BusinessMirror September 25, 2023

M3 posts slowest growth of 5.7% in 6 mos–BSP

EFFORTS to curb inflation caused domestic liquidity to post its slowest growth in six months at 5.7 percent, according to data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

B SP said domestic liquidity (M3) increased to P16.2 trillion in July 2023 from P15.37 trillion in July 2022.

The data also showed the country’s M3 increased by about 0.2 percent from P16.35 trillion in June 2023.

“ [This was] amid restrictive monetary policy/stance in recent months, such as siphoning off some of the excess peso liquidity in the financial system as part of the measures to bring down elevated inflation, curb inflationary pressures, and eventually fulfill the price stability mandate of the local monetary authorities,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said.

R icafort also said the 5.7-percent growth of M3 was among the slowest in more than two years or since May 2021. He added that it

was among the slowest in more than 11 years or since August 2012.

“ Relatively lower amount of maturing government securities/Treasury bonds from May-July 2023, especially in July 2023, could have also partly led to the net month-onmonth reduction in M3/domestic in the financial system in recent months, on top of measures to siphon off some of the excess peso liquidity from the financial system,” Ricafort said.

T he BSP said domestic claims rose 8.9 percent year-on-year in July from 10.1 percent in the pre -

vious month. Claims on the private sector expanded by 8.2 percent in July from 7.9 percent in June, driven by growth in bank lending to non-financial private corporations and households.

Net claims on the central government grew by 12.5 percent in July from 17.2 percent in June, due mainly to the borrowings by the National Government.

Net foreign assets (NFA) in peso terms fell by 2.6 percent year-onyear in July following a 2.8-percent decline in June.

BUDGET GAP WIDENS BY 84.6% TO P133B IN AUGUST

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE state’s budget deficit in August widened by 84.63 percent to P133 billion from P72 billion as national government spending gained some ground, outpacing revenue collections that declined on an annual basis.

T he revenues collected by the national government in August declined by 6.58 percent to P310.6 billion from P332.4 billion in the same month last year as both tax and non-tax revenues dropped year-on-year, according to latest data released by the Department of Finance (DOF).

DOF data showed the state’s tax collections during the reference month fell by 5.82 percent to P291.7 billion from P309.7 billion as earnings posted by the Internal Revenue and Customs bureaus declined.

E arnings attributed to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) was estimated at P213.5 billion, P15.4 billion lower than the P228.9 billion recorded in August of last year.

Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno attributed the drop in BIR collections to the wider income tax exemption this year and the transition of value added tax (VAT) filings to quarterly from a monthly basis. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Collections (BOC) saw a 4.92-percent cut in its collections in August that settled at P213.5 billion from last year’s P228.9 billion.

D iokno explained that the drop in the country’s oil imports cou -

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pled with lower world oil prices caused the drop in BOC collections. Furthermore, he noted, the work suspensions due to inclement weather affected the BOC’s collection operations.

Non-tax revenues of the government, meanwhile, declined by 17.05 percent as collections by other offices fell by about 29 percent. Non-tax revenues in August were at P18.8 billion compared to the P22.7 billion registered in the same month last year.

T he state’s spending in August grew by almost 10 percent as it reached P443.6 billion from last year’s P404.5 billion, based on DOF data.

B oth the national government’s interest payments and other expenses grew on an annual basis in August.

T he state’s interest payments rose by 38.65 percent year-on-year to P42.7 billion while other expenses posted a 27.2-percent increase, reaching P400.9 billion.

T he national government’s yearto-date budget deficit reached P732.5 billion, 12.06 percent lower than the P833 billion recorded in the Januaryto-August period of last year.

HERO OR VILLAIN?

RUPERT MURDOCH’S EXIT STIRS STRONG FEELINGS IN BRITAIN, WHERE HE UPENDED THE MEDIA

T his act of the CCG deprived

Filipino fisherfolk of their livelihood, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said in a statement Sunday.

PILOTS, software developers, statisticians, and accountants are among the highest-paid workers in the country, according to the latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

B ased on the 2022 Occupational Wages Survey (OWS), the PSA said the overall average monthly wage rate of time-rated workers on a fulltime basis was P18,423 in 2022.

T his data was obtained from 193 monitored occupations in 72 selected industries. The OWS covered 16,057 formal establishments employing at least 20 workers nationwide, of which wage rates of monitored occupations across selected industries were collected.

This indicates an  11.7-percent increase from the average monthly wage rate of these workers in 2020 at P16,486 and a 1.7 percent increment from their average monthly wage rate in 2018 at P18,108,” the PSA said.

P SA said aircraft pilots and re -

lated associate professionals in the Air Transport industry received the highest average monthly wage rate of P135,363 in 2022.

T his was followed by software developers working in Information Service Activities who received an average wage rate of P70,595 per month.

T he data also showed mathematicians and actuaries received an average wage rate of P69,654; applications programmers at P58,643; statisticians, P51,607; and accountants and auditors, P48,982.

Four out of the 10 highest paid occupations were engaged in Insurance, Reinsurance and Pension Funding except Compulsory Social Security,” PSA said.

T he PSA said other top-paid occupations include health workers, specifically specialist medical practitioners with a corresponding average salary of P57,476 a month while medical doctor/generalist medical practitioners with P51,251.

PCG, BFAR SCORE CHINA’S BID TO BLOCK BAJO DE MASINLOC

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday scored the installation by the China Coast Guard (CCG) of a floating barrier at the southwest portion of Bajo De Masinloc (BDM), preventing the entry of Filipino fishing boats (FFB) and their crews. J oining the outcry was the

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

PSA data show highest and lowest paid workers in PHL

PHILIPPINE Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Domingo shares a toast with His Excellency Ambassador Huang Xilian at rites for the 74th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China at the Shangri-La Hotel in Taguig. Despite their continuing verbal spats on sea disputes, the two countries affirmed that such do not comprise the sum of their long relationship. BERNARD TESTA

FILIPINO athletes and team officials arrive during the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Saturday, September 23, 2023. Story on B8. AP

ANIMEZING NORTH 2023 Cosplayers gather for the grand opening of Animezing North 2023, held at SM North Edsa in Quezon City. This event showcases the Japanese animé series One Piece and boasts attractions such as a towering 21-foot Giant Straw Hat Luffy from Toei Animation Enterprises, captivating photo walls, and an array of exclusive One Piece merchandise. The Animezing North: One Piece extravaganza is set to run for 19 days, offering fans an immersive experience like no other. NONOY LACZA

High interest rates prompt July U/KB lending slowdown

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

HIGH interest rates caused outstanding loans extended by universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) to slow down in July 2023, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Data showed outstanding loans, net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the BSP, expanded 7.7 percent year-on-year in July from 7.8 percent in June.

On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, outstanding universal and commercial bank loans,

Budget...

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D uring the eight-month period, the state’s revenue collection grew at a faster rate than the increase in its total expenditures.

T he state earned P2.582 trillion,

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S. Koreans still top arrivals

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently beta-testing an

net of RRPs, rose by 0.6 percent, the same rate posted in the previous month.

The growth in bank lending has continued to ease in line with the prevailing tight monetary policy stance of the BSP. Looking ahead, the BSP will continue to ensure

about 9.03 percent higher than the P2.368 trillion recorded last year while its expenditures rose by 3.54 percent to P3.314 trillion compared to last year’s P3.201 trillion.

DOF data showed that the state’s tax and non-tax revenues from January to August rose on an annual basis.

Tax revenues during the eight-

electronic visa (e-visa) platform in Shanghai to ease the tourist visa application for Chinese nationals bound for the Philippines. The new platform was launched amid heightened national security concerns from the local intelligence community,  who prefer Philippine embassies in China to conduct a more thorough

that domestic liquidity and credit dynamics remain consistent with its price and financial stability objectives,” BSP said.

T he data showed the growth of outstanding loans to residents, net of RRPs, slowed to 7.7 percent in July from 7.9 percent in June.

T he increase in outstanding loans for production activities slowed to 6.2 in July after posting a growth of 6.3 percent in the previous month. “[This was] due to the continued increase in loans to major sectors, particularly electricity, gas, steam, and airconditioning supply [10.6 percent],” BSP said.

month period increased by 8.15 percent to P2.307 trillion from P2.134 trillion while non-tax revenues expanded by 17.06 percent to P274.6 billion from P234.6 billion.

T he state’s year-to-date budget deficit is now about 66 percent of its P1.106 trillion programmed deficit for the January-to-Septem -

assessment of visa applicants along with face-to-face interviews.

A ranking government source  told BusinessMirror the Department of Information and Communications Technology likewise had security concerns over the e-visa platform, which it had rushed to complete for the DFA, to appease the Department of Tourism’s

T he central bank also said wholesale and retail trade, and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, posted a growth of 9.4 percent; real estate activities, 5 percent; information and communication, 10.8 percent; and transportation and storage, 14.9 percent. Further, consumer loans to residents grew by 22.6 percent in July versus 23.7 percent in June, driven mainly by the increase in credit card and motor vehicle loans.

O utstanding loans to non-residents rose by 6.2 percent in July from 4.8 percent in the previous month.

ber period.

T he state’s January-to-August budget deficit is just about 48.85 percent of its full-year 2023 programmed budget deficit of nearly P1.5 trillion.

T he national government has been behind its programmed budget deficit due to slow spending by certain government agencies.

(DOT) goal of attracting 2 million Chinese tourists to visit the Philippines this year.

Data from the DOT showed there were 184,171 tourists from China from January to September 18, 2023. That country ranked fourth among the top source markets for tourists after South Korea, which reached 1 million; the United States at 661,903; and Japan at 213,046. After China, tourists from Australia came in fifth at 179,282; followed by Canada at 159,681; Taiwan at 140,787; United Kingdom at 111,324; Singapore at 103,239; and Malaysia at 69,156.

Meanwhile, Chinese travelers to Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and Macao have already surpassed the travel levels seen in 2019 for the Golden Week period, according to ForwardKeys.

I n  terms of Chinese travelers’ plans for 2023, South Korea tops the wish list of intended travel destinations for the year, chosen by 10.4 percent of respondents in a ForwardKeys survey. “This is a particularly positive sign for Korea’s inbound Chinese tourism recovery, now that group travel has been allowed for the first time since 2017. Europe remains by far the most coveted region for long-haul tourism [chosen by 34.4 percent of travelers who intend to make an outbound trip still in 2023], with Iceland, emerging as a dark horse destination thanks to trending travel content about Icelandic volcanos on Chinese social media platforms earlier this year,” said the company.

Biden’s...

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“Our leaders—President Biden, President Marcos—considered various steps to ensure that our alliance and partnership remains relevant and responsive to the current and emerging realities in our region, and this includes cooperation not only in defense, but in economic areas,” he said.

He assured foreign policy analysts that the “anxieties” on geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region “should not detract or prevent the region from the pursuit of economic prosperity and development.”

Threat of AI, autonomous weapons

MANALO said the Philippines and the US should not only work on areas of maritime domain awareness which involves training maritime law enforcers into the laws of the seas. Philippine and US cooperation should expand to non-traditional areas on artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, cyber and space.

“ We need new rules to ensure that these new emerging technologies are not weaponized or misused in any way to subvert the rule of law or to challenge the rule of law and to not be used to exploit the vulnerable or violate the human rights and human dignity of peoples,” Manalo said.

“ The floating barrier with an estimated length of 300 meters was discovered by the PCG and BFAR personnel onboard BRP Datu Bankaw when they conducted routine maritime patrol on September 22, 2023 at the vicinity of BDM,” Tarriela said.

BDM is also known as Scarborough Shoal.

It was also learned that three CCG’s rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and Chinese Maritime Militia’s service boat installed the floating barrier upon arrival of the BFAR vessel in the vicinity of the shoal.

T he Filipino fishermen reported that the CCG vessels usually install floating barriers whenever they monitor a large number of Filipino fishermen in the area.

D uring the routine maritime patrol, the BFAR vessel observed more than 50 FFBs engaged in fishing activities in the area.

R ecognizing the importance of supporting the artisanal or subsistence fishing of these fishermen, the BFAR provided them with various grocery items and fuel subsidies to sustain their operations, Tarriela said.

“However, a total of four CCG vessels [CCG-3065, CCG-3066, CCG-3105, and CCG-3301] initiated a series of 15 radio challenges in an attempt to drive away the BFAR vessel and FFBs,” he added.

T he CCG crew alleged that the presence of the BFAR vessel and Filipino fishermen violated international law and the domestic laws of the People’s Republic of China.

Tarriela said the BFAR vessel responded to each radio call and emphasized that they were carrying out a routine patrol within the territorial sea of BDM.

Notably, upon realizing the presence of media personnel

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T he data showed other highly paid occupations including production supervisors and general foremen employed in Electricity, Gas, Steam, and Air Conditioning Supply.

Together with geologists, they earn an average of P63,017 per month. PSA said other Mining and Quarrying workers are being paid an average of P49,059 monthly.

A closer look at the data showed there are still occupations that earned below P20,000 such as farmers, forestry, and livestock workers; fishing and aquaculture; and factory workers in wearing apparel, leather and related products, and wood and plaiting materials.

O ther employees who received less than P20,000 a month included bus transport workers; select postal and courier activity workers; the majority of food service workers except for accountants; vocational teachers and secondary teachers; pharmacists; physical therapists; and dieticians and nutritionists, among others.

T he data also showed that a number of occupations also received less than P30,000 a month,

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T he BSP’s NFA position decreased by 0.5 percent in July after contracting by 0.6 percent in the previous month.

T he central bank also said the NFA of banks declined due to a contraction in interbank loans receivable and deposits maintained with nonresident banks.

Looking ahead, the BSP will continue to ensure that domestic

onboard the BFAR vessel, the CCG vessels maintained a safe distance and moved away.

Tarriela added that PCG commandant Admiral Artemio M. Abu committedto supporting the BFAR and other national government agencies in their efforts to ensure the safety and security of our Filipino fishermen.

“ The PCG will continue to work closely with all concerned government agencies to address these challenges, uphold our maritime rights and protect our maritime domains,” Tarriela stressed.

Gibo’s pushback IN a related development, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. on Saturday scored China for claiming that the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal is causing marine damage in the WPS. “ The statement of China that the grounded Sierra Madre is causing irrevocable harm is, to put it as politely as possible—hypocritical. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! China continues to damage the WPS by its illegal reclamation activities in the SCS [South China Sea]  and it was found to be a violator of international law in the 2016 Arbitral Award when such activities damaged the marine environment,” he added.

Teodoro also said that “disingenuous propaganda lines” such as this only serve to expose China’s insincerity.

He added that such action will only heighten the mistrust by the Filipino people and the rest of the world of the Chinese government.

E arlier, the Philippines condemned China for causing extensive coral damage to Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal in the WPS.  Rex Anthony Naval

including chemical engineers and quality assurance workers in the manufacture of beverages; supervisors in the manufacture of textiles; and mechanical engineers and supervisors in the paper and paper products industry as well as those in the printing and reproduction of recorded media.

T he PSA said other workers in this category include civil engineers and building architects in the construction industry; contact information clerks; and workers in the publishing industry such as journalists, web and multimedia developers, and coding and proofreading clerks, among others.

T he 2022 OWS showed data on median basic pay and median allowance of time-rated workers on full-time basis were likewise gathered.

P SA said OWS specifically collects and monitors data on the employment and wage rates of two (2) benchmark occupations namely:

(1) Accounting and Bookkeeping Clerks; and (2) Elementary Occupations (Unskilled Workers) in industries covered by the survey.

Cai U. Ordinario

liquidity conditions remain consistent with the prevailing stance of monetary policy, in line with the BSP’s price and financial stability objectives,” BSP said.

T he M3 may also be derived as Net Foreign Assets + Domestic Claims, net of Liabilities excluded from broad money and transferable and other deposits in foreign currency.

‘Govt must address distribution of rice’

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the government still has to address distribution disruptions, market availability and the supply of rice.

According to the President, the current thrust of his government is to address the gaps and challenges in the sector, particularly rice distribution, that affect supply and prices.

According to Marcos, the government is already implementing the necessary reforms, “hoping that the public could soon feel the effects of those measures.”

“Rice supply is not an issue for us here in the Philippines because there is plenty; but it is simply not distributed properly,” Marcos said during an event in Iriga City marked by the distribution of rice.

During an interview with the press on the status of Executive Order (EO) 39, Marcos said rice prices will soon drop in the market with the start of harvest season. The President signed

last August 31 EO 39, mandating a retail-price ceiling on rice nationwide. Under EO 39, the mandated price ceiling for regular milled rice is set at P41 per kilogram, while well-milled rice is pegged at P45 per kilogram.

In the meantime, Marcos said the government has to implement measures such as the imposition of a price cap, the provision of cash aid to rice retailers and setting a new palay buying price range for the National Food Authority (NFA) to help farmers and secure inventory.

Marcos said the Department of Agriculture (DA) expects a better palay harvest this year, adding that the government has to continue carrying out programs that could further develop the sector to ensure food security even with a good harvest. The President also concurrently sits as Agriculture Secretary.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Monday, September 25, 2023

DSWD to give cash to retailers after rice price-cap EO issued

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to distribute cash assistance to sari-sari store owners affected by the implementation of Executive Order (EO) 39, which mandated price ceilings on rice that Marcos signed last August 31.

In its update to the Office of the President (OP), the DSWD said its personnel will distribute cash assistance to sari-sari store owners from September 25 to September 29. The DSWD informed the OP the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) would identify

who would receive the cash aid. Marcos has directed the DSWD to dole out cash to small rice retailers affected by the implementation of EO 39, which mandated a price ceiling of P41 per kilo for regular-milled rice and P45 per kilo of well-milled rice. (Full story here: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2023/09/02/pbbm-sets-nationwidecap-on-rice-price/).

Based on its latest report, the DSWD said that it has already released P92.415 million worth of financial assistance to 6,161 out of the 8,390-target micro and small rice retailers affected by the implementation of EO 39 nationwide.

According to DSWD Assistant Secretary

IPOPHL measures vs piracy issued to protect creatives

THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) announced it has issued rules on site blocking that the agency expects would disrupt access to pirated sites and will help redirect consumers to “legit” markets.

On September 20, IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba signed Memorandum Circular 23-025 or the “Rules on Voluntary Administrative Site Blocking,” making them effective after two months from publication. The rules are a result of years-long work with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and several internet service providers (ISPs) “who refuse to sit down and watch while our creative industry suffers,” Barba was quoted in a statement the IPOPHL issued last Saturday.

With the site blocking mechanism soon “up and running,” Barba said the IPOPHL, as ex-officio member of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, is “ecstatic” that the Philippines now has an essential tool to protect professionals in the creative industry.

With site blocking in place, the IPOPHL hopes to “replicate” the success of Indonesia where more than 50 percent of consumers have stopped or now rarely access pirate services as a result of measures that Jakarta instituted in 2019.

“We encourage rights holders to optimize this tool and protect the value of your creative assets,” Barba said.

Under the rules on voluntary administrative site blocking, the process is initiated

once a rights holder or a duly-authorized representative files a written request with the IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO) followed by the payment of filing fees.

According to IPOPHL, the application will immediately be evaluated by an officer from the IEO. The officer is given ten working days to submit an evaluation report, which would recommend the issuance or the non-issuance of a site-blocking order. The recommendation should be approved or disapproved by the Supervising Director (SD) or Deputy Director General (DDG) within five working days.

As an exercise of due process, the blocking request will be served to the administrator of the concerned website. If no contact details of the website administrator is found after exhausting all channels, a copy of the request

will be published on the IPOPHL website as due notice.

The website administrator is given seven calendar days from receipt or publication to file a protest. An IEO officer will evaluate the merits of the protest within seven working days to give the SD or DDG a final recommendation on the issuance of the request.

If no protest is received from the website administrator within the given period, the SD or DDG will issue within 48 hours the site-blocking request to ISPs, which in turn must enforce the order in 48 hours.

ISPs can disable access on either of the following: the entire Domain Name System (DNS); IP address; Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for targeted websites; or, through any other alternative means.

Romel Lopez, the government expects the rice distribution campaign to serve “as a stern warning to rice smugglers, hoarders and profiteers to think twice before engaging in illegal activities.” Lopez said that the commodity that they illegally imported may end up as DSWD donations to poor families.

‘Going well’ EARLIER, Marcos said that the implementation and enforcement of the mandated price caps on rice are “going well as expected,” based on reports during a meeting by agencies that implemented his order.

Marcos reiterated that imposing the mandated price caps on rice in the long term

To effectively implement the rules, the IPOPHL signed last Wednesday agreements with the NTC and ISPs, namely, Globe Telecom Inc., Smart Communications Inc., PLDT Inc., Sky Cable Corp. and DITO Telecommunity Corp.

“Under the Memorandum of Understanding [MOU], [the] ISPs commit to willingly block sites directly upon IPOPHL’s request issued after a determination of violation, thereby streamlining the current process which requires the involvement of the NTC, the agency being the primary regulator of ISPs,” read a statement by the IPOPHL.

Meanwhile, the IPOPHL said a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the NTC “widens” the agency’s oversight to over 300 ISPs who are not part of IPOPHL’s siteblocking MOU with ISPs, obligating them to disable access to piracy sites.

IEO Supervising Director and Bureau of

is not a sustainable solution to the problem of increasing prices of the staple in the market. The President earlier mentioned that the price caps are only temporary until sufficient supply from local producers and imports is available.

Days after Marcos signed his EO 39, lawmakers announced plans to provide aid to rice retailers.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin R. Romualdez was quoted in a statement issued last September 3 that lawmakers would continue to speak with leaders of rice retailers to discuss their fears that the rice-price ceiling ordered by the Palace would make them lose money.

