Manila Standard - 2024 September 17 - Tuesday

‘Keep WPS strategic presence’

Marcos order covers new PCG vessel in Escoda, naval and air patrols

By Charles Dantes, Rex Espiritu, Rachelle

Tonelada, Macon RamosAraneta and Maricel Cruz

PRESIDENT

Marcos ordered government forces to maintain a strategic presence in the disputed West Philippine Sea, particularly in the Escoda Shoal, an official of the National Maritime Council (NMC) said.

“When we talk about presence, it’s a strategic presence, not just a physical one,” NMC spokesperson Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez said.

"I want to be clear that presence doesn’t simply mean sending one vessel. As I’ve mentioned earlier, the area we’re discussing is vast," he added.

Mr. Marcos gave the directive after

President urges public to report child abuse thru Makabata helpline

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos called on the public to remain vigilant and proactive in reporting child abuse.

In a recent address at the Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Summit, President Marcos reiterated his plea for citizens to help protect children, echoing sentiments from his State of the Nation Address.

“To our communities, this administration implores you to be suspicious, be watchful, and report even the slightest inkling of abuse,” Mr. Marcos said.

“Let us not turn a blind eye to wrongdoings because passivity enables evil to perpetuate,” he added.

By Rex Espiritu

THE Philippine National Police already has an initial list of names of suspected members of the so-called “Angels of Death” – the moniker given to the alleged private army of jailed

pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

“Angels of Death is not just figurative speech. These people exist and we already have identified names. What is certain is that these Angels of Death are real and were used to scare victims,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean

Fajardo said. She said PRO 11 chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed the initial list of names of the "Angels" who were used to threaten victims, especially minors, if they break the code of secrecy on the abuse they have suffered.

Fajardo said they are also looking into reports that some Army reservists and militiamen who served as Quiboloy's bodyguards were allegedly part of the armed group.

“They are a private army in the

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

SPEAKER Martin Romualdez on Monday warned concerned public officials that the House of Representatives “will not tolerate hypocrisy, evasion, or the misuse of public funds.”

In his remarks at the opening

of plenary deliberations on the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget, he stressed that the incumbent House leadership has taken a “zero-tolerance approach”

LAWYER Harry Roque, former mouthpiece and staunch defender of the Duterte administration, is now officially on the lam as far as his former colleagues at the House of Representatives are concerned.

Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel said in a television interview that both the House Sergeant-

Roque on Monday insisted he is not a fugitive. 'I did not violate any law. I am a fugitive only as far as Congress is concerned and I do not care for that...My freedom is important to me. I will not surrender my freedom again as I did before. I will wait for a Supreme Court order,' he said.

at-Arms and the Philippine National Police have failed to serve a detention order on Roque, whose whereabouts have been unknown since Friday. "Since Friday he's into hiding, we already consider him as a fugitive, Pimentel told ANC on Monday. The lawmaker pointed out that, “This

PFP GENERAL ASSEMBLY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. waves to participants after his keynote speech at the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) general assembly and national convention at the Diamond Hotel Manila on September 16, 2024. In the past few months, the Chief Executive has witnessed alliance signing ceremonies between the PFP and other national political parties. PCO

Mpox cases at 18, dengue incidence soars—DoH

By Ralph Harvey Rirao

THE Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday that there are now 18 confirmed Mpox cases in the Philippines, five of which have recovered, while 11 are currently in home isolation.

“What’s good is that all the 18 cases we picked up have not yet spread the virus to others,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a mix of English and Filipino during a media conference. Meanwhile, the DOH recorded a 68-percent increase in dengue cases in the country compared to last year's data.

PCG probing undocumented Chinese crew

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is investigating a Philippine-flagged dredging vessel with six purportedly undocumented Chinese crew members.

In an incident report Monday, the PCG said MV Sangko Uno, a hopper dredger ship, was anchored at Navotas Port on Sunday when they received a report alleging that the ship’s crew were undocumented Chinese.

A PCG response team confirmed that there were five Chinese nationals and one Filipino-Chinese national aboard the ship. The crew claimed their legal documents and passports were with their company office.

The PCG said it is coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy for diplomatic communication. It has also coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration to assist in verifying the legal status of the ship’s crew.

“The PCG has collected relevant documents, including the crew list, ship’s logbook, and other available records for investigation purposes. If found guilty of violating Philippine immigration laws, the concerned crew will undergo deportation process,” it said.

“Moreover, there shall be inquiries regarding the company’s legal obligations to the concerned crew who were not declared on the crew list. If found guilty of violating maritime and immigration regulations, the company will face appropriate fines or penalties,” it said.

‘700 poll cases of SK execs under review’

By Vito Barcelo

ABOUT 700 misrepresentation cases are pending with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Monday.

He said these cases are part of the “less than 10,000 cases” being reviewed by the poll regulator.

In the latest list provided by Garcia, those facing misrepresentation charges are five SK chairpersons and the rest are SK members. Names on the list come from different parts of Metro Manila and parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The Comelec did not provide details of the supposed violations of the Omnibus Election Code committed by the said individuals.

The list of officials represents only a portion of politicians facing charges before the Comelec, Garcia said. Others who are not included in that August list, according to Garcia, are either village officials, mayors, or congressmen.

He said the list proves that the Comelec is not singling out dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, whose similar case is being deliberated on in the Commission.

President...

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In the first half of 2024, there were 22,421 children who experienced abuse, neglect and other types of violence in the Philippines, according to Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. Of the 94 OSAEC operations conducted from January to September 2024, the Philippine National Police

those who seek to undermine our work - critics who speak of accountability while conveniently ignoring their own misuse of public funds.”

“To these individuals, I say, let us be clear: this chamber will not tolerate

Dengue cases have risen to 208,000 from 124,150 in 2023. Moreover, the Health Department observed a trend showing a 25-percent increase in cases in the past three to four weeks.

Herbosa said this is the agency's top priority at present, as cases increased more than 40 percent in some areas, such as Region III (Central Luzon), Region VI (Western Visayas), and Region VII (Central Visayas).

“These three regions have reported a state of calamity due to an increase of cases resulting in hospitals being full,” Herbosa said in Filipino, adding

‘Keep...

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BRP Teresa Magbanua, the country's lone sentinel at Escoda Shoal, departed on Sunday after completing its fivemonth mission.

"The idea that pulling out the Magbanua means we’ve given up is wrong. Our presence remains intact through other means,” Lopez said.

Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear

Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said maritime and air patrols will continue under the country's Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.

"The maritime patrols of the Navy ships and air surveillance flights of the Air Force and Navy aircraft will continue. These never stop and were even increased when we implemented the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept," Trinidad said.

“Since the beginning, we are focused on protecting our features in the WPS. We are determined to see that these stays in our possession. These will not be taken from us and we assure the public that we will continue our close monitoring of Escoda Shoal and the rest of the WPS," he added.

The Philippine Coast Guard said it will deploy “other vessels” to Escoda, directly rejecting China's narrative that BRP's Magbanua's return to port was a “retreat” on the part of Manila.

“There are other Coast Guard ves-

PNP...

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sense that they are taking orders from Apollo Quiboloy. Definitely, because they are the ones who are used to scare these children,” she added.

She said the PNP will now work on the cancellation of the gun licenses of suspected members of the “Angels of Death.”

Fajardo said the PNP, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, is also looking at launching rescue operations for other alleged victims still inside the KOJC compound.

Last week, the PNP disclosed that five individuals recently surfaced and accused Quiboloy of sexual abuse, and at least two of them are willing to tes-

House...

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\is just an inquiry. There are no cases filed yet. So if he has nothing to hide why doesn't he want to appear in our committee?"

Roque’s wife, former Home Development Fund (Pag-Ibig) Board of Trustees member Mylah Roque, has also ignored a subpoena by the lower house.

"Highly likely during the next hearing we will already move for a showcause order to Mrs. Myla Roque why she does not want to appear in our committee," Pimentel added. Last week, the House Quad Com-

were able to rescue 169 victims, and arrested 51 suspects, he said.

Last week, the DILG reported that it has arrested alleged child abuser Teddy Jay Mejia, who is accused of coercing more than 100 children to either pose naked or be video-taped while being raped.

Mejia's victims were aged between 9 and 15 years old, the DILG chief said.

President Marcos highlighted the importance of the Makabata Helpline,

hypocrisy, nor will it stand idle in the face of such blatant disregard for public trust,” Romualdez vowed.

“Those who have committed wrongdoings cannot deflect by pointing fingers at others. In Congress, everyone will go through the process, and no one will escape responsibility,” the Speaker said in Filipino. Romualdez emphasized that the

the National Capital Region (NCR) has increasing cases but not as big as the said three regions. He said they are continuously testing and educating the public regarding mpox.

“I am thanking the establishments such as spa and barber shops that are sterilizing and changing their stuff. We’ve also started to disseminate information to all local chief executives, barangay officials, and business owners," Herbosa said.

In the case of Mpox, the DOH chief said the supposed Mpox vaccines be-

sels that we intend to deploy to Escoda Shoal. That's the plan of the national government,” PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

“We have not lost anything...There will be a Coast Guard presence at Escoda Shoal,” he said.

Escoda is located 75 nautical miles or about 140 kilometers off Palawan and is within the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and about 1,200 kilometers from Hainan island, the closest Chinese landmass.

For his part, former Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said the Philippines has all the right to deploy a new PCG vessel to Escoda Shoal.

“Escoda Shoal is part of the EEZ of the Philippines, which has the exclusive right to exploit the natural resources in Escoda Shoal and anywhere within the Philippine EEZ. The Philippines also has the exclusive right to erect a structure on Escoda Shoal,” he told Manila Standard.

Carpio said such an action cannot be deemed as escalatory by China.

“China has no such rights. In exercising its rights in its EEZ, the Philippines cannot be considered as provoking China or any other country,” Carpio said.

Matteo Piasentini, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Department of Political Science, added: “If we talk about implications, we directly assume that China may see

tify in court about their ordeal.

Fajardo said some officials of the KOJC and their legal representatives may also face obstruction of justice complaints from the PNP.

“Definitely, we have identified KOJC officers, including some legal representatives, who were very vocal in saying from the start that Pastor Quiboloy is no longer inside the compound,” she said.

The PNP, she said, formed a special investigation team led by the CIDG to focus on running after Quiboloy's coddlers.

Quiboloy is accused of sexually abusing women and children as well as trafficking in persons, both in the Philippines and the United States.

The KOJC founder pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when presented before the Pasig City Regional Trial

mittee cited the former presidential spokesperson for contempt for refusing to submit copies of his business records, tax returns, and statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN), which he argued were irrelevant to the legislative inquiry.

The Quad Comm recently unearthed evidence that points to Roque representing Lucky South 99, an illegal Philippine Overseas Gaming Operator(POGO) owned enterprise in Porac, Pampanga.

He denied the allegation and instead, accused congressmen of political persecution.

Over the weekend, even before lawmakers officially declared him a “fugitive,” the Quad Comm had already

which aims to provide an avenue for reporting child exploitation.

“One call to the Makabata Helpline 1383 can save one child,” he said, urging citizens to take action.

The president’s remarks also touched on the resilience of abuse survivors, who he said continue to inspire the government's efforts.

President Marcos stressed the importance of putting children's safety first in government efforts.

House has long upheld the principles of transparency and accountability, ensuring that expenditures are scrutinized with precision and aligned with national priorities.

“Public money is not for personal gain of a few. It is our duty to ensure that every peso is used for the welfare of our countrymen,” he noted.

“No one can escape our scrutiny. We

ing marketed are not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning they are considered contraband or illegal drugs.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that all of the vaccines will be for Democratic Republic of Congo as of the moment. If they have a vaccine, it is not registered with our (FDA)," Herbosa said. The Health Department announced they are lining up for 2,500 Mpox vaccine doses. However, it said the vaccine is not needed because the cases in the country are under control.

this further deployment as a provocation. However, it is in the Philippines’ interest and right to deploy coast guard and law enforcement vessels within its exclusive economic zone.”

Senate Defense committee chairperson Jinggoy Estrada said the PCG should be allocated the necessary budgetary resources following the pullout of BRP Magbanua.

"We must address the logistical requirements of the PCG to fully support their mission and assist in upholding our nation's territorial integrity. We can uphold the PCG’s role as a formidable force in defending our maritime territories and protecting our national interests," Estrada said.

A House leader likewise appealed to the Senate to support the enactment of a bill that will modernize the PCG, calling it a “vital measure” amid threats in the country’s maritime territories, particularly in the WPS. Deputy Majority Leader and ACTCIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo made the appeal after the House of Representatives approved on second reading the House Bill 10841 that seeks to improve the PCG’s organizational and operational frameworks, making it more responsive to maritime security concerns.

The bill seeks to provide the PCG with P5 billion in annual appropriations while also allowing it to receive loans and grants from local or foreign sources to boost modernization efforts.

Court 159 on Friday. Lawmakers earlier said former President Rodrigo Duterte may be charged for allegedly harboring Quiboloy.

“Being the administrator of Pastor Quiboloy’s estate, specifically the KOJC in Davao City where the evangelist was arrested, makes him (Duterte) liable under the law – at the very least for harboring a fugitive,” House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon said.

“The former president can – I think - fit in the definition of an accomplice,” added Bongalan, a lawyer by profession. In July, Duterte said he knew where Quiboloy was hiding, but would not disclose it.

“If the question is, ‘Where is the pastor?’ I know where, but it’s a secret. He does not want to surrender. So don’t surrender,” Duterte added.

sought the PNP’s assistance in locating the missing Roque.

Earlier, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs and designated head of the Quad Comm, described the evidence against Roque as “overwhelming.”

“Mr. Roque has been evasive, and his actions suggest that he is unwilling to face accountability,” Barbers said.

For his part, Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, co-chairperson of the House Quad Committee, said the House is “coordinating closely” with the National Capital Region Police Office and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to ensure Roque’s capture.

“What we are trying to do here is to save the child, save that life. That should always be our primary consideration,” he said. He emphasized the government’s commitment to offering therapy and reintegration programs for victims through partnerships between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and organizations like the International Justice Mission (IJM).

are the voice and eyes of the people, and in their name, we will guard against abuse and corruption,” he added.

The Speaker did not directly refer to any particular individual however it is widely believed that he was alluding to officials the lower chamber has been investigating for apparent misuse or incompetent management of public funds.

Ambuklao, Binga release water as Gener intensifies

By Rio N. Araja

THE weather bureau reported yesterday the release of water from Ambuklao and Binga dams as tropical depression "Gener" approached Northern Luzon.

At 8 am Monday, PAGASA placed both dams under flood watch as they were near their spilling levels.

Apart from the two dams, La Mesa, Ipo, and Magat dams were also close to their 'high water level'.

