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Zubiri emerges lone SP bet

As Villar drops from race, Migz bares his Senate committee heads By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ENATOR Cynthia A. Villar has backed out of the race for Senate president, leaving Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri the only contender for the highest post in the chamber.

“I am no longer interested,” Villar had the support of eight senators, most told reporters Wednesday, one day af- of them allied with outgoing President ter Senator Ronald dela Rosa said she Rodrigo Duterte.

“I want a simple life,” Villar said, adding that she would continue focusing on her advocacies—agriculture and the environment. Villar said she has already talked to Zubiri, who has been vocal about succeeding Senate President Vicente Sotto III. Senator Imee Marcos, older sister of Next page

Team Zubiri: 1. Loren Legarda, Senate President pro tempore 2. Joel villanueva, Majority Leader 3. Sherwin Gatchalian, Education and Ways and Means Committees 4. Nancy Binay, Tourism and Accounts Committees 5. Juan Edgardo Angara, Finance Committee 6. Robin Padilla, Constitutional Amendments Committee 7. JV Ejercito, Local Govt and Higher Education Committees 8. Raffy Tulfo, OFW Committee 9. Cynthia Villar, Agriculture and Environment Committees 10. Grace Poe, Public Services Committee

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 107 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CA bypasses Duterte nominees to Comelec, 2 other govt offices By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday bypassed the confirmation of Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Saidamen Pangarungan and two other top officials of

the poll body, and two officials of other constitutional bodies. Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the committee on constitutional commissions and offices, said the CA hearing on the nomination of the five officials, all appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte, was cancelled due to

the lack of a quorum. Also bypassed were Comelec Commissioners George Erwin Garcia and Aimee Torrefranca-Neri, Commission on Audit Chairperson Rizalina Noval Justol and Civil Service Commission Chairman Karlo Alexei Nograles. Villar said only nine mem-

bers attended the CA hearing, one member short of a quorum. She said the bypassed officials can Next page

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri

BBM asks SC to dismiss DQ petition vs. him By Rey E. Requejo PRESIDENT-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court to dismiss a petition filed by civic leaders seeking to cancel his certificate of candidacy, saying it has no jurisdiction to hear the case, apart from the fact that the petition has no basis. In a comment dated May 31, Marcos through lawyer Estelito Mendoza argued it is only the Presidential Electoral Tribunal that has jurisdiction to hear cases questioning his eligibility as presidential candidate in the May 9 national elections. “The Honorable Court is without jurisdiction to issue the temporary restraining order and or enjoin and restrain Congress from canvassing the votes cast for BBM (Marcos). In addition, the request for a temporary restraining order has become moot,” his comment stressed. Next page

NCR on full alert vs. terrorist acts THE National Capital Region Police Office has gone on heightened security alert following two recent bombing incidents in Mindanao. Metro Manila, said NCRPO regional director Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad, remains on full alert after last

week’s explosions in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. “We will be utilizing all of our resources in NCRPO to the maximum and heightened efforts to ensure safety and security of each and every resident of Metro Manila,” Natividad said.

ALWAYS READY. Members of the Manila Police District’s Special Weapons and Tactics patrol populated areas such as Divisoria Market on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, amid heightened security in the National Capital Region following recent bombings in Mindanao. Norman Cruz Earlier, the D e pa r t me nt of Transportation’s Office for Transportation Security (OTS) called on public transport operators and others in the transportation sector to ensure the strict implementation of approved security plans following the explosions.

“Bus operators, rail system operators, bus terminal operators, and tollway operators are strongly advised to remain vigilant,” the OTS said in its advisory. Natividad, however, called on the public not to panic.

THE Marcos family will not “revise history” following the victory of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. but will share their side of the story “the best we can,” his sister Sen. Imee Marcos said Wednesday.

By Vito Barcelo THE administration of Presidentelect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. plans to invite bloggers to attend press briefings in Malacanang, incoming Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) chief Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Wednesday. “We are pushing for the accreditation of bloggers to be invited to some of the briefings, especially those conducted by the Presidentelect,” Angeles – a popular blogger herself -- said during a Laging Handa briefing. The incoming Press Secretary, who will oversee the PCOO, said the accreditation of bloggers to cover Malacanang press briefings is a “priority” for her incoming team. A similar effort of accrediting bloggers was also broached during the administration of President

The senator, two years older than “BBM,” also did not rule out the Marcos government working with outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo, whom Marcos Jr. defeated by a landslide in the May 9 elections. The senator, eldest among the children of former President Ferdinand

Solante: Time to scrap crisis status of COVID By Willie Casas IT IS “high time” to remove the emergency tag on COVID-19, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said Wednesday, noting the “sustained” low number of cases being reported. Solante made the recommendation aftet the World Health Organization (WHO) said that it is working to declare an end to the COVID-19 outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, even as doing so “doesn’t necessarily mean the pandemic itself will be over.” “I think it’s high time that we remove the emergency label of COVID-19 because of the persistent and sustained low number of recorded cases,” he Next page

By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja

Marcos Sr. and former first lady Imelda Marcos, earlier thanked the public for giving their family a “second chance.” In an interview on ANC Headstart, she said: “I don’t think that’s our effort at all, we will not revise anything, all we will do is to also make known, make

PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is considering the appointment of House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta and two other allies of President Rodrigo Duterte to Cabinet posts, his incoming communications secretary said Wednesday. Incoming Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Trixie Cruz Angeles acknowledged that Marcoleta, Karen Jimeno and newspaper columnist Rigoberto Tiglao were being considered for Cabinet posts. Marcoleta’s name was being f loated as the next Energy secretary, while Jimeno and Tiglao are

Bloggers may Imee: No history revision, only to tell our side of story get accredited as Palace press By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Tiglao, Jimeno, Marcoleta eyed for Cabinet posts

MARITIME ASSET. Philippine Coast Guard personnel welcome the arrival of its new multi-role response vessel (MRRV), the BRP Melchora Aquino, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Danny Pata

News

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Zubiri... From A1 President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said the incoming chief executive would not meddle in the Senate race, and said she did not seek the post for herself. Zubiri won reelection to a second term in May, under the UniTeam of President-elect Marcos and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio. Senator Marcos said Zubiri was majority leader under three Senate presi-

dents and knows the Senate by heart. “He has been tried and tested,” she said. Zubiri on Wednesday said his bloc would install Senator-elect Loren Legarda as the Senate president pro tempore—the second highest post in the chamber—and re-elected Senator Joel Villanueva as the next majority leader. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian will retain his chairmanship on the Committee on Basic Education. He will also head the committee on ways and means. Senator Nancy Binay will continue to chair the tourism panel and she was

named as the next chair of the committee on accounts, which is headed by outgoing Senator Panfilo Lacson. Senator Juan Edgardo Angara will retain chairmanship of the committee on finance. Zubiri said Senator-elect Robin Padilla has been negotiating with them for the chairmanship of the committee on constitutional amendments. “That’s what he wants. Let him prove his worth,” Zubiri said. He added that the Blue Ribbon Committee has been offered to Senator Francis Tolentino, but he has yet to accept

the post. Zubiri said he wanted a supermajority in the Senate, saying a united chamber was a productive one. He thanked Villar for providing the supermajority, but said this would not mean the Senate would be subservient to the demands of the executive. “The supermajority I am talking about is not meant to railroad the proposals of Malacañang. The supermajority just aims to speed up our work on bills that are good for the country,” he said in Filipino.

Imee:... From A1 public what we know our side of the story which we have perhaps been remiss in not telling simply because we were scared of the traditional media, of all the abuse, diatribes, the insults.” As for a collaboration with Robredo, the standard bearer of the opposition in the recent polls, the senator said: “Everything is possible… that was what my mother (Imelda Marcos) has been saying.” “They [Marcos Jr. and Robredo] can also become allies. I think this is what we need to do,” she added. Robredo had edged out Marcos Jr. in the 2016 vice presidential race. Sen. Marcos underscored the importance of setting aside “all recriminations and bitterness” from the elections to “move forward” by choosing the “best and the brightest” for the country. “I’ve also spoken of a second chance and the truth is, sometimes, a second chance is better than the first time around because you learned your mistakes from the first time,” the senator, who was elected in 2019, said. “And it’s a second chance, not only for my family, as it were or for my father and the revisiting of his legacy, but more importantly it’s a second chance for the country,” she added. The senator earlier proposed forming a “team of rivals” for the incoming Cabinet of his brother’s administration. “In the beginning, we discussed that it should be ‘Uniteam,’ and I coined that Uniteam moniker for the campaign. But it’s not a mere slogan, it’s a real platform of government. It’s a real management and action program,” she said. “So, it’s important that we carry through with the team of rivals in the classic and revered manner of the late great (American) President Abraham Lincoln—inviting all his rivals to the Cabinet,” the senator said. According to Imee, they started with an even playing field, accepting all those Filipino who are willing to serve and are capable of giving their best to our country. “So, it’s a second chance for the Philippines,” she said. Marcos said she would “continue to work with the new administration to make sure the poorest of the poor get their fair share.”

Bloggers... From A1 Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, but it did not gain ground. Angeles also said that the regular Palace briefings will be done once to twice a week. “The regular once a week are for the updates on pending issues, and then possibly a second one if there are issues that need to be addressed immediately. We’re not going to limit it, of course. If it is necessary, we will have more briefings. But other than that, the plan is one or two at least,” she said. Access to Malacañang coverage or Palace events is usually limited to journalists from TV networks, online news outfits, and newspapers. Angeles also said they are looking into existing policies on allowing all journalists to physically cover presidential events. “We have to wait and see pending the review of all existing policies,” she added. The PCOO has barred journalists from entering Malacañang premises since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country in 2020. The PCOO has also opted to hold virtual Palace press briefings due to the threat posed by the coronavirus. With the further relaxation of COVID-19 protocols, journalists have been allowed to cover presidential events, subject to conditions set by Malacañang. Angeles said she would also look into the “issues of disinformation,” as she intends to prioritize the accreditation of social media influencers for Palace coverage.

GROUFIE. President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. poses for a group selfie with Congress leaders led by Senators Bong Revilla Jr. and Juan Miguel Zubiri and Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (partly hidden) at the headquarters of the Marcos camp in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday.

CA... From A1 be re-appointed under the new administration because the CA merely bypassed and did not reject them. They will serve in their own respective posts until June 30, 2022, the end of the Duterte administration. The CA hearing on the ad interim appointments of the five was postponed on Monday, after Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said they should give President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a chance to pick his own appointees. Pangarungan said Wednesday that he accepted being bypassed “with a heavy heart.” “Today, my ad interim appointment as Chairman of the Comelec ends. It is with a heavy heart that I accept such an outcome but I would like to restate my utmost respect to the actions of the CA,” he said. Pangarugan said he was proud that under his watch, the Comelec was able to successfully conduct the 2022 national and local elections last May 9 with the fastest proclamation of winning senators, the President and Vice President, and party list representatives, as well as the highest voter turnout in Philippine election history at 83.07 percent. The Palace was mum after five nominees of President Duterte were bypassed by the bicameral Commission on Appointments. Acting Presidential spokesman Martin Andanar did not reply to messages from the media as President Rodrigo Duterte is set to leave his office on June 30. However, the Palace earlier said those bypassed by the CA could be reappointed by the next administration. Under the law, the bicameral CA must approve all the ad interim appointees, whom Duterte appointed in March when Congress was in recess. Garcia said he was saddened that his appointment was bypassed, but happy for the chance to serve in the last elections, where he stood out, often holding briefings. The veteran election lawyer said he may return to teaching, or practice election law. He said he would accept staying on as Comelec commissioner should the next administration ask.

