THE Philippine economy may have slowed in the third quarter of the year due to tepid private consumption, according to ANZ Research. In its Asia Macro Weekly report, ANZ Research said the country’s GDP may have slowed to 5.7 percent in the July to September 2024 period. Th is will be slower than the 6.3-percent growth posted in the second quarter and the 5.8 percent recorded in the first quarter of 2024. This will be the slowest growth since the 5.5-percent growth in the last quarter of 2023.
Leading indicators of private
consumption [passenger car sales, consumer goods imports] softened in Q3 [third quarter], while other indicators [consumer credit growth, remittance flows] recorded steady growth. This points to a moderation in private consumption growth in Q3,” ANZ Research said.
The think tank also expects the national government’s consumption to slow to 6.4 percent in the third quarter year on year compared to the 18 percent posted in the second quarter of 2024.
Capital goods imports picked up pace in Q3, and construction and manufacturing credit grew indicating sustained growth in fixed capital formation. We expect the improvement in net exports to
have stalled, with exports growing less than imports in Q3 2024,” ANZ Research said.
Meanwhile, the think tank said inflation could average 2 percent in October 2024, slightly faster than the 1.9 percent posted in September 2024.
Higher costs of select food items will drive inflation but lower rice and electricity prices in October will help offset the impact of expensive food items on overall inflation.
Given that inflation is expected to still be within the target of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), ANZ Research expects another 25-basis-point reduction in key policy rates to 5.75 percent in December 2024.
Earlier, the BSP said more expensive food items may have increased inflation in October compared to September. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/11/01/ bsp-sees-october-inflation-at2-2-8-on-food-prices/).
In its Month Ahead inflation forecast, BSP said October inflation may have averaged 2 to 2.8 percent. In September 2024, inflation averaged 1.9 percent, the lowest in four years or since the 1.6 percent posted in May 2020. Nonetheless, BSP said lower prices of rice and meat along with reduced electricity rates are expected to cushion the impact on inflation by higher prices of select food items.
BusinessMirror
NG SUBSIDIES TO GOCC
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
THE government’s budgetary support to state-run corporations contracted to P18.217 billion in September 2024, data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed.
Subsidies extended to governmentowned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) declined by 14.33 percent to P18.217 billion as of September 2024 from P21.264 billion in the same month a year ago.
Other government corporations obtained the highest share of subsidies in September at P10.661 billion, followed by major nonfinancial government corporations and government financial institutions with P6.914 billion and P642 million, respectively.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) cornered the bulk of subsidies for the month, amounting to P9.339 billion.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) trailed behind PhilHealth with P5.496 billion and National Electrification Administration (NEA) with P1.014 billion in terms of recipients of biggest subsidies in September.
From January to September 2024, subsidies also decreased to P105.242 billion, 23.25 percent lower from P137.127 billion in the same period a year ago.
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE House of Representatives will resume its sessions on Monday, focusing on the ratification of the proposed 2025 P6.35-2 trillion General Appropriations Act, the main priority for the remainder of the year.
Majority Leader Manuel Jose M. Dalipe said that the House anticipates the Senate will soon approve the budget proposal, enabling a bicameral conference committee to finalize a unified version.
A lso on Sunday, Senate President Chiz Escudero confirmed that
the chamber will give top priority to the 2025 General Appropriations Bill that the House sent to it at the height of tropical storm Kristine last week. Earlier, he said investigations in aid of legislation will take a backseat to the budget process, because senators want to wrap up deliberations within two weeks, to allow time for the bicameral panel to do its work. Besides the budget, the only measure getting Senate priority this week is a bill to postpone the 2025 parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), to
See “Congress,” A2
‘Kristine’ farm damage hits P5.75B, and counting: DA
By Ada Pelonia
ROPICAL storm Kris -
Ttine destroyed agricultural commodities and infrastructure worth P5.75 billion in its wake, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported over the weekend.
In its latest bulletin, the DA said the volume of production losses in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western and Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen and Caraga Region reached 557,851 metric tons (MT).
B roken down, rice suffered most of Kristine’s typhoon impact at 516,438 MT; followed by damage of 35,616 MT for high-
value crops; 3,334 MT for corn; and 2,047 MT for cassava and 416 MT for fisheries.
The report also indicated that the production losses were equivalent to P4.25 billion for rice, P847.48 million for high-value crops, P72.15 million for corn, and P38.89 million for cassava.
According to DA, most of the damage and losses incurred by corn and rice were in the reproductive and maturity stages.
The livestock and poultry sector lost 6,112 heads of swine, chicken, cattle, carabao, goat, sheep, ducks, and turkey among others. The value of damage reached P12.52 million, according to the DA.
It valued the damage sustained by the fisheries sector at P446.22 million.
Continued from A1
Broken down, 63.04 percent of the total subsidies were allocated to major non-financial government corporations, amounting to
P66.348 billion. This went up by 58.38 percent from P58.379 billion as of end-September 2023. D uring the nine-month pe -
The irrigation facilities and other farm structure also suffered damage valued at P27 million and P50.41 million, respectively. The damage to machinery and equipment was assessed at P300,000.
It noted that damaged farm structures include rain shelter, greenhouses, animal houses, and administrative buildings.
According to DA, tropical storm Kristine affected 131,661 farmers and fisherfolk, with 109,871 hectares (ha) of farmlands. Of this, 71,405 hectares have a chance of recovery.
The DA said it had allocated interventions such as P541.02 million worth of agricultural inputs like rice, corn, and vegetable seeds; as well as drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry.
It added that 5,292 bags of
riod, NIA received the highest budgetary support worth P54.381 billion. It also gained half of the overall subsidies to GOCCs from January to September 2024.
The National Housing Authority (NHA) came in second with P3.799 billion, followed by NEA and National Food Author -
rice stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA) were distributed to local government units (LGUs) in Ilocos Region and Bicol for distribution.
The DA said the available funds from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) will also be disbursed to indemnify affected farmers.
A t least P500 million for the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), with a loanable amount of up to P25,000 payable in three years without interest, was also included.
“As affected areas become accessible, further damage and losses are expected with the conduct of field validation by DA Regional Field Offices [RFOs].”
ity (NFA) with P3.102 billion and P2.250 billion in terms of higher subsidy recipients among non-financial government corporations.
Me anwhile, allocations to other government corporations also lessened by more than half (57.24 percent) to P33.466 billion as of end-September 2024 from P78.262 billion in the same period last year.
PhilHealth obtained the highest subsidy amounting to P9.599 billion after the government allotted P9.339 billion during the month of September.
The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management ( PSALM) Corp. also acquired P8 billion while the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) secured P2.228 billion and P1.546 billion, respectively.
Meanwhile, subsidies to government financial institutions surged tenfold (1,016 percent) year-on-year to P5.428 billion as of the end of September from P486 million.
T he Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) got the largest share at P3.150 billion, followed by the Social Housing Financing Corporation (SHFC) with P1.033 billion and the Small Business Corporation (SBC) with P1 billion.
T he national government provides subsidies to state-run firms to fund operations not covered by the corporate revenues or to finance specific programs or projects.
T his year, the programmed subsidies to GOCCs are set at P188.230 billion. Last year, the government provided a total of P163.535 billion in budgetary support.
UK…
powers the world. How will you use your Travelpower?” will be held from November 5 to 7, at the ExCel, an exhibition space in London.
In a news statement, Tourism
Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said, “We see the World Travel Market London as a vital platform to present the Philippines to a global audience, showcasing the distinctive qualities that set our country apart— from our award-winning destinations and vibrant culture to our rich gastronomy, world-class hospitality facilities, and the renowned warmth of the Filipino people.”
Outbound travel to hit
$206B by 2034
SHE added, “With our largest delegation of tour operators, hotels, and resorts since the pandemic, the DOT and TPB Philippines are strategically positioned to strengthen international partnerships and solidify the Philippines as a premier destination in the global tourism market, reaffirming our commitment to transforming the country into a tourism powerhouse in Asia,” she added.
According to Future Market Insights, the UK outbound travel market is valued at US$90.46 billion in 2024 and forecast to grow to $206.43 billion by 2034.
In addition, a YouGov report showed tourists from the UK are seeking destinations that offer value for money, outstanding natural beauty, and authentic cultural experiences, which Philippine tourism officials believe the country offers.
“ The Philippines is continuously evolving as a leading travel destination, and we are excited to showcase the cultural traditions and innovations that define our tourism industry at the World Travel Market,” through its sustainability-themed
pavilion, said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles in the same news statement. “We believe that every engagement at our booth will spark interest in discovering the beauty of our shores,” she added.
22 private tourism stakeholders THE Philippines has always attracted substantial interest from many buyers participating at the WTM. Last year, Philippine sellers said they were visited by buyers from as far as Latin America, along with Eastern and Western Europeans. (See, “PHL generates strong interest from World Travel Market-London,” in the BusinessMirror, Nov. 20, 2023.)
The only major issues raised by buyers last year, said the Filipino destination management companies (DMCs), were “accessibility” to destinations outside of Metro Manila, and the cost of airfare from Europe to the Philippines. However, tourism officials hope Air France’s nonstop flights between Paris and Manila to be launched in December will be a game-changer and improve the arrivals from the UK and the European Union.
Joining Frasco and Nograles at the three-day event are representatives from three government agencies, a local government unit, and 22 private tourism stakeholders. W TM is one of the leading global business-to-business events for the travel industry, bringing together tourism professionals, government ministers, and international media to showcase innovations in travel and tourism. Last year, it hosted more than 40,000 travel professionals from 184 countries, solidifying its reputation as the leading platform for industry innovations and opportunities.
Congress…
give time for settling the complications spawned by a Supreme Court ruling excluding Sulu from BARMM. See story in A3 Nation.
“ We hope to ratify the bicam[eral conference] report before our December 20 Christmas break. There is enough time to approve the final version of the budget,” Dalipe said at the weekend.
He assured that the proposed budget will be ready for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s signature by the year’s end, ensuring the 2025 budget is in place before the current fiscal year concludes for uninterrupted program implementation.
Meanwhile, Dalipe said the House would continue to exercise its oversight power through its various committees, including the Quad Comm, the panel of the Good Government and Public Accountability, and the Quinta Comm created before the recess in September.
“ We remain steadfast in protecting our people from abuses and in exposing acts of wrongdoing in government,” Dalipe said.
As for the Quinta Comm—composed of five House committees—its mandate is to inquire into smuggling and price manipulation of basic goods and protect the public from unreasonable price increases, Dalipe said.
Continued from A10
Meanwhile, the share of cement imports slightly outweighed the share of domestic production based on the latest 2024 data, as imported cement accounted for 51 percent of the Philippine market in 2024 (January to June).
C eMAP reacted to DTI’s Oct. 31 announcement on its website that it has found basis to conduct a preliminary safeguards investigation.
“Based on the above findings, there are indications that increased imports of cement are the substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry in terms of declining market share, production, sales, capacity utilization, profitability,
price depression, suppression and undercutting,” the DTI’s report on the Safeguard measure case noted.
A ccording to Section 6 and Rule 6.4.c of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) of Republic Act 8800 or The Safeguard Measures Act, “In the absence of such a petition, the Secretary may, motu proprio, initiate a preliminary safeguard investigation, if there is evidence that increased imports of the product under consideration are a substantial cause of, or are threatening
House Resolution 254 authorized the House Committees on Ways and Means, Trade and Industry, Agriculture and Food, Social Services, and the Special Committee on Food Security to conduct a joint inquiry.
Ledac measures
BESIDES the proposed 2025 national budget, the House will work on passing the rest of the bills on the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council’s (Ledac) priority list: the Budget Modernization Bill, the National Defense Bill, amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law, and amendments to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease. Dalipe said the House has approved, on the third and final reading, 26 of the 28 bills in the Ledac list targeted for approval by the end of the term of the current 19th Congress on June 30, 2025. The remaining two Ledac measures set for approval are Amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law a nd Amendments to the Foreign Investors Long-Term Lease. Four others await the President’ s signature: the CREATE MORE Bill, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Bill, and the EnterpriseBased Education and Training Program Bill. With Butch Fernandez
to substantially cause, serious injury to the domestic industry.” D TI Acting Secretary Cristina A. Roque said DTI remains “committed” to providing an environment where the domestic industries can “effectively” compete with imports.
For her part, DTI Bureau of Import Services Director Maria Guiza B. Lim explained to reporters in a Viber message that Safeguards Measures (SG) is “a safety net for the surge in imports causing injury to domestic industry,” adding that this is a way of providing “breathing space” to domestic industry to import competition. Andrea E. San Juan
DOJ asked to issue lookout bulletin vs 7 OVP officials
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue a lookout bulletin order for seven officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) as part of its investigation into alleged fund misuse under Vice President Sara Duterte
Rep. Joel Chua of Manila, committee chairman, made the request following repeated absences of these officials at committee hearings, which were convened to investigate possible financial irregularities. Subpoenas were issued to secure their testimonies.
The officials named in the request are OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez, Assistant Chief of Staff and Bids and Awards Committee Chairman Lemuel Ortonio, Administrative and Financial Services Director Rosalynne Sanchez, Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta, Chief Accountant Juleita Villadelrey, and former Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Secretary Sunshine Charry Fajarda and her husband, Edward Fajarda, who both now reportedly serve in the OVP.
The Fajardas were close aides to Duterte during her time as Education Secretary, from July 2022 to July 2024.
In his recent letter to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Chua said the testimonies of these OVP officials are crucial to the investigation and to ensuring accountability for public funds.
Chua noted that his panel has received information indicating
that these individuals may be preparing to leave the country.
“Considering these developments, I earnestly request your office to issue a Lookout Bulletin Order against these personalities,” Chua stated in his letter to Remulla.
“This action is imperative to monitor their movements and prevent any potential attempt to flee the country, which could significantly hinder our investigation and broader efforts to uphold the integrity of public service,” he added.
The committee’s probe was launched after a privileges speech by Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano, who alleged fund mismanagement in the OVP based on findings from the Commission on Audit (COA).
The COA had disallowed P73 million of the P125 million in confidential funds allocated to the OVP in 2022—almost 60 percent of the total—citing that the funds were spent in just 11 days from December 21 to 31, 2022, averaging over P11 million per day.
COA’s Notice of Disallowance ordered Duterte, along with Acosta and Villadelrey as accountable officials, to return the disallowed P73 million. Despite the subpoenas, none of the seven OVP officials have attended the hearings.
The panel has expanded its investigation to include alleged irregularities within the DepEd during Duterte’s tenure.
Lawmakers were particularly concerned over the P112.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds, which remain unaccounted for despite being withdrawn as cash advances by one of the Vice President’s close aides during her tenure as Secretary of Education.
Senator urges DepEd to craft solutions to classroom shortage
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian prodded concerned Department of Education (DepEd) authorities to promptly line up multiple solutions to address the perennial shortage of classrooms in the country as millions of students go back to School.
Gatchalian said the Department of Education’s National School Building Inventory as of 2023 shows the classrroom shortage is estimated at 165,443.
The shortage, he said requires an estimated budgetary allocation of P413.6 billion.
Considering the enormous budgetary requirements, Gatchalian emphasized the need for innovations to make progress in reducing the classroom shortage.
Among Gatchalian’s proposed solutions is the implementation of a “counterpart program,” where participating local governments shoulder 50 percent of the cost of constructing new classrooms, while the national government shoulders the other 50 percent.
Gatchalian recalled that a similar program was implemented when he was the Mayor of Valenzuela City. According to the lawmaker, sharing the responsibility between the national government and local governments will pave the way for the
simultaneous construction of more classrooms.
He also reminded that the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (Gastpe) should help decongest overcrowded public schools. Public-private partnerships can also be utilized to address the classroom shortage, Gatchalian said. “ Dahil napakarami pang kulang na silid - aralan sa ating bansa at sa laki ng halagang kakailanganin natin upang mapunan ang naturang kakulangan, kailangang humanap tayo ng iba’t ibang mga paraan upang matugunan ang hamong ito. Kung hindi tayo magiging maparaan sa pagpapatayo ng mga silid-aralan, patuloy lamang na lalaki ang mga kakulangang haharapin natin ,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
A discussion led by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom II) flagged the underutilization of the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF) as one of the reasons for the delay in school infrastructure construction.
For 2023, only 192 out of the target 6,379 classrooms were built, according to a COA report. The discussion also flagged bottlenecks in the procurement and in the coordination between the DepEd and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Immigration reiterates warning against ‘surrogacy trafficking’
TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Bureau of Immigration
(BI) has warned anew over the growing human trafficking for surrogacy scheme following the repatriation of seven Filipina victims on October 23.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the women, aged 20 to 30, were recruited to work abroad as surrogate mothers for unidentified “clients.”
Based on BI records, three of the victims left the country pretending to be tourists after being deceived by false promises about surrogacy.
The four other had no records of exiting the country, indicating that they likely left through unauthorized means.
The repatriation of the seven women, the bureau said, came just
days after Immigration officers prevented a 37-year-old Filipino woman bound to Batumi, Georgia, from leaving the country. She was believed to be another victim of the surrogacy scheme.
The woman was intercepted on October 15 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 after attempting to board a Turkish Airlines flight to Batumi, Georgia.
Viado noted that investigation revealed a typical scheme where traffickers recruit online, then arrange a complex travel route
through multiple borders to avoid detection.
“The Philippines is being targeted by traffickers who lure women with surrogacy offers. We urge Filipinos to avoid these offers, as surrogacy abroad often carries serious legal risks,” Viado warned.
The BI said the the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat) took custody of the seven women upon arrival.
On October 31, the the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that the Office of the City Prosecutor in Pasay City has filed charges against a woman allegedly involved in recruiting victims for the scheme.
It identified the woman as Freezle Mae Balondo, who was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation-Human Trafficking Division (NBI-HTRAD) on October 12, 2024.
Balondo faces multiple charges including attempted trafficking in persons in connection with a syndicate operating a surrogacyfor-profit scheme. The charges
fall under Section 4(A) of Republic Act 9208, also known as the AntiTrafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by Republic Act 10364 and further amended by Republic Act 11862.
Balondo is also charged under Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 for allegedly facilitating online recruitment of surrogate mothers. Authorities allege that she was involved in recruiting and arranging the transportation of two women to Thailand who were intercepted and offloaded by the BI- Immigration, Protection, and Border Enforcement Section (I-Probes).
Investigators are also pursuing leads on a certain Joyce Mlang, who allegedly posted online advertisements for surrogate mothers offering financial compensation ranging from US$8,000 to US$10,000 and a certain Wensen Shen, who is reportedly linked to ML&MLANG International Surrogacy, which remains under investigation for suspected involvement in the scheme.
Sulu issue prompts Senate to favor postponement of BARMM polls
APART from the budget needed, senators returning to sessions this week from their recess will give priority to a bill seeking to postpone the parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), to give time to sort out the complications arising from a Supreme Court ruling excluding Sulu from region.
Senate President Francis Escudero revealed this Sunday, on the eve of sessions resumption, even as he reiterated the chamber’s policy to put on hold investigations in aid of legislation while the budget process is getting top priority.
The BARMM issue is an exception because it entails serious complications for residents of Sulu, which was excluded in a recent shock SC ruling that dropped it from the autonomous region because its residents had opted out during the plebiscite.
As a result, the fate of residents and voters in the province has become complicated, Escudero explained.
He said the Senate and House have similar rules that bar investigations in aid of legislation while the budget is being processed, and in this case, “ hinahabol namin kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay ang Bangsamoro election postponement— baka kinakailangang habulin iyon [I think we are expediting a bill for the Bangsamoro election postponement],” Escudero said in a radio interview Sunday.
He said the bill will be filed Monday with him as author so a hearing will likely be set for Thursday. “That measure is important because our countrymen in BARMM must be made aware of Congress’s plan to postpone the election there, and the primary reason is the Supreme Court [September 9] decision regarding the province of Sulu,” added Escudero, speaking mostly in Filipino.
To illustrate one complication arising from the SC ruling, Escudero cited an example: “For example, there are seven or eight representatives of Sulu in the
BARMM parliament, what happens if they’re no longer part of BARMM? How would those seats be allocated? They just cannot be taken out from the total. How about the party-list groups and sectoral groups that are registered there?”
All of those issues need to be deliberated on and decided and time is needed for this, he explained. It’s important that this be handled well “because part of the peace talks ito are consultations with stakeholders in BARMM.”
Word reaching Escudero indicate that settlement of the Sulu question, by resetting the BARMM election, is also a priority for Malacanang, even though, he admitted, “I have had not direct communication” with them (Palace).
In early October, the BARMM, through the Bangsamoro Attorney General’s Office (Bago) filed twin motions at the SC to re-include Sulu, citing the significance of the province as “fundamental to the cause of the Bangsamoro.”
