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THE FINAL SURVEY: MARCOS, DUTERTE KEEP WIDE DISTANCE IN POLL RACE By Rey E. Requejo AS THE campaign period for the national elections ends today, presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio maintained a comfortable lead over their opponents in the latest pre-election survey conducted by Publicus Asia. The survey, conducted from May 2 to May 5 with 1,500 respondents, showed Marcos ahead with 54 percent and Duterte-Carpio with 59 percent. Marcos has been leading in seven Publicus surveys from October 2021 to May 2022, with voter preference shares of
between 49 percent and 57 percent. "While the preference shares of Marcos Jr. dipped from a peak of 57 percent during the third week of April to 54 percent in the first week of May, it is of note that his current mark is in line with his longer-term average," Publicus said. Marcos’s closest rival, Vice President Leni Robredo, got support from 22 percent of the respondents in the recent survey, with her voter preference share with the survey period from October 2021 ranging from20 to 23 percent. Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso had 8 percent in the recent survey, Senator Panfilo "Ping"
Lacson had 4 percent, Senator Manny Pacquiao had 2 percent, and former Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella had 1 percent. The survey noted that 6 percent of the respondents were still undecided. In the vice presidential race, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan was in second place with 16 percent voter preference and overall preference ranging from 10 to 16 percent within the survey period. Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and Dr. Willie Ong are in a tie at 9 percent, and Buhay Party-list Rep. Jose "Lito" Atienza had 1 percent. The Publicus survey also noted that the Next page
Cusi wing declared legal PDP-Laban party faction By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta
legitimate wing of the party. In a resolution, the Comelec Special Second Division said that "Chairman (President Rodrigo) Duterte's THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairmanship is an undisputed and wellhas recognized the PDP-Laban faction settled fact in the aforementioned dates." of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi as the Next page
VOL. XXXVI • NO. 81 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Rody clears BBM of pillage
Says he lives 'simple life,' ill-gotten wealth allegation not proven
P
RESIDENTIAL candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has lived a "simple life" and his family's ill-gotten wealth was not really proven, President Rodrigo Duterte said in a taped television interview aired on Friday.
The remarks seemed to indicate Duterte was virtually anointing “BBM,” the running mate of the President’s daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio, as his successor, on the eve of the end of the campaign period for the May 9 elections. In an interview with his spiritual adviser Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on SMNI, Duterte claimed the Philippine government through the years failed to find any ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family. Next page
VOTERS GATHER. People take part in a rally calling for honest elections in Intramuros, Manila on Friday, while millions more are expected to fill the streets today to attend the final campaign meetings of presidential candidates Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo in front of Solaire Resort in Paranaque and along Ayala Avenue in Makati (inset photos). AFP
Presidential hopefuls drive campaign’s last mile today By Joel E. Zurbano MAJOR streets across Metro Manila will be closed to traffic today in connection with the “miting de avance” and the last campaign rallies of presidential candidates and their running mates in the May 9 national and local elections. Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard bearer Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and running mate Sara Duterte will hold their political
rally in Parañaque City in front of Solaire Resort and Casino, while the tandem of Vice President Ma. Leonor Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan will conduct their miting de avance along Ayala Avenue in Makati City. As for other presidential bets, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso will end his three-month nationwide campaign with a miting de avance in Moriones, Tondo on Saturday. Next page
UniTeam appeals to Filipinos to protect their votes By Maricel V. Cruz
UNITEAM IN TAGUM. Presidential bet Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio talk to their supporters Thursday night in front of Tagum City Hall in Davao del Norte. Ver Noveno
TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte— The UniTeam tandem of former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has appealed to Filipinos to vote on Monday and thereafter protect their votes. The BBM-Sara team made the appeal during a rain-drenched miting de avance in this southeastern city attended by a mammoth crowd here, the second in a series of three assemblies meant to cap the UniTeam election campaign. After exercising their right to vote, Marcos said their supporters must remain vigilant and protect their votes during the entire voting and canvassing process.
THE Commission on Elections is replacing its longtime spokesman James Jimenez, just three days before the country holds its national elections. In a memorandum announced Friday, Comelec chairman Saidamen Pangarungan appointed Law Department director John Rex Laudiangco as the
new acting spokesperson "effective immediately." Laudiangco replaces Jimenez amid his alleged involvement in the bungled presidential and vice presidential debates, which is now a subject of a separate probe led by Commissioner Rey Bulay. Next page
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Oil price hike of P4/liter looms next week By Alena Mae S. Flores
Jimenez replaced as Comelec spox
effective Tuesday, after experiencing a gasoline prices will likely go up by P4.15 price rollback the week before amid the to P4.30 per liter, followed by P4 per liter CONSUMERS will have to brace for continuing volatility of world oil prices. for diesel and P4.80 per liter for kerosene. higher pump prices of about P4 per liter Next page Sources told the Standard on Friday
COAST GUARD'S BIGGEST. The Philippine Coast Guard commissions its new BRP Teresa Magbanua at the Port Area in Manila on Friday. Built in Japan and turned over by Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu, the ship is the largest and most modern vessel of the PCG. Danny Pata
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News
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Pinoys OK gov’t COVID-19 response "Eight out of 10 Filipinos approve of the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This response has always been through the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte together with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.
Among the different socio-economic classes, brackets A, B, and C gave the pandemic response an approval rating of 82 percent. Bracket D -lower-middle class gave 85 percent, and Bracket E - the marginalized population gave 68 percent. Overall, the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach against the pandemic garnered an 83 percent positive response - an above average rating.
A 91 percent positive rating on the willingness to get vaccinated among Filipinos was also recorded. NCR respondents gave a positive rating of 94 percent, Luzon with 90 percent, Visayas with 83 percent, and Mindanao with 93 percent in the same category. The DOH, through its different campaigns such as the BIDA Solusyon initiatives, RESBAKUNA rollouts, and Bayanihan Bakunahan days—to name a few, aimed to provide protection to the Filipino people throughout the pandemic including the height of Covid-19 cases in January. This was made possible through the continuous efforts brought by the national government, along with close coordination with different medical institutions, frontline healthcare workers, local government units, the private sector
Rody...
pagka-senador, nakikisakay lang iyan sya sa akin… Kung may pera sya noon o wala, magtataka kami... Walang pera ito, wala. Simula noong, wala naman -simple living lang iyan siya, wala siya 'yung sabihin mo talaga," Duterte added of Marcos Jr., who was a senator from 2010 to 2016. [You know, when he campaigned for senator (in 2010), he was just hitching a ride with me… We were really wondering if he had any money or not… He really doesn’t have money. Since then, there was no – he just does simple living, he has nothing of what you may say (wealth).] Duterte's daughter, Davao City Mayor Duterte-Carpio, is running for vice president after initially being groomed to succeed her father by the President's PDP-Laban faction. The faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi is backing the MarcosDuterte tandem’s election bid (see related story on A1 – Editors). This week, President Duterte also said he would not endorse any presidential
candidate even "until December" this year, when he had already stepped down after six years in Malacañang. In a related development, the President said he is astounded by Filipinos' continued support of him with less than two months left before he vacates Malacañang. Despite being "strict," he believes Filipinos appreciate his efforts to fight illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in government. "Why am I popular? I really don't know. Ano bang nagawa ko (What have I done)?" Duterte said in the same taped interview with Quiboloy aired over SMNI on Friday. "I have yet to divine the—or to fathom the real reason why I remain to be popular." He also cited his policies and accomplishments, especially infrastructure development through the ambitious "Build, Build, Build" program, pay hike for soldiers and cops, and access to universal health care services. "Ang tanong (The question is) why
are you popular? Maybe because of my stand at 'yung nagawa ko (and what I have done)," Duterte said. According to PUBLiCUS Asia Inc.'s March 30 to April 6 “Pahayag First Quarter Survey”, Duterte earned approval and trust scores of 67.2 percent and 61.2 percent. PUBLiCUS said "the longevity of President Duterte's popularity is a rarity in Philippine presidential politics". In a similar survey conducted by OCTA Research on March 5 to 10, Duterte emerged as the most appreciated and trusted official among top government officials. He received a satisfaction rating of 67 percent and a trust rating of 69 percent, based on the "Tugon ng Masa" survey conducted by OCTA Research. Malacañang on Wednesday assured the public that Duterte’s signature “Tapang at Malasakit” (courage and compassion) brand of leadership will continue until the end of his term on June 30. Vito Barcelo
percent), Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (40.20 percent), broadcaster Raffy Tulfo (38.80 percent), former Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (35.47 percent), and actor Robin Padilla (34.67 percent). The survey has a ±3 percent margin of error for nationwide results and maintains that it was not commissioned. On Thursday, with three days to go before the May 9 elections, Marcos Jr. maintained his wide lead over
his rivals with a 58 percent voter preference rating in the final survey of OCTA Research. The survey was conducted from April 22 to 25 with a sample size of 2,400 respondents and a margin of error of +/- 2 percent. Marcos and Duterte-Carpio have been consistently topping pre-election surveys, including the latest from Pulse Asia this week where the former senator logged a 56-percent voters preference
rating while the Davao City mayor had 55 percent. In the Laylo Research survey conducted from April 14 to 20, Marcos saw his rating climb to 64 percent, up by three percentage points from his March rating, giving him a 43-point lead over Robredo. The influential Iglesia Ni Cristo, which counts at least two million voting members, earlier this week endorsed the UniTeam tandem of Marcos and DuterteCarpio.
- Ayala Avenue (from Fonda Street to Gil Puyat Avenue) - Paseo de Roxas Street (from Dela Rosa Street to Makati Avenue) - Makati Avenue (from Dela Rosa Street to Paseo de Roxas) - V.A. Rufino Street (from Dela Rosa Street to Valero Street) - Salcedo Street (from Dela Rosa Street to Valero Street) Motorists passing through the eastbound lane of Ayala Avenue will be re-routed to Gil Puyat going to Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. Public utility jeepneys from the Washington Terminal going to McKinley Terminal and private vehicles passing through the westbound lane of Ayala Avenue may use the alternative routes: - From Washington Terminal going to McKinley PUJs may take Chino Roces, Dela Rosa, Amorsolo, Arnaiz, East Street, and Ayala Avenue. - Those from McKinley Terminal going to Washington Terminal may take Ayala Avenue, Parkway Drive, West Street, Arnaiz Amorsolo, Rufino and Chino Roces, and - Private vehicles going to Gil Puyat Avenue must take Ayala Avenue, Parkway Drive, West Street, Arnaiz Amorsolo, Rufino and Chino Roces. The MMDA is anticipating heavy traffic caused by the two big rallies. The Robredo-Pangilinan tandem, who were in Bicol Friday, is anticipating a big crowd to show up along Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue in Makati City. With Rio N. Araja
Jimenez... Bulay earlier recommended the relief of Jimenez from his media duties pending the investigation. According to Comelec Commissioner George Garcia, the decision to replace Jimenez was at the "discretion" of Pangarungan. "But the choice is a perfect one. Director Laudiangco is one of the best senior staffs of the Commission. Talented, promising and a bearer of truth," Garcia said. In a statement, Jimenez said he would continue to serve Comelec "as faithfully as I have these past 18 years." "I heartily congratulate Director John Rex Laudiangco on his designation as Spokesperson of the Commission and wish him all the best. For my part, I shall continue to serve as faithfully as I have these past 18 years, with due deference to the will and wisdom of the Commission," he said. Jimenez remains as director of the Comelec's Education and Information Department. Meanwhile, the Comelec said at least 355 vote-counting machines (VCM) were detected to have "minor problems" on Friday, just two days before the election day. “These machines accounted for only a small percentage of around 106,000 VCMs that will be used in Monday's elections,” Garcia said. The problems were detected during
the final testing and sealing of the VCMs. Garcia said the defective machines were brought to the warehouse to be repaired, saying “almost 200 have been repaired. We hope we can test them until Saturday and fewer machines will encounter problems.” He admitted that while the VCMs seemed old, they were still "effective and efficient." All VCMs and ballots have already been distributed nationwide, Garcia said. He assured the public that all VCMs have been distributed and are ready for the May 9 election, adding the Comelec has contingency procedures in case there are VCM glitches. Also, the Comelec on Friday said only trained teachers would handle VCMs during election day, after reports surfaced that some personnel in Cotabato City were replaced by untrained people. Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Sayadi earlier told state media that she was puzzled how this happened and called on Comelec to sort out the matter, alleging that the untrained staff were not even voters there. "This is something anomalous,” Sayadi said. Garcia said they were already coordinating with authorities there and were addressing the problem. VCM handlers, he noted, must have certification from the Department of Science and Technology. Vito Barcelo (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
in 2016 when a brownout had Marcos losing his lead to eventual Vice President Leni Robredo in their first electoral duel. In her own speech, Duterte-Carpio thanked the crowd in Bisaya for making them feel that victory in the polls was imminent. "Pag sinabi ng TAGUMpay, panalo na, panalo na ang lahat," DuterteCarpio said, giving reference to the city's name, chasing that with an appeal to voters to vote for Marcos. The Davao mayor and Lakas-Christian
Muslim Democrats chairperson repeatedly told the crowd that she loved them, on top of reiterating to them her call for economic recovery and individual protection from the pandemic. "Mahal ko kayo! Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas," she said. The UniTeam duo made these remarks amid the release of OCTA Research's final presidential and vice presidential survey results before the May 9 polls (see related story on A1 – Editors). The duo reiterated their commitment to heal and unite the country after
Monday’s elections, if they win the people’s mandate. They said the campaign had become toxic, divisive, and acrimonious, as evidenced by various political colors that opposing political groups have associated themselves with. There should only be one color after the nation elects its new leaders—white, representing hope and unity that will lead to progress, they said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
The exact increase, however, will still depend on the movement of oil trading on Friday, as the computation is only for the first four days of the week. Industry sources said the increase was driven by the reopening of businesses in China and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. On May 3, local oil companies implemented a price rollback of P0.65 per liter for gasoline and P1.10 per liter for both diesel and kerosene. These resulted in year-to-date adjustments to stand at a net increase of P17.80 per liter for gasoline, P30.30 per liter for diesel, and P23.90 per liter for kerosene. As this developed, Petro Gazz said it will give a P2 per liter discount on all its products on Election Day, May 9, in selected stations. Voters need to present their index finger marked with indelible ink to avail of the discount, the company said in a statement. Promotion lasts from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. only. Participating Petro Gazz stations include those on Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City; Barangka in Mandaluyong; Moonwalk in Paranaque; Llano in Caloocan; Fortune in Valenzuela; Mayamot in Antipolo; San Sebastian in Batangas; Basud in Camarines Norte; Poro in La Union; Valladolid, Crossing Pulupandan, and Kabankalan 2 in Negros Occidental; Bulua in Cagayan de Oro; and Calumpang in General Santos City.