City Regional Trial Court, Branch 105, for failure to file income tax returns and pay income taxes from 1982 to 1985. The court sentenced him to serve a total of seven years in prison and to pay a fine for violation of the National Internal Revenue Code. Upon appeal of the case to the Court of Appeals, the appellate court ruled in 1997 to uphold the conviction, but modified the penalty imposed by the RTC, removing the prison term and merely imposing a fine. Lastly, Marcos said the petition “defiles the sovereign will of the Filipino people.” “To allow the defeated and rejected candidate to take over is to disenfranchise the citizens representing 58.77 percent of the votes cast, without fault on their part,” Marcos emphasized. “If all of these do not yet suffice, BBM’s vote of 31,629,783, is more than twice as many as the vote of Leni Robredo with 15,035,773 votes, the voice of the Filipino electorate is true and clear that they do not find grounds to disqualify BBM, but they want him to be the president of the Republic of the Philippines,” he said. The petitioners -- Fr. Christian Buenafe, Fides Lim, Ma. Edeliza Hernandez, Celia Lagman Sevilla, Roland Vibal, and Josephine Lascano -- asked the SC on May 17 to issue a TRO. They wanted the High Court to “enjoin and restrain” both houses of Congress from canvassing the votes of Marcos and proclaiming him as president.” They also assailed the January 17

and May 10 resolutions of the Commission on Elections dismissing for lack of merit their plea seeking the denial or cancellation of the COC of Marcos and their motion for reconsideration. Meanwhile, a group of martial law survivors led by Satur Ocampo and Bonifacio Ilagan also asked the SC to overturn the Comelec decision junking their disqualification case against Marcos. The SC has yet to act on their plea. Meanwhile, Marcos Jr.’s inauguration on June 30 will be held either in the Ilocos Region or in Manila, the acting head of the Philippine National Police said Wednesday. “As for Sir Bongbong, I think it will be either in Ilocos or here in the area of Manila, so we are still finalizing the exact location so we can lay out our security measures,” PNP officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr. said in Filipino in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB. The President-elect said that since the proclamation of the winning presidential and vice candidates is over, only the SC, sitting as the PET, is the sole judge of all contests relating to the qualifications of a president. Marcos’ sister, Senator Imee Marcos, on Sunday said her brother is considering outdoor historical sites like the Quirino Grandstand, Fort Santiago, and the National Museum for his inauguration. “What we want is for it to be held outdoors because we don’t want to expose people to COVID-19 as there seems to be an uptick in infections,” she said in Filipino.

cious person or behavior, report any unfamiliar face in the neighborhood to the barangay or nearest police station,” he said. “I also encourage everyone to be “All acts of terrorism against peohighly alert and report any suspi- ple of any religion, race or creed, are

crimes against humanity, and are always a threat to any nation’s security,” he added. NCRPO said people may report incidents or tips through its text hotline numbers 0999-901-8181 and 0915-888-8181.

supposedly the choices for the next presidential spokesperson. “We can confirm that these names are being talked about, but there are no decisions as of now,” Angeles said in a media briefing. Marcoleta ran for senator in the 2022 polls under Marcos’s ticket, but withdrew his candidacy less than two weeks before May 9 polls, a move that exempts him from a one-year ban on the appointment of losing candidates. Angeles said there are also a lot of aspirants for Cabinet positions. “We have to be fair and review all these applications, and that is why the selection is taking time,” Angeles said. Meanwhile, the Philippine Medical Association is pushing for the nomination of Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, a lifetime member of the PMA, to head the Department of Health. “The people have spoken and for us at the PMA, it is time to reform and improve the health-care system of the country,” the PMA said in a letter to President-elect Marcos. Herbosa is a professor and chairman of the Emergency Medicine and Trauma Surgery at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, and UP-Philippine General Hospital. He was Health undersecretary from 2010 until 2015, and assisted then Secretary Enrique Ona to implement a modernization program of hospitals nationwide.

dinated with the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau to generate protocols in the event the monkeypox virus is detected in the Philippines. “I want you to know that we are ready. The kits are also ready,” she said. “If there are samples given to us, we are ready to do and of course, to trade the results to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau,” Saloma said. Though he believes that removing the emergency label on COVID-19 is a possibility, Solante said the government will wait for the World Health Organization’s decisions. “But probably in the next administration, that’s something they will discuss so that we can move on and just treat this as an endemic infection,” Solante said. Health Promotion and Communication Service Director Dr. Beverly Ho explained that it is difficult to deter-

mine if one has monkeypox, measles, or chickenpox. People who show symptoms are thus advised to immediately isolate and consult with a physician through video call. “People with monkeypox get lymphadenopathy or lymph nodes. Their rashes also start to develop in the mouth and face compared to chickenpox which starts in the body. The appearance of the monkeypox rashes is almost the same or simultaneous in different parts of the body compared to chicken pox or measles which have different stages of rash development,” she added. Monkeypox is a usually mild viral infection that is endemic in parts of west and central Africa. It spreads chiefly through close contact, and until the recent outbreak has only rarely been seen in other parts of the world. The majority of the recent cases have

been reported in Europe. There are currently more than 200 cases worldwide outside of countries where the virus is endemic. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Saturday there is no vaccine against monkeypox yet that has been approved or authorized by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration. However, they are now discussing with the WHO where the country can procure monkeypox antivirals in case of an outbreak in the country. The DOH announced that the country has adopted a “four-door” strategy in intensifying border control to prevent the entry of monkeypox virus into the country. The department is also intensifying screening at the country’s borders and ensuring that surveillance systems are actively monitoring the monkeypox situation.

BBM... From A1 Marcos also asked the High Court to dismiss the petition against him for lack of merit, since he did not commit any material misrepresentation in his Certificate of Candidacy (COC), contrary to the claim of the petitioners. “The decision of the Comelec Second Division and the Comelec En Banc on the absence of any false material misrepresentation in the COC is a finding of fact that is entitled to great weight and must be accorded full respect. The Comelec correctly ruled that the petition for cancellation was subject to summary dismissal,” Marcos said. The President-elect asserted he is not disqualified to run for the presidency and that he has no intention to mislead, misinform and deceive the electorate. “None of the grounds alleged by petitioners is material. BBM did not commit any false representation in his COC because the penalty of absolute perpetual disqualification was never imposed on him,” he said. He added that Section 252 of the 1977 National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, is not ipso facto imposed upon the mere fact of conviction. Marcos argued that the petitioners’ claim that his status as a public officer at the time of the commission of the offense “is a conclusive and incontrovertible fact” is bereft of basis. Court records showed that Marcos was convicted in July 1995 by Quezon

NCR... From A1

Solante:... From A1 said during a Laging Handa briefing. “And the fact that we have available vaccines and antiviral agents (lends to the removal of the emergency tag). These are interventions we can do in case there is an increase in cases, we can manage, and we can control it,” he added. In March 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a proclamation declaring a public health emergency over the rising number of COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) is already prepared to sequence any suspected monkeypox samples in the country, its top official said. PGC Executive Director Dr. Cynthia Saloma, in a Department of Health briefing, said they have already coor-

Tiglao,... From A1

News Solon still keen on suspension of excise taxes on oil products By Maricel V. Cruz A CONGRESSIONAL leader on Wednesday vowed to pursue his proposal to suspend excise taxes on diesel, gasoline, cooking gas, and other oil products in the next Congress. Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez made the statement as oil firms raised anew round the price of diesel but cut down cost of gasoline. But Rodriguez, representative of Cagayan de Oro’s second district, said prices were expected to go up because of the European Union’s decision to ban 90 percent of its oil imports from Russia by the end of the year. Already, the cost of crude oil in the international market has jumped to more than $110 per barrel following the EU’s decision, he said. Rodriguez said he would refile his bill seeking to shelve the collection of fuel taxes for four years, the period he expects the economy to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of the Ukraine-Russia war. “The suspension will bring immediate relief to our people,” he said. He added that his suspension proposal covers only the tax increase imposed under Section 43 of Republic Act 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. “Enacting the bill will cut pump prices by P6 per liter for diesel, P3 per kilogram for liquefied petroleum gas, P5 for kerosene, and P5.65 per liter for gasoline,” he stressed. He pointed out that under his proposal, the government would continue collecting the old rates of excise tax on oil products. Rodriguez said his bill would benefit all these sectors of the economy, including tourism and aviation, which are among the hardest-hit by the pandemic. “They will benefit, because our proposal would also reduce the tax on aviation fuel and other oil products tourism- and aviation-related businesses are using,” he said.

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Biz groups press PH entry in RCEP By Alena Mae S. Flores

OMINANT business organizations in the Philippines have reiterated call for the Senate to ratify the country’s membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), reputedly the largest economic bloc in the world.

The call was made by the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), the Makati Business Club (MBC), and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP). The three business associations said RCEP’s 15-member economies, including the ten ASEAN members plus Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan and South Korea, together account for 30 percent of the world’s population and of global gross domestic product (GDP). “As such, it is a huge market that Fili-

pino producers would gain preferential access to via membership in RCEP,” the business groups said in a joint statement on Thursday. Like any free trade agreement, they said RCEP provides wide economic opportunities for the country, along with certain threats to uncompetitive industries, and individual producers and their workers. “And like in the other free trade agreements the country has joined (of which the Philippines has the least, compared to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet-

nam), the overall economic gains in terms of net job creation, economic growth and price stabilization will well outweigh the costs,” they said. The groups said government has the responsibility to assist those adversely affected meaningfully and effectively, to allow them to achieve competitiveness or adjust to alternative products or livelihoods. They said RCEP will help MSMEs expand market access, especially with more liberal rules of origin on traded products to qualify for trade concessions. It will also provide broader and cheaper alternative sources for inputs and reduce costs of doing business through improved trade facilitation, especially customs and trade clearance procedures. “Exclusion from RCEP would be immensely costly to our economy and our people. We can anticipate a signiﬁcant decline in our exports to RCEP countries, which now account for nearly two-thirds

TATTERED UNDERPASS. Vehicular traffic in the vicinity of the Manila City Hall moves at a snail pace on account of the damaged underpass, also called Lagusnilad, even as heavy rains were yet to come. Danny Pata

thanked everyone who took part in building what he described as “One Congress,” which has delivered on its commitment to pass legislations that were responsive to the needs of Filipinos in these trying times. “Allow me to thank each one of you for all the help and support, particularly to Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and Minority Leader Caraps Paduano, for being my true partners in building this One Congress,” Velasco said. For his part, Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez also bade farewell to the 18th Congress with words of appreciation for his fellow legislators and House

employees who, he said, “worked beyond the call of duty” and made their stay in ofﬁce one of the most productive ever even in the age of pandemic. “Despite the many challenges that happened during my tenure as your Speaker, we have risen and proven ourselves to be One Congress, ready to serve our people,” Velasco told his colleagues. “One Congress, ready to scrutinize the national budget, to pass laws, to conduct hearings, to provide oversight on the implementation of laws, and to generally make it easier for the next Congress and its leadership, to continue

the legislative work for the sake of our kababayans,” he added. Velasco said the 18th Congress was “a key and steady partner of the Executive Department under President Duterte in passing laws that promoted economic development, strengthened the administration of justice and the rule of law, enhanced the protection of labor and social welfare, improved the quality of and increased access to education and information, enhanced our health and emergency response system, and strengthened our political and governmental institutions.” Maricel V. Cruz

PCG blames combustible items for May 23 ferry fire in Quezon PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) investigators on Wednesday said a “highly combustible material” could have possibly triggered the May 23 fire in a vessel off Real town in Quezon province where at least seven passengers were reported killed and 29 others injured. (PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu, in a press briefing, said they would turn over their report on the initial inquiry to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for proper disposition. “Based on our initial ﬁndings, there

NO LETUP IN DRUG DRIVE.

Elements of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement take into custody a suspect caught during a buy-bust Barangay Old Balara, Quezon City. The raid also yields one kilo of suspected shabu worth P6.8 million. Manny Palmero

(64 percent) of our total exports, as trade with us will logically be diverted to fellow members,” they said. “It would also make us even more unattractive to job-creating investments than we already are, as these would best locate in RCEP member countries to take advantage of free access to its vast market,” the business associations said. The Philippines’ membership could attract more foreign investments into the country from firms wishing to produce and sell to the large RCEP market. “RCEP skeptics should find comfort in the fact that little will immediately change in the country’s trade relations, since RCEP only reaffirms existing trade concessions we already have with all RCEP members via the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) among ASEAN members and the ASEAN-Plus Free Trade Agreements with the rest,” they said.

Two Koreans facing fraud raps nabbed

18th Congress adjourns sine die, leaving lots of bills behind THE House of Representatives on Wednesday adjourned sine die formally ending the third and ﬁnal session of the 18th Congress, leaving behind a good number of important bills meant to help the country navigate through and emerge stronger from the pandemic. As the 18th Congress came to a close, Speaker Lord Alan Velasco has nothing but words of praise and gratitude for all House members and workers who exerted efforts to ensure that the legislature remained dynamic and productive despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis. Velasco, in his valedictory speech,

was a highly combustible material above the engine room, actually on the deck, where the fire started,” Abu said. He declined to give further details. MV Mercraft 2 carried 157 people when it caught fire just before reaching the port of Real. PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo said the captain of the vessel is currently in their custody as the DOTr wanted to investigate all angles to determine the cause of the fire. Mercraft Shipping Corp., which owns the star-struck ferry, has apologized to the victims of the blaze.

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents have arrested two South Koreans wanted by authorities in their country for telecommunications and financial fraud. The fugitives were identified as Lee Choungeon, 43, and Kim Seongku, 45, who were arrested in Metro Manila during separate operations by members of the BI fugitive search unit (FSU) . BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said Lee would be shipped back soon to South Korea as an order for his summary deportation was already issued by the BI board of commissioners for being an undesirable alien. Lee reportedly attempted to extend his tourist visa at the BI’s main office in Intramuros, Manila when alert personnel noticed his derogatory records in their system. This prompted them to coordinate with FSU operatives to effect the arrest. A warrant of deportation has been issued against Lee last Dec., 3, 2021 after being tagged as a wanted fugitive following information from Korean authorities. Records of the Interpol’s national central bureau (NCB) in Manila show that Lee is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Daejeon district court in Hongsung, South Korea issued on April 2020. He was allegedly charged with fraud for being a member of a syndicate that defrauds its victims of money through voice phishing. On the other hand, Kim was arrested inside a Pasig City condominium complex. Kim is wanted in Korea, with arrest warrant from the Seoul central district court issued on April 1, 2022 due to charges of electronic fraud that were filed against him. Vito Barcelo

SPD nabs five in Taguig raid

SAFE DRIVING FACILITY. The Land Transportation Office (LTO), launches its first Road Safety Interactive Center (RSIC) featuring safe driving simulators for manual and automatic cars, as well as motorcycles at the agency’s main office in Quezon City. The RSIC has 10 stations, among them historical timeline, LTO artifacts, road safety campaigns, edutainment kiosk and a 4D mini-theater.

