nationwide. “Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings provided ordinary Filipinos with the opportunity to save for their future, and has proved to be essential to many of our kababayans during the intense lockdown periods at the height of the pandemic. Now that we are in the process of rebuilding, I encourage our Ka-Cebuanas to start saving once again. Truly, the mark of a financiallyincluded Filipino is one that can be assured of a nest egg—no matter how small—that they can use for the rainy days,” Cebuana Lhuillier president & CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier said. Since its launch in 2019, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings has made a difference in the lives of its clients, by making it easy for majority of Filipinos to save money without the usual pain

HE Social Security System (SSS) announced today that member may update their contact information online starting May 16, 2022 after the staterun pension fund resumed the said online updating of record on the My.SSS portal. In a statement, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Regino said members using their My.SSS account can update or change their contact details, such as telephone number, mobile number, mailing address, foreign address, and e-mail address, without visiting any SSS branch to file their member data change request. Those with no existing contact information except their mobile number may also update their contact details. On the other hand, members without registered mobile numbers with SSS need to visit any branch office to submit their mobile number using the Member Data Change Request Form, and set a branch appointment through their My.SSS account or they can do walk-in transactions following the schedule based on the last digit of their SSS number. “We exerted all our efforts to expedite the completion of all the necessary IT enhancements for the My.SSS and provide our members a more convenient way of

O secure the continuity of power transmission services in the case of a major system disturbance, NGCP recently conducted its annual blackout drill for the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids. The exercise, conducted yearly since the start of NGCP’s operations, is comprised of both tabletop discussions and an actual simulation drill. This year’s theme, “Cutting Down Restoration Time – Sharing Lessons Learned,” highlights the importance of past experiences and moving forward to lessen recovery time in the event of a system blackout. The activity was attended by stakeholders from the generation sector and distribution sector, as well as representatives from the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Transmission Corporation, Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation. The presentations were still conducted virtually via video conferencing, to minimize

face-to-face interaction and limit the spread of COVID-19. Discussions included black start services, actual restoration experiences, blackout restoration guidelines and procedures, and workshops focusing on area-specific blackout restoration highways. A week after the tabletop presentations, a simulation drill was held to replicate an actual blackout scenario. “We conduct the blackout drill every year because it is critical that every power stakeholder knows their role in the event of a system collapse. When everyone understands their part in the system, we are able to effectively communicate, efficiently respond, and recover from a blackout,” NGCP said. NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy, Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr. It is the sole operating asset of Synergy Grid and Development Philippines, Inc.

A new way to donate via SM Advantage Card

points in opening a bank account. A product of Cebuana Lhuillier Bank and made available nationwide by cash agent Cebuana Lhuillier, Micro Savings enabled clients to open a bank account with just fifty pesos and one valid ID. Three years after its launch, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings has gained close to 6 million account holders, and has served as a valuable resource for Filipinos who relied on the money they have saved in order to

survive at the height of the pandemic. However, despite the growth in number of savings account holders, majority of Filipinos remain unbanked. In fact in 2020, only 25% of households had any form of savings, most of which are from high-and-middle-income groups. For more information, go to www. cebuanalhuillier.com or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ cebuanalhuillierpawnshop.

OUR SM Advantage Card (SMAC) can do so much more than earn points for shopping and get discounts and freebies. If you have not decided yet on using your SMAC points, especially points that are about to expire, why not donate them to a special cause or charity? Starting May 15 to July 31, SMAC members can help make a difference by donating their points to the Share Shoes program of The SM Store. According to Chelo Monasterio, President of The SM Store, “this is the first time we will use SMAC points for a donation drive. Our goal is to gather 3 million points to buy 10,000 pairs of shoes for World Vision and SM Foundation kids. Shoes are essential—they help protect our feet from diseases and injuries. Still, because of poverty, many Filipinos, especially children, do not have access to decent and well-fitted shoes.” Donating SMAC points is easy. Just log in to www. smac.ph then select Transfer Points, enter shareshoes@smac.ph and encode the number of points you wish to donate; validate your donation by entering a one-time pin, then complete the transaction. Participating cards include SM Advantage Card, SMAC Prestige, and BDO SMAC. Early this year, The SM Store donated 500,000 pairs of shoes to the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Caritas Philippines

