Manila Standard - 2022 May 12 - Thursday by Manila Standard

Palace calls for healing; Leni urged to concede MALACANANG urged the Filipino people to “heal and unite as one nation and one people” following Monday’s elections. In a statement, acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said the

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recently concluded 2022 elections were a showcase of strength and democracy is alive. “The Filipino people have spoken and now is the time to heal and unite as one Next page

‘I’ll hit the ground running’ Marcos sets pace of governance, defines critical areas to prioritize By Rey E. Requejo

BUSY BBM. President-inwaiting Ferdinand Marcos Jr. holds a press conference to announce his initial plans for the country at his headquarters in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday. On Tuesday, he visited the grave of his father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, then showed his gratitude to his supporters by holding up a placard showing his total votes so far in the partial and unofficial tally. AFP with BBM Media Bureau

RESUMPTIVE President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vowed to hit the ground running in addressing the pressing concerns of the country: economy, livelihood, education and infrastructure. Marcos said he maintained his executive committee that managed his 90-day campaign to screen and evaluate people who will be appointed to various positions under his administration. “My intention is to hit the ground running. We must be ready. So we’re already talking about appointments as I’m sure I can imagine the economic managers are going to be critical for the next several years because of the pandemic and economic crisis. That’s something we are looking at very carefully,” Marcos said. “I am also guided by critical areas that we talked about during the campaign. Of course, the economy, the crises – crisis in energy, lack of jobs, education and infrastructures. All these areas are going to be critical in the next few years,” he added. Marcos said he will choose his appointees “guided by competence and willingness to work with the next administration.” Next page

US, China hail PH for peaceful, smooth elections THE United States and China on Wednesday commended the Philippines for the peaceful conduct of the May 9 elections, with Washington describing the recently concluded political exercise as being up to international standards and without major incident.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said once the next president is officially proclaimed, Washington looks forward to working with the new leader “on key human rights and regional priorities.” Price said the US will work “to

strengthen the enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines.” Asked if the US had any concern that Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the former senator, would be the next Next page

Romualdez wins 5th term as Leyte congressman By Maricel V. Cruz

CERTIFIED. Provincial Election Supervisor Antonio Gulay Jr. (center), assisted by

Vice Chairperson and Provincial Prosecutor Arlen Cordovez (right), proclaims House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez (left) as the winner for the 1st District of Leyte congressional seat at a ceremony in Tacloban City. Ver Noveno

Comelec to doubting Thomases: Trust poll clean, results accurate DESPITE numerous glitches in its vote counting machines (VCMs) and alleged irregularities during Election Day, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said this year’s polls were clean and successful. Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said the election results could not be doubted, even though at least 1,800 vote-

counting machines malfunctioned. “While there were reports of VCMs malfunctioning and missing voters’ names, these minor issues were immediately attended to,” he said — even though voters reported waiting for hours, some into the early hours of the next day, for the machines in their voting centers to be repaired. Next page

HOUSE Majority Leader and LakasChristian Muslim Democrats (LakasCMD) President Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has officially secured his fifth term as congressman of Leyte’s 1st district following the May 9 elections. Romualdez, who ran unopposed, garnered a total of 181,480 votes. His proclamation took place at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday at the Province of Leyte Old Legislative Building in Tacloban City. “We thereby proclaim the abovenamed winning candidate (Romualdez) as the duly-elected member of the House of Representatives of the 1st Next page

SARA’S STAFF. Vice-president apparent and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) chair Sara Duterte meets with her campaign staff Tuesday evening to express her gratitude to them at the Lakas-CMD and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) headquarters in Mandaluyong City. Ver Noveno

Sara named Education secretary, first appointee to Cabinet post

By Joyce Pañares and Maricel Cruz PRESUMPTIVE president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said his first appointee will be that of his running mate, vice president-apparent Sara Duterte-Carpio, as Education Secretary.

Marcos made the announcement Wednesday evening, following an earlier statement from Duterte-Carpio’s spokesperson that she would like to take on the Department of National Defense portfolio. “I think I am already authorized to anNext page

Observers see policy continuity under BBM LOCAL business leaders and foreign observers were one in saying Wednesday they expected a smooth transition and policy continuity from President Rodrigo Duterte to Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after the presumptive presidentelect dominated the May 9 presidential polls based on partial unofficial results. “We expect a smooth transition to

the Marcos administration from the outgoing Duterte administration, with little changes in policy direction,” Fitch Solutions said in a report. Meanwhile, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president George Barcelon said choosing experienced Cabinet members for major economic posts would be crucial for the incoming Marcos administration

to address challenges like higher debt and inflation. The Finance, Trade, Agriculture and Labor departments as well as the National Economic and Development Authority need people with “hands on experience” in running those key Cabinet posts, Barcelon told ANC. President Duterte was also “lucky” Next page

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Mask mandate may end in 3 months The Philippines has logged a total of 3,687,320 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 60,439 have died and 3,638 remain active. Solante also said they received reports that some individuals removed their face masks. Others had to wait inside rooms without proper ventilation due to problems with votecounting machines during the voting period, he said. Solante said the effect of the activities during election day might be reflected in the country’s COVID-19 numbers starting next week as the incubation period is usually from three to five days. “If the exposure is high on May 9, let’s count about… five to seven days.

So that will reflect, most likely next week,” Solante said. Solante also warned against the entry of the BA.4 and the BA.5 Omicron sub-variants, which were linked to the spread of cases in South Africa, and the BA.2.12.1. “We’re okay after two weeks, then hopefully, (we could) continue... But we continue to be vigilant in our health protocol and vaccination,” he said. “Based on data, when you have a first booster or third dose, we have a good chance of protection even with these sub-variants, especially against severe diseases,” Solante added. The Department of Health has said that the sub-variants “should not be any cause of concern.”

“This is a victory for all Filipinos, and for democracy. To those who voted for Bongbong, and those who did not, it is his promise to be a President for all Filipinos. To seek common ground across political divides, and to work together to unite the nation,” he added. Marcos arrived at his headquarters Wednesday and was greeted by a crush of supporters outside. The crowd erupted in cheers when he grabbed a cardboard sign from a fan that read “Thank you 31 million,” referring to the number of votes he won. “I am so happy, so overwhelmed,” said Joseph Bugayong, a 30-year-old gardener standing outside the headquarters. “I saw him in person and even shook his hand. My wait was worth it.” Marcos’s running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio, the daughter of the out-

going president, also won the vice presidency, which is elected separately, in a landslide. Meanwhile, Rodriguez acknowledged with gratitude the concession of some presidential candidates as being “highly commendable and shows their quality statesmanship and genuine patriotism.” “Indeed, the mode to drive forward without any delay right after the conclusion of this political exercise should be the case. As we all agree and recognize that the will of the people is law, we also recognize that we are facing inevitable challenges ahead as a nation,” he said. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, labor leader Leody de Guzman, and Muslim businessman Faisal Mangondato have already conceded defeat.

president, Price replied: “What I can say from a technical standpoint is that we understand the casting and counting of votes to have been conducted in line with international standards and without significant incident.” “The counting is still underway. It is not for us to declare a winner. We’ll wait for the Philippines election authorities to do that. We look forward to working with the president-elect on the shared values and the shared interests that have united our countries across generations,” Price said. Based on unofficial and partial election returns received by the churchbacked election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and authorized media outlets through the Commission on Elections Transparency Media Server, Marcos, son and namesake of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, is leading the presidential race with a huge margin over his closest rival, Vice President Leni Robredo, and

eight other candidates. According to Price, the US sees no change in its relations with its key Asian ally, saying: “It is an enduring alliance that is rooted in a long and deeply interwoven history that shares democratic values and interests and strong peopleto-people ties between our countries as friends, as partners, as allies.” He said the US will also continue to collaborate closely with the Philippines “to advance a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient IndoPacific region.” “We’ll also continue, as I said before, to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law which is fundamental to US relations with the Philippines and in other bilateral contexts as well,” Price said. Meanwhile, China applauded the Philippines for its smooth conduct of the May 9 national and local elections and extended its greetings to the leading candidates. “We hope and believe that various political forces in the Philippines will continue to work in solidarity for national renewal and devel-

opment,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, when asked to comment on the May 9 elections. Zhao added that China and the Philippines, facing each other across the waters, enjoy a long-standing traditional friendship. “We are good partners for mutually-beneficial cooperation and fellow travelers on the road to common development. Under the strategic guidance of our heads of state, bilateral relations have been steadily upgraded. The flourishing relationship has delivered benefits to both peoples and contributed to regional peace and stability,” the Chinese official said. Zhao said China will continue to work together with the Philippines to stay committed to good-neighborliness and friendship. Marcos, like his predecessor, is expected to tread carefully between China and the United States, as tensions remain high over territorial incursions into Philippine waters by Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea. Rey E. Requejo

foreign policy stances are most similar to the outgoing Duterte administration. His election win, therefore, bodes well for policy continuity in the Philippines.” Alfredo Pascual, president of the Management Association of the Philippines, meanwhile said once Marcos Jr. was proclaimed – this is expected by latest first week of June – he should establish a “cohesive” team. “It is important that his team is a cohesive team. Otherwise, if it’s complete strangers surrounding him it would be a difficult situation for the new president,” Pascual said. Both PCCI and MAP have outlined issues that should be prioritized by the next administration, including debt, inflation, food supply, labor, drugs, education, and health problems, among others. There should also be continued collaboration between the private and the

public sector and the focus on publicprivate partnerships instead of ODA (Official Development Assistance), Pascual said. “So, I guess the presidency of Mr Marcos will really focus initially on addressing these problems but in the end, he had to pay attention to the longer-term of challenges that the country faces in order to achieve sustained growth,” Pascual said. “What we’d like to see, people who are appointed are really competent in the job. If political appointees are appointed in important agencies, that may not bode well,” Barcelon added. “Definitely, the importance of economic team is going to be crucial as we know that the problem’s we’re facing, inflation and high debt, is really a pressing matter,” he said. With Marcos set to become the coun-

try’s 17th president based on the partial unofficial result, Fitch Solutions said it had raised the country’s “Policy Continuity” subcomponent score to 80 from 70. “Going forward, we expect the change in administration to result in only negligible changes to both economic and foreign policy direction,” it said. Fitch Solutions said it had also raised the Philippine Short-Term Political Risk Index Score to 66.5 out of 100, from 64 “after unofficial results showed that Marcos Jr had won the election with a landslide victory.” Among the UniTeam’s campaign promises were the modernization of the Pasig River Ferry System, the development of the country’s digital infrastructure, focus on jobs and prices, and the establishment of “food sovereignty,” among others.

hood, and recovery from the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. He vowed to work hard so that his constituents would have “money in their pocket so that they have food on their table, they can have their children go to school, and the family will be attended to medically”. Romualdez, president of the Philippine Constitution Association, is one of the campaign managers of leading vice-presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. Duterte chairs the Lakas-CMD. The son of former Ambassador and Leyte Governor Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez, the lawmaker finished his Bachelor of Arts in Government from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York in 1985.

In 1988, he obtained a Certificate of Special Studies in administration and Management from Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. He then proceeded to law school, earning his Bachelor of Laws from the UP College of Law in the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, in 1992. Before his stint in government, Romualdez served as concurrent trustee and president of Doña Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation and Dr. Vicente Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation. In 1995, he started working as director and legal counsel for the CARPA Realty Development Corporation, and as trustee for Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation.

By Willie Casas

HE face mask mandate would likely be lifted if the number of daily COVID-19 cases in the Philippines dropped to less than 200 in the next three months, an expert in infectious diseases said Wednesday.

But Dr. Rontgene Solante still stressed the importance of face mask in preventing the spread of COVID-19, especially the highly contagious Omicron variant. Solante was asked to comment on the possibility of lifting mandatory face mask policy anytime soon, considering that cases in South Korea continued to decrease even after it lifted the outdoor

mask mandate. “And we experienced that we quickly controlled the Omicron because of the way we wear the face mask,” Solante said at the Laging Handa briefing. “Let’s see in the next two to three months if the case really continues to drop – like less than two hundred-most likely we won’t need a face mask [mandate],” he added.

Sara... From A1

‘I’ll hit... From A1

nounce the first nominee that we will be giving to the Commission on Appointments when the time comes should I be proclaimed, and that is our incoming Vice President has agreed to take the brief of the Department of Education,” Marcos said. “I asked Inday Sara if she can handle the job because the work of the Secretary of Education is difficult, but she agreed to this. I think, because she is a mother, and she wants to make sure that her children are well-trained by educators, that is the best motivation,” he added. Earlier in the day, Duterte-Carpio’s spokesperson, Liloan town mayor Christina Frasco, said the presumptive vice president would like to head the Department of National Defense, a proposal that was earlier described by Marcos in January as a “good idea.” “Sara has indicated she would be interested in the Department of National Defense and of course she’s here to fully support the administration of Bongbong Marcos,” Frasco said. In one of her campaign sorties in February, Duterte-Carpio underscored the need to ensure quality education, which she said is the backbone of good employment. “Education doesn’t only mean a college degree. It should include skills training because you can be employed even without a degree,” she said. In January, Duterte said she will talk to Congress to make military service mandatory for all Filipinos once they turn 18 years old. With 98.31 percent of the election results tallied, Duterte-Carpio has cemented a wide lead over her political rivals with 31.54 million votes. In a statement, she thanked all her supporters for rallying behind her in her vice-presidential bid under the UniTeam banner. “Thank you so much for believing and trusting in my decision to run for Vice President. Thank you for accepting the unity movement offered by Bongbong Marcos. The UniTeam will be a symbol of brave, persevering, and united Filipinos,” she said.