Commissioners Socorro Inting and Rey Bulay comprised the majority votes. The 11-page ruling recognized the validity of PDP-Laban's national assembly held on July 17, 2021, which unseated Senator Manny Pacquiao and named Cusi as the new party president, along with the appointment of new officers. The Cusi faction previously filed a petition before the Comelec declaring Pacquiao and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III as “illegal representatives of the ruling party.” Pimentel, in response, called on the
poll body to dismiss the petition, calling the other faction “usurpers." Pimentel said they will file a motion for reconsideration, noting that the decision is “not immediately executory.” Pimentel's father, the late Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel II, was one of the founders of PDP-Laban. Pimentel III is the national chairman of the Pacquiao faction. The Cusi wing is led by Cusi and President Rodrigo Duterte as president and national chairman, respectively. Pimentel said the Cusi petition was
“fatally defective,” without any board resolution authorizing its filing. He said the Comelec was “very lax” in dealing with the Cusi faction, entertaining its petition even though they had no authority to file it. "What happened to all the requirements other petitioners before the Comelec are required to comply with?" asked Pimentel. Pimentel said they will also press the Comelec to explain why they referred the defective petition to a division without even informing them, "as we are a party to the case.
"Why the secrecy?" Pimentel said. Pimentel said party members who have known only one party, the PDP-Laban for the last 40 years will now be separated from their party because of Cusi, who joined the party five years ago. "We did not like to be turncoats, so we have been with PDP-Laban for 40 years. We didn't like moving from one party to another party and it is the Comelec which will force us to transfer to another party against our will and against our party rules?" (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
By Willie Casas
F
ILIPINOS have given the government's national pandemic response a high approval rating of 88 percent in the National Capital Region (NCR), 79 percent from Luzon, 92 percent from Visayas, and 80 percent from Mindanao, based on a recent non-commissioned survey by OCTA Research.
From A1
The President said he remembered Bongbong as a candidate who used to "ride" with him in previous campaigns, most especially when he was still a senator. “Iyong pera ninakaw, eh, hanggang ngayon, wala naman silang nakita. Ito kung maniwala kayo, kung hindi, okay lang. Marcos, may kaunting perang naiwan, na-sequester lahat eh, pati iyong sa Switzerland,” Duterte told Quiboloy. (Their money was stolen until now? They haven't seen anything. It is okay if you believe it or not. But Marcos has a little money left, everyone was sequestered, including the one in Switzerland.) "Hindi naman siya mapagkakatiwalaan ng bilyon-bilyon. Bata pa siya noon eh. Of course, ininherit nila 'yan but that would be a very very tedious process," Duterte said. "Alam mo iyong kampanya sa
The... From A1
ranks 1 to 7 for the senatorial race can be viewed as "safe spots" as these candidates received around 35 percent preference in the May 2022 survey. These were Sorsogon Gov. Francis "Chiz" Escudero (46.20 percent), Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (42.20 percent), Antique Rep, Loren Legarda (42.40
Presidential... From A1
Senator Panfilo Lacson said he and running mate Senate President Vicente Sotto III wanted to deviate from the traditional miting de avance and would instead be “leapfrogging” and reaching out to voters in Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal. The Lacson-Sotto tandem initially planned a miting de avance at historic Plaza Miranda in Manila but will instead hold a rally in the former’s home province of Cavite. Labor leader Leody de Guzman and running mate Walden Bello already staged their miting de avance last May 3 at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City. Other presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ plans were unclear as of presstime. In its traffic advisory, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority stated that Marcos team’s political rally will take place at Diokno Boulevard corner Aseana Avenue in Barangay Tambo, Paranaque City beginning at 1 p.m. A portion of Diokno Boulevard from Bradco to Asean Avenue has already been closed to vehicular traffic until midnight to give way to the activity. One lane parking will be allowed from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. along Roxas Boulevard, Macapagal Boulevard, Diokno Boulevard, Seaside Drive, and Marina Avenue. In Makati, partial road closures will be enforced beginning Friday evening (May 7) to 6 a.m. Sunday (May 8) on the following roads:
UniTeam... From A1
The 64-year-old Marcos, speaking in Filipino, exuded confidence that his slate had already won, but asked the voters to guard their votes, even sacrificing sleep on Monday. He suggested they ask friends to provide three-in-one coffee sachets to keep them awake and avoid detestable developments, alluding to an instance
Cusi... From A1
"The fact that he presided over the election of the new sets of party officers and committee chairpersons validates the entire process, making the aboveenumerated officers as the duly elected officers of PDP-Laban," it said. The Comelec’s special second division voted 2-1, with Commissioner Marlon Casquejo as the lone dissenter.
From A1
and development partners, as well as partner organizations and stakeholders. Aside from providing COVID-19 vaccines, other precautionary measures such as vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases are made possible through the Universal Health Care Act, which will aid in giving a more holistic approach to the healthcare system in the country and improve the government’s response against the virus. “The safe reopening of our economy was made possible not only by the whole-ofgovernment and whole-of-society approach but also through the trust, cooperation, and confidence of the Filipino people. With vaccines as our best defense in this pandemic, no one will get left behind as we move forward towards the New Normal,” Duque said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
Rody: Leni win would set Leila, Espinosa free By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said that detained Senator Leila de Lima and drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa would be freed from jail should Vice President Leni Robredo win as president in the May 9 elections. “Should Leni Robredo win, De Lima will be pardoned and Espinosa. There, you can choose,” Duterte said during a taped interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy aired on Friday. Duterte made the statement after Espinosa, the self-confessed drug lord, and former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos recanted their testimonies against the detained senator. Both Espinosa and Ragos claimed they were coerced to make statements to implicate De Lima in the drug trade. Espinosa initially claimed to have paid De Lima drug payout money through her bodyguard Ronnie Dayan, while Ragos claimed that he delivered cash on two occasions to De Lima’s home as instructed by a convict in 2012. Duterte also claimed that Ragos was paid to retract his testimonies that implicated de Lima in the alleged illegal drugs trade at the New Bilibid Prison. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
Press Club rips extortion try of 4 Bulacan ‘scribes’ By Orlan L. Mauricio MALOLOS CITY—The National Press Club (NPC) has condemned the alleged extortion activities of four Bulacan mediamen who were arrested last Sunday in Concepcion, Tarlac, after they identified themselves as police agents to extort P10,000 in protection money from a local carnival operator. Newly-elected NPC president Lydia Bueno said: “Let the public know that the NPC never condones, as it even denounces, such criminal malpractice among the members of the press.” “The NPC ID recovered (from suspect Rene Clemente) is also an old one, and that he is not currently an active member of the Club, having paid his last membership dues in 2018,” Bueno, the managing editor of Remate News Central, added. “Even as the suspects should be allowed their day in court as part of due process, the incident is also sufficient ground to review and bar the membership of Clemente for gross violation of the Journalist’s Code of Ethics,” she said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
Oil... From A1
News
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022
A3
TONDO FIRE.
IN BRIEF
Firemen battle a fire that razes a residential area close to the Ospital ng Tondo along Abad Santos Ave. into Tondo, Manila, prompting hospital management to transfer their patients to the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Hospital. Norman Cruz and Danny Pata
DOH-LGA tie-up to bridge gap with LGUs THE Department of Health (DOH), through its Health Human Resource Development Bureau (HHRDB), recently forged a partnership with the Local Government Academy (LGA) - the institution mandated for capacity development of the local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) personnel. The partnership aims to develop supplemental online courses to connect the health sector to the LGUs in support of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. The 12 UHC modules developed by the Department would be integrated into the Newly Elected Official (NEO) program of the LGA. Willie Casas
BI nabs five Koreans in ‘wanted’ list BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents have rounded up five South Koreans wanted for serious crimes in their country. BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the aliens were arrested in separate operations conducted in Metro Manila and Pampanga by operatives from the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU). “They will all be deported for being undesirable aliens, aside from being included in our blacklist and banned from reentering the Philippines,” Morente said. Vito Barcelo
SSS takes additional security measures THE Social Security System is implementing additional security measures in My.SSS Portal, to remind stakeholders to protect their login credentials. SSS president and chief executive officer Michael Regino said the state pension fund added security measures in its My.SSS Portal to protect the accounts of its members, employers, and pensioners. Among the new security measures being implemented are the stricter guidelines when enrolling a disbursement account in the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM) which require members to upload a proof of disbursement account, a valid governmentissued identification card or document, and chest-level selfie/photo holding the uploaded proof of disbursement account and ID card/document. Rio N. Araja
PSA: Unemployment down to 5.8% in March
By Vito Barcelo
W
ITH the COVID-19 pandemic gradually easing out, more and more Filipino workers are getting jobs, government statistics showed.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) vowed to do more in the remaining days under the Duterte government to create more jobs for the people. Philippine Statistics Authority data released on Friday indicated that unemployment rate in March went down to 5.8 percent equivalent to 2.87 million jobless Filipinos, as opposed to 6.4 percent in February which translated to 3.13 million labor force without jobs. The March figure was also much better than the 7.1 percent or
3.44 jobless Filipinos March 2021. However, underemployment, referring to people who need more jobs or work hours rose to 15.8 percent or 7.42 million in March from 14 percent or 6.38 million in the previous month. The total employment rate, meanwhile, also slightly improved to 94.2 percent rate or 46.98 million from 93.6 percent or 45.48 million in February 2022. Economic managers said the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions and recovery of business activities could lead to more jobs
as indicated by the PSA data. “We welcome the latest employment situation reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing employment rate in March 2022 at 94.2 -- the highest since April 2020,” acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said. “This proves how effective our calibrated strategy of shifting to Alert Level System to further reopen the economy – where more businesses are operating and more Filipinos are able to go to work – while ramping our COVID-19 vaccination drive,” he added. However, certain quarters among them the Asian Development Bank warned that although employment numbers were reverting to pre-pandemic levels, there was an increase in low-quality job.
Taguig opens new Bicutan health center
THE Taguig City government on Friday announced the opening of its new health center in Barangay Lower Bicutan The facility, equipped with air conditioning units, water supply, electrical supply, and generator sets, was meant to give residents easier access to the city’s health-centric initiatives and programs more conveniently. Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano said the Lower Bicutan Health Center will have different rooms designed for the various medical services such as Consultation Rooms, Treatment Rooms, Prenatal and Family Planning Rooms, Breastfeeding Rooms, Animal Bite Rooms will be available. He added that a Doctor-on-Call office would be open 24/7 to assist citizens with health-related concerns and inquiries at any given time of the day. Aside from the ongoing COVID-19 curbing initiatives, the local government continues to strive for quality and accessible health services which include TBDots, free house-to-house delivery of medicines by Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), and many more. Joel Zurbano
IN SUPPORT OF VAPE BILL. An
unlikely mixture of pro- and anti-smoking groups call a press conference in Quezon City to express support to the Vape bill which aims to regulate e-cigarettes and tobacco smoking in a bid to save lives. Manny Palmero
NEW TERMINAL INSPECTION. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (second from left) inspects the newly completed Clark International Airport terminal in Pampanga, designed to meet challenges of a growing tourism industry in the country. Teddy Pelaez
Hontiveros: PUV drivers, operators need more aid SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Friday urged the government to provide additional support to mass transport drivers and operators amid the runaway prices of fuel and other products triggered by the Ukraine-Russia war. The senator noted that the drivers and operators of traditional public utility vehicles (PUVs) were being squeezed out by “better capitalized industry players who neither suffered through the pandemic nor had to deal with the inaction of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on fare petitions.” She cited the Pantawid Pasada financial assistance program which was approved in March upon the recommendations of the Department of Energy (DOE). But with the current situation, the monthly P6,500 assistance to tricycle and jeepney drivers got through their Landbank-issued Pantawid Pasada cards has hardly given them any breathing room, the senator noted. She said that the plight of PUV drivers falls under the mandate of the LTFRB. However, Hontiveros said the government as a whole must come up with long-term interventions. “The objective is to allow jeepney drivers and minimum wage workers the same take home pay before the price of fuel and basic goods went crazy,” she added. Hontiveros pointed out that excess oil-related value-added tax (VAT) revenues for 2021 were supposed to have been assessed and made available to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) by the end of April 2022. “This could be used to finance the second tranche of Pantawid Pasada,” Hontiveros suggested. “But we should come up with a more sustainable, long-term response to this humanitarian crisis in the transport sector,” she said. Macon Ramos-Araneta
PhilHealth posts P32.84b net income in 2021, up by 9% over 2020
THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) announced on Friday that it posted a net income of P32.84 billion for the period ending December 31, 2021. The state-run agency said the figure was higher by P2.8 billion or a growth of nine percent compared to the previous year.
Revenues from health insurance contributions also grew by 15 percent equivalent to P171.17 billion from the previous year, owing to the increase in employed and self-paying/earning members of around 7 percent, coupled by relentless collection efforts and the launch of an online premium
payment facility for self-paying members in its Member Portal. The agency also reported receipt of P71.24 billion in national government subsidy for indirect contributors. All told, the intensified collection enabled PhilHealth to surpass its collection target by 10 percent, PhilHealth said in a statement.
In terms of expenditures, total benefit claims expense totaled P140.16 billion, representing an increase of almost P20 billion additional claims, which is up by 16 percent compared to previous year’s P120.9 billion. This is attributed to the increased awareness on the various benefit packages available among the members.
AHW: Elect pro-labor candidates By Willie Casas
ORGANIZED workers in the healthcare sector on Friday called on voters to choose pro-labor candidates even as they clamor for for higher pay and better working conditions which they claimed were not addressed by the outgoing Duterte administration. The Alliance of Healthcare Workers (AHW) challenged the country’s future leaders to ease the plight they had to endure over the years. The AHW sought an entry pay of P25,000 for salary grade one even if research group IBON said that the inflation rate has increased the family living wage to P32,000 for a family with five members, During a picket staged at the UP-Philip-
pine General Hospital, the group expressed rage over the alleged neglect they continued to feel under the Duterte administration. Cristy Domguines, a health worker at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, said at the height of the pandemic, she had to do 16 to 24-hour shifts which she claimed inevitably impacted the quality of care that should be given to the patients. “Ang panawagan namin, dagdag, sapat at sana pa nga po di lang sapat kundi sobra-sobrang manggagawang pang kalusugan para hindi magiging exhausted, overworked at underpaid ang manggagawang pangkalusugan (We’re calling for additional medical workers so that our colleagues don’t get exhausted, overworked, and underpaid.),” she said.
