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Ex-Pres. Ramos passes on

Marcos: We lost a great leader. This is a sad day for the nation By Joyce Pangco Pañares and Vince Lopez

IDEL Valdez Ramos, the bespectacled, cigar-chomping 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines who earned the moniker “Steady Eddie” for being unflappable as he led the country during uncertain times from 1992 to 1998, passed away Sunday. He was 94.

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 166 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

“The Ramos family is profoundly saddened to announce the passing of former President Fidel Valdez Ramos. We thank you all for respecting our

Tributes pour in for FVR, hail his legacy By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja GOVERNMENT officials, diplomats, and lawmakers paid tribute to former President Fidel V. Ramos, who died Sunday at the age of 94 from complications arising from COVID-19. Before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his grief over the former

leader's passing (see story above— Editors), the Office of the Press Secretary expressed condolences to the family of Ramos, who served as the country’s 12th president from 1992 to 1998. “It is with great sorrow that we learn of the passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos. He leaves behind a colorful legacy and a secure place in history for

his participation in the great changes of our country, both as military officer and chief executive,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said. “We deeply condole with his family, friends, classmates, and associates and keep him in our prayers.” Former President Rodrigo Duterte late Sunday expressed "deep sadness" Next page

BYE, STEADY EDDIE. Former President Fidel V. Ramos gestures during a press conference in this file photo. The man called ‘Steady Eddie,’ who oversaw a rare period of growth and peace that won him the reputation as one of the country's most effective leaders ever, has died aged 94, officials said Sunday.

NCR, 14 areas log high COVID positivity rates

Pinoy positive for monkeypox in Singapore

By Willie Casas and Rey Requejo

By Willie Casas, Rey E. Requejo, Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

SOME 14 areas in Luzon have recorded “very high” or above 20 percent COVID-19 positivity rates in the past week, while that of Metro Manila increased to 15 percent, the independent monitoring group OCTA Research said. This developed as the Department of Health on Sunday logged 4,159 new COVID-19 cases – the highest singleday tally since February 10. OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said Albay, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Isabela, La Union, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac, and Zambales all posted more than 20 percent one-week positivity rate as of July 29. Positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested. The positivity rate was seen highest in Isabela at 36.3 percent on Friday, compared to its 25.7 percent on July 23.

FRIENDLY DRAGONS.

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian (right) grooms dragon dancers as he graces the opening of the Philippines-China Friendship Dragon Boat Race (inset), the second leg of the Philippine Dragon Boat Regatta, at Manila Bay on Sunday. Avito Dalan and Danny Pata

Xi Jinping extends sympathy to BBM over quake losses dinand Marcos Jr. following the devastation brought about by the magnitude 7 earthquake that rocked Luzon on July 27. “On behalf of the Chinese government CHINESE President Xi Jinping conveyed and people, and in his own name, Xi exhis country’s sympathy to President Fer- pressed deep condolences over the deaths,

By Rey E. Requejo and Willie Casas

and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the wounded,” the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said. The Chinese leader also expressed his belief that under the leadership of Marcos and the Philippine government, people in

the earthquake-stricken areas “will surely overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes.” The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Next page

Diesel, LPG rollback up, but not gas

OFFICIALLY IN. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) swears Raphael Lotilla in as Secretary of the Department of Energy in this photo released by Malacanang over the weekend. Presidential Photo

OIL firms are poised to implement a slight rollback in prices of diesel and kerosene while gasoline prices could go up by as much as P1 per liter this week. Industry sources said diesel and kerosene rates may decrease by as much as P0.75 and P0.70 per liter, respectively. LPG prices likewise appeared set to decrease by P2 to P3 per liter for a fourth straight month. Gasoline prices, on the other hand, could go up by P0.70 to P1 per liter. Effective July 26, fuel firms implemented a rollback in prices of

gasoline by P0.40 per liter, diesel by P1.85 per liter, and kerosene by P1.30 per liter. This brought the year-to-date total adjustments to stand at a net increase of P18.90 per liter for gasoline, P32.95 per liter for diesel and P28.05 per liter for kerosene. Data from the Department of Energy from July 26 to 28 showed the price per liter of gasoline ranged from P67.40 to P77.81 in Quezon City, Metro Manila’s largest city. Diesel, on the other hand, ranged between P74.05 and P77.75 per liter in Manila, the country’s capital.

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday said a Filipino in Singapore has tested positive for monkeypox. DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, citing a situation update by Singapore’s Ministry of Health, said the Filipino male infected by monkeypox was 31 years old. Meanwhile, a Department of Health (DOH) official said it was wrong to discriminate against monkeypox patients, despite reports that many of the cases affected men who had sex with men. “Let us avoid stigmatization and discrimination against them because that is wrong. The call of the WHO [World Health Organization] director general is for those at risk to avoid having multiple partners, especially if they come from countries where cases have been reported.” DOH Director Dr. Eric Tayag said. The situation update from Singapore said the Filipino patient tested positive for monkeypox on July 25 and is currently confined at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH). His condition is stable, the ministry said. It also said the Filipino patient developed a fever on July 21 and started having rashes on his face, which later spread to other parts of his body. He sought medical care at SGH on July 24 and was admitted on the same day. Daza said this case was different from the first case reported in the Philippines on July 29 as the patient, also aged 31, arrived from abroad on July 19, while Next page

ONGPIN GAINS SC’S NOD ON LOAN CASE NEWS / A3

News

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BBM: ROTC to help with disasters P

RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the return of the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) would help bolster the country’s capability in dealing with disasters. In his weekly vlog aired on Saturday, Marcos said the ROTC is designed to train high school students not only for national defense preparedness but also for disaster response and emergency management. “We will be able to prepare more civilians for disaster response like this through ROTC. National defense will not be the only thing to be taught but also disaster preparedness and capacity building on socalled risk-related situations,” he said.

The chief executive made this remark after a magnitude 7 earthquake rocked Northern Luzon last week, leaving at least five people dead and causing massive damages to infrastructure, houses, and livelihoods. Marcos said while Filipinos are naturally caring and always ready to help others in times of disasters, those who respond to calamities must be properly trained and equipped with knowledge and

skills in disaster response. He likewise noted that Filipinos must always be prepared in times of emergency, given that the Philippines is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire and the so-called typhoon belt, which makes it highly vulnerable to disasters and other extreme weather disturbances fueled by climate change. Marcos has been pushing for the revival of the ROTC among senior high schools, declaring it as one of the priority measures of his administration during his first State of the Nation Address on July 25. After witnessing the damage caused by the earthquake to infrastructure, particularly in the provinces of Abra and

Ex-Pres....

In his inaugural speech in 1992, Ramos, the first Protestant to win the presidency, said: “…Power must flow to our neighborhoods, our communities, our groups, our sectors, and our institutions–for it is by collective action that we will realize the highest of our hopes and dreams.” The presidency, Ramos said in his foreword to the book “Behind the Red Pen” written by his former close-in writer, Jojo Terencio, was “a matter of destiny.” “Kaya ba natin ito? Kayang-kaya basta tayo ay sama-sama! (Can we do this? We can as long as we work together),” wrote the former chief executive who was also known as “FVR.” Terencio in his book said he associated the Steady Eddie moniker with “grace under pressure.” “Even when faced with big controversies and crises, FVR was always cool — or at least that’s what he appeared to be in public and even in our presence, his staff,” he said. The former presidential close-in writer likewise recalled how Ramos would always say “Old soldiers never die.”

Among the highlights of Ramos’ career in the uniformed service was serving as chief of the Philippine Constabulary under his second cousin, the late former President Ferdinand Marcos. A graduate of the prestigious West Point military academy in the United States, he was also part of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) during the Korean War and led a Philippine contingent during the Vietnam War. In 1986, he joined the EDSA Revolution, together with then-Defense chief Juan Ponce Enrile, that ousted Marcos and led to the presidency of Corazon Aquino -- who incidentally marks her death anniversary today, August 1. He would, in various media interviews, describe his role in the peaceful revolt as his “legacy” and “atonement.” After succeeding Aquino, his administration was best known for its aggressive push for family planning as well as for its "Philippines 2000" program that aimed to industrialize the country. The peace agreement with the Moro

President for laying the groundwork for progress towards universal health care.” The European Union hailed Ramos as “a dedicated statesman and a friend of the EU, under whose term the EUPhilippines relations deepened.” The EU described the late former president as “a pillar of democracy and peace-building and an icon of the EDSA power revolution.” Lawmakers joined the nation and the Filipino people in paying tribute to the late president. House Speaker Martin Romualdez mourned the loss of “a great leader and dear friend.” "We, in the Lakas-CMD, are saddened to learn of the passing of our chairman emeritus, former president Fidel Valdez Ramos," said Romualdez, who is president of the party. “President Ramos will be remembered as one of the great Filipino leaders that took good governance to heart,” Romualdez said. “His experience as a military general and his innate charm set the blueprint for what Philippine leaders should be: Tough when necessary, but with a caring heart for the common Filipino.” “FVR is a tough act to follow. His legacy will never be forgotten,” the Speaker said. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri described the former president as “brilliant.” "President Ramos was probably one of our brightest leaders, who always seemed a step ahead of everyone. Maybe it was his military background, but as a politician, he was always able to quickly assess the landscape, and formulate the best way forward through consultation and consensus," Zubiri said. "That was his legacy as President— he left behind a brand of democratic leadership that allowed for us to grow into the new Asian tiger of the nineties," he added. Zubiri also paid tribute to Ramos’s peace efforts in Mindanao, where he met with rebel groups and recognized their struggle and their freedom to pursue their cause. Even well past his days in Malacañang, Ramos was committed to helping the country regain and maintain its status as a center of socio-economic progress. "He never stopped being a brilliant and committed leader, and we are a poorer nation for his loss,” Zubiri said. Senator Juan Edgardo Angara said many reforms were put in place during his presidency—the breakup of the telco monopoly, the resolution of the power crisis, and the beginning of the peace

process with Muslim rebels. Senator Jinggoy Estrada said under Ramos, the country enjoyed a period of political stability and massive economic growth. He said Ramos's legacy would include major peace agreements with Muslim separatists, communist insurgents, and military rebels that earned him and the country the coveted 1997 UNESCO Peace Prize. He would also be remembered for the deregulation of key industries and liberalization of the economy; privatization of public entities including the modernization of public infrastructure through the expanded Build-OperateTransfer Law; and a comprehensive social reform agenda that mostly benefited the poor and underprivileged members of the society. Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said Ramos will always be remembered for leading the nation into the new millennium. His dream of turning the country into a “tiger economy” will always stay alive in the hearts of every Filipino, Villanueva added. “His iconic thumbs up sign and his ‘Kaya Natin’ mentality will continue to give us the inspiration to push for progress in our country.” Sen. Nancy Binay said the nation has lost one of its leading lights, during whose term Filipinos lived “in a time of hope.” "FVR oversaw massive economic gains for the country that were translated to programs for the welfare of the people,” she said, referring to Ramos by his initials. Senator Loren Legarda described Ramos as an exemplary leader who did the country proud as the “captain of our ship of state.” "I learned my complete staff work from him. He was a disciplined leader; he was able to unite various factions despite being a minority President upon his election. He was the first to bring forth the idea for me to run for the Senate, when I was 37 years old. I owe him much. The Filipino people mourn his passing,” she said. Senator Bong Revilla, co-chairman of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, said it was Ramos who transformed the Philippines from being the "sick man of Asia to the tiger of the region." He said Ramos convinced him to join public service and invited him to LakasCMD. "After some three decades, I continue to be with Lakas espousing its ideals," he added. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Manila’s one-week positivity rate slightly went up from 14.2 percent on July 23 to 15 percent on July 29. Despite this, David said that the COVID-19 cases nowadays are less severe or fatal, especially if the infected individual is fully vaccinated. “Our healthcare utilization remains low. This means the cases are not fatal (otherwise) we would see an increase in the number of people in hospitals,” he said in a dzBB interview. According to the DOH, the regions with the most cases in the last two weeks were the National Capital Region with 14,107 followed by Calabarzon with

9,282, and Central Luzon with 4,401. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has adopted several working arrangements for trial courts in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2. In a circular, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo ordered all trial court judges, officials, and personnel in areas under Alert Level 1 to report physically for work until August 15. For areas under Alert Level 2, only 80 percent of total personnel are required to work on-site. Courts in areas under Alert Level 2 are likewise not allowed to conduct night courts.

From A1

privacy, as the family takes some time to grieve together. We will announce wake and funeral arrangements in the near future,” his family said in an official statement. Malacañang said Ramos left behind “a colorful legacy and a secure place in history for his participation in the great changes of our country, both as a military officer and chief executive." In a Facebook post, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Ramos “lived a full life as a military officer and public servant.” “Our family shares the Filipino people’s grief on this sad day. We did not only lose a good leader but also a member of the family,” Marcos said. “I call on all Filipinos to pray for the eternal repose of Mr. Ramos. The legacy of his presidency will always be cherished and will be forever enshrined in the hearts of our grateful nation,” he added.

Tributes.... From A1

over the passing of his acknowledged "idol" and "number one critic." "I am one with his wife, Ming, his family, his friends, and the entire Filipino people in mourning the death of a great statesman, mentor, and friend," Duterte said in a statement. "As we grieve for his loss, let us honor his legacy of service and his significant contributions to the country. May God grant eternal repose on his soul and give strength and solace to all of his bereaved." The Philippine National Police (PNP) also mourned Ramos’ passing. “The nation lost a great leader. We are one with our fellow countrymen in expressing our deepest condolences to the family of the former president,” Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba, PNP public information office chief, said in a statement. Alba said Ramos—the former head of the Philippine Constabulary, the forerunner of the PNP—will be remembered for his “valuable contribution to improving the lives of the Filipinos.” “More than being a military leader and a government official, he served as a good example to humanity through his incomparable wisdom and deeds,” he added. The Department of National Defense —which Ramos headed before he became President—and the Department of Health also expressed their condolences. "Serving as the Secretary of National Defense from 1988 to 1991, President Ramos was a staunch advocate for the modernization and professionalization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," DND officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. said in a statement. He said Ramos underscored the importance of building a strong military organization and promoting collaboration with different stakeholders to uphold the nation's internal stability and security. The DOH honored the late President "for all his service to our country and for uplifting the state of health of Filipinos,” noting Ramos' "broad vision and dedication towards the health of all Filipinos." "It was during his term that landmark health laws such as the National Blood Services Act of 1994, Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide of 1995, and National Health Insurance Act of 1995 came into force,” the department statement said. “We thank the former

NCR,... From A1

It was followed by Tarlac with 31.6 percent, Laguna with 30.9 percent, Camarines Sur with 28.4 percent, Quezon with 27.5 percent, Zambales with 27.2 percent, Cavite with 27.1 percent, Nueva Ecija with 25.8 percent, Albay with 25.4 percent, Pampanga with 23.2 percent, Cagayan with 22.7 percent, Rizal with 21.7 percent, Pangasinan with 21 percent, and La Union with 20.9 percent. Meanwhile, David said Metro

Ilocos Sur, the President said the country must also build “disaster-proof” communities and make the country more resilient to disasters. “These were destroyed and they need to be restored immediately. We plan to build disaster-proof roads and buildings, including heritage sites, schools, hospitals and houses,” he said. Several cultural and heritage sites in Abra and Ilocos Sur sustained severe damage from the tremor, including centuries-old churches such as the Sta. Catalina de Alexandria Church in Tayum, Abra, the cathedral in Vigan, the bell tower in Bantay, and the iconic Calle Crisologo, in Ilocos Sur.

National Liberation Front was also signed under his watch. His administration was defined by deregulation and liberalization policies, an economic surge and a lower poverty rate, as well as a push to break monopolies in the transportation and communication sectors. As a private citizen, Ramos was among those who convinced then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run in the 2016 presidential elections. He would later serve as Duterte’s envoy for talks with China. And for 32 years in a row – up until 2018 – Ramos would repeat his famous EDSA People Power jump to mark the anniversary of the historic bloodless revolt. Ahead of last year’s anniversary, Ramos said in a statement: “Our nation’s destiny remains uncertain, but her history is evidence that we always succeed in achieving our shared aspirations when we work together. The revolution is not over and the work remains unfinished until every Filipino enjoys the freedoms and rights embodied in our Constitution.”

