By MAYA M. PADILLO
Trial Court (RTC)
A 20-page order signed by Presiding Judge Retrina Fuentes dated December 28, 2022, denied the Mo-
tion to Quash stating that “the main purpose of the information is to ensure that an accused is formally
informed on the facts and the acts constituting the offense charged. Where insufficient, an accused in a criminal case can file a motion to have the information against him quashed and/or dismissed before he enters his plea.”
The order added “a Motion to Quash challenges the efficacy of information
and compels the court to determine whether the Information suffices to require an accused to endure the rigors of trial. Where the information is insufficient and thus cannot be the basis of any valid conviction, the court must drop the case immediately and save an accused from
FUNSUCCESSFUL, P10
Over 400 families from three flood-hit villages in New Corella town received food packs from the provincial government of Davao del Norte as several families were displaced from their homes due to flooding triggered by continuous rain.
Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib has or-
dered the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) to coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWDO) in Davao City for the immediate distribution of food packs intended for the flood victims from Barangays Macgum, Suawon and Limbaan, all in the province
of Davao del Norte.
The families were affected by heavy flooding after the Saug and Macgum rivers swelled due to heavy downpour last week. The PSWDO initially provided food and water provisions to the displaced families last January 20, 2023.
Jubahib also took the opportunity to urge the
residents to always heed government warnings during times of disaster.
“As we continue to recover from the devastating floods, it is important that we come together as a community to support those who have been affected,” Jubahib said. “I want to assure everyone
The City Health Office Dispensary Section called on workers from the concerned service sector to renew their health cards as it aims to cover its target of 100,000 health cards for 2023. These cards are released and processed at Gaisano Ilustre.
“More than 10,000 ang nakakuha. Ang target nato this year is 100,000 para ma-beat nato ang last year nga record (More than 10,000 have already obtained their health cards. Our target this year is 100,000 so that we can beat last year’s record),” said Dr. Greggy Mark Yee, the CHO Dispensary Section Head, in an interview on Friday.
Among those who are required to get health cards are those who are working in the food service industry, security guards, and massage therapists.
Yee said that these past few days, they recorded an increase in the number of employees who were able to process their health cards, with 1,400 as the highest number per day. He added that the renewal may end around March- April depending on the number of clients.
He underscored that health card renewal is very important.
“Importante ni sya kay aside sa dili sila madakpan o [masirado] ilang company. Kailangan nila ma train og usab labaw na sa atong food handlers. Dapat kabalo sila unsay dapat og mga dili sa pagprepare og food, para sa non-food pud, aron maaware sila sa tama nga proseso (This is very important so that they won’t be apprehended or that their company will not be closed. They also need to train, especially those who are food handlers. They also should know the do’s and don’t’s in food preparation. For the non-food also so that they would become aware of the correct processes),” Yee said, adding that they have lanes for food handlers who need to undergo training. The training is facilitated by CHO sanitary inspectors.
The main requirements for a health card are a filled-up application form, cedula, official receipt from the City Treasurer’s Office/Osmena Park/ Cashier on site, and laboratory results that may vary depending on the type of occupation.
“For the whole year ang health card nato is Php 50.00 excluding the laboratories na na siya. Ang laboratories kamo bahala asa magpalabora-
An official of the local government unit (LGU) of Sta. Cruz announced on Monday that the tourism popular Davao del Sur town has received 250,000 tourists/visitors last year.
Santa Cruz tourism officer Julius R. Paner told the media majority were domestic/local visitors. He said there are foreigners but not very significant in numbers.
He said the majority of them the purpose of the visit was the outdoor activities followed by leisure tour like visiting the resorts, among others.
“We are still banking on domestic tourists. We are a small municipality selling eco-adventure sites ug dako na siya nga figure (250,000) i-compare nimo sa uban nga highly urbanized cities. Ingon ana ka nindot ang amoong 2022 and hopefully ma sustain ang momentum namo this year and sa umaabot pa nga mga katuigan,” he
said during Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday.
Sta. Cruz a town in Davao del Sur, which hosts one of the entry points to Mt. Apo, offers several ecotourism and cultural activities in partnership with local communities and the indigenous group Bagobo-Tagabawa.
“Ang number one player sa tourism program sa Sta. Cruz is a communitybased association. We are as much as possible trying to promote that because sustainable man gud siya in a way and we are not dependent on the private sector,” he said.
Paner said tourists visiting Sta. Cruz created a lot of direct employment in the community and other sectors in tourism also benefited like the sari sari stores, guides, porters, habal habal drivers, and accommodation establishments.
“That is what we are
By MAYA M. PADILLOThe Davao City Water District (DCWD) announced on Monday that it is scheduled to implement an additional 20 percent water rate adjustment within the year.
“For this year naa ta’y naka schedule na 20 percent water rate adjustment and this is still part of the total 60 percent water rate adjustment that we are going to implement,” said Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod,
spokesperson of DCWD during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao on Monday.
