BusinessMirror September 01, 2023

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE national government's budget deficit in July was slashed by nearly 45 percent to P47.8 billion from P86.8 billion on the back of higher revenue collections, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

In its latest report, the Treasury said the rise in state revenue collections in July continued to outpace the increase in its expenditures during the reference period.

“The year-to-date [YTD] fiscal performance resulted in a cumulative budget gap of P599.5 billion, also down by 21.22 percent

or P161.5 billion compared to the P761.0-billion shortfall registered in the first seven months of the previous year,” the Treasury said on Thursday. The Treasury noted that the national government's (NG) July revenue collection rose by a third to P411.7 billion from P308.6 billion in the same month of last year. The Treasury attributed the P103.1-billion increase in state revenues to higher tax and nontax collections.

Tax collections in July rose by 23.18 percent year-on-year to P348.5 billion from P282.9 billion, Treasury data showed. The more than a fifth increase in

July collections raised the state’s YTD collection to P2.271 trillion, 11.58 percent over last year's P2.036 trillion.

“Taxes comprising the biggest portion [88.74 percent] of total revenue expanded by 10.52 percent with the remaining balance of 11.26 percent [P255.8 billion] coming from non-tax revenues, which also improved by 20.72 percent,” the Treasury said.

Collections (net of refund) made by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) accounted for the bulk of the state's tax revenues in July as it reached P273.1 billion.

The amount was 38.37 percent higher than the P197.4 billion that BIR collected in July 2022.

“This growth translated into a YTD improvement of 12.21 percent or P162.4 billion, bringing the agency’s total collection to P1.5 trillion,” the Treasury said.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC), meanwhile, registered a 12.61-percent decline in its July collections that settled at P73.1 billion from P83.6 billion last year.

“Nevertheless, BOC still managed to improve its cumulative collection to P506.5 billion for the [January-July] period, growing by 5.45 percent or P26.2 billion from the previous year’s accomplishment of P480.3 billion,” the Treasury said.

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

In its month-ahead inflation forecast, BSP expects inflation to average 4.8 to 5.6 percent in August 2023. Inflation slowed to 4.7 percent in July from a peak of 8.7 percent in January 2023.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) earlier warned that rice may again be the cause of higher inflation in the coming months as data showed prices returned to levels that were seen prior to the implementation of a law that sought to bring down the price of the staple.

"Higher prices of rice and other agricultural commodities due to weather disturbances, sharp rise in fuel prices as well as increased transport costs owing to higher train fares and toll rates, and the peso depreciation are the primary sources of upward price pressures in August," BSP said.

PSA data showed rice inflation averaged 4.2 percent in July 2023, the highest since February 2019 when the increase in the commodity’s prices was at 4.5 percent. The Rice Trade Liberalization (RTL) Act was implemented in March 2019. (Full story here: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2023/08/04/rice-price-hike-maydampen-momentum-to-tame-inflation/)

The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier said rice and corn, the two most important staples in the country, suffered the brunt of typhoon Egay. The typhoon affected 67,528 metric tons (MT) of rice valued at P3 billion, while corn losses reached 124,576 MT valued at P2.3 billion.

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has laid out proposals to bring down power costs in the country, such as the efficient distribution of power across the nation and reducing bureaucracy for would-be investors in the energy sector.

PCCI President George T. Barcelon said the government should focus on addressing the issue of supply.

“I think there’s a mismatch on the supply and demand in such a way that [in] the Mindanao area, the baseload power generation is higher than demand,” Barcelon said at a

media briefing on Thursday.

The PCCI chief cited a need to improve the grid system so that whenever there’s an excess in the baseload generation, it can be shared with other regions across the country. Barcelon also stressed there are “certain areas” in the (Electric Power Industry Reform Act) Epira law that must be tweaked.

“There are some gray areas wherein the law states clearly if you are paid for power generation, you cannot be a distributor. But there are some gray areas on that,” he added.

The PCCI head underscored the need to look into the efficiency behind the distribution of power in the country.

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R.

Marcos Jr. is set to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Cambodia, South Korea, Timor Leste and Vietnam during his participation at the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) Summit and its related summits in Indonesia next week.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the chief executive will meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to congratulate the latter on his assumption of office and discuss other possible partnerships.

He is also scheduled for bilateral talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to discuss similar cooperation in time for the 75th year anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines

and Republic of Korea. Marcos will also be thanking South Korea for its US$300,000 donation to help the government response to typhoon Egay (International name: Doksuri) and its plan to donate 750 metric tons of rice to the Philippines through the Asean Plus Three, rice reserve arrangement.

The country is currently eyeing more rice importation to address its low buffer stock of the food staple.

Also in the President's itinerary is a meeting with Timor Leste

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão to discuss Timor Leste's application to become a member of Asean.

Marcos is also set to have a discussion with Vietnam Prime Minister PhamMinh Chinh on strategic partnership cooperation on rice and food security.

EXPENSIVE rice and fuel as well as weather disturbances, among other factors, may have led to faster inflation in August 2023, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

WatErWOrlD, agaIn On thursday, august 31, 2023, heavy rainfall led to flooding along sections of araneta avenue in barangay tatalon, Quezon city. the intensifying effects of Severe tropical Storm hanna (international name haikui), in conjunction with two other tropical cyclones beyond the Philippine area of responsibility, are amplifying the southwest monsoon (habagat), resulting in rain showers and strong winds across various regions of the country, as reported by the weather bureau. NONOY LACZA

BSP…

Continued from A1

“Going forward, the BSP will continue to monitor developments affecting the outlook for inflation and growth in line with its data dependent approach to monetary policy formulation,” BSP said.

However, BSP noted that lower electricity rates from major providers could contribute to downward price pressures for the month.

This was the case in July when the PSA noted that slower year-on-year increase in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 4.5 percent during the month from 5.6 percent in June 2023 eased inflation pressures.

Other factors that helped cool inflation was the slower increase in the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages at 6.3 percent in July 2023, from 6.7 percent in the previous month. The third main source of deceleration was transport, recording a faster annual decrease of 4.7 percent in July from a contraction of 3.1 percent in June 2023.

PHL protests new Chinese map with a ‘10-dash line’

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

THE Philippines has protested anew the publication of China’s new official map that included the entire South China Sea, the Bashi Channel off Batanes Island and Taiwan Strait.

“The Philippines rejects the 2023 version of China’s Standard Map issued by the Ministry of n a tural Resources of the People’s Republic of China on August 28, 2023, because of its inclusion of the nine-dashed line [now a 10-dashed line] that supposedly shows China’s boundaries in the South China Sea,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the release of the new map “is a routine practice in China’s exercise of sovereignty in accordance with the law.”

Manila reiterated the 2016 ruling by the United n a tions-backed Arbitration Tribunal that invalidated the historical claim of China using the Ushaped nine broken lines encompass -

ing the South China Sea.

The DFA quoted a portion of the 2016 Arbitration Award that “maritime areas of the South China Sea encompassed by the relevant part of the ‘ninedash line’ are contrary to the Convention and without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of China’s maritime entitlements under the Convention.”

The DFA said: “The Philippines, therefore, calls on China to act responsibly and abide by its obligations under Unclos [United n at ions Convention on the l a w of the Sea] and the final and binding 2016 Ar -

bitral Award.”

Malaysia, which also claims a portion of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, likewise protested China’s “unilateral claims.” The Malaysian foreign ministry insisted that the 2023 map is “not binding” on Malaysia.

India was the first who spoke strongly against the publication of the new Chinese maps. The map also encompassed the land border between China and India in Arunachal Pradesh and the Doklam Plateau.

“We hope relevant sides can stay objective and calm, and refrain from over-interpreting the issue,” Wang said.

ICTSI secures $750-B loan from Metrobank

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario & Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

AS the global logistics sector recovers from the pandemic, the world’s largest terminal

operator, the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), secured a $750-billion worth loan from the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank).

According to Metrobank, the loan that ICTSI will use to expand international operations is the

largest bilateral facility extended by the country’s fourth-largest lender in terms of assets. It is also the biggest credit facility of ICTSI.

“ICTSI plays a vital role in various markets. Its efforts in building catalysts of growth worldwide make the Filipino standard, a goal for all. We are happy to be able to support ICTSI’s global initiatives and we are proud to play a role in its success,” said Metrobank Institutional Banking Sector Head Mary Mylene A. Caparas.

ICTSI said proceeds of the 6-year loan facility will help global port operators refinance its short-term obligations and fund strategic mergers and acquisitions.

Metrobank said ICTSI has a strong track record for investing in both new and existing terminals that will fuel the growth of its offshore and domestic operations.

“Our long-standing relationship with Metrobank enables us to carry out our objective of continuously making our terminals around the world more globally competitive, more efficient, and more accessible,” ICTSI Executive Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer Christian R. Gonzalez said.

“At the same time, this relationship enables us to act more proactively on M&A opportunities

of all sizes. Metrobank has been a tremendous partner for us in building our global portfolio and in expanding our position as one of the Philippines’ true global corporate players,” Gonzalez added.

Metrobank sees its financial support to ICTSI as a platform to fulfill its ambitious strategic development plans and further economic growth.

This year, ICTSI said it earmarked $400 million for its capital expenditures to be used to improve productivity and effectivity of its various terminals.

In 2019, ICTSI Global Finance B.V., a subsidiary of ICTSI, also secured a 7-year loan amounting to $300 million from Metrobank to fund its capital expenditures and to refinance its existing obligations.

ICTSI saw its net income attributable to equity holders increase by seven percent to $313.8 million in the first half of 2023 from $294.48 million the year prior, thanks to the strong performance of its terminals across the globe.

In the same comparative periods, ICTSI recorded a 10-percent growth in gross revenues to $1.16 billion from $1.06 billion, owing to the nine-percent increase in consolidated volume to 6.28 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from 5.75 million TEUs.

Marcos…

Continued from A1

Aside from the four confirmed meetings, DFA Assistant Secretary for Asean Affairs Daniel R. e s piritu explained the President can still have more bilateral talks in the upcoming Asean Summit.

“There are others, but I cannot confirm at this point yet, the others, because they are still being arranged,” e s piritu said.

Key outcome documents

T H e 43rd Asean Summit in Jakarta Indonesia will be held from September 5 to the 7 with the theme, “Asean Matters: e p icentrum of Growth.”

During the summit, he said the President will push for the country's interest on food and energy security, harnessing the potential of the digital and creative industries and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSM e ), addressing the impacts of climate change, and combating human trafficking.

Over 90 outcome documents are being targeted to be issued, adopted or noted during the

n o n-tax revenues during the period more than doubled to P63.2 billion from P25.7 billion, according to the Treasury.

Bulk of the amount or about P50.8 billion came from the Treasury.

The Treasury’s non-tax revenues in July was 279.63 percent higher than the P13.4 billion it collected last year.

“BTr’s collection for the 7-month period consequently rose to P143.8 billion, 22.40 percent or P26.3 billion higher than the 2022 comparable performance and has already exceeded the full-year target of P58.3 billion largely due to higher dividend remittances, income from managed funds and government deposits, as well as n G s hare from Pagcor profit,” it said.

Disbursements

T H e s tate’s disbursements in July reached P459.5 billion, 16.22 percent higher than the P395.4 billion in the same month of last year, according to the Treasury.

The Treasury attributed the increase to higher expenditures recorded in “the Department of Social Welfare and Development for its social protection programs, and in the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture for their banner health and agriculture programs, respectively.”

“Spending in July also expanded on the back of significant infrastructure outlays of the Department of Public Works and Highways for its road network development program and the Department of Transportation for rail transport projects,” the Treasury added.

The Treasury said the national government’s disbursements in the January-toJuly period rose by 2.66 percent to P2.871 trillion from P2.797 trillion in the same period of last year.

“Primary expenditures reached P396.0 billion, indicating a 15.35 percent or P52.7 billion [year-on-year] improvement. This offset the P15.1 billion decrease in [the first half] 2023 allowing primary expenditures of P2.5 trillion as of end-July to grow by 1.51 percent from last year’s level,” the Treasury said.

“July Interest Payments (IP) amounted to P63.6 billion compared to last year’s P52.1 billion, 22.0 percent (P11.5 billion) higher [year-on-year]. The resulting YTD IP likewise went up by 11.87 percent (P36.7 billion) from the previous year to P346.0 billion,” it added.

Good…

Continued from A1

According to Barcelon, another pain point that requires attention from the government which could be solved in the near-term is the reduction of bureaucratic processes, which could help new companies investing in the energy sector. As it is, getting permits is “quite challenging,” he said. “I think as of late…before, they used to say about 50 or 60 permits. There’s been a lot of improvements, but it’s still at 30 now...

So they cut it in half, but there is still a lot of paperwork to be done,” the PCCI head said.

summits. e s piritu said among the "key outcome documents" from the summit are the Asean leaders’ declaration on strengthening food security and nutrition in response to the crisis, and also individual joint statements on strengthening cooperation on food security between Asean, Australia, Canada and India.

Other documents, which are expected to be released are the Asean guidelines on the protection of migrant workers and family members in crisis situations; Asean leaders' statement on the development of the digital economy framework agreement and the ASe A n joint statement on climate change to the 28th session of the Conference of the parties to United n a tions Framework Convention on Climate Change.

DFA noted the participants of the Summit will also talk about conflicts in Myanmar and Ukraine as well as geopolitical rivalries in the Indo-Pacific region.

In the regional landscape, Barcelon highlighted “the concern that our power cost is quite high compared to other Asean nations...but people in the distributing business somehow are making very good in their investment.”

“We need the power, we need to attract investors, we need them (investors) to receive fair earnings on their investment. But on the other side, we need to be competitive,” the PCCI chief stressed.

Nuclear power

Me A n W HI l e , Barcelon said that as a longterm solution to the high power costs in the country, “definitely I think nuclear power must be on the table,” despite this solution requiring careful study.

“It was the cleanest energy that the country could have. So that, I think, should be on the table in the long term,” Barcelon noted.

In June 2023, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo e . Pascual said renewable energy (R e) projects, particularly on power generation, are seen to account for a third of the Board of Investments (BOI) P1.5-trillion investments approval target for 2023.

The country has allowed 100-percent foreign investments in renewable energy in its bid to attain a 35-percent share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

FIREMEN carry the body bag of a fire victim in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, on Thursday, August 31. A fire killed more than a dozen people Thursday in a small t-shirt printing factory in a residential area, where firefighters were delayed by flooding, traffic and a wrong address, said a fire protection official. AP/AARON FAVILA

16 die after fire razes t-shirt printing shop in Quezon City

By Rex Anthony Naval

AT least 16 people were reported killed when a fire of still unknown origin gutted down a house t-shirt printing shop in Quezon City Thursday morning.

Initial reports from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the blaze broke out around 5:30 a.m. at Kennedy Drive, Pleasant View, Subdivision, Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

It reached the first alarm at 5:44 a.m. and was totally extinguished by responding BFP personnel by 8:04 a.m.

BFP-National Capital Region fire marshal, Chief Supt. Nahum Tarroza said the victims included the owners of the burned house, their three-year-old son and some of their stay-in employees.

Meanwhile, three individuals

managed to survive the conflagration and are now under the custody of the barangay.

Initial investigations indicated that the fire originated from the entrance and exit of the gutted house.

Of the three survivors, two survived by jumping off the windows on the second floor, while one managed to escape the flames by running away.

The house, Tarroza said, was converted into a t-shirt printing shop, and had bunk beds for stay-in employees.

The establishment only had a barangay permit which was issued last August.

It was still lacking a business and mayor’s permit at the time of the blaze.

Tarroza said the case is still under investigation as of this writing.

FIRST

San Juan marks 127th Araw ng Pinaglabanan, launches San Juan City art trail and art exhibit

IN celebration of the 127th Araw ng Pinaglabanan, or the commemoration of the Battle of San Juan del Monte, the city government of San Juan, headed by Mayor Francis Zamora, organized several events to pay tribute to our national heroes and recognition to historical places and art galleries in the city on Wednesday, August 30, at the Pinaglabanan Shrine.

Mayor Zamora was joined by guests of honor First Lady Louise AranetaMarcos, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., as well as National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairman Dr. Emmanuel F. Calairo, at the flag-raising followed by the lighting of the eternal flame and wreath laying.

“This year, we are pushing forward with our goal of reaching out to more tourists and visitors in our historical and art trails. We know that we have something different to offer—we have museums, churches, and art destinations that tourists can DIY and finish in a day. They also don’t have to spend a lot since most destinations are for free. So we hope that with all that we’re doing, we can boost our local tourism,” the mayor said.

Zamora then led the awarding of the winners of the Makabagong San Juan and Pinaglabanan Shrine Photo and Video Contest. A total of P475,000 was given away to winners.

They then unveiled the markers of the statues of Gat Andres Bonifacio, Gen. Emilio Jacinto, and Dr. Jose Rizal. The monuments, made by Eduardo Castrillo, were transferred from their original

locations to the Pinaglabanan Shrine so Filipinos and foreign visitors could pay their respects and give reverence to the heroes who fought for Philippine Independence.

“It is an honor to have our guests today, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, DOT Sec. Frasco, NHCP Chairman Dr. Calairo and Chief PNP Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on the day we formally unveil the markers and new location of our monuments. We really pushed for this transfer because we believe that our national heroes deserve to be placed in a beautiful and historic place like the Pinaglabanan Shrine,” said Zamora.

The mayor led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the San Juan Art Exhibit and the launch of the San Juan City Art Trail. The art exhibit, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, features Filipino artists from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, as well as local artists from San Juan City with artworks showcasing a wide range of artistic styles, techniques, and themes from the regions the artists came from. The exhibit runs until September 5.

The event also marked the launching of the San Juan City Art Trail highlighted by a special arts tour in four premier art destinations in the city, such as the Fundacion Sanso, Art Underground, 7th J Art Gallery, and Secret Fresh.

“With the help of DOT, we are slowly but surely building a more sustainable tourism in our city. This art trail is one of its kind because it allows us to highlight Filipino artists and local San Juan artists and shows our appreciation for their art,” said Mayor

Zamora.

Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos (center) graces the commemoration of the 127th Araw ng Pinaglabanan, or the Battle of San Juan del Monte held at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City on Wednesday, August 30. Standing beside the First Lady are San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. NONOY LACZA

PBBM aims to secure more infra, business investments in Asean Summit in Indonesia

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

Marcos stresses need to boost r&d in PHl

with Asean countries as well as external partners,” Espiritu said at a news briefing in Malacañang on Thursday.

The 43rd Asean Summit will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia from September 5 to 7.   Espiritu said the Chief Executive is also scheduled to meet with the Asean Business Advisory Council and other Indonesian firms, which intend to expand their presence in the country.

December, and plan to allocate 13.5 gigabytes per second of bandwidth for the Philippines.

Espiritu said Darya-Varia Laboratoria and Vaksindo Satwa Nusantara, pharmaceutical companies based in Indonesian, would also make a presentation to the President regarding their avian influenza vaccines, which will soon be available in the country.

President Ferdinand r Marcos Jr. is pushing for the creation of a new government program to fast track the country’s research and development ( r & d )  of new technologies, which can be immediately made available to the public.

th e Chief e xe cutive said he had already tapped University of Philippines Manila Chancellor d r. Carmencita d Padilla for the said initiative.

Government support

PA d ill A a doctor by profession, said she appreciated the commitment of the President to support  r & d initiatives.

“We have the talent, we have the expertise, we have the technology right now in the country, but we need the support from the government. And i think we are getting the support of Mr. President today,” Padilla said.

DFA Assistant Secretary for Asean Affairs Daniel R. Espiritu disclosed five Philippine infrastructure projects would be promoted for possible investments during the trade and investments forum at the summit.

