MDBs set $120B for climate nancing
LOW- and middle-income countries like the Philippines can access at least $120 billion worth of climate nancing from multilateral development banks (MDBs) by 2030.
In a joint statement, MDBs like the Manilabased Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Washington-based World Bank Group, said the nancing for low- and middle-income countries includes $42 billion for adaptation e orts. However, the MDBs intend to raise an additional $65 billion from the private sector. The MDBs said they exceeded their 2025 climate nance projections in 2019 with a 25-percent increase in direct climate nancing in the past year.
“While the scale of MDBs’ nancial com-
mitments is essential, MDBs’ most signi cant impact comes from our ability to drive transformative change,” the statement said.
“[We] are focused on amplifying our catalytic e ect by enhancing the results and impact of our nancing, deepening engagement with countries through platforms, supporting clients’ climate ambitions, and increasing private sector mobilization,” it added.
The MDBs also said for high-income countries, an annual collective climate nancing is projected to reach $50 billion, including $7 billion for adaptation. The banks also aim to mobilize $65 billion from the private sector.
“Rallying to the call for urgent climate action, MDBs recognize the central importance of establishing a New Collective Quanti ed Goal on Climate Finance [NCQG] at COP29 in Baku. A robust and ambitious NCQG is essential for
achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, and we urge Parties to reach a strong conclusion on this objective,” the statement said. Recognizing that quality and systemic impact must be informed by climate results, the MDBs also released the Common Approach to Measuring Climate Results: Update on Indicators. The common approach, issued in April, is the rst shared framework to de ne, measure, and link global progress on climate mitigation and adaptation with the climate results of MDB activities.
The MDBs also published their Country Platforms for Climate Action-MDB Statement of Common Understanding and Way Forward, rea rming their joint support for e orts to foster collaboration between host countries, MDBs,
@caiordinario
THE Philippine banking system’s net bad loans ratio in September was at its lowest since March this year, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
e BSP data showed the net non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of Philippine banks was pegged at 1.57 percent in September 2024, the lowest since March 2024 when net NPL ratio was at 1.54 percent. BSP data showed the net NPL ratio at 1.61 percent in August 2024 and 1.54 percent in September 2023.
“Starting September 2017, Net NPLs refer to gross NPLs less specific allowance for credit losses on NPLs per BSP Circular No. 94,” the BSP stated.
e gross NPL of the banking industry averaged 3.47 percent in September 2024, the lowest since the 3.45 percent posted in April 2024. Meanwhile, net NPLs of Universal/Commercial Banks (UKBs)
T@lorenzmarasigan
HE Philippines has shown a worrying “stagnation” in AI readiness despite rapid market evolution, according to the newly released Cisco 2024 AI Readiness Index. According to the report, while 98 percent of businesses recognize the urgency of AI adoption, only 22 percent report being fully prepared to deploy AI-powered technologies—a minimal increase from 17 percent in 2023, revealing the nation’s struggle in “adopting, deploying, and fully leveraging AI.” e report said given the rapid market evolution and the sig-
nificant impact AI is anticipated to have on business operations, “this readiness gap is especially critical.” e index, which surveyed 3,660 senior leaders from large organizations across 14 markets in Asia-Pacific, Japan, and China, rates AI readiness across six pillars: strategy, infrastructure, data, governance, talent, and culture.
“As companies accelerate their AI journeys, it’s critical they adopt a comprehensive approach to implementation and connect the dots to link AI ambition with readiness,” Cisco Philippines Managing Director Zaza Soriano-
THE Philippines may be a test case for the Loss and Damage Fund in responding to the cumulative loss of lives and damage to critical infrastructure, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said.
Yulo-Loyzaga led the signing of the Fund for Responding to the Loss and Damage (FrLD) on November 12 during the 2nd day of the 16th Conference of Parties (COP 16) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Together with Loyzaga, FrLD Board CoChairs Richard Sherman and Jean-Christophe Donnellier signed the Host Country Agreement (HCA) that signaled the operationalization of the Fund.
This groundbreaking agreement boosts the country’s hosting of the FrLD Board, established by the Conference of the Parties during the
27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheik in 2023, and formally operationalized in COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2024. The Host Country Agreement (HCA) is a critical element in the operationalization of the FrLD and is key to unlocking funds to support the loss and damage needs of particularly vulnerable countries.
The Philippines rst launched the campaign to host the FrLD Board at COP28.
After successfully gaining a seat on the Board, the country was chosen as the Host Country for the Board in its 2nd meeting on July 2024 in Songdo, South Korea. With swift and full support of both Houses of Congress, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed into law Republic Act 12019 known as the Loss and Damage Fund Board Act on August 28, 2024, granting legal personality and capacity to the FrLD Board. The HCA establishes the
posted a net NPL ratio of 1.39 percent. is was also the lowest since the 1.36 percent posted in March 2024. e net NPL of UKBs averaged 1.43 percent in August 2024 and 1.35 percent in September 2023.
e data also showed that the net NPLs for rift Banks averaged 3.99 percent, the same as September 2023 but the highest since the 4.07 percent posted in May 2023. BSP also said the net NPL ratios of Rural/Cooperative Banks (RCBs) reached 3.32 percent. is was the highest since the 3.33 percent posted in September 2023.
In June 2024, NPLs for RCBs averaged 3.22 percent. e NPL data for RCBs were released on a quarterly basis unlike the data for UKBs, thrift banks and Digital Banks (DGBs).
e data for DGBs showed their net NPL ratio was at 4.04 percent, the highest since the 5.27 percent posted in July 2024.
In August, net NPL ratio for DGBs reached 3.79 percent while in September 2023, the ratio was pegged at 5.57 percent.
NPLs refer to loan accounts whose principal and/or interest remain unpaid for 30 days or more after the due date or after they have become past due according to existing rules and regulations.
Comelec to start field tests on ACM accuracy, security
WITH less than six months left before the “super elections” day, the Commission on Elections announced on Tuesday that it is set to conduct a simultaneous nationwide and international field testing to measure the accuracy and security of the automated counting machines (ACMs).
Comelec Information Technology Department Dir. Jeannie Flororita said that the field test will happen on Saturday, November 16, in six provinces, 15 municipalities and cities, and four other countries.
“ is is an internal activity of the Comelec. e chairman is being generous and transparent, that’s why we will show it to the public,” Flororita said, partly in Filipino, during a press briefi ng at Comelec’s warehouse in Biñan, Laguna.
During the field testing, the performance of the ACMs and consolidation and canvassing systems will be evaluated to ensure that ev-
erything runs smoothly at the voting precincts.
e procedure, which will run 10 mock ballots, will include highpriority provinces such as Batanes and Tawi-Tawi, which are known for challenging transmission conditions.
Several precincts in Manila, Taguig, Pateros, Antique, Davao del Sur, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Special Geographic Area will also be part of the testing.
Meanwhile, overseas testing in Japan, Greece, the State of Qatar, and the United States of America will also be conducted on Saturday
to assess the accuracy of the fi rstever internet voting for Filipino voters abroad.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia emphasized that beyond the ACMs, the entire automated election system is under reviews—including the process for transmitting results from polling precincts to central canvassing servers.
“ e fi ndings we will get on all aspects of our activities are important so we can see the readiness of the system,” Garcia said, noting that necessary adjustments will be made depending on the results of such tests.
‘So far, so good’ ASIDE from the upcoming field testing, Garcia said the delivery of the ACMs and other election paraphernalia are “on time” as planned. “So far, so good. If you noticed, we’ve delivered almost everything. And the equipment are here now,” he said. Based on Comelec’s data, the poll body has already received 78.13 percent or 85,994 ACMs out of the 110,000 promised machines by its elections provider partner Miru Systems. e delivery is expected to be completed within November, a month early from its scheduled completion.
In terms of machine testing, the Comelec said 43,136 ACMs already underwent the hardware acceptance test where the voting machines’ battery mode operation, touchscreen, scanner, printer, camera, audio, smartcard and usb port are checked to ensure that they meet the necessary operational standards.
More than 2,000 machines had also passed the stress test, where ACMs are assessed if they can withstand extreme temperatures and other external factors.
“Patuloy ’yung reviews, adjustment, and monitoring. Ang kalimitang problema talaga ay ’yung mismong deployment... akala nila ganoon kadali ’yung mag deploy,” Garcia said.
Napakahirap, 7,000 mahigit ang islands sa Pilipinas at sisiguraduhin mo na ang bawat isang gamit ay makakarating doon,” he added.
After the field testing on Saturday, the Comelec is also set to conduct mock polls where 50 test ballots will be used by actual voters to fi rsthand experience the voting procedure.
A week before May 12, a fi nal testing and sealing will also be done using the fi nal copy of ballots to verify if the machines and system are fully operational before the election day proper.
is must be supported with the right visibility to achieve their business objectives,” Nicart said.
Nicart.
Cisco’s report also highlights an infrastructural bottleneck, as only 22 percent of organizations have sufficient computing resources, such as GPUs, to support AI demands.
Cybersecurity readiness also remains an area of concern, with only 45 percent of companies reporting adequate capabilities for secure data handling and threat detection in AI models.
AI-related spending has become a priority for Philippine companies, with 65 percent allocating between 10 percent and 30 percent of their IT budgets to AI, focusing primarily on cybersecurity, data management, and data analytics.
Despite these investments, companies report that returns are often below expectations. Approximately one-third of businesses have seen minimal or disappointing gains from AI, especially in efforts to streamline operations and automate processes.
“ is year’s AI Readiness Index reveals that to fully leverage the potential of AI, companies need a modern digital infrastructure capable of meeting evolving power needs and network latency requirements from growing AI workloads.
Top leadership, including CEOs and boards of directors, are increasingly driving AI initiatives, creating a sense of urgency within organizations. More than half of the surveyed companies cited strong leadership support for AI projects, with nearly half planning to increase AI-related spending to over 40 percent of their IT budgets in the coming years.
A shortage of skilled talent is another significant hurdle. Across various aspects of AI, including data governance and infrastructure management, companies are struggling to fi nd qualified professionals. Cisco VP Anupam Trehan emphasized that talent will be a decisive factor in the so-called “AI race.”
“As the race to adopt AI picks up pace, talent will be a key differentiator for companies. ere is already a shortage of skilled talent across various aspects of AI. is means companies will need to invest in their existing talent pool to meet the growing demand. At the same time, it is crucial that all stakeholders—the private and public sectors, educational institutions, and governments—work together to develop local talent so that the entire ecosystem can benefit from the immense potential that AI offers,” Trehan said.
relationship between the FrLD Board and the Philippine Government, including the provision of privileges and immunities to the Board. In her message at the event presided by COP 29 President Minister Mukhtar Babayev, and attended by UNFCCC o cials and the World Bank (as FrLD Trustee), DENR’s Loyzaga said President Marcos sees the Philippines as a test case for the FrLD following the four successive tropical cyclones that hit the country in the past three weeks. The fth has just made a landfall and the sixth is on the way.
“The Philippines may be a test case for the Fund in responding to this unique cumulative loss of lives and damage to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, roads, and water and power systems,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of President Marcos Jr., Yulo-Loyzaga informed the Parties of the “deep devastation we are su ering from the unrelenting impacts of these typhoons and wishes for this unprecedented experience to serve as a baseline not only of what climate-vulnerable developing countries will endure in these uncertain and unpredictable times, but of our capacity to recover given the adequate and timely access to resources.”
Loyzaga continued, “For the Philippines, living with risk and loss and damage has been part of our history as an archipelago. We therefore have a deep and personal stake in ensuring that the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage succeeds.”
The DENR Chief said that by hosting the FrLD Board, the Philippines has invested in its dynamic and far-reaching mission of cooperation and solidarity in making resources accessible to those who need it the most. “While we know there may never be enough, the Fund will be critical in addressing the worst impacts of climate change and crucial in our communities as they rebuild, recover, and move toward a resilient future,” Secretary Loyzaga said. “We therefore echo the COP28 President Sultan Ahmed al Jaber’s call to have pledges transform into contributions at the soonest time possible,” the Secretary added. She said President Marcos looks forward to meeting the UNFCCC, the Co-Chairs, the Board, and Loss and Damage Fund Executive Director Ibrahima Cheikh Diong to explore how the Philippines may work with the Fund to provide the necessary support for the FrLD’s 4th Board meeting in Manila from December 2 to 5 this year.
COP29 will run from November 11 to 22. Aside from agreements on the Just Transition, Adaptation Finance, and the establishing of the framework for a global carbon market, the Parties are expected to agree to the New Collective Quanti ed Goal (NCQG).
It is the new climate nance target intended to replace the $100-billion per year goal set during the Paris Agreement and will expire in 2025. Recent estimates indicate that total global climate nance needs are over US$ 1 trillion annually.
economy,” he added.
e World Bank said digitalization is crucial for an economy like the Philippines, which is characterized by a large population spread across many islands. Digital connectivity and Filipinos’ participation in the digital economy are key in bridging geographic and socioeconomic divides.
e adoption of digital technology in the Philippines has increased rapidly in recent years, but more needs to be done for the country to fully realize the advantages that digitization offers.
A key priority will be to remove the connectivity limitations faced by the 72 percent of Filipino households that, according to 2023 figures, still have no fi xed broadband. Cai U. Ordinario
He said Iloilo was chosen as the pilot airport as it has international ights and it is not as busy as the airport in Manila.
He explained that the pilot test aims to see if it will “really result in a better travel experience for the passengers.”
“Because the objective is to speed up the processing of the papers that’s why we will use the information on the National ID, information on e-passports for foreign visitors,” Bautista said.
Meanwhile, he said this pilot test would come at no cost to the government.
According to the briefer provided by the US Embassy to reporters, UltraPass
partner Valar Atomics USA. All together, they aim to restart nuclear energy education in the Philippines and produce Philippine graduates ready to enter the nuclear industry. The education program will ensure a continuous supply of Philippine nuclear professionals who are well-versed and experts in the design, development and use of current cutting-edge nuclear technology.
Earlier, the United States and the Philippines signed a 123 Agreement on civil nuclear cooperation. Lotilla said “a strong contingent” from the United States is attending the forum.
“Well, there are many activities and this one, as you know, is but one of the activities that are being carried out. I don’t know if you were able to see the size of their delegation. They are proceeding with talking with our private sector and also with government agencies on various requirements,” added Lotilla.
The United States has used nuclear power for more than 60 years. It is the world’s largest producer of nuclear energy, which contributes nearly 20 percent of the electricity generated in America.
Nuclear energy plays an important role in the United States’ overall energy portfolio, as the country—like many—attempts to reduce carbon emissions and address the threat of global climate change.
“The 123 agreement with the US has already entered into force because the concurrence there is not by the entire US Congress, but just an oversight committee that gives its approval. And so the US government already informed us several months back that it entered into force for the United States and that also entered into force on the part of the Philippines and therefore went into full e ectivity at that time,” said Lotilla.
Index crime incidence drops 13.5 percent in ’24
TBy Rex Anthony Naval
HE National Police (PNP) on Wednesday
announced a 13.51 percent decrease in the incidence of index crimes for the first 11 months of this year.
Index crimes are serious crimes that are used to measure the overall crime rate in a specific area. They are considered to be serious enough and occur with enough frequency to be representative of the crime situation in a given area.
In a press briefing, the National Police spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, revealed that 30,322 index crime incidents were recorded from January 1 to Novedmber 8. This is significantly lower than the 35,057 recorded in the same period last year.
In the same period, the police also recorded 30,166 focus crime incidents or 13.52 percent
lower than the 34,883 incidents logged in the same period in 2023.
Focus crimes are crimes against persons or property such as rape, homicide and robbery.
However, the PNP recorded a 1.42 percent increase in carjacking which totaled 1,714 for the period in review compared to only 1,690 reported during the same period last year.
Homicide cases for the period increased to 995 or 3.65 percent more compared to 960 during the same period last year.
Fajardo said the continuing decrease of incidents is attributed to the consistent implementation of numerous policies, such as intensified police visibility, intelligencedriven operations, community-based programs, strengthened partnerships with other agencies, and improved crime reporting and monitoring systems.
UN vows aid for victims as more cyclones threaten Northern Luzon
TBy Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
HE United Nations hopes to raise
US$32.9 million to deliver aid to vulnerable communities severely affected by recent storms in the Philippines.
As Ofel intensified into a typhoon category storm, another tropical cyclone was posed to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) threatening to directly affect Northern Luzon.
Attributed to the delayed occurrence of the northeasterly wind, Ofel and the past three storms—Leon, Marce, and Nika directly hit Northern Luzon, triggering massive floods and landslides.
Fortunately, unlike Kristine, which left a path of death and destruction in the Bicol and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) regions, the casualty count of the past four storms was minimal, with two persons having been reported injured and zero fatalities, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported.
Humanitarian mission for Bicol, Calabarzon
THE Philippine Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), led by the UN Philippines, has launched the Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) Plan that aims to support about 210,000 people in northern and southern Luzon, specifically the regions of Bicol, Calabarzon, and Cagayan Valley.
“We call on resource partners to rapidly support the HNP and fill critical funding gaps generated by an exceptional series of storms,” UN Philippines Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez said in a statement dated November 12.
“The HNP will help us mobilize the capacities and resources of the humanitarian community to better support government institutions at national, regional, and local levels.”
The fund will support the delivery of critical lifesaving and protection efforts over the next three months, focusing on vulnerable groups, including women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno thanked the HCT and partner agencies for developing the HNP, urging them to “bolster the government’s response capacity.”
The HCT consists of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN Development Program, and other aid agencies.
Signal 2 in Cagayan, Isabela
THE eastern portion of mainland Cagayan and the eastern portion of Isabela were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 2 on Wednesday, as Ofel intensified into a typhoon-category storm.
Meanwhile, Signal 1 was hoisted over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, the eastern portion of Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Aurora.
The typhoon was spotted hovering over the Philippine sea.
In its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued on Wednesday at 11 a.m. The weather bureau said the eye of the storm was located 485 kilometers east northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte, moving west northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophisical and Astronomical Services Administration
Defiant Duterte dares ICC, takes responsibility for drug war EJKs
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
ADEFIANT former President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday assumed full legal responsibility for extra-judicial killings (EJKs) during his anti-drug campaign while challenging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to “come as early as tomorrow” to investigate him.
In his testimony at the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee, Duterte, who was under oath, reiterated his responsibility for the “shortcomings” in his administration’s war on drugs.
or Pagasa said Ofel was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kmh near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kmh.
Unpredictable
OFEL is forecast to move west-northwestward to northwestward over the Philippine Sea before making landfall along the eastern coast of Cagayan or Isabela on Thursday afternoon. It will then emerge over the Luzon Strait on Friday and turn more north-northwestward while slowing down before behaving erratically during the weekend.
“Regardless of the position of the landfall point, it must be emphasized that hazards on land and coastal waters may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point or forecast confidence cone,” the state weather bureau added.
In addition, Pagasa said that the track of Ofel may still shift direction. PAGASA is looking at two emerging scenarios: a northwestward track until Friday before turning west-southwestward during the weekend, and a slightly recurving track to the right of the present track forecast.
Regardless of the direction or track, Ofel is forecast to steadily intensify within 24 hours and possibly make landfall during its peak intensity, the state weather bureau warned.
850 barangays affected
THE combined effect of Nika and Ofel has so far affected 52,551 families or 195,532 persons in 850 barangays in 144 cities and municipalities in 17 provinces across five Regions, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported.
In its Situation Report dated November 13, the NDRRMC said 43,704 persons were evacuated in 562 different evacuation centers.
A total of 56 areas in Region 2, Region were flooded and 325 houses were damaged. Also affected were 105 road sections and 88 bridges.
Because of the inclement weather, the operations of 21 seaports were affected.
Caap on high alert
THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) is closely monitoring the Area Centers affected by Typhoon Nika and the intensifying Typhoon Ofel. While non-scheduled flights to coastal areas have been canceled at Tuguegarao Airport, the airport remains operational. Two flights (5J 504/505) have successfully landed, and the elevated runway remains clear despite flooding in the surrounding areas.
“I have instructed the Area Managers to maintain constant supervision of the airports, ensuring the safety and well-being of both passengers and personnel. Our airports are fully equipped and prepared to handle any emergency that may arise,” said Caap Director General Manuel Antonio L. Tamayo.
Due to the inclement weather, aircraft with a maximum certificate take-off mass (MTOM) of 5,700kg and below are prohibited from conducting ground operations, takeoffs, and landings at airports under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1. Aircraft operators must closely monitor weather updates and comply with all CAAP advisories.
Additionally, aircraft operators are required to park affected aircraft in secure areas with protective covers to shield them
See “Storm,” A4
Staying firm on his position, Duterte declared, “I and I alone take full legal responsibility for everything done by the police pursuant to my orders. I am the one responsible. If anyone should be jailed, it should be me, not the police who followed my orders.”
Duterte openly admitted instructing police to provoke criminals into resisting arrest, effectively endorsing a “shoot-to-kill” approach.
When asked about statements he made in 2016 encouraging criminals to fight back, Duterte defended his orders.
“Yes, because that could be justified if they resisted,” he asserted, rationalizing the violence as a means to “reduce the number of criminals.”
“To the manufacturers, I really told them to kill anyone they catch in the factory cooking shabu,” he stated, admitting to ordering killings without due process.
“That was my order, and I take full responsibility,” Duterte said.
Asked by Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas if Duterte would reaffirm this responsibility directly to the families of innocent EJK victims present at the hearing.
Unmoved, Duterte responded, “I had to issue or make a policy statement about drugs. Everything that happened, what occurred under my orders to stop the drug problem in this country, is my responsibility. I take full responsibility for it; whatever the police did, whether legal or illegal, it’s mine.”
Meanwhile, the exchange became more heated when Brosas pressed Duterte on whether his so-called “Davao model” or “Davao style”—an approach he allegedly used as mayor—served as the foundation for the national anti-drug campaign.
Seeking clarity, she asked, “Is it true that this was your policy in Davao? Is it correct to call it the Davao model or Davao style? Yes or no only.”
Duterte resisted giving a simple “yes” or “no,” responding, “Do not ask me to answer yes or no. You are not an investigator. Yes, but you are not an investigator. Why do you ask me to answer yes or no?”
But Duterte admitted that he personally killed six or seven individuals he described as “criminals” during his tenure as mayor of Davao City. Duterte was asked if he had ever personally killed anyone, “Me? Many. About six or seven. I didn’t follow up at the hospital to see if they died.”
His approach, he added, was simply to lessen the “burden” of crime in his city by reducing the population of alleged criminals.
He went on to describe how, as mayor, he would patrol the streets on his motorcycle, hoping to encounter criminals.
“I prayed that as I rode my motorcycle, I would encounter a robber. And if I catch you, I will kill you. I have no patience for criminals,” he added.
Duterte also admitted to engaging in evidence planting on a suspected criminal during his time as mayor of Davao City.
Challenge to ICC
IN the same hearing, Duterte challenged the ICC to come to the Philippines “as early as tomorrow” to investigate him over alleged crimes against humanity related to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
“I am asking the ICC to hurry up and, if possible, if they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow,” Duterte said.
“This issue has been left hanging for so many years. I might die, and they won’t get to investigate me,” Duterte added. “That’s why I am asking the ICC, through you, to come here,” he said.
Duterte expressed readiness to face the outcome of an ICC investigation, saying, “If I am found guilty, I will go to prison and rot there for all time.”
The ICC has already launched an investigation into the acts of Duterte and other top officials from his administration over alleged crimes against humanity stemming from systematic drug war-related deaths in police operations. Police records document around 6,000 deaths, while humanrights groups argue the total may be as high as 30,000, including vigilante killings, due to Duterte’s policies.
Earlier, lawmakers said under Republic Act 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, Duterte’s admission meets all the elements of command responsibility for crimes against humanity.
Govt will cooperate with Interpol
SHOULD Duterte surrenders to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the government will not stop him, according to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
“If the former President desires to surrender himself to the jurisdiction of the ICC, the government will neither object to it nor move to block the fulfillment of his desire,” Bersamin said in a statement on Wednesday.
