AFORMER Philippine National Police (PNP) chief may have helped facilitate Alice Guo’s short-lived escape from the Philippines in July, according to a retired military intelligence officer. During Tuesday’s hearing on illegal online gaming operations, retired Major General Raul Villanueva, currently a senior vice presi
ment and Gaming Corpora
Roque now hunted by PNP 'trackers,' told to explain sudden wealth
By Vince Lopez and Maricel V. Cruz
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) activated special tracker teams specifically to locate lawyer Harry Roque, who was cited in contempt by the House of Representatives for refusing to cooperate with its probe on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).
In a statement, PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil said that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has taken the lead in hunting down the Duterte administration stalwart. He assured that these operations would be carried out with the highest level of professionalism and respect for due process.
“We have officially received the request from the House of Representatives, and the PNP is fully committed to executing this order while
JOURNALISTS covering the 16day standoff at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao experienced verbal abuse, threats, and harassment from its members, Mindanao Institute of Journalism’s news service arm said in an official statement.
According to MindaNews, reporters who covered the raid at the KOJC compound noted efforts at propagating disinformation on social media, and the insistence of KOJC members for journalists to report on only their version of the incidents.
“We experienced being bullied or cajoled and used by one party of the conflict to outsmart another. We documented these incidents of harassments and even went to the police for the blotter,” the collective statement reads.
Based on the statement, media personnel were able to ascertain
the source of disinformation, pointing to interest groups who “wanted to control the narrative.”
“It is not our role to carry your propaganda line or push your own agenda. Our role is to deliver timely, relevant, accurate information to the public, information that will allow them to take part meaningfully as citizens in a functioning democracy,” it clarified.
The group also called out First District Councilor Bonz Andre Militar who they claim knows the sources of disinformation, related to his role as chair of the Committee on Information and Technology.
“Let us in the media do our job and if you truly care about the public good, it would do well for the City Council to help foster an environment where journalists can perform their duties without the constant threat of intimidation, harassment, or other forms of attacks.”
By Vince Lopez and Rex Espiritu
“Tomorrow or the next day, we will finalize and file the cases against the personalities we have identified,” Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, chief of Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11), said in a television interview.
“That includes the inciting to se -
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is filing sedition charges against officials and members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church for instigating protest actions during the manhunt for its leader, Apollo Quiboloy, in an apparent attempt to distract officers involved in the search inside the group’s sprawling compound in Davao City.
Most Chinese ships in WPS deployed in Escoda Shoal
ships in the West Philippine Sea have significantly decreased because of the
forecast for the Cordillera Ad -
BACK AT THE SENATE. Dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo attended the Senate hearing for the first time since her return to the country. She was joined by Sheila Guo and Cassandra Li Ong. Manny Marcelo
(From left to right): Sen. Bato dela Rosa, Major General (ret.) Raul Villanueva, Alice Guo aka Guo Hua Ping, Sual Mayor Liseldo Calugay
on Guo’s “monthly payroll.”
Villanueva, who heads PAGCOR’s security and monitoring cluster, said his sources picked up on chatter about facilitating the “border immigration” in exchange for an undetermined amount of bribe money.
When asked by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, if any particular police unit was involved, the witness answered in Filipino; “Not a unit, Ma’am, but personalities. I think it was mentioned that a Chief PNP was involved.”
It gets worse and worse. It’s bad enough that they were paid to let Guo Hua Ping [Alice Guo] escape. Even worse if there has historically been a monthly payroll [to the police],” Hontiveros said.
Villanueva, a former Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) chief, clarified that his information came from the intelligence pipeline but has yet to be confirmed.
As this developed, Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, also a former PNP chief, sought to distance himself from the latest revelation at the hearing by directly asking Guo if she had ever bribed him.Nothing
“I am concerned because I am a former chief PNP… what if someone were to come out with a script that I have been receiving money from you [Guo],” Dela Rosa asked in a mixture of Filipino and English.
Guo quickly replied in Filipino, saying, “Nothing like that ever happened… I’m sure of it.”
The senator pressed on by asking Guo if they were acquainted in any manner at all.
“I first saw you in person here at the Senate,” she replied.
Meanwhile, Sual town Mayor Liseldo Calugay strongly denied any romantic involvement with Guo, insisting that they are only friends.
During the same hearing, Hontiveros even went as far as to display a photo of Calugay wearing a T-shirt with Guo’s image, supposedly taken during a campaign event in 2022.
“We were only friends,” the mayor from Pangasinan province asserted.
He claimed the shirts were given to him by Cheryl Medina, his executive assistant.
Calugay said he attended Guo’s campaign sorties and she reciprocated by attending his election victory parade.
“She only graced my invitation because I was there when I was asked to come at her motorcade,” he told the committee.
Hontiveros insisted that exposing the true nature of Calugay’s relationship with Guo is germane in the panel’s inquiry.
“To tell you honestly, our earlier questions could have been answered directly. I actually don’t care about your romantic relationship. We are interested in the possibility of a criminal relationship,” she said.
Herbosa says President is well; corrects earlier diagnosis
By Charles Dantes
DEPARTMENT of Health
(DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa retracted his earlier statement that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was feeling “under the weather.”
“We should not be hastily concluding any diagnosis for anyone who wants to wear a face mask,” Herbosa said in a statement.
The DOH chief’s remarks came after President Marcos was seen wearing a face mask following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, sparking speculation about his health.
“From my perspective as a physician, the President performed all his duties today and is well and not under the weather as earlier surmised,” he added.
Earlier, Herbosa suggested that President Marcos might not have been feeling well due to the influx of well-wishers during Mr. Marcos’ birthday celebration on Friday, September 13.
“It was his birthday last week, and with so many people greeting him, I’m sure someone passed him a bad bug,” Herbosa said during a Palace briefing.
During his birthday, President Marcos led the distribution of Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs) to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Nueva Ecija.
He also approved covering the bills for qualified patients in DOH third-level hospitals that
ran
friends and the government
19k workers to lose jobs due to POGO ban
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has announced that more than 19,000 Filipino workers employed in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) firms in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be affected by an upcoming ban.
According to DOLE-NCR Assistant Regional Director Jude
Heavy...
ministrative Region (CAR), Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, Bicol Region, the rest of MIMAROPA, the rest of the Visayas, the rest of Negros Island Region, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Maguindanao del Sur. Meanwhile, classes will be suspended in the following areas in the country: San Jose de Buenavista, Antique - pre-school to senior high school, public and private
Thomas Trayvilla, as of September 16, the agency had profiled a total of 19,341 Filipino employees working under 48 internet gaming licensees (IGLs) in the region.
Most of these workers were earning wages ranging from P16,000 to P22,000 and were employed in various roles such
Manaoag, Pangasinan - all levels, public and private Mangaldan, Pangasinan - all levels, public and private Rosales, Pangasinan - all levels, public and private Bacolod City, Negros Occidentalpre-elementary to senior high school, public and private Murcia, Negros Occidental - all levels, public Silay City, Negros Occidental - all levels, public and private Victorias City, Negros Occidental - all levels, public and private Bais City, Negros Oriental - all levels, public and private The center of Gener’s eye was es-
the House’s Quad Committee (Quadcom) which is investigating crimes related to POGOs.
adhering to our core mandate. Our fundamental duty is to respect the decisions of our democratic institutions and ensure human rights are protected throughout this process,” the PNP chief added.
Marbil said that Roque, who allegedly lawyered for POGOs, was not found in his two known addresses in Metro Manila. Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, called Roque a “fugitive from justice,” challenging him to justify his uncanny increase in wealth instead of mocking
dition in the rally they did on the second day and also the conspiracy to commit inciting to sedition,” he told Dobol B TV on Tuesday.
Torre said that “more than 10 people” will be charged but refused to divulge their names to avoid them taking preemptive action.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army (PA) said on Monday is coordinating with the PNP to verify reports about the existence of KOJC’s so-called “Angels of Death” private army.
In a press briefing, Colonel Reynaldo Balido, PA deputy chief of public affairs, said the military will share relevant intelligence with the PNP when it becomes available.
“We are closely coordinating
Roque was cited in contempt for failing to present key documents, including his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) and records connected to his family firm, Biancham Holdings, as well as a land transaction in Parañaque City.
The Quad Comm wants him to explain the sudden increase of his wealth –from P125,000 in 2016 to P125,000,000 in 2018 – which are suspected to have come from POGO proceeds.
Barbers, designated lead chair of Quadcom, said that while Roque is free to seek and avail of all legal remedies available to him once he is
with PNP counterparts, as they are the ones conducting the law enforcement operation… but if we receive any information, we will provide them with updates,” the deputy spokesperson assured.
He said the PA is also verifying if any army reservists are employed at SMNI– the media arm of KOJC.
“You may recall that SMNI employees were accredited as Army
as administrative tasks, encoding, human resources, liaison, marketing, finance, IT, housekeeping, driving, and security.
“We have already mapped out the locations of these employees in cooperation with our Public Employment Services Offices in the local government units,” Trayvilla said.
timated at 255 kilometers west-northwest of Baguio City.
It was moving westward at 45 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.
“Gener” and tropical storm “Pulasan” outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, PAGASA said.
“Gener” will exit the PAR on Tuesday night or early morning today.
“Pulasan”, on the other hand, is projected to move northeast of extreme Northern Luzon on Wednesday night, outside the PAR. Rio Araja
arrested.
“As far as Mr. Roque is concerned, he is considered a fugitive from justice by defying the Quadcom’s order to place him under detention. We welcome whatever legal challenge he may opt to against Quadcom. But he needs to get arrested first before he can file those petitions before the Supreme Court,” the lawmaker from Mindanao said.
Cited in contempt twice and issued an arrest order by the Quadcom, Roque had stated in a recent social media post that once he is arrested, he would challenge the latter’s decision by filing a petition for habeas corpus and certiorari before the Supreme Court.
reservists last 2015, so they are called the Second Signal Battalion Army reservist unit. We tapped their services because of their expertise in the communications… but as far as their involvement [in the Angel of Death], we will closely coordinate with law enforcement agencies.” Balido said in a mixture of English and Filipino.
Marcos endorses Garafil as new MECO chair
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos recommended former Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil as a member and chairperson of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) board.
In a social media post, PCO revealed the President’s recommendation of Garafil was made through a ‘desire letter.’
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through a desire letter, recommends Atty. Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil as Member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office,” PCO said. Before the recommendation, Garafil left her post as the PCO chief and was replaced by then Presidential Advisor Cesar Chavez as its acting secretary on September 5 Chavez previously confirmed that Garafil will be appointed to MECO.
MECO is the Philippines’ diplomatic relations arm with the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO).
from the previous week’s count of 68 Chinese vessels, the area continues to see significant Chinese maritime activity, the report said.
“Yes, if we notice, the decrease is more in the northern part of Kalayaan Island Group, which is the area more affected by weather.” Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in the latest AFP Briefing.
“We still perform our mandate...In the first place, the presence of the CCG, the PLA Navy, and the maritime militia was in reaction to our increased attention given to Escoda Shoal,” he said. Despite this decrease, there was an increase in the number of China Coast Guard Vessels (CCGVs) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships, with 26 CCGVs and three PLAN warships noted. The number of Chinese Research and Survey Vessels (CRSVs) remained unchanged at one. Other notable sightings include Pagasa Island with 32 Chinese vessels (one CCGV and 31 CMMVs), Bajo de Masinloc with 17 vessels (six CCGVs, three PLAN, eight CMMVs, and one CRSV), Ayungin Shoal with 17 vessels (10 CCGVs and seven CMMVs), and various other locations with smaller clusters of Chinese vessels.
day. President Marcos was later seen attending a private birthday concert in a lavish hotel in Pasay City, where English rock band Duran Du -
performed. However, Malacañang said the party was organized by the President’s close
did not spend anything on the celebration.
BUSY DAY. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. presides over the meeting of the Presidential Communications Office and the Department of Health to strengthen the information drive regarding the vaccination of children. PPA
IN BRIEF
Angara meets with World Bank o cials
DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd)
Secretary Sonny Angara met with top officials of the World Bank to discuss the ongoing efforts of the two institutions in resolving basic education challenges. Angara emphasized the importance of digitalization, one of the targets of the agency to address the learning resources gap in the basic education system.
The DepEd and the World Bank also discussed the early childhood development and the plan of the agency to decentralize the implementation of various DepEd programs, to ensure more learners will benefit from it.
Brunei Zafer Mustafaoglu, World Bank country director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, and Alberto Rodriguez, regional director of human development, East and Asia Pacific Region, led the delegation from the World Bank during the meeting. Ralph Harvey Rirao
Peace and security seal given to Cavite
THE Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) Seal was formally awarded to Cavite during the 3rd Quarter meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council-Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PPOC-PADAC) meeting at The Bayleaf Hotel Ballroom, in Barangay Manggahan on Monday.
Cavite Governor Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. led the program in conjunction with the third quarter confab of (PPOCPADAC) council. The program highlighted the achievements of various local government units in maintaining peace and security in their areas.
The awarding of the SIPS Seal recognizes the efforts of LGUs in achieving and maintaining internal peace and order in their localities.
Also attending the program were local executives from the province along with Board Member Ram Revilla of 1st District of Cavite; BGEN. Cerilo Balaoro Jr. PA, Commander 202 Infantry Brigade 2ID, Philippine Army (PA); Engr. Danilo Nobleza, DILG Cavite Provincial Director; Police Colonel Mariano Rodriguez, DRDO PRO 4A; Police Colonel Eleuterio Ricardo Jr., Cavite Police Provincial Director and Local Police Chiefs of 23 localities. Dennis Abrina Army installs new Inspector General
THE Philippine Army welcomed its new Inspector General in a Change of Office and Retirement Ceremony presided over by Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido at Headquarters Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on September 16. Brig. Gen. Ferdinand B. Napuli took the helm as the Army Inspector General from Maj. Gen. Rommel K. Tello. Before his designation, Napuli served as the Special Forces Regiment Commander. He also held several key positions, including Deputy Group Commander of the Philippine Security Group (PSG), Task Force Commander of TF COVID-19 PSG, and Group Inspector General of PSG, Malacañan. Brig. Gen. Napuli is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Tanglaw Diwa” Class of 1992.