“We remove in our discussion immediately the political leanings...I am guided by the fact that 31 million of our compatriots have voted for unity. I am guided by that, in a sense, I will continue to work for a government, an administration, that caters to everyone,” he added. Earlier in the day, his spokesman, Vic Rodriguez, said Marcos will be a leader “for all Filipinos.” With the initial count almost complete, Marcos has secured over 56 percent of the vote and more than double the tally of his nearest rival, Vice President Leni Robredo. “To the world, he says: Judge me not by my ancestors, but by my actions,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

Observers... From A1 to have Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III at the helm of his economic team, he added. While Duterte administration officials were silently moving in transition talks with Marcos’ camp, the current NEDA officials hoped the incoming administration would follow his predecessor’s economic agenda and “build on its gains.” NEDA Undersecretary Rose Edillon said it would help if Marcos Jr. laid down his specific economic plans but said the agency had also created a transition scheme that prioritizes economic recovery. Fitch Solutions also said: “We had previously noted that Marcos is the continuity candidate as his economic and

Romualdez... From A1 legislative district of Leyte,” Provincial Board of Canvassers chairperson and provincial election supervisor Antonio Gulay Jr. said before handing over the certificate to the veteran lawmaker. Romualdez also represented Leyte’s first district for three straight threeyear terms, from 2007 to 2016, then returned to the seat for a fourth term in 2019, taking over from his wife, Yedda Marie Romualdez, who is now a partylist representative. In an ambush interview after his proclamation, Romualdez said he would focus on further providing for his constituents on the matters of education, health, liveli-

US,... From A1

Palace... From A1 nation and one people,” Andanar said. To pursue this healing, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. urged opposition leader and Vice President Leni Robredo to concede defeat in the May 9 elections, citing the wide gap of votes between her and frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. “She should concede already and find a way to serve the nation in many ways. She must now put herself as the leader of the opposition and contribute to nation-building,” Esperon said. Esperon also urged critics of Marcos Jr. to respect the results of this year’s elections, telling them to not be “condescend-

Experts: Climate change enhances every heatwave PARIS—All heatwaves today bear the unmistakable and measurable fingerprint of global warming, top experts on quantifying the impact of climate change on extreme weather said Wednesday. Burning fossil fuels and destroying forests have released enough greenhouse gases into the atmosphere to also boost the frequency and intensity of many floods, droughts, wildfires, and tropical storms, they detailed in a state-of-science report. “There is no doubt that climate change is a huge game changer when it comes to extreme heat,” Friederike Otto, a scientist at Imperial College London’s Grantham Institute, told AFP. Extreme hot spells such as the heatwave that gripped South Asia in March and April are already the deadliest of extreme events, she added. “Every heatwave in the world is now made stronger and more likely to happen because of human-caused climate change,” Otto and co-author Ben Clarke of the University of Oxford said in the report, presented as a briefing paper for the news media. Evidence of global warming’s impact on extreme weather has been mounting for decades, but only recently has it been possible to answer the most obvious of questions: To what extent was a particular event caused by climate change? The most scientists could say before is that an unusually severe hurricane, flood, or heatwave was consistent with general predictions of how global warming would eventually influence weather. News media, meanwhile, sometimes left climate change out of the picture altogether or, at the other extreme, mistakenly attributed a weather disaster entirely to rising temperatures. AFP

Comelec... From A1 “The vote count is accurate and cannot be doubted. Namfrel (National Citizens Movement for Free Elections) will also release the results per precinct based on the transmitted results. You should double check whether or not the election results you see in precincts and in your transparency server were the same,” Garcia added. He said the gap between presidential contenders Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo on Comelec’s transparency server results were still “partial and unofficial.” “We respect those kinds of reaction and comments but remember that the Comelec cannot release for now any official result or tally,” he said. Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Marlon Caquejo said the allegations of cheating will be “hard to prove” with a 47-percent ratio claim between votes for the top two presidential bets. “It will be difficult to prove that there was cheating with regards to that percentage. First, our system went through thorough assessment and certification. So, we have a local source code review, how can you insert such a percentage to favor a candidate?” Casquejo said. However, the Comelec said it will still conduct a probe on the reported claims of cheating, saying “we will check.” Meanwhile, the poll body thanked the international observers for acknowledging the recently concluded national and local elections. US State Department spokesman Ned Price described the casting and counting of votes in the Philippines “to have been conducted in line with international standards and without significant incident.”

ing” and follow the will of the people. “Can’t you see that it is 30 million versus 14 million (who voted for Robredo)? The people have spoken, and they voted for who they want. Don’t you have any respect for those who voted for Marcos?” he added. Robredo’s ally, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, on Wednesday called on Filipinos to respect the election process and the outcome of the polls. “We have to respect the process. If we don’t respect it, it will harm our country. And election is the core of democracy,” Salceda said. The solon said he is willing to work with Marcos once the latter sits as the 17th President, even though he endorsed Robredo, his fellow Bicolano. Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja

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Dominguez cites Villar-led RTL enactment as ‘game changer’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez has cited Senator Cynthia Villar’s authorship and sponsorship of Republic Act 11203, also called the Rice Tariﬁcation Law (RTL), saying it was among the Duterte government’s accomplishments over the past six years in advancing the country’s economic development. In his presentation paper entitled: “The Ship of State Has Been Masterfully Steered,” Dominguez, head of the Economic Development Cluster (EDC), listed the major achievements of the Duterte administration in expanding the national economy. Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture, was grateful for the appreciation and the recognition given by Dominguez. The RTL was hailed as a “game changer”

CONGRESSIONAL CANVASSING OF VOTES. Senate President Vicente Sotto III receives a ballot box containing certificates of canvass from Malabon City, signaling the start of official congressional canvass of the votes for the presidential and vice presidential races. The COCs will be turned over to the House of Representatives where the official canvassing will be conducted.

Meralco starts P7.8b refund, cuts instead of hikes prevailing charges T By Alena Mae S. Flores

HE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) starts implementing this month the P7.8 billion refund to consumers as ordered by the Energy Regulatory Commission ((ERC).

The absolute amount however is P0.12 per kilowatt-hour which is equivalent to about P24 reduction in the total billing of households consuming 200 kwh a month, Meralco vice president and spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said. In effect, Meralco’s prevailing charge of P10.1830/kwh is reduced to P10.0630/kwh. “We are happy to note that instead of an upward adjustment we will be having a reduction for the month of May,” Zaldarriaga said.

The ERC ordered Meralco to refund P77.8 billion to power users following the validation of the utility’s 3rd Regulatory Period (3RP) tariffs for the period July 2011 to June 2015 (RY 2012-2015). The refund of distribution-related charges is equivalent to P0.4669/kwh for residential customers which will appear as a separate line item in customers’ power bills. Zaldarriaga said despite the adjustment in generation cost of almost P0.36/kwh

and the slight increase in the transmission charge, consumers still had a reduction for May in terms of overall charges. “As a highly regulated entity, Meralco’s rates are constantly being reviewed to make sure they are fair and reasonable,” Jose Ronald Valles, Meralco head of regulatory management, said. “The immediate implementation of the ERC’s order more than offset the impact of the increase of the generation charge this month, beneﬁtting Meralco customers,” Valles added. The generation charge for May went up by P0.3553 to P6.2277/kwh from the P5.8724/kwh registered the previous month. Charges from Meralco’s power supply agreements (PSAs) for this month

went up by P0.8045, while charges from independent power producers (IPPs) decreased by P0.4319 per kWh. The price of Malampaya natural gas increased by 10 percent starting this quarter, reﬂecting recent spikes in world crude oil prices. Power suppliers that have passthrough adjustments in Malampaya fuel—namely, First Gas-Sta. Rita, First Gas-San Lorenzo, and First Natgas- San Gabriel—accounted for 36 percent of Meralco’s supply in April. These suppliers’ charges were also affected by the peso’s depreciation and an increase in usage of more expensive liquid fuel resulting from the Malampaya consortium’s continued failure to provide adequate natural gas supply.

PH supports data privacy rules

PROCLAMATION IN TABACO CITY. Incumbent Mayor Krisel Lagman is proclaimed as winner for her second term as Mayor of Tabaco, Albay. Norman Cruz

THE National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Wednesday said the Philippines will support the establishment of the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) Forum for the interoperability of different regulatory approaches to data privacy and protection across the world. In a statement, NPC Commissioner John Henry Naga welcomed the Philippines’ involvement in “improving cross-border data ﬂows and fostering innovation without compromising effective data protection and privacy.” “The Global CBPR Forum’s goal of promoting worldwide expansion and uptake of the Global CBPR and Privacy Recognition for Processors (PRP) Systems is aligned with the NPC’s vision of upholding the right to privacy and data protection while ensuring free flow of information,”

Naga said. In its declaration, the Global CBPR Forum intends to establish an international certiﬁcation system based on the Asia Paciﬁc Economic Cooperation (APEC) CBPR and PRP systems. However, the forum’s system will be independently administered and is separate from the APEC systems. The forum will conduct a periodical review of data protection and privacy standards of members as well as a forum for information exchange and cooperation to ensure that the program is aligned with “best practices.” “Participating economies in the APEC CBPR System plan to transition operations of the APEC CBPR and PRP Systems to the Global CBPR Forum and will provide at least 30 days’ notice to Accountability Agents,” the declaration read.

MMDA sets national art contest open for 18-to-35-year-old artists THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will hold a national art competition for Filipino artists dubbed “2022 MMDA National Art Competition” for a chance to showcase their creativity and talent through drawing, painting, and other artistic forms. MMDA chair Romando Artes said the competition “is a great opportunity for artists across the country to create and exhibit their works or art that will inspire others.” Cash prizes await the winners. The ﬁrst prize winner will receive P300,000 plus scholarship under the Art Residency Program, while the runner up will receive

P200,000 and similar scholarship. Four ﬁnalists will also receive P50,000 each. “As part of the MMDA’s mandate to preserve and further promote the culture, not just of Metro Manila, but of the entire country, we are launching the 2022 National Art Competition to encourage Filipino artists to showcase their skills,” Artes said. “Through this competition, we can immortalize the varied yet rich culture of our country and appreciate it through visual arts,” he added. The competition is an offshoot of the “I Love MM

(Metro Manila)” metro-wide photography, songwriting, and painting contests in November last year which were held to highlight the National Capital Region’s growth and progress,. The competition is open to all Filipino artists aged 18 to 35 years old. No participation fee is required. Contestants must declare that their entry to the competition is their original work and has not been used or submitted to other competitions. They must also declare that their entry does not infringe on any third party’s copyright. Vito Barcelo

Rotary Club Manila presents 17 winners in 8th Tourism Awards THE Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) and co-partner Ralphs Wines and Spirits, have presented17 recipients of the 8th Tourism Awards in a simple ceremony during a recent luncheon meeting at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City. Present during the affair were the awardees along with RCM Tourism Awards Committee members Capt. Stanley Ng. acting president and chief operating ofﬁcer of the Philippine Air Lines (PAL); Bernd Schneider, cluster general manager of Rafﬂes & Fairmont Makati which was adjudged “Most Resilient Luxury Hotel”; Lucio Tan III representing Dr. Lucio Tan, vice president and director of PAL Holdings, Inc., cited as “Most Resilient Airline” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gigi Gaw, sales and marketing director of Heritage Hotel representing general manager Farid Schoucair ; Josephine Floresca- Pellicer, managing director of Le Charme Suites Subic; Rotarian Nagi Zeitouni, qwner- N&MMO Chef Gourmet Inc. for Food Tourism - Food Distribution; Rotarian Lawrence Li Tan. CEO of The

Millennial Concept Factory Inc. - Tourism Cultural Promotion; Alfred Reyes, GM of Bai Hotel Cebu for Hotel General Manager of the Year; OWWA Deputy Administrator Arnel Ignacio representing Administrator Hans Cacdac for the support of OWWA to the hotel industry and the OFW during the COVID-19 pandemic. Star Rotarian Richard Joseph Chang Li , COO of Kuya J Restaurants for Food Tourism - Filipino Cuisine also represented Rtn Rami Chahwan, COO of Three Bears Group Corporation Inc. Holdings, Director of the Board of Dominos; Chairman of the Board of Coolblog - Food Tourism, Pizza Desserts and Beverages. Also present were Sinan Duman president of Deluks Turizm- Travel Agency of the Year); Rotarian Sinan Batur (owner, S&L Fine Foods Inc. and Brera Delicatessen & Butchery - Food Tourism, Fine Dining); RCM: Director Amading Valdez (Director-in-Charge of Vocational Service); RCM Immediate Past President Bobby Joseph (chairman of Tourism Awards; RCM Pres Chito Zaldarriaga; RCM PE Hermie Esguerra : Mr Jarryd N. Bello (representative

ROTARY AWARDEES. The Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) and its co-partner Ralphs Wines and Spirits present 17 recipients of the 8th Tourism Awards in a simple ceremony during a luncheon meeting at the Heritage Hotel. of Tagaytay City Mayor Agenes Tolentino)Destination of the Year; Vice Governor Reynaldo “Junrey” San Juan, JR. representing Governor Rebecca Ynares of Rizal Province – Emerging Adventure Destination of the Year; Star Rtn Joey Garcia, EVP/ COO of Rairaiken Group - Food Tourism, Casual Japanese Restaurant; RCM: Director Amading Valdez (Directorin-Charge of Vocational Service); RCM Immediate Past President Bobby Joseph (chair-

man of Tourism Awards; RCM Pres Chito Zaldarriaga; RCM PE Hermie Esguerra : Mr Jarryd N. Bello (representative of Tagaytay City Mayor Agenes Tolentino)Destination of the Year; Vice Governor Reynaldo “Junrey” San Juan, JR. representing Governor Rebecca Ynares of Rizal Province – Emerging Adventure Destination of the Year; Star Rtn Joey Garcia, EVP/ COO of Rairaiken Group - Food Tourism, Casual Japanese Restaurant.

for its positive impact on the Philippine’s agriculture sector. “The law opened up the rice market, imposed tariff on imported rice, created the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund and lowered the price of the commodity in the market for the benefit of the general population,” Dominguez said. Since the law was implemented, the government has earned a total of P46.6 billion in rice import tariffs. This amount directly benefitted the rice farmers who get credit access, high-quality inbred rice seeds, extension and training and farm mechanization to assist rice farmers to build productivity and enhance their competitiveness. “The RTL was finally achieved after more than 30 years of failed attempts under previous administrations. The law opened up the Philippine rice market and in turn, lowered the price of the country’s staple food for more than 100 million Filipinos,” Dominguez noted.

Two overstaying Chinese wanted for fraud nabbed by Immigration THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested two Chinese nationals wanted by authorities in Beijing, China for fraud. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente identiﬁed the two foreigners as Sun Feng and Xia Yaqin who were arrested in Santa Rosa, Laguna by operatives of the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU). Morente said Sun would be deported to China as ordered by the BI board of commissioners in March 2019. Information from the Interpol’s national central bureau (NCB) in Manila revealed that Sun was the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by the municipal public security bureau in Jiangyin, China on Jan. 7, 2012. He was reportedly charged before the said court for the crime of contract fraud in connection with his involvement in an investment scam when he was a high-ranking ofﬁcer of a Chinese government-owned bank 10 years ago. Chinese authorities said that as director of the bank, Sun swindled his victims of around 145 million yuan, or roughly $21.6 million, in a fraudulent high-interest loan scheme. BI-FSU acting chief Rendel Ryan Sy said that during the operation, arresting agents chanced upon Xia, who has yet to undergo deportation proceedings. It turned out that she was also wanted for fraud and subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Jiangyin municipal public security bureau on March 5, 2012. Sy said Sung and Xia have hidden in the country for more than 10 years to evade prosecution for their crimes. He added that both foreigners were overstaying and considered undocumented since their passports were already cancelled by the Chinese government. Vito Barcelo

Basilan ambush leaves 2 dead, 3 injured ZAMBOANGA CITY—A postelection violence in a remote community in Basilan reportedly killed a couple and injured at least three others on Wednesday morning. Basilan police director Col. Pedro Martirez said the incident happened at around 11 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Matikang in Lantawan town. Martirez identiﬁed the fatalities as Omar Manasal, 37, and his wife, Nurmina, 39. Injured were Sandra Manasal, 45, and Benhad, 44, also both surnamed Manasal. Manasal’s group was reportedly in a convoy of vehicles traveling toward the capital city of Isabela when they were ambushed by unknown assailants. Initial investigation said the victims were followers of Suhod Manasal, a former councilor of Barangay Bagbagon, Lantawan. Manasal was known as a supporter of the Ismael couple—Nursiya and Rustam—who were proclaimed on Wednesday as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, of Lantawan. Martirez declined to comment if the incident is election-related, pending investigation.