Davao City’s water supply distributor filed for a 60 percent rate increase, which it plans to implement over three
years.
The 30 percent water rate hike started to reflect in the August billing last year following DCWD’s announcement that it is implementing the water rate adjustment of 30 percent wherein the minimum charge before the adjustment is at P137.30 and with the 30 percent adjustment is currently at P178.50.
“We already
implemented the first 30 percent adjustment in 2022 and target nato na ma implement ang 20 percent this year. Sa pagkakaron ang among minimum is naa sa P178.50 so if we infuse the 20 percent naa sa P214 ang first 10 cubic meters,” she said.
Duhaylungsod said DCWD is eyeing to implement the last 10 percent water rate
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now in “high morale” amid ongoing meetings and discussions to amend the law prescribing fixed terms to around 14 to 17 key positions, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters at its headquarters in
Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Galvez also thanked Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri for supporting their recommendation to replace the fixed term with an “extended tenure of service” for officers.
He added that the fixed term provision clamped the AFP Senior Board of Officers’ ability to place
the best among the qualified officials in certain areas.
“We will remove the term ‘fixed term’, instead we will use the term ‘extended tenure of service’, yun ang gagamitin natin (we will use that) so there is no such thing as fixed term already, hindi maging absolute,magiging flexi-
ble yung tinatawag nating career management ng ating mga key officers (it will not be absolute, we will have a flexible career management for our key officers),” he added.
Under Republic Act (RA) 11709, also known as the Act Strengthening Professionalism in the AFP,
The Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), plans to launch a loan facility to meet the needs of specific sectors, particularly exporters.
SB Corp. board director Voltaire Magpayo said the administration would create a “tailor-made” loan facility “maybe next month.”
“Kung halimbawa ikaw
ay exporter, gagawa kami ng loan facility na akma sa iyong pangangailangan katulad ng export packing line… very specialized sa pangangailangan ng segment ng industriya,” Mag-
payo said on the sidelines of Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restobar in Quezon City.
(For example, if you are an exporter, we will create a loan facility that is appropriate for their needs, such as an export packing line… very specialized for the needs of the segment of the industry.)
“So magkakaroon kami ng specific loan, [especially
for] exporters,” he said.
(We will be having a specific loan facility, especially for exporters.)
The SB Corp. director said the interest rate for the planned loan facility will be 7% to 12% per annum.
The state-owned firm offers several low-interest and collateral free loan programs for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs.)
The Credit Card Association of the Philippines said on Monday it welcomes the decision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to raise the ceiling on credit card monthly interest rates to 3 percent.
The BSP announced last Friday that it had raised the monthly ceiling for credit card charges. This was in step with the BSP’s higher benchmark rate, which is now at 5.5 percent from a
The re-engineered version of the Maharlika Investment Fund must be recalled since the new version was not deliberated in the House of Representatives, Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said on Monday.
Under the new version unveiled by Rep. Joey Salceda earlier, seed funding would be taken from dividends of GOCCs or the securitization of some P42 billion in dividends.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Develop-
ment Bank and other “controversial” funding sources were dropped, Salceda said, adding that GOCC dividends were “surplus.”
But Lagman pointed out that a 1993 law dictates that 50 percent of GOCC dividends should be remitted to the national treasury to fund socio-economic projects. The other 50 percent must be reinvested into GOCC operations, he said.
GOCC dividends, therefore, are not surpluses since they are “earmarked”
to support the national budget, Lagman said.
“The income of these corporations should not be sequestered or securitized because they are invariably used to fund the national budget...…Used to help fund the national budget and address directly and immediately the socio-economic needs of the people like health, education, food security, basic infrastructure,” he said.
In 2021, remitted GOCC dividends were at
P57 to P58 billion. If some P42 billion would be channeled to Maharlika “how much will remain for budgetary support?” Lagman said. He said these funds are used as a “shield” for the poor to survive amidst rising inflation.
“You are depriving our people of the necessary funding for basic services... Ang apektado yung tao (the people are affected),” he said.
“That’s why I’m asking we should recall the approval of the bill so the
House can deliberate on these re-engineered provisions because it did not pass the House. It was not discussed in the House. It was not deliberated in the House,” he said.
Salceda earlier said the re-engineered version was the one introduced to the international community by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr in Davos, Switzerland during the World Economic Forum.
In terms of the proposed initial public offer-
ing (IPO) of the sovereign wealth fund, Lagman said it should not be privatized.
“That fund, which represents the work of the state, should be controlled and owned by the State. It should not be eventually transferred through an IPO subject to subscription to the extent that private sector would control the fund,” Lagman said.
Lagman said the bill remains in its “embryonic stage” and shows signs of “hasty legislation.”
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it has approved the increase in the monthly ceiling of fees imposed on unpaid credit card outstanding balance by 100 basis points to 3 percent from the previous 2 percent.