GOOD CONDUCT RULING FOR INMATES. Bureau Of Corrections
Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr, announces the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) for inmates convicted of heinous crimes. Catapang said that about 5,000 persons deprived of liberty are expected to be released in December. Joseph Muego
Bill on college equivalency close to becoming a law
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
AN alternative pathway to earning undergraduate and graduate degrees is now closer to becoming a law after it was passed on third and final reading in the Senate on Monday.
Senate Bill No. 2568, sponsored by Senate President Francis Escudero, aims to institutionalize the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program or ETEEAP.
Escudero, who was then chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, said: “By granting them an alternative pathway to earn an appropriate academic degree, this program contributes to the career advancement of Filipino professionals.
Senator Joel Villanueva, who also sponsored the measure and later defended the bill during interpellation, said the intent of the measure “is to allow and empower persons who had to start working immediately, to be able to have their working experiences and prior learnings recognized and given equivalent credits for tertiary education.”
“The bill institutionalizes the
ETEEAP, which assesses and assigns appropriate equivalency credits for learnings and experience leading towards the grant of an appropriate academic degree,” Villanueva said.
To qualify for the ETEEAP, the applicant must be a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines or abroad, at least 23 years of age and with at least five years of aggregate work experience.
The applicants should also complete secondary education as evidenced by a high school diploma, or a result of the Philippine Educational Placement Test or Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency Assessment and Certification, stating that the individual concerned is qualified to enter college.
The applicant may also submit documentation of relevant training programs and other proof of formal,
non-formal, and informal learning, as may be required by the deputized higher educational institution including, but not limited to, National Certificates (NCs) or Certificates of Competency issued by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall be the lead agency in the implementation of the provisions of this Act and shall deputize colleges and universities that seek to offer the ETEEAP as part of their academic program.
The CHED is also directed to discharge additional powers and functions, which include: deputizing higher education institutions (HEIs) to offer ETEEAP; working with government agencies to determine priority programs; convening inter-agency consultations for policy implementation; and allocating student financial assistance programs to ETEEAP learners.
The HEIs to be deputized shall develop clear policies and procedures for ETEEAP implementation and shall convene a panel of internal and external assessors, which shall determine the appropriate equivalency credits acquired by an applicant.
New HB seeks Xmas bonus, free legal aid for brgy tanods
By Maricel V. Cruz
brigade. Yamsuan, in his bill, also seeks to prioritize the inclusion of barangay tanods in livelihood programs initiated by either the national government or the local government units (LGUs).
“Members of the barangay tanod brigades serve as public safety officers in our communities. We hardly notice them as they carry out their task of keeping our homes and streets safe, especially at night when most of the community is resting. They are, at times, exposed to criminal elements and other dangerous threats to the community, yet the benefits they receive are not commensurate with the risks they face every day,” said Yamsuan, a former assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
More workers in embassies for PhilHealth
REP. Ron Salo of Kabayan party-list called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to assign personnel to Philippine Embassies abroad to provide immediate and accessible services to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Salo made the statement following consultations he had with OFWs in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Hong Kong, and other countries.
During the consultations, Salo said the OFWs informed him that while PhilHealth is “efficient in collecting membership fees,” it lacks a presence abroad which contributes to OFW’s struggle in availing of the benefits due to them.
“PhilHealth’s collection system is highly efficient, which we commend. However, the availment of services for OFWs needs improvement,” Salo stated.
“Our OFWs, who contribute significantly to the country’s economy through remittances, deserve more accessible health services, including immediate processing of claims. We have agencies like the DFA, DMW, OWWA, Pag-IBIG, and SSS present in our embassies and consulates, but sadly, PhilHealth is missing,” Salo added.
Salo also appealed to the PhilHealth Board of Directors to assign attachés or personnel in countries with large OFW populations, such as the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman), Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Italy, to address OFWs’ healthcare needs promptly. Maricel V. Cruz
DSWD commits to work with DBM on Sulu projects
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it is committed to working with the Department of Budget and Management to ensure sufficient funding for its social protection programs in Sulu.
The DSWD made the commitment in the wake of the Supreme Court’s (SC) ruling that excludes the province from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“We took cognizance of the Supreme Court ruling carving out Sulu from the BARMM area...what we plan to do is to work with the
DBM on trying to carve back the portion that was intended for Sulu’s administrative cost para mabalik sa (to have it back to) Central Office and we can augment sa Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) where Sulu will historically be part of,” Gatchalian said. He made the statement during a budget hearing when asked about the agency’s plan to ensure the continuous delivery of services to the locals of Sulu province. It can be recalled that the SC declared the Province of Sulu as not a part of the BARMM after the highest court upheld the validity of
Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The voters in Sulu province rejected the law’s ratification in a plebiscite.
Gatchalian clarified that when it comes to programs that provide direct grants – such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SocPen) – the provision of assistance to beneficiaries will not be affected since the cash aid are personally received by the beneficiaries. Maricel V. Cruz
HALL SESSION ON
Manny Palmero
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
Land Bank allots
P10b for agrarian reform lending
By Rio N. Araja
FARMER-beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program stand to benefit from the P10-billion lending program of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), according to Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III.
Estrella said agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and the whole agriculture value-chain would benefit from the P10billion fund under the LandBank AgriSenso Lending Program to bolster food security and sufficiency nationwide.
AgriSenso was created in collaboration with multiple government agencies, particularly the LBP, the Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Credit Policy Council and the National Irrigation Administration.
“All these agencies promote cluster farming which are run by cooperatives and associations of farmers,” Estrella said. Under the whole-of-government approach, the Department of Agrarian Reform, in coordination with these agencies, fully commits to support the farmer-beneficiaries who are members of various ARB organizations nationwide.
According to LBP executive vice president Alex Lorayes, the P10-billion fund aims to provide affordable financing to the beneficiaries and the whole agriculture value-chain with only seven percent interest per annum.
“LandBank eyes at least 5,000 AgriSenso borrowers with an initial total amount of P500 million under LandBank’s new lending program,” he said.
IN BRIEF
BFAR raises red tide alert in Zambo, Samar
THE Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DABFAR) warns the public against eating red tide-contaminated shellfish caught from specified areas in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Leyte, Samar, and Eastern Samar provinces.
Shellfishes collected and tested from Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; coastal waters of Daram Island, Zumarraga Island, Irong-Irong Bay, Cambatutay Bay in Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Carigara Bay in Leyte; and coastal waters of Tungawan in Zamboanga Sibugay Province; and Maqueda Bay in Samar are still positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) or toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit, the DA-BFAR bulletin stated.
All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the areas mentioned are not safe for human consumption, the bulletin read.
Bataan council passes reso on public libraries
AT least two provincial board members of Bataan have batted for more barangaybased libraries to further boost literary and education in the province.
Board members Tony Roman and Harold Espeleta filed a resolution at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) urging municipalities and barangays in the province to establish libraries and book centers “to promote reading culture in the communities.”
The resolution was unanimously approved on Monday during regular session of the provincial council presided by Roman as the acting vice governor. Republic Act 7743 enacted in 1994 encourages the establishment of congressional, provincial, and municipal libraries and barangay reading centers, but a study by the National Library of the Philippines in 2019 showed the actual number of public libraries represented only three percent of the ideal number prescribed by the law. Butch Gunio
Navy vessel undergoes gunnery enhancement
THE Philippine Navy ship BRP Leovig-
ildo Gantioqui (PC384) has undergone repairs on its gunnery to bolster its combat readiness.
The vessel was equipped with 25mm Mk 38 Mod 1 autogun as its main defense mechanism.
“Being the unit’s main naval gun, 25mm Mk 38 Mod 1 Autogun ensures long range combat firing capability against any threat and adversaries,” the Navy said.
Gantioqui has been deployed to the Naval Forces Southern Luzon command.
“The availability of required spare parts and immediate deployment of technical personnel has significantly restored the operating condition of the 25mm Mk 38 Mod 1 Autogun which ensures a maintained combat equipment readiness of this unit,” the Navy said. Rex Espiritu
Pimentel nixes VAT-refund
Reds on the run in Caraga, N. Mindanao—Army
By Rex Espiritu
COMMUNIST insurgents in the Caraga and Northern Mindanao are on the run, forcing many of them to lay down arms and surrender, according to Army commanders in the region.
Lt. Col. Francisco Garello, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division’s (4ID), disclosed that two suspected communist rebels were killed, 16 surrendered, and 28 firearms were seized in the troop’s relentless operations in the regions. On September 14, 12 insurgents in-
cluding regular members and militiamen turned themselves in. Two more communist guerrillas in Northeastern Mindanao also surrendered.
“They have nowhere to go. They are now living miserably, hungry and exhausted because people have been avoiding and do not support them anymore. After all, we are all Filipinos and we are very glad that they realized the futility in fighting the government and finally ended the violence once and for all,” said Brig. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr., commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade.
Trias launches song-writing tilt to mark cityhood anniversary
THE General Trias City government has launched a song-writing contest in connection with its anniversary celebration on Dec. 12-13, highlighted by a food fest dubbed “Valenciana Festival.”
Prizes at stake are P30,000 for first place, P20,000 for the runner-up, P10,000 for third place, and P5,000 consolation for each of the seven other finalists. Deadline for submission of entries is 12 noon, October 20, 2024. The song-writing competition aims to celebrate the cultural heritage of Gen. Trias, with the original songs essentially embodying the spirit, history, and vibrancy of the Valenciana Festival. This contest also seeks to highlight the rich traditions of the city and the significance of the Valenciana
publicly performed. The song should reflect the essence of the Valenciana Festival, capturing its historical roots, cultural significance, and the spirit of the celebration.
The song should be primarily in Filipino, with the option to include up to 10 percent of the lyrics in English if necessary for rhyming or other artistic reasons. Additionally, other foreign words that are commonly understood or frequently heard by the audience, such as “Viva,” “Ánimo” are acceptable. It is open to all musical genres, but the composition should be lively, festive, and suitable for public performances during the festival. The lyrics should be family-friendly, without any offensive or inappropriate content. Dennis Abrina
Ongoing operations by the 401st Infantry Brigade led to more encounters, additional casualties on the rebels’ side, and weapon seizures. Brig. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo Jr., 403rd Brigade commander, cited peace-building efforts with local communities and local villagers for the government’s gains against the decades-old communist insurgency.
Maj. Gen. Jose Maria R. Cuerpo, chief of Army’s 4ID, lauded the operations’ successes in weakening the rebel movement as he encouraged remaining insurgents to return to the fold of the law.
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
SENATOR Aquilino Pimentel III on Monday strongly opposed Senate Bill No. 2415 which seeks to implement a valueadded tax (VAT) refund mechanism for nonresident tourists.
Pimentel assailed the measure as “misguided” even as he recognized the value of tourism in the national economy, Speaking at the plenary, Pimentel said SB 2415 “presents significant risks that far outweigh its projected benefits.”
The bill’s proponent asserted that the VAT refund scheme could lead to an average increase of about 148,000 tourist arrivals from 2024 to 2028, resulting in heightened tourist spending in the country.
Pimentel argued however, that these were mere projections that might be costly for the government.
The opposition senator pointed out the government stands to lose over P4 billion in tax refunds to the tourists over a fiveyear period.
He questioned the rationale of giving away P4 billion in revenues to foreigners while millions of Filipinos continue to suffer economic difficulties.
“Imagine the impact of P4 billion if used properly for our countrymen,” Pimentel stressed.
He suggested the amount could build 1,600 new classrooms, or 138 to 190 kilometers of concrete roads.
In terms of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, P4 billion could support at least 400,000 college students, or 800,000 elementary or high school students in educational assistance, or provide cash relief assistance to at least 400,000 beneficiaries.””
“Better yet, why don’t we reduce taxes that directly benefit Filipinos,” he added. Pimentel also said unless the government has installed a mechanism to track
MORE THAN JUST COOKING. General Trias City in Cavite celebrates its cityhood anniversary with a flurry of colourful costumes and street dances to go with the piece de resistance, Valenciana Festival featuring various creations of arroz valenciana which is akin to the Spanish paella. Dennis Abrina
FIRE AWAY. The gunnery crew of the Navy vessel
Leovigildo Gantioqui
OPINION
In flagrante delicto arrest
(Part 2)
“IN AN an arrest made in flagrante delicto, it is required that the apprehending officer must have been spurred by probable cause to arrest a person caught. Probable cause refers to ‘such facts and circumstances which would lead a reasonably discreet and prudent [person] to believe that an offense has been committed by the person sought to be arrested’” (G.R. 250306. Aug. 10, 2022).
“In this case, PO2 Tanay testified they received a tip from a confidential informant that marijuana plants could be found in the De Lima [residence]… To verify the tip, the police officers proceeded to the De Lima residence and conducted a surveillance where they observed the house from the roadside” (op.cit.)
“According to PO2 Tanay, they were positioned at a distance of 10 meters from the house when they saw a man going downstairs holding a potted plant. According to PO2 Tanay, since their confidential informant already told them that the person had some marijuana plants, they already assumed the potted plant was marijuana.”
“[I]n effecting the warrantless arrest, the police officers relied solely on the tip they received from the confidential informant.
“It is settled that reliable information alone is insufficient to support a warrantless arrest absent any overt act from the person to be arrested indicating a crime has just been committed, was being committed, or is about to be committed.”
“[W]hen the police officers saw [Jumarang], he was simply going downstairs while holding a potted plant.
“[He] was, at this moment, not committing a crime and it was not even shown he was about to do so or that he had just done so… [he was just] descending from the stairs, and there was no outward indication that called for his arrest.”
“[T]he fact that accused-appellant
was holding a pot, which the police suspected to be a marijuana plant is not a justification to effect the warrantless arrest.
“The Court has held that a reasonable suspicion is not synonymous with the personal knowledge required under Section 5(a) to effect a valid warrantless arrest.”