Hontiveros has mixed emotions as lone opposition in Magic 12 By Macon Ramos-Araneta RE-ELECTIONISt Senator Risa Hontiveros said she is happy to be included in “Magic 12” in the senatorial race, but admitted that in her heart, there are mixed emotions of sadness and disappointment. “I cannot almost believe, and there is also shame. There are really mixed feelings in my heart this week,” Hontiveros, in an interview with DZMM, said. Hontiveros thanked those who trusted and supported her, while giving her assurance that she will always standby Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. She is the only opposition candidate who will most likely make it to the list of senators. Senator Leila De Lima, who sought a fresh mandate, failed to make the top 12. De Lima expressed her appreciation to friends, volunteers, individuals, and groups who tirelessly supported her reelection bid. The opposition senator noted she continues to find strength from the people who never gave up in fighting for and with her. While she described the journey for

the past three months as “an uphill battle,” the lady senator from Bicol stressed that she considers the experience as an “irreplaceable treasure.” “I would not have been here as senator without your help, hard work and sacrifices. And I would not have had the strength and courage to keep fighting without your support and faith,” she said. “As I have said, win or lose, it is the compassion for each other and love for our country that matter–love that propels our shared causes, no matter the cost or consequences,” De Lima said. Ultimately, De Lima said she did not regret anything, stressing that she is still, and forever will be, thankful for the opportunity to serve the Filipinos. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV has conceded defeat in the recently-concluded senatorial race, saying that democracy is alive in the country as people picked their preferred leader. “It may have been the most emotional campaign in our history, but it still turned out to be the most peaceful,” he said. In the end, even if we have different beliefs, we are all Filipinos,” he also said.

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

News Members of the Marikina City Environmental Management Office segregate campaign materials at the Recovery Facility in Marikina City to recycle plastic catwalks, sacks, and other materials for the city’s construction projects. Mike De Juan

RECYCLING OF CAMPAIGN MATERIALS. The EcoWaste Coalition is promoting the reuse and repurposing of 2022 elec-

Cayetano: Poll winners do not have luxury of taking vacations F By Maricel V. Cruz

ORMER Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has appealed to winners in the general elections to “hit the ground running” so that the country would not lag further behind during the worsening economic crisis.

“Whoever wins in whatever position – be it local, national, party-list– I think we need to hit the ground running” Cayetano told reporters. He stressed that with economic problems “piling up,” newly elected officials do not have the luxury to take a “vacation” even after the intense campaign period. He said among others, the prices of fertilizers, basic goods, and transport have gone up. “The government will also have to make hard de-

Isko to groups: Follow law on gatherings in public places MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has ordered the Manila Police District to strictly implement Batas Pambansa 880, otherwise known as “The Public Assembly Act of 1985.” Domagoso on Wednesday signed a memorandum order addressed to Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, MPD District Director, and his station commanders as well as all barangay officials in the city. He said groups that are planning to hold any public gatherings in Manila should first obtain a permit from the city government. “Tapos na ang kampanya, tapos na ang halalan, nag-desisyon na ang tao. Now, we have to put things in the right order. For the purposes of moving on at kayo ay maibalik na sa normal, yung normal na pamumuhay, kailangan na pong ilagay natin sa tamang perspektibo ang mga bagay-bagay (The campaign and elections are over, the people have decided. Now, we have to put things in the right order. For the purpose of moving on, so that you can go back to normal everyday living, we have to put everything in the right perspective),” Domagoso said. The MPD said at least 400 protesters trooped in front of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday to protest the alleged widespread electoral fraud and unpreparedness of the poll body. “My job is to keep you safe. My job is to give you opportunity. Ang trabaho ko ay mabigyan kayo ng maaliwalas, matiwasay, at panatag na pamumuhay sa lungsod ng Maynila (My job is to assure the peace and order without disruptions so you can carry on your normal lives),” he said. Domagoso directed Manila Barangay Bureau director Romy Bagay to ensure the strict implementation of his directive in all villages. Bureau of Permits director Levi Facundo was also directed to “act promptly and expeditiously on applications for a permit in accordance with BP 880”.

tion campaign materials to conserve resources and prevent pollution. Manny Palmeoro Manny Palmero

cisions in balancing wages and what businesses can afford,” he said. Cayetano is at seventh spot in the senatorial race according to the partial and unofficial count from the Commission on Elections. Asked if he will pursue the Senate presidency should he make a comeback in the Senate, Cayetano said it remains to be seen. Cayetano also added that disaster response has to go beyond delivering relief goods and must include rehabilitation as well, as he called on the Senate to pass the bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). Cayetano made the call as parts of Visayas and Mindanao continue to reel from the aftermath of Tropical Storm Agaton that left 212 people dead and 132 missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC). “I hope we don’t have to wait for the next Senate kasi meron pa namang ilang session days bago matapos po ang Kongresong ito (because we still have a few session days before the [18th] Congress ends),” he

added. The storm affected more than 2.2 million people across nine regions of the country, leaving an estimated P1.3 billion in agricultural damage and another P6.9 million in damages to infrastructure. The NDRRMC also reported that it has released more than PHP82 million in relief goods and other forms of assistance to those affected by “Agaton’’ as of April 24. Cayetano also pointed out that having a single government agency in charge of disaster response in the country will ensure accountability. “Yung Department of Disaster Resilience po ay napaka importante kasi kailangan po pagdating sa pagmi-mitigate ng mga disasters at tsaka pagdating po sa rehabilitation, may isang nagtuturo, may isang pong accountable, at isa pong nakatutok talaga dyan (The Department of Disaster Resilience is so important to mitigate disasters and when it comes to rehabilitation, there should be an entity that should take responsibility and be held accountable),” he said.

Manila, QC start removing election campaign materials THE local governments of Manila and Quezon City have started removing election campaign materials used during the May 9 polls. During his Facebook live update on Wednesday, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said he ordered the Department of Public Service (DPS) to clear the streets and other areas of campaign materials to prevent them from ending in riverways and esteros. “I have ordered, and thanks to DPS Director Kenneth Amurao and City Engineering office at City Electrician Office, na kung saan tanggalin na ang mga naiwang paraphernalia ng mga kandidato sa poste, sa pader, sa bakod, sa mga commercial area, at mga kawad ng kuryente (to clear the paraphernalia left by the candidates in electric posts, walls, commer-

cial areas, and power lines),” Domagoso said. He also called on private individuals who may be having a hard time cleaning their areas to seek assistance from the city government. Domagoso, who already conceded his defeat in the presidential race, said the city government will immediately respond to their requests. Barangay officials are also encouraged to cooperate and clear their respective areas, he added. Quezon City reelected Mayor Joy Belmonte has also directed the Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works of Quezon City (DSQC) in cooperation with the city’s 142 barangays to conduct a massive clean-up drive. “This is meant to ensure that election

paraphernalia will be disposed of properly and not clog the city’s waterways. Kailangan nating masiguro na mabilis at maingat nating maililigpit ang mga campaign paraphernalia at hindi maging sanhi ng anumang problema sa ating lungsod (We need to ensure that these campaign paraphernalia are immediately taken away and not cause further problem in the city),” Belmonte said. The DSQS and the Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), she said, have already collected tons of election campaign materials along Maginhawa Street and the nearby Barangay Teachers Village. Meanwhile, reusable materials are temporarily kept at the barangay Commonwealth material recovery facility for possible recycling.

Along Malapitan wins Caloocan; Valenzuela also names winners

By Jun David

MAYOR-ELECT Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan was formally proclaimed as the new mayor of Caloocan following his father’s proclamation as the winning District 1 Representative of the city, incumbent Mayor Oca Malapitan. The Malapitans thanked the people of Caloocan for their support. “My victory is the victory of every Batang Kankaloo. The campaign is over, the election is over, let’s start working for our countrymen. Now is the time for unity no matter what political color you are,” said the younger Malapitan. Incumbent Karina Teh was also proclaimed as the new city vice mayor. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) also formally announced the winning officials of Valenzuela on Tuesday. Deputy speaker Wes Gatchalian will be the next mayor of the city after getting 275,650 votes, replacing his brother Rex who was proclaimed the new District 1 representative with 141,794 votes. Meanwhile, District 2 Representative Eric Martinez retained his seat with 132,241 votes, as did Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja with 257,530. The elected councilors of District 1 are Marlon Alejandrino, Ramon Encarnacion, Ricarr Enriquez, Cris Feliciano, Bimbo dela Cruz, and Ghogo Lee. On the other hand, the elected councilors of District 2 are Gerald Galang, Niña Lopez, Sel Sabino-Sy, Louie Nolasco, Mickey Pineda, and Chiqui Carreon.

Rosal proclaimed as new Albay governor THE Albay Provincial Board of Canvassers has proclaimed Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal as new Legazpi governor, after defeating incumbent Governor Al Francis Bichara with a wide margin of over 230,000 votes. Based on the official canvass results from Albay’s 15 towns and three cities, Rosal garnered 469,481 votes while Bichara got 238,746. Observers believed that Rosal’s prestigious awards and notable accomplishments in this city propelled him to the gubernatorial post through a landslide win. Rosal is a former chairman of the Bicol Regional Peace and Order Council and the current chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC). As Legazpi City mayor for 18 years, Rosal received local, national and international PREPARING FOR PROTEST ACTIONS. Truncheons and helmets awards and recognition from known awardgiving bodies, including those from the United are laid on the ground by members of the Manila Police District Command in preparation for demonstrators who are going to hold protest actions in front of Nations, Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the United the Commission on Elections in Intramuros. Danny Pata

States Agency for International Development (USAID) for good governance. Other recognitions received by Legazpi during Rosal’s incumbency were: Most BusinessFriendly City, Gawad Kalasag, Seal of Good Housekeeping, Rice Achievers Awards, Sandugo national award, Seal of Good Governance Hall of Famer, Most Livable City, and the Wind Vane Award from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). On the other hand, Bichara had served as mayor and congressman before becoming the incumbent governor of Albay. He also served as ambassador to Lebanon during the Arroyo administration. Meanwhile, in an interview on Wednesday, Rosal said his landslide victory in the recent election is a manifestation of the change that the people of Albay have called for.

Malvar taps ecoloop on sustainable waste disposal THE town Malvar in Batangas has signed a partnership with ecoloop to address the municipality’s need for a sustainable and efficient waste disposal solution. Ecoloop is the official resource recovery and co-processing arm of Republic Cement. Co-processing helps reduce wastes that end up in landfills and bodies of water, providing total and complete disposal with no byproducts. Moreover, co-processing reduces the consumption of non-renewable resources of energy, thereby also lowering carbon footprint in the cement manufacturing process. Ecoloop’s “Waste for Cement” program in Malvar is a way for the town to dispose of residual plastic wastes in exchange for cement that can be used for environment or social development projects.

Since partnering with Republic Cement in 2014, the Municipality of Malvar has been able to divert over 335 truckloads of baled plastic wastes away from landfills and waterways. The success of this partnership highlights the critical role of barangays in ensuring proper segregation of wastes at source. 4Ps beneficiaries also provided a significant contribution to proper waste segregation and collection, through its community service component. Strong LGU support coupled with consistent information, education, and communication campaigns helped ensure successful implementation at the grassroots level. The LGU also further supported this initiative by hosting contests among participants to raise awareness and encourage residents to participate in proper waste segregation.

NEW MANDALUYONG MAYOR. Former Comelec chair

Benjamin Abalos Sr. (2nd from left) has been proclaimed as the new mayor of Mandaluyong City at the lobby of Mandaluyong City Hall on Tuesday. Manny Palmero

Opinion The big question in anti-Marcos voters’ minds

THE results of the first 2022 voterpreference survey – 55 percent of voters preferred former Senator Ferdinand marcos Jr. and 23 percent preferred Vice President Leni RObredo, with the three other major presidential candidates faring worse than the VP – came as a great shock to the supporters of the nation’s second-highest official. How, Ms. Robredo’s supporters asked, could the voter preference of the son and namesake be so high, and how could that of the VP be so low, when (1) there was a huge body of voters who chose her in the 2016 vice presidential race against Marcos, (2) she has a far better publicservice record than he does, (3) the dictator’s son was facing numerous disqualification cases and (4) he is a member of the most reviled First Family in the history of this country?

Has VP Robredo been the victim of a one-two boxing-style combination? The voter preference survey firms stoutly insisted that their methodologies were good and that they had done a good job of survey-sample preparation. They were impervious to any suggestions regarding the representativeness of their 2,400-respondent sample. All of the Philippine electorate’s major segments were adequately represented in the survey samples, they insisted. Naturally, either one of two things could happen to the voter-

preference survey findings. Either they would be validated by the actual election results – and the survey firms would look great – or the very high Marcos figures and the very low Robredo figures would end up being way off the mark and the polling firms would end up with eggs on their faces. Clearly, the firms’ reputations were on the line; if the May 9 results were far from their Marcos 55-Robredo 23 prognostication, their professional credibility would take a big hit. But a corresponding risk was involved for the voter-preference survey firms. If the actual number of votes cast for Ferdinand marcos Jr. and Vice President Robredo hewed close to the unprecedentedly high forecast for the former and the abnormally low figure for the latter, would the suspicion not arise that there was a connection between the voter preference survey numbers and the number of votes cast for those two candidates on May 9? Might it not occur to some logically minded people that there was an unholy alliance between personnel of the polling firms and the Commission on Elections, to the end that the nation would be led to believe that the polling firms were right after all? In fact, this thought has occurred to many people, even people who are not Kakampink. After all, there is an uncanny, close correspondence between the 55-percent voter preference reported by the polling forms and the commanding lead established by Marcos as soon as the votes started to be counted. Has VP Robredo been the victim of a one-two boxing-style combination involving the polling firms’ preelection mind conditioning and the Comelec’s mischief? That is the big question on the minds of anti-Marcos voters. Many circumstances point to an affirmative answer.

Everyman

Comelec caught between the devil and the deep blue sea By Nonnie Pelayo AND so it came to pass. The Commission on Elections pulled off what it failed to do in the past elections—start reporting the transmissions of election results about an hour after the closing of the polls. Poll officials credited better preparation and improvement of facilities for the unexpected speed of transmission of poll results. This got the tongues and the texting fingers of thousands to go on overdrive as they immediately yelled “cheating” and posted their “expert” observations on the conduct of the elections, when the results reported did not come to their liking. All sorts of conspiracy theories on the results of Monday’s elections will surely be circulated in the coming months, if not years to come. As early as Tuesday, one conspiracy theory, quoting a “friend whose son is a PMA [Philippine Military Academy] graduate” saying that “my son said ...” already made the rounds of various social media platforms. More will surely follow. It is not every election that the

winner in the presidential race gets a clear mandate as in the May polls. That event has triggered the usual accusations of cheating, with the stories embellished as they are resent. So many “whys” are being floated from why it it that the statistical difference between the leading bets in the course of the counting was almost the same despite the arrival of votes from the bailiwicks of candidates to why is it that the vote counting machines in certain areas that are considered “critical” broke down? And the Comelec? No amount of explanation from its officials will assuage the frustration, anger, and even despair of the supporters of losing candidates. But you can not blame them. They gave their all for their candidates and thus, will not take defeat easily. In the passion of the campaign, many of these supporters even resorted to heckling people who were not wearing clothes of their favorite color or worse, were clad in hues that they detest. Now that emotions are spent, it will do well for the supporters of all candidates, winners and losers, to take stock and think of ways of

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EDITORIAL

The truth will out O amount of lies can hide the truth for long.

‘Putin must go. He started a senseless war and is leading Russia into a ditch.’

This is the lesson that the dictator Vladimir Putin learned this week, after journalists and hackers defied draconian measures to censor the truth about the bloodthirsty war he had launched on Ukraine on Feb. 24. On Monday, two Russian journalists appeared to post at least 30 articles criticizing the invasion, which Putin has hidden behind the euphemistic “special military operation.” Each article posted on the proKremlin news site Lenta.ru, started with the same plea under the headline: “Disclaimer: This material is not approved by the state, therefore the Presidential administration will delete it... In other words: TAKE A SCREENSHOT URGENTLY before it’s deleted.” The articles were taken down almost immediately after they were published—but not before the world, and presumably many Russians--took notice. In the articles, journalists Egor Polyakov and Alexandra Miroshnikova accused Putin of launching one of the bloodiest wars of the 21st century and said Russian defense officials were lying to relatives of those killed on the Moskva, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet flagship that was sunk by Ukrainian missiles.