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News
‘SELFIE’ WITH SUPPORTERS. Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and his team received a warm welcome from their supporters for courtesy call and town hall meeting in Sogod city, Southern Leyte. Norman Cruz
Masada plans vote-protection activities for May elections THE Marcos Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA) will enlist poll watchers of political parties allied with the BBMSara tandem to conduct vote protections operation to secure and protect the digital file of photos of election returns at the precinct level. The Masada Operation Secure Accurate Data (MOSAD) has been launched to counter possible election fraud. Masada national lead convenor and DOE Undersecretary Benito Ranque cited the need to prevent fraudulent activities that can sabotage the election results. Ranque said poll watchers of all political parties supporting the BBM and Sara tandem will share their copies of election returns for picture-taking of Masada volunteers. The MOSAD system will be the fastest vote tracking and can stand as legal evidence for any fraud during the transmission of election results, Masada said. Ranque said that political parties cannot rely on their copies of election returns because the material used is a thermal paper which will fade in two to three days. Mayor Sara Duterte on Friday meanwhile thanked a large group of cooperatives for supporting her and her presidential running mate “Lubos po akong nagpapasalamat sa suporta ng National Coalition of Cooperatives in the Philippines sa aking kandidatura pagka-bise presidente at sa pagka-presidente ni Bongbong Marcos,” Duterte said in a statement. Duterte cited the importance of cooperatives in nation-building. “Ang ating mga kooperatiba ay kasama ng ating pamahalaan sa pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa mga komunidad sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalakas ng ating mga micro, small, and medium enterprises o MSMEs na isa sa mga haligi ng ating ekonomiya,” Duterte said. She promised that UniTeam would take steps to strengthen cooperatives in the country, if it wins the people’s mandate in Monday’s elections. “Asahan po ninyo na mas pagtitibayin pa natin ang mga batas at mga programa na magpapalakas sa inyong mga kooperatiba upang mas marami pa tayong buhay na maiangat sa kahirapan. Pagsusumikapan po ng UniTeam na ang inyong suporta at pagtitiwala ay masuklian ng taus-pusong paglilingkod at serbisyo sa ating bayan,” Duterte said. With Maricel V. Cruz
‘No LGBTQ discriminaton in Lacson administration’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENTIAL candidate Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson reassured all Filipinos, especially those who identify as part of the LGBTQ-plus (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community in Maguindanao that they will not be discriminated upon based on their sexual orientation under his leadership. Lacson told a town hall forum in Ampatuan, Maguindanao that “gender equality” will be a standard policy of his potential administration, reiterating that all men, women and other non-binary individuals will be accorded the same levels of respect to exercise their basic human rights. “We are all Filipinos. Actually, this is not just in the Philippines, this is a universal right. Individual rights of every person—man, woman or an LGBT member—we all have rights. Gender equality, so to speak… We are all equal, no discrimination,” Lacson said. A discussion on this topic was raised by a homosexual who attended the public forum. The person claimed
to be a member of an LGBT organization in Maguindanao duly-registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. His associates in the group include teachers, doctors, lawyers and other professionals. He said their only request is for the state to protect them, especially their humanity, because, according to him, some gay people in Bangsamoro are still being treated as less than humans by the society at large. “We are not totally accepted at the Bangsamoro. Some of them do accept us, but our main concern here is our security… We are hoping that the constant bashing and degrading of our humanity would stop. We only wanted to spread joy and help (our community,” he said. Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III have been consistent in calling out all kinds of discrimination against people, including the LGBTQ-plus community, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, those who practice other religions or belong with ethnic minority groups.
Isko rally draws thousands in Leyte By Rey E. Requejo
P
RESIDENTIAL candidate and Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno held a “Team Isko” grand rally in Tacloban City, Leyte, and drew a large crowd, organizers say.
The organizers added that despite Leyte being home province of former first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, the mother of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the large crowd reached a peak of 30,000 at the RTR Plaza where the grand rally was held. Moreno could only thank the people that consisted of all voting ages, from the youth to senior citizens, who came out in full force to personally show their support for him and his vision of serving them and leading them
in attaining their aspirations for a better life. “Many, many thanks for coming here. Grandparents, I love you so much. God has mercy, you know, you can also taste what my grandparents who are seniors in Manila tasted,” Moreno said to loud cheers from the crowd. “To the moms and dads here, I know life is very hard, but don’t give up on life. All the floods have reached Leyte. Landslides, storms, seas, hardships of life, no work, no food, but things we thank God for, because
we are still alive. I mean, there is still hope,” Moreno said. The 47-year-old presidential aspirant said it is this hope for a better future that makes him more determined to fulfill the promise of real change that succeeding administrations since 1986 have failed to fulfill to the people due to the decades-long conflict between the Marcoses and the Aquinos and the elitist politics they represent. Moreno also pointed out that what happened recently at a posh mall in Makati City where supporters of his rivals Vice President Leni Robredo and Marcos Jr. had a shouting match is just a preview of what things to come for the country if either one of them becomes president. “Someone made a promise to our Filipinos, always reminding the children of
what happened at EDSA in 1986. Politicians have promised us change. Now 2022 is, the promise still to us, change. But until now, you are still looking for change,” Moreno said. Given the chance, Moreno vowed to address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality and social injustice through an inclusive and equitable infrastructure development program as spelled out under his 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda. To achieve this, Moreno said administration will focus on building climate-resilient public housing, public schools, and public hospitals that will serve as beacons of hope and new beginnings during times of calamities. These in turn will create more jobs and opportunities for Filipinos.
Protestant groups supports Binay’s bid for Senate seat By Joel E. Zurbano
VOTE FOR HEALTH WORKERS. Health workers from various public and private hospitals gather in front of the PhilippineGeneral Hospital along Taft Avenue Manila on May 6 to commemorate National Health Workers Day. They also demanded higher pay for workers, end of contractualization, and free health services for all. Danny Pata
AFTER the Iglesia ni Cristo, another major church organization is endorsing the candidacy of senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay. The former vice president got the endorsement from the Council of Bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), one of the largest Protestant churches organization in the country. The declaration of endorsement for Binay and several other candidates was signed by UCCP General Secretary Melzar Labuntog, bishops from six regional jurisdictional areas, and 14 emeritus bishops. The declaration, signed on May 1, was released May 4. The UCCP leadership cited Binay’s
“proven integrity and commitment” and expressed confidence he would push a “pro-people agenda” in the Senate. Binay thanked the UCCP leadership for their endorsement. “I am grateful to the UCCP for its endorsement, and for the long years of partnership in promoting and protecting the people’s interests,” he said. “The challenges of rebuilding our country from the pandemic and restoring the people’s dignity would require nothing less than the convergence of goals from the widest alliance of groups and personalities,” he added. Aside from legislative measures that would ensure government aid for sectors affected by the pandemic, Binay had said he will move to provide more protection for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), extend more benefits for students, and strengthen the public health system.
Eleazar says INC endorsement to boost his Senate candidacy FORMER Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and senatorial candidate Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday thanked the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for endorsing his candidacy, and said that the backing of the INC together with the outpouring of support from volunteers around the country will help him push him inside the winning circle when elections are held on Monday. “The latest surveys are encouraging as they show that I am within striking
distance of the top twelve, and the endorsement of the INC and the surge of support from allies, friends, and supporters in different parts of the country will really help us in the homestretch of this campaign,” Eleazar said. Recent surveys show Eleazar ten percentage points or fewer than candidates currently ranking 12th in the latest polls, which were conducted in the middle of April. Eleazar pointed out that while the INC did not endorse his presidential
candidate, he respects their decision as it is the prerogative of the church and its members to support the candidates they prefer. “All groups, organizations, and institutions have a right to support whoever they believe are the best candidates for the country’s elective offices. Candidates and supporters should welcome these endorsements when they are given, and respect them if they are not,” Eleazar said. “Ganun tayo sa isang demokrasya.
May freedom tayo to choose our leaders, to campaign for who we believe in. Pero sana iwasan natin ang pakikipag-away natin dahil sa pulitika. We should just be civil and agree to disagree.” The recipient of the Philippine Military Academy’s Cavalier Award, the highest award conferred on outstanding alumni, Eleazar is running on a legislative platform that emphasizes the “Four K’s (kapayapaan, kalusugan, kabuhayan, and kabataan).”
LGU welcomes re-opening of Mt. Data BAUKO, Mt. Province – Officials here expressed confidence that the reopening of the Mount Data Hotel will give more boost to the tourism industry of this town and province. Mayor Abraham Akilit in a message during the program said “I am a believer in the contribution of tourism to the economy and with Mt. Data Hotel operating, it will boost Bauko, Mt. Province tourism, job opportunity and foster economic growth.” Mt. Data Hotel was built by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) in the 1960s. Thru the request of
the Mayor Akilit and Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr., the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) allotted P39.9 million for the rehabilitation of the historic facility. Akilit expressed gratitude to the TIEZA for giving priority to the rehabilitation that started in January 2020. Jose Tumbali, provincial administrator of Mountain Province in a message also during the program said “we commit that the officials and the community will assure the peace and safety in this place.
ARJO WITH SUPPORTERS.
The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) endorsed the candidacy of Arjo Atayde as representative of Quezon City’s District 1 (QCD1). Atayde is the congressional candidate of #TeamAksyonAgad under the group of incumbent QC Mayor Joy Belmonte. Some of Atayde’s advocacies in his platforms include education, employment, healthcare, ang the championing of the human rights of women, children, and the LGBTQ+ community.
TIEZA chief operating officer Mark Lapid in a press conference “may this be the start of sustainable tourism in Mountain Province. He added that the TIEZA’s project in Mt. Data will continue with more activities and structures to make it a family-oriented facility. “We will put infrastructures for adventure, camping and we hope to make this a haven for bikers which will be part of a loop tourism that covers Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Ilocos as well as Region 2,” Lapid added. Dave Leprozo
Iglesia ni Cristo backs reelection bid of Ilocos Norte Gov. Manotoc Manotoc in the May 9 national and local polls. The provincial capitol on Friday anTHE influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has endorsed the candidacy of nounced the endorsement of the powIlocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos erful religious bloc.
By Rio N. Araja
Apart from Marcos Manotoc, his Ria Fariñas is the daughter of cousin Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Rudy Fariñas, who is seeking a guMarcos III is making his own bid to bernatorial seat against the incumunseat Ria Fariñas as Ilocos Norte 1st bent governor. district representative. According to the Ilocos Norte
Public Information Office, Fariñas filed his certificate of candidacy for governor via substitution. Marcos Manotoc is the son of Senator Imee Marcos.
Opinion Only Leni and Kiko can!
ON MONDAY, May 9, Filipino voters will troop to the polls to determine the country’s direction for at least the next six years. Will we move forward? Or will we have a continuation of the last deplorable six years? Indeed, this election is much more than just choosing candidates. This is about deciding the life that we will have. This is about the future of your children, and even their children’s children. This is a most definitive juncture in our lives. Those of us who were in our early teens when the dictator Marcos declared Martial Law are now nearing the twilight of our lives. We lived through those dark years, fought against, and succeeded in ousting the dictatorship. We were jubilant. We were hopeful. We were happy when democracy was restored and thought that things would continue to turn around for the country. We were very wrong.
This is a most definitive juncture in our lives. There were major bumps. The worst thing was that Duterte happened. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the country had to survive despite this inept, ineffective, and corrupt administration. Poverty has worsened and is now widespread. Millions have lost their jobs and livelihood. We are neck-deep in debt. We are even threatened by China’s continued invasion of our territories. The country needs to recover as fast and as best we could. We need an enabling environment for people to be able to again stand on their own two feet and restart their lives. Families in abject poverty need better basic services to be really helped. It is crucial that families can properly eat. Nutritious food is essential. We are not completely over the pandemic. Our health system must be strengthened guided by medical experts, not former military men. Frontliners must be heard and supported. Facilities and equipment need to be updated, and drugs, commodities, and supplies replenished. We need jobs for those who lost theirs. We need our people to feel capable of providing for their families. We need better education for our youth especially since their schooling has been disrupted in more ways than one. Our children need to be children again. Let them enjoy their childhood. We need Filipino women to recover from being the constant targets of misogynist statements from those in government positions and their minions. We need women to feel safe and secure, not threatened by sexism and abuse at every turn. We need women to be empowered so they are able to take control of their lives, and contribute more to society. We need a thorough government clean-up. The scalawags and the corrupt must be removed and brought to court. Justice must be served for the victims of Duterte’s “war on drugs.” The Philippine National Police needs purging so
Filipinos again trust and respect the uniformed forces. Democracy needs to be strengthened, checks and balances between the three branches of government restored, and people’s human rights protected and upheld. Consistent with getting rid of corruption, the government needs to pursue recovering of the Marcoses’ ill-gotten wealth. What they owe the people, they must pay. We must learn from EDSA. We need to show the people that corruption does not pay. The next administration must inspire people to do good and be involved in government and governance. We must not make the same mistake we did after EDSA. We cannot just depend on the government to do all the work. After six years of Duterte who managed to bring out the worst in many Filipinos, we need a complete turnaround. The kind of volunteerism, investment, and cooperation showcased by the people during this campaign need to continue. Simply put, the government cannot do it alone. Our kind of politics must be revamped. It is time to pursue the dismantling of political dynasties so exemplified by the Marcoses and the politicians actively supporting them – the Dutertes, Estradas, and Arroyos. It is high time for the Constitutional prohibition against political dynasties is operationalized through an enabling law. We need to again be respected and regain our rightful place on the world stage. Working in solidarity with other countries is best as we deal with our foreign debt and pursue partnerships with friendly countries to help us get our bearings back. Being involved at the international level will help us defend our territorial integrity and sovereignty against China. It is a tall order for anyone who becomes the next president. It is going to be a very tough six years no matter who wins the elections. Because of the state we are in, six years is not enough to solve our problems even if the next administration does very well. Imagine if we commit another grave error of judgment like Duterte! To accelerate our recovery, the best candidates must win. The next administration must have a master plan, a blueprint that will set the country’s direction to recovery, and eventually, success. Only the team of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan has this kind of platform. It is comforting that their plan is borne out of decades of involvement with ordinary Filipinos. For many of the issues, they no longer need time for study. Many of the solutions have been crafted with people’s participation. They will be off to a good start. Of the top candidates, only Leni and Kiko have the track record showing integrity and hard work. Only Leni and Kiko have vowed to pursue the country’s interests against China’s acts of invasion and occupation of our territories. Only Leni and Kiko have shown their concern for justice and human rights. Only Leni and Kiko have vowed to go against traditional politics and “trapos.” Only Leni and Kiko can inspire Filipinos to do good and be continuously involved in governance and politics. Only Leni and Kiko have the valuable respect of the international community. Of the candidates for President and Vice-President, only Leni and Kiko can! #IpanaloNa10ToParaSaLahat! @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook
BBM will make it by landslide even if the rest will combine their votes in support of the leading opposition candidate. The gap is just too big to close the difference. The only unwanted possibility that could mar the outcome is the refusal to concede victory to BBM whose support it seems is insurmountable. This column was surprised that the respected physician who is an avid supporter of the Left to say that BBM would win by a big margin. Dr Eduardo Clemente said the opposition wants to deny BBM his victory in a manner that could generate “people power.” Dr. Clemente said the Left is so desperate to stall an otherwise peaceful electoral process based on the following considerations: First, they want to trash the mandate
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EDITORIAL
The lesson we should learn SOON, the Filipino people will be trooping to the polling place to elect their leader in a democratic process introduced by the Americans. What makes the coming electoral exercise unique is that many of our voters have expectations they will elect one that truly reflects their mandate. Others are wary that massive electoral fraud will again be repeated. In a pre-election observation of the possible outcome, a practicing physician gave his candid prediction that
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022
Thank them every day OMORROW, the Philippines, like some nations, will once more celebrate Mother’s Day, the time universally understood as the date when we express respect, honor, and love towards our mothers.
