Study abroad with no additional tuition fees through Assumption College’s international exchange program

Selecting the right school is a significant decision for both students and parents. Schools play a critical role in shaping a young adult’s personality and worldview. Moreover, a proper learning environment enables young adults to explore and enhance their holistic potential.

That is exactly what Assumption College offers: enriching opportunities that allow students to go beyond the four walls of a classroom environment and to have the world within reach.

Championing transformative education

When choosing a school, various factors need to be taken into account, from programs and opportunities to costs and location. Assumption College makes the decision much easier, with its esteemed reputation for delivering excellent education for each and every student.

Assumption College has two main departments: liberal arts under the Marie Eugenie School for Innovative Learning (MESIL) and business administration and management under Milleret School of Business and Management for Women (MSBMW). The institution’s roster of excellent academic programs range from communication, interior design, psychology and education, to accountancy, business ad- ministration, and entrepreneurship..

Championing transformative education, Assumption College is future-proofing students with a fresh approach to learning. Known as Ability-based Learning or “ABLe”, this student-centered method of education puts an emphasis on developing Prime Life Abilities centered on Assumption College’s Core Values, preparing students to face the real world.

On top of high-quality academic programs, Assumption College also boasts an accessible international student exchange program that opens up the world to its students. An accessible student exchange program

An international exchange program can be a life-changing experience for students, but factors like high costs can deter them from pursuing such programs. Assumption College’s International Student Exchange Program addresses this concern. With the program, students do not need to pay additional tuition fees at their chosen overseas partner institution. This gives more students the opportunity to study abroad for a semester, allowing them to:

• immerse themselves in a brand new culture and meet new people from all walks of life

• take the opportunity to learn a new language

The program is an eye-opening experience that exposes students to opportunities in partner schools such as those in Hiroshima University or Kobe College in Japan, and other reputable institutions around the world, such as Monroe College in New York, Assumption University in Massachusetts, Reactor School in Singapore, and Universitas Kristen Indonesia in Jakarta, as well as other institutions in the UK, Australia, and South Korea.

• experience different styles of learning under the guidance of various esteemed educators; and

• widen their employment opportunities on a global scale.

As such, Assumption College students are able to grow independent, confident, and capable of taking on life’s challenges, preparing them to find success in their endeavors both in the local and global scale.

Assumption College has partnered with reputable institutions around the world, such as Monroe College in New York, Assumption University in Massachusetts, Hiroshima University in Japan, Kobe College in Japan, Reactor School in Singapore, and Universitas Kristen Indonesia in Jakarta, as well as other institutions in the UK, Australia, and South Korea.

Students who have participated in the international student exchange program can testify to how much the program has helped them change in better ways. gram. It’s really fun and I hope you guys get to experience what I did as well.”

Participants all echo their love and enjoyment of the Assumption College’s life-changing exchange program.

“I was able to grow into the woman of faith, community, and action through the help of the Assumption education and family,” shared Alexandra Victoria Adriano Boccone, who took part in Assumption College’s student exchange program to Assumption University, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Assumption College students are able to grow independent, confident, and capable of taking on life’s challenges, preparing them to find success in their endeavors both in the local and global scale.

“It was an eye-opening experience where I realized that we live in a big world with a lot of opportunities to grow and world,” said Clarisse Ambray, who went to Kobe College under the same student exchange program. “If I’m allowed to enroll again, I’d do it. That’s how much I loved the experience.”

“It’s one of the highlights of my college years,” Bea Marbella, who also attended Kobe College for a semester. “Words can’t express how grateful I am that I joined this pro-

Begin your international studies journey now with Assumption College

It’s time to broaden your horizons and step out into the world. Enroll in Assumption College and get ready to study abroad without paying additional tuition fees to your chosen overseas institution. Application for School Year 2023–2024 is currently ongoing, so don’t miss this chance! Sign up now through this registration form: bit. ly/AssumptionCollegeRegistrationForm.