PAGASA has forecast heavy rainfall due to Gener and the southwest monsoon as well as tropical storm Pulasan which is moving towards the country from Marianas islands. The center of the eye was estimated at 290 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. It was moving northwestward at 10 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.

Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was raised in Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, and the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, Real), including Polillo Islands.

Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1. “Gener” and tropical cyclone “Pulasan” outside the Philippine area of responsibility will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

OIL firms cut pump prices for the second consecutive week by as much as P1.65 per liter effective 6am Tuesday due to slowdown in global demand and oversupply of petroleum products. The oil firms rolled back the price of gasoline by P1 per liter diesel by P1.30 per liter and kerosene by P1.65 per liter to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market last week.

Seaoil Philippines, Jetti Petroleum, PetroGazz, Chevron Philippines and Cleanfuel issued separate advisories of the rollback, Department of Energy director for the oil industry management bureau Rodela Romero said last week the weakening global demand prospects and expectations of oil oversupply were the main factors for the said rollbacks.

She said the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) revised downwards its demand forecast for this year and 2025 as reflected in the September Oil Market Report.

O UTSTANDING LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES: "Baby Reindeer" LEAD ACTOR, DRAMA: Hiroyuki Sanada, "Shogun" LEAD ACTRESS, DRAMA: Anna Sawai, "Shogun" LEAD ACTOR, COMEDY: Jeremy Allen White, "The Bear" LEAD ACTRESS, COMEDY: Jean Smart, "Hacks" LEAD ACTOR, LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE: Richard Gadd, "Baby Reindeer". AFP

1.2m workers to get pay hike, says DOLE

By Vito Barcelo

AROUND 1.2 million minimum wage

workers from CALABARZON (Region 4A) and Central Visayas (Region VII) will get pay increase which ranges from P21 to P75 per day and P33 to P43 per day, respectively, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Both adjustments were reached through consensus and unanimously approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs), the employer, labor, and the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).

In a statement, the DOLE said the new wage order will hike the daily minimum wage in Calabarzon to P450 to P560 in the non-agriculture sector and P425 in retail and service establishments employing not more than 10 workers upon full implementation of all tranches.

The increase would take effect on September 30, or five days after the anniversary date of the previous regional wage increase. The last wage order of the RTWPB-Calabarzon became effective on September 24, 2023.

Meanwhile, the increase in Central Visayas will bring the daily minimum wages from P458-P468 to P501 for Class A; P425-P430 to P463 for Class B; and P415-P420 to P453 for Class C.

Areas in Class A include the cities of Carcar, Cebu, Danao, Lapulapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay & Municipalities of Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla, San Fernando or Expanded Metro Cebu.

Class B areas are other cities not covered under Class A such as Bais, Bayawan, Bogo, Canlaon, Dumaguete, Guihulngan, Tagbilaran, Tanjay, and Toledo. Meanwhile, areas in Class C are other municipalities not covered under Class A and Class B.

“The new rates for workers in private establishments translate to about 7% to 8% increase from the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in the two regions and result in a comparable 11% increase in wage-related benefits covering 13thmonth pay, service incentive leave, and social security benefits such as SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG,” said DOLE.

More than 600k seniors waitlisted on P1K pension

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

MORE than 600,000 senior citizens are currently on a “waitlist” to receive next year the monthly P1,000 social pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

This was disclosed by DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian, citing the increasing number of seniors.

In Monday’s hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Finance, Gatchalian said there were 612,277 waitlisted seniors as of July 2024.

Based on their proposed budget for next year, he said there is P5.5 billion for the waitlisted seniors.

However, the said amount is unprogrammed, which means the budget depends on the availability of funds.

The current allocation, which is P49 billion is just sufficient for 4 million indigent senior citizens. Gatchalian also said the management in the distribution of social pensions will be transferred to the

The DSWD has proposed a P229.8 billion budget for 2025.

A total of P114 billion is allocated for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. “This hearing is important as the budget is the cornerstone of our mandate at the DSWD.

He emphasized the unwavering commitment to advancing social welfare, empowering communities, and protecting every Filipino.

He said these programs are deeply rooted in the annual process that will provide assistance to the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized sectors of the society.

Tulfo urges PDEA agents train as drug mule experts

SENATOR Raffy Tulfo on Monday called on the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to create a program that would train its personnel to become experts in drug mule profiling.

During Monday’s hearing in the Senate on the proposed budget of PDEA for 2025, Tulfo suggested that PDEA, as a lead agency in fighting illegal drugs in the country, must train its personnel abroad.

“Have training from other countries on how to profile a drug mule and then train personnel from Bureau of Immigration, customs, airport police and others,” Tulfo said.

“You don’t have that kind of system, so every day, drug mules can sneak out, especially if they are carrying cocaine. He related that local canines can’t smell cocaine. “So the drug mules carrying cocaine can enter the Philippines in that case,” he added.

PDEA Usec. Moro Virgilio M. Lazo said PDEA personnel do not have training in drug mule profiling. He also admitted the agency’s canines lack training in detecting cocaine, opium, and heroin.

In the same hearing, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) the P126 million total fund it obtained as mandatory contribution remittances from various government agencies.

“That is a very small amount, why should it be denied to you (DDB)? We are making a law but the DBM does not want to follow it. They are the ones violating the law. Otherwise, let’s not have a budget hearing here if you (DBM) don’t want to follow what Congress is doing,” Dela Rosa said.

The Senate is hearing the DDB’s P504.2-million proposed budget for 2025. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Solon says tampering will hurt ZAMCELCO

By Brenda Jocson

SANTIAGO City, Isabela- Deputy Minority Leader Presley De Jesus expressed concern about widespread tampering that might affect the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO), De Jesus made the disclosure during a House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability meeting into the financial situation of ZAMCELCO.

In an interview with Manila Standard, De Jesus said, “I am seriously concerned about ZAMCELCO’s operations, particularly the widespread meter tampering among large-load consumers, where approximately 800 customers were found manipulating their electricity meters to reduce consumption figures.”

“This fraudulent practice has not only caused significant financial losses for ZAMCELCO but also unfairly shifted the

cost burden onto consumers,” he said.

The meeting followed a privilege speech delivered by Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe in which the latter highlighted ZAMCELCO’s worsening financial troubles, including liabilities amounting to P4.6 billion, a 22% system loss rate, and monthly losses of around P60 to 70 million.

De Jesus said he has key insights into ZAMCELCO’s operational shortcomings and uncovered several critical problems that continue to persist to date.

Further, De Jesus questioned the utilization of the investment provided by Crown-Desco.

De Jesus also cited the high system losses which remains a critical issue that has long plagued ZAMCELCO. He emphasized that addressing system losses should have been a priority, given its direct impact on the cooperative’s efficiency and financial health.

IN BRIEF

Brawner lauds troops on Cagayan campaign

Brawner

Brawner

Bataan farmers finish SM agri program

A TOTAL of 108 farmers have completed the SM Foundation Inc.’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Sustainable Agriculture Program. After 14 weeks of intensive training, they celebrated their graduation in a ceremony held at SM City Bataan on September 12.

During the event, the newly trained farmers showcased their business proposals, which included plans to become direct suppliers for SM’s Sunday Market, wet markets, malls, and supermarkets.

Some graduates also expressed ambitions to work overseas or pursue careers as TESDA trainers, further extending their expertise in agriculture. In addition to the graduation festivities, the participants were given a guided tour of SM Supermarket, where they gained valuable insights into the operations of large retail chains. They learned about quality control, packaging, and the supply chain processes required to deliver farm-fresh produce to grocery stores. Butch Gunio

Solon urges QC bets to undergo tests

BARELY two weeks before the start of the filing of the certificates of candidacy on Oct. 1, District 2 Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica is batting for the passage of his proposed resolution urging Quezon City residents who would join the 2025 national and local polls to go through a drug test.

“The proposal is on its first reading today (Monday). We aim to fast track its passage at the soonest possible time,”

“WHEREAS,

of the

the

Ludovica maintained public office is public trust, and if government employees, even private workers, police and military personnel are being required to undergo random and “suspicionless” drug testing to promote ethical standards, it is with more reason for all the candidates, who are

PEP TALK. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. gives a pep talk to members of the 95th Infantry Battalion in Peñablanca, Cagayan, and commended them for a successful operation against the New People’s Army.

National Commission of Senior Citizens.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Makati gov’t checks work permits of commercial shops’ employees

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Makati City government is checking the work permits of workers in commercial establishments following discovery that more than 40 employees of a supermarket were using fake health certificates.

Mayor Abigail Binay emphasized that the city will not tolerate any actions that compromise the health and safety of its citizens.

According to city health officer Dr. Ronald Unson, city inspectors found out that 48 individuals had fake health clearances in the employee records of WalterMart Makati.

The suspicion arose when two meat handlers from WalterMart applied for a working permit, and the documents they submitted were established to be fictitious. A joint inspection by the City Veterinary

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Services Department, the City Health Office, and the Business Permit and Licensing Office revealed that a total of 48 employees of the establishment had submitted fake health clearances.

The supermarket’s management admitted that they did not verify the documents with the city’s official Health Clearance Certificate system.

The city inspectors also found out that some employees obtained their fake health certificates from a co-worker who charged them P1,000 to bypass the required procedure.

Unson stressed that it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that their workers adhere to the health and safety regulations of the city. Allowing workers to commit fraud to skip proper health checks puts the public at risk of contracting infectious diseases, he said.

Escudero: Senate passed 12 Palace priority measures

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

IN just a little over 30 session days, the Senate has passed 12 priority measures of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“We acted with urgency on the priority measures of the President which were also part of the common legislative agenda of both chambers of Congress. Again, this is more about the quality of laws rather than quantity. These are high impact laws that Malacañang and Congress agreed upon to prioritize,” Senate President Francis Escudero said.

These key measures will improve the investment climate of the country, strengthen its territorial and maritime claims, and improve the global competitiveness of Filipinos, Escudero said.

“During this period, we even had to deal with work stoppages due to weather disturbances, as well as national holidays. Nevertheless, we made sure that we were able to dispose of the matters before us, with the support of all our members,” said Escudero who was elected as Senate President last May 20.

The Senate leader said nine of the 12 bills are up for signing by the President. Three are awaiting action at the bicameral conference committee level, and one is up for approval by the House of Representatives.

All taken, a total of 106 bills, including those that are local in scope, were approved on third reading, 26 of which have been enacted into law since May 20.

After assuming the top leadership of the Upper Cham-

ber, Escudero said the Senate applied the three-way test in prioritizing bills: “Will it make the lives of the people easier? Will it help us move faster? Will it make our people’s burdens lighter?”

He said this test is the basis for deciding what to legislate and if amendments are to be entertained.

The priority bills up for signing by the President are SB No. 1604 or the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program (ARAL) Act. SB No 2221 or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarer, SB No. 2432 or AntiAgricultural Smuggling Economic Sabotage Act, SB No. 2455 or the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, SB No. 2492 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, SB No. 2528 or VAT on Digital Transactions Act, SB No. 2762 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act, SB No. 2779 or Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law provides the National Food Authority Act, and SB No. 2587 or the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act.

Even as several committees of the Senate are in the thick of investigating issues of national interest, Escudero gave assurance that the chamber will not be distracted from its duty “to pass laws for the benefit of our people.”

“In the remaining days before the Senate starts to focus exclusively on the proposed 2025 national budget, we are looking at passing about three to four more of the priority measures of the President. There is no time to waste, and we will strive to accomplish even more under my watch,” Escudero said.

‘Connectivity bill whipping up support from industry players’

SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano is upbeat that the support of local key players in the artificial intelligence (AI) and telecom industry will kick off digital transformation in the country.

Cayetano cited the Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines (AAP), an organization of AI professionals and stakeholders which has expressed support for the Konektadong Pinoy Bill.

Data from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), AAP indicated that AI can contribute up to P2.6 trillion to the economy yearly.

“Technologies like GenAI are an opportunity to empower Filipino jobs and communities,” the AAP stated. The group emphasized that unlocking this potential “depends heavily on the country’s internet connectivity.”

The Konektadong Pinoy Bill seeks to provide fast, affordable, and reliable internet for all Filipinos. “Access to high-speed internet is a requirement to fully embrace the unlimited potential of the digital age,” Cayetano said.

AAP president Michelle Alarcon said passage of the Konektadong Pinoy bill will be fundamental in ensuring that all Filipinos can partake of the economic and social benefits brought by AI advancements.

The Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association, Inc.,

a group that represents small internet service providers (ISPs) in the country, likewise voiced its support for the bill.

PCTA said Konektadong Pinoy will allow ISPs to “bring more Filipinos online” by “removing the barriers” to their expansion.

“This bill will allow us, small players, to further invest in infrastructure, especially in underserved areas where various hurdles hinder our efforts,” the group wrote in an online statement on August 26, 2024.

The Konektadong Pinoy bill aims to improve access to fast and affordable internet nationwide by removing the need for legislative franchises, promoting infrastructure sharing among telecom companies, and overseeing the allocation and use of radio spectrums.

The organizations’ statements of support came following the sponsorship speech of Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, on August 5. In his speech, he urged advocacy groups and non-governmental organizations to submit their input.

“To all who contributed to this bill, to all the authors, all the NGOs, all the advocacy groups, I look forward to discussing this bill in the next few days,” Cayetano said.

“Once we do this, we will in a year, two, or three years see the difference of having reliable, affordable, accessible internet connection in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao,” he added. Macon Ramos-Araneta

CamSur is second biggest revenue earning province

By Maricel V. Cruz

CAMARINES Sur has joined an elite group of the country’s biggest local revenue earners, emerging second on the top-10 list of the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BGLF) of local government performers in 2023. Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, a former governor of the province, made the disclosure, citing the BLGF’s Memorandum Circular 017-202 which showed that his was the second best local government performer last year in terms of local revenue collection. It was the first time that the province landed on the Top 10 list over the past five years, as posted on the BLGF website. The BLGF, an attached agency of the Department of Finance, is in charge of supervising and enhancing the financial operations of local government units nationwide.

“The dramatic jump in the local revenue earnings of CamSur has propped up its position as the premier economic performer of Bicolandia,” said Villafuerte, who had served as CamSur governor for three successive terms prior to his election to the House of Representatives. He traced this performance in revenue collection to the “culture of entrepreneurship” that has been fostered in the province—as a way to further attract investments, create jobs and stimulate business activities—under the leadership of the Villafuertes.

ANTI-POVERTY FORUM. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. oblige for a photo session with 16 provincial governors, capping their meeting Sunday night to discuss cooperation in helping the Marcos administration in the fight against poverty and in addressing other problems of their respective communities. The group was the third batch of governors who had met with the Speaker. Ver Noveno

OPINION

PH press freedom assessment

THE World Press Freedom Index is an annual ranking of countries compiled and published by Reporters Without Borders since 2002, based on its objective and measurable assessment of the countries’ press freedom records in the previous year.