Bago filed the motions “for leave
Litterbugs leave tons of garbage in cemeteries
LBy Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
ITTERBUGS among the millions who went to the cemeteries during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day commemorations, left garbage bins in most cemeteries overflowing.
Most Filipinos observe the tradition of visiting the final resting place of their dearly departed on November 1 and 2, commonly referred to as ‘Undas’, to light candles and offer prayers.
However, as this Christian holidays end, tons of garbage are left behind.
Some families take the opportunity to hold mini-reunions and even set camps in the cemetery, by
bringing in cooked food or simply buying food during their extended stay, unmindful of the waste that they leave behind as they pack to go home after paying respects to their dead and enjoying the get togethers.
The EcoWaste Coalition, a local waste and pollution watchdog, said it would have been better if those who go to the cemeteries in observance of the Christian Holidays would also bring home their garbage for proper disposal.
On November 1, Basura Patrollers belonging to the EcoWaste Coalition visited 29 public and private cemeteries, including 17 in Metro Manila, four in Cavite, three in Laguna, two in Rizal, and one each in Bataan, Bulacan, and
confirmation
Pampanga.
“While littering inside the cemeteries has remarkably decreased, mixed waste bins, plastic bags, and other improvised receptacles were literally bursting at the seams in most cemeteries,” Aileen Lucero, national coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition, said in a statement, “an indication that visitors simply threw their discards in the bins for personnel to pick up and haul to disposal sites.”
“This is unacceptable as visiting the grave sites of our beloved ones should be done with utmost respect, including not leaving any trash behind,” she emphasized.
Among the items commonly discarded by cemetery visitors include single-use plastic bags,
to intervene and to admit the attached motion for partial reconsideration, praying to be a party to the case, which involves the severance of Sulu from the region, and to re-include the province to the Bangsamoro region.”
“For us in the BARMM, there is a special circumstance because when this case was filed in 2018, the BARMM was not yet constituted. When it was already pending in the Court, the BARMM, even though it has already been constituted, was not formally impleaded; meaning, throughout the life of the case, the autonomous region itself was never a party,” said Mohammad Al-Amin Julkipli, a Tausug and the officerin-charge of the Bago. Sulu province cast a negative vote of 54 percent in the plebiscite in 2019 plebiscite to determine the areas to be included in the autonomous region. The Supreme Court upheld though, the constitutionality of Republic Act 11054, otherwise known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the that created the BARMM. Butch Fernandez
disposable food containers, plastic water bottles, paper and plastic cups and plates, snack packs, donuts, pizza and pancit boxes, and food leftovers.
“As most cemeteries do not have proper solid waste management in place, it would have been better if visitors willfully brought their discards home.
Biodegradables like food scraps can be fed to animals or composted. Non-biodegradables can be reused, repurposed, or recycled,” she said.
“Some cemeteries have no designated bins leading to scattered piles of trash in every nook and cranny and even in spots with ‘no dumping’ signs.”
“Throw-away culture is drowning our cemeteries during Undas,
November 4, 2024
Neda must approve all natl infra master plans
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
ALL national infrastructure master plans must now be approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) for implementation, President Marcos has ordered.
The new policy was contained in Executive Order 72, which was signed by the Chief Executive on October 28 but only posted in the Official Gazette website during the weekend.
Under EO 72, infrastructure plans of national scope must be submitted and approved by the Committee on Infrastructure (Infraom) of Neda.
Infrastructure master plans “with significant impact” on cities, municipalities, and/or regions must also be endorsed to the concerned Regional Development Council before being submitted to the Infracom.
“The Infracom-approved masterplan shall be endorsed to the Neda Board for confirmation,” Marcos said in his three-page order.
Each infrastructure master plan will be evaluated on several criteria including incorporating applicable physical, spatial, and other cross-cutting elements and principles such as convergence, interconnectivity, digital technologies and solutions and environmental quality.
It must also complement land use and urban planning initiatives, went through consultations from relevant stakeholders, and Public Investment Program as well as Three-year Rolling Infrastructure Program of the government.
Concerned government agencies are tasked to review and update the infrastructure sector master plan so it will be consistent with the Philippine Development Plan and to submit an annual report on the status of implementation of the said master plan to the Infracom.
The Infracom will conduct inventory of all existing infrastructure master plans and identify the list of those which will be prioritized for budgeting.
Marcos said EO 72 aims to harmonize the formulation, approval and implementation of the said master plans due to their crucial role in job creation and economic development.
“It is imperative to harmonize and strategically integrate the process for the formulation of master plan for the infrastructure sector to guide the planning, programming, budgeting and implementation of infrastructure projects, and ensure a holistic approach to socioeconomic development,” he said.
Infracom will come out with the implementing guidelines for EO 72 within 60 days from the effectivity of the EO.
UP eyes role as research powerhouse
By Rizal Raoul Reyes @brownindio
TO enable the country’s premiere educational institution to become a powerhouse in research, it will lobby to Congress to allocate a research-centric budget “We want to preside over a golden age of research and innovation. Research will be at the forefront. Next year, I’ll present the budget to Congress that will definitely be a research budget,” said University of the Philippines President Angelo Jimenez in his recent remarks during the recently concluded AI Horizons PH ’24: Conference on AI-Powered Research and Innovation held at the UP campus in Bonifacio Global City.
Although requesting a research budget would be a huge challenge since the government is facing herculean economic challenges, Jimenez remains unfazed because great and brilliant ideas will attract huge support. “Because there’s one thing I realize, money is not the problem. Going anywhere in the world money is not the problem,” Jimenez said.
“The greatest poverty is the poverty of ideas, because good money is always looking for great ideas, but for these ideas, it will be our first attempt to
really use AI and make it into the national consciousness,” Jimenez added. Jimenez said he is also planning to study the possibility of making AI a general elective course. He also emphasized that AI should not be a niche field and not only a field for brilliant people. “It should be made available to everyone, even subconsciously,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez stressed he envisions AI would be applied in biology, music, sculpture, painting, history, chemistry and other disciplines.
He urged the UP faculty to put importance on honor and integrity which is UP’s guiding principle in promoting AI.
“It is built upon a foundation of truth and integrity. In a country known for its record number of text messages, we must ask ourselves, what is the content of these messages,” Jimenez pointed out.
Notwithstanding the gargantuan cost, Jimenez said he wants to recruit top scientists in the world to teach in UP. But our Constitution prohibits foreigners from teaching in the university,” he said. Nonetheless, Jimenez said UP is lobbying for the right of dual citizens to teach considered tenured as permanent employees of the university.
On a personal level, Jimenez said he is inspired by the advocacy of the late Professor Perry Ong of the college of science, UP Diliman, of promoting faculty development and academic excellence.
“Our enrollment in masters and PhD programs continues to grow. It’s a good sign, and the caliber of our professors doing students is showcased in the research highlights in this conference. Imagine the possibilities when we join forces with you, our partners in government and industry,” he said
“As Dr. Prospero Naval has proposed, our faculty and students are ready to address your specific needs, solve your challenges and contribute to the generation of new data through collaborative research. Our data science and AI scientists and engineers would then compile, curate, analyze and synthesize new data to feed into algorithm systems, metadata, deep learning and AI systems, even drones and robots at UP,” he emphasized.
Jimenez said UP is adopting a new paradigm of research that encourages collaborative efforts between experimental and AI research.
Partnerships
HE said UP is inviting other partners in the academe,
government and industry to develop a comprehensive national AI agenda. Jimenez added that UP could contribute a lot in this undertaking because it has the highest concentration of AI expert faculty and students in the nation today.
Jimenez said that there are lots of outstanding Filipino scientists who are still emotionally attached to the Philippines.
“They want to help. We need to bring them back. And we have technology today. We no longer have to bring them physically, but we need to bring them home. And so I thank you, Dr. Advincula for answering the call. I promise you will get the budget,” he said.
Jimenez was referring to Dr. Rigoberto Advincula, governor’s chair professor, Tickle College of Engineering, University of Tennessee.
Jimenez reiterated that UP seeks and creates new knowledge, rigorous research and creative work. He assured that UP is committed to ensuring that its research and development translate into meaningful innovations with both social and commercial impact, pushing for sustainable social and commercial innovation with a social return on investment as well as.
NHA People’s Caravan expands outreach to CdO
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
SOME 2,000 beneficiaries and families from neighboring communities participated in the National Housing Authority’s (NHA) 16th People’s Caravan in Mambuaya Village, Cagayan de Oro City, on October 29.
Titled “Serbisyong Dala ay PagAsa,” the caravan offered free medical and dental services through the Department of Health, including check-ups, medications, and chest X-rays, while the Armed Forces provided security as well as emergency standby and rescue services.
Job fairs were facilitated by the Public Employment Service Office, while the Public Attorney’s Office offered legal consultations, and the Philippine Statistics Authority provided civil registration services.
Beneficiaries also registered for membership and obtained Loyalty Cards from the Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth IDs, and addressed pension concerns with the Social Security System.
The caravan included orientations on overseas worker programs, financial awareness, and small business management training, spearheaded by the Depart -
ment of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Scholarship programs were also made available through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Science and Technology. Processing for police clearance was conducted by the National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation, while the Commission on Elections facilitated voter registration, and the Land Transportation Office managed driver’s
Asean presents region’s Biodiversity Plan at COP16
By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
TO contribute to the realization of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the 10 member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) developed the region’s biodiversity strategy and action plan.
The Asean Biodiversity Plan was presented during an event dubbed “Road to Living in Harmony with Nature: The Asean Way” on October 28 at the sidelines of the UN Biodiversity Conference, which was held during the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16).
Key players from the environment sector from more than 190 countries participated in the event to discuss issues and plans to address pressing global issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is a set of 23 targets to reduce threats to biodiversity, meet people’s needs through sustainable use and benefit-sharing, and utilize tools and solutions for implementation and mainstreaming.
The Asean Biodiversity Plan was developed with support from the Asean Secretariat and the Asean Center for Biodiversity (ACB).
This will guarantee complementarity with the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans of the member states, as well
as synergies between the global biodiversity targets and Asean’s vision and priorities necessitating collective regional actions.
“We believe that the Asean way for living in harmony with nature will not only benefit the region but also inspire other regions,” Astrid Schomaker, executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity said in a statement released through the ACB, with its headquarters based in Los Baños, Laguna.
“The ACB was recently selected as one of the regional centers of scientific and technical cooperation that will help boost and accelerate the implementation of the KMGBF by providing tailored backstopping to countries in the region they cover. Thank you, ACB, for stepping up action and for setting an excellent example of regional cooperation,” she added.
The side event gathered representatives from all stakeholders of ASEAN biodiversity—governments, the private sector, youth, Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), academia, scientific communities, and non-government organizations, to share their experiences and ideas on how to contribute to both regional and global biodiversity frameworks.
During the event, environment officials from the Philippines, Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Thailand presented updates and challenges on the development of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
Legislators ask DMW to ensure equity in pay of Pinoy seamen
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
MEMBERS of the House of Representatives asked the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to make sure that Filipino seamen and other professionals would sign contracts wherein their salaries would be similar to what is being received by other nationalities.
For a long time, Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo said his office has been receiving these kinds of complaints, but “our kababayan are helpless because we Filipinos are not choosy.”
“I encourage the DMW to make sure that our kababayan are not at a disadvantage when it comes to salaries and benefits,” he added.
For his part, ACT-CIS Rep. Edvic Yap also suggested that the DMW talk to the manning, placement, and recruitment agencies
regarding this matter.
“This is not only happening to our seamen but also to land-based contract workers such as engineers, accountants, draftsmen, and others. It seems Filipinos are receiving a smaller salary compared to other nationalities, particularly the Europeans and Americans,” said Yap.
“I think it is high time we do something about this because we do not complain when it comes to salaries, especially when our Kababayans are based abroad,” Tulfo added.
According to lawmakers, Filipino seamen receiving a smaller salary compared to their counterparts recently became an issue after it was reported that a seafarer went to court in the Netherlands and demanded the same salary as the European seamen. Tulfo and Yap are scheduled to meet with officials from the DMW this week to discuss this issue.
license applications and renewals. Farm-to-market products, including rice, were available for purchase through the Department of Agriculture’s Kadiwa on Wheels, which also distributed free vegetable seeds, seedlings, and fertilizers, and provided orientations on financial assistance for agricultural loans.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology also introduced the eGOv Super App, which integrated government online services into one platform.
The NHA People’s Caravan was first launched in September 2023.
especially in places where vendors of food, beverage, and other stuff are allowed as most of the things they offer are packed in convenient but single-use and mostly plastic packaging,” Lucero pointed out.
Outside the cemeteries where street vendors enjoyed brisk sales due to surging crowds, some people carelessly dropped litter, especially food wrappers, plastic bottles and cups, and bamboo skewers, on streets and sidewalks, the EcoWaste Coalition’s Basura Patrollers observed.
“The streets and alleys leading to cemeteries would have been carpeted with litter if not for the round-the-clock services by street sweepers assigned by local governments,” Lucero said. “We applaud their dedication to keep the surroundings clean, but their presence should not be a reason for people to litter expecting others will clean up after them.”
The EcoWaste Coalition, an advocate for a zero waste and toxics-free society, backs the enforcement of pollution prevention laws such as Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and local ordinances aimed at protecting the people and the environment from chemicals and waste.
Govt to push ratooning, use of inbred rice seeds
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
he government will encourage planters to use inbred seeds for their third crop or tap other production methods under a rice industry roadmap which aims to significantly raise the output of the staple.
a g riculture Secretary Francisco
t iu Laurel Jr. also said the Department of a g riculture (Da ) will release the Philippine Rice i n dustry Roadmap (PR i R ) by yearend.
a m ong the key measures that the roadmap will push include ramping up crop intensity, promoting ratooning and encourag-
ing farmers to plant a third crop.
t h e i n ternational Rice Research i n stitute said ratoon rice is produced from the second crop growing from the stubble after harvesting the main crop. “ it can be ratooning or the use of inbred [seeds] for the third cropping (to increase output),” Laurel
told the BusinessMirror.
Former University of a s ia and the Pacific’s Center for Food and a g ribusiness (CFa ) Executive Director Senen Reyes said the success of the PR i R will largely depend on
government support.
a roadmap is not an assurance of an industry’s success. t h ere are 20 roadmaps in the Da website whose impact needs to be evaluated,” Reyes told the BusinessMirror.
NIA to complete Davao irrigation projects by yearend
By Manuel T. Cayon Mindanao Bureau Chief
Davao City -- t he National
i r rigation a d ministration
(N i a ) is expected to finish P2.5-billion worth of irrigation projects in the Davao Region this year.
N i a said two of these projects would expand irrigated farmlands in the region by 2,000 hectares.
t h e Philippine i n formation
a g ency reported that N i a Davao Region chief Jimmy L. a p ostol had disclosed that the budget is spread to 80 projects across the region.
“How crucial would it be will depend on the sustainable funding and support of the [government] as enabler. it should be a roadmap that is stakeholder crafted, industry owned and implemented.”
Under the Rice ta rrification Law (R t L), the government and stakeholders were mandated to formulate and adopt a roadmap to raise the output of the staple. a m ong the principles that should govern its development and implementation include strengthening research and development programs, addressing the impact of income loss caused by rice tariffication, and improving productivity and profitability of small rice farmers and landless farmworkers.
Laurel earlier issued Special o r der (S o) 1463, which tapped various government agencies, the
academe, and the private sector for the reconstructed technical writing team that would finalize the PR i R Under S o 1463, the team would have to settle on the overarching goals and objectives to guide the drafting of the PR i R enhancements and improvements and assess the existing draft document to identify any gaps and areas requiring refinement.
t h ey would also collaborate with the National Rice Program (NRP) to arrange activities and establish timelines for finalizing the PR i R t h e writing team was spearheaded by Hazel ta nchuling of Rice Watch a c tion Network who is also the chairperson of Philippine Council for a g riculture and Fisheries’ National Sectoral Committee on Rice and o t her Food Staples.
tw o of these projects could add more than 2,000 hectares of irrigated farmlands. t h e Upper Saug River i r rigation Project covering 1,040 hectares in New Corella, Davao del Norte is targeted to be completed this year and will benefit 300 farmers.
t h e other one is the Manat National i r rigation Project in Montevista, Davao de o r o which he said would irrigate almost 1,000 hectares and to benefit more than 600 farmers.
o t her irrigation projects in Davao Region this year include the construction of the protection dike upstream of Batutu Dam, and
a p ostol said his office already completed 41 projects as of the third quarter, or 80 percent of the target.
DR Jacqueline d’ a r ros Hughes, outgoing director-general of the i nternational Crops Research i n stitute for the Semi- a r id tropics ( ic risat), headquartered in Hyderabad, i nd ia, is set to take up the role of secretary-general of the World a g riculture Forum (Wa F ) in midNovember.
i c risat said Hughes has over 30 years’ experience in agricultural research for development and is highly regarded for her leadership in tackling the pressing global challenges of food insecurity, sustainable agriculture, and rural de-
velopment in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. trained in the United Kingdom, Hughes holds a PhD from Reading University and began her career with postdoctoral work before working with national partners in Ghana. t h roughout her career, she has held international leadership positions in prestigious agricultural institutes across a f rica and a s ia, equipping her with a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by these regions.
a distinguished plant virologist, Hughes has strong interests
river dredging along Batutu River located in Montevista, Davao de o r o, the P i a said in its daily dispatch last week. it added that the agency completed the rehabilitation of the diversion dam in the Macangao Communal i r rigation System in Lupon, Davao o r iental.
t h e N i a has also installed the dam automation with trash and log collector in Libuganon River i r rigation System in the Kapalong, Davao del Norte section of the river.
a p ostol said the completed projects would cater to the water needs of the farms of 39,608 planters.
“For 2024 as of September, N i a1 1 is able to achieve its targets in
in remote sensing, digitalisation, and gender equity. She continues to champion the integration of modern technologies, plant quarantine best practices, and the ethical use of intellectual property to enhance agricultural outcomes. She believes in both working locally for global impact and working globally for local impact.
a s director-general of i c risat, Hughes led the institute through the global pandemic, achieving significant milestones despite unprecedented challenges.
Under her leadership, ic risat was honored with the a f rica Food Prize
terms of actual irrigated area for both first and second cropping seasons of this year. t h at translates to 167.42 percent of cropping intensity for Davao Region,” a p ostol said.
He said that as of December 31 last year, irrigation development in the region was pegged at 61.32 percent of total target or a total of 108,869 hectares with irrigation service. t h ese figures already include other government agencies and private irrigation systems.
He said the total potential irrigable area of the whole Region 11 is 177,547 hectares.
t h at leaves us an area of 68,678 hectares that remain to be developed in the region.”
2021 and welcomed the Honorable Prime Minister of i ndia, Narendra Modi, at the i nstitute’s 50th a n niversary celebrations in 2022.
“Hughes further strengthened i c risat’s influence as a leader in dryland agriculture in 2023, actively participating in the agriculture meetings of the G20 Summit held in New Delhi and serving as co Chair of the i nternational Steering Committee for the United Nations’ i nternational ye ar of Millets.”
a s W a F secretary-general, Hughes will focus on strengthening alliances and advancing innovative solutions in agriculture, ensuring it is well-positioned to address the evolving needs of the sector globally.
FAO expands data portal on global agrifood
Policymakers, researchers and the public have a new resource to gauge the scale and importance of agrifood systems in providing employment around the world.
The Food and a g riculture o r ganization of the United Nations (Fa o ) has launched five new indicators and overhauled the data available on its Fa os TaT portal, the global go-to resource for those interested in agrifood facts and rural livelihoods.
The expanded data domain now provides, at the country, regional and global levels, information on 23 indicators ranging from employment in agrifood systems, status in employment, divisions of agriculture and hours worked of the people employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing and in rural areas by sex and age whenever possible.
key indicators refer to agricultural and nonagricultural employment in agrifood systems and break down data by age groups, sex and sectors of agriculture including forestry and logging and fishing and aquaculture as well as hunting and crop and animal production.
“The expanded Faos TaT responds to a critical need to improve the availability of employment data to inform the transformation of agrifood systems. i t offers a better picture of how many people are working in agrifood systems around the world and highlights their key role in feeding the planet,” said José r o sero m o ncayo, chief statistician and director, Fao s t atistics Division.
The new Fa os TaT offering gives useful insights on what is the world’s largest labor sector, employing close to 1.3 billion people, or 39.2 percent of the global work force. i t also sets the stage for more
systems
detailed monitoring of trends at a local level going forward.