“The government is not numb; so we want to listen to their concern, and we will try to find a solution to their fear that they will lose money,” Romualdez was quoted in the statement as saying. “We have to talk to them to come up with a win-win solution wherein they won’t be adversely affected by the price ceiling.”

Legal Affairs Assistant Director Christine V. Pangilinan-Canlapan underscored the importance of NTC’s role in the regulation and supervision of the telecommunication sector, saying it is an “indispensable ally” in this initiative. ISPs, she added, “are also critical partners,” saying they contribute their technical expertise to protect users and the broader digital ecosystem from online threats and illegal activities.

For her part, NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez said the MOA “enhances” cooperation within the interagency National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights—where IPOPHL is acting chair and NTC is a member.

“This cooperation ensures a synchronized and streamlined approach in enforcing IP rights in the country. It is imperative that we work hand in hand to protect our creative economy,” Lopez said. Andrea E. San Juan

Consumer grp pushes united front vs scammers

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

CONSUMER advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines urged the government and the country’s telecom players to form a united front against online scammers who continue to victimize Filipinos pursuing several activities using the internet and social media.

The government and the telco industry can join forces in launching a systemic counterattack against this cyberscam ecosystem while the public is constantly warned and educated on how to act against text scams,” said former legislator Chirstopher Belmonte, co-convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines, in a statement issued on Sunday.

In an earlier statement, Undersecretary Alexander Ramos of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) had revealed that foreign cybercrime groups are at the helm of these scams, with some even procuring pre-registered SIM cards. The CICC activated its free hotline 1326 to report suspicious calls or texts.

Moreover, telcos warned that online scammers are now using over-the-top (OTT) messaging and SIM cards issued by international telecom providers as a way to circumvent the law.

“Reports on 107,000 SIM cards captured in Pogo hubs that were being used for ‘text’ and ‘love’ scam operations show that there are criminal syndicates behind these text scamming operations,” Belmonte said. Belmonte also called upon all mobile phone users to join the fight against text scammers and warned of serious repercussions in selling their registered SIM cards.

“Despite the implementation of the SIM [subscriber identity module] Card Registration Law and the expiration of the extended deadline to register all SIM card users, text scammers continue to target millions of mobile phone users, employing increasingly creative and deceptive tactics in their fraudulent schemes,” he said.

Belmonte added that the scammers have become more sophisticated, pointing out that they have also capitalized on the weak social engineering practices of a lot of Filipinos.

“These scammers have mastered the art of deception and have even applied Filipino social nuances to convincingly impersonate banks or e-payment platforms to propagate their fraudulent financial schemes. This alarming revelation underscores the audacity and sophistication of these illicit operations.”

The National Telecommunications Commission recently issued Memorandum Order No. 010-09-20231. This sets stringent guidelines for the validation of SIM registrations, including the verification of IDs and details provided by SIM users. This was in response to test submissions from government authorities, which revealed that fraudulent IDs and details could bypass the SIM registration platforms of telecommunications companies.

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) has warned the public that the sale of their registered SIM cards is not just unethical, but outright illegal. The NPC cautioned that those found guilty of this offense will face the full force of the law, with severe penalties awaiting them.

Persons found violating this act may be subject to fines of P100,000 to P300,000 and/ or imprisonment ranging from six months to six years.

PHL lobbies UN for rules on devt, use of killer robots

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

TB2 drones and Iran’s Shahed-136 kamikaze drones.

A report by Foreign Policy magazine identified Israel, Russia, South Korea and Turkey as countries that reportedly deployed autonomous weapons. Australia, United Kingdom, China and the United States are investing heavily in developing LAWS.

The Philippines also advocates for peaceful uses of outer space and to elaborate the principle of “due regard,” which includes increasing the responsibilities of spacefaring nations to reduce threats from space such as debris from rocket launches.

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

IT’S all systems go for the implementation of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) pilot implementation of the revised K to 10 curriculum, also known as the Matatag curriculum, in seven regions for a total of 35 schools.

“On the readiness of schools for the pilot implementation of the Matatag Curriculum, Our Curriculum and Teaching Strand has completed the training for teachers who will handle these classes,” the DepEd said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo made this pitch before the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York Saturday.

Manalo, who represented President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in UNGA this year, reiterated the call of the President last year to create rules and norms “for responsible use of emerging technologies.”

To put this agenda forward, the Philippines is hosting a meeting among Indo-Pacific partners in

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

LAWMAKERS and 36 state universities and colleges (SUC) are calling on the House of Representatives to restore the cuts in their total allocated budget for 2024.

The Makabayan bloc has recently filed House Resolution 1325 to restore cuts and augment the budget for SUCs.

The bloc said several higher education institutions are set to incur cuts in their overall budget: 10 SUCs have cuts to their personnel services, 39 SUCs have cuts to their operating budgets, and 36 SUCs have cuts to their capital outlay.

Despite a net increase for Personnel Services (PS) in the 2024 proposed budget for SUCs, there were still cuts for PS in 10 SUCs totaling P253,496,000, said Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel.

Also, despite the passage of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Law,

December

to craft rules to govern LAWS.

Countries have been developing and deploying weapons that would be able to fight on their own. Some can already decide who to target and kill, with the use of AI that can recognize enemy radar systems, tanks and ships. The most common LAWS are anti-vehicle and antipersonnel mines which are used for defensive purposes.

However, the Russia-Ukraine war has seen newer sophisticated weapons like Turkish-made Bayraktar

Earlier, China’s rocket launches have resulted in the falling of large debris on Philippine waters. There has been concern that if the large debris had fallen on more densely populated areas, there may be casualties or property damage.

“We call for UN partnerships that guarantee that new technologies are not weaponized, or misused in any way to subvert democracy and freedom, to challenge international humanitarian law, and to exploit the vulnerable and violate human rights and human dignity,” Manalo said.

It added that schools and Schools Division Office (SDO) personnel who will be part of the implementation, monitoring and assessment have also been oriented.

“Lesson exemplars and learning activity sheets will be utilized, including all readily available learning resources mapped and aligned with the competencies of the revised curriculum,” DepEd also said.

Likewise, fund support for the implementation were also downloaded to the participating regions.

Elementary School both in Baguio City, Lam-ayan Integrated School and Bineng National High School in Benguet, Dampalit Integrated School, Santiago Syjuco Memorial School, Muzon Elementary School, Tinajeros National High School and Santiago Syjuco Memorial ISS School all in Malabon City, Cabaruan Integrated School, Caba Elementary School, Acao Elementary School, Casacristo National High School and Don Rufino Olarte Memorial National High School, all in La Union, Cauayan North Central School in Cauayan City, Isabela, Dingading Integrated School, Villa Teresita PS, Lanna National High School and General Emilio Aguinaldo High School, all in Isabela.

The revised curriculum will also be pilot-tested in the Tindog Integrated School, San Fernando North Central School, Tabogon Central Elementary School, Dumanjug National High School and Liloan National High School, all in Cebu.

Manuel said the Department of Budget and Management expects the country’s 116 SUCs to earn a total of P47,948,362,000 in combined internal income, including fees collected from students—P18,830,086,000 will be sourced from tuition collection while P7,186,759,000 will be from other income collected from students.

“What is needed is an overhaul of the current system of education: a repeal of all existing education policies related to labor export, deregulation, and commercialization, and the establishment of a nationalist, scientific, and mass-oriented system of education,” said the resolution.

Crisis

IN a joint statement, 36 SUC presidents all over the country said the Philippine higher education system has been in crisis for a long time.

“ Going through the world’s worst and longest school closure has had a

negative impact on the quality of learning for students at all levels and has forced changes in modalities that we have yet to fully recover from, even though the administration has lifted the state of national emergency imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is more important than ever for the government to recognize, respect, and protect the Filipino people’s right to education,” the joint statement said.

“Education is a fundamental right that should be accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status. It plays a vital role in empowering individuals and shaping a just society. However, the current state of our education system fails to adequately cater to the needs of our students due to inadequate financial support,” it added.

T he SUCs said an additional budget is needed for learning institutions to regain their public character and provide ample support for student services and faculty development.

36 SUCs join mounting call to restore budget cuts Chiz pushes measure waiving college entrance exam fees

SEN. Chiz Escudero prodded Congress

over the weekend to frontload timely passage of Senate B ill No. 2441 mandating private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to waive entrance examination fees and charges for qualified students applying for college admission.

The Escudero bill was among those the senator sponsored at the floor on September 19 (Tuesday) as chairman of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education.

To be known as the “Free College Entrance Act,” the measure will enable thousands of poor yet deserving young Filipinos the opportunity to get a college degree and have a brighter future, Escudero said.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education said Section 5 of SB 2441 requires HEIs to waive their college entrance

examination fees to graduating high school students with the following qualifications:

(a) Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen;

(b) Must belong to the top 10 percent of his or her graduating class;

(c) Must belong to a family whose combined household income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority.

O nce SB 2441 is enacted into law, students belonging to a family whose income cannot afford “in a sustained manner to provide for their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing and other essential amenities of life duly certified as such by the Department of Social Welfare and Development [DSWD]” will also be qualified to a free entrance exam.

“Thus, only the truly impoverished will

be granted the privilege,” the bill provides. Escudero noted that “some entrance exam fees are equivalent to a minimum day’s wage that taking the former will mean meals foregone. No family should starve for a day because food money has been traded for examination fee,” Escudero stressed. “For the poor, this is not a free ride for the whole college experience. It does not swing the school portals open. It merely allows them a foot in the door,” he added.

The bill, he stressed, does not disenfranchise private colleges from collecting fees. “In shor t this is not a blanket waiver of fees. It only exempts a small subset of fee-exempt entrance takers, as enumerated in Section 5,” Escudero said.

“As it would only apply to small segment exam takers, income forgone can be recouped by payments made by other takers. And when qualified takers do proceed to enroll in the school, then the school’s small investment will yield a higher return through tuition paid. It can be seen as a marketing device that can lure potential enrollees,” he added.

Butch Fernandez

“Strengthening of expertise among teachers through collaborative activities like Learning Action Cell sessions are already in place to aid teachers in the delivery of teaching-learning process,” the DepEd assured.

Earlier, DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Cesar Bringas said the pilot testing is going to be part of their research to see challenges, issues and gaps.

This will ensure, he said partly in Filipino, that when the curriculum, is implemented next school year, that and “implementation in the succeeding years until we finish in 2028” will be very smooth.

Teachers’ skills will be the key to the success of the pilot testing in 35 schools in seven regions in the country, he added.

“Our preparations are focused on teachers because we need to train them in the new curriculum guides as well as lesson exemplars,” he said.

The 35 schools are Calafug Elementary School in Apayao, Rizal Elementary School and Dona Aurora

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Sunday it had recently  deported 75 foreign  nationals for alleged involvement in scamming activities in the guise of an online gaming customer relations service provider.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the foreigners departed the country last September 22 via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 on board a Royal Air flight to Nanning, Guangxi.

The deportees are part of the group arrested in an operation led by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) against SA Rivendell Global Gaming Corporation, tagged as a scam hub in Pasay City.

More than 600 individuals, mostly Filipinos, were taken into custody during a raid at SA Rivendell last month after they were found operating a

In Mindanao, the schools are Mlang Pilot Elementary School in North Cotabato, Lamlifew Integrated School, Alegria Central Elementary School, Malalag National High School-Upo Annex, Alegria National High School all in Sarangani, Baobaoan Integrated School and Pedro Duncano National High School in Butuan City, Suyangan Elementary School in Surigao Del Norte, and Santiago Central Elementary School and Socorro National High School, both in Agusan Del Norte.

“We use different typologies of schools so that pilot testing is more robust,” Bringas explained, when asked about the criteria used by DepEd in identifying and choosing the schools for pilot testing of the Matatag curriculum.

To ensure the success of the pilot study, the DepEd earlier said research studies would also be conducted with the help of the think tank Philippine Institute of Developmental Studies, the Assessment, Curriculum and Technology Research Center (ACTRC), and the Philippine Normal University-Research Center for Teacher Quality with the SiMERR National Research Centre in Australia.

scam hub.

The deportees were reportedly involved in love scams and cryptocurrency fraud, targeting Westerners.

They were later tagged by the BI for undesirability after being listed as part of a scamming syndicate.

There were a total of 76 deportees initially; however, one of the deportees, one He Zeng Ming, was offloaded by the airline due to his medical condition after allegedly experiencing chest pains.

The deportees have all been included in the BI’s blacklist to bar them from entering the country anew.

The BI said another batch of more than 70 individuals from the so-called scam hub would be deported next.

“The strong partnership of the BI with PAOCC as well as IACAT member agencies led to this massive arrest and deportation of foreign nationals abusing their stay in the country,” Tansingco said.   Joel R. San Juan

Matatag curriculum, or revised K to 10, for pilot in 35 schools

BI deports 75 aliens in online fraud ring

THE Philippines has called on the international community to launch negotiations for legally binding rules on the development and use of artificial intelligence-powered killer robots, or generally termed as lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS).

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Breeding zones off-limits to fishers–Marcos

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the government will not impose a fishing ban as it will affect the income of the country’s small-scale fishermen.

In a media interview during the rice distribution in Iriga City, Camarines Sur last Saturday, the president said a fishing ban would not be imposed but only a fishing restriction in the breeding areas.

“My explanation is not good. I was not talking about a fishing ban. What I’m saying is, where is the breeding area of the fish? Let’s not fish there so that the fish will multiply,” he said.

“But there is no fishing ban. Let’s increase the number of fish. Because I was talking to the fishermen earlier, they said that their catch is really decreasing.”

The chief executive underscored the importance of protecting fish breeding grounds to ensure an abundant supply of fish in

the Philippines and to ensure that fishermen’s sources of income will not be affected.

Marcos recently said there is a

need to address overfishing and boost the country’s fish population and aquaculture.

The president said these measures are part of the government’s plan to secure the country’s fish stocks, along with other initiatives for the agriculture sector to ensure food security.

The administration is also implementing programs to put up more cold storage facilities to prevent spoilage, the president said, noting that up to 30 percent of the fish catch is degraded or damaged.

Last June, Marcos said he wants to create Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZ) to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF).

“The DA [Department of Agriculture] and the BFAR [Bureau of

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources] were also directed to study the establishment of SAFDZ to provide fishery stakeholders with an area for sustainable fishing,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

Aside from the SAFDZ, officials had discussed the implementation of Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 266, series of 2020, which requires commercial fishing vessels (CFVs) to install vessel monitoring systems.

Marcos also wants to review the licenses of CFVs that fail to comply with FAO 266, series of 2020 and for DA and the BFAR to determine the provisions of Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, as amended by RA 10654, which needs to be amended.

More groups buck proposal to slash tariffs on agri goods

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE International Fund for Agricultural Development of the United Nations (IFAD) warned of the dire and irreversible effects that the climate crisis will have on hunger and poverty if sound adaptation measures are not taken quickly.

“The climate crisis hinders our efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty. The growing global population is dependent on a diet that places significant pressure on increasingly scarce land and water resources. This exacerbates inequalities and social unrest,” said IFAD President Alvaro Lario during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

“It is imperative to invest in building resilience and in adaptation to climate change. This cannot wait. Investing in smallscale food producers is also vital to ensure a food secure future. And sustainable, biodiverse food production is essential to achieve sustainable development and climate goals. This also means investing in the livelihoods of the most vulnerable men and women around the world.”

Speaking of recent natural disasters like the earthquake in Morocco and extreme weather events like massive flooding in Libya last week, Lario said developing countries and the world’s poorest and most vulnerable women and men are on the frontlines of climate change and development gains can be quickly lost when shocks occur.

At the UNGA, Lario marked his first year in office and IFAD said it continues to build momentum as a UN agency and international financial institution that is “fitfor-purpose.”

The recent declaration issued by G20 leaders gathered in New Delhi emphasized IFAD’s role in the “fight against food insecurity,” and encouraged member states to replenish the UN Fund’s resources at the end of the year, when its 178 member states will pledge their donations and enable the fund to bring to scale investments that will transform the lives of millions of vulnerable people in rural areas.

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, continued to champion IFAD’s campaign at the recent G20 Summit in New Delhi, India. “We need [a successful replenishment] because IFAD works to improve agriculture and food production systems in many countries, particularly those affected by the ripple effects of war.”

Janet Yellen, United States Secretary of the Treasury, also highlighted IFAD’s role at the G20 Summit: “We hope to move forward efforts such as supporting the global agriculture and food security program and working towards a successful replenishment of IFAD.”

Under current trends, IFAD said 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030. It is estimated that there will be as many people suffering from hunger by 2030 as in 2015 when the number reached 600 million people.

“Hunger remains a political issue, mostly caused by poverty, inequality, conflict, corruption and overall lack of access to food and resources. In a world of plenty, which produces enough food to feed everyone, how can there be hundreds of millions going hungry?” Lario said.

MORE agricultural groups, including sheep and rabbit raisers, are opposing the proposal to reduce tariffs on imported commodities like rice as the government would lose almost P60 billion in revenues.

In a joint statement, the allied industries of the grains and livestock industries threw their support behind the calls to reject the “proposed” reduction on tariffs on imported rice, pork, chicken and corn.

“The other agricultural industries of hog, chicken, corn and allied sectors have joined our call so that our plea would reach the President,” the statement read, which was publicly released to the media by the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) on Sunday.

“The directive of the Philippines is clear: strengthen and support local production and not importation and smuggling.”

The statement’s signatories have grown to 26 from 11 groups.

The joint statement now includes the Sheep and Goat Industry Philippines, New Alliance of Rabbit Breeders Association, United Luzon Mango Stakeholders Association Inc., Aqua Farmers Ph, and Community Legal Help and Public Interest Center.

The joint statement claimed that both Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan are planning to reduce tariffs not just for rice but also for imported pork, chicken and corn. Diokno and Balisacan have publicly announced earlier that they support the reduction of rice tariffs to cushion the impact of

rising global prices on domestic grain prices.

However, the two have not made public statements regarding the reduction in the tariffs of pork, chicken and corn.

Marcos, who is also the agriculture secretary, extended the lower tariffs on the four commodities— rice, pork, chicken and corn—until the end of the year.

Diokno has disclosed previously that pertinent inter-government agencies have been reviewing the implementation of the lowered tariff rates on the four commodities.

The agricultural groups called again for the resignation of Diokno and Balisacan over their tariffreduction proposals.

“Up until today, there remains no compelling reason for the need for tariff reduction as farmers are now harvesting palay,” the

statement read.

“Global rice prices have nothing to do with the recent spike in rice retail prices. The President has said that it was caused by hoarding, profiteering and smuggling.”

The groups argued that reducing or “eliminating” the tariffs on rice would result in the loss of P33.5 billion in tariff collections for the rice industry, based on a 3.9-million metric ton import projection.

The groups claimed that pork tariff reduction would result in foregone state revenues amounting to between P16 billion and P18 billion while tariff reductions on chicken imports would lead to P6 billion to P8 billion in revenue losses.

The groups, however, did not disclose the tariff rates for pork and chicken that they used in estimating the revenue losses for the two commodities.

Govt turns over land titles, equipment to Marinduque farmers

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed last September 22

a total of 1,594 individual land titles covering 1,122 hectares of agricultural lands to 1,500 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Marinduque.

The distribution of individual land titles came after the successful splitting of collective certificates of land ownership award (CCLOAs) under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling Project or Project SPLIT of DAR.

The landholdings are located in

the towns of Boac, with 257.0102 hectares distributed to 230 ARBs; Buenavista, with 226.1885 has. to 237 ARBs; Gasan, 106.0079 has. to 170 ARBs; Mogpog, with 180.9682 has. to 455 ARBs; Sta. Cruz, with 132.8797 has. to 215 ARBs;and Torrijos, with 219.2667 has. to 193 ARBs.

Project SPLIT involves the parcelization of lands and issuance of individual land titles to ARBs who were previously awarded lands under the CCLOAs scheme.

The lands distributed were covered under Presidential Proclamation No. 2282, series of 1983, which reclassified some portions of the public domain in the country as agricultural land and declared

India rice export ban is fueling risk of social unrest, UN says

INDIA’S rice export ban is boosting prices around the world, increasing the risk of political instability in Asia and Africa, according to the head of a United Nations agency.

Prices for the crop, a staple for half the world, surged to the highest in almost 15 years after the top shipper began curbing exports. India accounted for nearly 40 percent of the global rice trade in the past three years. Soaring prices are fueling concerns about food insecurity for billions of people in Asia and Africa who depend on the grain.

“Rice, especially in Africa, can certainly bring potential conflict or social unrest, which at this moment in time would be quite dangerous,” Alvaro Lario, who leads the International Fund for Agricultural Development, said in a Thursday interview in New York.

The export ban is bringing back memories of 2008, when a global rice crisis put 100

million people at risk, many in sub-Saharan Africa. Back then, both Vietnam and India restricted exports. Food shortages have also contributed to unrest in the past, with surging wheat prices helping spark the Arab Spring that toppled governments just over a decade ago.

The impacts of bans “go beyond the borders of the countries” implementing such measures, Lario said. Rice is the “main concern” for food security—even more so than wheat, he said.

“Export bans have a lot of impact, especially on the most vulnerable, by raising prices and having a shock on prices,” he said. “Generally they are not positive, neither for the local populations in the medium term, nor for the other countries.”

Some regions in Africa that are more reliant on rice imports are already seeing impacts from higher prices, Lario said.

“We have to understand that many of

these people who consume this type of crop are sometimes on the brink of poverty,” he said.

