Manila Standard - 2025 March 4 - Tuesday

INDIE FILM ‘ANORA’ TRIUMPHS AT 97TH OSCAR AWARDS

INDEPENDENT film “Anora”—the tale of a sex worker whose marriage to the son of a Russian oligarch quickly unravels—was the big winner at the Oscars on Sunday, scooping five awards including best picture.

Sean Baker’s black comedy also took home the Academy Awards for best director, best editing, best original screenplay and best actress for 25-year-old star Mikey Madison.

“This is a dream come true,” said Madison.

“I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me. So, to be here standing in this room today is really incredible.”

A shellshocked Madison later told reporters backstage she was still processing a win that looked set to open career doors—even though she had no idea what was next.

By Charles Dantes and Pot Chavez

‘Danger’ heat level persists

PAGASA: April, May warmest months; DOH: Heat cramps likely

By

MALACAÑANG said it is investigating reports that suspected Chinese spies made several donations to the Philippine

In a Palace briefing on Monday, PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro assured that the donations, which supposedly include cash and motorcycles, would be looked into exhaustively amid fears that they facilitated the infiltration of government offices. “We are examining this, and if

By Rio Araja, Maricel Cruz and Ram Superable

DAGUPAN City in Pangasinan is likely to reach the “danger” heat category index today (Tuesday) at 42ºC, state weather bureau PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. forecast yesterday.

The Department of Health warned that heat index ranging from 42ºC to 51ºC are considered “danger” levels that can lead to heat cramps and heat exhaustion, with symptoms including fatigue, dizziness, headache, and vomiting.

“Prolonged exposure to extreme

heat increases the risk of heat stroke, a serious condition that can cause loss of consciousness, confusion, or seizures, and may be fatal if left untreated,” the DOH said.

Other areas with high heat index forecast but still below the dangel

Heat wave shuts down schools in several parts of Metro Manila

SOARING temperatures shut down schools in nearly half of Metro Manila yesterday, local officials said.

In Malabon, education department official Edgar Bonifacio said the suspensions affected more than 68,000 students across 42 schools.

“Our main concern is we’re near the end of the school year (in mid-

April),” Bonifacio said. “This would mean a reduction of the number of school days available.”

In Valenzuela district, school official Annie Bernardo said its 69 schools have been instructed to shift to “alternative” learning models, including online classes.

By Charles Dantes

By Rachelle Tonelada

A ONE-ON-ONE meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. is expected to take place soon, the Philippines’ top diplomat in Washington disclosed yesterday.

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez told the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) that the White House would confirm details of the upcoming meeting.

rights, joined over 1,000 women leaders; and members of various organizations in Plaridel, Bulacan. Reflecting on the event’s theme, “Ang Dangal at Kagitingan ay Hinuhubog sa Tahanan,” Rep. Romualdez emphasized

Mayor Lorie Vinta,

celebration recognized women changemakers excelling in education, business, community service, and public governance.

HEAT IS ON. Students and pedestrians use umbrellas to shield themselves from the heat in Ermita, Manila on Monday, March 3. The City of Manila suspended all classes in both public and private schools yesterday after PAGASA forecast temperatures could rise upto a dangerous level of 42°C. Norman Cruz and Andrew Rabulan

Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Col. Paul Abay US President Donald Trump

Busway to remain open—Dizon

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that the EDSA busway will remain operational during the rehabilitation of EDSA.

“The EDSA busway will not close even with the EDSA rehabilitation,” DOTr Secretary Vivencio Dizon stated, addressing comments from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

Acting Chair Don Artes, who mentioned that the government was considering removing the busway once the capacity of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3) could be expanded.

the campaign against fake news.

“Fake news is something that should not be tolerated because it is actually a great disservice to the country, and making people believe things that are false. I think that is a sin against our country,” Remulla said.

He said the DOJ is looking at cyberlibel and other cyber laws to find out if there is a need to amend existing laws after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cautioned the public against the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation as the campaign period began.

For his part, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz recalled instances where false narratives have caused harm, citing cases of cyberbullying and baseless allegations that have damaged reputations.

“We are studying that (regulatory body),so that it (fighting fake news) can happen – at least somehow – especially regarding the sensitive issues that are not truths,” Ruiz said. “A lie told a thousand times can drown out the truth.”

“Even lawmakers have been victimized by fake news, and they can’t do anything about it. So, what more for an ordinary person who is being destroyed online? Where can they turn to?” he said.

He said legal action may be pursued in extreme cases.

“Spreading false information about class suspensions is one thing, but what if someone falsely claims there is a bomb threat? How can authorities ignore that?...The point is, if you’re a vlogger or a social media influencer, you should be responsible for the information you put out to the public.”

“We will study this further, but we have a legal team that can act, if necessary. We must take action. This is one of the reasons I am determined to fight fake news—it has gone too far,” Ruiz added.

Remulla added the DOJ is not setting a target date when the review would be finished, nor does it have a deadline in filing cases against purveyors of fake news.

“There is no target date. It’s a caseto-case basis. For every news, there should be a study to look at how fake it is, and how we can prove it is fake news and what actual penalties can be imposed on these actions,” the Justice chief said.

Earlier, lawmakers proposed that social media platforms should have “legislative franchise” from Congress, just like mainstream TV networks, if only to substantially lessen and if not totally eradicate the proliferation of fake news.

Dizon emphasized that the busway “is really for the commuter,” as it significantly shortens travel time along the EDSA highway for passengers.

He further noted that his office would collaborate with both the MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to explore solutions that would enhance the efficiency of the system.

The DPWH had earlier announced that the EDSA rehabilitation project would begin with the closure of the EDSA bus lane.

The department explained that the rehabilitation would focus on one northbound and 15 southbound segments to improve the road surface, increase pavement durability, and enhance the overall safety of the public.

Orbos in, Nebrida out as PTV-4 head—Ruiz

By Charles Dantes

FORMER Executive Secretary Oscar Orbos will take over as officer-incharge (OIC) general manager of PTV4, replacing Toby Nebrida, Malacañang announced yesterday.

In an interview, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz said the decision was made following discussions with Orbos, who agreed to assume the role while the agency prepares the necessary documents and reviews legal considerations.

“We talked about it last Saturday, and he agreed while the officer-in-charge

was there as GM,” Ruiz said in Filipino.

“We’re just preparing the papers and looking into the legalities, but for now, he agreed,” the PCO acting secretary added.

Orbos however has indicated he does not intend to hold the position for long due to his age and has expressed a preference to serve instead as chairman of the state-run network.

“He said, ‘I won’t stay there for long because I’m getting old,’” Ruiz said.

“He’d rather stay as chairman instead, and we agreed on our part. But for now, Secretary Oscar Orbos will be the OIC,” he added. Ruiz acknowledged that the leader-

ship change was partly influenced by employee concerns.

“There are a lot of employees complaining, so we want to calm them down,” Ruiz said.

“Expect that something new will happen,” he added.

When asked about the nature of the complaints, Ruiz declined to provide specifics.

The transition at PTV-4 is part of a broader government revamp.

Ruiz said the Executive Secretary had issued an order requiring all presidential appointees to submit courtesy resignations.

Each office is being evaluated based on performance, with an initial list of officials already under review.

THE Light Rail Transit 2 (LRT-2) announced yesterday that it will offer free rides for all women passengers on Saturday, March 8, in celebration of Women’s Day. The free ride will be from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in all LRT-2 stations. A free haircut also awaits 30 women passengers in select LRT-2 stations on the following dates: March 12 - Antipolo Station March 19 - Cubao Station March 26 - Recto Station The LRT-2 management said it will also give roses to women passengers in the Antipolo Station on March 5.

levels are Iba, Zambales at 41ºC and NAIA, Pasay City; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Bacnotan, La Union; ISU Echague, Isabela; and Sangley Point, Cavite at 39ºC.

Heat index, otherwise known as the “apparent temperature,” is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with air temperature.

The state weather bureau reminded the public to limit time spent outdoors; drink plenty of water; avoid tea, coffee, soda and liquor; wear umbrellas, hats, and sleeved clothing outdoors; and schedule heavy-duty activities for the

beginning or end of the day when the temperature is no longer high.

PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief Ana Liza Solis said: “Based on historical data and monitoring, the northeast monsoon is usually terminated by mid- or third week of March. This is followed by months of warm and dry weather.”

Solis said the bureau recorded 2024 as the hottest year in the Philippines – a year when a strong El Niño and record temperatures were recorded by experts.

But for this year, she said the same level of intense heat may not be experienced.

“Right now, we don’t see it being as hot this year compared to last year. But since it is warm and dry, it will still be hot. There is still the presence of the northeast monsoon. There are also con-

vective activities that will bring rain, and the La Niña alert remains in place.

This means there are still chances of light rain,” she said.

Solis said April and May are projected to be the warmest months, with maximum temperatures forecast at 39ºC in Northern Luzon. In Metro Manila, maximum temperatures by April and May were forecast at 37ºC.

The heat index in Iba, Zambales reached 53°C on April 28, 2024 – the highest recorded last year.

In terms of actual temperature, several PAGASA stations across the country posted new all-time records last year, including: Clark, Pampanga at 39.1°C; NAIA, Pasay City at 38.8°C; Sangley Point, Cavite City at 38.7°C; Butuan City at 38°C; and Malaybalay City at 37.5°C.

“Obviously, with what’s happening right now, we probably may be able to expect some ideas on having this meeting sometime around the spring of this year. I wouldn’t want to put any fix date in it because, at the end of the day, it’s really a matter of the timing,” he said during the Prospects Forum at the Manila Diamond Hotel.

“President Marcos also is quite busy with the campaign here. So, we’d like to make sure that the timing is just perfect for both leaders to have that meeting,” Romualdez added.

The Philippine envoy emphasized that Mr. Marcos is eager to meet with his US counterpart and is prepared to fly to Washington as soon as Trump’s schedule allows.

Meanwhile, Romualdez expressed confidence in the continued strength of the US-Philippines alliance despite potential policy shifts under Trump’s administration.

He pointed to Washington’s recent decision to unfreeze $336 million in military aid for the Philippines, noting that the remaining portion of the $500 million package will be “under review.”

Global average temperatures hit record highs in 2024 and even briefly surpassed the critical 1.5°C warming threshold.

In January, UN children’s agency UNICEF said extreme weather disrupted the schooling of about 242 million children in 85 countries last year, including the Philippines, with heat waves having the biggest impact.

Human activity, including the un-

of PCO, then we do not see anything wrong there because he also needs to earn,” Castro added.

restricted burning of fossil fuels over decades, has warmed the planet and changed weather patterns.

That has meant wetter wet periods and dryer dry periods, intensifying heat and storms and making populations more vulnerable to disasters. AFP

agreement due to his position as head of its sales and marketing,” it said.

moved,” she added.

Castro was also asked about allegations of a conflict of interest and earlier remarks by Ruiz concerning leakages within the PCO.

“Maybe he’s the one who should answer that properly; I didn’t catch what he meant,” she said.

“If his businesses were established before he was appointed as Secretary

In a statement after the prescon, the PCO said the story about the joint venture (JV) between IBC-13 and Digital8, Inc. that appeared on the Politiko website on March 2, 2025 is “false, inaccurate and misleading.”

“Secretary Jay Ruiz was not an incorporator or director of Digital8, and has never owned any shares in the company. He was merely Digital8’s authorized representative to the jopint venture

“The JV won the contract through competitive public bidding in October 2024, in full compliance with all rules, regulations and laws pertaining to public bidding,” the PCO said.

The Politiko report claimed that Digital 8, Inc. is a media company cofounded by Ruiz which won a contract worth more than P206 million with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for airing lotto draws on state-run IBC 13 in the last quarter of 2024.

The ambassador also revealed that US Senator Bill Hagerty is advocating for an additional $2.5 billion in military assistance over the next four to five years to support the modernization of the Philippine armed forces. Romualdez reiterated that the Philippine government is committed to being a true strategic partner of the US, working towards a mutually beneficial alliance.

Marbil...

From A1

February 28, the same day his immediate predecessor, Colonel Elmer Ragay was put on administrative relief, PNP Public Information Office (PIO) head Col. Randulf Tuaño announced yesterday.

donation in good faith, there is nothing wrong with accepting it,” she told reporters. Castro cited examples during the pandemic when China provided ambulances and vehicles—particularly in Davao City under then Mayor Sara Duterte—noting that such donations were welcomed if properly executed.

But she emphasized that if any donation comes with ulterior motives, an in-

“The Substance.” Baker used one of his four acceptance speeches to urge support for independent movies.

“I want to thank the Academy for recognizing a truly independent film. This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists,” he said.

“I just know that tonight I’m going to go home to my new puppies and probably clean up their mess,” she laughed. Her win was something of an upset, as she bested 1990s megastar Demi Moore, who had been the odds-on favorite to cap a late career flourish with a golden statuette for body-horror flick

vestigation is warranted.

“If the donation appears to be given with a hidden agenda, then we must investigate it thoroughly. Officials who receive these donations should be made aware so that misuse can be prevented,” she said.

When asked about allegations that Chinese nationals involved in illegal activities have managed to cultivate deep connections within the PNP, Castro assured that such claims would not be ignored.

“The President will not let this go unchecked. If such news reaches us, it

The film’s triumph came at the expense of “Conclave”—a film about the secretive and cut-throat election of a new Catholic leader that had been lent an uncanny timeliness by the real-life health woes of Pope Francis.