It intends to reflect the degree of freedom journalists, news organizations, and netizens have in each country, and the efforts authorities made to respect this freedom.

Reporters without Borders is careful to note the World Press Freedom Index only deals with press freedom and does not measure the quality of journalism in the countries it assesses, nor does it look at human rights violations in general

The purpose of the Index is to compare the level of freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180 countries and territories.

Reporters Without Borders defines press freedom “as the ability of journalists as individuals and collectives to select, produce, and disseminate news in the public interest independent of political, economic, legal, and social interference and in the absence of threats to their physical and mental safety.”

In 2024, the index ranked the Philippines’ press freedom as “Difficult” (134 out of 180 countries), while in 2023, the country’s press freedom was also ranked “Difficult” (132 out of 180 countries).

The Index considers Philippine media to be extremely dynamic despite the government’s targeted attacks and constant harassment of journalists and media outlets regarded as overly critical, especially since 2016, when Rodrigo Duterte became president.

The report said Duterte’s six-year presidency (2016-2022), was marked by his many verbal attacks against journalists coupled with judicial harassment of any media deemed overly critical of the government.

During Duterte’s term, Congress refused to renew the ABS-CBN network’s franchise in 2020, leading to the closure of dozens of radio stations and TV channels, my gulay.

The 1987 Constitution guarantees freedom of the press, but Philippine law does not protect journalistic freedom in practice.

Defamation is still criminalized and the journalist Maria Ressa faces the possibility of several decades in prison as a result of legal actions brought by several government agencies.

Some journalists, Santa Banana, critical of the authorities are facing trumpedup criminal charges!

Alternative website editor Frenchie Mae Cumpio has been detained since

2020 on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, non-bailable offenses punishable by imprisonment.

Another alternative journalist, Lady Ann Salem, was previously detained for four months on similar trumped-up charges.

Mainstream media ownership has recently reached even greater levels of concentration than in the past -- a development accompanied by closer ties between media owning families and political barons at regional and national levels.

My gulay, the ABS-CBN/GMA duopoly is being challenged by a third media giant , the Villar family’s Villar Group and Cignal TV5.

Press freedom is relatively free under President Ferdinand. R. Marcos Jr.

The report said the policy of President Bongbong Marcos, is more consensual, but the authorities still often resort to “red-tagging” -- a practice inherited from the colonial era and Cold War in which journalists who do not toe the government line are branded as “subversive elements” or “red.”

This is tantamount to telling law enforcement they are legitimate targets for arbitrary arrest or even summary execution.

Santa Banana, the report said the Philippines is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, as highlighted in 2009 when 32 reporters were massacred in the southern province of Maguindanao.

In an attempt to address this issue, the government set up a Presidential Task Force on Media Security in 2016, but this inter-ministerial body has proved unable to stem the vicious cycle of violence against journalists.

At the regional level, many journalists are also the target of threats and lawsuits, while women journalists are subjected to specific gender-based threats, like threats of rape, cyber-harassment, disclosure of personal details and so on.

Santa Banana, while I respect the above assessment of the Reporters Without Borders on Philippine Press Freedom, I must say, having been a journalist since the 1950’s, it is relatively free.

It is not controlled nor under threat as in the past. It is relatively free under President Ferdinand. R. Marcos Jr.

Million Trees for Upper Marikina Watershed

By Melandrew T. Velasco

TYPHOON Enteng wrecked havoc when it lashed the Philippines this month, affecting 324 cities and municipalities.

The National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council reported 2,834,721 persons were affected; 505 damaged infrastructure (P698,901,168.65); and agriculture (P1,907,626,468.43).

The devastation reminds all to help mitigate the adverse effects of natural calamities.

In the metropolis, the Marikina River, the main drainage system for the city of Marikina, was closely monitored.

It’s Pasig River’s largest tributary originating in the foothills of the Sierra Madre, winding through the Marikina Valley down to the Pasig River due south. With heavy rainfall, its water level can reach heights as high as 18 meters.

DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David said in the next four years, three million trees will be planted by the Department of Natural Resources within the Upper Marikina Watershed to minimize flooding in Metro Manila and Rizal.

This is welcome news for the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. and its institutional partners like San Miguel Corporation, Maynilad, Manila Water, Grundfos, QBE and other stakeholder partners

Reforesting upper watersheds prevents

The continuing Guo affair

WHEN the Senate resumes hearings today regarding dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, many will be on tenterhooks again as they follow the gripping saga of the erstwhile elected local executive.

One interesting question will be whether the 34-year-old businesswoman and politician, who served as mayor from June 30, 2022 to Aug. 13, 2024, will disclose more information on people behind the proliferation of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) here.

That kind of information may prosper only in an executive session where the public would be excluded and the contents of the discussion are treated as confidential.

At least three senators last week rejected Guo’s appeal for an executive session, with Senator Risa Hontiveros – who leads the Senate probe – saying Guo must tel the public the truth before a closed session is granted.

We hope Guo will attend the Senate hearing today, which will be her second since her arrest in Indonesia on Sept. 4, two days before her deportation. The Senate issued an arrest warrant against her on July 13 for repeatedly failing to attend its investigation into the raided POGO hub in Bamban – with documents suggesting she fled the Philippines five days later.

We hope justice and accountability will be achieved before too long

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor Ejercito favors an executive session, and is keen on knowing who helped Guo run for office which would point to how supposed Chinese nationals were able to run for elective posts in different areas and whether Guo is a spy, denied by her in previous hearings. Then there is Senator Joel Villanueva believing the “big boss” of illegal POGOs is one Duanren Wu, an alleged former Chinese cop and an incorpo -

(Part 2)

Counterpoints to Topacio and Ong’s claims ON THE other side, the legislative bodies have a duty to conduct thorough investigations in matters of public interest, particularly when these issues involve potential criminal activity.

The Senate and House of Representatives have legislative oversight power as provided by the Constitution (Article VI, Section 21), which allows them to compel testimony and demand accountability.

Their argument against Ong’s refusal to cooperate stems from the principle that individuals called before Congress must respond to valid inquiries, even if they involve uncomfortable truths.

Romero II v. Senate Committee on Labor clarified the right to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination does not provide blanket immunity from testifying.

Instead, individuals must respond to nonincriminating questions and invoke their rights only when a specific question risks self-incrimination.

The legislative bodies, therefore, argue that Ong cannot preemptively refuse to answer all questions and must respect their investigatory role.

Ong’s previous arrest for contempt and limited cooperation during hearings further strengthens the argument that her petition is a strategic ploy to obstruct the investigation.

By refusing to answer key questions, Ong appears to be avoiding accountability rather than legitimately invoking her Constitutional rights.

soil erosion, stabilizes catchments and improves downstream water quality.

MTFI Chairman Emeritus Gen. Reynaldo V. Velasco supports the Enhanced National Greening Program of the national government where DENR is the lead agency.

Through the enhanced National Greening Program more than 1.8 billion seedlings have been planted within 2.17 million hectares of land.

The goal of MTFI is to plant and grow 15 million trees more by 2030

MTFI and its partners conduct treeplanting and tree growing activities and ensure the planted saplings are nurtured so these will grow to enhance forest cover.

As the non-government organization partner of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System in its Annual Million Trees Challenge program, supported by MWSS Administrator Leonor Cleofas and the MWSS Board of Trustees chaired by lawyer Elpidio Vega, MTFI is committed to sustain the success of the AMTC.

Allowing such actions could potentially embolden others to sidestep legislative oversight, undermining Congress’s role in addressing pressing issues like human trafficking and illegal activities tied to the POGO industry.

Who holds the stronger position?

In this legal clash, the legislative bodies have a stronger argument.

The AMTC, launched at Ipo watershed in 2017 by then MWSS Administrator Rey Velasco, aimed to reforest and rehabilitate seven critical watersheds essential to the water supply in MWSS coverage area in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

These are Angat, Ipo, Kaliwa, La Mesa, Laguna Lake and Upper Marikina including Manila Bay, among the over 130 critical watersheds that need immediate rehabilitation to lessen soil erosion and improve water yield.

The enhanced Upper Marikina Watershed reforestation will help reduce flooding in towns within the Marikina River Basin.

Undersecretary David said with a good forest cover, majority of the rainwater will infiltrate into the ground and only a small portion will be converted into runoff or surface flooding, adding forest cover can dictate how much rainwater would be converted to floodwater.

During a Memorandum of Understanding signing between DENR and WawaJVCo Inc. in Feb. 2023, DENR com-

rator of the Whirlwind Corp., which leased the property in Porac, Pampanga where the Lucky South 99 compound is. Villanueva made the statement a day after an official of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission named Huang Zhiyang as the illegal POGOS’ “boss of all bosses.” Huang, one of the co-incorporators of Alice Guo in Baofu Land Development, which leased the land to the raided POGO firm in Bamban, is reported to be a Chinese fugitive found with five passports in a raid in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

She is also slapped with 87 counts of money laundering, apart from qualified human trafficking complaint connected to the POGO raid.

Last week, Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty told a news conference that under the law, individuals who organize an establishment engaged in human trafficking may be held accountable for human trafficking.

The defense of Guo’s camp and other respondents is they did not recruit, did not harm, did not torture, nor commit any other human trafficking offenses against the victims.

While the episode gets deeper with all the developments, we hope justice and accountability will be achieved before too long.

The battle over Cassandra Ong’s right to silence

The Romero II decision and Senate rules on self-incrimination provide a clear framework: Ong can invoke her right against selfincrimination only in response to specific questions.

However, she cannot blanketly refuse to testify.

Ong and Topacio must consider partial cooperation, answering nonincriminating questions while carefully invoking the right to remain silent when necessary

While Topacio’s defense is rooted in solid Constitutional principles, it risks being viewed as an attempt to stonewall legislative probes, especially considering Ong’s ties to serious allegations involving human trafficking and money laundering.

The Senate and House, meanwhile, have the Constitutional power to investigate matters of public concern, and their argument aligns with legal precedents that limit the application of self-incrimination defenses. Legal and political ramifications

If the Supreme Court rules in Ong’s favor, this decision could significantly weaken the legislature’s ability to compel testimony from individuals linked to criminal activities.

The ruling would set a precedent for broader invocation of the right to remain silent, making it more difficult for the Senate and House to fulfill their oversight responsibilities.

In politically charged investigations, this could lead to more frequent refusals to co-

mitted to reforest 1,800 hectares of the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, formerly known as Marikina watershed, covering 26,125.64 hectares. More than the commitment of the parties, everyone’s participation is needed and active collaboration is the key to positive action anchored on volunteerism and “malasakit” for the environment.

Since AMTC’s launch in 2917, more than 8.3 million trees have been planted.

Last year alone, over 1.3 million trees were planted in 5,490.55 hectares across the AMTC watershed beneficiaries.

This year, MTFI expects over two million more trees will be planted as pledges from 31 partners totaled 2.7 million with the Department of Agriculture/Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council committing to plant at least 500,000.

The goal of the Foundation is to plant and grow 15 million trees more by 2030.

We are encouraged by the continued institutional support of SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang, Maynilad President Ramonchito Fernandez and Manila Water President Jocot de Dios and other

operate, eroding public trust in legislative inquiries.

Conversely, if the Supreme Court rejects Ong’s petition, it would reaffirm the balance between individual rights and legislative authority.

The ruling would underscore that while individuals are protected against self-incrimination, they must still respond to nonincriminating questions.

This would likely result in Ong facing further legislative scrutiny, as well as possible criminal charges linked to the ongoing POGO investigations.

Politically, it would enhance the legislature’s role as a watchdog, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Recommendations

For Ong and Topacio, they must consider partial cooperation, answering non-incriminating questions while carefully invoking the right to remain silent when necessary. This strategy would both honor Ong’s Constitutional rights and mitigate the perception she is deliberately obstructing the investigation.

Additionally, seeking a compromise where her testimony is given in closed sessions may alleviate her concerns about public shaming while still fulfilling her legal obligations.

For the legislative bodies, they should continue respecting Constitutional rights but maintain pressure on Ong to provide relevant testimony.

To ensure that future investigations are not bogged down by similar petitions, the legislature should clarify the rules surrounding the invocation of the right to remain silent in legislative proceedings, ensuring a fair but firm investigatory process.

As the Supreme Court weighs its decision, the outcome will either fortify or challenge the very pillars of democracy and justice in the Philippines. This case will not only decide the future of legislative oversight but will also leave an indelible mark on how the nation defines its fundamental rights and freedoms.

stakeholder partners notably the Green Army Brigade members and volunteers. My daughter and I were blessed to spend a milestone pre-60th birthday event last Sept. 15, with over 300 GAB volunteers at the Million Trees Nursery and Eco Learning Center inside the La Mesa Watershed. In its re-bagging, tree-planting, and tree growing activities, MTFI ensures that saplings must be suitable to the soil where they will be transplanted. Trees endemic to the area and fruitbearing trees – banaba, narra, cacao, avocado, yakal and bamboo, among others – are used.

MTFI believes stewardship of watersheds is a step toward mitigating the adverse effects of disasters induced by climate change and in maintaining biodiversity.

(MTV, president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc., is president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection.)

Trump safe after apparent slay attempt

WEST PALM BEACH – Donald Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt Sunday (Monday Manila time) in Florida, the FBI said, with the Republican presidential candidate’s campaign and law enforcement reporting he was safe and unharmed.

The US Secret Service confirmed one or more of its agents “opened fire on a gunman” located near the boundary of Trump’s golf course, and that an “AK-47 style rifle” with a scope was recovered along with a GoPro video camera.

Vice President Kamala Harris took to social media to say: “I am glad he is safe.” Amid the confrontation with the Secret Service, the suspect bolted out of

the shrubbery he had been hiding in and escaped in a black car.

A witness helped police identify the vehicle and authorities tracked it down.

“We have somebody in custody right now that is a potential suspect,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told a news conference.

US media named the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, who had expressed

support for Ukraine. He was interviewed by AFP in 2022 in Kyiv where he had traveled to support the war effort.

Trump had been playing golf at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida, not far from his Mar-a-Lago residence, when the would-be shooter was spotted in bushes one hole ahead of the former president, Bradshaw said.

“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity,” his campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement, while Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris expressed relief her political rival was out of danger.

Trump himself said in a website fundraising message: “Fear not! I am safe

and well, and no one was hurt. Thank God!”

He later thanked the Secret Service, Sheriff Bradshaw and law enforcement for “the incredible job done today” in keeping him safe. “I would like to thank everyone for your concern and well wishes -- It was certainly an interesting day!,” Trump posted late Sunday on his Truth Social platform.