“Putin and his circle are doomed to face a tribunal after the end of the war,” Polyakov and Miroshnikova wrote. “Putin and his associates won’t be able to justify themselves or flee after losing this war.” Polyakov and Miroshnikova, both business editors at Lenta.ru, later issued a statement after their articles were published. “Putin is a paranoid dictator,” they said. “Putin must go. He started a senseless war and is leading Russia into a ditch.” Polyakov and Miroshnikova rejected the government line on Russia’s invasion and accused Putin of lying about his intentions in Ukraine from the start. “Putin repeatedly lied about his plans for Russia in Ukraine, naming one goal at first then a completely different one.” They pointed to Putin’s call for a “liberation of Donbass,” “de-Nazification,” and the “demilitarization of Ukraine,” as examples of what they describe as hastily put together justifications for

a needless war. The Russian parliament passed a law in early March criminalizing what it considers to be falsehoods about Russia’s war in Ukraine, punishing such offenses with jail time of up to 15 years—so Polyakov and Miroshnikova have understandably fled Russia. The duo appeared to sign off from Lenta.ru saying, “We’re looking for work, lawyers and probably, political asylum!” “Don’t be afraid, don’t be quiet,” they continued. “Resist! You are not one, you are many! The future is yours!... Peace to Ukraine!” Meanwhile, Russians tuning into broadcasts of Putin’s Victory Day parade in Moscow were met with a message they have never seen on statecontrolled TV. Russian satellite television menus were hacked, leaving viewers with program schedules that told them Putin’s war on Ukraine left them with blood on their hands. “You have the blood of thousands of Ukrainians and hundreds of dead children on your hands,” said one slogan. “The TV and the authorities are lying. No to war,” said another. The anti-war slogans also appeared on cable television. No amount of lies and cover-ups will suppress the truth. Over time, even those who have been brainwashed will come to realize the crimes that have been committed in their names.

The morning after

WE JUST went through another milestone last Monday when the country went to the polls to elect a new President. We have been doing this since 1935 with some interruptions like war and martial law. The vibrancy and fervor in which we conducted the campaign and the traditional “miting de avance” is a healthy sign that our democratic traditions are alive and well. This is notwithstanding the many problems that we always encounter every time we have elections which we somehow always find ways to get over with after the vote. The big challenge now is how to navigate the next six years so that the country can move forward. We of course, do not yet have the final results but all indications point to BBM and his running winning by a landslide victory. It is in the national results that the wait is longer. It appears that the results have very little deviations from the survey projections prior to the elections. BBM and Sara are on the verge of a historic win that will break all records since we started our multi-party system. They will be the first team to emerge with more than 50 percent of the votes. That is a humongous political capital to start a government. Some of the losing presidential and vice-presidential candidates already congratulated and conceded the election to the emerging winners. With this apparent resounding victory however, one

With all the problems confronting the country, it is a wonder why so many still want to be the leader.

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

thing that I have observed the morning after is that instead of the nation being in a celebratory mode, the atmosphere appeared to be subdued. With the kind of lead that the UniTeam has over the others, one would think of street jubilations but there was nothing of that sort except silence and guarded statements. The stock exchange even lost ground instead of gaining.

Let’s hope BBM uses his huge political capital well. A bad omen? Perhaps, everyone is trying to reflect on what just happened and asking the question: what now? And this is a fair question to ask for the victors, fence sitters and those opposed. For one thing, I do not think that it will be business as usual with a UniTeam administration. Change is in the air and it is but proper for everyone to reflect on this and prepare for adjustments. In the Senate race, the biggest surprise is that movie actor Robin Padilla is leading the pack according to the initial unofficial returns. With Jinggoy Estrada also within the so-called Magic 12 at the moment, we might be having two movie personalities in the Senate. The public doesn’t seem to tire of electing film artists to public office. It does also look that we will be seeing an eclectic group of 12 new senators being elected composed of two pairs of siblings and other backgrounds. Some of the old guards appear to be struggling to get into the Magic 12 and many of them will almost certainly not

helping the country, whoever the leader is. As it is, outside forces have adversely affected the Philippines and the next administration will need all the help it can muster from the citizens to get the country get out of the rut caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that originated from the empire of Emperor Xi as well as the

make it. For the first time in recent political memory, we have a current president who did not openly endorse a successor. President Duterte cannot seem to make up his mind whether to endorse or not. He ended up not doing it. At a glance, we will have a president who will take office not beholden to his predecessor much like former President Joseph Estrada who was elected in spite of not being endorsed by him. Whether this means anything at all is hard to say. Perhaps, it does not really matter. So, if it is BBM who will eventually be proclaimed, what sort of government can we really expect? Any answer to this question will be purely speculative. We can only hazard an educated guess when the appointments to his cabinet and advisers will be made public. But right now, speculation will not really help at all so again, we have to be patient and wait. During the campaign, BBM’s main message was unity. He stressed his desire to unify the country. He did not go into specifics but he realized early on that in order for him to succeed as president, he needs to unify a fractured and divided country. For one, it will nip in the bud any attempt by any group to create a situation that will make it hard for BBM to govern. It is therefore imperative that this should be the focus on his first day in office to convince and make the masses believe that he is the president of all Filipinos. No president in recent memory has won the presidency with more than 50 per cent of the votes as BBM appears poised to accomplish. He will be our first majority president. Let’s hope he uses this huge political capital well for the good of all the people.

war in Ukraine being waged by Tsar Vladimir. With all the problems confronting the country, it is a wonder why so many still want to be the leader. Nonnie Pelayo spent 44 years as an active journalist and is the former news editor of Business Mirror.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

World

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Israeli forces kill journalist in ‘cold blood’ in West Bank

ETERAN Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh was shot dead by Israeli troops Wednesday as she covered a raid on Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, the network said.

Al Jazeera said Abu Aqleh, 51, a prominent figure in the channel’s Arabic news service was shot “deliberately” and “in cold blood,” by Israeli troops. The Israeli army confirmed it had conducted an operation early Wednesday in Jenin refugee camp, a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups in the northern West Bank. It firmly denied, however, that it had deliberately targeted journalists. “The (army) of course does not aim at journalists,” a military official told AFP. “There is an ongoing inquiry into this event. We offered and want to conduct a joint investigation with the Palestinians.” The army said there was an exchange of fire between suspects and security forces and that it was “investigating the event and looking into the possibility that journalists were hit by the Palestinian gunmen.” An AFP photographer at the scene said Abu Aqleh was wearing a press flak jacket when she was shot. Al Jazeera called on the international community to hold Israeli forces accountable for their “intentional target-

ing and killing” of Abu Aqleh. “In a blatant murder, violating in- IN COLD BLOOD. Mourners carry the body of veteran Al Jazeera Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh, who was shot dead by ternational laws and norms, the Israeli Israeli troops as she covered a raid on the West Bank’s Jenin refugee camp, according to the network, on May 11, 2022 as her body is occupation forces assassinated in cold transferred from Jenin to Jerusalem ahead of her funeral. AFP blood Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Palestine,” it said. Another Al Jazeera journalist, producer Ali Al-Samudi, was wounded during the clash, the broadcaster added. ELON Musk said on Tuesday that as The Tesla chief’s $44-billion deal to online town square where everyone can In recent weeks, the army has stepped owner of Twitter he would lift the ban buy Twitter must still get the backing be heard. up operations in Jenin, an historic flashon Donald Trump, contending that of shareholders and regulators, but he “Elon Musk would open the floodpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conkicking the former US president off the has voiced enthusiasm for less content gates of hate and disinformation on flict. Several of the assailants blamed platform “alienated a large part of the moderation and “time-outs” instead of Twitter,” said Media Matters for Amerfor deadly attacks on Israelis in recent country.” bans. ica president Angelo Carusone. weeks were from the area. Musk’s endorsement of a Trump return Trump was booted from Twitter and “Whether Elon Musk is a fully redThe army said that during its operato the global messaging platform trigother online platforms after supporters pilled right-wing radical or just sometion in the camp, “massive fire was shot gered fears among activists that Musk fired up by his tweets and speech alone very interested in enabling righttoward Israeli forces by tens of armed would “open the floodgates of hate.” leging election fraud attacked the US wing extremists, the result is the same.” Palestinian gunmen.” “I would reverse the permanent ban,” Capitol on January 6, 2021 in a deadly The American Civil Liberties Union People in the camp “also hurled exthe billionaire said at a Financial Times bid to stop Joe Biden from being certi(ACLU), however, backed Musk’s perplosive devices toward the soldiers, conference, noting that he doesn’t own fied as the victor in the US presidential spective. endangering their lives. The soldiers Twitter yet, so “this is not like a thing election. “Elon Musk’s decision to re-platform responded with fire toward the sources that will definitely happen.” “I think that was a mistake because President Trump is the right call,” said of the fire and explosive devices. Hits Trump has stated publicly that he it alienated a large part of the country, organization director Anthony Romero. were identified.” would not come back to Twitter if perand did not ultimately result in Donald “Like it or not, president Trump is one The Palestinian Authority called Abu mitted, opting instead to stick with his Trump not having a voice,” Musk said. of the most important political figures in Aqleh’s killing an “execution,” and part of own social network, which has failed to Musk maintained that permanent this country, and the public has a strong an Israeli effort to obscure the “truth” about gain traction. bans undermine trust in Twitter as an interest in hearing his speech.” AFP its occupation of the West Bank. AFP

Elon Musk vows to reverse Twitter ban on Trump

Russians ‘pushed away from Kharkiv’ as US sounds alarm RUSSIAN troops are being pushed away from Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, but sounded a note of caution as Washington said Vladimir Putin won’t stop with the east and is ready for a long war. Following that bleak prediction, and after President Joe Biden warned that Ukraine would likely run out of funds to keep fighting within days, the US House of Representatives voted Tuesday to send a $40 billion aid package to the country. The US Senate is expected to rubberstamp the decision by the end of this week or next, a show of rare bipartisan support that would bring total US help to Ukraine to around $54 billion. “With this aid package, America sends a resounding message to the world of our unwavering determination

to stand with the courageous people of Ukraine until victory is won,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told her Democratic colleagues ahead of the vote. In his nightly address on Tuesday, Zelensky said he had “good news” from the northeastern Kharkiv region. “The occupiers are gradually being pushed away,” he said. “I am grateful to all our defenders who are holding the line and demonstrating truly superhuman strength to drive out the army of invaders.” The head of the Kharkiv regional state administration Oleg Synegubov said on Telegram that “fierce battles” were ongoing in the region, and that the city itself was under heavy fire. “Due to successful offensive operations, our defenders liberated Cherkasy Tyshky, Rusky Tyshky, Rubizhne and Bayrak from the invaders,” he said.

Sri Lanka orders ‘offensive’ to contain organized riots Manila

Standard

TODAY

LEVIATHAN. This handout photo released on May 10 by the US-funded Wonders of the Mekong project shows a female giant freshwater stingray – weighing 181 kg and measuring 3.96 meters in length – that was caught and released in the Mekong River in Cambodia’s Stung Treng province. Cambodian fishermen got a shock when they indavertently hooked the endangered giant freshwater stingray, scientists said May 11. AFP

In Kyiv, boxing gyms offer chance to ease war stress THE sound of hip hop mixes with the dull thud of fists walloping heavy bags as a group of Ukrainian boxers unleash combinations, burning off weeks of pent up stress. “With the curfew in the city and restrictions on movement, we needed some place to blow off steam and discharge emotional tension,” said Oleksandr, a 38-year-old employee of the International Red Cross in the (MS-MAY 12/19/26, 2022)

Ukrainian capital Kyiv who did not give his family name. “Naturally, this helps a lot,” he added after wrapping up a workout involving pad work, running and several rounds hammering away at a punching bag. Weeks after Russian forces retreated from Kyiv’s suburbs, the city is slowly returning to life, where nearly two-thirds of the capital’s residents have returned following the outbreak of the war. Restaurants are reopening and pavement cafes are once again attracting customers with the arrival of a late spring, where many appear to be ignoring the occasional air raid sirens echoing through the city. Gyms have also begun to reopen, among them the All Stars Boxing Club

in downtown Kyiv. At All Stars, trainers put boxing enthusiasts, fitness fanatics, and newcomers through their paces – jumping rope, doing crunches and sparring. For the past two decades, Ukraine has maintained a dominant presence in the boxing world, with their fighters gaining a reputation for speed, movement, and fighting IQ – skills that also appear to have been adopted on the battlefield. Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko along with his brother Wladimir held a range of heavyweight titles for years, turning the pair into superstars in Ukraine and beyond. That fame also helped drive forward Vitali’s successful political career. AFP

SRI Lankan police have been ordered to go on the offensive and use live amCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK munition to stop rioting, a top official told AFP Wednesday, after another night of sporadic arson attacks. Police say eight people have died since Monday, when frustration at the island’s dire economic crisis erupted into violence between supporters and opponents of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Even with a curfew imposed and thousands of security forces told to “shoot on sight” to prevent further unrest, a luxury hotel said to belong to a Rajapaksa relative was set ablaze Tuesday evening. “It is no longer spontaneous anger, but organized violence,” the senior security official said on condition of anonymity. “If the situation is not brought under control, there could be total anarchy.” The security official said the 85,000-strong police “have been asked to adopt an offensive stance,” and have been ordered to use live ammunition against troublemakers. A curfew imposed soon after violence broke out on Monday was due to be lifted on Wednesday morning, but it was extended by another 24 hours due to continuing violence. As well as the hotel fire, on Tuesday evening police said they shot into the air at two locations to disperse mobs trying to torch vehicles. AFP

SWAB. A health worker takes a swab sample from a child to be tested for COVID-19 at a makeshift testing site along a street in Beijing on May 11, 2022. AFP

Business PSEi May 11, 2022

TOP GAINERS

1 APC 2 APL 3 KPPI 4 GEO

LAST PRICE CHANGE 0.25 0.032 0.047 0.006 2.9 0.35 0.199 0.022

% CHANGE 14.68% 14.63% 13.73% 12.43%

5 6 7 8 9 10

0.011 1.89 0.249 6.8 8 0.355

12.24% 11.18% 11.16% 11.11% 9.89% 9.23%

MA ARA RLT AB KPH MHC

0.0012 0.19 0.025 0.68 0.72 0.03

TOP LOSERS 1 IPO 2 WEB 3 MB 4 PLC 5 PRIM 6 EURO 7 HOUSE 8 MWIDE 9 HI

LAST PRICE CHANGE 6.7 -1.28 3.5 -0.56 0.37 -0.045 0.42 -0.05 1.84 -0.16 1.01 -0.08 11.52 -0.88 4.75 -0.36 3.35 -0.25

% CHANGE -16.04% -13.79% -10.84% -10.64% -8.00% -7.34% -7.10% -7.05% -6.94%

11.2

-6.51%

AGI

-0.78

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market falls again; Ayala companies decline

HE stock market declined again Wednesday as investors turned cautious while awaiting for an announcement from presumptive president Ferdinand Marco Jr. about his Cabinet economic team.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 85.07 points, or 1.3 percent, to a near nine-month low of 6,635.86 on a value turnover of P6.6 billion. Losers beat gainers, 103 to 97, with 48 issues unchanged. Ayala Corp. of the Ayala Group sank 4.9 percent to P704, while unit AC Energy Corp. fell 3.9 percent to P6.92. Major property Ayala Land Inc. lost 2.9 percent at P30.60, but Bloomberry