The five wins by “Anora”—out of six nominations—was an impressive haul for a movie made for just $6 million, a tiny sum by Hollywood standards.

‘Defying Gravity’ and Conan

The more than three-and-a-half hour Oscars broadcast was a relatively staid affair, with little of the political tubthumping that has characterized previous editions. AFP

The Vatican intrigue, starring Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini, earned top honors from Britain’s BAFTAs, and the Hollywood actors’ SAG Award, but had to settle Sunday for best adapted screenplay, despite having been seen as a favorite heading into the night.

must be properly investigated and cannot be dismissed,” she said.

Castro declined to offer further details, saying the review is ongoing.

However, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Major General Nicolas Torre III said that PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil has ordered an inquiry into the matter to determine the details of the donations.

It was earlier reported that three Chinese nationals charged with espionage directed donations from socio-civic groups to the police units of the cities of Manila and Tarlac.

Meanwhile, House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun of Zambales expressed concerns over some senatorial candidates’ silence on the growing threat of Chinese espionage in the Philippines.

The House Special Committee on Bases Conversion, stressed that national security should be a top priority for anyone aspiring to become a senator, with mounting evidence of intelligence-gathering operations linked to China.

“National security is a big issue, but why don’t they want to talk about it? The Senate is responsible for enacting

A graduate of PNP Academy (PNPA) Class of 1997, Abay held key positions in the police force before his new designation, including Deputy Director for Administration and Chief of Staff of the AKG. He was also director of the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office. The PNP previously said Ragay was relieved “following adverse news reports and viral social media discussions questioning the legitimacy of a recent rescue operation” of a kidnapped 14-year-old Chinese student of the British School Manila.

national laws that will strengthen our defense. We should hear what their plan is for our safety,” Khonghun pointed out.

It can be recalled that authorities recently claimed to have dismantled an espionage ring operating in the country.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it busted a group using sophisticated surveillance activities targeting Malacañang, the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) compound, among others.

‘Delays in impeach trial won’t be tolerated’

By Ram Superable

SENATE President Fran-

cis Escudero said the Senate is reviewing its rules and making necessary preparations for the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, including security measures and ensuring public access

“You have to balance the preparation and security, making sure that it is open to the public. We will not tolerate any delay as far as this case is concerned,” he said.

Escudero stated that the Senate is also engaging legal counsel to handle any cases filed against the chamber during the proceedings.

He noted that Supreme Court (SC) decisions, both in the Philippines and abroad, have established that impeachment is a political process, as determined by the framers of the Constitution, and that the required burden of proof depends on what senators deem it to be.

When asked about the possible withholding of confidential documents in an impeachment trial, Escudero cited the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

During that trial, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Senate from opening Corona’s foreign currency deposit accounts.

On the possibility of a special session, Escudero said it only applies for urgent legislation.

He argued that no such urgent legislation currently exists and calling a special session under false pretenses would be improper. Escudero also dismissed claims that election campaigns may delay the trial and asserted that the Senate is adhering to procedure, not personal interests.

The Senate’s refusal to immediately convene as an impeachment court to hear the case against the Vice President may be a result of selective interpretation of the Constitution or a deliberate political strategy, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, who chairs the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, said.

PH, Japan conduct bilateral maritime activity in WPS

NAVAL forces from the Philippines and Japan carried out their second bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea on February 27.

The announcement was made on Monday via a Facebook post by the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the Philippine Navy’s first guided-missile frigate and flagship vessel.

The BRP Jose Rizal also participated in the inaugural MCA with Japan, which happened on August 2, 2023.

“The Philippines and Japan successfully concluded their second bilateral maritime cooperative activity on 27 February 2024, in the WPS. The exercise aimed to enhance the

two nations’ maritime security and promote closer cooperation and understanding in addressing regional challenges,” the BRP Jose Rizal said in its Facebook post.

The MCA involved personnel from the Filipino frigate and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, JS Ariake (DD-109) and JS Hamagiri (DD-155), who arrived in the Philippines for a courtesy call last Feb. 24.

The drills focused on “maneuvering exercises and photo exercises.”

Japan and the Philippines have agreed to deepen their defense cooperation in response to an increasingly challenging security environment in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen

environmentalist

country’s vast mineral wealth at the coast of environmental

NAIA unveils automated parking system

By Joel E. Zurbano

Currently, only cash payments are

however,

March 14,

options, including GCash,

debit, and credit cards, to provide greater convenience. Under the new system, drivers will enter through unmanned entrances, receive an automated ticket, and exit using a QR code-based method. This is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and improve overall traffic flow. By July 2025, autopay stations will be operational across all terminals, further speeding up transactions. This new parking system is part of NNIC’s efforts to modernize NAIA and improve services for all airport users.

Nakatani and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro reached this agreement during a meeting in Manila on February 24.

The discussions focused on regional security issues, including maritime disputes in the East and South China Seas. Nakatani emphasized the need for closer collaboration between the two nations, stating that stronger defense ties are essential to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Both countries committed to enhancing military exchanges, establishing high-level strategic dialogues, and expanding information-sharing efforts. The partnership comes amid shared concerns over China’s assertive actions in disputed waters. Rex Espiritu

Oil companies cut fuel prices by P1.40/liter

By Alena Mae S. Flores

OIL firms cut pump prices across all products led by kerosene at P1.40 per liter, gasoline by P0.90 per liter and diesel by P0.80 per liter effective 6am Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

Seaoil Philippines, PetroGazz, Jetti Petroleum, Clean and PTT Philippines issued separate advisories of the latest oil price movement.

This followed the rollback in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) of P1.19 to P1.20 per kilogram implemented by Solane LPG and Petron Corp. on March 1. This translates to a rollback of P13.09 to P13.20 price cut for an 11-kilo tank.

IN BRIEF

Agents nab South Korean wanted for fraud

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) apprehended a South Korean wanted by authorities in Seoul linked to a telecommunications fraud scheme amounting to nearly P1 million. The apprehended fugitive was identified as Park Seungeon, 24, who was cornered on Bradco Avenue in Parañaque City by agents from the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the arresting officers were armed with a mission order he had issued following intelligence received from the South Korean government, which had been tracking Park›s criminal activities and his location within the country.

Vito Barcelo

Abalos seeks regular pay for contract workers

ALYANSA para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos is advocating for regular gratuity pay and incentives, especially during Christmas for the 832,000 contract-ofservice (COS) and job order (JO) workers in government.

Abalos said if he can secure a Senate seat in the midterm elections, he would file a bill that will provide the much-needed benefits for the COS and JO workers in the public sector. Unlike regular government employees holding permanent, casual, temporary, and co-terminus positions, JO and COS workers are not receiving standard employment benefits. Maricel V. Cruz

Angeles LGU rolls out affordable housing

RESIDENTS of Angeles City can now access affordable housing through the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Project, with units priced at P1.23 million for 27 square meters, plus an optional P400,000 for parking.

Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. emphasized

MINING ACT. Members of the

group Kalikasan People’s Network for Environment (KPNE) troop to Mendiola Bridge in Manila on Monday to mark the 30th anniversary of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, a law that has enabled large-scale mining operations to exploit the

devastation and human rights violation. Danny Pata

FACING THE MEDIA. House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st

District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V and Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman face members of the media during a press conference at the House of Representatives Monday morning. Roy Pelovello

WARM WELCOME. The BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the Philippine Navy’s flagship, welcomes naval forces from Japan. The Philippines and Japan carried out their second bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea on February 27.

IN BRIEF

Customs seizes P202-m frozen fish from China

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized at the Port of Manila 19 containers of frozen mackerel worth P202 million declared as fried taro.

The seizure was made after an inspection conducted by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., and Customs district collector Alexander Gerard Alviar.

The confiscated 4o-foot container vans came from China and were detained since last Jan. 20, after the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIISPOM) requested both intrusive and non-intrusive examinations on the shipment.

President Marcos earlier highlighted the necessity for more robust enforcement actions to dismantle smuggling operations that jeopardize local businesses and disturb market equilibrium, Rubio said. Vito Barcelo

Bora to host final leg of Asian kiteboarding

BORACAY Island- This resort island is set to host the grand finale of the longest-running kiteboarding tournament in Asia which marks its 10th Season from March 14 to 16.

More than 80 elite kiteboarding athletes from across the globe are expected to see action during the competition to be staged at the beach front of Aqua Boracay, Bulabog Beach.

According to the Philippine Kiteboaring Association this final stop of the tour promises to be a spectacular showcase of skill, speed and style, featuring top riders from the Philippines, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Among the star-studded line up is Yo Pudla of Thailand, an eighttime Asian Cup champion and the current IKA Asian champion in Twin-Tip racing, who will be competing with the top contenders such as Stefan Vance of Northern Ireland and other local athletes.

Jun Aguirre

Tagum City mourns death of ex-vice mayor

FORMER Tagum City Vice Mayor

Geterito Gementiza has passed away, the family announced on Monday.

Gementiza, who served as vice mayor for two consecutive terms from 2013 to 2019, was popular among the people of Tagum.

He was reputedly the idol of the masses during his stint in government service, starting off as city councilor from 1988 to 2007.

Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, in a social media post, said the entire city is mourning for the loss of an idol in public service.

Cherrie Anne Villahermosa

Put off plan to transfer commercial turboprop planes to Clark—solon

By Maricel V. Cruz

CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte appealed to President Marcos and newly installed Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon to set aside a plan to transfer commercial turboprop aircraft operations from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to the Clark International Airport (CIA) in Pampanga until such time that the government can undertake the long-delayed expansion of runways of regional airports to accommodate bigger planes.

Villafuerte also said phasing out propeller-driven small planes would severely hurt domestic tourism and inconvenience air travelers and tourists going to and from the affected regions

He pointed out that turboprop aircraft Bombardiers and ATRs are be-

WOMEN IN THE POLICE SERVICE. In observance of the National Women’s Month, Manila Police District chief Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay honors the policewomen and the nonuniformed MPD personnel during the traditional Monday flagraising ceremony at the MPD headquarters. Norman Cruz

ing used by the budget carriers of leading airlines Cebu Pacific Air (CebuPac) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) for commercial flights in secondary airports such the one in Naga City.

“We are making this appeal to President Marcos and Secretary Vince of

the DOTr (Department of Transportation) to hold in abeyance this move by the MSCC (Manila Slot Coordinating Committee) to decongest the NAIA by gradually moving out all commercial turboprop operations from the country’s premier gateway to the Clark Airport in Pampanga,” Villafuerte said.

“It is our hope that this MSCC decision on the gradual transfer of all turboprop operations from the NAIA to the CIA in Pampanga will be put on the back burner until such time that the DOTr can carry out the long-planned expansion of the runways at the Naga airport and other secondary airfields nationwide so they can accommodate bigger aircraft like the Airbus 300 jets in place of the would-be banned turboprops,” Villafuerte added.

Lawmaker warns vs. supporting ‘China-funded’ candidates

LA UNION Rep. Paolo Ortega on Monday urged Filipinos to remain vigilant during the upcoming midterm elections, saying China’s claim over Palawan, combined with mounting evidence that Beijing is funding certain candidates, poses a direct threat to the country. Voting for pro-China candidates is akin to handing over national interests to foreign powers, Ortega stressed.

“China started with the West Philippine Sea. Now, they are saying they own Palawan. Let’s see — if there are candidates with funds from China, what interest will they protect?

Our people or the ones who funded them?” Ortega said.

In recent months, Chinese social media platforms have been flooded with videos and posts falsely claim-

ing that Palawan belongs to China.

The internet posts, carried by WeChat, Douyin, and Weibo, use misleading maps and fabricated historical texts suggesting that Palawan was once part of Chinese territory.

Some even feature digitally altered images of Palawan with Chinese flags, subtly conditioning both Chinese citizens and Filipinos to accept the falsehood that the province is not part of the Philippines.

This tactic mirrors China’s previous disinformation campaigns in the South China Sea which helped justify its construction of military bases on artificial islands within Philippine waters.

Analysts warned that such narratives aim to normalize the idea of Chinese sovereignty over Palawan, laying the groundwork for future claims. Maricel V. Cruz

‘Holistic approach’ to cancer care eyed

TINGOG party-list Rep. Jude Acidre called for a “holistic and patient-centered approach” to cancer care, one that brings treatment closer to families, provides financial support, and ensures no patient is left to navigate the healthcare system alone.

Speaking at the 2025 Philippine National Cancer Summit, Acidre stressed that improving cancer care in the Philippines requires more than just building hospitals. “It demands a coordinated effort that prioritizes accessibility, affordability, and compassionate support at every stage of a patient’s journey,” he said.

“Fighting cancer is more than just medical treatment—it’s about making sure no Filipino faces this battle alone,” Acidre said during the panel discussion on “Collaborative Action for a Stronger Cancer Care Ecosys-

tem: Moving Forward.” Acidre also highlighted the stark disparity in access to healthcare between urban and rural areas, saying patients from the provinces often face long and costly journeys just to receive specialized care.

“For many Filipinos, specialized cancer treatment is out of reach— either too far, too expensive, or too complicated to navigate,” he explained. To overcome this challenge, Acidre said Tingog has actively supported the development of regional cancer centers, including the Benjamin T. Romualdez Cancer Center in Manila, and the Eastern Visayas Cancer Center in Tacloban, both aimed at decentralizing cancer care and reducing dependence on Metro Manila facilities. Maricel V. Cruz

According to him, the airport upgrades must be implemented as soon as possible so that secondary airfields can accommodate bigger aircraft or jets, citing as example the Naga Airport.