Local authorities, however, would consider cooperating with the Interpol if the ICC seeks the intervention of the international anti-crime body, Bersamin said.
“But if the ICC refers the process to the Interpol, which may then transmit a red notice to the Philippine authorities, the government will feel obliged to consider the red notice as a request to be honored, in which case the domestic law enforce -
ment agencies shall be bound to accord full cooperation to the Interpol pursuant to established protocols,” he added.
Reward system
DUTERTE also confirmed that he had requested additional budget allocations for the Office of the President to support the reward system central to his controversial anti-drug campaign.
Duterte emphasized the financial requirements of such operations.
“That’s correct. You have to spend money for operations and intelligence,” Duterte told the committee, adding police officers often faced financial limitations, noting that their basic salaries did not cover the substantial costs of intelligence gathering and operations.
“Police officers are limited to their salaries, including equipment and office materials. If you expect police to have their own funds for day-to-day criminal case follow-ups, they don’t, sir,” he said.
Duterte further admitted to directly providing funding for police operations in cases of serious crimes: “And my order to them, sir, since we’re already talking about this, if you catch them, kill them all. Don’t take them to...prison; I will not feed those people.”
Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, cochairman of the QuadCom, asked Duterte about reports that excess donations to his presidential campaign were used to fund the reward system in his anti-drug campaign.
Duterte acknowledged the claim, explaining that any such use of funds was intended for the public good. “Yes,” he confirmed, noting that surplus campaign funds were used to support anti-drug operations in order to “protect public interest.”
Earlier, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma disclosed details about the police reward system for killing drug suspects during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, while also confirming the existence of the infamous Davao Death Squad (DDS).
According to Garma, cash rewards for drug-related killings ranged from P20,000 to P1 million, depending on the victim.
Killing field
BEFORE Duterte was allowed to speak, QuadCom members said the Philippines had turned into a “killing field” for drug suspects and innocent civilians under his term.
Speaking directly to Duterte, QuadCom co-chairmain Bienvenido Abante Jr. recalled how he and other Baptist leaders supported Duterte’s 2016 presidential campaign.
“We believed in you; we believed in your plan, despite not knowing you from Adam,” he said in an impassioned manner.
He explained that their initial support extended to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, but that support shifted to disappointment as thousands of Filipinos lost their lives in the process.
He pointed out that in the course of the Duterte administration’s bru -
US awards Army chief Legion of Merit Medal
LT. Gen. Roy Galido, Army commander, was awarded the US Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) on November 11 for his efforts in enhancing defense ties between the Philippines and the United States.
Conferment ceremonies took place in Washington D.C., the Army spokesman, Col. Louie Dema-ala, said in a statement Wednesday.
“The US Legion of Merit award highlights Lieutenant Geneneral Galido’s exemplary efforts to enhance
Philippine-US defense ties and advance military objectives amid the fast-changing Indo-Pacific security landscape,” he added. Dema-ala also said the this award is one of the highest honors conferred by the US Department of the Army to American servicemen, and political and military leaders of allied nations. The US Legion of Merit is the equivalent of the Philippines’s Legion of Honor. Galido, who took the helm of the
tal war on drugs, rogue policemen and riding-in-tandem hitmen killed thousands of Filipinos.
“We didn’t expect that thousands of Filipinos would need to be killed— more than 30,000, in fact. Out of those 30,000, only 7,000 were drug suspects,” he said. Abante said assassins were motivated to kill drug suspects and innocent civilians by rewards offered by the Duterte administration.
Restimonies given to the QuadCom earlier indicate that up to P1 million was offered for the assassination of a high-value suspect.
However, the Manila lawmaker noted that the former President denied the existence of the reward system in his testimony before the Senate on October 28.
He said even children and innocent civilians were killed in the course of the drug war, and their deaths were treated as “collateral damage” that could not be avoided.
Initially canceled, the November 13 hearing proceeded after Duterte accepted the committee’s invitation.
Fairness
HOUSE QuadCom Chairman Robert Ace Barbers reaffirmed the committee’s dedication to fairness as Duterte appeared for the first time in the hearing on alleged extrajudicial killings connected to the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign. In his opening remarks, Barbers highlighted the committee’s mission to uncover the truth, noting that Duterte’s presence was an opportunity to directly address the allegations against him.
“In our desire to give the former President an opportunity to explain and refute the accusations against him, we deemed it proper to invite him personally,” Barbers said.
Barbers also addressed prior comments from Duterte’s lawyer, Martin Delgra III, who questioned the committee’s integrity. Barbers emphasized that Duterte’s attendance disputed Delgra’s claim.
Barbers stressed that while Duterte should be accorded respect, the committee must not show deference and maintain an impartial stance to uphold its duty to the Filipino people.
Abang Lingkod Rep, and joint panel co-chairman Joseph Stephen Paduano emphasized the committee’s dedication to a thorough investigation.
“As we continue our hearing, I wish to reaffirm the Quad Committee’s commitment to a thorough, transparent, and accountable examination of the issues before us. Proceeding with today’s hearing underscores our dedication to a fair and open inquiry, one that seeks truth and clarity rather than distraction or delay,” Paduano said.
Paduano urged participants to avoid using the hearing for political agenda.
“If this hearing will be used as a platform to score propaganda points, then we should not waste the public’s time. This is not the place for shallow tactics or personal agenda,” he warned. With Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
Army in August last year “spearheaded the Army modernization efforts to select, procure and integrate several critical, technologically advanced capabilities and ensured his soldiers maintained the edge required to respond to threats, deter adversaries and interoperate with multination forces to defeat any foe,” the US Legion of Merit citation read.
The PA chief has always emphasized the importance of large-scale training exercises evident during the
conduct of the first-ever Army-wide Combined Arms Training Exercise (Catex) “Katihan” early this year and in engaging the US Army in a series of high-impact combined and joint bilateral exercises such as “Salaknib” and “Balikatan” as part of the Army’s strategic shift to territorial defense operations from internal security. Galido joins a prestigious list of Filipino military leaders including former President Fidel V.
of
DepEd struggles to fill school principal slots
Bless Aubrey Ogerio
By
THE Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to take action on the nationwide shortage of school principals during a hearing on November 8.
Education Undersecretary Wilfredo Cabral presented DepEd data showing only 20,718 filled principal positions out of more than 45,000 schools. Also, there are currently 2,882 vacancies, while 24,480 schools are led by teachers-in-charge (TICs), who EDCOM
2 said often lack proper training and support.
Even if all qualified National Qualifying Examination for School Heads passers were appointed, there would still be a shortfall of principals in 18,576 schools. This prompted EDCOM 2 co-chairperson Rep.
Roman Romulo to raise concerns, asking, “Kulang na kulang tayo sa principals. Are you not panicking?” Cabral explained that DepEd is constrained by a 1997 policy, which sets staffing standards for schools. This policy only assigns principals to schools with at least nine teachers for elementary or six for secondary. As a result, smaller schools do not have plantilla positions for principals and are instead assigned TICs if they have fewer teachers. When asked for proposed changes, Cabral outlined plans to update the 1997 policy. “We have this school organizational staffing standards where each school should have a principal. We are currently finalizing the new standards, with the help of EDCOM, since it will have budget implications,” he explained. Meanwhile, Department Order 7, series of 1999, which remains in effect today, requires that school heads and principals be transferred to other schools after serving for
Continued from A3
from wind and rain. If a TCWS is declared nearby or at the destination, the Pilot-inCommand must land at the nearest safe
three to five years. Per Cabral, “Bakit nga ba three years? May paniniwala na doon mismo, parang wala na’ng innovation. Sa loob ng tatlo o limang taon, nagawa na niya [school head or principal] ang lahat. In the eyes of a newcomer, there might be some new vision.”
However, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian pointed out that such rotation doesn’t work well for specialized schools like science high schools.
“They are created for a specific purpose…you cannot place just any principal there,” he added.
Romulo supported updating the policy, suggesting that principals who perform well should be given permanent appointments at their schools. “Wala naman akong problema kung sabihin niyong for life na siya as a principal sa isang school—kasi he or she is performing well there. Perfect ‘yun, that should be rewarded,” he said.
EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee stressed the need for every school to have a capable and well-supported principal to ensure effective learning.
“It is high time for DepEd to rationalize and update DepEd orders on school principals—dating back to 1997, 1999, 2011—to ensure that policies are coherent and responsive to our realities today,” he said.
airport or return to the airport of origin.
Food packs delivered to Cagayan
MEANWHILE , the Department of Social Welfare in Development (DSWD) has delivered more than 500 family food packs (FFPs) to
Restore ₧10-B House cut in ’25 budget for military modernization–dela Rosa
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
SEN. Ronald dela Rosa on Tuesday urged the Senate to restore the P10-billion cut that the House of Representatives made on the P50billion budget for the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program for next year.
Dela Rosa made the appeal at the Senate plenary deliberations on the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget bill, saying the budget reduction to the modernization program runs counter to the pronouncements of politicians who appear supportive of the Armed Forces whenever troops and sailors are harmed while protecting the country’s territory, particularly the West Philippine Sea.
Comparing the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and the General Appropriations bill (GAB) approved by the Lower House, dela Rosa lamented that the House reduced the Executive Department’s proposed P50-billion for the Revised Armed Forces Modernization Program to P40 billion. The changes were adopted by the Senate Finance committee in its committee report on the budget bill.
areas affected by Typhoon Marce and Nika in Cagayan.
The DSWD was able to deliver 280 FFPs to Fuga Island in Aparri and 250 FFPs in Calayan, Cagayan, using a UH-60 “Black Hawk” helicopter from the Air Force on Tuesday.
The delivery and distributions were made in partnership with the National Police, the Coast Guard (PCG) and the Marine Corps.
Tropical cyclone Man-Yi
ANOTHER tropical cyclone (international name Man-Yi) being monitored by Pagasa is forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Thursday night.
Once it enters PAR, it will be called Pepito. It is forecast to make landfall over the eastern coast of Luzon during the weekend, Pagasa said.
“Being a former member of the Armed Forces, a former member of the National Police, and now a senator of the Republic, I cannot help but point out a glaring contradiction that I see. Because every time untoward incidents are reported in our resupply missions to the Ayungin Shoal... our immediate reaction is like this: ‘We condemn in the highest terms this incident, and we have to see to it that we have to modernize our Philippine Navy’,” dela Rosa said.
“That’s always our line as politicians, as legislators. And now, here comes the budget deliberations, a P10billion cut was made on the NEP of Department of National Defense,” dela Rosa noted. He expressed hope for a “synchronized” response between the words and actions of politicians to the AFP’s needs, “as legislators who have the power of the purse.”
He stressed that our country’s first line of defense should not always resort to avoiding confrontation or exercising escape and evasion whenever they are faced by those who intend to harm them.
He then appealed to restore the budget cut introduced by the House of Representatives to boost the morale of the troops.
“The possibility of rapid intensification is not ruled out. Since this tropical cyclone may reach typhoon category while over the Philippine Sea, the possibility for Man-yi to reach super typhoon category prior to landfall is also not ruled out,” it said.
“Regardless, Man-Yi may make landfall at peak intensity,” it added. Man-Yi was last spotted at 1,965 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas moving west-southwestward at 30 kilometers per hour (kph). The tropical storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. With Nonie Reyes, Rex Anthony Naval and PNA
The tropical storm may intensify into a severe tropical storm on Wednesday and reach the typhoon or super typhoon category by Thursday afternoon or evening, the weather bureau added.
NPC probing GCash glitch, but limited to data breach
THE National Privacy Commission (NPC) said it will still conduct an independent investigation on the alleged GCash unauthorized transactions despite the e-wallet app’s claim that there was no personal data breach.
NPC said it received an e-mail from GCash on November 11, 2024 at 12:35 in the afternoon, claiming that there was no data leakage or personal data breach involved associated with the recent incident involving alleged unauthorized transactions leading to lost funds of GCash user accounts.
Although GCash has stated that there was no “compromise” of customer credentials or data in the incident, the NPC said it will still conduct an independent investigation in line with its mandate “to administer and implement the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA).”
“This investigation will verify the absence of a personal data breach, ensuring transparency and accountability in the protection of GCash users’ personal information,” the country’s privacy body said in a statement on Wednesday. However, the NPC drew the line on the scope of its role in addressing this issue, saying, “The NPC emphasizes that its authority is focused on the protection of personal data, as defined under
the DPA.”
“For concerns related to the monetary aspect of these transactions, users are advised to direct their queries to the appropriate financial regulatory agency,” the country’s privacy rights watchdog pointed out.
“We urge individuals who may have been affected by this incident to reach out to the NPC through info@privacy.gov.ph and provide relevant information to assist with our investigation,” NPC said.
Last Saturday, GCash users voiced on social media concerns about unauthorized transfer of funds.
Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.), which touts itself as “an industry leader in providing digital financial services to Filipinos, issued a statement last Saturday saying that “a few” users were affected by “errors in an ongoing system reconciliation process” and called the incident “isolated.”
“We assure our customers that their accounts are safe. We have identified and reached out to affected accounts. Wallet adjustments are ongoing,” Mynt said as the public aired their complaints on social media platforms.
(See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/11/11/govtsteps-in-amid-public-backlashvs-gcash/ ) Andrea E. San Juan
OVP’s ₧733-M 2025 budget submitted for Senate approval
AFTER all the noise sparked by lawmakers’ queries on past use of its funds, the Office of the Vice President saw its proposed 2025 budget deemed submitted for approval on Wednesday, barely 30 minutes into the chamber’s hearing on the outlay.
Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa moved for its adoption, saying he would introduce amendments to the OVP budget at the proper time. No objections were raised by the Committee on Finance. Wednesday’s plenary deliberations proceeded quickly after no senator came forward to interpellate or raise questions on the P733-million budget proposed by the Senate Finance committee, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, for the OVP for the next fiscal year.
During the hearing, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go appealed to his colleagues to give additional funds for the OVP in the spirit of public service.
Retired
Go noted that from the original P2.026billion budget proposal for 2025, the OVP budget was slashed to P733-million.
“The reduction in the OVP’s budget will directly affect the OVP’s ability to deliver basic services to the people from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It’s as if we are removing an agency or an elected leader of the country of her capacity to serve,” said Go. Among the OVP’s programs that will be affected by the budget reduction are the Magnegosyo Ta ‘Day, medical, educational, and burial assistance program, and disaster response program.
Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, who appeared at the hearing, had earlier defended the OVP’s use of confidential funds for counterinsurgency campaigns, as well as her social amelioration programs – two mandates that critics had said would just duplicate the work of other agencies.
Butch Fernandez
auxiliary
bishop Teodoro Buhain dies at 87
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
RETIRED auxiliary bishop of the Manila Archdiocese Teodoro J. Buhain Jr. passed away on Wednesday, at the age of 87. In a Facebook post, the Archdiocese confirmed the death of Buhain at 11 a.m. at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City.
“With deep faith in the Risen Lord, we announce that our dear MOST REV. TEODORO J. BU -
HAIN has returned to the Father’s house today, 13 November 2024, at 11:00 in the morning at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center. Wake and funeral details will follow,” the statement read.
Buhain, who was ordained as a priest at the young age of 23, served the Archdiocese of Manila since 1960.
Known for his humility and commitment to faith, he rose to prominence in the Catholic
US bullish on trade ties with PHL–Commerce exec Lago
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
THE international trade arm of the United States is bullish on the trade ties between the US and the Philippines.
“Now, with this week’s Smart Cities trade mission, the Philippines becomes the only country in the world that in 2024 will have two high-level trade missions,” US Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago said at a briefing on Wednesday.
“I think that that is a testament to the strength and the potential for even further growth of our relationship and our commercial relationship,” added Lago.
The US Commerce official made this pronouncement during her trip to the Philippines for the US Department of Commerce’s “first ever” Smart Cities Trade Mission which followed the Presidential Trade and Investment Mission of US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in Manila last March.
“Some of you may recall that the companies that came along with Secretary Raimondo announced over a billion dollars worth of investments in the Philippines at that time,” she said.
In March, Raimondo announced the 22 American companies that flocked to the Philippines for a Trade mission are investing over a billion dollars into the country, to include creating educational opportunities for over 30 million Filipinos in the form of digital upskilling, artificial intelligence (AI) upskilling and digital training.
The 22-member US delegation included executives of the following companies: GreenFire Energy, Inc., Google Asia Pacific, Black & Veatch Corp., Visa Inc., President’s Export Council, EchoStar/ DISH, InnovationForce, United Airlines, United Parcel Service (UPS), Boston Consulting Group, KKR, Marquis, Sol-Go, Capital One Philippines, US-ASEAN Business Council, Bechtel, Apl.de.Ap Foundation International, FedEx, MasterCard, Microsoft Corp., and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp.
For the Smart Cities Trade Mission scheduled this week, Lago said she is spearheading a delegation of 12 “cutting edge” US companies that offer innovative technologies and solutions to help develop sustainable urban infrastructure across the Philippines.
“So these companies represent a broad swath of sectors, cyber
security, artificial intelligence, biometrics, engineering and construction and particularly important as I sit next to the Secretary of Transportation, rail,” the US Commerce official noted.
According to Lago, some of these companies are already present in the Philippines. However, she noted they see the opportunity to expand.
“Other companies on the trade mission are exploring opportunities in the Philippines’ dynamic market for the first time,” she added.
According to the US Embassy briefer for reporters, the United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, is organizing an Innovative Technologies for Urban Infrastructure Development Trade Mission to Manila and New Clark City in the Philippines from November 13 to 14; and to Jakarta and Denpasar in Indonesia from November 15 to 20.
“The objective of this mission is to support the implementation of ambitious digital transformation agendas that the Philippines and Indonesia are pursuing to develop urban technology infrastructure for the benefit of their communities,” the briefer noted.
The 12-member Trade Mission delegation includes these firms: cybersecurity firm AppCensus, global engineering and construction firm Bechtel, AI solutions firm Graphen Inc., technology venture firm Headway PM, rail company Holland L.P., telecommunications solution firm NGA 911, cybersecurity firm Resecurity, biometrics firm Roc.ai, AI firm SolisMatica, cybersecurity firm Trellix, digital identity firm UltraPass ID Corp., and smart city technology firm Varidx. Lago said two-way trade between the Philippines and United States reached over $22 billion in 2023.
Moreover, the US Commerce official said American firms are among the Philippines’s largest investors, private employers and taxpayers.
“US investment has generated millions of well-paying jobs for Filipinos, supporting families across the archipelago,” added Lago.
With these developments in the ties between the two nations, the US Commerce official said, “These businesses are bullish about even more trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines. That’s why I’m here this week.”
Growth in 2025 may fall short of targets–PIDS
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
THE economy’s growth next year may fall short of the government’s targets, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
In a discussion paper, a team led by PIDS Senior Research Fellow John Paolo R. Rivera estimated that the economy may post a GDP growth of 6.1 percent next year. The GDP target is 6.5 to 7.5 percent next year.
The paper also said that inflation may be higher than the government’s targets. PIDS estimates that inflation could be 3 to 4 percent next year, higher than the government’s 2-4 percent.
“This is anchored on the dynamics of various forces on the demand-side, particularly the expectations of easing inflation and policy rates that will reinforce both consumption and investment activities of the private
Church when he was appointed auxiliary bishop by the late Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin in 1983.
A month after his appointment, he was ordained to the episcopate—making him one of the youngest bishops at the age of 45.
In 2003, Buhain resigned from his post as a “personal choice” after Cardinal Sin retired. The decision came amid controversies.
For his niece Camille, the retired bishop was more than a religious leader—he was a cherished family member and role model.
“Bishop Ted, you have touched countless lives, mentored many priests, counseled so many. You have been more than a friend to most, but an absolute pillar of strength and wisdom for your family and friends,” Camille said in a statement.
“You will be truly missed by your brothers and sisters in Christ,” she added.
and public sectors,” PIDS said.
“Growth is also supported by enhanced household consumption driven by improving employment rates and steady inflow of remittances from abroad, and election spending in the first half of 2025,” it added.
PIDS said the national government’s spending for infrastructure development is also expected to continue.
The economists said it will be strengthened by the recovery of merchandise exports particularly electronic products, and the resiliency of services exports particularly tourism and BPO.
Meanwhile, higher oil prices, wages, transport fare, and power rate, as well as the depreciation of the PHP against the USD, will lead to higher inflation.
The country is a net food and oil importer. Food has a weight of 34.78 percent of the All income and 51.38 percent of bottom 30 percent households in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
“Food prices [are] the main
Dismissal of raps vs PhilHealth
THE Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed the dismissal of the administrative charges filed against three officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) who investigated and recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against some of the agency’s officials for their alleged involvement in anomalous release of P2.7 billion under the agency’s Interim Reimbursement Mechanism Policy.
In a 21-page decision penned by Associate Justice Fernand Lampas-Peralta, the CA’s Second Division held that there was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Ombudsman when it junked in 2022 the administrative complaint filed by former senior vice president for management sector of PhilHealth Renato Limsiaco Jr. against Alfredo B. Pineda II, Recto M. Panti and Claire Elaine I. Policarpio. Limsiaco charged the three PhilHealth officials with violation of Section 21(e) of Republic Act No. 1103 or the “Ease of Doing.
Business and Efficient Government Service
Delivery Act of 2018 and Gross Neglect of Duty, Grave Abuse of Authority and Oppression, and Conduct Unbecoming of a Public Official under R.A. No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
In his complaint-affidavit, Limsiaco claimed that the three persuaded the members of the PhilHealth Board of Directors to approve the filing of five separate formal charges against him in connection with the IRM funds, despite the fact that no preliminary investigation was conducted, nor was there a show-cause order issued against him. Pineda II is the Area Vice President for Office of the Vice President (OVP) Areas I and III and Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Fact-Finding and Preliminary Investigating Committee, while Panti is the Branch Manager for PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO)-National Capital Region. Policarpio is PhilHealth’s Special Investigator IV for PRO-National Capital
driver of high inflation due to the impacts of supply-chain constraints and disruptions to agricultural production due to natural calamities that hit the economy in 2024 (i.e., El Niño phenomenon, African Swine Flu [ASF], typhoons and flooding, volcanic eruptions),” PIDS added.
Nonetheless, PIDS said the recovery of the agricultural and production sectors, as well as timely arrival of imported rice slapped with lower tariffs, will help ease inflation.
Further, PIDS said, efforts to alleviate supply-chain constraints, and the improvement in the exchange rate will also lead to lower commodity prices.
“These may be hampered by the excessive increase in consumption spending due to holiday and election seasons, controlled exports of trading partners due to their internal constraints and deteriorating geopolitical threats along trade routes that disrupt the downtrend of inflation in the Philippines,”
execs upheld
Region (NCR).
On January 28, 2022, PhilHealth ad hoc committee formally charged petitioner with grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service in connection with the irregular release of IRM funds before the Ombudsman.
In his complaint-affidavit on May 11, 2022, Limsiaco alleged that respondents should be held administratively for their failure to act on his request for clarification of the charges against him as well as for copies of PhilHealth Board resolution approving the filing of formal charges and the fact-finding and preliminary investigation report dated November 22, 2021.
The respondents said in their joint counter-affidavit dated that the Ad Hoc Investigating committee’s “request for explanation” dated was, in essence, a “show-cause order” as it directed petitioner to explain himself and the transgressions filed against him by the top management of PhilHealth.
PIDS, however, said. Earlier, economic growth slowed to 5.2 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This is slower than the 6.4-percent growth in the second quarter and the 6 percent in the third quarter of last year.
This is the slowest growth of the Philippine economy since the 4.3- percent growth posted in the second quarter last year.
(See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2024/11/08/climaterisks-to-agri-infra-to-hurtgrowth/)
Balisacan said this placed the country’s GDP growth at 5.8 percent in the first three quarters of 2024—“slightly below” the government’s full year target of 6 percent this year.
He said the economy needs to grow by 6.5 percent to attain the government’s targets this year. But the government is confident that holiday spending, among others, will help boost the country’s economic performance.