Xi... From A1

said a total of 82,336 families, which is equivalent to 314,161 persons, were affected by the strong earthquake. The council confirmed 357 injuries because of the quake, 355 were from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and the remaining were from Cagayan Valley. Several roads and bridges were also damaged at an estimated cost of P400 million as of July 29. Some cultural and heritage sites in Abra and Ilocos Sur were also severely damaged, including centuries-old churches such as the Tayum Church and Sta. Catalina de Alexandria Church, the Vigan Cathedral, the Bantay Bell Tower, and the iconic Calle Crisologo in Vigan. Marcos emphasized the importance of disaster-proofing communities. In a video uploaded on his official Facebook page Sunday, Marcos vowed that his administration will ensure the immediate restoration of damaged structures. “These were destroyed and need to be restored immediately. That's why we must have disaster-proof planning in all the structures that we will build, including roads, buildings, heritage sites, schools, hospitals, and residential houses," he said in Filipino. Some 12,645 houses in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, and Metro Manila were classified as "partially damaged," while 157 others were destroyed. Marcos lauded the national government agencies and the local government units for their quake response efforts. He also thanked the private individuals who helped the government in assisting the victims. Marcos stressed the need to step up disaster response and preparedness as the Philippines is located along the typhoon belt, hit by about 20 storms yearly, and the so-called "Ring of Fire," where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes often occur. “We are also at high risk for the effects of climate change. We are prone to disasters, that's why we should not be lacking in preparedness" he said. Marcos reiterated that the immediate passage of the mandatory Reserve

Pinoy... From A1

the case reported in Singapore is still admitted and being treated there. The initial symptoms of monkeypox are fever, headaches, muscle pain, and back pain. Rashes subsequently appear on the face, the palms of hands, and the soles of the feet, followed by lesions, spots, and finally, scabs. The DOH said the disease is “rarely fatal.” The Quezon City government, meanwhile, said it had set protocols to handle monkeypox since May. Following the detection of the first monkeypox case in the Philippines, Mayor Joy Belmonte said they have been coordinating with the DOH since May when a rise in monkeypox cases was reported in several countries.

‘Ester’ exits PH, but enhances ‘habagat’ rains TROPICAL depression Ester exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) but the southwest monsoon or “habagat” will continue to bring rains in most parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday. Meanwhile, a total of 2,979 individuals or 896 families were affected by Tropical Depression Ester, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday. In its latest situational report, the NDRRMC said that the regions affected by Ester were Region 5 and Region 6. Ester displaced 377 individuals, with some taking shelter in five evacuation centers. A total of 27 areas in Regions 5 and 6 experienced flash floods, while eight other incidents, such as lahar flows and landslides, were reported. According to the NDRRMC, 50 family food packs worth P24,200 have been provided to the affected areas. In its 4 a.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said “Ester” was estimated at 795 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph while moving northward at 20 kph. PAGASA said Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro and Palawan will experience monsoon rains due to “habagat”. Southwest monsoon will also bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms Visayas, Bicol Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and the rest of Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa. Officers' Training Corps program, this time for senior high school students instead of the collegiate level, would help train and mobilize the youth during emergencies, including disaster preparedness and capacity building for risk-related situations. Meanwhile, a magnitude 4.7 tremor-an aftershock of the July 27 Luzon earthquake--struck Cabugao, Ilocos Sur on Sunday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The tectonic quake had a depth of 2 kilometers and was felt at Intensity 5 in Dolores, Abra and Intensity 4 in Sinait, Ilocos Sur. Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the President instructed the department to inspect schools and hospitals for any damage caused by the earthquake that could endanger students, teachers, patients, and health care workers. “The President instructed us to assess other public buildings including school buildings and hospitals,” he said. Previously, the Department of Public Works and Highways reported P491.117 million in damage to infrastructure in the Cordillera region from the earthquake. To date, Bonoan said, only two hospitals in Abra have been restricted to the public. “There are one or two hospitals that we have restricted people from entering because we want a more extensive technical assessment,” he said. He said the DPWH is also coordinating with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) for the rehabilitation and restoration efforts of historical sites and structures damaged by the earthquake. Bonoan said DPWH Quick Response Teams are currently clearing and reopening the remaining two national roads that are closed to traffic. The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday advised the public affected by the July 27 magnitude 7 quake to continue following health protocols to avoid the spread of COVID-19 and other transmissible diseases. The DOH said the Centers for Health Development (CHDs) together with local government units are on the ground assisting as needed. Doctors, nurses, and medical personnel from public and private hospitals and health centers recently underwent an orientation on monkeypox surveillance, screening, management, and infection. To raise public awareness about the virus, the city’s Public Affairs and Information Services Department is posting cards and information materials on what monkeypox is, how it is transmitted, what are its symptoms, and how to avoid it. All city government-owned hospitals —the Quezon City General Hospital, Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital, and Novaliches District Hospital—have already designated isolation rooms for suspected, probable, and confirmed cases of monkeypox. Senator Christopher Go called on health authorities to intensify further their awareness, detection, disease surveillance, and containment efforts. Senator Aquilino Pimentel III cited the urgency of appointing a DOH secretary.

News

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022

IN BRIEF

DOLOMITE CLEANUP.

A volunteer joins the clean-up drive of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach along the stretch of the bay walk on Sunday. Avito Dalan

UP students hold lightning rally during graduation SEVERAL students conducted a traditional “lightning rally” during the 111th general commencement exercises of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City on Sunday, GMA News reported. Before the ceremony ended, groups of students gathered in front of the stage of the amphitheater, holding banners with inscriptions: “Ipagtanggol ang Kasaysayan at Katotohanan, Marcos-Duterte, Itakwil”, “Serve the People”, “Defend Press Freedom”, “Itaas ang Sahod,” among others, according to Luisito Santos on Super Radyo dzBB. They were also chanting “Iskolar ng Bayan, Ngayon ay Lumalaban”, and “Never Again to Martial Law,” GMA News reported. The university conducted faceto-face graduation rites more than two years after the COVID-19 pandemic started.

Angara hails Marcos plan on regional hospitals

Body of Furigay arrives in Lamitan as tributes pour THE wooden casket carrying the remains of former Lamitan, Basilan mayor Rosita Furigay arrived in her hometown on Sunday morning. The former mayor was gunned down a week ago at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City. Her husband, Lamitan mayor Roderick Furigay, arrived with her remains along with some relatives, and as the convoy passed by Lamitan’s streets, some of Furigay’s supporters stood by the roadside carrying tarpaulins calling for justice, ABS-CBN News report said. Nearly a week after the shooting incident, the Furigay family has been reunited. Hannah, who is still recuperating from gunshot injuries, was allowed by her doctor to briefly leave the hospital to see her mom. Supporters recalled Rosita Furigay’s stint as as public servant, and her caring, but strict, ways. From 2016 until 2019, Lamitan City was awarded the Seal of Good Local Good Governance (SGLG) by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. “It pains us because she is one who can really help the people of Lamitan,” Victoria Siason, head of the Office of the Senior Citizens, said. Mayo Roderick Furigay meanwhile called on authorities to conduct a fullblown investigation into the killing of his wife and longtime aide Victor Capistrano. Their daughter, Hannah, was also injured in the incident. The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) meanwhile said it has transferred Chao-Tiao Yumol, the suspect in the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Manila University, to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Payatas.

SC affirms court decision on Ongpin’s behest loan By Rey E. Requejo

HE Supreme Court (SC) has sustained the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) in 2013 which ordered the unfreezing of the bank accounts of business tycoon Roberto Ongpin and several officers of his real estate firm Deltaventure Resources, Inc. (DVRI), in connection with the P660 million behest loan that the latter obtained from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to purchase shares in Philex Mining Corp. in 2009. In an 80-page decision penned by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the SC’s Second Division also affirmed the lifting of the freeze order on the bank account of former officials of the DBP. This came as the SC denied the petition filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council seeking the reversal of the appellate court’s decision issued on

May 7, 2013, ordering the lifting of the freeze order. But the SC stressed that the freeze order will remain on Boerstar’s Bank of Commerce Account No. 900000028241 as the CA earlier held that it “was probably related to an unlawful activity” as the account was used by Two Rivers Pacific Holdings Corporations to transfer

the P2.1 billion balance of the purchase price for the 452,058,160 Philex shares it had bought from Goldenmedia and DBP on December 2, 2009. “For these reasons, we find no error on the Court of Appeals’ part in unfreezing the accounts except for Boerstar Corporation’s Bank of Commerce Account No. 90000002824, the only account proved to be probably related to the loan transactions between Deltaventure and DBP. This account served as the depository account of the balance of the sale proceeds between Goldenmedia, among others, and Two Rivers,” the SC ruled. The SC also pointed out that the lifting of the freeze order should not affect any criminal case filed against Ongpin and other individuals, in connection with the transactions.

RICE FOR PLASTIC.

Actress Antoinette Taus, founder of Communities Organized for Resource Allocation (CORA) in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) distributes bags of rice in exchange for plastic bottles or sachets during the launching of Eco-Ikot Center in Our Lady of Unity Parish in Brgy. San Isidro, Paranaque City on Sunday. Danny Pata

Lawmakers seek price freeze in quake-hit Abra; repeal of building law By Rio N. Araja ADMINISTRATION lawmakers are batting for a price freeze in earthquakehit Abra and a repeal of the 45-year-old National Building Code, which they called “obsolete.” “The Department of Trade and Industry should ensure that there is an am-

ple supply of basic goods in Abra and in other areas that were affected by the earthquake in Northern Luzon,” Pinuno party-list Rep. Howard Guintu said. “They should also make sure that no one takes advantage of this tragedy,” the neophyte legislator said. Prices of essential goods in areas declared under a state of calamity in the wake of the

magnitude 7 earthquake should remain low as a matter of policy,” he added. The Price Act or Republic Act 7581 provides that prices of primary commodities or basic necessities shall be frozen at the prevailing rate for a maximum of 60 days in areas that have been declared a disaster area o under a state of calamity or emergency, he noted.

Solon eyes more insurance for solo parents QUEZON City Rep. Marvin Rillo has filed a bill seeking to double the unemployment insurance benefits for solo parents if they get displaced from their jobs. “Single parents, being the only breadwinner in the household, are exceptionally vulnerable to economic hardship. They deserve greater financial support if they lose their jobs for reasons unrelated to their performance as employees,” Rillo said. Under Rillo’s House Bill 2229, solo parents who are laid off would be entitled to an involuntary separation payment equal to 100 percent of their average monthly salary credit (AMSC) for two months. “Thus, once our bill is enacted, a solo parent with an AMSC of P20,000 will receive an unemployment insur-

ance benefit of P40,000, instead of only P20,000 as currently provided by law,” Rillo said. “We have to assure solo parents ample financial protection when they get thrown out of work. This way, while they are looking for new employment, their families will have the means to make ends meet,” Rillo said. Rillo’s bill seeks to amend the Social Security System (SSS) charter, or Republic Act No. 11199. At present, under the law, laid-off and qualified employees covered by the SSS, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), are entitled to a job loss or involuntary separation payment equal to 50 percent of their average AMSC for two months.

Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto Sr. filed House Bill 1180 or the New Philippine Building Act to repeal the Marcos Sr.-era building edict, or Presidential Decree 1096 that incumbent President Marcos’ late father issued in 1977. “This law (PD 1096) has to be repealed. We have been using this obsolete law,” he said.

SENATOR Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara lauded the plan of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to establish specialty hospitals in every region in the country, noting that while the plan may not be completed in his six year-term, having a blueprint is a good start. Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, made this remark after Marcos vowed to push for the creation of more specialty hospitals in other parts of the country in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.

13 distressed Pinoys return from Sri Lanka THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday said thirteen distressed Filipinos returned to the Philippines on Saturday due to the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka. The DFA said this first batch of repatriates from Sri Lanka was composed of six females, two males, and five minors. In a statement, the department admitted that the 13 Filipinos, whose return tickets were funded by the DFA, arrived aboard a commercial f light from Colombo. Rey E. Requejo

Villar files bill to save valuable wetlands in PH By Macon Ramos-Araneta TO RAISE awareness on the role of wetlands as the “cradle of biodiversity,” Senator Cynthia A. Villar filed Senate Bill 124 or the National Wetlands Conservation bill during the opening of the 19th Congress. Villar is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment. Speaking before the participants of the 8th Wetland Link International–Asia Conference (8WLI-Asia) at the Villar SIPAG on July 28, Villar noted her proposed measure aims to guide all concerned national government agencies and local government units to adjust the policies consistent with wetland conservation and wise use. She has also been pursuing the establishment of a substantial area of buffer zones on Manila Bay waters and fighting off reclamation to avert the destruction of Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park. She acknowledged the Philippines still has much work to do to give our wetlands the care and support they deserve.

LOOMING RAIN. Dark

clouds are visible in the skies above skyscrapers as heavy rains is expected to fall in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces in the coming days. Manny Marcelo

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022

Experts dissect SONA, spot key to investments

News PARROT PARADE. Members of the United Flyers Philippines troop to the Dampa in Pasay to celebrate their 3rd anniversary as a group and conduct ‘free flying’ with their parrots – where the birds are released to return to their owner -- on Sunday. Danny Pata

ExecSec: CESOs vital in Marcos gov’t T

HE Marcos administration will appoint public managers based on their merit and fitness to do their government functions and not at all about political connections.

At the 3rd Public Leaders’ Summit (PLS) conducted by the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) last week, Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez said public managers must enhance their strategic thinking skills, practice foresight, act with agility, behave with integrity, and “unite as one public servant with purpose”. “The President yearns for a decent future for all Filipinos and nothing less,” Rodriguez said in his speech at the Phil-

ippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. He emphasized that without the help of career executive service officers (CESO), the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration won’t be achievable. “You (the CESOs) will set the tone for the outcome of the President’s vision,” he said. While CESOs already have what it takes to navigate the VUCAD (volatility,

uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, and diversity) world, Rodriguez noted that “there are certain attributes and skills that public managers must still develop to thrive in the present context.” The two-day summit “Leading Change: Focus on the Core” discussed CESO functions for good governance as well as their competencies, mindsets, and values, that are necessary to navigate the terrain of public service. “The career executive service community must use the present political transition to emerge not just to a new, but to a better normal. This is done by harnessing the innovative spirit of the civil service,” said Civil Service Com-

mission Chairperson Karlo Alexei Nograles in his speech. Engelbert Caronan Jr., CES Governing Board member and president of the Development Academy of the Philippines, said public service is again in the “throes of a great social reengineering process”. “The philosophical underpinnings of the CES and the DAP goes back to The New Society of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.,” he said. Maria Marcy Cosare-Ballesteros, CESB executive director, said Rodriguez’s presence during the summit showed the “administration’s commitment to a professional executive level of the bureaucracy”.

GOVERNANCE is key to attracting investments and achieving sustainable long-term economic growth after the havoc caused by the pandemic, and the new administration must, first and foremost, address the issues – soaring prices, low wages, poverty, jobs, and corruption – that Filipinos deem most crucial in their everyday lives. Policy and governance experts gathered virtually three days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address to analyze his speech and recommend an agenda for development as the nation strives to recover from the economic consequences of COVID-19. Organized by top think-tank, the Stratbase Institute, and advocacy group DemocracyWatch Philippines, the online discussion called “A Government Agenda for Development in the Marcos Jr. Presidency Post-Pandemic” centered on what experts in public policy, governance and economics believed should be given primary attention by the Marcos administration. Professor Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit said that while the worst of the COVID crisis is now perceived to be over, it is the economic consequences of the pandemic that need to be squarely addressed. This is especially true since, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey, 77% of Filipinos rate themselves as poor. “There is enough legal framework to move from a consumptionbased economy to an investment-led growth,” Manhit said. “But we need sound fiscal management to attract local and foreign investment.” Dr. Francisco Magno, Trustee of The Stratbase Institute, said there are many ways for the government to develop integrity – specifically, passing laws such as the E-Government Act, Freedom of Information law, and amendments to the Civil Service Code.

Escudero refiles bill lowering DepEd retirement age to 60 By Macon Ramos-Araneta SEN. Francis Escudero has refiled a measure that would lower the mandatory retirement age of employees at the Department of Education. Senate Bill No. 58 seeks to set the retirement age of regular DepEd employees, including public school teachers, to 60 years old from 65, Escudero said in a statement. This developed as Senator Win Gatchalian filed several measures in consonance with the education priorities of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, Gatchalian guaranteed he would help the Marcos administration bring quality education to the Filipino youth. “If enacted into law, this proposed legislation will benefit hundreds and thousands of retirable DepEd person-

MASSIVE BURGER DEAL.