Angeles to roll out operation ‘tuli’ ANGELES City—Mayor Carmelo Lazatin announces the launch of a circumcision drive on July 4, 2022 for kids aged 10 and above at the city’s six rural health units (RHUs). The campaign is in line with the city government’s program to accessible health care to city residents, especially the indigent and marginalized sector, Lazatin says. “Ito pong libreng tuli ay gagawin natin sa mga RHUs simultaneously. Tayo na po ang lalapit sa mga barangays upang mas marami pong kabataang lalaki ang mahikayat na mag-avail ng serbisyo,” Lazatin said.. The preparation was formalized during a meeting presided by Lazatin’s chief adviser, IC Calaguas on, with executive assistant IV Reina Manuel and key ofﬁcials, namely,: City Health Ofﬁce led by Dr. Verona Guevarra,

Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Froilan Canlas, Gender and Development Officer-in-Charge Mina Cabiles, Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office led by Rudy Simeon, Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary led by Michael Lising, CHO-Sanitation Division Chief Alvin Dingal, and City Engineer Donato Dizon. Calaguas said the city government targets to circumcise 300 children daily for over a month. Calaguas also shared that the kids will take home kits which include Vitamin C supplements and medicines for the circumcision. The registration for the free circumcision will take place on June 10 to 25 at the GAD Office, Monday to Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Butch Gunio

THE Southern Police District on Wednesday announced the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of illegal drugs and firearms during a buy-bust operation in an alleged drug den in Taguig City. SPD director Brig. Gen Jimili Macaraeg said the drug den situated along C-6 Service Road in Barangay New Lower Bicutan was being maintained by one of the suspects, identified as Christopher Estillore Oroyan, 47. Also arrested were Mark Jacinto Mamonon, 46 and Ronaldo Ocampo Marcelino, 55, both residents of Taguig; Domingo Tabamo Mata, 49, and Felyzarda Amarillo Imson, both from Pateros. Macaraeg said his men from the Drug Enforcement Unit, District Intelligence Division and District Mobile Force Battalion also dismantled the establishment. The police operation was also coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Seized from the suspects were three pistols, gun magazines and ammunitions, one brown sling bag, one black eye glass case, and one brown coin purse. Also recovered were 42 grams of shabu worth P285,600 and the drug money used in the buy-bust operation. The suspect were detained at the SPD Custodial Facility pending filing of drug charges and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. “The latest accomplishment of District Drug Enforcement Unit and District Intelligence Division is truly commendable and deserve recognition,” said Macaraeg. “I also want to thank the people who provided information to our men which resulted in the arrest of the suspects behind (the drug den).” Joel E. Zurbano

PH makes final appeal to Meta to take down FB ‘e-sabong’ sites

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022

NOVENA MASS. Catholic devotees attend the 8:30 a.m. Mass at Baclaran Church in Parañaque City on Wednesday (June 1, 2022). Religious gatherings are allowed at 70 percent seating capacity in the National Capital Region, which is under Alert Level 1. Ben Briones

THE government has made a final appeal to Meta, the mother company of social media giant Facebook to take down online sabong or “e-sabong” pages on the platform, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said. The DILG said the department has yet to receive a response to the letter it sent a week ago to Meta about the operations of e-sabong networks on the social platform. DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, in an ABS-CBN News report, said “this e-sabong is an illegal activity. If this is not a violation of community standards on Facebook, then I do not know what else could be violative of Facebook rules because this is an illegal activity.” “We have submitted to them the list of Facebook pages, groups, accounts, and sites encouraging people to play illegal on-line sabong but despite official communication and public appeals, Meta Platforms has ignored the request of Philippine authorities. The said accounts are still operational -in violation of the Presidential directive and of the Cockfighting Law as amended by PD 1612 -- and we have

News

‘US must take the right path to ease tensions with China’

CHINESE official said the US “must choose the right course in its relations with China by abandoning its cold war mentality and managing differences between the two countries.”

The US government’s strategy toward China has also “pushed the two powers into confrontation, threatening turmoil for other nations,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a Yahoo News report, said. In an online seminar, Wang accused Washington of “disrupting peace in the Taiwan Strait, and for deciding the two countries were rivals.” “The current atmosphere of ChinaUS relations is very abnormal, and the extreme anxiety of the US is completely unnecessary,” Wang, in the Yahoo report, said, adding that “If the US

blindly defines China-US relations in terms of great power competition and takes a ‘you lose, I win’ approach to policy, it will only push China and the US into confrontation and conflict, and push the world into division and turmoil.” The seminar was held reportedly by the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs and attended by a number of veterans of China-US affairs, including Henry Kissinger. Kissinger reportedly said both China and the US “need to launch dialogue and understand each other’s core con-

cerns to avoid their confrontation from becoming a direct war.” The Philippine government on Tuesday meanwhile said it summoned a senior Chinese Embassy official back in April to protest the harassment of a Philippine research in the West Philippine Sea, and rejected a unilateral fishing ban declared by Beijing in waters where the Philippines exercises sovereign rights and jurisdiction. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued the statement after Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) reported that Chinese Coast Guard and militia, in three months, harassed Filipino vessels in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea. The DFA said the presence of the Chinese coast guard vessels around Reed Bank was not consistent with

innocent passage and “are clear violations of Philippine maritime jurisdiction where only the Philippine government has the mandate of enforcement.” “The detailed reports of these activities are being reviewed for the filing of appropriate diplomatic action,” the department said. Only the Philippine Coast Guard has “enforcement jurisdiction over these waters,” the DFA said. The Chinese Embassy in Manila has not yet issued a statement on the matter. “The Department summoned a senior official of the Chinese Embassy in Manila to protest the harassment by CCG on RV Legend, which had been conducting an authorized marine scientific research (MSR) activity, with Philippine scientists on board,” the DFA said.

Rody reiterates illegal drugs destroy PH, harm families ILLEGAL drugs will destroy the country and will lead to “dysfunctional” families, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said. Duterte also said said groups such as the International Criminal Court “were easy to criticize his war on drug because they do not understand the threat of narco politics on the Filipinos.” Duterte, according to a GMA News report, said the billions of pesos worth of drugs seized by authorities in the six years of his administration’s antiillegal drugs campaign “are testament to the pervasiveness of the illegal substance in the country.” “Drugs will destroy our country maniwala kayo sa akin. I’m sure you know somebody pag ang pamilya [ninyo] bantayan ninyo ito pag naging tatay kayo, pag ang pamilya may isa lang nacontaminate ng droga that family becomes dysfunctional,” he said. “Mag-away ang mag-asawa quarreling, blaming each other ang tatay at nanay,” he added. Duterte became President in 2016 and one of his campaign promises is to stamp out crime and illegal drugs in six months. Various reports said Duterte’s administration’s first months were marked by his war on drugs, which many blame for the thousands of cases of alleged extrajudicial killings. “Gaya noon, early noon dumaan sabi nila na bakit kay Duterte maraming patay? Kasi noon takot ang mga tao, takot ang pulis na magkakaso kasi ang pagdinemanda na ng pulis ma-counter charge, abogado ako, that’s the practice,” Duterte said. “Nakita ko it corrupted the police, it corrupted the prosecutor, drugs corrupts the charges and everything,” he added. “Gaya sabi ko noon sa Davao, noon mayor ako, do not destroy my city, do not destroy the young, mga anak namin. Kapag ginawa mo yun, I will kill you. So nagkaroon ako ng kaso, wala naman ako pinatay, kung may pinatay man ako, nakalimutan ko na rin,” Duterte said.

MEETING. Highway Patrol Group Director Police Brigadier General Rommel Francisco Marbil (left) talks to House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep Martin Romualdez (center) and House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Crispin “ Boying” Remulla (right) during a short meeting and courtesy call at the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno

Digong lauds Filipino athletes’ efforts in SEA Games By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte lauded the Filipino athletes who participated in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam for bringing honor to the country, garnering 52 gold, 70 silvers, and 104 bronze medals. The country finished 4th overall behind overall champion in host Vietnam. In his speech, Duterte praised the athletes for doing a good job in the recent regional multi-sports event. “I am very happy with the results. It is not really winning but going there just to give the country an image. Though I am happy that we got many medals,”

he said. “I deeply thank you for representing the country with resiliency, excellence, and sportsmanship, and for bringing pride and honor to the Filipino people amidst the challenges that you had to face in these uncertain times.” The President encouraged the Filipino youth to engage in sports and other productive activities to learn the distinct Filipino values and at the same time, uphold the country’s distinction as among the most competitive athletes in the global community. “As we unite our efforts to achieve real and lasting change in our society, it is my hope that, even beyond my term,

our athletes will continue to uphold the competence, discipline, and commitment that we Filipinos are known all over the world,” he noted. During the recognition rites, Rubilen Amit, Nathaniel Perez, and Janelle Mae Frayna represented the medalists for the symbolic awarding. Amit won two gold medals in billiards (9 and 10 balls women); Perez, silver medal in fencing (Foil Individual Men); and Frayna, bronze medal in chess (Women’s individual Blitz). All in all, the country garnered 52 golds, 70 silvers, and 104 bronze medals in 37 sports out of 39 participated in by the Filipino athletes.

Rody urged to sign recycling measure By Maricel V. Cruz

FAREWELL. Members of the press covering the Sen-

ate give Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon with a framed portrait adorned with their own handwritten messages on the last session day of the 18th Congress, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Drilon said the gift makes him feel one with the group. Joseph Vidal

A LAWMAKER from the Bicol region on Wednesday expressed hope that President Duterte will sign into law a congressional initiative to upgrade the recycling or reuse of discarded plastic containers and packaging materials. Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte made the statement as the final version of the proposed amendment to RA 9003 is set for transmittal to Malacañang for President Duterte’s signature into law. This came after both the House of Representatives and the Senate ratified before the sine die adjournment of the 18th Congress the proposed “Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act” that amends Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Villafuerte, who is a principal author of the measure batted for the bill’s enactment. “The measure institutionalizes the practice of EPR in waste management that imparts on producers, in coordination with their distributors and retailers, the responsibility of properly and effectively disposing of their products after these have been sold to and used by consumers,” Villafuerte said.

not received a reply from Meta to this date,” he said in a statement. Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a halt in e-sabong operations citing its negative social impacts. “We are, therefore, making this final appeal to Meta to immediately and without further delay take down these pages,” Malaya said in the report. The DILG recently reported that it has shot down seven e-sabong websites late last month, However, several Facebook pages and groups were still operating e-sabong, the DILG said. Malaya also said the DILG have sought the help other concerned agencies that will compel FB to take down the pages of the illegal gambling game. In a Laging Handa briefing, Malaya admitted that they are saddened that illegal e-sabong operation can still be viewed in the FB websites. He said e-sabong operation is a direct violation of a presidential directive that is covered by the Cockfighting Law of 1974 or Presidential Decree (PD) 449 as amended by PD 1602 where it is indicated that only the traditional face-to-face cockfighting is lawful.

Duterte camp warns of fake DepEd reps THE camp of Vice President-elect Sara Duterte said it has received reports that people posing as her representatives attempted to collect funds for upcoming projects under the Department of Education (DepEd). The public is also being warned of such “scammers.” Duterte’s spokesperson Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco said. Frasco confirmed that they have received reports about such swindlers who target contractors and suppliers to allegedly collect payments for projects under the DepEd. Duterte was earlier tapped as Education secretary in President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ Cabinet. “The incoming Secretary of Education has not nor will never designate anyone to talk to or negotiate with contractors and suppliers to engage in corrupt activities — smearing her reputation and tarnishing the image of the entire DepEd and the thousands of people working hard under the organization,” Frasco, in a GMA News report said. The official also encouraged the public “to remain vigilant when coordinating with people who present themselves as DepEd staff and report suspicious activities to authorities.” “Contractors, suppliers, and the general public are strongly urged to exercise prudence when dealing with individuals and/or groups claiming to represent the Vice President-Elect and incoming DepEd Secretary,” Frasco said.

MMDA chief warns penalty for use of unregistered personal vehicles By Joel E. Zurbano CHAIRMAN Romano Artes of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Wednesday warned his men they will be penalized administratively if they will be caught using unregistered personal vehicles and without the required license plate. The MMDA chief came up with a memorandum in response to the Facebook post of Riders’ Safety Advocates of the Philippines (RSAP) that has gone viral on social media, showing an MMDA traffic enforcer identified as Wilfredo Ordoña driving a motorcycle without a license plate and turned out to be unregistered. The video was taken on the northbound lane of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue near Boni Avenue last Monday. Artes reminded MMDA personnel of their duties to the public, especially traffic enforcers tasked to apprehend motorists committing traffic violations. He instructed lawyer Victor Maria Nuñez, director for Enforcement of MMDA Traffic Discipline Office (TDO), to penalize Ordoña, currently assigned at TDO Parking Management Team, by issuing traffic citation tickets for his violations. “The MMDA is mandated to strictly implement traffic rules and regulations. Hence, we should lead by example,” Artes said. Also, the MMDA chief reminded all employees to refrain from engaging in any unlawful activity.

Opinion Challenge accepted, happy to serve

FIRST, I would like to thank President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. (PBBM) for his trust and confidence in considering me as a member of his Cabinet. I am delighted and honored to accept my nomination as Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare Department (DSWD). I accept the challenge and I am more than willing to serve. Social work and public service are nothing new to me. Helping fellow Filipinos has been a big part of my life. It is my advocacy. For 35 years, yours truly have been engaged in public service, extending various assistance to the less fortunate, as well as victims of injustice, through the Erwin Tulfo Action Center. Among PBBM’s early marching orders is to digitize DSWD’s distribution of aid and subsidies and clean the list of beneficiaries to weed out those who shouldn’t be on the list. We will look into reports that there are individuals who questionably possess and use “multiple” ATM cash cards to receive payout of 4Ps benefits. The President-elect wants to focus on recovery, giving priority to those who lost their jobs during the pandemic and now suffering in poverty. There are at least 26.4 million impoverished Filipinos in 2021, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. There is reason to believe there are actually more Filipinos unable to meet their basic needs after two-andhalf years of economic slowdown and joblessness. That is why we need to hit the ground running. We need to help people be able to help themselves.