These projects include airport developments in Zamboanga, Busuanga, Sanga-sanga in Tawi-Tawi, and also in Brookes Point, Palawan. “Of course, the President will be pitching for more trade and investment

Among the said firms is WIR Asia, an Indonesian information technology firm, which is planning a P1-billion expansion plan in the country for developing innovations in metaverse and artificial intelligence applications.  Indonesian telecommunication firm, Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, will also meet with the President to discuss updates on its signed letter of intent last year, launching of its satellite in

When asked if the President will be presenting the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) at the Asean Summit, the DFA official said he still has no information about the matter.

The MIF is the country’s first sovereign investment fund, which aims to draw more investments to finance the government priority infrastructure projects.

Last week, the Bureau of Treasury finally issued the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the MIF.

i have asked d r a. Padilla to put together a program so that will include— well, the dti [ d e partment of tr ade and n dustry] is here, d O s t [ d e partment of s c ience and te chnology], and d O H [ d e partment of Health] specifically—we [intend] put together a program so we can support such activities as we have been speaking about in terms of r & d and of actually bringing that technology to the general populace,” Marcos said during the conferment ceremony of Padilla and tr ade Assistant s e cretary Allan B. Gepty in Malacañang last th ursday.

He noted such a program would help scale up new technologies so more people can use it.

i f they are not made available to the people, then that effort [for the r & d ]  has gone to waste. And we do not want to do that,” Marcos said.

Padilla was given the Order of n ational s c ientist for her pioneering work in clinical genetics, which resulted in the enactment of r e public Act n o. 9288 or the n e wborn s c reening Act of 2004 and the establishment of the Philippine Genome Center.

Meanwhile, Gepty received the Presidential Medal of Merit for being the country’s lead negotiator during the talks for the r e gional Comprehensive ec onomic Partnership ( r C e P ) agreement.

t h e President stressed the importance of  r & d to help the country prepare for future pandemics and boost the country’s economic competitiveness.

s h e also thanked the President for bestowing her the title of n a tional s c ientist, which she hopes will inspire other Filipinos to engage in r & d which will benefit the country.

i am hoping our younger researchers will say there is a purpose for them being here...if we work together. Collaborate and think what is good for the country then i think we can really make a difference here in the Philippines,” Padilla said.

Exceeding expectations

tH e President also lauded the contribution of Gepty for successfully negotiating for the r C e P, which is expected to improve the country’s access to more overseas markets, which cover 2 billion people.

“Under the r C e P, the Philippines will be able to source raw materials and intermediate goods from fellow r C e P c ountries, process products locally, and then export those products back out to other r C e P countries at a preferential rate,” Marcos said.

He said r C e P is also expected to help attract more investments in the country.  th e Chief e xecutive lauded Padilla and Gepty for providing their service that “goes above and beyond typical duties and responsibilities.”

“Both d r. Padilla and Asec. Gepty exemplifies what it means to be a public servant and these awards are our form of recognition and a testament to that service,” Marcos said. Samuel

P. Medenilla

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is eyeing to secure more infrastructure and business investments during his trip to Indonesia next week to attend the 43rd Asean Summit, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

SC orders concerned govt agencies to assess impact of Manila Bay reclamation projects

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE Supreme Court (SC) has directed concerned government agencies to submit a report about the ongoing land reclamation projects in Manila Bay as well along with their assessment on their effect on the environment, particularly on pollution.

NPC warns vs unscrupulous sale of registered SIM cards

THE National Privacy Commission (NPC) is reminding the public, particularly owners of registered SIM cards, to be vigilant amid alarming instances wherein certain individuals acting as agents of entities offer money averaging P1,000 in exchange for SIM cards that have been registered.

I n a statement issued on Thursday, the NPC, as the sole data privacy authority of the country mandated to enforce the provisions of the Data Privacy Act of 2012, reminded all concerned data subjects about the “serious ramifications” associated with registering SIM cards for the primary intention of selling them.

“ Recent developments have drawn our attention to alarming instances wherein certain individuals, ostensibly acting as agents of malevolent entities, are enticing unsuspecting individuals with monetary offers [averaging P1,000.00] in exchange for SIM cards that have been registered,” NPC said in a statement issued on Thursday.

A ccording to the country’s privacy body, this practice is not only prohibited under the SIM Registration Act or Republic Act No. 11934 but it also places data subjects in a “vulnerable” position as this exposes them to potential legal repercussions, risks and harms if a SIM card, registered in their name, is misused in illicit activities.

Andrea E. San Juan

HOT MONEY POSTS JUNE NET INFLOWS OF $962M

Continued from A20

Year-to-date transactions

(01 January to 31 July 2023) for foreign investments registered with the BSP, through AABs, yielded net inflows of $158 million which is smaller compared to the $675-million net inflows noted for the same period last year.

BSP said the registration of inward foreign investments delegated to AABs by the BSP is optional under the rules on foreign exchange (FX) transactions.

It is required only if the investor or its representative will purchase FX from AABs and/or their subsidiary/affiliate foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment.

Without such registration, the foreign investor can still repatriate capital and remit earnings on its investment, but the FX will have to be sourced outside the banking system. Cai U. Ordinario

The directive was issued by the 15-man High Tribunal during its regular en banc session Wednesday in line with its continuing mandamus issued in 2008 ordering the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other government agencies to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay.

It can be recalled that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of all reclamation projects in Manila Bay pending review of their  economic, environmental and social impacts.

The Court, likewise, has set for

oral arguments the issue concerning Manila Bay but did not announce the date for the proceedings.

However, it required the parties to “move in the premises” or to inform the Court by September 30, 2023 of their measurement benchmarks of the pollution in Manila Bay; current government strategies being implemented to comply with their mandate to clean up, rehabilitate, and preserve Manila Bay, and to make it fit for swimming, skin-diving, and other forms of contact recreation; realistic targets for the next five years; and ongoing reclamations and their respective

impact on the environment.

The concerned government agencies are the Metro Manila Development Authority, DENR, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Budget and Management, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Department of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

I n 2009, the SC created the Manila Bay Advisory Committee to

Bemedaled former Marine officer Querubin pushes ‘status quo’ on MUP pension debacle

MEDAL of Valor awardee and retired Marine

Col. Ariel Querubin on Thursday said he is hoping that the government will maintain the “status quo” regarding the pensions for Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP), which is now being eyed for reform by government financiers and legislators.

“I [went] here to appeal, you know as a former soldier and now a pensioner, who has fought all the armed groups in the Philippines in actual combat, we don’t receive overtime pay, we are always away from our loved ones, I hope that there will be no diminution,” he said referring to the pension currently being paid by government to military retirees.

A nd should the MUP pension reforms be enacted into law, Querubin hopes that its provisions be imposed only to new entrants in the military.

And if the military were to be treated separately, eh kaya naman namin hanapan ng solusyon yun pangagalingan nitong

pension kasi maraming nakatiwawang pa na military assets. Ang dami ho all over the country. Palease lang po nila ito, magkakaroon ho ng recurring income [And if the military were to be treated separately, we can easily find a solution on where to source our pension as there are still a lot of unutilized military assets [referring to land) scattered all over the country, just have it leased and we will have a recurring income],” he said during “Pandesal Forum” held at the Kamuning Bakery on Friday.

Money coming from the possible lease and even sale of unused military properties can then be used as a retirement trust fund for the pension of military retirees.

And when making decisions on the MUP pension reform, Querubin expressed hope that those tasked to look into this will keep in mind the sacrifices made by the country’s retired and active soldiers.

Meanwhile, Department of Finance Under-

secretary Cielo Magno, who was also present in the forum, said the government is committed to looking for a “sustainable approach” regarding the pensions for the MUPs. She also added that the MUPs are amenable to finding solutions to issues being faced by the government in funding their pension.

“At naramdaman po natin, sa pag-iikot natin may willingness naman po sa side ng military and uniformed personnel na tumulong para solusyunan on the fiscal side [and we feel that as we go around, there is willingness on the part of the military and uniformed personnel to help to resolve issues on the fiscal side],” Magno noted.

A substitute bill earlier approved by the House of Representatives Ad Hoc MUP System Committee mandates that new entrants and those in active service will be mandated to contribute to the pension fund.

This means MUPs will be mandated to contribute 5 percent for the first three years, 7

percent for the next three years and 9 percent thereafter for active personnel, while new entrants will contribute 9 percent of their base and longevity pay for their pension.

As a counterpart, the government will chip in 16 percent for the pension of those in active service during the first three years, 14 percent during the fourth to sixth year and 12 percent for the seventh year and onwards.

The government will contribute 12 percent for new entrants.

Other salient provisions of the substitute bill include the 90 percent maximum retirement package based on base pay of all MUP, raising by 5 percent the previous package for military personnel, while whose from the police who served below 20 years will be eligible for separation lump sum, and fixing to 57 year old the age of retirement for all MUPs.

The substitute bill also includes a 3 percent annual salary increase of all MUPs.

Rex Anthony Naval

DENR turns to satellite technology to track compliance with envi laws

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will implement a “no contact” apprehension against companies that operate sans the necessary permits under the environmental impact system (EIS) law.

Th is was disclosed by DENR

Undersecretary for Integrated Science Carlos Primo David at the sidelines of the Nickel Initiative event organized by the Philippine Nickel Industry Association Inc. in Makati City on Tuesday.

D avid, who also heads the DENR’s Geospatial Database Office (GDO) and Water Resource Management Office (WRMO), revealed that they were able to detect erring com-

panies that operate without proper permits, based on DENR records.

He said the GDO is working by using cost-efficient surveillance and monitoring technologies, such as satellite imagery and monitoring applications that are already being used by the DENR.

For industries, he said, the GDO, which is presently an 11-member team led by him, is working on 25 different uses of satellite imagery and even drone technologies.

Specifically, the GDO was created to map and monitor the natural resources of the Philippines, including mining and forestry, use of government lands, and industries in terms of compliance to various environmental

laws, including securing environmental compliance certificates (ECCs).

There are 237 industries so far, just in Region IV-A pa lang,” said David.

He added that by a conservative estimate, around 3,000 companies might be operating without permits.

“ We will do no-contact apprehension DENR style. We will send a letter informing them that we do not have on record [of their permit].

If they do not respond, we will issue a notice of violation,” David said.

T he GDO is also working on surveillance and monitoring of compliance, and rehabilitation.

“ We captured illegal mining operations in Cagayan de Oro; and in Region 3, a mining company that

Wanna buy your own sea vessel? Masinloc LGU sets auction off two abandoned ships

By Henry Empeño

MASINLOC, Zambales—The municipal government of Masinloc, Zambales has put two ships longdocked at a barangay port here for public auction, inviting interested parties to submit bids for the sale of the vessels that were forfeited in favor of the government.

A n otice of auction sale issued by Engr. Ellender C. Eclevia, chairman of the Municipal Inventory, Appraisal and Disposal Committee (MIADC), identified the two abandoned vessels as MV Grit and MV Zhonghai 69.

Both vessels, which are currently docked off Barangay Bani, site of the Masinloc coal-fired thermal plant, were the subject of a hold order issued on January 14, 2022 by a Regional Trial Court in Iba, Zambales.

T he notice of auction sale had scheduled bidding activities as follows: viewing on Aug. 11; preauction conference on Aug. 17; submission of sealed proposals on Aug. 23; and opening of sealed

bids also on Aug. 23.

The Masinloc government has not yet announced any winning bid as of this writing, but Eclevia said the local government unit (LGU) “has reserved the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to waive any formalities or defects found therein and annul the bidding process, and reject proposals at any time prior to contract award without thereby incurring any liability to the affected auctioneer or auctioneers.”

T he LGU also reserved the right “to accept only such bids most advantageous to the government,” he added.

A ccording to a vessel tracker, MV Grit is a 27-year-old dredger that flew the Panamian flag. It has been in Masinloc for almost four years, having sailed from Japan on October 24, 2019 and reaching Zambales on November 6, 2019.

O n the other hand, MV Zhonghai 69 is on record as a vessel that sailed from China on December 12, 2019, and was reported in June 2020 to have run aground off Boto -

lan town, with the vessel’s engine room and compartments having been flooded with seawater.

Z2K Resources Inc., a Filipino firm, which claimed ownership of the vessel, clarified that it was an aggregates carrier and was not doing dredging work when it ran aground.

The firm filed a request dated March 17, 2022 to relocate the vessel to Bani, Masinloc for drydocking and repairs. However, on November 23, 2022, authorities found out that there was unauthorized cutting and salvaging being made on said vessel.

Following findings of probable cause for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the Port of Manila issued a warrant of seizure and detention against MV Zhonghai 69 on April 28 this year.

A fter the claimant failed to overcome the burden of proof in forfeiture proceedings, the BOC through Manila District Collector Maritess Martin issued an order for the forfeiture of MV Zhonghai 69 in favor of the government last May 31.

monitor compliance of concerned government agencies to the Court’s 2008 decision with continuing mandamus in Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, et al. (petitioners) v. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay, et al. (respondents) and Akbayan Citizens Action Party (intervenor) docketed as G.R. No. 171947-48.

Under the continuing mandamus, the concerned government agencies are required to submit to the Court a quarterly progressive report of the activities undertaken to clean up and rehabilitate the waters of Manila Bay.

8-mo inbound tourist arrivals already 76% of DOT goal

Continued from A20

At the launch, DFA Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Henry Bensurto Jr. told reporters the agency was beta-testing the platform in Shanghai “because it has the highest number of applicants in China…. We want to be gradual, especially since it’s our first time and it’s an uncharted water for us.” Once the platform’s issues are ironed out, it will be rolled out in the DFA’s outposts in China, and in India. The DOT has been blaming the DFA for not approving enough visitor visas of Chinese nationals. (See, “DOT presses DFA on ways to lure Chinese tourists,” in the BusinessMirror, July 12, 2023.)

New China map

has not rehabilitated their area,”

David, a geologist and expert in environmental science, said.

Before we cannot do that [but] now, using available technologies, we are able to do that without actually going to the site,” he explained.

According to David, the resources required in surveillance and monitoring being done by the GDO, which also maps out water resources that include idle government lands, and degraded forest areas, is not expensive.

I n fact, the GDO only has an allotted budget of P3 million, which cover the salaries of his staff including seven of his former students from UP who are now geologists, themselves.

Jonathan L. Mayuga

THE new e-visa platform was launched amid continuing diplomatic differences between China and the Philippines. Prior to the pandemic, China was the Philippines’s second largest source market for inbound travelers in 2019 with 1.74 million tourists, accounting for some 21 percent of the 8.26-million tourist arrivals that year.

M eanwhile, at the Rotary Club of Manila, Frasco reiterated DOT programs to “usher in the golden era of tourism” including the improvement of airports and seaports, implementation of tourism road infrastructure projects in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways, the soon-to-be launched upgraded Travel App developed by the Tourism Promotions Board, the crafting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management operations manual for tourism, and the expansion of cruise tourism across the country. Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

AFP says 72-year-old MDT beneficial for its defense capability development

agreement on Wednesday.

He also described the MDT is “one of the pillars of our national security.”

Signed on August 30, 1951, the MDT is an accord that stipulates that the Philippines and the United States would support each other if either of them were to be attacked by an external party.

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said the country’s Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the US is beneficial for the military as it beefing up its capability in protecting the nation.

A FP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar issued the statement as the MDT between the Philippines and the US observed the 72nd signing anniversary of the

“ The mechanisms under it shall continue to be implemented to further enhance the capability of the AFP to perform its constitutional duty of protecting our national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Aguilar said.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III previously reiterated that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, aircraft and public vessels, including the Coast Guard, anywhere in the South China Sea, would invoke Washington DC’s mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the MDT. Rex Anthony Naval

INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Eighty One Bldg. Newport City, Vab St. Newport Blvd., Barangay 183, Pasay City

76.

CHEN, WEI-JEN Marketing Consultant (Mandarin Speaking Clients) Brief Job Description: Studying company profile and operations to understand its marketing needs. Implementing a marketing strategy according to objectives and budget.

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months of experience with the above position, can multi-task and keen to details and can speak and write Chinese fluently.

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

GIGA

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

Notice is hereby given that the following companies/employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for

CORPORATION

POGO 1 Building, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

23 C AND U PHILIPPINES INC.

Block 7, Lot 1-8 Millennium Drive, Light Industry & Science Park III, San Rafael, City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas

LUAN VAN SU Vietnamese Customer Service

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

PAN, CONGWANG Assistant Operations Manager

Brief Job Description: Develop productive, profitable and achievement oriented working environment for employees. Address operational issues and concerns in a timely fashion

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

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

Graduate in related Vocational course/training, able to speak English and mandarin, strong technical and interpersonal skills, proficient with Microsoft office and related software, excellent communication skills

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

The World

Editor: Angel R. Calso

China’s factory activity sparks hope slump is bottoming out

By Bloomberg News

CHINA’S manufacturing contraction eased slightly in August and a gauge of new orders improved, providing some hope that the worst of the sector’s slump may be ending.

The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index rose to 49.7, topping estimates and edging closer to the 50 level that would signal activity has stopped contracting.  While market reaction to the figures was muted, they offered tentative evidence that targeted efforts to shore up the economy are having some effect. The nation’s manufacturers have been struggling for months because of a slump in global demand and subdued domestic spending. Policymakers have so far been reluctant to roll out massive stimulus, with some economists suggesting the official annual growth target of about 5 percent is at risk.

“Perhaps we have seen a bottom in sentiment among manufacturers after the recent policy support measures from authorities,” said Alex Loo, macro strategist at TD Securities, pointing to the improvement in new orders and a jump in production.

A gauge of onshore stocks fell 0.5 percent as of 2:15 p.m., while Chinese shares in Hong Kong lost 0.2 percent, reversing a morning gain of 1.2 percent. China’s 10year government bond yield was little changed at 2.58 percent.

The manufacturing PMI “looks as if activity will be flatlining in the near term,” said Robert Carnell, chief economist for Asia Pacific at ING Groep NV. “It could be worse. Flatlining is not plunging.”

The improvement in the factory figures are also positive for global commodity markets and capital goods producers,

according to Louis Kuijs, chief economist for Asia Pacific at S&P Global Ratings, as investment and industry are more import-intensive than consumption.

Services activity eases

OUTSIDE of manufacturing, there were worrying signs in the PMI figures that suggests the economy’s recovery continues to be dragged down by the property downturn and subdued consumer spending. The non-manufacturing PMI eased more than economists estimated, while a sub-index measuring services activity dropped to 50.5 in August, the weakest reading since December.

“Demand remained insufficient,” said Bruce Pang, chief economist and head of research for greater China at Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. “With the boom of ‘consumption revenge’ ebbing, it’s becoming a concern whether service spending can continue expanding in a sustainable manner. Additional stimulus, its implementation and the impact it will cause will be key to watch next.”

Authorities have rolled out measures to bolster specific sectors in recent weeks, including plans to increase consumer goods manufacturing and car sales such as lowering costs for electric vehicle charging and extending tax breaks. Production and new orders for automakers both showed “robust activity on both the supply and demand ends,” NBS analyst Zhao Qinghe said in a press release accompanying the PMI figures.

“Weak demand continues to knee-cap a recovery. Policy support is having some effect. But without stronger support—particularly a coordinated fix for the property sector—the risk is growth remains under pressure and financial stress spreads,” said Chang Shu and Eric Zhu,

Govt incentives and cost-conscious customers lead to India’s EV boom

By Sibi Arasu The Associated Press

BENGALURU, India—Groceries

stashed in the back of an electric delivery scooter are an increasingly familiar sight in the Indian city of Bengaluru. In crowded markets, electric rickshaws drop off and pick up passengers. And the number of tech startups focused on electric transport has shot up as the city—and country— embraces electric vehicles.