Homegrown fast-food restaurant Zark’s Burgers is offering a 13 Pesos Zark’s Ultimate Burger deal on all Mondays of August starting today, August 1, to mark its 13th year in the business. Founder and owner Zark Varona (right) said the company is targeting to have 80 stores nationwide before the year ends. Manny Palmero

nel, both teaching and non-teaching, who would want to spend the prime of their lives doing other occupations other than their usual functions in the government,” said Escudero, who chairs the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education. But the bill allows a DepEd employee to serve until 65 if they have less than 15 years of service, subject to existing civil service policies and Government Service Insurance System rules, said the senator, who filed the same measure during the 17th Congress. The DepEd has nearly a million employees, and Escudero said the measure would help in the “revitalization” of the department. The agency “needs skills updating and professional advancement of their personnel in order that services rendered at the department will be restructured and modernized,” he added

Robin: Filipino CA orders Taguig prosecutor to file new rape raps vs. Vhong Navarro must be used all year round THE Court of Appeals has ordered Justice Florencio Mamauag Jr. dated that has the unique power and position

THE national language, Filipino, should be used the whole year and not just promoted for one month, Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla stressed Sunday, on the eve of the start of the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa celebration on August 1. He said Filipino is for all Filipinos. Because of this, it should be our primary language in our everyday lives, not just in August. Padilla has made it clear he will use Filipino in official functions of the Senate. “Our Constitution decrees that Filipino is our national language. Art. XIV, Sec. 6 is clear: ‘The national language of the Philippines is Filipino’),” he added. Earlier, Padilla filed Senate Bill 228, providing for the equal use of Filipino and English languages in government documents. He stressed that in seeking the passage of the measure, he “strives to promote the policy of inclusion and equal opportunities for all Filipinos.” Under the bill, Filipino and English will be the official languages of the Philippines for all government issuances and documents including: Macon Ramos-Araneta

the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office to file rape and acts of lasciviousness cases against television host and actor Ferdinand “Vhong” Navarro after it overturned the 2018 and 2020 resolution of the Department of Justice dismissing the complaints filed by model Deniece Cornejo. In a decision penned by Associate

July 21, 2022, the CA stressed that it was “erroneous” for the DOJ to deny Cornejo’s petition for review of its assailed resolution on the ground that her statements in the complaint-affidavits are inconsistent and incredible. “Issues of credibility should be adjudged during the trial process. It goes without saying that it is the trial court

to observe the witness’ deportment, manner of testifying, gesture, emphasis, and inflection of voice,” the CA ruled. “Besides, we cannot ignore the onground reality that an affidavit is oftentimes incomplete,” the appellate court said. Associate Justices Victoria Isabel Paredes and Mary Charlene HernandezAzura concurred with the ruling.

IN REMEMBRANCE.

A supporter visits the tomb of former President Corazon ‘Cory’ Aquino – where her husband, Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr. and son, former President Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, are also entombed -- at Manila Memorial Park Paranaque City on Sunday, on the eve of the late democracy icon’s death anniversary on August 1. Norman Cruz

Solon wants probe on PH anti-dengue tack KABAYAN party-list Rep. Ron Salo wants an inquiry into the national anti-dengue program, citing grave concern that the surge in dengue cases has put the lives of more children at greater risk of death. He raised concern that the cases have reached a record-high increase of 90 percent from last year’s figures for the same period. Salo filed House Resolution No. 79 that would

task the House Committee on Health to conduct an inquiry. “The rise in dengue cases this year as reported by the Department of Health is nothing short of alarming, especially when we have reported the lowest number of cases last year since 2009,” he said. “Every day that passes wherein we don’t act is another day too late,” Salo said. Rio N. Araja

The appellate court stressed the determination of probable cause does not depend on the validity or merits of a party’s accusation or defense or on the admissibility or veracity of testimonies presented. The CA also said that a reading of the third complaint of Cornejo showed that all elements of rape by sexual intercourse are “sufficiently alleged therein.” Rey E. Requejo

Salceda: DDR size not crucial, but must stand By Rio N. Araja ALBAY Rep. Joey Salceda, principal author of the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience in the 17th Congress, on Sunday said its institutionalization is the priority, not the size of the new agency. He vowed to support a Senate proposal for an agency under the Office of the President instead “if it pushes the law to the finish line.” “SP (Juan Miguel) Zubiri’s proposal is okay. I will endorse it as a compromise with my colleagues in the House, as long as it moves the bill forward toward PBBM’s desk,” he said, reacting to Zubiri’s statement that the Senate would discuss a downscaled version of the agency creation. Earlier, he challenged the Senate to take the bill up, hoping that the bill’s passage has a chance under Zubiri’s Senate presidency. “As long as it retains key elements, it will do,” he said. “The key element is the institutionalization of resilience initiatives. It can’t be ad hoc in operationalization, the way the OCD-NDRRMC relationship is,” he added.

Opinion Imee makes sense

In these parlous times, government resources would be best put to anything other than increased personnel salaries

There is really nothing wrong with the present set-up of the NDRRMC, other than its long name, which was a modification in 2010 of what used to be the National Disaster Coordinating Council started in 1970. The Philippines is visited by some 20 typhoons of varying strengths each year, with Haiyan or Yolanda in 2013 setting the world record for its strength and destructiveness. Many lessons have been learned, and as far as policy is concerned, a comprehensive plan was already made by then presidential adviser Panfilo Lacson with help from both foreign and domestic agencies. We are in the Pacific Ring of Fire, except for the island of Palawan, and we have from time to time been visited by extremely destructive earthquakes that took a heavy toll in lives and properties, be it in Mindanao, or Bohol, and all parts of Luzon. The Intensity 7 quake with its epicenter in Abra was about as strong as those in Bohol, the Davao provinces, Baguio and Cabanatuan of recent memory. We also have active volcanoes, whether in Negros or Batangas or Bicol, and they keep reminding us of the dangers that lurk in their bowels. Even a supposedly extinct volcano, Pinatubo, surprised us and the entire world with its explosion. Indeed ours is a disaster-prone archipelago, but the creation of another department is not the solution. The main responsibility should be upon the local governments of the areas affected by disasters. With their IRA, their property and business tax collections, and now the additional windfall from the Mandanas

mst.daydesk@gmail.com Honor Blanco Cabie, Editor

EDITORIAL

ruling of the Supreme Court, only the poorest municipalities and far-flung provinces would have problems of wherewithal, if only they prioritize spending properly. Proper communication of plans from the national to the local government units, and from there to every citizen of the locality to be always prepared when disaster strikes, matter. The mobilization of civilian and military personnel and their adequate training matter. The operative principle is always being prepared for the worst, and considering how disaster-prone we are, we should have forward planning already laid out. In these days when the first order of the leadership is about right-sizing a hugely bloated bureaucracy, another department for disaster resilience, likely to be staffed by another set of political favorites, is improper. One does not solve all problems by creating more offices, or throwing more money after bad. *** Earlier, Sen. Imee also decried the huge amounts expended by government on outof-town conferences, seminars, endless trainings, and all kinds of junkets. Despite so many of these, most of our teachers lack knowledge of basics, and so too many government bureaucrats. Cities with huge budgets, thanks to their IRA and real property tax collections, fete their barangay chairmen to “learning trips” to Hong Kong, Taipei, Macau, and elsewhere; and barangay councilors to Boracay, Cebu or Baguio. Is there money to be made in organizing these events, whether from commissions by travel agencies or caterers, resorts and hotels? Likely. *** It will be budget season in Congress this month onwards. The economic managers, and the President himself, should coordinate closely with the legislature to make sure that meager resources are well spent. I was quite dismayed when President Marcos Jr. in his SONA mentioned more “farm-to-market roads” to increase agricultural productivity. These are not what farmers need these days. In fact, if anyone should bother to add up all the “farm-to-pocket” road appropriations over the last 35 years, the number of kilometers “built” should have brought us close to the moon by now. And yet, the president himself knows how many hectares of land were irrigated by the time his father left office, and how many, rather how few, irrigated hectares of farmland were added in the 35 years thereafter. *** Our annual budget, the single most important piece of legislation produced by Congress each year, ought to be scrutinized not just by our lawmakers, but by the executive department itself, led by its economic managers. Just as a new owner of a corporation exercises due diligence in taking over, both in terms of financial assets versus liabilities, but in physical inventory as well, we should really do cost-benefit analyses of government expenditures. Otherwise, we will just end up adding annual increments of say 200 to 300 billion pesos over the previous year’s wastage, and then dun the taxpayers with new and more taxes to cover for such. It’s comforting to think we have an Ilocano for president. Would that he practice the same value for money ethic of his region, similar to the Boholanos and Cebuanos.

SENATOR Imee Marcos’ sense of timing was perfect. While the president was in Abra, inspecting the damage wrought by the massive earthquake, she asked him and their cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, to reconsider support for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience. True to her Ilocano roots where value for money, sometimes mistaken for being overly thrifty, is characteristic, the senator rued the fact that creating another department will just mean spending on the salaries of more undersecretaries and assistant secretaries, along with a slew of regional and assistant regional directors. In these parlous times, government resources would be best put to anything other than increased personnel salaries. The president, who earlier indicated conformity to a long-pushed bill in Congress, based on the number of disasters we experience each year, agreed with his sister, saying that disaster efforts are after all not a matter of crafting policy but one of proper implementation.

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022

Conditional US security assistance

UMAN rights groups both here and abroad noted the glaring absence of an explicit declaration to uphold human rights in the next six years in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address before Congress.

That may have been inadvertent, given its main focus on economic rebound after a bruising battle with the COVID-19 pandemic for more than two years now. But it’s an omission that could cost the Philippines valuable security assistance from the United States. We’re referring to the recent approval by the US House of Representatives of amendments to a law that would block American security assistance to the Philippine National Police unless certain measures were taken to investigate human rights abuses by law enforcers and punish those responsible. According to Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, five of her amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2023 include provisions that, first, would “expose

Wild’s pronouncement is certain to raise some hackles in the Philippine government about undue interference in our internal affairs human rights violations” committed by the Philippine military, police and paramilitary forces, and, second, “condition assistance to the Philippine National Police on respect for fundamental human rights.” Under the amendments, there would be no funds authorized “to be appropriated or otherwise made available” as aid to the PNP until the Secretary of State certifies to the US Congress that the Philippine government has made significant improvements in addressing human rights issues raised against its national police force. The Democratic lawmaker cited figures from human rights groups that as many as 30,000 extrajudicial killings have taken place in the Philippines in the course of the

brutal war on drugs by the previous Duterte administration, which insisted that only a little more than 6,000 were killed in its antinarcotics drive in the last six years. The Democratic lawmaker also decried the Red-tagging and arrests of labor organizers and opposition figures: “Our constituents’ tax dollars should not be used to supply weapons, training, or any other assistance to state security forces that violently target political opponents,” she said. “If we in the United States are going to say that we stand for human rights around the world, then we need to stand for human rights around the world, not just when it’s politically convenient and not just when it’s easy,” she added. Rep. Wild’s pronouncement is certain to raise some hackles in the Philippine government about undue interference in our internal affairs. But she raises a valid point since our Constitution is very clear that the government should uphold fundamental freedoms and human rights, including freedom of speech, of expression and of the press, among others. The question now is: Will the new administration take this as an unacceptable condition that infringes on national sovereignty, or as a timely reminder that we do, in fact, have an obligation to adhere to universal human rights standards?

Shatter the anonymity shield of cybercrime and trolls

IF YOU have been receiving text messages offering all sorts of high paying job opportunities, you’re being targeted by online scammers. I for one have been receiving all sorts of hard selling text messages for work-fromhome jobs, product promotions, lotteries I never joined, and other spurious schemes from unidentified senders. The National Telecommunications Commission, National Privacy Commission and the telcos have issued public warnings and their own texting campaign to warn consumers of this “smishing” wave, a variant of phishing using the short message platforms to fool mobile phone users to share personal information that would then be used to commit fraud. Victims will be given links to legitimate looking but fake websites that will harvest their sensitive data, introduce mobile malware, and further expose to other fraudulent schemes. Investigations by the NPC found that a global crime syndicate is behind all these scams using sophisticated technology attacking not just the Philippines but other countries as well and that these cybercriminals have somehow accessed data from all those contact tracing forms that we all have been filling up these past 2 pandemic years. In a recent statement, Globe telecom reported the deactivation of 5,670 spam numbers and has so far blocked about 71 million messages since the start of this year. This shows how big this cybercrime operation is and the exposure of everyone who has ever accomplished a contract tracing form. Now we know how they got a hold of our mobile number, but when we get these irritating messages from scammers, we have no way of knowing who they are or where

the call is coming from. This mask of anonymity is the key advantage of these SMS scammers. There is, however, the proposed Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act, a policy reform initiative that was ratified by both Houses of congress but was vetoed by former President Rodrigo Duterte. This law would have shattered the shield of anonymity of cybercriminals.

Consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines... has urged the 19th Congress to refile and immediately pass a new version of the SIM Card Registration Act and for the President to certify this as urgent The reasons, to quote then spokesperson Martin Andanar, were that the former President was “constrained to disagree with the inclusion of social media in the measure, without providing proper guidelines and definitions” and that this provision “may give rise to a situation of dangerous state intrusion and surveillance threatening many constitutionally protected rights.” Oh, really now. The Senate and the House of Representatives would have seen any constitutional violation and these concerns on guidelines could be addressed in the Implementing Rules and Regulations. The objective was to stop all these scams victimizing our people. The veto gives scammers more time to go on with their smishing operations and also for the troll army operations spreading disinformation in social media to stay in

business which to me is an equally important benefit of the SIM Registration bill. Consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines in a published statement last week has urged the 19th Congress to refile and immediately pass a new version of the SIM Card Registration Act and for the President to certify this as urgent. According to CitizenWatch co-convenor Atty. Tim Abejo, “Registration of SIM cards will protect consumers from cyber-goons and criminals operating scams, unsolicited, indecent or obscene messages, bank fraud, libel, anonymous online defamation, trolling, terrorism, and the spread of digital disinformation or fake news.” The rationale is quite simple, as a merchant or a consumer, when doing any transaction there must be trust and purity. Both parties must be clear on what the deal is and, most important, knowing the identity and reputation of who we are doing business with. Financial institutions call it “Know you customer” or KYC. Uncertainty in any of these is a red flag and calls for more scrutiny. The proposed SIM Registration Law aims to enforce the registration of each SIM card to verify the identity of each user and be liable for actions using their account. This would be an effective deterrent against cybercrime perpetrators and has the full support of the telcos who are ready to share their expertise and be on the front line to keep our online spaces safe. But legislation is needed to grant them authority to require SIM registration. It is commendable that our telcos are strong proponents of a policy that would shave off some revenue from the operations of these syndicates. These hard times and the trusting nature, or the carelessness of Filipino consumers online have created an easy hunting ground for cybercriminals especially now that we depend on our mobile phones as the primary conduit for communications and almost all our daily transactions. We need the SIM Registration Law to plug this vulnerability and to fight these waves of cybercrime now invading the privacy of our sensitive personal data.

Cartel steps up police attacks as Colombia power transfer nears By Juan Sebastian Serrano A DOZEN police officers have been killed, and dozens more injured in recent weeks by Colombia’s most powerful drug gang, the Gulf Clan. The group has been sowing terror in the country since May, when its boss Dario Antonio Usuga, known as “Otoniel,” was extradited to the United States to face trafficking charges. But those attacks have intensified even more recently as Colombia approaches the transfer of power on August 7 from conservative President Ivan Duque to leftist former guerrilla Gustavo Petro, who has vowed to negotiate with criminal gangs in a bid to end a decades-long conflict in exchange for more lenient sanctions. “They are (carrying out attacks) with the sole intention of positioning themselves for political negotiations. This cannot be accepted,” warned Defense Minister Diego Molano.

Since the beginning of the year, 25 police officers have been killed by the Gulf Clan, almost half of them in the last month, according to officials. Another 60 officers have been injured in dozens of attacks using firearms and explosives. And three police officers were killed just this week in separate attacks by suspected gang members, according to officials. “They attack patrols from behind ... it’s unacceptable,” said Molano. Officials say the Gulf Clan, which is made up of former members of right-wing paramilitaries, has launched an “armed strike” following Otoniel’s extradition. According to police, the Clan is offering between $1,000 and $5,000 for each murder of a member of the security forces. It’s a tactic reminiscent of that used by late cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar in the 1990s as part of his “pistol plan” open war against the state. At least five Clan members have been killed and

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The Clan is offering between $1,000 and $5,000 for each murder of a member of the security forces a dozen captured in the police counter-offensive. Potential surrender Since the historic victory by a left-wing candidate in June’s presidential election run-off, security forces have been targeted in 75 attacks by Clan members and other groups, according to the Center for Conflict Analysis Resources (CERAC).