T
A tradition started on May 12, 1907 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial service at her late mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia. Her mother had organized women’s groups to promote friendship and health. It was not until a year later, though, when she got financial backing from John Wanamaker, a Philadelphia department store owner, that Jarvis organized the first official Mother’s Day celebration at the Grafton Methodist church. That has been a long way to 1980 when then President Ferdinand Marcos signed a decree pronouncing the first Monday of December to be both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, a date changed by his successor President Corazon Aquino who changed the date in line with the American custom of having Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May and
Father’s Day to be the third Sunday of June. In 1998, the dates were changed back to the primary Monday of December by then President Joseph Estrada.
Ilaw ng tahanan.’ But given the blend of the country’s worldwide societies and with the overwhelming impact of American culture, this multi-ethnic country of 110 million people keeps to date observing Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May and Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June. Whatever the dates are, we submit that properly a mother’s efforts be recognized and appreciated every day, even
when it is not decreed by law or being rolled down the corner by popular culture. We will never foretell – which could be unduly limiting -- how the children will raise their appreciation to and recognition of their mothers on the assigned Sundays in their culture. We add that tomorrow will not just be a day considered as a token to show our gratitude to the immeasurable sacrifices that mothers make for their families. It is indeed a Day to honor the mother of the family or recognize motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. However the mothers may be called – mama, mommy, mom, inay, nanay, nana or whatever it is in the family’s culture – children in the country denote their mother by the idiom “ilaw ng tahanan” which depicts the comfort and warmth they bring to the home with their bubbly attitude. To paraphrase Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894), a mother’s secret hope outlives youth, love and the leaves of friendship.
Vote for our country By Amb. Albert Del Rosario Chair, Stratbase ADR Institute ON MONDAY, May 9, 2022, Filipinos will be exercising a fundamental right made possible by the democracy regained by the people’s struggle against the Marcos Dictatorship that brutally sought to cripple that right: the Filipinos’ right to vote. The democratic exercise this Monday, however, will also determine whether our country will move towards integrity and the preservation of democracy; or whether it will further fall into corruption, depravity and fascism as during the Marcos Dictatorship. In this very important exercise, may we ask our fellow Filipinos to vote for our country, preserve our democracy and uphold integrity, justice and truth. Please vote for our country - first and foremost - before personal advantage, money or expected positions in government. Please do not vote for selfish
of our people as what they did in 2016. Second, delay the counting to purposely create unrest. Third, to entrap BBM through nationwide agitation done by the front of the CIA called Namfrel and by the Church dominated “pastoral counsel for a clear and honest election” and lately by their attempt to lock in the Comelec together with the CIA operated social media called Rappler. Fourth, to pressure some justices to delay the counting to cast doubt in the result but only to come out with their last-minute decision to make it appear that this recidivist cheater was elected. Sison in conjunction with the opposition and some religious zealots are still yawning for EDSA to be repeated. But history does not repeat even dialectically. Sison and his fellow stragglers should admit history has already left them out. What we see today is the unfolding of a new chapter that BBM will win and that resonates to a vindication of history. They now predict all that sort of prognostications will befall this country if BBM is elected. The idea is based on the presumption he will cheat to create social unrest, and that violence will ensue because the people will object. This now creates an opportunity for the CIA to intervene with Sisson and his gang having all the reason for the CIA to intervene. For as long as there is an issue that needs to be resolved, the better for the US to justify their intervention without the slightest idea that once the CIA and some pro-American elements in the AFP usurped the power, our people will again be salivating on what to do? The conduct of the election initially projected by Sison and his band to generate people power could metamorphose to a coup d’ etat with neither the people nor the soldiers controlling of the situation. This is what we call political
Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida
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gains, at the expense of our countrymen. The 2022 Presidential Election has been defined as a one-on-one fight: between a persevering woman with no record of corruption in the name of Leni Robredo; or the spoiled rich kid who basks in the corrupt legacy of his dictator-father in the name of Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. The same Marcos Jr. who wishes to continue his father’s regime which amassed an estimated Php 500 Billion or more in plundered wealth from the Filipino people and, according to Amnesty International, imprisoned some 70,000 people during the nine years of martial law, tortured 34,000 and killed over 3,200. In the aftermath, Marcos Jr. asks: “What am I to say sorry about?” Given the options in the Presidential Election, we believe that the choice on Monday is clear and unambiguous. In fact, the 2022 Presidential Election presents the most obvious choice in re-
coverable memory. We have to say it for what it is: voting for Marcos, Jr. cannot be more than the most unpatriotic choice. This is because voting for Marcos, Jr. is tantamount to voting without shame against the interests of our country and our fellow Filipinos. For how can Marcos Jr., an unrepentant and convicted tax evader who actively resists the recovery of the Marcos ill-gotten wealth by the Philippine government, lead our country towards better governance? When we vote on Monday, for one moment, please think about our children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. Their future is at stake. Our country’s future is at stake. This Monday will determine whether or not we will have deliverance as a nation. On Monday, please vote for our country. Vote for the presidential candidate who will surely work with all her might to improve the lives of our people.
swindle because the outcome is different from what many expect, except for Sison and his ilk in the CPP, NPA, NDF and those pseudo revolutionaries in the universities. What we see now is his willingness to betray the country generated by their childish game of power grab. This approach now becomes clear because they are operating outside of their bankrupt ideology. We have corrupt politicians pretending to be revolutionaries but no longer have the grasps of the situation.
long been discarded in favor of sustaining a bankrupt empire. Today those who favor BBM are denounced as authoritarian, yet those identified as pro-BBM are the same people who support taxing the church of their income, properties, businesses, donations received, institutions and foundations. These are the people who want a strict observance of Church and State separation. Today the communist and the Left are in cahoots with clerics fearful that once BBM is elected, the decree taxing the Church of their properties, businesses, income and gifts from foundations and NGO often identified with foreign intelligence agencies could be stopped. This explains why overly ambitious politicians want to trash all proposals of Marcos because they no longer the represent their ideology and values. But how could this power-hungry politician dare to capture power when she cannot even distinguish that what she expressed was in fact condolences and not birthday greetings to a friend? Robredo does not seem to mind that because she never experienced working with her peers. She was appointed by the President to test her comprehension. She totally deviated from the system of collective consensus to arrive at a reasonable policy. She has her own agenda different from the person who extended her the privilege of serving the government. She was bent on supplying the opposition evidence against Duterte. Is this not an act of treason? Instead, she started collecting data with intention of using them to prosecute the President before the ICC. The president had to promptly dismiss her from the cabinet because she poses a serious danger to the country’s national security.
Campaigns are not about history. Rather, they are all about our future. This explains why the CPP and its confederates called National Democratic Front dropped the lingo of “down with clerico-fascism” for it seems they were able to gain the support from a superbly hypocritical group identified with the Catholic Church. Sison in effect forced the people to embrace clerico-fascism with all the substance of feudalism. This explains why the younger generation could hardly understand why graft and corruption, and continues to demand compensation of the alleged injustice remains an issue different from our traditional understanding of history. They base their understanding of history on vengeance and mercenaryism, unaware that the Church and CIA now have one and the same ideological path which is to overthrow any government branded as authoritarian or dictatorial for refusing to be noosed by American dictation. The line that separates communism or socialism from capitalism or democracy have
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Pentagon nixes NY Times claim on intel to kill Russian generals W ASHINGTON—The US Defense Department denied Thursday that it provided intelligence on the locations of Russian generals on the battlefield so that Ukrainian forces could kill them. Reacting to an explosive New York Times report on US support for Ukraine’s military, Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby said it was true that the United States supplies Kyiv’s forces with military intelligence “to help Ukrainians defend their country.” “We do not provide intelligence on the location of senior military leaders on the battlefield or participate in the targeting decisions of the Ukrainian military,” Kirby said. In a separate revelation, US media reported later Thursday that the United States had shared intelligence that helped Ukraine sink the Russian warship Moskva last month, in a huge blow to President Vladimir Putin. However a US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the United States does not “provide specific targeting information on ships.” “We do provide a range of intelligence to help the Ukrainians understand the threat posed by Russian ships in the Black Sea and to help them prepare to defend against potential sea-based assaults,” the official said. In a story first published by NBC, anonymous officials said Ukraine asked Washington about a ship sailing in the Black Sea, whose location the United States helped confirm, in addition to identifying it as the Moskva. However, the United States did not know that Ukraine would target the
flagship vessel, the officials cited by NBC said. Ukraine has been particularly successful in attacking Russian command positions, and, according to reports, came close last week to striking a location near the front lines in the Donbas region where Russia’s top general, Valery Gerasimov, was believed to be visiting troops. Ukraine forces may have shelled the location just a few hours after Gerasimov had left, the unconfirmed reports said. ‘They make their own decisions’ The New York Times article that Kirby refuted said that of the approximately dozen Russian generals killed by Ukrainian forces, “many” had been targeted with the help of US intelligence. The newspaper said the United States had provided details on the Russian military’s mobile headquarters, which frequently change location. It also reported that Ukrainian forces used that information in tandem with their own to conduct attacks on senior Russian officers. Kirby said Ukraine makes its own decisions on whether to target a Russian leader or not. “Ukraine combines information that we and other partners provide with the intelligence that they themselves are gathering on the battlefield,” he said. “Then they make their own decisions, and they take their own actions.” AFP
EU ON SPACEX. In this NASA handout photo, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthais Maurer, NASA astronauts Tom
Marshburn, Raja Chari, and Kayla Barron (from left) are seen inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft onboard the SpaceX Shannon recovery ship shortly after having landed in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Tampa, Florida, early May 6 after six months aboard the International Space Station. AFP
Oligarch’s yacht seized in Fiji on US request
SUVA, Fiji—Fiji authorities have seized sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov’s $300 million yacht in line with a US warrant, the US Justice Department says. The 348-foot (106-metre) Amadea was berthed in Lautoka, Fiji in the South Pacific when the island state’s law enforcement took control of it. The US Justice Department had requested the vessel, which sailed to Fiji in mid-April, be held for violating sanctions and for alleged ties to corruption. The Amadea is worth $325 million and has a helipad, pool, jacuzzi and “winter garden” on the sun deck, according to tracking website superyachtfan.com. “The Amadea is subject to forfeiture based on probable cause of violations of US law, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, money laundering and conspiracy,” the department said in a statement Thursday. Kerimov is among a group of Russian oligarchs “who profit from the
This handout photo courtesy of the US Department of Justice released on May 5 shows the Amadea yacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov docked in Lautoka, Fiji. The five-yearold, 348-foot (106 meter) yacht was berthed in the South Pacific island when local authorities took control of it based on a US warrant and a Justice Department request. AFP Manila
TODAY
NOTICE OF TOLL RATE ADJUSTMENT IMPLEMENTATION (VAT Inclusive) R-1 Expressway Notice is hereby given that, conformably with the Resolution dated 29 November 2021 issued by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) covering the Petitions for Approval of Add-On Agreed Toll Rate With Application for Provisional Relief for Segment 1 (R-1 Expressway) Enhancement of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project (MCTEP) separately filed by Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation and Philippine Reclamation Authority, the following toll rates have been approved and allowed to be implemented, effective immediately, subject to the imposition of Value-Added Tax:
Consequently, the following updated toll matrix for R-1 Expressway of MCTEP, inclusive of Value-Added Tax, are allowed to be implemented effective from the date of issuance of the Notice to Start Collection therefor, and upon compliance with the legal requirements delineated in the 2013 TRB Revised Rules of Procedure, other relevant laws and jurisprudence, to wit:
SO ORDERED.
Date of Third Publication: May 7, 2022.