Instead of submitting his explanation, the respondents said the petitioner challenged the validity of the investigation and the authority of private respondents as members of the Ad Hoc Investigating Committee. The respondents also invoked the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties in seeking the dismissal of Limsiaco’s complaint.
However, the Ombudsman dismissed Limsiaco’s complaint in a resolution on December 27, 2022 for lack of probable cause, prompting him to elevate the case before the CA. In upholding the Ombudsman’s ruling, the CA said Limsiaco failed to submit his explanation as directed by the ad hoc investigating committee. It also noted that the committee gave the petitioner an opportunity to answer the allegations against him but opted to detail and delay the proceedings by questioning the respondents’ authority.
“Verily, petitioner had been given ample opportunity to present his side of the case and submit an explanation on the merits of his defense, but he failed to do so,” the CA declared.
51.
52. LI, ZHENGJIAN Jr. Consultant
Brief
53. YAO, QIANG Jr. Consultant
Brief
54. ZHANG, YING Jr. Consultant
Brief Job Description: Support in overall internal communication plans & execution.
55. ZHAO, XIAOMEI Jr. Consultant
Brief Job Description: Support in overall internal communication plans & execution.
56. BHOPAL, MOHIT Research And Accounts Specialist
Brief Job Description: Support
client’s databases.
57. CHEN, ZHIQUAN Research And Accounts Specialist
Brief Job Description: Support the client’s relationship management process, including preparing presentations, coordinating meetings and maintaining client’s databases.
58. EGBUJOR, CHIBUIKE ANDERSON Research And Accounts Specialist
Brief Job Description: Support the client’s relationship management process, including preparing presentations, coordinating meetings and maintaining client’s databases.
59. GAMANDEEP SINGH Research And Accounts Specialist
Brief Job Description: Support the client’s relationship management process, including preparing presentations, coordinating meetings and maintaining client’s databases.
60. HANS, SIMARJEET SINGH Research And Accounts Specialist
Brief Job Description: Support the client’s relationship management process, including preparing presentations, coordinating meetings and maintaining client’s databases.
Brief
61.
99.
BusinessMirror
Brief
101. WANG, RONGRONG Sales Supervisor
Brief Job Description: Understand customer need, offer solutions and support and meet all the sales
KAONAVI, INC. PHILIPPINE BRANCH 37/f Lkg Tower, 6801 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati
102. NAKANO, TSUKASA Branch Chief
Brief Job Description: Oversee the operations of our Philippine branch, ensuring alignment with company goals and strategies while managing day-to-day activities.
LAU PHILEX FREIGHT FORWARDING CORP. Kabatuhan Road, Deparo, Barangay 168, City Of Caloocan
103. SWEETY International Freight Forwarding Manager
Brief Job Description: Prepare and process necessary documents shipping and customs documents.
104. HONG, QINGLIE Rates And Quotation Officer
Brief Job Description: Register costing into the system.
105. LIU, WENDE Rates And Quotation Officer Brief Job Description: Register costing into the system.
139.
Muntinlupa
140. CHAN ZI LING Marketing Officer
Brief
141. GONG, WANHONG Marketing Officer
Brief
142. ZHAO, YU Marketing Officer
Brief
SUMITOMO
143. TOKURA, KAZUKI Vice President
Brief Job Description: Generate profit for the bank by developing business opportunities with new and existing customers and fostering good and long-term relationships with customers.
TELENGTAN
Telengtan Km. 14,
Basic Qualification: Has at least 10 years of banking experience knowledgeable on corp. banking, has in-dept understanding banking products
• Editor: Angel R. Calso
Israeli airstrikes kill 46 people in Gaza Strip and 33 in Lebanon, amid escalating violence
By Wafaa Shurafa & Samy Magdy Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip— Israeli airstrikes killed at least 46 people in the Gaza Strip in the past day, including 11 at a makeshift cafeteria in an Israelideclared humanitarian zone, medics said. In Lebanon, warplanes struck Beirut’s southern suburbs and killed 33 people elsewhere in the country on Tuesday.
The latest bombardment came as the United States said it would not reduce its military support for Israel after a deadline passed for allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza. The State Department cited some progress, even as international aid groups said Israel had failed to meet the US demands.
In Lebanon, large explosions shook Beirut’s southern suburbs— an area known as Dahiyeh, where Hezbollah has a significant presence—soon after the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for 11 houses there. There was no immediate word on casualties. The Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, including command centers and weapons production sites, without providing evidence. Another Israeli strike on an apartment building east of Beirut killed at least six people. Wael Murtada said the destroyed home belonged to his uncle and that those inside had fled from the
Dahiyeh last month. He said three children were among the dead and other people were missing.
An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in central Lebanon killed 15 people, including eight women and four children, and wounded at least 12 others, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said. The strike came without warning, and state media said the building was sheltering displaced families. Israel has been carrying out intensified bombardment of Lebanon since late September, vowing to cripple Hezbollah and stop more than a year of cross-border fire by the Lebanese militant group.
A rocket exploded in a storage building in the northern Israeli town of Nahariya on Tuesday, killing two people, first responders said. Another two people were wounded by shrapnel in a separate impact outside the town.
A Hezbollah drone smashed into a nursery school near the northern Israeli city of Haifa on
Tuesday morning, but the children were inside a bomb shelter and there were no injuries. The impact scattered debris across the playground.
Israeli strikes across Gaza kill 46
AT the same time, Israel has continued its 13-month campaign in Gaza set off by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel.
An Israeli strike late Monday hit a makeshift cafeteria used by displaced people in Muwasi, the center of a “humanitarian zone” that Israel’s military declared earlier in the war.
At least 11 people were killed, including two children, according to officials at Nasser Hospital, where the casualties were taken.
Video from the scene showed men pulling bloodied wounded from among tables and chairs set up in the sand in an enclosure made of corrugated metal sheets.
A strike on a house in the northern town of Beit Hanoun killed 15 people on Tuesday, including relatives of Al Jazeera journalist
Hossam Shabat, who has been reporting from the north.
Mohamed Shabat and his wife Dima, both volunteer doctors at Kamal Adwan Hospital, were killed along with their daughter Eliaa, according to hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya.
Strikes in central and southern Gaza killed another 20 people, according to Palestinian medical officials.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes.
Under US pressure, Israel allows more aid into Gaza HOURS earlier, the Israeli military announced a small expansion of the humanitarian zone, where it has told Palestinians evacuating from other parts of Gaza to take refuge. Hundreds of thousands are sheltering in sprawling tent camps in and around Muwasi, a desolate area with few public services.
Israeli forces have also been besieging the northernmost part of Gaza since the beginning of October, battling Hamas fighters it
President-elect Trump announces key US national security team nominations
By Zeke Miller, Michelle L. Price & Jill Colvin
WThe Associated Press
EST PALM BEACH, Fla.—Presidentelect Donald Trump moved to build out his national security team Tuesday, announcing he is nominating Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary and former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to lead the Central Intelligence Agency.
In a flurry of announcements, Trump said he had chosen former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel and his longtime friend Steven Witkoff to be a special envoy to the Middle East. Trump also said he would nominate South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to run the Department of Homeland Security and named Bill McGinley, his Cabinet secretary in his first administration, as his White House counsel.
Trump is rolling out a steady stream of appointees and nominees for his upcoming administration, working thus far at a faster pace and without as much drama as his first transition following his 2016 victory. His selection of Hegseth, who lacks senior military or national security experience, was sure to draw questions about his qualifications to lead the department.
Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show.
If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises—ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and
escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea.
Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year, and has been outspoken about rooting out what he has called “woke-ness” in the military.
The book, according to its promo, combines “his own war experiences, tales of outrage, and an incisive look at how the chain of command got so kinked,” and bills itself as “the key to saving our warriors— and winning future wars.”
While the Pentagon is considered a key coveted post in any administration, the defense secretary was a tumultuous post during Trump’s first term. Five men held the job during his four years only to resign, be fired or serve briefly as a stopgap. Just two of them were actually confirmed by the Senate.
Trump’s relationship with his civilian and military leaders during those years was fraught with tension, confusion and frustration, as they struggled to temper or even simply interpret presidential tweets and pronouncements that blindsided them with abrupt policy decisions they weren’t prepared to explain or defend. Many of the generals who worked in his first administration—both on active duty and retired—have slammed him as unfit to serve in the Oval Office and he has condemned them in return.
Hegseth was an infantry captain in the Army National Guard and served overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was formerly head of the Concerned Veterans for America, a group backed by conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch, and he unsuccessfully ran for the Senate in Minnesota in 2012.
He also championed the case of four former Blackwater contractors convicted in
a 2007 shooting rampage in Baghdad that killed more than a dozen Iraqi civilians. They were pardoned by Trump in one of his final acts in office.
“With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice—Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down,” Trump said in a statement. “Nobody fights harder for the Troops, and Pete will be a courageous and patriotic champion of our ‘Peace through Strength’ policy.”
Hegseth has “an excellent background as a junior officer but does not have the senior national security experience that secretaries need,” said Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “I think Trump was tired of fighting with his secretaries of defense and picked one who would be loyal to him.” Cancian said the lack of experience might make it more difficult for Hegseth to get through Senate confirmation.
Noem is a well-known conservative and former member of Congress who used her two terms leading a state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. She was considered a potential presidential contender herself, but declined to challenge Trump. She instead launched an overt pitch to be selected vice president but lost that nod when Trump chose JD Vance as his running mate.
If confirmed, Noem would head an agency that is at the center of Trump’s sweeping immigration plans and his campaign vow to carry out mass deportations of immigrants in the United States illegally. There are an estimated 11 million people in the country illegally.
The Department of Homeland Security is a sprawling agency of 260,000 employees created in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks with a vast area of responsibility. It was patched together from 22 various agencies
with the weighty task of preventing future attacks and is the subject of constant suggestions that it is too unwieldy and should be broken up.
Ratcliffe, a former Republican congressman from Texas, served as director of national intelligence for the final months of Trump’s first term, leading the US government’s spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. He is a more traditional pick for the role, which requires Senate confirmation, than some rumored loyalists pushed by some of Trump’s supporters.
Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel, and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align US foreign policy more closely with Israel’s interests as it wages wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Witkoff is a Florida real estate investor who is serving as a chair of Trump’s inaugural committee. He also spent time in the world of New York real estate, where Trump first made his mark as a public figure.
As intelligence director, Ratcliffe was criticized by Democrats for declassifying in the final days of the 2020 presidential election Russian intelligence alleging damaging information about Democrats during the 2016 race even though he acknowledged it might not be true.
Ratcliffe’s visibility rose as he emerged in 2019 as an ardent defender of Trump during the House’s first impeachment proceedings against him. He was a member of Trump’s impeachment advisory team and strenuously questioned witnesses during the impeachment hearings.
says regrouped there.
With virtually no food or aid allowed in for more than a month, the siege has raised fears of famine among the tens of thousands of Palestinians believed to still be sheltering there.
The United States gave Israel a 30-day deadline—that expired this week—to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling on it to allow at least 350 truckloads to enter each day, among other things.
So far, Israel has fallen short. In October, 57 trucks a day entered Gaza on average, and 75 a day so far in November, according to Israel’s official figures. The United Nations puts the number lower, at 39 trucks daily since the beginning of October.
Israel has announced a flurry of measures in recent days to increase aid, including opening a new crossing into central Gaza and some small deliveries of food and water to the north. But so far the impact is unclear.
More forced evacuations in isolated northern Gaza
THE military announced Tuesday that four soldiers were killed in Jabaliya, bringing to 24 the number of soldiers killed in the assault there since it began.
Palestinian health officials say hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, though the true numbers are unknown as rescue workers are unable to reach buildings destroyed in strikes. Israel has ordered residents in the area to evacuate. But the UN has estimated some 70,000 people remain.
Many Palestinians there fear Israel aims to permanently depopulate the area to more easily keep control of it. On Tuesday, witnesses told The Associated Press that Is -
raeli troops had encircled at least three schools in Beit Hanoun, forcing hundreds of displaced people sheltering inside to leave.
Drones blared announcements demanding people move south to Gaza City, said Mahmoud alKafarnah, speaking from one of the schools as sounds of gunfire could be heard. “The tanks are outside,” he said. “We don’t know where to go.”
Hashim Afanah, sheltering with at least 20 other people in his family home, said the forces were evicting people from houses and shelters.
The UN’s top humanitarian official, Joyce Msuya, told the Security Council on Tuesday that “acts reminiscent of the gravest international crimes” are being committed in Gaza. “The daily cruelty we see in Gaza seems to have no limits,” she said, pointing to recent developments in Beit Hanoun. Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities that do not distinguish between civilians and militants in their count but say more than half the dead are women and children. Israel says it targets Hamas militants who hide among civilians.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250 as hostages. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, about a third of them believed to be dead.
Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem, Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Bassem Mroue and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report.
US prohibits airlines from flying to Haiti and UN suspends flights after planes were shot by gangs
By Evens Sanon & Megan Janetsky
The Associated Press
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—The Federal Aviation Administration prohibited US airlines from flying to Haiti for 30 days after gangs shot three planes and the United Nations also Tuesday temporarily suspended flights to Port-au-Prince, limiting humanitarian aid coming into the country.
Bullets hit a Spirit Airlines plane when it was about to land in the capital Monday, injuring a flight attendant and forcing the airport to shut down. Photos and videos obtained by The Associated Press show bullet holes dotting the interior of a plane.
On Tuesday, JetBlue and American Airlines announced that post flight inspections found their planes also had been shot Monday while departing Port-au-Prince. American suspended flights to the capital until Feb. 12.
The shootings were part of a wave of violence that erupted as the country plagued by gang violence swore in its new prime minister after a politically tumultuous process.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the agency documented 20 armed clashes and more roadblocks affecting humanitarian operation during the violence Monday.
The Port-au-Prince airport will remain closed until November 18, and Dujarric said the UN will divert flights to the country’s second airport in the northern, more peaceful, city of Cap Haïtien.
Slashed access to the epicenter of the violence, Port-au-Prince, is likely to be devastating as gangs choking the life out of the capital have pushed Haiti to the brink
of famine. Dujarric warned that cutting off flights would mean “limiting the flow of humanitarian aid and humanitarian personnel into the country.”
Already, a convoy of 20 trucks filled with food and medical supplies in the south had been postponed and an operation providing cash assistance to a thousand people in the Carrefour area where violence broke out had to be canceled.
“We are doing all we can to ensure the continuation of operations amidst this challenging environment,” he said. “We call for an end to the escalating violence, to allow for safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access.”
On Tuesday, life in much of Haiti’s capital was frozen after the wave of violence. Heavily armed police in armored cars outside the airport
World fails to cut emissions: Carbon pollution rises, putting 1.5°C target further out of reach
By Seth Borenstein Ap Science Writer
BAKU, Azerbaijan—Even as Earth sets new heat records, humanity this year is pumping 330 million tons (300 million metric tons) more carbon dioxide into the air by burning fossil fuels than it did last year.
This year the world is on track to put 41.2 billion tons (37.4 billion metric tons) of the main heat-trapping gas into the atmosphere. It’s a 0.8 percent increase from 2023, according to Global Carbon Project, a group of scientists who track emissions. Several United Nations reports say the globe must cut emissions by 42 percent by 2030 to possibly limit warming to an internationally agreed-upon threshold. This year’s pollution increase isn’t quite as large as last year’s 1.4 percent jump, scientists said while presenting the data at the United Nations climate talks in Azerbaijan.
If the world continues burning fossil fuels at today’s level, it has six years before passing 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, the limit agreed to at the 2015 climate talks in Paris, said study coauthor Stephen Sitch. The Earth is already at 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 Fahrenheit), according to the United Nations. “We clearly are not doing enough on a global scale to reduce emissions. It’s as simple as that,” said study co-author Mike O’Sullivan, a University of Exeter climate scientist. “We need to massively increase ambition and actually just think outside the box
of how we can change things, not be so tied to fossil fuel interests.’’
Scientists used reported emissions from rich countries and oil industry data, O’Sullivan said. The 2024 figure includes projections for the last couple months or so. The Global Carbon Project team released figures for the four biggest carbon emitters—China, the United States, India and Europe. It also produced more detailed and final figures for about
200 countries for 2023.
The continued rise in carbon emissions is mostly from the developing world and China. Many analysts had been hoping that China—by far the world’s biggest annual carbon polluting nation with 32 percent of the emissions— would have peaked its carbon dioxide emissions by now. Instead China’s emissions rose 0.2 percent from 2023, with coal pollution up 0.3 percent, Global Carbon Project
Indonesia and Australia hold joint military drills after signing new defense agreement
By Trisnadi & Niniek Karmini
The Associated Press
SITUBONDO, Indonesia—The Indonesian and Australian militaries began joint combat drills off Indonesia’s main island of Java on Wednesday with about 2,000 troops training in air, maritime, amphibious and land operations.
They’ll participate in a live-fire exercise near Banongan beach of East Java’s Situbondo district with tanks, artillery, infantry and attack helicopters, a joint landing operation and a non-combat evacuation used for a disaster.
The four-day Keris Woomera 2024 exercise highlighted the cooperation between the countries strengthened by the recent signing of the Australia-Indonesia Defense Cooperation Agreement.
Although Indonesia is often presented as one of Australia’s most important neighbors and strategic allies, the relationship has fluctuated.
Recent disagreements include allegations that Australia had wiretapped private phone calls of a past Indonesian president, Indonesia’s use of capital punishment on Australian drug smugglers, and the smuggling of migrants.
“This joint exercise aimed to strengthening the partnership between Indonesia and Australia as we are building trust and to
President Luis Abinader in the Dominican Republic, which shares a border with Haiti, was the first leader on the island to condemn the violence, describing the shooting a “terrorist act”. On Tuesday, a transitional council established in April to restore democratic order to Haiti also condemned the violence. “This cowardly crime, which threatens
a maneuver during an Indonesia-Australia joint amphibious landing exercise on Banongan Beach, Situbondo, Indonesia on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. AP/TRISNADI
increase capabilities and interoperability,” said Lt. Col. Empri Airudin, who lead the Indonesian delegation. “It can also be regarded as a way of maintaining security and stability in the region.”
The exercise is also part of IndoPacific Endeavour 2024, Australia’s largest international engagement activity in the region, taking place in Australia and Indonesia, Commander of the Australian Amphibious Task Force Captain Chris Doherty told reporters.
“This bilateral exercise will test all facets of the Australian Amphibious Task Force, and allow all
Haiti’s sovereignty and security, aims to isolate our country on the international stage. The perpetrators of these heinous acts will be hunted down and brought to justice,” the council wrote in a statement. The council has taken sharp criticism from many in Haiti who contend that its political fights and corruption allegations against three members created the political instability, allowing gangs to make violent power grabs like the one seen Monday. That came to a head over the weekend, when it fired former interim Prime Minister Garry Conille—long at odds with the coun -
its components to work effectively together as a cohesive team with our Indonesian partners,” he said, adding that the KW24 could provide the troops of the two nations with the ability to rapidly deploy forces in response to a range of missions.
Analysts consider Indonesia’s defense a priority of new President Prabowo Subianto. He wants to expand his military by buying submarines, frigates and fighter jets and wants to initiate more defense cooperation with various countries.
Indonesia has held military
cil. They replaced him with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who was inaugurated Monday surrounded by suit-clad officials and diplomats while gangs terrorized the capital around them. Neither Fils-Aimé or Conille have commented on the wave of violence.
Conille originally called the council’s move illegal, but on Tuesday acknowledged Fils-Aimé’s appointment in a post on the social media platform X.
“(I) wish him success in fulfilling this mission. At this crucial moment, unity and solidarity are essential for our country. Long
exercises with other countries, including the Russian navy on Nov. 4 in Indonesia’s East Java seas, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brought renewed concerns over China’s assertiveness in the IndoPacific.
Last month, Indonesia said its patrol ships drove away a Chinese coast guard ship that disrupted a survey being undertaken by a state-owned energy company in a part of the South China Sea disputed by both countries.
China has rapidly expanded its military and has become increasingly assertive in pursuing territorial claims in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety. The tensions have led to more frequent confrontations, primarily with the Philippines and Vietnam, though the longtime territorial disputes also involve Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Taiwan.
However, during Subianto’s first overseas visit as Indonesia’s new leader to Beijing during weekend, he called for collaboration rather than confrontation with China after the signing of $10 billion in new deals at a business forum before departing to the US on Sunday. He and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to hold a firstever joint meeting of their foreign and defense ministers in 2025.
Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.
live Haiti!” he wrote. Fils-Aimé promised to work with international partners to restore peace and hold long awaited elections, a vow also made by his predecessor.
But many Haitians, like 43-year-old Martha Jean-Pierre, have little taste for the political fighting, which experts say only gives gangs more freedom to continue expanding their control.
Jean-Pierre was among those to brave the streets of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday to sell the plantains, carrots, cabbage and potatoes she carried in a basket on her head. She had no choice, she said—selling was
calculated. But it could drop to zero in the next two months and is “basically flat,” O’Sullivan said.
That’s nothing close to the increase in India, which at 8 percent of the globe’s carbon pollution is third-largest carbon emitter. India’s carbon pollution jumped 4.6 percent in 2024, the scientists said.
Carbon emissions dropped in both the United States and the European Union. They fell 0.6 percent in the US mostly from reduced coal, oil and cement use. The US was responsible for 13 percent of the globe’s carbon dioxide in 2024. Historically, it’s responsible for 21 percent of the world’s emissions since 1950, a figure that matters since the gas persists in the atmosphere for centuries.
Twenty-two nations have shown steady decreases in emissions, O’Sullivan said, singling out the United States as one of those. The biggest emission drops from 2014 to 2023 were in the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and Ukraine.
Europe, which accounts for 7 percent of the world’s carbon pollution, saw its carbon dioxide output drop 3.8 percent from last year—driven by a big cut in coal emissions.
Global carbon emissions are well more than double what they were 50 years ago and 50 percent than they were in 1999. Emissions have gone up about 6 percent in the past decade.
“This is a needed reminder of the urgency with which we need to address the cause of the climate crisis,” said PowerShift Africa founder Mohamed Adow, who wasn’t part of the study. “The problem is the fossil fuel industry is kicking and screaming for us to slow down and to keep them in business for longer. That’s why they poured money into Donald Trump’s election campaign.” Carbon dioxide from humanity’s burning of coal, oil and natural gas amounts to 2.6 million pounds (nearly 1.2 million kilograms) of the heat-trapping gas every second.
Total carbon emissions—which include fossil fuel pollution and land use changes such as deforestation—are basically flat because land emissions are declining, the scientists said. That’s an important and encouraging milestone amid bad news, said University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann.
Biden’s APEC trip overshadowed by Trump’s win and China’s growing Latin America clout
By Isabel Debre & David Biller The Associated Press
LIMA, Peru—If things had gone differently last week, US President Joe Biden could have arrived at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru on Thursday projecting confidence and pledging his successor’s cooperation with eager Latin American partners. No longer.
Just as in 2016, the last time that Peru’s capital Lima hosted APEC, Donald Trump’s election victory has pulled the rug out from under a lame-duck Democrat at the highprofile summit attended by over a dozen world leaders.
The renewed prospect of Trump’s “America First” doctrine hampers Biden’s ability to reinforce the United States’ profile on his first presidential trip to South America, experts say, leaving China and its leader, Xi Jinping, to grab the limelight in America’s proverbial backyard.
President Xi’s first order of business in Peru is inaugurating a $1.3 billion megaport that will put China’s regional influence on stark display. Total investment is expected to top $3.5 billion over the next decade.
“This isn’t the way the US had hoped to participate in the summit,” said Margaret Myers, the director of the China and Latin America program at the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington policy group. “All eyes are going to be on the port, what Xi says about it and how he articulates relations across the Pacific.”
With the US seemingly headed back toward isolationism under Trump, “China will be seen as the alternative,” Myers added.