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The clan “is escalating violence to present itself, in an eventual negotiation, as a group that can offer de-escalation,” CERAC director Jorge Restrepo told AFP. Otoniel had indicated in 2018 that he was willing to turn himself in and Colombia’s thenpresident Juan Manuel Santos, who had won the Nobel Peace Prize for signing a peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels, began organizing the process. But it never came to fruition and the Clan continued to traffic cocaine. When authorities captured the drug lord in October after months of hunting him through the jungle, Duque declared the end of the Gulf Clan, but the cartel has since been more active than ever. According to independent estimates, the Clan can count on 3,000 fighters and collaborators. Last week, a letter began circulating in which the Clan and other armed groups involved in the cocaine trade declared they were ready to call

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a ceasefire on August 7 ahead of an eventual disarmament. Authorities have not confirmed the authenticity of the letter, but foreign minister-elect Alvaro Leyva said he was aware of the document. However, a collective surrender seems farfetched “unless there is a big enough incentive for these groups to turn themselves in … something that would allow them to avoid extradition or keep their wealth,” said Restrepo. Petro has also opened up the possibility of suspending the extradition of drug-traffickers that “peacefully dismantle” their operations. He has admitted, though, that it depends on “a negotiation with the United States,” which has not commented on the possibility. Despite almost five decades fighting drug trafficking together with American authorities, Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine, and the United States its biggest consumer. AFP

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MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Japanese national detained in Yangon

A JAPANESE man has been detained in Myanmar’s commercial capital Yangon, an official at Japan’s embassy confirmed Sunday, the latest foreigner ensnared in the junta-ruled nation. A military coup last year sparked rolling protests and a deadly response from the junta, with more than 2,000 people killed and at least 14,000 arrested, according to a local monitoring group. On Saturday, Japanese and local media said filmmaker Toru Kubota, 26, was detained near an antigovernment rally along with two Myanmar citizens. “I can confirm a Japanese national was detained yesterday in Yangon,” an official at the Japanese embassy told AFP Sunday, requesting anonymity. The embassy is “in contact with the authorities and taking measures to secure their release.” The Japanese official, who did not confirm the identity of the detained individual, said they had no information on whether he was arrested during a protest. A junta spokesperson was not available for comment. AFP

Zelensky: Evacuate frontline Donetsk

UKRAINE’S president urged civilians on Saturday to evacuate the frontline Donetsk region, the scene of fierce clashes with the Russian military, as Kyiv called on the Red Cross and UN to gain access to its soldiers being held by Moscow’s forces. The eastern Donetsk region has faced the brunt of Russia’s offensive since its assault on Kyiv failed weeks into the invasion launched on February 24. President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in his daily address that thousands of people, including children, were still in the region’s battleground areas, with six civilians killed and 15 wounded on Friday, according to the Donetsk governor. “There’s already a governmental decision about

IN BRIEF obligatory evacuation from Donetsk,” Zelensky said, underscoring authorities’ calls to leave the besieged region in recent weeks. “Leave, we will help,” Zelensky said. “At this stage of the war, terror is the main weapon of Russia.” Official Ukrainian estimates put the number of civilians still living in the unoccupied area of Donetsk at between 200,000 and 220,000. A mandatory evacuation notice posted Saturday evening said the coming winter made it a matter of urgency, particularly for the more than 50,000 children still in the region. AFP

Sri Lanka president seeks unity gov’t

SRI LANKA’S new president Ranil Wickremesinghe has formally invited MPs to join an all-party unity government to revive the bankrupt economy by undertaking painful reforms, his office said Sunday. Wickremesinghe took office earlier this month after public anger over the island nation’s worst economic crisis forced his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country and quit. In a meeting Saturday with the influential monks of the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, one of Buddhism’s most sacred shrines, Wickremesinghe outlined his plans. “As the president, I wish to start a new journey,” Wickremesinghe was quoted as telling the monks in his first meeting with the powerful Buddhist clergy since taking office. “I would like to get all the parties together and go on that journey as well as to form an all-party government.” He has written to all lawmakers asking them to join a unity government. A former opposition MP, Wickremesinghe, 73, took up the premiership for the sixth time in May after Rajapaksa’s elder brother Mahinda resigned and there were no other takers for the job. AFP

COSPLAY. Participants in cosplay outfits take photos at the Ani-Com and Games exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on July 31, 2022. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 90, QUEZON CITY rtc2qzn090@judiciary.gov.ph 09152246749

seized included self-sealing transparent plastic bags containing white crystalline substance; and a tea bag color gold and yellow with Chinese characters3 which upon laboratory examination tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.4 The confiscated item weighing 2,486.377 grams of shabu estimated by the Dangerous Drugs Board at P17 Million Pesos. The urine test of Wilson Sy Tan resulted positive for drugs5. Upon inspection by of the Ford Everest with Plate Number NGG3733 used to transport the illegal drug, a copy of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. deposit slip which showed a deposit of Php500,000.00 on 17 July 2020 was discovered. Respondent WeIson Sy Tan is a holder of Account No. 0020001004500007045559285 with the Metrobank and Trust Company.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES represented by the ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERlNG COUNCIL, Petitioner, -versus-

AMLC Case No. 003 (22) For: Civil Forfeiture

WELSON SY TAN, MARY JOY MORAN PERFECTO, LARESSA MORAN PERFECTO, METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST CP. (MBTC) , LAND REGISTRATION AUTHORlTY AND LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, Respondents. x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

After inquest proceedings, cases of violation of Section 5 (sale of illegal drugs), Article II, R.A. No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, was filed against Welson Sy Tan @Intsik, Mary Joy Moran Perfecto and Annabhel Llamado San Jose.6 Also, a case for violation of Section 15 (use of illegal drugs), Article II, R.A. No. 9165, was filed against Welson Sy Tan @Intsik which are now pending with RTC Branch 62 Angeles City. 7 Per AMLC Resolution No. 221 dated October 28, 2021 authorizing the filing through the OSG an ex-parte petition for issuance of freeze order on the bank accounts of Welson Sy Tan and real and personal properties8 was filed at the Court of Appeals. In its Resolution dated 28 December 2021, the Court of Appeals ordered the freezing of the following bank accounts and properties for twenty (20) days:9

NOTICE OF PETITION WELSON SY TAN Blk. 26, Lot 7, Davidson St., Timog Residences Brgy. Pampang, Angeles City, Pampanga

Account Name Welson Sy Tan Laressa Moran Perfecto Mary Joy Moran Perfecto Mary Joy Moran Perfecto Laressa Moran Perfecto Mary Joy Moran Perfecto

MARY JOY MORAN PERFECTO 12A Frabella 1, Condominium, 109 Rada St., Legaspi Village, Makati City and/ or

List of Frozen Main Accounts Account No. 0020001004500007045559285 005340102972

Mary Joy Moran Perfecto

Blk. 26, Lot 7 Davidson St., Timog Residences Brgy. Pampang, Angeles City, Pampanga

010300047320 IC-6005348012208

Bank Name MBTC BDO Unibank, Inc (BDO) BDO BDO Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)

ST0200195400000009

In Resolution No. 221-A dated January 17, 2022 the Court of Appeals extended the freeze for up to six (6) months.

LARESSA MORAN PERFECTO 23/F The Grand Midori Condominium, Legaspi Street, Makati City

Upon AMLC investigation, per DTI Certification 22 January 2021, Welson Sy Tan has no business registered in his name. Examination of the Statement of Account (SOA) for the period from February 2020 to December 2021, has accumulated deposits/credits in the total amount of Php 5,145,948.59 which financial transactions has no logical or economic justification.

METROPOLITAN AND TRUST COMPANY (MBTC) c/o The President Metrobank Plaza, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Urdaneta Village, Makati City 1200

With respect to Mary Joy Moran Perfecto, her four (4) bank accounts have all been closed. Institution

BDO BPI

LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE (LTO) c/o Atty. Romeo G. Vera Cruz Executive Director LTO Compound, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

Account No 005340102972 IC-6005348012208 010300047320 9543-1315-01

From December 2015 to June 2017, the first BDO Account has accumulated deposits/ credits in the total amount of Php15,104,888.00. However, the DTI Certification showed that there is no business registered under the name of Mary Joy Moran Perfecto.

GREETINGS You are hereby notified that a Petition for Civil Forfeiture (with Urgent Prayer for the issuance of a Provisional Asset Preservation Order and/or Asset Preservation Order) has been filed against you by reason of and in relation to an unlawful activity (ies) under Sections 5 and 15 of R.A. 9165. You are hereby required, within fifteen (15) days after service of this Notice of Petition upon you, to file with this Court and serve on the petitioner your comment and/ or opposition to the Petition for Civil Forfeiture, copy of which is0attached, together with the annexes. You are reminded of the provision in A.M. No. 05-11-04-SC to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the comment or opposition. If you fail to comment within the time fixed, the court shall hear the case ex parte and render judgment as may be warranted by the facts alleged in the petition and its supporting evidence and may be granted the relief/ s applied for in the Petition for Civil Forfeiture. WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court this 21st day of June, 21, 2022, in Quezon City, Metro Manila. (Sgd.) Sylvia Joy D. Corrales Officer-in-Charge

NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 90 , QUEZON CITY rtc2qzn090@judiciary.gov.ph Mobile No. 091522 46 749 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, represented by the ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COUNCIL, Petitioner, - versus -

AMLC CASE NO. 003(22) For: Civil Forfeiture

WELSON SY TAN, MARY JOY MORAN PERFECTO, LARESSA MORAN PERFECTO, METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST CO. (MBTC) , LAND REGISTRATION AUTHORITY, AND LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, Respondents. x-------------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER In this verified Petition, filed under R.A. 9160, as amended1 petitioner Republic of the Philippines represented by the Anti Money Laundering Council, through the Office of the Solicitor General filed this case of Civil Forfeiture against the above named respondents in connection with and in relation to unlawful activities under Sec. 5 and 15 of R.A. 9165 sale of illegal drugs and use of illegal drugs with prayer for the issuance of a provisional asset preservation order and/or after due hearing, asset preservation order and forfeiture of assets, related accounts and properties therein stated. The Petitioner is represented in this case by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC for brevity), a government agency created under Republic Act No. 9160 with address at 5/F EDPC Building, BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila. Respondent Welson Sy Tan is of legal with address at Blk. 26 , Lot 7 , Davidson St. Timog Residences, Brgy. , Pampang, Angeles City, Pampanga

In her BPI account, Mary Joy Moran Perfecto showed that from June 2017 to 2019, the account accumulated deposits/credits amounting to more than Php7.8 Million Pesos and transactions in this bank account has no logical or economic justification. There is no registered business in the name of Laressa Moran Perfecto. Laressa Moran Perfecto has declared income as Autocad operator but her declared income was not commensurate to the amount transacted in her bank account. Mary Joy Moran Perfecto and Laressa Moran Perfecto are sisters. When Mary Joy Moran Perfecto opened savings account at Naga on February 6 , 2022 she allegedly confirmed that her partner for six (6) years, the respondent Welson Sy Tan, has been sending her allowance in the amount of Php500,000.00 for support. Welson Sy Tan has declared Mary Joy Moran Perfecto as his spouse. Registered in the name of Mary Jane Moran Perfecto on January 11, 2017 is a parcel of land covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. 2017000113 located in Concepcion Grande, Naga City; a 2020 Black Ford Everest with Plate Number NGG3733 and Yamaha FZIBP71 with Plate Number 050108; that Laressa Perfecto is a registered owner of Yamaha Mio Sporty 40C6 with Plate Number DA80243 registered in her name on 17 April 2018.

Respondent Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company (MBTC) is impleaded as a necessary party to completely accord petitioner the reliefs prayed for with address at Metrobank Plaza, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Urdaneta Village, Makati City 1200. The Register of Deeds of Camarines Sur is a government agency impleaded as a necessary party to completely accord petitioner the reliefs prayed for with address at J. Miranda Ave., City Hall Compound, Naga City. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is a government agency impleaded as a necessary party to completely accord petitioner the reliefs prayed for through its Executive Director, Atty. Romeo G. Vera Cruz, at LTO Compound, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. Petitioner alleged that there is sufficient evidence that the subject bank accounts of Welson Sy Tan and Mary Joy Moran Perfecto the properties consisting of real property and motor vehicles owned by the respondents, represent, involved, correlate the lawful activity defined under Section 3(i)(2) of the AMLC proceeds thereof. AMLC Resolution No. 109 was issued on May 10, 2022 authorizing the filing of this Petition for Civil Forfeiture of said bank accounts and properties.

The statement made no mention of whether the six-member delegation would visit Taiwan, a flashpoint in conversations between China and the United States in the run-up to the trip. “The trip will focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region,” Pelosi’s office said in a statement. The all-Democrat delegation includes Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks and members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Armed Services Committee. “Our delegation will hold high-level meetings to discuss how we can further advance our shared interests and values, including peace and security, economic growth and trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, human rights and democratic governance,” said Pelosi in the statement. Singapore’s foreign ministry confirmed Pelosi’s delegation would visit the city-state August 1-2, with meetings scheduled with President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. For weeks, US-China tensions had heightened over reports that Pelosi may visit the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which China sees as part of its territory to be reunited by force if necessary.

Respondents Welson Sy Tan and Mary Joy Moran Perfecto have no business registered in their names and Laressa Moran Perfecto declared the source of income as Autocad operator. The huge amount of deposits/credits and transactions in their bank accounts at BDO and BPI and acquisition of motor vehicle as well as land property have no logical or economic justification and are not commensurate to the amount transactions of their bank accounts. They are suspicious transactions under Sec. 2 of Republic Act 9160, as amended by Republic Act No. 9194. WHEREFORE, considering the foregoing, the Court hereby issues this provisional asset preservation Order effective immediately the following bank account, properties and assets: 1. Metrobank Account No. 0020001004500007045559285 of Welson Sy Tan; 2. 2020 Black Ford Everest with Plate Number NGG3733; 3. Yamaha FZIBP71 with Plate Number 050108; 4. Yamaha Mio Sporty 40C6 with Plate Number D~43 registered under the name of Laressa Moran Perfecto. 5. Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. 2017000113 located in Concepcion Grande, Naga City ordering the respondents Welson Sy Tan, Mary Joy Moran Perfecto, Laressa Moran Perfecto or any person acting in their behalf, the head/chief of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (MBTC), Register of Deeds of Camarines Sur and Land Transportation Office, Diliman, Quezon City forbidding any transaction, withdrawal, deposit, transfer, removal conversion, concealment or other disposition of the above-listed subject bank account, properties or proceeds. This order shall be effective for a period of twenty (20) days from the respective dates of service to respondents or any person acting in their behalf, and upon each covered institution or government agency in accordance with Section 14 of the Rule. Let this case be set for summary hearing on July 6, 2022 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning at which date and time respondents may for good cause show why the provisional asset preservation Order should be lifted. The Sheriff of this court is hereby directed to serve a copy of this Order personally upon the respondents or any person acting in their behalf and upon the heads of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (MBTC) and the government agency, Land Transportation Office (LTO). SO ORDERED. June 21,2022, Quezon City, Metro Manila. /jjc copy furnished: Atty. Juan Antonio D. Sta. Cruz Legal Officer III Anti-Money Laundering Council 5/F EDPC Building BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd. Malate, Manila Jstacruz@amlc.gov.ph 1

2 3 4 5 6

In the Petition, it is alleged that after a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) on September 5, 2020 respondent Welson Sy Tan, Mary Joy Moran Perfecto and Annabhel Llamado San Jose were arrested in Clark Pampanga.2 The item

S House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi will lead a congressional delegation to the Asia-Pacific region, her office confirmed on Sunday, with stops in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

After considering the allegations in the Petition and examination of the supporting evidence, the Court finds the Petition sufficient in form and substance and that probable cause exist on the basis of allegations of the verified Petition and that the monetary instrument, property or proceeds subject of the Petition are related to unlawful activities as defined in Section 3 (i)(2) of Republic Act 9160, as amended by Republic Act No. 9194.

Respondent Mary Joy Moran Perfecto is of legal age with addresses at 12A Frabella 1, Condominium, 109 Rada St., Legaspi Village, Makati City and Blk. 26, Lot 7, Davidson St., Timog Residences, Brgy., Pampang, Angeles City, Pampanga. Respondent Laressa Moran Perfecto is of legal age with address at 23F, The Grand Midori Condominium, Legaspi Street, Makati City.