“on every yacht purchased with dirty money”. “This yacht seizure should tell every corrupt Russian oligarch that they cannot hide -- not even in the remotest part of the world,” she said. “We will use every means of enforcing the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine.” An application by a company registered as the owner of the Amadea, Millemarin Investment, for an interim stay of execution of the court order approving the seizure, pending an appeal, was denied Friday by the Fiji High Court. Fiji news media reported the superyacht is expected to be moved to the United States within days. In a publicly released copy of the US warrant, the section listing various reasons to believe Kerimov is the true beneficial owner of the yacht was partly blacked out. It said the Amadea’s ownership was transferred to Millemarin Investment in August 2021. AFP
From lockdown to wedlock: Shanghai couple defy COVID-19 woes to marry
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Russian government through corruption and its malign activity around the globe, including the occupation of Crimea,” it said. The United States has imposed sanctions on Russian oligarchs close to President Vladimir Putin to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Kerimov, who has made a fortune as part-owner of major Russian energy and financial companies including Gazprom and Sberbank, is also an official of the Russian government and a member of the Russian Federation Counsel, it said. “There is no hiding place for the assets of criminals who enable the Russian regime,” US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “The Justice Department will be relentless in our efforts to hold accountable those who facilitate the death and destruction we are witnessing in Ukraine,” Garland added. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the department had its eyes
IN BRIEF
Israel manhunt after 3 killed in Elad city ELAD—Israeli security forces launched a manhunt Friday for two Palestinians suspected of killing three Israelis in an attack that came as the Jewish state marked its founding. The attack on Thursday night in Elad, a central city mainly populated by ultra-Orthodox Jews, was the sixth in which Israelis have been targeted since March 22. Witnesses told AFP that two assailants leapt from a car swinging axes at passers-by, leaving three of them dead and four wounded, before fleeing in the same vehicle. The attack came hours after clashes between Israelis and Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, a highly contested site in Jerusalem’s Israeli-annexed Old City that has been the focal point during weeks of violence. It followed a tense period in which the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the Jewish festival of Passover and the Christian holiday of Easter overlapped. Palestinians have been angered by an uptick in Jewish visits to the Al-Aqsa compound, where by long-standing convention Jews may visit but are not allowed to pray. AFP
SHANGHAI—A couple in Shanghai rice around for good luck and cheered. have beaten Covid lockdowns and buAfter a month stuck at home, the reaucracy to tie the knot, celebrating couple had their wedding officiated ontheir marriage in the car park of their line by a US celebrant, with friends and housing compound after a ceremony family as witnesses, before they headed officiated via Zoom from the United to the car park of their compound for a States. small celebration. With the “Bridal Chorus” on speakA ban on marriage between foreigner, a smattering of socially distanced ers in China in place since 2019 prefriends and an immaculate white vented the pair from using a Chinese dress complete with blue surgical official, and the option to tie the knot mask, bride Janelle Nuyts walked at one of their embassies was not availdown the aisle followed by an official able. in a hazmat suit who disinfected the The car park celebration had only ground around her. been decided on a day before, when Shanghai’s weeks-long lockdown has the couple’s neighbours suggested they brought the business hub of 25 million hold a reception party there after an easpeople to a halt as China sticks with its ing of restrictions made it possible. zero-Covid policy. “It kind of snowballed,” said MitchBut an easing of the rules in recent ener. “The next thing we knew, we had weeks has allowed some residents out a wedding dress arrive from our friend, of their homes, althoughCYAN mostlyMAGENTA within andYELLOW a weddingBLACK cake, a bouquet of flowthe confines of their housing develop- ers.” ments. “Once I put the dress on, everything Groom Matthew Mitchener, 35, said changed,” the 33-year-old Nuyts added. he initially had doubts about a lockThe pair decided in March to have down wedding but they melted away their wedding officiated online after Saturday when he caught sight of his discovering they were expecting a baby. bride in a figure-hugging wedding dress “It was beyond our expectations,” highlighting her five-month baby bump. said Nuyts of the big day. “It was all a little surreal,” the Austra“We didn’t really expect it was going lian said, beaming, as neighbours threw to be so romantic.” AFP
‘Record availability’ of drugs in EU
BRUSSELS—The market for cocaine and methamphetamine is on the rise in Europe, an EU report said Friday, driven by record levels of trafficking and sparking violence and health issues. In 2020, the highest ever amount of cocaine -- 214.6 tonnes – was seized in the EU, Norway and Turkey for the fourth consecutive year, according to the report by Europol and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). The EU faces a “growing threat from a more diverse and dynamic drug market, which relies on close collaboration between European and international criminal organisations”, the report said. The new nature of this market has resulted in “record levels of drug availability, increased violence and corruption, and worsening health problems,” said EMCDDA director Alexis Goosdeel in a statement. Disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic did not particularly rattle markets, and cocaine trafficking by sea continued at pre-2019 levels. AFP
KNOTTED. This handout image taken on April 30 and received on May 6 courtesy of Jessie Lu shows groom Matthew Mitchener (left) with his bride Janelle Nuyts celebrating their wedding in the car park of their housing compound during lockdown in Shanghai after a ceremony officiated via Zoom from the US. AFP
Business
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SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com
China Bank to welcome tie-up with foreigners CHINA Banking Corp., one of the largest private universal banks in the country and owned by the Sy Group, is open to the possibility of tying up with foreign partners, especially those that could further intensify its growth momentum and digitization efforts. “Our bank is open to strategic investors who can bring value to our business, like introducing technology and bringing competitive advantage to the bank,” bank president William Whang said in an annual stockholders’ meeting May 5. ChinaBank emerged as the second strongest bank in the Philippines and among the top 20 percent in the AsiaPacific region in The Asian Banker’s ranking of 500 strongest banks in 2021. It made the biggest leap among the nine Philippine banks included in the prestigious list, jumping from 323rd place in 2020 to 81st place last year. At its latest regular meeting, its board of directors declared a P1.00 per share regular dividend and an additional P0.50/share special dividend, reflecting China Bank’s confidence in its underlying strength and future prospects. The total cash dividends of P4.04 billion is 50 percent higher compared with P2.69 billion paid last year. They translated into a better cash dividend yield of 5.6 percent based on the bank’s closing price of P26.70 as of May 4, 2022. The cash dividends represent 27 percent of the full year 2021 net income of P15.1 billion. The dividends will be paid on June 3, 2022 to stockholders on record as of May 20, 2022. The bank recorded net profits of P4.9 billion in the first quarter of 2022, 37 percent up in the same period last year. The improved profitability, driven by sustained core business growth, yielded a higher return on equity of 16 percent and a better return on assets of 1.7 percent. Julito G. Rada
Security Bank stops funding coal projects
PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, May 6, 2022
-109.02 PTS. 6,759.90
68,389 5,949,061,380.96
ADVANCES DECLINES
60 107
UNCHANGED
61
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2022
Currency
Unit
US Dollar
Peso
United States
Dollar
1.000000
52.3310
Japan
Yen
0.007681
0.4020
UK
Pound
1.236200
64.6916
Hong Kong
Dollar
0.127400
6.6670
Switzerland
Franc
1.015125
53.1225
Canada
Dollar
0.779241
40.7785
Singapore
Dollar
0.722804
37.8251
Australia
Dollar
0.711300
37.2230
Bahrain
Dinar
2.652731
138.8201
Saudi Arabia
Rial
0.266610
13.9520
Brunei
Dollar
0.720202
37.6889
Indonesia
Rupiah
0.000069
0.0036
Thailand
Baht
0.029125
1.5241
UAE
Dirham
0.272287
14.2491
Euro
Euro
1.054400
55.1778
Korea
Won
0.000788
0.0412
China
Yuan
0.150297
7.8652
India
Rupee
0.013069
0.6839
Malaysia
Ringgit
0.230044
12.0384
New Zealand
Dollar
0.642300
33.6122
Taiwan
Dollar
0.033747
1.7660 Source: BSP
ZERO PLASTIC WASTE. Approaching its 50th anniversary, Alaska Milk Corp. is celebrating another milestone as the company pledged to attain net zero plastic waste by year-end. Alaska signed an agreement with Plastic Credit Exchange on May 4 to seal Alaska’s commitment to offset 604 tons of plastic waste generated in 2021, and help divert more plastic waste away from landfills and oceans. Signing the agreement are Nanette Medved (center) (PCX founder and executive chair; Tarang Gupta (second from right), Alaska managing director; and FrieslandCampina Food and Beverage president Roel van Neerbos (rightmost ).
First-quarter trade deficit jumped by 66% to $13.89b By Julito G. Rada
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HE country’s trade deficit ballooned 66 percent in the first quarter of 2022 to $13.891 billion from a $8.344-billion gap a year ago, as imports outpaced exports during the period, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show on Friday.
Total imports in the first quarter jumped 28 percent to $33.309 billion from $26.021 billion, while exports rose 9.8 percent to $19.417 billion from $17.677 billion. The trade deficit in March widened to $5.003 billion from $2.759 billion a year ago. Imports reached $12.174 billion from $9.532 billion a year ago, while exports
stood at $7.17 billion from $6.773 billion a year ago. By commodity group, electronic products continued to be the country’s top export in March with total earnings of $3.96 billion. The amount accounted for 55.3 percent of the total exports during the period. They were followed by other mineral products with an export value of $410.86 million (5.7 percent); and other manufactured goods which amounted to $ 375.68 million (5.2 percent). By major type of goods, exports of manufactured goods shared the biggest to the total exports in March 2022 amounting to $5.66 billion (79.0 percent). They were followed by mineral products with a share of $799.60 million (11.2 percent); and total agro-based products which contributed $571.12 million (8.0 percent). By major trading partner, exports to China comprised the highest export value amounting to $1.18 billion, or a share of 16.5 percent to the total exports during the month.
Completing the top five major export trading partners with their export values and their share to the total exports were the United States, $1.09 billion (15.2 percent); Japan, $1.04 billion (14.5 percent); Hong Kong, $921.27 million (12.8 percent); and Singapore, $423.67 million (5.9 percent). Meanwhile, most of the imported goods were electronic products with an import value of $2.76 billion or a share of 22.6 percent to the total imports in March. They were followed by mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, valued at $2.58 billion (21.2 percent); and transport equipment which amounted to $849.74 million (7.0 percent). By major type of goods, imports of raw materials and intermediate goods accounted for the largest share to the total imports amounting to $4.54 billion (37.3 percent) in March 2022. Imports of capital goods ranked second with a share of $3.27 billion (26.9 percent), followed by mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials with $2.58 billion (21.2 percent).
IN BRIEF
Pilipinas Shell eyes 5 terminals this year
PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. plans to put up another oil import facility this year, bringing its network of import terminals to five, to serve the growing fuel needs of consumers nationwide. “We are looking at the timeline to have five [import facilities] by 2022,” said PSPC president and chief executive officer Lorelie Quiambao-Osial Friday. PSPC recently broke ground on its 67-million liter Darong import facility in Southern Mindanao that aims to provide a more stable, undisrupted supply of energy in the region. The Darong import facility is scheduled to be operational by the third quarter of 2024. PSPC network of terminals includes the Shell Import Facility Tabangao in Batangas with a 263-million-liter capacity, the North Mindanao Import Facility in Cagayan de Oro City with a 90-million-liter capacity, and the Subic Import Terminal, northwest of the National Capital Region, with a 54-million-liter capacity. Alena Mae S. Flores
SPC Power drops bid to take over coal plant
LISTED SPC Power Corp. and affiliate Intrepid Holdings Inc. have canceled plans to acquire the 51-percent majority stake of STEAG GMBH in STEAG State Power Inc., which owns and operates a 210-megawatt coal-fired thermal power plant in Misamis Oriental. SPC Power, formerly Salcon Power Corp. and whose single biggest shareholders is Korea’s KEPCO Philippines Holdings Inc., said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Friday the parties have mutually agreed to terminate the sale and purchase agreement due to a failure to satisfy the conditions of the sale. “It has been determined, however, that securing completely the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent is highly unlikely, thus the parties have mutually agreed to terminate the SPA,” said SPC. SPC, IHI, and STEAG GMBH earlier signed an agreement on the purchase and sale of shares of STEAG GMBH in SPI for $51.99 million on Feb. 10. Alena Mae S. Flores
Nickel Asia’s income jumps 80% to P1.05b
INVESTMENT DIALOGUE. T he 2nd Philippines-European Union Partnership and Cooperation Agreement Joint Committee Meeting (2nd PH-EU JCM) holds a dialogue under the joint chairmanship of Department of Foreign Affairs Acting Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and European External Affairs Service Managing Director Gunnar Wiegand. Representing the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of International Trade Relations Director Angelo Salvador Benedictos joined the meeting and led the Philippine side on April 26, 2022 in Manila in the discussion on the Sub-Committee of Trade, Investment, and Economic Cooperation covering key topics on significant trade interests, such as the EU-GSP+ and PH-EU FTA.
Truckers’ association seeking DTI help on fuel subsidies THE Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP) is seeking the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry for the possible extension of fuel subsidies to its members to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices Maria Zapata, CTAP president, said the group submitted a list of their members to the DTI as well as the number of trucks they are operating. “[The DTI is] negotiating but we know that this is not up to the DTI, they are just the facilitator. The decision is with the Department of Energy,” Zapata said. The government earlier released fuel subsidies of up to P6,500 each to some 115,000 public utility drivers and opera-
tors amid the spiraling prices of oil and petroleum products. Zapata expressed hope that the government will eventually recognize the need to grant subsidies to the trucking industry, similar to the policies in other Southeast Asian countries, as they are part of the logistics chain. Trucking in the Philippines, Zapata said, is treated as a commercial activity and not as a public utility. CTAP earlier adjusted its trucking freight rates by some 30 percent to ease the impact of runaway oil prices. Zapata said the trucking freight rate hike remains reasonable as oil prices have more than doubled compared to last year’s. She added that about 40 to 60 percent
of the expenses in the trucking business is fuel. Oil companies on April 25 announced a big increase in pump prices, with gasoline by as much as P3 and diesel by P4.10. Domestic pump prices have been on an uptrend in 13 out of the past 16 weeks, which the Department of Energy attributed to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, along with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in China which have driven demand. The latest data available from the Department of Energy indicate that adjustments stand at a net increase of P15.45 per liter for gasoline, P27.35 per liter for diesel, and P21.55 per liter for kerosene as of April 19, 2022. Darwin G. Amojelar
Sectoral groups gather to show support to comprehensive vape regulation bill GROUPS supporting the more than a million vapers and nicotine consumers in the Philippines gathered Friday to show their solidarity and strong support for a comprehensive vape regulation that will regulate smoke-free products, protect the youth and provide adult smokers with better alternatives. The Philippine E-cigarette Industry Association (PECIA), Consumer Choice Philippines (CCP), Quit for Good, Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP), Vapers PH, Vaper Ako, Pro Vape, Philippine Tobacco Harm Reduc-
653,644,826
TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)
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By Alena Mae S. Flores SECURITY Bank Corp. on Friday announced its commitment to end funding for coal-fired power projects by 2033 as the bank focuses on funding low carbon projects. The board approved Security Bank’s Environmental and Social Risk Management System (ESRMS) last year, which details the policies and enhanced due diligence required in identifying, addressing, and mitigating environmental and social risks in its operations, lending, and investing practices and supply chain. “A focus of our ESRMS is to specifically address sustainability and climate risk, as well as health & safety risk in our operations, investment practices, and supply chain,” said Eduardo Olbes, chief financial officer and chairman of the Sustainability Committee at Security Bank. “A key aspect of the ESRMS is our coal policy, which specifies our commitment to discontinue financing the construction of new coal-fueled power generation plants, with a view to exit funding coal generation by 2033,” Olbes said. The move is aligned with the government’s pledge during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) and the 2015 Paris climate agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming for a more sustainable future. The bank cited the report of market and consumer research company Statista in 2020, which reported that the Philippines still relies 57 percent of its power supply from coal. Renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind, solar, and geothermal energy make up only 21 percent of the country’s energy resources.