India is one of the fastest-growing electric vehicle markets in the world and now has millions of EV owners. More than 90% of its 2.3 million electric vehicles are the cheaper and more popular two- or three-wheelers—that’s motorbikes, scooters and rickshaws—and over half of India’s three-wheeler registrations in 2022 were electric, according to an IEA report released in April.

A $1.3 billion federal plan to encourage EV manufacturing and provide discounts for customers, along with the past decade’s rising fuel costs and consumer awareness of the long-term cost benefits are combining to drive up sales, analysts say.

Electric vehicles are one solution to bring down planet-warming emissions and improve air quality—with road transport contributing significantly to global emissions. For the electric vehicles market to successfully slash carbon, experts say moving electricity generation away from fossil fuels, managing critical mineral supply chains and boosting EV sales across different socioeconomic backgrounds in the country will be key.

Balaji Premkumar, a 25-year-old rickshaw delivery driver, switched to an

Bloomberg economists. After a slow start, China’s outbound tourism has been recovering steadily, overall. But the recovery differs significantly across destinations, with traffic to many long-haul destinations still down heavily compared to the pre-Covid period, especially where political friction also plays a role.

A further weakening of the services spending rebound could lead to disappointment in economies, especially Asian ones, that are banking on a recovery of Chinese tourist arrivals, according to S&P’s Kuijs.  Authorities have taken a measured response to policy stimulus to avoid driving up debt and exacerbating financial risks. A gloomy income and job outlook has also kept businesses and households reluctant to borrow, making it hard for easing measures to have a material impact on economic activity.

The People’s Bank of China has cut policy interest rates twice this year, though, while the nation’s biggest lenders are expected to trim rates on existing mortgages in a concrete step to support growth. Authorities have also pledged in recent days to speed up fiscal spending. And the central bank on Wednesday met with companies and banks to push for better funding access for private firms.

China’s local governments have also accelerated the pace of borrowing for infrastructure investment, a move that could help lift economic growth. Thursday’s data showed a pickup in construction activity—an improvement reflecting “a strong will” by authorities to boost infrastructure to shore up growth, Pang said.  With assistance from Zhu Lin, Wenjin Lv, Iris Ouyang and Nasreen Seria/Bloomberg

The source of electricity to charge the vehicles also must be clean, which isn’t currently the case.

EV earlier this year. At most traffic stops he’s surrounded by gas-powered threewheelers that rumble and rattle, spewing thick smoke into the air—something that he used to do, too, before he went electric.

Premkumar said the new vehicle is easier and more comfortable to drive and he can already see a cost difference. “If I spend 60 rupees (0.72 cents) to charge the vehicle for three hours, I get 80 kilometers (50 miles). In a diesel vehicle I’ll be spending at least 300 rupees ($3.60) to get the same mileage,” he said.

Santhosh Kumar, 23, a rickshaw delivery driver for Bengaluru-based logistics company City Link, can also feel the benefits since he switched to electric.

“The vehicle never breaks down and there are a lot of charging points all around so I never run out of charge,” said Kumar. Charging points in India have increased tenfold, according to Elizabeth Connolly, an energy technology and transport analyst at the IEA.

While Kumar doesn’t have his own electric vehicle yet—the one he drives belongs to the company—he dreams of buying his own, or even several that he can rent out.

“It’s only a matter of time before everyone shifts to electric,” he said.

Two- and three-wheelers are mostly used to make deliveries or give rides. They clock up miles fast, making an electric model a noticeably cheaper option than paying for gas, said N.C. Thirumalai at the Bengaluru-based think tank, Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy.

But he said long-term viability for electric vehicles depends on securing supplies of the critical minerals needed for batteries, as well as other parts.

More than three quarters of India’s electricity is generated from fossil fuels— mostly coal—according to government reports. And mining companies, including in India, have been criticized for unsafe mining practices of minerals needed to make components for electric vehicles and other clean energy infrastructure.

“As EVs increase and minerals such as lithium begin to be sourced within country, the mining industry should definitely make sure sustainable mining practices are taken forward,” said Thirumalai.

Thirumalai is optimistic about cleaner electricity in the future. The “huge thrust for renewables in the country” means electric vehicle emissions should reduce in time.

While progress on renewables has been mixed, India plans to install 500 gigawatts of clean energy by the end of the decade—enough to power 300 million Indian homes—and aims to reach net zero emissions by 2070.

But the country also needs “to address how to unlock financing for EVs as well as associated industries” to bump up the number of people who can afford them, said Akshima Ghate of the New Delhi-based clean energy nonprofit RMI India. Incentives like low-interest loans for potential customers and providing tax breaks for electric vehicles can ramp up sales, particularly for lower-income buyers, she said.

Still, Ghate thinks that India’s swift move to smaller electric vehicles can serve as a template for other emerging economies that are two- and threewheeler nations, like Indonesia, the Philippines and some African countries.

When it comes to “setting benchmarks for developing economies, India plays a leading role,” she said.

US, Indonesia and 5 other nations hold war drills amid China concerns

By Niniek Karmini The Associated Press

Garuda Shield exercises, with a total of about 5,000 personnel.

China sees the expanded drills as a threat, accusing the US of building an Indo-Pacific alliance similar to NATO to limit China’s growing military and diplomatic influence in the region.

Brunei, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, and East Timor also sent observers to the two-week exercises in Baluran, a coastal town in East Java province.

demonstration of multilateral solidarity to safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“Super Garuda Shield 2023 builds on last year’s tremendous success,” Flynn said in a statement released by the US Embassy in Jakarta on Tuesday, “This joint, multinational training exercise displays our collective commitment and like-minded unity, allowing for a stable, secure, and more peaceful, free and open Indo-Pacific.”

clude a command and control simulation, an amphibious exercise, airborne operations, an airfield seizure exercise, and a combined joint field training that culminates with a live-fire event.

fault line in the rivalry between the US and China.

American and Indonesian soldiers have held the live-fire drill since 2009, and Australia, Japan

and Singapore joined last year. The United Kingdom and French forces are participating in this year’s Super

Commanding general of US Army Pacific, Gen. Charles Flynn, said the 19 nations involved in the training are a powerful

The statement said at least 2,100 US and 1,900 Indonesian forces will enhance interoperability capabilities through training and cultural exchanges that in -

White House: Putin, Kim Jong Un traded letters as Russia looks for munitions from North Korea

By Aamer Madhani

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—The White House on Wednesday said that it has new intelligence that shows Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have swapped letters as Russia looks to North Korea for munitions for the war in Ukraine.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby detailed the latest finding just weeks after the White House said that it had determined that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during a recent visit to Pyongyang called on North Korean officials to increase the sale of munitions to Moscow for its Ukraine war.

Kirby said that Russia is looking for additional artillery shells and other basic materiel to shore up its defense industrial base. He added that the letters were “more at the surface level” but that Russian and North Korean talks on a weapons sale were advancing. The leaders exchanged the letters following Shoigu’s visit, he said.

“Following Shoigu’s visit another group of Russian officials traveled to Pyongyang for followon discussions about potential arms deals between the DPRK and Russia,” Kirby said, using the acronym for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Kirby declined to detail how

US officials had gathered the intelligence.

Shortly before the White House unveiled the new information about North Korea and Russia’s weapon talks, North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters, according to South Korea’s military. The missile test came just hours after the US flew at least one long-range bomber to the Korean Peninsula in a show of force against the North.

The Biden administration has repeatedly made the case that the Kremlin has become reliant on North Korea, as well as Iran, for the arms it needs to fight its war against Ukraine. North Korea

and Iran are largely isolated on the international stage for their nuclear programs and human rights records.

In March, the White House said it had gathered intelligence that showed that Russia was looking to broker a food-for-arms deal with North Korea, in which Moscow would provide the North with needed food and other commodities in return for munitions from Pyongyang.

Late last year, the White House said it had determined that the Wagner Group, a private Russian military company, had taken delivery of an arms shipment from North Korea to help bolster its forces fighting in Ukraine on

behalf of Russia.

Both North Korea and Russia have previously denied the US allegations about weapons. North Korea, however, has sided with Russia over the war in Ukraine, insisting that the “hegemonic policy” of the US-led West has forced Moscow to take military action to protect its security interests.

At the United Nations on Wednesday, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Japan urged North Korea to halt arms negotiations with Russia.

Any Russian-North Korean arms deals would violate UN Security Council resolutions, backed by Russia, that prohibit all countries from buying or obtaining any arms from the North, the four countries said in a joint statement.

“This sends the wrong message to aspiring proliferators that if you sell Russia arms, Russia will even enable your pursuit of nuclear weapons,” according to the statement that was read by US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who was flanked by diplomats from the three other countries.

President Donald Trump traded letters with Kim during his administration in an unsuccessful bid to encourage the North Korean leader to abandon his nuclear weapons program.

Kishida visits fish market, vows to help workers hit by China ban

By Mari Yamaguchi

The Associated Press

TOKYO—Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio

Kishida sampled seafood and talked to workers at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market Thursday to assess the impact of China’s ban on Japanese seafood in reaction to the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi plant to the sea.

The release of the treated wastewater began last week and is expected to continue for decades. Japanese fishing groups and neighboring countries opposed it, and China immediately banned all imports of Japanese seafood in response.

One of the seafood business operators told Kishida that sales of his scallops, which are largely exported to China, have dropped 90% since the treated water discharge.

“We will compile support measures that stand by the fisheries operators,” Kishida told reporters after the market visit. “We will also resolutely call on China to scrap its trade restrictions that has no scientific bases.”

China had stepped up testing on Japanese fisheries products, causing long delays at customs, even before the water release and its ban. Japanese Fisheries Agency officials said the measure has affected prices and sales of seafood not from Fukushima but from as far away as Hokkaido. Government officials have called for

Japanese consumers to eat more scallops to help support hard-hit exporters, while finding new export destinations in Europe and the United States.

All seawater and fish sampling data since the release have been way below set safety limits for radioactivity, officials and the operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company

The command post exercise will focus on mission planning staff tasks in a combined military setting. A field training exercise will involve battalion-strength elements from each nation exercising war-fighting skills to enhance interoperability and combined operational capacity.

Garuda Shield was held in several places, including in waters around Natuna at the southern portion of the South China Sea, a

Indonesia and China enjoy generally positive ties, but Jakarta has expressed concern about what it sees as Chinese encroachment in its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

The edge of the exclusive economic zone overlaps with Beijing’s unilaterally declared “nine-dash line” demarking its claims in the South China Sea.

Increased activities by Chinese coast guard vessels and fishing boats in the area have unnerved Jakarta, prompting Indonesia’s navy to conduct a large drill in July 2020 in waters around Natuna.

North Korea says it simulated nuclear attacks on South Korea

By Hyung-Jin Kim The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea—North Korea said

Thursday its latest missile launches simulated “scorched earth” nuclear strikes on South Korea and that it’s also been rehearsing an occupation of its rivals’ territory in the event of conflict.

Pyongyang has previously tested nuclear-capable missiles and described how it would use them in potential wars with South Korea and the US. But the North’s disclosure of detailed war plans reaffirmed its aggressive nuclear doctrine to intimidate its opponents, as it escalates its protest of the ongoing South Korean-US military exercises that it views as a major security threat, observers say.

North Korea’s military said it fired two tactical ballistic missiles from the capital on Wednesday night to practice “scorched earth strikes” at major command centers and operational airfields in South Korea, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

The North’s military said the missiles carried out their simulated strikes through air bursts, suggesting it confirmed the explosions of dummy warheads at a set altitude.

North Korea said its missile tests were in response to the United States’ flyover of long-range B-1B bombers for a joint aerial training with South Korea earlier Wednesday as part of the allies’ field exercises.

“(The aerial drill) is a serious threat to (North Korea) as it was just pursuant to the scenario for a preemptive nuclear strike at North Korea,” the Korean People’s Army general staff said. “The KPA will never overlook the rash acts of the US forces and the (South Korean) military gangsters.”

The missile launches Wednesday were the latest in the North’s barrage of weapons tests since last year.

can carry a huge number of conventional weapons. The North describes the bombers as “nuclear strategic” although the planes were switched to conventional weaponry in the 1990s.

On August 21, the US and South Korean militaries kicked off their summer Ulchi Freedom Shield computer-simulated command post exercise. During this year’s training, slated to end later Thursday, the allies have included more than 30 kinds of field exercises, such as Wednesday’s joint aerial exercise involving the B-1B aircraft.

North Korea calls major US-involved military drills on and near the Korean Peninsula preparation for invasion.

KCNA said Kim on Tuesday visited an army post where his military has been holding command post drills in response to the South Korean-US military training. It said the drills are aimed at practicing procedures for “occupying the whole territory of the southern half” of the Korean Peninsula in the event of war.

Kim underscored the need to “deal a heavy blow at the enemy’s war potential and war command center and blinding their means of command communication at the initial stage of operation.” Kim also detailed tasks to acquire an ability to launch “simultaneous super-intense strikes” at key enemy military targets and other sites whose destruction can cause social and economic chaos, according to KNCA.

The North’s report showed it has operational plans to launch full-blown attacks on South Korea in the event of military clashes between the rivals to achieve Korean unification by force, said analyst Cheong Seong-Chang at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea. He said that North Korea plots to conduct nuclear and EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attacks at the early stage of war.

Holdings say.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno on Wednesday hinted at an option of taking the case to the World Trade Organization. He said Japan has raised past issues concerning China’s trade restrictions without scientific basis, and that “Japan will consider various options while continuing to work within the WTO framework to decide necessary steps.” Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi stressed the importance of dialogue.

The impact of China’s ban on Japanese seafood has spilled over to tourism. Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito has said cancellations of Chinese group tourists and inquiries about food safety in Japan have been on the rise and that officials are assessing the situation.

Officials and reports say thousands of crank calls from China have targeted Fukushima government offices and the nuclear plant’s operator, as well as the Foreign Ministry. Many of the callers shouted in Chinese, and some yelled “stupid” and used swear words.

According to South Korean and Japanese assessments, the two short-range missiles travelled a distance of 360-400 kilometers (225-250 miles) at the maximum altitude of 50 kilometers (30 miles) before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff called the launches “a grave provocation” that threatens international peace and violates U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban any ballistic launches by North Korea. The US Indo-Pacific Command said the US commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan remains “ironclad.”

South Korean and Japanese authorities said their warplanes conducted combined aerial drills with US B-1B bombers respectively on Wednesday. South Korea’s Defense Ministry said that Wednesday’s B-1B deployment is the 10th flyover by US bombers on the Korean Peninsula this year.

North Korea is extremely sensitive to the deployment of US B-1B bombers, which

South Korea’s Unification Ministry said later Thursday it strongly condemns North Korea for openly revealing its intent to attack the South. It warned North Korea will only face “an overwhelming response” by South Korea, the US and Japan if it continues its provocation and military threats.

The ministry said it was North Korean state media’s first report on command post drills involving the whole military since Kim took power in late 2011.

North Korea has openly threatened to use its nuclear weapons first in potential conflicts with South Korea and the US since it last year adopted a new law that authorized the preemptive use of nuclear weapons in a broad range of situations.

Kim has been pushing hard to expand and modernize his weapons arsenals. Its second attempt at launching a spy satellite failed last week, but it plans a third attempt in October.

Foreign experts say Kim eventually wants to use his enlarged weapons arsenals to force the US to make concessions when diplomacy resumes.

JAKARTA, Indonesia—Soldiers from the US, Indonesia and five other nations began annual training exercises Thursday on Indonesia’s main island of Java while China’s increasing aggression is raising concern.

The Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed reporting.

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin listens during a meeting in Moscow, Aug. 23, 2023, and

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party at its headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea, in early 2023. The White House says it has intelligence showing Putin and Kim Jong Un have swapped letters as Russia looks to North Korea for additional munitions for its war in Ukraine. MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV, SPUTNIK, KREMLIN POOL AND KOREAN CENTRAL

JAPAN’S Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, front left, tries a seafood at Toyosu fish market in Tokyo on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Kishida visited the fish market to highlight fish safety and assess the impact of China’s ban on Japanese seafood. KYODO NEWS VIA AP

US OKs first arms sale for Taiwan under program reserved for nations

By Courtney McBride

The department added that the transfer under the Foreign Military Financing mechanism didn’t reflect a change in policy on the island’s status, according to the Associated Press. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and

has repeatedly protested American arms sales.

In the past, the US has used other avenues for arms sales to Taiwan that don’t imply statehood.

The Foreign Military Financing mechanism also covers inter -

national organizations as well as nations.

In the latest Taiwan package, the State Department approved as much as $80 million to purchase weapons for Taiwan as the island looks to bolster its defenses against China.

Chinese defense ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said Thursday that China “consistently opposes” US moves to sell arms to Taiwan.

“The security of Taiwan depends on the efforts by both sides of the Taiwan Strait under the ‘One China’ principle,” Wu said during a regular press briefing in Beijing, referring to a policy dating back to the 1970s under which the US doesn’t have official relations with Taiwan.

Gabon mutineers appoint military leader and detain president, alleging corruption

opposition, but it was unclear how the coup was seen in the countryside, where more people traditionally back Bongo.

The president pleaded for support in a video showing him sitting in a chair with a bookshelf behind him.

“I’m calling you to make noise, to make noise, to make noise really,” he said in English.

Building fire in Johannesburg kills 73, many of them homeless–authorities

By Gerald Imray & Mogomotsi Magome The Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG—A nighttime fire

the building’s five floors by mid-morning.

THIS video grab shows soldiers holding General Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema aloft in Libreville, Gabon, Wednesday August 30, 2023. Mutinous soldiers speaking on state television announced that they had seized power in and were overturning the results of a presidential election that was to extend the Bongo family’s 55-year hold on power. GABON24 VIA AP

By Yves Laurent Goma & Sam Mednick

The Associated Press

LIBREVILLE, Gabon—Mutinous soldiers

in Gabon proclaimed their republican guard chief as the country’s leader Wednesday after placing the just-reelected President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest, alleging betrayal and massive embezzlement during his long-time rule over the oil-rich Central African nation.

The coup leaders said in an announcement on Gabon’s state TV that Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had been “unanimously” designated president of a transitional committee to lead the country. Oligui is a cousin of Bongo, who earlier Wednesday had been declared the winner of the country’s latest presidential election following 55 years of rule by him and his late father.

In a video from detention in his residence, Bongo called on people to “make noise” to support him. But the crowds who took to the streets of the capital instead celebrated the coup against a dynasty accused of getting rich on the country’s resource wealth while many of its citizens struggle.

“Thank you, army. Finally, we’ve been waiting a long time for this moment,” said Yollande Okomo, standing in front of republican guard members who had helped stage the takeover.

Coup leaders said there would be a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time but that people would be allowed to move about freely during the day on Thursday.

“The president of the transition insists on the need to maintain calm and serenity in our beautiful country ... At the dawn of a new era, we will guarantee the peace, stability and dignity of our beloved Gabon,” Lt. Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi said on state TV Wednesday.

Oligui, the new military leader, used to be the bodyguard of Bongo’s father, the late President Omar Bongo, said Desire Ename a journalist with Echos du Nord, a local media outlet. Oligui also was head of the secret service in 2019 before becoming head of the republican guard.

Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64, has served two terms since coming to power in 2009 after the death of his father, who ruled the country for 41 years, and there has been widespread discontent with his reign. Another group of mutinous soldiers attempted a coup in 2019

but was quickly overpowered.