Sitting 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Lima, the Chancay megaport—once a serene fishing village—is perhaps the clearest sign of Latin America’s reorientation. The Chinese shipping and logistics
the only way she could feed her children. “What good is a new prime minister if there’s no security, if I can’t move freely and sell my goods?” she said, nodding to her basket of vegetables. “This is my bank account. This is what my family depend on.” It was a frustration that concerned international players like the UN and the US that have pushed for a peaceful resolution in Haiti. On Tuesday, the US State Department lamented that Conille and the council “were unable to move forward in a
giant Cosco holds a 60 percent stake in the project it developed with Peruvian partner, Volcan.
“With this port, we’re looking at the entire Pacific coast, from the United States and Canada all the way to Chile,” Peruvian Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer told The Associated Press in his office on Monday. “The shipping business is being transformed.” Peruvian Economy Minister José Arista said in June during a visit to China that the country’s neighbors—Brazil, Colombia, Chile—are “making constant trips to and from to see how they can modify their supply chain to use this port,” which will cut shipping time to Beijing by 10 days. China’s trade with the region ballooned 35-fold from 2000 to 2022, reaching nearly $500 billion, according to data from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Most of the region’s exports came from South America, and were concentrated in five products: soybeans, copper and iron ore, oil and copper cathodes.
At the same time, China’s diplomatic engagement in the region has become more effective, with Xi visiting 11 Latin American countries since becoming president, according to Xinhua, China’s main state news agency. Brazil, host of the G20 summit, and Peru will bestow the rare honor of a full state visit to Xi this month, but not to Biden. The misguided notion that Latin America must choose between its two largest trading partners is “a strategic defeat” for the US, said Eric Farnsworth, vice president at the Washington-based Council of the Americas.
“The idea that China is somehow a better partner is increasingly being heard around the region and think Xi wants to solidify that and amplify that,” Farnsworth said.
The Associated Press writer Franklin Briceño contributed to this report.
manner” and called on Fils-Aimé and the council to provide a clear action plan outlining a joint vision on how to decrease violence and pave the path for elections to be held to “prevent further gridlock.” “The acute and immediate needs of the Haitian people mandate that the transitional government prioritize governance over the competing personal interests of political actors,” it wrote in a statement.
Associated Press journalist David Koenig contributed to this report from Dallas and Edith Lederer contributed from the United Nations.
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
Group to SRA: Hasten inspection of sugar mills
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (Unifed) is urging the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to fasttrack the inspection of mills after the group’s members reported lower sugar yield.
Unifed President Manuel Lamata said he “questions the integrity of mills” due to the “doubtful results” related to the sugar yield of a 50-kilo bag per ton of cane (LKGTC) from the group’s members.
“We have had truckloads of canes which reportedly have zero LKGTC
as extracted by the mills which makes us suspect that something strange is going on,” he said in a statement.
In the past, he said sugar groups were allowed to send their chemists to the mills to check the accuracy of their extractions. This practice, La-
Marcos greenlights DOST farm mechanization program
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
RESIDENT Ferdinand
PR. Marcos Jr. approved on Wednesday the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) program which will prioritize the distribution of farm machines produced in the Philippines.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement that Marcos convened with Science and Technology Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. in a sectoral meeting in Malacañan Palace last November 13.
Solidum sought approval for DOST’s program dubbed “Local Manufacturing Capabilities to Support Agri-Mechanization.” The president expressed confidence that the Department of Agriculture (DA) will support it.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has given his backing to the DOST program. He said, however, that there is a need to identify the machines that will be prioritized and to ensure that these will meet quality standards.
“For one thing, it’s (locallyproduced machineries) cheaper. For sure, it’s always cheaper than the imported. We get to that point where it is always cheaper than the imported. We now have to scale it,” Marcos Jr. said during the meeting.
“Some of these things I see it already, ’yung pinamimigay
natin. [The ones we distribute.] ’Yung mga iba [The others]—especially the towed machines that we use for harvesting, for tilling, nakikita na natin ang iba [we can see the others already].”
For his part, Solidum said shifting to local production of machines from importation would benefit the farm sector and strengthen the manufacturing sector.
The Science chief noted the significant role of the agriculture sector in the country’s economy and its direct impact on food security and livelihood.
“Mechanization is a key driver for improving efficiency and reducing cost in farming. The DA recognizes the need for mechanization. It has been providing farm implements to farmers and cooperatives, particularly through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund,” Solidum said.
“With our limited resources and capabilities, we need to strengthen the agri-machineries sector. Supporting homegrown agri-machinery can lead to more efficient farming practices, increase productivity and, of course, have more employment for our people.”
Marcos directed the DOST, DA and other research institutes to ensure the research and development aspects of the mechanization drive and its smooth implementation.
mata said, has been discontinued. While the long drought would have a negative effect on LKGTC,
Lamata said “the results so far have been suspect and we urge the SRA to ensure that mill equipment are
calibrated so as not to shortchange our sugar farmers.”
Unifed said SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona ordered the creation of inspection teams last November 4 to conduct “random inspections focusing on analyzing samples’ sucrose content, Brix and apparent purity” after receiving complaints from farmers of very low to zero LKGTC results since they started milling last month.
According to Unifed, the average sugar yield in the past stood at 1.7 LKGTC but this has gone down to 1.44 LKGTC since the start of the milling season.
The low sugar content of canes was cited by the DA as one of the reasons for its decision to delay the Philippines’s importation of sugar until May 2025. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2024/11/11/phl-delays-sugar-imports-till-may-da-rules-
out-need/)
Azcona said the current harvest season started slowly, with total cane volume reaching only a third of the amount harvested around the same period in the last crop year due to lower sugar content per MT of cane because of El Niño.
“Farmers had to delay their harvests to allow the cane to mature further and increase sugar content.”
According to the DA, the prolonged dry spells brought by El Niño resulted in the cane being physiologically immature. This caused the sugar content of a ton of cane to decline by 16 percent and constrained output despite the expansion in harvest areas.
Citing SRA data, the agency said the area planted for sugar cane this year rose slightly to 389,461 hectares from 388,378 hectares the previous crop year.
Pakistan targeting to export more rice to PHL–envoy
ISLAMABAD is pushing a deal that will allow Pakistan, one of the world’s largest rice exporters, to increase its shipments of the staple to the Philippines.
Pakistani Ambassador to the Philippines Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi noted that Pakistan is the third largest exporter of rice to the country after Vietnam and Thailand. Kazi said, however, that Pakistan accounts for only less than 6 percent of the Philippines’s total imports. He said his country is capable of exporting as much as 1 million metric tons (MMT) of rice to the Philippines.
“We want to increase that share, provided we can also provide the stable, good supply of rice. And that depends on mutual conditions for each other, which means that the
Philippines should guarantee us that they want this much rice every year.”
Kazi said Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce had floated the proposal for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Manila last year, which would guarantee the volume of rice that would enter the Philippines.
The Pakistani envoy also expressed concern over the Philippines’s rice tariff regime. He noted the changes in the country’s rice tariff, which has been slashed to 15 percent.
“Our exporter wants to have stability and certainty about the quantity as well as tariff. Once it is done, we have the options to convert our sugarcane and cotton fields back to rice, just especially
for Philippines.”
Kazi said Pakistan would have a bumper rice crop of 11 MMT by yearend of which two-thirds will be exported.
“We have other markets also, but the Philippines is one of the important markets. So if there is any chance, we would love to have more of our rice coming in.”
Data from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) showed that imported rice arrivals have reached 3.89 MMT as of November 7.
Of the volume that arrived in the Philippines, BPI data showed that over 3 MMT came from Vietnam, which maintained its status as the country’s top source of imports. Thailand was the second-largest supplier as it accounted for 497,465.78 MT.
This was followed by Pakistan with 178,179.48 MT, which surpassed its total shipments of 99,280.71 MT to the Philippines last year. The Philippines’s rice imports this year could reach 5 million metric tons (MMT), according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The report noted a surge in shipments from Vietnam as the country grappled with the impact of El Niño and storms. According to the international agency, the Philippines is importing record amounts due to a combination of population growth and reduced import tariffs.
“Thus far in 2024, the Philippines relied on Vietnam for more than 80 percent of imports,” the USDA added. Ada Pelonia
DA evaluates rules on transporting chicken, hogs
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is reviewing existing rules on the transport of chicken and hogs to ease supply challenges and prevent the spike of prices this holiday season.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the review of existing regulations would be carried out in consultation with industry groups, particularly the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI).
“This extensive review of regulations, including DA Administrative Order (AO) No. 5, Series of 2019, aims to ease supply bottlenecks for chicken and
pork without compromising food safety. It will also help manage expected demand spikes during the holiday season,” Laurel said in a statement.
AO 5 set, guidelines for the local transport of animals, animal products, and byproducts to protect public health and combat animal health threats. The regulations impose strict timelines for obtaining transport permits and set special requirements for specific animals and products.
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is also reviewing DA Administrative Circular (AC) 2, Series of 2022, which modified the National Zoning and Movement Plan to
French farmers protest EU-Mercosur deal
PARIS —French farmers protested Tuesday against a trade deal that would increase agricultural imports from South America, saying it hurt their livelihoods.
The European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, composed of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, reached an initial agreement in 2019, but negotiations stumbled due to opposition from farmers, and some European governments, leading to sweeping rallies where they particularly expressed worry about the use of pesticides in South American produce.
Tuesday’s protest in Aurillac, in southern France, was the start of a fresh wave expected to spread among the European agricultural community amid concern that the deal could be finalized at the G20
summit in Brazil on November 1819 despite the French minister of agriculture, Annie Genevard, saying it was “highly unlikely.”
A group of more than 600 French lawmakers also published an open letter in Le Monde, telling the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the conditions for adopting an agreement with the Mercosur bloc “have not been met.”
Last week, French protesters blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort, while on Monday, the Copa-Cogeca European farmers’ group sent a letter to von der Leyen, urging her to reject the Mercosur deal and adopt “a coherent trade policy” Meanwhile, France’s three biggest farming unions have vowed action: The FNSEA, France’s
largest, has called for nationwide protests once the winter sowing season ends in mid-November. Coordination Rurale has promised “an agricultural revolt” starting on November 19 in Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, while the Confédération Paysanne, the third-largest union, known for its anti-globalization stance, is also planning its move against “free trade agreements.”
Farmers in Belgium have also called for demonstrations close to the EU headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday.
European farmers’ apprehensions stem from what they say are the too-strict EU environmental regulations they follow while the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South
America which are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, according to Véronique Le Floc’h, the president of Coordination Rurale, France’s secondlargest farmers’ union.
“The anger hasn’t gone away. It’s still there, and, in fact, our worries have grown,” said Le Floc’h whose organization has been linked to France’s far-right party National Rally. “If the Mercosur agreement is signed, it will spell the end of our agriculture,” she said.
Genevard, the agriculture minister, reiterated the government’s opposition to the deal on Tuesday.
In an interview with TF1, she said: “We don’t want this agreement because it’s harmful. It will bring in products, including substances banned in Europe, at the cost of deforestation. It will unfairly
control African Swine Fever (ASF).
The deadly hog disease has devastated the swine industry since its outbreak in 2019.
The DA said it is collaborating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make ASF vaccines commercially available in the country. The agency earlier started the government-controlled vaccination of pigs to curb the spike in ASF cases.
“We aim to streamline these processes and update safety measures to ensure stable supply and reasonable prices for pork, poultry, and other products, while safeguarding both public health and the livestock industry,” Laurel said.
The DA said the review is part of its 10-point agenda to strike a balance between development and regulation. It added that it is considering a multi-billion-peso investment to improve quarantine facilities, enhance monitoring and inspection capabilities, and establish regional laboratories.
The agency noted that the retail prices of chicken in Metro Manila markets stood at P140 to P220 per kilo while pork kasim and pork liempo ranged from P270 to P360 per kilo and P310 to P400 per kilo, respectively.
compete with our domestic production.”
But Le Floc’h was not convinced.
“When the minister says the agreement won’t be signed, she’s either naive or thinks we are,” she said. “Why should we believe her when so many countries are in favor of it?”
In March, French President Emmanuel Macron called the deal “terrible” and “outdated.” Negotiations began on June 28, 1999, but have taken a long, torturous path since.
Macron opposes any agreement as long as South American producers fail to adhere to the same environmental and health standards as Europeans. The Associated Press
BLOOMBERG NEWS
Ada Pelonia
GENDARMES with armored vehicles face farmers and their tractors blocking a highway, Wednesday, January 31, 2024 in Chilly-Mazarin, south of Paris. AP/CHRISTOPHE ENA, FILE
Empowering MSMEs: Government supply chain as pathway to export readiness
ThE recent push for Filipino entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Tatak Pinoy Act, which gives priority to domestic companies as government suppliers, presents a crucial chance for economic expansion and enhancing export capabilities. This initiative could enable local businesses to scale up, improve operational efficiency, and gain experience navigating complex supply chain requirements. Integrating Filipino enterprises into government supply chains could strengthen their competitiveness and position them for greater success in international markets. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Entreps told: Supply govt its needs under Tatak Pinoy Act,” November 11, 2024).
Joel Rodriguez, OIC-vice president for international trading services of the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC), says the Tatak Pinoy Act not only prioritizes local businesses in government procurement but also lays a foundation for these entrepreneurs to establish a strong domestic market presence before venturing into exports.
The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) underscores the significance of leveraging government contracts as a stepping-stone for local businesses. The government, with its vast procurement budget, offers a reliable market for entrepreneurs. By prioritizing local suppliers, the Tatak Pinoy Act reinforces the notion that supporting domestic industries is crucial for sustainable development.
Rodriguez’s emphasis on the importance of a solid track record in the local market cannot be overstated. For Filipino exporters, proving their reliability and quality domestically will enhance their appeal to international buyers, who often seek assurance of a supplier’s capabilities.
The Tatak Pinoy Act, signed into law earlier this year, aims to empower Filipino industries to produce high-value and sophisticated goods. This legislative support is vital in an increasingly competitive global market. The focus on developing products that meet international standards aligns with the global trend of buyers preferring diverse, smaller quantities from multiple sources rather than bulk purchases. This shift presents an opportunity for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to cater to niche markets and establish their brand on a global scale.
Moreover, the emphasis on sustainability and innovative design in product offerings positions Filipino entrepreneurs advantageously in the export market. As global consumers become more environmentally conscious, the demand for natural and sustainable products is rising. Local businesses must leverage this trend to differentiate their offerings and capture international interest.
Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Executive Director Leah P. Ocampo reminds us that the journey to successful exporting begins at home. MSMEs must first establish a strong foothold in the domestic market, utilizing it as a training ground for expansion. The Philippine market, with its vast consumer base, provides ample opportunity for enterprises to refine their products, optimize their supply chains, and build brand loyalty before taking the leap into international trade.
As the country grapples with a widening trade deficit, focusing on nurturing local industries is not just beneficial—it is essential. By bolstering the domestic economy through government procurement and supporting local manufacturers, the country can create a more self-sustaining economic model that reduces reliance on foreign imports and enhances export potential.The call to action from Philexport and PITC serves as a critical reminder of the interconnectedness of local and global markets. Filipino entrepreneurs must embrace the opportunities presented by the government’s procurement policies, not just as a means to immediate profit but also as a strategic foundation for future growth in the export arena.
The potential is vast; now is the time for our entrepreneurs to seize the moment and embark on a journey toward global markets, starting from their own backyard.
Trump’s foreign policy team
OOUTSIDE THE BOX
n Tuesday I wrote that “The immediate concerns for the Philippines, and for most of the world, is not related to the uS domestic policies or even potential changes in American global economic policies but the geopolitical issues of the ukraine war, war in the Middle East, and Chinese saber-rattling in Asia.” Further, “Too often geopolitics comes down to face-to-face meetings.”
However, in terms of foreign relations, policy is created and implemented by a team that advises the President and handles the heavy lifting required for its application. No president makes the decisions in his or her own vacuum.
George W. Bush’s chief advisors were Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, and Vice President Dick Cheney during the US-led Nato invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Dick Cheney was also George H. W. Bush’s Secretary of Defense during the 1990-1991 Gulf War.
What Trump does about the Ukraine war, the war in the Middle East, and China will come from the output of his foreign policy team. Added to the mix is the domestic and
Cto 36. E-mail: news.businessmirror@gmail.com www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com Printed by brown
Valley
KM-15, South Superhighway, Parañaque, Metro Manila
international question surrounding the influx of undocumented individuals crossing the US southern border with Mexico.
Selected as the “Border Czar” is 62-year-old Thomas Douglas Homan, a veteran law enforcement professional who began his career as a small-town police officer. In 1984, he became a Border Patrol agent and later rose through the ranks to become the Executive Associate Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a position to which he was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2013. In 2015, President Obama gave him a Presidential Rank Award as a Distinguished Executive.
Homan believes that anyone crossing the border without coming into the country through a port of entry
By Naomi Tajitsu & Anchalee Worrachate
urr EnCy strategists are ripping up forecasts for the euro in the wake of the uS election and coming up with a new call: a slide toward parity with the dollar.
At least 10 banks—including Barclays Plc, Deutsche Bank AG and Nomura International Plc.—have slashed their calls in the past week, a turnaround from recent months when many were lifting the outlook for the common currency.
Pictet Wealth Management is among those calling for a 6 percent drop to parity. And bets in the options market show traders wagering against the euro as a favorite way to play the outlook for Donald Trump’s presidency. The changing landscape in the currency market follows anticipation that global trade restrictions could become a key pillar of Trump’s economic policy when he returns to the White House next year. That’s been prompting investors to dump the euro—it’s already down nearly 3 percent since his victory to near this year’s low—as tariffs would hurt Europe’s export industries at a time of political uncertainty in its
major economies. “This is the worst-case scenario you can think of for the euro,” said Mark McCormick, the global head of FX and EM strategy at TD Securities, who expects the euro to fall to $1.03 by the time Trump takes office in January. Parity “is absolutely in play” after that, he said.
While market sentiment already turned against the euro last month as betting markets favored a Trump win, the scale of his victory—putting Republicans on the brink of full control in Washington—means there’s more chance of his tariff policy plans being implemented. This “Red Wave scenario” increases the risks of getting to euro parity, McCormick said.
Others now see a heavy hit for the common currency. Mizuho International Plc expects $1.01 by March, while ING Groep NV forecasts it will reach that level by early 2026. The Dutch bank was among those issuing the biggest downgrade—it
should be treated as any other criminal. By 2014, Homan began arguing that separating children from their parents would be an effective means of discouraging illegal border crossings. His rationale is, “If you are arrested for drunk driving and have your children in the car, you will be separated from your children upon arrest.”
The National Security Advisor serves as the principal advisor to the US president on all national security issues. Under the National Security Act of 1947, the job is to coordinate defense, foreign affairs, international economic policy, and intelligence information directly to the president.
Michael George Glen Waltz, born in 1974, has a degree in international studies from the Virginia Military Institute, is an American politician, a 26-year combat-decorated Green Beret still serving as a colonel in the US Army National Guard, and is a US congressman.
Waltz initially backed Ukraine but in 2024 voted against multiple bills to aid Ukraine. He is considered a hawk on China who called for boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing in part due to China’s ongoing mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. He has been a stalwart supporter of Israel.
For the critical job of Secretary of State, son of Cuban immigrants Senator Marco Antonio Rubio (age 53) has been selected. Rubio recently said that the Ukraine conflict has
previously saw $1.10.
Overall, analysts tracked by Bloomberg forecast $1.09 for next year, sharply down from $1.13 before the election. The options market is also signaling more weakness for the euro.
Data from the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. show that around €2 billion was wagered last month on vanilla options for the euro falling to $1 next year.
Bets for a weaker euro by hedge funds and other leveraged investors were already hovering around their biggest in around three years in the run-up to last week’s vote, according to the latest Commodity Futures Trading Commission data, and positions are likely to have ballooned since then.
Even for Wall Street banks that haven’t revised their forecasts, parity is a possibility and several have recommended selling the euro. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. sees the risk of the common currency trading below the dollar in the case of Trump imposing global tariffs as well as US tax cuts.
reached a stalemate and “needs to be brought to a conclusion”. He has taken a firm stance as a foreign policy hawk, advocating tough positions on China and Iran, while also expressing strong support for Israel. Finally, the new US ambassador to the United Nations is a 40-yearold five-term Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. She opposed Trump’s 2017 executive order imposing a temporary ban on travel and immigration to the United States by nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries and criticized Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, saying it was “misguided” and “harms the ongoing effort to fight climate change.” Stefanik has already made a name for herself as a staunch Israel defender in Congress, as well as a Trump ally on securing the southern border and her commitment to “peace through strength.” She has also shifted her stance on Ukraine, voting against a proposal to allocate $60.8 billion for aid to Ukraine in April. Additionally, she has shown support for Taiwan and has sponsored bills aimed at addressing issues related to China. Most of Trump’s team is in place. Now we wait to see what develops next year.
E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.
Ahead of the vote, Trump pledged to slap 60 percent tariffs on all goods coming in from China and 10 percent to 20 percent tariffs on imports from other countries.
The economic hit from tariffs to Europe would also mean the European Central Bank is likely to cut interest rates faster than the Federal Reserve in the US, where pro-growth policies could boost inflation and slow easing.
“Euro-dollar could trade through $1.05 and head towards parity assuming the red sweep is confirmed,” JPMorgan Chase & Co. currency strategists led by Meera Chandan wrote. They see the currency facing a double whammy of pressure from tariffs and negative sentiment in Europe. Germany narrowly avoided a recession and its government just collapsed, while there’s still political risk in France after its snap election this year. Some are not convinced that the euro will fall as far as parity. Amundi SA points out that the market is already heavily tilted in favor of a weaker euro.
“A strong dollar, yes, but not that far,” said Andreas Koenig, head of global currency management at the asset management company. “Too many already have the position and therefore it’s not going that fast.” w ith assistance from Vassilis Karamanis/ bloomberg
Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Founder
Since 2005 ✝
John Mangun
Wall Street sees dollar soaring more, but splits on how much
By Ruth Carson, Alice Atkins & Anya Andrianova
The US dollar’s rally is gaining momentum alongside Donald Trump’s threat of sweeping tariffs, leaving currency strategists in agreement it has further to rise while war-gaming just how far it will go.
The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose on Tuesday to its highest since November 2022, sending the euro to its lowest mark in a year as foreignexchange peers came under pressure. The yen and Canadian dollar also weakened toward key psychological levels.
“We see a good chance of substantial dollar strength through next calendar year and potentially into 2026 as well,” said Helen Given, a foreign-exchange trader at Monex.
“A Trump administration changes the calculus on forecasting in a very material way as domestic policy points to a big spending spree and international policy is likely to be quite protectionist.”
Across Wall Street, strategists have united behind calls for a stronger dollar in the days since Trump’s reelection and as the House of Representatives moves closer to joining the Senate in being controlled by Republicans.
With tariffs seen as fanning inflation and hurting foreign economies, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Citigroup Inc. all expect the greenback to keep advancing from current levels, according to recent strategy notes.
Just how much it advances in the $7.5 trillion-a-day currency market may ultimately depend on how much Trump turns his campaign trail rhetoric on tariffs into action once in the White House and whether he himself embraces a rising exchange rate.
“Uncertainty remains very high and the key takeaway is that it is now all about the scale and speed of policy shifts,” said George Saravelos, global head of FX Research at Deutsche Bank AG. “If the Trump agenda is implemented in full force, and quickly, without a countervailing policy response from Europe or China, we could see EUR/USD drop through parity to 0.95 cents or even below.”
To JPMorgan, the sentiment shock around Trump’s win is enough to boost the greenback, even with no official tariff announcement. While the dollar’s path is unlikely to be a straight line given the lack of visibility about the timing of Trump’s policies, JPMorgan strategists led by Meera Chandan see the gauge of the greenback strengthening as much as 7% in coming months. That will send the euro toward parity with the greenback and the yuan nearing 7.40 per dollar.
“The election outcome amplifies the US dollar exceptionalism,” the strategists wrote. “No other currency has what the dollar has: superior growth and equities, higher yield, defensive attributes.” Goldman strategists including Kamakshya Trivedi said it’s the policy proposals that will fuel the currency. Although the dollar strength is far from guaranteed, even with protectionist measures on the table, the magnitude of additional gains may vary depending on counter-stimulative measures from other countries.