FROM May 15 to July 31, SMAC cardholders can donate their SMAC points to Share Shoes. The program aims to raise as many points as possible to buy 10,000 pairs of shoes for World Vision and SM Foundation kids nationwide, including last-mile communities. Share Shoes is one of the corporate social responsibility programs (CSR) of The SM Store. In the 1st quarter of 2022, The SM Store distributed more than 100,000 clothes to Odette hit communities in the Visayas and Mindanao through Share Your Extras. Other CSR programs of The SM Store are Donate A Book and Share A Toy. These programs are implemented in partnership with its customers, corporate partners, SM Foundation, and other social development organizations with a shared mission of bringing joy and giving back to communities. For more updates and ways to share, visit www.thesmstore.com and follow its social media pages @thesmstore on Facebook and Instagram.

World Features BusinessMirror

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

‘A long journey’: Volunteers from Belarus fight for Ukraine By Vanessa Gera

The Associated Press

ARSAW, Poland—One is a restaurateur who f led Belarus when he learned he was about to be arrested for criticizing President Alexander Lukashenko. Another was given the choice of either denouncing fellow opposition activists or being jailed. And one is certain his brother was killed by the country’s security forces. What united them is their determination to resist Lukashenko by fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine. Belarusians are among those who have answered a call by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for foreign fighters to go to Ukraine and join the International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine, given the high stakes in a conf lict that many see as a battle pitting dictatorship against freedom. For the Belarusians, who consider Ukrainians a brethren nation, the stakes feel especially high. Russian troops used Belarusian territory to invade Ukraine early in the war, and Lukashenko has publicly stood by longtime ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing him as his “ big brother.” Russia, for its part, has pumped billions of dollars into shoring up Lukashenko’s Soviet-style, state-controlled economy with cheap energy and loans. Weakening Putin, the Belarusian volunteers believe, would also weaken Lukashenko, who has held power since 1994, and create an opening to topple his oppressive government and bring democratic change to the nation of nearly 10 million. For many of the Belarusians, their base is Poland, a country on NATO’s eastern f lank that borders Belarus and Ukraine and which has become a haven for pro-democracy Belarusian dissidents before becoming one for war refugees from Ukraine. Some of the volunteer fighters are already in Poland, and some only pass through brief ly on their way to Ukraine. “We understand that it’s a long journey to free Belarus and the journey starts in Ukraine,” said Vadim Prokopiev, a 50-year-old businessman who used to run restaurants in Minsk. He fled the country after a rumor spread that he would be arrested for saying publicly that the government wasn’t doing enough for small businesses. “When the Ukraine war will be eventually over, our war will just start. It is impossible to free the country of Belarus without driving Putin’s fascist troops out of Ukraine,” he said. Prokopiev heads a unit called “Pahonia” that has been training recruits. The Associated Press interviewed him as he oversaw an exercise involving firing pistols and other weapons into old cars in simulations of war scenarios. They were being trained by a Polish ex-police officer who is now a private shooting instructor. Prokopiev wants his men to gain critical battle experience, and he hopes that one day soon a window of opportunity will open for democratic change in Belarus. But he says it will require fighters like himself to be prepared, and for members of the security forces in Belarus to turn against Lukashenko. The 2020 presidential election in Belarus was widely seen as fraudulent, but massive street protests against Lukashenko being awarded a sixth term were met with a brutal government crackdown, leading to Prokopiev’s belief that no “velvet revolution” can be expected in Belarus. “Power from Lukashenko can only be taken by force,” he said. On Saturday, men with another unit, Kastus Kalinouski, gathered in Warsaw in the Belarus House, where sleeping bags, mats and other Ukraine-bound equipment were piled high. They sat together, talking and snacking on chocolate and coffee as they prepared to deploy to Ukraine later in the day. Most didn’t want to be interviewed out of concerns for their security and that of family back home. The regiment, formally part of Ukraine’s armed forces, was named after the leader of an anti-Russian insurrection in the 19th century who is viewed as a national hero in Belarus. Lukashenko has called them “crazy Belarusian citizens,” and authorities have put 50 members of Kastus Kalinouski on a wanted list and initiated criminal cases against them. One willing to describe his motivations was a 19-year-old, Ales, who has lived in Poland since last year. He f led Belarus after the country’s security service, which is still called the KGB, detained him and forced him to denounce an anti-Lukashenko resistance group in a video. He was told he would be jailed if he didn’t comply. Dressed all in black from a hooded sweatshirt to his boots, he admitted to feeling nervous as the moment arrived to head into Ukraine. He had never received any military training, but would get it once he arrived in Ukraine. But just how much, and where he would be deployed, he didn’t yet know. He said he was going to fight not only to help Ukraine “ but to make Belarus independent.” He said it was also important for him that people realize that the Belarusian people are very different from the Lukashenko government. It is a dangerous mission. At least four volunteers from the Kastus Kalinouski unit have already died. A deputy commander, Aliaksiej Skoblia, was killed in a Russian ambush near Kyiv and was later recognized by Zelenskyy as a Hero of Ukraine. Still, the fighting in Ukraine can feel less dangerous at times than seeking to resist Lukashenko at home, where many activists are in prison facing harsh conditions. Organizing the Kastus Kalinouski recruits was Pavel Kukhta, a 24-year-old who already fought in Ukraine’s Donbas region in 2016, suffering burns and the loss of most of hearing in one ear. Kukhta said his half-brother, Nikita Krivtsov, was found dead by hanging in a wooded area outside Minsk in 2020. Police said there was no evidence of foul play but Kukhta says he and the rest of the family are certain Krivtsov was killed for joining the antiLukashenko protests. But he insisted that his support for Ukraine is not about revenge, only about fighting for democratic change. “If Putin is defeated, Lukashenko will be defeated,” he said. Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Ukraine, contributed to this report.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Theories emerge for mysterious severe liver illnesses in children By Mike Stobbe