He said the transfer plan will mean that travelers and tourists have to go to Clark, which is 80 kilometers north of Manila for their flight to Naga City. The other option is to travel by land for the 380-km trip from Manila to Bicol that will take more than 10 hours.

Given the leadership change at the DOTr, Villafuerte expressed the hope that Dizon would suspend the MSCC decision pending a review of the phase-out of turboprop operations at the NAIA and the expansion of the Naga Airport runway, enabling it to accommodate jets or airplanes.

Solon hits bishop for meddling in local politics

By Rosas Olarte

AKO BICOL party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co appealed to Albay Bishop Joel Baylon to avoid involvement in political issues “especially now that big developments are taking place to fully rehabilitate the basic services of Albay” which he initiated since as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations. Co made the appeal as he inspected vital infrastructure projects and assure local leaders that everything is going well in the province.

Among these projects are the ongoing construction of the Coast Guard Academy in Bacacay, Albay, the so-called super health centers, and the “one stop shop” regional government offices in Rawis, Legazpi City, reputedly Albay’s biggest take on aggressively rehabilitating basic services notably water and electricity.

Co, along with officials of the Albay Electric Cooperative Inc (ALECO), also led the ground breaking ceremonies for three 20-megavolt susbstations deemed as a “gamechanger” for the province’s stable supply of electricity once completed.

He charged that the people of Albay were denied efficient government services due to false promises, mismanagement, excessive politics, and undue meddling by religious leaders.

Co disclosed that he spearhead the release of a total of P1.1 billion in rehabilitation funds for ALECO and the Legazpi City Water District. In a press briefing, Co emphasized that the Albayanons would ultimately recognize who is their “real savior” from poverty they suffered over the past years.

CHEESECAKE TAKES THE CAKE. Cheesecake, a huge albino python at the Malabon Zoo, becomes the center of attention among Malabon’s female firefighters who visited the menagerie to drumbeat their yearly fire prevention campaign. Holding Cheesecake is Malabon Zoo owner Manny Tangco. Andrew Rabulan

OPINION

Elections: The cycle of corruption

I HAVE been asking myself this question: Considering that taipans and tycoons have been making billions of pesos for their conglomerates, would they make good presidents of the Philippines, Santa Banana?

I doubt it since the country has endemic problems like poverty, corruption, domestic and foreign affairs problems, among others.

For one thing, taipans and tycoons are accountable only to their investors, and not to the people, like the Philippines with its over 116 million people.

Yes, taipans and tycoons are accountable to their thousands of employees and to their board of directors, but not the Filipino people as a whole.

Most importantly, companies and conglomerates do not have elections like what we have which happen every three years. like the midterm elections and the national elections. Elections have become the stumbling block to a democratic country like the Philippines. This is not however an indictment of democracy, but look at Vietnam, a communist ruled country which has no elections. The progress of Vietnam has been phenomenal.

With all the problems the Philippines is facing, there was a time in the early fifties when the country was only next to Japan. And look at Japan now, Santa Banana!

Speaking of elections, I have to say it, but our problems have multiplied a thousandfold. I am not saying we would be better off if we had a dictator or tyrant, and I am not saying that we would be doing well if the county had a king or queen.

All I am saying is elections provide a cycle of corruption which is the root of the problems we now have.

A study has shown that for a candidate to win , it takes almost P1 billion to run for mayor in a big city, P3 billion to run for senator and at least P5 billion for president.

And where do you think that money comes from? Mostly from contributions from the usual contributors every election.

If you consider all the candidates for mayor in a city in Metro Manila, if it takes that much to be mayor, how do you think the elected mayor will pay back all the contributions he got, and how in the world will he get back his money, if he has that much money to run for mayor?

A candidate for senator isn’t that much different, unless he is a very

popular movie actor, a very popular television host or a very popular broadcaster.

And an elected public official would also be thinking about his reelection. They cannot be forever depending on contributions and donations. Where will they get all the money for that? From corruption, of course.

I am reminded of the case of a very dear and close friend of mine, who was elected congressman, whom I visited often.

—“—

Elections provide a cycle of corruption which is the root of the problems we now have

One day, I went to his house, and I was surprised when I saw a long line of people waiting for their turn to see my congressman friend.

Naive as I was at the time, I asked why there were so many people lining up and what did they want from him?

He said they were asking for assistance. I asked what kind of assistance they were asking for and he said every kind one could think of, like a burial for a relative, money for a birthday party, uniforms for basketball teams etc etc.

I then asked where he would get the money they were asking for. He simply smiled.

For people in political office, there are a hundred ways and means to make money like kickbacks.

That’s why I say the people are largely responsible for the kind of government we have. Most government people think that being in government is an opportunity to steal.

That’s why there are so many candidates for public office who have no regard for the accountability they have to the people.

That’s why our elections are an endemic problem where the people are largely responsible for the endless cycle of corruption that never ends, Santa Banana! They deserve the people they elect into office.

If the endless cycle of corruption can happen to the election of anybody to public office like a mayor, how much more to higher positions like the Senate and to the presidency, where it would take now at this time billions and billions of pesos to win?

and lives: The Isabela Bridge

ON FEB. 27, 2025, at 8:47 pm, a new bridge in Isabela—built for P1.225 billion—crumpled into the river, taking a father’s truck and leaving six others, including a child, clinging to life. This wasn’t a freak accident. It was negligence—steel and trust collapsing together. The wreckage asks: How many more must die before we confront the rot of corruption and incompetence?

A pattern of pai n

We’ve been here before. In 2022, the Clarin Bridge in Bohol fell, killing four—a 50-year-old relic battered by quakes and overloaded trucks. That same year, Pangasinan’s Wawa Bridge buckled, injuring four more. The DPWH once admitted only 51 percent of 4,361 bridges were “good”; 5 percent were disasters waiting to happen.

We got promises—inspections, accountability—but they faded. Now Isabela, a bridge barely a month old, forces us to face the truth. The law steps in

We got promises— inspections, accountability—but they faded

The National Bureau of Investigation is on it, armed with the AntiGraft Act (RA 3019). Section 3(e) targets “gross negligence” or “bad faith” causing public harm—think substandard work approved for kickbacks. The Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184) demands fair bidding and quality; violators face up to 15 years. President Marcos Jr. says “heads will roll.” The law agrees. But will justice?

Engineering flaws, blind eyes

The DPWH claims the bridge handled 45 tons per vehicle. The truck? 102 tons.

Overloading played its part, but a 2025 bridge, built over a decade,

EDITORIAL

HFMD: Cause of concern

THE Philippines has been jabbed by a sharp climb in cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) from Jan. 1 to Feb. 22, with 45 of the country’s 82 provinces showing an upturn.

To date, there are at least two health offices – Iloilo City and the City of Malolos – which have publicly issued warnings on suspected HFMD, urging the public to observe proper hygiene.

The Provincial Health Office of Bulacan itself has initiated steps to effectively combat HFMD rise like a 24/7 surveillance in 24 towns and cities in Bulacan, coordination with sanitary inspector in City/ Municipal Health Offices, continuous monitoring of cases, specimen transport to confirm HFMD cases, and information dissemination to the public to avoid the disease.

HFMD, a highly contagious viral disease commonly affecting children below five years of age, with

shouldn’t fold like that. Was the design wrong—ignoring real traffic? Were materials swapped for cheap fakes while bills lied? DPWH’s Mathias Malenab says they’re probing “structural integrity.” They’d better. And regulation? Trucks don’t hit 102 tons without lax weigh stations and complicit officials. This was a system failing, not a lone mishap.

Corruption’s toll Corruption isn’t a guess—it’s a fact.

Studies say it devours 15-35 percent of construction budgets here. For Isabela’s P1.225 billion, that’s up to P428 million lost to “extras”—bribes to rig bids or dodge oversight.

The CoST Initiative’s research calls procurement a swamp of fraud; ex-senator Ping Lacson suspects shoddy materials. When a bridge dies in 27 days, you don’t just blame the truck—you blame the builders.

symptoms including fever, mouth sores, and papulovesicular skin rash, can spread through direct contact with infected individuals, and contact with droplets or objects with HFMD virus.

—“—

The DOH reported 7,598 cases from Jan 1 to Feb 22, a sharp hike from the 2,665 cases recorded in the same timeline in 2024.

HFMD is generally not serious in adults or children, the Georgiaheadquartered Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, noting patients recover from in 7–10 days without medical treatment. Children under 2 years of age may remain sick longer.

The swell in cases has alarmed the DOH which has instructed its Centers for Health Development to monitor and take proactive measures to prevent and control HFMD – this includes having local Epidemiology and Surveillance Units to report clusters of all suspect, probable, and confirmed cases of HFMD to the DOH.

Latterly the DOH reported 7,598

This hits hard: a widow wondering how to feed her kids, a child scarred for life. Corruption doesn’t just steal cash—it steals futures. Fixing the fracture We can mend this. Here’s how: Transparency: Post every peso spent, every contract signed online. Let us see it, check it, challenge it.

Watchdogs: Build an independent body—engineers, citizens, unbound by DPWH—with power to probe and punish.

Tech: Digitize procurement; use blockchain to lock in honesty. No more backroom deals.

Jail: Enforce RA 3019 and RA 9184 relentlessly. Lock up one big name; others will fall in line.

Us: Train communities to watch projects, shield whistleblowers. When we’re vigilant, corruption falters.

Why we stall Our laws are strong, but enforcement is weak. Political ties protect culprits; agencies like the NBI lack

cases from Jan 1 to Feb 22, a sharp hike from the 2,665 cases recorded in the same timeline in 2024.

But the numbers remain below the alert and epidemic thresholds based on the two-year average, according to the DOH, which considers HFMD a Category 1 or immediately notifiable disease under Republic Act 11332 or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.”

Children, considered as suspect, probable, or confirmed HFMD, meanwhile, should remain at home, and avoid attending school or other face-to-face activities until advised by the attending physician or health care provider.

We add our voice to the admonitions raised by the DOH for the public to repeatedly wash hands with soap and water, and practice proper hand hygiene by using alcoholbased sanitizers. The public should avoid sharing personal items, like spoons, cups, and utensils, particularly if a household member is sick.

When caring for a patient afflicted by HFMD, the DOH has advised appropriate personal protective equipment, including accurately fitted face mask, gloves, and gown be used. We must be vigilant.

muscle.

Transparency threatens the corrupt—they’ll resist. Tech needs cash and know-how we’re short on. Worst, too many of us accept corruption as “normal.” That’s the real fight—our own apathy. Your turn Demand the NBI names names— contractors, officials—and files charges fast.

Back Chel Diokno’s push for victim aid and detours; hold DPWH to its structural review. Groups like Akbayan can sue under RA 3019, forcing courts to move. You can join watchdogs, snap photos of overloaded trucks, flood Facebook with evidence. Reformers like Lacson can pitch bills for oversight and tech.

This collapse bared our wounds— and sparked a chance.

For that lost driver, that injured child, for every stolen peso, let’s build more than bridges. Let’s build a system that doesn’t betray us.

This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: This is a meme-generated cartoon.

UK: ‘No pact’ on Kyiv partial truce offer

IN BRIEF

Japanese throne heir: Marriage not on my mind

TOKYO – Prince Hisahito, the Japanese imperial family’s last hope for the monarchy’s long-term survival -- unless succession rules change -- said marriage is not on his mind yet in his first press conference on Monday.

Only males can ascend the ancient Chrysanthemum Throne and women leave the imperial family if they marry a commoner, with their offspring having no royal status.

But Hisahito, who turned 18 in September and is second in line to become emperor after his father, said it was much too early for him to consider tying the knot.

“Regarding marriage, I have not yet thought deeply about the ideal time or partner,” Hisahito told reporters.

Hisahito is the only son of Crown Prince Akishino, 59 -- the brother of Emperor Naruhito, 65 -- and Crown Princess Kiko, 58. Naruhito’s daughter, Aiko, 23, cannot succeed her father under the Imperial Household Law, in place since 1947, because of her gender. AFP

Trump downplays ‘worrying’ over Putin

WASHINGTON, DC – US President Don-

ald Trump responded Sunday (Monday in Manila) to criticism over his increasing closeness to Russia on Ukraine, saying the United States should worry “less” about Vladimir Putin.

“We should spend less time worrying about Putin, and more time worrying about migrant rape gangs, drug lords, murderers, and people from mental institutions entering our Country -- So that we don’t end up like Europe!” Trump posted to his Truth Social platform Sunday night.

Trump’s stunning shift in approach to the war and Russia was on full display days earlier when he berated Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in front of reporters at the White House. The unprecedented public spat -- with Trump calling the Ukrainian leader “disrespectful” -- resulted in Zelenskyy leaving the White House without the anticipated signing of a pact on sharing mineral rights. AFP

Zelenskyy says ‘not simple’ to replace him

LONDON – Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told British media it would not be easy to replace him as Ukraine’s president, but repeated his offer to step down in exchange for NATO membership for his war-torn country.

US Republicans had suggested he may have to resign after US President Donald Trump dramatically turned against him during a contentious Oval Office meeting about the war with Russia on Friday.

“If they replace me, given what is going on, given the support, simply replacing me will not be simple,” Zelenskyy told British media Sunday.