Asia-Pacific tour a go for Pelosi, silent on Taiwan U

7 8 9

(Sgd.) MARlA ZORAIDA S. ZABAT TUAZON Presiding Judge Welson Sy Tan Blk. 26, Lot 7, Davidson St., Timog Residences, Brgy., Pampang Angeles City, Pampanga Mary Joy Moran Perfecto 12A Frabella 1, Condominium 109 Rada St., Legaspi Village Makati City/ Blk. 26, Lot 7, Davidson St. Timog Residences, Brgy. Pampang Angeles City, Pampanga

An Act Defining the Crime of Money Laundering, Providing Penalties Therefore and For Other Purposes, otherwise known as the “Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001”. Annex “C” Affidavit of Arresting Officer Annex “D” Annex “E” Annexes “F” Annex :G” Annex “H” Annex “I” Annex “J” (MStandard - July 25 & August 1, 2022)

THREE-FINGER SALUTE. A group of activists flash the three-finger salute – a gesture of resistance – and chant slogans to free Japanese citizen Toru Kubota, who is detained in Myanmar, during a rally in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo on July 31, 2022. AFP

Spain’s gay community acts as monkeypox cases spread WHETHER it’s abstinence, avoiding nightclubs, limiting sexual partners or pushing for a swift vaccine rollout, Spain’s gay community are on the front line of the monkeypox virus and are taking action. “With this monkey thing, I prefer to be careful... I don’t have sex any more, I don’t go to parties any more, and that’s until I’m vaccinated and have some immunity,” said Antonio, a 35-year-old from Madrid who declined to give his surname. Antonio, who often went to nightclubs and sometimes to sex parties, decided to act as cases

continued to increase. Spain on Saturday reported its second monkeypox-related death. Outside of Africa, the only other such death has been in Brazil. More than 18,000 cases have been detected throughout the world outside of Africa since the beginning of May, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Spain is one of the world’s worst-hit countries. The country’s health ministry’s emergency and alert coordination center put the number of infected people at 4,298. AFP

Business

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Thin trade seen at start of ‘ghost month’ TOP GAINERS S PSEi July 29, 2022

1 LFM 2 FAF 3 WLCON 4 T 5 NRCP

LAST PRICE CHANGE 20.4 2.42 0.68 0.06 27.65 2.25 0.71 0.05 0.65 0.04

% CHANGE 13.46% 9.68% 8.86% 7.58% 6.56%

6 7 8

ROCK AUB GPH

1.3 44.85 10.62

0.07 2.35 0.52

5.69% 5.53% 5.15%

9 10

MWIDE PTC

4.4 105

0.21 5

5.01% 5.00%

By Jenniffer B. Austria

TOCKS are expected to move sideways this week, as the start of the “ghost month” and rising inflation may dampen investor sentiment.

“With the start of the Chinese ghost festival, expect turnover to remain light,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said. Investors are likely to focus on the earnings season as preliminary results

show that companies had positive second-quarter results. The assuring statement from US Federal chairman Jerome Powell that the US economy is not in recession could provide investors some relief. “Indications for less aggressive interest rate hikes are in the cards, especially with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ preliminary hint for its upcoming monetary policy meeting this month,” 2TradeAsia.com said. This could provide interest rate-sensitive sectors some breathing room after the successive rate hikes. The BSP has raised key policy rates

by 125 basis points since May, bringing the overnight reverse repurchase rate to 3.25 percent from 2 percent. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index last week inched up by 0.84 percent to 6,315.93 on bargain hunting. The all-share index also climbed 0.53 percent to 3,398.82. Five of the six sectoral indices ended in the green, led by financial which rose 1.9 percent; services by 1.94 percent; mining and oil by 1.72 percent; property by 1.2 percent; Manila and holding firms by 0.71 percent. Industrial went down by Standard 1.4 percent. TODAY Foreign investors were net buyers last

RESOLUTION No. Date SUBJECT

TOP LOSERS

LAST % PRICE CHANGE CHANGE

1 2 3

VVT REG DFNN

15.64 2.62 3.39

-2.72 -0.28 -0.29

-14.81% -9.66% -7.88%

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

MER JGS SOC RLT CHP HTI SGI

340 51.5 0.61 0.216 0.71 0.85 0.85

-26 -3.5 -0.04 -0.014 -0.04 -0.04 -0.04

-7.10% -6.36% -6.15% -6.09% -5.33% -4.49% -4.49%

MOST ACTIVE

1 ALI

VOLUME 23,148,100

VALUE (PHP) 577,314,655

2 3 4

MER SMPH SM

1,583,710 14,340,500 639,650

539,370,776 520,880,350 502,325,955

5 6 7 8

CNVRG GLO BDO BPI

15,970,200 114,960 1,870,750 2,068,590

309,110,560 235,101,420 223,403,641 191,394,548

ICT

982,000

188,521,840

URC

1,550,060

170,868,492

week by P545 million, while average daily turnover went up to P6.9 billion from the previous week’s average of P4.4 billion. Top gainers last week were Wilcon Depot Inc., which jumped 20.2 percent to P27.65; Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., which climbed 8.8 percent to P57.05; and Union Bank of the Philippine, which increased 8.7 percent to P80.70. Heavy losers included Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc., which lost 17.4 percent to P0.71; 8990 Holdings Inc., which dropped 8.8 percent to P9.30; and Jollibee Foods Corp., which went down by 4.5 percent to P201.20. With AFP

: __2022-010 : __July 29,2022

Adoption of Commission on Audit (COA) Policy on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) pursuant to Civil Service Commission (CSC) Resolution No. 2200209 promulgated on May 18, 2022

WHEREAS, the CSC issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 22, series of 2014, on the adoption of the four-day workweek scheme in government agencies in Metro Manila; MC No. 25, s. 2019, on the revised guidelines on flexible working hours to complement the strategies of the government to ease the traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities in the country; and MC Nos. 10 and 18, s. 2020, on the adoption of the alternative work arrangements in government during the community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic;

CYPRUS TOURISM. Beachgoers relax at Nissi Beach in the Cypriot resort town of Ayia Napa, one of the Mediterranean island’s top tourist destinations. Beside sparkling Mediterranean waters, the bars are bouncing with foam dance parties as tourist numbers rebound following two tough years of pandemic. But one key nationality is effectively missing: Russian visitors, as the once lucrative market has been hit by European Union sanctions imposed after Moscow invaded Ukraine. AFP

China’s July factory activity fell on soft demand BEIJING, China—China’s manufacturing activity logged a surprise drop in July, official data showed Sunday, on the back of weak demand and as strict zero-Covid restrictions continue to cast a pall on growth. The Purchasing Managers’ Index, a key gauge of manufacturing activity in the world’s second-biggest economy, came in at 49.0 in July, down from 50.2 June and below the 50-point mark separating growth from contraction, National Bureau of Statistics data showed. While sweeping Covid curbs have eased in major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing, sporadic lockdowns around the country have kept businesses and consumers worried. “In July, the manufacturing PMI dropped... due to factors such as the traditional off-season for production, insufficient release of market demand, and decline in prosperity of high-energy-consuming industries,” said NBS senior statistician Zhao Qinghe in a statement. Zhao added that sharp price fluctuations of

MARIA ADIEL AGUILING

Green Light August marks the month of our national language. During this period, institutions exert conscious effort to speak and write in Filipino. Students customarily don national costumes, perform Philippine folk dances and compete in balagtasan. President Sergio Osmeña declared an annual celebration of Linggo ng Wika from March 27 to April 2. President Ramon Magsaysay modified the dates to Aug. 13 to 19 to end on the birthdate of President Manuel Quezon, the father of National Language. Eventually, President Fidel Ramos modified the observance to a monthlong celebration and changed it to Buwan ng Wika. Buwan ng Wika aims to promote the national language, the means by which we communicate with each other. In fostering the use of an indigenous language, we further the understanding of our culture and identity. The Filipino language contains vocabulary uniquely expressing who we are and how we behave. Wordle’s Filipino version, Saltong, exposes indigenous words commonly and seldom used in the vernacular. A fundamental Filipino word that commands attention is kapwa. In language dictionaries, kapwa is translated to “both” or “others.” However, its true meaning transcends this. Prof. Virgilio Enriquez, ama ng Sikolohiyang Pilipino (father of Philippine Psychology), explained that kapwa is the unity of self and others. It is the recognition of a shared identity. He elaborated that the conviction and value associated with kapwa is pakikipagkapwa, where one treats the other person as an equal. How is pakikipagkapwa manifested in current society? Kind-hearted persons and serviceoriented organizations exhibit pakikipagkapwa in ordinary and extraordinary events. For instance, Bahay Tuluyan (http://bahaytuluyan.org/) is a rights-based organiza-

WHEREAS, the CSC, in consonance with its constitutional and statutory mandate, issued CSC Resolution No. 2200209 promulgated on May 18, 2022 to provide guidelines on flexible work arrangements in the government to ensure its continued operations and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of government officials and employees, without prejudice tothe efficient delivery of public services; WHEREAS, all government agencies shall formulate their internal guidelines on the flexible work arrangement/s they have adopted and implemented, to be submitted to the CSC Regional Offices for records and reference purposes; and WHEREAS, in light of the nationwide effort to transition from a state of national public health emergency to the new normal, the necessity of providing measures that would address the emergence of natural and man-made calamities, and any situation that would disrupt the efficient and effective performance of governmental functions and delivery of public services, this Commission sees the need to issue a policy on flexible work arrangements that will provide adaptable and responsive work schemes for its officials and employees to manage any current or emergent situations caused either by natural and man-made calamities or any other situation that may affect the performance of functions and delivery of audit services.

raw materials had led some companies to adopt a wait-and-see approach, “weakening purchasing intentions”. The proportion of firms saying there was inNOW, THEREFORE, the Commission Proper RESOLVES, as it does hereby sufficient market demand had also increased RESOLVE, to adopt a Policy on Flexible Work Arrangements, together with its for four consecutive months, he said, noting implementing rules and regulations, in consonance with the above-mentioned CSC rules. this was the “main difficulty” among manufacThis Policy on Flexible Work Arrangements shall take effect on August 1, 2022. turers. But officials show few signs of relaxing Done this _29th_ day of _July_, 2022, in Quezon City, Philippines. strict pandemic curbs, with policymakers appearing to emphasize zero-Covid over growth JOSE CALLANGAN CALIDA in a Politburo meeting this week, where they Chairperson vowed to strive for “the best outcome” rather than to meet economic and social targets. ROLAND CAFÉ PONDOC MARIO GONZALES LIPANA “In acknowledging the difficulties, the govManila Commissioner Standard Commissioner ernment has finally become flexible towards TODAY An Act Institutionalizing Telecommuting as An Alternative Work Arrangement for Employees in the Private Sector. this year’s growth target,” ANZ Research analysts said in a note. Chinese leaders had originally set a full-year GDP growth target of around 5.5 percent, but with economic expansion of just 0.4 percent in the second quarter, analysts believe it is unlikely to hit that goal. AFP 1

(MS-AUG. 1, 2022)

‘Pakikipagkapwa’ tion that reaches out to exploited children, street children, children in conflict with the law and youth mothers. Their goal is to reduce abuse and violence against children and empower the youth to be independent citizens of society. Bahay Tuluyan’s president explained that when children feel heard, loved and trusted, they feel safe and protected. Jose (not his real name) exudes gratitude for the care he receives in the shelter. He said “Dito po naming nararamdaman ang pagmamahal ng isang tunay na ina kahit hind naming sila kadugo. Tapos, ..tanggap kami lahat dito. Wala silang ibang tinitangi sa aming iba kundi isang tunay na anak (Here, we feel the love of a true mother even if we are not related by blood. They accept all of us. They do not have any other treatment towards us, except that of a son).” A young girl in another center shared: “Mababait po sila. Di po kami pinababayaan. Parang tunay na nanay namin. Hinahanap po kami. (They are good here. They do not neglect us. They are like our true mothers. They always look for us.)” The youth are also thankful for the training and skills they learn. Reign is a graduate of Anihan Technical School in Laguna. She was a full scholar of the technical-vocational school that offers a 2-year senior high school program and 1-year program in Quick Service Restaurant Operations. She recalled how she and her classmates were locked down in their boarding house during the general community quarantine. Because of the looming threat of contracting COVID-19, the school personnel who lived with them acted as their mother and went out for errands. The school management also continuously sent their allowance and food packs. When the government mitigated the restrictions, the management gave them the opportunity to work in a livelihood center. Through this, she could

WHEREAS, an alternative work arrangement, through telecommuting, is already available in the private sector pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 111651, to promote a healthy work-life balance for Filipino workers and to alleviate the traffic congestion, particularly in Metro Manila;

send financial assistance to her relatives in the province who were completely bereft of basic goods due to unemployment. Respect and care towards Filipinos, regardless of relationship, captures the essence of kapwa. Through pakikipagkapwa, one demonstrates the treatment of another as a fellow human being. We desire to witness this value in dayto-day interactions, consumer-business connections and citizen-state relationships. However, certain occurrences threaten us to doubt the practice of this virtue. Netizens hurl lies on personalities they wish to (or are paid to) silence. People in business connive in fraudulent schemes to amass wealth. Officials embezzle funds earmarked for ailing citizens. Where is shared identity in these? Is fellowship limited to people we know? Is unity constrained to powers that enrich us? Prof. Enriquez reminded us that pakikipagkapwa is more important than pakikisama. The barkada (peer group) will not be pleased without pakikisama, but society suffers without pakikipagkapwa. Buwan ng Wika is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the Filipino language that identifies us as a people. Many selfless people and organizations exemplify the language of kapwa and pakikipagkapwa. Let us uphold the culture of treating others as persons and as one of us. Maria Adiel Aguiling is an Assistant Professorial Lecturer and candidate for a Doctorate in Business Administration at the RVR College of Business, De La Salle University, Manila. She is a board trustee of Foundation for Professional Training Inc. You can contact her at maria_adiel_ aguiling@dlsu.edu.ph. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty and its administrators.

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING OF ALLIED CARE EXPERTS (ACE) MEDICAL CENTER-BUTUAN INC. DEAR STOCKHOLDERS: Please take notice that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center – Butuan Inc. will be held on August 22, 2022, Monday at 8:00 in the morning; the meeting will be conducted via Zoom Webinar. Kindly register thru the following link, on or before August 15, 2022, to enable you to participate in the meeting: bit.ly/acebutuan2022 The link will take you through the process of registration. You will receive a confirmation email once you have successfully registered in the platform, including the details and procedures in the conduct of the meeting. The confirmation email will also contain a link and instructions for the online voting which will be conducted via an online platform. The meeting shall be recorded (visual and audio) for future reference. The Agenda: I. II. III. IV. V.

Call to Order Invocation Determination of Quorum Welcome Message from the Chairman of the Board Reading and Approval of the Minutes of the Y2021 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting VI. Annual Financial Report VII. President’s Report VIII. Ratification of the Acts and Proceedings of the Board of Directors, Officers, and Management of the Corporation IX. Election of the Board of Directors X. Appointment of External Auditor for the year 2022 XI. Adjournment Only stockholders of record at the close of business on August 1, 2022 (Record Date) shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. If you cannot personally attend the meeting, you may opt to send your proxy to attend in your behalf. Kindly submit your duly executed proxy form with the undersigned, via email, at acebutuanasm2022@gmail. com not later than August 19, 2022, but preferably before August 15, 2022, to enable your proxy to register in the Zoom Webinar. The sample proxy form is available at the Corporation’s website, for your reference. [NOTE: Management is not soliciting proxies] The Information Statement with the Management Report and SEC Form 17-A are posted at the Corporation’s website at www.acebutuan. com.ph. You may contact the undersigned via email at asmbutuan2022@ gmail.com, or through telephone/mobile numbers: 0915 735 5076 if you have inquiries or concerns regarding the meeting. Very truly yours,

DR. MARIETTA T. SAMOY Corporate Secretary

(MS-AUG. 1 & 2, 2022)

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022

IN BRIEF

ALLHC registers P339-m net profit

AYALALAND Logistics Holdings Corp., a subsidiary of Ayala Land Inc., said over the weekend net income grew 37 percent in the first half to P339 million from the same period last year on the back of higher revenues. ALLHC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange first-half revenues increased 8 percent to P1.6 billion, led by the steady demand for industrial lots , which contributed P657 million in revenues, up 8 percent from P611 million a year ago. Warehouse leasing segment also grew its top line to P351 million, a 70-percent hike from P206 million, boosted by improved overall occupancy and the inclusion of 64,000 square meters of new gross leasable area from ALogis Sto. Tomas which it acquired early this year. Revenues from cold storage revenues went up 371 percent to P57 million from P12 million. “The first half of the year showed encouraging results given the continuing reopening of the economy. Growth momentum for our bottom-line was sustained as operations remained stable,” ALLHC chief operating officer Patrick Avila said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Sitel PH welcomes global executive

SITEL Group, one of the largest global providers of customer experience products and solutions, welcomed global chief operating officer Olivier Camino to Sitel Philippines in May for the first time in over two years. The COO’s visit comes on the heels of Sitel Group’s acquisition of Sykes and the integration of the two customer experience teams. Camino touched base with the company’s local leadership and associates, visited several new centers and reinforced the Sitel Group’s commitment to providing more exciting job and career opportunities to Filipino talents. “The Philippines has continuously proven to be one of our most resilient and dedicated teams as we navigated the pandemic these past two years. We look forward to leveraging our expertise to embrace more opportunities and fuel further growth for the business,” Camino said. Sitel Group is present in five locations in the country—Metro Manila, Baguio, Tarlac, Palawan and Cebu, with 15 strategically placed hubs in premiere locations. More than 40,000 employees in the Philippines contribute to the global company’s 160,000 associates throughout 40 countries worldwide. The company is the preferred partner to over 700 customer brands, connecting them with customers across all channels 8 million times daily in over 50 languages.