ACQUITED... FROM 2 IP... FROM 2 LANDBANK...

would be at the mercy of the Anti-Graft Law for their nominal shareholdings in just about any corporation in whose favor the Government has actually granted and will in the future grant contracts to, even without doing any act in relation to, nor benefitting from, the same,” it said.

In its August 26, 2020 decision, the Sandiganbayan found Floirendo Jr. “guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of violation of Section 3(h) of Republic Act No. 3019 for having a direct or indirect financial interest in the 2003 JVA, such interest being prohibited under Article VI, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution.”

“While members of the House of Representatives are not prohibited from having a direct or indirect financial interest per se, they are, however, prohibited from having a direct or indirect financial interest in any contract with the government during the representative’s term of office,” ruled the anti-graft court.

It also pointed out that Floirendo Jr. ought to have sold his shares in Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Incorporated (TADECO) and in Anflo Management and Investment Corporation (ANFLOCOR), a company controlled by the Floirendos that was in charge of managing and investing in the TADECO-related activities of the Anflo Group of Companies.

Floirendo Jr. was sentenced to a prison term ranging from six years and one month as minimum to eight years as maximum with perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

In a criminal charge sheet filed with the Sandiganbayan, the OMB accused Floirendo Jr. of “willfully, unlawfully and criminally have direct and/or indirect financial interest in the May 21, 2003 Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO), in which company he then owned 75,000 shares of stocks worth P7.5 million and which company’s (TADECO) majority stocks were in turn owned by and under the control of accused’s family through Anflo Management and Investment Corporation, despite being prohibited by Article VI, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution from having such financial interest.”

In 1969 TADECO and BuCor entered into a joint venture agreement on the development of 3,000 hectares within the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte into a banana plantation.

The said JVA was amended in 1979 and was signed by then TADECO’s chairperson Antonio O. Floirendo Sr. and then BuCor officer-in-charge Ramon J. Liwag and approved by then Justice Secretary Simeon Datumanong.

In 2003, the agreement was renewed for another 25 years. At the time of the renewal of the agreement in 2003, Floirendo Jr. was Davao del Norte’s 2nd district congressman.

Floirendo Jr. explained to the court that he is not an incorpora-

YOUTH... FROM 12 our next tournament,” said Ramon Llanes, one of the BLD golf organizers in his closing remarks. tor of TADECO which was incorporated in 1950 before his birth; and that he owns about 0.89 per cent of TADECO’s total outstanding shares which he acquired between 1977 to 1996; that he had no involvement in the negotiation and execution of the 2003 JVA; and that he was neither TADECO’s director nor officer; and that the House of Representatives had no participation in the review or approval of the 2003 JVA.

Food, drinks, raffle prizes with a live acoustic band featuring golfer /crooner Manfred Lawas regaled the crowd during the Awards night at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf Clubhouse.

The SC stated that in convicting Floirendo Jr., the Sandiganbayan banked on the 2003 JVA’s provisions on production and profit sharing.

“It hastily concluded that because TADECO and BuCor entered into the 2003 JVA with the objective of obtaining profits therefrom, then automatically, Floirendo Jr. was financially interested in the 2003 JVA by simply owning 75,000 shares in TADECO and 537,950 shares in ANFLOCOR,” the SC ruling stated.

“In other words, the Sandiganbayan considered mere ownership of shares of stocks on the part of Floirendo Jr. to conclude that he has a financial interest in the 2003 JVA. For sheer lack of evidence to prove that Floirendo Jr. was financially interested in the 2003 JVA, the Sandiganbayan casually declared that Floirendo Jr. never denied his financial interest in the 2003 JVA. This is unfounded,” it said.

The High Court ruling stated that “in no instance did the prosecution present evidence that Floirendo Jr. obtained a monetary gain or benefit when the 2003 JVA was entered into with the government. In fact, Floirendo Jr. has consistently testified that he had no involvement in the negotiation of the 2003 JVA.”

“In the present case, the prosecution merely relied on the existence of Floirendo, Jr. ‘s shares in TADECO and Anflocor as basis for Floirendo Jr.’s pecuniary interest. Without proof of such monetary gain or benefit, this Court cannot say with certainty that he was financially interested in said contract granted by the government, which will catalyze the prohibitive effects of Article VI, Section 14 of the Constitution,” it said.