Corn supply boom

A GLOBAL sugar crunch that drove prices of the sweetener to an 11-year high is finally poised to ease—and it’s thanks to a crop that might seem totally unrelated.

Corn output from agricultural powerhouse Brazil is surging, making it more profitable to use the grain to produce ethanol—a key fuel that powers cars in Latin America’s biggest economy. As a result, mills that crush costlier cane are looking to produce more sugar and less biofuel.

“Anyone with money today is either investing in corn ethanol, or adding capacity to produce sugar,” said Eder Vieito, senior commodity analyst at Green Pool Commodity Specialists.

Falling sugar prices would be a welcome respite for consumers battling rampant food

inflation. A gauge of agricultural commodity prices posted its biggest gain in 16 months in July, before retreating somewhat in August. Extreme weather has damaged sugarcane in India, the world’s second-largest producer after Brazil. Corn is taking a bigger share of the ethanol market in Brazil, which trails only the US among global producers of the biofuel. Ethanol from corn will account for nearly a fifth of all output of the fuel this season, from nearly zero five years ago. By 2033, its share could climb to as much as a third of total supply, consultancy Datagro predicts. “Biofuel expansion will predominantly come from corn,” said Renato Pretti, strategic planning officer at ethanol producer Cerradinho Bioenergia SA. The company, which uses both corn and sugarcane as raw material for fuel, is one of a growing number of mills diverting more cane to produce sugar and even investing in new sugar machinery.

the same as alienable and disposable for agricultural and resettlement purposes. Upon its effectivity, farmerclaimants availed of the program and were awarded CCLOAs in 1993, making them wait to own their individual land titles for almost 30 years.

DAR Field Operations Office

Undersecretary Kazel Celeste also turned over a total of P 1.95 million in various farm machinery and equipment to ARB organizations which include Bacong-bacong ARBs and Farmers Association, Tiguion ARBs Association, and Bantay Buklutan ARBs and Farmers Association, to boost their livelihood activities.

The farm machinery includes a 24-HP four-wheel drive tractor with a rototiller, a 7-HP multi-tilling machine with complete accessories and trailer, 2 units of diesel water pumps, and 4 units of grasscutters.

The ARBs also availed of the free legal counsel from DAR lawyers and legal officers where they consulted agrarian-related issues and concerns involving their farms.

DAR Regional Director Marvin Bernal said the activity is under the Lawyers to the Benepisyaryo program conducted exclusively in the Mimaropa Region, where the DAR lawyers personally go to rural communities to listen to the grievances and problems of the ARBs.

THE Palace has clarified that the government will only implement a fishing restriction in the breeding zones, not a fishing ban.

THIS BusinessMirror file photo shows the catch of the day by fishermen of San Enrique, Negros Occidental.

‘Climate crisis hinders efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty’

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Regional Office No. IV-A

4th Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362

September 25, 2023

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 Alien Employment Permit/s:

3 AL-BAYT CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION 50, Esligue Street, Poblacion, Malvar, Batangas

4 ANOC99 CORPORATION

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

5 ANOC99 CORPORATION

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

implement new sanitation protocols as needed

ERNI Project Manager

Brief Job Description: Manage the project costs and negotiate prices to stay within budget

HUANG, ZUYI Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

QIN, HAIXIA Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service

Basic Qualification: Must have 5-8years of experience in the same field

Salary Range: Php30,000 – Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with 4 years of management experience

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

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

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

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

42 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP.

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

43 MYBRUSH TECHNOLOGY (PHIL.) INC.

Building V, Lot 33-B, Phase 1B, First Philippine Industrial Parkspecial Economic Zone, Ulango, City of Tanauan, Batangas

44 NIDEC INSTRUMENTS (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION Main Avenue Corner Binary St., Light Industry and Science Park I, Diezmo, City of Cabuyao, Laguna

VI, TU DUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

WONG, KEAN HENG

General Manager

Brief Job Description:

To oversee and manage the operations of the company

YAMAKADO, HIROSHI

Vice President/Treasurer

Brief Job Description:

Supervise sales department local members and oversee the whole department activities

to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

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

Salary Range:

Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification:

At least bachelor’s degree in relevant field with 20 years working experience, fluent in speaking Malaysian and English language

Salary Range: Php60,000 – Php89,999

Basic Qualification: Must be able to achieve goals set by the company

Salary Range: Php60,000 – Php89,999

The World

Ukraine targets a key Crimean city a day after hitting Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters

By Susie Blann The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine—Ukraine on Saturday morning launched another missile attack on Sevastopol on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, a Russian-installed official said, a day after an attack on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet that left a serviceman missing and the main building smoldering.

Sevastopol was put under an air raid alert for about an hour after debris from intercepted missiles fell near a pier, Gov. Mikhail Razvozhayev wrote on the messaging app Telegram. He later added that another missile fragment fell in a park in northern Sevastopol, parts of which had to be cordoned off. Ferry traffic in the area was also halted and later resumed.

Loud blasts were also heard near Vilne in northern Crimea, followed by rising clouds of smoke, according to a pro-Ukraine Telegram news channel that reports on developments on the peninsula. Crimea, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, has been a frequent target for Ukrainian forces since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, told Voice of America on Saturday that at least nine people were killed and 16 others wounded as a result of Kyiv’s attack on the Black Sea Fleet on Friday. He claimed that Alexander Romanchuk, a Russian general commanding forces along the key southeastern front line, was “in a very serious condition” following the attack.

Budanov’s claim couldn’t be independently verified, and he didn’t comment on whether Westernmade missiles were used in Friday’s

By Lisa Mascaro & Farnoush Amiri The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—Working furiously to take control of a House in disarray, allies of Speaker Kevin McCarthy implored their Republican colleagues Saturday to drop their hardline tactics and work together to approve a conservative spending plan to prevent a federal shutdown.

In public overtures and private calls, Republican lieutenants of the embattled speaker pleaded with a handful of rightflank holdouts to resist further disruptions that have ground the House to a halt and back McCarthy’s latest plan to keep government open before next weekend’s Sept. 30 deadline for a shutdown.

Republican Rep. Garrett Graves of Louisiana said the holdouts are “absolutely hallucinating” if they think they can wrap up work without the need for a temporary measure that many of them have shunned before time runs out.

“An important part of this strategy is going to be ensuring that we do everything we can to avoid a government shutdown,” Graves said after a Saturday afternoon conference call with lawmakers. But in a sign of the deep divisions still ahead, one of the conservative holdouts, Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., walked past the McCarthy allies’ news conference at the Capitol, telling reporters he remained firm in his position. Asked if he was worried about a potential shutdown, Rosendale said: “Life

would give Ukraine a version of the longer-range ATACMS ballistic missiles, without specifying how many or when they would be delivered, according to two US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter before an official announcement.

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and other Ukrainian leaders have long pushed the US and other Western allies to provide longer-distance weapons that would enable Kyiv to ramp up its strikes behind Russian lines while themselves staying out of firing range.

tween the warring sides, Prokudin said. Residential quarters were hit, including medical and education institutions, government-built stations that serve food and drinks, as well as critical infra -

structure facilities and a penitentiary, he added.

In the eastern Donetsk region, where heavy fighting is ongoing on the outskirts of Bakhmut, Russian shelling

killed one civilian and wounded another on Friday and overnight, local Gov. Ihor Moroz reported Saturday. AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report from Washington.

attack. The Russian Defense Ministry initially said that the strike killed one service member at the Black Sea Fleet headquarters, but later issued a statement that he was missing.

Ukraine’s military also offered more details about Friday’s attack. It said the air force conducted 12 strikes on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters, targeting areas where personnel, military equipment and weapons were concentrated. It said that two anti-aircraft missile systems and four Russian artillery units were hit.

Crimea has served as the key hub supporting Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Sevastopol, the main base of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet since the 19th century, has had a particular importance for navy operations since the start of the war.

Ukraine has increasingly targeted naval facilities in Crimea in recent weeks while the brunt of its summer counteroffensive makes slow gains in the east and south of Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War said. Military experts say it is essential for Ukraine to keep up its attacks on targets in Crimea to degrade Russian morale and weaken its military.

In other developments, US President Joe Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart at their White House meeting Thursday that the US

is going to go on.”

President Joe Biden on Saturday chided the “small group of extreme Republicans” who were threatening a shutdown in which “everyone in America could be forced to pay the price.”

“If the government shuts down, that means members of the US military are going to have to continue to work and not get paid,” he told a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation dinner. “A government shutdown could impact everything from food safety to cancer research to Head Start programs for children. Funding the government is one of the most basic responsibilities of Congress. It’s time for Republicans to start doing the job America elected them to do.”

Congress had largely emptied out for the weekend as the House ground to a standstill, and the White House instructed federal agencies to begin preparing for a possible shutdown. The House Rules Committee held a rare Saturday session to begin setting up the process for next week’s voting.

Time is running out for Congress to act, but McCarthy is pushing ahead with plan urged on by his right flank to start voting on some of the dozen bills needed to fund the various government departments.

Under the current strategy, the House would start voting as soon as Tuesday to advance some of the dozen bills needed to fund the government. Then, with time running short, the House would turn toward a stopgap measure to keep government open for about a month

The US has balked so far, worried that Kyiv could use the weapons to hit deep into Russian territory and escalate the conflict. The Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, could give Ukraine the ability to strike Russian targets from as far away as about 180 miles (300 kilometers), but the US also has other variants of the missile that have a shorter range.

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s military said Saturday that Russia launched 15 Iranian-made Shahed drones at the front-line Zaporizhzhia region in the southeast, as well as Dnipropetrovsk province farther north. It claimed to have destroyed 14 of the drones.

Separately, Zaporizhzhia regional Gov. Yuri Malashko said that Russia over the previous day carried out 86 strikes on 27 settlements in the province, many of them lying only a few kilometers (miles) from the fighting. Malashko said that an 82-year-old civilian was killed by artillery fire.

In the neighboring Kherson region, Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said that a 65-year-old woman was killed on Saturday as a Russian shell struck her yard, while a 78-year-old man was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a Russian drone dropped explosives.

Prokudin said earlier in a separate statement that at least one person died and three other people were wounded over the previous day because of Russian shelling. Russia fired 25 shells targeting the city of Kherson, which lies along the Dneiper River that marks the contact line be -

while work continues.

“Well, people have been holding back, not wanting to do anything—now is not the time,” McCarthy said before an afternoon call with his Republican colleagues.

McCarthy said his message to the holdouts was: “You’ve got to stop that.”

At issue is the House conservatives’ drive to undo the deal McCarthy reached with Biden earlier this year setting government funding levels. They are insisting on the lower spending levels McCarthy promised the Republican hardliners in January during his own race to become House speaker. But that would require severe budget cuts to government services and programs even other Republicans don’t want to make.

Even if McCarthy can secure Republican support to move forward next week on the first four bills for the Defense Department, Homeland Security, Agriculture and State and Foreign Operations—and it’s not at all certain he has the votes to do it—it’s a laborious task.

Usually it takes weeks, if not months, to process the big bills and hundreds of amendments. And once those House bills are approved, often in round-the-clock voting, they still would go for negotiations with the Senate, which has its own legislation.

One big issue for debate will be amendments to strip funding for the war in Ukraine being pushed by allies of Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner in the 2024 race for the White House. Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.

With House Republicans in turmoil, colleagues implore GOP holdouts not to shut down govt

Back in full force, UN General Assembly shows how the most important diplomatic work is face to face

By Michael Weissenstein The Associated Press

These dueling viewpoints were tested when the coronavirus pandemic shut down much in-person diplomacy for several years. After three years of virtual, then hybrid General Debates, the scores of top leaders who attended the annual UN summit this week exhibited the return of inperson diplomacy, and provided ammunition to those who advocate for its importance.

It wasn’t just drama, like whether Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy would be addressing the Security Council in the presence of Russia’s top diplomat (the two ultimately did not cross paths).

Many of the formal speeches de -

By Nicole Winfield, Sylvie Corbet & Trisha Thomas The Associated Press

MARSEILLE , France—Pope

Francis challenged French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders to open their ports to people fleeing hardship and poverty, insisting Saturday that the continent isn’t facing a migration “emergency” but rather a long-term reality that governments must deal with humanely.

For a second straight day in the French port city of Marseille, Francis took aim at European countries that have used “alarmist propaganda” to justify closing their doors to migrants, and tried to shame them into responding with charity instead. He called for migrants to have legal pathways to citizenship, and for the Mediterranean Sea that so many cross to reach Europe to be a beacon of hope, not a graveyard of desperation.

The Mediterranean, Francis told Macron and a gathering of regional bishops, “cries out for justice, with its shores that on the one hand exude affluence, consumerism and waste, while on the other there is poverty and instability.”

The pope’s visit to the city in southern France, which drew an estimated 150,000 well-wishers Saturday, comes as Italy’s far right-led government has reacted to a new wave of arriving migrants by threatening to organize a naval blockade of Tunisia and to step up repatriations. The French government, for its part, has beefed up patrols on its southern border to stop migrants in Italy from crossing over.

After the bishops’ meeting ended, Macron and Francis held a private, half-hour meeting. They spoke about migration issues and a series of other topics, the French presidency said, adding that both leaders share a “joint will” to bring human solutions to the situation.

France is a “host country” to migrants—especially to asylum seekers—and is supporting European solidarity policies, including through financing and fighting human traf -

livered before the green stone in the General Assembly could have been performed straight to camera, with few other people in the room (and in 2020, they were). More than the speeches, at the heart of the annual meetings is the face-to-face interaction between leaders. And as important to day-to-day relations between countries is the face-to-face interaction between lower-level staff, shown this year as diplomatic delegations and non-governmental organizations packed the U.N. headquarters and hotels and meeting spaces nearby.

The diplomatic agreements worked out in informal interactions have been key to accomplishments that weren’t

formally laid out in the UN’s founding document—activities like peacekeeping in recent years and decolonization decades ago, said Katie Laatikainen, a professor of political science and international relations at Adelphi University.

Much of the world looks at the General Assembly like a world government body, she said, and ignores the less high-profile work that’s advanced in behindthe-scenes interactions.

“People expect governance but that’s not really what the

ports

ficking, the French presidency said. The Vatican provided no readout of the meeting.

Macron’s centrist government has taken a harder line on migration and security issues after coming under criticism from French conservatives and the far right. With elections for the European Union’s parliament set for next year, Macron is pushing for the EU to strengthen its external borders and to be more efficient in deporting individuals who are denied entry.

Macron greeted Francis on a wind-swept promenade overlooking Marseille’s old port, and helped him walk into the Palais du Pharo for the Mediterranean bishops meeting. With his wife by his side, the French leader listened as a young Italian volunteer working in Greece and the bishop of Tirana, Albania, who fled to Italy during Albania’s communist rule, spoke of the welcomes they received in foreign countries.

“May we let ourselves be moved by the stories of so many of our unfortunate brothers and sisters who have the right both to emigrate and not to emigrate, and not become closed in indifference,” Francis said. “In the face of the terrible scourge of the exploitation of human beings, the solution is not to reject but to ensure, according to the possibilities of each, an ample number of legal and regular entrances.”

Francis’ two-day trip was scheduled months ago, but it is taking place as mass migration to Europe is once again making headlines. Nearly 7,000 migrants who boarded smugglers boats in Tunisia came ashore on the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa within a day last week, briefly outnumbering the resident population.

Nevertheless, Francis said talk of a migration “emergency” only fuels “alarmist propaganda” and stokes peoples’ fears.

“Those who risk their lives at sea do not invade, they look for welcome, for life,” he said. “As for the emergency, the phenomenon of migration is not so much a short-term urgency, always good for fueling alarmist propaganda, but a reality of our times.”

In addition to Macron, the pope’s

audience on Saturday included European Commission Vice President Margarítis Schinás, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who has said France would not take in new migrants from Lampedusa.

The French president and first lady Brigitte Macron later attended Francis’ final Mass at the Marseille Velodrome that drew an estimated 50,000 people and featured a giant banner of the pope hoisted up in the stands. The Vatican, citing local organizers, said 100,000 more lined Marseilles’ central Avenue du Prado to cheer as his popemobile passed by.

History’s first Latin American pope has made the plight of migrants a priority of his 10-year pontificate. For his first trip as pope, he traveled to Lampedusa to honor migrants who had drowned while attempting to cross the sea.

In the years since, he has celebrated Mass on the US-Mexico border, met with Myanmar’s Rohingya refugees and, in a visible display of his commitment, brought home 12 Syrian Muslims on his plane after visiting a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece.

Migrants and their advocates living in Marseille, which has a long tradition of multicultural hospitality, said Francis’ call for charity and paths to citizenship gave them hope that at least someone in Europe was sympathetic to their plight.

“It is a very beautiful opportunity for us,” said Francky Domingo, who is part of a Marseillebased association representing migrants seeking official identification documents. “We really want the pope to be our spokesperson to the politicians because the European policy on migration is very, very repressive for us migrants.” Associated Press writers

UN.does,” she said. The General Assembly, she said, actually “overshadows what the UN does well.”

Side meetings on themes running from conservation to Middle East peace were taking place throughout the week. In-person relations are as important, if not more so, for non-governmental organizations with stakes in the outcomes, attendees said.

The La Jolla, California-based Waitt Institute works on ocean conservation and during the pandemic, “we were all on Zoom, of course... it actually served

an enormously important function,” in communicating with the small island nations where Waitt does much of its work, said executive director Kathryn Mengerink.

However, real life is not “how we engage when we’re in a box on a screen,” she said, from midtown Manhattan, where she was engaging in the sort of in-person communication that she called essential to her group’s work.

Scott Hamilton, a former State Department official who has worked in Cuba, among other locations, described how the pandemic hurt diplomacy because “face-to-face, you can build trust and comfort between people.”

Despite the more robust attendance, this year did see some notable absences:

With the exception of US President Joe Biden, the leaders of China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom—the four other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—did not attend.

United Nations officials say it’s a mistake to confuse in-person attendance, particularly by national leaders, as a referendum on the meeting’s importance.

“We’re fully aware that there are competing demands on heads of states, domestic demands,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for U.N. SecretaryGeneral António Guterres. “So, we’re not taking it personally.”

Even without a president or a prime minister in town, delegations still get work done — and the in-person contact helps set the agenda for the year ahead.

“The really hard work is what happens the rest of the year,” Laatikainen said.

Many at the General Assembly, and those observing it closely from afar, declined to discuss the substance of negotiations that may never ultimately come to fruition. But they said that the 2023 summit underscored how essential it was to meet in person again, providing an invaluable way to interact that was more confidential and efficient than virtual communications.

“Technology provides a facility to carry those (interactions) without personal contact, but it’s inferior to personal contact,” said Jeff Rathke, president of the American-German Institute at Johns Hopkins University and a retired State Department official who focused mainly on US relations with Europe.

But the General Assembly week “provides a critical mass that allows you to do all the things that you would prefer to do in person,” Rathke said.

“You can exchange papers all day and have video calls,” Hamilton echoes, “but it’s all about doing what diplomats are supposed to do: It’s easy to understand people’s positions by exchanging papers but it’s more important to understand people’s interests.”

UNITED NATIONS—There are two opposing theses about the UN General Assembly: It’s a place that shows the true power of words, where leaders inspire action with rousing speeches on the urgent issues of our times; or it’s a talking shop, where leaders perform for domestic audiences with political rhetoric on the cause of the day.

Pope says Europe doesn’t have a migrant emergency; urges countries to open

Nicolas Garriga, Helena Alves and Masha Macpherson contributed to the story.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greets people before the start of the 78th session of the United n a tions General a ss embly at United n a tions headquarters on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. AP Photo/Seth Wenig

editorial

When will the suffering of weak nations end?

ON August 28, 2023, China released a new national map that claimed the entire South China Sea by including a 10th dash to the east of Taiwan. Five neighbors immediately rejected it. The governments of India, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam registered their strong protest over China’s so-called “standard map.”

From Bloomberg, August 30, 2023: “New Delhi lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing over the publication of an official map that shows China claiming Indian territory in the Himalayas. We reject these claims as they have no basis,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. “Such steps by the Chinese side only complicate the resolution of the boundary question.”

From The Jakarta Post, August 31, 2023: “Kuala Lumpur rejected Wednesday a new Chinese map that claims waters off Malaysia’s coast in the South China Sea, in the latest war of words between the Asian allies over Beijing’s assertiveness in the waterway. “Malaysia does not recognize China’s claims in the South China Sea, as outlined in the ‘China Standard Map 2023 Edition’, which covers Malaysia’s maritime area,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

A BusinessMirror report on September 1, 2023 said: The Philippines protested 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 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. It cited the final and binding 2016 Arbitration ruling that said China’s claim of historic rights to resources within its so-called nine-dash line had no basis in law.

“The Philippines calls on China to act responsibly and abide by its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the DFA said.

From Taiwan News, August 30, 2023: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday rebuked China’s new ‘standard map’ by saying Taiwan has never been ruled by the People’s Republic of China [PRC]. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jeff Liu told Taiwan News that “Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent country that is not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China. The PRC has never ruled Taiwan. These are universally recognized facts and the status quo in the international community,” Liu added that Taiwan is “by no means” part of the PRC.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said on August 31, 2023: “China’s new ‘2023 standard map’ is a violation of sovereignty as it includes Vietnam’s Spratly and Paracel islands within its infamous U-shaped line. China’s sovereignty and sea claims based on the dotted line, as shown on the ‘standard map,’ holds no value and violates international law, especially the UNCLOS.”

The unity shown by the five countries denouncing China’s new intrusive map was reassuring. By standing together to achieve a shared goal, there’s a bigger chance to resolve the disputes by diplomatic means.