AP Medical Writer

EW YORK—Health officials remain perplexed by mysterious cases of severe liver damage in hundreds of young children around the world. The best available evidence points to a fairly common stomach bug that isn’t known to cause liver problems in otherwise healthy kids. That virus was detected in the blood of stricken children but—oddly—it has not been found in their diseased livers. “There’s a lot of things that don’t make sense,” said Eric Kremer, a virus researcher at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of Montpellier, in France. As health officials in more than a dozen countries look into the mystery, they are asking: n Has there been some surge in the stomach bug—called adenovirus 41—that is causing more cases of a previously undetected problem? n Are children more susceptible due to pandemic-related lockdowns that sheltered them from the viruses kids usually experience? n Is there some mutated version of the adenovirus causing this? Or some other not-yet-identified germ, drug or toxin? n Is it some kind of haywire immune system reaction set off by a past Covid-19 infection and a later invasion by some other virus? The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and investigators around the globe are trying to sort out what’s going on. The illnesses are considered rare. CDC officials last week said they are now looking into 180 possible cases across the US. Most of the children were hospitalized, at least 15 required liver transplants and six died. More than 20 other countries have reported hundreds more cases in total, though the largest numbers have been in the UK and US. Symptoms of hepatitis—or inflammation of the liver—include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools,