“More importantly, the records do not show that Floirendo Jr. used his influence to push for the 2003 JVA. There is also no proof that he used his membership in Congress as a leverage to have the contract executed,” it also said.

It stated that the SC acquitted Floirendo Jr. as it reversed the 2020 Sandiganbayan’s decision that convicted the former legislator of graft.

DENMARK’S...

FROM 5 firms see the policy reform of the Marcos administration to open the renewables sector for foreign investors as a key measure to attract more energy investments into the Philippines.

“It’s very important because Denmark is a world leader when it comes to wind technology, so some of the investors feel more comfortable working in control of the projects… [T] he investments of these companies also bring a lot of knowhow and knowledge to the Philippines,” Mellbin said.

He said Danish RE firms are interested in onshore and offshore wind energy projects, small modular reactors, waste-to-energy, and biomass projects in the Philippines.

in an encounter on March 27 in Barangay San Juan, Bayugan City.

“There’s no more reason for these children to stay in a decaying movement. They need not suffer the fate of their father. It’s better for them to accept the offer of the government now and live peacefully with the families,” Maca said in the local dialect.

He talked to the family members during the wake and asked them to help the government convince Anob’s children to turn themselves in.

Maca alleged that Anob was responsible for the killing and abduction of IP leaders and members in the past five years.

“Justice is already served to the IPs who were victimized by the useless revolution being waged by the communist NPA terrorist,” Maca said.

Meanwhile, the Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde) reported Monday the surrender of two NPA rebels to the Army in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on April 2.

The 901Bde identified the surrenderers as Roselyn Sampayan of the Sentro de Grabedad 16 and Juliet Sampaga of the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda, both under the Guerrilla Front 16.

“The surrender of the two rebels was triggered by the loss of mass base support due to the relentless military operations and the surrender of the members of the mass organization members in the area,” the 901Bde said in a statement.

It added that the rebels also want to go home to their families whom they missed for years after joining the communist movement. (PNA)

SSS... FROM 4

aged by SSS that serves as another savings for private-sector workers and other individual paying members. It aims to augment members’ retirement package on top of their regular SSS benefits.

“Under the WISP, each contributing member will have an account wherein SSS will place their contributions and investment earnings. Not only are they saving for their retirement, but their contributions are also earning through the program,” Macasaet added.

WISP also functions as an investment vehicle for SSS members.

BANKS... FROM 4 system remains sound, the BSP will keep a watchful eye over evolving market conditions to ensure that credit and liquidity dynamics continue to be in line with its price and financial stability mandates,” the BSP said.

Bank lending also declined to 10.4 percent in January from 13.7 percent in December 2022.

The Danish envoy noted that the Philippine government can do more ribbon-cutting ceremonies when it cuts the red tape.

“[R]ed tape is a challenge for foreign investors in this country, and the government can do a lot to get more foreign investments in by cutting the red tape,” Mellbin said. (PNA) based on cash flow but should not exceed seven years, or the economic useful life of the facilities inclusive of a six-month grace period.

FROM 4 RONDINA...

“LandBank is committed to supporting the national government’s efforts to restore confidence and enthusiasm for the tourism sector that will help boost economic activity, and create livelihood opportunities in tourist areas nationwide,” LandBank President and CEO Cecilia Borromeo said in an emailed statement.

LandBank last month opened a P333.3-million credit facility for farmers to boost their working capital and increase production.

The bank is mandated to promote countryside development while remaining financially viable. It implements the comprehensive agrarian reform program (CARP), provides assistance to small farmers and fisherfolk, and serves as an official depository of government funds.

It was the second-biggest bank in the Philippines in terms of assets as of September 2022 with P2.761 trillion.

ENVOY... FROM 4

scheme this year.

Under the DCTS, the British government eyes to include 65 developing countries from the different parts of the world -- 37 from Africa, 18 from Asia, eight from Oceania, and two from the Americas.