Strategists at Barclays Plc and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. are similarly wagering little can get in the way of sustained dollar rally. They argue that on top of Trump’s policy agenda, economic momentum has also shifted back in the greenback’s favor, with traders paring bets on the extent of the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cutting cycle after officials avoided clear guidance on the timing and speed of additional reductions.
“At the moment, it’s very difficult to make an argument against the dollar,” said Andreas Koenig, head of currency management at Amundi, who increased his long US dollar position after last week’s vote. “The
Embracing impact materiality is a necessity for measuring
‘MJust how much it advances in the $7.5 trillion-a-day currency market may ultimately depend on how much Trump turns his campaign trail rhetoric on tariffs into action once in the White House and whether he himself embraces a rising exchange rate.
result of this election seems to be positive for the US and for the dollar, and negative for all other countries, especially Europe.”
Kit Juckes, the head of currency strategy at Societe Generale, expects the dollar will peak this quarter in the run-up to Trump’s inauguration but likely remain in a high range next year.
“It’s hard for the mood to be more dollar positive than it is today,” he said in an interview. “At the moment, Trump won and that’s very positive for the dollar, but we’re not even in the first half of the game.”
Standard Bank’s Steve Barrow, meanwhile, noted Trump introduced tariffs during his first presidency, yet the dollar ended up declining.
“Whatever strength in the dollar we see now will likely dissipate over the long haul,” Barrow said in a report. “Trump’s first term saw the dollar finish some 10 percent lower than when he came into office and we think that 10 percent is likely to be the minimum we will see between January 2025 and January 2029.”
Commerzbank AG’s Ulrich Leuchtmann even sees the risk of Trump eventually intervening to weaken the world’s reserve currency.
For the moment, the euro has emerged as one of the most vulnerable currencies to the dollar’s strength, given the region’s export reliance, exposure to China and already anemic economic growth. Several banks have slashed their forecasts for the common currency since the US election, with many seeing a risk of a slide toward parity against the dollar next year.
The dollar’s strength is weighing on developing-nation currencies, too, with an MSCI gauge falling for a third day on Tuesday to the lowest level since August—and just 0.3 percent away from erasing year-todate gains.
All 23 emerging-market currencies tracked by Bloomberg have weakened since Trump was elected president, with the South African rand and Hungarian forint among the worst performers. Since November 5, Mexico’s peso has slid 2.2 percent to 20.6 per dollar, the weakest since mid-2022. Wells Fargo strategists are recommending investors to go long the dollar against the peso. All the weakness across foreignexchange markets so far bodes well for the dollar. Options trading and the latest positioning data suggest traders also are betting on further gains in the US currency, with bullish sentiment on the greenback over the next year the strongest since early July.
Hedge funds added to their net long dollar exposure in the run-up to the election, according to Commodity Futures Trading Commission data. To Citi, such strong positioning is a reason to buy any dips on the dollar to express a bullish view, rather than chasing the rally.
“The baseline for the US is strong growth and a less dovish Fed, implying dollar strength that Trump adds to,” said Skylar Montgomery Koning, a currency strategist at Barclays Plc in New York. “The direction of travel for a stronger dollar is clear, the extent of strength will depend on actual policy delivery.” With assistance from Vassilis Karamanis, Naomi Tajitsu, Carter Johnson, George Lei and Zijia Song /Bloomberg
financial resilience
By Peter Paul van de Wijs
anaging impacts makes good business sense.” You might have heard similar statements before. CeOs of the largest asset management institutions—though they have become quieter recently—have emphasized that traditional reporting no longer fully captures all the risks and opportunities businesses face, in the medium and long term.
Many investors have come to understand that companies that care about issues such as climate, water use, the circular economy, and employee welfare will provide a better return on investment. To achieve higher returns, investors must commit to responsible stewardship, act in good faith, and recognize that issues such as modern slavery, environmental degradation or resource scarcity, and the associated social unrest, are not only ethically unacceptable but also present significant financial risks.
Despite the emergence of the “anti-ESG” movement in recent years, particularly in the USA, it is fair to say that the classic view of the role of business—to provide goods and services while maximizing profits for its shareholders, with sustainability and profitability deemed as incompatible—is coming under pressure around the world. While this perspective might not entirely deny, for ex-
aample, that climate change can affect businesses, it clings to self-regulation as the only way to enhance investor choices and corporate actions. It also fails to recognize that financial risks, including those driven by environmental stress or social harm, are no longer separate concepts. Understanding a company’s sustainability impacts is now essential to financial decision-making in the markets. After all, these impacts can be seen as early indicators of financial risks. Even if not financially material at the time of reporting, most, if not all, of the impacts of an organization’s activities and business relationships on the economy, environment and society will eventually become financially material.
Investors clinging to a traditional viewpoint may resist change but will ultimately be confronted by the consequences of global warming and end up with a portfolio of stranded
By Yui Hasebe
ShOrTage of students willing to work at bars, restaurants or karaoke joints in the busy year-end season—even as pay rises—is a conundrum Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru ishiba must address to shore up his leadership.
While Ishiba managed to stay on as premier in a parliamentary vote on Monday, the chances he’ll remain at the helm of his minority government in the longer term will partly depend on his ability to deliver policies including an economic package. His Liberal Democratic Party-led coalition will need the backing of at least one opposition party.
In exchange, his most likely opposition ally is pushing to raise a ¥1.03 million ($6,700) threshold for paying income tax. The ceiling discourages part-timers, including students, from working toward the year-end, making it a hot-button issue among younger voters who turned their backs on Ishiba’s LDP in the general election.
“Even if minimum pay rates are raised, it’s meaningless if the ceiling isn’t changed,” said Shoei Soga, a college senior living in Tokyo, who works part-time at a clinic in the capital.
His monthly pay sometimes reaches ¥170,000 ($1,115), putting him on course to hit the tax threshold. Exceeding that limit means parents of students lose entitlement to a ¥650,000 tax break. Soga says he’s been told by his parents to stay under the tax ceiling.
The tax deduction for dependents between 19 and 22 years of age is a strong incentive for students to limit their earnings, according to Ayako Kondo, professor at Institute of Social Science at the University of Tokyo. Many businesses struggle with staff shortages—in December, there were 3.19 jobs available to every job seeker in customer-facing roles, with data from the labor ministry showing the market tightening toward year-end.
For the students, staying below the ceiling means a maximum monthly income of around ¥80,000 ($526.6).
assets, reputational damage and diminishing returns. This holds true even in areas where sustainability issues are more widely supported. A recent analysis by the European Central Bank climate targets among major financial institutions, exposing them to heightened transition risks and reputational vulnerabilities.
Although a cursory glance at the financial newspapers might suggest differently, market participants are increasingly, and publicly, recognizing that measuring and disclosing financial risks in isolation is insufficient for navigating the complexities of today’s economic landscape.
In fact, investors should demand that companies collect and share their ESG data with the same rigor as they collect and share financial data. That way investors can access the full overview of a company’s performance and make well-informed decisions. Demanding this from the large, listed companies will have a positive ripple effect throughout the value chains.
We observe this ripple effect also extending to financial markets, where improved sustainability reporting affects the issuance of green, blue, social, and sustainability-linked bonds, and investors increasingly favoring companies with
strong sustainability performance. The successful move to sustainability practices throughout the value chain is conditioned on the accurate and proportionate assessment of these practices by all involved. Investors and companies alike require mandatory corporate reporting to make available standardized, globally applicable and decision-useful data. The integration of impact data collected through the GRI Standards alongside financial data using IFRS Sustainability Standards can significantly enhance the global comparability of sustainability-related disclosures for investors and other stakeholders. This becomes even more critical when considering the interoperability of such data with European frameworks. The time has come for investors to also press regulators around the world to adopt this increasingly harmonized corporate reporting system and avoid the complexities and inconsistencies that can arise from fragmented reporting approaches.
Peter Paul is the Chief Policy Officer of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), with responsibility for driving the adoption of the GRI Standards into rules and regulations set by (national) policymakers and capital markets around the world. He has over 20 years of professional experience in public policy, communications and sustainability.
As war grinds on, Ukrainians donate less to their military College kids and karaoke may be key to Japan’s Ishiba staying on
By Volodymyr Verbianyi & Aliaksandr Kudrytski
PRIvATE donations to Ukraine’s military effort have plummeted, an indication that Ukrainians’ readiness to contribute to defense is waning as the war-torn nation looks warily to the future after Donald Trump’s reelection.
In 2022, donations to a charity run by Ukrainian T v celebrity Serhiy Prytula were so abundant that it could buy a satellite for defense ministry. But this year he sees the opposite trend: Ukrainians have become thriftier in financing the military effort, reflecting rising economic challenges and war fatigue.
“To raise the same amount of donations we have to work three times as hard as in previous years,” Prytula told Bloomberg News.
The turnabout couldn’t have come at the worst time for Ukraine. The mood across the country has deteriorated with Russian advances, an unpopular conscription campaign and rolling blackouts. Fears that Trump will make good on threats to cut military aid, or force Kyiv into an unfavorable peace deal have made
the outlook even gloomier.
Prytula’s charity is one of Ukraine’s many private volunteer organizations that raise money from donors for the country’s self-defense against Russia’s invasion. Four of these charities, including two of Ukraine’s largest, reported that donations fell notably this year.
Prytula’s outfit reported a drop in donations of around a fifth. Other organizations helping the army saw even bigger declines.
The charities raise just a fraction of Ukraine’s military needs—this year Prytula’s collected 1.4 billion hryvnia ($34 million), a sum dwarfed by Ukraine’s military budget of more than $50 billion. Still, donations remain an effective source of support, supplementing state funds even if Ukraine’s military capacities depend on robust foreign assistance. The money raised by volunteers helps to cover individual requests from soldiers for everything from clothes to cars and reconnaissance drones, filling supply gaps faster and without red tape.
The drop has volunteers worried. Ukraine’s largest military charity— the Come Back Alive Foundation—
That covers less of their outlays as inflation pushes up living costs, especially for students who aren’t living at home. The ¥1.03 million level is one of many ceilings that kick in as income rises. Health insurance and some public pension contributions kick in from ¥1.06 million, while wider social security payments start at the ¥1.3 million mark.
Ishiba touched on the need to look at these ceilings in a briefing on Monday. A draft of his economic package seen Tuesday by Bloomberg shows that the government intends to take some action to relieve the problem, while a poll published by the Yomiuri newspaper Tuesday found 78 percent of respondents were in favor of the move.
Yuichiro Tamaki’s Democratic Party for the People has demanded the change in return for support for some of Ishiba’s policies. While the DPP only has 28 seats out of 465 in Japan’s lower house, its presence quadrupled in last month’s election as younger voters propelled the party from the fringes to make it the key swing vote in parliament.
Tamaki argues that the tax thresh-
faced a decline in contributions of around 15 percent, according to public data. Prytula cites economic struggles including the hardship of life during power outages as possible reasons for the falling sums. “This summer, during blackouts, the need to donate competed with the need to buy a generator,” he said.
While over half of all Ukrainians said they continued to donate to the army, more than a third said they scaled back their transfers since last year, according to an August survey by the Kyiv-based Ilko Kucheriv Foundation and the Razumkov Center.
Reactive Post, another non-governmental organization, told Bloomberg that its donations this year declined by more than 40 percent compared to the same period in 2023.
Most donors today are those who contributed previously, according to the charity’s founder, Pavlo Narozhnyi. Army SOS, which raises funds for defense software for military units, has recorded a tenfold decrease in donations from last year, volunteer Hanna Morozova said.
Accustomed to war MOROzOvA preferred not to de -
old should be raised to ¥1.78 million to align it with the increase in the minimum wage since the last revision in 1995. He has said this would help relieve a chronic labor shortage that is exacerbated at the year-end while stimulating the economy through extra business, economic growth and by extension more tax receipts.
The Finance Ministry says the move would initially chop ¥8 trillion off the nation’s annual tax receipts. That’s equivalent to more than 10 percent of total tax revenue for a deeply indebted government that is still looking for ways to pay for extra defense and child support spending.
Ishiba will need to strike a deal that maintains DPP support, without creating a gaping hole in the country’s finances.
In the meantime, students and their families will be watching closely to see if they can consider working through the year-end in future.
“Karaoke venues are closing their doors when they could be making money at the end of the year because they can’t hire people,” the DPP’s Tamaki said last week in an interview with Bloomberg. “I think that’s a wasted opportunity.” Bloomberg
scribe Ukrainians’ mood as “fatigue.” Those who donate less or stopped donating, she said, have become “accustomed” to the war, seeing it as something fought far from their daily lives.
As more Ukrainians have joined the army, their family and friends have become more pragmatic in how they donate, Morozova said. Many send aid directly rather than via organizations such as volunteer charities.
Still, the donations are vital to many niches that aren’t filled by the state, according to Oleh Karpenko, the deputy chairman of Come Back Alive.
“Donations are declining, and this is a problem,” Karpenko said in a television interview on Friday. Ukraine’s military confirmed the trend. “Fundraising is progressing very slowly,” Iryna Shevchenko, a spokeswoman for a Ukrainian army battalion currently serving in the Donetsk region, said. The army’s best year for donations was that of the full-scale invasion—and has steadily decreased since, she said. With assistance from Daryna Krasnolutska / Bloomberg
2nd Front Page
DOE to Maharlika: Develop financing schemes for nuke
ENERGY Secretary Raphael Lotilla said his office has asked the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) to develop financing mechanisms to help the country achieve its nuclear power goals.
“So we have asked the Maharlika to study the costing and what fi nancing mechanisms might be available and that’s why, as I emphasized this morning, we would like to fi nd out also from our partners who are here how to raise the fi nancing in such a way that the upfront cost in building nuclear power plants will not be shouldered alone by the current generation of Filipinos,” said Lotilla at the Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF) forum held in Quezon City.
Key energy specialists from the United States, Canada, France, South Korea, and Japan are attending the three-day forum to discuss
various technologies and regulatory frameworks as the Philippines explores the potential of nuclear energy.
PINSCF 2024 will feature presentations, expert-led discussions, and networking opportunities, providing a platform for international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Under the Philippine Nuclear Energy Program 2024-2050, the fi rst nuclear power plants in the country will be operational by 2032, with an initial capacity of 1,200 MW, expanding to 2,400 MW by 2035 and reaching 4,800 MW by 2050.
Lotilla said there are energy
US defense chief Austin due in Mla; trade official Lago starts 4-day visit
@maloutalosig
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III is set to visit the Philippines starting Monday to further strengthen bilateral defense relationship, amidst uncertainties pose by the election of former President Donald Trump to the White House. Austin will depart the US this week for a four-country swing, to “modernize” US alliances and partnerships for a “free and open IndoPacific region.” is is Austin’s 12th official visit to the region and his fourth visit to the Philippines, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said. Austin will fi rst stop at Darwin, Australia where he will engage with US Marines from the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin.
After his trip to Australia, he will visit to the Philippines to “advance security objectives with Philippine leaders.” He will also meet with US and Philippine forces.
From the Philippines, Austin will go to Laos to attend the Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus and Asean-US Informal Meeting on November 21. Ryder said Austin will “reaffi rm the US commitment to ASEAN centrality” as well as identify future areas of cooperation with regional counterparts. From Laos, the US defense chief will return to Pacific region for his fi rst visit to Fiji. US Commerce o cial visit
MEANWHILE, US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago is in the Philippines for a four-day visit. Lago arrived in Manila November 12 to “strengthen US-Philippine economic ties and promote investment opportunities as part of a US smart cities trade mission to the region.” She will also visit Clark to promote USinvestment in infrastructure projects within the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC).
Lago witnessed a key deal signing between trade mission participant UltraPass ID Corporation
and the Philippine Department of Transportation. During her visit in Manila, she met Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go and highlighted the US “support for accelerating investments in high-impact infrastructure projects like rail and clean energy.”
She also met Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary of the Regional Operations Group at the Blesila Lantayona, and Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Paul Joseph V. Mercado.
Lago also met business leaders, women entrepreneurs, stakeholders to “explore avenues for expanding bilateral trade and investment, with a particular focus on digital technology, infrastructure, civil nuclear cooperation, and empowering women entrepreneurs.”
She delivered remarks at a reception for US companies attending a civil nuclear suppliers forum, fostering connections to drive innovation in the energy sector.
Lago also met with leaders at the Asian Development Bank to explore fi nancing and investment opportunities in the Philippines and the broader region.
experts in the MIC who can help in the fi nancing aspect of nuclear power.
“Because Maharlika has people who are studying fi nancing in the energy sector. We have requested them to do the studies on how to fi nance because as the President pointed out, this is one area which needs to be studied further by the Philippines...what are the modes of fi nancing available and how to go about fi nancing,” added Lotilla.
e MIC manages and invests in the Maharlika Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund which government will use to invest in a wide range of outlets such as foreign currencies, fi xed-income instruments, domestic and foreign corporate bonds, commercial real estate, and infrastructure projects, among others.
According to DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino, MIC may also decide to invest in nuclear power projects.
“ e charter of Maharlika is to make investments, and they’ve been really looking at the power sector in particular. You’ve heard them take an interest in the National Grid Corporation of the
Philippines. eir charter is development. We leave it up to the sound judgment of Maharlika whether they come in at whatever stake. So what they are looking at, we’ll be providing them the information from this event and from all of the things that we are doing so that they can make an informed decision on to what extent, if ever they will invest in nuclear. I wouldn’t be surprised if it makes sense to them, the returns are there, they would go and invest in nuclear,” said Aquino.
Grant to PNSF
DURING the forum, EōS Organization, a multinational integrated renewables company, said it will extend a grant worth P192 million to the Philippine Nuclear Science Foundation (PNSF) for the purpose of advancing nuclear research in the Philippines and producing the next generation of Philippine nuclear energy experts.
EōS and the PNSF are in discussions with the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), two leading Philippine national universities, and EōS’ US technology
THE Philippines has secured another million-dollar loan from the World Bank to help the government push forward the country’s digital transformation.
In a statement, the World Bank said it approved a $750 million Second Digital Transformation Development Policy Loan for the Philippines.
e loan will help the government’s efforts to transform the country’s digital sector, including through enhanced connectivity, digitalization, a dynamic innovation ecosystem, and private sector partnerships.
“Digitalization is a transformative force that can drive productivity-led growth and enhance the efficiency of critical services such as transport, healthcare, education, energy, and agriculture in the Philippines,” said Zafer Mustafaoğlu, World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.
“By leveraging digital platforms, the country can bridge gaps in service delivery, make sure that individuals and fi rms have access to affordable fi nancial services and digital solutions that meet their needs, and build resilience against future crises and shocks,” he added.
e World Bank said the loan
aims to help the government lower barriers to entry and investment in the broadband sector, promoting competition and improving connectivity. It will also support government agencies to adapt to a dynamic legal and regulatory environment, boosting efficiency and transparency through digital technologies.
e Washington-based lender also said the loan will expand financial inclusion by promoting secure digital fi nancial services, enhancing transparency and customer protection, and improving payment infrastructure.
Further, the loan will help improve trust in e-commerce, expand logistics, create jobs in digital services, and enhance the Philippines’s competitiveness in the digital sector.
“Financial inclusion and digitally enabled services are vital for the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises, which employ over 60 percent of the total workforce in the country,” said Mustafaoğlu.
“Greater access to digital financial services enables such businesses to adopt innovative technologies and automation, thereby boosting their competitiveness and contribution to the
Passenger
@andreasanjuan
EW YORK-BASED digital identity and cybersecurity
donors, and the private sector. Based on country demand, MDBs will build on successful examples to support the launch of new platforms, while deepening collaboration with partners including the International Monetary Fund. The statement was issued by the African Development Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Council of Europe Development Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The list of MDBs include the European Investment Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, the New Development Bank, and the World Bank Group.
fi rm UltraPass Identity Corporation has inked a deal with Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) which aims to enhance airport operations in the Philippines by implementing a biometric system for passenger processing at airports.
“ is memorandum of agreement with Ultra pass for passenger biometrics processing marks a significant step in our push for digitalization in the aviation sector,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said at a briefi ng organized by the US Embassy on Wednesday.
“Just as we are picking up speed in the privatization of regional airports, following the recent turnover of the country’s main gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to a private concessionaire, this technical upgrade in passenger processing at airports will fully usher in more innovations that we can implement at airports nationwide,” Bautista said.
e Philippines’ Transportation chief said the biometric system provides not only convenient passenger processing but also enhances security protocols.
Moreover, Bautista underscored that embedded biometric data in passports will allow passengers to “breeze” through check-in, security and boarding gates.
“We are grateful to the US gov-
UltraPass deal
ernment represented today by Miss Marisa Lago, Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade, for this airport operational enhancement; this innovation would certainly prove helpful at promoting trade, travel and tourism between our countries in pursuit of Ms. Lagos’ official mandate,” added the Philippines’ Transportation chief.
For his part, Eric Starr, UltraPass ID CEO, said this partnership can “elevate” Philippine aviation to global standards.
“UltraPass is proud to bring this technology here to the Philippines, supporting DOTr in building an airport experience that meets and even exceeds global standards,” said Starr. rough the pilot program of
this system, Starr said, “We will showcase how digital identity verification can reduce processing time, improve security and create a touchless, efficient airport experience.”
Bautista told reporters the government aims to conduct pilot testing for the passenger biometrics processing system at the Iloilo airport by early next year, running for the fi rst three months of 2025.
“Early next year ito. For three months [the pilot test will run]. We will start with Iloilo. So one airport initially and then we can extend the test to the other airports such as Tacloban, Laoag,” the Transportation chief noted.
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
Bloomberry income plunges on high depreciation costs
By VG Cabuag @villygc
BloomBerry resorts Corp., the operator of Solaire casino, said its income in January to September fell 58 percent to P3.5 billion from the previous year’s P8.3 billion, mainly on high depreciation costs from the operations of its Quezon City facility.
Net revenues for the 9-month period rose 6 percent to P38.5 billion from the previous year’s P36.5 billion. Gross gaming revenues were almost flat at P45.5 billion compared with the previous year’s P44.5 billion.
“As we started to record higher depreciation costs and interest expenses related to the commencement of Solaire Resort North’s operations, we reported a net loss in the July to September quarter of 2024,” said e nrique K. Razon Jr., Bloomberry chairman and C e O.
“The business environment remains challenging in e ntertainment City as gaming volumes declined. h owever, the gaming volumes generated by our Quezon City property more than offset this weakness resulting in a 22-percent year-over-year increase in our total Philippine gaming revenues for the quarter. After its first full quarter of operations, we believe that Solaire North’s ramp-up is still on pace.”
Bloomberry recorded a net loss of P470.2 million during the third quarter, a reversal of the P1.9-bil -
lion net income last year. The net loss was a result of significantly higher depreciation and amortization, and interest expense associated with Solaire North.
Net revenue in the third quarter reached P13.8 billion, an increase of 26 percent from P10.9 billion last year.
Bloomberry’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the third quarter reached P16.3 billion, an increase of 22 percent from P13.3 billion last year.
The increase was mainly due to GGR contributed by Solaire North. The mass market segment continues to outperform the VIP business as the combined performance of mass table games and electronic gaming machines across two properties increased by 37 percent and 15 percent in the third quarter and in the nine-month period, respectively, it said.
Non-gaming revenue in the third quarter reached P2.7 billion, an increase of 22 percent from P2.3 billion last year. In January to September, non-gaming revenue was P7.4 billion, higher by 15 percent year-on-year.
For the third quarter, total GGR at Solaire in entertainment City was P12.6 billion, a decline of 5 percent from P13.3 billion last year.
The GGR was negatively impacted by lower volumes across VIP, mass tables and electronic gaming machine ( eGM) segments.
The VIP rolling chip volume was P109.8 billion, representing a decline of 25 percent. The VIP hold rate was 3.3 percent against 2.76 percent last year.
The VIP GGR reached P3.6 billion, or 10 percent lower than the P4 billion posted in the third quarter of 2023.