The former French colony is a member of OPEC, but its oil wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few—and nearly 40% of Gabonese aged 15 to 24 were out of work in 2020, according to the World Bank. Its oil export revenue was $6 billion in 2022, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Nine members of the Bongo family, meanwhile, are under investigation in France, and some face preliminary charges of embezzlement, money laundering and other forms of corruption, according to Sherpa, a French NGO dedicated to accountability. Investigators have linked the family to more than $92 million in properties in France, including two villas in Nice, the group says.

A spokesman for the coup leaders said that Bongo’s “unpredictable, irresponsible governance” risked leading the country into chaos. In a later statement, the coup leaders said people around the president had been arrested for “high betrayal of state institutions, massive embezzlement of public funds (and) international financial embezzlement.”

Analysts warned that the takeover risked bringing instability, and could have more to do with divisions among the ruling elite than efforts to improve the lives of ordinary Gabonese.

The Bongo family has been associated with “systematic misappropriation of state revenues,” but the latest events “should be viewed with great caution, as they offer no guarantee of good governance and democratic transition,” Sherpa said in a statement.

The coup came about one month after mutinous soldiers in Niger seized power from the democratically elected government, and is the latest in a series of coups across West and Central Africa in recent years. The impunity those putschists enjoyed may have inspired the soldiers in Gabon, said Maja Bovcon, senior analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, a risk assessment firm.

In weekend elections, Bongo faced an opposition coalition led by Albert Ondo Ossa, an economics professor and former education minister. Minutes after Bongo was declared the winner, gunfire was heard in the capital, Libreville. Later, a dozen uniformed soldiers appeared on state television to announce they had seized power. Libreville is a stronghold of the

Wu said the arms sales will only “damage the safety and well-being of the Taiwan people.”

American funds could be used to finance the acquisition and refurbishment of armored and infantry vehicles, artillery systems, drones and counter-drone equipment, communications and individual soldier equipment, as well as requisite training, according to the congressional notification.

Congress last year authorized the administration to provide up to $2 billion in military support for Taiwan, which is separate from the Taiwanese government’s purchase of equipment from US defense contractors. With assistance from Jing Li and Jill Disis/ Bloomberg

Union, whose commission condemned the coup and called for a return to “democratic constitutional order.”

Mednick reported from Dakar, Senegal. Associated Press reporters Cara Anna in Nairobi, Kenya, Jamey Keaten in Geneva; Angela Charlton and Oleg Cetinic in Paris; and Jon Gambrell and Malak Harb in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Zane Irwin in Dakar, Senegal contributed.

The video was shared with The Associated Press by BTP Advisers, a communications firm that helped the president with polling for the election.

Shortly after the video went public, people with Bongo had their phones seized by soldiers, said Mark Pursey, the chief executive officer of BTP Advisers. Bongo’s son and communications director were being held at military headquarters, Pursey said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the coup, and called on military leaders to ensure the safety of Bongo and his family, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Ossa, the opposition leader, told The AP he wasn’t ready to comment and was waiting for the situation to evolve.

The mutinous officers vowed to respect “Gabon’s commitments to the national and international community.” But the coup threatened to bring the economy to a halt.

A man who answered the phone at the airport said flights were canceled Wednesday, and the private intelligence firm Ambrey said all operations at the country’s main port in Libreville had been halted. Several French companies said they were suspending operations.

“France condemns the military coup that is underway in Gabon and is closely monitoring developments,” French government spokesperson, Olivier Veran, said Wednesday.

France has maintained close economic, diplomatic and military ties with Gabon, and has 400 soldiers stationed there for a military training operation. The US Africa Command said it has no forces stationed in the Central African nation other than at the US Embassy.

Unlike Niger and two other West African countries run by military juntas, Gabon hasn’t been wracked by jihadi violence and had been seen as relatively stable.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the events in Gabon were being followed with “great concern.” He said it was too early to call it part of a trend or a “domino effect” in military takeovers on the continent.

A spokesperson for the State Department later released a statement saying US authorities “remain strongly opposed to military seizures or unconstitutional transfers of power.”

“We urge those responsible to release and ensure the safety of members of government and their families and to preserve civilian rule,” said Matthew Miller in the statement.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, however, cited a “contagion of autocracy we are seeing spread across our continent,” in a statement issued by his office. It said he was conferring with other heads of state and the African

ripped through a rundown five-story building in Johannesburg that was occupied by homeless people and squatters, killing at least 73 people early Thursday, emergency services in South Africa’s biggest city said.

Some of the people living in a maze of shacks and other makeshift structures inside the building threw themselves out of windows to escape the fire and might have died then, a local government official said. Seven of the victims were children, the youngest a 1-year-old, according to an emergency services spokesperson.

As many as 200 people may have been living in the building, witnesses said.

Emergency crews expected to find more victims as they worked their way through the building, a process slowed by the conditions inside. Dozens of bodies were lined up on a nearby side road, some in body bags, and others covered with silver sheets and blankets.

Another 52 people were injured in the blaze, which broke out at about 1 a.m. in the heart of Johannesburg’s central business district, Johannesburg Emergency Services Management spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said.

Abandoned and broken-down buildings in the area are common and often taken over by people desperately seeking some form of accommodation. City authorities refer to them as “hijacked buildings.”

Mulaudzi said the death toll was likely to increase and more bodies were likely trapped inside the building. The fire took three hours to contain, he said, and firefighters had only worked their way through three of

“This is a tragedy for Johannesburg. Over 20 years in the service, I’ve never come across something like this,” Mulaudzi said. The building’s interior was effectively “an informal settlement” where shacks and other structures had been thrown up and people were crammed into rooms, he said. There were “obstructions” everywhere that would have made it very difficult for residents to escape the deadly blaze and which hindered emergency crews trying to work through the site, according to Mulaudzi. Search teams found 73 bodies. The chance of anyone being found alive hours after the fire broke out was “very slim,” he said.

City officials said 141 families were affected by the tragedy, although they were not able to immediately say how many people were in the building at the time of the blaze. Many of them were believed to be foreign nationals, officials said.

A witness who didn’t give his name told television news channel eNCA that he lived in a building next door and heard people screaming for help and shouting “We’re dying in here” when the fire started.

Mgcini Tshwaku, a local government official, said there were indications that people lit fires inside the building to keep warm in the winter cold. Officials are looking into the cause of the blaze.

After the fire was extinguished, smoke still seeped out of windows of the blackened building as daylight broke. Strings of sheets and other material hung out of some of the broken windows. It was not clear if people used those items to try and escape the fire or if they were trying to save their possessions.

Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa.

THE US for the first time approved the transfer of weapons to Taiwan under a program usually reserved for sovereign states, the State Department said Wednesday.

‘Economies do better when everyone has a chance to succeed’

OvEr the years, fast economic growth has helped to significantly reduce poverty in Asia-Pacific region. However, the Asian Development Bank said much still needs to be done in a region that is home to about two-thirds of the world’s poor. ADB estimates that there are 1.7 billion poor people in Asia-Pacific who are living on less than $2 a day.

An estimated 155.2 million people in the region lived in extreme poverty as of last year, according to Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2023. The number is 67.8 million greater than it would have been without the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, according to the ADB report, which defines extreme poverty as living on less than $2.15 a day.

In the Philippines, the economy has been steadily growing in recent years, accelerating from 5.6 percent in 2021 to 7.6 percent in 2022. Amid current global headwinds, GDP growth is set to moderate to 6 percent this year, which is lower than last year’s numbers but still better than the IMF’s projected 2023 global growth of 2.7 percent.

Unfortunately, the country’s high economic growth rate does not mean anything for ordinary Filipinos. Ibon Foundation Executive Director Sonny Africa told the BusinessMirror that the majority or around 70 to 80 percent of poor and borderline poor Filipinos had low incomes because of a “distorted pattern of economic growth.” (Read the BusinessMirror report, “Decades of ‘low, irregular, uncertain incomes’ take a toll,” August 29, 2023).

A closer look into the country’s economic performance reveals that it has been very unequal and this has led to unemployment and rising underemployment as well as the low incomes of Filipinos, according to Africa.

To correct this, he said the government should “revisit clearly inadequate policies to transform the economic structure to produce more and better jobs.”

Small purchases, bad roads, and low access to credit are among the factors that make poverty expensive in the Philippines and in other countries in the Asia and the Pacific region, according to the Asian Development Bank. (Read the BusinessMirror report, “Poor pay ‘poverty premium’ in PHL, AsPac—ADB report,” August 25 2023).

At the launch of the Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific report last week, ADB Economic Research and Development Impact Department Statistician Arturo Martinez Jr. said poor Filipinos pay a poverty premium that makes goods and services about 20 percent more expensive compared to the country average.

Poor Philippine households have no choice but to buy “tingi” or in small quantities, which look cheaper, but in the long run turn out to be expensive as they need to buy more to meet their needs. Affluent households usually buy in bulk, which turns out cheaper as this prevents them from buying as frequently as poor households do.

“This is just one example of how the poverty premium manifests,” Martinez told the BusinessMirror. Other examples of poverty premiums have to do with bad roads, which make transportation costlier for poor households. Since many poor Filipinos live in areas with poor infrastructure facilities, they need to pay more to access economic opportunities.

Martinez said poor households do not have many of the conveniences of affluent households, such as access to cheap electricity and appliances like refrigerators, which affect the products they consume. He said expensive electricity prompts poor households to resort to buying coal, firewood, and other forms of biomass, which often are more expensive for them. One example, he said, is kerosene, which other studies found more expensive for poor people.

Amid the government’s program to accelerate poverty reduction, millions of our countrymen are struggling every day to secure the necessities for a meager existence. These people endure the pangs of penury because they can’t share in the abundance brought about by high economic growth rate. The challenge, not only for the government and big business but also for all socially conscious citizens, is to make a fundamental change so that the abundance, the comforts, and the opportunities they see all around them will be within their grasp.

Together, we can end the worst kind of hopelessness among our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Even big businesses need to realize that they can’t attain their full potential if millions of Filipinos are mired in poverty. As former US President Barack Obama so perfectly puts it: “Economies do better when everyone has a chance to succeed.”

A big win for health care and military veterans with disabilities

Philippines and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

sonny M. angara

Better Days

FiliPinOs who require specialized medical care, particularly the ones who reside in far-flung areas, will soon see more facilities that will cater to them with the enactment of republic Act 11959 or the regional specialty Centers Act. As one of the authors of this measure, we thank President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for signing this into law, as it would provide many Filipinos with access to critical care at or near where they reside. Bringing free or affordable health care to our people is of utmost importance if we consider the alternative, which is to skip treatment altogether.

When we filed our version of the law way back in July of 2022, we took note of the 2015 report of the University of the Philippines National Health Institute, which stated that six out of 10 Filipinos die without seeing a medical professional due to the high cost of health care in the country. One of the biggest problems faced by Filipinos with health issues is that they have to travel long distances just to get the care they require. Most of the specialty hospitals and centers are mostly situated in Metro Manila and some highly urbanized cities so Filipinos who are suffering from heart, lung, kidney and pediatric diseases have to go all the way to these areas to seek treatment.

The sad reality is that many of

these ailing individuals just cannot afford the costs of transportation, accommodations and food and more often than not, they have no means to pay for the services they need from private health facilities. It is the government’s responsibility to protect and promote the right to health of the people to make health services available, accessible and affordable to all.

The law mandates the Department of Health to establish specialty centers within the hospitals it operates in every region of the country and in government owned and controlled corporations specialty hospitals such as the Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the

Prioritization for the establishment of specialty centers will be based on the health needs and demands, including disease burden, in the catchment populations of the DOH facilities; the service capability of hospitals and geographic or physical access; and availability of competent health human resources for specialized healthcare. At least one specialty center will be established in every region within five years upon the effectivity of the law, based on the top burden of disease and special needs in the area.

We have consistently pushed for the establishment of more specialty hospitals in the regions and year after year, we have increased the operating budgets of the existing specialty hospitals. Rest assured that as Chairman of the Committee on Finance, we will ensure that the funding required for its implementation is provided under the General Appropriations Act.

Another bill that we filed in July of 2022 that was signed into law by the President is related to the rationalization of disability pension of veterans. More than three decades have passed since the Republic Act 6948 or the law standardizing and upgrading the benefits for military veterans and their dependents was passed. Taking into account inflation, the amounts contained in the 1990 law are no longer adequate now.

Under RA 6948, the disability

pension for veterans, depending on the degree of disability, ranges from P1,000 to P1,700 only. With the new law, the amounts would now be increased as follows: If and while the disability is rated anywhere from 10 to 30 percent, the monthly pension will be P4,500; 31 to 40 percent = P5,300; 41 to 50 percent = P6,100; 51 to 60 percent = P6,900; 61 to 70 percent = P7,700; 71 to 80 percent = P8,500; 81 to 90 percent = P9,300; 91 to 100 percent = P10,000 plus P1,000 for the spouse and each unmarried minor children. For veterans who have reached the age of 70 but are not receiving any disability pension, they will be deemed disabled and will be entitled to a monthly pension of P1,700. We owe our veterans a debt of gratitude for their service to the nation. They put their lives on the line to keep our country safe from internal and external threats. For surviving veterans of World War II, we thank them for their role in providing us with the freedom that we enjoy today. Increasing the amounts of disability pension is the least we can do to repay them for their sacrifices.

Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 19 years—9 years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and 10 as Senator. He has authored, co-authored, and sponsored more than 330 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate. E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara

A review of policy issues in Philippine mining

Second of three parts

lArgE-sCAlE mining corporations that do business in the Philippines enter into any of the following contract agreements as defined in the Philippine Mining Act of 1995: 1) mineral sharing via mineral production sharing agreement (MPsA), co-production agreement, or joint venture agreement (JvA); and 2) financial or technical assistance agreement.

T he maximum area (onshore) allowed under mineral agreement is 8,100 hectares for any province and 16,200 hectares in the entire Philippines, while the maximum area of an FTAA is 1,000 meridional blocks or 81,000 hectares onshore; 4,000 meridional blocks or 324,000 hectares; or a combination of the onshore and offshore maximum areas. Both have a term not exceeding 25 years and renewable for another term not exceeding 25 years. The Mining Act also specified the minimum amount

of $4 million or its Philippine peso equivalent as capitalization under an FTAA contract. There are other government contracts as mentioned above, but this article will just focus on MPSA and FTAA.

Before any project can be implemented in a locality, all national agencies authorizing such activity are tasked under sections 2(c), 26, and 27 of the Local Government Code to obtain prior approval from the local government unit concerned after having made consultations with the

residents about the project’s impact to communities and the environment, with the aim of maintaining ecological balance (LGC, 1991). The same provisions also cite the concurrence of the local sanggunian (legislative body) before any project can start.

The decision to mine from the perspective of the national government comes way before the granting of permits to contractors. For the LGU, the decision is already made for them by the central government.

And here, government agencies are tasked under the Local Government Code to help facilitate the process by which the community shall reach an informed decision on the social acceptability of a mining project as a requirement of the company in secur-

ing an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). No mining operation can proceed without the ECC. Large or small-scale mining by its nature is a risky industry. It extends its risk to the environment, people, and other communities. There is also loss when there is mining activity. This comes in the form of loss of homes or displacement, loss farms, loss of livelihoods, and loss of vegetation. To mitigate disastrous damages that may happen during extraction activities itself, mining companies are obligated under the Philippine Mining Act (PMA) of 1995 to earmark funds specific only for protection, enhancement and rehabilitation of the disturbed

See “Eagle Watch,” A19

Business learnings from Madonna

ON september 7, 1983, then 25-year-old Madonna released “Holiday,” which would become the first of her 38 top 10 songs. Forty years on, she still headlines celebrity news worldwide, embarks on Celebration Tour with 35 of the 78 shows already sold out to date, and remains a force to reckon with in the music industry.

Madonna, 65, has many accolades in music. She sold more than 300 million records and holds “the Guinness World Records as the best-selling female recording artist of all time.” She was dubbed “greatest woman in music,” according to VH1, while MTV and Billboard tagged her as “the greatest music video artist ever.”

She is a songwriter, singer, dancer, drummer, guitarist, actress, director, filmmaker, producer, author, cultural icon and a savvy businesswoman. She launched Maverick Records in the early ’90s, and her other interests include fashion, books, perfumes and fitness centers. Madonna leads her businesses as the face, the brand, the muse and the supreme girl boss.

Not everyone is as multi-talented and versatile as the Queen of Pop. She has no MBA to speak of; she just has the knack for business and the ambition/determination to succeed in whatever she puts her mind into. She is estimated to have a net worth of $570 million to $800 million. So, what can women learn from her?

Three pointers come into mind. First, she stops at nothing to become a “better version of herself” or her company. Says Madonna: “No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change.”

Your past or faulty beginning should not have any bearing on what you want to achieve—that I think is a key to success. One cannot succeed if past mistakes bog you down. One must move on, forward and out. “No matter where you come from” is empowering, and it applies to everybody.

Madonna is always changing to achieve this better version of herself. She is the original queen of reinvention—from her looks to her music. Marketers will always preach consistency in branding—that is alien to Madonna. The only thing

Beyond deep missing

Tito Genova Valiente annoTaTions

‘Isaw Mama.” I was talking to my sister over the phone. she asked where. “Davao…during the Philippine Book Festival.”

Mama passed on in 2018. But we see her always. Not as a ghost. Nor as a butterfly. But as a presence.

that name? Her friends called her “Lelay.” Lily was wonderful but her friends had a more endearing name for her. “If I did ask her name and she responded with Mama’s name, I would have fainted,” I told my sister.

a Smile. Or was it The Garden of the Prophet. I had no idea where she got the book. What I do recall was how she was constantly sharing with me the parts she read.

environment, including funds set aside for committees formed for regular monitoring of the environment. These serve as safety-nets for environmental damage.

Mining companies doing extractive activities are also bound by the same Act to create, fund, and implement programs and projects under the Social Development and Management Plan (SDMP) that will benefit communities directly hosting and the neighboring areas (PMA, 1995). The social projects package is to help increase acceptability of mining.

With the guarantee of additional revenues from mining, measures for increased protection to the environment, the people, along with the social projects and services are funded by the companies, mining still remains a contentious issue.

The province of South Cotabato has passed an ordinance in 2010 that tried to prevent mining by passing an environmental ordinance banning open-pit mining (Talavera, 2023). Local groups have formed

consistent with how she markets herself is the constant transformation of the Madonna brand with resounding success.

Second, ambition is essential to succeed in business because it gives you a target or goal to achieve. As such, you become focused and singular in your efforts, which drive and strengthen you.

Says Madonna: “I’m tough, I’m ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.”

Ambition toughens you, and running a business requires making tough decisions. You must be prepared for criticisms, condemnation, loathing which all require toughening up. What makes Madonna click is that she does not care if that makes her a “bitch.” She cares that she gets what she wants with her music and her projects.

Third, always overcome fear of failure. Madonna had plenty of failures before she achieved ultimate success. In the early ’80s, she was dancing and singing with different groups and never stopped at whatever little breaks she could muster.

Running a business has a lot of risks. You put in your hard-earned money into a business venture, and something like Covid-19 happens (as we all experienced) or natural disaster strikes that could ruin even supposedly fail-proof businesses. Our economy thrives because there are people out there who take the risks, who surmount the fear of failure in putting up businesses that employ thousands.

Says Madonna: “We all fall to the floor at some point. It’s how you pick yourself up that’s the real challenge. Isn’t it?”