Fa o noted that the global share of employment in agrifood systems (a F s ) has decreased significantly, from 52.2 percent in 2000 to 39.2 percent in 2021, indicating a major shift towards other sectors over the past two decades. af rica leads with 64.5 percent of employment in a F s , highlighting a strong reliance on agrifood systems. a s ia follows with 41.5 percent, reflecting both agrarian economies alongside growing industrialization. The a m ericas hold a 22.4 percent share in total employment, followed by o c eania at 18.7 percent, and eu rope at 14.7 percent, indicating more diversified economies with a lower reliance on a F s employment. a s ia recorded the highest number of people—830 million people—working in agrifood systems, with c h ina and i n dia accounting for nearly 60 percent of such employment. a f rica followed with an estimated 300 million people. The two continents combined account for 88 percent of global employment in agrifood systems. Globally, the agricultural sector makes up 67.5 percent of agrifood system employment, though regional differences are substantial. i n the a m ericas, e u rope, and o c eania, much of agrifood employment centers on off-farm activities like food processing, services, trade, transportation, and non-food agricultural manufacturing. By contrast, af rica and a s ia primarily rely on farming for agrifood jobs. a g ricultural employment within agrifood systems ranges from 74.4 percent in af rica to just 34.8 percent in eu rope.
Brazilian state law overturns soy moratorium that helped curb Amazon deforestation
AGUa C L a R a, Brazil -- a historic agreement that’s helped curb deforestation in Brazil’s a m azon for nearly two decades suffered a major blow after Mato Grosso, the country´s largest soybean-producing state, passed a law ending incentives for participating processing and trade companies.
t he law passed last week was designed to void the Soy Moratorium—a 2006 deal in reaction to a Greenpeace investigation that linked soy produced in illegally deforested areas to U.S. commodities giants Cargill, Bunge and a DM. Under pressure, the companies agreed at the time not to buy soy produced in areas cleared after 2006. t he date was later revised to July 2008. Several studies in recent years have shown the moratorium contributed to the a m azon’s preservation. a 2020 study in the journal Nature Food found that the agreement, in combination with public policies, contributed to the steepest reduction of deforesta-
tion recorded in Brazil’s a m azon, between 2003 and 2016.
Backed by soybean producers and most of Mato Grosso’s lawmakers and mayors, the new legislation cuts tax benefits to companies that participate in any agreement that imposes restrictions on expanding agricultural activities into areas that can be legally deforested. Governor Mauro Mendes signed the law o c tober 24. it goes into effect on January 1, 2025, but regulations are pending. it states that only the illegally deforested area of a farm will be prevented from selling soy. i n other words, if a 4,000-acre (1,618-hectare) property clears 200 acres (81 hectares) unlawfully, just the output from that specific area is blocked. Specialists warn that such refined monitoring is technically challenging, if not unfeasible. Under the moratorium, property with any post-2008 deforestation is forbidden altogether to sell its crops, regardless of whether the deforestation is legal.
Supporters of the new state law have long claimed the moratorium´s 2008 limit is stricter than Brazilian legislation that allows the deforestation of up to 20 percent of a large rural property in the a m azon.
“We will not rest as long as the moratorium harms even one producer,” the Mato Grosso soy producers president Lucas Costa Beber said in a celebratory statement. “a n d until this agreement is extinct, the trading companies will not have a peaceful sleep.”
Environmental nonprofits and the entity representing leading soybean trade and processing companies have criticized Mato Grosso´s initiative.
t h e law is a setback,” said Bernardo Pires, sustainability director of the Brazilian a s sociation of ve getable o i l i n dustries ( a b iove), which supports the moratorium.
“Companies committed to sustainability should receive twice as many benefits instead of losing them.”
a b iove members, which include Cargill, Bunge and a DM, buy over 90 percent of Mato Grosso´s soy production. t h e state tax benefits amount to $308 million a year.
Pires said the moratorium´s zero deforestation policy is a market demand. “ o u r European customers demand not to consume any products associated with deforestation,” he said.
Cristiane Mazzetti, coordinator of the forests campaign at Greenpeace Brazil, said the law reveals a double standard among politicians connected to agribusiness, who oppose the moratorium as unnecessary yet seek to weaken these same environmental protection.
t h e new law sparked mixed reactions within President Luiz i n ácio Lula da Silva’s government, which has promised zero deforestation by 2030.
a ndré Lima, secretary of deforestation control at the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, said that although state
governments have the right to choose which economic activities they want to support, it is unconstitutional to withdraw tax incentives from companies that have adopted sustainability and climate criteria aligned with Brazil’s deforestation reduction goals.
“ it also goes against the national tax reform guidelines, which have incorporated sustainable development as an important
criterion for promoting more and new tax incentives for the green economy,” he told t h e a s sociated Press. a g riculture Minister Carlos Fávaro, however, praised the law. “ t h e project (moratorium) is stricter than the law, and this creates legitimate dissatisfaction among producers,” he told reporters in an event last week. Associated Press
This BusinessMirror file photo shows a farmer using a hand tractor to plow a rice field before planting seedlings in Tanay, Rizal.
This BusinessMirror file photo shows a farmer using a hand tractor to plow a rice field before planting seedlings in Tanay, Rizal.
Middle East explodes: Hezbollah strikes central Israel, Iran threatens retaliation
By Adam Schreck & Samy Magdy
The Associated Press
JERUSALEM—An attack on a central Israeli town early Saturday injured 11 people as Iran’s supreme leader vowed a punishing response to Israel’s attack last week and Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza and Lebanon.
The predawn strike on Tira was one of several barrages fired from Lebanon. Many of the projectiles were intercepted by Israeli air defenses as air raid sirens rang out in parts of the country throughout the day, while others landed in unpopulated areas.
The Magen David Adom emergency service said 11 people were hurt by shrapnel and glass shards in a direct strike on a building in Tira, a predominantly Israeli Arab town. Footage showed significant damage to the roof and top floor of the three-story building and cars below.
Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group said Saturday that it had used missiles and explosive drones to target military and intelligence facilities in northern and central Israel.
It claimed responsibility for firing missiles toward the Israeli military’s Unit 8200 base in Glilot, on the edge of Tel Aviv, and for firing rockets toward military facilities in Zvulun.
Hezbollah also said it had targeted central Israel’s Palmachim Air Base with explosive drones, saying they “scored precise hits on targets.”
Israel’s military did not confirm whether any of the three Hezbollah targets had been hit and said it had no comment on the group’s claims.
Hezbollah said the Saturday dawn missile attack directed at Glilot was in retaliation for the “massacres” that are being committed by Israel. Tira, is about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from Glilot.
Tamar Abdel Hai, a resident of Tira, said that the attack was frightening.
“I call upon all the leaders in the Arab world and the leaders in Israel and to everyone who can help to end this war. It’s enough,” he said.
Hezbollah also said that its fight -
ers fired salvos of rockets into northern Israeli towns including Dalton, Yesud HaMa’ala and Bar Yohai.
Israeli media showed images of damage reportedly caused by a drone that hit a factory north of Nahariya. The army said several drones crossed from Lebanon into Israel, one was intercepted but “fallen targets were identified in the area.”
Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut on Saturday afternoon killed one person and wounded 15 others, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. Israeli planes resumed strikes on the southern suburb of Dahiyeh overnight Friday, following a four-day lull in the capital.
In a separate incident, a Lebanese ship captain was seized by armed men who landed on the coast of Batroun, north of Beirut, Lebanese authorities said.
The Israeli military later confirmed it had captured the man, which it described as a senior Hezbollah operative in north Lebanon. It did not name the detainee and said he was being investigated on Israeli territory.
Iran threatens more attacks
T H e early Saturday attacks may be only a precursor to a more severe strike against Israel.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, on Saturday threatened Israel and the US with a punishing response over attacks on Iran and its allies following Israel’s October 26 airstrikes that targeted Iran’s military bases and other locations.
“The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will definitely receive a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran and the Iranian nation
and to the resistance front,” Khamenei said in a video released by Iranian state media.
A further attack by Iran, which has already launched two direct attacks against Israel this year, could push the wider Middle e a st closer to a broader conflict. Israel is already battling the Iran-backed militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The fight against Hezbollah has weakened the group but has also taken a heavy toll on southern Lebanon and other parts of the country.
On Friday, Israel launched dozens of intense airstrikes across Lebanon’s northeastern farming villages, killing at least 52 people and wounding scores more, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported.
Since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in 2023, more than 2,897 people have been killed and 13,150 wounded in Lebanon, according to a Health Ministry update early Friday. United Nations agencies estimate that Israel’s ground invasion and bombardment of Lebanon has displaced 1.4 million people.
Residents of Israel’s northern communities near Lebanon, roughly 60,000 people, have also been displaced for more than a year.
Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 42 people in 24 hours
In recent weeks, Israel has also stepped up its offensive against Hamas’ remaining fighters in Gaza, raising concerns about humanitarian conditions for civilians still there.
A series of Israeli strikes on Nuseirat, a refugee camp in central Gaza, killed at least 42 people, more than half of them women and children, in 24 hours, Dr. Marwan Abu Naser, director of Al-Awda Hospital that received the casualties, told The Associated Press. A further 150 were wounded, he said.
Later on Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on a street in the nearby Bureij refugee camp killed at least six people, medical officials said. The dead were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah and counted by AP journalists there. Separately, the Israeli military said that two of its soldiers were killed in southern Gaza.
e g ypt’s state-owned Al-Qahera News TV reported Saturday that Hamas has rejected a partial ceasefire deal in Gaza fearing that Israel will resume its operations in the enclave even after hostages are released. The TV channel has close ties to the e g yptian intelligence service and e g ypt has been a key mediator throughout the yearlong conflict.
Hours later, senior Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq criticized the temporary cease-fire proposal describing it as “just a smoke screen.” Hamas has continually called for a complete end to the conflict and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as a condition for any cease-fire deal with Israel. Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press journalists Bassem Mroue in Beirut, Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Shlomo Mor in Tira, Israel, contributed to this report.
Zelenskyy urges allies to act before north Korean troops reach the front
KY i V, Ukraine—Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged its allies to stop “watching” and take steps before North Korean troops deployed in r u ssia reach the battlefield, and the country’s army chief warned that his troops are facing “one of the most powerful offensives” by Moscow since the all-out war started more than two years ago.
Zelenskyy raised the prospect of a preemptive Ukrainian strike on camps where the North Korean troops are being trained and said Kyiv knows their location. But he said Ukraine can’t do it without permission from allies to use Western-made long-range weapons to hit targets deep inside r u ssia.
“But instead … America is watching, Britain is watching, Germany is watching. e v eryone is just waiting for the North Korean military to start attacking Ukrainians as well,” Zelenskyy said in a post late Friday on the te legram messaging app.
t h e Biden administration said t h ursday that some 8,000 North Korean soldiers are now in r u ssia’s Kursk region near Ukraine’s border and are preparing to help the Kremlin fight against Ukrainian troops in the coming days.
o n S aturday, Ukraine’s military intelligence said that more than 7,000 North Koreans equipped with r u ssian gear and weapons had been transported to areas near Ukraine. t h e agency, known by its acronym GU r , s aid that North Korean troops were being trained at five locations in r u ssia’s Far e a st. i t d id not specify its source of information.
Western leaders have described the North Korean troop deployment as a significant escalation that could also jolt relations in the ndo-Pacific region, and open the door to technology transfers from Moscow to Pyongyang that could advance the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile program.
North Korean Foreign Minister c h oe Son h u i met with her r u ssian counterpart in Moscow on Friday.
Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly said they need permission to use Western weapons to strike arms depots, airfields and military bases far from the border to motivate r ussia to seek peace. i n response, US defense officials have argued that the missiles are limited in number, and that Ukraine is already using its own long-range drones to hit targets farther into r u ssia.
Moscow has also consistently signaled that it would view any such strikes as a major escalation. President Vladimir Putin warned on Sept. 12 that r u ssia would be “at war” with the US and NAt o s tates if they approve them.
Ukraine facing “one of most powerful” Russian offensives since war began
Zele NSKYY S c all came shortly before Ukraine’s top commander, Gen. o l eksandr Syrskiy, said on Saturday that his troops are struggling to stem “one of the most powerful offensives” by r u ssia since its
all-out invasion of its southern neighbor in February 2022.
Writing on te legram following a call with a top c z ech military official, Syrskyi hinted that Ukrainian units are taking heavy losses in the fighting, which he said “require constant renewal of resources.” While Syrskyi did not specify where the heavy fighting took place, r u ssia has for months been conducting a ferocious campaign along the eastern front in Ukraine, gradually compelling Kyiv to surrender ground. But Moscow has struggled to push Ukrainian forces out of its Kursk border region following an incursion almost three months ago. Dozens injured in r u ssian strikes on Ukraine r u ssian missiles hit Ukraine’s secondlargest city of Kharkiv overnight into Saturday, killing a policeman and injuring dozens, local Gov. o l eh Syniehubov reported. According to Syniehubov and Ukraine’s national police force, one missile slammed into
i
central Dnipropetrovsk region, Gov. Serhii ly sak said.
i n Kyiv, air raid sirens wailed for over five hours early Saturday morning as r u ssian drones rained on the capital, sparking a fire in an office block downtown and injuring two people, according to the city’s military administration. o v erall, r u ssian forces overnight attacked Ukraine with over 70 i ranian-made Shahed drones, the Ukrainian air force reported Saturday. t s aid most were shot down or sent off-course using GPS jamming. Falling debris damaged power networks and residential buildings in multiple provinces and injured an elderly woman near Kyiv, officials said.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry hinted that r u ssia’s drone campaign was slowing down, saying Moscow launched just over half as many in o c tober as the month before. Meanwhile, r u ssia’s defense ministry reported that its forces overnight shot down 24 Ukrainian drones over four r u ssian regions and occupied c r imea. t h ere were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. i n a separate development, four civilians were injured following a Ukrainian strike in r u ssia’s southern Kursk region, its Gov. Aleksei Smirnov said, without specifying what weapon was used. Moscow is still trying to dislodge Ukrainian forces from the province, months after they staged a bold assault that rattled the Kremlin and constituted the largest attack on r u ssia since World War ii AP
US flies long-range bomber in drill with South Korea and Japan after north Korea’s ICBm test
By Hyung-Jin Kim The Associated Press
Seo U l , S outh Korea—t h e United States flew a long-range bomber in a trilateral drill with South Korea and Japan on Sunday in response to North Korea’s recent test-firing of a new intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the US mainland, South Korea’s military said.
North Korea on t h ursday tested the newly developed h wasong-19 ic B M, which flew higher and stayed in the air longer than any other missile it has fired. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called it “an appropriate military action” to cope with external security threats posed by its rivals.
o n S unday, the US flew the B-1B bomber to train with South Korean and Japanese fighter jets near the Korean Peninsula, demonstrating the three countries’ firm resolve and readiness to respond to North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile programs, South Korea’s Joint c h iefs of Staff said in a statement.
t h e trilateral aerial training was the second by South Korea, the US and Japan this year, the statement said.
t h e US often responds to major North Korean missile tests with temporary de -
ployments of some of its powerful military assets such as long-range bombers, aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines to and near the Korean Peninsula. North Korea typically responds angrily to such US actions, calling them part of a USled plot to invade the North and performing additional weapons tests.
t h e US has flown the B-1B bomber over or near the Korean Peninsula four times this year, according to South Korea’s military. A B-1B is capable of carrying a large conventional weapons payload. t h ursday’s h wasong-19 test, North Korea’s first ic B M test firing in almost a year, showed progress in North Korea’s missile program. But many experts say North Korea still has some technological issues to master to acquire functioning ic B Ms that can deliver nuclear strikes on the US mainland. t h e experts say the h w asong-19 shown in North Korea’s state media photos and videos looked too big to be useful in a war. t h e ic B M test was seen as an effort to grab American attention ahead of the US presidential election this week and respond to international condemnation of North Korea’s reported dispatch of thousands of troops to r u ssia to support its war against Ukraine, observers say.
Tight races for control of Congress as American voters weigh options
By Lisa Mascaro AP Congressional Correspondent
WASHINGTON—The final doors are being knocked, ads are blaring and candidates are making a last pitch to voters. Even with the high-energy final push, the races for control of Congress are at a stalemate, essentially a toss-up for the House and fight to the finish for the Senate.
The outcome of Tuesday’s election will shape the country’s future, determining whether the new White House has allies or skeptics on Capitol Hill—or faces a divided Congress like this past session, which has been among the most tumultuous and unproductive in modern times.
As voters assess their presidential options between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, they also are sizing up who will represent them in Congress.
“This is why I’m an independent,” said voter Gary Motta of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, who isn’t happy with either choice for president, as he showed up at an early Sunday morning event for Republican Kevin Coughlin, who is trying to unseat Democratic Rep. Emilia Sykes.
The struggle for control of Congress has gone on for months. Candidates have tussled over the big issues—the economy, the border, reproductive health care and the future of democracy—but also over Congress itself, which had a chaotic session as the GOP-led House ousted its speaker and barely fended off government shutdowns.
This is the first presidential election since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, and many Republican lawmakers who voted against certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s White House win over Trump are up for reelection.
Republican candidates, many backed by the former president, are finding themselves having to answer for him on several fronts. Among them is the decision by the Supreme Court, with three justices who were nominated by Trump, that ended the right to
abortion access
Democrats face tough questions over the Biden-Harris record on the US-Mexico border and on inflation during their time at the White House.
Most of the closely contested House campaigns are being waged beyond the presidential swing states, including in New York and California, where Republican Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted as speaker and then left Congress, had made inroads in his home state. Democrats under New York’s Hakeem Jeffries, the party’s House leader, are now trying to win them back.
Starting Saturday, California Rep. Pete Aguilar, the Democratic caucus chairman, is making a nine-stop swing through the Golden State to win back seats.
“There’s a lot of energy out there,” said Washington Rep. Suzan DelBene, who leads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, in an interview from Omaha, Nebraska, a surprising battleground, after a swing through New York. “We’re just working hard to get out the vote.”
She said there are “tons of volunteers on the ground, lots of energy, people very, very focused. They understand there’s a lot at stake.”
With the ever-escalating world of campaign fundraising, this election year stands apart: A whopping $2.5 billion is being spent to win the Senate and almost $1 billion on the House.
The Senate is the Republicans’ to lose, a coda to the long stewardship of their party leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. He recruited wealthy Republican candidates, many backed by Trump, to face off against a half-
In Montana, Democratic Sen. Jon Tester is in one of the most competitive races in the country that could flip control to Republicans. But a half-dozen more Senate races including in the “blue wall” of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, are as tight as the presidential race in those states.
But late-breaking shifts are injecting new uncertainty in other Senate races, putting Sen. Ted Cruz on defense in Republicanheavy Texas where Democratic Rep. Colin Allred has seen a surge of energy, including from Harris’ star-studded rally in Houston with hometown hero Beyoncé. Nebraska independent Dan Osborne has caught Republicans off guard in Nebraska as he tries to unseat GOP Sen. Deb Fischer. Other Republican Senate candidates have stumbled.
In Ohio, Republican Bernie Moreno, who is facing Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, made comments critical of suburban women making abortion access a priority issue. Republican Tim Sheehy made derogatory remarks about Native Americans, a key voting bloc in his race against Tester in Montana.
As Republicans have outsourced their get-out-the-vote efforts to new groups, including Elon Musk’s America PAC, the campaign committees have had to stand up their own to ensure that people vote.
Davide Cuigini, part of the Young Republicans working to turn out the vote for Moreno last weekend in Ohio, said, “Republicans are finally early voting, so that’s gong to make a difference.”
Yet the energy on the Democratic side grew quickly once Harris replaced Biden on the Democratic ticket over the summer.
Democrat Angela Alsobrooks in Maryland, who could make
history alongside Delaware’s Lisa Blunt Rochester as Black women in the Senate, hosted former President Barack Obama last week. Alsobrooks is running against Larry Hogan, a popular former governor.
In the House, Democrats have seen several races shift their way, according to nonpartisan analysts. But others, in Alaska and an open seat in Michigan, tilt toward Republicans. Two of the House’s longest serving lawmakers are in the fights of their political lives in Ohio and California. Still, an internal DCCC memo showed 21 of 25 contested seats still close, one week from the election.
There are also unusual battlegrounds, including what Nebraskans call the “blue dot” around Omaha, where Republican Rep. Don Bacon faces a challenge from Democrat Tony Vargas.
The outcome of the races will be a test of House leadership under Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. He said at a recent stop near Akron, Ohio, that with the GOP’s “winsome warriors” as candidates, he knows they will win. Jeffries, in line to become House speaker if Democrats take control, said he has decided to “ remain calm, “ even if the possibility of unexpected events keeps him up at night.
If the two chambers do in fact flip party control, as is possible, it would be rare.