In the spirit of unity, we will welcome cooperation and coordination with non-government organizations (NGOs), including the Angat Buhay Foundation headed by outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo. We can work as a team to make sure government assistance goes to those who direly need them, including victims of calamities, homeless families, indigent senior citizens and victims of human trafficking.

Let us not raise another generation of street criminals We need to find compassionate, yet realistic and effective ways for the genuine rehabilitation and reintegration of children in conflict with the law. Let us not raise another generation of street criminals. We must be accessible to people who seek help. That is what we are for. We will also be accessible to the media, even keeping the line always open. The DSWD envisions “all Filipinos to be free from hunger and poverty, have equal access to opportunities, enabled by a fair, just, and peaceful society.” We all agree these are easier said than done, especially amid a continuing pandemic and limited resources. DSWD’s vision and mission statements will be meaningless rhetoric if we fail to make a significant impact in uplifting the human condition of the poor. Iyung nararamdaman! Let me assure everyone that we will give our 100 percent to the government’s recovery efforts and nationbuilding. Once again, thank you President BBM, for your trust and confidence!

Turkey black rose producers chase sweet smell of success By Anne Chaon TO THE naked eye, the delicate velvet roses in southeastern Turkey appear black and overwhelm the senses with their irresistible sweet smell. The rosebuds are just as dark, and when fully developed, the flower takes on the color of an intensely rich red wine. These black roses, known as “Karagul” in Turkish and thornier than others, can only grow in the town of Halfeti with soil that has distinctive features including a special PH level. The unique color cannot be preserved elsewhere, experts say. Now Halfeti’s residents want to transform the rose into a brand since Turkey’s rose sector is a blooming business. The industry is currently dominated by the western province of Isparta, known as Turkey’s “rose garden.” Today, Turkey and Bulgaria make up around 80 percent of the world’s rose oil production. But Halfeti resident Devrim Tutus, 28, has already seen business flourish. After coming up with a business plan to promote the black roses, he now supplies Istanbul with petals for colognes, Turkish delight and ice cream. Demand is already outgrowing supply. That doesn’t stop Tutus who already has his next plan: Karagul wine. “There’s a huge market out there in Istanbul. It’s all about Isparta roses. Why not the same here?” he said. Roses rescued The black rose’s fortunes were not always so sweet. It once aroused only indifference among residents, said a local official in charge of preserving the roses. “They were everywhere in the gardens but nobody paid attention to them,” said his friend who only gave

his name as Bulent. “Locals had no idea the roses were unique. We transported some to higher ground and started production in greenhouses,” said the official, who did not wish to be named. In upper Halfeti, one greenhouse operated by the town’s agriculture department is home to 1,000 roses. But the town’s residents rallied to rescue the rose after a dam on the Euphrates River flooded the region in the early 2000s, threatening to bury the flower like dozens of archaeological sites from ancient Mesopotamia.

Turkey’s rose sector is a blooming business The construction of the Birecik dam in 2000 was part of a series of controversial development projects in southeast Turkey. Today, 20 variants of black roses have been identified worldwide -- including sixteen in Turkey, said botanist Ali Ikinci. “Karagul is not an endemic species in Halfeti,” Ikinci, a professor at Harran University in Sanliurfa province, said. “But the particular ecology, climate and soil cause it to bloom darker there. If you plant that rose somewhere else, it won’t be as dark or black.” A French connection? The professor insisted Halfeti’s rose was “unique.” The color of the rose darkens, becoming more black and the scent is stronger as one moves from Sanliurfa — where Halfeti is — towards Syria, which is 60 kms to the south, Ikinci said. The Halfeti official explained the rose blossoms on higher ground be-

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EDITORIAL

Agriculture is ‘gasping for breath’

TS counterpart in the vernacular is “naghihingalo,” and that’s quite possibly what Agriculture Secretary William Dar hears from the mouths of farmers whom he comes into contact with in the course of his visits to farming areas throughout the country. “Naghihingalo,” or its meaning in English, “gasping for breath,” is an apt description of the state of Philippine agriculture today, according to Secretary Dar, and it’s not the fault of the farmers themselves. The sad state of agriculture in the country at present is clear in the 0.3 percent decline in the value of agricultural production for the first quarter of 2022, partly due to the global supply chain disruption as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Crops posted a -1.6 percent decline in production volume; livestock, -1 percent; and fisheries -5.8 percent, with only poultry production volume staying in positive territory at 12.3 percent.

The problem lies in the lack of ample budgetary support by government for the agricultural sector, Dar believes, and the solution lies in giving a neglected and underbudgeted sector enough wherewithal to survive hard times.

If food security is important, then farmers should be given all the support they need After all, if food security is deemed important for the nation’s well-being, then farmers should be given all the support they need — from seeds, fertilizers and pesticides to credit, post-harvest facilities and farm-tomarket roads — so they can increase productivity, earn enough from dawnto-dusk toil to keep body and soul together and improve their standards of living over time. Gasping for breath is what happens to those afflicted with severe COVID-19, as we’ve been made well aware by the ongoing pandemic. Doctors use a mechanical ventilator to resuscitate the lungs and save the patient from certain death. By the same token, Dar wants the

government to save the agricultural sector through the P2.5-trillion National Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization Plan (NAFMIP) 2021-2030 which seeks to spur its growth in the coming years. The plan seeks to allot at least a P250 billion budget annually for agriculture for 10 years, for a total of P2.5 trillion. The fisheries sector targets a budget of P12 billion, triple its current budget of P4 billion. NAFMIP is touted as the most comprehensive development blueprint for the agriculture sector since the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997. For the Agriculture department, it is nothing less than “a strategic plan that defines the directions, strategies, and priorities in developing and growing Philippine agriculture with the objective to transform and unlock the potential of Philippine agriculture.” And here’s the clincher: “Investing in our farmers and fisherfolk is investing in a future of economic growth and prosperity for all Filipinos.” We agree completely, and hope the incoming administration will give agriculture and fisheries the priority they deserve in the government’s overall program for economic growth and development in the next six years.

Cycle of violence and grief

ONCE again, there was another mass shooting in the United States where 19 children and two adults were gunned down in Uvalde town in the state of Texas last week. Reading the ages of the slain children is gut wrenching and something that those families will never be able to likely forget. The children were massacred in a place where they were supposed to be safe--- Classroom. The perpetrator was a teenager who waited until he turned 18 to go and buy the two automatic rifles that he used for the crime. This was just 10 days after another mass shooting in Buffalo, New York where 10 individuals were killed by a deranged man. The frequency of such events suggests it is almost predictable. The country is once again plunged into a state of grief and recrimination on what to do with this cycle of violence. Sadly, even before the victims could be laid to rest, senior politicians in Texas are already signaling their opposition to some kind of gun control. I wish we can say this is a disease common to all developed countries but it is not. It is only in the United States where this happens with frightful regularity. It’s, shall we say, a uniquely American phenomenon. In almost all countries around the world, the obvious solution to this problem would be to limit the proliferation of firearms in the hands of private citizens. But in the United States, what is simple becomes quite complicated. cause the soil close to the dam is more acidic because of the Euphrates’ waters. Ikinci believes the origins of Karagul could be the “Louis XIV” black rose, grown in France in 1859 and named after the French king. But for Frederic Achille, deputy director of the Botanical Gardens of the Museum of Natural History in Paris, it’s much ado about nothing. “’Louis XIV’ could really be transformed by the waters of the Euphra-

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For one, there is the second amendment to the US constitution that guaranties the right of citizens to own guns. Because of this, gun ownership is so engrained in the American psyche. Add the National Rifle Association into the mix with their lobbying and political clout. And it gives us people watching around the world the magnitude and difficulty of the problem faced by those who want to introduce gun regulations. But must it be that easy to just go to a gun store and buy two automatic rifles like buying a hammer?

Why can’t background checks be done to ensure that only qualified people will be able to buy guns? But even this background check which is so obvious as a solution could not even reach first base in both Houses of their Congress because lawmakers are afraid of losing the next election. Time and again, it has been proven that countries with stricter gun laws do not have mass killings like the ones in the United States. Switzerland is one example. There are a lot of guns in the hands of private citizens in that country. But we do not hear or read of mass shootings happening there. This is because the Swiss government ensures that only qualified people can possess guns. Australia and the United Kingdom are two countries that experienced mass shooting much like what happened in the US last week.

What both countries did was to impose stricter gun laws with Australia going to the extent of buying back firearms from gun owners. We have not heard any mass shootings from the two countries in about two decades. In that Texas incident, the perpetrator shot his grandmother first before going to the school to shoot those helpless children. And now we are hearing reports that the police response may have been faulty. We would hope that what happened in Uvalde, Texas will finally tweak the consciousness of US lawmakers to finally come up with something to put an end to the problem. Unfortunately, some lawmakers are already blaming mental health as the problem and not the uncontrolled proliferation of guns in the hands of private citizens. But isn’t that the very purpose of background check? To ensure that those with mental issues and criminal records will not be allowed to buy guns? If the lawmakers can’t even understand the correlation between the two, then it is a hopeless case. Come to think about it,:in a country with over 400 million firearms in the hands of 330 million people, what do you really expect? What seems to be going on there is some kind of a wild west in the 21st century. Only this time, automatic firearms and assault rifles are included in the mix — not just the six shooters. At this stage, I am pessimistic that the US Congress can stop this shameful American phenomenon. Look at the NRA convention in Houston, Texas, instead of transferring or postponing it, the event went ahead at the very state where the mass shooting took place while Uvalde went ahead to mourn and bury their dead. Not an encouraging sign.

tes... and bogus communication,” he said with a smile. Green rose Halfeti is also home to the peculiar green rose that has the appearance of a weed, but it is real and not just photoshopped by avid Instagram users. “It remains mysterious. Some locals had it in their gardens. But because it’s odourless, it failed to attract attention,” Ikinci said. Achille was blunter about why: “It’s

quite ugly.” The green flower was “just a curiosity in rose gardens” after it was introduced in Europe in 1856 by British nurseries, he added. But that won’t stop Halfeti taking advantage of its real, hidden treasures. By the shores of the dam, a few amateur gardeners promote the black rose to tourists alongside boat tours to see the caves, now underwater. AFP

Countries with stricter gun laws do not have mass killings like the ones in the US

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World

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NGO: World’s ‘most neglected’ refugee crises all across Africa PARIS—The world is paying too little attention to a slew of mass displacements of people across Africa, risking starvation deaths and prolonging conflicts, the Norwegian Refugee Council warned in a report published Wednesday. “With the all-absorbing war in Europe’s Ukraine, I fear African suffering will be pushed further into the shadows,” the aid group’s chief Jan Egeland said in a statement. The countries with the most neglected crises according to the NRC are, in order: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burkina Faso, Cameroon, South Sudan, Chad, Mali, Sudan, Nigeria, Burundi and Ethiopia. It is the first time that all 10 crises on the Council’s annual list -- based on shortfalls in the international political response, media coverage, and the amount of aid pledged -- are on the African continent. In the DRC, the most-neglected country on the list for the second year

running, around 27 million people went hungry last year, or one-third of the population. Meanwhile 5.5 million people were internally displaced, the aid group said, with a further one million fleeing abroad. But there were no high-level meetings or donor conferences about the DRC’s hunger crisis or the conflict in the country’s east, and only 44 percent of the $2.0 billion requested by the UN for humanitarian aid was received. By contrast, the NRC highlighted that it took just one day this March for a humanitarian appeal for Ukraine to be almost fully funded. “The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the immense gap between what is possible when the international community rallies behind a crisis, and the daily reality for millions of people suffering in silence within these crises on the African continent that the world has chosen to ignore,” NRC head Egeland said. AFP

Denmark votes in referendum on EU common defense policy COPENHAGEN—Traditionally Eurosceptic Denmark votes Wednesday in a referendum on whether to overturn its opt-out on the EU’s common defense policy after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The vote comes on the heels of neighbouring Finland’s and Sweden’s historic applications for NATO membership, as the Ukraine war forces countries in Europe to rethink their security policies. More than 65 percent of Denmark’s 4.3 million eligible voters are expected to vote in favour of dropping the exemption, an opinion poll published on Sunday suggested. Analysts’ predictions have, however, been cautious, given the low voter turnout expected in a country that has often said “no” to more EU integration, most recently in 2015. Polls open at 8:00 am (0600 GMT) and close at 8:00 pm. Results are due around 11:00 pm. “We must always cast our ballots when there is a vote”, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged Danes in the final televised debate of the campaign on Sunday. “I believe with all my heart that we have to vote ‘yes’. At a time when we need to fight for security in Europe, we need to be more united with our neighbors,” she said. Denmark has been an EU member Manila since 1973, but it put the brakes on transStandard ferringTODAY more power to Brussels in 1992 when 50.7 percent of Danes rejected the Maastricht Treaty, the EU’s founding treaty. It needed to be ratified by all member states to enter into force. To persuade Danes to approve the treaty, Copenhagen negotiated a series of exemptions and Danes finally approved it the following year. Since then, Denmark has remained outside the European single currency, the euro —which it rejected in a 2000 referendum —as well as the bloc’s common policies on justice and home affairs, and defense. - ‘Ukraine the major reason’The defense opt-out means that the Scandinavian country, a founding member of NATO, does not participate in EU foreign policy where defense is concerned and does not contribute troops to EU military missions. AFP NOTICE OF Standard EXTRAJUDICIAL Manila

TODAY SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AMONG HEIRS WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JULIETA P. LOBITAÑA, who passed away last March 3, 2012 at Otis, Paco, Manila and left a real property pursuant with a transfer certificate of title, with size lot of 88 sqm, TCT No. 060-2022005769, located at Sta. Rosa, Laguna has been extrajudicially settled among heirs with waiver of rights executed on May 20, 2022 by her legal heirs before Notary Public Atty. Al Whilan A. Baljon as per Doc. No. 261; Page No. 54; Book No. 3; Series of 2022.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Notice is hereby given to the public that an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER AND RENUNCIATION OF RIGHTS of the late ALFREDO B. VILLAMOR, who died last September 10, 2021 at Quezon City was made and executed by and among his heirs as part of Doc. No. 430, pages 86, Book no. 15, series of 2022 before Notary Public Atty. Ramero S. Osorio Jr.