These three pointers are the most inspiring lessons we can get from Madonna as a businesswoman. Will that make you a bitch? If yes, should you really care?

alliances with other advocates who have resisted the development of a copper and gold mining project until the mining contractor retreated not because of the resistance but because of the sudden drop in the prices of copper (Niederberger et al., 2019).The current plan is to make the mining industry a reliable additional source of income not only for the national economy but also for the local governments, which have to recover after the devastating effect of the Covid-19 pandemic. If this plan translates to the approval of mining applications pending since 2012, it is but fair that people in communities are also ready to accept mining as it is expected to provide increased incomes for the LGUs. At the national level, fiscal policies that maximize revenue collection from the extractive industry should be enacted. It is expected that after applications have been approved, there will be an increase in the share of revenues at the national level, which also translates to an increase of revenues for the LGUs.

My sister wanted the details. “How did you know it was her?” This was a question not for the disbelief but to ascertain whether the signs were there. She approached our booth. She was the gentlest old lady in the hall. Like Mama. In that exhibit, I usually was the observer, standing behind the shelves, calling any member of our team to attend to guests or anyone who appeared to be interested in a title or in some objects being sold by our bookshop. But when I saw her wearing a black and white dress, I felt drawn to her.

The lady was about to reach for a book but she paused and caught with her eyes the products from Isarog Botanics. These were products from oil concocted out of the famed pili nuts by the young entrepreneur, Trixie Odiamar. There were soaps and there was this lotion in a cobalt blue container. I got hold of the lotion and offered it to her. She looked up. Those were…Mama’s eyes. I offered to put some on her wrist or finger. But she gently held my hand, in a gesture of stopping me. “I do not use lotion or perfume. This smells good though. But I am a powder person.” Then she smiled again. Shyly. A smile from an old woman could be disarming. Loneliness was overcoming me.

That was Mama talking. Mama was a simple woman. She never bought her own dress. It was either her mother, our grandmother, who supplied her dress. Or Papa. On special occasions, her younger cousins,

my titas would dress her up. Put make-up on her face. Like this woman now who had begun to turn away, Mama was a powder person. And that oily lotion called “Suave,” which she used to dab all over her hair. That was all.

It was strange remembering all these small things that Mama did when she was younger, and could walk, and remember many things.

I went back to the old woman and noticed her back a little bent. Mama was a tall woman but when she reached her 80s, she started to have this bend, which slowed her down. Mama had difficulty handling objects because of an early onset of arthritis. The woman was now looking at the tiny statues of heroes. We had them—boy Rizal, a child Bonifacio, even a little girl on horseback, a Gabriela Silang. It was obvious she was amused as she held onto the arms of a young man. Her son, I assumed. “Why didn’t you ask her name? My sister was needling me. Before I could reason out, she blurted: “Who knows, she would have told you, ‘I am Lily.’” That was Mama’s nickname. Shortened from Liliosa. Did my father call her by

“You could have given her Tales from Ticao! My sister was referring to one of the books exhibited in our booth. I wrote this book as an ethnography on collecting folk tales but I ended up remembering the many stories told to us by our nanny. For years, I kept recalling details about those stories—their beginning, or their middle, and especially how they ended. And so one day, I tossed all the cautions to the

After that incident, my sister was locating many lost objects, most of them related to people we had lost. She found a strangely beautiful sailboat, its hull made of a longish shell. It was a sending-off gift from our sister-in-law, Ate Naomi, given to my sister as she was about to leave for Japan, to live with her husband.

Ate Naomi passed on in the middle of the lockdown. That gift now is of her final journey.

More treasures would be found. A funny set of three lost elves all made of shells was a gift from Mama. The vendor had convinced Mama those figures were ninjas. Merely hilarious during the time of the giving, these Japanese mise-en-scene as imagined by some craftsmen from our city is making us smile. It reminds us also of how stubborn Mama was. If she felt she wanted to give something, she would ignore our plea. It was her gift and she would give it honorably. And sweetly.

This morning, I noticed a strong wind. It could be part of the low pressure area affecting the country. But I called it the final winds of August. The passing of time. That ennobling of space that contains our memories, our longing. I waited for the wind to subside. It went on and on, and then stopped.

four winds and wrote like a madman coming to terms with his psychosis and sadness.

Why did I not try Tales from Ticao on the old, gentle lady? What if she had refused (“I am not into reading”). And Mama was into reading. Anything. The last time she held a paperback it was Kahlil Gibran’s A Tear and

Somewhere between the gray clouds and the flight of tiny birds before my eyes, I felt a thin air brush past my face. It was too cold to be the air of transition. I rushed to send a message to my sister: Mama… held my face… this morning.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

‘Striking the right balance: Fostering success and well-being in business leadership and personal life’

By Henry Go

EMBark on a journey that mirrors the art of harmonizing success and well-being. Just as a skillful business strategist blends diverse elements to create a balanced strategy, you, as a business leader, weave together different facets of life to achieve equilibrium between accomplishment and personal satisfaction. Each facet demands your attention and nurturing, resulting in a tapestry of achievement and contentment.

Visualize yourself as the skillful business strategist of a harmonious plan, adeptly aligning your business aspirations and personal growth to attain a sense of balance. Just as individual components contribute to a coherent strategy, your professional pursuits and personal well-being converge to create a symphony of fulfillment and prosperity.

Think of your body and mind as essential components in this strategy. Similar to a strategist’s me-

ticulous planning, tending to your physical well-being through exercise invigorates your energy and instills a sense of vitality. Just as a strategist selects the finest methodologies for effectiveness, choosing nourishing foods fortifies you, ensuring resilience in both your professional and personal endeavors. Imagine rest as a pivotal pillar within the strategy. It provides a foundation for rejuvenation, enhancing your ability to perform op-

timally in all spheres of life. When faced with the pressures of work, much like adjusting strategic approaches, apply methods to maintain poise and stability—akin to refining the core of a business plan. Incorporating practices like mindfulness and engaging in activities that bring joy assist in effectively managing stress. Just as skillful business strategists continually explore innovative approaches, you too can enrich your professional and personal repertoire. Engaging in learning and networking within the business realm enhances your leadership acumen, analogous to integrating new strategies into your life’s blueprint.

Consider ethical conduct as an integral thread woven into your strategy. Demonstrating integrity and adhering to ethical principles amplify a positive resonance within

your business and its surroundings. As your journey unfolds, you evolve into the master strategist of your narrative. Your choices become the components integrated into your strategy. Similar to a strategist shaping a plan, your decisions guide the trajectory of your success and well-being.

Keep in mind that nurturing your team and fostering personal growth, alongside promoting business growth with integrity, contribute unique facets to your strategic design. Through thoughtful decision-making, self-care, and principled leadership, you construct a framework of achievement and contentment that resonates as a cohesive design. This framework not only enriches your life but also influences your business endeavors, guiding their course for the benefit of all involved.

Japan’s defense ministry requests nearly 12% budget increase to bolster military’s strike capability

By Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press

TOKYO—Japan’s defense ministry is requesting a nearly 12 percent budget increase that includes two warships with advanced radar and long-range cruise missiles as it further fortifies the nation’s military in the face of North Korean threats and Chinese military advancement.

The record 7.7 trillion yen ($52.5 billion) request for the 2024 fiscal year marks the second year of a rapid five-year military buildup under a new security strategy Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government adopted in December. It focuses on reinforcing strike capability in a break from Japan’s postwar principle of

having a military only for self-defense.

Under the five-year plan, Japan plans to spend 43 trillion yen ($315 billion) through 2027 to nearly double its annual spending to around 10 trillion yen ($68 billion), making Japan the world’s thirdbiggest spender after the United States and China. How to finance and justify the growing military spending is uncertain in a country with steeply declining births and increasing costs of caring for its aged population. The budget request was approved at the defense ministry meeting Thursday and submitted to the finance ministry for negotiations.

The request includes a hefty 490 billion yen ($3.35 billion) to start building two Aegis-radar equipped warships that would be deployed in 2027 and 2028, as

well as for training, testing and other costs related to the ships.

The warships, each carrying 240 crew members, would be designed to fire longrange cruise missiles including US-made Tomahawks and a modified version of domestically made Type-12 surface-toship missile, planned for deployment in 2032 to serve as something of a floating missile base.

The warships would have SPY-7 radar that could locate harder-to-detect missile launches including those on a high-arch trajectory. North Korea has often test-fired missiles at a high angle to avoid neighboring countries. Japan earlier had ordered the SPY-7 for land use but was forced to scrap the plan due to safety concerns in the regions that

would host them.

Japan is spending 321 trillion yen ($2.2 billion) billion this year to buy 400 Tomahawks for deployment in 2026-2027 and is retrofitting existing destroyers to carry them.

In the 2024 budget request, the Defense Ministry is seeking 755 billion yen ($5.17 billion) to develop and acquire “standoff” capability to strike distant targets, especially for the defense of Japan’s southwestern islands, the area feared to become the frontline in case of a Taiwan emergency. The ministry requested about 80 billion yen ($547 million) for the development and production of hypersonic guided missiles. Associated Press journalist Ayaka McGill contributed to this report.

Shift to sustainable finance warrants banks’ resetting

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

I n a Fiscal Year 2024 Banking Industry Briefing hosted by the SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO), BSP Assistant Governor Lyn

I. Javier said pursuing sustainability is a must because the Philippines remains one of the most vulnerable to climate change.

Javier said BSP efforts here began in 2013 but went full throttle in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, with the creation of its Sustainable Finance Framework. This was followed by its Environmental Social Risk Management Systems in 2021 and the Integrating ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) in investment management activities of banks in 2022, among others.

“ Circumstances of countries differ. These circumstances will inform our priorities and targets in terms of transitioning to sustainable operations. So as more advanced countries highlight mitigation, vulnerable and emerging economies like the Philippines highlight also the need for adaptation and resilience,” Javier said in her presentation on Thursday. “It’s not just about going digital. It’s also about considering sustainability, resetting, and restrategizing. That’s very important.”

BSP’s recent sustainability efforts have led to results such as having 95 percent of banks submitting a transition plan and/or sustainable finance

framework. Not all banks have sustainable finance frameworks.

We have first-mover banks who are already well ahead in terms of adopting a sustainability agenda. They already have policies or a framework on sustainable finance and they just have to enhance it based on the expectations of the Bangko Sentral,” Javier said.

J avier also said sustainable bonds issued between 2017 and 2023 have amounted to $4.48 billion as of the end of June this year. Of this amount, $1.3 billion are foreign currency-denominated bonds and P173.2 billion are pesodenominated.

Banks have also financed P243.6 billion worth of renewable energy projects as of the end of September 2022.

J avier said the Agricultural Fisheries and Rural Development (AFRD) Act, which supersededed the agri-agra requirements, recognized sustainable investments or loans as an eligible mode of compliance for loans extended to the farm sector.

T he BSP intends to build on these efforts this year and beyond to help the financial sector embrace sustainability efforts.

HOT MONEY POSTS JUNE NET INFLOWS OF $962M

Future efforts of the BSP, Javier said, include the release of insight papers and technical notes on the results of vulnerability exercises that it conducted, as well as the results of transition testing exercises. She said these publications will be released within the year.

A ccording to Javier, the BSP is also working on policies surrounding ESG-themed Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs); the creation of incentives linked to sustainability; and the release of prudential reports.

T he BSP also intends to introduce financial sector forum initiatives such as the alignment of corporate governance requirements; taxonomy; and disclosures.

Earlier, the BSP signed the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the leading global network of public and private institutions committed to incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into their investment practices.

T he network was developed in 2005 by a group of the world’s largest institutional investors in a process convened by then United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

FOREIGN portfolio investments, also known as hot money transactions, recorded net inflows of $962 million in June 2023, according to data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Transactions on foreign investments registered with the BSP through authorized agent banks (AABs) recorded $1.6-billion gross inflows and the gross outflows of $614 million in June 2023.

“ The recorded net inflows are an improvement from the previous month’s net inflows amounting to less than $1 million,” BSP said in a statement on Thursday. Data showed the $1.6-billion registered investments for the month are higher by $687 million or by 77.2 percent compared to the $889 million recorded in June 2023.

B SP said the majority of registered investments were in Peso government securities worth $996 million or 63.2 percent, while 36.8 percent were in PSElisted securities at $580 million.

T he central bank said these investments were made in banks; property; food, beverage and tobacco; holding firms;

and transportation services. The remaining investments —less than one percent —were in other instruments. The top five investor countries for the month were the United Kingdom; United States (US); Singapore; Luxembourg; and Germany with combined share at 85.7 percent,” BSP said.

M eanwhile, BSP said the $614-million gross outflows were lower by $275 million or by 30.9 percent compared to the gross outflows recorded for June 2023 at $889 million.

T he central bank said the US remains the top destination of outflows, receiving $400 million or 65 percent of total outward remittances.

Y ear-on-year, registered investments in July 2023 are higher than the $681 million recorded in July 2022 by $896 million or by 131.6 percent.

Gross outflows decreased by $169 million or by 21.6 percent versus the gross outflows posted in July 2022 at $784 million.

The BSP also said the $962-million net inflows in July 2023 were a reversal from the $103-million net outflows recorded for the same period a year ago.

8-mo inbound tourist arrivals already 76% of DOT goal

ARRIVALS of international travelers in the Philippines reached 3.63 million from January to August 30 this year, or almost 76 percent of government’s targeted 4.8-million tourist arrivals for 2023.

DESPITE the flat growth projection set by the semiconductor and electronics industry, the largest export commodity group in the country, the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) said the country’s export revenues for 2023 are seen to surpass the $78.98-billion export earnings recorded in 2022.

W hile Philexport President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. did not divulge any figure, he expressed confidence the country’s export earnings will increase in 2023 from the figure recorded in 2022.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country’s export sales in 2022 amounted to US$78.98 billion.  “ I might be extrapolating, but it will be coming from a lower base so [it will rise a little] in percentage but it will not be dramatic,” the Philexport chief said at a media briefing on Thursday held in Pasig City.  Ortiz-Luis Jr. explained that whenever they compute the export targets, it suddenly becomes “very dynamic.” He emphasized that while the country’s exports are growing, “it’s growing very slowly.”

He attributed the slow growth in exports to the effect of the ongoing geopolitics, which he said affects the country’s supply chain because the country’s biggest trade partners were affected. For one, he said China’s trade slowed down.

W hile the Philexport chief did not mention the specific target for 2023, he said the supposed export earnings target for 2020 was downgraded, hence it is now the target for 2025.  Similarly, Ortiz-Luis said electron-

ics exports, the commodity group which accounts for the largest share in the exports pie, is also bearing the brunt of the geopolitical conflicts.

I n fact, last Wednesday, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Foundation, Inc. (Seipi) President Danilo C. Lachica said the industry is revising its growth target for electronics exports from 5 percent to zero percent for 2023 due to the ongoing geopolitical conflicts such as the trade war between the United States and China.

So as of June, we’re 7 percent down and we have, however, revised our growth forecast from 5 percent for the year to flat zero, because realistically we’re down 7 percent,” Lachica told reporters in an interview on Wednesday.

C iting data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Seipi said electronics exports from January to June 2023 went down by 6.99 percent from US$22.78 billion in 2022 to US$21.19 billion in 2023. This is equivalent to 60.63 percent of the total Philippine exports.

M eanwhile, United Kingdombased think tank Oxford Economics noted last August 25 that “demand for Asian goods will see some further weakness in the coming months.”

And while one piece of better news is that the global semiconductor cycle has turned, the tailwind from its initial recovery is likely to be mild,” the UK-based think tank noted. (Full story here: https:// businessmirror com.ph/2023/08/31/seipi-adjusts-to-0-growth-goal-in-electronic-exports/).

I n a presentation before the Rotary Club of Manila on Thursday, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the eight-month figure “surpassed the total volume of visitors received in 2022” of 2.65 million arrivals. Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed, however, this year’s arrivals was 35.71 percent less than the 5.6 million who arrived in the first eight months of prepandemic 2019. O f the total visitor arrivals from January to August 30, foreign tourists accounted for 91.42 percent or 3.22 million, while the rest at 311,727 were overseas Filipinos, or Philippine passport holders permanently residing abroad. Some 3.62 million of the total tourists arrived by air, while 16,680 entered the country by sea.

SoKor top source market

SOUTH Korea remained the top source market of inbound tourists at 935,849. It was followed by the United States at 629,477; Japan at 193,676; China at 173,319; and Australia at 167,689. Canada followed at 152,080 tourists; then Taiwan at 130,902; the United Kingdom at 106,807; Singapore at 95,986; and Malaysia at 64,367.

T he DOT is optimistic its inbound arrivals target this year will be exceeded with the implementation of an electronic visa (e-visa) platform by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for Chinese tourists. The DFA launched the evisa website  (https://visa.e.gov. ph)  in Shanghai on August 24, despite what a BusinessMirror source intimated  were  continuing security concerns by government intelligence agencies and the tentativeness of the site’s developer due to hacking concerns.

THE transition to sustainable finance goes beyond digitalization and requires “resetting and restrategizing” efforts in local banks, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

TOURISM Secretary Cristina Frasco is presented with a plaque of appreciation by the Rotary Club of Manila during her speech about the DOT's initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth. She is joined by District Governor-elect Jackie Rodriguez (left) and RCM President Rafael M. Alunan III. NONOY LACZA

Philexport: Export revenues to breach ’22 data of $78.98B

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Friday, September 1, 2023

ACEN forges joint venture deal with Indonesian firm

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

aceN subsidiary aceN Renewables international Pte Ltd . (acR i) a nd Puri Usaha Group have agreed last year to set up a platform for the development of R e projects in indonesia focusing on large-scale solar power plants, battery energy storage system and green hydrogen projects.

On Thursday, aceN reported that

By VG Cabuag @villygc

Pacific Online Systems corp. has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOa ) with state-owned Philippine c h arity Sweepstakes Office (P c S O) to implement a one-year trial run for a web-based application betting platform (Wa BP).

Through the Wa BP, the PcSO aims to develop and promote “more marketable, adaptable, resilient and trendy” betting platforms, taking into account the evolution of the gaming market and the advancements in technology, Pacific Online said.

“The MOa will cover a trial period for the Wa BP for one year, subject

ABOiTiz Power corp. (aboitizPower) said it is targeting to electrify its vehicle fleet by 2040 via a program it launched on Thursday.

The company unveiled its corporate electric vehicle (eV ) fleet transformation program with the presentation of new plug-in eVs, in support of the electric Vehicle industry Development act (eV iDa) eV iDa mandates industrial and commercial companies to electrify at least 5 percent of their fleets.

The eVs were manufactured by Build Your Dreams (BYD) and will soon be deployed to the three key cities of aboitizPower distribution utilities (DUs), specifically, Visayan electric, Davao Light, and cotabato Light.

Visayas and Mindanao are the location of the power firm’s three largest distribution utilities where the vehicles will be utilized and maximized.

“Bound to be deployed in the franchise areas we serve in Visayas and Mindanao, with land areas more than six times the size of Metro Manila, these vehicles are geared to prove their efficiency and reliability in this new age of electric mobility,” said aboitizPower Distribution Utilities (DU) chief Operating Officer a nton Percides. “We aim to achieve 40 percent electrification for our four-wheeled vehicles and motorbikes by 2030 and finally transform and electrify 100 percent of the aboitizPower DU fleet by 2040.”

The total number of vehicles owned by aboitizPower was not known but the company said eVs comprise 2 per-

PT Trisuya Mitra Bersama, a member of the Puri Usaha Group, and aceN indonesia investment holdings Pte. Ltd., another subsidiary of aceN, which is wholly owned by ac R i , entered into an investment agreement and shareholders’ agreement last august 30 for their joint venture company, PT Puri Prakarsa Batam.

aceN international cOO Patrice c l ausse said Puri Usaha Group and aceN share the same vision as he recognized indonesia’s potential to expand its R e assets.

aceN made its first regional expansion in indonesia in 2017 through a deal with UPc Renewables indonesia Ltd. to develop the $150-million, 75-megawatt (MW) wind power project in Sulawesi.