“It’s not enough to just hold an election. You need to also not let me run. This will be a bit more difficult. Looks like you will have to negotiate with me,” he added.

“And I said that I am exchanging for NATO. Then I fulfilled my mission.” AFP

1

ROYAL SUPPORT. Britain’s King Charles III and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pose for a photo during an audience on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, eastern England, on Sunday. The visit followed Friday’s on-camera verbal spat between Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump, leading to a breakdown in the proposed Ukraine-Russia peace talks. According to BBC, the King had voiced his support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine last year, saying the country had faced ‘indescribable aggression’ after Russia’s ‘unprovoked attack on their land.’ AFP

Launcher to blast off for Europe’s space ambitions

KOUROU, France – Europe’s new heavy-lift rocket, Ariane 6, is to carry out Monday its first commercial mission as European nations seek to secure independent access to space amid a shock rapprochement between Moscow and Washington.

The high-profile mission comes as French President Emmanuel Macron calls for Europe to reduce its security reliance on the United States and the European space industry struggles to remain competitive in the face of Elon Musk’s Space X.

Following several postponements, the

Ariane 6 rocket is scheduled to blast off from a spaceport in Kourou in French Guiana at 13:24 Monday.

The launcher will carry a French military satellite, which will be placed in orbit at an altitude of around 800 kilometers.

The CSO-3 satellite is expected to strengthen France’s military autonomy and improve its army’s intelligence capabilities.

Europe has not been able to use Russia’s Soyuz rocket for satellite launches after Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022, while Ariane 5 was retired in 2023.

Melting ice could slow world’s strongest vital ocean current

SYDNEY – The world’s strongest ocean current could slow as melting Antarctic ice sheets flood it with fresh water, according to research published on Monday that warned of “severe” climate consequences.

Scientists used one of Australia’s most powerful supercomputers to model how melting ice sheets might change the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which plays a major role in global climate patterns.

If fossil fuel emissions increased over the next 25 years -- a so-called high emissions scenario -- the current could slow by around 20 percent, the peer-reviewed research found.

“The ocean is extremely complex and finely balanced,” said University of Melbourne scientist Bishakhdatta Gayen.

“If this current ‘engine’ breaks down, there could be severe consequences, including more climate variability -- with greater extremes in certain regions, and accelerated global warming due to a reduction in the ocean’s capacity to act as a carbon sink.”

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current acted as a kind of “ocean conveyor belt” shifting immense columns of water through the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Gayen said.

Melting ice sheets would “dump vast quantities of fresh water” into the current, the modelling found.

“The whole world is watching us,” David Cavailloles, chief executive of French aerospace company Arianespace, told AFP in February. Initially planned for December, the mission was put back until February 26 and then March 3 because of problems getting the satellite to the Kourou launchpad, according to Arianespace. It will be the second launch for Ariane 6, after its inaugural flight last July.

CSO-3 will complete a network of three French military imaging satellites, with the first two launched in 2018 and 2020 by Soyuz. AFP

LONDON – France and Britain have not agreed on a partial truce plan for Ukraine, a UK minister said on Monday, after French President Emmanuel Macron said it had been proposed by the two nations.

“No agreement has been made on what a truce looks like,” armed forces minister Luke Pollard told Times Radio. A UK government official also told AFP that “a one-month truce has not been agreed”

The

that gives Russian President Vladimir Putin what he wants. But European leaders closed ranks in support of Kyiv, with Zelenskyy saying afterwards the summit cemented their commitment to work towards peace.

“We need peace, not endless war,” he said on Telegram.

“In the near future, all of us in Europe will shape our common positions -- the lines we must achieve and the lines we cannot compromise on,” he added. AFP

This would change the ocean’s salt content, making it harder for cold water to circulate between the surface and the depths.

Oceans play vital roles as climate regulators and carbon sinks.

Cooler waters can absorb greater amounts of heat from the atmosphere.

The strength of the current -- which flows clockwise around Antarctica -- also acts as a barrier that stops invasive species washing up on the continent’s shores.

Algae and molluscs could more easily colonise Antarctica if the current slowed down, the researchers wrote. AFP

TOKYO – More than 2,000 firefighters are battling Japan’s biggest forest fire in three decades, officials said Monday, as some 4,600 residents remain under an evacuation advisory. One person died last week in the blaze in the northern region of Iwate, which follows record low rainfall in the area and last year’s

Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in parliament. The fire near the city of Ofunato has burned through some 2,100 hectares since Thursday, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said Monday. Firefighters from 14 Japanese regions, including units from Tokyo, were now tackling the blaze, with 16 helicopters

by

SPORTS Malabuyo helps Bruins nail 1st conference title

By Peter Atencio

FIL-AMERICAN Paris Olympian Emma Malabuyo and the University of California-Los Angeles

Bruins snared their first conference title following their first-place finish at the Big Ten Conference finals on Sunday (Monday in Manila) at Ohio State University.

It was the Bruins’ eighth consecutive meet crown with their score of 197.200 in the women’s gymnastics of a US NCAA Division 1 event in Columbus, Ohio.

The Bruins, who had an overall 9-2 win-loss slate, finished with a ninegame sweep in the Big Ten. Nebraska was second with 196.675, while Ohio State landed third with 196.650. Rutgers settled for fourth with 195.875.

Malabuyo was in the first rotation when UCLA started the meet with a 49.500 in the floor exercise.

Five scores of 9.850 or higher with Brooklyn Moors and Jordan Chiles

closed the rotation with back-to-back 9.950s.

Teammates Macy McGowan and Malabuyo contributed 9.875s and Chae Campbell added a 9.850.

Malabuyo executed a switch ring to switch half, and a full wolf turn for a good routine, followed by a oneand-a-half somersault to front before dancing out of the mat for an almost perfect score.

The Bruins then put up six scores of 9.825 or higher in the vault for a team total of 49.275.

Chiles won the all-around for the third consecutive meet, scoring 39.550.

VALORANT dazzles with Waylay, new agent from Thailand

DURING the grand finals of VCT Masters: Bangkok, Riot Games and VALORANT revealed Waylay, Thailand’s prismatic radiant.

Waylay transforms into light itself as she darts across the battlefield, striking down her targets through shards of light before flitting back to safety, all in the blink of an eye.

Waylay’s abilities include: Refract

INSTANTLY create a beacon of light on the floor. REACTIVATE to speed back to your beacon as a mote of pure light. You are invulnerable as you travel.

Light Speed

EQUIP to prepare for a burst of speed. FIRE to dash forward twice. ALT FIRE to dash once. Only your first dash can send you upward.

Saturate

INSTANTLY throw a cluster of light that explodes upon contact with the ground, HINDERING nearby players with a powerful movement and weapon slow.

Convergent Paths

EQUIP to focus your prismatic power. FIRE to create an afterimage of yourself that projects a beam of light. After a brief delay, you gain a powerful speed boost and the beam expands, HINDER-

PSA Forum to discuss GOLFCON

AN upcoming special golf event will be the featured discussion in Tuesday’s session (March 4) of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

GOLFCON 2025 which is sponsored by the Department of Tourism headlines the 10:30 a.m. session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, PLDT/Smart, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.

Organizer Jesse Guerro and Lyle Uy, director of DOT’s Office of Golf Tourism, are going to talk about the biggest gathering of golf stakeholders and the accompanying exhibit featuring top-tier golf brands.

The weekly public sports program is livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/ PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and also aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2 and shared on its official Facebook page Radyo Pilipinas 2 sports.

Zamboanga

to rely

on Filipinos’ support in world title unification bout with Fairtex

LIKE newly minted ONE Strawweight MMA world champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, ONE Interim Atomweight MMA world champion Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga will bank on the support of the Filipino community when she unifies straps on foreign soil.

The Filipina superstar tangles with reigning ONE Atomweight MMA world champion

Stamp Fairtex at ONE 173: Denver on August 2 inside Ball Arena in Colorado. There, she’ll look to replicate Pacio’s feat with the help of the thousands of Filipinos who are expected to troop the arena on that day.

Like in the Middle East, the United States has one of the biggest Filipino communities in the world, and Zamboanga can’t wait to represent in front of her kababayans out West.

“This upcoming fight against Stamp Fairtex in the United States is a dream come true for me. It’s not just a personal milestone but a significant moment for the Philippines,” she said.

“Representing my country on such a grand stage fills me with immense pride. I am ready to give my all and bring honor to our nation.”

Relationship With Stamp Adds Depth Says Denice

It’s no secret that Zamboanga and Stamp have a solid friendship, but the Filipina insists that it isn’t going to affect this fight.

In fact, it’s an added layer to an already highly anticipated bout, a bout that’s been delayed for far too long because of injuries on both sides.

Ramoga, Calvo mount comebacks, top Sunrise Sprint

PUERTO PRINCESA—James Van Ramoga and Sofia Adriana Calvo delivered electrifying performances in the Sunrise Sprint race on Sunday here, staging remarkable comefrom-behind victories to claim top honors in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.

Van Ramoga overcame a slow start in the 750m open-water swim, emerging in sixth place but unleashing a blistering 00:33:19 bike leg (20km) to surge ahead. He then held off a charging John Paul Daquioag in the closing 5km run, securing the men’s overall title with a total time of 01:17:37. His swim and run splits were 00:16:45 and 00:22:43. Daquioag, despite a strong 00:20:07 run finish, settled for second place at 01:17:46 after falling behind in the 20km bike leg (00:36:38). Mejares Naune Elison, who came out of the water with an impressive 00:15:20 swim, struggled in the bike (00:38:54) and run (00:22:10) but held on for third at 01:21:07. On the women’s side, Calvo faced an even greater challenge, trailing by five minutes after a 00:20:49 swim. She roared back with a dominant 00:44:13 bike split and sealed victory with a 00:28:07 run, crossing the finish line at 01:39:17. Lucienne Aragones had positioned herself for the win with a swift 00:15:47 swim, maintaining the lead despite a 00:48:49 bike leg. However, she faded in the run (00:34:26), ultimately conceding victory to Calvo by five minutes, finishing in 01:44:15. Princess Kedtag secured third in 01:52:17 (00:24:24 swim, 00:47:21 bike, 00:30:57 run), edging out Thai Mariette Scoop (01:55:37) for the final podium spot. The event, organized by Sunrise Events, Philippines, provided an exhilarating test for aspiring triathletes and seasoned racers alike, proving that resilience and strategy are just as crucial as raw speed in multisport racing.

Van Ramoga and Calvo shared the spotlight with France’s Bastien Poupelain and Poland’s Agnieszka Najnigier-Pierzynowska as they emerged victorious in their respective divisions in the IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa, held under scorching conditions.

Poupelain posted a commanding performance in the men’s race, clocking 04:24:19 to clinch the overall championship. He edged out Japan’s Hidekazu Takahashi, who finished second in 04:26:26, and Czech triathlete Petr Lukosz, who rounded out the podium at 04:34:45. Van

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025

RIERA

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst.

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Santo Tomas, NU nettters in contrasting UAAP wins

REIGNING champions National University Lady Bulldogs and University of Santo Tomas Male Tennisters reaffirmed their dominance with contrasting victories in rematches of last season’s finals in the UAAP Season 87 Tennis Tournament, Sunday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Manila.

The Lady Bulldogs edged out the UST Female Tennisters with a thrilling 3-2 victory, highlighted by Elsie Abarquez and Kolin Cornell’s 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 win over Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja in the decisive second doubles match.

“Kaya lumakas ‘yung isang doubles namin kasi ‘yung isang singles [player] namin nilagay namin sa doubles, ‘yung number one player namin. Kaya good thing na rin na ganun nangyari, mas napaganda pa pala na dinoubles namin siya,” said NU coach Ronard Joven, referring to Abarquez.

“Syempre sa una, hindi biro, hindi madali para sa amin kasi sa amin may nawalang player. Dalawa na ‘yung graduate sa amin so ‘yung laro ngayon, ‘yung laban namin against UST, hindi talaga namin sure na mananalo kami pero kahit papaano nagawan pa rin ng paraan,” he added.

UST took an early lead with Kaye Emana defeating NU’s Jasmine Jaran 6-2, 6-3 in the first singles match. However, JM Carcueva responded for the Lady Bulldogs, overpowering Princess Dela Rita 6-1, 6-2 in the second singles match.

NU’s Danna Abad then secured another crucial victory, outlasting UST’s Mica Emana in a gruelling 7(7)-6(3), 4-6, 6-4 third singles’ match.

Cignal’s Rotter is Spikers’ Turf Player of Week

STEVE Rotter is on a mission to make up for lost time with powerhouse Cignal.

His consistency as a stabilizer for the HD Spikers has kept the club unbeaten in four games in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.

The Filipino-American hitter, who saw limited action in Cignal’s title run in the Invitational Conference last year due to an ankle sprain, is on a scoring tear, averaging 15.0 points in the past week.

Rotter unleashed an efficient offensive game in their 2521, 25-13, 25-19 manhandling of VNS-Laticrete in just two sets of action on Wednesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The 26-year-old spiker sustained his efficient form, dropping another 15 points on a 14-of-22 attacking clip in a come-from-behind win over PGJC-Navy, 19-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-17 last Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“[The keys were] my consistency and drive. I was injured a lot throughout the entire season last year. So I have a drive to stay on the court and contribute as much as possible,” Rotter said. “I just think about all the times I was not playing — it’s a way to be motivated all the time.”