LAID TO REST. Crosses adorn a makeshift memorial for the victims of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 31. The traumatized Texas town of Uvalde began on Tuesday laying to rest the 19 young children killed in an elementary school shooting that left the small, tight-knit community united in grief and anger. AFP

US to send Ukraine advanced weapons to ‘strike key targets’ K YIV—President Joe Biden has said the United States will send more advanced rocket systems to Ukraine, as Russian troops press their ferocious bid to complete the capture of a key eastern city.

The battle for Severodonetsk has grown in intensity in recent days, with heavy casualties on both the Ukrainian and Russian sides. “The Russians are storming, consolidating in the centre of Severodonetsk,

(MS-MAY 19,26 & JUN. 2, 2022)

battlefield in Ukraine,” Biden wrote in The New York Times. A US official told reporters the weapons being sent are Himars, or the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, which have precision-guided munitions and a longer range than those currently deployed by Ukraine. The Himars are the centerpiece of a $700 million package being unveiled Wednesday that includes air surveillance radar, more Javelin short-range anti-tank rockets, artillery ammunition, helicopters, vehicles and spare parts, the official said. The US is attempting to help Kyiv’s war effort while not being seen as a direct belligerent, and the official stressed that while the weapons would

BRAZIL FLOOD. Fire-

fighters recover the bodies of three victims of a landslide in the community Vila dos Milagres, Barro neighborhood, in Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil, on May 31. The death CYAN toll from torrential rains that triggered floods and landslides in northeastern Brazil has risen to 100, officials said Tuesday, as emergency workers searched for more victims. AFP

be used to “repel Russian advances on Ukrainian territory”, they would not be “used against Russia”. While some analysts have suggested the Himars could be a “game-changer”, others say they should not be expected to suddenly turn the tables for Ukrainian forces struggling under Russian artillery fire. The US announcement came shortly after Russian forces struck the nitric acid tank in Severodonetsk, prompting the local governor to warn people to stay indoors. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that “given the presence of large-scale chemical production in Severodonetsk, the Russian army’s strikes there, including blind air bombing, are just crazy.” AFP

Amnesty accuses Iran of detention, ‘hostage-taking’

LONDON—The UK government should investigate Iran’s six-year detention of dual national Nazanin ZaghariRatcliffe as “an act of hostage-taking” and try to YELLOW prosecute Iranian MAGENTA BLACKofficials, Amnesty International said Wednesday. The rights group has compiled a detailed analysis of the case, which it says includes “compelling evidence that Iran’s detention of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe amounted to an act of hostage-taking”. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 43, who was first detained in Iran in 2016, returned to Britain in March along with fellow dual national Anoosheh Ashoori after the UK agreed to pay a longstanding debt to Tehran. “The Iranian authorities deliberately and shamelessly deprived Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe of her freedom,” Diana Eltahawy, deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty, Tuesday morning caused rivers to burst their banks and said in a statement. landslides,” Murat said earlier in the day. “They used spurious national securiAn earlier toll had reported three dead and eight missing. ty charges and sham judicial proceedTwo people aged 18 and 21 years old died when part of ings against her with the aim of exerta hill collapsed in the community of Santa Catarina Xanaing pressure on the UK government to guia, the Oaxaca civil protection office said. settle its debts.” Another woman died and her son was injured in a landThe NGO last month submitted its slide in Llano del Chillar, it said. evidence to the UK parliament’s ForAgatha made landfall Monday near Puerto Angel in Oaxaca eign Affairs Committee, which has CYAN MAGENTA BLACK as a Category Two hurricane—the second lowest on a scale launched itsYELLOW own inquiry into stateof five—with winds of 165 kilometers (105 miles) per hour. level hostage situations. Mexico is regularly lashed by tropical storms on both its Amnesty said there was an urgent Pacific and Atlantic coasts, generally between the months need for the international community of May and November. to step up efforts to prevent and prosThe deadliest storm to hit Mexico last year was a Catecute hostage-taking amid growing egory 3 hurricane called Grace that killed 11 people in the evidence that Iranian authorities are eastern states of Veracruz and Puebla in August. AFP holding others unjustly. AFP

10 dead, 20 missing as Hurricane Agatha hits Mexico OAXACA, Mexico—The toll from Hurricane Agatha climbed to at least ten dead and around 20 missing in southern Mexico, where heavy rains triggered landslides and flooding, local officials said Tuesday. The storm, the first hurricane of the Pacific season, was the strongest to make landfall along Mexico’s Pacific coast in May since record keeping began in 1949, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. Agatha weakened as it moved inland with its remnants producing torrential rain Tuesday over Veracruz state. “Right now we’re at around 20 people missing, most of them are in the upper mountains,” Oaxaca state governor Alejandro Murat told Radio Formula, adding that “ten who lost their lives were unfortunately preliminarily reported by local authorities.” “When Agatha made landfall, the day ended without any loss of human life, but heavy rains that occurred early

Australia’s top diplomat to visit Samoa and Tonga, trailing Chinese counterpart

SYDNEY—Australia’s recently swornin Foreign Minister Penny NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Wong is headLENEWTION INC. ing back to the Pacific Islands Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of Incorporation of LENEWTION INC., Wednesday, travshortening the term of its existence into two (2) Years and Nine (9) Months from and after the date of issuance of its Certificate of Incorporation and thereby dissolving the said corporation as elling to Samoa of March 01, 2021 and a Balance Sheet showing that no creditors thereof will be affected by and Tonga just such dissolution, have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All person having claims against the corporation are requested to present the same at its principal office at days after her 4 Floor PCCI Corporate Center 118 L.P Leviste St. Brgy. Bel-Air Makati City for immediate Chinese countersettlement. part Wang Yi. This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned of the legal dissolution of the said corporation. As Australia and China duel for influence in (MS-JUNE 2/9/16, 2022) the vast region, (MS-MAY 26 / JUNE 2 & 9, 2022)

while continuing to destroy infrastructure and industrial facilities,” Lugansk region governor Sergiy Gaiday wrote on Telegram early Wednesday. One of the industrial hubs on Russia’s path to taking the eastern Lugansk region, Severodonetsk has become a target of massive Russian firepower since the failed attempt to capture Kyiv. The Russians now control most of the destroyed city, according to regional authorities. But in a boost for the outgunned Ukrainian military, Biden has confirmed that more US weaponry is on the way. “We will provide the Ukrainians with more advanced rocket systems and munitions that will enable them to more precisely strike key targets on the

Wong announced she was getting back on a plane to “renew and strengthen Australia’s deep ties of friendship and family”. Since being sworn in nine days ago, Wong has already visited Japan -- for a meeting of Quad countries the United States, India, Japan, and Australia -- and Fiji. Her latest trip comes as China’s foreign minister Wang Yi barnstorms through the region, looking to significantly deepen Beijing’s influence. Although Wang failed to secure support for a regional security deal that would have seen Beijing play a bigger role in sensitive areas like policing and cybersecurity, Wang has been inking a

Australia’s new Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

series of agreements on each of his stops. In Tonga on Tuesday, he pledged China’s support for sports stadiums and wind power projects, according to state

media, while signing a series of deals on disaster prevention and mitigation, agriculture, fisheries, and healthcare. In Samoa late last month, Wang signed a bilateral agreement that included a plan to build a police fingerprinting lab, in addition to an already announced police academy in the country. Wang’s ten-day trip concludes with stops in Vanuatu on Wednesday and Papua New Guinea on Thursday and Friday. Australia’s new centre-left government is playing catch-up after years of relations with the Pacific Islands being hampered by the conservative government’s foot-dragging on climate change. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business

Manila

Standard

TODAY

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market dips again; Semirara up

HE stock market fell Wednesday over worries of rising inflation and crude prices and on overnight losses on Wall Street.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index sank 62.47 points, or 0.9 percent, to 6,712.21 on a value turnover of nearly P6 billion. Losers beat gainers, 108 to 76, with 46 issues unchanged. International Container Terminal Services Inc. of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., the biggest port operator, dropped 3.1

percent to P210.20, while noodles maker Monde Nissin Corp. also declined 3.1 percent to P14.34. Fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. slipped 1.7 percent to P26.05, but Semirara Mining and Power Corp. of the Consunji Group, the largest coal miner, advanced 6.8 percent to P35.25. Meanwhile, Asian markets fluctuated Wednesday on data reminding traders that inflation shows no sign of easing. Oil rallied after seeing a sharp drop earlier on reports that OPEC was considering suspending Russia from an output deal, which observers said could allow producers to pump more.

Regional equities have enjoyed a largely healthy run of late on hopes that inflation could be nearing a peak and a sell-off across markets may have run its course, while the easing of some lockdown measures in China added to the optimism. However, investors were brought down to earth with a bump Tuesday with figures showing eurozone inflation hit a record high in May owing to rocketing energy costs. The news puts extra pressure on the European Central Bank to act quicker to rein in prices by hiking interest rates along with the Federal Reserve. There is a fear that acting too late

could mean policymakers will have to announce harder, more painful increases later on. “There are heightened concerns around inflation and where central banks are likely to go trying to combat inflation,” Kristina Hooper, of Invesco Advisers, told Bloomberg Radio. “This has gone from just an inflation scare to a growth scare. Uncertainty has grown.” Equity markets were mixed in Asian trade, with traders shrugging off a further easing of lockdown restrictions in China that many hope will give a much-needed boost to the world’s number two economy. Hong Kong and Shanghai slipped

(MS-JUNE 1 & 2, 2022)

along with Taipei, Bangkok and Mumbai, though Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore and Wellington rose. “After this brief euphoria stock prices are again vulnerable to a mass ‘get-out’ frenzy as the reality of the already in full swing global slow-down accompanied by ever-higher interest rates begin to take their toll,” he said in a commentary. Oil prices struggled to rebound after falling more than four percent late Tuesday in reaction to a Wall Street Journal report that OPEC was considering removing Russia from an agreement that has locked producers into limited output increases. With AFP

(MS-JUNE 1 & 2, 2022)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022

Business

Diokno sets sights on ‘A’ credit rating By Julito G. Rada

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the incoming administration will pursue a fiscal consolidation plan to help the country achieve the elusive “A” investment grade score from global credit rating agencies.

Diokno told an investor roundtable discussion in Madrid, Spain the Philippines was on its way to the “A” level credit rating before the global pandemic hit in 2020. He said the Philippine economy remained strong and that the Duterte administration carried on its

game-changing reforms. “Not surprisingly, all the international and regional rating agencies unanimously affirmed the Philippines’ investment-grade ratings throughout the pandemic despite a wave of ratings downgrades for many advanced and

emerging economies,” he said. “Now, the next administration has to continue the country’s pursuit of A-level rating. This can be done by crafting, among others, a well-thought-out fiscal consolidation framework, which has been prepared by the Executive Department and ratified by Congress,” Diokno said. Debt watchers earlier cited the country’s strong fundamentals, adequate buffers against shocks and sound macroeconomic management as the reasons why they decided to affirm the country’s investment grade ratings. Moody’s Investors Service affirmed the Philippines’ “Baa2” investment grade rating with a stable outlook in July

2020. It was followed by S&P Global Ratings’ affirmation of its “BBB” rating with a stable outlook in May 2021. Japan Credit Rating Agency affirmed its “A” rating with a stable outlook for the Philippines in September 2021. In February 2022, Fitch Ratings affirmed its “BBB” rating with a negative outlook for the country. Outgoing Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier warned that any inaction by the next administration on the fiscal consolidation plan prepared by the Department of Finance, which aims to reverse the P3.2-trillion COVID-related debt and recover from the economic crisis, would lead to serious consequences.

BPI AIA RAFFLE. BPI AIA (formerly BPI-Philam) turns over two brand-new Honda HR-V vehicles to the raffle winners of its recently concluded campaign. Attending the awarding ceremony are raffle winners Eleazar Jugarap (center) and Arnaldo Andrade (fifth from right), along with BPI AIA chief executive Surendra Menon (six from right) and BPI and BPI AIA representatives.