From Bloomberg: “Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said China’s explanation of a new map that appeared to expand its claims over disputed land and waters in the South China Sea was ‘reassuring,’ as he advocated for nations in the region to resolve maritime issues among themselves. China wants an amicable resolution over disputed maritime claims,” Anwar said.

We don’t know why Anwar issued the statement after Malaysia rejected China’s new map. His comments also deviated from Malaysia’s long-standing policy of protecting its sovereignty and resolving disputes via international law. It would do well for other claimants to remind Anwar that China shows no respect at all for international conventions and agreements.

A reminder of its duplicity: China and Asean signed in 2002 the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which committed all parties to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight and to refrain from inhabiting the uninhabited atolls. But as of 2022, China has fully militarized at least three of several disputed islands, arming them with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment and fighter jets in an aggressive move that threatens all claimant-nations.

Greek historian Thucydides wrote: “The strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.” This 2,000-year-old gem epitomizes the simmering tensions and disputes in the South China Sea.

For decades, Beijing has harassed and bullied the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia into accepting its dubious claims of “indisputable sovereignty” over the entire South China Sea. And the intimidation is getting worse. China recently installed a floating barrier to block Philippine fishing vessels in Scarborough Shoal, which is within the Philippines’s exclusive economic zone. When will the suffering of the weaker nations end?

Embrace AI but prepare early for unavoidable effects

RISING

SUN

SOMe days ago several places south of Manila were blanketed by “smog” or vog (volcanic particles in the air) that came from Taal Volcano in Batangas. Many classes were even suspended and about 50 people were reported to have fallen ill because of the “bad” air. The experts advised people residing in the affected areas to stay home if they didn’t have any important appointments and to wear N95 masks if they absolutely needed to venture outside.

For several years now, I believe, residents in many urban cities in the country have had to deal with smog or heavily polluted air, especially in the morning. We have been breathing unhealthy air for a while now, and in fact, many patients have developed allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions because of it.

While it seems that we can do very little to control the smog com-

For several years now, I believe, residents in many urban cities in the country have had to deal with smog or heavily polluted air, especially in the morning. We have been breathing unhealthy air for a while now, and in fact, many patients have developed allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions because of it.

the studio executives and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) are still talking, hoping to reach a compromise that would end the extended strike that has shut down film and TV production for months now.

ing from the volcano, we take significant steps to eradicate or lessen the man-made pollution in the air. I am hoping the proper agencies and organizations will step up their campaigns for cleaner air, especially in the country’s polluted cities.

n n n I T ’S been almost 150 days since the Hollywood writers have been on strike in America. As of this writing,

On local shores, I think we’ve all seen the new AI-generated sportscasters that GMA Network recently introduced to the public. You see, limiting the use of AI technology is one of the issues being laid down by the WGA writers as they claim it could devalue their work and put many jobs on the line. One doesn’t have to be a genius to foresee that

this is going to be a problem here later on.

So how is the local labor force preparing for this inevitable scenario? At the moment, we don’t even have strong guilds or associations like the WGA. Perhaps it is about time, even if it’s a little late, that professionals banded together to organize themselves so they can fight for their rights when that time comes.

There are organizations like the Freelance Writers’ Guild of the Philippines, the Philippine Sportswriters Association, Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas, the Filipino Screenwriters Guild, and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines that are trying to bring professional writers together so they can campaign for their causes. But not one is yet as strong as the WGA. And so with the rapid acceptance and utilization of AI technology everywhere—certainly including the Philippines—forming stronger associations or alliances should be one of the priorities now.

Sunak hopes ‘sensible populist’ does better than stability

By Alex Wickham

PrIMe Minister rishi Sunak came to power almost a year ago promising to bring a business-like sensibility to UK politics, an antidote to Liz Truss’s failed 49-day experiment in radical fiscal change.

Five pledges on the economy and public services were meant to help voters track his progress, and underscore a sense of method and forward planning. And the former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. banker has been credited with restoring a feeling of stability in Westminster.

Problem is, the results of what Sunak calls his pragmatic solutions have been mixed. Health service waiting lists, for instance, are higher than ever. And a year on from the disastrous budget that ultimately brought down Truss, Sunak and his Conservatives are still lagging far behind Labour in the polls.

The solution? Sensible populism. That’s according to a Sunak ally, who spoke privately to describe the prime minister’s new strategy, which got its first formal airing this week.

Britons are due to go to the polls before January 2025, and Sunak’s shift into election mode has been in the works for months, waiting for the economy to start to improve, people

familiar with his thinking said. This week, inflation undershot expectations and the Bank of England hit pause on almost two years of rate increases, although largely because the risk of a recession is growing.

Over the coming weeks, Sunak is expected to announce major policy shifts on housing, infrastructure, immigration and industrial policy, the people said. Sunak saw his five pledges as the water-treading first phase of his premiership, and the next is to take the fight to Labour leader Keir Starmer and erode the opposition party’s 20-point lead in national opinion polls. But Sunak’s first big effort to reset the narrative was marked by chaos, when his plan to water down the government’s green agenda was leaked to the BBC. It triggered frantic efforts by Downing Street to fend off criticism from business and some Tory MPs, before Sunak finally gave a televised speech confirming the move.

Sunak framed his decision to push back a ban on new petrol and diesel cars as part of his new approach to tackling climate change that would put a “fairer and more proportionate” burden on Britons, while bringing the UK into line with other countries including the EU. But it also included language common to the climate-skeptic political right. It was a clear dividing line with Labour.

Sunak framed his decision to push back a ban on new petrol and diesel cars as part of his new approach to tackling climate change that would put a “fairer and more proportionate” burden on Britons, while bringing the UK into line with other countries including the EU. But it also included language common to the climateskeptic political right. It was a clear dividing line with Labour.

One ally described Sunak’s outlook as a combination of optimism and ambition for the future economy, couched in fiscal prudence and a deep vein of social conservatism. A second person, the one who coined the sensible populist framing, called

it a common-sense approach to universal issues, but which particularly excite a typically Conservative voter.

One supporter of the prime minister said it could help the Conservatives deprive Labour of a parliamentary majority.

A Tory lawmaker took a less flattering view, characterizing Sunak as a Treasury bean counter with a right-wing streak, the implication being that his approach is at odds with voters demanding an improvement in public services.

People close to Sunak said he’s cut a frustrated figure for much of the last year, as well as when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer under Boris Johnson. In part, they say that’s because of his irritation at how politics in Britain works—a common gripe of politicians who find events not going their way.

During his time in banking, Sunak used to be glued to the amber-onblack text of financial news reports, but now hates the vicissitudes of 24hour news and social media, they said. Since becoming prime minister, he’s tried to tune out of daily market movements and newspaper headlines.

It’s also because he’s felt unable to implement his own political

Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

Joel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT

ThiS 2023, i had the occasion to be part of two centennial celebrations. it is always good to be part of the celebration of institutions that have proven their mettle for all their 100 years of existence.

My first centenary event was in March 2023, when the accountancy profession, led by the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, celebrated its grand centenary celebration in Manila Hotel. I am a Certified Public Accountant and a proud member of the accountancy profession after passing my CPA examinations way back in 1979. The celebration then was extra special when I was among the 100 CPAs awarded the “Accountancy Centenary Award of Excellence” for having proven themselves worthy of honor and emulation.

My second centennial celebration took place on September 23, 2023 in the Britanny Hotel in the Bonifacio Global City. That night, over 180 members of the Pan Xenia Fraternity and its sorority Adelfe Enu Crea , gathered and enjoyed the festivities and bonding moments. Pan Xenia is the Greek translation of “all embracing goodwill,” which aptly pertains to the character of the fraternity.

I am a proud member of Pan Xenia having joined the Fraternity in 1976 when I was taking up my accountancy course at the University of the Philippines Diliman. I had to undergo the “bruising” initiation process to become a member of the fraternity.

I was enamored then of being part of a fraternity that adheres to its four Cardinal Virtues of Honesty and Business Ethics: Knowledge, Caution and Courage, Appreciation of human relationships. I also was keen in joining Pan Xenia brods upon invitation (no applications accepted) to be part of the roster of resident brods based in UP and the elite alumni brods who had made their mark in business, academe, politics, government and other segments of society. I will not anymore mention in this article the many names of Pan Xenia brods who have excelled in their chosen endeavors, due to my apprehension of missing names in the enumeration. Morever, this information is readily available on the social network sites of the fraterity.

The centennial celebration that night was fun and memorable. The venue, food and drinks were excellent and flowing and was taken cared of by Brod Manny Villar, former Senate President and acclaimed as the richest Filipino businessman. The raffle prizes were aplenty, including over two million pesos worth of paintings that were provided by Brod Ernie Salas of Gallery Genesis. The entertainment was superb with the

I am a Certified Public Accountant and a proud member of the accountancy profession after passing my CPA examinations way back in 1979. The celebration then was extra special when I was among the 100 CPAs awarded the “Accountancy Centenary Award of Excellence” for having proven themselves worthy of honor and emulation.

UP Singing Ambassadors rendering several song and dance numbers, and our delightful masters of ceremonies entertainer Giselle Sanchez and an unnamed brod regaling the audience with their “medyo bastos” antics. At the close of the celebration by midnight, all brods and sisses went home with a loot bag full of goodies and memorabilia items.

The centennial celebration will not be complete without the formal activities. The Pan Xenia Foundation briefed the brods of the selection of the nine members of the Board of Trustees and new officers who will oversee the activities of the fraternity until 2026. I was appointed as consultant for Financial and Accountability matters. The brods sang fervently the newly minted Pan Xen Hymn created by acclaimed musical artist Rey Paguio and Brod Rec Yabes. The new website of Pan Xenia (https://uppanxenia.net/up/ ) created by Bron Lemuel Baran was launched. The brods were generous in contributing to the Pan Xenia Fund to finance the many activities of the fraternity. The centennial pictorial exhibit and videos that were shown during the event brought back fond memories of the milestones of Pan Xenia.

It was a remarkable night of camaraderie and bonding of Pan Xenia brods. I am certain of the bright prospects facing Pan Xenia Fraternity moving forward to its next century of all-embracing goodwill.

Joel L. Tan-Torres was the former Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business. Previously, he was the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, and Tax partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co. and the SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Co. He is a Certified Public Accountant who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979. He is now back to his tax and consultancy practice and can be contacted at joeltantorress@yahoo.com and his firm JL2T Consultancy.

Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

Centennial celebrations Maximum penalty THE PATRIOT

NO pocket? No jacket? No problem! One’s mouth can be the next hiding place. it pains me to say this, but some Filipinos can ingeniously come up with nifty ways to commit a crime. The airport screening officer caught on camera shoveling paper bills in her mouth is the latest talk-of-the-town, causing pandemonium all-over social media.

T his comes just after the February hullabaloo involving other screening personnel taking money and a watch from foreigners at the very same beleaguered international airport. Following the string of “inside jobs” offenses, concerned airport agencies have banned screening officers from wearing jackets and uniforms with pockets. Yet barely six months after its implementation, the “no pocket policy” came crash landing on someone else’s oral cavity. While the culprit enjoys the presumption of innocence, a confluence of factors too evident to ignore ought to be enough to put shame and impose criminal liability upon her. First, amid the commotion that arose between the complaining passenger and the lady security, the latter was seen turning away, stuffing a paper bill inside her mouth and desperately swallowing it with the help of a finger and bottled water. Second, her supervisor was seen walking towards her as if wanting to ensure that “the bills are dispatched to preclude any evidence,” per the Office of Transport Security (OTS) report. Third, the spate of thefts in Naiacan serve as a pattern of conspiracy or modus operandi among security personnel given that being inside an airport, where security is strict both for the

Sunak . . .

continued from A10

philosophy. Pundits have struggled to define Sunak’s views, as the premier at times appears in tune with liberals in the US and Europe at international summits, and at others risks his reputation by stoking culture wars at home.

The new policy announcements have been chosen because Sunak has a genuine interest in reform, the people said, but also they’re expected to pose problems for Labour. Cost-savings, if unmatched by the opposition, would put pressure on the opposition to show where they will find the money. Promoting socially conservative positions on cultural issues could cause problems for Starmer, whose political base is more liberal.

The premier is seriously considering scaling back the flagship High Speed 2 rail project, which has long

What remains appalling is how the act of thievery could be brazenly committed by a uniformed officer, notwithstanding the policies on honesty in government. Compounding the offense is the fact that swallowing dollar bills or any other thing not fit for human consumption is an outright health hazard.

passengers and its workers, it is almost impossible to confine the loot to just one person. As such, the OTS report itself implicated the duty supervisor. Despite the CCTV footage, the lady security guard issued an outright denial saying that she was eating chocolate and not money. Many were quick to respond that “swallowing” chocolate is against the natural way of eating and enjoying a sweet treat. My daughter who loves chocolate can attest to that! Nobody stuffs chocolate into one’s mouth to the point of choking.

W hat remains appalling is how the act of thievery could be brazenly committed by a uniformed officer, notwithstanding the policies on honesty in government. Compounding the offense is the fact that swallowing dollar bills or any other thing not fit for human consumption is an outright health hazard. No wonder, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista sought the maximum penalty against the erring screening officer under Section 81 of Republic Act 10951 (August 29, 2017), which amended Article 309 of our Revised Penal Code. The amount of $300 (approximately P16,500) involved in this case falls within the penalty of Arresto mayor in its medium period to Prision correccional in its mini-

been seen as a white elephant by the Tory right, people familiar with his thinking said. It comes even as his two predecessors have warned against abandoning the program, with Boris Johnson telling The Times it was a “desperate” move that would damage links to northern cities just before the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.

Sunak is also mulling reducing an increase in welfare payments, and tweaks to the state pension. Saturday’s newspapers were full of policy ideas including proposals to boost the takeup of individual savings accounts by allowing them to be used to support UK-listed companies. The Guardian reported plans for tough anti-smoking measures, similar to those introduced in New Zealand.

He’s considering changing the tax regime to boost innovation, and will likely try to frame a focus on life sciences, advanced manufacturing and digital technology as a benefit of diverging from European Union

Economic impact of reclamation projects

development such as the building of a tourist-oriented establishment that will mean more jobs created, the taxes that will accrue to the LGUs, and the increased economic activity are enough reasons to nudge the government to green light the projects.

Much of the hullabaloo over the reclamation projects in Manila Bay is centered on one particular project that has drawn the attention of the uS embassy and since then, the work in the others have been stopped while studies are being done on their impact to the environment. This has created an unlikely impasse that begs the question on the impact of a reclamation project.

Are reclamation projects per se good for us? And here the issue of the environment crops up. Taken, however, from an economic lens, the reclaiming of lands has huge economic benefits that far outweigh that of the environment, a fact that has not been lost on Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

In a budget hearing of the appropriations committee, he surmised that at a conservative estimate of P2,500 per square meter, the combined 6,000 hectares of land will translate to half of the country’s gross domestic product. And that is just the cost of the land, which is actually a fourth of its prevailing worth. Add the economic value of business

After all, it is imperative for the country to energize the economy given the gargantuan debts we have to pay down the road, no thanks to Covid. And if the environment issue is played on our reclamation projects, we can point to the fact that in the United States, there are 220 operating coal plants while we have only 22 plants that are now being asked to be stopped due to environmental considerations.

The economic impact of a reclamation project should provide the platform for the DENR to allow the continuation of the projects to ramp up economic activity. Much analysis, it is said, leads to paralysis and this should not be the case. The sooner that the impasse is resolved, the

The economic impact of a reclamation project should provide the platform for the DENR to allow the continuation of the projects to ramp up economic activity. Much analysis, it is said, leads to paralysis and this should not be the case. The sooner that the impasse is resolved, the sooner can the country benefit from the tremendous economic boom that the projects will trigger.

sooner can the country benefit from the tremendous economic boom that the projects will trigger. Imagine LGUs like Paranaque being able to raise enough to fund the building of more schools, or hiring more STEM (science, technical, engineering and math) tutors to address the students’ learning disabilities brought by their concentration on gadgets, or even build condomini-

mum period. Thus, the maximum imposable penalty is computed as two years and four months for such reprehensible conduct—quite wanting under the circumstances, given that NAIA has been considered as one of the worst airports globally. The guard and her cohorts offended not only the passenger but, alas, the agency and the country as well.

However, in these trying times, I’d rather focus on the penalty itself instead of the offender, from a deterrent perspective. It is this particular aim of preclusion vis-à-vis the imposition of maximum penalties for crimes that is most critical in penal laws. The other two, punishment and retribution, appear to be dependent on the crime, following the logic that every act has its consequence. Deterrence, on the other hand, apparently rests largely on the individual—to commit or not commit any further wrong. Hopefully, the maximum penalties coupled with a swift justice system could help achieve this purpose. A few rotten eggs in every government agency have truly destroyed people’s faith in our public servants.

Using this maximum penalty on this money-swallowing guard as factual backdrop, believers of faith are invited to gaze anew at the Cross, where the maximum penalty of death was suffered by one man “who knew no sin to be sin for all of us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God in Christ” (2 Corinthians

rules after Brexit. He is expected to call for more homes to be built, while trying to present Labour’s plans as a threat to green spaces.

Sunak also believes he will win a court case allowing him to deport migrants to Rwanda by the end of the year, creating another division with Labour.

He delivered his climate speech at a lectern adorned with his new slogan: “Long-term decisions for a brighter future.”

It could be a tough sell. Sunak’s attempt to frame his plans as a reset, or a fresh start or new trajectory, runs up against his record as Johnson’s finance minister. His Conservatives have been in power for over 13 years.

A poll of 2,144 adults taken after his climate speech by YouGov found his approval rating had slumped to the lowest since he became prime minister.

A major issue is likely to be that scaling back projects could be inconsistent with voters’ idea of a brighter

ums for rent-to-own schemes for their constituents. The list of the economic impact of reclaimed land far outweighs the projected risks attached to them, such as the possible loss of the famed Manila Bay sunset.

Actually, with the reclaimed land along Manila Bay, the LGUs can band together to create a tourist destination that will rival other tourism sites. For instance, a boardwalk could be built with different kinds of restaurants offering native delicacies.

Also, a bike lane can be designated in the area, and a place for walking enthusiasts and even a museum and a bird sanctuary. Aside from these, several lanes can be established that will allow local and foreign tourists to enjoy being in the said sites.

And as for the risks linked to reclamation projects, the Philippine Reclamation Authority had already settled the issue. PRA Assistant General Manager Joseph Literal said that the developers are enhancing coastal protection, a fact that is part of the

5:21). Blood had to be shed in order for us to be redeemed. And because of this maximum penalty of death, we who accept Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross are deemed “dead to sin” (Romans 6:11), and thus cannot live in it any longer (Romans 6:2). The essence of deterrence against committing sin therefore rests in a believer’s heart because of God’s grace, as exemplified by the maximum penalty meted on His only Son! Because our Creator sees the completion of the penalty upon His Son, He sees us clean and righteous. It matters not whether we consequently gulped down $300, or lied so glibly, or maltreated another person. With the consciousness of being made blameless, ultimate shame falls upon those who continue to intentionally commit sin. The maximum penalty on the Cross was a “finished” work (John 19:30); more than sufficient to deter us against falling again to the ground of transgression.

Human beings we all are, similar to this lady guard, we tend to falter whenever temptations surround us. There’s no CCTV that can record our every move each day. But, since the Holy Spirit within us knows and sees what we do with our mouths, our hands, and even our hearts, we should consciously maximize the benefits of salvation brought about by the maximum penalty of death upon our Lord Jesus Christ.

A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

future, especially as polling consistently shows dissatisfaction with the decline in public services and infrastructure. He faced widespread criticism of his green U-turn, amid accusations that far from saving money, it would raise costs—albeit to be faced by a later administration.

Yet his immediate challenge could be closer to home, potentially manifesting as his Conservatives gather for their annual conference in Manchester from October 1. One Tory lawmaker complained the reset is aimed too much at the party’s base, and would only serve to mitigate defeat.

Another said the country would vote on the economy, public services like the National Health Service, crime and borders, urging him to make game-changing announcements such as a Royal Commission on the future of the NHS. Given the state of the polls, Sunak’s critics— including Truss—are likely to dominate the agenda by demanding much more, they predicted. Bloomberg

reclamation projects in other parts of the world.

Cities with reclamation projects are now spending money to balance economy and ecology, and these include constructing breakwaters and seawalls that will reinforce coastal defenses. Ripraps are also put in place to ensure non-erosion. All these developments go with the ongoing reclamation projects and these are what the developers are doing.

For Dr. Edgardo Alabastro, Ph.

D., Chief Executive of Technotrix Integrated Services Corp, one of the reclamation project developers, the impasse created by the continued suspension “could prejudice the attainment of benefits that would accrue with the full development of the reclamation project. On full development, socio-economic benefits will filter down to the public and communities, especially in the territorial jurisdiction of the reclamation project. Jobs and livelihood would be made available.”

A12 Monday, September 25, 2023

BIDEN’S TRADE, INVESTMENT MISSION TO PHL SET IN 2024

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

AMERICA’S top business leaders selected by US President Joe Biden himself are coming to the Philippines early next year, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said.

M analo announced this as he pressed for the countries—especially the US and the Philippines—to work together on new areas which he believes are the new “complexions in the strategic environment—artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, cyber and space.”

T he foreign secretary is in New York City to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, representing President Marcos Jr.

US Presidential mission

BIDEN had committed last year to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to dispatch the “highest caliber of US business leaders” on the “first mission of its kind” to the Philippines.

U S companies are encouraged to invest in the innovation economy, clean energy transition, critical minerals sector and food security.

M analo hopes that the US Presidential Trade and Mission’s visit would “foster public and

private partnerships as well as generate big ticket projects and priority areas.”