Firms asked to comply with halal standards

A DUBAI-BASED research company asked Philippine manufacturers and exporters to comply with food safety standards for halal certification to maintain the integrity of products and boost exports. Prime Group chief executive Mary Jane Alvero-Al Mahdi underscored the important role of standards, technical regulation, guidelines, laws and directives to maintain the integrity of halal products. “Even if the product has no pork content, no alcohol content or GMO [genetically modified organism], if it has contamination, then you cannot consider it as halal,” she said in a virtual event. Alvero-Al Mahdi cited the need to comply with the requirements not only of halal but also of food safety and food security of the host country. A standard is a document prepared by consensus, approved by a recognized body, contributed by its stakeholders for common and repeated use, and it is voluntary, she said. Othel V. Campos

Business BSP: July inflation likely hit as high as 6.4% on weak peso By Julito G. Rada

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said over the weekend inflation in July likely reached as high as 6.4 percent from 6.1 percent in June on higher prices of food, transport fares and weaker peso.

The BSP, in a statement, estimated that the July inflation settled within a range of 5.6 percent to 6.4 percent. “Inflation for the month was driven by the continued increase in food prices, further transport fare hikes and peso depreciation,” it said. It said lower oil prices, reduction in electricity rates in Meralco-serviced areas and lower pork prices may have tempered the price pressures.

“The BSP will continue to monitor closely emerging price developments to enable timely intervention to arrest emergence of further second-round effects, consistent with BSP’s mandate of price and financial stability,” it said. Standard Chartered Bank earlier said the BSP might hike by 50 basis points the policy rate in its August meeting on continued elevated inflation. “We now expect more front-loaded tightening, with a 50-bps hike in August and 25-bps moves in both September and November; we had previously expected 25-bps hikes at each of this year’s four remaining meetings,” it said. “We estimate that the output gap will turn positive by end-2022, and that inflation will continue to broaden amid the robust economic recovery,” it said. The BSP said it was ready to use the “full force” of its available measures to lessen the impact of the latest 75-basispoint hike in policy rate by the US Fed-

eral Reserve that aims to control the rising inflation in the world’s largest economy. It was the Fed’s second straight 75bps increase and the fourth rate hike this year, as the US central bank moved aggressively to cool the strongest surge in inflation in more than four decades. The BSP said the action of the Fed, along with the tightening of global financial conditions and broadening uncertainty over global growth prospects, “could continue to drive exchange rate movements in emerging market economies, including in the Philippines.” “In order to manage the spillover effects of such external developments, the BSP is prepared to utilize the full force of available measures in order to address the potential risks to Philippine inflation and inflation expectations arising from an overshooting or excessive depreciation of the Philippine peso,” it said.

LANDBANK ASSISTANCE. Land Bank of the Philippines’ timely assistance enables Reicher Banana Farm Inc. in Davao de Oro to register a 100-percent growth in production and fully recover from the Panama disease. The 74-hectare banana plantation was hit hard by the destructive Panama plant disease in 2013. RBFI availed of a P75-million loan from LandBank in 2018 to supplement working capital and purchase the necessary inputs and equipment for rehabilitation. After two years of rehabilitation, RBFI fully recovered from the plant disease and is now harvesting around 10,000 boxes of produce a week—a 100-percent increase from the previous production of 5,000 boxes a week.

Bank loans expanded 12% in June, reflecting faster economic activity BANK loans grew at a faster pace of 12 percent in June compared to the 10.7-percent expansion in May, on higher demand for credit as the economy recovers from the pandemic and returns to normalcy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said over the weekend. Preliminary data showed that on a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase placements with the BSP, expanded 2.3 percent. Outstanding loans to residents, net of RRPs, increased 11.9 percent in June from 10.6 percent in the previous month.

Outstanding loans for production activities grew 12 percent in June, faster than 10.8 percent in May on increased credit for real estate activities (18.1 percent); manufacturing (17.5 percent); information and communication (29.7 percent); and wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (8.0 percent). “The sustained growth in credit will support the momentum of economic recovery amid the ongoing withdrawal of monetary accommodation. Going forward, the BSP will continue to ensure that liquidity and credit dynamics remain consistent with the BSP’s price and financial stability objectives,” the BSP said.

LALAMOVE EXPANSION. Lalamove, am ondemand delivery platform in the Philippines, expands its last-mile and longdistance delivery service to cover the farthest locations in North and South Luzon, driving businesses’ growth without them worrying about logistical challenges. Riding on the booming demand in the market, Lalamove strengthened its fleet to offer a wide range of vehicles from motorcycles, sedans, vans and trucks to address last-mile delivery challenges facing smalland medium-sized enterprises.

It said the growth in consumer loans to residents accelerated to 10.6 percent in June from 8.5 percent in May, driven by the year-on-year rise in credit card loans and salary-based general purpose consumption loans. Outstanding loans to non-residents rose at a faster rate of 16.3 percent in June from 12.5 percent in the previous month. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the 12-percent year-on-year growth in bank lending in June was the fastest in more than two years or since April 2020. It reached P10.192 trillion, or equivalent to more than 50 percent of GDP. Julito G. Rada

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, July 29, 2022

-63.33 PTS. 6,315.93

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

566,041,242 61,417

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES

18,046,896,720.69 74

DECLINES UNCHANGED

116 50

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

55.7220

Japan

Yen

0.007445

0.4149

Pound

1.217800

67.8583

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127392

7.0985

Switzerland

Franc

1.047449

58.3660

Canada

Dollar

0.780945

43.5158

Singapore

Dollar

0.724900

40.3929

Australia

Dollar

0.698700

38.9330

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652661

147.8116

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266255

14.8363

Brunei

Dollar

0.722282

40.2470

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.027285

1.5204

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

15.1719

Euro

1.019800

56.8253

Korea

Won

0.000772

0.0430

China

Yuan

0.148223

8.2593

India

Rupee

0.012559

0.6998

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.224669

12.5190

New Zealand

Dollar

0.629100

35.0547

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033454

1.8641 Source: BSP

TransCo submits application for higher FIT-All rate By Alena Mae S. Flores STATE-RUN National Transmission Corp. is seeking an approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission for a higher feed-in tariff allowance of P0.2382 per kilowatt-hour in 2023. This would translate into an increase of P0.1399 per kWh from the 2022 rate of P0.0983 per kWh. TransCo included in its application the collection P0.2381 per kWh FIT-All rate of eligible renewable energy plants. It is computed based on the FIT All and P0.0001 per kWh for the funding requirement of potential RE plants under the Green Energy Auction Program held in June. TransCo administers the feed-in tariff fund, which is used to pay the FIT of renewable energy developers, as mandated under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008. The law establishes the FIT system for electricity produced from wind, solar, ocean, run-of-river, hydropower and biomass projects. It guarantees all eligible renewable energy plants an entitlement for the applicable FITs for 20 years. The FIT-All is a uniform charge billed to all on-grid electricity users and is set annually by the ERC. Power customers are now paying an FIT-All rate of P0.0983 per kWh. “The grant of a provisional authority will allow TransCo to perform its duties and to make a timely payment of the FITs to FITeligible RE developers to which they are entitled, thereby allowing their continued operations,” TransCo said. TransCo sought an approval to collect a total of P17.499 billion to pay for FIT differentials, including the previous years starting from 2014, working capital allowance of P4.2712 billion for FIT plants and P13.4 million for GEAP plants, administration allowance of P23 million and disbursement allowance of P2.165 million.

Ingrid Power plans to build 270-MW battery energy storage system in Rizal INGRID Power Holdings Inc., a joint venture of ACEN Corp. and Axia Power Holdings Philippines Corp., plans to put up a 270-megawatt battery energy storage system in Barangay Malaya, Pililla, Rizal that will cost nearly P7 billion. IPHI said in a report to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the project would address the need for energy storage systems to handle the ancillary or reserve requirement of the power grid. It said the Pililla BESS would be operated with energy time-shifting or energy arbitrage as its primary function. The plant will charge from the grid when there is excess energy and electricity marginal prices are low. The stored energy will then be discharged and sold to the grid during high-

power demand and high electricity market prices. The charging and discharging from the grid will be via the 230-kilovolt Malaya Substation of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines through a direct connection to the Ingrid Substation. It will serve as a source of ancillary service for the Luzon grid and improve power quality to help ease the frequency and voltage problems. The project will also provide ancillary service in the form of regulating and contingency reserve to maintain the consistent grid frequency. IPHI said the project would use lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, which have better ageing and cycle life characteristics and are used mainly for energy time-shifting. Alena Mae S. Flores

PLDT investing $100m to develop 2 new submarine cable systems to increase international data capacity By Darwin G. Amojelar PLDT Inc. said over the weekend it is investing about $100 million to build two additional submarine cable system to further boost its international data capacity. “Next year, we are going to tie up with another cable system—the Asia Direct Cable System which adds about 36 terabits more capacity to our network. After that in 2024, we are trying to launch

APRICOT cable system which adds another 54 terabits capacity,” PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications first vice president and head of enterprise business group Jojo G. Gendrano said. PLDT said it would invest about $50 million each for the two new cable systems. The APRICOT Cable project, a 12,000-kilometer cable system connecting the Philippines to Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan and Guam, is expect-

ed to be completed by 2024. The Asia Direct Cable system is set to be completed by early 2023. PLDT recently fired up the US-Transpacific Jupiter Cable system, the Philippines’ fastest, direct data cable link to the US and Japan. PLDT invested $136 million for the project. The 14,000-kilometer Jupiter Cable system is the newest international gateway connecting the Philippines directly from PLDT’s cable landing station in

Daet, Camarines Norte to Japan and the US West Coast. PLDT’s investment in Jupiter responds to the rapidly growing requirements for digital services and nextgeneration technologies and supports data-driven industries, particularly those with global operations and highbandwidth demands such as BPOs, multinationals and global hyperscalers. “Our investment in Jupiter will exponentially boost the Philippines’ interna-

tional capacity, ramp up the global trade of digital services and propel the nation’s digital economy, while increasing internet speed and reliability for Filipinos,” PLDT president and chief executive Al Panlilio said. Jupiter will triple PLDT’s international capacity to about 60 terabits per second, further cementing its lead in the industry and reinforcing its commitment to driving the country’s digital capabilities forward.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022

PH’s women chessers grab share of lead at Olympiad

Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots’ coach Chito Victolero barks instructions to his wards in a PBA Philippine Cup game at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday. The Hotshots won, 112-106, over the NLEX Road Warriors in overtime to advance to the semifinals.

Hotshots stun Road Warriors, set semis faceoff with Giga By Peter Atencio

N almost forgotten Jio Jalalon knocked in seven points in overtime to lead the Magnolia Timplados Hotshots to a 112-106 win over NLEX Sunday night in Game 3 of their do-or-die best-of-three quarterﬁnal game at the Mall of Asia Arena. Jalalon, who got apologies from coach Chito Victolero for overlooking his inclusion inside the court in the last two minutes of regulation, had 22 points for the Hotshots as they made it to the best-ofseven semifinals of the 2022 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

“Sorry to Jio, nakalimutan ko sa fourth quarter. I told him I will get to him for every possession,” said Victolero, as the Hotshots now get ready for their showdown with the TNT Tropang Giga. The 29-year-old point guard from Cagayan de Oro, scored on a drive and three-pointer during an 11-3 run in the last 1:15. Jalalon’s heroics allowed the Hotshots to finally pull away,108-100, in the 1:15 mark. Ian Sangalang shot a game-high 24 points for the Hotshots, while Paul Lee added 22. Calvin Oftana, who powered the Road Warriors with 24 points, last put NLEX ahead with his split charity, 97-94, with a minute in regulation. After Sangalang turned the ball over, NLEX had a chance to win in regulation. But a steal from Jalalon, followed by Calvin Abueva’s assist to Paul Lee’s trey in the last 12 seconds helped Magnolia send the match into

overtime, 97-all. Another steal from Jalalon off Oftana in the remaining 2.7 seconds kept NLEX from forcing a win. The Road Warriors levelled the series last Friday with a 90-77 triumph over the Hotshots. “Sa fourth quarter, nu’ng last two minutes, sabi ko sa mga coaches gusto kong maglaro, gigil kasi ako. Mabuti naman at pinagbigyan ako,” said Jalalon. The scores: MAGNOLIA 112—Sangalang 24, Lee 21, Jalalon 16, Barroca 14, Abueva 13, Dela Rosa 12, Corpuz 6, Dionisio 4, Wong 2. NLEX 106 — Oftana 32, Trollano 22, Alas 17, Chua 10, Semerad 8, Quinahan 8, Rosales 5, Varilla 2, Nieto 2, Soyud 0. Quarters: 26-30, 51-54, 79-78, 97-97 (Reg), 112106 (OT).

WOMAN Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza essayed impressive wins to lift the Philippines to a 2.5-1.5 victory over Nicaragua Saturday night and a share of the women’s lead after two rounds of the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India. Frayna trounced Woman International Master Maria Esther Granados Diaz on top board, while Mendoza downed Patricia Alvarez Gutierrez on third board and WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda halved the point with Michelle Ferrifino to seal the Filipinas’ second straight win. Only WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego was the lone casualty as she fell to lowly Maria Jose Granados Ortiz on fourth board. The Filipinas’ victory cushioned the fall of their men’s counterparts, who were slammed by the sixthseeded Azeri in a 3-1 result. They would have a chance to keep their iron grip on the lead as they battle 18th pick Serbia with WGM-candidate Kylen Joy Mordido taking San Diego’s place on fourth board. GMs Mark Paragua and John Paul Gomez fought their way to draws with Rauf Mamedov and Vasif Durarbayli on boards one and three, while GM Banjo Barcenilla and IM Paulo Bersamina succumbed to Gadir Guseinov and Nijat Abasov on boards two and four, respectively. GM Darwin Laylo, who won on board three in the country’s 4-0 rout of Oman in the opening round Friday, will suit up in place of Bersamina in the third round against lowly Cyprus. The teams, whose participation in this 11-round, 12-day event is being bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, is coached by GMs Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales.

Escuadro overall 1 Perfect Drive golf champion

Novak Djokovic

Djokovic preparing to play US Open despite vax ban PARIS—Novak Djokovic said Saturday he is “preparing to compete” at the US Open even though his refusal to get vaccinated will see him barred from entering the country. Under current rules, all visitors to the United States must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus. The Serb star, a three-time champion in New York and fresh from securing a seventh Wimbledon title, has consistently refused to take the vaccine, a stance which also saw him deported from Melbourne in January on the eve of the Australian Open. “I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to US. Fingers crossed!,” wrote Djokovic on Instagram in a post accompanying a video of him training. More than 43,000 people have signed a petition calling on the authorities to allow 21-time Slam winner Djokovic to play at the US Open which starts on August 29. “I just wanted to take a moment and say to all of you how grateful I am to see so many messages of support and love from all around the world these days,” said the 35-year-old. “I wasn’t expecting it, and that’s why it feels so mindblowing. Just wanted to say THANK YOU. It feels special that people connect with my tennis career in such a loving and supportive way and wish for me to continue to compete.”