Mineral production value surged 36% in 1st quarter on higher prices PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, June 1, 2022

-62.47 PTS. 6,712.21

TOTAL VOLUME

659,262,416

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

77,662 5,981,885,443.47

ADVANCES DECLINES

76 108

UNCHANGED

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.4120

Japan

Yen

0.007771

0.4073

Pound

1.260200

66.0496

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127450

6.6799

Switzerland

Franc

1.042318

54.6300

Canada

Dollar

0.790451

41.4291

Singapore

Dollar

0.730034

38.2625

Australia

Dollar

0.717400

37.6004

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

139.0423

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266638

13.9750

Brunei

Dollar

0.727379

38.1234

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.029155

1.5281

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2711

Euro

1.073500

56.2643

Korea

Won

0.000805

0.0422

China

Yuan

0.149880

7.8555

India

Rupee

0.012892

0.6757

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.228467

11.9744

New Zealand

Dollar

0.651000

34.1202

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034483

1.8073 Source: BSP

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE country’s mineral production value posted a 36.2-percent growth in the first quarter to P48.61 billion from P35.69 billion in the same period last year, according to the latest report of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. “Once again the bullish metal price during the period pushed the industry to this optimistic performance, coupled with the increase in the mine production of gold, silver and copper,” the report read. Among the prices of metal, nickel was at an unparalleled level at $28,089.77 per metric ton, up by more than 59 percent from $17,625.46 per MT a year ago. Copper followed with an almost 18-percent growth to $9,986.01 per MT from $8,478.58 per MT year-on-year. Gold price rose US$73 to $1,874.91 per troy ounce from $1,801.86 on year. “We are seeing prices of metals at heights way beyond their pre-pandemic

levels,” the MGB said. It said gold or yellow metal contributed 45.7 percent or P22.24 billion to the total production value in the first quarter. The collective values of direct shipping nickel ore along with nickel products, mixed nickel-cobalt sulfide and scandium oxalate followed, accounting for 39.6 percent or P19.27 billion. Copper accounted for 12.98 percent or P6.31 billion, while the shared output value of silver, chromite and iron ore contributed 1.64 percent or P800 million. Major mining hubs in the country include Caraga which hosts 23 operating mines, Regions III and VIII each with six mines; Cordillera Administrative Region with five; and Palawan province with 3 nickel mines and a hydrometallurgical processing plant. The country has 32 nickel, 12 gold, 4 chromite, 4 iron and 3 copper mines, for a total of 55 large-scale mines. Twenty mines reported zero produc-

tion amid unfavorable weather conditions most particularly in Mindanao, while others were still under care and maintenance status or under suspension. Among the producers, the Masbate Gold Project of Philippine Gold Processing & Refining Corp. the highest output with 1,859 kilograms with an estimated value ofP5.79 billion followed by the Didipio Copper-Gold Project of OceanaGold (Phils) Inc. with 917 kilograms with an estimated value of P2.84 billion. The third was Co-O Gold Project of Philsaga Mining Corp. with 706 kilograms with an estimated value of PhP2.21 billion. MGB said that in terms of the overall contribution to the production value, gold took the driver’s seat from nickel at P22.24 billion in the first quarter. “For the rest of 2022 experts say that the demand for nickel will be fueled by the battery sector as battery producers and carmakers anticipate the transition to electric vehicles,” the report said.

Ayala Land unit buys 55-hectare Batangas land By Jenniffer B. Austria AYALALAND Logistics Holdings Corp. said Wednesday it acquired a 55-hectare property in Padre Garcia, Batangas which it will develop into a technopark. ALLHC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the newly-acquired land would address the growing demand for industrial estate in Southern Luzon. The industrial park will cater to light, medium and non-polluting industries from both local and foreign markets. The property is also being positioned to house the future ready-built facilities and cold storage facilities of ALogis, the industrial leasing brand ALLHC. “We are looking forward to further energizing the municipality of Padre Garcia by bringing more employment opportunities for the communities in the province of Batangas and nearby localities,” ALLHC chief operating officer Patrick Avila said. “The acquisition is a strategic move that furthers ALLHC’s goal of building national footprint by increasing its presence is key areas nationwide,” he said. The planned Batangas technopark will be the fifth industrial estate owned and operated by ALLHC. It operates Laguna Technopark, Pampanga Technopark, Cavite Technopark and Laguindingan Technopark in Misamis Oriental. This will also be the second property of ALLHC in Batangas after it acquired a 64,000-square-meter readyto-build facility in Sto. Tomas, Batangas in February. The newly-acquired property is accessible from Manila via South Luzon Expressway, continuing on to Southern Tagalog Arterial Road. It is also an hour drive from the Port of Batangas, an international seaport serving as the alternate to the Port of Manila. ALLHC earlier obtained shareholders’ approval for the increase in the company’s authorized capital stock to P10 billion from P5 billion through the creation of P5 billion worth of preferred shares.

IN BRIEF PLDT completes sale of 3,012 telco towers

PLDT Inc. said Wednesday said it completed the sale of 3,012 towers to two international tower operators for P39.2 billion. The company foresees additional closings of the transactions in the next few months as the deals are staggered based on number of towers being transferred. PLDT sold 5,907 telecom towers and related passive telecom infrastructure for P77 billion to a subsidiary of EdgePoint and a subsidiary of edotco. The final closing of the transaction is expected by theb fourth quarter of 2022. Of the 5,907 towers being monetized, 2,973 towers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will be acquired by ISOC edotco Towers,Inc. (subsidiary of edotco Group) and 2,934 towers located in Luzon by Comworks Infratech Corp. (subsidiary of EdgePoint). PLDT said the sale and leaseback will be complemented by a new tower build commitment of 1,500 towers in total over the next few years. Darwin G. Amojelar

DMCI Mining posted P543-m income in Q1

PUREGOLD-GLOBE TIEUP. Puregold Price Club Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. team up to help uplift micro, small and medium enterprises, especially sari-sari stores and communities, through a technological innovation as they launch the Aling Puring app. The app is the result of synergy between Puregold’s nationwide reach and vast network of partner sari- sari stores and Globe’s pioneering digital innovations. Leading the Puregold x Globe Easyhub Collaboration are (from left) Globe Telecom executive vice president for channel management group Bernie Llamzon (left), Globe chief commercial officer Issa Cabreira (second from left), ECPay president and chief executive Jasmin Montelibano (fifth from left) and Puregold president and chief executive Vincent Co (sixth from left).

Converge doubles speed of broadband for free By Darwin G. Amojelar CONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc. said Wednesday it doubled the speed of home broadband for existing and new entry-level subscribers for free. “We are pleased to announce that we are doubling the speed of our base plan for existing and potential subscribers. With this, we will be able to give our ‘kababayans’ a better experience for everyday productivity,” Converge ICT chief operations officer Jesus Romero said in a briefing. Romero said the company expects to acquire more subscribers with the upgrading of its broadband speed from 50 megabits per second to 100Mbs for P1,500 a month starting June 1. He said FiberX Plan 1500 subscribers would get a permanent speed upgrade to maximize their day-to-day activities at no

additional cost. The company said that as of end-March, it had 1.80 million residential subscribers, up 52.5 percent from last year. “Our network can handle it [increase in speed],” Romero said. Converge said it laid down over 500,000 kilometers of total fiber assets, expanding its pure fiber network across the country. The company also doubled the data transmission capacity of its metro backbone from 400 Gbps wavelengths to 800 Gbps. Converge allocated P28 billion in 2022 capital expenditures, up from P25 billion in 2021 to further expand its network nationwide. The company booked a net income of P1.97 billion in the first quarter, up from P1.54 billion in the same period last year. Consolidated revenues went up 39.7 percent to P7.74 billion from P5.54 billion.

DMCI Mining Corp. recorded a 14-percent increase in first-quarter core net income to P543 million from P477 million, the highest for any given quarter. DMCI disclosed to the Philippine Stok Exchange on Wednesday revenues grew 25 percent to P1.4 billion from P1.1 billion in the same period last year due to higher nickel ore shipments and favorable foreign exchange rates. The company’s total shipments rose 26 percent from 494,000 wet metric tons (WMT) to 620,000 WMT on the back of a robust beginning inventory of 389,000 WMT despite the depletion of the Berong mine. “We had a very good start to the year. Unfortunately, without a second operating asset, it would be impossible to maintain our output,” said DMCI Mining president Tulsi Das Reyes. “Our main challenge now is securing the necessary permits to expand our operations,” he said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Alsons gets SEC nod to sell P1.2-b notes

ALSONS Consolidated Resources Inc. received permit from the Securities and Exchange Corp. to sell P1.265-billion worth of commercial paper. The company disclosed Wednesday the P1.265 billion in securities represented the third tranche of its P3-billion commercial paper program. Alsons said it would focus on advancing the development of two run-of-river hydro power projects in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Negros Occidental in 2022. Alsons executive vice president Tirso Santillan Jr. said the projects are the 21 mega-watt (MW) hydro power plant in Zamboanga del Norte being developed and the Bago river hydro power in Negros Occidental, the company’s first power project outside of Mindanao, with a planned capacity of up to 42 MW. Santillan said the company’s initial hydro power project, the 14.5-MW Siguil Hydro Plant in Sarangani province, would start commercial operations in the second quarter of 2023. Alena Mae S. Flores

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022

Sarangani, Bacolod extend win run in MPBL

Kai Sotto battles fellow giant Boban Marjanovic for the rebound in a FIBA tournament. Several NBA teams have shown interest in the homegrown Filipino cage player. fiba.basketball

Bulls latest NBA team to show interest in Filipino cager Sotto F By Randy Caluag

ROM New York to Cleveland to Chicago, Filipino prospect Kai Sotto is by far living up to the billing as the Philippines’ great brown hope to make it to the National Basketball Association. The latest team that has taken a serious look at the 7’3” center was the Chicago Bulls as its basketball social media pages on Wednesday, were flooded with reposts from a top sports media personality in Chicago. “(The) Chicago Bulls are showing interest in drafting Filipino prospect Kai Sotto and are working on bringing him in for a workout,” posted by Daniel Greenberg on his Twitter Chicago Sports Updates, which owns the tag as the official place for all the latest in Chicago sports.

The Bulls’ are thin at the center spot, with only All-Star center Nikola Vucevic capable of delivering consistently for the team as late addition Tristan Thompson and backup center Tony Bradley were disappointments. After not being invited to the Draft Combine in April, Sotto is making rounds with teams for private workouts. Sotto has already worked out with the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the latest with the Orlando

Magic on Friday (Manila Time). Orlando will have three draft picks this year, including the no.1 overall pick and two in the second round at 32nd and 35th. The mock drafts have not been friendly to the Filipino phenom as his name remained missing in mock-draft reports, except for the Sports Illustrated, which predicted him to be selected 49th overall. But Sotto is said to be eyeing a work out with 12 NBA teams ahead of the scheduled draft on June 23 (June 24 in Manila) in Chicago, where 30 teams will pick 58 out of the 283 draft applicants-- 247 from colleges and 36 international players, including Sotto. After Chicago, Sotto is reportedly heading to Atlanta to work out with the Hawks. Sotto’s agent Joel Bell has reportedly

assured that an NBA team has already committed to draft the teenage sensation from Southeast Asia. Sotto is also confident that his short but meaningful stint at the National Basketball League in Australia has prepared him well for the tougher grind in the NBA. “I believe that it really helped me develop and improve as a player playing and living in Australia. I have adjusted to the physicality and the way of playing (in the NBL).” As a reliever center for Adelaide 36ers, Sotto averaged 7.6 points on 51 percent field goals, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per 15.2 minutes in 23 games. If he makes it, Sotto would become the first homegrown, pureblooded Filipino to be either drafted or play in the top professional cage league in the world.

SARANGANI and Bacolod stretched their win runs in contrasting fashion on Tuesday in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season at the people-packed Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga. The Sarangani Marlins kept their poise in the wake of Pampanga’s final assault to prevail, 68-65, and gain the solo lead in the 22-team tournament with a 4-0 slate. Bacolod Bingo Plus pulled away in the fourth quarter en route to a 76-59 dumping of Manila Stars and a 3-0 card. Sarangani was ahead, 64-57, with 1:53 left in the third quarter when Pampanga sued for time. Pampanga quickly retaliated with an 8-point cluster, capped by backto-back triples by homegrown talents Jayson Castro Apolonio and Archie Concepcion to seize control, 65-62, only 52 seconds to go. Sarangani, however, countered with 4 straight points to seal the victory and pull down Pampanga to 1-1. Andy Estrella led Sarangani with 14 points and 5 assists while 6-foot6 Jonjon Gabriel came through with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. YouTube sensation Kyt Jimenez added 9 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals followed by Yvan Ludovice with 8 points and 10 boards. John Lorenz Capulong and Apolonio scored 15 points each for Pampanga while Mitchelle Maynes added 12 and Concepcion 11. Bacolod, which led by as many as 19 (74-55) drew 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists from Jhan McHale Nermal, 13 points and 13 rebounds from veteran Mark Yee and 12 points from Alwyn Alday. No Manila player was able to crack double digits with Dan Sara and Joshua Fontanilla making 8 points. New Fil-Am acquisition Jeremy Arthur contributed 6 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals for the Stars, who tasted their third straight defeat.