Our economic cooperation with the United States should keep apace with our defenserelated activities. And in this regard, we aim to increase two-way trade and investments, especially in critical infrastructure, as strategic and sensitive sectors,” Manalo said in his remarks before the global nonprofit group Asia Society in New York.

T he visit of the US Presidential Trade and Investment Mission in Manila coincides with the Philippines’ hosting of the Indo-Pacific Business Forum.

Reinvigorated ties

HE reiterated that the reinvigorated Philippine-US partnership provides the opportunity for the Philippines to “enhance” the economic and economic resilience alongside the building of defense security alliance with the Americans.

Ph ilippine and US military forces have been conducting joint activities such as holding war games, as well as training on humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Manila has also allowed additional access to the American military under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).

MAP, Arta, DILG and DICT to boost EODB among LGUs

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THE Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has inked an agreement with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to “jointly implement” the provision of “necessary” technical assistance to select local government units (LGUs) in compliance with the law on ease of doing business.

T he DILG, ARTA, DICT and MAP signed last Friday the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly boost the ease of doing business in select LGUs in compliance with Republic Act No. 11032 or the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.”

Under the agreement, MAP will provide support for the implementation of RA 11032 at the local level by providing the “necessary” assistance, through capacity-building programs, to select LGUs.

T he other parties agreed to cooperate to “strengthen and effectively” implement the provisions of RA 11032 to the LGUs.

B ased on the MOU document, the cooperation framework has

four components: policy direction and advocacy campaign; capacity development; logistics and technical support, and monitoring and performance assessment.

T he policy direction and advocacy component focuses on formulation and issuance of guidelines, if necessary, by the parties in collaboration with concerned agencies.

DILG is primarily tasked for the first component. It is responsible for the policy orientation of concerned LGUs on the issued guidelines.

T he second component of capacity development entails the conduct of training on the initiatives on ease of doing business pursuant to RA 11032.

The DILG is lodged with the implementation of streamlining of business permit and licensing system (BPLS), building permit and certificate of occupancy (BPCO), and issuance of permits, licenses, clearances, and certifications for

the construction of telecommunication infrastructures, rationalization of fees and charges (RFC), and integration of barangay clearance in LGU permitting process, and conduct of regulatory reform for LGUs,” the MOU noted.

Conduct of users’ training on E-Local Government Unit (ELGU), meanwhile, is under DICT. MAP, for its part, is in charge of capacity building such as technical assistance to ensure compliance to RA 11032.  T he MOU noted that the third component, the logistics and technical support, comprises hardware and software support. “The target LGUs were the beneficiaries of computer units and accessories from Manila Electric Company under the Paspas Pilipinas Paspas Project through a Memorandum of Understanding with DILG and ARTA. These beneficiaries shall be prioritized in the deployment of software from the DICT such as ELGU,” the agreement said.

T he fourth component—monitoring and performance assessment—underscores the importance of audit and evaluation of the implemented projects to LGUs.

Existing monitoring tools of the Parties may be utilized such as conduct of quarterly monitoring by the DILG as well as actual audit and validation by the ARTA. Selection and documentation of best practices of the LGUs may be subject to recognition by MAP,” the MOU said.

M AP President Benedicta DuBaladad revealed, meanwhile, that one of  MAP’s projects this year is the “Adopt an LGU” program.  “ We will select LGUs to be assisted not only in improving the ease of doing business through digitalization solutions but, at the same time, help address malnutrition and child stunting in the locality,” Du-Baladad said during the MOU signing event in Taguig City.

The transformed or “modernized LGU” will then be given recognition and serve as a model for other LGUs to replicate. We can even take this recognition a notch higher by conferring to the Best LGU the award as the “MAP’s LGU of the year,” the MAP president added.

T his, Du-Baladad said, can encourage LGUs to push for more robust economic activities through better processes, and thus attain their objective of making life easier for their citizens.

O n the sidelines of the MOU signing, she explained to reporters that MAP is “consolidating all the data that we’re getting so that we have a basis for who are the municipalities that we want to prioritize.”

“ This is an up-and-coming project because we’re trying to consolidate data [since] this is mainly for malnutrition initially and then after that because of all these initiatives, we plan to have it like a holistic [program] in an LGU,” DuBaladad said.

Chinese travel to PHL for ‘Golden Week’ remains tepid–data analyst

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

CHINESE travel to the Philippines is expected to remain sluggish during the upcoming Golden Week national holiday, but they will be staying longer and traveling in smaller groups.

I n an email to the BusinessMirror, Olivier Ponti, Vice PresidentInsights for ForwardKeys said, as of September 15, “Forward bookings from China to the Philippines during the upcoming holiday period are down by 44 percent compared to 2019 levels. Among the travelers,

those planning stays ranging from 6 to 8 nights have emerged as the most popular choice, constituting 50 percent of all travelers. This figure has increased by 4 percentage points compared to 2019.”

ForwardKeys, a travel data and analytics company, said total outbound bookings from China as of September 15 for the Golden Week travel period (September 23 to October 8) were 39-percent lower than the levels of 2019. ForwardKeys chose a longer period for the analysis “as there was a shift in the travel patterns of Chinese outbound travelers in that they are beginning their trips earlier to avoid

the crowds and are also more open to staying longer at their chosen destinations.”

Ponti also noted, “Chinese travelers show an increased desire for flexibility in post-Covid travel, preferring smaller group sizes and more personalized itineraries. When looking at the number of passengers per trip, we find that 31 percent of travelers are solo passengers, marking a 4-percentage point increase from 2019.”

T he Golden Week, from October 1 to 8, celebrates the founding of the People’s Republic of China and is usually considered a peak time for travel for Chinese nationals.

See “Chinese,” A2

See “Biden’s,” A2

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo attends an event hosted by the Asia Society on September 22, 2023 in New York City. Manalo is currently in New York to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, representing President Marcos Jr. Manalo announced that America's top business leaders, personally chosen by US President Joe Biden, will visit the Philippines in early 2024. Story on this page, top left PHOTO COURTESY OF SECRETARY ENRIQUE MANALO

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Monday, September 25, 2023

PNOC bullish on prospects for new Malampaya wells

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

At a budget hearing of the Senate sub-finance committee last September 22, PNOC-EC President Franz Josef George Alvarez said the consortium—led by operator Prime Energy Resources Development B.V.—will drill two new wells in 2025.

Alvarez said preparations for actual drilling are ongoing. “By 2025, we will drill two additional wells,” he told the Senate subcommittee. “If successful, by 2026 we will have additional production. “The probability of success is around 80 percent,” he told the senators.

The Malampaya consortium is composed of Prime Energy, a subsidiary of Razon-led Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. (Prime Infra), UC38 LLC and PNOC-EC. Prime Energy has a 45-percent stake in the consortium. Service Contract (SC) 38, which

covers the Malampaya gas field, has been renewed for another 15 years and required the consortium to explore and drill at least two new deep water wells in the first phase of its work program or 2024 to 2029. It is designed to unlock the potentials of both the existing Malampaya gas field and nearby areas.

During the hearing, Alvarez said the consortium is expected to invest at least $690 million to finance the 15-year renewed production contract awarded by the government. As part of the consortium, PNOC-EC’s share would be around P3.45 billion, representing 10 percent of the total investment cost.

“The total cost would be around $690 million spread throughout 2023 to 2026 and then for EC’s participation its 10 percent of that,” added Alvarez.

During the hearing, PNOC-EC proposed a budget of P11.94 billion for 2024. Of which, P2.02 billion is for continuing business operations at Malampaya; P6 billion for petroleum exploration activities; P3.1 billion for coal exploration; and the remaining amount for operational expenditures.

The renewal of SC 38 is a key development for the country’s national energy security and independence. The current best estimate for the near field is an additional 210 billion cubic feet of gas.

The Department of Energy earlier said Prime Energy and its personnel have shown technical competence in managing the decline in gas supply and completing an accident-free maintenance program of Malampaya.

The Malampaya project is one of the country’s most important power assets, feeding natural gas to power plants in Batangas City that account for 20 percent of Luzon’s total energy requirement.

The consortium has remitted to the national government more than $13.14 billion from October 2001 to December 2022 as net proceeds from Malampaya.

Solar projects

Another subsidiary of Prime Infra, meanwhile, said its solar power projects in Batangas and Cavite are in already in advance stages of devel -

DOTr reviewing bids for MRT-3

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

opment. Solar Tanauan Corp.’s Tanauan and Maragondon solar power plants will have an installed gross capacity of up to 140 megawatts (MW). Total annual generation capacity is estimated to power over 84,000 households and displace over 100,000 tons of coal per year.

In a statement, Solar Tanauan said it utilizes digital twin technology, drone verification of progress, optimized string sizing, and 24/7 quality assurance or quality control monitoring both at factory and at site.

It also conducted a Front-End Engineering Design to streamline the procurement and construction phases, packaged contracting and owner supplied materials allowing each party to focus on their specialties, optimized risk allocation, and uses software for simplifying complex earthwork assessment for terrainfollowing layouts.

“Advanced project design and execution tools and strategies are driving the significant progress in the implementation of Solar Tanauan Corp.’s solar power plants in Batangas and Cavite,” the company said.

The solar project, which broke ground last April, is on track to start commercial operations by December 2024. The power generated from the project will be sold to the Manila Electric Co. under a power purchase agreement.

BOI: Chinese RE firm keen on PHL

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

TWO C hinese firms, a renewable energy (RE) firm and one that has an existing presence in the Philippines which is into “highly specialized” consumer electronics, are looking at investing and expanding in the Philippines, according to an official of the Board of Investments (BOI).

At a recent virtual media briefing, BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo told reporters that a stateowned company in China has “dedicated funds” for Southeast Asia (SEA) projects. “It’s a fund that is appropriated

supposedly for SEA projects. So depending on saan sila makahanap agad ng proyekto,” Rodolfo said.

While the Chinese state-owned firm is planning to allot a maximum of $15 billion for the region, Rodolfo said, “They can allot $1 billion to $5 billion for the Philippines and all of it they would like to put into renewable energy projects and [the amount] could be for equity, for financing.”

Rodolfo, who is also the Undersecretary for the Department of Trade and Industry’s Industry Development and Trade Policy Group (IDTPG), did not identify the company. He said, however, that it is involved in solar, wind energy and hydropower.

Health stocks eye worst year in decades

Healt H - care stocks are heading for their worst annual performance relative to the broader market in almost 25 years as a new class of weight-loss drugs looks set to reorder the market for a host of existing profitable treatments. t h e group—which includes the likes of Pfizer Inc. and c V S Health c o rp.—is one of the worst performers in 2023, lagging behind the S&P 500 by 18 percentage points. Medical-device makers have been particularly hard hit as speculation mounts that the mania for weightloss injections, like Ozempic and Wegovy, will improve overall health for millions of a m ericans. Diabetes-device maker Insulet c o rp. and Dexcom Inc. have each lost roughly one-third of their value so far this quarter. In contrast, e li l i lly & c o ., which is developing its Mounjaro diabetes medicine for obesity, is up roughly 18 percent in the quarter, while Wegovy and Ozempic’s owner, Novo Nordisk a / S, has rallied 17 percent in c o penhagen trading.

“While weight loss medications are still somewhat small in dollars given recent drug approvals and supply constraints, existential risks of this growing class have decimated market values across many medical device categories,” Mizuho Securities Managing Director Jared Holz wrote in a note to clients. Despite management teams struggling to convince Wall Street that their fears are overblown, “investors have not been moved.”

Other forces are also working against the sector with prescription pricing concerns hitting drug manufacturers as the government starts the process of negotiations to make them cheaper while recent regulatory scrutiny on merger activity puts a damper on deal-making. t h e obsession with all things artificial-intelligence related has been another pain point. t h e incredible returns across tech and other growth industry groups have contributed to the weakness,” Holz said in a phone interview.

Another Chinese firm is looking at expanding its presence in the Philippines, particularly in the area of “highly specialized” consumer electronics, Rodolfo said. According to the Trade official, this firm, which he also did not identify, “plans to make the Philippines as their hub for research and development for their software.”

Rodolfo recently traveled to China for the China-Asean Expo in Nanning wherein 15 Philippine exhibitors initially generated $8.68 million in sales or some P495 million.

Two weeks ago, Marjorie RamosSamaniego, governor of BOI, revealed at a forum that as of August 2023, the BOI approved P720 billion worth of

investment projects.

The amount is within striking distance of the P729-billion investment approvals recorded in 2022.

In January, the BOI adjusted its 2023 investment approvals target for 2023 to P1.5 trillion from P1 trillion.

With this, the P720 billion worth of investment approvals recorded as of August is now equivalent to 48 percent of the revised P1.5-trillion investments target for 2023.

In June, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, who also chairs the BOI, said RE projects could account for a third of the BOI’s P1.5trillion investment approval target for 2023.

THE g overnment will accommodate its planned public auction and the unsolicited proposals for the redevelopment and operations and maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 concurrently, a ranking government official said.

Transportation Undersecretary Timothy Batan said aside from Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC), diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) also submitted an unsolicited proposal for the MRT 3.

And apparently, the proposal was submitted during the administration of former President Duterte. Batan also noted that SMC has received the original proponent status “earlier in 2022.”

Batan said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is now coordinating with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center for guidance on how to move forward with multiple unsolicited proposals: One from the past administration and the second during the current government.

“There are rules on how to handle multiple unsolicited proposal submissions we are just confirming with the PPP Center,” he said. “We are coordinating with the PPP Center on how to properly address this.”

A Swiss Challenge for SMC’s proposal has yet to be implemented, as the previous DOTr management failed to endorse it to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Investment Coordination Committee (ICC).

Batan said the agency targets to “finalize our way forward” by this week.

To recall, MPIC earlier this month said it submitted an unsolicited proposal for the MRT 3’s redevelopment and operations and maintenance together with partners Sumitomo Corp. of Japan.

The infrastructure conglomerate, which is in the process of delisting from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), has been eyeing the deal since the administration of the late President Noynoy Aquino.

In 2011, it wanted to exercise its 48-percent option—versatile securities—in MRT Corp., the owner of the train line’s assets, proposing to shoulder the upgrade costs of the train system and release the government from the bondage of paying billions of pesos in equity-rental payments.

This proposed method eight years

ago would have had MPIC spend $524 million to overhaul the line. It was shelved due to the government’s rejection of the offer. It was resubmitted in 2014, but was left to gather dust as the Aquino administration was generally not keen on entertaining unsolicited proposals.

When Duterte took office, MPIC submitted a fresh proposal for the MRT 3’s overhaul, offering to expand the capacity of the railway system by adding more coaches to each train, allowing it to carry more cars at faster intervals.

The proposal involves doubling the capacity of the line to 700,000 passengers a day from the current 350,000 passengers daily.

However, in 2020, the company decided to drop its offer, with MPIC Chairman Manuel Pangilinan saying that the group “no longer cares about it anymore.”

Solicited vs unsolicited

B UT e ven with two proposals already under review, Batan said the DOTr will still pursue the solicited route for the deal, citing how it moved forward with the contract for the redevelopment of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

“Remember what we did for Naia? e processed the unsolicited as if there was no solicited [proposal] and we processed the solicited as if there was no unsolicited [bid]. Then we elevated them both to the ICC and to the Neda Board, then that decision on how to move forward will be made,” he said.

The government intends to bundle the contract for the MRT 3 to the similar deal for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2.

“Earlier our direction has been to pursue a solicited proposal. So, we are actually working with ADB [Asian Development Bank] on a solicited MRT,” he said.

Batan explained that the ADB and the International Finance Corp. (IFC) will aid the DOTr in building the terms of reference for the bundled deal.

“If you look at the process we went through with Naia, you can get an idea on how much it will take. We will of course try to work as fast as we can, remember the directive of the President to us is full speed ahead,” he noted. This means, Batan confirmed, that the government will be able to publish the terms of reference and conduct pre-bid conferences by “the second quarter or the third quarter of next year.”

Miners urge govt to streamline permits

By VG Cabuag @villygc

THE m ining sector is asking the government to set up a onestop shop for permits to hasten the development of mineral resources in the country.

“Of course, we’d love to have streamlined permits. I think DOE [Department of Energy] is setting the bar with one-stop shop and I think if we can replicate that with the same ideals, I think it will be good [for the industry],”

DMCI Mining President Tulsi Das C. Reyes said over the weekend.

“Right now, we go to EMB [Environmental Management Bureau], FMB [Forest Management Bureau] central, regional directors, you have to have a lot of dealings. Sometimes there is miscommunication between the national and local levels.”

Reyes said a one-stop shop will help clarify laws for miners.

“Who do you follow, LGUs [local government units] or the national government? So if we could speak the

same language, which I think we are doing right now, I think we are going to see more clarity.”

He said with government support for the mining industry, a number of nickel miners are now planning to put up processing plants that require billions of dollars in investments.

“Who would have ever thought that we would be talking about a $1.5-billion investment for a processing plant?

I have never seen that, I have never heard that happen,” Reyes said.

“Nickel Asia [Corp.] was the first one, how many years ago, in the 1970s. Just them. Now you are getting PGMC [Platinum Group Metals Corp.], CNC [Carrascal Nickel Corp.], all these second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth miners in the country, who now have options to process ore.”

He said the Philippines can be competitive and meet demand for resources in the global market.

“You can do world-class environmental procedures following all these international companies because the need is there.”

The Philippine National Oil Co.exploration Corp. (PNOC-eC) is upbeat about the prospects for the new wells that would be drilled by the Malampaya consortium, citing a success rate of around 80 percent.

Hacked Philhealth drops online service delivery

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) announced last Sunday that the state-run firm’s services would continue, albeit face-to-face, after hackers continue to hold private data in ransom.

PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. said the public’s access to the digital system of the state insurer has been disabled for the meantime as a response to the “information security incident” last September 22.

The disabled online services include PhilHealth’s website, HCI and Member Portal as well as e-Claims, Ledesma added.

“Affected systems shall be restored at the soonest possible time after the completion of the needed configuration and reinforcement of existing information security measures. We are working to restore these systems on Monday, September 25, 2023,” the Philhealth CEO was quoted in a statement as saying.

“PhilHealth’s Management assures the public that the incident is under control and that no personal information and medical information has been compromised or leaked,” he added.

Ledesma said PhilHealth has already coordinated with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), National Privacy Commission (NPC) and law enforcers for forensic investigation and assessment of the attack.

Ledesma explained that PhilHealth’s services would continue

with members and their qualified dependents being advised to submit to accredited healthcare providers in person a copy of their PhilHealth Identification Card or Member Data Record to avail of benefits under the National Health Insurance program (NHIP).

“Self-earning individuals and professionals paying their premium contributions may pay directly to PhilHealth’s existing accredited collecting agents with over-thecounter payments,” he said.

“Accredited healthcare facilities are advised to continue deducting PhilHealth benefits and devise temporary arrangements with patients who are for discharge for them to avail of their benefits,” he added.

Ledesma also advised employers to submit their reports once the Electronic Premium Remittance System (EPRS) has been restored.

“PhilHealth continues its operations and processes transactions that can be done manually while configurations are ongoing,” he added.

With the enactment of Republic Act 7875 in 1995, the PhilHealth was created as a governmentowned and -controlled corporation tasked with the mandate of implementing the NHIP. The program aims to provide health insurance coverage and ensures access to costeffective and quality health care services for all Filipinos, a government document reads. Under this program, the premium contribution of poor families identified by the “National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction” are subsidized by the government.

BSP cites key role of informal sector for a cashless society

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

In a recent message to the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB), BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier said reforms such as the Paleng-QR, made possible through a partnership between BSP and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), aim to turn this vision into reality.

Fonacier explained that payments for transportation as well as purchases made in community stores and wet markets are among the most common financial transactions made by Filipinos on a dayto-day basis.

“The BSP has been focusing on onboarding market vendors and tricycle drivers in the digital financial ecosystem because market purchases and local transportation fares are the basic components of an average Filipino’s typical payment pattern,” Fonacier explained.

“Until these sectors can accept digital payments, transitioning to

Perspectives Digital therapeutics in pharma

WITH digital therapeutics set to become a $18 billion global opportunity by 2027, it’s time for the pharmaceutical industry to make the most of its potential.

“Digital Therapeutics” (DTx) are software-based interventions with proven clinical benefits that aim to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions, often using tools like mobile apps and sensors to drive behavioral changes in patients (https://edps.europa.eu/press-publications/publications/ techsonar/digital-therapeutics-dtx_en).

This innovative field within digital health has seen rapid progress over the years, offering customized health services to improve patients’ quality of life and clinical outcomes.

Fueled by the latest innovations in medical apps, wearables, tech platforms, data gathering and artificial intelligence-led real-time analytics, DTx are rapidly changing how pharma companies and health care providers deliver and personalize healthcare and fill in essential gaps.

DTx are creating huge opportunities for the industry to cover blind spots and under-serviced areas within the patient journey and realize new revenue streams. Establishing a solid digital foundation today is imperative for the long-term viability of pharmaceutical players in the future.

However, while consumer-centric digital health is an important topic for most pharma players, the DTx landscape is far from pharma’s core business and the challenges of getting everything up and running are many and shouldn’t be underestimated.

In a country where healthcare accessibility remains a concern like the Philippines, the integration of DTx could lead to improved patient outcomes, increased patient adherence and reduced burden on healthcare infrastructure.

According to KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. Head of Deal Advisory and Healthcare Sector Head Michael Arcatomy H. Guarin, “with the potential to address gaps in patient care and revolutionize the patient journey,

digital therapeutics could help bridge the existing healthcare disparities in our country.”