All of his effort did not go unnoticed as Rotter became the second straight Cignal star to cop the Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of February 26 to March 2.

off her triumph

the Women’s Challenge of Champions, Rubilen Amit added another prestigious accolade to her name by winning the Las Vegas Women’s Open in the United States.

Amit regains winning ways, dominates Las Vegas scene

By Randy M. Caluag

AFTER a quiet few years, Rubilen Amit made a resounding comeback, reclaiming her throne as the 9-ball queen last year and securing consecutive titles over the weekend.

Fresh off her triumph at the Women’s Challenge of Champions, Amit added another prestigious accolade to her name by winning the Las Vegas Women’s Open in the United States.

Her back-to-back victories in just two days

have made her a hot topic in major billiards’ forums, with online fans ranking her among the world’s top three players—alongside China’s Han Yu and Siming Chen.

At 43, Amit is a three-time world champion, having won the 10-ball title in 2009 and 2013 and, most recently, the 9-ball world title in 2024.

Amit’s Las Vegas Women’s Open title marked her second championship in as many days, following her Challenge of Champions’ victory over Kristina Tkach. In the Las Vegas Women’s Open final, the reigning World Women’s 9-Ball champion displayed her mastery by defeating China’s Han Yu in a grueLling match, securing the title with scores of 4-2, 4-1, 3-4, and 4-2. Amit, who fought her way up from the losers’ bracket, ensured the Philippines’ second consecu-

tive championship in the prestigious tournament, following Chezka Centeno’s victory last year. Despite struggling with dry breaks, Amit capitalized on her opponent’s crucial miscues and positional mistakes. Reflecting on her victory, she expressed relief at closing out the match before a possible shootout.

“I felt that if we had gone to a shootout, with how I was playing in the third and fourth sets, I wouldn’t have been able to make any ball. I’m just so happy to win the event,” Amit shared in a post-game interview. Her path to the championship was anything but easy.

Amit bested several elite competitors, defeating Kelly Fisher (3-1) 3-4, 4-2, 4-1, 4-2 in the Round of 16, Wan Ling Wang (3-1) 2-4, 4-3, 4-3, 4-2 in the quarterfinals, and Jasmin Ouschan (3-1) 1-4, 4-1, 4-0, 4-3 in the semifinals.

Aurora, Liquid PH grab early Mobile Legends-PH lead

By Peter Atencio

TEAMS Aurora and Liquid PH took the early lead with two team victories each over the weekend in the Mobile Legends Bang Bang Professional League Philippines (MPL-PH) Season 15 at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati.

In the final encounter on Saturday, Team Aurora won its last two matches in their best-of-three affair with defending champion ONIC Philippines, for a 2-1 victory.

After taking a 4-10 setback in Round 2, Aurora bounced back with a 21-12 rout in the third round.

“I think nalalabas na namin ‘yung laro namin. Ang goal lang namin siguro ngayon is maging consistent ‘yung mga laro namin sa buong MPL season na ito,” said Aurora head coach Aniel Jiandani.

Round 3 saw Edward “Edward” Dapadap coming off with six kills and

MAJOR updates on the country’s hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Philippines 2025 were tops on the agenda of the second Inter-Agency Meeting organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Monday at the GSIS Conference Hall in Pasay City.

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco joined PSC chairman Richard Bachmann and Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara in briefing representatives from more than 20 government and private agencies which form the Task Force for the hosting as provided for by Administrative Order No. 30 from Malacañang.

“It’s all systems go and the preparations are going on smoothly,” Suzara said.

Bachmann, who heads the InterAgency Task Force, committed full government support to the hosting set

September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall

of Asia Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“The full support of the government is guaranteed for this historic and world-class event,” Bachman said.

Represented in the meeting were the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Departments of Trade and Industry, Health, Foreign Affairs, Public Works and Highways, the Interior and Local Government and Information and Communications Technology. They were joined by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education, Senate of the Philippines, PHLPost, Commission on Immigration, Customs, Philippine National Police, National Intelligence Coordinating Committee, Climate Change Commission and the MVP Group, as well as representatives from the cities of Pasay, Manila, Taguig and Quezon City.

10 assists as Aurora took charge after the 14:37 mark of Game 3, when they stopped an attempt by rival Kirk “Kirk” Gutierrez to control the middle lane. In its opener last Friday, Aurora started its campaign with a 2-0 stopping of Twisted Minds (14-7, 9-2), behind jungler Jonard “Demonkite” Caranto and gold laner Jon Dominic “Domengkite” del Mundo and his Suyou character. Demonkite and Domegkite showed the way with four kills each when the Round 2 clash ended in 13:52. Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno and Team Liquid Philippines cruised past Twisted Minds with a dominant 2-0 sweep on Sunday. In Round 2, Team Liquid PH

Edward Dapadap (right) gets a high five from a teammate.

Fresh

at

PNVF president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara (standing) with of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco (left) and PSC chairman Richard Bachmann

Steve Rotter

MPIC loses interest on MRT-3 privatization over fare hike issue

By Darwin G. Amojelar

19,746 MW

MLuzon’s capacity in 2022

ETRO Pacific Investments Corp. is unlikely to resubmit its unsolicited proposal to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) amid lack of government approval for fare hikes, a top executive said.

Holdings II Inc. led by businessman Robert John Sobrepeña, is responsible for the design and construction of the EDSA rail transit system. Formed in 1995, MRTC started building MRT 3 in October 1996, completed it in December 1999 and started full operations in July 2020.

120,824 MW

“I don’t know where we are, during the time of [DOTr Secretary] Jimmy Bautista, but I think that expired,” MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

Luzon’s predicted capacity by 2050

“[DOTr] Secretary [Vince] Dizon is new. Unlikely for me [to resubmit]. It’s difficult because there are no approved tariffs,” said Pangilinan

The DOTr earlier said it was eyeing to privatize the operations and management of MRT 3 after as the build-lease-transfer (BLT) agreement between the government and Metro Rail Transit Corp. is set to expire this year.

The government operates MRT 3, while the MRTC, owned by Metro Rail Transit

MRTC and the government through the Department of Transportation and Communications signed the BLT agreement to construct and maintain MRT 3.

MRTC financed the construction of the modern rail system stretching along EDSA’s 10.5-meter median from North Ave. in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City. The company infused P4.49 billion worth of equity into the project.

48,014 MW

Luzon’s projected power demand by 2050

DOE: Luzon’s power capacity to increase six times by 2050

By Alena Mae S. Flores

LUZON’S installed power capacity is projected to increase sixfold from 19,746 megawatts in 2022 to 120,824 MW by 2050.

The Department of Energy’s power development plan, clean energy scenario 2, indicates the increase will come from existing, committed and new build capacities.

The plan also states that battery energy storage systems needed for grid stability should increase from 72 MW to 13,418 MW by 2050, while 3,287 MW of existing coal plant capacity may be repurposed into other technologies.

CES-2 involves high offshore wind technology, nuclear power and coal repurposing.

The power development plan states that to meet Luzon’s projected electricity demand of 48,014 MW by 2050 under CES2, 85,070 MW of new renewable energy capacity should be built, in addition to existing plants and committed projects.

“The renewable energy capacity must increase 19 times from its current capacity of 4,910 MW. These proposed additions include 23,877 MW solar, 57,087 MW wind, 3,170 MW hydro, 300 MW geothermal and 96 MW biomass projects,” the plan says.

The plan’s simulation resulted in an additional 6,216 MW of natural gas plant facilities, 3,900 MW of nuclear technology and 14,211 MW of battery energy storage system technology to support and stabilize the power system due to the increase in renewable energy technologies.

The plan says new build capacities for the CES-2 scenario would result in a diversified Luzon power generation mix of 8 percent natural gas plants, 9 percent nuclear technology and 74 percent renewable energy by 2050.

DOMESTIC air passenger traffic hit a record high of 32.1 million in 2024, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said Monday.

Data from CAB showed that domestic passenger traffic reached 32.13 million last year, up by 10.98 percent from 28.96 million passengers in 2023.

Cebu Pacific remained the country’s leading domestic airline carrying 15 million passengers, followed by PAL Express (8.51 million), Phil-

ippine AirAsia (4.99 million), CebGo (2.26 million) and Philippine Airlines (633,060).

AirSwift Transport Inc. flew 430,996 passengers, Sunlight Express Airways (134,627), Royal Air Charter Service Inc. (38,845) and Island Aviation Corp. (12,057).

The international passenger traffic in 2024 reached 27.77 million, up by 11.93 percent from 24.81 million passengers in 2023.

The CAB said of the total, domestic

PH manufacturing gauge indicates slower growth in February—S&P

By Othel V. Campos

THE S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing PMI, a composite measure of manufacturing performance, stayed above the growth threshold but pointed to a slower increase in February. PMI edged down for the second consecutive month to 51.0 in February from 52.3 in January. A score above 50.0 indicates expansion.

“Robust growth seen at the turn of the year waned in February, with survey data indicating slower expansions in output and new orders,” said S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Maryam Baluch. Baluch noted that despite the dip, manufacturing conditions improved

in each of the last 18 survey periods.

She said that for the first time in three months, employment levels rose as firms struggled to meet sustained demand with a new rise in backlogs.

S&P noted that inflationary pressures eased, suggesting that the central bank may continue its monetary policy loosening, which may be able to help restore business confidence and support further new order growth.

According to the report, manufacturing sector gains were underpinned by improving demand and another monthly rise in new orders.

Following strong growth in late 2024, the expansion rate moderated in February, registering the weakest increase in seven months. Growth in new export orders also slowed.

carriers carried 13.20 million international passengers, while foreign carriers carried 14.58 million passengers. PAL was the leading airline with 6.07 million international passengers, followed by Cebu Pacific (5.66 million), Philippine AirAsia (1.33 million), Royal Air Charter Service (116,324) and PAL Express (9,529).

The CAB earlier announced that the passenger and cargo fuel surcharges for domestic and international flights would be at Level 5 from March 1 to

31, 2025, up from last month’s level 4. Under level 5, the fuel surcharge for domestic flights would range from P151 to P542, depending on the distance, while for international flights, the fuel surcharge may range from P498 to P775.

The CAB said for the cargo fuel surcharge, airlines are allowed to charge P0.77 to P2.27 per kilogram for domestic flights under level 5 and P2.56 to P19.04 per kg. for international flights. Darwin G. Amojelar

UnionBank returns to overseas bond market with $800-m issuance

UNION Bank of the Philippines (UBP) is returning to the overseas bond market with the planned issuance of up to $800 million or its equivalent in other foreign currencies from its Euro Medium Term Note Program (EMTN).

The $2 billion EMTN program, set up in November 2017 and updated in 2020, allows the bank to raise funds by issuing debt securities in the international market. The program still has $1.2 billion in available issuance.

The board of UBP also approved the increase in the bank’s bonds shelf registration program to P100 billion from P50 billion. Of the total, the bank will issue P30 billion.

It said the exact timing and further details about these planned issuances will be announced later.

These moves form part of Union

Bank’s strategy to raise capital and strengthen its financial position for future growth. The bank raised nearly P18.2 billion from the sale of bonds in December 2023.

Meanwhile, UBP said it would also infuse additional P1.2 billion in capital to digital banking unit UnionDigital Bank Inc. to support its business operations and enable it to deliver sustainable growth,

UBP has been injecting fresh capital in UnionDigital to support its growth and boost its capital position.

UnionDigital is one of the six BSPlicensed online-only banks in the country. It secured its license in July 2021 and began operating in July 2022.

UBP, the banking arm of the Aboitiz Group, saw its net income increase 31 percent in 2024 to P12 billion on the back of strong revenues.

Austria

Jenniffer B.

LT Group logs record net profit of P28.9b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

LT Group Inc. on Monday reported a record net income of P28.92 billion in 2024, up 14 percent from P25.42 billion reported in 2023, driven by improved performance across core business segments.

Consolidated sales rose 11.8 percent to P128.9 billion from P115.3 billion in 2023, on the back of improved revenues from the banking, distilled spirits, beverage and property development segments, LT Group said in disclosure to the stock exchange.

The group’s tobacco business ac-

counted for 44 percent of total net income, followed by Philippine National Bank (PNB) which contributed 41 percent. Tanduay Distillers Inc. and Asia Brewery delivered 7 percent and 3 percent, respectively Eton Property Philippines Inc., Victorias Milling Company Inc. and

EVERYONE who is interested in the distribution of national incomes and is seriously concerned about the persistently declining share of worker incomes will want to read the report presented to the recent World Economic Forum (WEF) by the aid organization Oxfam International.

The report, prepared by Oxfam’s inequality policy staff, contains data and analyses that are highly disturbing. The report’s data sources included the International Labor Organization (ILO), the World Bank and Forbes magazine’s annual list of the world’s richest individuals.

Oxfam reported that over the past two years nearly 800 million workers around the world saw their wages fail to keep up with inflation, resulting in an equivalent average loss of 25 days of income per worker.

Oxfam also reported that, even as hundreds of millions of workers faced a cost-of-living crisis as inflation led to

real wage cuts, 48 top corporation made profits totaling $1.8 trillion—a figure 52 percent higher than the preceding threeyear annual average—making possible hefty dividend payouts to shareholders.

Citing specific individuals, the Oxfam report stated that the inflation-adjusted surge in the wealth of Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault, Jeff Bezos, Larry Ellison and Warren Buffett was driven by the sharp gains in the market values of Tesla, LVMH, Amazon, Oracle and Berkshire Hathaway shares.