“PO2 Tanay merely assumed the plant he saw in the pot being carried by [Jumarang] was marijuana based on the information relayed to them by their confidential informant.”
“Clearly, PO2 Tanay had no personal knowledge as to the type of plant that [Jumarang] was holding, to produce probable cause to believe that the plant was indeed a marijuana plant.”
The Supreme Court said: ‘It bears noting that before resorting to a search incidental to a lawful arrest, the existence of a crime must first be established’
“The present case is similar to People v. Villareal, where the Court held the warrantless arrest of the accused was unconstitutional, as simply holding something in one’s hands cannot in any way be considered as a criminal act.”
“[T]he police officers, who were at a distance of 10 meters away from [Jumarang], cannot be said to have properly determined the nature of the plant that he was holding was a marijuana plant” (op.cit.)
“It bears noting that before resorting to a search incidental to a lawful arrest, the existence of a crime must first be established. There being none, the search made on [Jumarang] cannot be considered as a valid warrantless search.”
The stone-eaters that threaten Iran’s ancient Persepolis
PERSEPOLIS, Iran – Conservationists at Persepolis, Iran’s most iconic ancient site, are waging a delicate battle against an unlikely adversary: tiny but persistent lichens eroding the millennia-old monuments.
The fight, which began years ago, is aimed at stopping the threat to the integrity of the site’s structures and its intricate carvings from lichens, organisms that grow on surfaces like stone and can slowly break them down over time.
Built in the 6th century BC by Darius I, Persepolis has withstood destruction, looting, earthquakes, fires and harsh weather. It remains a source of pride for Iranians and a major tourist destination.
“It’s an open-air museum reflecting 25 centuries of Middle Eastern life,” said Alireza Asgari Chaverdi, director of the site located about 50 kilometers from the southern city of Shiraz.
“It is the foundation of Iran’s history, culture and socio-cultural life.”
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, Persepolis features colossal sculptures and intricate stone reliefs of ancient Persian kings, nobles and deities.
But these have suffered over the years from lichen, a combination of an algae and a fungus.
“This is the most serious problem, especially for carvings on stones,” said Shahram Rahbar, a conservationist at the site.
“If we do nothing, these organisms could reduce these relics to dust within 50 to 100 years,” he said as he treated lichen growth on one slab.
Lost motifs Red lichen marks are now etched into many of the ancient relics at Persepolis.
The spread of lichens, which dis-
Damaging cost of climate change
ONLY 55 days to the 12-day UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, some countries this early have shown they are “holding back” their positions until they know who sits in the White House.
Climate diplomacy observers say uncertainty over the US election outcome is stalking this November’s COP29 summit, which starts just six days after voters decide between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
The election lands awkwardly as governments try to build global consensus in coming months not just around climate but stronger protections for the environment and a treaty to address plastic pollution.
The 12-day Azerbaijan conference, which starts on Nov. 11, is expected to focus on finance, as trillions of dollars are required for countries to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect lives and livelihoods from the worsening impacts of climate change.
Earlier on, the Philippines was selected to host the loss and damage fund board, which will bring the fund closer to providing financial help for countries hit the hardest by claimate change.
—“—
The Baku conference will also be a key moment for countries to present their updated national climate action plans under the Paris agreement
This country of 115 million, which averages 20 typhoons per year, has committed to reduce emissions by 75 percent by 2030, one of the most ambitious targets in Southeast Asia. To accelerate its transition to a green economy, the country also aims to increase the share of renewable energy to 35 percent of the power generation mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. We remember the declaration of
WHEN you hear the name Apollo Quiboloy, you may expect a tale of some ancient god fallen from grace – a celestial being who lost his place among the stars and took to Earth to wreak havoc.
But what you find is something far darker.
This isn’t a mythic god; it’s a man. And not just any man, but a self-proclaimed “appointed Son of God,” surrounded by what can only be described as demons in disguise – his angels of death.
These so-called angels, it turns out, are not spectral beings waiting to deliver divine justice.
solve minerals and penetrate stone surfaces by more than 1.5 centimeters, is driven by industrialization, acid rain and the harsh desert climate, said lichenologist Mohammad Sohrabi.
“We cover the lichens with a material and, after a week, repeat the process until they weaken enough to be removed with suction devices,” said Rahbar.
Iran is home to more than 3,000 species of lichens, with 500 to 700 varieties growing on historical monuments, Sohrabi said, noting that some at Persepolis were over 1,700 years old.
“Many of Persepolis’s intricate motifs have already been lost due to lichen activity,” he said.
Beyond Persepolis, other sites in Iran, like the Bisotun inscription in Kermanshah province, have also been affected.
Red lichen marks are now etched into many of the ancient relics at Persepolis
Bisotun, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, features a massive carved inscription recounting the conquests of King Darius I and has suffered significant degradation due to lichen growth.
‘More important than our lives’
At Persepolis, Rahbar and his team work relentlessly to combat the infestation.
“We destroy the lichens using modern techniques like lasers and substances that act like antibiotics,” Rahbar said, describing what he called a
They’re flesh and blood, armed to the teeth, standing ready to enforce the will of a man whose vision of heaven seems to include unspeakable horrors inflicted upon children.
This is the nightmare that leaves your skin crawling and your mind grasping for any sign that you might wake up.
But there is no waking up, no gentle shaking from this nightmare. This is the grim reality playing out in the daylight, and what’s worse, it’s been allowed to fester.
It would almost be laughable if it weren’t so tragic—the idea of a religious leader assembling his own hit squad, weaponizing fear like some twisted mafia boss cloaked in the robes of piety.
But this is no gangster flick.
These aren’t petty criminals knocking on doors to collect debts; these are Quiboloy’s angels of death, allegedly made up of active and retired security forces.
They’re the enforcers of a doctrine that ensures silence, ensures fear, ensures obedience, all under the guise of divine authority.
Now, you might think, “Surely, history has seen this before.” And you’d be right.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a man don the garb of a holy figure while unleashing hell on Earth. Think back to Jim Jones, another so-called prophet who turned a jungle commune into a mass grave, convincing hundreds of
“painstaking” process.
Public concern grew after an official highlighted a lack of funds for preserving Iran’s historic sites.
Iran’s deputy culture minister, Ali Darabi, said the annual budget for restoring each monument was only
the First World Climate Conference in 1979 called for the urgent development of a common strategy for a greater understanding of the climate system and a rational use of climate information, and proposed the establishment of the World Climate Program.
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an opportunity to negotiate new measures, and review Parties’ progress against the overall goal of the UNFCCC to limit climate change.
Generally, each COP agrees a statement or a binding agreement which is publicly released at the end of the conference.
Government representatives worldwide have gathered nearly every year since 1995 at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties to advance work on negotiating multilateral agreements and to provide a way forward in the fight against the significant challenges of climate change. The Baku conference will also be a key moment for countries to present their updated national climate action plans under the Paris agreement, which must limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and spur investment in the Sustainable Development Goals
Quiboloy’s ‘angels’ and the ‘reign of terror’
souls to drink the Kool-Aid in the name of salvation.
Or David Koresh, the self-anointed messiah who led his followers straight into the inferno of the Waco siege.
Quiboloy, with his army of earthly angels, might as well be reading from the same twisted playbook. What we see here, though, is something more personal, more insidious.
Reports said children as young as 12 or 13 were subjected to the most vile form of abuse, told their innocence was untouched because they had been intimate not with a man, but with the spirit of God.
There’s no heaven waiting at the end. Only judgment
If they dared speak out? Well, Quiboloy had his angels of death waiting in the wings, ready to snuff out any rebellion before it could even flicker.
Let’s not mince words—this is a horror show, a grotesque tableau where faith is distorted into something monstrous.
That Quiboloy’s counsel can deny these accusations with a straight face only adds a layer of nauseating disbelief.
Will we hear the angels of death were merely figments of an overactive imagination, just bedtime stories told to keep the kids in line?
Of course, Tolentino, Quiboloy’s lawyer, calls the victims “planted and manufactured.”
It’s an old trick, right out of the playbook of any cult leader backed into a corner: Deny everything. Call your accusers liars. Proclaim your innocence to the heavens, while the bodies pile up on Earth.
What’s to be done?
In a world where men like Quiboloy can rise to power on the backs of fear and manipulation, the first instinct might be to call for divine intervention.
130 million rials (about $220), while maintaining all registered historical monuments would require nearly $84 million a year.
As Mohsen, a 41-year-old retiree from Ghazvin, stood before a ruined column of the Apadana palace, he
But if history has taught us anything, it’s that waiting for a miracle only gives monsters like him more time to entrench themselves.
Instead, I propose something more human, more immediate.
We should adopt Quiboloy’s own methods—after all, what’s more ironic than fighting fire with fire? Let’s assemble our own angels, but not of death—of justice.
Armed not with guns, but with subpoenas, search warrants, and the hard resolve of law enforcement officials who won’t be swayed by the pomp and pageantry of a man who claims divinity.
Let these angels of justice descend upon Quiboloy and his empire, not with divine wrath, but with the cold, hard reality of a courtroom, where the only spirit that matters is the spirit of the law.
Let’s not stop there. If Quiboloy truly believes in the angels of death, perhaps we should give him a taste of his own medicine.
Send in the International Criminal Court, wielding not swords but indictments, their wings heavy with evidence, their eyes unblinking and merciless.
Maybe then, Quiboloy will find himself on the receiving end of the fear he’s so generously distributed. In the end, what men like Quiboloy fail to understand is no army of angels—whether real or imagined—can save them from the reckoning when justice is finally served.
Whether by the hands of earthly courts or the judgment of history, the day will come when his empire of fear crumbles into dust, and the only angels left standing will be those who fought for the innocent.
So, Pastor Quiboloy, if you’re reading, I have just one recommendation: You might want to start praying. Not to your angels of death, but to whoever will listen, because your days of playing God are numbered. This time, there’s no heaven waiting at the end. Only judgment.
said, “Maintaining this site is more important than our lives.”
Ghashghaei, an 82-year-old retiree visiting with his family, agreed. For him, the site stands as a poignant reminder that “Iranians created an ancient civilisation,” he said. AFP
UNGA to debate
call for ‘unlawful’
Israeli occupation
UNITED NATIONS, New York—UN member states will debate Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) a push by the Palestinians to formally demand an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories within 12 months.
The text, which has faced fierce criticism from Israel, is based around an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice calling Israel’s occupation since 1967 “unlawful.”
“Israel is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible,” read the opinion, requested by the General Assembly.
In response, Arab countries have called for a special session of the assembly just days before dozens of heads of state and government descend on the UN headquarters this month to address the kick off of this year’s General Assembly session.
“The idea is you want to use the pressure of the international community in the General Assembly and the pressure of the historic ruling by the ICJ to force Israel to change its behavior,” said Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour, who ac-
knowledged the draft resolution had “shocked many countries.”
The draft resolution, due to be voted on late Tuesday or Wednesday, “demands that Israel brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” and that this be done “no later than 12 months from the adoption.”
The first draft text gave only six months.
The draft resolution also “demands” the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Palestinian territories, a halt to new settlements, the return of seized land and property, and the possibility of return for displaced Palestinians.
A paragraph calling on member states to halt arms exports to Israel disappeared from the draft text during negotiations, however.
“I hope that we will have good numbers,” Mansour said, underlining the “tremendous amount of sympathy and solidarity” with the Palestinians. AFP
Firefighters battle fiery flames around Brasilia
BRASILIA, Brazil—Brazilian firefighters on Monday (Tuesday Manila time) battled flames blazing through a nature reserve in the capital district of Brasilia, where an area the size of 3,000 football fields has already been destroyed.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called an emergency meeting of his Cabinet as Brazil’s worst drought in seven decades has fueled fires in the Amazon rainforest and the Pantanal wetlands, choking major cities including Rio de Janeiro with smoke. The capital Brasilia was the latest to be hit, battling its worst fire
of the year as residents used buckets of water to dampen their threatened homes.
Three separate fires broke out over the weekend in the Brasilia National Park, officials said, razing about 1,200 hectares by Monday as dozens of firefighters with planes and helicopters battled to contain the onslaught.
“The flames began to come with great speed and at a height of about six meters, and the community started to mobilize,” nurse Simone Costa, 51, told AFP as she inspected fire damage with her husband and daughter near their home in Brasilia.
Myanmar flooding death toll now 226
“We grabbed buckets of water to control the fire so that it did not move even closer,” she said. Authorities warned that things were likely to get worse in ultra-dry conditions after 140 days without rain in Brasilia.
The number of fires in Brazil so far this month (57,312) has already exceeded the total for Sept. 2023 in its entirety, according to satellite data from the INPE research institute. Several Brazilian dams are at historically low levels, and cities like Rio are affected by water restrictions. AFP
IN BRIEF
executed by and among her Unson, Nolan Carlo U. Empalmado, and Nevin
is hereby given to the public that the Amended Deed of Extra Judicial Settlement of the Intestate Estate of Imelda Constantina Hidalgo Unson has been executed by and among her heirs, namely: Jose Maria H. Unson, Wilfredo V.H. Unson, Nolan Carlo
YANGON—The death toll from massive flooding in Myanmar in the wake of Typhoon Yagi has doubled to 226, as the UN warned as many as 630,000 people could be in need of help.
Yagi swept across northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar more than a week ago with powerful winds and an enormous amount of rain, triggering floods and landslides that have killed more than 500 people, according to official figures.
State TV in juntaruled Myanmar confirmed 226 fatalities late on Monday, with 77 people still missing, doubling the previous toll of 113.
The broadcaster also said that nearly 260,000 hectares (640,000 acres) of
rice paddies and other crops had been destroyed by floods.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) disaster response agency said an estimated 631,000 people had been affected by flooding across Myanmar.
Food, drinking water, shelter and clothes are all urgently needed, UNOCHA said, warning that downed communication lines, blocked roads and damaged bridges were all severely hampering relief efforts.