“The Philippines, characterized by its diverse geography and population distribution, stands to benefit immensely from digital interventions that could extend healthcare access to underserved areas,” Guarin added.

As the Philippines continues its journey towards achieving universal healthcare coverage and improved patient outcomes, embracing digital therapeutics holds immense promise. The Philippines’s unique healthcare landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for the integration of DTx. By aligning with global best practices and tailoring strategies to the local context, Philippine pharmaceutical companies (Pharmacos) can play a pivotal role in advancing healthcare through digital innovation.

Challenges CREATING a strong and successful DTx portfolio that enhances or complements Pharmacos’ current drug or solution portfolio means tackling a range of internal and external challenges.

What then must be looked at? We categorized company internal challenges into six areas:

n A lack of vision and ambition, especially regarding financial expectations and how to best realize business opportunities and how to clearly define actionable and measurable goals.

n The decision on the market region, size and segmentation needs to be well thought through (e.g., a nottoo-restrictive market or indication selection).

n The DTx not being compatible with the overall portfolio.

n People and capabilities are not set up to develop, test and market DTx.

n IT and innovation processes are not optimized.

n Underestimation of the huge transformation and change requirement.

cashless transactions would be difficult for an average Filipino consumer. These initiatives are aimed at promoting an inclusive financial system,” she stressed. Efforts to achieve an inclusive financial system also mean introducing other reforms such as those needed to boost the resilience of thrift banks, especially when it comes to external shocks.

Fonacier said this is the reason for the need to create recovery plans that will ensure that thrift banks will remain stable and will be able to “restore themselves to financial soundness in a timely and orderly manner.”

These recovery plans, the BSP deputy governor said, should already be submitted on or before the end of June 2024. The BSP gave banks, including thrift banks, two years to complete these plans. “The recovery plan requirements that were previously applicable only

to domestic systematically important banks or DSIBS were expanded to apply to all banks, including thrift banks,” Fonacier said.

“In line with the principle of proportionality, the BSP expects a bank’s recovery plan to be commensurate with its size, nature, complexity of operations, overall risk profile, and systemic importance,” she explained. Recovery plans will help thrift banks combat financial stress and protect their depositors. Amid the tight monetary policy implemented by the BSP, Fonacier said thrift banks were able to expand their assets to P949.7 billion as of the end of June 2023.

The BSP Deputy Governor also said total deposit growth in thrift banks increased to P7171.2 billion and was credited for fuelling thrift bank operations.

Net profit growth of thrift banks increased 27.1 percent to P9.8 billion as of the end of June 2023 from P7.7 billion in the same period posted in 2022.

Fonacier added that thrift banks maintained a well-capitalized position with a capital adequacy ratio of 19.2 percent and 20.3 percent on a solo and consolidated basis as of the end of 2022.

According to CTB President Cecilio D. San Pedro, the past year has been marked “by a positive trajectory in the thrift banking sector’s performance.”

“Despite the challenges faced, the industry has managed to not

only maintain its stability but also achieve substantial growth across various crucial metrics,” added San Pedro who is also president and CEO of Sterling Bank of Asia.

“This success speaks to the industry’s strategic focus, prudent management, and unwavering commitment to its core operational niches,” he added.

San Pedro said the future remains bright for thrift banks and said opportunities have presented them with new ways of doing that could expand their current efforts.

He said these opportunities include the ongoing digital transformation in banking, urging member banks to bolster their digital infrastructure, develop user-friendly mobile apps, and implement innovative solutions.

San Pedro also noted that collaboration with fintech companies also stands as a key opportunity to harness advanced technology, enhance services, and streamline operations.

He also said CTB’s member banks can focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), dive into sustainable finance endeavors, explore international expansion, and champion financial inclusion by designing accessible products for marginalized populations.

Apart from these, San Pedro said favorable regulatory changes can fuel innovation, while a strong commitment to data security and privacy will bolster customer trust.

Citystate Savings Bank opens Branch Lite Unit in San Fernando, Pampanga

Six steps INTEGRATING new technologies and encouraging a fundamental culture shift is essential if you want to create innovative solutions, optimize processes and provide greater value to your patients. The following are key aspects and success factors for a successful transformation: Vision and ambition. Now is the time to set and communicate your vision and goals for your DTx portfolio in alignment with your overall transformation strategy and business plan.

Market. Carefully consider your key markets, competitors and the regulations and reimbursement schemes that are specific to each region.

Product. Start with what you know. Focus on your area(s) of core expertise, closely matching your drug or solution portfolio.

People and capabilities. Arguably the most important element for your DTx transformation is people. The right team is a vital driving force for your mission.

IT innovation, IT security and data privacy. When discussing IT, it’s important to create and maintain an environment that encourages innovation and emphasizes a digitalfirst mindset.

Change. With all the above-mentioned, we hypothesize that a crucial factor for successfully establishing comprehensive and successful DTx portfolios is to recognize and appreciate the magnitude of the transformation involved.

The full version of this excerpt is at: https:// hub.kpmg.de/digital-therapeutics-in-pharma.

© 2023 KPMG Int’l Ltd. is a private English company limited by guarantee. R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership, is a member firm of a global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG Int’l Ltd. All rights reserved.

E-mail ph-kpmgmla@kpmg.com or visit www.home.kpmg/ph.

This article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice to a specific issue or entity. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the BusinessMirror KPMG International or KPMG in the Philippines.

CSBANK (Citystate Savings Bank) inaugurated its 31st branch and marked its debut in Pampanga with the opening of the San Fernando branch lite unit on September 22.

The event commenced with a solemn blessing ceremony, led by Reverend Fr. Omar Defensor of the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando, “who bestowed his blessings upon the newly-opened branch and its dedicated team,” a statement issued by the lender read.

The CSBank team, spearheaded by North Cluster Head Felicitas D. Marcos, concurrent Branch Manager Manny Veneracion, Service Head Rene Victorino, CSA Camille Cha, Teller/CSA Jude Lacanlale, and Jewelry Appraiser Liezel Ventura, “received the blessings with gratitude and enthusiasm.”

The occasion was further honored by the presence of esteemed guests, including lessor Richard Linton C. Wang; Vice President Elisa Cayabyab, and CFA Deputy Jennilyn De Guzman of the Laus Group. The entire CSBank team, led by BBG Head Lizette Cuezon, OSG Head Haydee Cajilog, HR Head Christine Renton, Autoloans Head Arvin Ison, along with Ryan Lachica, GSD Head Nuvin Gonzales, IT System Network Head Sandro Castro, IT Data Center Head Romell Espero, and APDS Head Dennis Mancilla and

his team, also graced the occasion. They were joined by Col. Matt Montefalcon, AGM of sister company Eastern Defender Security and Services Inc.

CSBank’s San Fernando branch is conveniently located at Roselands Commercial Arcade, A. Consunji St., Brgy. Sto. Rosario, San Fernando, Pampanga, marking a significant milestone in the bank’s commitment to serving the financial needs of the local community. Three more branch-lite units will be opened soon in strategic locations, including Naga City, Baguio City and Cabanatuan City, CSBank said.

BIR maintains 100% compliance, resolution rates on complaints

FOR seven consecutive months this year, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), under the leadership of Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr., has achieved a 100-percent resolution rate and a 100-percent compliance rate in complaints handling. This is based on the report from the Office of the President’s 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center (8888 CCC).

From January 1 to July 31, the BIR has received a total of 842 citizens’ concerns, which were acted upon/ resolved and closed within the 72hour compliance period, a statement issued by the BIR read.

“Said remarkable accomplishments translate to a ‘Compliance Rate’ of 100 percent on the prescribed 72-hour compliance period and 100 percent ‘Resolution Rate’ on all referred concerns within said period,” the statement added.

The Office of the President’s 8888 CCC, through its gead, Director Bernadette B. Casinabe, has expressed its appreciation to the BIR for its cooperation in ensuring that all citizens’ concerns lodged in the 8888 CCC are acted upon and resolved immediately, according to the BIR. “Achieving 100-percent compli-

ance and resolution rates within the prescribed 72-hour window is a testament of the BIR’s commitment to providing swift and responsive solutions to the concerns of taxpayers,” Lumagui was quoted in the statement as saying.

“I pin my hopes on our revenuers and call on them to remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding our responsibilities and serving the best interests of the Filipino people. As the agency continues to strive for excellence, we are poised to set new standards for efficient public service and responsiveness,” the BIR Commissioner added.

THE Philippines cannot become a cashless society until all tricycle drivers and market vendors accept digital payments nationwide, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

This september 22, 2023 photo, shows Reverend Fr. Omar Defensor of the Metropolitan Cathedral of san Fernando (center, in white habit) with the staff of the CsBank san Fernando, Pampanga Branch Lite.

CREDIT: CSBank

Monday, September 25, 2023

HERO OR VILLAIN?

Rupert Murdoch’s exit stirs strong feelings in Britain, where he upended the media

By Jill Lawless & Pan Pylas

The Associated Press

Before he hit America, rupert Murdoch ripped through Britain’s media like a tornado.

His newspapers changed the political and cultural weather and swung elections. His satellite television channels upended the staid broadcasting scene.

Journalists and politicians in the UK both hailed and reviled the 92-yearold mogul after he announced last Thursday that he was stepping down as leader of his companies Fox and News Corp., handing control to his son Lachlan.

For The Times of London, which he owns, Murdoch was “a trailblazer who changed the media.” Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the tycoon “did more than any press baron in the last 100 years to promote the cause of the global free media that is indispensable for democracy and progress.”

But to his critics, Murdoch was an unaccountable, malevolent presence in British life. Nathan Sparkes of Hacked Off, a press reform group that aims to curb tabloid wrongdoing, said Murdoch “presided over a company where widespread illegality occurred and was subsequently covered up.” e x-Labour

Party leader Jeremy Corbyn argued that Murdoch’s outlets had “poisoned global democracy and spread disinformation on a mass scale.”

UK Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt told LBC radio: “He is someone who, love him or loathe him, had a defining influence on all of our lives over the last half-century.”

The a u stralian upstart was all but unknown in Britain when he bought flagging Sunday newspaper the News of the World in 1969, acquiring daily

paper The Sun soon after. a handson owner, he reinvigorated Britain’s stodgy, class-ridden newspaper scene with papers that embraced sports, celebrity, prize giveaways and sex—most infamously with The Sun’s topless “Page 3 girls.”

i n a 1989 BBC interview, Murdoch put his success down to his antipodean roots, saying a u stralians came to the UK with “greater determination and greater energy,” unfettered by respect for “the rules of the ‘old world.’”

“We did things that people said couldn’t be done,” he said. Populist, pomposity-puncturing and patriotic, Murdoch’s tabloids undeniably had flair. Critics deplored headlines like “Up yours, d e lors,” directed at then- eu ropean Commission President Jacques d e lors, and “Gotcha!”—the Sun’s reaction when a British submarine sank the a r gentine cruiser Belgrano, killing more than 300 sailors, during the 1982 Falklands War.

The Sun’s coverage of the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster, in which 96 Liverpool soccer fans were killed, sparked outrage by making false allegations against the victims. More than three decades later, many Liverpudlians still refuse to read The Sun.

But politicians from both right and left courted and feared Murdoch, who added The Times and Sunday Times to his stable in 1981.

a n a rch-conservative who also hates the establishment, he was an enthusiastic supporter through the 1980s of Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher, who shared Murdoch’s enmi-

ty toward powerful trade unions. a ft er Thatcher’s Conservative successor John Major unexpectedly triumphed in the 1992 election, the tabloid boasted: it ’s the Sun wot won it.”

Tony Blair’s success in securing Murdoch’s backing helped Blair’s Labour Party win a landslide victory in 1997. Like other politicians, Blair denied giving Murdoch anything in return for his support—though plenty of skeptics doubted that.

“There was no deal on issues to do

with the media with Rupert Murdoch, or indeed with anybody else, either express or implied,” Blair told a 2012 inquiry into media ethics, sparked by revelations that rocked Murdoch’s UK empire.

i n 2011 it emerged that employees of the News of the World had eavesdropped on the phones of celebrities, politicians, royals and even a teenage murder victim. Murdoch was forced to shut the newspaper, several executives were put on trial and former editor

a ndy Coulson went to prison.

Since then, Murdoch’s News Corp. has paid tens of millions in compensation to alleged victims, including many who say they were targeted by The Sun. Prince Harry is among celebrities currently suing The Sun over alleged hacking, which the paper has never admitted.

Murdoch has condemned the phone hacking and other media misdeeds but claims he was unaware of its scope and blamed a small number of rogue staff.

a newspaperman at heart, Murdoch sensed by the 1980s that the media was changing and that pay television would be a central plank of the future. He launched satellite broadcaster Sky Television from a London industrial estate in 1989 on what he admitted was a “wing and a prayer.” Sky nearly collapsed early on but was salvaged when Murdoch secured the rights to show live Premier League soccer matches in 1992. Sports helped the company, later known as BSkyB, become a British broadcasting behemoth. But the phone-hacking scandal forced Murdoch to drop a bid to take full control of Sky, in which he held a roughly 40% share. He sold his stake in the broadcaster to Comcast in 2018. Murdoch still owns the Times, Sunday Times and Sun newspapers and struggling news channel Talk TV, but many industry-watchers suspect Lachlan Murdoch, who has much less interest in newspapers than his father, will eventually jettison the British papers.

For now, Rupert Murdoch remains a magnet for the powerful, and those who seek power, in Britain. The guest list for his summer party in June included Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, many members of his Cabinet and opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer.

Who are Rupert Murdoch’s children? What to know about the media magnate’s successor and family

The Associated Press

Media magnate Rupert Murdoch on Monday announced that he would be stepping down as the leader of both Fox News' parent company and his News Corp media holdings—with his son, Lachlan, set to take his place.

Through his decades-long career, Murdoch, 92, built an empire—beginning with his father's newspaper in a d elaide, a u stralia—and became a multibillionaire. i n t he US, his creation of Fox News has notably influenced a m erican politics, making Murdoch a hero to some and pariah to others.

Over the years, Murdoch's family has also risen into the spotlight— accompanied by stories of vindictive business tactics and inter-family rivalries. Murdoch and his family, particularly children James, Lachlan, e l isabeth and Prudence, were said to be the model of the HBO show Succession.

Murdoch has been married four times and shares six children with three of his wives.

Who is Lachlan Murdoch?

La C HL a N M U R d OCH i s one of Murdoch's sons with his second wife, a n na. With his father stepping down, Lachlan is set to become News Corp. chairman and continue as chief executive officer of Fox Corp., home to conservative news network Fox News, the Fox broadcast and sports networks, and local TV stations.

Lachlan has been C e O for Fox Corp. since 2019, following d i sney's acquisi -

tion of 21st Century Fox. Before the merger, he served as executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, starting in 2015 — while his brother, James, was C e O o f Fox's then-entertainment business in what analysts described as a competitive power-share concocted by their father.

Lachlan rose to executive ranks of the family business, then known collectively as News Corp, in the 1990s and early 2000s. While serving as deputy chief operating officer from 2000 to 2005, his titles also included chairman of Fox Television Stations and publisher of the New York Post.

a c cording to CNN, Lachlan temporarily left over a battle with former top executive Roger a i les about the network's direction in 2005—before returning as 21st Century Fox executive chairman about a decade later. d u ring his hiatus, he founded private investment company i l lyria Pty.

Who is James Murdoch?

Ja M e S M U R d O CH i s Lachlan's younger brother, also among the children from their father's second marriage.

i n a ddition to his time as C e O a t 21st Century Fox, James held various

executive positions at News. Corp over the years, but later resigned from the family-controlled publisher’s board over content appearing in its newspapers, which include the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.

i n h is 2020 resignation, James— known as the more liberal Murdoch brother—said he stepped down “due to disagreements over certain editorial content published by the Company’s news outlets and certain other strategic decisions.” James had previously criticized News Corp’s editorial decisions and said he disagreed with Fox News coverage.

Before his time in the family business, James dropped out of Harvard University in 1995 to develop a record label, Rawkus Records, which was later bought by News Corp, according to several news reports.

i n t he years following, he served as C e O of Star i n dia, C e O of Sky (then British Sky Broadcasting) and chairman of Sky. James was embroiled in the 2011 News of the World phone hacking scandal along with his father, but both Murdochs denied responsibility.

Who is Elisabeth Murdoch?

eL i S a B e T H M urdoch is the eldest child of Murdoch's second marriage.

Like her brothers, e l isabeth began working her way through the family business decades ago and was poised to take on similar responsibilities—but was not granted the same leadership roles and later began her own media ventures.

i n t he late '90s, e l isabeth served as managing director of Sky Networks for British Sky Broadcasting but left the company in the 2000s after being overlooked for the position of chief executive, according to news reports at the time.

a year later, she launched her own independent production company, Shine, which was acquired by News Corp in 2011. This initially brought her into a more prominent position in the family business, but her role was diminished when Shine later merged with e n demol in a joint venture and she stepped away from day-to-day operations.

i n 2 019, e l isabeth co-founder

global content company Sister, and has remained active as an entrepreneur and philanthropist across the entertainment and creative industries.

Who is Prudence Murdoch Macleod?

PRU de NC e M U R d O CH MaC L e Od is Murdoch’s oldest child from his first wife, Patricia.

Unlike some of her half-siblings, Prudence has not showed the same interest in rising to the top the family business—but she has the same stake in the family trust as Lachlan, James and e l isabeth as well as an equal say in what happens to the trust’s voting stock in both companies upon Murdoch’s death.

Prudence didn’t completely distance herself from News Corp and has still held several roles within the company over the years. She recently sat on the board of Times Newspapers, Ltd. from d e cember 2010 to March 2022, according to the UK publisher’s website. Times Newspapers is a subsidiary of News UK, which is owned by News Corp.

Who are Grace and Chloe Murdoch?

G R a C e and Chloe Murdoch are Rupert Murdoch’s youngest children, whom he shares with his third wife, Wendi d en g. a c cording to media reports and their Linked i n a ccounts, Grace attends Yale University and Chloe is a student at Stanford University. The two are beneficiaries of ample nonvoting shares being held in a separate trust.

M Edia tycoon Rupert Murdoch poses with a Sky television camera during the launch of his multichannel package in central London on September 1, 1993. AP/M A r tin Cle Av er

N E WSPaPERS are opened to show the advertisement apology for News international and photographed at a news vendor in central London, Saturday, July 16, 2011. News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch signed the company advert entitled "We are sorry," which is published in British national newspapers. AP/S A ng tAn iN this January 27, 2011, file photo, a pedestrian passes signs at the entrance to News international in Wapping, London. AP/Kir S t y Wiggle S Wo rth

Fashion Forever: How to be sustainably stylish

SWEDEN is a world leader in beauty: Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, Lisa Fonssagrives, Anita Ekberg, Ann-Margret, ABBA, Yvonne Ryding, Marcus Schenkenberg, Vendela, Alexander Skarsgård, and Elsa Hosk.

With Greta Thunberg, the environmental activist, Sweden is leading the way for climate-change mitigation. Now, a future-friendly fashion industry is emerging. And, once again, Sweden is at the forefront.

The “Fashion Forever” event, held at the SM Aura Premier in Taguig City from September 8 to September 14, presented Swedish innovations, technology and collaborations that promote garment longevity and zero-waste production in textiles.

It was an exhibit on circular economy in textiles and fashion, in partnership with the Swedish Institute, SM Supermalls, and Swedish fashion brand H&M. “Fashion Forever” will be brought to other venues in the Philippines, including Cebu Design Week in November to find more ways for Filipinos to be sustainably stylish.

The other exhibitors are Zarah Juan and Lily of the Valley by Camille Escudero, who utilize local weaves, artisanal skills, and made-to-order processes to avoid excess production. Juan and Escudero are graduates of the Sweden Alumni Network, along with Anya Lim from Anthill Fabrics.

“Sweden and the Philippines have had bilateral relations for more than 75 years. With every year, our relationship strengthens and deepens, especially in the area of sustainable socio-economic development and climate action,” Swedish Ambassador Annika Thunborg said in her speech.

The devastating impact of climate change are now seen and felt all over the world, including both in Sweden with a winter climate and in the Philippines with a tropical climate, with severe negative effects on flora and fauna, and on biodiversity.

“There is only one thing we can do to keep this development at bay and start to reverse it and this is to cut emissions of fossil fuel completely to reach zero net emissions. The demand for sustainable and green industries is increasing, pushing companies toward more circular business models—in energy, transportation, and textile and fashion,” the ambassador implored.

“My government has put textiles high on its agenda. Becoming a world leader in sustainable fashion production and consumption is a key part of the national drive to achieve the global sustainable development goals of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement on climate change,” stated Thunborg.

The fashion industry is a big polluter and carbon emitter, Thunborg attested. She added that far too many textiles end up in trash bins and landfills, regularly thrown away with household waste. Each year, she said, 4.3 million tons of textile waste is deposited or incinerated in the European Union. “Through the integrated work of fashion retailers, design schools, and science parks in Sweden, supported by the Swedish government, the fashion industry can continue to be creative, exciting and lucrative, all while being kinder to the planet and better for the consumer,” Thunborg assured.

Jonjon San Agustin, SM

Supermalls senior vice president for marketing, deemed the exhibit as timely.

“It draws attention to the importance of sustainability and promoting a circular economy, and we look forward to hosting the exhibition in other SM malls in the country,” said San Agustin.

“SM Aura was the first mall to achieve the prestigious LEED Gold certification in the Philippine retail sector for meeting and exceeding international standards for its green features which help minimize waste, maximize efficiency, and safeguard resources.”