When the UK was still part of the EU, 6,274 products from the Philippines enter the EU market at zero tariff through the EU GSP+.

After the UK withdrawal from the European Union in January 2020, the British government is implementing the UK GSP to transition the trading benefits for developing countries from EU GSP+ to DCTS.

The British Embassy here earlier said the DCTS will further boost trade between the UK and the Philippines, which is currently at 2 billion euros annually.

“The DCTS has made improvements on rules of origins, for example, or that has added new product lines, so it’s really going to be benefitting Filipino exporters to the UK in particular and the vast majority of Filipino exporters will find that they can benefit from DCTS,” Beaufils added. (PNA)

SMART... FROM 5

$20 million to boost its spam and scam SMS detection and blocking systems, with its Security Operations Center filtering out unwanted messages.

“Our customers are our top priority so we do our best to ensure that they are protected from scammers and fraudsters,” Chief Information Security officer Anton Bonifacio said in a separate statement.”

“We will continue to invest in cybersecurity systems and work tirelessly to provide them with a safe and enjoyable online experience as we also take part in the full implementation of the SIM Registration Act,” he added.

The government is determined to have all SIMs in the country registered by the April 26, 2023 deadline, in a bid to stop the proliferation of spam and scam text messages.

The latest data available from

FROM 11 rosters to date with each and everyone of these athletes dedicated and determined to rise to the challenge in Cambodia,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.

“With the skills given and dedication to flag and country considered, our coaches put premium on chemistry, on how these players would blend based on the competitions and challenges of the SEA Games,” he added.

Joining Valdez on the women’s team mentored by Brazilian Jorge Edson Souza De Brito are her Creamline teammates Julia Melissa Morado-De Guzman, Kyla Llana Atienza, Celine Elaiza Domingo, Jessica Margarett Galanza, Diana Mae Carlos and Michele Theresa Gumabao; Cignal’s Maria Angelica Cayuna and Glaudine Troncoso; PLDT’s Kathleen Faith Arado and Dell Palomata; Choco Mucho’s Cherry Rose Nunag and Katrina Mae Tolentino; and Chery Tiggo’s Mylene Paat.

With Mangulabnan are his AMC-Cotabato teammates Joshua Umandal, Lloyd Josafat, Kim Harold Dayandante, Vince Patrick Lorenzo and Jayvee Sumagaysay; National University-Archipelago Builders’s Rwenzmel Taguibolos and Leo Ordiales; Cignal’s, Manuel Sumanguid III; Iloilo’s Jade Alex Disquitado; and University of Santo Tomas’s Jay Rack Dela Noche.

Filipino-Americans Steven Charles Rotter, Cyrus Justin De Guzman and Michael Raymund Vicente are also in the men’s team coached by Brazilian Sergio Valadares Veloso.

The men’s team coaching staff includes Arthur Odjie Mamon and Rommel Abella (assistant coaches), Mark Gil Alfafara (trainer), Melchizedek Samonte (strength and conditioning coach) and Jerome Guhit (team manager).

Sherwin Meneses and Cherry Rose Macatangay (assistant coaches), Raffy Mosuela (trainer), Grace Gomez (strength and conditioning coach) and Ma. Fe Moran (team manager) are in the women’s team coaching staff.

Indoor volleyball competitions will start on May 3 at the Morodok Techo Elephant Hall in Phnom Penh while beach volleyball, to be held at Otres Beach in Preah Sihanouk (Sihanoukville) Province, will kick off on May 11. (PNA) the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) show that only 32.01% of all SIMs across the country have been registered as of March 29, 2023.

This includes 4,124,064 with DITO Telecommunity Corp.; 22,406,104 with Globe; and 27,560,557 with Smart.

Under the SIM Card Registration Act, all PTEs are mandated to establish their respective registration platforms to onboard users who present valid identification cards.

Users are given 180 days or until April 26, 2023 to register their SIM cards, or else face the risk of having these deactivated.

The implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Card Registration Act took effect on December 27, after the measure was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last October.