TOTAL VOLUME
tion Advocates Inc. and the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA),voiced their support for the Vape Bill, which was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives early this year. The groups cited the need for a comprehensive law that will govern the sale, manufacture, importation and communication of smoke-free alternatives including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs) and other novel tobacco products. Once enacted into law, the Vape Bill can help the 16 million Filipino adult
smokers to kick the deadly smoking habit for good, said Dr. Lorenzo Mata, a renowned doctor and president of antismoking advocacy group Quit for Good, adding that it is the smoke and not nicotine that kills and cause disease. “We share the same goal with the rest of the health sector to end the smoking problem in the country. The current conventional cessation approaches, however, falls short of producing significant results. That’s why we are advocating pragmatic ways to help adult smokers leave smoking behind,” said Dr. Mata.
Dr. Mata said tobacco harm reduction was proven by progressive countries like the United Kingdom as an effective approach to bring down smoking prevalence. Public Health England, an executive agency of UK’s Department of Health and Social Care, confirmed that vaping is 95-percent less harmful than cigarettes. Meanwhile, a local study led by wellrespected Filipino cardiologist Dr. Rafael Castillo concluded that heated tobacco products are less harmful than traditional smoking.
NICKEL Asia Corp. on Friday reported that net income in the first quarter of the year rose 80 percent to P1.05 billion from P584 million a year ago on higher metal prices. Nickel Asia said in a disclosure to the stock exchange nickel ore sales volume decreased 10 percent to 2.39 million wet metric ton (WMT) from 2.65 million WMT in the first quarter last year. Revenues, however, jumped 17 percent to P3.32 billion from P2.85 billion in 2021 as the weighted average realized price of ore sold increased 22 percent to $27.03 per WMT this year from $22.21 per WMT last year. “The global nickel industry continues to labor under a record deficit–with an even larger projected deficit this year as compared to the previous year,” said Nickel Asia president and chief executive Martin Antonio G. Zamora. Jenniffer B. Austria
Semirara’s net profit surges 553% to P15b
SEMIRARA Mining and Power Corp. posted a net income of P15 billion in the first quarter, a 552-percent jump from P2.3 billionyear-onyear. Semirara ‘s first-quarter bottom line already accounts for 93 percent of the total income of of P16.2 billion in 2021. “We had a record-setting first quarter because of strong operating results and strongerthan-expected market conditions,” said Semirara president and chief oper Maria Cristina Gotianun. “However, we do not see this turning into a trend because of market volatility and unfavorable weather conditions, particularly in the second half of 2022,” she said. The company attributed the unexpected strong performance during the first three months to record-high coal production and shipment amid soaring global coal prices, coupled with higher spot electricity sales at elevated prices. Alena Mae S. Flores
PH seeks wider agri, trade ties with Korea
THE Department of Agriculture plans to expand collaboration in agricultural and trade cooperation with the Korean government to open more market access to Filipino farmers. The DA welcomed newly-appointed director of the Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) Center in the Philippines Kyu Seong Lee in a courtesy meeting on May 5, 2022. Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the Philippines looks forward for more collaborative projects that will help increase Philippine agricultural output and raise the living standards of workers in rural communities. “The Department of Agriculture, especially the Bureau of Plant Industry–Los Baños, would like to extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to the KOPIA Center–Philippines for your strong partnership and commitment in the implementation of various Technical Cooperation Projects toward food security and increased productivity and income of Filipino farmers,” he said. Othel V. Campos
Sports
Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor
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PBA family to expand to 14 teams By Peter Atencio WITH the Philippine Basketball Association returning to its regular three-conference format this year, more ballclubs are expected to come in over the next two years. Officials of the PBA said this as they get ready for the coming 47th season, which fires off on June 5. Board chairman Ricky Vargas said they are accepting two new teams and are set to expand to a 14-squad in the next three tournaments. “There are new teams and new owners in the PBA. That’s why we are looking to expanding,” said Vargas, adding their partnership with the East Asia Super League has compelled the board to open its doors to new applicants. “Malaking bagay ang pagpasok ng EASL. We are joining the EASL and we want to be competitive,” added Vargas. So far, a Hong Kong-based club team, the Bay Area Dragons, are set to see action in the league by October. Converge ICT, which took over Alaska’s franchise, is also forming a competitive squad in time for the All-Filipino Conference, known as the Philippine Cup, next month. The Philippine Cup is coming back following a two-year absence. The Commissioner’s Cup is slated October 2 to January 25, with the league taking in the home-and-away EASL during the tournament. The season-ending Governors’ Cup is set from Feb. 1 to May 10, with out-of-town games and an out-of-the country match in the pipeline.
A countdown clock showing 127 days until the opening of the 2022 Asian Games is seen in Hangzhou, in China’s eastern Zhejiang province. AFP
Hangzhou Asiad postponed; Asian Youth Games canceled
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RGANIZERS of the Hangzhou 19th Asian Games in September are postponing the quadrennial meet because of COVID-19’s omicron variant pandemic situation in China to a still-to-be-determined date, according to Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Friday.
Tolentino said that the decision to postpone the games was arrived at after a meeting among officials of the Chinese Olympic Committee and Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, with members of the Olympic Council of Asia Executive Board on Friday in Tashkent. “HAGOC has been very well pre-
pared to deliver the games on time despite global challenges,” the OCA said in a statement. “However, the above decision was taken by all the stakeholders after carefully considering the pandemic situation and the size of the Games.” The games were set for September 10 to 25 and the OCA, COC and HAGOC
said the new dates will be announced in the near future. Tolentino said that despite the postponement, the name and emblem of the 19th Asian Games will remain unchanged and that the “OCA believes that the Games will achieve complete success through the joint efforts of all parties.” An offshoot of the Asian Games’ postponement was the cancelation of the Third Asian Youth Games, which were scheduled from December 20 to 28 also this year in Shantou, China. “After discussion with the COC and the Organizing Committee, the OCA EB decided that as the Asian Youth Games had already been postponed once, the Asian Youth Games
Pacio to Brooks: I will show him who the real daddy is ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio watched the battle between Bokang “Little Giant” Masunyane and Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks at ONE 156 last month intently. After all, the winner would be the next challenger to his crown. In the end, Brooks moved one step closer on his quest to become a ONE World Champion after submitting Masunyane in the first round —it wasn’t a result Pacio would’ve bet the house on. “I expected a unanimous decision win by Brooks, but he displayed his wrestling and grappling prowess. I must say, I’m very impressed,” the Team Lakay mainstay said. “Bokang is equally a fine wrestler, and I think he wants to prove that, but Brooks was very slick taking his back.” While the 26-year-old titleholder will be cautious of Brooks’ submission game, he’s raring to enter the Circle against the man who’s built a 3-0 record in ONE. “Any time soon,” the Baguio City-based
fighter said. “I’m ready to go.” Pacio knows that the verbal jabs from the Michigan-based competitor will only increase as the inevitable draws near. However, the current division king knows that it’s all part of the show, and he won’t give in to Brooks’ prodding. “I think I have a fair idea about this sport’s business side, and I’ve seen a lot of guys like him talk to market themselves, so I understand what he’s playing,” Pacio said. “As for me, I’m just focused on my training and our game plan. I’m just happy he talks a lot and doing all that hype.” But the Mash Fight Team representative has backed up his talk with three victories in ONE Championship. One of those wins was against Pacio’s teammate, Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang. After a trifecta of fights, “The Passion” admitted that Brooks’ game doesn’t have many holes. Yet, despite Brooks’ invincibility, Pacio still has some tricks that the
FINIS PH boosts water sports AFTER holding a triumphant Luzon leg, FINIS Philippines travels South to boost open water and swimming events through
the FINIS Boracay Newcoast Open Water Festival in Boracay Island, Aklan on May 11 to 15.
FINIS supports water sports competition in the country, such the recently concluded International Open triathlon in Subic.
American hasn’t seen. “I’m focusing on everything because this is MMA. I know his strength is wrestling, but I have a lot of tools in my game that I haven’t yet demonstrated inside the Circle,” the ONE World Champion said. That said, Pacio has one goal when he encounters the 18-2 Brooks. “[I want] to show him who’s the best strawweight on the planet and who the real daddy is,” he added. And on a lighter side, the ONE World Champion of over three years answered Brooks’ side bet regarding his television set. “I don’t need a new TV,” Pacio said. “But when he loses, I’ll charge him for that TV, and I will straightly put that in my bathroom.” “I heard you calling my name many times. Don’t you worry, I’ll see you soon.”
FINIS Philippines Managing Director Coach Vince Garcia said they lined up four exciting events for water sports enthusiasts, as well as for the country’s best tankers—The Kids of Steel Triathlon— Visayas Leg; the Green Aquathlon; the Open Water Swim and the Caticlan-Boracay Channel Crossing Fun Swim. “It would be more of an investment to make it an annual event that will keep growing next year and the year after and so on,” said Garcia, expressing optimism of carrying the momentum with more sporting events in the Visayas through this event. FINIS also tied up with Megaworld’s Belmont Hotel, now the event’s official hotel partner, as the latter is extending discounts to participants and their entourage. Garcia also expressed his gratitude to the local government units for their undying support and coordination. “We’d like to thank Aklan governor, Florencio Miraflores for endorsing our events and likewise for the assistance of Malay Municipal Mayor Floribar Bautista in making these events possible,” said Garcia. The online registration for the four events is still ongoing and available on the RaceYaya website. The Open Water Festival kicks off its first race with the Caticlan Channel
Joshua Pacio
Crossing Fun Swim—from Tabon Port in the Municipality of Caticlan to ManocManoc Beach in Boracay—on May 13. The FINIS Green Aquathlon, dubbed as the race for the environment starts on May 14 with events in 2.5K run, 800m swim, and 2.5K run course for adults. It will have eight age groups (16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, and 50-Above) for the male athletes and four age groups (16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-Above) for the female athletes. Meanwhile, the kids’ aquathlon will have four age groups for the boys and girls, namely 6-Under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-15. Course distances of each kids age group are 50m swim and 200m run (6-Under), 100m swim and 200m (7-8 age group), 200m swim and 1K run (9-10 age group), 300m swim, and 2K run (11-12 age group), and 400m swim and 4K run (13-15 age group). Also, on May 14, the Visayas leg of the Kids of Steel (KOS) triathlon will take place at the Boracay Newcoast with five age categories with different course distances: 6-Under (50m swim, 700m bike, and 200m run), 9-10 (200m swim, 2K bike, and 1.5km run, 11-12 (200m swim, 4K bike, and 1.5km run), and 13-15 (300m swim, 8K bike, 2K run), while the Open Water Swim Series will be at the Boracay Newcoast on May 15.
Shantou 2021 will be cancelled,” the OCA said. The next Asian Youth Games, the OCA added, will be held in 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. “The OCA thanks Shantou Organizing Committee for its great work during the preparation phase,” the OCA said. “We strongly believe that this effort will be beneficial to many different aspects of the development of the city, especially in the field of sport as well as for the promotion of Olympic spirit in Asia.” The Tokyo 2020 Olympics were also moved a year because of the pandemic with China going on with its hosting of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in February before the resurgent of infections from the coronavirus.
Villamar ready for big Gabuat fightback in PPS netfest
KYLE Cyd Villamar grabbed the no. 1 seeding from erstwhile top bet Thomas Gabuat following his breakthrough run in Maranding last week as they banner the field in the PPS-PEPP national agegroup tennis circuit, which resumed Thursday in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental. Villamar, 15, snapped Gabuat’s romp in the Mindanao swing of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala tour with a 5-3, 4-0 win in the semis. The Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte bet then repelled McLeen Gomera, 6-2, 6-7(5), 10-8, to claim the boys’ 16-and-under crown at the Maranding courts last Tuesday. Though Villamar yielded the 18-U trophy to Christopher Sonsona, his runner-up effort was enough to net him the top seeding in both the 16- and 18-U divisions for this week’s battle for ranking points in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop. But Gabuat is out for redemption while the likes of Sindangan leg winner Vince Serna, Pete Bandala, Cyril Paster and Gomera (18-U) and Johnny Caedo III, Benedict Lim, Andrei Esick, Leigh Omandam and Gomera (16-U) are all eager and ready to foil the top two players’ title bids. Ma. Judyann Padilla and AJ Acabo likewise gear up for another fierce duel in the top two categories in the girls’ side while Marlyn Mesiona targets win No. 6 in the 14-U division of the circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro and held under the auspices of the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating). For details, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464. Lim and Bandala, meanwhile, set out to dispute the boys’ 14-U diadem while Ursal Pazz and Yuree Madrona (boys) and Vienne Cagas and Hanna Jumawan (girls) headline the field in the 12-U class.
Tech & Gadgets T
HE Asian Defense & Security 2022, which is the 4th Asian Defense and Security, Crisis & Disaster Management Exhibition and Conference, opened at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Philippines recently, drawing delegates from military organizations, dignitaries, government officials, guests and even thousands of visitors from the civilian sector. ADAS 2022, attracted a total of 157 exhibitors from 31 countries in Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Africa showcases the world’s leading products and technologies in the field of defense and security. “This year, there’re 31 countries here, including the Philippines, and considering what’s happening in the world, that’s a decent number,” said Philippine Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the guest speaker who opened the three-day exhibition. “May we have a productive, enjoyable and meaningful time in this event,” added the defense chief, who thanked APAC EXPO Pte Ltd Managing Director Andrew Marriott for “holding another exhibition here in Manila.” The ADAS 2022, which is being supported by the DND, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines and other government agencies in Manila, is the second time that it is being held in the Philippines. The ADAS was launched in 2014 and has been staged every two years since, except in 2020 when it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In his speech, Lorenzana said APAC EXPO’s decision to hold the exhibition in Manila showed the importance of the Philippines around the world, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. “The DND is proud to be your partner in this undertaking. The defense sector appreciates this gesture recognizing our importance as a strategic nation in the Asia Pacific region,” Lorenzana said. “In behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, I declare the 4th Asian Defense and Security, Crisis & Disaster Management Exhibition and Conference open,” the secretary ended. The AFP Chief of Staff General Andres Centino could not be more appreciative of the importance of the holding of the exhibition in Manila.