The existing ceiling on the month add-on rate that issuers can charge on installment loans, meanwhile, was maintained at a maximum rate of 1 percent, the central bank said in a statement.
Similarly, the maximum processing fee on the availment of credit card cash advances remains at P200 per transaction, it added.
“The policy aligns the credit card interest rate ceiling with developments in the macro economy and cushions the impact of inflationary pressure on banks’/ credit card issuers’ ability to provide quality credit card services to their clients,” BSP Governor Felipe Medalla said.
Medalla earlier said the Monetary Board would review the cap on credit card fees and charges after the recent interest rate hikes that brought the benchmark policy rate to 5.5 percent from 2.5 percent.
The 2 percent cap was placed by the BSP in 2020 as a “temporary relief measure” to ease the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, it said.
The upward adjustment considers higher inflation and that it would help banks and credit card issuers cover higher costs related to handling of consumer transactions, the BSP said.
ING Bank Manila’s Senior economist Nicholas Mapa said higher rates could dampen consumption.
Interest rate was raised to 5.5 percent in the last 6 months to tame inflation that hit 8.1 percent in December, or the highest since November 2008.
The onions recently imported by the government have already arrived in the country, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry, and with the increased supply soon, many are hoping the prices will go down, according to a report on Monday.
Some are hoping that the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) pronouncement that the price of onions will go down to P80 per kilo will soon happen.
But since the imported onions are not yet in the markets as these are still undergoing inspection at the second border, the prices of onions are still high as of Monday.
At the Blumentritt Market in Manila, “lasona” onions are being sold at P200 per kilo, and fresh onions at P300 per kilo.
A vendor was selling onions at P250 per kilo but these are the rejected ones.
Some vendors are selling sliced onions so consumers can buy them cheaper at P10 per plastic bag.
Vendors said their suppliers told them that the prices of onions might go down next week, but they do not know if this would be due to the release of recently imported onions in the market.
Green light
Earlier this month, the DA gave the green light for the importation of 21,060 metric tons of onions to fill a supply gap and arrest the continuous spike in the price of the commodity in the market.
In a letter to Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)-licensed onion importers dated January 6, the DA said it will issue sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC) for the importation of fresh yellow and fresh red onion from January 9 to January 13, 2023.
Licensed importers are given until January 27, 2023 for their shipments to arrive in the country.
The volume allowed for importation are broken down as follows:
• Fresh yellow onion -
3,960 metric tons
• Fresh red onion17,100 metric tons
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on January 16 (PH time) that “our government had no choice but to import,” given the gap between production and the demand for onions in the Philippines.
“Given the production and demand we have in the Philippines, it’s impossible to avoid imports. We’ve tried to get products from smuggling, but the need was still not met. We had no choice but to import, so that’s what we’re doing,” Marcos, who also sits as Agriculture secretary, told reporters who were with him on the plane from Manila to Switzerland where
Motorists would have to brace for another week of higher pump prices, with the latest increment exceeding PHP2 per liter.
Effective Tuesday, Caltex, Cleanfuel, Seaoil, and Shell will hike gasoline prices by PHP2.80 per liter and diesel by PHP2.25
per liter.
Caltex, Seaoil, and Shell will also increase kerosene prices by PHP2.40 per liter.
Other industry players are expected to follow suit.
The price adjustments this week tracked the movement in the global
market, turning bullish on oil demand from China.
Industry experts are expecting that the easing of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) restrictions in China will boost oil demand and prices.
As of this writing, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading at USD81.34
per barrel and Brent crude at USD87.30 per barrel.
WTI was selling below USD80 per barrel, while Brent was trading below the USD85 level last week.
Dubai crude ended its trading last week higher at USD81 per barrel from USD80 on Jan. 13. (PNA)
The enactment of Act No. 2408 on June 23, 1914, establishes the Department of Mindanao and Sulu, the replacement of the Moro Province. This development led to the opening of the first public schools under the department, and the appointment of division superintendents of schools for the provinces of Davao, Lanao, Agusan, Bukidnon, Sulu, Zamboanga, and Cotabato. The first department superintendent, appointed in 1915, was Glenn W. Caulkins. Assigned to handle early on the Davao assignment was W. Ernest Crowe who was appointed in 1916 but left the service the following year under the Osmeña Retirement Act; he was replaced by Henry C. Stanton as acting division superintendent. When Carl M. Moore replaced Caulkins, Vernon D. Gibson was installed in an acting capacity
before Stanton took over as full-fledged superintendent.
In 1920, John J. Heffington replaced Moore as superintendent after the administrative setup of schools his predecessors implemented was abolished.Crowe joined the government on July 24, 1909, and was first assigned as a teacher in Iloilo. Six years later, he became the principal of Zamboanga. The following year, he was appointed as the division superintendent of schools of Davao Province.Stanton, meanwhile, joined the civil service on July 23, 1910, as a teacher. On June 11, 1912, he was chosen justice of the peace of the town of Jolo and his appointment was confirmed on October 21 that year. As an educator, he quickly rose from the ranks and became the division superintendent of schools of Davao; he resigned from the position on June 23, 1919.