joint pain and jaundice. T he scope of t he problem only started to become clear last month, though disease detectives say they have been working on the mystery for months. It’s been maddeningly difficult to nail a cause down, experts say. Conventional causes of liver inflammation in otherwise healthy kids—the viruses known as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E—didn’t show up in tests. What’s more, the children came from different places and there seemed to be no common exposures. What did show up was adenovirus 41. More than half of the US cases have tested positive for adenovirus, of which there are dozens of varieties. In a small number of specimens tested to see what kind of adenovirus was present, adenovirus 41 came up every time. T he f ac t t h at ade no v i r u s keeps showing up strengthens the case for it playing a role, but it’s unclear how, Dr. Jay Butler, the CDC ’s deputy director for infectious diseases, told T he Associated Press. Many adenoviruses are associated with common cold symptoms, such as fever, sore throat and pink eye. Some versions— including adenovirus 41—can trigger other problems, including inflammation in the stomach and intestines. Adenoviruses previously have been linked to hepatitis in children, but mostly in kids with weakened immune systems. Recent genetic analysis has turned up no evidence that a single new mutant version of the virus is to blame, said Dr. Umesh Parashar, chief of the CDC group focused on viral gut diseases. Adenovirus infections are not systematically tracked in the US, so it’s not clear if there’s been some recent surge in virus activity. In fact, adenoviruses are so com-

Kids are silhouetted against a pond at a park in Lenexa, Kansas, on December 26, 2020. Health officials remain perplexed by mysterious cases of severe liver damage in hundreds of young children around the world. In May 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said they are now looking into 180 possible cases across the US. More than 20 other countries have reported hundreds more cases in total, though the largest numbers have been in the UK and US. AP/Charlie Riedel

mon that researchers aren’t sure what to make of their presence in these cases. “If we start testing everybody for the adenovirus, they will find so many kids” that have it, said Dr. Heli Bhatt, a pediatric gastroenterologist who treated two Minnesota children with the liver problems. One was a child who came in nearly five months ago with liver failure. Doctors couldn’t figure why. Unfortunately, “not having a cause is something that happens,” Bhatt said. Roughly a third of acute liver failure cases go unexplained, experts have estimated. Bhatt said the second child she saw got sick last month. By that time, health officials had been drawing attention to cases, and she and other doctors began going back and reviewing unexplained illnesses since October. Indeed, many cases added to the tally in the last few weeks were not recent illnesses but rather earlier ones that were re-evaluated. About 10 percent of the US cases occurred in May, Butler said. The rate seems to be relatively flat since the fall, he added. It’s possible that doctors are merely discovering a phenomenon that’s been going on for years, some scientists said. Another possible explanation: Covid-19. The CDC recently estimated that, as of February, 75 percent of US children had been infected by the coronavirus. Only 10 percent to 15 percent of the children with the mysteri-

ous hepatitis had Covid-19, according to nasal swab tests given when they checked into a hospital, health officials say. But investigators are wondering about previous coronavirus infections. It’s possible that coronavirus particles lurking in the gut are playing a role, said Petter Brodin, a pediatric immunologist at Imperial College London. In a piece earlier this month in the medical journal Lancet, Brodin and another scientist suggested that a combination of lingering coronavirus and an adenovirus infection could trigger a liver-damaging immune system reaction. “I think it’s an unfortunate combination of circumstances that could explain this,” Brodin told the AP. Butler said researchers have seen complex reactions like that before, and investigators are discussing ways to better check out the hypothesis. He said it was “not out of the realm of plausibility, at all.” A Case Western Reserve University preprint study, which has yet to be peer reviewed, suggested children who had Covid-19 had a significantly higher risk of liver damage. Dr. Markus Buchfellner, a pediatric infectious diseases doctor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was involved in the identification of the first US cases in the fall. The illnesses were “weird” and concerning, he said. Six months later, “we don’t really know exactly what we’re dealing with.”

Buffalo shooting’s wounds need a strong salve, residents say By Aaron Morrison The Associated Press

UFFALO, New York—Shenaya Ann Washington and a close friend cleared a small patch of grass at the base of a utility pole on Riley Street. They dug a hole there and planted a red rose bush seedling. Next to it, they leaned 10 prayer candles against the pole. Washington said she chose that spot to memorialize the victims of last weekend’s massacre at Tops Friendly Market because it is closest to the store entrance she had always used as a part-time worker for Instacart, the grocery delivery service. Sometimes when she would exit the store, Aaron Salter Jr., the slain retired police officer who worked security at Tops, would help Washington back to her car with the grocery orders, she said. The shooter, whose racist attack deeply wounded east Buffalo’s Black community, has stolen much more than the neighborhood’s only grocery store and the sense of peace many residents felt in the cherished community gathering spot. “He took away people who did for the community, just because of the color of their skin. It’s an eye opener. It’s a reality check,” Washington said. During Sunday service, Pastor Russell