Records show that if Democrats take the House and Republicans take the Senate, it would be the first time that the chambers of Congress have both flipped to opposing political parties.
“This election is a very big deal,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, campaigning for a fellow Democrat in one of his state’s House races. Associated Press writers Lea Skene in Baltimore and Stephen Groves and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
Paiporta: A town wiped out by Spain’s
By Joseph Wilson The Associated Press
killer flash floods
PAIP ortA , s p ain— t h e pictures of the smiling toddlers on the wall somehow survived.
Most everything else in the daycare—the cradles, the highchairs, the toys—was ruined when a crushing wall of water swept through Paiporta, turning the Valencia municipality of 30,000 into the likely epicenter of s p ain’s deadliest natural disaster in living memory.
“We have lost everything,” Xavi Pons told t h e Associated Press. h e said the water level was above his head inside what had been the daycare run by his wife’s family for half a century, and he pointed to the knee-high mark where the mud reached.
“I have lived here all my life. t h is had never happened and nobody could have imagined it would,” Pons said. “All of Paiporta is like this, it is all in ruins.”
Authorities say at least 62 people died in Paiporta, of the 213 confirmed deaths from flash floods in s p ain on tu esday and Wednesday. t h e majority of those deaths happened in the eastern region of Valencia, and local media have labeled Paiporta the “ground zero” of the floods.
Four days have passed since the tsunamilike floods swept through the southern outskirts of Valencia city, covering many communities with sticky, thick mud. t h e cleanup task ahead remains gargantuan, and the hunt for bodies continues.
Many streets in Paiporta remain impassable to all vehicles but bulldozers, stacked as they are with piles of sodden furniture and household items and countless wrecked cars.
e v ery foot is caked with mud. s o me people wield poles to steady their step as if walking these streets is a hike through a marsh.
A washing machine rests on its side among household junk in a church square. An enormous tree trunk rests inside a store that is missing a wall. An antique chests of drawers, paintings and a teddy bear, all still identifiable among the unrecognizable flotsam trapped in the allconsuming mire.
l dia Giménez, a schoolteacher, watched from her second-story apartment as the usually dry canal that divides the town—“Barranco del Poyo”—went from completely empty to overflowing within 15 minutes. s he called the after-
math of the flood “a battlefield without bombs.” And it happened without a drop of rain falling on Paiporta. t h e storm had unleashed a downpour upstream. t hat d eluge then hurled toward Paiporta and other areas closer to the Mediterranean coast that were devastated by the flash floods.
Paiporta’s residents received no flood warnings from the regional government on their cellphones until two hours after the dangerous waters rushed through.
t h e onslaught of water widened the riverbank, tearing away buildings and a pedestrian bridge, stripping the metallic handrails from another bridge and pulling vehicles into the canal. e ight wheels are the only parts that remain visible of an overturned truck sunk in Poyo’s muddy bottom.
t h e destruction could take weeks to clean. t housands of volunteers walked for more than an hour from Valencia city to help the people of Paiporta, carrying buckets, brooms and shovels as they waded into the grime. h omeowner r a fa r o sellón was waiting for heavy equipment to arrive to remove two cars—one half-resting on top of the other— that were washed away by the deluge and landed outside his home, blocking the front door. h e had to unscrew a metal grating and slip though a window to get inside and witness the mess.
“I can’t do anything until those cars are moved,” r o sellón said. “ t h e government forces that could do something, either from the regional government or the national government, have not done anything to help us. It’s us, the citizens and volunteers, who are doing all the work.” s o me 2,000 soldiers are involved in postflood emergency work—searching for survivors, helping clean up and distribute essential goods—as well as 1,800 national police officers and almost 2,500 Civil Guard gendarmes. s p
EU lawmakers grill new commissioners amidst increasing right-wing influence
BBy Lorne Cook The Associated Press
r U sse ls Five months after the e u ropean Union lurched to the political right, the influence of nationalist and populist parties will go on public display in Brussels on Monday when lawmakers vet the proposed new members of the e U ’s increasingly powerful executive branch.
o v er five days of hearings, the e U parliamentarians will grill 26 top officials—nominated by their national governments—to establish whether they are suitable to lead the next e u ropean Commission on policies like agriculture, trade, economic affairs, health or migration.
t h e commission is the only e U b ody with the power to draft laws that, once passed by the Parliament and the council of member states, apply in all 27 countries of the bloc. t he y cover everything from water quality to data protection to competition policy.
Commission President Ursula von der l e yen assembled her new-look executive in s ep tember, seeking to balance
sensitive political, geographical and gender concerns within a team that will lead the e u ropean project for the next five years.
t h e vast majority of the would-be commissioners come from the right of the political spectrum, mostly the e u ropean People’s Party ( e P P), a conservative e U -wide political family that counts von der l e yen as a member and is the biggest in the parliament. t hat sh ould make things easier for her. Despite that advantage, the ePP has already worked with hard-right groups— including Italian Premier Georgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, which has neo-fascist roots, and stridently nationalist lawmakers from hu ngarian Prime Minister Viktor o rb án’s ruling Fidesz—to secure majorities in the eu ropean Parliament. o th er pro- e u ropean parties were weakened in the June 6-9 e U elections and von der l e yen can operate without them.
t h e second-biggest group—the center-left s o cialists and Democrats— seems ready to rubber-stamp her team. Its leaders say it does not have a “kill list” of nominees that it intends to remove.
a commission that’s hard to ignore t he c ommission is akin to a government cabinet, with commissioners instead of ministers. But it proposes laws that influence all aspects of the lives of around 450 million people in the 27 countries that make up the world’s biggest trading bloc. Von der l e yen is the boss of more than 33,000 employees. t h e commission handles trade talks, sealing agreements with e U partners in the outside world and managing disputes at the World tr ade o r ganization. It’s also a powerful competition watchdog, whose influence has been felt by tech giants like Apple, Google and Meta.
Von der l e yen’s power is growing. h e r team led the e u ropean drive to secure Covid-19 vaccines, and whipped up a massive rescue package to help e u rope’s economies cope with the cost of trying to stop the pandemic spreading. It also helped the eU w eather the energy crisis sparked by r u ssia’s war on Ukraine.
New faces to represent europe on the world stage t h I s is von der l e yen’s second term.
More than half the nominees—14 of them, compared to 10 last time—are from e P P parties, like her. te n of them are women. Von der l e yen, a German, is keeping e u rope’s other major powers France, Italy and s p ain close by her side. to t he disappointment of mainstream parties, she has penciled in Meloni ally r a ffaele Fitto as a new executive vice president—one of five—to oversee “cohesion policy,” which helps finance infrastructure projects with a big slice of the e U ’s massive budget.
Former French Foreign Minister s t éphane s é journé was made a VP and secured the industry portfolio. s p anish s o cialist te resa r i bera, another VP, has a powerful post combining the transition toward a green economy and competition policies.
Former e s tonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will be von der l e yen’s foreign policy chief. Ultimately, though, they will all answer to the president.
The first hurdle: confirmation hearings n o MI ne es are questioned for three hours by the leaders of committees and
senior lawmakers most closely linked to their portfolios. t he nominees must demonstrate general competence, a commitment to e ur ope, independence, and good communications skills.
Immediately after, an evaluation is made behind closed doors. Candidates must win a two-thirds majority vote. If they fall short, lawmakers can ask additional questions in writing or request a further 90-minute grilling. s o me candidates are deemed not good enough. l a wmakers might reject others as a show of strength. t h ree were vetoed in 2019. s o metimes portfolios are switched among the commissioners, or their responsibilities redefined, to satisfy the parliament’s demands.
t h e vote results should remain secret until the entire hearing process ends on n ov. 12.
But given the high political stakes, lawmakers will probably leak the news. Any group that vetoes a candidate risks seeing their own knocked out in revenge.
Some appear more at risk than others Von der l e yen’s e P P and the hard right ganged up to set the hearing agenda. As a
result, the most controversial candidate — Italy’s Fitto—is the first of the six VPs to be questioned on the final day of hearings. Any mainstream lawmakers who target him risk seeing their favorite ousted in return. o n e of the first candidates to make his case will be Glenn Micallef—the
Tofas: Enhancing Math proficiency in PHL public schools
THE Philippines’ persistent struggle in international assessments like PISA, consistently ranking poorly in math, reading, and science, underscores a critical need for educational reform.
In a highly strategic decision, the Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with Japan-based Sprix, Inc. to provide free access to the Test of Fundamental Skills (Tofas) for students across the country. This collaboration is a significant stride in improving mathematical proficiency among public school students and addressing the country’s persistent challenges in math education. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “DepEd partners with Japan firm for free Tofas access for learners,” October 31, 2024).
The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement, will enable thousands of students to accurately assess their calculation and problem-solving skills, empowering them to identify areas for growth and strengthen their essential math skills. This tailored approach to learning, focusing on each student’s needs, is critical for academic success.
Initial feedback from regional directors has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating that Tofas will significantly contribute to enhancing math education in the country. By fostering better communication among teachers, students, and parents, Tofas creates a support system that encourages motivation, leading to improved academic progress and overall student well-being.
This initiative is particularly timely, as our learners continue to rank among the weakest in math, reading, and science, according to the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 scores. Despite joining the test for the first time in 2018, the Philippines’ overall score showed no significant improvement in 2023. Consequently, this partnership aligns with the administration’s commitment to elevating education quality across the country, providing equal opportunities and resources for all Filipino learners.
DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara emphasized the importance of strengthening students’ math skills, acknowledging that this collaboration supports the President’s vision of equal opportunities and resources for all Filipino learners. This partnership with Sprix, Inc. demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing educational gaps and ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary skills to excel in the 21st century.
The collaboration between DepEd and Sprix, Inc. is a shining example of how public-private partnerships can positively impact education quality and empower students to succeed in their academic pursuits.
However, the true measure of the success of this initiative will be its impact on the ground, reflected in improved PISA scores and a demonstrable increase in mathematical proficiency among public school students.
The coming years will be crucial in evaluating the long-term effects of this partnership and determining whether it truly contributes to a more equitable and effective education system. The hope is that Tofas, combined with other comprehensive educational reforms, will finally help the Philippines close the gap in STEM education and equip its future generations with the skills needed to thrive in a globally competitive world.
While Tofas will help address a critical area of concern, it is important to remember that this is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Improving educational outcomes requires a multifaceted approach that addresses systemic issues, including teacher training, curriculum development, and resource allocation. The collaboration with Sprix should be seen as a significant part of a wider strategy, rather than a definitive solution to the country’s educational difficulties.
BusinessMirror
A safer Philippines for our children
TRISING SUN
HIS November, the Philippines celebrates the 32nd National Children’s Month (NCM), an annual observance commemorating the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on November 20, 1989. Mandated by Republic Act 10661 (s. 2015), the event designates the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), the National Youth Commission (NYC), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as lead agencies in organizing NCM activities. The monthlong observance includes the National Play Advocacy Week (third week), led by the Philippine Play Coalition, and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week (fourth week), led by the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council.
This year’s programs and activities will focus on Violence Against Children (VAC), under the theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines.” VAC, as defined by the UNCRC, encompasses “all forms of physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse.”
The 32nd NCM aims to raise pub-
lic awareness of the prevalence and impact of violence against children, advocate for the implementation and enforcement of measures to prevent and address violence at all levels of governance, and empower children, parents, caregivers, and communities with the knowledge and resources needed to recognize and report violence.
To support this cause, several events are scheduled throughout No-
The 32nd NCM aims to raise public awareness of the prevalence and impact of violence against children, advocate for the implementation and enforcement of measures to prevent and address violence at all levels of governance, and empower children, parents, caregivers, and communities with the knowledge and resources needed to recognize and report violence.
vember, including the NCM Kick-off Ceremony on November 4, National Play Advocacy Week from November 18 to 22, the 7th Conference on Parenting in the Digital Age on November 25, and the Culminating Ceremony on November 27.
During National Children’s Month, there are many meaningful ways to get involved and make a positive impact. Consider treating the children in your life—your nieces, nephews, children of neighbors— to special outings or activities that make them feel valued and loved.
Take a stand for children’s rights by raising awareness and educating yourself on critical issues like child poverty and abuse. Amplifying these issues on social media can further
broaden awareness and inspire collective action, encouraging others to advocate for children’s rights and well-being. Each of these actions, whether big or small, contributes to creating a safer, more supportive environment for all children. Individuals, groups, and concerned citizens can also show their support in many other ways throughout November. This can include participating in feeding programs organized by non-governmental organizations, churches, and similar groups by bringing food, helping organize events, or serving meals to children beneficiaries. Volunteers can also support charitable institutions or orphanages, make donations to legitimate organizations that promote children’s welfare, or host small events like art workshops, children’s book drives, and gift-giving activities.
Supporters of the annual celebration are encouraged to use official collaterals, hashtags, and other materials available at www.cwc.gov.ph. Participants may also join the online campaign by using the 2024 NCM photo frame for profile pictures. Post-activity reports, articles, and photos may be submitted to paio@ cwc.gov.ph or childrensmonth.ph@ gmail.com until December 12, 2024.
Black market banking a sore thumb in FATF compliance
ILITO GAGNI
T would seem that the Philippines’ much-desired wish to be taken off the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force, the Parisbased global watchdog on anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing, has one significant stumbling block to clear for its June 2025 date for exiting the FATF watch.
The June 2025 scheduled meeting will discuss the country’s compliance with the 40 actionable points that the FATF has enumerated for the government to exit the grey list where remittances of OFWs are subject to extra delays. Hopefully, all the actionable points listed by the global watchdog have been addressed by then.
So far, the government has been optimistic on its 2025 date with the FATF with the global watchdog even listing on its website the Philippines’ moves on addressing the anti-money laundering concerns. In fact, halting
POGO operations is actually a measure to address the concerns raised by the FATF.
But then, the recent raid over the weekend by the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) where black market banking was identified in the scam hub in Bataan Freeport Zone could be a sore thumb in the country’s quest to exit the grey list; it may even lead to a blacklist.
As per the pronouncements coming from PAOCC Director Winston Casio, what the operatives found out were mobile phones with telltale
We hope that the country promptly addresses the issue of black market banking, which involves the collaboration between telecommunications companies, banks, and designated nonfinancial businesses and professions to meet FATF concerns.
signs of black market banking. The discovery needs to be addressed as it would show that telcos, banks and so-called “Designated non-financial business and professions” (DNFBP) and “Money or value transfer services” (MVTS) under the FATF glossary were involved.
The discovery could jeopardize the country’s program to exit the grey list, which was issued on June 25, 2021. The government was not able to exit the program in January 2023 and sought for extension, and then another one played out in January 2024.
Casio said the mobile phones showed transactions on cryptocurrencies and other investment modes.
The discovery tends to show that the
telcos have been lax in the issuance of the mandated registry while the bank transactions show a weak link in the anti-money laundering operations of the government. This weak link in the banking practices had been pronounced by QuadComm co-chairman Manila Congressman Bishop Benny Abante who said that bank presidents may be summoned to the hearing. However, the Bankers Association of the Philippines is said to be against the move. There is still ample time for the government to address black market banking. Anyway, the FATF is open to accepting compliance even by pronouncements that the country is going to address the weak links. In its latest memo, the FATF said the “Philippines was deemed Compliant for 8 and Largely Compliant for 29 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It remains Highly Effective for 0 and Substantially Effective for 1 with regard to the 11 areas of Effectiveness of its AML/ CFT Regime.” The global watchdog also said:
Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II
Current and future state of the accountancy profession
By Marvin Galang Conclusion
IN many ways, accounting is unique among the professions. It does not advocate, heal, or counsel. Rather, it applies a coherent system for communicating financial status and position and certifies to its presentation. It seeks to assure users of financial information that the statements are reasonable and that they can be accepted as credible so they can make meaningful decisions. As such, if the professional’s work is to have value, it must rest on the profession’s ability to maintain and justify a high degree of public trust and confidence.
Maintaining this public trust involves several key ingredients. I share my thoughts on an important challenges faced by the profession today. I refer to the accounting talent situation, including the diminishing number of students interested to pursue accounting degrees, the declining number of examinees in the Licensure Examination for Certified Public Acountants, and the shifting trend of career options for professional accountants, here and abroad.
I believe that a comprehensive strategy must be embraced to address the current talent challenges and cultivate a more resilient, dynamic workforce.
The various accounting stakeholders should collaborate with educational institutions to update and modernize accounting curricula, integrating more technology and realworld applications. Offering flexible study options, such as part-time or online courses, can attract a broader range of students.
Awareness campaigns should be launched highlighting the diverse career opportunities within accounting, emphasizing its critical role in business strategy and financial decision-making. Engaging with students early, through school programs and internships, can help rebuild interest in the field.
Continuous learning opportunities can be provided, focusing on emerging areas like data analytics, Environmental, Social, Governance reporting, and global compliance. This keeps current professionals engaged and better equipped to meet evolving market demands.
To leverage the growing freelance economy, platforms can be created that connect freelance accountants with businesses in need. This approach can help address the talent shortage while offering flexibility to accountants.
Mentorship programs that pair experienced accountants with students and young professionals can be established, fostering a strong community within the profession that supports career growth and loyalty.
Efforts should be focused on strengthening a collaborative community and ecosystem of professionals, technology partners, industry experts, and government agencies, all united by a shared mission to empower accountants and bookkeepers.
The challenges the accounting profession and sector face have a direct impact on the growth of our
. . .
continued from A8
“Corruption remains a significant issue in the Philippines, affecting both public and private sectors, as evidenced by its ranking of 115th in Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index.”
In fact, it said that the Bureau of Customs is highlighted as one of the most corrupt agencies, contributing to a challenging business environment characterized by bribery, favoritism, and complex laws that leave foreign companies vulnerable.
“Although the Philippines ratified the UN Convention against Corruption in 2003, the lack of effective enforcement and a comprehensive legislative framework hampers efforts to combat corruption,” FATF said on its website. FATF, however, praised the coun-
In aid of persecution
BThe accounting profession stands at a pivotal juncture. While the challenges we face, including talent shortages and regulatory shifts, are considerable, the opportunities before us are equally vast. By recommitting to our core purpose, prioritizing the development of our people, and leveraging technology as an enabler, we can ensure that the profession not only endures but thrives in the years to come.
country’s businesses, with small enterprises—the backbone of our economy—feeling the effects most acutely. This is why the support of our partners, who are with us today, is so crucial. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a key supporter of this cause, beginning with the USAID EPESO initiative in 2017 and continuing today with the Strengthening Private Enterprises for the Digital Economy project. These efforts aim to empower businesses and professionals to adopt digital technologies and increase the use of electronic payments.
In line with building this community, we have developed a Masterclass series in collaboration with our partners in technology and skills development to further support professional growth.
Attracting and retaining top talent requires more than competitive salaries. Younger generations are looking for workplaces that offer flexibility, career development, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Building a tech-savvy, inclusive, and flexible workplace will be key to drawing in the next generation of accountants.
In conclusion, the accounting profession stands at a pivotal juncture. While the challenges we face, including talent shortages and regulatory shifts, are considerable, the opportunities before us are equally vast. By recommitting to our core purpose, prioritizing the development of our people, and leveraging technology as an enabler, we can ensure that the profession not only endures but thrives in the years to come.
Marvin Galang is the co-founder of Beppo, JuanTax, and Double Rule, which are fin-tech and tax apps in the Philippine market. He was previously connected with Procter & Gamble, Xero, KPMG, and E&Y.
try for its GDP growth of 5.6 percent in 2023, making it the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia, driven by increased consumer demand and infrastructure spending.
Another plus factor that the FATF highlighted even with a slight decline in foreign direct investment inflows to $8.9 billion “was its investmentgrade sovereign credit ratings supported by sound macroeconomic fundamentals. The government continues to implement reforms to enhance the investment climate, including amendments to laws that allow greater foreign ownership in various sectors.”
We hope that the country promptly addresses the issue of black market banking, which involves the collaboration between telecommunications companies, banks, and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs), to meet FATF concerns.
Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.
THE PATRIOT
Second of three parts
y constitutional design, the legislative power to conduct investigations in aid of legislation should only be utilized for lawmaking purposes. The forum in the halls of Congress is evidently not a criminal or prosecutorial enquiry. Otherwise stated, finding of guilt or designation of liability in these hearings was never envisioned by the framers of the Constitution.