Warriors, Celtics poised for NBA Finals classic SAN FRANCISCO—A resurrow between 2015 and 2019, wingent Golden State Warriors ning three championships. are bidding to reclaim their But with three pillars of throne at basketball’s sumthat dynastic run—Stemit against a Boston Celtphen Curry, Draymond ics team chasing history Green and Klay Thompwhen the NBA Finals tipson—back to fitness, and off on Thursday. under the shrewd leaderAfter a gruelling ship of head coach Steve regular season and a Kerr, the Warriors are back roller coaster playoff in their preferred habitat. campaign, Golden State The Warriors’ swift return and Boston will open their to the finals is a byproduct of a best-of-seven finals show- Stephen Curry culture that endured throughout down on Thursday in what the depths of 2020’s miserable has all the makings of a classic be- 15-win season, or last season’s eliminatween two evenly matched teams. tion in the play-in tournament. Two years ago, the once-mighty War“The times when it was rough, we were riors—the dominant NBA franchise of losing, I think we still had a good group of the past decade—appeared to be facing guys,” said Warriors center Kevon Looup to the end of an era. ney, a member of the 2017 and 2018 titleA league worst 15-50 record left them winning Warriors teams. propping up the foot of the Western Con“We were still able to keep that same ference, a precipitous fall for a franchise culture in the locker room, even though that graced the NBA Finals five times in a we were losing. We still played our style

of basketball, still holding guys “The pieces fit, first and to a high level and a high foremost, and our core and standard.” how we play and what we While relatively recent do, what makes us unique recruits such as Jordan and different,” the twoPoole, Andrew Wiggins time NBA Most Valuable and Jonathan Kuminga Player added. have all played key roles Whether Curry is left in this season’s resurcelebrating a fourth NBA gence, the old guard of title by the end of this year’s Curry, Green and Thompfinals will depend on his son have led the way in the team’s ability to navigate their playoffs. way around a Celtics team that in Curry was named the West- Jayson Tatum the eyes of many has been the most ern Conference finals MVP, complete unit in the postseason. Green has been his usual combative “The Celtics are going to win the series self, while Thompson, who returned and they are going to win the world chamthis season after a two-year injury ab- pionship because they are the best team sence, has produced bursts of scoring remaining in the playoffs right now in my at pivotal moments in series wins over opinion,” was the unambiguous verdict of Memphis and Dallas. NBA icon Charles Barkley. ‘The pieces fit’ The Celtics would become the most suc“A DNA that you can’t really teach,” cessful franchise in NBA history with an was how Curry described the Warriors’ 18th title, putting them one clear of their bitlocker-room culture. ter rivals the Los Angeles Lakers. AFP

Duterte doubles PH athletes’ incentives By Peter Atencio A BONUS for Filipino national athletes, who won medals in the 31st Southeast Asian Games, was outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte’s way of saying thanks. The surprise payout matched the incentives that the Philippine Sports Commission gave out on Tuesday evening to the deserving medallists of the biennial meet. “Merong medalya or wala, natutuwa ako. Bago ako umalis, maraming salamat po,” said Duterte as he addressed the athletes who came to meet him at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of the Malacang Palace. Due to the big turnout of athletes, Duterte handed out the bonuses in three parts to the medal winners, with snookers’ champion Rubilen Amit representing the 52 gold medallists, fencer Nathaniel Perez receiving for the 70 silver medallists and woodpusher Janelle Mae Frayna getting the incentives on behalf of the 105 bronze medallists. A check worth P15.6 million for the gold winners,

another one amounting to P10.5 million for the silver achievers and P7.5 million for the bronze medalists were turned over in simple and brief ceremonies that followed. “Nagulat kami. It was very inspiring. The president has a soft heart for the athletes,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez and after the athletes present were also conferred the “Order of Lapu Lapu” honors, and with the rank of Kamagi. The amount that the medalists received was in accordance with Republic Act 10699, known as the National Athletes and Coaches Incentives law. The distribution of cash rewards coming from the PSC and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation then followed in a separate room. This put the total cash bonanza given to P66.320 million when the rites ended. Philippine Oympic Committee president and outgoing Cavite (District 8) Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who earlier took his oath of office as Tagaytay City

Rubilen Amit represented the gold medalists.

Mayor before the president, said Duterte’s gesture was quite moving. “I am very surprised by this. Kung ano ang binigay ng PSC, iyun din ang binigay niya. This is very good for the athletes. This is the first time that this has happened,” said Tolentino.

Jenelyn Olsim

Stamp backs Olsim to win at ONE 158 TEAM Lakay standout Jenelyn Olsim is quickly building up her fan base as she progresses in her budding mixed martial arts career. You can now count Thailand’s Stamp Fairtex among the many people who have shown support for the talented Filipina. Olsim is set to take on Julie Mezabarba at ONE 158: Tawanchai vs. Larsen, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium this Friday, June 3. Stamp believes Olsim’s more developed ground game will be the difference in this atomweight clash. “I predict that Jenelyn will win. In my opinion, Julie’s strength is striking and of course, she’s got weaknesses on the ground game. While Jenelyn’s strengths are the same as Julie’s, Julie’s weakness is that she doesn’t have enough skill on the ground,” said Stamp. “I think both of them are strikers so it’s equal, but Jenelyn will have the advantage because she also has the ground game.” OIsim has gone 2-1 in ONE Championship since making her main roster debut. A ONE Warrior Series product, the Team Lakay star comes from a striking background, particularly the Baguio City-based faction’s specialty of Wushu. But the 25-yearold has also shown she is adept in the grappling arts.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

4.7.7.

TODAY REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON AUDIT

This report shall be prepared by the Property and/or Supply Division/Unit to report/summarize all issued semiexpendable property (by semi-expendable property number) at least weekly. It shall be prepared by the Property and/or Supply Custodian based on the ICS and shall be used by the Accounting Division/Unit as basis in preparing the journal entry voucher to recognize the semi-expendable property issued.

Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City

CIRCULAR

No. Date

: 2022-004___ : May 31, 2022

All Heads of the National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Government Corporations (GCs); Local Chief Executives; Heads of Finance/Comptrollership/Financial Management Services; Chief Accountants/Heads of Accounting Units; Budget Officers/Heads of Budget Units; Heads of Property and/or Supply Division/Unit; Commission on Audit (COA) Assistant Commissioners, Directors, Auditors; and All Others Concerned

SUBJECT

Guidelines on the Implementation of Section 23 of the General Provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 11639 also known as the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 relative to the increase in the capitalization threshold from P15,000.00 to P50,000.00

1.0

The Property/Supply Officer shall conduct periodic monitoring of all ICS issued to ensure that the accountability of concerned employees is checked.

1.2.

Section 23 of the General Provisions of RA No. 11639 or the FY 2022 GAA provides that tangible items below P50,000.00 shall be accounted as semi-expendable property. The increase in the capitalization threshold was envisioned to lead to a more efficient utilization of funds in the procurement of goods. However, as stated in the President’s Veto Message, the implementation of the provision for the increase in the capitalization threshold from below P15,000.00 to below P50,000.00 shall be subject to the issuance by COA of appropriate accounting and auditing rules and regulations.2 Pending the issuance from COA, the agencies/entities shall still apply the existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations. 1

4.7.9.

In view of the abovementioned developments and in consonance with the rule-making function of this Commission as provided under Section 2(2)3 of Article IX-D of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and Section 25(4),4 Chapter 2, Title I of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1445 or the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines, this Circular is issued to prescribe the guidelines on the implementation of Section 23 of the General Provision of FY 2022 GAA.

4.7.10. Annex A.10 – Inventory and Inspection Report of Unserviceable Semi-Expendable Property (IIRUSP) This report shall be used to account for all unserviceable semi-expendable property of an entity which is subject to disposal. It shall be prepared by the Property and/or Supply Division/Unit.

COVERAGE

4.0

4.8.

DEFINITION OF TERMS For the purpose of this Circular, the following terms shall be construed to mean as follows: 3.1.

Capitalization threshold – refers to the monetary value at which an entity elects to capitalize tangible assets that are used in operations and that have initial useful lives extending beyond a single reporting period.

3.3.

Current Replacement Cost – is the cost the entity would incur to acquire the asset on the reporting date.5

3.4.

Tangible Assets/Items – are identifiable non-monetary assets with physical substance.

b. High-valued items – cost of each item is more than P5,000.00 but less than P50,000.00. 4.9.

4.2.

4.3.

b. High-valued items – accountability shall only be extinguished upon return of the item to the Property and/or Supply Division/ Unit or in case of loss, upon approval of the request for relief from property accountability, regardless of the expiration of the estimated useful life.

Tangible items which meet the definition and recognition criteria of PPE but cost is below Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) shall be accounted in the books of accounts of the agencies as semiexpendable property. This shall be supported by the issuance of the Inventory Custodian Slip (ICS) to establish accountability of the end-user. ICS shall be issued to the end-user and shall be renewed every three years or every time there is a change in custodianship/ user of the property. The threshold shall be applied on an individual asset or per item basis. Each item within the bulk acquisition such as library books, small equipment, computer peripherals, work animals, and the like, will need to meet the amount of below P50,000.00 to be recognized as semi-expendable property.

4.10. Upon expiration of the estimated useful life for low-valued semi-expendable property, the issued ICS to end-user shall be automatically cancelled. The end of its useful life means the end of the accountability of the end-user. However, if the low-valued semiexpendable property is deemed unserviceable before the end of its useful life, it shall be returned to the Property and/or Supply Division/ Unit for cancellation of the ICS and proper disposal. The return of low-valued items by the end-user shall be recorded in the IIRUSP. Another/New semi-expendable property of the same nature or use shall not be issued, unless justifiable, before the expiration of the estimated useful life or cancellation of the ICS previously issued to the end-user.

The increase in the capitalization threshold from P15,000.00 to P50,000.00 shall be considered as a change in accounting policy and shall be applied retrospectively. It means that the new capitalization threshold of P50,000.00 shall be applied for all tangible items purchased in calendar year (CY) 2022 onwards and in the prior years.

4.11. For issued high-valued semi-expendable property which have become unserviceable, these shall be reported by the Property/ Supply Officer in the IIRUSP upon return by the end-user. 4.12. The agency shall determine/provide the estimated useful life of each semi-expendable property, subject to post-audit of the COA auditors concerned. The agency is in the best position to estimate the useful life of their semi-expendable property. The agency shall also issue an updated policy/memorandum determining/providing the estimated useful life, as necessary.

For issued tangible items acquired prior to CY 2022 with amounts from P15,000.00 to below P50,000.00 previously classified as PPE: a. The carrying amount shall be expensed/charged to the following accounts, as applicable: i.

Accumulated Surplus/(Deficit) for NGAs and GCs classified as Non-Commercial Public Sector Entities;

iii. Prior Period Adjustment and Government Equity for LGUs.

c. The existing Property Acknowledgment Receipts (PARs) for these items may be retained by the end-users and shall serve as the ICS until their accountabilities for such items are extinguished. Thus, the existing PARs need not be replaced with new ICSs.

•

Semi-Expendable Machinery and Equipment - 5 to 15 years

•

Semi-Expendable Furniture, Fixtures and Books - 2 to 15 years

a. These items shall be reclassified to the appropriate semiexpendable property account.

4.14. For proper maintenance of ICS, the Property and/or Supply Division/ Unit shall assign separate ICS control number for low-valued items and high-valued items. Segregation of ICS for semi-expendable property will ensure proper monitoring of accountability particularly for high-valued items which accountability only expires after the return of the item or in case of loss, upon approval of the request for relief from property accountability.

b. The Property Cards being maintained by the Supply and/or Property Division/Unit for these items shall serve as SemiExpendable Property Card (SPCs) until these items are issued.

4.15. The acquisition of a semi-expendable property shall comply with the prevailing procurement policies and procedures prescribed in RA No. 91847 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.

c. The Property, Plant and Equipment Ledger Cards being maintained by the Accounting Division/Unit for these items shall serve as Semi-Expendable Property Ledger Cards (SPLCs) until these items are issued.

4.16. Semi-expendable property shall be covered by the policies of International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) 12– Inventories. Hence, they are not subject to depreciation but subject to impairment.

For tangible items acquired prior to CY 2022 with amounts below P15,000.00 which are already classified as semi-expendable property and are still in the custody of the Supply and/or Property Division/Unit:

4.17. When high-valued semi-expendable property is lost by the end-user, the accountable officer shall apply the existing policies and guidelines for request for relief from property accountability of lost government property.

For tangible items acquired prior to CY 2022 with amounts from P15,000.00 to below P50,000.00 previously classified as PPE which are still in the custody of the Supply and/or Property Division/Unit:

a. The Stock Cards being maintained by the Supply and/or Property Division/Unit for these items shall serve as SPCs until these items are issued.

4.18. In case of loss of unissued semi-expendable property, the Property/ Supply Officer shall notify the Accounting Department thru the RLSDDSP, which serves as the Notice of Loss, as basis for the derecognition in the books of account. The loss shall be charged to account “Loss of Assets” at its carrying amount and credited to the appropriate inventory account – semi-expendable. Should the Property/ Supply Officer fail to file pursuant to Section 73 of the PD No. 1445 and Section 5 of the 2009 Revised Rules of Procedure of the COA a request for relief from accountability within 30 days from date of submission of RLSDDSP, the Chief Accountant shall record a debit to “Due from Officers and Employees” account and a credit to “Other Deferred Credits” account the amount of the loss. Once the request for relief from property accountability is granted, the latter accounting entry shall be reversed.

b. The Supplies Ledger Cards being maintained by the Accounting Division/Unit for these items shall serve as SPLCs until these items are issued. A change in accounting policy requires retrospective application. The entity shall adjust the opening balance of each affected component of net assets/equity for the earliest period presented, and the other comparative amounts disclosed for each prior period presented as if the new accounting policy had always been applied.6 It means that the entity shall restate the amounts for prior period/s in the comparative financial statements to reflect the change in accounting policy.

4.7.

To strengthen controls over the semi-expendable property, the following forms, registry, and reports are prescribed as annexes: 4.7.1.

4.19. When a semi-expendable property is lost before the end of its useful life in the possession of the official/employee to whom it is issued, the loss shall be recorded by the Chief Accountant upon the receipt of RLSDDSP as debit to “Due from Officers and Employees” and a credit to the account “Other Deferred Credits” at its Current Replacement Cost with the same condition and specifications of the lost semi-expendable property at the time of loss.