San Agustin added: “More broadly, SM has long put in place initiatives to ensure our entire business operations are sustainable and environment-friendly by

TOP JAPANESE BRAND LAUNCHES LATEST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE ISSUE

GLOBAL apparel retailer Uniqlo today announces the launch of the 2023 Fall/Winter issue of LifeWear magazine (Issue 09) on August 25.

The magazine is a free publication that expresses the Uniqlo LifeWear philosophy of making the everyday lives of people better and more comfortable. The theme of Issue 09 for Fall/Winter is “Modern Layering,” and the issue focuses on the role of layering clothing—exploring the limitless fashion potential that comes from adeptly combining basic items.

focusing on practical solutions for energy efficiency, solid waste reduction and water conservation, among others.”

Meanwhile, Dan Mejia, H&M South Asia regional head of communications and PR, shared his company’s virtues and visions: “We have a long-term perspective on working with sustainability. The term is not ‘working with sustainability’ but doing what we do in a sustainable way. And in H&M’s case, the company has been doing it for close to three decades now.

“Our vision is to lead the change towards achieving a circular fashion industry with net-zero climate impact, while being a fair and equal company. To make that vision feasible and tangible, we look at our entire value chain—from design to raw materials, to manufacturing, transportation, to selling, to customer use, and post-consumer use.

“But despite all of these, we acknowledge that we are part of the problem...not exactly the opening statement you would expect from us, but that is the truth. By we—I refer not only to H&M but to the entire fashion industry—we all have a stake here. Now we may be one of the largest fashion retailers in the world, but we only represent two percent in the market. To move the industry to be truly fully sustainable, we need the other 98 percent to join in.

“There are still a lot of challenges, loopholes in

the business model, criticisms and reports that go along with it, and we take these matters seriously by working with relevant stakeholders to find solutions together. This is, after all, an industry-wide problem and not something we can solve on our own.

“And let me end this with a quote from our CEO Helena Helmersson, who said, ‘Cooperation must take place in our industry. We have implemented so many measures in recent years, but the system is not in place yet. We need to do more.’” ■

‘ASIAN PERSUASION’ FILM WINS TOP AUDIENCE AWARD AT SOHO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN NYC

NEW York City—The movie Asian Persuasion just won the Audience Award for Best Full-Length Film at the SOHO International Film Festival, which happened at Fushimi Time Square in New York City. The film’s director, Jhett Tolentino, along with producers Michael Ang and Richard Gervais were all there to accept the awards.

Takahiro Kinoshita, Fast Retailing Group Executive Vice President and Creative Director, commented: “Every item of Uniqlo clothing has a very simple design that can be easily worn by anyone. But depending on how items are combined, I think that it is clothing with infinite possibilities. Clothing does not have character on its own, but clothes bring out the individuality of the wearer. That’s why how you wear clothing is so important. In this issue of LifeWear magazine, we focus on layering. We introduce chic color layering centered on the gray and navy that is trending this fall, along with functional layered styles using HEATTECH, which this year marks 20 years since its release, as well as Ultra Light Down. This issue has us eagerly awaiting cooler weather for us to enjoy layering.”

More information is available at www.uniqlo.com.

Tried and tested: Laneige Perfect Renew 3X Signature Serum and Cream

HOW do you know when you need to step up your skin-care routine? When you’re past your early 20s.

If you’ve been using water-based creams until now and you’re nearing 30, maybe it’s time to go for something more nourishing and moisturizing.

Premium Korean skincare brand Laneige recently launched its Perfect Renew 3X line consisting of Emulsion, Skin Refiner, Retinol/ Anti-Wrinkle Serum, Cream, and the star product: Signature Serum.

So far, I have tried two of the products—the Cream and the Signature Serum.

The Serum is an advanced 3-in-1 formulation with double moisturizing properties and skin-loving ingredients like retinol, peptides, RE.D Flavonoid, and squalane (my favourite skin ingredient!) to strengthen the skin barrier. The Serum claims to moisturize the skin, protect the skin barrier, and impart firmness.

There are three serums in one bottle and you dispense them all together. But when the serums hit your palm, they are separate. The first serum is the RE.D Flavonoid/Basel Glow Serum. The second is the Peptides/Firming Serum, while the third is the Retinol/AntiWrinkle Serum.

I appreciate the clever packaging, a container which separates the three main ingredients. All you need to dispense the product is a simple right-click, and a pump for all three ingredients will dispense the product from the separate containers. The texture of the Perfect Renew 3X Serum, as expected because there are three serums, is not light but also not tacky. It’s like a light moisturizer. There are nights when

I’m too lazy to apply moisturizer and just apply this serum as a last step and it works unless my skin is super dehydrated that day.

The serum is the Perfect Renew 3X line’s flagship product but I love the Perfect Renew 3X Cream, too, as someone with combination skin.

The cream has I3X, a blend of retinol, peptides and RE.D Flavonoid, along with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, squalane and ceramides. The RE.D Flavonoid, which is made from camellia seeds, promises a glow-boosting effect. The cream also has centella Asiatica to soothe skin.

The texture of the Perfect Renew 3X Cream is initially firm and bouncy once in the jar but when you apply it, the cream becomes buttery. It’s fragranced but nothing too cloying or bothersome. I’m not very strict about fragrance in my skincare as long as the scent isn’t something that lingers for hours. The Perfect Renew 3X Cream is a bestseller and currently out of stock in the Laneige Philippines website so I assume that a lot of beauty enthusiasts love it.

Would I purchase these products? Probably yes, especially the cream. It’s one of the best I have tried.

Laneige products are available at ph.laneige.

com/collections/perfect-renew, Lazada, Shopee, and BeautyMnl.

PIOLO PASCUAL RENEWS CONTRACT WITH BEAUTÉDERM

Piolo Pascual has renewed his contract with popular Pampanga-based beauty and wellness brand Beautéderm.  Pascual endorses the brand’s oral care products, including Être Clair Refreshing Mouth Spray, Être Clair Mouth Wash, Koreisu Whitening Toothpaste, and Koreisu Family Toothpaste.

“I am thankful to Piolo Pascual and his management. Piolo is such a nice human being. As the official endorser of Beautéderm, his effectiveness in representing the brand has been undeniable. Piolo always smiles with confidence,” said  Beautéderm CEO and President Rhea Anicoche Tan.

“What I love about Piolo is he’s very committed as an endorser. He posts, promotes, and uses the products—and he does it sincerely. When we opened our largest Beautéderm store at the Clark Cityfront Mall in Angeles City, Piolo went there to support.

Grabe ang effort niya. Mahal na mahal ng Beautéderm family si Piolo,” Tan continued.

“Ms. Rhea defines what a true boss looks like— aspiring, class, humble, and smart. I admire her. I am forever grateful for her trust and for the trust of Beautéderm family. I believe in the products,” said Piolo.

According to Beautéderm, Être Clair, a cult favorite with excellent reviews online, and Koreisu are safe oral care products with all-natural ingredients.

Être Clair Mouth Spray, Être Clair Mouth Wash, Koreisu Whitening Toothpaste, and Koreisu Family Toothpaste are available at Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, and Beautéderm stores/resellers/distributors.

FROM left: Dan Mejia, H&M South Asia regional head of communications and PR, Swedish Ambassador Annika Thunborg, and Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls senior vice president for marketing, at the launch of Fashion Forever at SM Aura Premier.

PAGEONE Group‘s COMS 360 Wins Multiple TOP Awards at the 4th ASEAN PR Excellence Awards held in Vietnam

Caritas Manila Graduates 1,589 YSLEP Scholars For School Year 2022-2023

of fisherman and farmers, youth with disabilities, orphans, young indigenous people, youth who are survivors of war and disasters, youth who are survivors of human trafficking, children of prisoners, street children and high school and college dropouts.

Caritas Manila is a staunch supporter of food security and sustainable Philippine agriculture. This has trickled down to YSLEP beneficiaries with 244 scholars presently enrolled in agriculture and related courses.

YSLEP has three demo farms in the Diocese of San Carlos, Negros Occidental; Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; and Diocese of Lucena, Quezon Province. YSLEP is also into hydroponics farming.

CARITAS Manila, the social services arm of the Archdiocese of Manila boasts a total of 1,589 graduates for the school year 2022-2023 under its Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP). The batch includes two summa cum laudes, 29 magna cum laudes, 109 cum laudes, 374 on the dean’s list, 358 with academic excellence and 127 special awardees.

For the present school year 2023-2024, Caritas Manila has a total of 4,240 scholars comprising of new students and active, presently enrolled youth servant leaders. Caritas Manila refers to its scholars as youth servant leaders since they undergo servant leadership and stewardship formation and training.

Caritas Manila’s YSLEP Program started way back in 1953. From just a handful of scholars back in the day, Caritas Manila now accepts, sponsors and graduates thousands of deserving students every year. To date, Caritas Manila YSLEP counts 12,538 successful graduates.

This resurgence started when Fr. Anton CT Pascual stepped in as Executive Director in 2005. He right away saw the potential of alleviating poverty through education. He did a total makeover of the scholarship program by integrating it with servant leadership, church involvement and community service. What was then just an Educational Assistance Program decades ago got transformed into the Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program.

Fr. Pascual knew he could only grow YSLEP by activating volunteerism in as many parishes as possible. From a scholarship program that was just available in the nation’s capital and nearby cities, YSLEP has now grown to have 140 implementing partners in 53 dioceses nationwide. The program accepts candidates from any religious denomination.

Caritas Manila has identified the top 12 target beneficiary of YSLEP as urban poor youth, menial youth workers, children in conflict with the law, children

YSLEP graduates automatically become members of Caritas Manila Scholars Association (CAMASA). The organization has a Balik-Handog program that encourages successful members to give back and help existing YSLEP scholars. In 2022, CAMASA members raised P5,462,877.55 through personal donations and fundraising activities. To date, there are 92 CAMASA chapters nationwide with 2,873 active members. Fr. Pascual strongly believes that the path out of poverty is education. “Education is a social equalizer. Not everyone is given the grace of completing his education. We want our scholars to become servant leaders following in the footsteps of Christ who came not to be served but to serve and who offered his life for the salvation of many.”

Help Caritas Manila help others, call 8562-8556 or 8562-0020 (to 25) loc. 141 or 142, 0905-428-5001 or 0929-834-3857. Log on to www.caritasmanila.org.ph, visit www.facebook.com/OfficialCaritasManila, Instagram @officialcaritasmanila and Twitter @CaritasManila.

Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corp. (SFP) and Bespoke Logistics Unite to Revolutionize the Landscape of Automotive Logistics

ATRANSFORMATIVE alliance in the automotive logistics sector took center stage as Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corp. (SFP) and Bespoke Logistics formalized their partnership through a contract signing event. This groundbreaking collaboration marks a significant stride towards revolutionizing the automotive industry in the Philippines.

From Bespoke Logistics, present at the ceremony were Jessie Villafuerte, Operations Unit Leader; Allan Mina, President and CEO; and Cesar Tutanes, Operations Director. Representing the Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corp. were Yosuke Nishi, President and CEO, Noriyuki Sekita, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing; Stephen Madero, Logistic Supervisor; and John Michael Ignacio, Assistant General Manager of Vehicle Sales and Logistics.

Sojitz Corporation, a renowned general trading company, boasts a diverse portfolio of global businesses, including the buying, selling, importing, and exporting of goods, manufacturing and product sales, and project planning and coordination across Japan and overseas. Their involvement spans industries such as automobiles, plants, energy, mineral resources, chemicals, food resources, agriculture, consumer goods, and industrial parks. With a legacy dating back to 1969, Sojitz Corporation has been an integral part of the Philippine automotive landscape. Bespoke Logistics, renowned for its end-to-end automotive logistics solutions, offers an array of services, including Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI), cutting-edge storage and yard management, and specialized vehicle transport equipment. Backed by a robust Vehicle Inventory Management System (VIMS), Bespoke Logistics ensures seamless access to critical information, customizable reports, and a range of client-centric functionalities.

Beyond the essentials, Bespoke Logistics is committed to providing

integrated auto logistics services, catering to spare parts warehousing, accessory installation, after-market sales, last-mile delivery to dealers, and other value-added transport and logistic services. Their mission is to elevate vehicle maintenance and preservation, aligning with global standards in automotive care management while nurturing a dynamic and inclusive workforce.

With a shared vision of becoming a world-class integrated auto logistics gateway operator in the Philippines, Bespoke Logistics is poised to transform the industry. Their brand promise of “customizing possibilities” is set to redefine the automotive logistics landscape, offering tailored solutions that cater to the unique needs of their clients.

The partnership between Sojitz

COMS 360, a leading public relations and communication consulting agency based in the Philippines, won multiple top awards at the recently concluded 4th ASEAN Public Relations Excellence Awards held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The Award was participated by top-tier companies and agencies in Southeast Asia and recognized outstanding PR campaigns and professionals in the region. The agency is part of the PAGEONE Group’s network of agencies that cater to local and multinational companies in the Philippines and in Asia Pacific.

During the awards show, Coms360, was hailed as the Best PR Agency in Southeast Asia (Diamond), while PAGEONE Group Chairman and CEO Ron F. Jabal, APR was named the Best PR Practitioner in Southeast Asia (Silver).

The Agency’s PR campaigns also clinched the Best PR Campaigns (Diamond), Best Communication Use of Social Media (Diamond), and Best PR Program (Diamond).

COMS360 President Vonj Tingson, expressed his gratitude and attributed the triumph to the collective efforts of the Group. “We share these awards with everyone in Coms360 and with everybody in our network of agencies in the PAGEONE Group. These awards are true testament to their dedication to the craft and to their excellence. Truly, their genius is remarkable. We also recognize the full support of our partners and clients for they sustain the fire that keeps us burning with

RON F Jabal, DBA, APR (center) receives his Best PR Practitioner in Southeast Asia trophy desire to do our best. We also share these awards with all PR professionals in the Philippines who love the craft and consistently uphold ethics and integrity in practice,” Tingson said.

PAGEONE Group Chairman and CEO Ron Jabal, DBA, APR, for his part said, “In PAGEONE, excellence is not just a goal; it’s our guiding principle. It’s about crafting and implementing innovative, impactful strategies that not only meet our clients’ needs but exceed their expectations. When we commit to excellence, we commit to making a real difference in our clients’ success. But in every campaign, in every interaction, in every milestone achieved, we carry the spirit of gratitude. It’s this spirit that fuels our dedication, inspires our innovation, and strengthens our relationships. Together, we’ll continue to strive for excellence, to deliver outstanding results, and to cherish the bonds that have brought us to where we are today,” Jabal added.

Fuso Philippines Corp. and Bespoke Logistics marks a significant milestone in the automotive logistics sector. It not only strengthens the position of both entities but also paves the way for innovative, customer-centric solutions in the industry. As we look to the future, this collaboration promises exciting prospects for prospective clients seeking top-tier automotive logistics services.

The union of Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corp. and Bespoke Logistics is a beacon of excellence, professionalism, and innovation. It signifies a commitment to delivering superior automotive logistics solutions and setting new industry standards. Together, they are gearing up to redefine possibilities in the automotive logistics realm, ensuring that quality and innovation remain at the heart of their operations.

NEWLY UPGRADED MERALCO ZAPOTE SUBSTATION. Meralco recently upgraded its Zapote Substation located in Barangay Elias Aldana, Las Piñas City with the installation of one three-phase 115-kV power circuit breaker, two three-phase 115-kV disconnect switches, and various protection and control equipment. This is in conjunction with NGCP’s installation of a fifth 300-MVA power transformer bank in its Las Piñas Substation. This aims to provide additional capacity to serve the increasing power demand in Pasay City, southern parts of the cities of Makati and Taguig, and portions of the cities of Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Las Piñas. This project also reduces the normal loading of the Zapote Delivery-Point Substation which provides N-1 compliance during contingencies. Meralco is continuously working to improve its distribution system to deliver safe, adequate, reliable, and sustainable power service to its customers as part of its commitment to #KeepingTheLightsOn and #PoweringTheGoodLife.

BEXCS Logistics Franchise Expands its Footprint with the Opening of Flagship Hub in West Quezon City

BEXCS Logistics Solutions Inc. recently announced the inauguration of its latest flagship branch in Quezon City. This strategic move marks a significant step towards the company’s ambitious goal of establishing 278 branches throughout the Philippines.

Founded in 2019, BEXCS Logistics has rapidly become a prominent player in the logistics industry, primarily serving the needs of online sellers and suppliers. The company is now positioning itself as one of the First 5th Party Logistics in the Philippine Market.

The company’s unwavering commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction has propelled it to the forefront of the sector, and its success is emblematic of its visionary founders, Rodel and Marjorey Rubio. On September 13, 2023, the company introduced the newest addition to its growing family, the West Quezon City branch, under the ownership of Anna Magkawas.

In addition to the expansion of its branch network, BEXCS Logistics is set to unveil major hubs in key regions across the country. With plans to introduce three Central Exchanges Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao along with 37 sorting facilities strategically positioned throughout the Philippines, the company envisions a network of over 1,300 branches that will blanket the entire archipelago.

Presently, BEXCS Logistics boasts an impressive portfolio of over 10 branches serving Luzon and Cebu, ensuring efficient logistical solutions for its valued clients.

The company’s global reach has recently expanded further with the opening of offices in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The BEXCS Ecosystem operates under three distinct business lines: BEXCS Franchise, BEXCS Logistics, and BEXCS Worldwide. These divisions offer a wide array of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses, including market research, digital marketing, sales channel management, and comprehensive legal and business compliance solutions and Franchise.

Moreover, BEXCS Logistics takes pride in offering world-class logistics solutions,

BEXCS franchisee Anna Magkawas and BEXCS founder Marjorey Rubio including Express Delivery, Door-To-Door Delivery, International Shipping, Land/Air/ Sea Cargo services, Warehouse Inventory and Management, and Dropshipping services. These offerings are a testament to the company’s commitment to providing holistic and efficient logistics support.

The Franchise Super Hub, is a multirevenue stream business which aims to provide sustainability and scalability for the Filipino communities and aspiring business owners. The Super Hub is BEXCS’ frontstore which provides a wide array of services from Retail, Shipping to Warehousing. The BEXCS Franchise Super Hub is the first and only “Hybrid Social Commerce combined with Logistic Solutions,” providing a seamless flow of transactions for live sellers. It is designed to provide employment and support to SMEs who are in need of a warehouse, live selling studio and supplies in order to provide for their families. Payment and money remittance is another source of income for the BEXCS’ franchisees as BEXCS partners with DA5 for the said ad hoc services.

As BEXCS continues to expand its operations, it remains dedicated to its core values of reliability, innovation, and customer-centric service. The opening of the new branch in West Quezon City signifies a pivotal moment in the company’s journey, reflecting its commitment to supporting businesses across the Philippines and beyond.

For more information about BEXCS Franchise Solutions Inc. and its services, please visit https://www.bexcsfranchise.com

THE partnership was formally sealed with the presence of key figures, with Allan Mina, President and CEO of Bespoke Logistics, standing alongside Nishi Yosuke, President of Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corp.(SFP), with their respective team (from left to right in the background), Jessie Villafuerte, Operations Unit Leader, and Cesar Tutanes, Operations Director, representing Bespoke Logistics. On the SFP side, Noriyuki Sekita, EVP- Sales and Marketing, Stephen Madero, Logistic Supervisor, and John Michael Ignacio, AGM for Vehicle Sales and Logistics.

The 5 consTanTs of PR

The TRuTh should always be aT The heaRT of any PR message

Paramount+ sets out to launch in JaPan following success in Korea, marKing its 2nd a sian marKe t TOKYO, JAPAN—Paramount (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) announced the upcoming launch of its premium streaming service Paramount+ in Japan with J:COM, one of Japan’s top cable television operators and broadband internet providers, and with WOWOW Inc., the top premium pay channel in the market. Japan is the second market in Asia to launch the service, following its debut in Korea last year.

Beginning December 01, Paramount+ will bring its popular films and series to Japan through the ondemand services of both J:COM and WOWOW, at no additional costs for their subscribers.

Fans can look forward to Paramount+ originals such as Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. These fan-favorite titles will be released at launch and for the first time in Japan.

The Paramount+ slate also will include titles from Paramount’s vast library: Hollywood hits like Mission: Impossible, Bumblebee, and G.I. Joe

SURPASSING the 30-year milestone is an achievement not many companies are privileged to reach.

This year, as FuentesManila once again celebrates being a thirtysomething Public Relations (PR) agency, we raise a toast not just to over three decades of working with hundreds of amazing clients, brands, and people; we also express gratitude for being on the front row, to witness and be amazed by how this industry of ours has evolved over the years.

The media landscape has been in a constant state of transformation, especially in the last decade. If 30 or so years ago, we only had to keep our eyes peeled for daily printed articles, morning and evening broadcast news from TV and radio to keep ourselves up to date with what’s happening around us, these days, it’s a constantly bubbling mix—of social media from so many platforms, online news, blogs and vlogs, websites, etc— that’s always on and never seems to simmer down.

And because the media and the PR industry are famously inseparable (at least from our POV!), PR professionals have been kept on their toes, periodically recalibrating their media strategies, in the last decade or so.

And yet, despite the rapid transformation of the media ecosystem, any seasoned PR profes -

from Paramount Pictures; popular CBS TV shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and NCIS; animated favorites, such as Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and Comedy Central’s South Park; popular SHOWTIME® titles, such as Dexter and Ray Donovan; and MTV’s young-adult series and iconic music shows, including the MTV Video Music Awards Japan. Catherine Park, Paramount’s Senior Vice President, Head of Streaming & Regional Lead, Asia, said, “We are very excited to broaden our collaboration with our long-time partners, J:COM and WOWOW. With the launch of Paramount+ on their respective platforms, we are bringing our world-class content from Paramount+ to even more viewers in Japan, while at the same time enabling our partners to enhance their content offering and service proposition.”