Last week, the attendance of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte before the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee spurred anew the longstanding debate anent the very aim of these Congressional investigations. While the former President’s testimony in bulk may have bolstered the supposition of guilt, which many of us might have long been clasping towards Mr. Duterte—guilt for the extrajudicial killings pursuant to his war-on-drugs advocacy, the fact remains that he gave the statements at a sub-committee hearing of the Senate. Lawyers have been quick to conclude that the former President made admissions against interest, defined by law as out-ofcourt statements made by a party that are against their own pecuniary, proprietary, or penal interest. Such are admissible as an exclusion (admission by a party-opponent) or an exception (statement against interest) to the rule against hearsay. One particular “admission” given by Mr. Duterte was in reference to the death squad composed of gangsters and rich personalities in Davao city who were overly eager to terminate drug suspects. And yet at some point in his testimony, he also alluded to (and clearly pointed at) the senators seated to his right as “death squad din yang mga ‘yan.” In accounting for said declaration, Mr. Duterte explained that they (like Senator Bato dela Rosa) are members of the death
squad only because they enforced the law against criminals, particularly drug suspects, and not because an organization labeled as “death squad” exists. Such witty yet clever remarks perhaps caught the legislators dumbfounded.
But former senator Antonio Trillanes IV could not be persuaded otherwise. He earlier announced his intention of having the transcript of last Monday’s hearing submitted to the International Criminal Court, where former President Duterte and his police enforcers are facing charges for crimes against humanity for the drug war killings. Duterte’s detractors have also urged the Department of Justice to craft a case against him for his alleged violation of Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
Exactly what the real purpose was for inviting Mr. Duterte to the hearing remains to be seen. According to presiding Chair Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, they have all the “materials and testimonial evidence on record,” referring to retired police colonel Royina Garma and resigned National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, who earlier testified at the House of Representatives quad committee hearings that former President Duterte rewarded police officers with cash (a bounty system)
for every drug suspect killed. Placing Duterte therefore before the “Senate stand” even purportedly as a witness was the way for cementing many an opinion that he ordered the killings, plain and simple. Yet again, how the Senate Committee conducted its inquiry proved to be in aid of persecution. If the assumption of guilt is indeed heavy and surmounting, let cases be filed so that the person can be held accountable. Either legal charges be immediately filed before the prosecutors’ office, or the ones already lodged before the ICC proceed. Most certainly, the Senate is not the appropriate venue. These days, we have seen how some lawmakers investigate without a clear legislative purpose. Appearing to exercise prosecutorial if not persecutorial powers, some are evidently inclined to use the power of legislative inquiry to cosplay as police, prosecutor, judge, arbiter. The ground-breaking case of Neri v. Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers should teach all of us that, per the words of our Supreme Court , “The determination of who is/are liable for a crime or illegal activity, the investigation of the role played by each official, the determination of who should be hailed to court for prosecution and the task of coming up with conclusions and finding of facts regarding anomalies, especially the determination of criminal guilt, are not functions of the Senate. Congress is neither a law enforcement nor a trial agency.”
Condemnation is brother to persecution. The latter word encompasses many other reprehensible acts such as harassment, maltreatment, bullying, discrimination, tyranny, and oppression. May we not be enslaved by any of these things in the guise of doing them in aid of any purpose, even of legislation.
To be concluded
A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.
The Bible, on the other hand, teaches those who think of themselves as holy, clean, and entitled, even though ungrateful and unrighteous, that the judgment of God will be according to their real character. Romans 2:1-2 declares that: “Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done.” Indeed, there is a place for criticism and accusation. For while we are all entitled to an opinion about someone and whether we condemn a ruthless person or a wrongful killing, we leave the judgment to the one true persona of justice—our Almighty God. This brings us to the beautiful and significant biblical story of the adulterous woman dragged by teachers of religious law and Pharisees before Jesus and a crowd. John 8:1-11 chronicles how this woman caught in adultery was brought for judgment and public persecution. Yet Jesus’ response was something that caught these accusers off-guard. As we can read from the chapter, Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. But “They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.” One by one, the accusers slipped away beginning with the oldest (those who were presumed to know better). Later, when only Jesus and the woman were left, He told her “Neither do I (condemn you). Go and sin no more” (verse 11).
UN nature summit ends in limbo as countries spar over funding
By Natasha White & Zahra Hirji
The 16th United Nations Biodiversity Conference ended abruptly Saturday as countries disagreed in overtime talks about the creation of a new global nature fund.
After negotiations in Cali, Colombia stretched through Friday night and into Saturday morning and delegates began to depart to travel home, Susana Muhamad, the host country’s environment minister and the president of COP16, ultimately suspended the summit for lack of a quorum.
The main focus of COP16 was to advance a landmark biodiversity pact adopted in Montreal two years ago.
Through the so-called Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, almost 200 countries agreed to reverse a steep decline in nature by the end of the decade and come up with hundreds of billions of dollars for that purpose.
“The outcome of COP16 represents a mixed bag,” said Ginette Hemley, senior vice president for wildlife at World Wildlife Fund US. There was “real progress” on issues including benefit sharing related to genetic information and health and biodiversity, she said. “But the lack of progress on finance will hold back efforts to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.”
Notwithstanding the last-minute drama, COP16 achieved some of its goals. Countries will move forward with a new Cali Fund to protect nature, to be paid into by companies that sell products, such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, based on genetic data from the natural world.
But in other ways, what was dubbed at the outset a “COP of implementation” fell short of ambitions. The majority of parties failed to submit their plans to meet the 2022 pact, and rich nations pledged just a trickle of new funds.
The conference hasn’t been closed, said David Ainsworth of the UN Con-
vention on Biological Diversity. When and where it will resume is still to be determined. Anything already adopted at COP16 still stands and is operative, Ainsworth said.
That includes the new agreement on sharing financial proceeds derived from digitized genetic resources. It’s aimed at capturing a small portion of proceeds when, for example, companies use plants’ genetic information to create new drugs. Under its terms, companies over a certain size in sectors like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and cosmetics are to contribute 1 percent of their profits or 0.1 percent of revenue to the Cali Fund. The fund will be overseen by the 196 countries that signed up to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
The mechanism isn’t mandatory. Proceeds will be allocated to countries for nature protection, with at least half “where appropriate” going to Indigenous peoples and local communities.
For Pierre du Plessis, former negotiator for the African group of countries that negotiate as a bloc, it amounts to “a small step forward.” Du Plessis said this agreement sets the mechanism in motion and outlines a process to improve it, but “is unlikely to mobilize funding at the scale or pace required.”
The complex technicalities, political differences and lobbying by interest groups pushed negotiations on the issue to the wire.
“This is the most complex issue I’ve ever had to negotiate,” said Gustavo Pachecho, Brazil’s lead negotiator on the topic, likening it to quantum physics. Delegates failed to agree, however, on
a revised strategy to raise and distribute more funds to countries to protect nature. That raises doubts ahead of the global climate summit COP29, set to begin November 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the key question will be how to raise money to help poorer nations cut emissions and deal with climatechange impacts.
“Climate change and biodiversity loss are twin crises,” said Lina Barrera, senior vice president for policy at Conservation International. While COP16 saw some progress on mutually beneficial steps, “it lacked sufficient ambition,” she said. “We can’t let this carry from Cali through to Baku.”
Crystal Davis, global director of food, land and water at the World Resources Institute, said, “We urge countries to deliver strong finance outcomes at the upcoming G20 and COP29 meetings, where they should continue bridging nature and climate action for people and planet alike.”
In Cali, setting up a new nature fund was a key demand of developing countries. They see the current fund, the Global Environment Facility’s Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), as dominated by rich countries that control the purse strings.
The fund reappeared on the table Friday morning. When delegates got around to discussing it on Saturday, developed countries resisted. An EU negotiator said the bloc couldn’t accept a new official development assistance fund “further fragmenting the biodiversity finance landscape. A new fund doesn’t mean new funding.”
The negotiations were deadlocked before Colombia suspended proceedings. “Developed countries refused the resource mobilization decision in a bloc, as a sole voice,” Pacheco said. “Shame on them.”
Some 150 countries missed a deadline to submit their plans for meeting
the goals of the 2022 pact. There was little progress on a target to redirect $500 billion per year to nature-friendly activities from harmful subsidies, which are estimated to now top $2.6 trillion annually. And developed countries pledged a paltry $163 million in extra funds to GBFF, adding to its existing $245 million pot, but still just a tiny fraction of the multi-billion-dollar financing gap that rich nations agreed to plug by next year. In the final hours of talks, Bernadette Fischler Hooper, head of global advocacy at WWF International, said the 2022 pact was in “grave peril” due to ongoing spats over the money. Around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, the Philippines made an emotive intervention about its loss of species to typhoons and coral bleaching. Half an hour later, Muhamad asked: “Australia, are you awake?” Still, clear progress was made on other agenda items. These include a global action plan on biodiversity and health; a decision to help governments choose where to best deploy marine protection measures; and a permanent place for Indigenous peoples and local communities in the Convention on Biological Diversity. Leila Salazar-López, executive director of the nonprofit Amazon Watch, called the creation of a permanent body to include Indigenous peoples in decision-making a “historic victory.” COP16 saw record turnout, with over 20,000 delegates registered to attend the formal summit in the so-called blue zone and double the number of businesses and financial institutions that went to COP15. Brazil sent about 270 official delegates and Colombia sent roughly 460. In the informal green zone—more like a festival held in downtown Cali—the government estimates that more than 800,000 people took part, testament to Colombia’s quest to make this a “people’s COP.” With assistance from Andrea Jaramillo/
Gagni
Monday, November 4, 2024
Stakeholders back DOE on RE deals review
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
RENEWABLE energy (RE)
firms said the Department of Energy (DOE) is on the right track in weeding out service contracts that are way behind the committed project timelines.
The agency is currently processing at least 105 RE projects that are up for termination. The majority of these contracts were awarded in 2017 and 2019.
Out of the total 105 projects, 88 are either delayed in their predevelopment timeline or not progressing at all. Among these 88 projects, 53 are solar, 17 are hydropower, 10 are wind, five are geothermal, and three are biomass.
The CEO of Sun Asia and Chairperson of the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), Maria Theresa “Tetchi” Capellan, said this move will “free up grid access,” and “allow serious developers to implement the projects.”
The DOE had said it will not hesitate to conduct another auction and award these to efficient RE developers. “If any contracts are deemed non-performing, we will open them up to new developers who can effectively bring these projects into fruition,” DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said.
C apellan said she agrees with the DOE move to review and clean out nonperforming contracts. “But there has to be some parameters on
the performance review, particularly on the delays or lack of action on the part of government agencies that prevent contracts from progressing. Accountability has to be clearly established,” she pointed out.
ACEN Corp. President Eric Francia said holding the developers accountable on non-performing service contacts is the “right move, assuming this is caried out in a fair manner.”
Moreover, he said, “this move should have no impact on ongoing renewable projects, as projects that are progressing should not be facing termination.”
A g roup of RE developers led by former DOE Undersecretary Atty. Jay Layug said the private sector appreciates the DOE’s efforts to streamline service contract applications and monitor nonperforming RE developers who have been given periods to develop their projects.
But as the government actively pushes for RE, the Developers for Renewable Energy AdvanceMent (DREAM), is hoping that the DOE considers to terminate only those contracts that are indeed nonperforming in terms of predevelopment and securing permits. “Those which have no activity whatsoever,” Layug said. One of the reasons for the delay in any power projects is the lack of transmission facilities, which are vital in transporting the electricity. The electricity generated by the power firms are delivered to customers
Local cement makers: DTI probe on imported cement influx ‘very timely’
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
OCAL cement manufacturers
Lsaid the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) probe on the influx of foreign cement in the Philippine market is “very timely” as the current utilization rate in the local cement industry has already forced some plants to temporarily shut down.
Data from the DTI safeguard measures report showed average capacity utilization rate of the local cement industry plummeted from 79.48 percent in 2019 to 72.69 percent in 2020, but slightly increased to 74.98 percent in 2021, then plunged to 64.68 in 2022, further falling to 58.64 percent until it continuously slipped to hit the lowest at 57.37 percent in 2024 (January to June).
Economies of scale and highcapacity utilization are crucial for cost efficiency; however, with current utilization rates at only 55 percent to 60 percent, production costs remain suboptimal, forcing some plants to temporarily shut down,” the Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) said in a statement shared by Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo with reporters through Viber.
CeMAP Executive Director Renato A. Baja said local manufacturers are estimating current cement domestic capacity utilization to be only at 55 to 60 percent.
This low utilization, while keeping most plants operational, results in reduced efficiency and consequently, higher production costs,” Baja told the BusinessMirror
B aja said, “We don’t have the precise number of plants or cement lines not operating,” adding that the affected companies are expected to give the information directly to DTI in their respective position papers.
The CeMAP statement quoted Baja saying the Philippine cement industry can produce up to 50 million tons annually, “significantly exceeding” the estimated national demand of around 35 million tons.
through transmission and distribution power lines.
L ayug said the DOE should consider the lack of or insufficient transmission capacity on the targeted commercial operations date as acts of force majeure and accordingly adjust the RE contract term.
The DOE, he added, should treat service contracts as “primarily a platform to study the feasibility/availability of the particular RE resource and therefore assist the private investors in their efforts to build the RE plant” because industry players are ready to invest funds in the RE sector.
Under current rules, RE developers have two years to complete the predevelopment stage, which includes obtaining permits, conducting surveys, performing feasibility studies and securing possessory rights. Should a developer fail to submit the declaration of completion or demonstrate reasonable efforts within this timeframe, the DOE-Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) will issue a show-cause order to seek an explanation for the delay.
Valid reasons for the delay, such as force majeure, may be allowed for an extension. If the reasons are insufficient or the developer does not respond, the REMB will recommend to the DOE Secretary the termination of the contract.
T he developer will also be required to fulfill all financial obligations, such as performance bond, payments for training commitment and devel -
opment assistance, as provided under the service contract.
Move on GEA nonperformers lauded MERALCO Power Gen Corp. (MGen) President Emmanuel Rubio also said that the move to terminate nonperforming RE service contracts under the Green Energy Auction (GEA) program of the DOE “is the right step moving forward” because these projects are “occupying a space” in the concluded two rounds of Green Energy Auctions (GEA) that were supposed to supply to meet the RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standards) required from DUs (distribution utilities), from ECs (electric cooperatives), from RES (Retail Electricity Suppliers).
So, if they don’t deliver on these projects.…These are capacities that are needed by the grid,” said Rubio.
“I think the next move for DOE is to revisit how they’re going to fill this up because it is a void,” added Rubio. “And maybe also revisit the pricing … We started with low per kilowatt hour prices, particularly on solar. So, I think these are the things that the DOE needs to consider moving forward. But the cancellation I think is a right step moving forward.”
The GEA program was designed to trigger the expansion of the country’s RE capacity to support the government’s target of 35 percent RE share in the energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.
For the succeeding auctions, the DOE revised the guidelines to simplify administrative procedures, reduce delays, and encourage accountability among developers. This process helps to identify and filter out non-serious developers, paving the way for legitimate developers committed to constructing renewable energy projects efficiently.
One significant change is the requirement to obtain a certificate of authority (COA) before signing a renewable energy contract.
Th e COA is a critical step in the development process, as it empowers developers to secure the necessary permits and conduct essential surveys and pre-feasibility activities even prior to the commencement of the official 25-year contract. By allowing these activities to take place earlier, developers can better prepare for project implementation and address potential challenges proactively.
Th is streamlined approach not only accelerates the project timeline but also enhances the overall efficiency of the development process, the DOE said.
The COA is valid for five years for offshore wind projects, three years for biomass, geothermal, hydropower, ocean and onshore wind projects, two years for floating solar, and one year for land based solar projects.
Additionally, the revised omnibus guidelines simplified the process for obtaining incentives for RE proj-
ects. Developers may now secure a certificate of registration (COR) from the DOE after confirming the commercial viability of their projects. I n the case of biomass and solar energy projects, developers can secure the COR after achieving financing closure.
The DOE is also streamlining the permitting processes through its Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) System. Currently, several processes are in the pipeline for incorporation into the EVOSS System, now at various stages of development, either further streamlining, system development or testing. “ These streamlined procedures are designed to promote investments in the renewable energy sector by reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and avoidance of service contract termination, ultimately supporting our country’s transition to a more sustainable energy landscape,” Guevara said. In the last two years, the DOE has conducted two rounds of auction which generated a total of 5,306 megawatts (MW) of RE capacities committed to deliver power in 2024 to 2026. However, the DOE received a commitment for only 3,580.76 MW out of the 11,600 MW offered under the GEA 2. The DOE earlier cited supply limitation, low incentives, delay in the conduct of grid impact studies, and the cost of financial guarantees as some of the reasons for low investor turnout during the GEA-2.
However, imported cement, particularly from countries like Vietnam where domestic demand is declining and surplus production is exported, continues to “exert pressure on local manufacturers.”
The DTI safeguard measure case revealed that Vietnam accounted for the largest share of the country’s cement importation in 2024 (January to June), with 93-percent share. This was followed by Japan, with 5 percent; Indonesia, 2 percent and People’s Republic of China (PROC), close to zero percent.
Meanwhile, the CeMAP official explained that the local cement industry is one of the few sectors in the Philippines where nearly 100 percent of raw materials are sourced locally.
“The cement industry transforms these resources into high-quality products through Filipino expertise, supporting the nation’s infrastructure needs,” added Baja.
T he local cement manufacturers lauded DTI’s move to initiate a probe on the influx of cement imports.
The initiation by the DTI secretary comes very timely as the industry is really suffering from these imports. By supporting local production through these safeguard measures and the recently passed Tatak Pinoy Act, the government plays a crucial role in stabilizing employment, bolstering local industries, and maintaining essential construction standards,” CeMAP said. Without such measures, the ongoing influx of foreign cement “poses significant risks to Filipino jobs, local businesses and the broader economy,” said the local cement makers.
C iting data from the Bureau of Customs-Single Administrative Document (BOC-SAD), the DTI said the share of cement imports in the Philippine market increased from approximately 30 percent in 2019 to 35 percent in 2020 and 36 percent in 2021 to 41 percent in 2022. In 2023, the share of imports increased further to 47 percent.
TBy Justine Xyrah Garcia
HE Commission on Elections en banc approved the establishment of 110 technical hubs nationwide, promising the swift resolution of technical issues that precincts may encounter during the national, local, and parliamentary elections next year.
I n the Minute Resolution No. 24-0861 released on Thursday, each province in the country will have at least one technical hub that should be operational from May 6 until the conclusion of the 2025 elections.
The Commission, after due deliberation, resolved, as it hereby resolves, to approve the hereto attached and forming integral part hereof, the list of the 2025 National and Local Elections and
BARMM Parliamentary Elections Technical Hubs,” the resolution read.
The poll body’s technical hubs will be tasked for repair and reconfiguration of election-related equipment such as the automated counting machines (ACMs) and secure digital cards. By having these services readily available across the country, the Comelec said it wants to prevent “extended downtime” that could potentially disrupt the voting process in precincts.
First time po natin itong ginawa sapagkat dati rati isa lang ang repair hub natin sa Binan, Laguna….At ito po lahat ay kasama sa kontrata ng Miru na sila ang mag se-set up at mag po-provide ng mga technicians sa repair hubs na yan,” Comelec Chairman
George Erwin M. Garcia said in an interview.
( We did this for the first time because in the past, we only had one repair hub in Binan, Laguna…. All of these are included in the contract of Miru that they will set up and provide technicians in those repair hubs.)
I n the National Capital Region, the hubs will be set up in the cities of Makati, San Juan, and Valenzuela. R egion VII or Central Visayas will host the highest number of repair hubs, with 12 locations distributed across the region. This is followed by Region IV-B—which covers Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan—with 11 hubs, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with nine hubs.
Complete delivery of ACMs MEANWHILE , Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco announced that the last batch of ACMs from the South Korean firm Miru Systems is now in transit to the Philippines. By November or a month ahead of the December full delivery schedule, we expect all 110,620 ACMs to be fully delivered to Comelec at the Biñan warehouse,” the spokesperson said. Cu rrently, a total of 78,456 or 70.92 percent of the total number of ACMs for next year’s polls are already stored in the Comelec’s main warehouse. O f these, 37,329 units have successfully passed the hardware acceptance test while an additional 41,127 are awaiting testing.
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
B1 Monday, November 4, 2024
Converge to reduce capital expenditures for next year
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is realigning its investment strategy for 2025, reducing its capital expenditures (capex) to between P12 billion and P15 billion, as it pivots towards greater investments in digital infrastructure.
In a chance interview, Converge Co-Founder and CEO Dennis Anthony Uy said the reduced capex will allow the company to prioritize new technologies, including cloud computing and the Internet of Things
(IoT), which he views as key growth areas.
“We’re focusing on the digital infrastructure now, the cloud, IoT,” Uy said. “Capital guidance is almost P12 billion to P15 billion next year.
We’re going to spend more on digital infrastructure.”