JAYE Escuadro won the overall championship of the inaugural 1 Perfect Drive tournament after shooting a net 66 at the Nickalus course, while Gus Pacheco shared top honors, bagging the low gross crown with a 66 at the Palmer layout of the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club in Antipolo. Jon Baron 77 (Mens A), Ricardo Anastacio 73 (Mens B) and Michael Catral 81 (Mens C) triumphed in their respective classes in the one-day event presented by G&W with The Turf Company, Megafiber/Cran UTI/Travelers Insurance, Mileage Asia/ Cherrylume. Other winners from the field of 140 players in this tournament organized by The Perfect Drive PH were Sarah Atayde 69 (Ladies 1), Shierlly Portugal 74 (Ladies 2), Raul

Montealto 67 (Seniors) and Jun Arceo 67 (guests). Pacsports, Regent Travel, Time Cargo Logistics, Banana Peel, KLIO, Srixon/Cobra/ Puma, Huawei, GPS Tracker/1app.ph, ShangriLa Boracay, Whitehouse Boracay, Air Asia, Camp John Hay Manor, Komando, X1R/ Backtacleen, Golf Time/Spann and Bunker, Ayala Land Premier, ICTSI, Seascape Village, Man VW, Cinderella/Esprit, Human’s Fit, Elms Seafood Paluto, MLV Sports/Grindworks/ Muziik, Purtier Placenta of Abe Avena, CMR Philippines, Amare La Cucina, Gerry’s Grill, Rizgolf, Swiss Gourmet, Fury, Pauline’s Printing, Valley Golf, Camp John Hay Golf Club, Pradera Verde, Splendido Taal, Beverly Place, Summit Point, Caliraya Springs and Forest Hills were the other sponsors.

Jaye Escuadro with The Perfect Drive PH publisher Adrian Flores

5150 champ targets IRONMAN 70.3 crown

Satar Salem ready to take on the best and the toughest

SATAR Salem expects to have firmed up the last four weeks as he doubled up in his buildup for a crack at another championship in a premier endurance race where the stakes are much higher and the test a lot tougher than his recent feat. But the Lanao del Norte’s top triathlete is unfazed by the odds, ready to take on the best and the toughest, both from the international field and the world class course, in the Megaworld IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines presented by AIA Vitality blasting off Sunday (Aug. 7) at The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City. The 26-year-old spearhead of Tri SND Barracuda stepped up his preparations for IRONMAN’s return to Cebu after ruling his agegroup category and winning the overall championship in Sun Life 5150 Bohol last month, aware of the challenges awaiting him at the country’s top triathlon hub where he emerged the top Filipino finisher in the IRONMAN Asia Pacific

Championship in 2018. He timed four hours and 30 minutes while competing in the 18-24 category. Majority of the close to 2,000 bidders, including bets from 46 countries, have arrived in Cebu, which also hosted the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 As-Pac Championship, all bracing for a grueling battle of speed and stamina on a new, challenging racecourse starting and ending at The Mactan Newtown. For details, visit www.ironman. com/philippines70.3 with official hashtags: #IM703Philippines and #IMasia, social media (Facebook) Megaworld IM703 AIA Vitality and im703ph (Instagram). Other backers of the event are Lalamove, Alaska, Lightwater, Prudential Guarantee, RLC Residences, Regent, Rudy Project, Sante and Teresa Marble Corp. and media partners Cignal, the Philippine Star and Sportograf.com. Twelve titles in various age divisions will be disputed in the event,

organized by the IRONMAN Group/ Sunrise Events, Inc., which also offers 30 slots to next year’s World Championship in Finland. A total of 1,113 entries are vying in the individual competitions to be spiced up by the chase for the CEO trophy with the rest clashing for top honors in team events, including the relay all male and all female and the relay mixed. Salem’s recent 5150 clocking of 2:07:40 over the Olympic distance of 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run should put him in good stead in the upcoming 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21k run from Cebu City to Talisay, to Mandaue City and back at Lapu-Lapu City that will also put into focus the country’s longest bridge, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway. The 8.9km modern toll road in Metro Cebu will host the bike leg, marking the first time that the CCLEX will serve as a race route for a sporting event since it started operations last April.

Sports

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022

Bongbong confident of PH bets’ campaign SURAKARTA, Indonesia—President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is looking forward to a fruitful campaign of Filipino para-athletes competing in the 11th ASEAN Para Games here. “Siguro naman mapapantayan ninyo ang mga success stories ng mga ibang atleta na lumaban sa mga international games kagaya nito,” Marcos said in a videotaped inspirational message released by the Philippine Sports Commission addressed to the country’s campaigners last Friday. https://web.facebook.com/ watch/?v=1074481156820064 He cited the successes of Filipino athletes in international play such as karateka Junna Tsukii, who won the country’s second gold medal in The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama and the Filipinas capturing the AFF Women’s Championship trophy for the first time in front of a hometown crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in July. The most recent triumph came from pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, who bagged a bronze medal in the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon with a new Asian and national record of 5.94 meters, last week. “Good luck sa inyong lahat at ako’y nakakasiguro na pasisikatin ninyong muli ang Pilipinas,” said Marcos in expressing his confidence that the national para-athletes would deliver and bring home the bacon from the 11-nation sportsfest. Philippine Paralympic Committee chief Mike Barredo was grateful to President Marcos’ show of support for the country’s para-athletes in a sign that the sports-conscious President had not overlooked them in bringing pride and glory to the country during the ASEAN Para Games. “We would like to salute President Bongbong Marcos for his short yet inspiring message for our national paraathletes vying in the ASEAN Para Games, which is actually the first major international multisport event we are taking part in under his administration,” Barredo noted. “Surely his message will drive our athletes to strive harder in doing their best in bringing back honors to our country,” Barredo said, adding that the country’s participation in the meet would not be possible without the full support of former PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

Alfie Cabanog (center) shoots over two Thai defenders near the basket in the men’s wheelchair basketball 3x3 finals of the 11th ASEAN Para Games.

PH bags silver in 3x3 wheelchair basketball SURAKARTA, Indonesia—The Philippines reeled early from Thailand’s deadly outside shooting and never recovered to drop a 12-22 decision in the men’s 3x3 wheelchair basketball ﬁnals in the 11th ASEAN Para Games at the GOR Sritex Arena here Sunday. Deadshot Aekkasit Jumjarean opened with back-to-back shots outside the arc while Kwanchai Pimkorn added a third as the Thais had an early 6-0 salvo that set the tone of the match en route to securing the gold medal in the event making its debut in the meet. Despite the loss, the Filipinos, who also lost 7-21 to Thailand in the preliminaries earlier in the day, settled for silver for the country’s first medal in the sportsfest featuring the region’s best para-athletes. Earlier, the Filipinos clobbered Cambodians 20-4 in their other preliminary match in setting up a rematch with their Thai tormentors in the battle for the gold. The PH women’s wheelchair squad lost

to Laos 0-4 in the match for the bronze medal while Cambodia upset Thailand 7-5 in the finals in securing the gold on the distaff side. “Thailand is really known for its outside shooting and although we prepared for it we did not expect them to be that hot early,” said national coach Vernon Perea. “We are very happy to win the first medal for the Philippines and thankful for the opportunity and hope that this will spark our drive for more medals,” Perea added. Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo, who witnessed the championship match, congratulated the players, saying: “This is the first 3x3 men’s wheelchair squad we’ve ever had

and happy with this finish.” The country was also off to a good start in chess as the trio of FIDE Master Sander Severino, National Master Henry Roger Lopez and NM Jasper Rom beat their separate rivals in the opening round of the men’s individual standard P1 at the Lo-rin Hotel. Severino and Lopez topped Vietnam’s Nguyen Van Quan and Nguyen Than Tuan, respectively, while Rom turned the table on Cambodia’s Chea Sideth in securing their first full point each in the competition. Over at the UNS Sports Center, Myanmar outplayed the Philippines 16-11 in goalball while their men’s sitting volleyball counterparts also fell in straight sets 9-25, 8-25, 11-25 to Cambodia at the GOR UTP courts. In badminton at the Edutorium UMS, Jestonie Rosalita lost to Indonesia’s Agung Widodo 5-21, 12-21 in the men’s WH1 while Joseph Asoque took a 3-21, 7-21 beating to hometown bet Supriadi in men’s WH2 in their opening singles matches.

PLDT, Army begin PVL Invitational semis Game tomorrow (Tuesday) 4 p.m. – PLDT vs Army

A LONE game pitting PLDT Home Fibr and Army Black Mamba tomorrow (Tuesday) ushers in a novel semifinal round featuring six teams all primed for grind-out matches in pursuit of the coveted Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference crown. Every game counts in this single round robin phase toughened up by the entry of two foreign guest squads where the top two will slug it out for the championship in a winner-take-all setto tipped to go down to the last serve, set or spike. The High Speed Hitters got the better of the Lady Troopers in their elims faceoff, overcoming a first-set setback with a sweep of the next three for a 17-25, 25-11, 25-20, 25-18 victory that helped fuel the team’s drive to the semis. PLDT tied Cignal HD for second at the end of the elims topped by Creamline with Army drawing a big lift from ousted Petro Gazz to snare the last berth in the midseason conference of the league organized by Sports Vision. The Angels played the spoiler’s role as they trounced the Choco Mucho Fly-

ing Titans with a three-game sweep at the close of the elims Sunday, the kind of finish the latter needed to knock off the Lady Troopers for the last semis ticket via tiebreak. Army thus will not only be seeking to even things up with PLDT in their 4 p.m. clash at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan but also give Petro Gazz something in return for, in part, helping the Lady Troopers get a free ride to the next round. But the High Speed Hitters are keen on not giving even an inch to the Lady Troopers but are dead set on scoring a repeat for the needed momentum and boost in a short, cutthroat phase leading to a crack at the championship. Coach George Pascua has whipped up his crew composed of Mika Reyes, Fiola Ceballos, Jules Samonte, Chin Basas and Dell Palomata into one fighting, cohesive unit ready to take on the best and the brightest, including the fancied Kobe Shinwa side from Japan and the KingWhale 6 from Taiwan. But with their experience, the Lady Troopers, bannered by Jovelyn Gonzaga, Honey Royse Tubino, Jeanette Villareal, Mary Anne Esguerra, Joanne Bu-

Army’s Jovelyn Gonzaga, foiled by PLDT’s Fiola Ceballos and Mika Reyes during their elims’ clash, is raring to get back at the High Speed Hitters.

nag, Jem Gonzales, Angela Nunag ang setter Ivy Perez, are out to prove their worth not just as a challenger but as a serious title contender. Meanwhile, action in the semis heats

up on Thursday as Creamline steps up its drive for a second straight championship against Army at 2:30 p.m. and Cignal HD launches its own finals bid against PLDT at 5:30 p.m.

Marinero, Apex eye seats in semifinals Games Monday

(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig) 1 p.m. - Marinerong Pilipino vs CEU 3 p.m. - Apex Fuel-San Sebastian vs Wangs Basketball @26-Letran

MARINERONG Pilipino and Apex Fuel-San Sebastian seek to gain outright semifinals berths when they face different foes Monday in the 2022 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. The Skippers get one more shot at securing a top two spot when they take on Centro Escolar University at 1 p.m. Jollo Go will be back in the fold as Marinerong Pilipino will be out for blood after a shock 88-80 loss to Builders Warehouse-UST on Thursday. “Kailangan naming matuto sa pagkatalong ito. Importante para sa amin ‘yun kasi papalapit na ‘yung playoffs,” said coach Yong Garcia as his side currently holds a 4-2 win-loss record. The Skippers better learned their lessons from that setback, all the more as they’re facing a scrappy Scorpions crew which are coming off a confidence-boosting 81-75 victory over Wangs Basketball @26-Letran. “Mas maganda ‘yung mindset ng players namin ngayon,” said coach Chico Manabat, with his side looking to punch its own playoff ticket and rise from a 3-3 slate. Meanwhile, Apex Fuel-San Sebastian and Wangs Basketball @26-Letran collide in a high-stakes battle at 3 p.m. At 4-1, the Golden Stags can clinch a top two seed and avoid any more complications that may arise in the event of a triple or even a quadrupletie at the top. “Very happy kami sa tinatakbo ng mga bata kaya sana magtuloy-tuloy na ito,” said coach Egay Macaraya. But they’re facing a Knights crew, holding a 3-2 card, which is basically fighting not only for its top two hopes but also its life as they look to avoid falling down the standings with one more game left in their schedule.

Nueva Ecija streaks to 12th win; Pampanga, GenSan trip rivals

Will McAloney is one of the pillars of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards.

UNBEATEN Nueva Ecija cruised to win No. 12 with a 79-65 thumping of Bataan on Saturday in the OKbetMPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) at the Caloocan Sports Complex. The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards are a lock for a quarterfinal spot in the North division, where their closest pursuers are the Bataan Risers, who tote a 7-2 slate. Pampanga climbed to 6-4, also in the North, following an 88-54 demolition of Mindoro in the opener. GenSan trounced Caloocan, 71-62, in the nightcap to rev up its quarterfinal drive in the South division with an even 5-5 record in the single round-robin elimination phase of the 22-team tournament. At least 2-deep in all positions, the Rice Vanguards have little trouble snapping the Risers’ six-game winning streak

as they led by as many as 24 points, 56-34, with 7:25 to go in the third quarter. Michael Juico led Nueva Ecija with 15 points plus 4 rebounds, followed by John Bryon Villarias with 13 points. Bataan, which missed the services of big man Arvie Bringas, got 14 points and 7 rebounds from Jamil Gabawan and 12 points from James Darwin Castro. The GenSan Warriors also have little trouble pulling down the Caloocan Excellence to a 2-5 card. Mark Cruz came through with 14 points, 5 steals and 4 rebounds, Nico Elorde contributed 13 points plus 6 rebounds and Dhon Reverente posted 13 points plus 11 rebounds. Powered by homegrown icon Archie Concepcion’s 22 points, Pampanga zoomed ahead by 35 points, 86-51, as it relegated Mindoro to the cellar at 1-10.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022

‘He’s Into Her’ draws to a close

Cast members turn emotional as they part ways By Patricia Taculao

ONNY Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, otherwise known as DonBelle, have undeniable chemistry when playing as a couple. Since last year, they’ve been bringing “kilig” to Filipino fans worldwide with the youth-oriented romantic comedy series He’s Into Her.

Multi-platinum singer Geneva Cruz

Geneva live at Winford

However, their journey as Max (Belle) and Deib (Donny) in the series is about to end as the show nears its ﬁnale. “Itong He’s Into Her will [really] leave a mark sa akin. They truly have become my family. Sobrang thankful ako sa naging journey ko. It has taught me [so] much, not just with my character but lahat ng stories ng characters namin dito,” Belle said during the He’s Into Her Season 2 Finale Assembly. She added that she’d miss her journey with the cast and how they bonded together during their lock-in taping. They would work out and eat together, sometimes making it challenging for director Chad Vidanes when he would request an all-cast presence on set. “Direk, mamimiss mo rin yung pahirap namin sa’yo,” Belle jokingly said to Vidanes. Meanwhile, Donny is slowly grasping the reality that this will be the last time they’ll all be working together. “Nag-flashback sa akin mga ﬁrst moments namin together. Despite so much that has happened to the world, to the country, these guys were here for each other. We were all here for each other. We never gave up, and we made sure that, at the end of the day, we put smiles on peoples’ faces and hope to give the audience a series they deserve to watch,” he said. The He’s Into Her leading man also considers the experience memorable. More importantly, it changed 'He's Into Her' head writer and him as an actor. producer Vanessa Valdez “I was able to see the world in Deib’s shoes. I also matured in the way I’d approach scenes, the way I see scripts, and the way I would approach my craft…Parang na-feel ko talaga na nag-iba ‘yung mindset ko about things,” Donny said.

WINFORD Manila Resort & Casino (WMRC) proudly presents multi-platinum singer Geneva Cruz live in concert on August 2, 9, 16, and 23 at WMRC’s Hippodrome Bar & Lounge entertainment hub at 8:00 p.m. Well-known for hit songs like “Anak ng Pasig” and “Kailan,” Cruz was discovered and mentored by National Artist of the Philippines for Music, Ryan Cayabyab, who formed the now defunct iconic music group Smokey Mountain of which she was lead singer. Cruz was also the very first and youngest grand prize winner of "The Voice of Asia" in 1992. Her first solo album, I Like You, went double platinum and produced several hit singles. Her second solo album, In the Name of Love, went platinum and produced hits like "Ang Gaan ng Feeling" and "In the Name of Love". WMRC invites guests to witness yet another showcase of homegrown talent as Geneva Cruz performs some of her latest and greatest hits. General admission to this next normal concert experience is free, with VIP seating near the stage available for a P500.00 cover charge, inclusive of food and drink. Hippodrome Bar & Lounge is located on the second floor of the 22-story resort and welcomes fully-vaccinated guests aged 21 years and above. Visit www.winfordmanila.com for more information or follow Winford Manila Resort & Casino on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates on special events and promotions.