The unnerving incident appears to mark the second time in as many months that Trump has been the target of an assassination attempt. The former president was wounded in the ear on July 13 as he addressed an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Authorities who addressed Sunday’s

news conference did not confirm whether a gunman actually fired a weapon in the direction of the former president, but said shots were fired by the Secret Service.

“We are not sure right now if the individual was able to take a shot at our agents,” said Rafael Barros, of the Secret Service.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it is “investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.”

Officials praised the quick action of the Secret Service, an agency that has been under intense scrutiny since its apparent failure to detect and stop a gunman from shooting at Trump in Pennsylvania. AFP

Strongest typhoon to strike Shanghai shuts down city

SHANGHAI, China – Tens of millions of people in Shanghai and across China’s densely populated east coast hunkered indoors Monday as the strongest storm to hit since 1949 swept in, downing trees and disrupting transport across the region.

Typhoon Bebinca landed early Monday morning in the city’s eastern coastal area, with wind speeds of up to 151 kilometers per hour, state media said.

It is the strongest storm to hit Shanghai since Typhoon Gloria in 1949, state broadcaster CCTV said shortly after Bebinca made landfall.

Many businesses were already closed for the Mid-Autumn Festival public holiday, and the city’s 25 million residents have been advised to avoid leaving their homes.

Shanghai’s flood control headquarters told CCTV they had already received dozens of reports of incidents related to the typhoon -- mostly fallen trees and billboards.

An uprooted tree completely blocked one road in the city center, an AFP reporter saw.

Xiong Zhuowu, a doctor and resident of the northern Baoshan district, posted a video of a real estate agent’s sign being ripped away onto a roof in his compound.

“I feel quite nervous today, I’m constantly checking what the situation is out the window,” Xiong told AFP.

“The property management found some trees with loose roots downstairs and immediately called me to move my car to prevent the tree hitting it if it fell.”

A government livefeed from Baoshan showed ferocious winds ripping through a line of trees on the riverbank.

Despite the violent downpours and sudden gusts of wind, some were still braving the weather to go about errands.

Resident Wu Yun said she had ventured outside because she had to sort something out at her sales job.

“I think it’s okay, because I also saw a lot of typhoons in the south, so I think Shanghai is okay (compared to them),” she told AFP as she struggled to open her umbrella against the wind.

Branches and fallen bikes littered the road in the city’s former French Concession, as delivery workers and clean-up crews persevered against the driving rain. AFP

outside Brazil capital

BRASILIA, Brazil – Brazilian firefighters were battling a blaze Sunday (Monday Manila time) in Brasilia National Park, a nature reserve located just outside the capital. The blaze is the biggest Brasilia has seen this year, as the city hits 145 days without rain.

Some 1,200 hectares (4.5 square miles) have burned, according to the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, responsible for the administration of Brazil’s national parks.

It said the blaze would be fought throughout the night in the 30,000 hectare park. The fire came the same day that Supreme Court Justice Flavio Dino authorized the government to exceed existing spending limits to finance the fight against a “fire pandemic.”

“We cannot deny maximum and effective aid... under the justification of complying with an accounting rule that is not in the Constitution,” said Dino, formerly President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s justice minister.

According to the National Institute for Space Research, 55,517 fires have been recorded in September, up from 46,498 this month last year. AFP

Japan’s elderly population hits record high

TOKYO – The number of people in Japan aged 65 or older hit a record high of 36.25 million this year, government data shows, as the country contends with one of the world’s fastest-aging societies. The elderly now account for 29.3 percent of Japan’s total population, also a new high, according to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on Sunday.

The ministry said the proportion of elderly residents put Japan at the top of

WOMEN POWER. A protester holds a placard as she takes part in a march on the second anniversary of

a protest movement sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22, arrested for allegedly violating the dress code for women at Place de la Bastille, in Paris on Sept. 15, 2024. The women-led protests that broke out after Amini’s death on Sept. 16, 2022, challenged not only the rule of the obligatory headscarf that has been a key pillar of the regime but also the very existence of the clerical-based system, rattling Iran’s leadership over autumn and winter 2022-2023. AFP

Toyota turns over Land Cruiser Prado to 2-time Olympic gold champ Yulo

LEADING mobility company Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has turned over a brand-new Land Cruiser Prado to Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo, who won two gold medals in the 2024 Olympics held in Paris, France.

It can be recalled that the automotive manufacturer announced this mobility incentive, in recognition of Yulo’s milestone win.

The luxury SUV was ceremonially awarded to Yulo in an event at the TMP manufacturing plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna today, witnessed by hundreds of the company’s team members.

The turnover ceremony was led by TMP President Masando Hashimoto and Vice Chairman Dr. David Go and was also attended by other representatives of TMP’s top management and the Labor Union. TMP also toured Yulo around the manufacturing plant and gave him a glimpse of how the Philippine-made Toyota models Vios, Innova, and the soon to be launched Tamaraw are assembled locally by Filipino workers.

“Thank you, Caloy, for being an inspiration. Like the Prado, you are legendary in every way. We hope the Prado will Move Your World and help you achieve even more,” shared TMP President Masando Hashimoto during his speech.

Yulo secured his first gold medal in the individual men’s vault in artistic gymnastics, and his second in the individual men’s floor exer-

cise. He makes history by being the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win multiple gold medals in the Olympics. According to TMP President Hashimoto, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Chairman Akio Toyoda is “very proud of him and all the athletes who pushed themselves to achieve the impossible.”

Yulo also recently went back to Paris for the Paralympic Games, where he supported the Philippine Paralympic athletes and engaged in discussions on giving back to the communities that have helped shaped him as an athlete.

“I know this gift isn’t just about me. It’s about this community that has been cheering me on. Toyota, I am so grateful to be a part of your team, this leading brand, this community, and I hope that this gift will inspire others to also chase their own dreams and never give up,” shared Yulo during his acceptance speech.

Yulo will be driving a 2025 Land Cruiser Prado with a 2.4 turbo engine and automatic transmission. He personally selected the White

PH’s Taho Story crowned Yunnan 3X3 champion

TAHO Story 3x3 hoisted the Philippine flag high and proud after ruling the 2024 Yunnan 3X3 Circuit-Dehong Stop 3 on Sunday.

The quartet of Louie Vigil, Mikey Macaballug and American imports Marcus Hammonds and Billy Baptist ran roughshod over the 16-team field as they emerged as the champions in China.

The Filipino club topped Pool A after winning two of their three games to earn a top seed in the knockout phase.

Taho Story then scraped past Yan G D12 of Hong Kong, 21-17, in the last 16; blasted Gwangju Dinoman of Korea, 22-10; before avenging its pool play defeat to Ares BKK of Thailand in the semifinals, 19-18. And when the lights were at their brightest, eventual MVP Hammonds took Taho Story home with a 21-11 triumph over Kuala Lumpur in the championship game.

It was a fitting encore for the new club which won Leg 1 of the Half Court 3x3 tournament last week.

Banh Mi Kitchen, the other Filipino team in the tilt made up of Fil-Aussie Richard Popovic, Chris de Chavez, and imports Brandon Daughtry and Kurt Hall Jr., reached the quarters before falling to runnerup Kuala Lumpur, 21-20.

Upbeat Ramos eyes ICTSI Forest Hills golf crown

THREE months after his breakthrough victory at the Lakewood Championship, Sean Ramos is feeling confident and ready to make waves again at the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic. With strong performances abroad in recent weeks, the young gun is looking to carry the momentum into the P2-million tournament, which tees off Wednesday at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club in Antipolo.

“I’ve been competing on the Asian Development Tour over the last couple of weeks, working closely with my swing coach. I had a couple of good finishes, so I’m hoping to keep that momentum going,” said Ramos, who tied for 12th place at the Indonesia Pro-Am last Friday and finished joint 11th at the BRG Open in Vietnam the previous week. His triumph at Lakewood last June, where he displayed remarkable composure, saw him overcome seasoned Philippine Golf Tour stalwarts like Reymon Jaraula and Tony Lascuña.

Now, as he enters the 72-hole championship, he

will once again face these formidable competitors, all eager to halt his rising momentum while chasing their own championship aspirations in this seventh leg of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Lascuña, a 53-time career champion, remains one of the most dangerous players in the field. Coming off a victory at Splendido Taal in challenging conditions last July, he’s keen on securing his second win of the year.

With years of experience and daily practice, Lascuña continues to sharpen his game while imparting wisdom to young and old amateur golfers as a respected swing coach.

Along with Lascuña, fellow PGT leg winners

Jhonnel Ababa (Apo), Angelo Que (Philippine Masters), and Clyde Mondilla (Caliraya Springs) are also primed for the title chase. Mondilla, the defending champion at Forest Hills, remains the prohibitive favorite, having dominated last year’s event with a record-setting 11-under 60 in the opening round. He led wire-to-wire, eventually

tries to stay close to leader Benilde

“But we need to get used to shooting free throws in real life.” The bad, bald men of Letran, meanwhile, goes for a second win in a row after splitting their first two outings against an Arellano U side out hunting for a first win after two consecutive setbacks. They collide at 11 a.m. The Knights got on the winning board after outlasting the Bombers, 70-62, Friday.

WBC king Jerusalem, challenger at PSA Forum

REIGNING World Boxing Council minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem comes face-to-face with undefeated Mexican challenger Luis Castillo for the first time on Tuesday (Sept. 17) when camps of both fighters serve as special guests in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Jerusalem (22-3-0, 13 KOs) will be accompanied by his handler JC Mananquil of Sanman Promotions as they meet members of the local media together

securing a commanding five-stroke victory over Dino Villanueva and Que.

However, a year can bring significant changes in a player’s form and mindset, with hungry upand-comers eager to make their mark with the upcoming tournament promising excitement, with no player holding a distinct edge over the challenging, risk-and-reward layout.

Other notable competitors include defending Order of Merit champion Guido van der Valk, Ira Alido, Michael Bibat and Keanu Jahns, alongside talented young guns like Hyun Ho Rho, Aidric Chan, Kristoffer Arevalo, Ryan Monsalve, Ivan Monsalve, Josh Jorge and Lanz Uy.

With so many top players in the field, the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic is shaping up to be an intense battle for supremacy, as established pros and rising stars alike vie for top honors in one of the season’s premier events.

Shown here are (from left) Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) president Masando Hashimoto, two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo and TMP Vice Chairman Dr. David Go

Mica colorway. For more updates on Toyota products, services,

Sean Ramos

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Holt, Quinto to be honored in PBA Press Corps Awards

STEPHEN Holt and Kier John ‘Bong’ Quinto get a share of center stage in the PBA Press Corps Awards Night for the first time as they will be bestowed with separate honors during the 30th edition of the event next week at the Novotel Manila Araneta City.

The Barangay Ginebra sophomore leads members of the All-Rookie selection, while the Meralco guard is going to be honored with the Mr. Quality Minutes by the men and women who regularly covers the PBA beat under the leadership of its president Vladi Eduarte of the Abante Group of Publishing.

Presented by Cignal TV, the event is set Sept. 24 starting at 7:30 p.m. Holt, 32, and the unanimous winner of the Rookie of the Year Award in Season 48, is joined in the All-Rookie Team by Cade Flores of Northport, Adrian Nocum of Rain or Shine, Phoenix’s Ken Tuffin, and Terrafirma’s Kemark Carino.

The 6-foot-4 Fil-Am, a product of St. Mary’s College in California, was the no. 1 overall pick of Terrafirma last season who guided the team to its first playoffs appearance in the last eight years during the Philippine Cup. His impressive season saw him contend for the Most Valuable Player plum, and led to his inclusion as part of the season’s 2nd Mythical Team.

Meanwhile, Quinto, 29, wins his first Mr. Quality Minutes award, which is the PBAPC’s version of the Sixth Man of the Year.

The point guard out of Letran College edged out last year’s winner Jericho Cruz of San Miguel Beer for the honor, whose first ever recipient was Barangay Ginebra deputy coach Olsen Racela in 1993.

Quinto averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while playing an average of 26 minutes in 39 games for the team last year.

Highlands Ladies Cup sees banner golf turnout

THE highly anticipated Highlands Ladies Cup is set to return for its 16th edition on Oct. 5, delivering an exciting mix of fun and competitive play at the renowned Midlands and Lucky 9 courses of Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club.

As the signature event of the posh Tagaytay Highlands, this year’s tournament is expected to draw a diverse roster of players, both men and women, representing various skill levels and golf clubs from across the country. With its combination of high-level competition and camaraderie, the event continues to be a major highlight in the local golfing scene.

The Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter, the event organizers, are expecting another banner turnout, with around 200 participants eager to experience the excitement, camaraderie, and top-tier golf at one of the country’s most challenging courses.

Supported by major sponsors such as Diamond backers W Group, Inc., Willy Ocier/Jim Weaver, and Rexona, which is generously contributing products worth P190,000, the Highlands Ladies Cup continues to be a highlight on the golfing calendar.

Platinum sponsors Powerball Gaming and Entertainment Corp. and East West Bank, along with Silver partners Asia Cargo Container Lines, Inc. and Sta. Lucia Realty, are also on board to support the annual event.

The 18-hole tournament kicks off with an 8 a.m. shotgun start, utilizing the System 36 scoring format to ensure a thrilling and fair competition for all participants. Registration fee is set at P5,000 for members and P6,000 for non-members, inclusive of green fees, cart sharing, meals, and eligibility for the exciting raffle prizes.

Chua overcomes neck pain to rule Shanghai 9-ball meet

By Randy Caluag

BATTLING severe neck pain, Filipino pool sensation Johann “Bad Koi” Chua delivered a commanding performance at the 2024 Zen&Yuan8 Open Nine-Ball tournament in Shanghai, China.

Chua dominated Taiwan’s Wu Kun Lin in the finals, winning, 131, to secure the championship and the top prize of $12,000 (approximately P600,000).

Chua revealed his physical struggles only after hoisting the trophy, acknowledging the intense pain he endured throughout the tournament.

“I was able to get through it because my wife reminded me that it’s always mind over matter. I strengthened my mind, gave it my all, and pushed past the pain,” said Chua, a multi-titled Southeast Asian Games champion and World 10-ball team champion.

The pain had been so debilitating

that Chua initially considered withdrawing from the event.

“I was dejected at first, even thought of not playing due to the excruciating neck pain. Luckily, I didn’t have a match on the first day, so I used a hot compress to manage it. By the second day, you guys shared some remedies, which helped,” he explained.

Chua’s triumph came after he boycotted the 2024 Massé WPA World 9-Ball Championships, where fellow Filipino Rubilen Amit took home the women’s title and a $50,000 prize.

Amit celebrated Chua’s victory in a light-hearted social media post,

writing, “Grabe ka, hindi mo na kami pinakaba ng finals haha! (You didn’t even make us nervous in the finals haha)!”