Meanwhile, mass table drop amounted to P10.5 billion, representing a decline of 24 percent from last year. The mass table hold rate was 42.6 percent, compared to 29.8 percent in the same period last year. Mass table GGR was P4.5 billion, higher by 9 percent compared to P4.1 billion last year.
The eGM coin-in fell 7 percent to P85 billion, while the hold rate was at 5.3 percent compared to 5.6 percent last year. Its GGR was P4.5 billion, lower by 13 percent compared to P5.1 billion last year.
Core units lift Ayala profit in Jan-Sept
Ay A l A Corp. on Wednesday said its attributable net income rose 5 percent in the nine months of the year to P33.96 billion from P32.31 billion recorded in the same period in 2023. Core income, meanwhile, went up by 19 percent to P36.7 billion during the period, anchored by its banking, property development, telecommunications and energy units.
Revenues for the period, meanwhile, grew 9 percent to P268.45 billion from the previous year’s P245.38 billion.
“Ayala’s growth is being sustained by the strong performances of our core businesses. We continue to manage our younger businesses to get them to sustainable trajectories in the near-term. We strive to build a simpler, more collaborative and
Naia cites surge in Undas traffic
The New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), on Wednesday reported robust operational performance during the recent Undas peak travel period. Between October 29 and November 4, Naia saw a significant surge in passenger traffic, handling a total of 932,405 travelers and 5,627 flights—record volumes not seen in the last four years.
Despite the surge in numbers, NNIC’s operational performance was notably strong, with an ontime performance (OTP) rate of 87.99 percent for arriving flights, surpassing the industry standard of around 80 percent.
According to the company, this is “its first major test since taking over management of the airport last September 14.”
“The achievement highlights Naia’s effectiveness in managing incoming aircraft flow, and providing a smooth arrival experience for passengers,” NNIC said. Lorenz S. Marasigan
G Summit holdings Inc., the hold-
Jing firm of the Gokongwei Group., said its attributable net income went up by 16 percent to P17.9 billion from the previous year’s P15.37 billion, despite high inflation.
Revenues rose 10 percent to P277 billion from the previous year’s P251.33 billion, due to an increasing demand for travel and leisure activities, a higher preference for value food and beverage products and increased utilization rates in petrochemical plants.
“While the overall macro environment is expected to rebound with the easing inflation, most of our businesses are still affected by the weaker consumer sentiment that has dampened demand for products and services,” l ance y. Gokongwei, the company’s president and CeO, said.
“We are seeing the propensity of consumers towards value food and beverage products, the seasonally weaker quarter for travel and the prolonged industry downcycle for petrochemicals impacting our latest results. We, however, expect a better fourth quarter to finish the year on a good footing. This will also establish a stronger base as we pursue initiatives to sequentially drive better topline growth and margins across our operating units.”
rections and high-priced inventories and reduced average fares from Cebu Air Inc. to stimulate demand during the typical lean period in Philippine aviation.
Unfavorable global market conditions continued to prevail for JGSOC, undermining the larger volumes it saw from last year, the company said. Net losses for the nine-month period widened to P11.4 billion, it said.
“Meanwhile, focusing on controllable variables, its transformation initiatives continue to support the business amidst the global oversupply. Among these include using targeted account management to serve key customers, being more selective with its export markets, fortifying governance over its pricing process, and launching best-in-class reliability programs,” the company said.
more connected Ayala,” Ayala President and CeO Cezar P. Consing said. Bank of the Philippine Islands posted a record-high net income of P48 billion, up 24 percent yearon-year due to sustained growth in loans, fee income and net interest margin expansion.
Ayala l and Inc. had a net income growth of 15 percent to P21.2 billion on resilient residential demand and consumer activity.
Globe Telecom Inc.’s attributable net income was up 7 percent to P20.75 billion from the previous year’s P19.29 billion as the company posted record service revenues complemented by lower expenses. This was boosted by stronger contributions from the operator of GCash Globe Fintech Innovation Inc. ACeN Corp.’s reported net in-
come accelerated 24 percent yearon-year to P8.1 billion, driven by higher attributable renewable energy generation and a strong net selling merchant position in the Philippine Wholesale electricity Spot Market.
AC energy and Infrastructure (AC eIC), the parent company of ACeN, registered a core net income of P8.7 billion, up 21 percent as the strong performance of ACeN, growth in net financing income, and forex gains offset lower contributions from its thermal assets. Including one-off items, AC eIC’s net income was flat at P10.2 billion. Meanwhile, AC health’s net loss widened to P417 million mainly due to costs related to the ramp up of the cancer hospital. Revenues grew 11 percent to P6.9 billion, the company said.
The provider group, which comprises clinics and hospitals, saw a revenue growth of 25 percent, above the industry growth of 12 percent.
Meanwhile, the pharma group, made up of retail and principal operations, registered a 1-percent revenue growth against an industry decline of 4 percent.
AC Industrials narrowed its net loss to P5.1 billion from P6.1 billion due to lower impairments. Core net loss, which excludes all one-off items, widened to P921 million from P808 million because of softer demand in Integrated Micro-electronics Inc., higher costs from tax assessments, unfavorable forex and start-up costs in ACMobility, as well as closure costs in the two-wheel segment, that includes Gogoro. VG Cabuag
Vivant profit drops sans one-time gain
CBy Lenie Lectura @llectura
eBU-BASeD energy and water firm Vivant Corp. ended the nine months of the year with a net income of P1.7 billion, slightly lower than the P2 billion it posted at end-September last year due to one-off gains related to acquired shares in power firms.
“The decline was largely due to notable one-off gains last year relating to the fair value adjustments of acquired shares in two operating power entities, namely Calamian Islands Power Corp. [CIPC] and Delta P Inc. [DPI],” the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Wednesday.
Its consolidated core net income (CCNI) was unchanged at P1.6 billion.
Of the total net income, power generation accounted for the majority, representing 63 percent or P1.5 billion. Power distribution accounted for 37 percent or P871 million while retail energy contributed P6.4 million.
“Vivant is proud to show solid re-
sults in the first nine months of 2024 and poised to close the year strong. Our power generation units continued to bring encouraging results through our participation in the spot and reserve markets,” said Vivant CeO Arlo G. Sarmiento.
Consolidated revenues reached P8.8 billion, 46 percent higher than the 2023 level primarily due to the combined effect of higher sales volumes from conventional power plants, retail electricity supply, and solar rooftop businesses.
The water business is still in its investment phase and is expected to contribute positively in the future.
The company also said its seawater desalination project in Cordova, Cebu is on track to be completed within the year. Once operational, the plant will augment the bulk water supply of Metro Cebu by 20,000 cubic meters per day of treated and potable water.
“Once operational, the water de -
salination plant in Cordova, Cebu will be the largest utility scale seawater desalination plant in the country. Through this project, Vivant not only protects Cebu’s limited freshwater resources by reducing pressure on groundwater aquifers, but also helps build a climate-resilient future,” said Vivant Water CeO Jess Anthony N. Garcia.
Vivant said it continues to build a robust pipeline of projects that will cater to the growing power demand in the areas it operates.
“Our business development teams are focused on building our pipeline of projects in both off-grid and on-grid locations to establish a more balanced portfolio. Our distribution utility business remains a reliable earnings contributor, while we also strengthen our retail energy arm to better serve existing and potential customers. l astly, we are focused on delivering resilient and sustainable water management systems through Vivant Water. In all our business initiatives, we stay true to who we are as we create solutions for our changing world,” added Sarmiento.
For the third quarter alone, consolidated revenues were nearly flat at P89.1 billion compared with the previous year’s P87.94 billion.
Net income fell 38 percent to P3.1 billion, from last year’s P4.99 billion primarily caused by larger losses from JG Summit Olefins Corp. (JGSOC) with the prolonged trough in the global petrochemical industry cycle, lower sugar profits from Universal Robina Corp. due to price cor-
For Singapore l and Group (SlG), JG Summit said its results accounts for the first-half performance only, given SlG’s semi-annual regulatory reporting frequency. equity earnings from SlG posted a 15-percent improvement to P1.3 billion, on the back of the robust performance of its hotel business and the increase in the company’s rental income. The dividends the conglomerate received from P l DT Inc. slipped by 11 percent to P2.3 billion resulting from the absence of the special dividends declared in 2023, despite the additional P2 of regular dividends per share it distributed this year. Given the effectivity of the merger between BPI and Robinsons Bank at the beginning of 2024, JG Summit received cash dividends from BPI amounting to P373 million, which more than offset the decline in dividends from PlDT. VG Cabuag
Tanduay to expand international
TANDUA y Distillers Inc., the spirits business of tycoon l ucio Tan, said it will expand the presence of its products in l atin America, particularly in Mexico as demand for its rum brand continues to rise.
“Our international business is growing exponentially, given the continuous market expansion and growth strategies we are employing in our existing markets. We want to make sure that Tanduay is recognized not only by Filipinos abroad but also by the locals in each country we expand to,” said Roy Kristoffer Sumang, Tanduay’s international business development manager.
Part of the brand’s plans is to put up small warehouses in strategic locations in different regions that would allow them to further expand their reach.
Sumang said their Czech Republic market used to purchase their Tanduay stocks from their Amsterdam warehouse. This year, they have started ordering directly from the Philippines.
At the start of the year, Tanduay entered the South Korean market and will have a formal launch in December.
This year also saw the brand increase its outlets in Peru, where it started shipping products last year.
“Our expansion in e urope is
reach
also in full swing. We are looking to launch our premium products in France, Italy, Spain, Denmark and the Nordic States,” he said.
“The road to making Tanduay a household brand in other countries is still far ahead, but we are happily and steadily making sure that we are putting a good foundation in every step that we take.” Tanduay is being marketed in 23 countries outside of the Philippines, with concentration in the regions of North and South America, e urope and the United Kingdom, and the Asia Pacific.
The company said its products were in Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, hungary, luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, China, Peru, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands, United Arab e mirates, the United States and the United Kingdom. VG Cabuag
Banking&Finance
STATE-RUN Land Bank of the Philippines announced it has extended a total of P14 million in financial assistance to 130 local government units (LGUs) in Luzon and Visayas affected by tropical storm Kristine. In a statement issued last Wednesday, the LandBank said it granted a total of P14 million in addition to the P1.1 billion allocated by the government as aid to affected families.
“This funding provides critical support for our LGU partners to augment their Calamity Funds and sustain vital services for evacuees,” Landbank President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz was quoted in the statement as saying.
“As recovery timelines remain uncertain, LandBank is committed to helping LGUs respond swiftly and effectively to the needs of their communities,” Ortiz added.
LandBank announces it also provided financial assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); cooperatives; large
THE Social Security System (SSS) announced it has implemented Multi-Factor Authentication to enhance the security of the online portal called “My.SSS.”
Because of this added layer of security, the SSS called on its members on Wednesday to update their contact information, such as their mobile numbers, as the MFA scheme is needed during logins to their portal.
“Updating your contact info ensures you get the codes to verify your identity when you sign in to your online account. Hence, we are urging our members to update their contact information,” SSS Officer-in-Charge Voltaire P. Agas was quoted in a statement as saying.
Members can also update their contact information online or at any SSS branch office or online at their My.SSS account.
According to the State-run pension fund, members without mobile numbers in their SSS records can update their contact information by submitting a “Member Data Change Request” form at an SSS branch office.
SSS members will receive a passcode in their registered mo -
THE auto loan “VIP Lane” of Security Bank Corp. (PSE: SECB) has been named “Best Customer Centric Business Model-Philippines” by Coeus
corporations; and electric distribution utilities impacted by the storm through a lending program called “Cares Plus.”
The program lends to businesses trying to restore operations and recover from storm-related damages. Meanwhile, employees of government agencies and companies with LandBank payroll services are allowed to access the “Electronic Salary Loan” (ESL).
The lender also announced it is waiving the servicing fees on new applications for ESLs until December 31, 2024. Borrowers who have paid at least one month’s amortization on existing eSLs can also apply for early renewal.
The LandBank also announced it would allow credit card holders to convert available credit limits into emergency cash, which can be repaid over a period of up to 36 months.
Eligible cardholders will receive notifications for activation, with the option to request cash conversion directly, according to the lender. Reine Juvierre Alberto
portal
bile numbers in the SSS records when they access their My.SSS accounts. Outdated or inactive contact information can be a hurdle when logging into the account, Agas noted.
SSS Senior Vice President for Information Technology Management Maria Belinda S. San Jose said members have two options for multi-factor authentication to access their My.SSS account through SMS One-Time Password (SMS-OTP) and Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP). By default, members can use the SMS-OTP to log in to their accounts, in which a six-digit passcode will be sent to their SSS-registered mobile every time they log in to the My.SSS Portal.
Members can also use TOTP as their preferred authentication method by entering the verification code into the Google Authenticator app to access their My.SSS account.
Potential fraud and unauthorized access will be prevented through the two authentication options for the My.SSS Portal, improving the security feature of the online portal. Reine Juvierre Alberto
DOF to sell bonds via Gcash, rolls out new dealing system
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
AMID a public backlash on the GCash fiasco, the Department of Finance (DOF) announced it will begin selling next month government debt papers, such as Treasury bills and bonds, through the digital payment platform.
The DOF announced last Wednesday the initiative, called “GBonds,” was hatched through a partnership GCash operator Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations Inc.) and the Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX).
“The move will integrate government securities investments with ewallets, allowing retail investors to buy and sell debt papers by tapping the ‘GBonds’ feature in the GCash
Dinterest rates, a required down payment of 15 percent to 20 percent, and comprehensive insurance.
“By implementing unique identifiers and ensuring expedited processing times, the ‘VIP Lane’ program not only optimizes the loan application process but also drives better business outcomes and sets new standards in customer service,” the statement further read. “As a result, dealerships and brokers can close deals more quickly, granting customers timely access to the funding they need.”
mobile application,” a statement by the DOF read.
“We envision a future where investing in government bonds is no longer a luxury but a new normal for Filipinos—with just a few swipes away and as easy as ordering their favorite food delivery,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said during an event commemorating the 127th Anniversary of the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Novem -
ber 12. The event came four days after GCash users complained the money parked on the platform has disappeared.
National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza said existing T-bills and Tbonds can be availed during the soft launch as no specific bonds will be issued exclusively for this purpose.
“By leveraging new technology, we aim to foster innovation and drive digital reforms that enhance financial inclusion. We invite everyone to join us in empowering Filipinos to build a more resilient nation,” Almanza said.
Recto urged Mynt, PDAX and regulators to expedite the process of launching “GBonds” to bring financial inclusion closer to Filipinos.
“And as we push for greater retail participation and digital transformation, let me assure you that the economic team will continue fostering a stronger economy that provides favorable conditions for growth and investment,” added the DOF chied.
During the event, the BTr rolled out the Enhanced Primary Dealer System (EPDS), under which government securities-eligible dealers (GSEDs) are expected to strengthen
By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox
AVAO CITY—The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) announced having generated P162 million in the first half from the sale of disposed assets of closed banks and those acquired by PDIC.
The total take from the conduct of public biddings and negotiated sales was 4.5 percent or P7-million
By VG Cabuag @villygc
PROPERTY developer Ayala
Land Inc. on Wednesday listed its 10-year P8 billion Asean sustainability-linked bonds (tranche 2) at the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp.
The firm’s recent listing comes five months after launching a P20billion sustainability- linked financing program last July. In total, the developer has now issued bonds at P28 billion with an average tenor of 9 years.
higher compared to the P155 million the PDIC raked in during the same period last year.
The PDIC said total sales exceeded the properties’ aggregate minimum disposal price of P142 million by 14.1 percent or P20.0 million.
According to the PDIC, it was able to sell 151 corporate and closed bank assets in the first half of the year. During the same period last year, the PDIC was only able to sell 124 properties.
“The bonds are linked to specific sustainability performance targets, further reinforcing Ayala Land’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and advancing its broader environmental and social sustainability objectives,” the developer said through a statement.
Tranche 2 of the bond float is part of Ayala Land’s P50-billion securities program approved in 2023. The debt paper carries a yield of 6.1334 percent per year.
“The success of this sustainabili-
The assets sold in the JanuaryJuly period comprised 141 residential lots, four agricultural lots, three commercial lots, and three mixed residential and agricultural lots.
Of the total, 101 were owned by closed banks and 50 were acquired assets of the PDIC. The majority of properties sold were located in Bulacan (47 percent), Laguna (21 percent), and Metro Manila (11 percent), according to the PDIC
The proceeds from these asset
ty-linked financing program, novel as it may be in the country, brings us to the conclusion that the Philippine investing community truly realizes that sustainable finance is integral to the urgent pursuit of sustainability,” Ayala Land President and CEO Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy said.
Dy added the company would use sustainability-linked financing format as “our template for our fundraising requirements.”
“We will continue to pursue large, impactful projects that will improve the quality of life of the Filipinos.
disposal initiatives are added to the closed banks’ funds held in trust by PDIC for distribution to creditors including uninsured depositors. The liquidation efforts of the PDIC “enhance the likelihood of increasing the recoveries of closed bank creditors and uninsured depositors. On the other hand, proceeds from the disposal of corporate assets are channeled to the Deposit Insurance Fund to fund the settlement of deposit insurance claims.”
Among such developments are the ‘One Ayala Integrated Transport Hub’ and the transit connectivity and pedestrianization of the Makati central business district, of BGC and Nuvali and our other estate developments,” she said. Joint lead underwriters and bookrunners for the deal were BDO Capital and Investment Corp., BPI Capital Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., East West Banking Corp., First Metro Investment Corp., Land Bank of the Philippines,
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
THE Home Development Mutual (Pag-Ibig) Fund announced it has approved the housing loans of more than 26,000 minimum wage earners. Per Acting Vice President Domingo C. Jacinto Jr., this initiative is part of the broader efforts of the Pag-ibig Fund to make homeownership accessible to Filipinos in low-income brackets.
In a forum last Tuesday, Jacinto said the fund has already released more than P10 million this year alone. These minimum wage earners, hence, now have houses they can call their own. “Hindi pa natatapos yung taon,” he added. [And the year hasn’t ended yet.]
Meanwhile, Jacinto said it is “too early to determine” whether the Pag-Ibig Fund would raise the interest rate for regular savings and the MP2 (Modified Pag-
Ibig II) next year. Sa ngayon hindi natin masasabi, ngunit ginagawa natin ang lahat—ang tamang pamantayan, sa performance, sa magiging kita ng ipon ng bawat miyembro sa kanilang regular savings at sa MP2 savings nila…medyo maaga pa,” said the executive of the Pag-Ibig Fund Member Services Operations.
However, Jacinto assured Pag-Ibig members that the Fund is working to enhance its performance and maintain the low interest rates in housing loans and current high return rates for its savings programs.
Pag-Ibig Fund currently has 16.37 million active members, with a total asset value of over P1 trillion as of September. So far this year, the Fund has lent more than P88 billion for housing loans, helping over 61,000
Health& Fitness
Dual approach needed for effective elderly care–expert
By Rory Visco Contributor
STUDIES have shown that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also called chronic diseases, impact the lives of people regardless of age. Among these that may require medical attention include cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), chronic respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, cancers and diabetes.
Globally, NCDs cause the deaths of an estimated 41 million people annually, mostly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Estimates show that by 2030, the number of NCD-related deaths will be pegged at 52 million deaths each year.
According to non-profit health group
John Muir Health, several preventable diseases cause significant illness and even death, particularly among elder citizens who are unvaccinated. However, many adults feel either they do not need vaccinations or have expressed concerns about possible vaccine side effects. The sad reality though is that those aged 65 years old and older are the most vulnerable to complications from the actual diseases.
The group said that the most vital vaccinations elder people should have, in consultation with their attending physicians, include influenza, pneumococcal vaccine against pneumonia, shingles, and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (TDAP) vaccine.
It is emphasized that vaccines should be kept up-to-date, especially among older adults. This is because there
The Philippine Press Institute (PPI) held a health reporting workshop to help local journalists gain a deeper understanding of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C or “bad cholesterol”) management to reduce cardiovascular risk. The hybrid workshop was supported by Novartis h ealthcare Philippines and the Alliance and Partnerships for Patient Innovation and Solutions (APPIS), which has health literacy as one of its three pillars.
“The medical knowledge imparted by expert resource persons in this workshop empowers journalists to promote health literacy on better heart health,” said PPI executive director Ariel Sebellino.
“By working with health care professionals, policymakers and health care organizations focused on heart health, media has the power to create a sense of urgency and mobilize action to ensure that cholesterol management becomes a public health priority,” said PPI chairman and Manila Standard publisher Rolando e stabillo.
Leading noncommunicable disease
I N the Philippines, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading noncommunicable disease with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) as the top contributor. ASCVD includes ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease which are among the top causes of death in the country. The top three risk factors of ASCVD are high systolic pressure, high-fat diet, and elevated LDL-C.
But these statistics aren’t just numbers. They’re our loved ones, our friends, our colleagues, and even ourselves. Together, we can change that. By providing the right care as early as possible, we can prevent 80 percent of heart attacks, strokes, and early deaths from CVD.
Dr. Marc Del Rosario, h ead, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Asian h ospital and Medical Center, put a human face on the statistics by sharing the life and death struggle of three patients with CVD. “Individuals who have had a heart attack are six times more likely to have another attack and stroke survivors are nine times more likely to have another stroke. The risk of a recurrent heart attack is the highest within the first year of having a heart attack,” he warned.
were instances that elder people were not vaccinated when they were young, their immunity may have faded over the years, the emergence of newer and more effective vaccines, and that senior citizens are the most in danger of acquiring serious or even life-threatening diseases.
NCD management, vaccination IT is said that vaccinations have made a great impact on global health compared to any other medical intervention. It even contributed to better economic development.
During the recent Health Connect media forum, an award-winning platform that seeks to deliver accurate health information, Dr. Justin Clyde Gubatan, Unit Head of the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit at the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Region I, said it is vital to integrate NCD management with vaccination programs to protect seniors.
“Effective senior care requires a dual approach—managing chronic diseases and ensuring timely vaccinations. By uniting local governments, health offices, and stakeholders, we can provide comprehensive services that not only control NCDs but also shield seniors from severe infections like the flu, improving their quality of life and reducing the financial burden on families and the healthcare system,” Dr. Gubatan explained during the forum.
Timely vaccinations I N relation to the celebration of Filipino Elderly Week, the Regional Health Connect Forum gathered health ex -
perts and representatives from Ilocos Norte’s regional and provincial offices, where they emphasized the crucial role of timely vaccinations in safeguarding seniors, especially those with NCDs from preventable illnesses.
The event also highlighted the province’s integrated healthcare strategy where chronic disease management, combined with vaccination programs, have shown to enhance the well-being of elderly people.
The 2023 Field Health Service Information System showed that there are 3,520 seniors in Ilocos Norte afflicted with hypertension, while 1,017 have diabetes. These NCDs significantly increase seniors’ susceptibility to infections like influenza and pneumonia if unvaccinated, underscoring the urgent need for timely immunizations and targeted health interventions to safeguard them for preventable diseases.
For his part, Dr. Medeldorf Gaoat, Chair of the Committee on Health for the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, said the expansion of healthcare funding and deploying more mobile health clinics to reach seniors in remote areas is of vital importance.
“By advocating for more resources, we can ensure that seniors, especially in underserved communities, receive the care they truly deserve,” he stated.
Lifestyle changes
I N support of Dr. Gaoat’s statement, Dr. Augusto Niccolo Salalima from the Philippine Heart Association’s Council on Preventive Cardiology, underscored the need for regular check-ups, lifestyle changes, and timely vaccinations for seniors. “People should already adopt
the Pinggang Pinoy ’ meal guide for balanced nutrition so that the risk of heart disease and stroke can be significantly reduced.”
Dr. Salalima also pointed out that vaccinations not only prevent infections but also reduce the risk of severe complications among older adults. He likewise noted that serious legislative efforts to strengthen healthcare support for seniors are now being undertaken.