This marks a decrease from Converge’s 2024 capex guidance of P15 billion to P17 billion, which was expanded to accommodate rising network demands and the accelerated timeline of the South-East AsiaHainan-Hongkong Express Cable System (SEA-H2X) project.
The SEA-H2X cable system encompasses a minimum of eight fiber pairs connecting Hong Kong to Singapore, boasting a robust design capacity of 160 Tbps to effectively address the escalating bandwidth demands within the region.
Uy noted that with “improving earnings,” Converge “may” look to bolster investments in these digital initiatives.
In the first half of 2024, Converge
recorded a 23.6-percent increase in net income to P5.3 billion, as revenues rose by 12.4 percent to P19.5 billion. Residential and enterprise segments have both contributed to this growth, reflecting robust demand across income levels and business sectors.
Converge added 223,751 new customers in the first half of 2024, representing a 142 percent surge from the 92,302 new subscribers added in the same period last year.
Maria Grace Uy, president and cofounder of Converge, said the company’s performance in the first half prompted a revision in its earnings forecast for this year.
“The company will be revising the revenue growth from 7 to 8 percent to 12 to 14 percent for the full year of 2024.”
SM Prime to construct 5 new malls
By VG Cabuag @villygc
HOPPI
SnG mall operator SM
Prime Holdings Inc. said it will have five new malls, which will all be built outside of Metro Manila, in 2025.
Jeffrey C. Lim, company president, said the new malls will be in La Union and Laoag in the northern part of the country, Zamboanga in Mindanao, and Sta. Rosa in Laguna, within the Yulo property. The company has yet to determine the location of the fifth mall.
Lim said the company would spend about P100 billion to P110 billion next year to fund the construction of new malls and the expansion of existing ones.
STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK
Last week
Share prices continued to fall, with the main index returning to the 7,100-point level, ahead of the crucial presidential elections in the United States and the US Federal r e serve’s last policy meeting for 2024. The benchmark Philippine Stock e xchange index fell 171.27 points during the 4-day trading week to close at 7,142.96 points. “The local market has exhibited bearish movements in last week’s trading, breaking below its 50-day exponential moving average and even the 7,150 support level as it extended its decline. Trading participation has weakened while foreign investors have been exiting on the net amid headwinds,” Japhet
Louis O. Tantiangco, senior research analyst at Philstocks Financials Inc., said.
average daily trading reached only P4.82 billion. Foreign investors, who cornered 53 percent of the trades, were net sellers all week, selling a total of P2.88 billion by Thursday. a m ong the sub-indices, only the Mining and Oil index managed to post gains of 47.33 points to close at 8,654.31 points. The rest ended in the red, led by the broader a l l Shares index that lost 60.06 to 3,957.21, the Financials index decreased 55.53 to 2,331.87, the Industrial index was down 37.14
Topline IPO gets PSE greenlight
“Our forecast (capex spend) this year is P100 (billion). But I don’t think we’ll get to P100 billion, actually. That’s (P100 billion capex budget) more of a guide.”
Lim said the first two quarters of the year, the company met their targets.
“Looking forward, I don’t see any major issue (for the rest of the year),” he said.
While he is now worried about the market in general, Lim said the company is concerned about its mall in na ga, Bicol which was badly affected by severe tropical storm Kristine (international code name Trami).
“Our development is already, I think, one meter or one and a half meters above (ground). So, if our
to 9,850.61, the h o lding Firms index fell 144.23 to 6,036.90, the Property index declined 55.53 to 2,793.57 and the Services index plunged 70.20 to 2,171.59. Top gainers were Grand Plaza hotel Corp., asiabest Group International Inc., Forum Pacific, Inc., ever-Gotesco resources and holdings Inc., euro-Med Laboratories Phil. Inc., Manila Broadcasting Co. and acesite (Phils.) hotel Corp. Top losers, meanwhile, were Pacifica h o ldings Inc., I- r e mit Inc., Jackstones Inc., Millennium Global h o ldings Inc., IPM h o ldings Inc., SOCr e sources Inc. and Vitarich Corp. this week
Share prices may rise this week mainly due to bargain hunting.
“Following two straight weeks of decline, and with the market still at attractive levels, we may see some bargain hunting next week. however, we may not see a strong ascent yet as the market is still expected to deal with certain headwinds,” Tantiangco said. h e said the peso’s weakness against the US dollar, now already below the P58 level, if sustained, is still expected to weigh on the market. Investors are also expected to monitor the upcoming US elections, slated on Wednesday in the Philippines, the results of which will have a big impact on the global economy.
mall was flooded, you can just imagine the other areas. The problem was the accessibility because there was flood everywhere. The electrical equipment of the mall were all okay except the water supply.”
Meanwhile, Lim said the company will revisit its plans for the creaton of its own real estate investment trust (REIT) now that interest rates are declining.
“But I think definitely not for this year. So we’ll probably look at it for next year,” he said, adding that its internal review will focus more on the use of the proceeds.
“It has to be of a size that will be attractive to foreign investors. You have to have the size and the liquidity (for it to proceed). If ever, we do not intend to sell more than
40 percent.”
Lim said the company is keen on a REIT offering of $1 billiion. Currently, the company has a $3-billion multi-issuer European medium term note program. In May, SMIC SG Holdings Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SM Investments Corp., and SMPHI SG Holdings Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings Inc., jointly established the said program, which will allow the firms to tap the offshore bond market to fund its continued growth and expansion.
“We have other options. I think if the right opportunity is there then we will consider (REIT). But it’s not on the top of the list, because we were able to get funds to expand.”
Broker 2Trade a s ia said the recent strength in the US dollar and the short-run rally in yields have implied that there has been renewed anxiety with regards to growth specifically, potentially from markets pricing in tariff impacts, more China decoupling, and inflationary US tax cuts.
“Ultimately, brace for even elevated volatility that is fragile rallies and wide spreads until the dust settles,” it said.
“Staying selective is optimal for returns while broader market events bake and develop. Note that as holding significant cash is relatively less appealing amid rate adjustments, some shift towards safe havens with neutral risk profiles or income plays that maximize last-quarter-dividends might be viable in the short-term.”
“Investors are also expected to watch out for the Philippines’s October inflation data. a n inflation print which falls within the BSP’s [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] 2 percent to 2.8 percent, especially one which is biased to the lower end, is expected to give sentiment a boost,” Tantiangco said.
Chartwise, the local market may retest the 7,150 level. If it manages to climb back above this level, it will still be considered as its support while resistance would be at the 7,400 to 7,500 range. If it fails to do so, the next support is
seen at 7,000, he said.
stock picks
MayBaNk Securities still maintained its buy rating on robinsons retail holdings Inc. despite its core income in the third quarter falling below consensus figures.
It said company has underperformed the main index by 14 percent year-to-date, and is a laggard against retailing peer, Puregold.
“Stronger purchasing power is likely due to easing of inflation on staples, as basket sizes largely drove the 2.1 percent SSSG [same-store sales growth] in supermarkets in the third quarter. r e call supermarkets have seen basket size decline in the past two quarters.”
r o binsons r e tail shares were last traded on Thursday and closed at P39 apiece.
Meanwhile, it retained its buy rating on BDO Unibank Inc., with a target price of P190 per share.
“BDO could see a recovery in net interest margins after BSP cut its r rr policy rate by 250bps this October, offsetting the negative impact on NIMs by policy rate cuts, 50 basis points so far,” it said.
“Sustained high NIMs in the short term coupled with strong loan growth would be a key catalyst for BDO to re-rate.”
BDO shares closed last week at P152.80 apiece. VG Cabuag
THE Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) has approved the initial public offering (IPO) of fuel distributor Top Line Business Development Corp.
The company will conduct its IPO from november 27 to December 3. It will list its shares on the main board of the PSE on December 12 using the symbol TOP.
The Cebu-based fuel retailer will offer up to 3.68 billion primary shares, with up to 368.31 million over-allotment option shares.
The IPO shares are priced at up to P0.78 apiece. The final offer price will be determined on november 18, after the completion of its book building exercise.
“Doing an IPO is a big step for companies aiming for growth and expansion. We are pleased that the equities market can support Topline’s business strategy by providing access to capital it needs to accelerate its development, which is crucial in solidifying its position in the industry,” PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon said.
At its maximum offer price, the company aims to raise as much as P3.16 billion.
Topline plans to build fuel depots
in Mactan, Cebu and in Bohol that will have combined storage capacity of 30 million liters, purchase fuel tankers and tank trucks, and construct additional ten light fuels service stations using the proceeds to be generated from the maiden offering. The company tapped Investment and Capital Corp. of the Philippines and PnB Capital and Investment Corp. as the joint lead underwriters and joint bookrunners for the transaction.
Topline is a Cebu-based company that started commercial fuel trading operations in 2017, mainly in the Central Visayas region. It operates a retail distribution network through a chain of fuel stations, Light Fuels.
“With our accelerating growth in recent years in the fuel sector of the Visayas region, we are poised for the company’s historic milestone of listing on the PSE,” Erik Lim, Topline’s chairman, president and CEO, said earlier. The company’s first-half net income almost tripled to P60.6 million from P20.8 million in the previous year.
First-half gross revenues grew 15 percent to P1.56 billion from last year’s P1.36 billion. VG Cabuag
StB Giga targeting to deploy more e-trikes
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
ST B Giga Factory Inc. said it aims to deploy around 2,000 electric tricycles or e-trikes by the end of 2025.
Jose Montano, Business Development Head for StB Giga Pure EVs, said the company has managed to roll out 200 units of e-trikes in Antipolo, some units in Boracay. Its e-trikes will also ply Eastern Samar roads “pretty soon.”
“Our target is to eventually deploy by the end of 2025 maybe 1,500 to 2,000 e-trikes so that gives you a sense of what we’re doing and how we intend to do it,” Montano told reporters in a recent press briefing.
Currently, he said the company is in the process of assembling some 250 units of e-trikes.
Montano also said StB Giga plans to increase the capacity of the battery manufacturing of the plant and to build charging infrastructure.
“Because that manufacturing facility can produce basically all sorts of possible application for battery. In addition to that, there’s also a plan to build chargers here locally,” he said.
“We have ongoing discussions with local partner who has a chain of gas stations who may be willing to set up charging facilities there.
This partner is also involved in deploying solar-powered gas stations from which they could access cheaper power so that the cost of charging would be cheaper.”
Paulo Salvador, business development official at StB Giga Factory Inc., said the plant will increase its capacities to 2 gigawatts (2GW) by 2030.
“Right now, we have 300 to 500 megawatts depending on production, if it’s 24/7.”
According to an earlier statement issued by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the initial production line of StB Giga has a capacity of 300 megawatt-hours (MWh) annually, equivalent to about 6,000 electric vehicles (EVs) batteries or about 60,000 home battery systems in developing countries suh as the Philippines.
“By 2030 at latest, the plant is expected to ramp up to a full production capacity of 2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year, producing around 18,000 EV batteries or 400,000 home battery systems.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of StB Giga Factory last September 30. The factory is the country’s first manufacturing plant for advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, located at Filinvest Innovation Park, new Clark City, Tarlac.
Photo from the facebook Page of toPline
Claims of other financial entities slowed in Q2
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
THE growth in the domestic claims of Other Financial Corporations slowed in the second quarter, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The results from the latest Other Financial Corporations Survey showed the sector’s domestic claims stood at
P9.306 trillion in the second quarter of 2024, higher that the P8.63 trillion in the second quarter of 2023 but flat from the P9.309 trillion posted in the first quarter this year.
Claims slowed to 7.8 percent in the second quarter of 2024 compared to last year and contracted 0.03 percent compared to the previous quarter.
“The said expansion is due mainly to the rise in the sector’s claims on the other sectors, the central government, and the depository corporations,” BSP said.
“In particular, the other financial corporations’ claims on the other sectors grew as its holdings of equity shares issued by other nonfinancial corporations and the loans extended to the household sector increased,” it added.
On a quarterly basis, BSP data showed the decrease in its claims on the other sectors and the central government. The data also showed other financial corporations’ claims on the other sectors dropped as its holdings of equity shares issued by other nonfinancial corporations fell, although there was growth in the loans extended to households.
The data showed 49.4 percent or P4.6 trillion of the Other Financial Corporations domestic claims in the second quarter followed by claims on depository corporations with 25.4 percent or P2.37 trillion and net
claims on central government, 25.1 percent or P2.34 trillion.
“The sector’s claims on the central government grew, owing to the rise in its investments in governmentissued debt securities. Moreover, the sector’s claims on the depository corporations expanded as its deposits with the banks increased,” the BSP said.
The net foreign assets of the other financial corporations rose by 16.9 percent quarter on quarter to ₱478.2 billion from ₱409 billion as the sector’s investments in nonresidentissued debt securities and equity shares increased.
The BSP said the sector’s other liabilities increased mainly on account of the rise in its net other liabilities.
The net foreign assets of the sector climbed by 37.2 percent year on year in the second quarter of 2024, faster than the 33.3 percent year on year growth posted in the first quarter of 2024.
Meanwhile, the increase in the sector’s shares and other equity issuances and insurance technical reserves steered the rise in its other liabilities.
OFCS is a comprehensive measure of the claims and liabilities of the other financial corporations. Other financial corporations refer to institutional units providing financial services other than banks, non-banks with quasi-banking functions, non-stock savings and loan associations, and the central bank.
These institutional units are comprised of non-money market investment funds, other financial intermediaries except insurance corporations and pension funds, financial auxiliaries, captive financial institutions and money lenders, insurance corporations, and pension funds.
BDO Foundation Inc. announced that the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank Inc. and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) partnered with various local government units (LGUs) to implement initiatives aimed at improving the financial literacy of local government personnel and their constituents.
In partnership with the local government of Odiongan, Romblon, the foundation and the BSP conducted a 3-day training of trainers’ session for local government officers, members of cooperatives, and representatives of communities.
A statement by BDO Foundation read that the session aimed to equip participants with financial information that they can share with their respective communities, giving the people of Odiongan access to lessons to make informed financial decisions.
In her message to participants, Odiongan Mayor Trina FirmaloFabic said the session was “not just for learning but also for empowering others through financial education.”
“Echoing our goal to uplift the
Recto’s confidence boosted on PHL return in bond index
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Philippines’s re-inclusion in JPMorgan’s Bond Index is expected to boost investor interest, drive down borrowing costs and improve bond market liquidity, according to Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto.
Recto also noted during the Philippine Economic Briefing in London on October 31 that the Euro market has been a “vital source” of financing for the Philippines.
As such, the Finance Secretary added, the Philippines’s landmark issuance of zero-coupon Euro bond in 2020 have drawn strong investors’ demand, allowing the country to tighten pricing on its debt issuances and trade above its credit rating.
“It certainly makes strategic sense for us to increase our financial in-
TBy Ada Pelonia
HOUSANDS
of farmers in the country are expected to receive indemnity checks amounting to around P666.5 million from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) as compensation for the damage caused by severe tropical storm Kristine.
In his report to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., PCIC President Jovy C. Bernabe said 86,066 tillers on farms under PCIC coverage were affected by Typhoon Kristine. From October 22 to 25, the typhoon, internationally labeled Trami, devastated the
SECURITY Bank Corp. has noted that its solid financial performance in the first half of the year, allows the lender to leverage its technology and data investments to strengthen its brand promise.
tegration, especially as we enter into JP Morgan’s Bond Index soon,” Recto said.
Due to declining liquidity, the Philippines was removed from the emerging markets bond index (EMBI) of investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co. Manila’s re-inclusion in the EMBI, Recto earlier said, would open up $10 billion to $12 billion in new portfolios in the government bond market.
However, National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza has said that it
livelihood of these farmers across 10 regions, with over half coming from Central Luzon, Bicol and Mimaropa.
Bernabe said the damage was primarily noted in rice, high-value crops and fisheries. He added that expected insurance payments were estimated at P413.6 million for rice, P167.9 million for highvalue crops and P27.7 million for fisheries.
Bernabe was quoted in a statement as saying that the PCIC has set aside an initial amount of P667 million for insurance payments to these farmers.
Laurel urged the PCIC to expedite
will take the Philippines two years to three years to be onboarded and added to JPMorgan’s watchlist.
“It’s not that easy to get in. If we get approved this year, we’ll be in,” Almanza said.
Meanwhile, Recto assured British investors that the Philippines’ resilience to trade wars, supported by substantial overseas remittances, increasing tourism receipts and the growth of the business process outsourcing sector, makes the country “a potentiallysafer investment destination.”
“These, along with our low external debt and an all-time high gross international reserves, should keep our currency stable and resilient,” the Finance chief said.
Further, Recto told investors to look out for the proposals on reducing the tax on stock transactions to 0.1 percent from 0.6 percent. “This will lower friction costs and align us with our regional peers,” he explained.
“If you are looking for a place to grow your business and make more money, I’d say: ‘Choose the Philippines. Make it happen in the Philippines’; because there is no other
country in the world, at this moment that holds so much potential to boost your investments,” Recto said. The United Kingdom (UK) is the Philippines’s
lives of every Odionganon, let us appreciate the importance of fin ed as a tool that can help our community reach bigger goals,” FirmaloFabic said. The session covered financial literacy topics, such as financial planning, budgeting and saving, debt management, basics of investing, and digital financial literacy.
“There is strength in numbers. We hope to continue conducting these sessions and create a multiplier effect across local communities—to share knowledge that is not only engaging and informative, but also inspiring,” said BSP Economic and Financial Learning Office Director Marianne M. Santos.
Capacity-building at the LGU level helps sustain the broader strategy of the BSP and BDO Foundation in enhancing nationwide financial education programs. This training of trainers in Odiongan is one of the interventions that the partners spearhead to continuously improve the financial literacy levels of Filipinos nationwide, the BDO Foundation said through its statement.
“Technology and data are pivotal enablers of our customer-centric strategy. We’ve made substantial investments in upgrading our digital infrastructure over recent years—overhauling our core banking system, enhancing cybersecurity measures, integrating advanced data analytics into operations, and launching new online platforms,” Chief Operations Officer Lucose Eralil was quoted in a statement as saying. “Each initiative was designed with a singular objective: to provide our customers with frictionless and secure banking experiences.”
According to the bank, its backend upgrades include the following: a unified data platform that enables near real-time workflows, central to the bank’s commitment to digital transformation; a payments hub to establish standardized payment rails, improve customer experience (CX), and enable real-time processing; a loan origination system with expedited turnaround times; and, an upgraded customer relationship management (CRM) system for better service and support.
The lender added it has, on the front end, a revamped branch tellering system. Its all-new app—which has excelled in app marketplace rankings—and the upcoming corporate and MSME online banking apps, aim to elevate CX significantly. Internally, technology investments included a new human resource
platform to enhance employee experience, streamline work processes and save time.
“Altogether, these technological advancements position the bank for significant growth and profitability,” the bank’s statement read.
“Data exposes issues and highlights areas for improvement, providing banks with the opportunity to develop innovative solutions,” Eralil said.
However, he added that “data alone cannot resolve challenges.”
“It’s the actions taken in response that truly matter,” Eralil said.
The newly-launched app exemplifies this by employing data-driven insights to anticipate customer needs and refine the banking experience, according to the lender.
Looking ahead, Eralil identifies AI and Open Banking as transformative. “They have the potential to interpret data effectively, creating ideal products and services and improving cybersecurity, among others,” he said.
the processing of insurance claims and provide every possible assistance to help farmers quickly recover from the disaster. He has also instructed attached agencies and corporations of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to immediately conduct an assessment of the impact of Typhoon Leon (Kong-rey).
While Leon did not make landfall, its gale-force winds could have affected the farming and fishery sectors in the areas where storm signals were raised, read the statement from the DA.
“The pace of recovery for agriculture after a disaster like this will be determined by how quickly the
government can provide inputs and financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk,” Laurel said.
“That is why I have ordered all agencies of the Department of Agriculture [DA], including attached corporations such as the NFA (National Food Authority) and PCIC, to conduct quick needs assessments so that help can be provided immediately,” he added.
According to the DA, the PCIC plays a crucial role in promoting food production by providing insurance protection to farmers, fishermen, and livestock raisers against natural calamities, diseases, pest infestations and other risks.
Global deal on nature finance thwarted in
THE 16th United Nations Biodiversity Conference, held in Cali, Colombia, was suspended last Saturday as countries failed to agree on the creation of a new global fund for nature, after tense talks that stretched through Friday night. Establishing the fund was a key demand of developing countries, but the EU, Switzerland and other developed nations raised last-minute objections.
An EU negotiator said the bloc could not accept a new official development assistance fund “further fragmenting the biodiversity finance landscape. A new fund does not mean new funding.”