Resorts Corp., a casino operator owned by port tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., advanced 6.3 percent to P6.58. The rest of Asian stocks were mixed on Wednesday, following a volatile day on Wall Street with investors concerned about surging inflation and see-sawing crude prices. Equities have been on a roller coaster ride in recent weeks, fueled by worries about inflation, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the impact of China’s COVID-19 lockdowns on global supply chains. Global investors were spooked by China’s sinking April exports―the lowest in almost two years―as well as data showing that its consumer inflation had risen at its quickest pace in nearly half a year. Some are preparing for the worst. “Equity investors are positioning for a recession; that pressure will remain

China’s April inflation rose on virus jump

acute until they see calming in rate volatility,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management. “The market seems to be fighting too many things to find its footing... The unavoidable growth concerns related to China are leaving a colossal contagion footprint across a plethora of global assets.” Millions across China―particularly in its economic engine Shanghai―have been under lockdown for weeks, while COVID restrictions have crept up in the capital Beijing. The World Health Organization on Tuesday said Beijing’s zero-COVID strategy is not sustainable given the emergency of highly contagious variants of the coronavirus. The strict policy has stopped up ports and factories, while inciting rare outrage from residents who have been forced to stay at home with no end in sight. With AFP

MOST ACTIVE

1 SM 2 ALI 3 SMPH 4 BDO 5 ICT

VOLUME 630,420 13,499,500 11,851,300 2,966,910 1,461,740

VALUE (PHP) 520,267,380 417,132,670 408,911,055 385,071,134 317,181,934

6 7 8 9

TEL ACEN AC CNVRG

167,940 40,407,900 326,610 7,554,400

314,512,165 283,330,071 233,323,040 208,988,655

BLOOM

28,742,600

187,625,662

FRANCE TELECOM TRIAL. A general view of the courtroom seen ahead of the France Telecom appeal trial held at the Palais de Justice courthouse in Paris, on May 11, 2022. The appeal trial of former France Telecom executives, including former CEO starts on May 11, 2022 in Paris, more than two years after their unprecedented conviction for moral harassment following a series of employee suicides. AFP

BEIJING, China—China’s consumer inflation rose at its quickest pace in nearly half a year, official data showed Wednesday, reflecting the growing costs of the country’s zero-COVID curbs and high commodity prices. The damage from Beijing’s strict zero- COVID strategy has been increasingly reflected in economic data, as lockdowns in key cities such as Shanghai snarled supply chains and pushed up transportation prices. April’s consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge of retail inflation, rose more than expected at 2.1 percent onyear, picking up from levels seen the month before, said the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This was due to “factors like the domestic epidemic and continued rise in international commodity prices,” the bureau’s senior statistician Dong Lijuan said in a statement. Since April, China’s biggest city Shanghai had been almost entirely sealed off. Most of its 25 million residents have been confined to their homes, while goods piled up at its port as authorities rush to stamp out the worst COVID resurgence since the early days of the pandemic. Dong said that “due to the rise in logistics costs during the pandemic and increase in demand for stockpiling,” prices of potatoes, eggs and fresh fruits ticked up. The latest figures also showed that after four consecutive months of contraction, food prices overall rose for the first time on-year in April. Meanwhile, the producer price index (PPI)—which gauges the cost of goods at the factory gate—came in at 8.0 percent, higher than expected but down slightly from in March. A key reason was that prices of commodities such as crude oil and non-ferrous metals remained at a high level, Dong said. Virus-related supply disruptions likely pushed up producer prices as well, said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics in a recent report. But he added Wednesday that “the main source of higher prices continues to be oil, gas and iron ore,” and that factory-gate prices of consumer durables and electronics were unchanged last month. AFP

Manila

New Zealand will fully reopen August—Ardern

Philip Morris offers $16b for Swedish Match

WELLINGTON, New Zealand—New Zealand will fully reopen to the world in August, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday, ending one of the toughest anti-COVID-19 border restrictions. Border safeguards will be lifted fully and all pre-departure testing dropped from 11:59 pm on July 31, with Ardern saying “New Zealand is in demand and now fully open for business.” The controls dating back to March 2020 have been hailed as world-leading in some quarters, with New Zealand boasting one of the lowest coronavirus death rates among developed nations. However, critics have decried the system as lacking flexibility and compassion, as well as curtailing the economy. For much of the pandemic, all international arrivals had to undergo two weeks of quarantine in governmentrun hotel facilities patrolled by the military. Those restrictions have already been dropped for New Zealand residents and travelers from nations with visa-free agreements. But the rest of the world had been told to wait until October. Ardern told a business audience in Auckland on Tuesday that the date had been brought forward by more than two months as part of a raft of announcements to reinvigorate the economy—most notably the ailing tourism industry. “This will be welcome news for families, businesses and our migrant communities. It also provides certainty and good preparation time for airlines and cruise ship companies planning a return to New Zealand in the peak spring and summer seasons,” she said. AFP

STOCKHOM, Sweden—Marlboro-maker Philip Morris International said Wednesday it offered $16 billion to acquire smokeless tobacco company Swedish Match as the US group aims to move away from its traditional cigarette business. The board of Swedish Match recommended that its shareholders accept the bid of 106 Swedish kronor per share, nearly 40 percent above its closing share price on Monday, the companies said in separate statements. The deal would total 161.2 billion Swedish kronor (15 billion euros). Stockholm-based Swedish Match derives more than 65 percent of its revenue from smoke-free products, including chewing tobacco and the Zyn brand of nicotine pouches. Philip Morris announced in 2016 a longterm goal to stop selling cigarettes and replace them with alternatives that it says are less harmful. The US company sells cigarette brands such as Marlboro and Chesterfield in 180 markets outside the United States and has invested billions of dollars since 2008 in vapor products, oral nicotine and other “reducedrisk” products. Last year it clinched a controversial take-

GMA NETWORK, INC.

NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS

over of British breathing inhaler manufacturer Vectura, despite fierce opposition from health campaigners and medical groups. The group plans to generate at least $1.0 billion in annual net revenues from nicotinefree products by 2025. Philip Morris and Swedish Match had confirmed the takeover talks on Monday following a Wall Street Journal report. “We are pleased to announce this exciting next step in Philip Morris International’s and Swedish Match’s trajectory toward a smokefree future,” the US company’s chief executive, Jacek Olczak, said in a statement. “Underpinned by compelling strategic and financial rationale, this combination would create a global smoke-free champion— strengthened by complementary geographic footprints, commercial capabilities and product portfolios—and open up significant platforms for growth in the US and internationally,” he said. Swedish Match is also known for making cigars and “snus,” a form of snuff particular to Nordic countries. The sale of snus, a moist powder tobacco origination from dry snuff, is illegal across the European Union, but Sweden has an exemption. AFP

Copies of GMA Network, Inc.’s latest Unaudited Interim Financial Statements (period ended March 31, 2022) (“IFS”) can be accessed through www.gmanetwork.com/asm2022 or by scanning the QR code below. Hard copies of the Company’s IFS and management discussion may be available upon written request of the stockholder, five (5) days before the May 18, 2022 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting.

Standard

TODAY 16th to 22nd Floors, Fort Legend Towers 31st Street corner 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634 Statement of Condition (Head Office and Branches) As of March 31, 2022 AMOUNTS

ASSETS

CURRENT QUARTER

PREVIOUS QUARTER

Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Other Assets-Net

498,613,781.23 3,231,649,037.73 1,189,518,658.14 232,715,957.51 5,357,331,528.60 7,694,138,185.94 35,767,551,479.20 2,157,558,000.01 33,955,437,729.16 185,716,663.00 531,160,912.97 412,486,401.77 986,729,308.46 83,361,571.03 1,294,051,217.40

598,248,744.12 4,723,217,440.82 1,192,416,156.49 699,595,874.01 5,435,868,345.14 6,630,902,784.75 31,021,221,814.08 1,833,414,050.00 29,006,559,992.69 647,553,986.00 466,306,214.61 453,338,116.92 994,256,231.88 91,324,118.36 955,753,065.50

TOTAL ASSETS

56,748,147,127.01

52,796,142,692.07

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Bills Payable a) Interbank Loans Payable Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities

66,629,902.25 41,090,031,085.33 2,276,560,000.19 2,276,560,000.19 4,521,225.24 173,586,580.73 2,767,730,897.74

126,239,469.93 37,340,057,848.41 2,039,960,000.19 2,039,960,000.19 0.00 129,295,439.80 2,639,488,983.80

TOTAL LIABILITIES

46,379,059,691.48

42,275,041,742.13

5,505,833,769.57 (470,478,817.03) 5,333,732,482.99

5,505,833,769.57 (290,452,043.35) 5,305,719,223.72

LIABILITIES

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

10,369,087,435.53

10,521,100,949.94

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

56,748,147,127.01

52,796,142,692.07

1,168,999,133.08 170,391,903.48 1,220,209,185.91 343,722,337.20 3,008,634,438.61 1,846,778,599.49 570,217,627.54 1,276,560,971.95 7,086,603,719.98 50,164,049.00

1,161,373,251.26 196,642,664.76 1,329,141,938.32 618,191,800.00 917,982,000.00 1,470,062,657.94 581,848,423.62 888,214,234.32 11,191,608,650.00 38,161,970.67

14,895,503,366.75

16,923,164,932.95

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts Derivatives Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross Total Loan Portfolio (TLP) 37,212,743,265.10 32,434,393,222.41 Specific Allowance for credit losses on the TLP 914,030,872.93 946,865,193.72 Non-performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs 918,647,087.33 852,963,233.37 b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 2.47% 2.63% c. Net NPLs 397,207,313.98 339,473,953.85 d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 1.07% 1.05% e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPL (%) 157.32% 165.68% f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPL (%) 99.50% 111.01% Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses 4,185,337,545.19 4,368,681,150.34 DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses 17,045,523.84 17,515,342.22 Ratio of DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to TLP (%) 0.05% 0.05% Gross Non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables 0.00 0.00 Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivable to TLP (%) 0.00% 0.00% Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises 2.41% 2.43% b. 2% for Medium Enterprises 1.86% 2.21% Return on Equity (ROE) (%) 1.79% 0.19% Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis a. Total CAR (%) 23.23% 26.92% b. TIER 1 Ratio (%) 22.36% 26.06% c. CET 1 (%) 22.36% 26.06% Deferred Charges not yet Written Down 0.00 0.00 Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received 0.00 0.00 Basel III leverage Ratio (BLR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations i. Capital Measure - Tier 1 9,787,203,872.34 9,937,588,889.68 ii. Exposure Measure 58,640,808,817.90 54,535,287,625.69 iii. Total BLR (%) 16.69% 18.22% Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) on Single Currency Basis, as prescribed under regulations i. Total High-Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA) 16,711,699,935.37 18,145,905,593.36 ii. Total Net Cash outflows 10,034,758,907.35 13,646,220,393.40 iii. Total LCR (%) 166.54% 132.97% I/ We hereby certify that all matters set forth in this Published Balance Sheet are true and correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief. (Sgd.) ANDREW A. FALCON Chief Finance Officer (Signature Over Printed Name)

(Sgd.) OLIVER D. JIMENO President and CEO (Signature Over Printed Name)

Business

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

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, May 11, 2022

-85.07 PTS. 6,635.86

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES DECLINES

1,918,146,930 103,210 6,641,596,321.73 97 103

UNCHANGED

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.4020

Japan

Yen

0.007668

0.4018

Pound

1.231900

64.5540

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127393

6.6756

Switzerland

Franc

1.004218

52.6230

Canada

Dollar

0.767695

40.2288

Singapore

Dollar

0.718907

37.6722

Australia

Dollar

0.693900

36.3617

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652801

139.0121

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266603

13.9705

Brunei

Dollar

0.716332

37.5372

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028931

1.5160

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2684

Euro

1.053300

55.1950

Korea

Won

0.000784

0.0411

China

Yuan

0.148494

7.7814

India

Rupee

0.012953

0.6788

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.228311

11.9640

New Zealand

Dollar

0.628900

32.9556

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033788

1.7706 Source: BSP

ICTSI invests over P900m in IT system of Manila terminal

Bloomberry investing in Uy’s casino projects By Jenniffer B. Austria

LOOMBERRY Resorts Corp., the gaming company led by businessman Enrique Razon, is investing in Dennis Uy’s hotel and casino projects in Cebu and Pampanga provinces. Bloomberry said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday it signed a term sheet agreement with PH Travel and Leisure Corp. over the proposed investment in Emerald Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Punta Engano, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu and in Clark Grand Leisure Corp. which is developing The Base Resort Hotel and Casino in Clark, Pampanga. PH Travel and CGLC are owned by PH Resorts Group Holdings Inc., the gaming and hospitality arm of Uy’s Udenna Corp. The proposed investment is subject to several conditions, including execution of mutually-acceptable definitive agreements, the approval of regulators and approval of creditors, completion

of audited financial statements, corporate approvals and cooperation on due diligence. “Certain terms and conditions of the transaction, including the method of payment and timing of closing, are still to be finalized,” Bloomberry said. Bloomberry operates Solaire Casino and Resorts within the government-sponsored Entertainment City in Paranaque. It is also constructing another hotel and casino in Vertis North in Quezon City, which is set to open in 2023. Emerald Bay Resort Hotel and Casino started construction on a 12.4-hectare property in Lapu-Lapu in December 2017. As of end-September 2021, the project was 40-percent completed,

with the main building 98.6-percent finished. The whole project will be constructed in two phases, with the first phase of Emerald Bay expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2023. The first phase is expected to have 4,514 square meters of aggregate gaming floor area, with 600 electronic gaming machines, 122 gaming tables, a five-star hotel with 270 hotel keys. Meanwhile, the second phase is expected to have 8,210 sq. m. of aggregate gaming floor area, with 729 electronic gaming machines, 146 gaming tables, a five-star hotel with about 780 hotel rooms, including five villas and MICE facilities of 1,558 sq. m. The Base Resort Hotel and Casino sits on a 4.4-hectare property within Clark Global City. The Base in Clark is envisioned to be a premier adventure-themed integrated resort. PH Resorts, however, asked the government to suspend the license of its casino project in Clark in October, citing uncertainties surrounding the casino gaming industry and stiff competition in the area.

By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said Wednesday it invested more than P900 million in information technology in the flagship Manila International Container Terminal in the last 10 years. “The hefty investments in technology are meant to crisis-proof the terminal, safeguard shipments and system processes, maximize the efficiency of its operations and maintain ICTSI’s world-class brand of customer service,” ICTSI executive vice president Christian Gonzalez said. ICTSI teamed up with PLDT Inc. last year for the rollout of 5G at MICT. The MICT is utilizing the technology to automatically weigh containers using spreader load cells in rubber tired gantries. Having this feature helps shorten truck drivers’ stay at the port as they no longer need to queue to use the terminal’s weigh bridges. 5G technology is an important cornerstone of MICT’s journey towards becoming the first smart port in the Philippines. Other 5G-integrated projects in the pipeline include truck driver messaging, remote safety monitoring using intelligent surveillance systems and remote crane monitoring using Internet of Things devices and sensors—all of which are aimed at improving safety and efficiency of port operations while reducing foot traffic inside the terminal. ICTSI launched in 2015 the Terminal Appointment Booking System at MICT to facilitate the seamless flow of cargo in and out of the port. The MICT is working on the TABS Manifesting System, which automatically captures container data and truck plate numbers during the booking process. Once the system is deployed, drivers no longer have to input anything in the terminal kiosks upon their arrival. A new MICT app is also under development. The new app is designed to give port users access to several services like Track & Trace across multiple ICTSI terminals, online payment and eventually TABS booking. It will also include features like GPS location and ETA, geofenced gate-in and yard locations for drivers.