Atty. Germaine Trittle Leonin, representing Rep. Milagros Magsaysay of the United Senior Citizens Party-list, said key health bills such as House Bill No. 7305, which aims to establish the Philippine Center for Geriatric Health, and House Bill No. 6309, which seeks to provide universal social pensions for seniors, including increased discounts on medicines and groceries, have been approved by Congress and are currently pending in the Senate. Atty. Leonin said they remained firm in their “commitment to advancing policies that ensure seniors receive essential healthcare and support.”
For her part, Dr. Maria Cristina Ignacio-Alberto, Board Member of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), said the country needs a robust healthcare system. “Healthy aging requires a multi-sectoral approach. Laws and health programs must address the growing burden of NCDs and prevent vaccine-preventable diseases,” she remarked.
The Health Connect media forum was organized by the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), the PFV, and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA).
and longer.
“A multi sectoral approach is key to reducing the burden of CVDs and managing risk factors such as high cholesterol. Through the collaboration of medical societies, government, industry and communities, we can implement lifestyle interventions and enhance access to care focusing on prevention for a healthier future for all. Media plays a crucial role in shaping public health. We need the help of our friends in the media to combat medical misinformation with accurate, evidencebased reporting. Together, we can empower our fellow Filipinos with knowledge and facilitate informed healthcare decision making,” said PLAS president Dr. Deborah David o na.
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
OLDER adults are at a higher risk of getting the flu and developing serious flu complications.
Also, with the country facing more frequent typhoons and floods later in the year, senior health advocates are stressing the urgent need to protect older adults from diseases that thrive in cold, wet weather, particularly influenzalike illnesses (ILIs).
Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), and multi-organ failure (for example, respiratory and kidney failure), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Cristina Ignacio-Alberto, founder of Hope in Me Club, a civic organization that collaborates with the Bacoor Local Government Unit on senior health initiatives, emphasized that flu is one of the deadliest threats to the aging population, with influenza-related mortality affecting 67.1 percent of those over 60 due to weakened immune systems.
Flu shot T HE annual flu shot is the most effective way to prevent severe illness and hospitalization among seniors, especially during typhoon season, when diseases like influenza tend to spike,” Dr. IgnacioAlberto said.
Senior health advocates also commended the Department of Health (DOH) for finalizing the procurement and distribution of free flu vaccines before year-end, seeing it as a vital step in shielding seniors from respiratory threats.
Allocation of flu vaccines for seniors I N July, the DOH announced a five-million-dose allocation of flu vaccines for seniors to be distributed via local health centers under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (Republic Act 9994).
This distribution plan, set to be completed before the year ends, has been widely welcomed by senior health advocates and community leaders alike.
Dr. Ignacio-Alberto expressed optimism, stating, “We thank the DOH for listening to our voices and prioritizing the protection of seniors during this high-risk period. We look forward to seeing the vac -
Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz
Dr. Del Rosario explained that high levels of LDL-C in the blood contribute to the accumulation of fatty deposits within the arterial walls, which can result in narrowed or blocked arteries, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of cardiovascular events such as a heart attack. Managing LDL-C levels is crucial for preventing and treating ASCVD, so it’s important to know your cholesterol numbers and to work with your doctor to assess your cardiovascular risk, he added.
“This is why Novartis co-created the Unblocked Movement with doctors, patient groups, and other partners. We want to bring everyone together to unlock barriers to heart health. We need as many people and organizations to start singing the same tune, because this is the only way people can become more aware of the importance of cholesterol management and care about their heart health as well as that of their loved ones. At Novartis, we are working to end deaths due to CVD within a generation. We envision a world where families are not prematurely robbed of their husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters,” said Mr. Joel Chong, Country President, Novartis h ealthcare Philippines.
New, innovative therapies
D R . R AUL L APITAN , Adult Clinical Cardiologist and e chocardiographer, Makati Medical Center, shone the spotlight on the evolution
of LDL-C management that has resulted in the availability of new, innovative therapies.
“LDL-C levels can be controlled and potentially reduced through lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and medication. By implementing medical interventions and making appropriate lifestyle changes, individuals can lower their LDL-C levels, thereby reducing their risk of heart attack, stroke and other associated health issues,” he said.
“A cardiovascular event will happen sooner if you are constantly exposed to high LDL-C. Lower LDL-C levels can help prevent serious events like strokes and heart attacks, so knowing your risk and cholesterol goals is crucial,” said Dr. Lourdes e lla Santos, h ead of Preventive Cardiology, Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
She highlighted the recommendations of the Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS) and other medical organizations on stricter LDL-C targets for individuals with a history of heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular procedures. The goal is 70 mg/dl for diabetics with additional risk factors and 55 mg/dl for heart attack or stroke victims.
Unblocked movement
Th R o U gh the Unblocked Movement, PPI and Novartis, with the support of PLAS, want to empower as many people as possible to live healthier lives through timely diagnosis and treatment that keeps hearts beating stronger
“We thank PPI and its members for supporting our shared purpose of promoting health literacy in the country. e quipped with the right knowledge, more Filipinos can take steps towards preventing future cardiac events and ultimately achieving lifelong victories over heart disease. invite all to know their cholesterol numbers and assess their cardiovascular risk by visiting our microsite, UnblockedMovement.ph,” said Christine Fajardo, h ead, Communications & Patient Advocacy, Philippines and Asia Aspiring Cluster, Novartis.
Rappler Managing e ditor Miriam g race g o shared her insights with workshop participants on effective communication and engagement in covering health stories. “You have to own the story that you produce, ensure that the right authorities pay attention to your stories and make a call to action.”
The workshop aimed to educate journalists about the heavy disease burden of ASCVD in the country; empower journalists to increase public awareness on uncontrolled LDL-C as a silent killer that is often neglected due to the absence of signs and symptoms; underscore the importance of reducing LDL-C levels to mitigate ASCVD risk; educate journalists on the evolution of therapies to keep LDL-C on target; and invite participants to join the Unblocked Movement, an initiative co-created with partners and supported by Novartis to bring patients, their loved ones, healthcare professionals and healthcare systems together in a shared mission to unblock barriers to heart health. To visit the Unblocked Movement website, click here.
cines reach our communities soon.”
Timely flu vaccination
E CHOING these sentiments, Bayan Bakuna Lead Convenor Roderick Alapar emphasized the importance of timely flu vaccination in protecting seniors from illnesses, particularly during typhoon-related calamities. He noted that vaccinating against the flu helps seniors avoid serious health risks, allowing them to stay protected and enjoy their golden years in better health.
In a shared commitment to seniors’ health, Bacoor City Mayor Strike Revilla expressed the city’s enthusiasm to participate in the nationwide flu vaccination roll-out, emphasizing the crucial role of local governments in ensuring vaccines reach those who need them the most, especially in light of the heightened health risks posed by late-year typhoons.
“ Ikinagagalak namin na ilunsad ang programang ito sa Bacoor. Matagal nang hinihintay ng ating mga seniors at may comorbidities na mabakunahan sila laban sa flu. Sinisiguro namin na agad nilang matatanggap ang mga bakuna kapag dumating ito sa ating LGU. Pangunahing prayoridad natin ang kanilang kalusugan [We are happy to launch this program in Bacoor. Our seniors and those with comorbidities have been waiting a long time to be vaccinated against the flu. We ensure that they receive the vaccines immediately when they arrive in our LGU. Their health is our top priority],” said Revilla.
Respiratory illnesses I N addition to the flu vaccines, Revilla highlighted Bacoor’s broader health initiatives, including the provision of free pneumococcal vaccines to seniors to further shield them from respiratory illnesses heightened by the typhoon season. As ILIs continue to rise amid unpredictable weather, health advocates encourage seniors to stay updated on vaccination schedules through barangays and local health centers. While seniors await the arrival of the vaccine, advocates recommend observing minimum public health standards, such as wearing masks and frequent hand washing, to reduce the risk of viral infections. Additionally, advocates urge the government to consider starting vaccine distribution earlier in the month in the coming year to ensure seniors receive protection well before peak flu season.
AS dengue fever cases continue to rise in the country, the Philippine h ealth Insurance Corporation (Phil h ealth) has significantly increased its benefit package for severe dengue from P16,000 to P47,000, effective November 1, 2024. This substantial increase, part of Philh ealth’s ongoing benefit rationalization, aims to provide adequate financial risk protection to Filipinos who are afflicted with the disease. e arlier this year, the state health insurer had already raised its benefit package for dengue with or without warning signs from P10,000 to P13,000.
“Phil h ealth is committed to supporting Filipinos, most especially during these challenging times,” said Philh ealth President and C eo e mmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said, “with this two-fold increase in health insurance coverage for severe dengue, we hope to alleviate the financial burden on affected families. There is no more reason to delay seeking immediate medical treatment upon observing dengue symptoms, sagot po kayo ng Phil h ealth.”
As of o ctober 4, 2024, the Department of h ealth reported 269,467 dengue cases nationwide, with the National Capital Region reaching alert level due to 24,232 in
recorded cases. Phil h ealth reminds the public that patients availing of services beyond the minimum standards of care in non-ward accommodations, including additional services unrelated to dengue management in accredited private health facilities,
I N the photo are, seated from left, PPI Seminar Director Joyce Pañares; Christine Fajardo, Head, Communications & Patient Advocacy, Philippines and Asia Aspiring Cluster, Novartis; Dr. Deborah David-Ona, President,
President welcomes eight nonresident ambassadors
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently received the credentials of nonresident ambassadors from eight countries.
Those of ambassadors Galma Mukhe Boru (Kenya), Nicholas Panayiotou (Cyprus), Moussa Fanta Camara (Guinea), John S. Fritz (Micronesia), Tomáš Ferko (Slovakia), Cristina González (Uruguay), Mauricio Mauro Epkua Obama Bindang (Equatorial Guinea), and Mario José Armengol Campos (Nicaragua) were presented to Marcos Jr. in a ceremony at Malacañang Palace on November 7.
German-Phil. biz community
hails CREATE MORE enactment
THE German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GPCCI) welcomed the signing of Republic Act 12066, or the “Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE)” Act.
In a statement, the GPCCI commended the Philippine government’s “commitment to strengthening the business environment and promoting economic growth through comprehensive tax reforms.”
“We share the goal of creating a more favorable business landscape to foster growth and job opportunities,” said GPCCI president Marie Antoniette Mariano. “The German business community in the Philippines recognizes its potential, as demonstrated by our recent ‘World Business Outlook’ survey [that] reflects strong optimism in the Philippine market.”
The CREATE MORE Act introduces several key reforms to strengthen the Philippine business environment: It extends tax incentives for up to 27 years, streamlines value-added tax, or VAT, as well as tax refund processes, and reduces compliance burdens, making it easier for local and foreign companies to operate.
The law simplifies local taxation for registered business enterprises, clarifies the “Income Tax Holiday” framework, and provides an Enhanced Deductions Regime with 100-percent additional deductions on power expenses that will benefit the manufacturing sector. Additionally, it allows tax-free donations of capital equipment to government and educational institutions, enhancing support for public and social services.
The latest World Business Outlook Fall 2024 survey revealed that nearly 60 percent of German companies are optimistic about their growth prospects in the Philippines over the next year, projecting local investment and employment gains. The CREATE MORE Act complements this positive outlook, said the chamber, as it introduces a more predictable investment framework that fosters confidence.
There, the president expressed his optimism that the envoys could help strengthen their respective nations’ relations and partnerships with the Philippines in several areas, said the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
“These areas of cooperation include economic and trade collaboration, renewable energy, agriculture, technology, defense, climate change mitigation, people-to-people ties, ad-
PCCI,
ages in economy and investments, people-to-people ties, maritime affairs, plus research and innovation.
“As you have noted, we have many areas that we can explore. There are many opportunities… [such as people-to-people relationships… future interactions and other partnerships],” Marcos told the Cypriot envoy. “We look forward to the strengthening of relationships and in the hope that perhaps together we can face these problems [brought about by climate change].”
The Chief Executive also appreciated Slovakia’s intention to boost its ties with the Philippines, despite the physical distance between the two countries. Ferko mentioned that recent trade figures indicate encouraging signs of growth, and that despite geographical distance, there is strong potential for deeper commitments on military equipment and water management.
herence to multilateral world order, and rule of law,” according to the PCO.
The Philippine leader also thanked Kenya and Cyprus for sympathizing with the survivors of the tropical cyclones that recently battered the country.
On the prospects of future Philippine-Kenyan collaboration, Marcos Jr. told Boru that there is a “very large possibility” of exploring numerous areas of cooperation the two nations “have not had the chance to do in the past. And I look forward to developing closer ties that will bring advantage to both our countries.”
He also said the Philippines is eyeing closer ties with Cyprus in certain areas. Panayiotou agreed that the two nations can achieve more link-
UNDP
‘Peace, stability in the SCS: Stakes of the intl community’
(Remarks at the Manila Dialogue by Amb. MaryKay Carlson of the United States)
GGonzález, on the other hand, emphasized her mission as Uruguay’s ambassador to the Philippines to fully develop trade relations, considering the complementary nature of the two nations’ economies. She bared her plan to foster bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas of mutual interest including food security, climate change efforts, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy to build better people-to-people ties.
“[We are] ready to be a partner of the Philippines, and I am looking forward to further contributing to strengthen our bilateral relations and maybe in receiving you in Uruguay in the near future,” González told Marcos Jr.
The Philippines and Uruguay will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations next year. Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos/PNA
to hike private sector engagement for sustainable dev’t
AMEMORANDUM of understanding (MoU) between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines was formalized during the 50th Philippine Business Conference and Expo.
More than a thousand participants from the private sector and partners witnessed the signing by PCCI president Consul Enunina Mangio and UNDP Philippines deputy resident representative Edwine Carrié.
The MoU will strengthen the PCCI and UNDP Philippines’ longstanding collaboration in promoting awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and other development initiatives to PCCI members and the private sector. In 2015, the UN member-states adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the aim of creating a more just, sustainable and peaceful world by 2030. The private sector plays a vital role in the path toward transformational change, as “sustainable development can only be achieved through multistakeholder collaboration,” according to the UN agency.
In his message, Carrié highlighted UNDP’s strong belief that “the private sector plays a pivotal role in accelerating progress toward the SDGs in the Philippines. The business case for the [goals is well-established and compelling. We see them] unlocking new opportunities and driving significant efficiency gains through innovation.”
The resident representative added that “embracing the SDGs is not
only the path to economic growth, but also to long-term business sustainability.”
Globally, UNDP’s strategy for private sector engagement is to make markets work for the SDGs by assisting countries in aligning their activities and investments with the 2030 Agenda. The vision is to make the SDG framework as the business sector’s guiding principle for their strategies and operations.
Mangio noted that with the partnership, PCCI aims “…to empower businesses to take a more active role in achieving the SDGs, ensuring that industries across the Philippines contribute meaningfully to inclusive growth, sustainable practices, and the improvement of livelihoods across all sectors. Our collaboration will focus on harnessing innovation, mobilizing resources and supporting policy frameworks that encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices.”
UNDP Philippines said the MoU will strengthen its ties with PCCI in various areas: First, they will collaborate on SDG initiatives that
include building awareness, increasing knowledge, and developing uptake for action on the SDGs. They will also co-design and jointly implement SDG activities that cover capacity building and advocacy with the private sector, especially among medium, small, micro enterprises or MSMEs.
In close collaboration with the Philippine government, the two organizations will undertake technical collaboration to support SDG monitoring and reporting, especially for PCCI members, in concretely measuring and monitoring their impact relative to the metrics for SDGs. PCCI and UNDP will also support strengthening of the SDG data ecosystem in the country—including platforms involving the private sector to effectively report contributions to the SDGs.
PCCI and UNDP previously signed a Statement of Intent at the launch of the Philippine SDG Investor Map in the March 2024 SDG Investment Forum before key private-sector stakeholders, government allies and civil-society representatives.
OOD morning! Many thanks to the Philippine National Security Council, the Philippine Coast Guard, and Pacific Forum for organizing this important event. And thank you to Ambassador Romualdez for opening the discussion.
The United States, the Philippines and our like-minded partners share a common vision for a free, open, prosperous, connected and resilient Indo-Pacific Region.
Standing up for the rules-based order in the South China Sea (SCS) is an integral part of advancing this shared vision.
This is why the US has been unequivocal in supporting the historic 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision—a milestone that affirmed the rights of the Philippines in the SCS as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Philippines and the US are not alone; many nations have expressed support for the 2016 ruling which, as set out in the text of the convention, is final and legally binding on both the Philippines and the PRC. This is in part because of the implication of the ruling for the international community. By firmly rejecting the PRC’s expansive maritime claims and affirming the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the SCS, the Tribunal showed that international law is more than just a concept, and that it applies to all countries regardless of their relative economic or military power.
The great Filipino diplomat and statesman, Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario, characterized it best. International law, he said, “allows the weak to challenge the powerful on an equal footing, confident in the conviction that principles trump power; that law triumphs over force; and that right prevails over might.”
The PRC has taken the opposite approach: “might makes right”— giving preference to big nations over small ones, as if this concept should be taken as “just a fact of life.” Despite the indisputable fact that the decision is final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute, the PRC continually rejects the tribunal’s ruling in its rhetoric and actions that clearly violate international law.
The world has witnessed the PRC’s increasingly dangerous and escalatory actions over the past 18 months, as it unlawfully asserted a claim to territorial sovereignty over vast areas of ocean space, violently interfering with the Philippines’ high seas freedom of navigation in the waters, especially near Second Thomas Shoal, known here in the Philippines as “Ayungin.”
The PRC’s target is not only the Philippines, but also the lawful sovereign rights and jurisdiction over natural resources of Vietnam, Indonesia and other Asean coastal states. Use of water can -
nons, ramming and other aggressive actions demonstrate a disregard for lives and livelihoods. This further demonstrates that the PRC is unwilling to abide by international law, which rejects the PRC’s expansive maritime claims and supports the sovereign rights of the Asean SCS coastal states. Upholding international law in the SCS, in addition to being the right thing to do from a legal standpoint, supports global prosperity. The arbitral award affirmed that in vast maritime areas of the SCS, all nations enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight under international law, providing the legal foundation for trade, investment, and economic activity to thrive in the Indo-Pacific. The SCS has some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, through which approximately one-third of the global economy runs. Total annual trade flowing through the sea is estimated to be nearly $4 trillion. It is also home to abundant biodiversity and accounts for 12 percent of the global fish catch, generating $100 billion annually and supporting the livelihoods and critical dietary needs of millions.
Zooming out, the Indo-Pacific accounts for 60 percent of global gross domestic product and twothirds of global economic growth. Respect for freedom of the seas in the SCS is essential for this robust economic activity to continue.
I’m honored to sit with fellow representatives of countries who have made clear their support for the Philippines, the continued efficacy of international law, and for a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are far from alone. More and more nations from East Asia to Western Europe have spoken out to support the Philippines, uphold international law, and urge the PRC to cease escalatory and dangerous actions that impede the exercise of freedom of navigation and overflight from which all nations benefit.
We are proud to be among the chorus of nations that have consistently lent their voices to supporting the Philippines and calling out unlawful and escalatory behavior. The international community’s collective voice is loud and getting louder, and it speaks to our common resolve in support of international law and the norms that benefit us all. We saw this common resolve in action last September, when over 20 countries gathered on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly for a ministerial discussion on maritime safety and security in the Asia-Pacific. This panel carries the subtitle: “The stakes of the international community.” It is clear: The stakes and the consequences are high. But together, as “friends, partners and allies,” with international law on our side, we are determined to protect the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.
Thank you. Maraming, maraming salamat po.
MARCOS JR. (center) welcomes Amb. Galma Mukhe Boru (third from left) and Kenyan diplomats. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE/PNA
CARLSON (second from right), with Stratbase ADR’s president Dindo Manhit (from left), Amb. Endo Kazuya of Japan, Amb. David Hartman of Canada, Amb. Hae Kyong Yu PSM, FCPA of Australia, and Amb. Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke of Germany. FACEBOOK: US EMBASSY IN THE PHILIPPINES
UNDP Philippines’ Edwine Carrié and PCCI’s Enunina Mangio
mWell Launches ‘Self Love Month’ on World Mental Health Day 2024
mWELL, the premier digital healthcare arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), celebrated World Mental Health Day by recognizing that mind health is just as important as physical health. In honor of this occasion, mWell launched the Self Love Month initiative offering free counselling sessions with certified mind health coaches. This initiative complements the Mind Health Score feature in the app which provides selfguided modules designed to lessen stress and anxiety.
In support of the World Federation for Mental Health’s (WFMH) theme for 2024, “Mental Health at Work,” the Philippines health and wellness mega app has partnered with various companies and organizations to raise the awareness about mental health and bridge the gap to vital support resources.
mWell Chairman and MPIC Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan says, “Breaking geographic boundaries, mWell’s mission is to provide holistic wellness to our countrymen wherever they may be. This is why our digital healthcare arm mWell offers features and programs to empower every Filipino take the first step towards a healthier and more balanced version of themselves, allowing them to thrive in all aspects of their lives and become more productive. We are an ally in their wellness journey towards enhancing both mind and body.”
Chaye Cabal-Revilla, Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer and President and CEO of mWell, highlights the importance of enhancing overall health. “Taking care of our health and wellness is our way of honoring our Heavenly Father Yahuah because our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. By promoting self-love
through the mWell app, our countrymen can become healthier, live longer and truly care for others.”
Mental health is a serious concern globally. In the Philippines, recent figures reveal that a big percentage of students have reported experiencing at least one mind health problem while Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) battle with anxiety and depression. Additionally, military personnel often deal with mental health issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders. These statistics underscore the urgent need for accessible mind health resources across different groups.
mWell opened the digital safe space on the mWell app for counselling sessions for all Filipinos including members of the workforce, students, OFWs, soldiers, and Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL). Partners include Gabay Guro, San Beda University Red Lions, Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) and Marikina Polytechnic College. Free counselling sessions were made available on certain dates in October as part of the Self Love Month initiative. Additionally, wellness tours on campuses and offices will promote
holistic health awareness.
mWell also offers the Mind Health Score, a personal compass for a self-guided journey toward enhancing emotional, social, and cognitive well-being. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Well-being Index, this feature provides valuable insights into one’s current state of mind. Self-guided modules help boost self-awareness and foster empowerment, hope, and positivity through evidencebased techniques. It allows mWell users to learn more about ways to relax, reduce stress, and improve overall emotional balance at their own pace.
To complement the Mind Health Score feature, the mWellness Score provides an overall physical health score daily. This enables users to monitor physical activity, step count, and sleep for long-term health. With its gamification feature, app users may join wellness challenges, check their rank in the leaderboard, and monitor their progress. The mWellness Score integrates seamlessly with Wearables devices such as the mWell Watch and Rings, offering lifestyle tips and programs on fitness, food and nutrition conveniently at their fingertips.
DMark Beauty Hosts Teoxane Excellence Awards Night
DMARK Beauty, a leader in the Philippine medical solutions and aesthetics industry, celebrated a night of brilliance and achievement at the Teoxane Excellence Awards Night held at Marriott Manila. This prestigious event gathered the country’s top aesthetic practitioners, clinic owners, and industry pioneers to recognize their contributions to elevating the standards of beauty and wellness through innovation and dedication.
The evening highlighted the achievements of over 30 distinguished awardees, including the first-ever recipients of the Teoxane X DMark Beauty Champion Award. This award honors the individuals and clinics who have consistently excelled in medical aesthetics, notably through the use of Teosyal fillers, showcasing a commitment to transforming beauty standards and delivering transformative results.
Among the accolades given were the Most Dynamic Award, presented to the doctor or clinic who registered the highest sales of Teoxane fillers or cosmeceutical range, and the Most Resilient Award, recognizing the doctor or clinic with the highest sales growth. These prestigious awards underscore the dedication and success of medical professionals who continue to elevate the field of aesthetic medicine.
“Tonight is a celebration of the incredible expertise and
dedication in our community, a gathering of the finest minds shaping the future of aesthetic medicine in the Philippines. It’s our privilege to honor the passion and skill that each of our awardees bring to their work,” said Nikki Tang, CEO of DMark Beauty, during her opening remarks.