The South Sulawesi wind project, which started operating in March 2018, is aceN ’s first greenfield offshore investment through its affiliate ac energy international holdings Pte Ltd., a Singapore private limited company.

Last year, Puri Usaha group of companies ceO Ben Subrata said aceN is an ideal strategic partner for the group to strengthen its over-

all capabilities in undertaking major projects around indonesia beginning with the historic cross border green electricity project from Batam to Singapore.

ace N has about 4,400 MW of attributable capacity from owned facilities in the Philippines, au stralia, Vietnam, i ndonesia and i ndia, with a renewable share of 98 percent, which is among the highest in the region.

The company intends to be the largest listed renewables platform in Southeast a sia, with a goal of reaching 20 GW of renewables capacity by 2030. it is also committed to transition the company’s generation portfolio to 100 percent renewable energy by 2025 and to become a net zero greenhouse gas emissions company by 2050.

B1

grants motion of PEDC, Meralco to terminate PSA

The energy Regulatory commission (eRc) has approved the joint application of the Manila electric co. (Meralco) and the Panay energy Development corp. (PeDc) for the termination of their power supply agreement (PSa) in June last year, Meralco and PeDc filed the termination motion, citing PeDc ’s inability to meet its contractual obligations due to the rising cost of coal and fuel.

Prior to their termination motion, they also asked the eRc in January 2022 to adjust their PS a rates citing the “c h ange in c i rcumstance” provisions in their power supply deal.

Meralco and PeDc said the significant increase in global cost of coal or the fuel prices for 2022 have led to PeDc suffering losses in the amount of P962,240,261 as of September 2022. Upon verification of document submitted by the parties, the eRc computed an actual loss of P884,545,417 as of said date.

Lumbatan, Marko Romeo fuentes, and floresinda Digal. in granting the price adjustment motion, the commission was unanimous in the finding that the PSa allowed for price adjustments in case of “extraordinary event…that results in an increase of actual fuel costs from the fuel prices at the time of bid submission…”, under certain conditions. in its evaluation, the majority of the commission ruled that such conditions, specifically defined by the “c hange in c ircumstance” provisions, were found in the PSa Dimalanta noted that by filing the termination motion before the commission decided on the price adjustment motion, the parties are deemed to have abandoned their request for price adjustment and, hence, it can no longer be acted upon by the commission.

to renewal, during which Pacific Online will be acting as PcSO’s exclusive agent and generating gross revenues equivalent to 14 percent of PcSO’s gross sales generated using the Wa BP,” it said.

Pacific Online, a subsidiary of the SM Group-led Belle corp., is engaged in the development and management of online computer systems, terminals and software for the Philippine lottery industry.

The firm provides technical and market expertise for the distribution of lottery products in the country in partnership with the state-run PcSO.

Since 1995, Pacific Online has been leasing to PcSO its online lottery systems for the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

The company also provides the technical support to the P c S O through a maintenance repair agreement, which is co-terminus with its equipment lease agreement.

Pacific Online’s direct subsidiaries include Loto Pacific Leisure corp. which acquires, owns, leases, sells, operates and manages amusement, recreational, and gaming equipment facilities. it also owns Total Gaming Technologies inc., which leased Keno lottery system and equipment to PcSO nationwide until 2022.

Pacific Online’s net income tripled to P145.5 million in the first half from the previous year’s P48.8 million.

Revenues rose 57 percent to P343.4 million from the previous year’s P218.9 million mainly due to

the increase in lotto sales, driven by the increase in economic activity, the high jackpot prizes for the lotto games and the increase in the number of selling terminals, especially in Luzon.

in addition to this, the company was also able to recognize and collect rent deficiency claims from its Keno operations,” it said.

in a decision dated March 8, 2023 and released on Thursday, the eRc granted the joint motion for contract price adjustment as well as the joint urgent motion for the termination of the PSa , via a vote of 3-2, with eRc c h airperson Monalisa Dimalanta issuing a separate opinion and commissioner catherine Maceda issuing a dissenting opinion.

The three commissioners that agreed to grant the motion are a lexis

The eRc chief also said that while there is substantive basis to allow the termination of the PSa , the parties should be penalized for failing to observe the procedural requirements provided in the PSa itself to effect such termination.

in her separate dissenting opinion, commissioner Maceda voted to deny the termination motion, price adjustment motion, and prayer for recovery of PeDc ’s alleged fuel losses for failure of the parties to observe the conditions and processes required under the PSa that they executed. Lenie Lectura

cent of its fleet.

The e V fleet transformation program reinforces the demand for cleaner energy sources and aligns with aboitizPower’s growth strategy of adding 3,700 megawatts of renewable energy in its generation portfolio in the next 10 years.

“Overall, this complements the Philippines’s aspiration to reduce its heavy reliance on the importation of fossil fuels for transportation and electricity generation via the harnessing of cleaner and indigenous sources.”

aside from reducing emissions, the company said the program will allow it to improve energy efficiency and transportation economics as the cost per kilometer traveled of an eV unit is at least half of cost of the internal combustion engine vehicles. electrifying our fleet will help us further reduce carbon emissions,

lower operating costs, and contribute to cleaner air in the cities where we operate. This way, we are also helping empower the evolution of the cities we serve,” Percides said.

aboitizPower President emmanuel Rubio said the company is pursuing innovations that will improve the efficiency and sustainability of the power firm’s operations. “The world is facing developments in climate change, global connectivity, population growth, urbanization, and digitalization, and these changes demand that businesses like ours transform to remain relevant.”

he added that the mobility sector has always had a history of being the highest energy-consuming sector in the country. The sector, he said, accounts for 31.3 percent of total final energy consumption with over 11 million tons of oil equivalent. Lenie Lectura

ACEN Corp., the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, is expanding its foothold in Indonesia after it signed a joint venture deal with the Puri Usaha Group to develop renewable energy (RE) projects.

Board micromanagement: Telltale signs

Part one

THE board of a relatively new association hired you as chief executive officer (CEO) to lead a lean management staff. As a professional association executive, you begin to notice early on that some board members seem to exhibit micromanagement tendencies.

Have you experienced this situation before?

Micromanagement is where the board of directors excessively involves itself in the day-today operations, decision-making, and minute details of the association’s activities. This can occur when the board oversteps its governance role and gets deeply involved in operational matters that are typically within the purview of the CEO and the management team. The board’s micromanagement can manifest in the following ways:

n Constant monitoring of the CEO.

n Excessive involvement in routine operational details.

n Direct engagement with staff, bypassing the established chain of command.

n Frequent reporting requirements on management.

n Recurring requests for justification of a CEO’s decision.

n Decision-approval delays.

n Second-guessing and criticism of the CEO.

n Focus on tactical details

Liquidity growth slows down

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

over strategy and long-term visioning.

n Board members acting as managers.

n Low CEO confidence, indicating lack of trust in or excessive interference from the board.

n Lack of CEO autonomy.

n Lack of delegated authority.

n Detailed instruction on processes.

n CEO undermined in public.

n Heavy board involvement in hiring/firing, undermining the CEO’s authority in staffing matters.

Micromanagement by the board in an association can have detrimental effects on staff morale, innovation and the ability to execute strategic initiatives effectively. It can create a culture of fear and compliance, stifling creativity and initiative among the management team.

Octavio Peralta is currently the executive director of the Global Compact Network Philippines and founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” The PCAAE will hold its 11th Associations Summit at the PICC on December 6, 2023. E-mail: bobby@pcaae.org.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed last Thursday that domestic liquidity reached P16.4 trillion in June 2023 from P15.28 trillion in June 2022 and P16.29 trillion in May 2023.

The growth in domestic liquidity levels in June was slower than the 6.6 percent posted in May. On a month-on-month basis, M3 inched up by only 0.4 percent.

Meanwhile, bank lending slowed to 7.8 percent in June from 9.4 percent in May.

This was based on preliminary data indicating outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/ KBs), net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the BSP.

On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, BSP said outstanding universal and commercial bank loans, net of RRPs, increased by 0.6 percent.

The data showed consumer loans to residents rose at a slightly faster rate of 23.7 percent in June from 22.7 percent in May given the in-

crease in credit card and motor vehicle loans.

Credit card loans grew 29.3 percent while motor vehicle loans grew 6.4 percent. However, salary or consumer-based loans slowed to a growth of 48.8 percent in June 2023 compared to 52.9 percent posted in May 2023.

“The slowdown in credit activity reflects the impact of monetary policy tightening, which continues to work its way through the economy. Looking ahead, the BSP remains prepared to ensure that domestic liquidity and lending dynamics are in line with its price and financial stability objectives,”

the BSP said.

The data also showed that outstanding loans to residents, net of RRPs, also increased at a softer pace of 7.9 percent from 9.3 percent in May.

Outstanding loans for production activities went up by 6.3 in June following a 7.9-percent expansion in the previous month, generally driven by

the continued rise in lending to key sectors, particularly electricity, gas, steam, and airconditioning supply (11.8 percent).

The data also showed that loans for wholesale and retail trade, and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles grew 9.7 percent; real estate activities, 3.8 percent; financial and insurance activities, 7.7 percent; and

information and communication, 11.2 percent.

The central bank added that outstanding loans to non-residents went up by 4.8 percent in June from 13.2 percent in the previous month. Outstanding loans to non-residents include loans by UKB’s foreign currency deposit units (FCDUs) to nonresidents.

THE increase in the country’s money supply to 5.9 percent in June was slower than the previous month as banks crimped lending as monetary authorities remained stern on policy stance.

Octavio Peralta Association World

Hotel ier Richard Sim mons returns for his thi rd act, th is ti me managing Marco Polo O

AUSSIE native Richard Simmons is a, uhm, veteran hand at running hotels in the Philippines and other Asian destinations. As the new general manager of Marco Polo Ortigas, this is his third posting in the country, having led teams at Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu and Hyatt Hotels in Manila.

“I mentally prepared myself for six months before I arrived,” Richard jokes, referencing the traffic situation in Metro Manila. But he likens the country to another favorite place to live, Thailand, where he managed hotels in Bangkok and Koh Samui. “As far as I’m concerned, there are a lot of similarities in the lifestyle, the weather is very similar, I like to do things like play golf. I like to go and eat, and I like easy access to travel. I think all of those tick the boxes [for the Philippines]. I think Bangkok does it a bit better on the efficiency level, but in terms of the vibe, I would rather live here than in a lot of places in Asia.”

It’s his particular familiarity with Filipino tastes and the environment in Metro Manila that makes Richard the perfect choice to further enhance Marco Polo Ortigas’s growth amid the challenges of a workforce shortage in the industry, the rise of AI, increasing inflationary pressures, and the stiff competition in the Ortigas CBD. “Part of my assignment is to accelerate the growth, and that comes in with building a new team,” he says, beefing up the sales and marketing team, the food and beverage staff, and other key departments.

Since his appointment, Richard has managed to add about 30 new staff “which is a direct relationship to business growth. And so we have been able to find people. I guess it goes back to hiring people for certain roles, certain positions for attitude and enthusiasm, and train for skills. And then we also need to find experienced and skilled people in different positions. It’s not an easy challenge.”

The key, he believes, is to create an environment that the employees will enjoy, apart from providing them the appropriate renumeration. To do this, he underscores the need to listen to the employees with empathy about their concerns.

“I wish I could change the traffic, but I can do things like make sure that people are not overworked. And that people have to try and find that work-life balance. I think the hotel industry needs to continue to evolve, to be more a bit more up to date on those kinds of inputs from the millennials.... They are our future leaders.”

Because as far as Richard is concerned, the hotel industry isn’t going to yield to robots to run operations any time soon. “I think there’s always going to be a balance about where does AI (artificial intelligence) provide a benefit to your organization, and where does it become too impersonal or robotic?

I think [guests] still want to speak to people. I’m confident our customer service level, when it comes down to responding to people, is a pretty good standard.... And if you look at the highest-rated hotels

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS

DAY: Zendaya, 27; Zoe Lister-Jones, 41; Gloria Estefan, 66; Lily Tomlin, 84.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Choose the path that excites and stimulates your mind. Pay attention to detail, and show passion in all that you pursue. Be inventive and disciplined enough to turn your ideas into something concrete. Improve what needs to be tweaked and protect what’s already perfect. Make this your year to master your skills and reach for the stars. Walk away from temptation and place your trust and loyalty in yourself. Your numbers are 3, 14, 20, 24, 32, 36, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Put your adrenaline to good use and finish what you start. Don’t leave yourself open to criticism because you neglected to follow your plans. Your appeal will get a boost if you act with kindness and authenticity. Romance looks promising.

★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Avoid costly ventures. Monitor your food and drink intake, and don’t overspend trying to impress. You’ll gain respect if you know when to decline and when to say yes. Your success depends on discipline and hard work, not buying favors. ★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Improve your living space. Comfort and convenience will ease stress and add flexibility to your daily routine. Surround yourself with people who support your efforts and want to make a difference as much as you do.

★★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Share your thoughts and create a buzz that interests people with something to offer. Take advantage of an opportunity to learn from an expert. Don’t give in to temptation or anyone who is condescending. Trust your instincts. ★★★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Pay attention to what’s happening around you, and you’ll gain insight into what to pursue and avoid. Concentrate on using your skills, knowledge and experience to outmaneuver anyone pushing you toward overindulgence or costly endeavors. ★★★

anywhere in the world, that’s all people.”

it comes to anticipating trends...I think AI requires it to be fed that information. That creativity part, that spontaneity part, also the quick reaction, I think are a lot easier for any human center rather than AI.”

inflation not just on the hotel business, but on the entire economy as well. The continued war between Ukraine and Russia has created supply chain problems all over the globe, while the recent cut in crude supply by Opec members is sure to kick local fuel prices higher.

F&B operations, for instance, is to shift some of its ingredients purchases to local suppliers, even as the property refreshes the offerings of its outlets, which continue to attract a loyal clientele. “We’re seeking quality local options, supporting the local economy, local producers—that’s a great big focus on for us, as part of this transition. We need to expand into quality artisan products. We like that a lot. It provides stories, it demonstrates our contribution to the economy, and I think people look for that as well.... The Philippines is a very proud nation and every time that Filipinos do well, they are the biggest bandwagon supporters in the world.”

As part of a thriving business district, the other hotels in Ortigas are similarly coming out of the pandemic strongly. But Richard sees his property being able to “punch above its weight,” and benefitting from the strengths of its neighbors. “We’re competing against some big brands, right? Because Edsa Shangri-La is an institution, they’re 32 years old, and they have some things that we’re not gonna go compete against—they can hold a million people in there, which I benefit from [e.g. room bookings]. They have all of their medical and pharmaceutical companies coming to town...and the Westin is also bringing some more people to this area. It’s good business.”

Prior to working in several hotels in the Asia-

which is golf. “Though with a handicap of 20, it’s never

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Tailor your day to suit your needs. Broaden your horizons; learn something new. Resist temptation and those using manipulative tactics. Concentrate on what’s important to you, and stay close to those who love and respect you. Personal growth will lead to more significant opportunities. ★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Be observant, see what’s new and exciting in your neighborhood, and decide if you want to participate. Personal improvements that contribute to greater skills, appeal and opportunities will boost your confidence and offer insight into possibilities. Romance is in the stars. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Refuse to let anyone jeopardize your chance to get ahead. Network, get into the conversation and tell others what interests you. The connections you make will lead to a long-overdue change. Don’t let overindulgence be your downfall. ★★★

and learn one of the most interesting and historically important parts of the Philippines.  It is an absolute eye-opener in understanding the Philippines.” He also suggests going to his favorite restaurant in Manila, Harbor View, in the late afternoon “to catch the famous Manila Bay sunset, while enjoying a stunning seafood dining experience.”

Meanwhile, here are Richard’s travel tips:

■ IN CHOOSING HOTELS: I am particular about checking the hotel location and accessibility to places I wish to visit. Also, take a look at online platforms for reviews and travelers’ photos of the hotel and their stay experience to get a feel of how others have experienced the property. My preference is also to book via the hotel’s official site whenever possible— establishing a direct relationship is always a benefit.

■ FOR DESTINATIONS: Always choose a restaurant where locals dine. Always choose the road less traveled. Discovery will be the reward!

■ Marco Polo Ortigas is located along Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Street in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. For inquiries and bookings, call 7720-7777 or go to shorturl.at/cyMRY

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Trust your instincts. Improvements at home or to yourself are favored. Pay attention to the changes going on around you. Speak passionately about your plans, but don’t exaggerate to get someone’s attention. You’ll gain ground if you move forward without assistance. Make romance a priority. ★★★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep a tally of how much you spend. Be honest with yourself and others regarding your feelings and your desire. The change will give you the boost you need to liven up your life and start something new. ★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Make a point to save. Don’t rely on hearsay regarding joint endeavors or expenses based on conjecture. Do your fact-finding and propose what you want to pursue. Avoid impatience. Concentrate on personal growth and romance. ★★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Refuse to let anyone limit what you can do or say. Speak on your behalf and make decisions conducive to getting what you want. You have more opportunities than you realize. Partner only with those who share your concerns and your dreams. ★★★

BIRTHDAY BABY:

You are astute, responsive and wise. You are cautious and observant.

‘dynamic duos’ BY RICH KATZ

The Universal Crossword • Edited by David Steinberg/Anna Gundlach/Jared Goudsmit

‘BLuE BEETLE’ unSEATS ‘BArBiE’ ATop Box officE, Ending fourwEEk rEign

Revisiting Brocka et al

WILL Lino Brocka’s film still make an impact on the students of cinemas at present? This was a question I have never asked before, convinced as I am of the power of the late director’s film. But generations change, aesthetics shift. Even theories about viewing and apprehending works of art go through a sea change.

By Jake Coyle

The Associated Press

NEW YORK—The DC superhero film Blue Beetle led weekend ticket sales with a modest $25.4 million opening, according to studio estimates on Sunday, dethroning Barbie from the top spot after a recordsetting run that left movie theaters colored pink for a month.

The Barbie phenomenon is far from over. Greta Gerwig’s film, which earlier this week became the highest grossing Warner Bros. release ever domestically, nearly managed to stay No. 1 again with $21.5 million in its fifth weekend. It’s up to $567.3 million in North America and an eye-popping $1.28 billion globally.

The other half of “Barbenheimer” also continues to perform remarkably well for a movie so far into its run.

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer took in $10.6 million in its fifth week. With a $285.2 million domestic total, Oppenheimer now owns the distinction of being the biggest box-office hit never to land No. 1 at the weekend box office. The previous record-holder for that unlikely stat is 2016’s Sing, which grossed $270.3 million in the shadow of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Hidden Figures.

Universal Pictures’ Oppenheimer has done even better overseas. Its global gross stands at an estimated $717.8 million through Sunday.

Blue Beetle, starring Xolo Maridueña, came in on the lower side of expectations and notched one of the lower debuts for a DC Comics movie.

Though earlier planned as a streaming-only release, Warner Bros. elected to put Blue Beetle, the first DC movie to star a Latino superhero, into theaters in the late summer, a typically quiet period at the box office.

The production price tag of about $105 million was lower for Blue Beetle than the average superhero film. It’s one of the last releases produced under an earlier regime at DC Studios, which James Gunn and Peter Safran took the reins of last year.

The film, directed by Ángel Manuel Soto and written by Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, drew solid reviews—certainly better than the three previous DC releases this year (The Flash, Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods). Blue Beetle (76 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) is the rare comic-book film to put a Hispanic cast front and center.

But it also faced some tough luck, and not just in the unexpected staying power of Barbie and Oppenheimer. Southern California was bracing on Sunday for Hurricane Hilary—potentially dampening ticket sales in the region. (Los Angeles was still its top market.) And like recent releases, Blue Beetle, which added $18 million internationally, didn’t have its cast available to promote the movie due to the ongoing actors strike.