Poor communications, particularly with remote areas, have also meant information about casualties has been slow to come out.
The UN’s World Food Program on Monday said the floods were the worst in Myanmar’s recent history, without giving precise details.
Severe flooding hit the country in 2011 and 2015, with more than 100 deaths reported on both occasions, while in 2008 Cyclone Nargis left more than 138,000 people dead or missing.AFP
US Secret Service insists Trump well-protected despite 2nd scare
WEST PALM BEACH—The embattled US Secret Service on Monday (Tuesday Manila time) defended its role a day after a gunman managed to lie in wait for Donald Trump, as another apparent assassination attempt heightened fears of election violence.
The suspected gunman did not have a line of sight on the former president and failed to fire a shot before he was discovered by agents, according to the Secret Service, which insisted it provided the “highest level” of protection for Trump.
As security officials revealed new details, including their belief the suspect acted alone, Trump sought to blame election rival Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden for Sunday’s scare, citing their “rhetoric” about him endangering democracy.
Trump’s politicization of the incident, in which a man allegedly planned to fire on him while Trump played golf in Florida, further stoked tensions ahead of the presidential election in seven weeks.
Both Biden and Harris have denounced the apparent assassination bid, with Biden saying: “I’ve always condemned political violence. I always will.” AFP
UN chief condemns ‘collective punishment’ UNITED NATIONS, New York— Nothing justifies Israel’s collective punishment of the people of Gaza as they endure “unimaginable” suffering, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told AFP on Monday (Tuesday Manila time). Guterres lashed out at Israel’s handling of its war in the devastated Palestinian territory, now almost in its second year, as the UN prepares to host world leaders starting next week.
“It is unimaginable, the level of suffering in Gaza, the level of deaths and destruction have no parallel in everything I’ve witnessed since (becoming) secretary-general,” said Guterres, who has led the embattled international organization since 2017.
“We all condemn the terror attacks made by Hamas, as well as the taking of the hostages, that is an absolute violation of international humanitarian law,” he said.
“But the truth is that nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, and that is what we are witnessing in a dramatic way in Gaza,” he added, decrying the widespread carnage and hunger blighting Gaza. On Oct. 7, Hamas fighters infiltrated from Gaza into southern Israel, unleashing unprecedented violence which killed 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP toll including hostages killed in captivity. In response, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas, in power in Gaza since 2007, and its land and air offensive has claimed 41,226 lives according to the health ministry of the Hamas government. AFP
China ‘tailed’ US plane Taiwan Strait
BEIJING—Chinese military tailed a US aircraft passing through the politically sensitive Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, Beijing’s army said, vowing to “resolutely defend national sovereignty.”
“On Sept. 17, a US P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait,” Li Xi, a senior captain and spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, said in a statement. The Command “organized fighter jets to tail and stand guard against the US aircraft’s flight, dealing with it in accordance with the law,” Li said.
“Theater troops are on constant high alert to resolutely defend national sovereignty and security and regional peace and stability.” Beijing views self-ruled Taiwan as a renegade province and claims jurisdiction over the body of water that separates the island from the Chinese mainland.
China accused Germany on Saturday of heightening security risks in the Taiwan Strait after two military vessels from the country sailed through the waterway. AFP “I find it absolutely unacceptable.” Responding to accusations the UN is powerless to curb conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine and elsewhere, he blamed member states—particularly the Security Council and its 15 members—for the decisions taken or not taken. AFP
WORST FIRE. Smoke and flames arise from a forest fire affecting the Brasilia National Park in Brasilia on Tuesday.
Brazilian firefighters were battling a blaze Sunday 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. Authorities warned that things were likely to get worse in ultra-dry conditions after 140 days without rain in Brasilia. AFP
MISSILE ATTACK. A handout picture released by Yemen’s Huthi Ansarullah Media Center on Monday shows the reported launching of a missile, named Palestine 2, as part of an attack on central Israel. Yemen’s Huthi rebels on Sunday claimed a missile attack on central Israel hours after the Israeli military said a missile fell into an open area, causing no injuries. AFP
Manila boosts top 4 drive; Nueva Ecija, Valenzuela up
PLAYOFFS-BOUND Manila
SV
Batang Sampaloc clobbered Bacolod, 123-76, on Monday and boosted their bid for the fourth spot in the North Division of the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
With 14 players scoring, the Manila Stars cruised to their 18th win against 8 losses and moved beyond reach of the Pasay Voyagers (17-10) in the roundrobin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
However, Caloocan (15-9) can still dislodge Manila if the Batang Kankaloo sweep their four remaining games and the Stars drop their last two assignments.
In case Manila, Pasay and Caloocan wound up with similar 18-9 slates, the Stars would advance as they have beaten both the Voyagers (90-87) and the Batang Kankaloo (69-66) in their elimination round encounters.
Exploiting his 7-foot frame, Greg Slaughter posted 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks in just 19 minutes and 42 seconds of play to earn the Daily Fantasy best player honors over 6-foot-7 Rabeh Al-Hussaini with 17 points and 6 rebounds.
James Tempra, Carl Bryan Cruz and Jorey Napoles contributed 10 points each for Manila, which drew 7 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 assists from Enzo Navarro.
The top four qualifiers will have the homecourt edge in the best-of-three division playoffs.
Bacolod, which showed up with only 8 players, tumbled to a league-worst 1-26 card.
Nueva Ecija rallied to beat Abra, 8178, and rise to 23-3. Trailing, 57-67, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards greeted the fourth quarter with a 13-1 tear to wrest control, then banked on Billy Robles and John Wilson to thwart the Weavers.
Robles drilled in a triple and a short jumper while Wilson canned two charities with 8.5 seconds left against four points by the Weavers for the final count.
It was Robby Celiz, however, who was chosen best player with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists for Nueva Ecija, which trails only San Juan (25-1) and Pampanga (26-2) in the North Division.
Harmie Constantino brings a wealth of experience and a calm under pressure, making her a formidable threat to Jiwon’s Lee’s drive for a second straight Ladies Philippine Golf Tour crown.
Constantino, Fortuna lead charge to quash Lee’s bid
ANTIPOLO—Jiwon Lee may have stunned the field with her breakout victory at the Splendido Taal, but as she returns for the P1 million ICTSI Forest Hills Classic, which kicks off Wednesday at the Nicklaus course here, she will be facing an even tougher challenge from seasoned pros, led by Harmie Constantino and Mikha Fortuna.
Constantino, who had been on an impressive three-leg winning streak with victories at Palos Verdes, Caliraya Springs and the Ladies Philippine Masters, saw her momentum halted by then amateur Lee’s stunning triumph at the Lakewood Championship.
As one of the most seasoned players on tour, Constantino brings a wealth of experience and a calm under pressure that makes her a formidable threat to Lee’s drive for a second straight Ladies Philippine
Golf Tour crown.
Renowned for her consistent play and ability to deliver in clutch moments, she will be a key figure to watch as she looks to reclaim her winning form.
Fortuna, on the other hand, is primed to take on not just the teenage sensation Lee, but also Constantino and the rest of the elite field. After a near-miss at Splendido, the reigning Match Play champion is hungry for redemption.
Determined to spoil Lee’s bid for
consecutive titles and disrupt Constantino’s pursuit of a fourth victory this season, Fortuna also enters the Forest Hills Classic with renewed focus and a clear target on victory.
Lee, meanwhile, comes into the event with a target on her back. The 16-year-old sensation has been on a meteoric rise since transitioning from the junior ranks, where she won backto-back legs of the Junior PGT series in dominant fashion.
But with veterans like Constantino and Fortuna leading the charge, her path to another victory is far from guaranteed.
Aside from Constantino and Fortuna, the field is stacked with former LPGT champions and rising stars eager to foil Lee in the 54hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and supported by PGTI official apparel Kampfortis Golf.
UST takes on St. Benilde; UE battles FEU as semis heats up
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas puts its unbeaten streak on the line as it tangles with defending champion College of St. Benilde in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge semifinals, which kick off today (Wednesday) at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Angge Poyos, the reigning UAAP Rookie of the Year, who has been instrumental in UST’s dominant sweep of the elimination round, is set for a high-stakes clash with Wielyn Estoque and the rest of the Lady Blazers in Game One of their best-of-three series at 3 p.m.
UST coach Kungfu Reyes, however, emphasized the importance of an aggressive start while calling for more maturity from his squad.
“Hopefully, mas maging aggressive pa kami. Nakikita namin yan arawaraw, pero mas gusto pa namin makakita ng maturity sa decision-making nila,” said Reyes.
Meanwhile, University of the East aims to extend its three-game winning streak as it squares off with Far Eastern U in the other women’s semis clash at 5 p.m.
Cassiey Dongallo, who delivered a remarkable 31-point performance in UE’s elimination round victory over FEU, will look to continue her explosive form.
The Lady Tams, on the other hand, will try to counter her with the firepower of Chenie Tagaod, Tin Ubaldo and Faida Bakanke, promising another exciting battle.
In the men’s division, De La Salle U and University of Santo Tomas meet in a heated semifinal rematch of last year’s finals at 12 p.m.
UST, riding a five-game winning streak, enters with momentum, while La Salle seeks to recover after losing two of its last three elimination matches.
With star players Josh Ybanez (UST) and Noel Kampton (La Salle) sidelined, the teams will turn to their secondary weapons. Gboy de Vega and Poy Colinares will lead UST’s attack, while La Salle banks on Chris Hernandez and Michael Fortuna to spearhead their charge.
Alvarez reports for duty at ONE Friday Fights 82
CARLOS “The Limitless” Alvarez has been eagerly waiting for a chance to bounce back, and his opportunity finally arrives on October 4.
He is set to step back inside the ring at the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, as part of the supporting card for ONE Friday Fights 82. There, he squares off against Russian prospect Mirza Aliev in a featherweight MMA bout.
The 25-year-old standout from Baguio City burst onto the scene with a string of stellar performances that quickly established him as a rising star. He stormed through his first three opponents, securing two submissions and one knockout.
With each victory, Alvarez appeared poised to earn the coveted $100,000 contract and a spot on ONE Championship’s main roster.
But in December 2023, his meteoric rise was abruptly halted by Nachyn Sat. In what was ex-
All eyes on Mondilla as ICTSI Forest Hills Classic unfolds
ANTIPOLO—Clyde Mondilla aims to replicate his stunning performance from last year as he returns to familiar grounds in pursuit of back-to-back victories at the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic, which reels off today (Wednesday, Sept. 18) here.
The event, with a P2 million prize pool, promises fierce competition among past winners and rising challengers as the Philippine Golf Tour heads into its final stretch. Mondilla enters the 72-hole championship as the man to beat, brimming with confidence after his dominant showing last year. His remarkable opening-round 11-under-par 60 set the tone for a commanding five-stroke victory, showcasing his mastery over the par-71, 7105-yard Nicklaus layout. The course, which demands precision from tee to green and smart shot deci-
sions, seems tailor-made for the Del Monte ace, giving him a psychological edge over the competition. Still, the former Philippine Open champion and Order of Merit winner is fully aware of the strong competition he faces and remains cautious about his chances not just for a repeat but also for a follow-up to his Caliraya Springs victory last April.
He mixes it up with Nilo Salahog and Kim Tae Soo at 7:20 a.m. on the first hole.
Mondilla’s rivals are well aware of the challenge he poses, but they’re not backing down. Leading the charge are Angelo Que, fresh off his Philippine Masters win, and Sean Ramos, who notched his careerfirst victory at the Lakewood Championship in June. Both Que and Ramos sharpened their skills abroad during the tour break, competing on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour, respectively.
Veterans like Jhonnel Ababa (Apo winner) and Tony Lascuña (Splendido Taal champion) are also poised to challenge for the top P350,000 purse.
Meanwhile, 2022 Forest Hills champion Reymon Jaraula, along with Ira Alido, Michael Bibat, Jay Bayron, Keanu Jahns and Dino Villanueva, all have their eyes on the title, while a strong international contingent is also in the mix, with players like Ozeki Kakeru, Gwon Minwook, Collin Wheeler, Kim Tae Won, Kim Tae Soo, Hwang Myungchal, and former leg winner Toru Nakajima vying to become the first foreign player to win on the Tour this season. Among the young guns, Aidric Chan, Kristoffer Arevalo, Ryan Monsalve, Ivan Monsalve, Josh Jorge, and Lanz Uy are looking to make their mark with a breakthrough victory.
pected to be Alvarez’s breakout fight, the Mongolian bruiser pushed him to unfamiliar territory, ultimately handing the Filipino his first career defeat via a second-round TKO.
Now, nearly a year after that setback, Alvarez seeks to redeem himself and restart his climb up the ladder.
However, the road to redemption wouldn’t be easy. Since turning professional in 2022, Aliev has been nothing short of sensational.
The Russian turned heads in his pro debut with an 18-second knockout before authoring a perfect follow-up courtesy of a 55-second submission.
Although Alvarez has more experience under the ONE Friday Fights banner, Aliev’s undefeated record and rapid finishes make him a dangerous counterpart.
The newcomer is undoubtedly eager to make a statement in his maiden outing under the bright lights this October.
Que hopes to get going early as he clashes with Alido and Rico Depilo at 6:30 a.m., with Ababa facing off with Villanueva and amateur Carl Corpus at 6:40 a.m., and Lascuña tangling with Chan and Jahns at 7 a.m., all on the first hole.
With the event serving as the final leg in Luzon before the Tour moves to the Visayas next month, it adds pressure as players jostle for qualification points for the season-ending PGT Match Play Championship in Laguna this November. Only the top 32 players will qualify for the head-to-head battles.
While Mondilla’s stellar performance last year sets the standard, the unpredictable nature of golf ensures that nothing is guaranteed, setting the stage for an exciting clash among a field of seasoned champions and rising stars slugging it out for the crown.
Carlos Alvarez
Greg Slaughter delivers for the Manila Stars.