With delegates trickling out of the closing plenary to travel home, COP President Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s environment minister, invoked a quorum and then announced there were not enough people to deliberate, suspending the conference. Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s environment minister and COP16 president, speaks during the conference in Cali on October 29, 2024.
vention on Biological Diversity. When and where it will resume is still to be determined. Anything already adopted at COP16 still stands and is operative, Ainsworth
Eralil
HOW TRUMP IS PREPPING FOR POTENTIAL ELECTION DISPUTES IF HE LOSES
By Jill Colvin The Associated Press
DonalD Trump has spent months laying the groundwork to challenge the results of the 2024 election if he loses—just as he did four years ago.
At rally after rally, he urges his supporters to deliver a victory “too big to rig,” telling them the only way he can lose is if Democrats cheat. He has refused to say, repeatedly, whether he will accept the results regardless of the outcome. And he’s claimed cheating is already underway, citing debunked claims or outrageous theories with no basis in reality.
“The only thing that can stop us is the cheating. It’s the only thing that can stop us,” he said at an event in Arizona late Thursday night.
In 2020, Trump prematurely declared victory from the White House. He launched a legal and political effort to overturn his loss to Democrat Joe Biden that culminated in the storming of the Capitol by his supporters on January 6, 2021.
Democrats fear he may do the same thing this year before the race is called. He wouldn’t answer a question Friday in Dearborn, Michigan, about those Democratic concerns, instead pivoting to attacking Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump has made election lies central to his 2024 campaign, issuing fevered warnings about fraud while promising to take retribution against people he sees as standing in his way.
This year, he is backed by a
sophisticated “election integrity” operation built by his campaign and the Republican National Committee that has filed more than 130 lawsuits already and signed up more than 230,000 volunteers being trained to deploy as poll watchers and poll workers across the country on Election Day.
Here’s a look at Trump’s strategy to sow doubt in this year’s election and the facts behind each claim.
n o n-citizen voting
TH e clai M: Trump has alleged, without evidence, that Democrats have allowed millions of migrants to enter the country illegally so that they can be registered to vote. In an interview with Newsmax in September, Trump alleged such efforts were already underway.
“They are working overtime trying to sign people, illegally, to vote in the election,” he claimed.
“They’re working overtime to sign people and register people—many of the same people that you just see come across the border. Which is probably their original thought, because why else would they want to destroy our country?”
TH e Fac T S: It takes years for
newcomers to become citizens and only citizens can legally cast ballots in federal elections.
Isolated cases of noncitizens being caught trying to vote—like a University of Michigan student from China arrested for allegedly casting an illegal ballot—do not reflect a larger conspiracy.
Research has shown noncitizens illegally registering and casting ballots is extremely rare and usually done by mistake.
Overseas ballots
TH e clai M: Trump has pointed to Democratic efforts to secure the votes of Americans living abroad as another opportunity for fraud. He’s alleged that they are “getting ready to CHEAT!” and ”want to “dilute the TRUE vote of our beautiful military and their families.”
TH e Fac T S: The former president has himself campaigned for the votes of Americans overseas, promising to end so-called “double taxation” for people who often pay taxes in the country where they reside as well as to the US government.
Ominous warnings
TH e clai M: Trump has begun to suggest that Harris might have access to some kind of secret inside information about the outcome of a race that has yet to be decided. Since the vice president took a day off from the trail to sit for interviews with Telemundo and NBC, he has repeatedly suggested, “Maybe she knows something we don’t know.”
In Michigan last weekend, he suggested there is no way Harris would be campaigning with Beyoncé—one of the biggest stars in the world—if the race were
really as close as polls suggest.
“Number one, they cheat like hell. So maybe they know something that we don’t, right?” he said. “They might know something that we don’t, I don’t know. Why the hell would she be celebrating when you’re down? Maybe—never thought of that— maybe she knows something we don’t. But we’re not going to let it happen.”
TH e Fac T S: There is no evidence to support a Democratic conspiracy. Indeed, Trump fanned fears of his own inside planning at a rally at New York’s Madison Square Garden when he looked at House Speaker Mike Johnson and talked about a “little secret” they had.
Johnson, before becoming speaker, took the lead in drafting a widely panned brief seeking to overturn Trump’s 2020 loss and echoed some of the wilder conspiracy theories to explain away his loss.
Asked about Trump’s reference to a “little secret,” Johnson issued a statement that included the following: “By definition, a secret is not to be shared—and I don’t intend to share this one.” (He later told an audience that it related to “one of our tactics on get-out-the-vote,” according to The Hill. Trump’s campaign issued a statement noting he had “done countless tele-rallies” to help bolster Republican congressional candidates.)
Turning to pe nnsylvania
TH e clai M: Trump in recent days has turned his ire on Pennsylvania, a state that both campaigns view as critical, and where he’s claimed cheating is already underway.
Earlier this week, he claimed York County, Pennsylvania, had “received THOUSANDS of po -
tentially FRAUDULENT Voter Registration Forms and Mail-In Ballot Applications from a third party group.” He has also pointed to Lancaster County, which he claimed had been “caught with 2600 Fake Ballots and Forms, all written by the same person. Really bad ‘stuff.’”
During a campaign event in Allentown on Tuesday, the former president said: “They’ve already started cheating in Lancaster. They’ve cheated. We caught ’em with 2,600 votes. No, we caught them cold. 2,600 votes. Think of this, think of this. And every vote was written by the same person.”
TH e Fac T S: In Lancaster, County District Attorney Heather Adams, an elected Republican, has said election workers raised concerns about two sets of voter registration applications because of what she described as numerous similarities. Officials are now examining a total of about 2,500 forms. To be clear, Lancaster is looking into voter registration applications, not “votes.” Lancaster officials said some forms contained false names, suspicious handwriting, questionable signatures, incorrect addresses or other problematic details, but did not say they were all written by the same person.
York County Chief Clerk Greg Monskie confirmed this week that his county was reviewing suspect forms. County Commissioner Julie Wheeler issued a statement saying voter registration forms and mail-in ballot applications were among a “large delivery containing thousands of election-related materials” that the county elections office received from a third-party organization. Officials in the state say the
discovery and investigation into the applications—not votes—is evidence the system is working as it should.
Threats of prosecution
TH e clai M: Trump has threatened severe consequences for those engaged in what he deems “unscrupulous behavior.”
In one social media post that falsely cites “the rampant Cheating and Skullduggery that has taken place by the Democrats in the 2020 Presidential Election,” he has warned that, “WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences.”
The posts go on to threaten “Those involved in unscrupulous behavior,” including election officials, lawyers, and donors, whom he says “will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country.”
TH e Fac T S: Judges, election officials and even Trump’s own attorney general, William Barr, have all affirmed that there was no widespread cheating in the 2020 election.
If he’s elected again, Trump has vowed to go after rivals he has deemed “enemies from within,” including saying he would appoint a special prosecutor to target Biden. That’s more than a theoretical threat given that when he was president, Trump repeatedly pressed for investigations into perceived political adversaries.
While the Justice Department does have checks in place meant to ward off political influence, Trump could appoint leaders who would facilitate cases being opened at his behest.
Style
Grab, Maya partner for extra budget for holiday preps
WITH the holiday season upon us, many Filipinos are already planning festive celebrations—from grand feasts and family reunions to exciting travel plans. To help make these moments even more memorable, Grab and digital bank Maya have teamed up to offer a fast and convenient way to access extra funds in time for the holidays.
Introducing Maya Easy Credit on Grab, a hasslefree loan option that allows eligible Grab users to borrow up to P30,000 without the need for collateral, paperwork, or the usual waiting time associated with traditional loans. This collaboration is designed to ensure Grab users can enjoy a smooth, seamless borrowing experience just in time for the holiday rush.
If you are a frequent Grab user, you could be among the pre-selected users eligible to apply for a Maya Easy Credit. There are two ways to verify this: check your Grab Homepage for a ‘Say Yes to Extra Budget’ Icon, or check your Grab in-app notifications and messages if you have received an offer to apply for a Maya Easy Credit Loan
If you’ve spotted the homepage feed card or received the Maya Easy Credit notification, you’re just a few steps away from applying for your loan.
n Apply: Click the link in your notification box or the feed card. Hit ‘Apply Now’. You’ll be directed to a Grab form that needs to be filled out.
n Verify: Enter your Grab-registered number to receive an OTP. As a pre-qualifier for the Maya Credit Loan, you’ll also be asked to provide consent to share your Grab information with Maya.
n Review: You’ll then receive a notification from Maya Bank where you will be provided instructions to view your Maya Easy Credit Offer on the Maya app and subsequently input application details. If you’re satisfied with the offer, you can proceed to open a Maya Credit account.
Harnessing the power of data analytics, Grab and Maya have optimized the evaluation of creditworthiness, ensuring the entire application process is made extra fast and convenient. With Maya Easy Credit, you can effortlessly make various QR Philippine transactions, shop at the Maya Store, or make online payments with selected merchants with an extra budget of up to P30,000. You can also use Maya Easy Credit to cash into your Maya wallet, which you can link on the Grab platform and include in your choices of cashless payment options for your transactions on the leading superapp. Maya Easy Credit on Grab is the perfect financial tool to help with all your holiday preparations, offering you quick, easy access to extra funds when you need them most.
Ever New: ‘Style stories’ from Melbourne to Manila
MENTION Melbourne and one would immediately think of the 1956 Summer Olympics and the Australian Open. But besides being a sports mecca, the coastal capital of the southeastern state of Victoria in Australia is also style central.
Melbourne is the birthplace to some awesome Aussies— Cate Blanchett, Chris and Liam Hemsworth, Kylie and Danii Minogue, Eric Bana, Bella Heathcote, Tina Arena, and GMA actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
The bustling arts and culture enclave is also home to Down Under’s most fashionable—supermodels Abbey Lee Kershaw, Shanina Shaik and Duckie Thot, as well as the flamboyant and influential performance artist and fashion designer Leigh Bowery.
MELBURNIAN IN MANILA
EVER New Melbourne, the global women’s fashion brand successfully operating in Manila since 2013, is also based in Melbourne. The two metropolises must have a similar sense of style, I wonder.
“Australians and Filipinos share a love for relaxed, stylish and climate-friendly fashion. Both favor light, breathable fabrics and casual pieces like flowy dresses, shorts, and airy tops, perfect for warm weather,” explained Kimrae CañeroDimarucut, the brand manager of Ever New.
“Their styles are vibrant and practical, often reflecting a beach-inspired, easygoing vibe that highlights each culture’s warmth and energy. With Ever New’s stylish dresses and tops, they can bring effortless elegance to their look, thanks to thoughtful silhouettes, fabric details, and on-trend styles,” added Cañero-Dimarucut, whose Vogue Concepts Inc. is the official distributor of Ever New in the Philippines.
FOREVER NEW V. EVER NEW?
CURRENTLY, Ever New is available in 17 malls, with plans to expand to more premium locations in 2025, both in the metro area and in provincial regions. This growth will allow them to reach even more customers and offer them stylish collections in convenient, upscale shopping environments.
“Ever New Melbourne and Forever New are the same brand. In the Philippines and Canada, we use the brand name Ever New, with “Melbourne” on all logos and signage to signify the unified identity. Each collection is designed in Australia, blending seasonal trends, feminine silhouettes and contemporary detailing to give you the confidence to feel beautiful in every moment,” said Cañero-Dimarucut.
EVER NEW CONSCIOUS
CAÑERO-DIMARUCUT elaborated on the brand’s sustainable initiatives:
“We commit to being conscious of every decision we make. Ever New cares about the people who make our products and their working conditions. We are committed to ensuring that, where possible, the sourcing of raw materials used in our products is done in a responsible way. We celebrate diversity and strive to create change through community initiatives.
“Responsible Fibers: We are committed to increasing our use of responsible fibres, which have a lower environmental impact compared to traditional fibers.
“Natural Fibres-More Sustainable Cotton: Cotton, known for its softness, breathability and durability, is the most widely produced natural fiber globally. More sustainable cotton is grown using methods that minimize environmental impact compared to conventional practices.
“Better Cotton: Ever New is proud to be a member of Better Cotton, which aims to support cotton communities while protecting the environment. Better Cotton trains farmers to use water efficiently, care for soil health, reduce harmful chemicals, and uphold workers’ rights and wellbeing.
“Linen, derived from the flax seed plant primarily grown in Europe, requires minimal fertilizers and pesticides. This comfortable and airy fabric is celebrated for its breathability and luxe appearance, making it a staple for Ever New during the warmer spring and summer months.
“Ramie is sourced from the nettle plant and is often compared to linen. This naturally breathable fiber boasts a lustrous finish, making it a growing favorite at Ever New.”
ALWAYS NEW AND FRESH
CAÑERO-DIMARUCUT talked about their stylish staples:
“We introduces new collections twice a month, refreshing our offerings every two weeks across all stores. We are dedicated to providing a wide range of dresses, tops,
Belle Dolls is a new beauty and wellness brand
BEAUTÉDERM Corp. CEO Rhea Tan recently launched a new beauty and wellness brand called Belle Dolls. Belle Dolls’ offerings include FDA-and Halalapproved beauty and wellness supplements and juices that address various skin and wellness concerns. The drinks are delicious and affordable (less than P500). They include Stemcell Juice Drink (strawberry lychee iced tea), Chocolate Drink (dark chocolate), Vitamin C Capsule, Pure Glutathione Capsule, Collagen Juice Drink (kiwi, avocado, and cucumber), and Healthy Coffee (caramel macchiato original blend).
“The essence of our brand is the transformative experience that we provide to our consumers. Belle Dolls is a revolutionary brand for men and women
everywhere,” said Tan as she welcomed Belle Dolls’ brand ambassadors at Novotel Manila Araneta City. Named Belle Dolls ambassadors were Sparkle stars Ysabel Ortega, Miguel Tanfelix, Sofia Pablo, and Shaira Diaz.
“When choosing an endorser, attitude matters. Ysabel, Miguel, Sofia and Shaira exude sincerity and grace. I admire their growth and I love their youthful energy,” said Tan. The Sparkle stars thanked the female CEO for welcoming them.
“Ms. Rhea Tan is an inspiration to everyone. What we love about her is her commitment to excellence. She knows the business and she really values her
consumers. We’re grateful for her trust and for the trust of Belle Dolls family,” said the Sparkle stars. Belle Dolls products come in vibrant and colorful packaging. The packs are perfect for those who are always on-the-go. In case you’re wondering who the girl in the packaging’s art work is, it’s Tan herself.
“Before I even introduced these to the market, ginamit ko talaga sila and kita niyo naman ang resulta [I used them myself, and as you can see, the results are evident]. I am now 97 pounds, with a 23.5-inch waistline. I’m 43 years old, but my skin glows,” said Tan. For more updates, visit Beautéderm and Belle Dolls on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
jumpsuits, pants and skirts to suit every occasion and celebration.
“Known for our signature floral designs, our pieces are perfect for any event, which is something our customers truly appreciate. They love how committed the brand is to offering stylish, ready-to-wear items at accessible prices, making it easy for them to look and feel their best without breaking the bank.”
AUSSIE OPTIMISM
AFTER a well-attended event at their store at One Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City, Cañero-Dimarucut is confident of their continued success:
“We are very optimistic about our success in the Philippines, especially given the extensive collection of dresses that cater to both celebrations and everyday casual outfitting. Filipinos cherish life’s milestones, from special occasions to everyday moments, and Ever New’s stylish and versatile offerings are perfect for every event.
“The brand’s ability to provide beautifully designed dresses for celebrations, alongside chic casual pieces for daily wear, allows us to connect with customers at all stages of their lives. We believe this focus on diverse collections will resonate strongly with the market and contribute to our growth and success in the Philippines.” n
FERRAGAMO LAUNCHES SIGNORINA UNICA FROM Ferragamo comes Signorina Unica Eau de Parfum, a fragrance that was launched in 2024. Jérôme Epinette (best known for his collaboration with Byredo) is the nose behind the scent. The top notes are Mandarin Orange, Sugar Cane, Sea Notes and Bergamot. The middle notes are Violet, Cashmere Wood, Black Currant and Rhododendron, and the base notes are Vanilla, Tiramisu, Tonka Bean, Ambroxan and Patchouli.
Described as a “natural and luxurious woody gourmand blend that envelops all senses with floral notes and charming Italian accents,” Signorina Unica opens with citrus notes and marine accords. What makes this scent unique is the Tiramisu in the base note. Signorina Unica, in my opinion, is like the younger sister of my favorite Rabanne Olympea. I use the term younger sister because of the denser drydown. The opening is sweet but this can still be a good all-year round scent for the Philippines.
Signorina Unica comes in a signature Signorina glass flacon, in an orange shade with a base-to-top
PhilHealth now covers readmissions for same illness within 90 days
MEMBERS readmitted due to the same illness in a span of 90 days can now avail of PhilHealth benefits after the state health insurer lifted its Single Period of Confinement policy beginning October 1, 2024. This applies to medical conditions and surgical procedures under the All Case Rate payment scheme.
The Single Period of Confinement Rule is a policy developed during the Philippine Medicare era which imposes that admissions and readmissions due to the same illness or procedure within a 90-calendar day period shall only be compensated once. This has resulted in members paying for the entire hospitalization and caused denial of claims on the side of health facilities.
“After extensive evaluation, we have lifted the rule of Single Period of
Confinement to ensure continuous coverage for patients with recurring conditions,” said PhilHealth Chief Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. during a recent media forum.
“This move also shows our strong commitment to fulfill our mandate — to provide health insurance coverage and ensure affordable, acceptable, available, and accessible health care services for all Filipinos,” he added. The lifting of the policy was well-received
by healthcare providers and members.
“Napakalaking epekto ang pag-alis ng SPC dahil karamihan sa pasyente namin ay recurring ang sakit gaya ng pneumonia at Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Hindi naman natin puwedeng tanggihan ang pasyente dahil kailangan silang ma-treat dahil marami talagang pasyente ang may recurring sickness [The lifting of the SPC has had a big effect because most of our patients have recurring illnesses like pneumonia and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. We cannot send these patients away because we have to treat them because of their recurring illnesses.],” said Ma. Celia Buñag, Supervising Administrative Officer of Quezon City General Hospital.
On the other hand, Lucila Salvador, a PhilHealth member whose sister was readmitted due to Urinary Tract Infection was relieved when she learned the news.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa PhilHealth, napakalaking bagay nito. Ang ate ko ay senior citizen at three times na siyang na-ospital sa paulit-ulit na sakit. Kinakabahan ako, kasi ang alam ko hindi na puwedeng gamitin ulit ang PhilHealth once nagamit na sa parehong sakit kasi one month ago pa lang noong na-
Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery in Michelin Guide, is Asia’s Leading Design Hotel of 2024
ACCOR’S flagship MGallery property in the Philippines, Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery, was one of the six properties in the country and the only hotel in Manila that earned a coveted spot in the list of Michelin Guide recommendations. Famous for its restaurant star rating, the Michelin Guide has also been bringing prestige to over 5,000 hotels in the world since the 1920s. This year was the first time that the Michelin Guide has landed in the country, bringing in expansive exposure to the exceptional Filipino hospitality and food and beverage landscape. Set along Roxas Boulevard with sweeping views across Manila Bay, the reimagined Admiral Hotel serves as an iconic landmark, evoking the Manila’s golden age. The property draws inspiration from its unique locale, the country’s rich history, and the multicultural neighborhoods. Featuring Filipino-Spanish and Art Deco styles, the signature design honors the legacy of the old Admiral Hotel,
once a historic landmark and vibrant social hub for the city’s elite.
Being part of the list is a testimony of Admiral Hotel’s excellence in design, architecture, quality of service, value for the price, overall personality, and local anchorage. The five other hotels in the Philippines recommended include Amanpulo in Palawan, Nay Palad Hideaway in Siargao, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan in Cebu, Hotel Okura in Manila, and The Peninsula Manila.
Admiral Hotel was also hailed as 2024 Asia’s Leading Design Hotel from the recently concluded World Travel Awards for Asia & Oceana. Also known as the “Oscars of the travel industry,” this prestigious awards program recognizes excellent leaders in the tourism, airline, and hospitality sectors across the globe.
The two-year-old Admiral Hotel emerged victorious among 12 other hotel contenders including Aman Kyoto in
Japan, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok in Thailand, Hotel de la Coupole - MGallery in Vietnam, and InterContinental Kaohsiung in Taiwan. This accolade reflects the hotel’s commitment to offering world-class Filipino hospitality through its food & beverage programs, event activations, guest experience touchpoints, unique historical tours, and excellent service from the heart.
Now part of the list of nominees to bag the 2024 World’s Leading Design Hotel, the Admiral is competing with Armani Hotel in Dubai, Bulgari Resorts in Indonesia and Dubai, Raffles in Qatar, and Hotel de la Coupole, also an MGallery property in Vietnam.