Gibson first joined the bureaucracy as an examiner of the Appraisers’ Division of the Office of the Insular Deputy Collector of Customs on December 30, 1903. His appointment was released on February 5, 1904. In 1920, during the watch of Heffington as acting department superintendent, he returned to Davao as acting division superintendent until August 4, 1922, before he left on a furlough to the United States. Upon his return, he became acting assistant to the Superintendent of Privates Schools in 1923. He was replaced by James E. McCall, who assumed as acting Davao superintendent in 1920. That same year, Gibson returned to reclaim his old position. McCall, then supervising teacher in Cotabato Province in 1916, was assigned as acting assistant to the Superintendent of Private Schools in 1923
after his Davao stint and later became Cotabato superintendent from 1924 to 1926. After returning from a U.S. leave on October 31, 1926, he was assigned as division superintendent of Ilocos Norte the following year and served the post until 1929. By 1935, he was moved to Cavite. After the war, he returned to the country as chief of the Philippine mission of the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF).James M. Swartz took over the Davao superintendency in 1924 but was moved a year later to Capiz to assume the same position. Milburn A. Maxey succeeded in Davao in 1925 in an acting capacity and was elevated to full-fledged status the following year.
Swartz joined the education bureau on July 3, 1911. In 1920, he was assigned in Misamis as acting superin-
tendent, serving the post until the next year. In 1922, he was transferred to Camarines where he was posted until September 4, 1923, when he took a leave for the US. After his Davao and Capiz assignments, he became division superintendent in Ilocos Sur in 1926. On November 16, 1927, he resigned from the bureau to avail of the retirement plan under Act 2589.
Maxey, then supervising teacher of Baganga, Davao Oriental, was promoted in 1925 to supervising teacher-at-large in order to assume as acting division superintendent of schools of Davao. He was promoted to a full-fledged status a year later. After his Davao stint, he moved to Surigao, where he was the last American division superintendent of schools (1931-35) before the establishment of the Commonwealth.
This is one quotable quote from PBBM which he uttered during a dialogue at the World Economic Forum with the conference president Børge Brende in Davos, when asked if he would double the defense budget like Japan is doing.
PBBM answered that “... the belief is that first of all, there is no point the Philippines building up it’s armory.” This so far one of the wisest and most profound, honest and I think courageous statement from PBBM that we have heard so far.
It’s an important statement because it is one of the rare spontaneous answers from PBBM that we have heard so far from him and really delivers important truths the nation must hear, understand and take to heart.
It incorporates several messages, the first of which is a truth and a fact that the Philippines has no external security threat, contrary to the alarmism Western Powers’ political, business, academic and think tank, and
mainstream media networks say of the “China threat”.
It is, and should be regularly raised to remind people, a confirmation of what former National Security Adviser and retired general Hermogenes Esperon said publicly half-a-dozen times that “China is not an enemy.”
The internal security threat from insurgencies needs more socio-economic-political- affirmative action more than expansion of military hardware.
The national interest and priority of the nation is economic development and prosperity, uplifting the growing number of poor in the country and the declining material well-being of the shrinking middle class. Even the survey commissioned by the Stratbase by Pulse Asia show in 16 categories inflation and top economic issues are the top concerns and external security only the 15th.
In any war the economic and industrial capacity and relative standing of a nation is the ultimate basis for
winning in any war, and the Philippines which no longer has a major steel industry and needs to import its basic food, fuel and fertilizers needs is far from having any capability to shift meager resources to raising budgets to devote to the armaments procurement.
Although PBBM went to Davos to drum up investments from the global financial oligarchy he did not succumb to their unsavory importuning for tension in the world. It was a great response to question about the Ukraine War to which PBBM replied that the Asia-Pacific nations “won’t embrace the ‘Cold War’ mentality.”
These answers bring out the real PBBM that some of his subordinates in the Cabinet have tended to derail and even contradict and misrepresent, such as the former DND OIC Jose C. Faustino who made several very proUS statements before. Faustino, thankfully has been replaced by Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., the super manager of the
Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Secretary Galvez also has a very good track record of working with the Chinese government’s representatives such as Ambassador Huang Xilian, successfully negotiating 5 million doses of Chinese vaccine donations and over 50 million doses of vaccine purchases at “global public goods” costs. Galvez was also head of the OPAPRU on the peace process for the insurgency.
PBBM was in Davos to seek support from the global financial giants but there is global criticism of WEF coming from such anti-poverty global movement like Oxfam (Oxford Committee for Famine Relief) which had an FB post showing 9 Philippine billionaires having $28.9-billion wealth and more than 55 million Filipinos combined – and getting richer as the 110-million Filipinos get poorer.