Clyde Mondilla
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
RIERA U. MALLARI,
RANDY M. CALUAG,
EDGARD HILARIO,
SMB’s Marcio Lassiter celebrates his 3-point milestone during the Beermen’s game against Ginebra in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
PH’s Teen Bagsik grabs 3 golds in World Muaythai youth tourney 3-point king Lassiter also named
By Randy Caluag
THE Philippines delivered a world-class performance on Tuesday, clinching three gold medals at the 20 24 International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) Youth World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
Known collectively as Teen Bagsik, the Filipino youth contingent relied on the golden feats of Janbrix Ramiscal, Royeth Rosa, and Lyre Anie Ngina, who took charge in the prestigious global tournament for Muay Thai athletes aged 8 to 17. Ramiscal successfully defended his title in the 14-15 age division, scoring 8.90 points to defeat
Iraq’s Mustafa Al Qaysi, who earned 8.00.
Meanwhile, Rosa tallied an impressive 8.70 to secure the gold in the 12-13 age category, besting Malaysia’s Jaethan Quan, who scored 8.46.
In another tightly contested match, Ngina outperformed Ukraine’s Anastasia Yevtushenko in the 12-13 girls’ division final, winning 8.60 to 8.50.
Ngina, aged 15, also advanced to the mai muay final and was set to compete in the combat semifinals on Tuesday, further showcasing her versatility. Other Team Bagsik members also made notable strides. Samantha Audrey Ananias advanced to the wai kru final, while Tyron Jamborillo qualified for both the wai kru and mai muay events.
The 2024 IFMA Youth World Championships, held in honor of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, is the largest in the tournament’s history, drawing over 3,000 young athletes from 93 countries.
Filipinos fall to Armenians, crash out of chess Top 10 Mexican
BUDAPEST—The Philippines missed out on a potential upset as it fell to former world champion Armenia, 2.5-1.5, and crashed out of the top 10 after six rounds of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall Monday night. The Filipinos appeared headed to adding another scalp into their growing collection when Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorrra caught his second super GM in Haik Martirosyan on board one with the rest of the lower boards—Daniel Quizon, Paulo Bersamina and John Paul Gomez— all fighting for draws. But Quizon and Gomez fell to super GMs Shant Sargsyan and Robert Hovhannisyan and Bersamina couldn’t find anything from his one pawn edge and settled for a draw with another super GM Gabriel Sargissian that sealed the Filipinos’ fate. From a share of No. 7, the country, which was being bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission through chairman Richard Bachmann and commissioner Ed Hayco and backed by NCFP chief Butch Pichay, stumbled to a share of No. 21 with eight match points.
If there was silver lining in the defeat, it was Sadorra’s masterful win over Martirosyan as the University of Texas in Dallas coach brilliantly won a piece in a tight positional skirmish.
Martirosyan was Sadorra’s second super GM victim after the latter stunned Vladimir Fedoseev in a 2-5-1.5 upset of Slovenia the day before.
The Filipinas, for their part, sprang back to life following a 3-1 destruction of Bolivia with Shania Mae Mendoza, Janelle Mae Frayna and Jan Jodilyn Fronda delivering the victories on the top board.
Returning Javillonar powers Knights past Chiefs
LETRAN whipped up a fourth-quarter storm as it turned back Arellano University, 86-79, on Tuesday and claimed its second win a row in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Paolo Javillonar, back after serving his two-game suspension for playing in unsanctioned leagues, exploded with a game-high 28 points in leading the Knights to their second win in three outings.
It was also the bullstrong Javillonar, who sparked that fourth quarter onslaught that saw the Murallabased dribblers erase a 12-point third quarter lead and turn it into a victory.
“Tiwala lang,” said Letran coach Allen Ricardo. “Napaka importante magtiwala sa mga bata. Every minute lagi ko sinasabi, kahit ano mangyari, wala bibigay re-
MEXICAN Luis Angel Castillo fired the first shot on reigning champion Melvin Jerusalem five days before the two clash for the World Boxing Council minimumweight title.
The undefeated challenger told the Filipino title holder to enjoy his remaining days as world champion as he guaranteed taking with him back home the 105-lbs championship belt.
“I know this is going to be a tough fight, but I know we will emerge victorious. And I want to tell the champion here that he should enjoy his days as a world champion,” said Castillo through an interpreter.
Castillo made the warning in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, just within hearing distance of the 30-year-old Jerusalem.
“Mag-enjoy din siya dito sa Pilipinas at salamat nakarating siya dito. Tingnan na lang natin sa laban,” replied the WBC champion during the same session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app, ArenaPlus. Jerusalem was accompanied by trainer Michael Domingo and han-
gardless kahit ano lead pa ‘yan, tiyagain natin, one point at a time.”
Jimboy Estrada and James Miller also helped in the cause as they scattered 14 and 11 points, respectively. It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Chiefs, who appeared in control when they took charge in the middle quarters to gain a 12-point lead somewhere in the third canto.
It proved to be its last hurrah as Letran took charge from there.
Five AU players headed by Maverick Vinoya’s 16 points ended up scoring in double digits but none them couldn’t find the answer when the Knights went on that decisive rampage late.
AU fell to 0-3.
21, forcing him to miss the first two games of the team.
“As soon as I got sick, I wanted to be there for my teammates. But when you lose like 12 pounds, it’s kinda hard to get back to it and regain my strength,” Lassiter said.
“I didn’t have the legs. I was really feeling it. I was trying not to put pressure on myself because I knew part of it is I just wasn’t there yet strength-wise. Thankful for coach Jorge for trusting in me and I knew I had to back it up and just keep putting the hardwork in,” he added.
Lassiter was back to his shooting ways last week.
On Wednesday, Lassiter also topped Allan Caidic to go up at second after making four in their 119-114 win over NLEX, then moved to two threes shy of tying Alapag by converting five in their 139-127 victory over Phoenix last Friday.
On setting the record in the first quarter against Ginebra, Lassiter said: “I’m just happy to get it over with so that I can really focus on the game because we have a big assignment against Ginebra. I’m just kinda happy that it is here. A lot of fans witnessed it. I’m happy for them.”
dler JC Mananquil of Sanman Pro-
ever
Jerusalem is making a mandatory
won via split
decision against Japanese Yudai Shigeoka in Nagoya last March.
“Pagka-champion pa lang ni Melvin alam na namin na siya (Castillo) ‘yung mandatory. Kaya nag-ready na kami. Kaunting bakasyon muna, tapos nag-start na kami ng training, Nagawa naman namin ng maayos lahat sa training, kaya ngayon ready na kami sa laban,” said Domingo.
A native of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Jerusalem sports a 22-3 record with 12 KOs in his second reign as a world champion after previously holding the WBO minimumweight crown. The 27-year-old Castillo (21-0-1 13 KOs) is vying for his first world title and fighting out of his native Mexico for the first time.
But the challenger was oozing with confidence as he vowed to return to Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico with the title belt proudly strapped on his waist.
“It’s going to be tough, but we’re coming 100 percent prepared for the fight,” said Castillo.
“We’re coming ready,” added Montiel, who said Jerusalem fights like a Mexican warrior. “We’re very proud to fight him and be here in the Philippines.”
motions, while Castillo was with trainer Eduardo Montiel. Together with them was Marife Barrera, CEO of Blow By Blow, which will air the
first
world boxing championship to be held in the country in the last seven years.
defense of the title he
Shown here are (from left) Eduardo Montiel, Luis Castillo, Melvin Jerusalem and Michael Domingo
The Teen Bagsik members did the Philippines proud in the Youth World Championships. Muaythai Association of the Philippines
Shania Mendoza
Paolo Javillonar: 28 points
BUSINESS
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) said Tuesday there would be no immediate changes to terminal assignments at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) following the turnover of its operations to the private sector.
The company said the status quo would remain in place as operations continue smoothly under the new management.
NNIC general manager Angelito Alvarez reassured travelers that any future terminal reassignments or changes would be introduced gradually and strategically.
“These adjustments will be aligned
with ongoing infrastructural and technical upgrades at the airport, ensuring a seamless experience for passengers,” he said. Alvarez said the terminal reassignments would not be implemented all at once, but would be phased over time, with the goal of minimizing disruptions.
NNIC said it is committed to keeping the public informed of any changes to terminal assignments which would be communicated in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient transition as part of broader modernization efforts.
NNIC assumed control of the NAIA on Sept. 14, 2024, with ambitious plans to elevate NAIA to international standards.
Car sales grew 10% to surpass 300,000 units in eight months
By Othel V. Campos
The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) said in a joint report their members sold 304,765 vehicles from January to August, up from 276,200 units delivered in the same period in 2023. Both passenger cars and commercial vehicles showed a steady
growth in the eight-month period. Passenger car sales increased 14 percent to 80,327 units from last year’s 70,451, while commercial vehicle sales went up by 9.1 percent to 224,438 units from 205,764. The two industry groups said car sales sustained their growth in August despite its billing as a ghost month on strong demand for commercial vehicles. Total sales rose 6.7 percent in August to 39,155 units from 36,699 units a year ago.
DOF lauds approval of P33.75-b
THE Department of Finance (DOF) expressed gratitude to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations for approving its P33.75-billion budget for fiscal year 2025, which prioritizes digitalization to enhance tax administration efficiency and deliver better public services.
“[O]ur proposed budget every year is always a faithful reflection of our strategic priorities under the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance. [They] are part and parcel of a larger effort to improve tax administration efficiency, deliver more responsive public service delivery, and provide economic prosperity for the Filipino people,”
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said in a statement.
Sultan Kudarat Rep. and Committee on Appropriations vice chair Horacio Suansing sponsored the DOF budget before the House plenary on Sept. 16, 2024.
Suansing manifested his support to increase the budget for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) and the Philippine Tax Academy (PTA).
He also called for the replenishment of the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) to support numerous climate adaptation projects of local communities.
“In view of this chamber’s pursuit to undertake productive investments, particularly in our local institutions to strengthen our macroeconomic fundamentals and thereby protect the country’s long-term growth and development prospects, I appeal to my colleagues in Congress to do the same,” he said.
The DOF’s proposed budget for 2025 is 20.8-percent higher than the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) level, but represents only 0.5 percent of the government’s total proposed 2025 national budget of P6.352 trillion.
Under this, the DOF’s new general appropriations constitute the largest
Data showed that on a monthly basis, sales slightly dipped by 0.4 percent from 39,331 units in July. Passenger car sales went down by 5.6 percent to 9,529 units in August 2024 from 10,094 units a year earlier. It was also down 12.76 percent month-onmonth from 10,923 units in July 2024. Sales of commercial vehicle rose 11.3 percent to 29,626 units in August from 26,620 units a year ago and by 4.3 percent from July 2024’s 28,408 units.
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The 409.2-meter embankment was completed at a cost of P56.5 million and funded under the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
THE Public Financial Management (PFM) Committee, composed of different government agencies, on Tuesday presented a four-year roadmap to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to modernize the government’s financial management. The PFM Reforms Roadmap 20242028 promises to transform how public funds are managed, ensuring greater accountability, efficiency and transparency in the allocation and use of resources across government agencies. The committee is comprised the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), alongside key representatives of the Commission on Audit, Bureau of Treasury, Department of Finance, Department of Information and Commu-
portion, amounting to P29 billion to support the DOF’s core operations and priority programs.
To prioritize workforce development and the digitalization of its attached agencies, 41.4 percent of the DOF’s proposed budget is allocated to personnel services, 37.9 percent to maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and 20.6 percent to capital outlays.
The BIR, the BOC and the Insurance Commission (IC) lead the charge in digitalization with a combined amount of P4.2 billion, while other agencies are allotted around P600 million. Darwin G. Amojelar
nications Technology and the National Economic and Development Authority. With the theme “Propelling Transformation: Achieving Prosperity,” the roadmap serves as a blueprint for modernizing fiscal governance to meet the evolving needs of the nation. Developed under Executive Order No. 29, issued on June 1, 2023, the roadmap brings together initiatives designed to foster coordinated collaboration across all levels of government. “This reflects the
Foreign trade in first half of 2024
$97.86 billion $98.30 billion $36.41 billion
Foreign trade in first half of 2023 Total exports in first half of 2024
THE country’s foreign trade declined 0.4 percent in the first half of 2024 to $97.86 billion from $98.30 billion in the same period last year, the Philippine Statistics Authority said. This continued the 8.4-percent annual decline in external trade in the first semester of 2023 and 7.3-percent drop in the second half.
“Of the total external trade in the first semester of 2024, 62.8 percent were imported goods, while the remaining 37.2 percent were exported goods,” the PSA said. The balance of trade in goods, or the difference between exports and imports, amounted to $25.05 billion in the first half. Export sales amounted to $36.41 billion, indicating an annual increase of 3.0 percent from $35.34 billion a year ago. Electronic products continued to be the country’s top exports in the first semester with total earnings of $20.63 billion or 56.7 percent of the total. Meanwhile, the total imported goods in the first half went down by 2.4 percent to $61.45 billion from $62.96 billion in the same period last year. The commodity group with the highest import value in the first semester of 2024 was electronic products, which amounted to $12.71 billion or 20.7 percent of the total.
Philippines and the Department of Energy (DOE). Shown during the forum at the BSP head office in Manila are (from left) DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla, BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. and Citi Philippines chief executive Paul Favila.
Pueblo de Oro unveils Japan inspired
homes
PUEBLO De Oro Development Corp.
(PDO), the residential developer of the ICCP Group, unveiled its latest house models in the La Aldea Fernandina II Subdivision in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Pueblo de Oro developed elegant two-story single-attached and singledetached units to answer the growing demand for more innovative and spacious homes.
These new homes are designed with the JAPANDI aesthetic—a unique blend of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality.
The design concept creates a serene and calming atmosphere, incorporating layers of neutrals with striking black accents and natural greenery.
The result is a harmonious living space that embodies simplicity, functionality, and natural beauty.
Dubbed “Unihomes,” the new units offer bigger floor areas of 52 square meters, set on minimum lot sizes of 70 square meters for single-attached and 85 square meters for single-detached models.