FDI net inflows jumped 46.3% to $893m in February—BSP By Julito G. Rada NET inflows of foreign direct investments jumped 46.3 percent in February to $893 million from $611 million a year ago, reflecting the sustained investors’ confidence in the Philippine economy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday. The figure brought the net inflows in the first two months to $1.7 billion, or 8 percent higher than $1.6 billion registered in the same period last year. “The growth in FDI reflected mainly the continued infusion of funds by non-resident direct investors to their local subsidiaries,” the BSP said in a statement. “Specifically, the expansion in the January-February 2022 net inflows was due mainly to the 29.3-percent growth in non-residents’ net investments in debt instruments to $1.4 billion from $1 billion in the comparable period last year,” it said. Reinvestment of earnings was broadly stable at $152 million. Meanwhile, non-residents’ net investments in equity capital (other than reinvestment of earnings), though remaining positive, declined by 46.7 percent to $204 million from $383 million in the same period in 2021. “This resulted as equity capital placements declined by 49.4 percent to $234 million from $462 million, which more than offset the 62.1-percent drop in withdrawals to $30 million from $79 million,” the BSP said. Equity capital placements originated mainly from Japan, the United States and Kuwait. These were invested mostly in manufacturing, financial and insurance and real estate industries.

IN BRIEF Agriculture output shrank 0.3% in Q1

International Container Terminal Services Inc. invested over P900 million in information technology for its flagship Manila International Container Terminal in the last 10 years. The hefty investments in technology are desinged to crisis-proof the terminal, safeguard shipments and system processes, maximize the efficiency of its operations and maintain ICTSI’s world-class brand of customer service, according to ICTSI executive vice president Christian Gonzalez. Shown are the Berths 5 and 6 of the Manila International Container Terminal.

SM Investments booked 27% rise in 1st-quarter net income to P12b CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. said Thursday consolidated net income grew 27 percent in the first quarter to P12 billion from P9.5 billion in the same period last year, on strong performance of core retail, property and banking businesses. Consolidated revenues in the first quarter also increased by 16 percent to P112.1 billion from P96.9 billion a year ago. “Our financial performance in the first quarter showed continued recovery momentum with accelerating revenue and net income growth. As a group, we are delivering pre-pandemic performance, with strong recovery continuing in our businesses that were hardest hit by the pandemic. While there are still headwinds from geopolitical risks, we continue to see consumer confidence gaining momentum,” SM Investments president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio said. Banks accounted for 49 percent of the group’s consolidated net income,

followed by property at 29 percent and retail at 16 percent. Portfolio investments, which include logistics, gaming and leisure, food manufacturing, natural resources, dormitories and office development, contributed 6 percent to total profit. “Our portfolio investments provide us good growth opportunities as we continue to look for further investments in high growth areas in the Philippines,” DyBuncio said. The shareholders of SM Investments approved the acquisition of Philippine Geothermal Production Company in line with the group’s strong commitment to sustainability and in promoting renewable energy in the country. Retail business booked a 61-percent increase in first-quarter net income to P2.6 billion from P1.6 billion the previous year. Revenues rose 6 percent to P74.5 billion, representing 94 percent of pre-pandemic revenues, indicating strong demand especially for non-food items. Jenniffer B. Austria

LANDBANK’S AWARD. State-run Land Bank of the Philippines is recognized at the 2nd Gawad sa Paglingap sa Magsasaka at Mangingisda Awards of the Department of AgricultureAgricultural Credit Policy Council for the bank’s outstanding support to the agriculture sector and micro, small and medium enterprises amid the COVID-19 pandemic. LandBank lending program management group head and vice president Esperanza Martinez (center) receives the Gawad Lingap 2021 special award for Land Bank from DA-ACPC executive director Jocelyn Badiola (second from left), Agriculture Undersecretary Evelyn Laviña (third from left) and BSP Monetary Board Member, Dr. Bruce Tolentino (right), along with other LandBank and DA-ACPC officials.

Phoenix rebounds with P3.5-b EBITDA on increased sales By Alena Mae S. Flores EARNINGS of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. before interest, depreciation and appreciation grew 41 percent year-on-year in 2021 to P3.5 billion amid solid liquefied petroleum gas performance, consistent volume growth in its commercial and overseas sales and recovering retail volume, a top executive said Wednesday. “Our trend of delivering healthy EBITDA demonstrates our commitment to prudent management of resources and our ongoing momentum across our businesses and diversified portfolio which saw strong support from our customers and partners,” said Phoenix president Henry Albert Fadullon. Fadullon said operating income went up 87 percent to P2.3 billion in 2021, as the company delivered double-digit sales growth compared to the same period last year as operating expenses were kept in check. He said despite the challenges in new cases and emerging geopolitical risks that drive volatility in global oil prices, Phoenix benefited from strong domestic volume from improving quarterly retail performance and new canister business in LPG. “The combination of an improved operating earnings performance underpinned by continued debt reduction and the resilience of our businesses backed by active management of our inventories and receivables, help us mitigate the impact on demand and working capital,” said Fadullon. “These further establish our position as a leading independent oil company that provides retail fuels and business-to-business services and offerings that cater to our customers and partners,” he said.

AGRICULTURE and fishery production, which accounts for less than a tenth of the gross domestic product, contracted 0.3 percent in the first quarter on lower rice and corn harvests, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show. The PSA released the report ahead of the gross domestic product data announcement on Thursday. “Poultry registered expansion during the period while crops, livestock, and fisheries posted declines in the value of production,” the PSA said. Agriculture Secretary William Dar attributed the decline to the spiraling cost of farm inputs, particularly fertilizer. “We need additional fertilizer subsidy for the coming wet season. We got the support of the President, saying he will provide us with additional funds,” he said. Prices of fertilizers almost tripled in the last 2 years. On top of the P4-billion subsidy which was earmarked earlier, the DA expects an additional P6 billion, for a total of P10 billion fertilizer support for farmers. Crops registered a 1.6-percent drop in harvests in the first quarter and accounted for 58 percent of the total value of production in agriculture and fisheries. Palay and corn decreased by 1.9 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. Othel V. Campos

Factory production surged 336% in March THE manufacturing sector posted a substantial year-on-year growth both in volume and value in March, as the economy reopened further towards greater normalcy amid the easing incidents of new COVID-19 cases, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday. Data showed that the volume of production index soared by 336.3 percent in March, from a decline of 73.3 percent a year ago. It was also faster than the 75.5-percent growth in February. The PSA said of the 22 industry divisions, 15 reported positive growth, led by the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products with a 2,175.6-percent annual growth rate. The remaining seven industry divisions recorded annual decreases in their production. The manufacture of electrical equipment had the fastest annual decline of 36.5 percent. The value of production index recorded a faster year-on-year increase of 358.2 percent in March, a reversal of the 74.1-percent contraction a year ago. It was also faster than the annual growth rate of 82.9 percent in February 2022. Julito G. Rada

DMCI’s income hit record P11.3b in Q1 DIVERSIFIED engineering conglomerate DMCI Holdings Inc. on Wednesday reported its highest quarterly net income at P11.3 billion, up 165 percent from P4.3 billion in the same period last year. The firm controlled by the Consunji family, in a disclosure to the stock exchange, attributed the company’s strong first-quarter net income to the positive contribution from coal, nickel mining and power businesses. Consolidated core net income, which excludes non-recurring gain of P179 million last year mainly from the deferred tax re-measurement impact of CREATE Act on Maynilad Water Services Inc.’s service concession asset and a P12-million gain on sale of land of DMCI Homes, surged by 177 percent to P11.3 billion from P4.1 billion. “Semirara exceeded our expectations while DMCI Mining and DMCI Power both grew double-digits,” said DMCI Holdings chairman and president Isidro Consunji. “But our construction and real estate businesses are showing signs of slowdown because of knock-on effects of the pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war,” he said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Sports

Flag-bearing duty excites Asia’s top pole vaulter HANOI—Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Asia’s top pole vaulter and Filipino pride Ernest John Obiena will finally assume the duty of flag bearer for Team Philippines in the 31st Southeast Asian Games, a role he was supposed to do, but eventually let go during the Tokyo Olympics. Obiena arrived in Hanoi from Formia, Italy on Wednesday, just in time for the opening ceremonies on Thursday at the My Dinh National Stadium of the 31st edition of these games. The 26-year-old Obiena, the world’s sixth best pole vaulter but Asia’s best with a World Athletics score of 1374, was nominated Team Philippines’ flagbearer, together with Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, but the superstar weightlifter decided it should be athletics’ pride. “It’s a bigger honor kasi because ate Hidi (Diaz0 said it should be me,” said an excited Obiena upon arrival at the Noi Bai International Airport. Obiena was supposed to be Team Philippines’ Tokyo games flag-bearer, but had to step down from the honor as his arrival schedule posed a conflict to the guidelines set by the organizing committee, which said flag bearers must be in Tokyo 48 hours before the opening ceremonies. Obiena’s arrival was on the day of the opening rites. Flag-bearing duties are reserved for the best athlete/s of a country and Obiena’s appointment in the SEA Games is a validation of his vast accomplishments in the sport as a world-class athlete. That is why Obiena would be shooting for no less than the gold medal in the pole vault, where he is the overwhelming favorite with his personal best and Philippine record of 5.91 meters, achieved during the Meeting de Paris at the Stade Charlety, Paris on Aug. 28 last year. This is nearly half a meter higher than the SEA Games record of 5.45 meters he himself set in winning the gold during the Philippine SEA Games in 2019. “I’m representing athletes competing in the SEA Games, but also 109 million Filipinos back home,” said Obiena in vowing to make his countrymen proud.

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

The Philippines’ Ernest John Obiena competes during the indoor men’s pole vault Beijer gala event in Uppsala, Sweden. Obiena, the top pole vaulter in Asia and the world’s no. 6, is one of the athletes to watch out for in the Southeast Asian Games, that officially opens in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on Thursday after a six-month Covid delay with regional pride up for grabs. AFP

Comatose father inspires Padios to win PH’s 1st gold By Riera U. Mallari

ANOI—All she wanted was for her comatose father to be proud of her. She ended up making an entire nation proud and grateful.

Mary Francine Padios put the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games’ goldmedal table when the pretty 18-year-old Kalino, Aklan native ruled on Wednesday pencak silat’s women’s semi (artistic or form) tunggal single competition at the Bac Tu Lien Gymnasium here. In winning the Philippines’ first gold, Padios improved on the silver she won in the Philippines 2019 edition of the games. But on a more personal note, Padios said she was motivated to be at her best as she was inspired by her father and no. 1 fan Jerome, who suffered misfortune just before Christmas. “My dad has become my inspiration after he figured in a terrible car accident on her way home in Aklan just before Christmas,” said Padios, whose dad has fallen into a coma since. “He was so exhausted and drowsy from work he slept before the

Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz

Diaz favored to win 55-kg event gold VINH PHUC, Vietnam— Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz is the favorite to lift the gold in her division in the 31st Southeast Asian Games here. But don’t expect the Philippines’ first ever Olympic gold medalist to beat her chest. It’s just not her style. The humble Diaz refused to look past the opposition in the weightlifting battle on May 1922 at the Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Center, not for lack of training or desire, but due to the fact that on any given day, someone might just spring a surprise. “Everyone of us can win a gold medal and I can’t cite names because all of us are doing our best to perform at the highest level,” said Diaz, refusing to make any prediction in the regional multisporting competition. “I can’t make any prediction since all the athletes are capable of winning a gold medal,” added Diaz, who ended the country’s quest for a golden win in the Tokyo Olympics. A day after arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, the 31-year-old Zamboangueña plunged into training at the Steel Saigon gym to prepare for her gold medal bid in the women’s 55kg category on May

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

20. She reigned supreme in her division in the 2019 Philippine SEA Games. “I’ll train for one week here in Ho Chi Minh City to prepare myself,” said Diaz, one of several stars on the national team, the others being fellow Summit Natural Drinking Water ambassador pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, teen tennis star Alex Eala, the boxers who won medals in the Tokyo Games, and the Gilas Pilipinas squad. Helping Diaz reach topnotch form on competition day are members of the HD team who arrived with her last Tuesday in Ho Chi Minh City—head trainer Julius Naranjo, nutritionist Jeaneth Aro and sports psychologist Dr. Karen Trinidad. Diaz’s teammates on the women’s team, who will fly to Hanoi on May 16 after their rigid training at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, are reigning Asian champion Vanessa Sarno (-71 kg), Tokyo Olympian Erleen Ann Ando (64 kg), 2019 SEA Games gold medalist Kristel Macrohon (+71 kg), 2019 SEA Games silver medalist Margaret Colonia, Asian Championships silver winner Mary Flor Diaz (45 kg) and Rosegie Ramos (49 kg).

wheel and met the accident.” “He has been motivating me ever since,” said Padios, whose 9.960 score bested favorite Arum Sari of Indonesia who settled for silver with 9.945. Vietnam bolstered its bid to snatch the overall title from the Philippines, having amassed a front-running haul of seven gold, five silver, and seven bronze medals as of 5 p.m. (Hanoi time) on Wednesday. Padios’s golden feat lit the Philippine campaign here that met some stiff winds in kurash, beach handball, football, and rowing. The national kurash athletes won 2 silver medals courtesy of Helen Aclopen (women’s -48kg) and Charmea Quelino (women’s -52kg), who also came up with bronze medals courtesy of George Baclagan and Renzo Cazeñas.

Mary Francise Padios

On Tuesday, Filipino beach handball players gave Vietnam but eventually lost in a shootout 14-12, 18-12 (8-10) to settle for a silver medal that coach Joanna Franquelli said shone like gold. “I am really proud of what the team has accomplished in two years that we were not able to train together because of the restrictions due to COVID-19, but we’re happy with the result,” Franquelli, a former national athlete in basketball and fencing, said. “We exceeded expectations, and no one expected us to get this silver. They

were expecting Vietnam and Thailand to slug it out for the gold, but it turned out that we’re the one who fought for the gold, and it was a close one,” Franquelli added. Pinoy rowers made their presence felt on other fronts despite using borrowed boats, bagging a silver and bronze medal, respectively, in the men’s doubles lightweight sculls and women’s quadruple sculls at the Thu Nguyen Boat Racing Center in Hai Phong Bay. Tokyo Olympic Games veteran Cris Nievarez and Christian Joseph Jasmin settled for the silver with a time of seven minutes and .05.585 seconds, finishing behind the Indon tandem of Ardi Kasadi and Kakan Usmana (7:01.385). Joannie del Gaco, Amelyn Pagulauyan, Mireille Cua, and Kristine Paraon bagged the bronze by clocking 7:28.879 and contributed to the country’s medal output for the day. In football, Myanmar threw a monkey wrench on the Philippines’ Under-23 squad’s semifinal bid last Tuesday night by scoring a stunning 3-2 come-frombehind win at the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho province.

Sports

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

11-DAY CAMP.