Universal’s raunchy R-rated canine comedy Strays showed even less bite. The film, with a voice cast including Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx, landed in fifth place with $8.4 million. Comedies have generally struggled in theaters in recent years, but Strays had it particularly rough given that its starry cast was unavailable.

Strays was very narrowly bested by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. The Paramount Pictures animated release earned $8.4 million in its third weekend, bringing its domestic total to $88.1 million.

I was in the city of Sagay, some 60 kilometers away from Bacolod. The first time I was there, I witnessed the most exhilarating opening ceremonies of a festival named after a seafront. It was at Margaha, one stormy afternoon, the tide was high and I, used to the fanciest rituals to initiate the beginning of a feast around films, was not prepared for the actions that were to take place—out there in the sea.

Buffeted by waves, a stage floated above them. Dancers were on top performing a dance, waving the Philippine flag, as the sea below them refused to heed any choreography of stability and stillness. I was afraid for the performers but they seemed uncaring about the storm around them. The only storm and fury that mattered were in their soul—the kind of disturbance that produces art.

I was back again in this small and charming city but not for a festival. The group headed by the indefatigable cultural leader, Helen Javier Arguelles, with the able coordinator on her side, the awardwinning filmmaker Mark Raymund Garcia, were staging a more difficult enterprise: a three-day workshop on filmmaking, film education and film criticism, and sound design.

The last was an offshoot of a diagnosis about our perceived weakness in the film production happening at the peripheries.

My task was to fulfill a promise to teach how to read a film and, most importantly, how to write about films. The audiences were teachers and students, with the former emphasized because they are the frontliners in educating young people about “good” and “bad” cinema. I am also aware that schools at present have recognized film as pedagogy.

How does one teach people to read films and write about them? Well, you show them films. Short films I opt to use because they do not demand a long concentration span. They could easily be processed through discussions. The immediacy of the interpretation would give rise to exchanges that can be incendiary as they are passionate. And full of candor.

After each viewing, you ask them to write short sentences. Two to three sentences. These can grow into a paragraph of five sentences. Then two paragraphs. The first writing exercises are done right there on site. The longer paragraphs are homeworks.

How detailed should the instruction be? I included writing exercises where subject-verb agreements

were once more located. Dangling modifiers were tackled. But I focused more on modifiers. Explain always your modifiers. Declare some words as evil—“nice” is bad; “interesting” is boring; “beautiful” is the ugliest adjective you can offer to a filmmaker. Search, search for the right modifier. Language was no issue: I asked them to write in English, Filipino, or Hiligaynon—or a combination of two or all of the languages.

I showed first a long footage from Brocka’s Ina, Kapatid, Anak. Made in 1979, it felt as if I was discussing an American classic of the 1930s and 1940s. We long have forgotten these two actors—Lolita Rodriguez and Charito Solis—two blisteringly theatrical titans of Philippine movies. Interestingly, the participants noted how vulgar the scene was of two sisters fighting in front of the coffin of their father. The next day, I was inspired to show them one episode from Brocka’s Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa. We (I always become part of the audience in my workshop) were coming from the criticism that Brocka was one director who staged his scenes, making the camera handmaid rather than the major eyes of the film. Earlier, we noted how Rodriquez had to circle first before the camera moved to go around her. Will stasis be again the hallmark of Brocka’s cinematography (Romy Vitug was the director of photography)? The episode I selected this time was the second, Hellow Soldier (story was by Sis. Mary Angela Barros; screenplay by Mario O’Hara) starring two unforgettable actors: Anita Linda and Hilda Koronel.

In the discussion, I took note of one of the significant contributions of Brocka and this was in the hitherto unexplored depiction of Philippine slums. The young crowd though found the scenes stagy, a perception that I began to share. The squatters in Brocka’s films were displayed. However, when we got to critiquing Anita Linda’s scenes, the audience seemed stunned by the highly thespic presentation. We could not complain if the camera lingered and lingered long: it was a joy viewing this actress whose acting went over the rainbow, only to find her pains and passions back in the gutters, with those brows crossing, the lips trembling and the saddest eyes this side of the moon.

We followed this drama with what has always been described as gothic—the third episode called Bukas, Madilim, Bukas. Terrifying were Lolita Rodriguez and Mary Walter caught in a room that appeared to have no exit. Vitug’s experimentation with sepia, while a failure in some scenes (too dark or too bright), was a triumph in inducing an ethereal atmosphere. Memory became less of a romance than a regret.

Should we stay with poetry or should we look at violence as another form of literature? Texting Arvin Belarmino, an interpreter of violence a la Kiyoshi Kurosawa, in an abbreviated form, I received links to Nakaw (a much heralded film he did with Noel Escondo) and Tarang. The verdict: violence in Belarmino/Escondo film and in the former’s Tarang is scarier because the violations have become part of the landscape, a natural element in the present Filipino’s life. n

cBS honoring late game show host Bob Barker with primetime special

NEW YORK—CBS is giving the late game show host Bob Barker a last run on television with a prime-time tribute special that will air on the network Thursday night.

The Price is Right: A Tribute to Bob Barker, scheduled for 8 pm Eastern and Pacific, will be replayed Labor Day in the game show’s regular daytime slot, which is 11 am Eastern and 10 am Pacific.

The smooth-talking host, who urged participants to “come on down” and play the enduring game that required them to guess the price of consumer goods, died at age 99 Saturday at his home in Los Angeles.

With his signature long, thin

microphone, Barker commanded the show’s stage from 1972 to 2007. His tribute will be hosted by Drew Carey, his replacement and still the show’s host now.

The show of highlights from Barker’s 50-year television career will feature clips from his first and last days on The Price is Right. Barker hosted the game show Truth or Consequences before that.

It will illustrate Barker’s ability to make the most out of every moment, said Margot Wain, senior vice president of daytime television at CBS.

“Bob was one-of-a-kind,” Wain said. “He’ll be remembered as an extraordinary host, a devoted animal activist and, as he would put it, ‘a loyal friend and true.’” AP

Zack Snyder’s ‘rebel Moon’ official teaser trailer on netflix

FROM Zack Snyder, the filmmaker behind 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, comes Rebel Moon. A new universe awaits on Netflix starting December 22. Watch the official teaser trailer at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=KL5tfRPPtuo.

From Zack Snyder comes Rebel Moon, an epic science-fantasy event decades in the making. When a

peaceful colony on the edge of a galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival. Tasked with finding trained fighters who will unite with her in making an impossible stand against the Mother World, Kora assembles a

small band of warriors—outsiders, insurgents, peasants and orphans of war from different worlds who share a common need for redemption and revenge.

As the shadow of an entire Realm bears down on the unlikeliest of moons, a battle over the fate of a galaxy is waged, and in the process a new army of heroes is formed.

THE great Anita Linda in Lino Brocka’s “Hellow Soldier” in Lino Brocka’s 1979 Ina, Kapatid, Anak.

LEgEndAry game show host Bob Barker

SM Store launches “Shop&Share for Sustainable Livelihood” for farmers

IN line with its continuing commitment to create a positive impact in local communities, SM Store diversifies its approach towards (corporate) social responsibility this 2023. Through this inaugural program, SM Store is empowering shoppers to become agents of positive change by taking part in programs that will advocate community development and sustainability.

Recently, the SM Store, in partnership with ACE Express, announced a new initiative, known as Shop&Share for Sustainable Livelihood, which aims to empower farmers and support the agricultural community in the Mindanao region. The program’s primary goal is to make an impact on the lives of the farming community in Zamboanga Sibugay by donating a farming toolkit for a minimum single-receipt spend of P800 in ACE Express. This initiative fulfills a sense of social responsibility and offers shoppers a unique opportunity to be directly involved in giving back to the community.

Bernard Ong, President of ACE Hardware Philippines, expressed their unyielding support for the community at large, “At ACE Express, we’re proud to be a part of the Shop&Share campaign with the SM Store. We stand by our commitment to be helpful, not only to customers but also to the local community. By providing farming toolkits, we hope to provide the PhilSEED farmers the means for sustaining their livelihood and a way to improve their lives.”

SM Store collaborated with Philippine Social Empowerment and Equity Development Foundation (PhilSEED) Inc., a pioneering nonprofit organization committed to the economic and social prosperity of farmers and their communities in the Philippines. One of their priority projects is “The Cacao Project,” an 18-month program, which focuses on an all-encompassing training from experts that will equip the farmers

with knowledge on the agri-business.

Josh Mahinay, Chief Executive Officer of PhilSEED, shared that the organization is gearing towards reigniting the farmers’ dying passion for agriculture.

“Farmers remain the poorest in the Philippines, but their poverty situation is not a hopeless case if stakeholders can come together and build an enabling environment that will empower them. Almost all farmer-parents don’t want their children to farm, and that is why it is very important to intentionally co-create solutions through partnerships such as this and produce more success stories on the ground to show, especially to the young people, that there is economic viability in farming, that farming is a good career path to choose. This is very important for the food security of our country.”

Filipino farmers have little to no access to the necessary farming tools due to a lack of funds despite being the unsung heroes of society. To assist these farmers, PhilSEED actively seeks assistance from organizations that can provide funding to meet the farmers’ requirements. PhilSEED’s call for support has been answered through its partnership with SM Store and ACE Express.

SM Store and ACE Express were able to turn over 150 farming tool kits consisting of pruning shears and gloves, 1,200 packs of seedlings, and two generator sets to the indigent farmers of Zamboanga Sibugay. Access to basic tools will enable farmers to increase their productivity and encourage efficient work practices and effective farm management. By supporting indigent farmers with the necessary tools, the agricultural community can experience progress. As farmers thrive, they contribute to the overall development and well-being of their community.

Dhinno S. Tiu, SM Store’s Executive Vice President, explained how collaborating with key stakeholders plays an important role in the success of this initiative.

“This initiative aims to empower our community partners by providing them with the necessary toolkits to make their livelihood more sustainable. We are grateful to our loyal and generous customers who played a vital role in this cause. This partnership with PhilSEED and ACE Express is a testament to how SM Store is working together with our stakeholders to continue our legacy of sharing and serving the communities for over 65 years,” he said.

Sealy, Ballet Philippines Dream Collaboration Turned Reality

IN an extraordinary partnership that combines the world of luxurious sleep experiences and artistic storytelling through ballet, two pioneers come together -- America’s #1 Mattress Brand, Sealy Posturepedic® and the country’s premier ballet company, Ballet Philippines.

With the shared connection between dreams and ballet, Sealy Posturepedic® recognized a great opportunity to collaborate with one of the Philippines’ premier ballet companies. Ballet Philippines embodies excellence, innovation, and dedication, aligning seamlessly with Sealy’s commitment to crafting transformative sleep experiences for its clients.

The partnership between Sealy Posturepedic® and Ballet Philippines was solidified during a momentous Memorandum of Agreement signing event at the Twenty-Four Seven Building, Focus Global, Inc.’s flagship showroom in the country.

Stephen D. Sy, President of Focus Global, Inc., expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “ At Focus Global Inc., we have always been committed to providing our clients with the finest products, coupled with excellent customer

service, and this partnership with Ballet Philippines allows us to extend our dedication to excellence beyond the realm of sleep. Ballet Philippines shares our vision of craftsmanship, innovation, and artistic expression.”

The partnership between Ballet Philippines and Sealy is considered a milestone in the brand as expressed by Chee Yan Lee, General Manager of the Sealy Asia Group of Companies, “The signing of the Partnership between Sealy Posturepedic® and Ballet Philippines represents a collaboration that holds immense promise. Our shared commitment to high standards of excellence, dedication to craftsmanship and continuous innovation is what brought us together, and it is these shared values that will guide us as we move forward.”

At the heart of ballet lies an unwavering dedication to mastering the art of posture.

The timeless elegance and poise exhibited by ballerinas are the result of years of rigorous training and a deep understanding of the body’s alignment. Sealy Posturepedic®, a pioneer in sleep innovation, recognizes that impeccable posture starts with quality sleep and a supportive foundation.

The partnership of Sealy and Ballet

Philippines comes together so naturally and was described as a “perfect pairing” by Ballet Philippines President, Kathleen Liechtenstein “When we first began our talks with the Sealy team my immediate thought was, “This is a perfect pairing, that comes at the perfect time. As a professional dance company, movement is our raison d’etre or reason for being. Every perfectly executed jete or arabesque is powered by healthy habits that include time for rest and recovery. There was no better choice for us when it comes to rest, recovery, and sleep technology than Sealy.

The partnership between Sealy Posturepedic® and Ballet Philippines goes beyond just showcasing the art of ballet. It represents a shared commitment to nurturing dreams and supporting the pursuit of excellence. Sealy understands that quality sleep is not only the foundation for physical well-being but also for fostering creativity, resilience, and the pursuit of artistic mastery.

For the past seven years, Focus Global, Inc. has exclusively distributed Sealy Posturepedic® in the Philippines, always striving to provide clients with the finest products and exceptional customer service. Their range of mattresses is designed with advanced support technologies that ensure optimal spinal alignment during sleep. By fostering a restorative sleep environment, Sealy empowers ballerinas to wake up refreshed, poised, and ready to conquer each day with grace. This partnership with Ballet Philippines allows them to extend their dedication to excellence beyond the realm of sleep.

As America’s #1 Mattress Brand, Sealy Posturepedic® has revolutionized sleep for Filipinos, delivering cuttingedge mattress technology and an unwavering commitment to comfort and support. Trusted by millions worldwide and found in prestigious hotels such as Marina Bay Sands® Singapore and The Ritz-Carlton®, Sealy’s reputation precedes itself.

Standard Chartered Bank supports DepEd’s

Brigada Eskwela, National Learning Camp program

STANDARD Chartered Bank (SCB), the oldest international bank in the country, organized school-based activities to support the Department of Education (DepEd) in driving its 2023 Brigada Eskwela and National Learning Recovery programs in preparation for the reopening of public school classes and to address the learning gaps brought about by the pandemic. DepEd rolled out a five-week National Learning Camp (NLC) from July 24 to August 25, 2023 and sought support from the public sector to conduct fun and educational activities during the period to foster learner interests, socio-emotional skills, personal growth, and character development.

Standard Chartered organized learning camps at Maypajo and Baesa Elementary Schools in Caloocan City with Palarong Pinoy mini-olympics and eye health screening in partnership with the Eye Hear Foundation and Magna Kultura Foundation. Together with volunteer doctors and bank employees, hundreds of grade school students and teachers benefited from the eye screening with provision of free eyeglasses. Bank employees helped facilitate the fun games to promote traditional Filipino games and instill the importance of our national culture among the youth. Employees of the bank also raised funds to donate school materials for 200 students.

DepEd Central Office and Caloocan Schools

Division Office officials were in attendance at the Maypajo learning camp namely DepEd Director for External Partnerships Service Dr. Margarita Ballesteros, Head of Private Sector Partnership Zeny Lastimosa, and Caloocan School District Supervisor Ruth Balasa Salom, and were also joined by program partners Eye Hear Foundation Executive Director Rebie Relator and Magna Kultura Foundation Executive Director Dickie Aguado. SCB Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing Mai Sangalang said, “Standard Chartered Bank has been a staunch partner of the Department of Education through the years. We actively participate in the yearly Brigada Eskwela, and we have done numerous eye screening and cataract operations in Caloocan and Pateros benefiting thousands of public school students and teachers in partnership with NGOs Eye Hear Foundation and Philippine Business for Social Progress. As a financial institution, we have been conducting financial literacy lectures, and we support the youth to earn, learn and grow through initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and employability under our global program Futuremakers by Standard Chartered. We strongly believe that public sector engagement is critical in creating a business environment that participates in social causes and contributes to nationbuilding.”

Celebrate love as PHL‘s grandest wedding expo returns on September 9, 10 at SMX Manila

MARK your calendars for the grandest celebration of love and creativity as renowned events and wedding planning company Themes & Motifs proudly presents the Wedding Expo Philippines 41st Edition, The Best Bridal Fair of 2023. Set to dazzle and inspire soon-to-wed couples, this weekend event will take place on September 9 and 10, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at SMX Convention Center Manila in the Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

“This Wedding Expo will feature over 100 exhibitors, gown ateliers, and a one-ofa-kind culinary showcase spread across 3,000 sqm of space, covering everything needed to help make your dream weddings come true,” says Sharon Fabian, Managing Director of Themes and Motifs.

As part of the expo, Themes & Motifs will host Wedding Banquets Showcase: Grand Food Tasting Festival, unveiling delectable culinary creations from the country’s finest caterers such as Hizon’s Catering, Josiah Catering, and Richgold Weddings. Indulge in exquisite flavors and impeccable service from trusted experts in the wedding banquet service.

Event Highlights:

Inspirational Exhibits: Walk through the awe-inspiring landscape of wedding themes and concepts designed by industry-leading event stylists and designers.

Supplier Showcase: Immerse in the best of the wedding industry, meeting over 150 premier wedding suppliers, including photographers, videographers, caterers, florists, bridal gown designers, and more.

Fashion Extravaganza: Witness the latest bridal fashion trends as celebrated designers unveil their breathtaking wedding gown collections.

Exclusive Offers: Take advantage of exclusive discounts and promotions available solely during the event.

Attendees will also have the chance to win a Pre-Nup Photoshoot Session with the renowned celebrity photographer Nice Print Photography & Exige Weddings. That’s not all – by booking onsite, you’ll also

be eligible to win a range of fantastic prizes including a 2-night stay for two at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria with daily breakfast, a two-night stay for two at Sheraton Manila Hotel with daily breakfast, exquisite Elegant Wedding Rings from Goldenhills Jewelry, and the ultimate pairing: His and Hers iPhone 14.

Guests are encouraged to pre-register for the event on or before September 7 to enjoy a seamless entry process and receive exclusive offers.

To pre-register at the Wedding Expo Philippines 41st edition, visit: https://bit. ly/WEPS23RegisterHere

To register at The Grand Food Tasting Festival, visit https://bit.ly/REGISTERGra ndFoodTastingFestival

Moreover, celebrity couple Anthony & Maricel Laxa- Pangilinan will be launching their new marriage book “Marriage Is a Marathon: Run it One Step at a Time.” Anthony & Maricel celebrate 30 years of blessings by co-authoring this must-read book for couples.

Wedding Expo Philippines 41st Edition is supported by Aquila Crystal Palace Tagaytay The Events Place; Goldenhills Jewelry; Nice Print Photo; Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Sheraton Manila Hotel, the official partner hotels; Tei Endencia, the official event stylist; and official media & events partners Inspirations.ph and Sound Level Production Equipment Rental. For more information and updates, please visit www.themesnmotifs.com

A GRACEFUL partnership takes center stage as Sealy Posturepedic joins hands with Ballet Philippines in a momentous Partnership Signing Event. [L to R] Dennis Tan, Chee Yan Lee, Stephen D. Sy, Kathleen Liechtenstein, Rosalind Wee, Bernadette Aboitiz

STANDARD Chartered Bank and DepEd officials partner for the kick-off of the Brigada Eskwela and conduct of learning camp in public schools in Caloocan City

Caption: From left to right, Kara Velasco (Marketing Manager of SM Store Mindpro), Denily Fidel (Store Head of Ace Hardware SM Mindpro), Kevin Nunez of Department of Trade and Industry Zamboanga City, Christian Calungcungan (Ace Express SM Store Mindpro), Nixon Go (PhilSeed Board of Trustee), PhilSeed farmers and at right most, Aries Pineda (Sr Manager for SM Store CSR).