Lead stars Belle Mariano (left) and Donny Pangilinan reminisce the good times they had on set as the reality of the finale sinks in

Belle shares the same sentiments in acting but added that she also learned a lot from her character’s experience and how she can apply it in real life. Although many fans wish for a third season of He’s Into Her, head writer and producer Vanessa Valdez confirmed it’s the last episode for the entire series. “Ganoon din yung feeling ko nung first season, so akala ko, ‘yun din yung last. But for this season, we wrote and directed it that it’s [really] going to be the finale,” she said. Yet as the cast of He’s Into Her bids farewell to the small screen, they won’t go out without a bang. After all, they’ve brought fans along their journey and incurred various emotions, like happiness, “kilig,” sadness, etc., through their scenes. As a way of giving back, the cast will have a last hurrah at the HIH: All-Access finale concert on August 27 at the Araneta Coliseum. Catch the final episode of He’s Into Her Season 2 on August Director Chad Vidanes is a 3, 8:00 p.m. on the constant presence in the iWantTFC app and cast's lives as he guides them through the scenes website.

The cast of ‘He’s Into Her Season 2’

A promising performer on the rise THE entertainment industry becomes more dynamic and exciting with the arrival of a dexterous and fresh-faced upstart, whether in the acting, dancing, hosting, singing, or performing fields. Needless to say, youngbloods or newbies are needed in show business for their undeniable talent and X factor. Let’s face it, some of today’s idols are slowly fading away because of unfavorable career choices and diminishing luck. That is why, the promising performer Nic Galano is most welcome in this dazzling and dizzying part of the local Tinsel Town. At first glance, this young man of twentyfour summers is timid and shy. But when he holds the microphone and sings, the bashful façade is blown to smithereens and what we get is a performer oozing with charisma, stage presence, and a voice filled with emotions as he tells the story of his chosen song. What an impressive transformation indeed. Yes, though he is somewhat vertically challenged, he commands the stage with his stellar presence and megawatt boyish appeal, and yes, the distinctive voice hooks you to listen and watch him. Thus, it is not surprising why Dr. Art Cruzado of ARTalent Management has Galano as his prime singing artist. Cruzado explains: “I firmly believe that Nic is ARTalent Management's singing gem. For a young man, his vocal range is

wide. He brings out the truth to every song he performs. And it cannot be denied that he has a natural charm that can stir the kilig of people who watches him.” Galano’s reaction: “I am grateful for the trust given to Nic Galano is a performer with oozing charisma, stage presence, and an emotional voice

me by my talent management. This attention is all new to me. I know I have to get used to it. To be able to showcase my talent in singing feels great. No, I think wonderful is the perfect word to describe how I feel every time I sing and perform on stage.” Total performer is what Dr. Cruzada wants his talent to achieve since Galano knows how “to move like Jagger,” has the swag and oomph of Bruno Mars, and creates his own musical compositions— his major artistic strength. Galano is all set to wow his public is a solo concert billed as The Nic of Time which will happen on August 11 at the New Music Box. His feelings about the concert, Galano comes clean: “Excited, happy and nervous. That is all I can say for now. I promise that it will be a fun-filled night with a repertoire that will showcase my vocal range and artistry, “ Born under the astrological sign of Virgo, all the good traits of a Virgo man—hardworking, intelligent, and adventurous—are apparent in Galano. He has an AB Mass Communication degree from Feati University, a Lucky 9 boyband member, and was an Idol Philippines Season 1 qualifier. Track and field, swimming, and volleyball are the field of sports where he excels. The present trajectory of Nic Galano’s career is without a doubt bright. He does not need to wear shades or even don sunglasses at night. Calling him a promising performer suits him well.

Five of the country’s legendary performers will come together for a night of music and nostalgia

A concert with ‘Four Kings and A Queen’ NEWPORT World Resorts (formerly known as Resorts World Manila) brings together onstage ﬁve of the country’s legendary performers for a night of music and nostalgia in Four Kings and a Queen. Ballad King Nonoy Zuñiga, King of Hearts aka “Kilabot ng Kolehiyala” Hajji Alejandro, Hitmaker King Rey Valera, and King Crooner aka “Crush ng Bayan” Marco Sison, will be joined by the Concert Queen Pops Fernandez as their special guest, all performing live onstage for a winning live entertainment phenomenon. Newport World Resorts and Full House Theater Company in partnership with DSL Events and Production together with Dreamwings Production will be

presenting this live entertainment affair on August 26 and 27 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. These OPM royalties continued to prove timelessness during their recent sold-out concerts in the US. Now the show will ﬁnally be brought to the Philippines with a two-night performance to enthrall local audiences. Under the musical direction of Gerry Matias, the Four Kings and a Queen concert is all set to wow the audience with a repertoire of OPM classics from the quartet of certiﬁed hitmakers, plus a good dose of captivating performances from the undisputed Concert Queen with her renditions of top favorites and modern pop hits.

Will Smith posts emotional new apology for Oscars slap ACTOR Will Smith has posted an emotional new apology for slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars earlier this year, revealing in a lengthy video clip that he has reached out to the comedian who was not yet "ready to talk." Smith—who went on to win the best actor award—marched on stage and hit Rock for making a joke about his wife, in an incident that overshadowed the March ceremony, being broadcast live around the world. "Chris, I apologize to you. My

behavior was unacceptable. And I'm here, whenever you're ready to talk," Smith reiterated said in the nearly six-minute video, in which he also answered fans' questions about the shocking moment that has tarnished his public image. Smith had made a public apology shortly after the incident and was banned from attending the Oscars for the next 10 years after the slap. The 53-year-old also resigned his membership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

—although the organization did not revoke his best actor award for King Richard. In the video posted to social media Friday, Smith said his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who was seated next to him and grimaced as Rock joked about her, said nothing to prompt his attack. "I made a choice on my own," he said, apologizing also to Pinkett-Smith and the couple's children "for the heat that I brought on all of us." "There's no part of me that thinks

that's the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insults," says the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor, who at one point in the video appears to be ﬁghting tears. Rock addressed the slap earlier this month during a stand-up set in New Jersey, Us Weekly has reported. "Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face," he reportedly joked, before adding "I'm not a victim... I don't go to the hospital for a papercut." AFP

Will Smith’s controversial slap during the Oscars ceremony

Life

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022

Beyond the Chocolate Hills

“H

The exterior of Dauis Church in Bohol

ERE in Bohol, when a kid fell off a chair, especially if he’s a rowdy one, he’d surely get spanked. But if it’s an ube that accidentally fell to the ground, we kiss it.”

It’s one of the interesting anecdotes I heard during my recent trip to the Central Visayan island province. I have been to Bohol a few times, and on every visit, it surprises me with something new. For people who live in the capital region, when we talk about ube, the popular bottled jam from Baguio would easily come to mind. So, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Bohol is one of the top producers of ube, or ubi in the local dialect, in the country. And in Bohol specifically, ube is more than just a root crop or a delicacy. Boholanos consider it sacred and a gift from God. According to a traditional story, ube saved the Boholanos during famine and war.

The welcoming and cozy facade of the rooms in Bluewater Panglao The author holding Bohol’s heritage salt, Asin Tibuok “When Boholanos couldn’t plant rice, they planted ubi. That’s why it has become a sustainable food source here in the province and people use it for cooking numerous dishes,” said our amiable tour guide who literally threw random trivia about Bohol during our trip. Just like the beautifully colored root crop, Bohol as a vibrant province might surprise you

with its “beyond the usual tourism itinerary.” The Department of Tourism in Central Visayas, along with tour operators, and municipal and provincial tourism offices, created a tourism circuit that reintroduces Bohol to visitors. Basically, the province aims to be known not just as the home of the tarsiers, the Loboc River, and the Chocolate Hills. The new branding is anchored on 4 Fs (Farm, Fork, Fitness, and Faith). And it’s quite self-explanatory. For faith, Bohol has heritage churches that you can visit for a glimpse of the island’s rich history and culture. For fitness, the island province offers trekking, kayaking, and trail biking to more adventurous tourists. For farm and fork, Bohol aims to reintroduce itself as a culinary destination where a sustainable farmto-table dining experience is promoted.

A culinary trip

The media having lunch at Bluewater Panglao

The members of the press with Julio’s Bread & Breakfast owner Pio Araneta (rightmost)

From our home in Bohol, the Bluewater Panglao, we went on a culinary trip to nearby towns. Our first stop, the Green Thumb Farms. Upon arrival at this 2.5-hectare farm in Barangay Sambog in Corella town, we were given a welcome drink. Guess what, an ube shake. Green Thumb Farms prides itself as a sustainable farm serving food from its own produce. Owned and managed by couple Rona and Jares Denque, Green Thumb Farms promotes the practice of healthy eating. It’s main product, mushrooms, also reaches other restaurants and resorts around the island. In the farm’s Al Fresco restaurant, oyster mushrooms are the main ingredient, picked fresh straight from the backyard and transformed into a variety of dishes like sisig, burger, and pizza. From Green Thumb, we headed to Fox & The Firefly Cottages, a nature resort located along the banks of the Loboc River. Guests were welcomed with a glass of fresh, homemade ginger and lemon Kombucha – a fermented black or green tea drink popular on the island. Fox & The Firefly Cottages is owned by Joan Christine Soupart, a yoga instructor. The resort is the home base of SUP Tours Philippines which provides stand-up paddle packages and tours in the Philippines. It has a restaurant that serves traditional, Western, vegetarian, and vegan meals. One of the dishes that caught my attention was chicken halang-halang soup. It’s the Visayan version of tinola with coconut and moringa (malungay) leaves as the main ingredients. The restaurant also serves monggo soup, avocado salad, somtom (Thai papaya salad), ensaladang talong, maranding manok (dry coconut chicken

The facade of Cresencia

A plate of merienda at Cresencia

Burger, pizza, and siomai made with mushrooms

curry), and their vegan kare-kare which was paired with a bagoong alternative made from locally sourced mushrooms (I failed to ask if it came from Green Thumb Farms). Next pitstop was Crescencia Cafe in the historical town of Baclayon. The cafe house in an ancestral abode built in the early 1900 boasts distinct delicacies that represent Bohol’s rich culinary sources. It offers traditional merienda with old wooden tables surrounded by antique interiors and accessories There, we had a glimpse of how Boholanos make their biko. The process of cooking their sweet rice cake was no different compared to how it is cooked around the country, the only difference – ube. And that’s your hint of the color of their biko. Our last stop was Julio’s Bed and Breakfast in Loay Bay. We were greeted by its owner Pio Araneta upon our arrival. The amiable former physical therapist in the US went back to the country to manage Julio’s. As soon as we settled, Pio gave us a chance to experience how to make ‘Siakoy.’ The popular snack, a local version of a sugary donut, was paired with ‘Tableya Sikwate’ native hot chocolate made using the traditional ‘batirol’ or wooden whisk. The highlight of our visit to Julio’s was ‘Kagang’ (land crab) harvesting. After catching the crabs with a traditional bamboo trap, Pio took us to their kitchen and show us how it’s cooked later on, we feasted on the crabs cooked in coconut meat. He said it’s an heirloom recipe.

ssaff’s food vlog, is slowly getting popular. Before heading back to Bluewater, we went to Albuquerque to visit the only seller of Asin Tibuok. We were introduced to the traditional process of producing Asin Tibuok which takes months of preparation and requires meticulous care and vigilance. Coconut husks are soaked in seawater for several months absorbing sea minerals. The husks are then chopped into small pieces and sun-dried. Then, the husks are slowly burnt for several days with local hardwoods, creating a coconut charcoal ash combination. The activated charcoal is then used to filter seawater which is poured and roasted in clay pots slowly until salt forms into a solid dome. The fire and heat must be controlled so the clay pots do not break or get too hot. This process takes all day; both fire and salt cannot be left alone. It takes the entire evening for the salt to cool so that it can be handled. I have learned that Asin Tibuok is on the brink of extinction. Its labor-intensive process is their biggest challenge. So, I hope, they get more support not just from the local government. This visit to Bohol is definitely one for the books. And it reinforced my belief that Bohol, or any province and tourist destination in the country for that matter, has more to offer – if it’s not the people and their hospitable behavior, it’s the local food that can do all the talking and perhaps take you to familiar and nostalgic experience. If going to Bohol, Cebu Pacific Air currently flies seven times daily from Manila and three times weekly from Davao City (every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) to the island province’s Panglao International Airport. Visit www.cebupacificair.com to learn about its latest offerings, safety protocols, and travel reminders.

Bohol’s heritage salt, the dinosaur egg

In our first pitstop, biko was seasoned with a rare artisanal sea salt made from filtering seawater through ashes. Asin Tibuok, which was recently featured in Erwan Heu-

A visit to my mother’s hometown (Part 2) DURING that extended dinner conversation we had at the new Ormoc Museum with the city’s First Couple – Congressman-elect Richard Gomez and Mayor-elect Lucy Torres-Gomez – our press group discovered more attractions that the city offers. The Kalachuchi, known for its pristine, elegant beauty and unwavering strength, because it can withstand the hottest of summers, is the official flower of the city. As such, the good-looking tandem decided to hold the Kalachuchi de Mayo Festival, to attract more visitors to the city from the neighboring towns and provinces. The celebration features a parade of colorful floats and groups of street dancers in very attractive costumes. There is also the Tugob Festival which is a celebration of thanksgiving for the farmers’ bountiful harvest, as the city is blessed with an abundance of agricultural resources such as coconut, rice, pineapple, sugar, livestock, and minerals. This is commemorated alongside the city’s Charter Day celebration every 20th of October. Hopefully, we get a chance to visit the city once again and take part in the revelry. Naturally, these festivals have two-pronged benefits---they put the city in the consciousness of fun-seekers, thus increasing tourist arrivals, and they ignite the economic multiplier effect that does wonders to the city’s coffers. Another interesting discovery is the Ormocana butterfly, or the Lexias satrapes ormocana, a very rare and beautiful subspecies of the Lexias genus indigenous to the Lake Danao area. According to the mayor, the congressman and she were made aware of its existence when the latter ordered

The 12 lechons on stage after the judges and guests sampled the crispy skin and the tender meat of each

Congressman Richard’s (fifth from left) turn to take his oath in front of Mayor Lucy’s family

a cultural mapping of the entire city. Earlier discovered by “feast”). Twelve lechons from as many suppliers compopular lepidopterist, Julian Jumalon, the Ormocana but- peted for the recognition of being the Best Lechon in terfly has attracted quite a number of collectors and enthusi- the city, which came with a cash prize of P70,000, and eventually won by Poldang’s Lechon. As guests of the asts to the city, specifically to the Lake Danao area. Speaking of Lake Danao, we had a very relaxing lunch city’s first couple, we were served a tasting sample of experience there. Only a 30-minute drive from the city, each. I’m sure my heart doctor would have frowned on the 149-hectare guitar-shaped lake offers visitors the my partaking of each sample, if he knew about it, but I just wanted to have the pleasure of having a leiexperience of eating surely lunch on board 12 different lechons a bamboo raft sailing YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE in one sitting! What along the lake, with If you want your wife to listen and pay strict a feat that was! Of the cool breeze blowattention to every word you say, talk in your sleep. course, I made sure I ing from all directions, had an abundant supfurther increasing one’s ply of hot green tea, to appetite. This chill-out wash down the cholesdestination is part of the Lake Danao Natural Park which also includes the ma- terol, with the help of my Lipitors. The main event of our Ormoc visit was the Inaugurajestic Amandiwin mountain range, providing the perfect backdrop for the IG-worthy lake. For first-time visitors tion of Congressman Richard and Mayor Lucy. This was held at the 3782-square-meter Ormoc City Superto the city, Lake Danao is a “must.” Another exciting once-in-a-lifetime experience I had dome which was filled to the rafters with the family, during this visit was the Lechon Kumbira (Cebuano for friends, and other supporters of the newly elected of-

ficials who took their oaths of office at this modern and well-equipped venue. They were all dressed to the nines, in various versions of Filipiniana, the ladies, looking very classy in their elaborate ternos, and the gentlemen, spic-and-span in their embroidered barongs. The inaugural speeches of the city’s First Couple were very inspiring and touched me right to the core. Congressman Richard’s emotion-filled narrative on his journey to the Congressional seat which started with several failures years ago left me teary-eyed, but Mayor Lucy got me all fired up once again when she ended her animated speech with a very uplifting promise, “The best is yet to come!” With this hardworking couple and their team running the affairs of the city, I am very happy and confident that my mother’s hometown will continue to evolve into a progressive metropolis of the 21st century. For starters, it’s now popularly known as The City of Beautiful People, and with the attractive Congressman RichardMayor Lucy tandem as leaders, why not? For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com