La Carlota PPS netfest draws close to 200 bets CLOSE to 200 entries in eight age categories clash in another fierce battle for top honors and ranking points in the PPS-PEPP national age group tennis circuit, which resumed Wednesday at the Lacta tennis courts in Negros Occidental. The five-day La Carlota leg was originally slated last April but was reset due to adverse weather conditions, enabling the bidders to toughen up more and bolster their respective chances in the Group 2 tournament sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating). Alexander Po and Pete Rodriguez get the top two seedings in the boys’ 18-and-under play while Jufe-Ann Cocoy and Jasmine Jaran banner the cast in the girls’ premier division of the country’s longest-running age-grouper put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. For details, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 09154046464. The battle in 16-U class promises to be more exciting with both sides featuring full 32-player draws with Marben Alimarin, Jay Lorico, Paolo Manalang and Ian Guerra leading the boys’ cast and Daveaine Gauran, Shara Paliwag, Jasmine Jaran and Louchelaj Estember tipped to slug it out for the girls’ title. Alimarin is also entered in 14-U, another full-roster division, which also includes Andrian Rodriguez, Jay Lorico and Kurt Barrera, while Paliwag and Gauran also brace for a face-off in their side of the duel. Rodriguez, on the other hand, is the No. 1 seed in the 12-U category, also a 32-player cast, with Rafa Callao, Amik Serillo and Matthew Morris out to foil his bid while Isobel Alipoon and Mitch Cruspero are the marked players in the girls’ 12-U play of the tournament presented by Dunlop and sponsored by Mayor Rex Jalandoon.

Coaches and organizers of the Hoopz Dreams Basketball Training Center are shown before the start of the cage camp for boys and girls aged 8-to-16 years old at Brgy. 2 covered courts in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon Tuesday. The 11-day camp, conducted by skills coach Henry Subido (center), offers extensive program on fundamental ball handling and shooting skills with Renzo Subido, a North Port mainstay in the PBA, gracing the closing and graduation rites on May 21. Future camps will be held in Maramag, Valencia, Camp Philips, Kibawe and Quezon. Others in photo are (from left) Bukidnon State U PE Instructors Tom Cruz, Laurence Labadan and Aladin Opiso, Florence Subido, Brgy. 2 chair Concepcion Palo, and District 2 DepEd Supervisor Bonifacio Palo, Jr.

Miami, Phoenix back on track with blowout wins M

their respective series 3-2, needing just IAMI—Top one win from their final two games to seeds Miami and advance to the conference finals. Dallas had roared back into contenPhoenix moved to tion to level the series at 2-2 on Sunday within one win of the NBA after dropping games one and two conference ﬁnals on in Phoenix last week. But normal service resumed as Tuesday after scoring Phoenix reasserted themselves blowout victories emphatically in front of their home fans on Tuesday. against Philadelphia and Devin Booker led the PhoeDallas. nix scoring with 28 points while Deandre Ayton In Miami, Jimmy Buthad 20 points with nine ler scored 23 points in rebounds. a balanced offensive efDallas had led by as fort as the Heat thrashed much as eight points the Philadelphia 76ers during an even first 120-85 to seize control half that saw the of their best-of-seven Suns lead by three Eastern Conference at the break. playoff series. But Phoenix Jimmy Butler It was a similar erupted in the third story in Phoenix, quarter, outscoring where the Suns overDallas by 33-14 to whelmed the Mavertake a stranglehold on icks to score a 110-80 the contest. win in the Western Luka Doncic led Conference playoffs. the Mavericks scorers Both Miami and with 28 points and 11 Phoenix now lead rebounds with Jalen

Brunson providing support with 21 points. Sixers outplayed In the Eastern Conference, Miami look poised to punch their ticket to the next round after dominating a subdued Philadelphia. Few would bet against Miami closing out the series in game six on Thursday against a Philadelphia team who were outplayed in every department. Butler was one of seven Miami players who finished in double figures, with Max Strus contributing 19 points and 10 rebounds and Gabe Vincent adding 15 points. Victor Oladipo added 13 off the bench while Bam Adebayo had 12. Philadelphia meanwhile struggled to get going at any stage, with Joel Embiid, wearing a protective facemask once more to shield a fractured orbital bone, clearly not firing on all cylinders. Embiid finished with 17 points to lead the Sixers scoring, while James Harden had just 14. Overall Philadelphia shot just 31 of 85 from the field. “We did what we were supposed to do once again, we won at home,” Butler said. “We’re a different team when we make shots. But I don’t like that, I want us to get stops no matter what and then worry about making shots.” AFP

Novak, Jabeur progress in Rome, but back injury stops Raducanu ROME—Novak Djokovic’s love affair with Rome continued as the five-time champion picked up his 60th victory at the Italian Open with a 6-3, 6-2 success over Aslan Karatsev on Tuesday. Ons Jabeur eased into the second round with a straight sets win over Sorana Cirstea but US Open champion Emma Raducanu was forced to retire from her first round against Bianca Andreescu, still struggling with a back injury she picked up in Madrid last week. World number one Djokovic has never lost before the quarter-finals at the tournament and is now just three victories shy of joining the 1,000 match-wins club. “He probably has the biggest calf we have in tennis. Very strong guy, just solid from the baseline,” Djokovic said of the 35th-ranked Karatsev. “You never know with him. If he’s feeling the ball, he can be very dangerous because he stays so close to the

line, puts pressure on his opponents.” Karatsev committed 36 unforced errors during the match and Djokovic capitalised. “I’ll take this win for sure. It’s a straight-sets win against a quality opponent,” continued the Serb. Djokovic, who is in his recordextending 369th week at the top of the rankings, must reach at least the semi-finals in Rome to hold onto the number one spot, and avoid being overtaken by Daniil Medvedev. In the last 16, Djokovic will face compatriot Laslo Djere or three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka. Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas will square off for the second time in seven days after the Bulgarian moved past American qualifier Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 6-4 in first round action on Tuesday. Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman saved two match points before seeing off Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2,

3-6, 7-6 (7/3) result while British ninth seed Cameron Norrie saved 4 break points in his 6-4, 6-4 success over local wildcard Luca Nardi. He will play former US Open champion Marin Cilic next. Raducanu retires Raducanu’s retirement marked a disappointing end to a highly-anticipated clash with Andreescu, another US Open champion. Andreescu was up a set and a break, 6-2, 2-1, on Raducanu before the British 10th seed made the call to end the match. After dropping serve twice in the opening set to trail Andreescu 2-5, Raducanu took an off-court medical timeout. It was not enough, though, and she had to pull out of the contest four games later. “I’m definitely disappointed with how today went. But I guess I wanted to give it a try,” said the 19-yearold Raducanu. AFP

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns to Russia’s Aslan Karatsev during their first-round match at the ATP Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome. AFP

Morant could miss rest of post-season LOS ANGELES—Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant could miss the remainder of the NBA postseason after suffering a bone bruise in his right knee, the team announced on Tuesday. In a potentially fatal blow to the Grizzlies’ playoff hopes as the team attempts to overturn a 3-1 series deficit against Golden State, Memphis said Morant was “doubtful” to return this season. Morant limped out of the Grizzlies 142-112 pummeling by the Warriors in San Francisco on Saturday after being injured in the fourth quarter. “Morant underwent an MRI and subsequent evaluation has revealed a bone bruise in his right knee,” the Grizzlies said in a medical update. “Morant is doubtful for the remainder of the postseason but is expected to make a full recovery.” The 22-year-old superstar exited Saturday’s game at the Chase Center after Warriors guard Jordan Poole appeared to grab his right knee while chasing a loose ball. It was the latest flashpoint in a testy series between the two Western Conference rivals which has left players on both sides nursing injuries. Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins later accused Poole of “yanking” Morant’s knee and triggering the injury. Poole has insisted there was nothing sinister in the play. “It’s a basketball play,” he said. “We doubled him and I went for the ball. Obviously, you don’t want to see anybody get hurt. I’m not even that type of player.” Morant missed Monday’s game four loss to the Warriors, who snatched a 101-98 victory after trailing until 45 seconds from the final buzzer. That defeat left Memphis 3-1 down in the best-of-seven series with game five due to take place in Memphis on Wednesday. Morant is one of the next generation of superstars in the NBA. He was named the 2022 NBA Most Improved Player after averaging 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game this season. AFP

Ace steers Constantino to 1-shot Malarayat lead

Harmie Constantino beams as after scoring a hole-in-one on No. 8 of Mt, Makulot.

LIPA City, Batangas—Harmie Constantino aced No. 8 to spike a solid 32 start at Mt. Malipunyo but hobbled with two bogeys at Mt. Lobo for a 70, barely saving a one-stroke lead over Chihiro Ikeda and Marvi Monsalve at the start of the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Ladies Challenge here on Wednesday. Hard-pressed to snap a long title spell on a course where she won as an amateur over a foreign-laced pro field in 2016, Constantino delivered, setting in explosive motion her title drive with birdies on Nos. 1 and 5 before scoring a hole-in-one on the 118-yard No. 8 of Mount Malarayat’s composite 27-hole layout. But she dropped a stroke on the next par-3, No. 11 of Mt. Lobo, and the reigning Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion yielded another shot on the 15th as she struggled trying to recall

her form in scorching heat and buck the undulating Malarayat surface. “It wasn’t that good. I hit a lot of greens but missed a lot of birdie putts. I wasn’t also able to save a few par putts,” rued Constantino, referring to her muffed chances at the back for a 38. “But overall it was okay,” added Constantino, who used a pitching wedge and Titleist No. 2 ball in hitting her whopping eighth career ace, who netted her P20,000 from ICTSI, which awards the prize for the first ace in the season for both the LPGT and PGT, and P10,000 worth of products from the host club. “But I think I could’ve done better.” While Constantino nearly blew it all at Mt. Lobo, flightmate Ikeda flourished, working her way back from six down with a birdie on No. 10 and an eagle on the par5 13th off a solid drive and a superb rescue

shot from 212 yards that landed 10 feet off the cup. The multi-titled campaigner, who last won at Midlands via playoff over Pauline del Rosario, missed forcing a tie with a flubbed birdie putt from six feet on the closing par-5 hole for a 38-33. Monsalve, on the other hand, rebounded strong from bogeys on Nos. 3 and 6 with back-to-back birdies from No. 8. She bogeyed No. 14 but fought back with two more birdies on the next three holes then holed out with a birdie to negate a bogey mishap on the 17th for a 36-35 and fuel her bid for a maiden championship in the circuit put up by ICTSI. “I played steady and was consistent with my drives,” said Monsalve. “Though I missed some fairways, I was able to save some putts although I missed a couple of up-and-downs.”

Constantino’s backside meltdown also enabled a slew of others to pull within striking distance with Chanelle Avaricio, back-to-back winner at Hallow Ridge and Caliraya, failing to sustain a two-birdie, one-bogey card after five holes with bogeys on Nos. 9 and 10 for a 73. She slipped to joint fourth with Pamela Mariano, who birdied the last to salvage a 37-36. But a 20-year-old amateur from talentrich Del Monte and niece of a living legend could provide the biggest surprise in the week as Martina Miñoza turned in a 74 in her first foray on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour. She hit four birdies but made six bogeys in an otherwise impressive start for a young lass bidding to qualify in the country’s premier ladies circuit on her first try.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

Singapore bans hit Kashmir film over portrayal of Muslims SINGAPORE has banned a controversial Indian film over its “provocative and onesided portrayal” of Muslims in Kashmir that officials fear could provoke religious and ethnic tensions in the city-state. Released in March and one of India’s highest-grossing films this year, The Kashmir Files depicts in harrowing detail how several hundred thousand Hindus fled Muslim militants in Indian-administered Kashmir in 1989 and 1990. The movie has been endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and seized on by Hindu hardliners to stir up hatred against the country’s Muslim minority. Critics say it tackles themes close to the political agenda of Modi’s Hindu nationalist government, which has often been accused of marginalising and vilifying Muslims. The media regulator in Singapore

A scene from ‘The Kashmir Files’

Ken Chan sings about special someone in ‘Quaranfling’ ACTOR and singer Ken Chan bares his feelings during the quarantine with his newest single under GMA Music, “Quaranfling.” According to the 29-year-old Ken, the song is a love story that was written during the height of the pandemic “Alam natin na maraming nabuong pagmamahalan while we are in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nakita natin na in spite of what’s happening ay may magagandang bagay pa rin na nangyari sa buhay natin,” Ken starts. “There’s a silver lining, like the time and love na nagawa ko ulit for myself, for my family, and for a special someone. So, itong bagong single ko, I’m not the only person who experienced it, a lot of people have had

‘Quaranfling.’ Kaya I’m very thankful and blessed na ang GMA Music ay nakaisip ng ganito kagandang konsepto at ganito kagandang kanta na,” he adds. He also reveals how he missed singing and is thankful to GMA Music for giving him that opportunity again. This single is his comeback to the music scene since he released “1 Like” in 2019. “I really missed singing but because of GMA Music, I was given the opportunity to have a new single. For sure, marami ang makaka-relate rito dahil sa title pa lang, alam mo na agad kung ano ang kwento,” he ends. “Quaranfling” is written by Lolito Go, Jr. and is now available on various streaming platforms worldwide. Ken Chan’s newest single ‘Quaranfling’ is a love story written during the height of the pandemic

Celebrated makeup artist and stylist Fanny Serrano passes away at 72 By Patricia Taculao THE Filipino pageant, beauty, and glamor communities are mourning the unexpected loss of Fanny Serrano, whose real name is Felix Mariano Fausto Jr. Dave Ocampo, a fashion designer and the vice president for External Affairs of Designers Circle Philippines, shared his emotions about Serrano’s passing through a Facebook post on the morning of May 11, 2022, Wednesday, saying, “Paalam Tita Fanny Serrano, salamat sa mga pangaral at mga mga salita ni Lord Jesus naishare mo sa amin. You will be missed by your Designiers Circle Philippines family. Love you TF. You are a friend, a mentor, and a brother to me. Maraming salamat!” Ocampo’s post served as the announcement of Serrano’s passing as the latter’s family shared no further details on the incident as of writing. Shortly after, other designers went on social media to express their grief and share their condolences with Serrano’s family. One example is swimwear designer Domz Ramos who wrote, “I love you Tita Fanny, Rest In Peace. Thank you for trusting me to be your stylist when I was starting in the industry. You will be forever in my heart!” Although the cause of death is still unknown, some speculate that it’s related to the health problems the stylist and designer experienced in March 2021. Serrano suffered a massive stroke, according to his close friend and Megastar Sharon

sensitive to anything that could trigger ethnic and religious tensions. It occasionally bans films and publications for fear of inflaming divisions, leading some to ridicule it as a nanny state. The movie revolves around a university student who learns about the death of his parents in the 1990s in Muslim-majority Kashmir, a disputed region split between India and Pakistan since 1947. Three decades of insurgency in the region — with Pakistan’s backing, according to New Delhi — and a heavyhanded response by the Indian military have killed tens of thousands of people, mostly Muslims. Around 200,000 Kashmiri Hindus — known as Pandits — fled after the violence began in the late 1980s. Up to 219 may have been killed, according to official figures. AFP