Each home is thoughtfully designed to provide ample living space, with dedicated carports and expansion areas for future growth. Buyers can choose between Classic (semifinished) or Premium (finished) trims, allowing for customization to suit individual preferences and needs.
La Aldea Fernandina II is a 12-hectare exclusive community promising a flood-free environment and an enhanced lifestyle.
The development is part of the expansive 30-hectare Pueblo de Oro masterplanned community in Barangay Del Carmen, San Fernando.
Leviste investing P15b in provincial projects
By Jenniffer B. Austria
Businessman Leandro Leviste, through his whollyowned Provincia Investments Corp., is investing over P 15 billion in various projects in Batangas and other provinces.
Leviste said in a statement Tuesday the P15-billion capital spending is on top of the P5 billion initiallyannounced investments in Batangas by Countryside Investments Holdings Corp., another company he owns.
Provincia is primarily focused on making value investments in real estate and equities for industrial, commercial, energy- and infrastructurerelated developments.
MAYNILAD’S subsidiary Philippine Hydro Inc. (PhilHydro) invested P50 million to upgrade the Legazpi City Water Treatment Plant in Albay province.
The upgrade, which includes the addition of a clarifier technology, aims to improve the removal of sediments from the raw water, leading to faster and more efficient water treatment.
“The increased turbidity of the river water, exacerbated by manmade activities upstream and soil erosion during heavy rains, necessitate this additional water treatment process. The upgraded facility will ensure consistent water quality and supply, even under these challenging conditions,” said PhilHydro general manager Mirla De Leon.
The upgraded facility can sustain its production output of 30 million liters per day even under challenging conditions.
The project is part of PhilHydro’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change on the quality of the raw water supply from the Yawa and Pawa rivers, which serve as the primary source for Legazpi City.
PhilHydro operates under a 25-year contract to supply treated water to Legazpi City Water District which then distributes to households.
PhilHydro also owns and operates water treatment plants in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija under public-private partnership (PPP) contracts with the government.
Othel V. Campos
The company seeks to increase household incomes and propel the sustainable development of its target provinces by creating jobs in rural areas.
“We are grateful to our partners who have helped our business grow. Now that we have this capital, it is our responsibility to invest it to benefit as
many of our countrymen as we can,” Leviste said.
Provincia also recently acquired the largest poultry farm in Nueva Ecija, which owns about 60 hectares.
The company did not disclose the price of the transaction, but said the land was valued at an attractive price, net of the value of the poultry structures.
Provincia said it would work with Solar Philippines to develop its landbank in Batangas, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.
The planned investments in Batangas will be sourced from the sale of Leviste’s stake in renewable energy firm SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC).
SM Prime, PCC launch info campaign, support fair competition at PH malls
By Othel V. Campos
SM PRIME Holdings Inc. (SMPHI), the country’s largest mall operator, and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) signed Tuesday a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) to boost bilateral efforts in supporting fair market competition nationwide.
As part of the MOC, SMPHI will launch a nationwide information campaign across its SM Supermalls to educate the public about the PCC’s mandate and the advantages of fair competition.
“SM Supermalls believes that fair market competition will lead to a vibrant and inclusive economy and advance consumer welfare. It likewise shares the PCC’s vision that fair market competition serves the interest of consumers by allowing them to exercise their right of choice over goods and services offered,” said SM Super-
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE board of PLDT Inc. appointed Menardo Jimenez Jr. as its executive vice president and chief operating officer effective Sept. 17, 2024.
Prior to his appointment, Jimenez served as a senior vice president and the network head of the company. He also served as the consumer business home advisor from 2022 to 2023, consumer business home head from 2019 to 2022, deputy
malls president Steven Tan. The campaign will leverage the following SM digital platforms—cinema ads; LED poster boxes and cinema directories, digital mall directories; LFD screens; and in-mall LED screens
“Considering the early stages of the PCC and the Philippine Competition Act, and the extensive reach of SM Supermalls, we believe the nationwide information campaign will significantly aid us in advocating for fair business practices, ensuring a level playing field that benefits businesses and consumers,” said PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo.
With 86 malls spread across the Philippines, SM Supermalls welcomes and supports businesses of all sizes and types, offering a platform for a diverse range of products and services, irrespective of brand.
business transformation office head from 2017 to 2019, human resource and development head from 2009 to 2019, retail business head from 2004 to 2009 and media communications and public affairs head from 2001 to 2004. Jimenez received his AB Economics degree from the University of the Philippines.
PLDT earlier reported a net income of P18.41 billion from January to June this year, slightly down from
Stock market nears 7,200 level; peso at 55.6 a dollar
Tuesday ahead of the much-awaited policy meeting of the US Federal Reserve. While investors expect the Fed to implement a rate cut, analysts said the market is split between a 25-basispoint or 50-bps rate cut. The bellwether PSE index ended at 7,175.36, up 71.16 points, or 1 percent, from Monday, while the broader all-shares index picked up 30 points, or 0.79 percent, to reach 3,850.17. “Hopes of a dovish monetary policy outlook for both the Federal Reserve and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also helped in the keeping the market’s upward momentum,” Philstocks Financial Inc. research head Japhet Tantiangco said. Investor sentiment was also boosted by positive cash remittances from overseas workers in the first seven months of the year.
Cash remittances grew 3.1 percent year-on-year to $3.08 billion in July 2024, the highest in seven months according to latest data from the BSP. This pushed the peso to 55.69 a dollar Tuesday, up from Monday’s closing of 55.8. Among the stock market sectoral indices, holding firms went up the most, increasing by 1.85 percent, followed by property, rising by 1.48 percent. Industrial climbed 1.39 percent, while mining and oil and financials advanced by 1.23 percent and 0.77 percent respectively.
Value turnover reached P6.28 billion, as foreign investors remained net buyers, with net inflows reaching P806 million. Decliners edged gainers, 117 to 94.
Ayala Corp. was the top index gainer, rising by 4.1 percent to P660, while Converge ICT Solutions Inc. was at the bottom, declining by 2.89 percent to P16.14. Jenniffer B. Austria
P18.45 billion in the same period last year. PLDT’s net income dropped 8.7 percent to P8.5 billion in the second quarter from P9.4 billion last year. Telco core income, excluding the impact of asset sales and losses from Maya Innovations Holdings, reached P18 billion, up by 3 percent
urged the public to report any information related to unauthorized printing of the National ID, including the Digital National ID, to the official channels of PSA.
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Department of Finance (DOF) said Tuesday the remittance of a P30-billion upfront payment from San Miguel Corp.-led New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) public-private partnership (PPP) project will contribute to the government’s non-tax revenue, eliminating the need for additional tax burden on the people.
“We are hitting two birds with one stone on this project. This will not only transform NAIA into a world-class airport but also guarantees the government a healthy income stream from the private sector operator,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said.
“The P30 billion is just the upfront payment from the private sector partner. As
the project finally takes off, the government is expected to generate roughly P900 billion in revenues from this deal over the entire term, which is a 15-year concession period, extendable by another 10 years. This will be equivalent to a revenue source of more or less 36 billion pesos annually to fund more projects in education, public health, and infrastructure,” he said.
presents the distinguished board
Association
Philippine
highly anticipated 2024 Outstanding Filipino Retailers (OFR) Awards slated on Sept. 25, 2024. The event celebrates excellence in the retail industry, recognizing businesses that have made significant contributions to the growth and innovation of retail in the Philippines.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
SAPANG Balen Solar Sustainable Energy Corp. (SBSSEC) is seeking approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to develop dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities to connect its 463.995-megawatt Sapang Balen 2 Solar power plant in Mabalacat, Pampanga to the Luzon grid.
The company targets to commence commercial operations by December 2026.
“Thus, in order to test, commission, and dispatch from its Power Plant, SBSSEC shall develop, own, and construct the dedicated facility project,” SBSSEC said in a filing with the ERC.
proposed 230-kV switchyard or Sapang Balen 230 kV collector station. The facility, which will take about
“Consequently, a provisional authority is urgently needed to enable SBSEEC to an achieve the target commercial operations date of the power plant by 2026,” it said.
The dedicated facility project would connect the solar plant to the Luzon grid via the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ proposed Magalang 230 kV substation from SBSSEC’s
eight months to be completed, is estimated to cost P816 million to construct. SBSSEC said it would exclusively pay for the construction and development of the dedicated facility and thus would not have any impact on regulated charges. The power plant is covered by the Solar Energy Operating Contract No. 2022-01-608 issued by the Department of Energy (DOE).
The remittance from the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) cleared with the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Sept. 16, 2024, following the official turnover of the NAIA’s operations and maintenance (O&M) to NNIC on Sept. 14, 2024.
The proposal to rehabilitate NAIA, with an estimated project cost of P70.6 billion, is the largest PPP project under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The project aims to address the longstanding challenges of undercapacity, congestion, and underinvestment in the country’s main gateway.
Led by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the MIAA as co-grantors of the solicited PPP, the NAIA rehabilitation is expected to increase airport capacity from 35 million passengers annually to 62 million and expand air traffic movements per hour from 40 to 48.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
Notice is hereby given that Investree Philippines Inc. (“Investree”), with business address at 6F The Beaufort Tower, 5th Avenue corner 23rd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Taguig, Metro Manila, has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 5, 2024, Form CF-I Schedule C for the withdrawal of its registration as a Crowdfunding Intermediary under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 14, Series of 2019. The withdrawal of registration will be effective on the later of thirty (30) days from receipt of the SEC Form CF-I Schedule C or with such longer period as may be determined by the SEC. The winding down of the business operations and the cessation of operations of the Company were approved by its board of directors in a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors held on May 15, 2024.
Investree is committed to ensuring that all the required processes and contingency arrangements for ceasing its business are complied with in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The Company has engaged the services of Platinum Business Services OPC with address at LGF Pioneer Pointe Condominium 128-C Pioneer St. Buayang Bato, Mandaluyong City, to manage the facilitation of payments by note issuers in accordance with the terms and conditions of their respective agreements.
If you have any questions or concerns on the above matter, please do not hesitate to contact Gerald Chua, Treasurer, Investree Philippines, Inc. and Senior Manager, Filinvest Development Corporation, at cs@ investree.ph.
Pampanga solar plant seeks grid connection
THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said
the Digital National ID in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or plastic cards is strictly prohibited.
PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa said in an advisory Digital National IDs printed in PVC cards would not be accepted as proof of
COCONUT PLANTING. Coco Mama brand ambassador Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Century Pacific Agricultural Ventures Inc. (CPAVI), The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the General Santos City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) representatives and volunteers lead the Coco Mama ‘Save Our Coconuts’ project kickoff event. The project commits to distributing 100,000 quality coconut seedlings in a span of five years to replace aging trees, providing lasting income to smallholder Filipino coconut farmers and contribute to the overall effort to revitalize the Philippine coconut industry.
PRA JUDGES. The
Retailers
(PRA)
of judges and the official auditor for the
ADOPTED SCHOOLS. Land Bank of the Philippines, in support of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Adopt-A-School Program, will facilitate the repair and rehabilitation of the facilities of 12 last-mile public schools in disasteraffected provinces. The bank allotted a P6-million fund to address the urgent need for repairs and renovations of the school buildings. Signing the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the partnership are DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara and LandBank president and chief executive Lynette Ortiz.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
frameworks are
ance and risk management.
Over 40,000 PH hotel rooms set to open
By Othel V. Campos
HOTEL owners and operators on Tuesday highlighted the contribution of the accommodation industry to the Philippine economy, amounting to P250 billion in committed projects from 2023 and beyond 2024.
The Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc. (PHOA), in collaboration with Leechiu Property Consultants, unveiled an existing inventory of 158 accommodation establishments with 40,084 rooms under development during the launch of the 2024
IN BRIEF
ly being preferred for online purchases in the Philippines, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Alternative payment solutions collectively accounted for over a third of share in the overall e-commerce payments in 2023, it said.
“Philippines e-commerce market is experiencing strong growth, driven by factors such as rising internet penetration, improving logistics, a rise in the number of middleincome families, and increasing confidence in online payments. With a preference for online shopping due to its ease and timesaving benefits, Filipinos are embracing digital platforms, making e-commerce an integral part of their shopping experience,” said Kartik Challa, senior banking and payments analyst at GlobalData. According to GlobalData’s 2023 Financial Services Consumer Survey, 88.2 percent Filipino consumers reported having shopped online in the past six months, while only 7 percent said they never shopped online. The Filipino e-commerce market grew by 27.8 percent in 2023 to P1.1 trillion ($20.6 billion), driven by a large young population and rising internet and smartphone penetration. It is
Philippines Accommodation Pipeline Report.
“We believe that if these [hotel] keys are actuated and built, these will create approximately 57,000 direct jobs in the hotel industry,” said Leechiu director for hotels, tourism
and leisure Alfred Lay.
The pipeline projects are spread across different regions, with Luzon accounting for 50 percent of the developments, driven by economic activities in Manila and the Bay Area.
The Visayas, known for its leisure destinations, holds 42 percent of the projects, while Mindanao accounts for the remaining 8 percent.
The report indicates a positive outlook for the hotel industry, with potential for growth across the country.
Mindanao, in particular, is identified as an underserved market with opportunities for both local and international mid-scale hotel brands.
and the use of AI-driven, hyperpersonalized marketing strategies to enhance customer engagement through innovative and strategic initiatives.
By Othel V. Campos
FINANCIAL
technology compa-
ny UnaCash reported a remarkable increase in point-of-sale (POS) and buy now, pay later (BNPL) adoption in the Philippines.
It said that as of July 2024, 33.1 percent of adults aged 15 and above used POS, a tenfold increase from 3.2 percent in September 2018. The surge is attributed to the growth in mobile commerce and the prevalence of POS kiosks.
“POS adoption reflects the country’s increasing digitalization
and the widespread use of mobile payment solutions. The development of self-service kiosks and enhanced e-commerce platforms have further contributed to this significant rise,” said UnaCash
Metro Manila remains a key market with around 8,000 rooms in the pipeline. Cebu and Lapu-Lapu City combined also show promising growth with about 6,000 to 7,000 rooms under development.