PBBM did not create the problem but is expected to
solve this wealth disparity crisis. It’s not clear that Davos can provide solutions like the solutions from PBBM’s China state visit that provides a firm foundation for Philippine economic recovery and realize its dream of being an upper-middle income economy with per capital income of US$ 4,256 from today’s US$ 3,763.70.
PBBM is now expressing himself more spontaneously and speaking with more authenticity, bringing out his convictions. We like to see him do more of this and hope the lower echelons start picking up and echoing his message instead of sending out disparate, confusing and often conflicting messages to that of the President of the Republic.
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.
When old classmates from the good old high school days meet, expect a lot of chatter and laughter.
Notre Dame of M’lang’s Batch 80 and Holy Cross College of Bansalan’s Batch 80 celebrated their Batch Reunions over the holidays.
The 80’s Notre Dameans
was adjudged Best in Attendance in the Notre Dame of M’lang Grand Reunion held at the Notre Dame of M’lang campus on December 30, 2022. US-based members Archer Espulgar and Efren and Jen Redil were the batch’s major sponsors. They capped the reunion with a batch party at Yoons Garden and Events Place.
One of the highlights of the reunion was the election of NDMC 80 batch officers.
Sixto Escudero Jr. was elected President, Archer Espulgar as Vice President, Evelyn Daniel Lubas as Secretary, Fatima Anoran Aguilon as
Treasurer, Linley Platon Dalipa as Assistant Treasurer, Fe Londres Enamno as Auditor and Bonilyn Mansueto as PIO.
On the other hand, Holy Cross of Bansalan College HS Batch 80 also celebrated its reunion on Dec. 29-30, 2022 at Epitome Mountain Resort in Bansalan, Davao Sur.
It was also time for the election of HCBC Batch 80 officers. Parlie Abrea Dimabayao was elected President, Francy Edulan Aguilar (Vice President), Jocelyn Cabahug (Secretary), Lorena Dominga Uy (Treasurer), Angel Pnsy (Auditor), Luzvimind Aclao and Helen Quin Somosot as PROs.
The United States government, through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), is providing NOW Telecom Company, Inc. a Php 118 million ($2.15 million) grant to fund a feasibility study for the development of reliable and secure nationwide 5G mobile and broadband networks in the Philippines.
NOW Telecom has selected New Jersey-based Bell
Labs Consulting, part of Bell Labs, the research arm of Nokia, to conduct the study.
The grant agreement was signed by NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mel Velasco Velarde and Nokia Bell Labs Managing Partner Stefan Wilhelm during the 10th U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Manila on January 20.
United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian
and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, and Philippines Department of Information and Communications (DICT) Undersecretary for Connectivity Angelo Nuestro witnessed the signing.
“This 5G grant demonstrates the U.S. commitment to developing quality digital infrastructure and increasing access to affordable connec-
tivity in the Philippines,” Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink said.
For his part, DICT Undersecretary Nuestro said, “The open innovation platform that this partnership seeks to give will enable the broader Philippine society to take a leap towards a connected future. We welcome these opportunities that will improve the lives of Filipinos.”
Under the USTDA grant,
Surendra Menon turning over the role of Chief Executive Officer to Karen Custodia during BPI AIA’s recent Sales Kick Off event
Top bancassurance firm BPI AIA today announced the appointment of Karen Custodia as the new Chief Executive Officer of BPI AIA, which took effect on January 9, 2023. At the helm, Custodia takes on the responsibility of overseeing BPI AIA’s growing Partnership Distribution Channel and managing its strategic relationship with BPI while providing leadership to support a wide range of initiatives.
“I am both proud and humbled to take on this new role at BPI AIA as we continue to provide Filipinos with the financial protection they need and encourage them to live longer, healthier, and better lives. We understand our consumers’ changing needs and we will continue to invest in innovations to fulfill our strong commitment to making insurance accessible, affordable, and personalized for every Filipino.,” said Karen Custodia, BPI AIA CEO.
Prior to her appointment, she held the role of Head of Partnership Distribution Sales Channels at BPI AIA since 2014. Bringing in more than a decade of rich experience in sales, Custodia has a proven track record of driving impactful change in the company. In her previous role, she led a team of over 1,500 employees from the In-Branch Corporate Sales, Direct Sales, Private Banking, and Telesales teams.
Under her leadership, BPI AIA successfully imple-
mented a new distribution model aligned with BPI’s customer and channel strategy. This feat has strengthened partner engagement and consequently increased the sales force productivity.
“Our partnership with BPI has grown stronger every year, we push on every day to protect our customers letting them love the lives they live. We look forward to working alongside them towards our common goal of building a better Philippines, one family, one community at a time,” added Custodia.
Custodia previously led the distribution channels to shift from physical to hybrid interaction at the height
of the pandemic. The shift helped curb the pandemic’s impact and achieve faster recovery while staying true to the BPI AIA mission of making insurance easy to get and easy to have for every Filipino.