Celebrity couple Anthony and Maricel Laxa- Pangilinan will be launching their new marriage book at the event

Editor: Jun Lomibao

Pingris: The truth?

Current Gilas lacks chemistry. Players?

Sacrifice your body

By Josef Ramos

JEAN MARC PINGRIS was perhaps that Gilas Pilipinas player who portrayed the team’s “Puso!” mantra the most when he donned the national jersey.

Now retired but still capable to play—sans of course the strength and speed of youth—Pingris has something to say about the current men’s national team that went winless in three group games in the FIBA World Cup.

Do you want to know the truth?

First, the real reason why they play that way is they weren’t together for a long time,” Pingris told BusinessMirror on Thursday. “The chemistry isn’t there.”

T he second? It’s all about bravery, courage and a fearless attitude on the court.

The players need to trade faces with the opposing team,” said Pingris, referring to the local basketball slang for a player who plays best in defense “makipagpalitan ng mukha.”

We have to be physical and we cannot play soft,” the pride of Pozorrubio, Pangasinan, who’s now 41. “We must have a role player just like Ranidel [de Ocampo] or even Calvin Abueva.”

Or me, who are willing to sacrifice a body,” stressed the member of the Gilas Team in the 2015 World Cup in Spain that unlike this year’s team so far (the nationals battled China in the classification play Thursday night), notched one win—81-79 in overtime against Senegal.

He also observed that the current team has no legitimate point guards in the mold of his former Gilas teammates Jayson Castro, Jimmy Alapag and LA Tenorio.

Even though our team then wasn’t that strong, our chemistry was 100 percent intact because we were together for a long time,” he said. “Coach Chot [Reyes] brought us abroad to train and play against high caliber teams for one month before the 2014 World Cup.”

Th at team had training camps in Lithuania, France and Miami to prepare for the Spain World Cup, a berth they earned with that memorable 86-79 victory over South Korea in the 2014 FIBA Asia Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.

A lso on that Gilas team were Gary David, Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, naturalized player Andray Blatche and June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar, who’re still playing in the current Gilas.

But Pingris stressed that these batch of nationals need to be respected for their gallant stand on home soil.

I’m not saying that we’re the better team. I’m sure they really want to win…nobody wants to lose,” Pingris said. “But they haven’t been together for a long time that’s why they are not very familiar with each other.”

Reyes hardly had a complete pool to train ahead of the World Cup with a number of the important pieces joining camp barely two weeks before the tournament. Jordan Clarkson flew in last August 8 and Kai Sotto returned home the next day but still had to secure a medical clearance for a bad back.

The 6-foot-6 Pingris retired as a Magnolia Hotshot in May 2021 after a 16-year Philippine Basketball Association career.

USA IN POSITION IN WORLD HOOPS

THE opponent names will become more recognizable for USA Basketball now. Nikola Vucevic awaits on Friday, Jonas Valanciunas on Sunday, and if the Americans keep progressing through this FIBA World Cup the challenges will only get tougher.

To that, they say this: Good.

Second-round play at the World Cup starts Friday, with a 32-team field to start the tournament now down to 16 contenders for the Naismith Trophy.

The US is one of eight teams with 3-0 records, and those are the teams that have the easiest path to the quarterfinals.

There’s an immediate respect level from guys going against them in the NBA [National Basketball Association],” US coach Steve Kerr said. “The familiarity really helps as

well. The hard part is when you go into a game and there’s a great player who these guys don’t know, and he’s got a last name with lots of letters, and you have to refer to him as No. 5 or whatever and our guys aren’t ready for how good this player is. That’s a huge challenge in this tournament.”

Not anymore. Nobody will need to Google most of the best players on the teams that made Round 2.

Luka Doncic is headed there, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, KarlAnthony Towns, Dennis Schroder, Patty Mills, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Vucevic and Valanciunas—among others.

I n Round 2, the US plays Montenegro on Friday and Lithuania on Sunday.

For us as a country, to get to play against the US will be a huge thing,” said Vucevic, Montenegro’s best player. “We have to go out there and

show our best…and enjoy that game.”

Joining the US in Round 2 with 3-0 records out of group play are Slovenia, defending World Cup champion Spain, Canada, Germany, Serbia, the Dominican Republic and Lithuania.

For those eight teams, the task is this simple: Win two games this weekend, and the quarterfinals are certain. Each could also lose one of their next two games and still advance.

A lso in the second-round field are eight teams that advanced with 2-1 records: Montenegro, Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico, Australia, Georgia, Brazil and Latvia.

The Americans are the only team in the tournament that have won every game so far by at least 27 points. Canada’s closest win margin so far is 26; Lithuania’s is 20.

“ Nothing changes,” US captain

IT’S AN HONOR FOR OLYMPICS IF MP FIGHTS IN PARIS–MARCIAL

MANNY PACQUIAO’S desire to box in next year’s Olympics has drawn excitement and awe although qualifying for Paris remains a decision of the International Olympic Committee and the Games’ organizers.

“It’s motivating and inspiring for sure if the world’s greatest boxer, Manny Pacquiao, trains alongside us,”

Eumir Felix Marcial, bronze medalist at middleweight in Tokyo who’s aspiring for gold in Paris, told BusinessMirror on Thursday from the Australia Institute of Sports where the national boxing team’s holding camp for the Hangzhou Asian Games later this month.

It’s not only an honor for Filipinos, but for the Olympics and entire amateur boxing world,” added Marcial, who likened a Pacquiao in the Olympics to the US Dream Team of National Basketball Association stars in the Barcelona 1992 Games.

Imagine Pacquiao in the Olympics? That’s huge,” Marcial said. “I’m hoping that Pacquiao no longer go through the qualifying process as he deserves to be a shoo-in there.”

A ssociation of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) president Deputy Hose Speaker Robbie Puno also said it would be a great honor to have the eight-division world champion in Paris fighting for the Philippines.  Who doesn’t want a Manny Pacquiao in the Olympics for Team Philippines? Everybody wants him to be there,” Puno said. “But we’ll have to wait for the development from the President Bambol.”

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol”

Tolentino said on Wednesday that Pacquiao’s camp reached out on how the boxing icon could box in Paris.

Tolentino said there are three

ANTHONY CASTIGADOR carved out two victories in contrasting fashions to match Hannah Divinagracia’s stress-free two-title romp in the girls’ side as they shared MVP honors in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) Mayor Jerry Trenas national juniors tennis championships at La Paz courts in Iloilo last Tuesday.

W hile he yielded just three games in four matches to top his age-group category, capped by a 4-0, 4-0 victory over Marben Alimarin in the finals, the 12-year-old Castigador gutted it out in the tougher 14-and-under play, repulsing fellow Iloilo City Sports Academy (ICSA) standout Rizzjun Labindao, 4-2, 5-3, and completing a twinkill in boys’ singles in the Group 2 tournament held in conjunction with the city’s 86th charter anniversary celebration.

D ivinagracia, meanwhile, stamped her class

paths to qualify for Paris—reach the finals in Hangzhou (only the gold and silver medalists get tickets to the French capital), compete in two Olympic Qualifying Tournaments set in each of the first two quarters of 2024 or earn a Universality spot from the IOC’s boxing commission which supervises Olympic boxing while the sport’s international federation is suspended.

Pacquiao’s disqualified for Hangzhou because at 44 years old, he’s above the age limit of 40 set in the Asian Games. The former senator currently weighs 66 kgs and if ever he qualifies for Paris, it could either be at 63.5 or 71 kgs. Josef Ramos

Jalen Brunson said. “The approach has to be the same. It’s almost the knockout stage, and we approach the game like it’s our last game every game. We’ve got to keep that same mentality. There’s just a lot more at stake now.”

There’s more than just the World Cup at stake, even. Australia has already qualified for next year’s Paris Olympics. All 15 remaining second-round teams are still in the mix to clinch an automatic berth in those games based on their finish here—two of the five Americas teams will get Olympic spots, two of the 10 European teams left will get them as well.

For those teams that keep winning, the Olympic spots will take care of themselves.

Our goal, our first goal, was to win the group stage,” said GilgeousAlexander, Canada’s top player and

one of two current All-NBA players in the tournament—Doncic, the Dallas star who leads Slovenia, being the other. “But we’re not done. We’re not satisfied. And we have five more games to try to go win.”

C anada is bidding for its first World Cup medal ever. There will be at least two teams on the medal podium that didn’t get there at the last World Cup in 2019—Spain, which has an 11-game World Cup winning streak, is still alive, but silver medalist Argentina didn’t qualify for this tournament and bronze medalist France was ousted in Round 1. Our goal for this season was to make it to the quarterfinals and then relax and see what happens,” Spain coach Sergio Scariolo said. “It’s going to be a hell of a challenge.”

A s far as the various permutations go to advance, the US doesn’t seem that interested in anything besides the most obvious path—win Friday, win Sunday and go into the quarterfinals unbeaten entering the win-or-else round.

When you put this uniform on, losing’s not really an option,” US guard Tyrese Haliburton said. “Every game holds real weight. It’s serious for us. We’re not looking at it as, ‘Oh, if we lose, we can still win it.’ It’s just about improving every game.” AP

VisMin kids vie for slots in JPGT national finals

THE International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI)

Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) Series goes nationwide as it stages the JPGT VisMin leg starting Friday with a huge field clashing for top honors in five age groups in both the drive, chip and putt format and 18-hole stroke play competition at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro.

Spread over two days, the tournament, which also serves as part of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.’s (PGTI) talent-search program, drew 158 players, including offspring and kins of former and current pros with Visayas and Mindanao long considered as the spawning ground of golf talents in the country.

Castigador, Divinagracia triumph in Iloilo

in her side of the battle as the Bacolod ace came away with a pair of shutout wins over Ave Maria Policarpio and Aleeva Suace in the 16- and 18-andunder finals, respectively, of the tournament hosted by Mayor Jerry Trenas and sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala, headed by president and CEO Bobby Castro.

C ebu City’s RB John Lataza took the boys’

18-and-under trophy with a 4-0, 4-0 romp over Ian Ituriaga from Sara, Iloilo City, who earlier upended top seed Jeremy Napiere, 5-4(2), 6-0, to claim the 16-and-under diadem, while Bogo City’s Pete Niere routed Don Olavides, 4-1, 4-1, for the 10-under unisex crown.

Army’s Ursabia, Musa top ROTC kickboxing fights in Zamboanga

MARK CHRISTIAN URSABIA of University of Mindanao-Davao needed only less than three minutes to stop Renz Pejana of Zamboanga del Sur Provincial College in the gold medal play of Army’s kickboxing competitition of the Rerved Officers Training Corps Games Mindanao Leg at the Western Mindanao State University gym in Zamboanga City.

T he 21-year-old Ursabia, a Criminology sophomore, topped the 60 kgs category and will advance to the national finals set tentatively this month  in Manila and Pasig City.

“ I’m very overwhelmed by this win. I never thought of it this way,” said the 5-foot 10 Ursabia.

is my first gold, I hope I can maintain my energy in the national finals.”

A ngelie Musa of Sibugay Technical Institute also won by technical knockout in the first round of her match against Patricia Virtudazo of Surigao del Norte State University to win the women’s 56kg category.

P rince Alfred Remolado, meanwhile, won by referee stop contest-second round over Muamar Laduka of Southern Mindanao College in a 57-kg duel.

A fter the 21-year-old Remolado, a Marine Biology student, hit Laduka in the nose hard.

The referee stopped the fight after the 21-yearold Remolado, a Marine Biology student, bloodied Laduka’s nose with a solid hit.

MARK CHRISTIAN URSABIA delivers a strong kick to Renz Pejana.

But on top of the titles staked in the boys’ and girls’ 8-and-under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-18, the chance to compete and face the Luzon leg top qualifiers in the national finals at The Country Club in October is what motivates the field also made up of junior golfers and/or members/dependents of various VisMin golf clubs.

Keen competition is seen in all age categories with the premier boys’ 15-18 roster featuring 44 players, headed by former national team member Jacob Caijta, along with Adrian Bisera, Aldrien Gialon, Rex Zaragosa, Cody Langamin, Zeus Sara and Gabriel Rosal.

Headlining the cast in the girls’ 15-18 division of the tournament put up by ICTSI and organized by PGTI are Crista Miñoza, Abby Abarcas, Kiara Montebon and Alethea Gaccion.

Each participant will compete in the 18-hole stroke play to be played under the Molave points scoring system, and drive, chip and putt with corresponding points to be earned according to the player’s standing in each format.

The top 3 in each category (ages 9-18) with the highest combined points earned gained in both formats will qualify to the JPGT National Finals.

L eading the chase in 13-14 play are Armand Copok, Keith Fudolin, Mhark Fernando III, Brendon Sy and JC Fiel (boys) and Lois Laine Go, Sittie Osin, Zero Plete, Merry Rose Wacan and Isabella Tabanas (girls). R alph Batican, Gabriel Huertas, Marcus Duenas, Manu Tiongko and Timothy Asuncion (boys) and Izabella Racines, Solana Molde, Brittany Tamayo, Alexie Gabi, Maika Sy and Jasmin Lozada are the players to watch in the 11-12 class while Jared Saban, Alonzo Retuerto, Michael John Sy and Prince Bisera (boys) and Rafella Batican, Isabelle Espina, Merrel Salvador, Althea Villaber and Atasha Naranjo (girls) banner the 9-10 field.

HANNAH DIVINAGRACIA and Anthony Castigador (second and third from left) hold their trophies as they pose with Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala OIC for Panay Island Alquinn Flores (left) and Iloilo City Community Affair’s Rein Dayot.

THE US’s Jalen Brunson makes a statement slam during their match against Jordan Wednesday as head coach Steve Kerr says the team has gotten a deep feel of the tournament. AP

MANNY PACQUIAO in Paris is generating excitement.

AyAlAisthenewByD officiAlDistriButor

Present during the media round table was no less than AC Motors head Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala. “This partnership between one of the largest multi-brand automotive groups in the Philippines and the world's leading EV brand is a cornerstone of the group’s goal of accelerating the future of mobility in the country,” he said.

“Our long-term vision is for AC Motors to become the leading platform for EVs and other new energy vehicles in the Philippines. This includes building up BYD to become a key brand in the Philippine market, with a leading share among EV brands and meaningful presence in the automotive market as a whole,” he added.

Also present was James Ng, Managing Director of BYD Philippines and Singapore. “BYD looks forward to working hand-inhand with Ayala to promote the development of new energy vehicles industry in The Philippines. Together, we create a greener, more sustainable, and brighter future as we embark on this exciting journey,” he said.

According to Ayala, it has prioritized

electric mobility vehicles as the enabler of Ayala’s ecosystem. The group is uniquely positioned to provide long-term value to EV customers, given its assets in renewable power generation, automotive distribution and dealerships, property development and management, manufacturing, financing and insurance, and digital connectivity—all critical components of the EV ecosystem.

Meanwhile, BYD has an expansive lineup of both passenger and commercial vehicles at competitive price points, allowing the vehicles to be deployed at a larger scale.

Its operations as an automotive manufacturer are also fully integrated, with capabilities in designing and assembling the final cars, battery technology, electric powertrain development, and semiconductors.

In addition to the automotive space, BYD also has investments in rail transit, renewable energy, and battery storage.

Across BYD dealerships in the Philippines, Ayala will offer the luxury executive sedan, BYD Han; the spacious seven-seater family SUV, BYD Tang; and the compact

hatchback, BYD Dolphin. By the end of this year, Ayala will also introduce the BYD ATTO 3, a highly awarded EV model that is globally hailed for its outstanding design, comfort, quality, practicality, and performance.

“These are compelling models that target different market segments and allow us to promote EV adoption across a wide range of customers,” said Zobel de Ayala. “With BYD’s leading presence globally in EVs and given its recent success in other Southeast Asian markets, we at AC Motors aspire to build the same level of respect and relevance for the brand in the Philippines.”

Learning a thing or two from TMP

CAR companies should learn a thing or two from Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) on how to celebrate a more meaningful and memorable anniversary.

To commemorate its 35th year in the country, officials, led by TMP Chairman Alfred V. Ty, cooked up a massive celebration, from fun-filled events to significant gatherings that saw the presence of practically the Who’s Who in both public and private sectors.

It started with Ty having President Marcos Jr. himself as guest at Toyota’s sprawling assembly plant in Sta. Rosa City in Laguna, where Ty unravelled 35 different Toyota models as “gifts to the Filipino people” through the Chief Executive of the land.

TMP also did the same five years back, when it had President Duterte as special guest of honor during TMP’s 30th anniversary.

In the evening of August 22, the First Lady herself graced TMP’s dinner/program at the Grand Hyatt in BGC. Also present were diplomats, dignitaries and several Cabinet members led by Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista. Chairman Akio Toyoda of Tokyo-based Toyota Motor Corp. flew in from Japan to become the keynote speaker.

In his opening remarks, he boasted that he went straight from the airport to “my fa-

vorite place in the Philippines, which is none other than Jollibee!” Several photos of him feasting on Jollibee delicacies were splashed on the giant screen as Toyoda was addressing the animated audience.

“Where in the world can you find a restaurant that serves fried chicken and spaghetti all at the same time?” he said.

A man that loves to think out-of-the-box and practices it with gusto, Toyoda’s rock-star orchestrations did not end there.

The next morning, Toyoda was at the Luneta in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, mesmerizing race car buffs with his impeccable talent in drifting and gymkhana antics.

Here’s TMP’s Shaina Mae Semana’s report:

“Race aficionados were left spellbound by the two-day heart-pounding TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival (TGR Festival) at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on August 2324 that had everyone screaming, ‘I love cars!.’

“The event, dubbed by TMP as its ‘greatest gathering to celebrate all things about GAZOO Racing,’ was part of the mobility company’s 35th anniversary treat to customers and fans who have shown continuous love and

support for the brand. The TGR Festival was attended by more than 6,000 spectators on the ground and watched by 2.6-million live stream viewers.

“Akio Toyoda cum Morizo showcased his driving and drifting skills as he demonstrated his prowess aboard various Toyota race cars.

“To kick things off, Morizo wowed the crowd with his mastery of the Toyota GR Yaris WRC rally car, where he entertained the crowd with donut maneuvers. Morizo also joined the Gymkhana challenge where he drove a Toyota GR 86 with ease. He moved through a challenging course with the finesse of a seasoned racer. Morizo also took lucky passengers for adrenaline-pumping rides, giving them a taste of what it's like to experience the track from the perspective of a racing master.

“I developed a car because I wanted to see the smiles of the people. You ask people and you give them what they want,’ Morizo/ Toyoda said. ‘It’s because of your smiles and cheers that is why I’m here.”

“Of course, Toyota GAZOO racing would not be complete without the participation of the country’s home-grown Filipino star racers like Alex Perez, Luis Gono, Marlon Stockinger and celebrity-racer Ryan Agoncillo.”

Here’s a glass to TMP’s celebration for the ages.

PEE STOP Today, September 1, marks a red-letter day for Velocita Motors, the newest babe of Ramon S. Ang (RSA) that exclusively distributes the iconic Ferrari. RSA, the President/CEO of San Miguel Corp., is so enamored with cars that he also owns the country’s exclusive distributorship of BMW. Cheers!

Story & photos by Randy S. Peregrino

IT is official; Ayala Corp. is the new Philippine distributor of BYD, the world leader in hybrid and pure electric vehicles. In a recently concluded media round table discussion, the company presented its partnership with the world leader in new energy vehicles to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility in the Philippines.

(From Left) AC Automotive president Antonio Zara, Head of AC m Group Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, General manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division and president of BYD Japan Liu Xueliang, and Director of BYD Philippines and Singapore James Ng

THe compact all-electric hatchback BYD Dolphin