Security, defense, military gadgets galore at ‘22 ADAS
The ADAS showcases the world’s leading products and technologies in the field of defense and security.
try officials, were very optimistic of the exhibit’s market outcome for their products. “We have been present in ADAS since 2014. “We have always been here and will always be here. We’re presenting what we have to offer. Now, we do have an agreement on defense cooperation (with the Philippines) from 2017. We have an MOU (memorandum of agreement) on defense and logistics in 2021. So, we have the platforms, we have the products and we’re here to present them and hopefully achieve some good results with the project,” said Czech Republic’s Ministry of Defense Deputy Director Ben Ziga. “We congratulate the Philippines and the Department of National Defense and also the organizers because we are Shown here are (from left) Andrew Marriott, Managing Director, APAC Expo Pte Ltd.; moving ahead, which is the most imGeneral Andres C. Centino, AFP Chief of Staff ; Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Departportant thing. You can talk about video ment of National Defense; Germogenes C. Esperon, National Security Adviser and conferences, you can talk about teams Director General; Cardozo M. Luna, Undersecretary of National Defense and all that. But to have these people, to “If there is no event like this, we available assets that we wanted to use,” keep relations to this is absolutely the most important. Despite that this is a 25 could not see the capabilities that we the Philippine military chief. wanted. So, it’s good that we have an The exhibitors, some of them even hours flight for me, we’re happy to do opportunity to see for ourselves the accompanied or joined by their coun- it,” Ziga added.
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rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
Affordable eCommerce SME solutions through RUSH, PayMongo LOYALTY and eCommerce solutions provider RUSH Technologies, Inc. and financial technology company PayMongo are revolutionizing eCommerce in the Philippines by making it easier and more affordable for small and medium-sized enterprises to build and grow their businesses online. Called the RUSH eStore Spark, this newest and lowest-priced eCommerce solution by RUSH is packed with all the essential tools for businesses to succeed in the eCommerce landscape, from brand discovery channels to last mile delivery. The package retails at P2,500 a month. To further encourage SMEs to embrace eCommerce, RUSH and PayMongo bring their Start Now, Spark Now promo, offering a 25% discount on the first two months of the RUSH eStore Spark subscription for those who book a demo from May 1 to May 15. On top of the subscription discount, new merchants will also enjoy zero transaction fees for all cashless payments powered by PayMongo during the same period. “Addressing the common pain points of opening and managing an online store such as limited online visibility, manual order processing, high transaction fees, or a platform with limited features, the new RUSH eStore Spark gives merchants the necessary capabilities to grow and scale with their own channel,” said Julianne Fernandez, Chief Product Officer of RUSH. With RUSH eStore Spark, merchants can enjoy more for much less. They can process unlimited transactions, upload an unlimited number of products, onboard unlimited branches, enroll unlimited merchant account users and employees, and send an unlimited number of transactional SMS for free. SMEs are often subscribed to several software solutions to maintain an online presence which can be counterproductive and costly in the long run. Recognizing the need for an all-inone solution, Fernandez added: “RUSH wants businesses to be able to leverage the continuous growth of eCommerce in the Philippines by equipping them with affordable, uncomplicated solutions. Ultimately, our mission is to make digitalization easy for businesses, and we are fortunate to have PayMongo as our partner in turning this into reality.” RUSH allows SMEs to have their branded eCommerce website, delight customers with promo codes, accommodate on-demand or scheduled delivery or pick-up, and offer various modes of online payment through PayMongo.
Enjoy big savings with LG commercial laundry RUNNING a business is hard work. In order to turn a profit, you need to be able to maximize savings without compromising quality. This is a fine line that always needs to be balanced. Skimp too much and your customers will be unhappy with your services. Ignore operating expenses and you run the risk of losing money. To be successful, you need to have the best of both worlds. This balance is needed even more for commercial laundry businesses. Running a laundry business involves a lot of expenses that can add up quickly. Thankfully, technological innovations, especially from global innovator LG, have greatly helped in ensuring efficient and cost-effective operations. The LG Giant C Max and LG Titan C Max washing machines provide the best value in terms of energy, time, and expenses. LG commercial washing machines are able to reduce energy and water consumption while increasing efficiency. In fact, according to Energy Star standards, LG Commercial Laundry machines save more energy and water than other products in their category. LG machines are also the first commercial washer brand to be certified and LG commercial washers are designed given the orange tag by Meralco. with cost-efficiency in mind. For time-saving, both the LG Giant C Max and LG Titan C Max have the Atomizing & Twin Spray feature. ning, resulting in a speedier wash and higher customer Twin Spray rinses your clothes non-stop while spin- rotation rate. Atomizing Spray also sprays water on
the door, so you don’t have to clean excess suds off the door glass. It also has a Gyro Balancing System that offers low noise and less vibration when in use. The noise and vibration emitted by LG commercial laundry machines are low enough for people to focus on other tasks while they wait, creating a pleasant environment that can meet the needs of various customers. LG commercial washers are designed with cost-efficiency in mind. The specially-engineered 10° slope drum enables the machines to use less water because it puts more laundry into the water without sacrificing superior washing performance. The washers are also made to be as compact as possible with a bigger capacity. The smaller size lets you stack them so you can have more machines even with a limited space. Lastly, its Multi Heat Treatment of parts improves durability and resists against gradual abrasion. LG washing machines enjoy extended operating life and less repairs, helping your business save costs. Save big on your business while still delivering topnotch performance with LG commercial washers. You can view more details in our website at lg.com/ph/business/ commercial-laundry.
“Payment preferences in the country are continuously evolving, and we’ve seen how challenging it is for some businesses to cater to their online customers. At PayMongo, we aim to ease this burden by giving them one platform to accept all types of digital payments, including credit and debit cards, e-wallets, and online banking. Our ultimate goal is to empower businesses of all sizes to go online by making eCommerce simple, easy, and scalable- a mission we share with RUSH,” said Francis Plaza, CEO and co-founder of PayMongo. RUSH is a portfolio company of 917 Ventures, Globe’s corporate venture builder. To learn more about RUSH, visit https://www.rush.ph/.
Franchising to drive BEXCS Logistic’s expansion binge BEXCS Logistic Solutions Inc. is riding the robust logistics growth in the country with the launch of its franchising program to fuel the company’s expansion binge. The end-to-end logistics service provider is seeking to establish 360 branches around the country this year through its groundbreaking franchising scheme under the stewardship of Francorp Philippines. BEXCS is confident that its model will lead to more growth opportunities for the company and its partners, with the logistics industry poised to grow 8 percent in 2022 and a CAGR of 7.2 percent over the next five years driven by e-commerce. BEXCS Logistic president Marjorey Medina Rubio said its expansion program will also greatly benefit its clients as it would lead to reduced prices for its services. “If we have more reach in different provinces, if we have more hubs, then, we would be able to provide more competitive rates for our clients,” she stressed.
With its franchising program in full swing, Rubio said BEXCS expects to add another 240 to 300 branches to its nationwide network in 2023. BEXCS Logistic Solutions, Inc., which started as Bulacan Express Courier Services in 2019 has been launched on April 29, with the theme “Towards the Golden Age of Logistics” highlighting BEXCS Franchise and BEXCS Worldwide Ecommerce at The New Performing Arts at Resorts world Manila in Pasay City. BEXCS currently has 10 branches in Luzon, offering express delivery; international shipping (import or export); land, air, and sea cargo; and warehouse and inventory management mostly to small and medium enterprises. Its outlets also serve as a remittance and payment centers. The BEXCS executive said the franchising model they developed with the help of Francorp Philippines is suited for both new entrepreneurs and those experienced in the
logistics business. Francorp Philippines is the country’s premier and leading franchise consulting firm which has developed over 600 local and global franchise brands. “We would like to offer it to anyone who would like to venture into logistics because we know logistics is one of the most resilient businesses today,” she said. To support its expansion plan, BEXCS is also launching its own mobile app. It is now also working with Japan’s Denba in developing a cold storage product for motorcycles to help preserve the food and prevent spoilage while in transit. “Hopefully, we will be able to test the product or the machine in the next couple of weeks or in the next couple of months,” she said. BEXCS has proven to be a good business partner as six of its existing 10 branches are through joint ventures. “The (logistics) industry is so big and is so high, and we are banking on that opportunity
BEXCS president Marjorey Medina-Rubio
for our growth, especially in this new normal,” she said at the launch of the company’s franchising program. Rubio noted that the company is different from other third-party logistics as it can customize its services to the need of the customers.
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Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor E-mail: jdlacsamana@gmail.com
Home/Design
GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST E
L Retiro is a luxury serviced residence that caters to large groups in Baguio City.
those who require wheelchair accessibility. Family members of all generations can spend precious time together around the fireplace or in the garden, sharing stories or celebrating special occasions in style. With generous indoor and outdoor spaces, El Retiro is also perfect for private events such as reunions, weddings, retreats, business meetings and conferences. Conveniently located on 20 Outlook Drive, El Retiro provides easy access to restaurants, shops, and popular tourist landmarks. For information, visit www.elretirobaguio.com.
The mid-century mansion retains its original structure and natural surroundings, offering guests and travelers the charms of a heritage home with a traditional farm house interior, while offering modern conveniences for an even more unique and memorable stay. The 1.6-hectare property is also home to one of the oldest eucalyptus trees in Baguio. The private sanctuary can accommodate up to 20 people, including
PH ‘fundamentally attractive’ solar market in SEA SOLAR Philippines may have engaged in international opportunities for solar development, but will focus more on expanding the solar sector of its home country, said Solar Philippines CEO Leandro Leviste. Last March, Solar Philippines, through its joint venture with Medco Energi, entered a 20-year power purchase agreement with Indonesia’s state utility PLN for a 50-megawatt solar project. The company has a 400-megawatt (MW) capacity operating or under con-
struction. By the end of next year, Solar Philippines is planning to add 1 gigawatt (GW) to its capacity, around half of the expected 2GW additional solar for the whole market. The Philippines has over 1,000MW of solar capacity. Leviste revealed that the Philippines has potential for large-scale battery deployment, as some other power companies in the country are implementing the largest capacity of battery storage for ancillary service requirements in the grid.
FINDING YOUR DREAM HOME. SMDC provides at least 50% of its properties to open spaces that provide mental, physical, and psychological benefits to residents. The building design of SMDC projects aim for a unique resortlike ambiance by incorporating green spaces composed of shaded pathways, pocket gardens, and shared amenities for solitary or group gatherings. SMDC’s Vine Residences in Novaliches, PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards’ best upper affordable condo development (Metro Manila), is a good place to consider. With sustainability being a buzzword these days, the Vine Residences conforms with industry standards in terms of resilience and minimized environmental impact. The development has portions of its structure suspended from the site’s soil grade to preserve the trees and vegetation present in the area and act as a natural defense against flooding.
PUEBLO DE ORO TOP-OFF IN CEBU. Officers of Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PDO) and AVC Development & Construction Corp. led the topping-off ceremony for Pueblo de Oro Townsquare, a three-level commercial strip located in Babag II, Lapu-Lapu City. The project aims to provide more accessible retail centers to residents in the area, particularly from the La Aldea Del Mar and Park Place subdivisions, the recently launched Park Place II, and the soon-to-rise Pueblo de Oro Storeys Lapu-Lapu condominiums. A second three-floor commercial building is being planned for 2023. At the ceremony were (from left) PDO Cebu assistant project engineer Engr. Bryan Basbas; AVC’s Engr. Ralph Mahusay; PDO Cebu assistant vice president Engr. Benjamin Roleda; PDO Cebu credit & collection manager Brenda Bacad; PDO vice president and Visayas general manager Ronald Allan Uy; AVC project manager Engr. Jomar Estrebello; and PDO Cebu assistant managers Engr. Abegail Claros, Edmer Boaquina and Haiza Tovilla.
Solar Philippines CEO Leandro Leviste
Lumina Homes is among 2021 top developers in PH PAG-IBIG Fund recently named Lumina Homes as one of the country’s top developers. The announcement was part of Pag-IBIG’s Stakeholders Accomplishment Report 2021 (STAR). Pag-IBIG recognized housing developers who made significant contributions in line with the Shelter Program of the National Government through the Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable, and Inclusive (BALAI) Filipino Community Program. Among Lumina’s awards was the Highest Conversion Performance among Pag-IBIG Fund’s top partner housing developers in Mindanao in 2021. Lumina Homes was also among PagIBIG Fund’s top partner housing developers per area that were awarded in terms of Housing Loan Takeout or Loan Value for 2021. For more information, follow @ luminahomesofficial on Facebook, or visit Lumina Homes’ official website at www.lumina.com.ph.
CBD condo rentals flex double-digit growth AS MANY professionals gear for a shift from fully remote to on-site and hybrid work, demand for residential rentals in Metro Manila CBDs have increased tremendously. From the fourth quarter of 2021 to the first quarter of 2022 alone, Lamudi data showed that condo rentals across Makati, Pasig and Taguig have flexed double-digit growths in leads. Mid-cost condominium units for rent priced P15,000 to P60,000 continued to contribute the most leads in the aforementioned CBDs. However, Lamudi data revealed that potential property renters were increasingly interested in upscale rentals as higher price segments attracted significant upticks in leads across the CBDs. Demand in upscale segments In Makati, leads for condo rentals priced between P60,000 to P100,000 increased by almost 90 percent quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q), the largest spike out of all other price segments in 1Q 2022. This may be attributed to increasing interest in larger personal space following the pandemic, as the majority of leads for listings under this price segment went to 2-bedroom followed by 3-bedroom units. The largest share of leads for Makati condo rentals still belonged to the affordable segment in 1Q 2022, with condos priced at P15,000 to P30,000 composing most leads. In Pasig, the P15,000 to P30,000 segment composed the largest share of leads and exhibited the highest q-o-q growth in leads with a 46 percent increase from 4Q 2021 to 1Q 2022. This was followed by the P100,000 to P200,000 price segment, which garnered 42 percent more leads q-o-q in 1Q 2022. The most searched sub-categories for condominiums for rent in Pasig overall were 2-bedroom units followed by 1-bedroom units. Leads for condominium units in Taguig increased by over 60 percent q-o-q in 1Q 2022, with the P30,000 to P60,000 price segment attracting the highest number of leads. However, potential Taguig condo renters showed growing demand for upscale rentals as leads for the P200,000 to P500,000 price band doubled from 4Q 2021 to 1Q 2022, possibly driven by interest from returning expats and investors following amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act. Renters from outside MM look at small units Lamudi data for the first quarter of 2022 also revealed that the majority of leads for Metro Manila CBDs were from property seekers also within NCR. The most popular condominium rental subcategories for property seekers within Metro Manila were 1-bedroom followed by 2-bedroom units. Seekers outside Metro Manila in cities such as Angeles, Bacoor, Baguio, Calamba, Cebu City, and Lipa sent more inquiries for smaller condominium units in Metro Manila such as studios followed by 1-bedroom units. Property seekers from these cities who are looking at CBDs mostly belonged to the 25 to 34 year old age bracket and were likely renting for work, requiring a smaller space. The costs of living in Metro Manila also significantly differ from that in cities outside the metro, and renters moving into the CBDs for work may be looking at smaller condo units to save on costs. To learn more about the residential real estate trends in CBDs, visit lamudi.com.ph.