Custodia replaced Surendra Menon, who served six years as BPI AIA CEO and was recently appointed as Director of Partnership Distribution of AIA Indonesia. Custodia will work closely with and will be directly reporting to Kelvin Ang, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Philippines.
“I am honored to pass on the chief executive role to Karen. Through the course of
her career, she has demonstrated her expertise and knowledge, which have been key parts of many of the organization’s innovations and developments. With her spearheading BPI AIA, I am certain that she will drive the company toward new heights of success,” said Surendra Menon, outgoing and former CEO of BPI AIA.
BPI AIA is a joint venture between two icons of the financial industry, AIA Philippines (formerly AIA Philam Life) and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). To learn more about the leading bancassurance company, visit https://www.bpi-aia.com. ph/.
the feasibility study will provide NOW Telecom with the necessary analysis, designs, and plans for the phased implementation of the project. It will also include the establishment of a 5G pilot network at multiple sites in Metro Manila to validate network performance, test 5G use cases, and provide data to inform larger scale deployment.
This project aims to support the digital transforma-
tion of the Philippines by helping to meet the growing demand for high-bandwidth, reliable, and secure digital services from households and industry in the Philippines.
The feasibility study grant furthers U.S. digital policy in line with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which aims to promote secure digital infrastructure in the region to bolster economic growth and facilitate open digital societies.
the anxiety and convenience of a useless trial.”
In October last year, lawyers of Bello, who ran for the vice presidency against eventual winner Sara Duterte, filed a Motion to Quash for the indictment against Bello by the City Prosecutor’s Office for his alleged malicious statement against Tupas who was allegedly involved in a drug raid in Mabini, Davao de Oro in November 2021.
In a 15-page motion filed before the RTC Branch 10 in Davao City on October 24, 2022, Bello’s lawyers maintained that the facts in the criminal information did not constitute an offense because Tupas was a public officer and that the complained online post was a “commentary or criticisms” on her “official conduct.”
RTC’s latest order states that a motion to quash information on the ground that the facts charged do not constitute an offense should be resolved based on the allegations in the information whose truth and veracity are hypothetically admitted. It said that the question must be answered whether such allegations are sufficient to establish the elements of the crime charged without considering matters aliunde.
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“The accused claimed that private complainant Tupas is a public official falling within the definition of Republic Act No. 6713 and the alleged online communications respectively pertained to the latter’s official conduct as Davao City PIO. Given such and for the libel charges to stick, the accused maintained that inclusion of special averments that (a) the supposed imputations were false and, (b) done with the knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard as to truth or falsity must be duly stated. Yet, these matters were totally absent in the recitals of the information,” it said.
In an interview last year, lawyer Caesar Europa, legal counsel of Tupas, wanted the RTC Branch 10 in Davao City to deny the Motion to Quash and proceed with the arraignment and pre-trial for two counts of cyber libel against Bello.
As part of his final averments, Europa stated that the grounds and arguments raised are inapplicable to the cases at the bar as there is absolutely no basis to argue that the defamatory statements subject of this case are protected speech and, similarly, the claim that the accused herein was subjected to persecution is founded on thin air.
that the provincial government is doing everything in its power to provide aid and assistance to those in need.”
The governor also emphasized the importance of heeding government warnings during times of disaster.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of taking government warnings seriously,” Jubahib said. “By doing so, we can prevent loss of life and minimize damage to property.”
The food packs distributed by the governor’s office include rice, canned goods, and other basic necessities. The distribution is part of the Jubahib administration’s ongoing
low of 2 percent.
“It [CCAP] believes the recent MB [Monetary Board] decision to ease the monthly interest rate cap on credit cards is part of the BSP’s calibrated responses to the present economic situation,” the umbrella organization of 17 credit card issuers said
in a statement.
CCAP said credit cards are also a crucial tool in the overall digitalization goal of the country.
The BSP aims to digitalize 50 percent of all retail payments and onboard 70 percent of the adult population to the formal banking system this year.
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efforts to provide aid and assistance to those affected by the floods.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to provide for the needs of our residents during this difficult time,” Jubahib said. “We stand with our brothers and sisters affected by the floods, and we will do everything in our power to help them recover and rebuild.”
The pro-people governor thanked DSWD OIC-Secretary Eduardo Puay, DSWD XI Regional Director Atty. Vanessa Goc-ong for the prompt response of the social welfare agency to his request of providing food assistance to the affected families.
adjustment by next year.
She said that even with the proposed 60 percent rate adjustment is far beyond the basis of affordability as based on the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) guidelines water rate increase should not be more than five percent of the average income of the lowest income group of the city.
“Sa pagkakaron anaa sa P500,” she said.
She said the process to implement water rate adjustment will still have to go through the approval of LWUA.