KathNiel returns to

primetime via historic deal between ABS-CBN, Netflix

T’S nice to see friends and colleagues in an in-person event, it’s reminiscent of the kind of life we had before the pandemic hit us like a truck, a big raging truck that is. And that’s how Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla felt when they finally met with the ‘2 Good 2 Be True’ revolves around two characters, members of the played by Daniel and Kathryn, who lived through tragic press and blogging pasts and were scarred by love community during the grand launch of 2 Good 2 Be True, 13 or 72 hours Alzheimer’s. At the same time, Eloy their latest series ahead of its will apply as a mechanic to the wealthy that marks their TV broadcast. and cunning real estate magnate. return to the small Meanwhile, Will Eloy find the answers to his screen. iWantTFC users questions in his stint as a mechanic “It’s so nice to see also get a premium to Lolo Hugo? Where will Eloy’s everyone in the flesh. Salamat as they can also catch plans lead him? How will it affect his po sa inyong walang 2G2BT on their apps relationship with Ali? Kathryn Bernardo (left) and sawang suporta,” the and iwanttfc.com 48 2 Good 2 Be True, produced by couple said talking to the Daniel Padilla during the grand hours before its RGE Unit, also stars Gloria Diaz, launch of ‘2 Good 2 Be True’ press whom they met for TV premiere. Irma Adlawan, Gelli de Belen, the first time after more In this Mae Romnick Sarmenta, Cris than two years of attending media Cruz Alviar series marking Villanueva, Smokey events virtually. their 10th anniversary as a Manaloto plus Matt The couple shared that the series, loveteam, Daniel and Kathryn Evans, Jenny Miller, like our current status “is healthy, kasi play Eloy and Ali, two Yves Flores, Gillian hindi na minadali and happy kame sa people who had to live Vicencio, Bianca kinalabasan.” through the tragedies de Vera, Pamu “The series is not just a love story. It of their pasts and were Pamorada, Hyubs tackles stories that everyone can relate scarred by love. Azarcon, Via to. We had no reason to say no to this Eloy is an intelligent Antonio, and project. It’s really worth doing. We are young mechanic and a Alyssa Muhlach. grateful to share this beautiful project law student who made Viewers can also with everyone,” Kathryn said. a vow to himself to free catch its broadcast The country’s premier loveteam will his father from jail and premiere on May try to find true love amidst their past the grief of his mother’s 16 on Kapamilya experiences as they bring feel-good death. On the other hand, C h a n n e l , vibes in the new series, which will Ali works as a bubbly and K a p a m i l y a premiere first on popular streaming hardworking nurse at a Online Live, platforms Netflix Philippines and hospital whose dream is to A2Z, Jeepney TV, iWantTFC before its broadcast on be a doctor someday. Cinemo, TFC IPTV, Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Their worlds will collide at TV5. Live, A2Z, and TV5 beginning May 16. after Eloy executes a heist 2 Good 2 Be True makes history as at a hotel and accidentally Daniel Padilla (left) and the country’s first series to be streaming bumps Ali. The two will Kathryn Bernardo returns on Netflix Philippines following a meet again after Ali accepts to the small screen in partnership deal between ABS-CBN to be a private nurse of their new project titled ‘2 and Netflix that will enable Netflix Hugo Agcaoili, portrayed Good 2 Be True’ Philippines’ subscribers to watch this by Ronaldo Valdez, who much-anticipated series starting May got diagnosed with

Fanny Serrano

Cuneta. He also experienced another stroke back in September 2016. Serrano had two minor strokes that affected his senses and motor skills. The makeup artist and stylist described his recovery then as a miracle. Besides working as a makeup artist and stylist, Serrano was also an actor who starred in films such as Tarima (2010), Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (1989), and Tulak (2009).

refused to classify the film, meaning it cannot be screened. The decision was due to the movie’s “provocative and one-sided portrayal of Muslims and the depictions of Hindus being persecuted,” officials said in a statement late Wednesday. “These representations have the potential to cause enmity between different communities, and disrupt social cohesion and religious harmony in our multi-racial and multi-religious society.” The city-state’s population of 5.5 million are mostly ethnic Chinese but it also has large communities of ethnic Malay Muslims and ethnic Indian Hindus. The film’s director, Vivek Agnihotri, lashed out at the decision, tweeting that Singapore was the “most regressive censor in the world.” The tightly-controlled country is

The cast and team of ‘2 Good 2 Be True’

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

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

Life

Julie Anne San Jose’s secret to glowing health By Patricia Taculao

makes it a habit to always stay healthy. Like many of us who want to maintain SINGER and screen star Julie Anne good health, the Kapuso star stays hydratSan Jose has a tight, sometimes strenu- ed, eats a balanced diet, and gets seven to ous, schedule to follow. But when people eight hours of sleep to feel refreshed. She also believes that managing stress see her, especially during her recently concluded Limitless musical and staying optimistic is relevant to her trilogy, she shows no overall health because her mind is as imsigns of stress, ag- portant as her body. “Kapag minsan kasi busy tayo with ing, or skin problems. It’s und e n i a b l e everyday tasks, minsan nakakalimutan that Julie Anne is a na din natin ‘yong mga sarili natin. It’s woman w h o ’ s really important for us to take care of always on the our health in all aspects and not just in a go, and f o r physical way but also emotional, mental, that, s h e and spiritual,” Julie Anne said during the AquaBizCon for the health and wellness brand Aqua Skin. Each person manifests stress differently from the other. It could affect their physical well-being and mental performance and even interfere with daily interactions. Despite the possible causes of stress from daily activities, Julie Anne practices grace under pressure. Julie Anne San Jose is the “Take one step at a new face of Aqua Skin time and eventually

magagawa naman natin lahat ng kailangan nating gawin,” Asia’s Limitless Star said. She added that it also helps to stay motivated through difficult times and pat one’s self on the back for even small successes. Lastly, Julie Anne remains optimistic because she knows how smiles can be contagious and how a positive mindset can attract great opportunities. Aside from following a holistic wellness routine and preserving her mental well-being, Julie Anne also believes in the power of supplements and vitamins. One beauty supplement she recently discovered and swore by is Aqua Skin— a Japanese brand focused on producing top-notch and premium beauty and wellness products containing the finest and most sought-after active ingredients from Japan. Julie Anne is the newest member of the Aqua Skin family and adores the brand’s Amino Collagen Powder. Aqua Skin developed its Amino Collagen Powder from a premium and leading ingredient, Ceramide, which gives skin a fair and youthful glow by improving acne-prone skin, rejuvenating the skin, protecting the skin’s

Skincare brand celebrates love for the planet and the Philippines JOB WELL DONE

Julie Anne’s healthy glowing skin is a result of her self-care that focuses on overall health

A positive mindset, skincare regimen, and protecting her overall health are Julie Anne’s secrets to maintaining fair, glowing skin that gives her the confidence boost to be the Asia’s Limitless Star the public genuinely adores.

World-class UK cybersecurity specialist expands services in PH

CYBER Q executives (from left) Bernard Dulay, Bobby Purungganan, and Robert Tayag

BY JOBA BOTANA

T’S one thing when a skincare brand does a great job at using its expertise to create highquality skincare products that have become a staple in many consumers’ skincare routines for nearly two centuries now, it’s another when that brand gives back to the people and our planet as well as celebrates its love for countries that have embraced it, especially the Philippines.

barrier against free radicals, and promoting ultimate moisture within the skin. The Kapuso star also loves that Aqua Skin’s Amino Collagen Powder is easy to incorporate into any diet or regimen because it’s tasteless and mixes well into any hot, cold, or yogurt drink. She shared that she recommends it to friends, family, and loved ones to boost their confidence and support their overall health. Other products from Aqua Skin include Glutathione capsules, a whitening soap (Aqua Skin Tsubaki Soap), and a beauty and wellness drink (Aqua Skin Kagayaki Drink).

Filipino fans can enjoy major discounts and up to 30 freebies for every order of Kiehl’s upgrade offers

the Earthducation initiative. In this online music festival streaming on LazLive and Facebook Live, local household names such as Saab Magalona, Jim Bacarro, and Curtismith will be performing. Asked about the brand’s philosophy, Co-Chua said: “Kiehl’s has always been all about giving and sustainability. We give back to the planet and to the people. This is reflected in our initiatives over the years. Kiehl’s is committed to significantly reducing plastic use, and with the help of our partners, we are going to achieve this. We also love giving. That’s why when you go to one of our stores, we encourage you to try our products first before you buy. We don’t want to just push our products, we want to make sure that the product you are getting is what your skin actually needs.” Kiehl’s products are known for their unique blend of nature and science. Its range of Dermatologist Solutions, which are highly active targeted treatments developed by Kiehl’s since 1851, is a best friend to many people from across the globe when it comes to skincare. Kiehl’s relies on its teams’ extensive pharmaceutical knowledge, and its chemists partner with a team of dermatologists to deliver powerful, yet safe skincare solutions. it has been known to provide one of the most efficacious and personalized skincare solutions to everyone, everywhere. Its “Healthy Skin Guarantee” has been a credo. Visit their stores to get complimentary personalized Skincare Consultation care from expert Kiehl’s Customer Representatives. True to our spirit of service, Kiehl’s offers you samples of their finest formulas so you can “Try Before You Buy.” Enjoy Kiehl’s promos and pre-order the complete limited-edition set. Filipino fans can enjoy major discounts, up to 30 freebies for every order, and even get a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to Palawan for two. On Kiehl’s Super Brand Day, more exclusive deals will be unveiled.

I’m talking about none other than Kiehl’s, known for its finest apothecary skincare and has been taking care of various skincare needs for the past 171 years. For this year’s Lazada Super Brand Day, Kiehl’s highlights Filipinos’ cultfavorite products by creating limitededition packaging that is exclusively available in the Philippines. This festive packaging which was unveiled to the press and beauty influencers on May 4, put front and center some iconic images Cary Co-Chua, Kiehl’s Philippines General that symbolize what the country is known Manager, during the recently-held unveiling for. Think of vibrant and whimsical illus- of Kiehl’s Love for the Philippines limitedtrations of jeepney, sorbetes, the Mayon edition packaging at the Manila House Club Volcano, saranggola or kite, and our in Bonifacio Global City beautiful Boracay beach among many others. Kiehl’s partnered with the Department Kiehl’s is dressing up the of Educations along with local celebbeloved favorites in the new rities Richard and Raymond Gutipackaging that celebrates errez in developing Earthducation Love for the Philippines. Kits — toolboxes that have helped Check out the new but temeducators turn any space into an porary look of the Ultra Facial eco-learning space, promoting love Cream, Ultra Facial Oil-Free for the environment among stuGel Cream, Calendula Toner, dents, and this continued on even Skin-Renewing Daily Microduring the pandemic. Dose Retinol Serum, and the This year, this beloved brand is Clearly Corrective Dark Spot once again partnering with Save Solution. Philippine Seas by helping fund “This initiative stemmed out the Earthducation: Change the from Kiehl’s love for the FiliCurrent initiative, which pinos, the Philippines, and of aims to teach 150 public course from the Filipinos’ love Belonging to the school teachers in-depth for the brand. We want to take Dermatologist information about clithis as an opportunity to high- Solutions range, mate change and enthis is the brand’s light the beauty of the country as breakthrough courage them to take well as our culture. Through this approach to retinol- action. Through this initiative, we also want to give a based skincare initiative, a total of 30 “cheer up” to our fellow Filipi- and this product is teachers will receive nos, especially now that we have perfect for those P15,000 to implement been dealing with a crisis for the starting their skin projects within their past two years because of the renewal journey own communities. pandemic,” shares Kiehl’s PhilWhat’s more, with ippines General Manager Cary the help of key opinCo-Chua in a one-on-one interview with ion leaders, Kiehl’s is pledging Manila Standard Lifestyle. P1,000 for every media publicaApart from its “Love for the Philip- tion that publishes an article and pines” campaign, Kiehl’s has continued every influencer that posts about the As Kiehl’s number one serum, this to stay true to its commitment to the plan- initiative. one is known to do et and people. On May 24, the brand is also it all—brightens, For the past decade, it has supported hosting a Livestream party count- fades dark spots multiple local Non-Government Organi- ing down to the Kiehl’s Super and pimple marks, zations (NGOs) that are focused on com- Brand Day happening on May 25. improves skin munities and environmental causes such Every view at the countdown will dullness, and as the Save Philippines Seas. In 2019, be equivalent to P1 donation to reduces redness

Visit Kiehl’s Lazada Flagship Store at lazada.com. ph/shop/kiehls. You can follow them on social media: Kiehl’s Philippines on Facebook and @kiehlsphilippines on Instagram. Use the hashtag #KiehlsLovesPH when you post your limitededition Kiehl’s Loves the Philippines products.

THE CyberQ Group, the award-winning cybersecurity services and consultancy company based in the United Kingdom, continues to strengthen its global footprint in addition to already making its presence felt in the US, New Zealand and Australia is all set to launch in the Philippines as well. The company specializes in offering managed services using the Cyber Fusion technology, a next-generation approach to cybersecurity that unifies all security functions (i.e. threat intelligence, security automation, incident response) into a single connected unit with the capability to coalesce all comprising units for detecting, managing, and responding to threats in an integrated and collaborative manner. By bridging the gap between multiple teams through intelligence synthesis and inter-team collaboration, Cyber Fusion offers a more proactive and unified approach to dealing with potential threats. With this technology, the CyberQ Group is able to work closely with businesses to get to know how they work, study their needs, and provide expert security advice and guidance. Having CyberQ’s Centre of Excellence in the Philippines, the company looks forward to helping secure local companies through top-of-theline and best-in-class technologies that go hand-in-hand with its worldclass services. The company also aims to leverage on the Filipino expertise in cyber security; keep the expertise here in the Philippines, and give opportunities to Filipino cyber security experts in the country and not lose them to other countries. “Assumptions made on cyber and data security are constantly challenged by IT leaders and industry movers and shakers. With such a high level of scrutiny, we are driven to maintain our cyber solutions as breach-free. Over the years, we have developed a sterling reputation as the benchmark standard for preventing data breaches, speed of response, and restoring systems that organizations measure themselves against. And now we are more than thrilled to bring these standards to the Philippines,” enthused Roberto Tayag, CEO for the Asia Pacific. “Advances in technology have made us more digitally connected, paving the way to faster business transactions, contactless payments, and smarter operations. However, automation and connectivity have a price – the vulnerability of our digital systems to cyber attacks. The transnational nature of cyberspace means cyber challenges can only be

addressed with international cooperation,” Tayag added. “The United Kingdom is continually seeking to collaborate with countries that share our values of democracy and transparency, like the Philippines, to ensure we have strong cyber security systems and protocols in place. We hope that CyberQ’s new presence in the Philippines will reinforce our co-operation in this area,” the executive went on. According to Richard Colley, Director of Trade and Investment – British Embassy Manila Many UK tech companies are already working with Philippine partners and clients, but there are still many untapped opportunities for collaboration. From June 13 to 17, London Tech Week, Europe’s biggest tech festival will be held in one of the world’s most vibrant tech hubs to showcase tech innovation and successes. Global leaders will share their expertise and knowledge on a platform to drive change and we’re looking forward to welcoming our Filipino partners and friends there this year. The CyberQ Group’s range of cyber security services has been specially adapted to keep an organization’s cloud infrastructure protected. The company’s cyber framework makes it easy to introduce cyber expertise and services into any organization as needed. Every business is on a different journey so each organization needs a cyber partner that not only protects them now but can scale with them in the future. Bobby Purugganan, CyberQ Group Channels & Alliances Director for APAC said “IT leaders and boards continually challenge assumptions made on cyber and data security, and it’s this level of scrutiny and questioning that drives us on to create ever more resilience in our cyber solutions. As a result, over decades, we have created the benchmark standard for preventing data breaches, speed of response, and restoring systems that organizations measure themselves against. We are delighted to extend these standards to our clients and partners in the Philippines.” The CyberQ Group’s services mainly consist of Managed Security Operations Centre (SOC), Continuous Breach Detection Service, Human Reconnaissance, Cloud Security, and Consultancy Services. The company then offers tailored services that meet specific requirements even as security risks are addressed quickly and effectively. For more details, you may visit our website: https://cyberqgroup.com/ ; or follow us on Facebook (https://www. facebook.com/CyberQGroup).