Motoring
MILO RIVERA Sub-editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com
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Test runs for LRT Gen-4 trains begin L
IGHT Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has announced the commencement of dynamic test runs for the brandnew 4th Generation (Gen4) train sets along its designated lines.
The Gen-4 trains will travel along LRT line 1 at night, during off-peak hours, and on weekends to test their dependability and performance, as well as their compliance with technical and operational standards. “We would like to inform our passengers that they will now start seeing brand-new Gen-4 trains along the LRT line 1, but they still cannot ride these Gen-4 trains yet. We are conducting these trial runs to simulate regular commercial operations and to make sure that these trains are safe for the passengers once we put them to commercial service soon,” LRMC Chief Operating Officer Enrico S. Benipayo shared. “We would also like to assure our passengers that this activity will not affect the normal operations of LRT-1.”, added Benipayo. A total of 30 Gen-4 train sets, each with four Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs), will be put through a series of dynamic test runs in multiple stages, with two to three train sets crossing the main
line each day. The new train sets, constructed by Mitsubishi Corporation and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrorcarriles (CAF) of Spain, will be driven by LRMC train operators. Before being accepted by the
Grantors and eventually handed over to LRMC for commercial operation, each Gen-4 train set must travel 1,000 kilometers. The state-of-the-art Gen-4 train sets are 106 meters long and 2.59 meters
wide, with a total capacity of 1,300 people and designed to reach a top speed of 70 KPH It features destination signs that show whether the trains are going north or south. Inside, the driver’s station has a contemporary style with a
temperature monitor. The new train sets are also PWD-friendly, with designated areas for passengers on wheelchairs. The target set for the commercial use of these first Gen-4 trains is by the end of May 2022.
Ford PH receives strikes gold thrice at 5th Driven to Serve Awards FORD Philippines was recognized anew for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs that help and support communities in the areas of community development, COVID-19 response, and road safety. Ford received three (3) Gold awards for its Building Healthy Communities program (Community Development category), COVID-19 Relief program (COVID-19 response category), and Driving Skills for Life (Road Safety category) in the 5th Driven to Serve to Awards organized by the Society of Philippine M o t o r i n g Journalists (SPMJ). F o r d ’ s Building Health Communities is an outreach program focused on promoting self-sufficiency and increased health awareness through neighborhood-based educational efforts. Programs include medical and dental missions as well as various health and wellness forums. Under the program, Ford also supported farmers in North Luzon by purchasing their produce and donating them to Gawad Kalinga (GK) communities in Bulacan. Through a virtual volunteer activity, Ford employees also acted as teachers to the kids of Sta. Cruz, Laguna, teaching them arts and crafts, storytelling, board games making, as well as academic tutorials. Ford also turned over a grant of US$5,000 to the GK Community Development Foundation to support Kusina ng Kalinga (KnK), a community kitchen program. At the height of the pandemic, Ford Philippines also took an active role in supporting various COVID-19 response
efforts. It raised over P600,000 to fund GK’s “Walang Iwanan, Walang Hawaan”, a relief and rehabilitation program that supplied food packs to thousands of vulnerable families in the Visayas. PPEs, medical supplies, and medical tools were also given to various volunteers. Ford also continued with its support to the healthcare sector with its donation of 10,000 face shields to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Thirteen hospitals and health centers and one nongovernment organization partner also received medical supplies and PPEs with Ford’s partnership with the AMCHAM Foundation Philippines. Ford also lent out a Ford Transit to Asian Hospital to help transport healthcare workers, as well as a Ford Ranger to deliver food supplies and PPEs. Beyond its support to community development and healthcare, Ford also offered its Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) in an effort to reinforce road and driver safety in the advent of the ‘new normal’. With the theme “Safe Driving in the New Normal,” last year’s DSFL covered timely topics such as pandemic car care and maintenance tips, car sanitation and disinfection, and driving techniques during the rainy weather. The sessions were conducted virtually via Zoom in order to foster a safe and physicallydistant learning environment. Within the four-month training period, the DSFL was able to cover over 1,600 attendees attending a total of 21 virtual training sessions.
REFLECT YOUR PASSION. Meguiar’s crew poses with JSK Custom’s 2019
Toyota Supra after using Meguiar’s Hybrid Paint Coating, which Meguiar’s Philippines introduced recently. This latest professional-level paint protectant provides over a year of durable paint protection, thanks to advanced chemistry and water-beading action. A Meguiar’s kit includes 1 Surface Prep Bottle, 1 Hybrid Paint Coating Aerosol, 1 Premium Applicator Pad, and 2 Premium Microfiber Towels.
Toyota, Lexus provide recalling services for RAV4, NX HEV TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) has launched a Special Service Campaign (SSC) for select Toyota RAV4 HEV and Lexus NX HEV units, wherein the service includes reprogramming the brake actuator ECUs of the concerned automobiles. The campaign will affect a total of 132 sold automobiles. The 92 RAV4 Hybrids in question were built between December 1, 2021, and April 1, 2022 meanwhile the 40 NX HEV units were manufactured between November 17, 2021 and March 31, 2022. More information, as well as TMP’s official advisory, may be found on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) website. If you’re unsure if your vehicle is affected by the program, you may check Toyota’s official SSC website by entering your vehicle’s VIN number (vehicle identification number) in the process.
CAVITEX, CALAX brace for 2022 election day motorist surge ON MONDAY, May 9, millions of Filipinos are set to elect the new leader of the Philippines for the next six years. With this, expect surges on the road as the public is bound to go out, take the roads, and get to the polling precincts to cast their vote. Up to Tuesday, May 10, 2022, MPTC South Tollways CAVITEX and CALAX - gear up for the traffic increase along its toll road networks during the rush hours. Lane closures and mainline road works, unless safety repairs are necessary, will be suspended during the peak season to ensure smooth flow of traffic. Moreover, the highways will also continue to provide 24/7 motorist assistance for safer and more convenient journeys of travelers. Customer Service Centers and its hotline 1-35000 will be attended 24/7 for roadside assistance and motorists’ concerns. Aside from having a list
of who to vote for, MPTC strongly advises each motorist to include the “BLOWBAGETS” car checklist before driving off. BLOWBAGETS, a handy mnemonic popularized by the PNPHighway Patrol Group, is a proven car
checklist reminder before hitting the road to prevent vehicular accident and breakdown. It stands for battery, lights, oil, water, brakes, air pressure, gas, engine, tires, and self. Motorists are also encouraged to use their Easytrip RFID to avoid long lines at cash lanes. Those who have no RFID yet may have it installed for free in any of the Easytrip station and paying the initial load of P200. Existing users are advised to reload their Easytrip RFID account and ensure positive load balance to avoid inconveniences at toll plazas. Motorists can also monitor the latest traffic update, and reload their RFIDs using MPT DriveHub app. MPT DriveHub is an all-in-one travel app available for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Drive Hub integrates three key functions in one: RFID transactions, trip planning, and emergency roadside assistance.
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Mother’s Day Special Issue
A salute to a different kind of ‘mother’ By Patricia Taculao
M
OTHERHOOD is a role rife with all kinds of responsibilities. As the light of a household, they take on several tasks -looking out for their children, keeping their homes harmonious, engaging in different occupations for a livelihood and ensuring members follow strong principles to navigate life. Indeed, being a mother is challenging—and it’s not always beautiful. Mothers experience an immense mental load, but maintain a calm, composed demeanor to inspire awe and protect their family members. Simply, a mother is a selfless person, who protects, nurtures and disciplines her children to become wellequipped adults in the future. Every second Sunday of May, the world celebrates Mother’s Day to pay tribute to mothers across the globe who fulfil their duties without fail, no matter how tough it may be. During their special day, mothers receive the appreciation and recognition they deserve for everything they’ve done for their families. Mothers also come in different shapes, sizes, and family units. Today’s society recognizes that motherhood doesn’t merely come from giving birth. Instead, it’s a person’s actions for the welfare of their family that earn them the title of “mother.” So it should come as no surprise that single fathers, who also play the
role of the mother for their kids, deserve the recognition during Mother’s Day as well. JM Edejer is familiar with the roles a mother plays, especially since he assumed the role of both parents to better care for his young son early in 2020. His first sacrifice was difficult because he had to admit that his relationship with his son’s mother turned sour. Instead of exposing his son to an unhealthy connection that could affect his future interactions, JM cut ties with his former partner to raise his son alone. From then, he worked various jobs to meet his son’s needs and prepare for his future. He made several sacrifices, like taking up jobs he never liked in the first place “Sometimes the job I take is not my forte, but I need to work so my son could eat. I even became a freelance delivery rider. I only use a bike and would travel long distances, sometimes reaching 90 kilometers a day, just to earn money for my son,” JM said in the vernacular.
JM Edejer is familiar with the roles a mother plays, especially since he assumed the role of both parents to better care for his young son early in 2020.
Even though JM already feels tired from his laborious work, often battling city pollution, unpredictable weather and traffic, he still finds the time and energy to look after his son upon reaching home. He believes the attention he gives his son early in his life helps form his personality. However, the most recent and painful sacrifice JM made for his son was to live far from him to keep a job that will sustain his needs. Presently, JM’s son lives with his family and is being cared for by JM’s mother,
while he’s away to make a living. “I’m living in Alabang now, and during my day off, I go home to Quezon City to see and be with my son. Of course, I ride my bike to close the distance between us. I’ll sacrifice everything for my son. It doesn’t matter if I run out, as long as my son gets everything he needs,” he said. The single father of one shared that he struggles with his time at work because he doesn’t have the freedom to spend more time with his son. He would often settle for
10-minute video calls to catch up with his son. Aside from not having enough time with each other, JM also limits his expenses for personal needs because he knows that his son’s needs come first. Yet all his sacrifices have become worthwhile whenever he sees his son’s smile or hears him laugh. “My dream for him is simple. All I want is for him to surpass me in life. No matter what his profession is, even if it’s the same as mine, as long as he’s happy, comfortable, and not
living immorally, I’ll support him no matter what,” he said. As a single father, who also assumes the role of his son’s mother, JM goes against gender biases. He doesn’t believe that as a man, he has to remain strong all the time and impart that attitude to his son. Instead, he embraces his emotions because he’s human, much like everybody else. He also hopes that his son will learn the values of vulnerability, perseverance, and kindness to get far in life. Despite all the hardships JM faced in being a single father, he shared that he feels lucky to have his son around. All his hard work also paid off because he’s currently employed as a chef, allowing him to earn and save more for his son’s needs. He serves as an example that many single fathers out there are capable of filling in a mother’s shoes to show how much their children mean to them. This Mother’s Day, single fathers, single mothers, and those who took on a nurturing role toward children also deserve the appreciation and recognition for all their efforts and sacrifices. If given a chance, do something nice for them to show how much they’re appreciated.
Say it sweetly on Mother’s Day at S Maison MOM’S the sweetest! There’s nothing more comforting than her warm embrace, more encouraging than her kind and gentle words, and more inspiring than her hard work and devotion to the family. Say it sweetly on Mother’s Day with treats fit for a queen or cap a special dinner with desserts while enjoying the premium view of the Manila Bay’s breathtaking sunset at S Maison. We all grew up loving the cakes she baked or would buy especially for us. This time, start her day with a cake to celebrate. At S Maison, there are classic Pineapple Upside Down Cakes from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Honey Crunch Cakes from Nono’s. Or take her on a sweet culinary ride with Modern Filipino Cakes: Kesong Puti Cheesecake, Ube Quezo de Bola Cheesecake, Mango Cheesecake, and Auro Tsokolate Cake from Lola’s Cafe; or HaloHalo Cakes from UCC. There are also Cherry Blossom and Mango Cheesecakes from Starbucks. Send her hugs with delicious bites from Famous Amos dipped cookies, and Overdough’s fresh baked cookies with a rich blend of 3 couverture grade chocolates and indulgent French butter. Make it a date at the mall’s Spanish specialty restaurants and indulge in their tantalizing desserts. There is Torrija with brioche bread, kahlua caramel and salted caramel ice cream at BCN Las Flores, and the delectable dessert, Tarta de Chocolate from Barcino. Celebrate amore at SM Maison’s Italian restaurants. She will love Rossinni Ristorante Italiano’s Italian Burratta, Tiramisu, and Cannoli Siciliani; as well as Italianni’s panna cotta and mouthwatering cheesecake. Closer to home there is bibingka and puto bungbong from XO 46 Heritage Bistro and Locavore’s turon de leche. Celebrate Mother’s Day at S Maison!
Favorite Filipino dessert halo-halo is transformed into a cake at UCC
Famous Amos dipped cookies, are bite sized love tokens for mom.
Celebrate this Mother’s Day with Lola Café’s best-selling Modern Filipino Cakes: Kesong Puti Cheesecake, Ube Quezo De Bola Cheesecake, Mango Cheesecake and Auro Tsokolate Cake.
Tantalizing Torrija with brioche bread, kahlua caramel and salted caramel ice cream from BCN Las Flores.
Overdough’s triple chocolate cookies, freshly baked and loaded with a rich blend of 3 Couverture grade Chocolates and indulgent French butter.
Cannoli Siciliani from Rossini Ristorante Italiano.
Barcino’s delightful Spanish tortita quezo manego dessert Italianni’s Panna Cotta has the perfect balance of honey sauce and Italian cooked cream.