Chua had previously committed to not participate in any World Pool Association (WPA)-sanctioned events, standing in solidarity with international players suspended by the WPA for competing in the unsanctioned Hanoi Open last year.

The Hanoi Open had not been approved by the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS), a subsidiary of the WPA.

This Shanghai tournament is under the Asian Pool Federation.

GM Sadorra wills PH to shock win over Slovenia

Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra

BUDAPEST—Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra pulled off possibly the biggest victory of his life after slaying super GM Vladimir Fedoseev in willing the Philippines to a shock 2.5-1.5 win over 26th seed Slovenia and straight into the top 10 after five rounds of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall here.

The 38-year-old Sadorra fought his way out of a cramped position and pounced on Fedoseev’s costly blunders that allowed the Texas-based Filipino to eke out a 53-move win of a Queen’s Gambit Declined and lift the country, seeded 51st out of 197, to the stunni ng win over the 26th ranked Slovenians. It catapulted the

Filipinos, whose trip is being bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission through chair Richard Bachmann and Ed Hayco, straight into the 22-country logjam at No. 7 with eight match points apiece.

It was an impressive triumph for Sadorra, whose kingside sacrificial attack left a trail of devastation on Fedoseev, a 29-year-old Russian émigré who was forced to give up her queen to fend off a smashing the former’s furious mating threat.

When the smoke of battle dissipated, Sadorra was left with a queen and a bishop against Fedoseev’s pair of rooks and a knight that would inevitably fall had the latter not raised the white flag.

Completing the Filipinos’ earthshaking win were fighting draws by newly minted GM Daniel Quizon, who will be rewarded P100,000 by National Chess Federation of the Philippines chief Butch Pichay for claiming the

GM title on top of the P1 million he will receive from Dasmarinas in Cavite, and International Masters Paulo Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia in the lower boards. The Philippines, coached by GMs Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales with Atty. Ruel Canobas as delegation head, takes on 17th seed Armenia, a squad that has four super GMs on its fold, in the sixth round.

The mammoth win in the open division softened the impact of the Filipinas’ heartbreaking 2.5-1.5 defeat to fancied Italy.

Shania Mae Mendoza’s fairytale run on board one ended following a stinging defeat to IM Marina Brunello while Janelle Mae Frayna, Ja Jodilyn Fronda and Ruelle Canino split their games. They stumbled back into a big group at No. 37 with six match points and were battling Bolivia in the fifth round.

Petrov hopes Obiena can start training by November

By Peter Atencio

THE preparations of the Philippines’ and Asia’s top pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena for his competitions next year will start in two months.

Vitaly Petrov, Obiena’s Ukranian coach, said this after spending time with the 28-year old Obiena over the last three days.

“In September, he will have to do a lot of magnetic scans. He will be able to recover in a month. In training, depending on his recovery, it will be by November,” said Petrov. For now, Obiena won’t able to do some heavy training because of his injured back and has settled for lighter routines while resting.

“I can’t do outdoor workouts. Just indoor cycling and yoga,” said Obiena after having selfies and engagements with his legions of fans at the “High Ernest John Obiena

Flying Hangout with EJ Obiena: A Meet and Greet Event” on Sunday at the Activity Center of the Ayala Mall Manila Bay in Paranaque. Petrov said Obiena is first preparing for the indoor season this January, the outdoor season in March and the World Championships in September.

In the World Championships, Obiena’s fitness will determine his readiness for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“It is by November when he will start training for the new season,” added Petrov, who spent time with Obiena, along with pole vault legend Sergey Bubka. During the meet and greet, Obiena and his associates and supporters raised P1.5 million for the construction of three pole vault pits to be distributed to different venues around the country.

Johann Chua’s commanding performance netted him the 2024 Zen&Yuan8 Open Nine-Ball tournament title in Shanghai, China. Matchroom Pool

PAG-IBIG Fund’s gross assets exceeded the P1-trillion mark as of end-June 2024, its top executive said Monday.

“Our total assets as of June 2024 was P986 billion, net. If we consider the gross, it is over a trillion,” PagIBIG Fund chief executive Marilene Acosta said in a briefing at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.

BOI-approved investments surge by 82% to over P1.3t

By Othel V. Campos

INVESTMENT plans cleared by the Board of Investments (BOI) for fiscal incentives surged by 82 percent to P1.35 trillion as of mid-September 2024 from P741.98 billion in the same period in 2023.

for BOI to hit the P1.3-trillion mark in investment approvals,” said BOI managing director Ceferino Rodolfo.

P1 trillion

This also surpassed the full-year approvals in 2023, said the BOI, one of the government’s investment promotion agencies. The figure is separate from those reported by other agencies such as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Clark Development Corp. and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Data showed that the energy sector continued to dominate investment approvals at P1.29 trillion, mainly with projects in renewable energy.

Local companies displayed a strong commitment to the Philippine economy, contributing a significant P1.01 trillion in investments, marking a remarkable 221-percent increase from the previous year. The CALABARZON region maintained its position as a prime investment destination, securing the largest share of local investments at P602.63 billion, followed by Central Luzon with P258.68 billion, Western Visayas with P238.88 billion, Bicol Region with P142.87 billion and Ilocos Region with P62.68 billion.

Pag-IBIG Fund’s gross assets

“As we celebrate our 57th anniversary, we are more inspired by the strong show of confidence by local and foreign investors in the Philippines that has made it possible

Other top sectors included mass housing with investments of P20.28 billion; manufacturing, P12.13 billion; agriculture, forestry and fishing, P10.05 billion; and administrative and support service activities, P5.46 billion.

Foreign investments also played a crucial role in driving the BOI’s success, reaching a total of P341.78 billion. Switzerland emerged as the leading foreign investor, contributing P286.77 billion, followed by the Netherlands with P39.58 billion and Singapore with P6.18 billion

P24.3 billion

Pag-IBIG Fund’s income as of end-June

P77 billion

Pag-IBIG Fund’s home loan releases as of August

The fund also posted a net income of P24.3 billion as of June 2024, making it one of the most profitable government-owned and controlled corporations. It has more than 16.2 million members as of end-June.

Acosta said the fund continued to post record home loans despite the decline in the number of socialized housing units financed by the agency due to lower production by developers.

Pag-IBIG Fund released P76.94 billion in home loans in the first eight months of 2024, in line with its target of financing P143 billion worth of housing units this year. This was 6 percent higher than P72.71 billion released in the same period in 2022 and financed 59,840 homes of PagIBIG Fund members.

Acosta expressed confidence in meeting the 2024 target, saying the final four months of the year usually see the largest home loan takeout. About P20 billion worth of loans are also expected to be finalized soon, she said.

She said the fund also expects to finance more socialized housing units under the government’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program.

“Pag-IBIG housing loan remains the most affordable home financing plan in the country,” Acosta said. “Depending on your capacity to pay, you can borrow up to P6 million.”

Pag-IBIG Fund released P126.04 billion of home loans in 2023, the highest in its 43-year history, helping 96,848 members acquire new or better homes. Roderick T. dela Cruz

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CASH remittances grew 3.1 percent year-on-year to $3.08 billion in July 2024, the highest in seven months, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) show.

This was also the first time cash remittances topped the $3-billion mark in any month other than December, which is traditionally the peak season.

Pag-IBIG Fund’s gross assets exceeded P1t as of end-June Cash remittances climbed 3.1% to seven-month high of $3.08b in July

“The expansion in cash remittances in July 2024 was due to the growth in receipts from landand sea-based workers,” the BSP said in a statement.

This brought total cash remittances in the first seven months to $19.33 billion, or 2.9 percent higher than $18.79 billion recorded a year earlier.

Cash remittances, or funds from overseas Filipinos sent through the banking channels, increased from $2.99 billion registered in July 2023.

Expert urges policy reforms amid high borrowing costs, fiscal pressures in Asia

HIGH borrowing costs and fiscal pressures are affecting long-term financing in the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring an urgent need for policy reforms.

This issue was addressed during a virtual policy dialogue hosted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP). Michal Podolski, chief economic

affairs officer at UN ESCAP, presented key findings from the 2024 ESCAP Economic and Social Survey, shedding light on the region’s ongoing challenges in the post-pandemic era.

“After the COVID pandemic, we have seen a persistent decline in purchasing power, rising poverty and widening socioeconomic inequalities,” Podolski said.

The growth in cash remittances from the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates contributed mainly to the increase in remittances in the seven-month period, the BSP said.

Personal remittances, which include items sent outside the banking channels, also rose 3.2 percent in July to $3.43 billion from the previous year’s $3.32 billion.

The BSP attributed the growth to the higher funds sent by both sea- and land-based workers. It said that in the first seven months of the year, personal remittances rose 3 percent to $21.53 billion from $20.91 billion a year ago.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the single-digit/modest growth in OFW remittances was expected to continue as OFW families/dependents still need to cope with relatively higher prices that would require the sending of more funds.

The survey highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a permanent reduction in GDP growth rates, with many regions now experiencing lower growth rates of 1 percent to 2 percent compared to the pre-pandemic average of around 6 percent.

Inflation also rose, now hovering around 4 percent to 5 percent compared to the pre-pandemic norm of 3 percent to 3.5 percent.

Podolski said that while the growth rate in the Philippines decreased from 6 percent to 7 percent to 5 percent to 6 percent, it remains relatively strong compared to other regions.

The country also maintained a more favorable inflation path and minimal impact on low-income households. However, rising poverty and inequality persist, with a notable increase in income disparity among the top 10 percent of earners.

Podolski said governments are facing increased borrowing costs and shorter loan maturities, complicating the financing of essential public services such as education, healthcare, and social protection.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Marilene Acosta reports that the fund’s gross assets exceeded the P1-trillion mark

of end-June 2024 during the fund’s annual media forum at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.

MIESCOR, PhilTower merge to form largest tower company

By Darwin G. Amojelar

MIESCOR Infrastructure Development Corp. (MIDC), a joint venture between Meralco Industrial Engineering Services Corp. and Stonepeak, merged with Phil-Tower Consortium Inc. (PhilTower) to create one of the Philippines’ largest independent tower companies.

The new entity, backed by a consortium of global and local investors including MIDC’s existing partners MIESCOR and Stonepeak, as well as Macquarie Capital and Global Network Inc., aims to revolutionize the Philippine tower company sector.

PSEi surpasses 7,100; peso at 55.8 a dollar

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Philippine stock market sustained its rally, closing above the 7,100 level Monday ahead of the US Federal Reserve policy meeting.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index jumped 81.35 points, or 1.16 percent, to close at 7,104.20, while the wider all-shares index rose 31.37 points, or 0.83 percent, to 3,820.

Meanwhile, the peso closed at 55.88 against the US dollar Monday, up from 55.99 Friday.

Analysts expect a larger rate cut of 50 basis points by the Fed in its rate-setting meeting on Sept. 18. Investors were initially looking at a 25-basis-point reduction.

“Mostly weaker US economic data recently could increase the odds of future Fed rate cuts in the coming months that could be matched locally,” said Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort.

Ricafort said the mark also posted gains after the peso hit the strongest level versus the dollar in nearly six months.

All sub-indices ended in the green, led by mining and oil which rose 1.59 percent, while financial climbed 1.43 percent and industrial by 1.37 percent.

Value turnover reached P3.94 billion, with 115 winners and 85 losers.

Monde Nissin Corp. was the top index gainer, rising 5.97 percent to P10.30, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. lost 1.15 percent to P73.15.

The partnership of MIDC and PhilTower creates a powerhouse in the Philippine TowerCo industry which offers strategic advantages that will not only strengthen network infrastructure but also accelerates the rollout of wireless technologies for

mobile network operators (MNO) including Globe Telecom Inc., Smart Communications Inc. and DITO Telecommunity Corp.

It will also play a critical role in supporting the nation’s digital transformation and expanding access to mobile broadband.

“The partnership of MIDC and PhilTower represents a significant step forward in enhancing the country’s telecommunications tower infrastructure. By combining the strengths of the two organizations, we are creating a new standard for infrastructure efficiency and service excellence, bringing us closer to achieving nationwide connectivity,” MIESCOR president and chief

executive Richard Ochava said.

“This move will not only improve network coverage and ICT services but also have a broader impact in the country’s socio-economic development by fostering digital inclusion and empowerment especially in underserved areas,” he said.

MIESCOR, through its telecommunications business unit, is providing full turnkey and semi turnkey build and maintenance services to the telecom industry operators. These services include telecom tower site construction and maintenance, build and maintenance of wired and wireless telecom systems, and end customer services and solutions.

UNILEVER GRANT. The Unilever team engages and supports waste worker partners from Cavite at a recent Walastik (Wise on Plastic) Education Session. Unilever continues to double down on its plastic sustainability ambitions and is scaling its impact with the announcement of a grant opportunity for organizations

Citicore’s 800-MW renewable projects obtain ‘national significance’ status

By Alena Mae S. Flores

AROUND 800 megawatts of renewable energy (RE) projects being developed by Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) were declared as energy projects of national significance by the Department of Energy (DOE).

The DOE presented the certificates of energy projects of national significance (CEPNS) to 13 CREC projects this month, which the company won under the Green Energy Auction Program 2 (GEAP-2) held in July 2023.

The projects include 430 MWac of ground mount solar and 362 MWac of onshore wind developments in eight provinces: Pangasinan, Bataan, Pam-

IN 2017, the national government announced the establishment of a program to modernize the urban public transportation system. The program, called the Motor Vehicle Transportation Modernization Program (MVTMP), sought the replacement of jeepneys – the principal means of urban commuter transportation in this country – with new, fuel-efficient mini-buses acquired with the help of government-provided credit.

The makers of national transportation policy established MVTMP in the belief that the jeepney had seen its best days, having been the king of the nation’s urban thoroughfares since the late 1940s, when clever Filipino technicians converted into civilian transport vehicles the hundreds of thousands of military jeeps brought to this country by the returning US Army. They believed that in an era of ever-rising fuel prices and of tourism-oriented urban beautification drives, the jeepney had ceased to be the best-bet form of urban commuter transportation.

Lest it be thought that I am writing about the phase-out of the jeepney without ever having taken a jeepney ride, I should say that I have had my fair share of riding in this ubiquitous and uniquely configured means of urban transportation. The announcement of the establishment of the

panga, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.

These projects are targeted for completion by 2024 to 2026.

CREC’s GEAP-2 projects are part of the company’s goal to build 5 gigawatts of clean energy capacity in five years.

“The DOE is making great strides in the transition to renewable energy through measures like the EVOSS Law and the issuance of CEPNS. The recognition of our 13 projects underscores the importance placed by the government in the swift completion of RE projects, which are typically affected by challenges in securing permits and clearances,” CREC president and chief executive Oliver Tan said in a statement.