Boracay, despite infrastructure challenges, continues to attract significant investment in hotel projects.
Lay said the expansion of hotel developments is not limited to major cities.
“Second and third-tier cities are also witnessing an increase in hotel projects, contributing to a more balanced and inclusive growth in the accommodation sector,” he said.
Uratex taps Movem Electric to provide sustainable logistics
By Alena Mae S. Flores
Electric Co.(Meralco), teamed up with foam and mattress maker Uratex Group of Companies for sustainable logistics.
“Our vision of driving the Philippines’ journey towards an emissionsfree transportation sector is only made possible through working with like-minded partners such as Uratex. Together, we will continue to promote key initiatives in vehicle electrification, helping protect and preserve our planet, and ultimately powering good lives for all,” said Movem president Raymond Ravelo, who is also first
head of product Erwin Ocampo.
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ BNPL adoption also saw a 9.6-times increase since 2018, with a stable share of 24.7 percent of users, ranking it among the top three countries in Southeast Asia.
This shows a growing preference for flexible payment solutions, driven by increasing digital financial services and consumer demand, according to Ocampo.
Ocampo said the growing appetite for BNPL services was driven by increased e-commerce and a rising preference for convenient financial options.
METROBANK EXHIBIT.
The Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) is hosting a free, month-long exhibition in celebration of the 40th year of the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) program. Titled ‘Sibol’, the exhibit will showcase a curated selection of winning artworks throughout the years of conducting MADE competitions. At the exhibition opening, MBFI will also introduce the new chapter of its visual arts competition for the upcoming year. Shown is the 2023 MADE exhibition.
vice president and chief sustainability officer of Meralco. Ravelo said Uratex took bolder steps in implementing sustainable practices with the adoption of EVs into its fleet in addition to transitioning to renewable energy sources, setting a powerful example on how to reduce carbon intensity in the industry. Movem turned over to Uratex an electric light delivery truck and a 60-kilowatt (kW) DC fast charger for its manufacturing plant in Plaridel, Bulacan. These initiatives support Uratex’s plan to further step up its adoption and deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) with a convenient and accessible charging solution to its drivers and operations.
THE African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in the CALABARZON region also affected the business of feed millers following a significant decline in demand for livestock feeds.
Rico Geron, chief executive of Batangas-based Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative, highlighted the dire situation affecting feed millers and farmers in the region.
“We are losing 50 percent of our revenues due to the depletion of pigs, and the livelihoods of thousands of Batanguenos are at stake,” he said. The impact of ASF extends beyond feed millers. Consumers are also expected to face higher pork prices in the coming weeks if the vaccination process is not accelerated.
Alice Maraan, general manager of Cavite Farmers Feedmilling and Marketing Cooperative, expressed worries over the government’s slow response in securing ASF vaccines. “If our members are affected by ASF, feed millers also suffer. We need the government to expedite the vaccination process,” she said.
Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc. representative Fritz Kenneth Chua echoed questioned the delays in the inoculation process despite the availability of vaccines. “The vaccine is readily available, yet the rollout is so sluggish. What is happening?” he asked.
AGAP Partylist Rep. Nick Briones criticized the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for what he called excessive testing requirements. “The problem is already here, so why are they not acting fast? Lives of our hogs and swine are at stake, as well as the livelihood of our industry,” he said.
BPI’S AWARDS. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) receives five awards at the recently concluded Marketing Excellence Awards 2024, reflecting the bank’s commitment to cybersecurity, digitalization
TOSHIBA Lifestyle Philippines has unveiled its new product line, which combines innovation and tradition, as part of the “Beyond Details” campaign.
Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines debuted its new product range under the “Beyond Details” concept on September 11, 2024, at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in BGC, Taguig.
Marriage of innovation and tradition in home solutions, with cutting-edge appliances that showcase the brand’s commitment to quality. Along with introducing local and regional brand ambassadors, the event honored Toshiba’s historical roots while showcasing the company’s continuous progress. Embracing the Takumi Spirit, which rep-
resents the concept of “master craftsman,”
Toshiba Lifestyle celebrates individuals who exemplify exceptional expertise, judgment, and years of experience in their fields.
Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines is breaking boundaries with its latest home appliances, designed to offer both comfort and convenience while allowing more time for what matters most. The new product line includes refrigerators, laundry, and cooking appliances, available in Morandi, Silver, and Black designs. These products feature sleek aesthetics and are expertly engineered with exceptional attention to detail, precision, and craftsmanship—key hallmarks of the Toshiba brand.
As part of the “Beyond Details” initiative, Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines proudly introduces its local brand ambassadors. Amina
Aranaz-Alunan, a visionary in the world of fashion and accessories, has been named Takumi Master of Design.
Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez, a trailblazer in furniture design and owner of a prominent Filipino brand, represents Takumi Master of Home and Interior Design. Chef JP Anglo, an acclaimed culinary artisan, takes on the role of Takumi Master of Food and Culinary, showcasing Filipino cuisine on the international stage. Each ambassador embodies Toshiba’s commitment to excellence and innovation in their respective fields.
Additionally for its Regional Brand Ambassadors Toshiba introduced Takashi Sorimachi, a well-known Japanese actor and singer, recognized for his role as Eikichi Onizuka in the 1998 adaptation of the manga Great Teacher Onizuka. He embodies the
craftsmanship and dedication that align with the brand’s values.
Manufacturing Philosophy: The Takumi Spirit embodies Toshiba’s dedication to excellence and its refusal to settle for mediocrity. This philosophy drives the company to integrate cutting-edge innovation with traditional craftsmanship, ensuring products with enhanced functionality. This approach was highlighted by Ms. Anna Marie Alejandro, General Manager of Concepcion Midea Incorporated Philippines (CMIP). Distribution and Service: In the Philippines, Toshiba products are distributed through Concepcion Midea Incorporated Philippines (CMIP). This collaboration guarantees that Filipino households receive the latest technology, exceptional craftsmanship, and comprehensive after-sales support.
By Pauline Gutierrez
IN an exciting development for the hospitality industry, Swiss-Belhotel International (SBI) has announced its strategic expansion in the Philippines during a press conference held recently. Esteemed speakers at the event included Chairman and President Gavin Faull, Executive Vice President James Tam, Regional Director for Operations and Business Development Garry Garcia, and Regional Director for Sales and Marketing Linie Palacio. The company, already a prominent player in the region, is thrilled to expand its footprint across key destinations in the Philippines. Swiss-Belhotel International has ambitious plans to establish more properties in Metro Manila, North Luzon, and the Visayas, further solidifying its presence in the country. When asked why Swiss-Belhotel International chose to expand in the Philippines, Faull highlighted the exceptional quality of Filipino hospitality. “We’ve seen firsthand how Filipino workers excel in customer care at our properties around the world. Their warmth, professionalism, and dedication to
guest service make the Philippines a perfect market for expansion,” Mr. Faull stated.
He emphasized that Filipino hospitality has not only been appreciated in SwissBelhotel’s operations globally but is also a defining feature of the properties already under management in the country. Valero Grand Suites by Swiss-Belhotel in Makati and Swiss-Belhotel Blulane in Binondo, Manila, have earned a reputation for providing excellent service, which Mr. Faull described as the hallmark of “Passion and Professionalism”—a standard that SwissBelhotel International is known for across its global portfolio.
The Opening of Swiss-Belinn Baguio
One of the highlights of the press conference was the announcement of the upcoming opening of Swiss-Belinn Baguio, which will cater to both business and leisure travelers. The new hotel is owned by the same group behind Swiss-Belhotel Blulane in Binondo, signaling their continued trust and satisfaction in Swiss-Belhotel’s management and operational standards.
organized by girls’ rights organization Plan International Pilipinas, has equipped her with valuable skills to promote resilience. She has learned how to share important information about the risks their community faces and how to build trust among their neighbors.
Beyond the technical skills she has acquired, Hannan has also gained a sense of purpose and belonging. “Meeting other young people who care about our community’s safety has been incredibly inspiring,” she shares. Through these experiences, she has seen herself grow from a shy student to a confident young leader.
“I feel deeply moved by the impact it has on others. It’s powerful to know that my experiences and words can inspire those around me. It makes me feel like I have a purpose—to encourage and uplift others who may be facing similar challenges or dreaming of making [an impact]. It’s about letting others know that they are not alone in their struggles and that they too can find strength to overcome obstacles,” she adds.
PHILCARE, one of the country’s top HMO providers, further expands its service offering by entering into a partnership with Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH) to give its members access to leading-edge, holistic, and affordable cancer treatment.
“By working together, we can leverage on our collective strengths and harness our joint resources to improve overall patient experience,” Healthway Medical Network President and CEO Jaime Ysmael said.
“This leads the way for a more robust and accessible healthcare system. For PhilCare members, the partnership translates to seamless patient experience. They now have convenient access to HCCH‘s extensive network of medical experts, maximizing the value of their health coverage. This empowers them to receive the treatment when they need it, whenever they need it,” he continued.
Established by AC Health and the Healthway Medical Network (HMN), HCCH is the Philippines’ first dedicated cancer hospital
that’s located in Taguig City. The pioneering medical center offers end-to-end cancer services, from preventive care to advanced treatment, and post-treatment support.
“The partnership signifies a significant step forward between two healthcare leaders. For Healthway Cancer Care Hospital, it represents a strengthened collaboration with a pioneering HMO that is committed to providing top-notch healthcare solutions to Filipinos. For PhilCare members, it marks the beginning of an enhanced access to specialized cancer care. Members can be assured that they now have expanded options for receiving high-quality, specialized treatments at the country’s premier cancer care facility.” PhilCare President and CEO Jaeger Tanco said. According to AC Health President and CEO Paolo Borromeo, the partnership would
Seated from Left: Ms. Linie Palacio, Regional Director for Sales and Marketing; Mr. Gavin Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International; Mr. James Tam, Executive Vice President of Swiss-Belhotel International and Regional Director for Operations and Business Development Mr. Garry Garcia, during the Press Conference last Sept 10, 2024 at Valero Grand Suites by Swiss-Belhotel in Makati, Philippines.
Lourdes
fields. Shown in photo (from left to right) are the awardees with
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer
Janine Gutierrez in her proudest moment
By Angelica Villanueva
WEARING a metallic nude top and a black mini skirt, actress Janine Gutierrez radiated pride and joy during an intimate interview with select members of the press on Thursday, Sept. 12.
Asked by Manila Standard Entertainment if she felt pressure being the granddaughter of iconic women in the industry, Janine replied, “Of course, there was pressure, but that was before.”
Coming from a family of well-known actors, including grandmothers Nora Aunor and Pilita Corrales, Janine explained that the pressure disappeared once she began making a name for herself in series and films.
Janine had just returned from the 81st Venice Film Festival. Recalling her experience, she spoke about her water taxi ride with the enthusiasm of a child recounting a trip to Disneyland, describing Venice as “magical.”
“When we entered the canal, I thought, ‘This is what Disneyland was trying to imitate.’ I was smiling and laughing to myself, and my companions laughed at me because Venice was just so magical,” Janine said.
Her journey to the festival began as a cast member in multi-awarded director Lav Diaz’s latest project, Phantosmia. Janine proudly represented the country at the festival.
“I felt truly proud to be Filipina. On the red carpet, there was a flag for each nationality at the Venice Film Festival this year. I made sure to take a picture with our flag,” she shared.
“We were a small delegation from the Philippines, but we were treated as equals. During our press conference, we thought, ‘Oh my god, Angelina Jolie had her press conference here the other day.’ It was so much fun that everyone there loves films and actors. It was a happy environment,” she continued.
Janine also revealed that working with Diaz was a “dream come true.”
“I really wanted to work with Direk Lav because I’ve watched his films. I know he’s highly anticipated internationally. His projects are very Filipino but also appreciated by foreign audiences,” she said.
“It was amazing to experience the audience standing and clapping after the screening. Direk Lav is so humble; he’s the type who’s like, ‘Okay, come on,’” she added.
TELEVISION’S Emmy Awards enjoyed a sizeable audience boost, with viewership rising by more than half from the previous edition’s alltime low, network ABC said Monday.
Some 6.87 million tuned in on Sunday night to watch Japan-set historical epic Shogun smash the record for most Emmy wins in a single season, picking up 18 awards at the small-screen version of the Oscars.
The show about warring rivals in feudal Japan also became the first non-English-language show to claim the highly coveted best drama series prize.
Thinking back on her first international appearance, Janine shared how happy and excited she felt about the experience, explaining how touching it was to be recognized and celebrated by people from around the world.
“It’s such a touching feeling when they’re clapping and standing, and everyone is looking at you. It’s super moving,” Janine said.
Asked if she’s considering a Hollywood career, Janine was clear.
“I prefer to do projects here, like Phantosmia Lavender Fields, and hopefully, those will be discovered internationally. I’m not interested in moving somewhere else to start a new career. I’d rather have a project outside because of something I did here, like Ms. Dolly [De Leon],” she concluded.
The audience jump is a welcome boost for a show that -- like many award ceremonies -- has struggled to retain viewers in recent years.
“The ‘76th Emmy Awards’ telecast on ABC posted the award show’s largest overall audience in 3 years, since the show’s airing on CBS (in 2021), which enjoyed an NFL football game leadin,” said an ABC statement.
Father-and-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy were broadly praised for their co-hosting of Sunday night’s event, which channeled nostalgia with multiple segments honoring television’s past, including a West Wing cast reunion. Still, the ratings are historically low. As recently as 2018, the Emmys telecast regularly topped 10 million.
Since then the Emmys have had to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic, which required a socially distanced ceremony.
And last summer’s Hollywood strikes meant pushing back the 2023 edition into the following
TV5 is set to premiere Himala Ni Niño, a prequel to the popular show Niña and Niño, on Sept. 30.