“For many years, Paramount Global has been delivering its music channel MTV and a variety of movies and dramas to customers through J:COM TV, which has been one of the most attractive features of J:COM TV and has been supported by customers. We are pleased to bring Paramount’s diverse content to the people of Japan through this new partnership. I n particular, the group’s drama series like NCIS and CSI are highly acclaimed by our customers, and we will deliver attractive content, including Paramount+

sional knows there are elements and concepts in PR that will always remain the same. Knowing these “constants” will help you navigate the ever-changing terrain and focus on what you really want to achieve.

i t ’s always about selling an idea. This is the core of any PR campaign. It doesn’t matter if your entire campaign is based on a long and winding position paper, a consumer research or a survey report—you should be able to simplify and summarize what you want to communicate in a sentence or two, then possibly break it down into sub-messages. This will make it easier for you to convey your idea, convince and hopefully convert your target audience. What exactly is the idea that you want your audience to retain? You, your team and your client should be on the same page when it comes to key messages.

a clear objective and strategy. Any campaign is bound to go awry if the objectives are not clear from the get-go. Your objectives are like your compass that determine which way your campaign should go and what strategies you need to formulate to achieve your goals.

m e dia and their gatekeepers. One of the most useful postulations that many successful PR

original productions through J:COM STREAM. Together with our longtime partner WOWOW, we will ensure the success of Paramount+ in Japan. In addition, we will strengthen our partnerships with both parties to enhance the value of the entertainment experience for our customers,” said Yoichi Iwaki, President and Representative Director of J:COM.

“Paramount Global has continued to lead the U.S. film and TV industry, consistently producing works that move people around the world. For 20 years, WOWOW has been delivering Hollywood films and drama series from Paramount Global, all of which have received high praise from our subscribers.

With this partnership, we are now able to offer a large volume of w onderful content f rom Paramount+, including films and in ternational d ramas, through WOWOW on demand. WOWOW, along with JCOM, will work diligently for the success of Paramount+ in Japan. We are excited about our partnership with Paramount. I also hope to explore further collaborations with b oth companies in the future and connect it to various new initiatives, using content,” said Akira Tanaka, Representative Director, President, and CEO of WOWOW.

Paramount+ is one of the fastestgrowing premium services, with more than 61 million subscribers in more than 45 markets globally.

Paramount is also the home of Pluto TV, the pioneer of FAST service glob -

practitioners keep in mind is this: You need media but media does not need you. Understanding why this is true almost all the time is a secret not just to professional longevity but also to staying on the good side of media gatekeepers AKA the editors. The latter can easily do their jobs without the help of their PR friends, but every PR campaign needs to utilize some form of media to convey their messages to their target public.

m ea surability. There should always be a goal or a yardstick by which you will measure if your PR campaign is successful. Back in the day, our performance was mostly measured in terms of media mileage, target audience participation, event attendance, etc. These days, there are so many metrics used to measure PR performance, from website traffic, engagement, r each, and impressions, to CPM and CPI, among others. The list

ally, and is available in more than 35 markets, with the most recent launch in Australia this August.

PhiliPPine airlines debuts the ‘flight reels’ series, highlighting heartwarming stories in the sK y MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Flag car -

rier Philippine Airlines announces the launch of its new “Flight Reels” video series, which celebrates acts of kindness and compassion at 30,000 feet.

PAL Flight Reels highlights heartfelt and memorable passenger experiences. Based on real-life events, viewers can expect to witness touching stories and the warm, caring service that has defined the airline’s service philosophy.

The core message of PAL Flight Reels is the carrier’s unwavering commitment to provide service excellence embodying the Heart of the Filipino. The PAL brand of service extends beyond safety and comfort.

PAL goes the extra mile to ensure that every passenger feels genuinely embraced by the warmth and hospitality that define the Filipino culture.

PAL Flight Reels also shines a light on heroes in the sky—passengers and crew members who have demonstrated exceptional kindness, courage, and compassion when traveling and flying with the flag carrier.

For PAL Flight Reels’ pilot episode, viewers will be taken on the journey of a mother who unexpect -

has obviously changed but the idea is the same—you should be able to provide quantifiable and measurable values to evaluate and measure the success of a campaign.

te ll the truth. As PR professionals, we sometimes are left without a choice but to sidestep a sensitive issue or play down a controversial subject, but a cardinal rule in PR is that any message or idea we choose to communicate, highlight or reinforce may not be totally indubitable but it must reflect the truth. It—or at the very least a semblance of it. The truth should always be at the heart of any PR message.

There may be more ‘constants’ that I might have missed but these five are clearly pillars that will hold up a PR campaign, regardless of whether it was implemented yesterday or 30 years ago. It’s true that things have changed dramatically

edly gave birth in flight. The episode not only highlights the extraordinary circumstances of this mid-air birth but also underscores the above-andbeyond service of PAL’s dedicated crew members. The cabin crew ensured that the mother’s delivery took place with the utmost care and safety, demonstrating their unwavering focus and commitment to the passengers’ well-being.

“As the country’s flag carrier, we are not just transporting people; we are connecting hearts by spreading the genuine care and compassion of Filipino hospitality. PAL Flight Reels reflects our brand of service, and it is an ode to the heartwarming moments our passengers experience with us,” shared Capt. Stanley Ng, PAL President & Chief Operating Officer.

Join this unique journey as PAL elevates acts of kindness and compassion to new heights. Watch the first episode of PAL Flight Reels via PAL’s official Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

fil mPabriK a clinches yet another Video Production house of the y e ar win at the aoy’s silVer anniVer sary MANILA, PHILIPPINES—For more than two decades, the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines (4As Philippines) has recognized the creative industry rockstars that embody advertising excellence at the Agency of the Year (AOY) Awards. And this year, the

in the PR front and while some may huff and puff about new technologies, metrics and tools of the trade, it is always useful to remember the proverb about what really happens the more things change.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premiere association for senior communications professionals around the world. Edd Fuentes is the founder and CEO of FuentesManila, a Manila-based PR agency founded in 1990. Edd is a Board Member of IPRA Global representing South Asia for the last 7 years.

PR Matters is devoting a special column each month to answer our readers’ questions about public relations. Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@ gmail.com

AOY upped the fanfare as it awarded the deserving winners of its silver anniversary.

Among the teams that won metals at a milestone edition of the AOY Awards is FilmPabrika, which went home with one of the coveted Production Excellence awards of the night: Video Production House of the Year.

FilmPabrika bagged the trophy with the consistent innovation and expertise in film that the production house delivers, bringing campaigns and projects—created by a talented team helmed by its lineup of directors Stephen Ngo, Joel Limchoc, Carlo Directo, Lyle Sacris, Dante Dizon, and Gabe Ferrer—throughout the creative industry to life.

This demonstration of quality in the craft of video production is something that FilmPabrika has sustained since its founding back in 2010. In fact, this year’s big AOY win is far from the company’s first one. Out of the nine times FilmPabrika was up for the award over the years, it came out on top every single time.

“We have been honored to be the recipient of this AOY PHOY almost every year of our existence, especially because this is from our valued partners in the industry Nine out of nine [times] to be exact!” FilmPabrika COO Marivic San Juan shared with adobo Magazine. “We are overjoyed and grateful to our colleagues, partners, staff, and crew. And for our efforts to be recognized and appreciated, to us, this is what truly matters.”

Sports

B8 Monday, SepteMBer 25, 2023 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

Delgaco takes on continent’s giants in single sculls final

HANGZHOU—Joanie Delgaco will be an underdog rowing against the big guns in the women’s single sculls final of the 19th Asian Games on Monday at the Fuyang Water Sports Center.

The final set at 9:10 a.m. will be raced over the standard distance of 1,000 meters.

The 25-year-old Delgaco will be up against Bulgaria-born former Russian athlete now competing under the and now racing for Uzbekistan flag Anna Prakaten, silver medalist in the Tokyo Olympics.

P rakaten dominated the field in the semifinals with a seven-minute, 47.88-second clocking, a formidable 30 seconds faster than Delgaco.

The Philippines has never won a rowing gold in the Asian Games but managed a bronze medal behind Alvin Amposta and Nestor Cordova in men’s lightweight doubles sculls—but that was quite long ago in 2002 in

BRONZE FOR STARTERS FROM JIN KING

international competition.

H is impressive win somehow made up for the loss of Aira Villegas in the women’s 50 kg class as the 28-year-old Filipina lost on points to Mongolia’s Yesugen Oyuntsetseg, 3-1.

The men’s 5x5 basketball team finally here with a positive mindset despite facing tremendous adversities prior to its departure.

Busan. A lso in the final are Shino Yonekawa of Japan, Liu Ruiqi of China, Leung Wing Wun of Hong Kong and Huang Yi Ting of Chinese Taipei. Philippine Rowing Association President Patrick Gregorio said the final won’t be easy for Delgaco.

I’m very happy that Joanie is in the finals. She is the only Southeast Asian rower there,” said Gregorio, who will be at the stands when Delgaco sees action.

It’s going to be tough competition against No. 1 seed Uzbekistan, then China, Japan, and Chinese Taipei,” he said.

“Joanie will be racing in Lane 2 with the No. 1 seed. Hopefully, she outperforms herself.”

Gregorio admitted that the Uzbek will be tough to beat but there is a chance that Delgaco, a pride of Bicol, will pull off an upset.

“Joanie’s personal best is 7:39, which she did last week in training at the La Mesa Dam,” Gregorio said. “If she duplicates that, she has a good chance of pulling an upset.”

Tokyo Olympian Cris Nievarez, meanwhile, will be vying in the Final B of the men’s single sculls at 9:20 a.m. also on Monday to determine his final standing in the tournament.

Jun Lomibao

Yaoyao, Evangelista compete in women’s XCO of MTB

cycling

HANGZHOU—Shagne Yaoyao competes in her first Asian Games with the goal of creating a dent alongside the more veteran Ariana Evangelista in women’s crosscountry Olympic of mountain bike on Monday at the Chun’an Jieshou Sports Centre track.

Besides physical preparations, I prepared myself mentally for the race,” said Yaoyao, who like Evengalista, is coming off a stint in the UCI world championships in Scotland last month.

Yaoyao and Evanglista described the track—a 4.8-km loop with an average lap time of 22 to 25 minutes—as challenging.

There are several steep climbs and the turns are technical,” said the 25-year-old Cebu pride Yaoyao, bronze medalist in MTB XCO mixed relay at the Cambodia SEA Games last May. “But we’re confident we can fight for a medal here.”

The riders need to complete four laps for a total of 19.2 kms to finish the race.

Evangelista shared Yaoyao’s assessment of the track in Chun’an which is situated 155 kms from Huangzhou.

“ It’s challenging and I am aiming to finish the race safe,” said Evangelista, who clinched silver in MTB XCO-Eliminator also in Cambodia.

The team is coached by Eusebio Quinones and managed by Atty. Billy Sumagui, secretary-general of PhilCycling which is headed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

That comeback period

By Jun Lomibao

ANGZHOU— Patrick King Perez clinched bronze in taekwondo’s men’s individual poomsae on Sunday for the country’s first medal in the 19th Asian Games host China is beginning to dominate. Perez, 23, combined grace with precision in reaching the semifinals but eventually yielded to Asia’s No. 2 Ma Yun Zhong in the freestyle event at the Lin’an Sports Culture and Exhibition Centre. The Taiwanese tallied 7.450 against Perez’s 6.910. The Filipino, however, was contented with his accomplishment. “ I did my very best but I lost to a better player today,” Perez said. “I could not believe I won a bronze, I am  really happy.”

It’s a good start and a good sign,” POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.

HC hina was already running away in the gold medal race on Sunday night with 12, followed by South Korea with four and Japan two. Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei and Hongkong each had one gold medal. Team Philippines, whose participation is supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission, ranked 15th with its one bronze medal so far.

Mark Ashley Fajardo, meanwhile, made a smashing debut after scoring a first round knockout of Bhutan’s Dorji Wangdi at the start of boxing competitions at the Hangzhou gymnasium.

The young Cebuano made it look easy by setting up Wangdi with a right straight and then delivering a left to the jaw that dropped his foe to the canvas.

The Bhutan tried to beat the mandatory eight count, but stood on wobbly legs, prompting the referee to stop the bout at the 2:21 mark of the light welterweight bout.

I didn’t expect the knockout,” said Fajardo, who’s only in his second

Ubas, athletics team hit town this week

HANGZHOU—Twelve of the country’s bets in athletics in the 19th Asian Games are due here aboard three different flights this week and will join Asia’s top and world No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena who’s been here since Friday for his flag-bearing chores during the opening ceremony.

Southeast Asian Games long jump champion Janry Ubas is arriving Tuesday with fellow athletes Ronnie Malipay, Sarah Dequinan, Robyn Brown, Kristina Knott, Angel Frank and Lauren Hoffman. They will be joined by Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association secretary-general and team manager Edward Kho, his deputy Jasper Tanhueco and coach Dario de Rosas.

ohn Tolentino, Willie Morrison and Eric Cray are arriving Wednesday while coach Isidro Del Prado, Michael

del Prado, Joyme Sequita, Frederick Ramirez, Umajesty Williams, Jessel Lumapas and Maureen Schrijvers will be landing on Saturday, the same day Obiena will be targeting his first Asian Games gold medal.

The athletics Team is raring to see action and we are keen on contributing to a distinctive Asian Games’ campaign for Team Philippines,” said Kho as he acknowledged the support of the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and team sponsors International Container Terminal Services Inc. and CEL Logistics Inc. to the Filipinos’ campaign.

“Our athletes are ready,” he said.

Obiena could only finish in seventh place at 5.30 meters in Jakarta four years ago, but many wonderful things have happened after that.

He’s now Asia’s record holder at 6.0m which he cleared twice earlier this year and has a bronze and silver

R Country S B T

G S

1 People’s Republic of China 15 5 13 23

2 Republic of Korea 433 10

3 Japan 2349

4 Uzbekistan 1326

5 Chinese Taipei 1113

6 Hong Kong, China 1012

7 India 0325

8 Indonesia 0134

9 Mongolia 0123

10 Islamic Republic of Iran 0112

10 Kazakhstan 0112

10 United Arab Emirates 0112

13 Brunei Darussalam 0101

14 Viet Nam 0022

15 Macao, China 0011

15 Philippines 0011

15 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 0011

15 Thailand 0011

medal at the world championships last year in Eugene, Oregon and Budapest last July.

I f Obiena lives up to expectations, he’ll be the first Filipino to bag a medal in Asian Games athletics after Elma Muros-Posadas’s bronze in women’s long jump in 1994 in Hiroshima.

Venue for Obiena’s potential gold medal-clinching leap is the 55,893seat Huanglong Sports Center.

K nott and Ubas, the SEA Games record holder, will see action in the 100 meters and men’s long jump, respectively, on Friday.

O n October 1, it will be Knott’s in the 200 and Tolentino and Morrison in the 110 hurdles and shotput, respectively.

Brown and SEA Games’ 200-m legend Cray then join the hostilities on Oct. 2 in the 400m, before the 4x400 relay teams of (women) Schrijvers, Manibog, Hoffman and Frank, and (men) Williams, Prado, Sequita and Ramirez, take the field, with triplejumper jumper Malipay. Jun Lomibao

Head coach Tim Cone and his 12man team checked in at the Hangzhou International Airport Sunday afternoon following a six-hour flight from Manila. Not wasting precious time, the team did a light workout shortly after a brief rest upon arrival in a bid to further stabilize the integration of late inclusion Kevin Alas, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, CJ Perez, and Arvin Tolentino to the team.

Completing the team are June Mar Fajardo, Justin Brownlee, Japeth Aguilar, Ange Kouame, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, and Scottie Thompson.

Philippine Taekwondo Association secretary-general Rocky Samson is hoping Perez’s bronze medal will rub off on his teammates, especially in the sparring category.

Perez, a product of La Salle, posted 7.700 points to dispatch Souksavanh Chanthilath of Laos, who tallied 7.440 points.

A gainst Nepal’s Limbu Prem Bahadur, Perez put on another spectacular show for 7.560 points and won pulling away after his rival managed only 7.160.

The first casualty in the 12-man taekwondo team was Jocel Lyn Ninobla after facing one of South Korea’s aces, Cha Yeaeun, in the round of 16. Ninobla performed well but managed 7.560 points with the Korean winning, 7.680.

Nakano, Lopez exit judo competitions

HANGZHOU—Leah Jhane Lopez and Shugen Nakano crashed out from the preliminaries for a flat start in judo at the 19th Asian Games on Sunday at the Xiaoshan Linpu Gymnasium.

L opez, 23, lost second seed Abiba Abuzhakynova of Kazakhstan via Waza-ari in the round of 16 of the women’s -48 kilograms category while Nakano yielded to Ryoma Tanaka of Japan via Ippon also in the round of 16 of men’s -66 kgs event.

The 26-year-old Nakano, a gold medalist in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi and silver medalist in Phnom Penh, downed 21-year-old Saoud Alamiri of Kuwait via Ippon in the round of 32.

But he failed to bring his momentum against the younger and more aggressive Tanaka, the games’ fourth seed who was impressive in the threeminute and five-second contest. These athletes played really well. Unfortunately, they were paired against top seeds,” Philippine Judo Federation secretary-general Dave Carter said.  Jakarta Asian Games silver medalist Kiyomi Watanabe starts her campaign in the women’s -63-kg class on Monday at the same venue.

Jun Lomibao

YAOYAO hoping for an impressive Asian Games debut.

THREE versus three.

HANGZHOU—Hongkong was easy for the picking but South Korea won’t be for the women’s national football team at the resumption of their 19th Asian Games campaign on Monday at the Wenzhou Sports Center. There’s no doubt South Korea is a top side,” said Filipinas—as the national team players are called— coach Mark Torcaso ahead of the 7:30 p.m. match. Wenzhou is more than two hours away by bullet train from here.

The Filipinas sailed past Hongkong, 3-1, for a rousing debut in Group A of the 16-team women’s

Th at is how the finals of the AIA Vitality Men’s Kampeon Cup ended Sunday.

Th ree players on the pitch—two field players and one goalkeeper.

No red cards, please. This was the comeback period. An exciting and novel addition to seven-a-side football.

The game is already a fast paced one given the smaller pitch and the fewer players. But the comeback period— inspired by the target period of The Soccer Tournament in the United States—has raised the stakes and made every second of the matches count.

The comeback period stipulates that after the regulation period, a team must score one more goal than the leading team regulation period tally. So for example Team A finished with two goals after the regulation to the one of Team B, all Team A has to do is score one more goal while Team B needs to score two to win.

Filipinas square off with tough SoKors

football field.   Torcaso took over as Filipinas head coach from fellow Australian Alen Stajcic who steered the team to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and another historic victory over the host country.

Torcaso has done his homework.

They’re [South Koreans] very good in possession. But there are small gaps that we can expose and if we do it right, we’ll get our chance,” he said. “But we also have to be very disciplined and be smart tactically.”

Oh no. It doesn’t end there. Every three minutes into the comeback period, one player from both sides is taken off the field. So from 7v7, it goes down to 6v6, 5v5, you get the picture.  Watching the finals of the AIA Vitality Men’s Kampeon Cup that was held at the Dynamic Herb Sports Complex in Talisay in Cebu, Bonifacio Global City-Taguig led, 3-1, when Iloilo scored a second goal. The score of 3-2 remained at that until the end of regulation. And in the comeback period, with 3v3, the goalkeepers joined the attack.

It was an error by the Iloilo goalkeeper whose pass to a teammate was picked off by a BGC-Taguig player. The quick counter lead to the game and championship winning goal, 4-2.

Earlier, an errant pass by BGC-Taguig’s Tyler John in their offensive side of the pitch was nearly converted by Iloilo.

A s much as the time and manpower element is a factor, so are mistakes. You don’t want to make a mistake that will

lead to a goal.

Sarina Bolden, Quinley Quesada and Katrina Guillou, all World Cup veterans, scored in that relatively clinical victory over Hongkong but they have to double their effort against the South Koreans, who bagged bronze behind champion Japan and China at the 2018 Jakarta games.

The Koreans are riding the momentum of a 4-0 win over Myanmar and are looking back to a 1-1 draw with Germany in the World Cup that was won by Spain. The Filipinas lost, 2-0, to the South Koreans the last time they met in the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup last year. Jun Lomibao

A nd that is exactly what happened.

W ill this work with the 11v11 game?

No. It fits the smaller pitch and field players.

A nd what I love about 7s football is the pace and the innovations. The growth for this game is tremendous and as I often mention during the press conferences I manage for the 7s, this sport will no doubt be a future Olympic sport.

Just to be very clear—no, it has not taken anything away from my personal love for 11v11. Not at all. Like 3x3 basketball, I enjoy the smaller number of players playing ball on a smaller sized court.

I believe that seven-a-side football will eventually have a place in the hearts of every sports-loving Filipino fan.

Watch out because the game has been growing exponentially in the country. And the comeback period— seen for the first time on local soil aside from the ongoing 7s Football Tournament—will greatly add to the buzz.

19TH A SIAN GAMES MEDAL TALLY

ROWING president Patrick Gregorio (left) will be cheering for Joanie Delgaco in her historic bid on Monday.

SHAGNE

PATRICK KING PEREZ admits he didn’t expect to medal in Hangzhou as Chloe Isleta anchors the women’s team in the 4x200 meters relay in swimming. PHOTO BY NONIE REYES (CANON EOS R6)