Bell of the State Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, where shooting victim Heyward Patterson was a deacon, promised his congregation that they would hold a celebration of his life. Bell also encouraged his predominantly Black flock to lean into their faith. “We’re going to be winners if we endure to the end,” he said. Just over a week ago, a white gunman in body armor killed 10 Black shoppers and workers at the supermarket that has been temporarily closed. Three others were injured in the attack, which federal authorities are investigating as a hate crime. Long before that 18-year-old avowed white supremacist inflicted terror in this community, Buffalo’s Black neighborhoods, like many others around the nation, had been dealing with wounds that are generations old. The attack has scraped off the scab hiding Black trauma and neglect that sit just below the surface in what’s called the City of Good Neighbors, residents, business owners and faith leaders said. Healing will require not only an immediate flood of charity, but also systemic solutions, economic investments and mental health counseling that are long lasting, they said. “It’s been great to see the outpouring of support, I must say that,” said Jackie Stover-

Stitts, co-owner of Golden Cup Coffee, about a block from the Tops on Jefferson Avenue. For the past few days, the atmosphere around her shop had been festival-like and, at times, a somber space of mourning. Organizations from across the nation, and even a few global charities, offered food and other essential goods to residents who relied on Tops to meet their basic needs. “The only concern is that it’s not short lived,” Stover-Stitts said. “It would mean more if we could see, on Monday, that all those people with funds that came down to say how sorry they were could show it by investing in our area.” Buffalo, with a population of 255,000 that is 47 percent white, 35 percent Black, 12 percent Hispanic and 6 percent Asian, is one of the nation’s most racially segregated cities. The neighborhoods around the Tops market are predominantly Black and impoverished. Earlier in the week, civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton pointed to racial and socioeconomic inequality that made the Tops a target for the shooter, who officials say drove hundreds of miles to find Black people to gun down. “If there wasn’t but one supermarket in the Black community, he wouldn’t have gone to Tops,” Sharpton said at a prayer vigil held in Buffalo for the victims’ families on Thursday. “If you can figure out how to get millions

of dollars for a stadium, can’t you figure out how to get a supermarket,” Sharpton added, referring to a new $1.4 billion home turf planned for the Buffalo Bills that will be funded largely by taxpayers. La’Tryse Anderson of Buffalo SNUG, a gun violence prevention organization, canvassed the neighborhood around the Tops with other volunteers to get a sense of residents’ needs. Some told her they needed groceries, toiletries, replacement appliances and even a utility bill paid. “I wish I had a magic wand,” she said. “There were so many needs out here, before this [shooting] happened.” Without real investments in the areas that surround the Tops, Anderson said, “I don’t think we’ll ever fully heal from this.” Residents will definitely need the option of another supermarket, as some have vowed to never set foot in that Tops location again, she added. They are too traumatized. Reshawna Chapple, a Black therapist and associate professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Central Florida, said the shock and grief caused by the supermarket shooting are made worse when people are not tending to their mental health. Systemic racism is part of the reason why too few in the Black community seek mental health counseling, either on a regular basis or in the wake of tragedy, she said.