In contrast, Oxfam reported that only 0.4 percent of the world’s 1,600 top corporations have made a public commitment (1) to pay their workers a living wage and (2) to support a living wage in their value chains.

Oxfam noted that the recent WEF was intended to highlight stakeholder capitalism, which, WEF says, “defines a corporation as being not just about maximizing profits but also about fulfilling human and social aspirations as

The tobacco segment’s net income reached P12.8 billion, up 12.2 percent from P11.4 billion reported in 2023 primarily due to higher dividends received from PMFTC and higher foreign exchange gains.

Sales volume, however, declined due to ongoing challenges posed by the illicit tobacco trade in the country.

The banking segment’s net income of P21.2 billion increased 11.3 percent from 2023.

The distilled spirits segment achieved a record net income of P2.2 billion in 2024, a 37.3-percent increase over the P1.6 billion in 2023.

The growth was primarily attributed to a combination of increased sales volume and higher selling prices within the liquor segment.

The beverage segment booked a net income of P841 million in 2024, a 45.5-percent hike from P578 million in 2023. Revenues went up 4.8 percent to P18.2 billion as sales volume increased for all major product lines.

The group’s property development segment reported a net income of P212 million in 2024, down by 53.2 percent from P453 million seen in 2023.

Stock index climbs above 6,000 level on better inflation outlook

THE Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed higher Monday, advancing by 39.22 points, or 0.65 percent, to close at 6,037.19. The wider all-shares index also picked up 32 points, or 0.89 percent, to finish at 3,620.12.

The market traded mostly in the green ahead of the release of February inflation report on Wednesday.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the index rebounded from last Friday’s steep decline as investors were expecting better February inflation rate compared to 2.9 percent seen in January. He said the PSEi also gained after US stocks corrected higher after the US Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures, came in within market estimates.

Holding firms index rose 2.9 percent, while financial index also went

—“—

Oxfam reported that over the past two years nearly 800 million workers around the world saw their wages fail to keep up with inflation, resulting in an equivalent average loss of 25 days of income per worker.

part of the broader social system.”

In his commentary Oxfam’s interim executive director said: “This inequality is no accident. The billionaire class is ensuring that corporations deliver more wealth to them at the expense of everyone else.”

He went on to say: “What we know for sure is that today’s extreme system of shareholder capitalism, which puts ever-increasing returns to rich shareholders above all other objectives, is

up by 0.30 percent. Mining and oil stocks were up 1.14 percent, while the property sector went up 0.93 percent. The service sector dropped 1.38 percent, while industrial sector went down 0.74 percent.

Value turnover reached P6.18 billion. SM Prime Holdings Inc. advanced 3.6 percent to P808 after the conglomerate announced a P60 billion share buyback program to boost shareholder value. International Container Terminal Services Inc. went down 2.8 percent to P340.

Asian markets rose cautiously on Monday, with investors eyeing a potential Chinese stimulus package and President Donald Trump’s looming tariffs.

Investors were also watching for any last-ditch deals to ward off the levies hitting Mexico, Canada and China due to come into force on Tuesday. Jenniffer B. Austria with AFP

driving inequality.”

The picture that Oxfam International has painted is accurate. On one hand, the real value of the incomes of workers, who are not capital-market players, gets diminished by persistent inflation; on the other hand, the wealth of corporate shareholders, steadily gets pushed upward by the value-increasing effect of inflation. This situation is economically and morally unacceptable, but it is the stark reality. What is the answer? One of the remedial policy actions proposed by Oxfam is a government program of promoting and assisting worker ownership of corporate stock.

That is a move in the right direction, but will be very difficult to implement. One thing is certain. The economic policymakers have to take policy actions to mitigate the perverse impact of inflation on the incomes of billionaires and workers.

(llagasjessa@yahoo.com)

TOP ENERGY EMPLOYER. Fresh graduates-turned-team members, including those from engineering courses, cite management and culture as among the top reasons why it is good to work for Aboitiz Power Corp. AboitizPower is one of the largest power producers in the Philippines, with a balanced portfolio of generation assets across the country.

EV INFRA. ACMobility, the mobility solutions arm of the Ayala Group and a leader in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, is set to expand its charging network across Makati with 74 fully operational charging points across 18 locations, including offices, malls, condominiums and more by the first quarter of 2025.

BUSINESS

DAP MEETING. The Development Academy of the Philippines’ board of trustees (DAP-BOT), chaired by National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, convenes on March 3, 2025 at the DAP Office in Pasig City. The board discussed key governance and institutional matters, including the possible implementation of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Certification Scheme for Productivity Specialists, the functions of board committees and the external review of DAP.

OceanaGold pays P397-m taxes to three municipalities

By Othel V. Campos

OCEANAGOLD (Philippines) Inc. said Monday it paid P397.7 million in local business tax (LBT) to three municipalities in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

OGP said it remitted P198.9 million to Kasibu in Nueva Vizcaya. Nagtipunan and Cabarroguis in Quirino received P119.3 million and P79.6 million, respectively, on Feb. 11, 2025. Kasibu and Cabarroguis joined Nagtipunan in 2025 as first-class municipalities based on their average

PIDS harmonizes census data amid inconsistencies

THE Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) cited the need to harmonize 50 years of census data, addressing inconsistencies that hinder policy analysis.

The state think tank’s study, “Harmonizing Philippine Census Data across Decades (1970–2020),” highlighted discrepancies in variable definitions, classification schemes, and measurement scales across censuses.

“These inconsistencies hinder accurate comparisons of data points, increasing the risk of misinterpretation and compromising the reliability of longitudinal analyses,” said Kris Ann Melad, PIDS supervising research specialist and author of the study.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducts the Census of Population and Housing (CPH) every five years, collecting demographic and housing data. The data are used by government and the private sector for policy, resource allocation and investment planning.

The PIDS study identified challenges including shifts in educational categories due to the K-12 curriculum reforms, updated occupational classifications, and the creation of new administrative regions. Older censuses with fewer variables and the digitization of historical data also posed difficulties.

The study recommended prioritizing the recovery and digitization of 1970 and 1980 census data, developing detailed links between classification systems, and creating a historical geographic reference system.

It also called for clear guidelines for researchers using the data, including strategies for handling missing or inconsistent data, and continuous refinement of the dataset.

“The implementation of these recommendations will enable the Philippine Statistical System to provide increasingly robust and well-documented data for longitudinal analysis,” Melad said.

annual incomes over the past three years.

Under Republic Act No. 11964, first-class municipalities earn an average of P200 million or more annually.

“We are committed to sustaining the mine’s operations so we can continue benefiting our communities.

Agyaman kami [Thank you],” said OGP president and external affairs general manager Joan AdaciCattiling.

OGP chairman Peter Sharpe noted OGP’s commitment to sharing its success with local communities, noting that the company takes pride in giving back.

“This is a partnership, a relationship—an example of how the company contributes as much as it can,” he said.

OGP also paid P421.9 million and P326.2 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, in LBT to the three municipalities.

Under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with OGP, the municipalities pledged to allocate at least P5 million from their LBT share to environmental management, protection and conservation projects.

A subsidiary of OceanaGold Corp., OGP operates the Didipio coopergold mine in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

The company signed a financial and technical assistance agreement (FTAA) with the Philippine government in June 1994. The initial term ended in June 2019 and was renewed in July 2021.

STATE-RUN Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) inaugurated on Friday the first PAGCOR-funded socio-civic center in Occidental Mindoro province. The two-story building, built through a P50-million funding from the state gaming agency, will benefit residents of Mamburao’s 15 barangays and those from neighboring municipalities.

Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano, who led the unveiling of the facility together with PAGCOR vice president for corporate social responsibility Ramon Stephen

Villaflor, expressed gratitude for the project and emphasized its use beyond serving as an evacuation center during calamities.

“We are deeply grateful to PAGCOR for bringing the first sociocivic center to Occidental Mindoro,” he said.

“This facility will greatly support various community initiatives and will provide a safe refuge during severe weather conditions,” he said.

The governor said the socio-civic center could also help generate additional revenue streams for the

provincial government.

“When not used as a venue for sociocivic events and as an evacuation facility during calamities, we can rent out this space to individuals and organizations and generate revenues for the building’s maintenance,” Gadiano said.

PAGCOR’s Villaflor, meanwhile, underscored the agency’s commitment to community development and nation-building.

“This socio-civic center project is a testament to PAGCOR’s commitment to contribute to nation-building,” he said.

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025

BIR lauds DOJ for filing P176-m tax evasion case vs. contractor

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said Monday it continues its commitment to eradicate the use of ghost receipts through its Run After Fake Transactions or RAFT program.

The Department of Justice found prima facie evidence to charge Hilmarc’s Construction Corp. and its corporate officers, Efren Canlas, Robert Henson and Cristina Elisse Canlas, with violations of Sections 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code, stemming from a BIR criminal complaint filed Nov. 22, 2023. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla filed eight criminal cases against the government contractor and its corporate officers before the Court of Tax Appeals on Feb. 26, 2025.

“The BIR has repeatedly warned the public not to use ghost receipts. We will file tax evasion charges against you. You will be arrested. Even if you are one of the largest government contractors in the country, the BIR is grateful to the DOJ for its steadfast commitment in our war against ghost receipts. Together, we will make sure that under this administration, this tax evasion scheme will end,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said. Lumagui and his RAFT task force revealed substantial discrepancies and material misrepresentations in Hilmarc’s tax filings for the 2013 and 2014 tax years. The BIR said it found that Hilmarc’s benefited from the use of receipts issued by ghost companies, Everpacific Inc. and Unimaker Enterprises Inc.

DTI breaks ground on P26-m farm road in Gingoog

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) broke ground for a P26 million farm-to-market road project in Barangay Bal-ason, Gingoog, Misamis Oriental on Feb. 24, 2025 to boost agricultural trade and accessibility for local farmers. The 1.06-kilometer road improvement project will benefit 905 households by expediting the transport of agricultural products such as coffee, cacao, coconut, and banana, enhancing convenience for farmers and stakeholders in the value chain.

DTI’s Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID) Growth Project and the local government unit (LGU) of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental jointly funded the project.

With backing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the RAPID Growth Project, a value chain-based development program, is designed to support farmers and sustain strategic partnerships among key agricultural sectors.

The goal is to increase the income of smallholder farmers and boost rural economic growth.

The farm-to-market infrastructure component, led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Northern Mindanao, focuses on rehabilitating farm-to-market roads to enhance agricultural accessibility.

MANILA Water Co. Inc. said Monday it strengthened the implementation of its monthly desludging program.

Manila Water said it emptied 129,420 septic tanks last year, higher than its record of 117,075 tanks siphoned in 2023.

It attributed this to the proactive implementation of its desludging caravan and expansion of its advocacy program Toka Toka, which promotes proper management of wastewater (used water) in every household as an important share (or “toka”) in reviving our rivers and waterways.

The company thanked its customers for the continuous support to the desludging program, which is beneficial to the public health and

environmental preservation and protection.

“We cannot stress enough how important desludging is for the protection of our customers’ health and the environment. Through regular and proper desludging, we ensure that our household septic tanks are cleared out properly, thus preventing sludge overflowing that can cause the spread of waterborne diseases,” said Manila Water communication affairs group director Jeric Sevilla.

“On a larger scale, the collection and proper treatment of sludge can shield the ecosystem and aquatic life by the removal of harmful bacteria and nutrients into the soil, waterways and bodies of water.” he said.

Othel V. Campos

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) holds a groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 24, 2025 to mark the start of the construction of a farm-to-market road in Barangay Bal-ason, Gingoog City. The 1.06-kilometer road improvement project, with a total cost of P26

DA chief inspects 18 misdeclared container vans

By Othel V. Campos

DEPARTMENT of Agriculture Sec-

retary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led an inspection on Monday of nearly 18 container vans suspected of containing tons of frozen fish, which were declared by importers as processed plant-based commodities.

A spot check conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on two of the 19 40-foot container vans revealed boxes of frozen mackerels—locally known as “tamban” and frozen round scad, locally known as galunggong,

PSBank sets all-time high net income

THE thrift banking arm of the Metrobank Group, said it posted an all-time high net income of P5.21 billion in 2024, up 15 percent from P4.53 billion in 2023.

This resulted in a higher return on equity of 12.4 percent in 2024compared to 11.7 percent in 2023. The robust double-digit growth in loans, coupled with significant improvements in asset quality, fueled the bank’s outstanding financial performance.

Core revenues, composed of net interest income, service fees and commissions, rose 4 percent to P14.11 billion. Increase in operating expenses remained under control at 4 percent as the bank pursued its cost optimization strategies.

PSBank’s total gross loans grew 15 percent year-on-year to P144 billion as of December 2024, boosted by strong demand across both consumer and commercial lending segments. Despite the expansion in loan portfolio, the bank said it kepts its gross non-performing loans ratio in check at 2.6 percent, better than 3.3 percent a year ago. The bank’s total assets closed at P216 billion as total deposits reached P165 billion as of end-2024. Capital funds improved by 10 percent to P44 billion, translating into a total capital adequacy ratio and common equity tier 1 ratio of 23.6 percent and 22.5 percent, respectively. Both ratios are above the regulatory minimum set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and are among the highest in the industry.

instead of the frozen fried taro sticks, sweet potato balls and assorted food products from China, as stated in the shipping manifest.