Analyst forecasts stronger second half for SM Investments

SM INVESTMENTS Corp. is expected to benefit from a stronger second half, a traditionally better season for the retail business, according to a stock analyst.

Macquarie Capital Securities (Philippines) head of research Gilbert Lopez said in a research report SM Investments’ reported net profit of P40.2 billion in the first half, reflecting a 10-percent year-on-year growth and a strong improvement in the second quarter.

Lopez said this was ahead of the brokerage firm’s forecast but in line with available full-year consensus, bearing in mind SM key businesses typically have a seasonally stronger second half.

Lopez said “what was good” was the sequential improvement in earnings across all of SM Investments’ major businesses in retail, banking and property.

SM Retail had a net profit of P4.5 billion or a 49 percent quarter-onquarter growth.

He also noted that what was particularly interesting was the marked improvement in retail sales, reflective of consumption recovery.

The standout was the health and beauty segment of SM Retail which grew 16 percent year-on-year for both the second quarter and the first half.

Philippine Equity Partners research analyst Russ Toribio, in another research report dated Aug. 8, echoed the sentiment, saying gains from the first half will continue “as a stronger second half lies ahead.”

Toribio said “there was notable recovery in consumer spending in discretionary items such as fashion and home in the second quarter.”

Sales in the fashion segment posted a 10.5-percent year-on-year growth in the same period largely due to backto-school shopping in preparation for school openings at the start of the third quarter.

Sales in the home segment saw a 4.6 percent year-on-year growth in the second quarter likely related to much warmer weather during the period.

or organizational policies designed to support healthy behavior and improve employee health outcomes.

Cooperatives important tools for economic development

MVTMP was music to my ears for an additional reason. That reason revolved around one word – cooperatives. Under the MVTMP guidelines, operating franchises would in the future be approved only for cooperatives; franchises would no longer be granted to individual operators. Loans for the acquisition of mini’ buses (better known as utility vehicles, or UVs) would be granted by the government financial institutions only to transport cooperatives. No membership in a cooperative, no loan.

The transportation bureaucracy stands to derive a major benefit from the restructuring of the public transportation industry from tens of thousands of individual franchises’ holders to a much smaller number of cooperatives. Corruption in the processing and approval of franchises will be much reduced because the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will have far less individuals to deal with. Inefficient administration, such as delays in the release of franchises, will be easier to spot.

I have always been a staunch advocate of corporativism, believing that cooperative is an effective instrument for a country’s economic and social development. It is no coincidence that development and growth have proceeded fastest in economies where corporativism has been a traditional feature of a nation’s way of life. Prime example of this are the countries of Northern Europe and North America. This is particularly true of the agricultural sectors of these countries.

The cooperative concept is valuable in all aspects of a country’s economic life, but nowhere is it more valuable than in its agricultural sector.

In contrast, corporativism has not been in grained in the Philippine way of life. True, the bayanihan spirit exists in this country, but it has not gone further than the performance of such collective endeavors as helping a rural neighbor move his house from one location to another. It hasn’t progressed to the point where farmers and small businessmen place their signatures on a document in which they agree to do production, procuring or marketing on a cooperative basis. The cooperative concept is valuable in all aspects of a country’s economic life, but nowhere is it more valuable than in its agricultural sector. The economic policymakers of Northern Europe and North America found this to be very true in the development of their economies. Cooperatives are the norm in the agricultural sectors of their economies. Cooperatives are particularly needed in Philippine agriculture. Filipino farmers are notorious for being deficient in financial resources and for lacking the documentation and credit track records that Philippine financial institutions need. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has long been pushing the commercial banks to do more lending to farmers –including the implementation of the Agri-Agra Law – but the bank feel constrained from doing so by the lack, in too many cases, of adequate land ownership and credit documentation. The impaired bankability of many farmer-borrowers in the wake of agrarian reform has not helped matters.

Several

that will help combat plastic waste in the Philippines. Unilever and its partners established the CIRCLE Alliance to award grant funding to qualified enterprises in the Philippines and other countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia to introduce innovations and improve practices in plastic waste collection, processing and recycling.

WELLNESS AWARD. The prestigious Asia CEO Awards highlights Santé International’s commitment to promoting health and wellness in the workplace and beyond. The Santé Wellness Company of the Year award is open to Philippine-based organizations that achieved significant success in workplace health promotion activities

BUSINESS

RICE EQUIPMENT.

The Department of Agriculture and Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization inaugurate a rice processing facility and turn over several machineries worth P96 million on Sept. 12, 2024 to boost productivity and income of farmers in Quirino province.

The rice processing facility, which includes a rice mill and dryers, were awarded to Diffun Saranay and Development Cooperative, which counts as members 2,320 farmers who manage 3,502 hectares of rice fields. The new equipment will help farmers in Quirino produce high-quality rice at affordable prices and boost recovery and farmers’ income.

FLI expanding into condotel market, acquires FORA Services

By Jenniffer B. Austria

FILINVEST Land Inc. (FLI), the property arm of the Gotianun family, said Monday it acquired 100 percent of FORA Services Inc. (FOSI) from subsidiary Filinvest Hospitality Corp. (FHC).

FLI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board approved the acquisition that would enable the company to expand into the condotel business. The integration of FOSI into FLI’s portfolio rep-

Boracay Capital’s registration revoked on several violations

THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday it revoked the registration papers of Boracay Capital Holdings Inc. (BCH) over alleged several violations, including serious misrepresentation and non-filing of reportorial requirements.

The SEC, in an order dated Sept. 4, said BCH failed to submit reportorial requirements. including general information statement, annual financial statement as required by the Securities Regulation Code (SRC).

It said the company was also found to be offering investment opportunities to the public without license from the SEC.

The SEC said that based on information it gathered, BCH enticed the public in their scheme initially through posting in social media accounts with assurance and promises of high-yielding dividends, passive income and diversified investment products.

BCH is engaged in real estate including hotel and resort and information technology products based on the company’s incorporation papers.

The SRC prohibits the selling of unregistered securities to the public.

“Thus undoubtedly, the representations displayed in the social media platforms such as Facebook and over the company’s website showcasing its alleged accomplishments to entice the public to join or invest in the company constitute solicitation and therefore formed part of the whole scheme of Boracay Capital to fraudulently offer unregistered securities to the public,” the SEC said in an order. Jenniffer B. Austria

resents a strategic move to leverage the emerging condotel market.

“With this, FLI can capitalize on the novelty and potential of the condotel business and position itself for long-term growth. The acquisition also creates synergies by leveraging on the experiences and resources of both FLI and FOSI,” FLI said.

FLI said it could leverage on its expertise on real estate development and management to enhance the quality and efficiency of FOSI’s condotel operations which can ultimately lead to cost savings and improved profitability.

FOSI was incorporated on Aug. 24, 2018, as a domestic corporation primarily engaged in the business of operating and managing real estate projects and rendering hospitality-related services, particu-

larly, the Quest Hotel Tagaytay project in Fora Rotunda Tagaytay. It is a registered issuer of 164 certificates of participation in the project, which allows its holders to receive a payment of distributable participation interest annually and room use privilege.

The transaction will be settled with a full cash payment upon the signing of the deed of assignment of shares. The shares were acquired from FHC, a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corp., which is the parent company of FLI.

FLI is primarily into residential, office and mall development. The share price of FLI closed unchanged at P0.63 on Monday.

DA seeks to elevate coops’ role in lifting farmers’ income

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is revisiting the concept of cooperatives as a key strategy to enhance farmer income and empower agricultural communities.

Agriculture Undersecretary for policy, planning and regulations

Asis Perez highlighted the challenges faced by cooperatives, including financial constraints and capacity limitations, hindering their ability to undertake larger projects and access government support.

“Agriculture Secretary Francisco

Tiu Laurel has directed the department to explore ways to reintroduce a cooperative framework within the DA. The initiative aims to strengthen

existing cooperatives and support the formation of new ones, fostering a collaborative environment that empowers farmers and improves their access to resources and markets,” Perez told participants during the Agriculture and Food Security Summit organized by the Makati Business Club Monday.

Perez said the DA is committed to investing in cooperatives and providing specialized assistance to enhance their capabilities.

He underscored the importance of developing stronger relationships with the private sector to create a more inclusive and sustainable value chain.

The goal is to create a collaborative ecosystem where farmers, cooperatives, and private enterprises work together to maximize productivity and profitability.

The Makati Business Club (MBC) announced during the forum plans of adopting and expanding a vegetable farmers’ organization and encouraging member companies to purchase directly from the farmers.

The group is looking at signing a memorandum of agreement with several farmer groups, together with select MBC members for possible supply agreements.

Othel V. Campos

Globe appoints Puno new CFO after retirement of Maniego-Eala

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE Telecom announced Monday it appointed a new chief financial officer (CFO) to replace its previous executive who retired to pursue other personal and professional goals.

The telecom arm of the Ayala Group said it appointed Juan Carlo Puno as its new CFO, treasurer and chief risk officer (CRO) effective Oct. 16, 2024.

Puno is Globe’s current corporate strategy officer and senior vice-president for corporate finance.

His 15 years in Globe and previous roles built him up to be one of Globe’s well-lauded leaders as well as an expert in the fields of corporate strategy, finance and accounting and investor

By Othel V. Campos

ACTING Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, in a meeting with Japan’s Marubeni Corp., said the Philippines is open for “new-generation” investments.

“The Philippines is open for business. We are committed to creating an environment where businesses of all sizes can flourish, particularly those involved in ‘new generation’ industries that cater to the evolving needs of Filipinos,” she said following her first trade mission to Tokyo on Sept. 12, 2024.

Marubeni, a long-standing investor in the Philippines, expressed continued interest in expanding its presence.

Roque encouraged the company to explore opportunities in sectors like renewable energy, infrastructure, and technology.

“We are pleased to see Marubeni Corporation’s growing portfolio of investments in the Philippines. Their presence is a testament to the country’s strong economic fundamentals and the vast potential that lies ahead. We invite Marubeni and other global companies to join us in shaping the future of the Philippine economy,” she said.

Marubeni’s investments span a range of sectors critical to the Philippines’ development, including healthcare, technical support to micro, small and medium enterprises and sustainability initiatives.

Both parties are open to discussions on potential collaborations that promote renewable energy, resource conservation and climate resilience.

Trade commercial counselor in Tokyo Dita Angara-Mathay noted the Philippines’ interest in acquiring competence in battery technology.

Firms told to adopt sustainability as growth strategy

By Alena Mae S. Flores SCHNEIDER

Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, urged industries to embrace sustainability as a core business growth strategy rather than just a corporate social responsibility initiative.

“At Schneider Electric, we believe that sustainability should be the heart of business strategy, driving growth, innovation, and value creation. Through electrification, automation, and digitalization, we empower industries to achieve this transformation,” Schneider Electric chief marketing officer Chris Leong said during a roundtable discussion hosted by Schneider Electric together and the Makati Business Club.

The company emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability into all aspects of their operations to maintain competitiveness and future-readiness.

communications, the company said. Puno led and executed several corporate initiatives including the recent monetization efforts that strengthened Globe’s overall financial health.

He also played a crucial role in most of Globe’s transformational and significant mergers and acquisitions transactions as well as fund-raising efforts. Puno also provides advisory support to the wider group, acting as the CFO and treasurer of 917Ventures and holds chairmanship position in ECPay, among other directorship posts.

He has a degree in BS Management Engineering from the Ateneo de Manila University and has been a CFA charterholder since 2018.

Schneider Electric identified five pivotal megatrends shaping industries and customer needs. These include digitization and artificial intelligence (AI) brought about by the global digital transformation scaling up significantly power usage, need for concrete solutions to fight against climate change, energy transition through electrification, evolution of wealth driven by increased demand in electrification and data that provide fresh opportunities to emerging economies and new global equilibrium where there is a shift in paradigm due to supply chain evolutions.

Leong said these megatrends offer opportunities for businesses in various industries to innovate.

“Digitization and AI are transforming energy management. Climate change drives the shift to renewables, reshaping industries, and markets,” she said.

Schneider Electric’s approach to sustainability is to strategize, digitize and decarbonize, she said.

LABOR BRIEFING. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (fourth from left ) apprises the media on various labor and employment concerns, including the profiling of workers who will be affected by the closure of internet gaming licensees and Philippine offshore gaming operators, the results of the July 2024 Labor Force Survey and the status of minimum wage consultations across the regions.

RETAILERS CONVENTION. Federation of Asia Pacific Retailers Association heads of delegates (from left) Kumar Rajagopalan (Retail Association of India), Hee Seung Lee (Korea Retailers Association), James Loke (Malaysia Retailers Association), Muraly Prakash (Sri Lanka Retailers Association), Roy Mandey (APRINDO, Indonesia), Jiang Ming (China Chamber of Commerce), Hirofumi Nomoto (Japan Retailers Association), Roberto Claudio Sr. (Philippine Retailers Association) and Dr. Chatrchai (Thai Retailers Association) attend the

in Colombo,

Central banks have tools to manage climate risks

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said central banks possess the regulatory tools to manage critical climate risks.

He said this at the “International Conference on Green Transition, Capital Flows, and Financial Stability in Asia-Pacific” in Mactan, Cebu on Sept. 3, 2024.

Remolona said central banks that recognize climate risk as an “implied mandate” could draw from rules for managing systemic risks such as designating systemically important banks or assigning appropriate capital levels for risks taken.

“These tools can be harnessed to push for greater climate adaptation,”

Grab taps AI to ensure safe passenger rides

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GRAB Philippines said Monday it is ramping up new measures to ensure safe rides for passengers and driverpartners ahead of the holiday season.

The ride-hailing app said it is implementing a comprehensive strategy that includes new tech features and enhanced driver safety training.

With a 99.99-percent safety record— the highest in the industry—Grab said it remains focused on setting new benchmarks for safety in the ride-hailing industry by further strengthening its safety measures, ensuring every ride booked on its platform meets its stringent safety standards.

“Safety is at the heart of everything we do,” said EJ Dela Vega, Grab Philippines head of mobility.

“Our approach goes beyond the platform. We take an active approach in ensuring everyone has a safe ride. We have ongoing dialogues with our passengers, driver-partners and government stakeholders, taking an active role in ensuring safe rides across the industry. Everyone plays a part in maintaining safety, and by working together, we can create a safer journey for all,” Dela Vega said.

Grab Philippines said it is rolling out several new safety features in September, including audio protect, an opt-in feature that records audio during rides, securely storing the data for future reference in case of disputes or safety issues.

With the help of artificial intelligence, Audio Protect is also set to evolve to leverage in-vehicular audio signals to detect potential safety risks in real-time and improve real-time response mechanisms.