In two years, the hotel also previously won the following awards:
Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards 2023-2024. With the brimming excellence in five-star luxury service, the hotel ranks in the top 1 out of 137 hotels in Manila on Tripadvisor and obtained the Travelers’ Choice Awards for consecutive years from 2023 to 2024
PropertyGuru’s Philippine Property Awards as 2022’s Best Property Development, This esteemed recognition celebrates Filipino excellence in property innovation, architecture, and design.
confine siya bago ulit ma-confine rito [We are very grateful to PhilHealth; this is a great thing. My sister is a senior citizen and she has been hospitalized because of the same illness. I am nervous because I know we cannot avail of any PhilHealth benefit again for the same illness because she was confined a month prior to her present confinement.],” she stated. PhilHealth reminds members and qualified dependents that they are entitled to a total maximum of 45 days coverage for room and board per year. However, this does not apply to the Hemodialysis
benefits package as it has a separate 156 sessions allocated per year. PCEO Ledesma assures all members that PhilHealth continues to move forward with benefits enhancements to provide better financial coverage to all Filipinos.
“We are really working very hard 24/7. Talagang nagpapakahirap po kami [It is very difficult for us] because we understand that health is not just a privilege but an essential right for every Filipino. In these challenging times, we stand with them, and always make sure to deliver all the benefits they deserve”, Ledesma added.
OFW SEGMENT. CIMB Bank Philippines, the most-awarded digital-only commercial bank in the country, recently launched its first venture into the overseas Filipino market in an event attended by dignitaries from Malaysia and the Philippines. The pioneering online-only commercial bank, which traces its roots from Malaysia, unveiled CIMB Kababayan, its latest financial offer designed specifically for overseas Filipinos, in the presence of representatives from the Malaysian and Philippine government last October 16, 2024 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. Present during the event were Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia The Right Honorable Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers Hans Leo Cacdac, and CIMB Bank Philippines CEO Vijay Manoharan.
FIABCI-Philippines Property & Real Estate Excellence Award 2024 – Hotel Category. Admiral Hotel Manila –MGallery’s owner and developer, Anchor Land Hotels & Resorts, won the renowned “Outstanding Developer” under the Hotel Category. This award recognizes outstanding properties that demonstrate quality in architecture, development, environmental impact, and community benefits. The
CMAC takes pride with proudly Philippine-Made Daewoo Bus
COLUMBIAN Manufacturing Corp.
(CMANC) showcased Filipino pride and groundbreaking innovation at the 2024 Philippine International Motor Chow (PIMS), recently at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Aligned with its theme “Wheels of Wanderlust,” CMANC displayed a line-up of Philippine-made vehicles embodying world-class Filipino craftmanship.
The iconic CMANC jeepney, an enduring emblem of Filipino creativity and resilience, was featured in the CMANC booth. From its humble beginnings to its colorful evolution, the jeepney represents
the nation’s heritage and unity. It continues to be a living legacy and preserves a piece of our history that connects communities. Also featured was the CMANC Smartbody, a vehicle that offers limitless possibilities. From top-tier customization to versatile options, this truck body is designed with efficiency and success in mind, providing solutions for various commercial needs. The main highlight of CMANC is the DAEWOO BUS, which is proudly built in the Philippines and merges worldclass reliability with local expertise. Designed as a long-haul champion with Euro 5 SCR technology, this bus
delivers fuel efficiency, comfort, and durability. Whether traversing the nation’s highways or navigating urban routes, the DAEWOO Bus is the perfect companion for any journey near or far. Other highlights of the event include the dynamic performance of El Gobernador Marching Band, RPAG Dancers and singer EZRA as well as the delivery of messages of CMANC General manager Mario Regis to the heart of Filipino adventure and CMANC’s role in redefining the future of transportation. CMANC assures the public of the kind of vehicles driving to the next era of Filipino transport.
Travel Club+ now open at Power Plant Mall
FOLLOWING the resounding success of their first flagship store in ShangriLa Plaza, The Travel Club+ is set to bring the same elevated experience to Power Plant Mall as it opened its latest branch last October 27, 2024.
Celebrating over 30 years, The Travel Club+ is the latest flagship offering, made as a haven for wanderlust-filled families, pet lovers, creative travelers, and adventure seekers. Everything here is designed to add more to your travel moments. Imagine a space filled with a wide range of travel essentials for every family member — from your little ones to your beloved pets. The Travel Club+ offers an impressive selection of products, including
ADMIRAL Hotel Manila – M Gallery Spanish Room.
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Communicating with Gen Alpha
AS communicators, it is important for PR Pros to be good wordsmiths, among others. The words we use connect us to our audience and readers. And using the right words can make a difference.
In a few past columns, we talked about outdated words (which can sadly date us), as well as jargon which we should understand and use properly. In short, we should continuously expand our vocabulary.
With Gen Alpha (those born in 2010 and onward) growing up and making inroads in the market and popular culture, it may be good for us to be able to reach out to them effectively.
As a Mom of two Gen Alpha kids, Emma Singer prides herself on knowing what they’re into. But “when my 9-year-old daughter started using a slew of phrases I never hear of; I knew I was out of my league.”
Digging deeper, she explains all the slang Gen Alpha is using—and which we can use in communicating with them—in her Pure Wow article, WTF Is Skibidi Toilet? (Plus 10 Other Gen Alpha Slang Terms You Should Know):
GCash a C t s with C o mpassion throu G h month-lon G G r a C e period for users impa C t ed by t r opi C a l s torm Kristine MANILA, PHILIPPINES—In response to the devastating effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, GCash, through its official credit arm Fuse Lending, aims to support those in need by extending a one-month grace period for GLoan
and GGives loan repayment for users in #KristinePH-hit areas in Regions V, VIII, XII, and Calabarzon. Loan repayments due between October 16 to November 07 will automatically be extended by one month. For instance, a loan due on October 22 will now be due on November 22, with subsequent due dates adjusted accordingly. Borrowers will not incur additional interest or late fees during the extension period, allowing them to focus on recovery without added financial stress. Eligible borrowers will receive SMS notifications detailing their new due dates and guidance on managing repayments. Those who can repay early are encouraged to do so. “We stand with the communities af -
1. skibidi (toilet)
S I n GER describes skibidi as a “total nonsense word that can be used in a wide range of contexts—cool or bad, or someone who’s obsessing over some unimportant thing. Gen Alpha also uses it to start and end conversations.
The most important thing to know is that “it comes from a viral meme and a series of animated videos that took YouTube and social media by storm, which feature the heads of grown men singing from...a toilet bowl.”
ne edless to say, Gen Alpha leaned into this absurdity, and “if you’re interested in adding the phrase to your vocabulary, there’s really not wrong way to do so.”
skibidi talk:
“I don’t know how to use this skibidi slang in a skibidi sentence because it’s more a weird verbal tic than an actual word.”
2. rizz
R I z z, which can be a verb or an adjective, is often used to describe charisma. It’s believed to have started off as an abbreviation of the word, and now all the cool Gen Alpha kids
fected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and are committed to helping them rebuild their lives,” said Tony Isidro, President and CEO of Fuse Lending. “Every single effort counts, and together, we can make a significant difference.”
#tu long moi GCashmo: making donations accessible for everyone
I N t he spirit of bayanihan (cooperative endeavor) during these challenging times, GCash is also enabling various organizations to raise funds and support relief and recovery operations for communities affected by heavy rains and flooding.
GCash users can contribute to vari -
use it to describe as turning on the charm, or just inherently alluring.
rizz talk:
“She’s got so much rizz that I couldn’t (rizzist?).”
“He was definitely turning on the rizz the other night.”
3. sus G E n Alpha is said to be wary of a lot of things. That’s why it’s not surprising sus, an abbreviation of suspicious and suspect, “is frequently bandied by today’s youth to describe anything questionable or dishonest”, says Singer.
In other words, ”it’s used to denote any situation that you’re wary of.”
sus talk:
“Hey, let’s check out that new restaurant tomorrow.” “ n a h, that place looks totally sus.”
4. flex
A S SO c I ATED w ith power moves, arrogance, and insincerity, flex is very much like flexing your muscles. This slang term is used to call out another person for showing off or boasting.
flex talk:
“Those shoes are such a flex— you’re just going to grow out of them in two months anyway.”
“Stop flexing your parents’ car— it’s not like you’re driving it, bro.”
5. sigma
A S IG MA m ale is basically “some bro who has all the power of an alpha male, but has more subdued ego”. It’s commonly used to describe a popular boy who has the casual cool
ous reputable non-governmental organizations which mount rescue, relief, and recovery operations. These NGOs include Ayala Foundation, ABS-CBN Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, UNICEF, Philippine Red Cross, Caritas Manila and Save the Children.
Users can opt to send funds directly to the NGOs by searching for them in the “Pay Bills” feature under the “Others” category or scan the official GCash QR code of the organizations. Transaction fees for these donations are waived.
beware of scammers posing as donation drives
U S ERS a re encouraged to donate only through official payment channels like
thing that’s going on. On its own, it could just mean cool.
sigma talk:
“He’s got so much sigma male energy. (*swoon*).”
“c r ocs and socks is sigma.”
6. mewing
T HI S r efers to the act of pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth, an action that makes your jawline more prominent and makes your jawline more prominent and boasts the added benefit of making it impossible for you to utter ridiculous slang words.
As such, “mewing may happen in response to someone asking you a question or raising a topic you don’t want to discuss. It can also be used as a compliment for someone who has a strong, sexy jawline.”
mewing talk:
“I asked him where he was at lunch yesterday, but he just stood there mewing.”
“He’s been mewing ever since he was born, I swear!”
7. aura points
T HI S i s more or less Gen Alpha’s version of “cool factor”. Singer says you can score aura points “by doing, wearing, or saying something cool.” These points “are a quantification of how cool you are, and is closely linked to how your personal successes and failures affect your overall vibe.”
aura points talk:
“Her celebration dance after that match had a massive aura.”
“I just filled my glass water in the
the GCash app and transact with trusted organizations to avoid fraudulent entities. Customers should never share their MPIN or OTP with anyone.
GCash urges thorough background checks on individuals and groups before contributing. Filipinos can download the GCash app for free on Google Play or the App Store.
GCash has announced a one-month grace period for borrowers impacted by Typhoon Kristine in specific areas. In the Calabarzon region, this includes various towns in Quezon province: General Luna, Lucban, Lopez, Mulanay, and Tagkawayan. Cavite towns like Noveleta, Kawit, Imus, Ternate, General Trias, Bacoor, Tanza, and Silang are also covered. Batangas
cafeteria. How many aura points do you think I lost?”
8. delulu
W E all know someone like this. It’s a slang abbreviation for delusional. “You could call my tween daughter delulu for thinking I can afford to buy her Taylor Swift tickets,” says Singer. Dream on!
delulu talk:
“If she thinks that TikTok is going to go viral, she’s delulu” “You could call me delulu for thinking that writing this story could win me alpha points with Gen Alpha.”
9. baka
T H IS Japanese word meaning “crazy”, “foolish”, and “dumb” is particularly popular with Gen Alphas, particularly those who have interest in anime or manga. In other words, “this one is a mostly harmless way to call someone (your yourself) and idiot.”
baka talk:
“You don’t know how to tie your shoes? Baka!”
“My teacher is a total sussy baka.”
10. fanum tax
FA n u M t ax was first coined by an American streamer by the name of Fanum. Singer recalls “it went viral, became a meme, and the rest is history.” As for its definition and usage, this refers very specifically to playful food theft between friends.
fanum tax talk
“Hey, you don’t get another bite— you already got your Fanum tax.”
“I disappeared his fries while he was in the bathroom. He had to pay his Fanum tax.”
11. ohio
R EDDIT s ays this stated with a series of memes that showed, weird, random, things—originally happening in Ohio, but soon just...anywhere. Then it transitioned to meaning weird, dumb or creepy in general. It’s cringe, not good.
ohio talk:
c o uld anything be more Ohio than a 35-year-old woman trying to define 9-year-old slang?”
PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chair.
We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.
residents in Lemery, Laurel, Calatagan, Lipa, Alitagtag, Cuenca, Agoncillo, Talisay, and Tanauan are included. In Laguna, the towns are Biñan, Sta. Cruz, San Pedro, Santa Rosa, and Cabuyao. For Region V, all towns in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and San Fernando, Masbate, are on the list. Meanwhile, in Region VIII, the extension covers specific towns in Eastern Samar: Arteche, Borongan, Can-avid, Dolores, Jipapad, Maslog, Maydolong, Oras, San Policarpo, San Julian, Sulat, and Taft. Additionally, the town of Calbayog in Samar qualifies. Finally, in Region XII, only the town of Magpet in Cotabato is eligible for the grace period extension.
Sotto, Edu give needed ceiling for FIBA sorties
By Josef Ramos
EVEN-FOOT-THREE Kai Sotto and 6-foot-11 Ariel John “AJ”
Edu are available to provide ceiling and towering defense in the shade in the Philippines’ campaign in the second window of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup Qualifiers set later this month.
“They will increase our presence in the shaded lane and our defensive capability especially against New Zealand,” national team manager Richard Del Rosario told BusinessMirror on Sunday.
Edu and Sotto have been playing above par with their respective teams in the Japan B.League—Edu has the most blocks in the league with 1.8 per game with 7.0 points and 6.4 rebounds for Nagasaki Velca while Sotto’s averaging 1.3 blocks, 10.4 rebounds and 13.1 points per game for Koshigaya Alphas. They, and the rest of the players overseas are expected middle of this month for training camp,” del Rosario added.
The Philppines is 2-0 won-lost in the qualifiers following its 94-64 rout of Hong Kong and 106-53 demolition of Chinese-Taipei in the first window last last February.
Coach Tim Cone and Gilas Pilipinas plays in the second windows New Zealand on November 21 and again Hong Kong on November 24 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
We are currently monitoring our players abroad, those who are playing outside the PBA [Philippine Basketball Association],” del Rosario said. “They are also all healthy and committed.” Edu missed the first because of a nagging knee injury with Cone tapping veteran Japeth Aguilar as replacement.
New Zealand has yet to announce its roster although a shoo-in could be seven-footer Tyrell Harrison who averaged 11 points and 7.5 rebounds in his last FIBA action.
The Kiwis are also 2-0 after beating Chinese-Taipei, 89-69, and Hong Kong, 88-49, in the first window. Expected to join Gilas are Carl Tamayo (LG Changwon Sakers, Korean Basketball League) and Dwight Ramos (Levanga Hokkaido, Japan B. League).
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio welcomed the availability of the players plying their game overseas as he expects Cone to have a full team at the start of training camp after November 15, playdate for Game 7 if the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals between Batangay Ginebra San Miguel and TNT Tropang Giga goes long haul. Also in Cone’s team are naturalized Justine Brownlee, CJ Perez, June Mar Fajardo, returning Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Mason Amos and Kevin Quiambao.
PHL paddlers capture overall championship
THE Philippines marked its campaign in the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Dragon Boat World Championships with a flourish by paddling to the overall championship on a calm and sunny Sunday morning off the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk.
two bronze medals on the last day of the championships that celebrated the ICF’s centennial anniversary for an impressive overall tally of 11 gold, 20 silver and 16 bronzes.
and the Majestic Surfing Cup in Catanduanes. From annual tournaments to sports clinics and leagues, Go’s assistance created vibrant spaces for youth to cultivate their skills, keeping them active and fostering unity within their communities. This broad network of support not only equips communities but instills
Southeast Asian powerhouse Thailand took runner-up honors with eight golds while the AIN or Individual Neutral Athlete squad was third with a haul of six golds, three silvers and three bronzes in the championships supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Tingog party-list.
FAR Eastern University (FEU) charged into the semifinals by rallying past College of Saint Benilde, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-17, in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship quarterfinals Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Lady Tamaraws found
The hosts won a hotly-contested masters mixed 20-seater standard boat 500-meter race in two minutes and 6.34 seconds, nosing out Singapore (2:06.73), while Germany was not too far behind in third (2:07.98) in the competition organized by the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation.
The Filipinos were also runaway winners in the 40+ 20-seater women’s 2,000-meter standard boat event
(10:42.31) over runner-up Canada (10:48.64) while had silvers in the 20-seater mixed standard boat 500-meter (1:58.13), 40+ 10-seater mixed 500-meter (2:19.45), 20-seater open (9:23.16) and 40+ 20-seater open 5,000-meter (9:34.47) races.
But the 20-seater mixed standard 500-meters was most thrilling by far among the contests as the hosts virtually led from start to finish until they were beaten in the last 10 meters by hardcharging Ukraine, which snatched gold in 1:57.51.
They also bagged the last bronze of the day in the 40+ 10-seater open 500-meter (2:15.93) event in the fourday tournament also supported by the Puerto Princesa City government led by Mayor Lucilo Bayron, Philippines Sports Commission and Lacoste watches.
We made practically history every day so I am very proud of our national paddlers and how we organized this big
event sanctioned by the ICF,” PCKDF president Leonora “Lenlen” Escollante stressed.
So I am very glad that our staging of this world championships yielded the main goal that our national team was aiming for by clinching the overall title right here on our shores at that” Escollante said. “This honor is not only for the PCKF, our paddlers but also for the country.”
“This was truly a world-class event you had in Puerto Princesa and all we got was positive feedback from the countries which took part in the championships,” ICF Dragon Boat Commission chairman Dr. Wai HungLuk of Hongkong said.
“The participants were also impressed by the warm hospitality shown by the Pawaneños and expressed their desire to come back again here,” he said. The 2026 edition of the biennial ompetition will be held in Regina, Canada in 2026.
Lady Tamaraws advance to collegiate tilt quarters
resolve in the second to fourth sets behind veterans Chenie Tagaod, Alyzza Devosora and Gerzel Petallo following a rusty start to remain unbeaten in seven matches heading into the knockout semifinals.
After the Fall (Classic)
Let’s look at their history. There’s the 1960 Fall Classic where Bill Mazeroski hit a home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 to win it for the Pittsburgh Pirates. That was the first walk-off homer in World Series history until the 1993 games. The aftermath of that loss? New York returned the following season and won it all with the sub-plot of the home run chase between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris dominating headlines. That was their first year under former Yankee catcher Ralph Houk who replaced Casey Stengle after the previous WS loss. In 1964, the Yankees lost in Game 7 when they came up short against the St. Louis Cardinals. With their stars—Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford and Roger Maris—in the twilight of their playing years, the team went into a prolonged decline and only returned in 1976, the Yankees were swept by the Cincinnati Reds who won the final title of their back-to-back years of 1975-76.
In 1977, under the new ownership of George Steinbrenner,
after a third place finish last year in the centerpiece tournament of the league backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea and Summit Water.
Devosora and Tagaod scored 15 points each with both main gunners smashing in 14 attacks apiece for the Lady Tamaraws, who were runners-up in last year’s National Invitationals.
Gift for Yulos Five weeks before Christmas and three months after the most famous Yulo became a double gold medalsist at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Yulo family—father Andrew (second from left), Angelica (third from left), Elaiza (second from right) and Eldrew (right)— are presented with P1 million in cold cash by former Ilocos Norte governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, also a former president of the national shooting association, as his own personal gift which he describes as a symbolism of love and forgiveness as well as harmony in the family.
Petallo added 10 points while Clarisse Loresco had six points. Tagaod was instrumental in the third set with her timely hits to back Devosora and Loresco as FEU pulled away for good midway in the frame.
New York brought in Reggie Jackson and traded for Bucky Dent. New York went on to win, 4-2, defeating the Dodgers that season including the following Fall Classic.
In 1981, the Yankees led the Dodgers 2-0 and they never won another game as Los Angeles won the next four games to annex the title.
In 1982, the team that still retained many of the players that went to three consecutive World Series from 1976-78 and the 1981 series, were also in decline—Willie Randolph, Graig Nettles, Lou Piniella and Bobby Murcer. Reggie Jackson was gone as was Bucky Dent. They lost their captain and catcher in Thurman Munson to a plane crash that took his life in 1979. Their stud player was Dave Winfield who kept soldiering on in spite of his tempestuous relationship with George Steinbrenner. And they had a young Don Mattingly. However, they would not return to the World Series for another 15 years when they won the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves after going down 0-2.
In 2001, New York lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in seven games when Luis Gonzalez lofted a floater that was beyond the reach of Derek Jeter and that brought home the series-winning run in Jay Bell, 3-2. They came back in
Lucilo Bayron.
ALYZZA DEVOSORA beats her defenders at the net.
KAI SOTTO and Ariel John “AJ” Edu are available for the qualifiers.