31st SEAG ends in friendly, cozy closing ceremony H

ANOI—The curtains were lowered on the 31st edition of the Southeast Asian Games on Monday evening in Hanoi with Vietnam ending its second stint as host of the biennial multi-sport competition with a program that bordered from friendly to cozy. Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Ramon Fernandez led a small contingent of Filipinos who graced the closing ceremony of the 12-day games with the hosts frolicking in their own backyard, a celebration made doubly festive and delirious with their 1-0 gold medalclinching win over Thailand in the men’s football final on Satuday night. With most of the Filipino delegates cuing for home at the Noi Bai International Airport, Fernandez and his deputies, Carl Sambrano (roller sports) and Pear Managuelod (muaythai) represented Team Philippines at the ceremony held at the My Dinh Stadium that was graced by Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Sports, Culture and Tourism Minister Nguyen Van Hung. “To Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino, thank you very much for giving me the honor to head the delegation,” Fernandez said. “To my deputies Pearl Managuelod and Carl Sambrano and to everyone who contributed one way or the other, ‘daghang salamat. “This was an enlightening and educational experience for yours truly. We fought as one and won as one! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!” he added. “While the opening ceremony featured mass performances and spectacular visual effects, the closing was cozy and friendly with the motto ‘Coming together to shine,” Tran Ly Ly, director of both opening and closing ceremonies, said. “Athletes have gone through many competitions and made their talents known, so the closing ceremony was a moment for everybody to honor and praise them, and promote sportsmanship,” she added. The ceremony was highlighted by the Southeast Asian Games Federation flag being lowered and handed over to representatives from Cambodia, which will host the 32nd edition of the games in May 2023.

Sports BusinessMirror

| Tuesday, May 24, 2022 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

MEDAL TABLE R

COUNTRY

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

TOTAL

Vietnam

205

125

116

Thailand

103

136

331

Indonesia

241

446

Philippines

104

226

Singapore

166

Malaysia

174

Myanmar

Cambodia

Laos

Brunei

Timor-Leste

Source: seagames2021.com

TEAM PHL WINDS UP ‘FIGHTING’ 4TH PLACE By Jun Lomibao

THE Philippine flag is hoisted during a gold medal ceremony as men’s pole vault gold medalist Ernest John “EJ” Obiena and Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino stand at attention during the medal ceremony for one of the more iconic photos of the games that ended on Monday.

Covid seems thing of past at full-capacity French Open ARIS—They sipped from glasses of Champagne or rosé while seated on the sandcolored cushions of wicker couches on a “terrasse” overlooking some smaller courts at Roland Garros. They crowded walkways and stood in lines dozens deep for waffles painted with Nutella or baguettes layered with ham, cheese and butter—and, sometimes, they gave up on those waits that could take 15 minutes or more. In the stands, they wore their white hats and cried “Allez!” and punctuated points with rhythmic clapping. They took etiquettebreaching strolls through the stadium aisles during play. Most of all, and most important of all, they were there. The crowds at the French Open were back to their no-mask, no-distancing, full-capacity, prepandemic levels Sunday for the start of this year›s edition, as much a part of the fabric of the event as the red clay that defines the Grand Slam tournament. “A really festive atmosphere,” observed Alice Dufour, a 21-year-old

who was part of a group trip from her Miramont tennis club near Bordeaux. “It’s a huge party.” Because of Covid-19 restrictions in a country that went through three severe lockdowns, attendance at the French Open was capped at 1,000 spectators daily in 2020, creating a total two-week count of 15,000, instead of the more than 470,000 that came through the turnstiles in 2019. A year ago, the maximum was 5,388 for each of the first 10 days, before being eased somewhat to allow 8,500 in when the men’s final was held. Sunday’s attendance was 32,453. Clearly, they’re thrilled to watch tennis and partake in the sport of seeing-and-being-seen, of a piece with a society-wide sense of joy and relief at the notion that perhaps some semblance of normalcy has returned—even if the coronavirus is still responsible for illness and death around the world as variants spread. The players, without a doubt, are pleased to see so many faces around again, too. AP

When Harry met TCU IN a January 24, 2022 si.com article written by Nicholas Howard, a video was featured wherein New Zealand native Harrison “Harry” Young was surprised by his coaches and teammates with an athletic scholarship to play for the