GLOBAL information and insights company and the Philippines’ first comprehensive private credit reference agency TransUnion announced a strategic partnership with Lista, one of the fastest growing financial management apps in the Philippines. The partnership harnesses TransUnion Philippines’ database of consumer borrowing data, using its advanced scoring models to assess their risk profiles and present a credit score and credit report. The service is now easily available to Filipinos anywhere, anytime in the country, on Lista’s mobile portal.

A healthy credit score is a powerful financial tool that influences everything from the interest rates lenders offer and the credit lines they extend,

said Remolona, describing climate risk as the “ultimate systemic risk.”

To help the financial system manage climate risks, BSP assistant governor Lyn Javier said the BSP continues to engage supervised institutions to clarify expectations.

She stressed the importance of capacity-building. “This is where development partners, such as the Asian Development Bank come in because they can bring in experts that could capacitate the industry,” she said.

BSP assistant governor Pia Bernadette Roman Tayag underscored the need to unlock private capital to support sustainable projects, particularly for sectors most vulnerable to climate

risks such as small businesses.

“We need to encourage innovative financing mechanisms that allow projects to access international capital. This goes hand in hand with our efforts to develop our domestic capital market, to provide alternative sources of financing,” Tayag said.

The conference, organized by the BSP in partnership with ADB, South East Asian Central Banks (SEACEN) Research and Training Centre and Waseda Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, tackled key topics, such as bolstering green investments for developing economies, pricing climate risks and mobilizing private capital for low-carbon transition initiatives.

By Othel V. Campos

THE recently-approved CREATE MORE Bill, which institutionalizes up to 50-percent workfrom-home (WFH) arrangements for registered business enterprises (RBEs), is expected to affect the office space market, according to real estate services and investment management company Colliers.

The Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) bill will also impact the IT-business process management sector, said Colliers director of office services Kevin Jara.

“Now awaiting the president’s approval, we believe that the clarity provided under CREATE MORE on key issues such as VAT exemption, zerorating, and WFH arrangements offers investors greater regulatory stability and transparency, which are crucial in making the country a viable destination to set up business,” Jara said.

The bill, approved by the bicameral conference committee early this month, aims to lower taxes on domestic and foreign companies to 20 percent from 25 percent, eliminate valueadded tax (VAT) on essential services, and allow large domestic enterprises to receive VAT zero-rating, exemption and duty exemptions.

up to offer instant credit to Filipinos

MAYA, a leading digital bank in the Philippines and Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, are teaming up to make borrowing money faster and easier for Filipinos.

The collaboration offers credit access to eligible Filipinos, highlighting the significance of responsible borrowing and promoting financial empowerment.

Eligible Grab users can now access up to P30,000 instantly through Maya Easy Credit— without any wait, collateral or paperwork.

“At Grab, our mission extends beyond innovating in transportation and on-demand deliveries; it encompasses driving progress in financial inclusivity for millions of Filipinos.

An expression of this is this land -

to the decision to approve or reject a loan application. It affects a consumer’s ability to secure a mortgage, finance a car, or even start a business.

Credit card payments in the Philippines are expected to rise by 17.2 percent this year to P3.4 trillion , made possible by considerable growth in the number of Filipinos who hold credit cards.

According to TransUnion’s latest Credit Perception Index, 40 percent of Filipinos now own credit cards – a 15 percentage point increase from the same time last year. The index also showed that Filipinos intend to take better control of their financial situations, with 72 percent planning to access more educational materials in the next year.

mark partnership with Maya Bank, effectively making Maya Credit more accessible to the millions of Grab users we serve daily. This collaboration represents a significant step in providing convenient access to non-traditional financial solutions directly through the Grab app, enriching lives, and expanding financial horizons for our users,” said Martha Borja, regional head of payments of the Grab Financial Group, said, Angelo Madrid, president of Maya Bank, said one of the biggest financial challenges that Filipinos face is the lack of access to reliable and trustworthy lending services.

“So, we’re very excited to partner with Grab to make it easier than ever

to open a credit line of up to P30,000 with Maya Easy Credit,” he said.

Eligible Grab customers can use Maya Easy Credit to top up their Maya Wallet and effortlessly pay for Grab rides or food deliveries, giving them more budget flexibility within the Grab app. Maya also made it much easier for Grab users to pay within their super app. They can link their Maya accounts using their mobile number and connect their Maya Cards to the Grab app for effortless payments across services. With these extra funds, Grab users can also increase their savings, or invest in stocks and mutual funds through Maya’s partner marketplace, all from within the Maya app.

Colliers said the policy shift would make the Philippines a more attractive location for businesses, leading to increased foreign direct investments and economic growth. Jara outlined potential scenarios that RBEs, particularly those in the outsourcing sector, might face. Firms that transitioned from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to the Board of Investments (BOI) in 2023 might be required to have their employees return to the office to maintain their tax incentives unless specific exemptions are provided in the implementing rules and regulations, he said. Once the provision is enacted, RBEs that reduced office footprint may now need to take up office space again to fulfill the onsite work requirement set by their respective investment promotion agencies, while firms registered under BOI, which does not administer economic zones and free ports, may continue to avail up to 100-percent WFH arrangements.

IN BRIEF

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. (second from right) says central banks possess the regulatory tools to manage critical climate risks during the International Conference on Green Transition, Capital Flows and Financial Stability in Asia-Pacific in Mactan, Cebu on Sept. 3, 2024. With Remolona are (from left) Asian Development Bank advisor Lotte Schou-Zibell, Bank of Mongolia Governor Byadran Lkhagvasuren and director Cyn-Young Park.

Maya Bank and Grab team up to launch a seamless application process for Maya Credit on the leading superapp. Signing the partnership agreement are (from left) Maya Bank president Angelo Madrid, Maya Group president and Maya Bank co-founder Shailesh Baidwan, Grab Financial Group regional head of payments Martha Borja and Grab Philippines director for deliveries and strategy Greg Camacho.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Nestlé, Aboitiz at the forefront of environment sustainability

AS the monsoon season progresses, the Philippines continues to experience thunderstorms, tropical cyclones and heavy rainfall.

The weather disturbances result in widespread flooding, especially in urban areas like Metro Manila.

Extreme weather events, including intensified monsoon rains, increase in frequency due to climate change. Compounding the problem is the accumulation of trash clogging urban waterways and streets, which worsens flooding.

Private sectors and various organizations have launched community cleanup initiatives that not only remove waste but also foster environmental responsibility. A notable leader in this area is Nestlé, a Swiss multinational company at the forefront of community cleanups and sustainable waste management.

The Aboitiz Group, a conglomerate that actively integrates sustainability into its business practices, meanwhile, recognizes the critical role of environmental sustainability and the significant impact of the power industry on the planet. Aboitiz is at the forefront of the renewable energy sector, contributing to a more sustainable world through its clean energy initiatives.

Mismanaged waste, particularly non-biodegradable plastics, blocks drainage systems, pollutes bodies of water and leads to environmental degradation.

It affects public health, reduces air quality and contributes to rising temperatures in cities. The situation calls for urgent efforts to improve waste management, promote climate action and conduct organized cleanup programs to reduce the volume of waste and enhance community resilience.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) lauds and recognizes initiatives that contribute to sustainable waste management and cleanup efforts. CCC News

Plastics debacle: PH continues fight against mismanaged waste

SEVERE flooding in the aftermath of tropical storm Enteng exposed the vast amount of waste that clogged waterways in Metro Manila, especially in Talayan Creek, Quezon City. The accumulation of waste, coupled with inadequate or outdated drainage infrastructure, significantly contributes to severe flooding in Metro Manila and nearby cities and provinces whenever a typhoon strikes.

Typhoon Carina and tropical storm Enteng are recent examples of this problem. As heavy rains overwhelm drainage systems, the massive volume of improperly disposed plastics, food wrappers, and other debris blocks waterways, preventing floodwaters from receding quickly.

This leads to inundation in key areas such as Quezon City, Manila, and parts of Bulacan and Rizal, leaving communities vulnerable and increasing the damage caused by natural hazards.

The World Bank’s 2021 report, “Market Study for the Philippines: Plastics Circularity Opportunities and

Barriers,” reveals the country’s heavy reliance on single-use plastics, such as multilayer sachets and pouches. The dependency has earned the Philippines the term “sachet economy” and further intensifies marine plastic pollution. The Philippines consumes 163 million sachets daily.

Each year, the country generates around 2.7 million tons of plastic waste, with an estimated 20 percent ending up in the ocean. Given its more than 7,600 islands, the Philippines’ coastal communities, along with its fishing, shipping and tourism industries, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of marine debris. In Metro Manila, human activities in residential and commercial areas lead to plastic waste ending up in waterways, especially creeks that feed into the Pasig River that eventually flows into Manila Bay.

The situation underscores the urgent need for better waste management practices, heightened public awareness and coordinated cleanup efforts to protect ecosystems. CCC News

Urbanization, thin vegetation cover led to floods, says DENR

REDUCED

vegetation cover as a result of urbanization is leading to frequent floods in Metro Manila and Rizal province.

“Based on our analysis, Metro Manila is prone to flooding also partly because the entire downstream area, namely Marikina, Cainta and San Mateo, is built-up and thereforeall rain falling in the downstream are converted into floodwaters,” said Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Integrated

Environmental Scienc Carlos Primo David.

“The largest opportunity in decreasing floods are the conversion of moderate vegetation areas into dense forests and rationalize builtup development. Rivers must also be restored and cleared of obstructions within their natural floodplains,” David added.

The DENR last week called on local government units in Metro Manila to work together with the agency for drastic measures to mitigate the recurring issues on flooding.

“Increased rain intensity and frequency due to climate change, depleted forest cover, land conversion, and modification of our waterways are among the reasons why Metro

Manila and Rizal get easily inundated with floodwaters much too often,” said David He said the government needs to work together to decrease flood heights downstream by increasing green spaces, transitioning to permeable pavements and implementation of offline flood storage and direct flood water injection. David, who also heads the agency’s Geospatial Database Office (DENR-GDO) and Water Resource Management Office (WRMO), said the agency has already begun talks with the private sector for an intensive reforestation of the Marikina Watershed and rehabilitation of the old Wawa Dam, a gravity dam constructed in 1904 and

Flourishing crops in the wet season make farmers in Laos self-sufficient

First of 2 parts

DEEP in his heart, La Xayyavieng says he has “always known that agriculture is the lifeline for us to survive and to grow.”

The 46-year-old father of three has long harbored the wish for his children to be agents of change, bringing knowledge and experience back from neighboring Vietnam to the family’s land in Attapeu province in the southeast of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. But as things have turned out, La himself is already creating the change. He’s increased the family’s income by 160 percent in just one season, thanks to a bumper watermelon crop—and without needing to set foot outside his country. The spectacular transformation has come after he was selected as one of the residents from his home village of Phok, in Saysettha District, to take part in a project called “Building Climate-Resilient and Eco-friendly Agriculture Systems and Livelihoods” (Climate REAL). The initiative is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United

Nations (FAO) with financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

For years, La’s annual income was less than US$1,350 (LAK 30 million)—barely enough to

meet their basic needs.

Lack of access to technologies and knowledge limited La to traditional practices, relying for income on rain-fed rice farming. Getting by in the rainy season was always problematic. Growing vegetables was not an option as they would rot or wash away and the effort would be wasted.

But the FAO project opened up new perspectives, demonstrating that successful vegetable farming could happen in both the rainy and dry seasons. It was during learning and knowledge exchange visits to other project areas in Savannakhet and Champasak Provinces further to the north, that La realized what the future could hold. “I knew from the bottom of my heart that greenhouses would work for me as soon as I saw them and understood what they were,” he explained. Built with support from the project and the farmers themselves, greenhouses minimize damage caused by waterlogging or heavy rain. With this structure, La reported that he was able to earn nearly as much in just four months as he would previously earn in a whole year. FAO News

decommissioned in 1968. On reforestation, the DENR said it aims to plant three million trees in the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape within the next four years in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), non-government organizations, local government units, and the private sector. The DENR official presented satellite images, showing how vegetation cover in the 69,817-hectare Marikina River Basin has decreased over the last 10 years. Between January 2014 and January 2024, the DENR-GDO found “notable negative changes in the vegetation cover in the river basin mainly due to urbanization.” DENR News

Investing in clean air can save lives, beat climate woes

THE UN Secretary-General is marking ‘Clean Air Day’ with a call for global investment in solutions that tackle climate change and the increasing public health, environmental, and economic harm caused by air pollution. This year’s International Day for Clean air and Blue Skies, celebrated annually on September 7, is focused on the theme ‘Invest in #CleanAirNow’ and highlights the economic, environmental and health benefits of investing in clean air.

The day was established in 2019 after the UN General Assembly noted how detrimental air pollutants are and recognized the importance of clean air for people’s lives.

UN chief António Guterres said pollution is a silent killer that can be stopped and urged the world to “invest now, so we can breathe easy”. Guterres highlighted how harmful pollution can be, noting that 99 percent of humanity breathes polluted air which leads to millions of global premature deaths.

“Pollution is also choking economies and heating up our planet, adding fuel to the fire of the climate crisis,” the UN chief said. “And it disproportionally affects those most vulnerable in society, including women, children, and older persons.”

The Secretary-General said investing in clean air will take action from governments, businesses, development organizations and more at a regional and global level.

Guterres is encouraging the relevant stakeholders to decrease their use of fossil fuels, transition to clean cooking and increase air quality monitoring.

“Investing in clean air saves lives, combats climate change, strengthens economies, builds fairer societies, and advances the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said. “ ... let’s invest now so we can breathe easy knowing we are securing a healthier planet for all.” UNEP News

Mismanaged waste continues to burden our ecosystems.

Nestlé Philippines commits to address plastic pollution and ensure that 100 percent of its packaging will be recyclable or reusable by 2025.

The Climate REAL project, implemented by FAO with financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency is teaching farmers techniques and offering tools to allow for successful farming in both the rainy and dry seasons. FAO/Bounmee Maokhamphiou

TUESDAY,

The competition aims to uplift and promote the rights of lesbians in the Philippines

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

INCLUSIVITY plays a crucial role in creating spaces where individuals of all identities can be celebrated and respected. This principle is at the heart of Tomboy Philippines 2024, the first national pageant for lesbians in the country.

SHOWBIZ

Tomboy Philippines 2024 celebrates lesbian visibility

‘Lavender Fields’ retains top spot on Netflix, iWantTFC

the Philippines, to show that equal rights should be attained by everyone,” the organizers said.

Headed by Chit Reyes and supported by Cowee Santos, CEO of Tree House Real Estate and Ventures, the event aims to celebrate and empower the lesbian community in the Philippines. The pageant seeks not only to showcase talent but also to promote the rights and visibility of lesbians in the public sphere.

According to Reyes and Santos, the pageant, which they aim to hold annually, offers a platform that highlights the talents and presence of the lesbian community. It challenges traditional norms and pushes for greater visibility and acceptance of diverse sexual identities.