The evening kicked off with an insightful presentation by Dr. Sangkeerth Reddy, an esteemed expert in medical aesthetics, who flew in from Singapore to share the latest advancements in the Teoxane Glowing Lift. His session delved into the science and results behind this innovative treatment, giving the audience valuable insights into how Teoxane is pushing the boundaries of aesthetic medicine worldwide.
Following Dr. Reddy’s informative presentation, the spotlight turned to the Philippine medical experts who have been integral to Teoxane’s success in the local market. The event featured a forum led by Teoxane country experts including Dr. Neil Oropeza, Dr. Sella Adasa, Dr. Cyril Agan, and Dr. Arnel Quiambao. The discussion was facilitated by Tessa Prieto, who, together with Dr. Quiambao, guided the audience through an insightful dialogue on the latest trends and innovations in the field.
To further celebrate the remarkable achievements of the night’s honorees, David Young, a rising star in the local music scene, took to the stage to perform a selection of beloved classics, adding a soulful touch to the event.
DMark Beauty extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the Teoxane Glowing Awards Night, especially the awardees whose commitment to aesthetic excellence continues to elevate the industry. The night underscored the collective dedication to beauty, science, and the transformative power of innovative medical aesthetics.
Teoxane’s latest campaign, Glowing Lift, offers a non-surgical solution for facelift and contour enhancement, restoring youthful radiance and lifting facial contours with cutting-edge hyaluronic acid technology. DMark Beauty is the authorized distributor of Teoxane in the Philippines. To learn more about the treatment, consult your doctor.
To know more about Teoxane, follow DMark Beauty @ dmarkbeauty on Instagram and https://www.facebook.com/ dmarkbeauty/ on Facebook.
WATER FILTERS. Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) and the Aboitiz Foundation Inc. donated 300 water filters to address the need for clean and potable water in communities hit by Typhoon Kristine. Developed by non-profit organization Waves for Water, the filtration system is a more efficient and sustainable way to provide drinking water to communities in need, compared to hauling crates of bottled water. According to the filter’s manufacturer, the unit is able to filter existing freshwater sources like rainwater, rivers, springs, and deep wells and remove bacteria and protozoan, functioning for a minimum of five years. The filter attached to a standard 20-liter bucket at sea level is capable of filtering up to 1,117 liters of water per day. Pictured is AboitizPower VP for Corporate Affairs Suiee Suarez (right) handing over a water filter and bucket to DZRH Head of Relief Operations Mae Binauhan (left).
Timex Celebrates 170 Years of Simply Great Watchmaking
TIMEX, a pioneer in the watchmaking industry, marked its 170th anniversary with a grand event, “A Journey in Time,” honoring its rich heritage, celebrating its current success, and setting the stage for a promising future. This iconic American brand, which has graced the wrists of millions across the world, used the occasion to reflect on its illustrious past while also unveiling exciting innovations that solidify its place as a “True American Icon.” Timex proudly showcased its long-standing history through key milestones that highlighted its journey from 1854 to 2024. The brand, renowned for its durability and timeless design, shared its legacy of watchmaking expertise, underscoring the craftsmanship and precision that have driven its success for more than a century and a half.
A key highlight of the event was the recognition of Timex’s loyal customers, a testament to the brand’s enduring popularity. The recently concluded “Oldest Timex Watch” contest brought a unique twist to the celebration, with the top 10 winners being honored at the event. Their treasured timepieces, each a symbol of personal history and connection, were displayed alongside stories of their owners’ journeys with their beloved watches.
“This watch has been with me for decades—through milestones, moments, and memories. It’s more than just a timepiece; it’s part of my life’s story,” shared the winner of the oldest Timex watch, who took home the grand prize.
Marlin, The Waterbury, The Expedition and Deepwater Reef 200, among others. As part of its 170th anniversary celebrations, Timex is making history once again by launching a special edition of its iconic $1 watch. Reviving a legacy of accessible timekeeping, this release honors the heritage of simply great watchmaking since 1854, tracing back to
“We’re launching the Timex 170th Anniversary Watch for only $1 to celebrate our rich heritage and thank our loyal customers. This limited-time offer makes it accessible for everyone to join in our milestone celebration. It’s our way of honoring the past while looking forward to the future—together,” said Paulo Santos, Timex Philippines Marketing Director
The event also featured an exciting collaboration with several well-known influencers, including travel vlogger Daniel Marsh, who shared his passion for adventure and how Timex has accompanied him on his journeys. Other influencers such as TikTok sensation Andrea So, Eya Borja, and more were in attendance, further amplifying the brand’s message of embracing life’s mo.
As Timex celebrated its present and introduced its newest collection, the brand delivered a powerful message: in today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s important to pause and appreciate the simple, tangible moments. Timex invites everyone to slow down, rediscover the beauty of the analog life, and make time yours.
JANICE Israel Delima is a distinguished FilipinoAmerican entrepreneur, philanthropist, and global advocate for Filipino talent. As the founder and CEO of Alegre De Pilipinas LLC, a U.S.-based fashion and Global PR company, Janice has made significant strides in promoting Filipino designers and models on the world stage. Her journey, marked by resilience and perseverance, started with a passion for fashion that grew into a thriving business, bringing Filipino creativity to international platforms such as New York Fashion Week.
Janice’s academic foundation includes prestigious institutions like De La Salle University and the University of San Carlos, where she honed the skills that would later define her as a leader in the fashion and branding industry. A former professional PE Teacher, five-star Food and Beverage Manager, model, dancer, public speaker, and singer, Janice transitioned into a successful business executive, channeling her creativity into her company, Alegre De Pilipinas International. The company has not only showcased Filipino talents in New York but also expanded to promote Filipino businesses, artists, and brand ambassadors internationally, blending tradition with innovation to captivate global audiences.
Janice Israel Delima is an unstoppable force in the global fashion and PR industry. As the founder and CEO of Alegre De Pilipinas LLC, she has pioneered the promotion of Filipino talent on prestigious platforms, including New York Fashion Week (NYFW), where she first launched her award-winning fashion house. Her vision to showcase Filipino designers, models, and products globally has made her a celebrated figure, earning accolades like the Diamond Excellence Award and Mrs. Philippines International Universe Philippines 2023. Her outstanding contributions to the fashion industry have earned her numerous accolades, including the Diamond Excellence Award 2023 and the prestigious Mrs. Philippines International Universe Philippines 2023 title. She has been named one of the top women entrepreneurs to watch in 2023 and has received the Global Recognition Award, Mrs. Great Lakes Earth USA 2022, and multiple other international recognitions for her leadership in runway production, branding, and marketing. Beyond her fashion endeavors, Janice is deeply committed to humanitarian causes, advocating for mental health awareness, environmental conservation, and disaster relief. Her collaboration with Gawad America Awards highlights her mission to provide Filipinos with opportunities and recognition in Hollywood, where she has rewarded deserving individuals with red carpet experiences.
A dynamic entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate, Janice’s passion for mental health, environmental activism, and disaster relief is as strong as her commitment to fashion. She bridges traditional fashion with innovative storytelling, constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and technology in the runway industry. Beyond fashion, Janice’s collaboration with Gawad America has opened doors for Filipinos, providing them red-carpet experiences in Hollywood and amplifying Filipino excellence
mWell launched the first Mind Health Hub for state universities. In partnership with Rep. Stella Quimbo, Marikina Polytechnic College and 1Life.
THE back of the Timex 170th
NIKKI Tang and Junn Jalla (rightmost) of DMark Beauty present the Most Dynamic Award to Jan Conadera, Dr. Cyril Agan, and Dr. Mikki Tenazas of Lift Aesthetic Clinic.
Parentlife
Is your child a picky eater?
IREMEMBER both my children started having particular food preferences during their toddler years. My daughter liked anything sour like sinigang (Filipino tamarind soup) and even a slice of lemon or calamansi. My son liked tofu and miso soup. They would actually refuse to try other things. We noticed our children were more open to try a new thing usually when we were eating together or when they were with someone they love, like my dad or my sister. It also helps not to give up even if they initially say no. Another way that was effective was when we made the food together. I remember how we would make pizza to introduce different types of food from the variety of toppings we would use each time. Unicef.org offers 7 practical tips for handling picky eaters:
1. Try again. Toddlers may need to try a new food more than 10 times before they decide they like it.
2. Offer a variety of nutritious food—grains, roots, tubers, plantains; pulses (beans, peas, lentils), nuts and seeds; dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese); meat, fish, poultry; eggs; vitamin-A rich fruits and vegetables; other fruits and vegetables.
3. Work as a team with your child in preparing their meals.
4. Trust your child’s gut by not battling with them over unfinished food.
5. Keep portions small.
6. Don’t use food as a reward to praise good behavior.
7. Be a good role model. As our child grows up, even the most beloved dishes can lose their appeal over time, leading to what’s known as “sawa”—the feeling of getting tired or bored with the same meals. Parents’ busy schedules and not knowing what to cook can make addressing this “sawa” or tired issue extra challenging.
For instance, many shared that while egg-based dishes like omelettes and scrambled eggs are convenient breakfast options, their kids eventually grow tired of them.
Dati, every day, three times a day. Ngayon, napipilitan na ubusin,” one mother revealed. This issue isn’t limited to breakfast. Some mothers share their children ask what other dishes they know how to cook. “Di ko na po sila pinapakain kapag ramdam ko na ’yung sawa,” another mom quipped. Kids also request for canned goods instead of homemade dishes for lunch and dinner when they experience “sawa.” Mothers recognize the need for variety but admit that it’s hard to keep meals exciting due to time constraints and lack of new ideas. “Ako na ang nagsasawa minsan sa luto ko,” admitted one mother.
This can lead to deeper issues too. According to Jericho Medel, educator and chairman, Developmental Psychology Division, Psychological Association of the Philippines, having monotonous meals may affect the motivation of children during mealtime. Dietary habits that develop at an early age could be maintained in later life; not addressing the issue of meal monotony can encourage other behaviors, such as refusing to finish a meal and having difficulty exploring new and even familiar food items. “These concerns lead to parental pressure to meet the nutritional needs of their children. However, we may take into account that every child has a unique response to parental pressure during mealtime, especially in their regulatory and
appetitive tendencies,” Medel said.
Thus, there is a need for mothers to keep their kids excited for mealtimes. In a Facebook post, the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute said that kids should eat a variety of foods every day to get the nutrients needed by the body. However, moms know that’s easier said than done. What should a busy mom do? Many Filipinos online suggest adding an ingredient that can bring excitement to everyday dishes. A couple of Pinoy mothers provide a simple yet effective answer: cheese. Cheese isn’t just a tasty addition to any dish; it’s a flavor powerhouse that can elevate meals and fight off food fatigue. An article published in BBC Science Focus notes that the flavor profile of cheese makes it incredibly satisfying, while its savory taste can add depth to any meal. This creates a rich and irresistible taste that enhances any Pinoy dish. Eden Cheese, a beloved brand among Filipino families, understands the challenge of “sawa.” Its creamy and malinamnam goodness is here to help moms rediscover the joy in mealtimes. Celebrity chefs, such as Chef Rosebud Benitez and Chef RV Manabat have explored how cheese can turn dull mealtimes and into exciting food items not just with flavor but also with creative dish presentations that the whole family will appreciate. “Ang mga bata, sawa na kapag noodles or eggs lang. Kaya we added Eden Cheese para mas masaya,” says Chef RV.
Offering her exciting and kid-friendly take on the tuna turnover (with cheese, of course), Chef Rosebud writes: “With Eden Cheese, mas madaling gawin ’yan! Ang mga simpleng dishes, mas nagiging masarap dahil sa creamy and malinamnam goodness ng Eden because it’s made with milk and real cheese.”
Want to make your dishes fun and exciting? Visit www.twistandmake.com/eden to get tips and easy-tofollow recipes on how you can use Eden Cheese for a sawa-free mealtime with the entire family. n
THREE distinguished alumni of the University of the Philippine College of Mass Communication (UPCMC) will be honored for their significant contributions to media and communication during the 2024 edition of The Glory Awards on November 23 at the UP Film Institute in UPCMC, UP Diliman.
Organized by the UPCMC Alumni Association (UPCMCAA), the 2024 Glory Awards commemorates the legacy of Dr. Gloria Feliciano, the founding dean of UP’s College of Mass Communication, whose lifelong commitment to excellence continues to inspire generations of media practitioners.
The Glory Awards honor alumni who exemplify the highest standards of integrity, innovation and social impact in fields like broadcasting, journalism, advertising and more, as the UPCMCAA remains committed to recognizing and supporting alumni who exemplify excellence and public service, reinforcing the college’s role as a pillar of responsible media in the Philippines.
The 2024 honorees are radio veteran Willie Inong, journalist Joyce Pañares, and advertising director Mandy Reyes. Each has made remarkable contributions in their respective fields, setting new standards in media and public service.
Willie Inong, affectionately known in broadcasting as “Hillbilly Willy,” has spent over 40 years revolutionizing the radio and TV industry in the Philippines. Through his unique programming and innovative formats, he has expanded audience reach while also providing critical healthcare services as chairman of the Good News Clinic and Hospital, a charitable mission in the Cordillera region.
Joyce Pañares, managing editor of Manila Standard, is being recognized for her fearless reporting and dedication to media ethics. Beginning her career as a young reporter, Pañares quickly rose to prominence and served as a respected president of the Malacañang Press Corps. Her commitment to the craft extends to educating future journalists, preparing new generations for the challenges of the newsroom with her extensive knowledge of media ethics and management.
Mandy Reyes, a pioneer in Philippine advertising, established Industria Productions, the first production house to introduce digital filmmaking to local commercials. Known for directing some of the country’s most iconic advertising campaigns, Reyes continues to influence the field with storytelling that creates a sensory experience for viewers.
This year’s honorees join an elite group of alumni celebrated for their contributions to society and the media industry, among them, journalists Jessica Soho, Ces Drilon, Karen Davila, Ging Reyes, Roby Alampay, Ed Lingao, Abner Mercado, Lynda Jumilla, Charie Villa and Kata Inocencio; filmmakers Maryo de los Reyes, Jeffrey Jeturian, Cathy Garcia; TV executives Loren Dyogi, Deo Endrinal; social advocates Lan Mercado and Nona Andaya-Castillo, peace advocate Samira Gutoc, and many more. Each Glory Award winner receives a unique trophy sculpted by UP Professor Emerita Gigi Javier Alfonso, symbolizing their achievements and lasting impact.
The 2024 Glory Awards coincides with the UPCMC alumni homecoming gathering over 150 alumni, students and university officials to celebrate these three exceptional individuals.
More information on this year’s event and awardees can be found at the UPCMCAA Facebook page.
Don’t wait for a holiday surge. Now is a good time to get your flu and Covid-19 vaccines
By Lauran Neergaard The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—If you missed the early fall push for flu and Covid-19 vaccines, it’s not too late.
Health officials say it’s important to get vaccinated ahead of the holidays, when respiratory bugs tend to spread with travel and indoor celebrations.
Those viruses haven’t caused much trouble so far this fall. But Covid-19 tends to jump in the winter months, a rise that usually starts around Thanksgiving and peaks in January.
And that coincides with flu season, which tends to start in November or December and peak in January or February.
It takes the body about two weeks to build up immunity after either shot— meaning vaccination is needed before these viruses start spreading. A lot of older adults also need protection against another risky winter virus, RSV.
Yes, you can get your flu and Covid-19 shots at the same time. Don’t call them boosters—they’re not just another dose of last year’s protection. The coronavirus and influenza are escape artists that constantly mutate to evade your body’s immune defenses, so both vaccines are reformulated annually to target newer strains.
While they’re not perfect, vaccinations offer strong protection against a bad case of flu or Covid-19—or dying from it.
“It may not prevent every infection but those infections are going to be less severe,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “I would rather have my grandmother or my great-grandmother have a sniffle than have to go to the emergency room on Thanksgiving.”
Last year, just 45 percent of adults got a flu vaccination and even fewer, 23 percent, got a Covid-19 shot.
“Our best defense to protect ourselves, our loved ones and all those around us is a
simple shot,” Dr. Bruce A. Scott, president of the American Medical Association, said in a recent statement.
While it may have faded from the headlines, the coronavirus still killed more Americans than flu last year.
“Maybe we believe that it’s not going
to be me but let’s not take a chance,” said Dr. Michael Knight of George Washington University. “Why not get a vaccine that’s going to help you reduce that risk?” Who needs a fall Covid-19 or flu vaccination?
The CDC urges both an updated
Covid-19 shot and yearly flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older. If you recently had Covid-19, you can wait two or three months but still should get an updated vaccination because of the expected winter surge. Both viruses can be especially dangerous to certain groups including older people and those with weak immune systems and lung or heart disease. Young children also are more vulnerable. The CDC counted 199 child deaths from flu last year.
Pregnancy also increases the chances of serious Covid-19 or flu—and vaccination guards mom plus ensures the newborn has some protection, too.
In addition, the CDC is recommending that people 65 and older get a second Covid-19 shot six months after their fall dose to boost their yearround protection, since the coronavirus isn’t just a winter threat. People with weakened immune systems are eligible for extra doses, too.
WILLY “HILLBILLY WILLY” INONG
JOYCE PAñARES MANDY REYES
PHOTO BY ANNIE SPRATT ON UNSPLASH
Brownlee at forefront of PHL bid in qualifiers
By Josef Ramos
Like Cone and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, Brownlee is reeling from their Finals loss to TNT Tropang Giga in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Brownlee didn’t only lost in the series but also yielded to TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jeferson in the Best Import contest. But Cone, having known Brownlee for the last seven to eight years, is oozing with confidence that his resident import will deliver— against a brand new New Zeland team on November 21 and Hong Kong three days later.
“The key is he needs time to rest his body and mind, eight or nine days do not seem to be a lot of time and I think it’s not. But I think for Justin, it’s enough,” Cone said. “I know him well, I know and saw how he recovers. I think he will be in his prime.”
bounce back, even more so with Justin, he’s even more motivated to bounce back,” said Cone, who was joined in the news conference by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio and executive director Erika Dy and Gilas team manager Richard del Rosario.
“I’m looking forward to that,” said Cone, adding Brownlee won’t be expected to deliver the big numbers but “will be locked in on what we do and involve his teammates and play the game the right way, which he does 99 percent at the time.”
Six-foot-11 Edu, however, will sit out both games nursing a knee injury he sustained last week, as well as Jamie Malonzo who’s recovering from a left calf injury.
Sevenfoot-3 center Kai
“When
New Zealand will be handled by its new coach Judd Flavell and just like Gilas, the Tall Blacks swept their two games in the first window last February. Brownlee, 36, averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in Gilas’s first two won games in the qualifies and according to Cone, the Governors’ Cup loss only motivates the 6-foot-6 naturalized player.
“He’s not exactly happy how with he played and I am not happy with the way I coached, but if I’m motivated to
Rthe elite tournament at the Midlands and Highlands courses in Tagaytay City.
“I just hope that I get lucky again, although I am playing very well lately,” said the 68-year-old Abdon, meaning every word of it since he just scored the second ace of his career last November 6 at hole No. 4 of Riviera’s Langer course using a pitching wedge from 140 yards.
“I’m still trying to get a practice round in, just in time for the tournament,” said Abdon, who, interestingly, triumphed November 6 last year at Orchard. “I have been lucky with that date lately.” Crack players from the most
valued client list of the country’s flag carrier will be seeing action, with the tournament expected to go down the wire again like last year when an eagle became the marginal shot for
Sotto, according to Del Rosario, is in town but needs a medical clearance for a concussion he suffered during his recent game in the Japanese B. League. Japeth Aguilar and Mason Amos will replace Edu and Malonzo in the lineup, while 6-foot-11 Ange Kouame will be on standby.
Scottie
Thompson is also returning after missing the first window in Latvia last July with a back injury.
Cone set training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba. Also in the lineup are June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Dwight Ramos, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo.
by HoleIn-One sponsors Mercedes Benz Philippines, Okada Manila, Newport World Resorts, Get Go’s Golf Cart and Philippine Airlines.
Diamond sponsors include Mastercard and Nustar Resort and Casino, while HSBC is a Platinum sponsor.
Joining the event as Gold sponsors are PNB, Megaworld Hotel and Resorts, Seda Hotels, Tumi and Asian Journal.
SWIMMER Carl Hilario and thrower Arvin Dialino emerged as the first triple gold medalists of the Philippine National Para Games that are being held simultaneously at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and PhilSports Complex in Pasig City.
Hilario, 18, and competing out of Aklan, ruled the men’s 200-meter freestyle and 100m butterfly S14 late Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial pool, a day after striking gold in the 100m freestyle and boosting his chance of making it to the para national team.
“We always compete in local competitions but it’s our first time to go national,” Hilario’s coach Allan Gomez said. “And we’re lucky we got three gold medals.”
S14 swimmers such as Hilario possess intellectual impairment with difficulty on pattern recognition, sequencing and memory as well as slower reaction times.
Hilario reached the wall in the 200m free in two minutes and 31.80 seconds after finishing the 100m fly in 1:21.31 during in the five-day games organized by the Philippine Paralympic Committee and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
Dialino, 38, bagged his third gold medal after topping the men’s shot put F40/F41 class over at the Philsports oval.
The pride of Antipolo City, Dialino threw the metal sphere to 5.22 meters in defeating Pangasinan’s Manolito Parica (4.41m) and Baguio’s Ronald Lacuata (2.93m).
Justine Oliveros secured a pair of golds in the men’s 100m butterfly S8-910 in one minute and 42.59 seconds and 400m freestyle S8-9-10 (6:20.73).
MIKHA FORTUNA unleashed a strong finishing kick by birdying the last two holes to card a three-under 69 and trail Thailand’s PK Kongkraphan by four at the start of the Party Golfers Ladies Open in Taiwan on Wednesday.
Fortuna’s late surge at the par 35-37 Lily Golf and Country Club course in Hsinchu County not only turned her fortunes around but also bolstered the Philippine contingent’s standing in the NT$5 million championship of the Ladies Professional Golf Association of Taiwan (TLPGA). The tournament saw a promising performance from young amateur Mona
Sarines, who led the Filipino participants early on.
The junior golfer played impressively without succumbing to pressure and strung birdies on Nos. 1, 2 5 and 7 against a bogey on No. 3 and despite two bogeys at the back, her one-under 71
Silver sponsors include The Farm at San Benito, Tanduay Distillery, Asia Brewery, Marivent Hotels & Resorts Inc./Las Casas Filipina de Acuzar, SMAC, Converge ICT Solutions Inc., Seafood City, ETON Properties Philippines Inc., Microwine/ Liquor Kingdom Trading, La Condessa/ Global8 Finance Corp., The Travel Club and Hertz Asia Pacific. Panorama Villas, Innovator Luggage and Wharf Hotels are joining as donors.
Trising 13-year-old prodigy.
Fortuna’s steady play included a 13-par run from the backside of the rolling layout before birdies on Nos. 8 and 9 gave her a final 32-37 card.
The reigning Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) Match Play champion credited her calm approach and slight familiarity with the course for her solid start.
“I was a bit nervous coming into this event, but I reminded myself that I played here last year,” she said. “I know the course, so I just focused on my game plan.” Her patience paid off and rewarding her a spot among the Top 10 with Taiwanese Hsin Lee, Chen Tseng, SzuHan Chen and amateur JieEn Lin and Thai Chonnokam Chaiyasith.
Kongkraphan took the early lead with a 65 capped with back-to-back birdies.
Kongkraphan—a former LPGA Tour player and winner of multiple TLPGA events this year, including the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Luisita International in April—demonstrated her championship form with a 31-34 card to lead a competitive field that includes compatriot Nook Sukapan and Taiwanese Tsai Ching Tseng and Phoebe Yao, who all carded 67s with defending champion Ling-Jie Cheng
HE Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) hopes to spot potential members of the national team during the Smart/MVPSF National Age-Group Championships this Saturday and Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The two-day free sparring event has generated so much interest that it now has lured more than 2,000 participants from all
BAGUIO City’s Elizabeth Bayla hits the bullseye and wins gold in archery. ROY DOMINGO