EAM Philippines returned home on Monday morning proud of the 52 gold medals won from the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games that ended on Monday night with a friendly and cozy closing ceremony at the My Dinh Stadium at the heart of Hanoi. Surely, it was the Vietnamese who shouted their voices hoarse as the curtain fell on the 31st edition of the games that was postponed from December last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But proud and mighty with a haul of 52 gold, 70 silver and 104 bronze medals were the 541-strong Filipino athletes who fought tooth and nail coming off restrictions in training wrought by health protocols only to defend the fort on a foreign land where the hosts guaranteed that if they win, they’ll win convincingly. “We congratulate our athletes. They showed resiliency when the going got rough,” Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said as the last big batch of Filipino athletes waited for their flight to Manila at the Noi Bai International Airport at the Vietnamese capital at midnight Sunday. “Despite the adversity they faced in preparing for the games, they rose to the challenge,”

Tolentino stressed. The Philippines wound up fourth in the medals race and lost the overall championship to the Vietnamese who hauled an exaggerating 205 gold, 125 silver and 116 bronze medals—a haul too much to handle even for second placer Thailand which was miles behind with a 92-103-136 gold-silverbronze tally. Ahead of the Philippines at third was Indonesia with 69-91-81 and down at fifth was Singapore with 4746-73. Myanmar and Cambodia each had nine golds, Laos had two, Brunei Darussalam one and Timor Leste with three silvers and two bronzes. The 52 gold medals was much better than the measly 23 gold, 33 silver and 64 bronze medals that Filipino athletes won in the 2017 Malaysia Games, the last time the country competed overseas for a woeful sixth place finish. “We could have done better but we’ll take it. We had high hopes going to Hanoi but we encountered a buzz-saw that was the Vietnamese juggernaut,” Tolentino said. “We won a lot of silver medals, the ones that got away.” Although he won’t explicitly admit it, Tolentino rued the fate met by lots of Filipino athletes in subjective sports where human judges determined the winners. Muay athlete Philip Delarmino accounted for the country’s fifth and last gold as action ended last Sunday when the Vietnamese hit the streets to celebrate their gold medalclinching 1-0 victory over Thailand in their favorite sport, football.

“We finished fourth place among 11 brother-countries in the region. This is our best finish since 1983 (Singapore Games when we placed second to Indonesia) in a SEA Games event outside the Philippines,” PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, also the chef de mission of the national team, said. “As Chef de Mission, I am truly very proud of this feat! Just as I thank my Philippine Sports Commission family headed by Chairman William Ramirez for their all-out support,” he added. Tolentino said the first order of the day is to prepare for the next edition of the Games in Cambodia set also in May next year, where he intends to field athletes in all disciplines. “We’ll go all in in Cambodia,” he said. “We have to start preparing right away.” Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and fellow boxers Rogen Ladon and Ian Clark Bautista delivered three of the final-day gold medals for the Filipinos, with the fourth gold coming from the Gilas Pilipinas women’s squad that lost its final-day match to Malaysia 93-96 but nevertheless took the title for the country’s 51st gold. But Gilas Pilipinas’s failure to retain the gold medal in men’s basketball was the wild talk of the town after the team lost to a wellrepared Indonesian side coached by Serbian Rajko Toroman and powered by a certified former National Basketball Association, 81-85. That defeat was the first by any men’s basketball squad in the SEA Games since an all-amateur squad

lost the gold to Malaysia in the 1989 Kuala Lumpur Games.

MUAY GOLD MEDAL IN THE BAG IT could have been 51 gold medals for Team Philippines, but the Muaythai Association of the Philippines (MAP) fought for one more on the last day of competitions on Sunday. Phillip Deploma Delarmino almost lost the gold in the men’s 57 kg featherweight to hometown bet Nguyen Doan Long, a son of the sports minister of Vietnam, after the judges controversially favored Delarmino’s opponent with a 2-1 final score despite being mauled and bloodied in the fight. MAP Secretary General Pearl Managuelod, daughter of MAP President General (Retired) Lucas Managuelod, protested the result and after a review of the video and deliberation that reached three hours, the judges reversed their decision in favor of Delarmino. “Not on our watch Vietnam,” the general’s daughter posted on her facebook account. MAP head coach Billy Alumno told BusinessMirror on Monday that Malaysian technical director Datu Sha disagreed with the judges’ verdict that favored the Vietnamese. “We’re shocked by the original decision that we lost it, but our Secretary-General, Madam Pearl [Managuelod], didn’t allow it and immediately filed a protest because we knew that we won that fight dominantly,” Alumno said. “We’re very happy that we fought for our rights and we got the decision before returning home.” With Josef Ramos

Tabuena joins chase in Splendido Taal tourney

MIGUEL TABUENA is back in action.

Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs. The surprise was sprung during a flight to Ames, Iowa, to face the then No. 15 University of Iowa Hawkeyes. As Howard of si.com writes, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” Kevin Durant said this famous line circa 2013. It is safe to say that Harrison Young lives by this motto. After three years of working his tail off, Harrison was placed on scholarship in his senior year at TCU. Young stated, “The moment is so surreal still. I’m so glad to see my hard work and dedication pay off. It has made this journey worth so much more. It’s given me the best four years of my life.” As the team was heading to Ames, Iowa to take on then #No. 5 Iowa State. The flight attendant on the plane played a prank on Harrison and then proceeded to announce he was on scholarship. The whole team was cheering and hugging because they all believe he is such a good teammate, and they all knew he deserved it. Harrison coming in as a freshman was a manager for

IGUEL TABUENA sets out for another title run on an exacting course where he has reigned twice as he leads a stellar 60-player field in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Splendido Taal Championship which reels off Tuesday in Laurel, Batangas. Tabuena hopes to come out strong coming off a long break after edging Clyde Mondilla in sudden death to snare the ICTSI Luisita Championship last March. He vied in Thailand then skipped the next Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) stop at Caliraya to campaign abroad but a travel snafu to Korea left him out of competitive

play the last few weeks. But he remains one of the fancied players in the P2 million championship given his talent and skills that have marked his rise to elite status since he nailed his first pro career victory here in 2012. He repeated the feat in 2015 with the two-time Philippine Open winner racking up eight more victories, including the Queen’s Cup of the Asian Tour in 2018 and the Idaho Open for his first title in the US last year. “The game is there but I just have to be more patient because I’ve not been playing as many tournaments as I want to,” said Tabuena during Monday’s

TCU basketball. But that only lasted for two to three weeks. From then on, he was able to practice with team which ended up earning a walk-on spot on the team. Then from there, the rest is history. Harry was my guest last week on “Sports For All” and his story reminded me of the film “Rudy” which was based on the true story of Rudy Ruettiger, a football walk-on on the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team who made the team by preparing his teammates for important games which endeared him to his brethren. Like Young, Ruettiger was also given a well-deserved scholarship. According to amp.star-telegram.com, TCU head coach Jamie Dixon stated the importance of Harry to the team, “But I was really proud how they handled the last four minutes because that was growing up and obviously we had a big lead and position to win the game. How we handled it with our walk-ons in there, with Harry [Young] in there, even that mattered to me. That was a

pro-am. “I’m excited to be playing again here. This is where I won my first pro event, so this (course) is very close to me. It’s just nice to be back here.” Also back in the hunt is Zanieboy Gialon, whose emphatic four-stroke victory over Clyde Mondilla in last month’s Caliraya Springs Championship has put him back in the conversation after a long dry spell. “Coming off a win certainly is a big boost to one’s confidence and I like my chances again this week,” said Gialon, who however is putting premium on putting as key to another title drive in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

good sign of us maturing.” We can imagine Harry doing the same thing as what Rudy this with his coaches and teammates. Simulating opposing guards’ styles and pressuring his teammates from the backcourt to make them better and to prepare them for crucial games ahead. Young endeared himself to his teammates because of his character, personality and work ethic which greatly contributed to the team’s success. In the road game against the Hawkeyes, the Horned Frogs beat them by 20, holding the home team to a low percentage shooting from the field. These same Horned Frogs also beat then #3 ranked and eventual National Champion University of Kansas at home last season. Being either a basketball league or a team executive is in the cards for Harry and he’ll be a tremendous asset whichever organization hires him. I’d like to acknowledge former FIBA sports agent Leanne Barrett for introducing us to Harry Young.