The new series explores Niño’s past, focusing on his early experiences with miracles in the rural town of Bukang Liwayway. It depicts Niño and his mother, Gloria, as they start anew in this influential setting, which plays a crucial role in shaping Niño’s future.
The cast includes Zion Cruz as the young Niño, with Freddie Webb and K Brosas in prominent roles.
Webb, known for his roles in Chicks to Chicks, Home Along Da Riles, and Can’t Buy Me Love, plays Lolo Mars, a wise elder in Bukang Liwayway who guides Niño with his spiritual insights and miraculous abilities. K Brosas, recognized for her work in Sing Galing, Tropang LOL, and Talentadong Pinoy takes on the role of Ate Gege. She portrays Niño’s second mother figure, offering care and guidance after Gloria leaves to seek better opportunities. Ang Himala Ni Niño will air Monday to Friday at 11:15 a.m. on TV5.
‘Shogun’ stars Anna Sawai (left) and Hiroyuki Sanada with their trophies
Freddie Webb takes on the role of Lolo Mars in the show
Janine Gutierrez attended the Venice Film Festival for director Lav Diaz’s ‘Phantosmia’
Janine Gutierrez during the interview with select members of the press
Cultural Center of the Philippines: Arts and culture’s timeless trailblazer
GLAZING LIFE
Glaiza Lee
THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has been on one fabulous ride of evolution and resilience since it first threw open its doors on Sept. 8, 1969. In no time, CCP strutted onto the scene as the ultimate hotspot for Philippine arts and culture, kicking off with a bang—195 performances in its debut year, including 35 dazzling international acts.
Fast forward to today, CCP’s programming is nothing short of a cultural feast, dishing out around 800 to 900 events every year. From shows to training sessions, it becomes a smorgasbord of artistic treats that keeps both Filipino artists and
audiences hooked.
Its reputation as the premier arts institution in the country and neighboring countries remains unshakable, partly because of the passionate leaders and workers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the programming inclusive and empowering. The inaugural CCP Board of Trustees laid the groundwork for what would become a cultural powerhouse. It was a squad of visionaries, including First Lady Imelda Marcos, historian Horacio de La Costa, S.J., National Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, businessman Antonio P. Madrigal, civic leader Ernesto Rufino, entrepreneur I.P. Soliongco, and tycoon Andres Soriano, Jr.
In the lead-up to its grand debut, a team of artistic trailblazers got down to work: museum director Robert Chabet, executive director Jaime Zobel de Ayala, theater director Lucrecia Kasilag, assistant theater director Teddy Hilado , auditor Rafael Binaday deputy director Antonio Quintos , and library director Alejandrino Hufana. They poured their hearts into shaping a center that set the bar sky-high.
“I’ve seen it grow and shine during good times and bad times,” said former CCP president and artistic director Nestor Jardin, reflecting on the CCP’s enduring spirit through various
UNICEF decks the halls with Manuel Baldemor’s art
UNICEF Philippines kicks off the Christmas season with a collection of festive cards featuring the artwork of renowned Filipino folk artist Manuel “Manny” Baldemor Baldemor, known for his paintings, wood prints, and carvings that highlight simplified geometric forms and folk art characters, hails from Paete, Laguna. His art often depicts the daily life and traditions of his hometown. Over the years, Baldemor has showcased his work in national and international exhibitions and has received several prestigious awards.
This year’s limited-edition UNICEF Christmas Cards feature four of Baldemor’s artworks: Pasko sa Aming Bayan (1992), Christmas Lanterns Festival (2006), Graces from the Land (2008), and Pasko ng Pamilya Pilipino (2024). Baldemor has been a part of UNICEF’s artist roster since the 1990s, with his work sold
globally for nearly two decades.
“My dream is for all children to be healthy and happy because they are our hope and future. I am proud to contribute my talent to support UNICEF’s programs for children,” Baldemor said.
Carli Snyman, Chief of Fundraising and Partnerships at UNICEF Philippines, explained,
challenges.
By 1979, CCP was ready for a major glow-up, expanding its staff from 38 to 122 and adding new divisions to boost its cultural game. And that was just the beginning.
After the rough patches of Martial Law, 1986 brought a significant makeover. President Ma. Teresa Escoda Roxas, artistic director Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson, and vice-president Florendo R. Garcia led the charge in recalibrating the center’s mission to keep pace with the shifting cultural tides.
In the late 1980s, the CCP Main Theater was renamed Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, the CCP Little Theater became Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, and Bulwagang Gantimpala was changed to Tanghalang Huseng Batute. Galleries were also renamed to honor artists like Fernando Amorsolo and Guillermo Tolentino
By the 1990s, the CCP focused on evolving with the people. The 1993 opening of the CCP Production Design Center under National Artist Salvador Bernal was a key moment. Leadership changes in 1994, with Ma. Paz Lagdameo as chairman and Francisco “Popoy” del Rosario, Jr. as president, set the stage for future developments. When Baltazar N. Endriga and later Nestor O. Jardin took leadership roles, the CCP continued to grow.
Under Jardin, the CCP supported the Philippine
Association of Printmakers and inaugurated the Liwasang ASEAN. The 1998 centennial celebrations featured numerous programs and international exchanges.
In 2000, the CCP won a legal victory confirming its ownership of a 62.4-hectare land. The early 2000s saw new leadership with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Board of Trustees and the launch of Arts for the People. Fernando “Tata Nanding” Josef became artistic director in 2002, envisioning the CCP as a bastion of arts and culture. When Josef stepped down in 2008, Jardin resumed his roles. Raul M. Sunico later became vice president and president during the CCP’s 40th anniversary.
In 2011, the Kulo exhibit controversy led to charges and a shutdown. Chris Millado who took over as artistic director, focused on expanding the CCP’s reach and enhancing its online presence. Looking ahead, Jardin envisions the CCP becoming self-sustaining while remaining a cultural hub. Josef is optimistic about the CCP’s future impact on arts and culture.
The ongoing renovation of the CCP Main Building promises a renewed era of cultural excellence. Jardin eagerly anticipates its reemergence in 2026, affirming CCP’s steadfast commitment to advancing Filipino arts and culture for generations to come.
Fernando Amorsolo’s ‘Under the Mango Tree’ fetches P57 million at auction
By Angelica Villanueva
NATIONAL Artist for Painting Fernando Amorsolo’s Under the Mango Tree has set a new record for him, selling the art piece for P57,676,800 at Leon Gallery’s Magnificent September Auction 2024.
“A [new world record] has just been set at León Gallery. Fernando Amorsolo’s ‘Under the Mango Tree’ has been sold for P57,676,800 (Hammer Price + Buyer’s Premium) at The Magnificent September Auction 2024,” the post read. It also added that the 1929 painting was from the collection of Father of Philippine Airconditioning Edward J. Nell
“The work has surpassed the previous record of PHP 46,720,000 by the 1931 piece titled ‘Mango Gatherers’ which was sold at León Gallery in 2018,” it added.
Under the Mango Tree was among the notable art pieces auctioned at The Magnificent September Auction 2024, including the 1898 Declaration of Philippine Independence, a significant document in the country’s history.
An aerial view of the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay City
The piece was sold at Leon Gallery’s Magnificent September Auction 2024
A decade of Sunshine
SUNSHINE Place is marking its tenth year as a community hub for seniors in Makati. For the past decade, it has pro-
pro
vided a welcoming space for creativity, wellness, and social engagement.
Founded under the Felicidad T. Sy Foundation, the center has become a gathering spot for older adults seeking to stay active, learn new skills, and connect with others.
Members like 74-year-old Tess Castaneda call it their “happy place.” She credits Sunshine Place for helping her maintain an active mental and physical lifestyle through various classes such as dance, art, and fitness. It also offered her opportunities to socialize and form new friendships.
Others share similar stories. Conchitina Sevilla Bernardo, 70, discovered the center after retiring from a life in the diplomatic circle. She found creative fulfillment in painting classes, often joined by her young granddaughter.
Another member, Linda Atayde, a former SM Foundation and bank executive, developed a passion for Ikebana flower arrangement, which led her to explore writing and other creative pursuits. Atayde also highlights how the center’s online activities during the pandemic kept her engaged and healthy.
Writing workshops, led by Oscar Penaranda and Dr. Joem Antonio, have helped members discover new talents. Antonio, an eight-time Palanca winner, says the center has a way of attracting “interesting people.”
Penaranda notes that the workshops have guided seniors in self-discovery and clarity in their writing, resulting in a collaborative anthology, Reflections in Light and Shadow, An Anthology of Short Memoirs.
Chit Mijares Chua, who has taken writing workshops under Penaranda and Barbara Gonzales says she likes the quiet joy and lightness of Sunshine Place.
“Confidence, productive me-time, courage to step out of the box, peace, gaining a friend or two. Sunshine Place gives me those,” Chua states.
Music therapy has also played a significant role at Sunshine Place. Instructor Czarina Cruel says she has found a second home there. Harvey
Chua, one of her students, says the center brought new joy into her life after losing her husband.
Artistic pursuits like Ikebana and porcelain painting have also flourished. Instructor Marc Tomas takes pride in seeing seniors develop new skills. His student, Cynthia Huessaff, enjoys a sense of community during classes. Tess Colayco, another student, calls it her “ikigai place,” where she finds joy in painting and meeting like-minded individuals.
Porcelain painting teacher Mee Lee Casey adds that the classes offer a supportive environment for participants to bond and share their experiences.
Sunshine Place also offers dance and fitness classes. The “Dekada Class” members, Bella Pilapil, 71, Marilou
“Balot” Prudente, 57, Maria Corazon Mendoza, 71, Cecille Ventura, 50, and Rey Legarda, 57, appreciate the camaraderie and mental stimulation they gain from the center’s activities.
Sunshine Place also caters to those interested in physical activities. Dance instructor Danny Vinculado has been teaching at the center for a decade, with students like 95-year-old Erlinda Velasco and 53-year-old Cherry Co finding joy in tap dancing.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be able to do this, but as long as I can follow on my feet and they don’t throw me out, I’ll keep trying. It keeps me young at 95,” says Velasco.
Co often brings her mother, Enrica Babao, 84, to the senior hub three times a week. Although her mom’s age and health issues have been challenging for Co, her mom has been active in dance, salsa, chair dance, music classes, and brain enhancement classes.
“Mommy was enjoying,” she says.
“Sunshine gave my mother continuity even if she is a senior. There is life and happiness in being part of the Sunshine Place family.”
Sunshine Place, located on Jupiter Street in Makati, continues to provide a welcoming space for seniors to explore their interests, stay active, and foster community.
Encouraging sustainability through eco-friendly art competition
By Abigail Adriatico
SUSTAINABILITY is one of the most important advocacies that more and more organizations are integrating into their operations as the pressing issue of caring for the environment demands the action of both corporations and individuals alike.
With art being a medium that can serve as a platform for advocacies to reach a wider audience and have their message be known, health and beauty retailer Watsons has staged the second edition of its Sustainability Art Competition with the theme “Reimagine, Recycle for a Better Future.”
Featuring the artworks of 31 local artists who utilized recycled materials like paper, steel, plastic bottles, empty sachets, and many more, the competition aimed to inspire Filipinos to make more sustainable choices and become more conscious of the environmental footprint of their daily routines.
of turning waste into art.
As the competition’s grand winner, Española took home a cash prize of P100,000 and P10,000 worth of Watsons products from its Sustainable Choices line. Meanwhile, Lim received a P50,000 cash prize and P8,000 worth of Watsons products.
The competition was judged by multi-awarded artist Caesar Sario and surrealist painter Roland Rosacay Drybrush Gallery founder Jojo Liao expressed how rewarding it was to partner with Watsons for the event.
“The diverse range of artworks created from recycled materials not only showcases the talent of our local artists but also highlights how creativity can drive progress in sustainability,” said Liao.
The competition is part of Watsons’ efforts to foster sustainability with an action plan that revolves around focusing on the planet, the people they work with, and the communities they serve, as well as continuously innovating their products and providing more sustainable choices for their consumers.
Noli Española’s winning artwork was his Alay sa Inang Kalikasan piece, which featured a painting of a hand holding onto a budding plant as an offering in front of a patch of land with a bird soaring up ahead. The artist notably used empty plastic bottles for the piece, with one serving as a pot for the plant and another being the body of the bird.
“When people look at my painting, I want them to think about how I conceptualized and utilized the plastic bottles from Watsons,” Española told Manila Standard Life
“We have this habit of throwing away bottles after using them, sometimes giving them to junk shops. If you think about it, you can do a lot of things with those bottles, like the one I did with the plant. You can hang it up, put in some soil, and you can grow your vegetables,” he added.
Taking the runner-up spot was A Cinderella Story by Sven Wilbur Lim, a detailed statue of a woman in a ball gown made entirely from paper and resin. Lim shared that he wanted to showcase how the fictional character’s story of “rags-to-riches” can be likened to the competition’s aim
“Through this initiative, Watsons aims to encourage our customers to make recycling a regular part of their lives by showcasing innovative ways to transform waste into something beautiful and functional,” said Watsons Senior AVP for Marketing, PR & Sustainability Sharon Decapia
“We know that art and sustainability have always been interconnected because art can move, evoke emotions, drive people to take action, and ignite conversation,” she said further, adding that the event served as a venue for artists to help in educating and driving the conversation on how to help save the environment.
All of the artworks from the competition are available to view and purchase at https://drybrush.com/ exhibitions/reimaginerecycle-an-art-competitionfor-a-sustainable-future with the proceeds going back to the respective artists.
Oscar Penaranda (center) with students from the memoir writing workshop
Sunshine Place offers a class for learning the basics of tap dancing
Artist Mee Lee Casey teaches porcelain painting at Sunshine Place
Sunshine Place member Tess Castaneda shares how the center serves as her ‘ikigai’
Sven Wilbur Lim with his artwork ‘A Cinderella Story’
Noli Española with his winning artwork ‘Alay sa Inang
Kalikasan’ and his other entry ‘Yamang Dagat’
The 31 artists who joined Watson’s Sustainability Art Competition