Based on the assessment of the BOC, the total assessed value of the 19-container shipment is P202 million.

BPI director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said his agency previously alerted the BOC about the shipments, which were declared to contain 550 metric tons of frozen taro sticks, sweet potato balls and various other frozen food items.

However, the spot check on two of the container vans consigned to Straradava Household Products Co.

Ltd. uncovered that the cargo actually contained mackerel, violating importation regulations.

The shipment arrived at Manila’s South Harbor on Jan. 21, 2025.

Some of the remaining 17 container vans, which are yet to be inspected, were consigned to Fendee Consumer Goods Trading, a company sharing the same Binondo address as Straradava.

While processed plant-based foods fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within the Department of Health, imported fish and marine products are regulated by the DA’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SECURITY Bank Corp. said Monday its 2024 net income reached an all-time high of P11.2 billion, a 23-percent increase from the previous year’s.

It said the growth was supported by a 28-percent rise in total revenues, which reached a record P54.9 billion.

“Growth and investment were the defining outcomes for 2024. We thank our clients, teammates, and stakeholders for their partnership and collaboration. We carry that momentum into 2025 as we leverage our investments to support clients and execute on our BetterBanking promise,” Security Bank president and chief executive Sanjiv Vohra said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange. Net interest income rose 26 percent to P43.7 billion, with a net interest margin of 4.73 percent.

Non-interest income also grew 36 percent to P11.2 billion, led by a 47-percent increase in service charges, fees and commissions, especially from bancassurance, credit cards and loans.

Operating expenses were up 27 percent.

The bank said it allocated P6.6 billion for credit and impairment losses,

Globe continues to support mandatory SIM registration

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said it remains committed to the implementation of the SIM Registration Act or Republic Act 11934 amid calls for stricter enforcement from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

PAOCC called on telcos for the stricter implementation of the SIM Registration Act after discovering “pre-registered” SIM cards being sold through social media channels.

Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said there should be an official ID database from which telcos could verify the identity of registrants such as the National ID, Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System and the likes.

“Currently, Globe has been strictly implementing the provisions of the

DOE asks public to conserve energy as hot dry months begin

THE Department of Energy (DOE) urged the public to adopt energy efficiency measures as rising temperatures increase electricity demand at the start of hot dry months.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla warned that increased use of cooling appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators could strain the power grid, potentially leading to supply challenges and price fluctuations.

“Without mindful consumption, this surge could strain the power grid, potentially leading to supply challenges and price fluctuations in the spot market,” Lotilla said in a statement.

The DOE advised households, businesses and government institutions to implement demand-side management strategies, including avoiding or rescheduling high-energy activities during peak hours.

Peak hours are typically 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays in Luzon, and the same daytime hours with evening hours in Visayas and Mindanao.

The department recommended setting air conditioners to 24 to 26°C, using fans, maximizing natural ventilation and maintaining appliances for efficiency. It also suggested invertertype appliances for new purchases.

SIM Registration Act, including accepting only the required identification cards, investing in software to help in reading the text on identification cards and facial recognition to ensure these are real people,” Castelo said.

“However, there is no way for us to determine with 100-percent certainty if the identity is fake without a database from which we can validate the identity,” he said.

Globe said it has been proactively asking for access to an official ID database from the government since 2023 to strengthen the current verification process.

Since December 2023, Globe said it has upgraded its SIM registration platform, with Optical Character Recognition and data-matching capabilities, along with a mandatory selfie requirement to weed out fraudulent

submissions.

“However, there are still criminals who are able to bypass this by using someone’s identity and then selling these registered SIM cards to scammers,” Castelo said.

Selling or purchasing registered SIMs is illegal. Section 11 of the SIM Registration Act imposes penalties, including imprisonment of six months to six years and/or fines ranging from P100,000 to P300,000.

Globe reminds customers to register only their own SIMs under their names, with the exception of SIMs used by their minor children or other underaged SIM users under their care.

It also asked the public to never accept offers to register SIMs on behalf of others in exchange for cash, as their identities may be used for scams that may result in the filing of other criminal cases against them.

higher than the previous year’s P4.8 billion.

Security Bank’s total deposits increased 32 percent year-on-year to P801 billion. The bank opened 21 new branches in 2024, bringing its branch network to 346 by the end of the year. Net loans rose 26 percent year-onyear to P678 billion, with retail and MSME loans growing by 37 percent. Wholesale loans grew 21 percent. Home loans, credit cards, auto loans and MSME loans all showed strong growth.

Return on equity stood at 8.11 percent, while return on assets was 1.12 percent.

Net income for the fourth quarter reached P2.8 billion, up 81 percent from the same period last year. Quarterly revenues increased 27 percent to P14.9 billion, with net interest income rising by 13 percent year-on-year to P11.3 billion. Service charges, fees and commissions also grew by 27 percent.

IN BRIEF

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

DENR wins Gold Anvil Award for novel Project TRANSFORM

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently bagged the Gold Anvil Award for its Project TRANSFORM (Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability through Multistakeholder Engagement).

Project TRANSFORM is a multistakeholder engagement program that aims to reshape the landscape of environmental management and climate and disaster resilience in the Philippines.

“Through its evidence-based and whole-of-society approach, Project TRANSFORM engages Local

Strong bridge, road network assures food security—DA

AGRICULTURE

Secretary Francisco

P. Tiu Laurel Jr. is seeking an audience with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to discuss improving the country’s road and bridge infrastructure. The goal is to ensure the smooth flow of agricultural goods, lower transport costs, and strengthen food security.

“The importance of a strong road and bridge network in agriculture, especially in an archipelago like the Philippines, cannot be overstated.” Tiu Laurel recently said. “Agriculture relies heavily on logistics, and transport infrastructure directly affects the cost and efficiency of moving farm inputs and produce.”

He stressed that well-maintained roads and bridges could lower transportation costs, reduce spoilage, and allow farmers to bring their goods to market faster. This would result in more stable prices for consumers.

The issue is particularly critical in the rice sector. During the recent multiyear budget planning session of the DA, Tiu Laurel noted that Thailand and Vietnam have lower transport costs due to better road conditions.

Trucks in those countries can carry 8 to 10 tons more than the 41ton limit in the Philippines. “Better infrastructure enables a more efficient supply chain, reducing costs from farm to market,” he said.

In contrast, many Filipino farmers and traders overload trucks to cut costs, which damages roads and bridges.

The practice of truckers of loading their vehicles with various even beyond prescribed limits has led to the collapse of several bridges across Luzon and the Visayas in recent years. Some bridges, though rated for specific loads, have been pushed beyond their limits due to excessive overloading.

The DPWH manual calls for regular bridge inspections and load rating updates, but enforcement remains weak. Without addressing inadequate road networks and overloading, the problem will persist.

Government Units (LGUs) and partners from the private sector and civil society in improving hazard response, promoting environmental sustainability, disaster resilience and development efforts in its partner LGUs,” said DENR Undersecretary Marilou G. Erni.

Project TRANSFORM was first launched in Ormoc City in 2023. In two years, it has already been launched in the provinces of Bataan, Rizal, Surigao del Norte and Lanao del Norte.

Sectoral partners have grown to 200, including national and local governments, academe, civil society,

private sector, indigenous groups and the youth with 33 programs in various stages of implementation in four provinces and at least 30 municipalities all over the country.

FAO: Farmers critical element of biodiversity

“WITHOUT the farmers, it is only political policy without implementation”―that was the stark message delivered by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s DirectorGeneral last week to delegates attending the latest round of UN biodiversity talks in Rome.

Over 150 countries met from February 25 to 27 to advance biodiversity finance, accountability and the integration of agrifood systems into global conservation strategies.

Despite groundbreaking agreements on genetic data and recognizing the stewardship role of indigenous peoples at the first round of the COP16 conference in Colombia late last year, this new Conference of the Parties―or COP16.2―aims to close some crucial gaps which are instrumental for implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

With nature declining at an alarming rate, the challenge now is turning commitments into action.

FAO chief Qu Dongyu called for urgent action to transform agrifood systems, stressing that biodiversity must be embedded in food and farming policies. A key focus is the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative, launched at COP16 in Cali, Colombia.

The initiative is designed to help governments integrate agrifood systems into their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, to eliminate any conflicts

between agricultural policy and biodiversity goals.

Colombia’s COP16 President, Environment Minister María Susana Muhamad, and Agriculture Minister Martha Carvajalino underscored the importance of full implementation. Dongyu highlighted the deep connections between biodiversity and food security, noting that over half of the Kunming-Montreal Framework’s 23 targets are directly linked to agriculture.

He explained that “biodiversity is also in the soil and in the water” and that it is critical “to look at biodiversity from a holistic, threedimensional perspective.”

Despite commitments made at COP15, funding remains a sticking point.

Secretary-General António Guterres, warned in a statement that biodiversity is “on the brink” and urged governments to translate pledges into investment. “Success requires accountability. And action demands finance,” he said. With only a fraction of the required $200 billion per year mobilized, developing nations are pushing wealthier countries to meet their financial obligations. UN News

Microplastics found in urban road dust—DOST study

THE presence of microplastics in various ecosystems like rivers, coastal waters and even air, due to mismanaged plastic wastes, has been a long-standing issue in the country and even globally.

Researchers from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) recently published a study titled, “Urban Road Deposition of Microplastics in Iligan City,” in the Philippine Journal of Science in 2024, which pioneered in quantifying and characterizing microplastics, especially from road dust, in an urban setting.

One of the authors of the study, Jeron Bet B. Tejano, said microplastics in road dust pose potential health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.

Tejano is a MS Environmental Science student at MSU-IIT, supported by a scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP).

“Since RDMPs (road dust microplastics) can become airborne and be inhaled, they may contribute

to respiratory inflammation, lung irritation, and other health complications. Some microplastics also contain toxic additives or can absorb harmful pollutants, further increasing health risks,” Tejano said in an interview. He added while more studies are

needed to fully understand the longterm effects, the presence of RDMPs in urban environments is a growing concern that needs attention.

The researchers identified three sampling stations, namely Barangay Tibanga, Barangay Poblacion and Barangay Palao, in Iligan City, Lanao

del Norte.

According to the research team, the sampling stations were ‘strategically selected’ near the city center to represent areas with high human activity. The selection was based on traffic density, commercial and residential buildings and the level of pedestrian movement.

The road dust from each quadrat was then collected and filtrated using the sieving method, which was categorized according to particle size.

“The samples were then digested in a solution and filtrated using a vacuum system in a secured laboratory. The suspected road dust MPs (RDMPs) were isolated through microscopy analysis, and their maximum dimension was measured. Each suspected RDMP was then analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry Analysis to confirm their polymer types,” said the study.

Tejano said the sampling process required strict contamination control to ensure that the microplastics identified were genuinely from road dust and not external sources, making it challenging for the team to conduct the study.

Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII)

Sustainable farming practices increase biodiversity in fields

The planned discussions between DA and DPWH aim to pinpoint key areas for road and bridge upgrades, especially in major agricultural regions.DA News First of 2 Parts

Whether it’s using indigenous seeds that are more resilient, combining coffee crops with

banana plants or restoring pollinator populations, biodiversity is not an abstract concept tossed around by scientists and activists. It is a whole range of concrete

practices that farmers put into action in their daily work in a way which is crucial to food security and the environment.

Our agri-food systems rely on thousands of species of domesticated crops, livestock, fish and the varieties, breeds and strains that ensure their genetic diversity. In addition, at least 50 000 wild species are used globally for food, energy, medicine, materials and other purposes.

But biodiversity is declining worldwide, driven by changing land use, climate change, and overexploitation, putting the future of food at risk.

In Luweero District, Uganda, coffee and banana farmer Jane Nakandi Sebyaala, also runs the Twezimbe Kassala Community Seed Bank. Its mission is to preserve indigenous seeds, a foundational element of keeping the range of biodiverse crops in fields.

According to Jane, indigenous seeds can be replanted up to ten times, unlike fortified seeds which need to be replaced annually, and can flourish without pesticides or large quantities of fertilizer. Jane says it used to be hard to find indigenous seeds in the shops and markets. But after the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a training for farmers on the benefits of these seeds, “we began to reach out to village elders to collect these indigenous seeds, and we started planting them.”

Over time, Jane and her fellow farmers were able to grow significant quantities of crops such as indigenous varieties of maize and beans. “The advantage of these indigenous seeds is their resilience. They are disease resilient and less susceptible to pests compared to commercial crops,” she says. (To be continued) FAO News

Farmers who earn a measly P300 a day are the unsung heroes who feed the entire Filipino citizenry. Danny Pata

Sample of road dust collected from the identified sampling stations. Jeron Bet B. Tejano

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Secretary Maria Antionia Yulo-Loyzaga

From the FAO trainings, John has learned biodiversity-friendly techniques to fight pests. FAO/Helen Lugada

TUESDAY, MARCH 4,

Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

SHOWBIZ

‘Fleeting’ poster revealed ahead of Puregold CinePanalo fest

for

, an

Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing, along with director Catsi Catalan, attended the event.

The film follows Gem (Salvador), an ambitious woman pursuing her childhood dream, and JC (Bagatsing), a laidback café owner content with his life. Despite their differences, an unexpected romance forces them to confront difficult choices. Catalan expressed gratitude for the film’s inclusion in the festival, highlighting how Puregold CinePanalo supports independent filmmakers. Fleeting, set in Mati, Davao Oriental, explores themes of ambition, love, and sacrifice Now in its second year, the festival has expanded production grants, awarding P3 million to each of the eight full-length film entries and P150,000 to 24 student short filmmakers. Previous editions have gained recognition locally and internationally.