“Right now, all of the documents and requirements are with
them and being reviewed, and depending sa ilahang evaluation that would be the time to implement the 20 percent. Sa pagkakakaron wala pa nato gi implement ang 20 percent and water rate is status quo. Kung unsa man ang decision sa LWUA specially if it is approved we have to conduct the notification or advisory para pahibalo sa mga customers,” she said.
The proposed rate adjustment is necessary for DCWD to generate funds for service area expansion and keep up with public and private infrastructure developments in the next 10 years.
tory pwede ta mahalon, pwede ta sa kaya-kaya, as long as legit siya nga laboratory wala gyud ta’y problema (For the whole year our health card is Php 50.00 that is excluding the laboratory fees. The laboratories it is up to you where will you go, it may be at the expensive laboratories or those that are offering a lower price,
but as long it is a legitimate laboratory we do not have any problem),” Yee said.
To make processing easier, Dabawenyos are encouraged to present the requirements at the site. They are also reminded to take note of the agency name as it is among the necessary details that will appear on the health card. CIO
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he will attend the World Economic Forum.
Members of the Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives meanwhile have filed a resolutionseeking the “immediate” suspension of the government’s importation of 21,060 metric tons of onion.
“Contrary to the supposed supply problem in onions being projected by the Marcos Jr. administration, price manipulation, profiteering, and hoarding of onions by
cartels and large traders cause the soaring prices of onions in the market,” they said.
They also noted that “uncontrollable smuggling” of onions and other agricultural products from China has affected local production.
The lawmakers also said farmers from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro have asked the government to halt the importation ahead of the harvest season as this will cause loss of their earnings.
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intending to do in Sta. Cruz na silang tanan naa sa community malipay. The year 2022 has been very good to us and again naka full blast nami sa implementation sa tourism
program and tanan establishments are open at lahat ng community-based association wherein they really gained income out from the tourism activities,” he said.
the AFP chief-of-staff, vice chief-of-staff, deputy chiefof-staff, heads of the major services (Army, Navy and Air Force), unified command commanders and inspector general will have a three-year term of office “unless sooner terminated by the President.”
The President may also extend the AFP chief-ofstaff’s tour of duty in times of war or other national emergencies declared by Congress.
Earlier, Galvez said rumblings in the AFP are merely anxiety of its personnel on the possible effects of the law on their careers.
During the Jan. 17 Senate hearing, the DND presented proposed amendments to RA 11709.
These include having the AFP chief a maximum term of three years, while service commanders like the Army, Navy, and Air Force will have two years and the Philippine Military Academy superintendent having four-year tenure.
Meanwhile, the AFP vice chief-of-staff, deputy chief-of-staff, unified command commanders, and inspector general can be appointed to a higher post if they still have a year left in active service.
Also included are proposals that no military officials can be promoted to brigadier general or commodore if they have less than six months left in the service.
“The DND’s proposed amendments to RA 11709 aim to further enhance the professionalism and efficiency of the AFP. The issues surrounding the law are being threshed out collaboratively between the
DND and the AFP,” Galvez said.
He also said the DND shall continue to pursue policies that will further enhance the welfare, morale, professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness of the AFP.
Meanwhile, Galvez cited the need for the DND to remain relevant at all times.
“We are all aware that the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are among the most trusted organizations in the government. As such we must work hard to reciprocate this trust. We need to keep our organization relevant all (the) time,” he added.
However, Galvez said that being relevant does not mean that the DND needs to be in the headlines all the time.
“This means that the people need to feel our presence and relevance. This is in line with our mandate to (preserve) the territorial integrity of our nation while protecting and serving the Filipino people in the best way possible,” he added.
During his latest meeting with the Chief Executive, Galvez also reiterated the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. which is to ensure the country’s sovereignty.
“Before I end I would like to share with you the guidance of His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos during the latest meeting we had in Malacanang. He stressed that the Defense Department must ensure that our nation’s sovereignty will be protected at all cost and no inch of our national territory will be lost,” he added. (PNA)
Toyota Motors Philippines (TMP) has assured its full support to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ (SBP) hosting of the FIBA World Cup by becoming a major local sponsor.
Toyota and SBP recently made the partnership formal even as the automotive company expressed its intent to help improve the Philippine basketball scene in the long run.
“It is with great ap-
preciation and warmth that we welcome Toyota Motor Philippines to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 family,” said SBP Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan.
“By being part of the FIBA Basketball
World Cup 2023 journey, one of the biggest global sports event this year, we aim to further inspire and encourage more Filipinos to use the power of movement to reach their full potential. This is the spirit of our ‘Start Your Impossible’ global sports campaign. With this partnership with FIBA through SBP, and the unity basketball brings to Filipinos, we are always moving closer to our goal of producing
happiness for all,” said TMP president Atsuhiro Okamoto.
Toyota will not just support Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the FIBA World Cup from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 but will also assist in conducting basketball camps for aspiring players and coaches.
SBP president Al Panlilio hopes that more members of the private sector will come out to support the FIBA World Cup Philippine hosting.
FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN“Even as we thank Toyota Motor Philippines for agreeing to be part of this once in a lifetime experience, we are inviting as well others who wish to also share in this global activity, this journey which in a sense is truly a merger of world caliber sports and big business,” Panlilio said.
Toyota’s role in growing Philippine basketball traces back to the days of the old Delta Motors Philip-
pines when it founded a team that would become a dominant force in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association and the early days of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Toyota, now under the TMP management, made a brief return to Philippine basketball in the mid 2000s when it bankrolled Letran’s campaign in the defunct Philippine Basketball League. (PNA)
(The opening double header of the PBA Govs Cup Sunday was boring - ‘masakit sa mata’ - what with the 30-point blowout win inflicted by Converge upon an unsuspecting NorthPort piloted by newly-named coach Bonnie Tan, Letran’s NCAA three-peat author.)
At the rate Japan B. League and the Korean B. Leagues are “importing” (raiding is the better term actually) Pinoy basketball talents, I see a scary day when there will be no more outstanding young cagers left to finish their UAAP and NCAA careers.
At the same time, their academic education will be jeopardized as they pursue a liveli-
hood playing pro hoops early in their young life.
Cebu’s Carl Tamayo, UP’s most valued mainstay to date who is potentially the next most outstanding hoopster in the Philippine horizon, was the latest to join the “foreign league.”
He was announced to have enlisted with Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings.
The 6’7” Fighting Maroons forward first secured the “blessings” of UP coach Goldwyn Monteverde who then gave the former the go signal as he bade the entire UP community goodbye although he still had two more UAAP seasons left.
Only 19, Tamayo’s reason for going professional is of course economic. Nobody can argue against that. Pursuit of happiness, as they say.
Those who went ahead of Carl were mostly his peers, friends and colleagues in the collegiate basketball circle like NCAA MVP Rhenz Abando, RJ Abarrientos, Belangel, Dwight Ramos, Kobe Paras, etc.
Certainly, the Japanese and Korean Leagues are wise enough to offer attractive packages, paying more as Pinoy dribblers get their compensation in US dollars.
The currency exchange rate is obviously an attractive aspect, compared to the peso rate
PBA pros receive here.
Ostensibly, the exodus of Pinoy collegiate talents to the Japan, Korean and even the Taiwan B Leagues indicate in strong terms that the PBA may face a talent drought in future drafting sessions.
Kai Sotto is the prime example.
Naturally,parents and families of outstanding Pinoy amateur and collegiate cagers once dreaming of joining the PBA ranks now have a better option before they approve of their sons’ jumping into Asia’s first pay for play league.
If this will be the trend in the next several years, the specter of a PBA folding up in
the future stares it in the face.
Fanatic basketball fans will shy away from watching PBA games if the marquee players they want to see and watch personally are not suiting up and playing for their favorite ball clubs.
This is a much dreaded prospect which may happen if the men and women behind the PBA do not loosen up, revise compensation rules and pay equal - if not more - money.
Tamayo’s move to the foreign B Leagues is as ominous as the frequent earthquakes that visit us unpredictably. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
Over the weekend, the sports chief visited the PSC’s training camp in Baguio City and met national athletes from boxing, muaythai, and athletics.
“I can say that there are a lot of improvements to be done. We have a lot of work to do, but I know we will be able to accomplish it slowly but surely,” said Bachmann when he gave an update to the PSC workforce during the agency’s flag raising ceremony this Monday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila.
The national boxing team led by Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, Asian Games silver medalist Rogen Ladon, and SEA Games medalist Irish Magno had the chance to discuss their training and competition plans with Bachmann when the latter stayed to watch them train.
“Masaya po kami na mabisita ni Chairman Bachmann dito sa Baguio. Dagdag encouragement po ito sa amin na mapanood at ipakita kung paano talaga ang training ng isang atleta araw-araw,” said Paalam, who recently won gold at the 2022 ASBC Championships
in Jordan.
The boxing team is currently housed in PSC Baguio where national athletes and coaches train to ensure that they are competition-ready coming to various international tournaments this year like the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, among others.
The sports agency chief concluded his Baguio visit by meeting with 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) medalists Islay Erika Bomogao (gold) and Rudzma Abubakar (bronze) from Muay, together with athletics’ 30th SEAG bronze medalist Joida Gagnao, and training pool athlete Daniel Delatado.
Aside from the training facilities in Baguio City, Bachmann has also visited other national teams in the past two weeks including windsurfers in Anilao, Batangas; the gymnastics squad in Intramuros, Manila; squash, soft tennis, table tennis, water polo and para-athletics teams during their training sessions at the RMSC in Manila and Philsports Complex in Pasig City.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann, from the onset of his administration, has committed to enhance facilities for national athletes as well as PSC’s offices. That has been his determined focus in the short weeks he has been at the helm of the PSC.