“It reflects the growing need for inclusivity in all areas of society, ensuring that marginalized voices are seen and heard,” they said.

Tomboy Philippines 2024 is more than just a beauty contest – it’s a bold statement of empowerment and equality, according to the duo.

This year’s candidates represent various regions, including Anntoi Deloso (South Cotabato), Louie Ele (Nueva Ecija), Rinoa Nicolas (Binangonan, Rizal), Jhan Nanit (Antipolo, Rizal), Bana Daranciang (Sta. Rosa, Laguna), Rhed Sasaki (Zambales), JC Lapitan (Batangas), Keith Martin (General Santos City), Jhes Remedio (Muntinlupa City), Gele Pablo (Navotas City), Thea Lising (Angono, Rizal), Banwar Taclibon (Bacoor, Cavite), Armi De Leon (Morong, Rizal), Mosh dela Cruz (Camarines Sur), Miel Cinco (Angeles City), and Ace Tenero (Taguig City).

ABS-CBN’s drama-thriller series Lavender Fields continues to lead as the most-watched show on Netflix Philippines and iWantTFC.

The series remains in the top position as of Wednesday, Sept. 11, with escalating tension between Lavender Fields (Jodi Sta. Maria) and Iris Buenavidez (Janine Gutierrez).

“Through the pageant, we are creating a space where lesbians can shine and affirm their rights in a society where such opportunities have long been dominated by other sectors of the LGBTQ+ community,” Reyes and Santos added.

“The initiative not only fosters inclusivity but also promotes the idea that everyone, regardless of their identity, deserves recognition, respect, and the chance to showcase their talents on a national stage,” they carried on.

The inaugural Tomboy Philippines was launched on Sept. 14 in Quezon City with the presentation of 30 official candidates. “For a long time, gay pageants have been the most prevalent. It’s time for the talent of lesbians to be recognized,” Reyes said during the launch.

“Our goal is to go worldwide and start here in

Also part of the official list of candidates are Mitzi Ancog (Iligan City), BF Delos Reyes (Bulakan, Bulacan), Elei Reyes (Quezon City), Alliah Briones (Oriental Mindoro), Gel Grayda (Cainta, Rizal), Ac Cemetara (Pasay City), Bodi Francisco (Abra), Emzz Bernardino (Tondo, Manila), Aj Alecida (Valencia City), Kim Siao (Valenzuela City), Arvy Bodlong (Albay), Prince Obleada (Quezon City), Yanyan Purification (San Pedro, Laguna), and Phao Faraon (Malabon City).

“Lesbians, we have long been fighting for equality. It’s still a long way off, but we are getting closer. We will achieve the ‘equality rights’ we are seeking,” Reyes added, encouraging the community.

The preliminary competition will take place at One 690 Entertainment Bar, with the grand coronation set for Oct. 19 at the Music Museum.

In the latest episode, Lavender secures an event-styling gig for Iris’ birthday party by infiltrating her social circle. The episode, which features the highly anticipated reunion of Lavender and Iris after four years, drew 533,338 peak live concurrent views. Lavender’s character, with assistance from Aster Fields (Maricel Soriano), begins plotting revenge against Iris while searching for her missing child. Concurrently, Chief Investigator Zandro Fernandez (Albert Martinez) delves into new details surrounding Tyrone De Vera’s (Jericho Rosales) death.

Viewers have expressed enthusiasm for Jasmin’s character transformation and praised the show’s gripping storyline and the performances of Sta. Maria and Gutierrez. Lavender Fields airs weeknights at 8:45 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, TFC, and Kapamilya Online Live via ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Episodes are also available on Netflix and iWantTFC.

GMA Network’s award-winning GMA Masterclass Series made a return to celebrate the 32nd Cebu Press Freedom Week with a special event held on Sept. 16 at the University of the Philippines Cebu.

This year’s edition, dubbed “The Cebu Press Freedom Week Special,” featured prominent journalists Malou Mangahas and Raffy Tima , who shared their expertise with students in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Malou Mangahas, a noted figure in Philippine journalism and executive director of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, led discussions on investigative journalism. With a distinguished career that includes her role as GMA Network’s former Vice President for Research and Content Development, Mangahas emphasized the importance of press freedom.

“This leg of the GMA Masterclass Series is extra special as we commemorate the Cebu Press Freedom Week,” Mangahas stated, hoping to inspire attendees to uphold press freedom daily. Raffy Tima, a veteran war correspondent and pioneer of GMA

also contributed to the masterclass. Known for his innovative use of drone journalism, Tima shared his experiences, including coverage of the IsraelHamas conflict.

“It is always an honor to be part of the GMA Masterclass Series ,” Tima remarked, looking forward to engaging with aspiring journalists in Cebu.

Oliver Victor B. Amoroso , Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy, highlighted the series’ growth since its inception in 2018. He reaffirmed GMA Network’s commitment to press freedom and quality journalism. The event was hosted by Sparkle artist and sportscaster Martin Javier Previously, on Aug. 30, GMA Network held the “Panata Kontra-Fake News Covenant Signing” event, creating the largest partnership against disinformation. The Masterclass Series , an initiative of GMA Regional TV and Synergy, has received accolades including “The Most Development Oriented TV Plug” at the Gandingan 2020 Awards

Excellence Award at the 18th Philippine Quill Awards.

Journalists Malou Mangahas (left) and Raffy Tima led the event in the University of the Philippines Cebu

The latest episode of ‘Lavender Fields’ featured a reunion between Jodi Sta. Maria (left) and Janine Gutierrez’s characters Lavender and Iris

Phao Faraon is a candidate from the city of Malabon

The inaugural Tomboy Philippines 2024 features 30 candidates from various regions in the country

Anntoi Deloso hails from Koronadal City in South Cotabato

Taguig City’s Ace Tenero is one of the candidates vying for the crown

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

How to master Google’s AI tool—Gemini

WITH the rapid increase of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools generating human-quality text, translating languages, writing different kinds of creative content, and answering questions in informative ways, users might find it overwhelming to use.

To address this and to get the most out of these AI tools, Google Philippines recently hosted “Gemini Academy”, a

special class on its latest language model, Gemini. According to Gabby Roxas, Google Philippines’ Marketing Manager, to be able to use Gemini, the first thing you should know about is to understand its capabilities. He further discussed some tips and tricks to get the most from Google Gemini. Here are some of the things he shared:

Define the desired role or persona for the AI. This ensures that Gemini has a thorough understanding of your requirements and can offer the most

effective support. For example, if you need help planning a social media campaign, you could start by saying “Act as a social media manager”. Then, describe the campaign goals and any specific platforms or content

formats you have in mind. This will allow Gemini to generate ideas and suggestions that are tailored to your needs and objectives. Talk to it like you would a friend or coworker. Some people may not know the basic way of

Google Philippines’ latest language model Gemini offers numerous ways to help users efficiently finish their daily tasks

speaking to Gemini. Ask it, for example, to

“write an initial marketing plan” for one of your upcoming campaigns instead of just saying “marketing plan” in your prompt. Avoid using acronyms or jargon that Gemini might not immediately understand. Be really specific with it. If you have all the information you need, you have to give it to Gemini to get the most thorough output possible. If you’re coming up with creative output, be sure to give a quick background of your company or brand (or yourself), who the audience is, and what you want to achieve. Avoid making things too complicated. When you ask Gemini for something, be sure to make it simple. Imagine that you’re asking someone else, or you’re being asked—you wouldn’t want to get instructions that you have to decipher to get started on. Be clear and concise. If you need to ask Gemini for follow-ups, make it a conversation. Inevitably, Gemini won’t always give you the work you were looking for. When you need something more from it, again, it helps to talk to it naturally. If a task is too complicated, you can break it down further into smaller and simpler tasks. Don’t worry—it can keep up. Don’t let valuable insights slip away. Pin important conversations with Gemini to keep them easily accessible. Whether you need to reference past suggestions, revisit key decisions, or simply maintain continuity, pinning ensures your most valuable chats are just a click away.

The use of AI tools has been rapidly gaining ground in recent years

Matteo Guidicelli calls marriage to Sarah G the best decision

ACTOR and TV host Matteo

Guidicelli has described his decision to marry Sarah Geronimo as the best choice he has ever made.

Talking about their four-year relationship, Guidicelli shared, “Marriage is the best thing in life. Once you find the right partner, you’re on solid ground and your life will continue to be okay.”

He acknowledged that while marriage brings challenges, open communication and love are crucial.

“In everything you go through in life, having a companion is invaluable,” he added.

Guidicelli praised his wife, calling her an ideal partner. “Sarah is the best. She possesses everything I’m looking for in a life partner. She’s kind, and we learn from each other every day,” he said. Despite the occasional difficulties, he emphasized that their relationship is a learning experience that makes them better individuals.

Fans are eagerly awaiting news about the couple’s plans to start a family.

“Oh! Anytime. Sarah and I are just waiting for when it will be given to us,” Guidicelli remarked. On the professional front,

Shticks Joseph Peter Gonzales

Guidicelli addressed his recent absence from the GMA morning show Unang Hirit

“I’ve just been very busy lately with other commitments, such as our regional concert tour with Sarah,” he explained. He reassured fans of his continued involvement with the show, citing his close relationships with fellow hosts Arnold Clavio Susan Enriquez , and Ivan Mayrina

“I have good camaraderie with them, and it’s exciting to work with such respected broadcast journalists,”

Guidicelli concluded.

* * * SPARKLE artist Michael

Sager has expressed his enthusiasm about joining the cast of GMA’s latest afternoon soap opera, Shining Inheritance , where he shares the screen with Kate Valdez Sager, who had long admired Valdez, described her as his “dream leading lady.”

“I’ve been very vocal about wanting to work with Kate,” Sager said. “Her acting skills are topnotch. She’s not only lovely but truly captivating in every scene. Sometimes, I’m so star-struck that I struggle to deliver my lines.”

He expressed his gratitude to GMA for the opportunity to collaborate with Valdez, acknowledging the impact she has had on him as an actor.

BRITISH-NORWEGIAN boy band A1 will return to Manila for a Valentine’s concert on Feb. 15, 2025, at the New Frontier Theater, Quezon City.

Following their successful TWENTY FIVE tour in 2023, the group is set to offer Filipino fans another memorable evening featuring their classic hits and exciting new material.

The band, comprising Paul Marazzi, Christian Ingebrigtsen, Mark Read, and Ben Adams , will perform favorites such as “Like a Rose,”

“Everytime,” “Same Old Brand New You,” and “Caught in the Middle.”

Mark Read hinted at new music during the show, revealing that the band is finalizing their long-awaited album, which includes 15 new tracks.

“We have been busy working on our new album, and it’s in the final stages. Expect some exciting teasers during the show,” Read said.

Presented by Concert Republic, tickets for the Manila concert will go on sale on Oct. 1 at 12:00 noon, and can be purchased through TicketNet outlets or online at Ticketnet.com.ph.

Ticket prices range from P3,000 to 5,750, exclusive of service charges. For more information, fans can visit A1’s Facebook page or Concert Republic’s website.

From left: A1 members Mark Read, Ben Adams, Paul Marazzi, and Christian Ingebrigtsen

Actor and TV host Matteo Guidicelli (left) with wife Sarah Geronimo

Angelica Villanueva

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

TELEVISION’S top stars sparkled Sunday (Monday in Manila) on the red carpet for the Emmy Awards gala, back in its regular September time slot after twin Hollywood strikes delayed last year’s ceremony to January. The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and here are the stars that rocked the red carpet. Ladies in red Classic red to match the red carpet is a perennial style winner.

C4 LIFE

printed red, black and yellow Bottega Veneta gown with a high slit. Black and blue

Black is always on point for Hollywood events, but blue also was everywhere at the Emmys.

Selena Gomez, a first-time acting nominee for Only Murders in the Building, wowed in a formfitting Ralph Lauren black velvet gown with a glittering silver halter neckline and a train.

By Nickie Wang

YOUR one-stop Filipino shop Kultura is marking its 20th anniversary by showcasing local craftsmanship through the Kultura Jewelry Market, running until Sept. 30 at all branches nationwide.

The event features locally crafted jewelry, including Philippine pearls, semi-precious stones, and handcrafted accessories from house brands and partner micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The market highlights an array of updated collections, which showcases the skills of Filipino artisans.

The selection includes freshwater pearls, baroque pearls, and South Sea pearls. Carabao horn accessories, made from upcycled and sustainably sourced materials, will also be on display, along with the latest gemstone and precious metal creations.

A special shop-in-shop set-up is available at SM Makati where shoppers can avail customization services and exclusive promotions.

Shoppers were able to enjoy a 30 percent discount on South Sea pearls from Sept. 6 to 8, and a free South Sea pearl pendant necklace for a minimum purchase of P50,000 from Sept. 13 to 15. Additionally, a free leather bracelet with a South Sea black pearl is available for purchases of P100,000 from Sept. 27 to 29. There’s an additional 10 percent discount on all participating brands available from Sept. 20 to 22 exclusively at Kultura in SM Makati.

The Kultura Jewelry Market offers up to 25 percent off on selected items throughout the month.

For more information, visit the website at http://www. kulturafilipino.com. or follow @kulturafilipino on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

in Chemistry, adopted the peplum trend – and a very demure look – in a beaded blue Chanel gown with thin sparkling straps, a full skirt, and a sweet black bow at the waist. Metallics

Glittering silver and gold looks definitely felt like a trend on the red carpet.

Best of the rest

Meryl Streep, a nominee for her work on Only Murders in the Building, wins the award for best menswear look with a powder pink

Sofia Vergara, nominated for her performance as a notorious Colombian drug lord in Griselda, rocked a strapless ruched red Dolce & Gabbana gown with a plunging neckline. And Ayo at the last her work on a nominee Sunday, glam in a

Sheryl Lee Ralph, a past Emmy winner and a nominee again Sunday for Abbott Elementary looked sleek in a black Versace gown with a similar halter neckline.

Jennifer Aniston , once again nominated for best actress in a drama for The Morning Show , sparkled in a sheer silvery strapless Oscar de la Renta gown with intricate pearl beading.

Her hair was down and loose – a style seen by many of television’s leading ladies.

Oscar winner Da’Vine

Two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster, a favorite to take home an Emmy for best actress in a limited series for her work on True Detective: Night Country, stunned in a sleeveless midnight blue gown with a slim belt and asymmetrical bodice.

And Brie Larson, who is nominated in Foster’s category for Lessons

Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, a presenter at the Emmys, glimmered in an off-the-shoulder silver Prabal Gurung sequin gown with the ontrend sculpted peplum at the waist.

And Gillian Anderson, of X-Files fame, shimmered in a silver gown with a square neckline and a full skirt.