Puregold CinePanalo runs from March 14 to 25 at Gateway Cineplex 18. Tickets are priced at P250, with discounts for students, PWDs, senior citizens, and members of select loyalty programs. A festival pass granting access to all films is available for P2,000.

For advance ticket booking, please visit www.gatewaycineplex18.com.

Bong Revilla backs lower movie ticket prices, filmmaker incentives

Jonathan Manalo is most streamed Filipino songwriter-producer

JONATHAN Manalo has amassed 7.9 billion streams across multiple platforms, making him the most streamed Filipino songwriter-producer, according to verified music credit platform Muso.AI.

Manalo, who serves as ABS-CBN Music’s operations, content, and creative head, is the only Filipino in Muso’s top 150 global music producers list, which includes industry names like Max Martin and Jack Antonoff . He is also among the top 0.1 percent of songwriters worldwide, based on Muso’s data from Audiomack, SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube.

“I am truly grateful to be among world-renowned producers who have made music appreciated by audiences across different platforms,” Manalo said. “This proves that Filipinos can showcase our music to the world.”

Muso also reported that his work has garnered 15.5 billion views on Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.

Manalo, known for hits like “Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw,” “Pagbigyang Muli,” and “Pinoy Ako,” has contributed to the OPM scene with over 800 recordings and multi-platinum albums. He has worked with artists such as Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, and Gloc-9 , while mentoring emerging acts like BGYO, BINI, and Angela Ken

His songs will be featured in Delia D: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo , which will run from April 25 to June 8 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

By Nickie Wang

SENATOR Bong Revilla met with the entertainment press over the weekend to discuss his recent milestones, including the challenges facing the local film industry—a cause he has long been passionate about.

With local films struggling at the box office, Revilla emphasized that strong storytelling is essential to drawing audiences back to theaters.

“The government is doing what it can,” Revilla said in the vernacular, citing the passage of the Eddie Garcia Law, which aims to protect workers in the entertainment industry. However, he noted that some producers have raised concerns that the law has had unintended negative effects.

“The law seemed necessary because industry workers, both in television and film, were being overworked—sometimes for 24 hours straight. But now, we need to revisit it and have another dialogue with producers and actors,” he said.

Revilla pointed out that some senior actors are no longer being hired, while opportunities for younger actors are also dwindling due to strict working hour limitations.

“If young actors are only allowed to shoot for four hours, how can we develop new stars? There won’t be another Niño Muhlach if this continues,” he said.

He emphasized the need to carefully study how the government can further assist the local film industry.

“There are so many of us in the Senate now. If we can’t do something about this, I don’t know what else to say. But don’t worry—that’s exactly why we’re here, to help revive the industry,” the 58-year-old actor and public servant said.

Revilla acknowledged that the movie industry is struggling globally, with most content now being consumed on platforms like Netflix. However, he remains hopeful, recalling how Philippine cinema has gone through cycles in the past.

Revilla discusses the challenges the local film industry is facing

“There was a time when action films faded, and bold films took over. But action movies eventually made a comeback, followed by drama. Maybe we’re just in that phase, and things will return to normal,” he Revilla also stressed the unique experience of watching movies in theaters, saying, “It’s different from watching at home. The problem is, ticket prices are too high. That’s why I’m saying it now—we will push for a law to lower movie ticket prices.”

said.

“The industry must adapt and explore ways to stay viable, such as providing incentives for producers, especially smaller companies that face difficulties getting their films screened,” he added.

Discussions are also ongoing about expanding the jurisdiction of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to include online and streaming content. He stressed the need for fairness.

“It’s not right that online and streaming platforms can show anything, even if they don’t adhere to the country’s values and culture,” he explained. When asked if the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) should be run solely by the entertainment industry, Revilla said he is open to the idea.

“It is an option so the industry can take full control. In fact, I see no issue with the industry creating its own film festival. But if that happens, no government funds can be used,” he explained.

Revilla was also asked if he had any upcoming projects after the elections. While public service remains his priority, he said he would consider finishing his stalled film and pushing for a fourth season of

na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis if time permits.

“Let’s cross the bridge when we get there,”

Walang Matigas

THE official poster

Fleeting

entry in the second Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, was unveiled at Gateway Cineplex, Araneta City, on Feb. 28. Lead stars

The cast and director of the film ‘Fleeting’

‘Fleeting’ lead stars RK Bagatsing (left) and Janella Salvador

ABS-CBN Music operations, content, and creative head Jonathan Manalo

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Disney Store unveils something magical for shoppers

DISNEY Store will launch new product collections in the Philippines in March, including a summerthemed line, a cherry blossom-inspired series, and a Cinderella anniversary collection.

The new items will be available at Disney Store by SM, with a promotional giveaway for customers spending at least P3,000 in a single transaction from March 1 to May 31 at SM Mall of Asia.

The collection features swimwear and accessories inspired by Disney characters, including a Moanathemed two-piece swimsuit, a Spider-Man hooded rash guard and swim trunks for children, and an Ariel deluxe swimsuit set. The line also includes Disney-themed beach towels, backpacks with mesh ventilation panels, and travel tumblers with coordinating zip cases.

Marking the animated classic’s 75th anniversary, the Cinderella collection includes a limited-edition collectible doll and themed merchandise.

The Disney Cherry Blossom Collection features pastel-toned items with floral motifs. The curated pieces celebrate beauty with delicate details, soft colors, and a touch of Disney magic.

Disney Store will open a pop-up store at The Podium mall in Mandaluyong from March 26 to April 30, offering a selection of Disney merchandise from various franchises.

The store will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.

Mikey Madison springs Oscar surprise for ‘Anora’

MIKEY Madison won the best actress Oscar on Sunday (Monday in Manila) for her role in Anora , a breakthrough for the 25-year-old American in her first major film.

In the low-budget film, she played a sex worker who marries a Russian oligarch’s son and confronts the realities of class divides. Her win was one of the night’s biggest surprises, as she edged out favorite Demi Moore ( The Substance ), Cynthia Erivo ( Wicked ), Fernanda Torres ( I’m Still Here ), and Karla Sofia Gascon ( Emilia Perez ), who had faced controversy during the awards season.

“I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me. So to be here standing in this room today is really incredible,” Madison said, reading nervously from a piece of paper. She also expressed support for the sex worker community, vowing to remain an ally.

Born in California on March 25, 1999, to two psychologists, Madison grew up in the greater LA area, with no dreams of making it big in Hollywood.

The homeschooled horse lover trained as an equestrian before being bitten by the acting bug in her teens.

“I thought that looks fun or that looks like a safe place to explore all of those things without having to do it in real life,” she told The New York Times in an interview published in January.

Still in her teens, she made her breakthrough as Pamela Adlon’s rebellious daughter in television’s Better Things . The show ran from 2016 to 2022.

She shot Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood between seasons, and then got the surprising role in Scream . Madison is also part of the Apple TV+ mini-series Lady in the Lake starring Natalie Portman Madison is close to her parents and twin brother, and eschews social media.

“I would understand a curiosity toward a character in film, but that’s never been something I’ve really understood -- like, the curiosity towards the actor themselves,” she told the Times.

Anora , directed by Sean Baker, premiered at the Cannes film festival, where it won the Palme d’Or. The film follows Ani, a Brooklyn sex worker working in high-end Manhattan clubs, whose life takes a turn when she meets Ivan, the heir to a Russian fortune.

Baker, known for chronicling the lives of sex workers and marginalized communities, won best director for Anora , his first Oscar victory. He prevailed over Brady Corbet ( The Brutalist ), James Mangold ( A Complete Unknown ), Jacques Audiard ( Emilia Perez ), and Coralie Fargeat ( The Substance ). Adrien Brody completed his Hollywood comeback with a second best actor Oscar for The Brutalist , in which he plays a Hungarian architect who emigrates to the United States after World War II. His first Academy Award came in 2003 for The Pianist , making him the youngest-ever winner in the category at 29.

Brody outperformed heavy favorite Timothée Chalamet ( A Complete Unknown ), Ralph Fiennes ( Conclave ), Sebastian Stan ( The Apprentice ), and Colman Domingo ( Sing Sing ).

Meanwhile, I’m Still Here won best international feature, securing Brazil’s first Oscar in the category. The film, based on true events, explores a family’s struggles during the country’s military dictatorship. It triumphed over The Girl With the Needle (Denmark), Emilia Perez (France), The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany), and Flow (Latvia). AFP

MODERN-DAY

CINERELLA. In ‘Anora,’ Mikey Madison is a modern woman, a fighter whose fairy tale ending is ripped from her grasp

THE Pokémon Company has announced Pokémon Champions , a new battlefocused game for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices. A first-look video is now available on the official Pokémon YouTube channel. The game features battles similar to Pokémon titles, incorporating familiar mechanics such as Pokémon types, Abilities, and moves. It will also

be compatible with Pokémon HOME , enabling players to team up with select Pokémon from their collection. Further details on its release date and gameplay are expected in the coming months.

IT HAS always puzzled me how Baguio City keeps its surroundings clean during the annual Panagbenga Festival. It has become a tradition to visit the country’s summer capital to marvel at the colorful floral parade, but one lingering question remains—how is cleanliness maintained?

The disposal of flowers used in floats and decorations is also a major challenge, requiring efforts from both authorities and the public to keep the city tidy after the festivities.

Did you know that approximately 1,000 flowers of different varieties are used in a single float during the Panagbenga Festival? This year, a total of 43 floats participated in the parade—so you do the math.

But what really happens to the flowers adorning the floats after the parade?

“They are donated to churches,” Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. president Freddie Alquiros told Manila Standard Life

“The flowers used in the grand float parade and other decorations are usually repurposed or discarded,” Alquiros added.

Some locals and event organizers redistribute fresh flowers to schools, churches, and public spaces, while others collect them for composting or proper disposal. Tourists and residents sometimes take home flowers as souvenirs. However, since many blooms start to wilt after the festivities, a significant portion ends up as waste, which the local government and cleanup crews

Reinforcing Nasugbu’s

The 22nd Annual Club Punta Fuego Regatta reaffirmed Nasugbu, Batangas as a destination for competitive sailing and water sports. Organized by MVPled Landco Pacific Corporation, the event has been staged annually since 2021 in partnership with the Philippine Inter-Island Sailing Foundation (PHINSAF) and Club Punta Fuego. Landco Pacific Corporation Vice President for Commercial and Customer Experience Gerard Peñaflor said the regatta aims to attract sailing enthusiasts, sports aficionados, and global tourists. The event aligns with the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) efforts to position the Philippines as a key destination for water sports. “With our islands, coastlines, and favorable wind conditions, we are strengthening partnerships with the sailing community to further promote this sport among Filipinos,” said DOT CALABARZON Regional Director Marites T. Castro The two-day regatta, one of the country’s longest-running yachting competitions,

manage efficiently to maintain the city’s cleanliness.

How Baguio keeps Panagbenga Festival litter-free post grand parade

I have to commend the festival organizers and the local government for doing a great job. It’s the only festival in the country I have attended where, after the parade, the streets are swept within minutes—as if nothing happened on Session Road, the usual parade route. Spectators—tourists numbering at least 30,000—go about their usual day, and the trash? Nowhere to be found.

At the tail end of the parade, I observed street sweepers and garbage trucks following closely to ensure the roads and sidewalks remained spotless. Where else can you see this kind of dedication to cleanliness?

This year’s theme, “Blossom Beyond Boundaries,” aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development

Goals, emphasizing inclusivity, sustainability, and global connectivity.

This year’s edition of Panagbenga is particularly special for the people of Baguio and its organizers. First, this year’s festival featured the highest number of floats in its history, with participants parading from Session Road to Harrison Road, culminating at Melvin Jones Grandstand for public viewing. Last year, spectators saw 33 floats.

Next year’s edition of the Panagbenga Festival will be even more significant as it marks the event’s 30th anniversary.

Panagbenga, an annual flower festival held every February in Baguio City, derives its name from the Kankanaey term meaning “season of blooming.”

The festival celebrates the history, traditions, and values of Baguio and the Cordilleras and thrives through strong community participation.

The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. oversees the festival’s organization, aiming to promote tourism in Baguio and the Cordilleras through various cultural events, exhibitions, and activities while ensuring an environmentally sustainable approach.

For those who didn’t know, apart from showcasing cultural heritage and the thriving floral business in the city, Panagbenga is also a competition.

In the large float category, Jollibee Foods Corporation claimed the grand champion title, followed by McDonald’s in second place and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) in third.

In the medium float category, Mang Inasal took the top spot, with Zaparita’s Garden securing second place and Chowking finishing third. Meanwhile, Zaparita’s Garden also emerged as the grand champion in the small float category, while Wood Rock and Flowers Group placed second, and Wilcon Depot took third.

Pablo Lobregat’s (center) Despacito is the overall champion of the 22nd Annual Club Punta Fuego Regatta

Jollibee Foods Corporation wins the grand champion title in the large float category

and BDO also participate in the Grand Float Parade where participants parade from Session Road to Harrison Road

From left: Baguio Flower Festival Foundation president Freddie Alquiros, Mayor Mauricio Domogan, and Baguio Country Club general manager Anthony de Leon

Mang Inasal claims the top spot in the medium float category