Annex A.1 – Semi-Expendable Property Card (SPC) This form shall be maintained in the Supply and/or Property Division/Unit for each class of semi-expendable property to record promptly the acquisition (based on the Inspection and Acceptance Report and other supporting documents), issue/ transfer/disposal and the description/ information about the asset.

4.7.2.

Annex A.2 – Semi-Expendable Property Ledger Card (SPLC) This form shall be kept in the Accounting Division/Unit to record promptly the acquisition, description, custody, impairment, issue/transfer/disposal, repair history, and other information about the property.

4.7.3.

Annex A.3 – Inventory Custodian Slip (ICS)

4.20. Annex B of this Circular enumerates the procedures to be followed in the Receipt, Inspection, Acceptance and Recording of Deliveries of Semi-Expendable Property; Procedures in the Requisition and Issue of Semi-Expendable Property; and Procedures on the Transfer, Return, Re-issue and Disposal of Semi-Expendable Property. 5.0

Annex A.4 – Registry of Semi-Expendable Property Issued (RegSPI)

6.0

7.0

4.7.6.

Annex A.6 – Receipt of Returned Semi-Expendable Property (RRSP) This form shall be prepared by the Accountable Officer for returned semi-expendable property whether serviceable or unserviceable.

EFFECTIVITY This Circular shall take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

RIZALINA NOVAL JUSTOL Chairperson

ROLAND CAFÉ PONDOC Commissioner

Annex A.5 – Inventory Transfer Report (ITR) The report shall be used every time there is a transfer of inventory such as donation, reassignment, relocation, and the like, from an outgoing officer to his successor or from one accountable officer/employee to another of the same or another entity, or from one entity/agency to another entity/ agency.

REPEALING CLAUSE All circulars, memoranda, and other issuances or any parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Circular are hereby amended,modified, or revoked accordingly.

This registry shall be maintained in the Property and/ or Supply Division/Unit for each class of issued semiexpendable property. The Property and/or Supply Custodian shall record promptly the issue, return, reissue, disposal, and other information about the property if returned and the description/information about the asset. It shall be maintained by fund. ICS shall be maintained continuously and recorded in sequential manner to keep track of any missing ICS. (Note: This functions similarly to SPC, however only a registry is recommended to be maintained since issued semi-expendable property are already derecognized in the books of accounts.) 4.7.5.

SAVING CLAUSE Any clarification or request for assistance on the implementation of this Circular or cases not covered herein shall be referred to this Commission through the Government Accountancy Sector.

This form is used by the Property and/or Supply Division/Unit to issue tangible items amounting to less than P50,000.00 to end-user to establish accountability over them. 4.7.4.

Nadal whips Novak, meets Zverev next

ARIS—Rafael Nadal insisted he still has work to do to win a 14th French Open despite knocking out Novak Djokovic and said it was “too late” to be playing after their quarter-ﬁnal ended in the early hours of Wednesday. The Spaniard is still on track for a record-extending 22nd men’s Grand Slam title and will face third seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals on his 36th birthday on Friday. Nadal took his head-to-head against defending champion Djokovic at Roland Garros to 8-2 with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) win which finished after 1:00 am local time. “In the end it has been a very emotional night for me,” said Nadal. “I’m still playing for nights like today. “But it’s just a quarter-finals match? So I didn’t win anything. I just give myself a chance to be back on court in two days. Playing another semi-finals here in Roland Garros means a lot to me.” The match ended in cool conditions under the Court Philippe Chatrier lights, with many fans covering themselves in blankets as the match stretched from May into June. “It is too late, without a doubt,” said Nadal who had asked not to play in the night session. “I can’t complain because we have two days off now, but if you

only have one day off, or like Zverev had in Madrid, when he had to play the final the next day, then it’s a big issue. “I understand the other part of the business, without a doubt, that television pays a lot of money... “We need to find a balance.” Nadal, who won the Australian Open earlier this year, has struggled in recent weeks with a chronic foot injury. He said before his match with Djokovic that it could potentially be his last on the Paris clay. “I don’t know what can happen,” he admitted. “As I said before, I’m gonna be playing this tournament because we are doing the things to be ready to play this tournament, but I don’t know what’s gonna happen after here. “I have what I have there in the foot, so if we are not able to find an improvement or a small solution for that, then it’s becoming super difficult for me. “So that’s it. I am just enjoying every day that I have the chance to be here, and without thinking much about what can happen in the future.” AFP

Based on the above life spans, the entity shall prepare the specific estimated useful life for each semi-expendable property based on its experience on the life of its asset, and copy furnished the COA auditors.

d. For additional control and safeguard, please refer to paragraphs 4.8.b. and 4.9.b of this Circular.

4.6.

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022

The above life span of semi-expendable property may be used unless a more appropriate estimated useful life of semi-expendable property is determined by the agency based on the nature of its operation and mission, among others.

b. The corresponding accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment loss shall be closed in the books of accounts.

4.5.

4.13. To serve as a guide, a range of estimated useful life per class is provided, as follows:

ii. Retained Earnings/(Deficit) for GCs classified as Commercial Public Sector Entities; or

4.4.

The accountability for semi-expendable property shall also be segregated based on a categorization, as follows: a. Low-valued items – accountability shall be extinguished upon expiration of the estimated useful life, or upon return of the property before the end of its useful life, whether serviceable or non-serviceable, to the Property and/or Supply Division/Unit; and

IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES 4.1.

For additional control and to safeguard the semi-expendable property considering that more valuable items shall be covered by the new capitalization threshold, the semi-expendable property shall be classified into two categories: a. Low-valued items – cost of each item is P5,000.00 or less; and

Semi-expendable property – tangible items which meet the definition and recognition criteria of Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE), but below the capitalization threshold of P50,000.00.

3.2.

Annex A.9 – Report of Lost, Stolen, Damaged or Destroyed Semi-Expendable Property (RLSDDSP) This report shall be used by the accountable officer/ employee to report or notify within 30 days the officials concerned of the loss, theft, damage or destruction of the semi-expendable property whether issued or unissued. The RLSDDSP shall support the subsequent request for relief from property accountability.

This Circular shall be implemented by all NGAs, Local Government Units (LGUs), and GCs. 3.0

Annex A.8 – Report on the Physical Count of SemiExpendable Property (RPCSP) This form shall be used to report the physical count of semiexpendable property, which are owned by the agency/entity, by type of property still in the custody of the Property and/ or Supply Division/Unit as at a given date. It shows the balance of semi-expendable items per card and per count and shortage/overage, if any. It shall be prepared annually and by fund by the Inventory Committee.

RATIONALE 1.1.

2.0

In this form, the ICS No. is indicated and the agency can check anytime if there are missing ICS at hand since ICS is the only accountability form for the issuance of semiexpendable property. Proper keeping and monitoring of the ICS by the Property/Supply Officer is recommended.

4.7.8.

Sports

Annex A.7 – Report of Semi-Expendable Property Issued (RSPI)

MARIO GONZALES LIPANA Commissioner

Note: Annexes A and B of the Circular may be accessed in the COA website @www.coa.gov.ph

1 2 3

4 5 6 7

Semi-expendable Property. Tangible items below Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) shall be accounted as semi-expendable property. (CONDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION - President’s Veto Message, December 30, 2021, Volume I-B, page 819, Republic Act (RA) No. 11639) RA No. 11639 or the General Appropriations Act (GAA) FY 2022. President’s Veto Message. The Commission shall have exclusive authority, subject to the limitations in this Article, to define the scope of its audit and examination, establish the techniques and methods required therefor, and promulgate accounting and auditing rules and regulations, including those for the prevention and disallowance of irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable expenditures or uses of government funds and properties. To promulgate auditing and accounting rules and regulations so as to facilitate the keeping, and enhance the information value, of the accounts of the government. Par. 9, International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) 12-Inventories (2019 version). Third paragraph of Section 38, Chapter 19-Financial Reporting, Volume I of the Government Accounting Manual for National Government Agencies. Government Procurement Reform Act.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after winning against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic at the end of their men’s singles match on Day 19 of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris. AFP

Cua eyes sweep of PPS tennis swing in Cotabato DHEA Cua hopes to cash in on her rich vein of form as she goes for a third straight two-title romp in the PPS-PEPP Pigcawayan national age-group tennis tournament, which unwrapped yesterday (Wednesday) in Cotabato. The 14-year-old rising star from Kidapawan dominated her category in the Kabacan stop and at home and added the 16-andunder title in both legs to remain the marked player in the five-day tournament capping the Cotabato swing of the country’s longesttalent search. But while she is tipped to reassert her mastery over the 14-U field at the Pigcawayan courts, Cua faces a stiff challenge in the 16-U division with the likes of Saschena Francisco, Jilian Manangking, Janah Mamac, Gwyneth Dino and Jeanne Rayray going all out to foil her sweep bid

in the five-day competition put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Castro. Manangking and Francisco also brace for a showdown in the premier 18-U side while Divine Collado from Libungan, Cotabato, and Carl Eduarte, also from Kidapawan, likewise shoot for third straight wins in the 12-U class of the eight-division tournament presented by Dunlop and backed by ProtekTODO, PalawanPay, the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating). For details, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464. Action in the boys’ side is also expected to be tight with second seed RJ Saldivar out to snap a string of failed bids in the centerpiece 18-U division led by Vince Serna with Ben Flores and Aiki Abasolo also in the fold.

Johnson heads LIV golf opener cast LONDON—Former world number one Dustin Johnson will head the field for the inaugural $25 million LIV Golf Invitational Series event in England, the new Saudi-backed golf circuit said Wednesday. The American two-time major champion said in February that he would stay loyal to the US PGA Tour, but in an apparent U-turn Johnson was one of two top-20 ranked players listed in the field for the 54-hole tournament starting on June 9. Former British Open champion and world number 20 Louis Oosthuizen, former Masters champions Charl Schwartzel and Sergio Garcia, plus former US Open champions Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer are also in the field. The US PGA Tour has refused to grant releases for its players in the LIV event, which clashes with next week’s Canadian Open. Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson’s name was absent despite previously expressing support for the money-spinning breakaway circuit. AFP

(MS-JUNE 2, 2022)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022

BTS ‘devastated’ by US hate crimes SOUTH Korean K-pop sensations BTS didn’t sing a word during a White House visit Tuesday to meet President Joe Biden, but the supergroup’s message against anti-Asian racism came loud and clear. The seven stars, dressed in matching dark suits and ties, with white shirts, joined White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at the briefing room podium — a tiny, but powerful stage. The singer Park Ji-min, better known as Jimin, said through a translator that the group is “devastated by the recent surge of hate crimes” in

South Korean band BTS members are like 'youth ambassadors,' the White House says

Arthur Nery

the United States. Another member, Suga, appealed for tolerance, saying, “It’s not wrong to be different. I think equality begins when we open up and embrace all of our differences.” Group members did not take questions from reporters before going into a meeting with Biden and, according to the White House, recording “digital content.” Outside the mansion’s grounds on the other side of a tall black fence, fans who dub themselves the “Army” gathered in hopes of a glimpse. The brief appearance before

OPM balladeer Arthur Nery

to share piece of heart, relatable feels in first solo concert

ISING balladeer and currently one of the hottest names in OPM, Arthur Nery, is set to go on stage with his first major solo concert. Simply titled Arthur Nery, the concert will be held on July 2 at the New Frontier Theater. Arthur Nery cemented his hitmaker standing with his song “Pagsamo” released in 2021. The single went on to become a massive Pinoy Pop hit and even made it the theme of the VivaMax movie My Husband, My Lover. To date “Pagsamo” has over 200 million streams on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Arthur Nery broke into the mainstream some three years ago with his acclaimed solo album Letters Never Sent. The album yielded the single “Higa” which eventually became his breakout hit. Several tracks from the same album also made their mark, including “Binhi” and”l “Life Puzzle.” But it was in 2020 that Arthur went whitehot with a string of singles starting with

“Happy w U” that was followed up with “Take All The Love” in 2021. Arthur has also produced hit collaborations with other OPM artists including his duet with Janine Teñoso, fan-fave, and kilig hit “Pelikula” in 2021. Recently, Arthur’s latest single “Isa Lang” became a certified hit within a few weeks of its release, topping Pinoy Pop songs on Spotify’s local charts. Tickets are selling fast for Arthur’s concert, proving his strong appeal to his fanbase. As of this writing, both SVIP and Loge seats have already been sold out. Ticket prices for the Arthur Nery concert are priced at P4,000 for the SVIP seats (that includes a Meet & Greet- SOLD OUT), VIP seating for 3,000, Orchestra at P2,000, Loge at P1,500 (Sold Out), and Balcony at P750. For ticket inquiries call VIVA (0917) 1825560 or Ticketnet (02) 8911-5555. Viva Live, Inc. is the music production outfit behind the hit concerts of Sarah Geronimo, Anne Curtis, Regine VelasquezAlcasid, Vice Ganda, and many more.

Morissette is now venturing onto the next chapter of her career under NYMA

The cast for the Filipino adaptation of ‘Flower of Evil’

production team.” Vidanes said, “Our partnership with Viu on the local adaptation of Flower of Evil is a major milestone for ABS-CBN Entertainment. This is an opportunity for us to showcase excellent Filipino content and talent to the global audience in the 16 markets of Viu.” She added, “Our local adaptation of the Korean hit love story Flower of Evil, a compelling and powerful narrative on love for family, search for truth and

justice, is the unanimous choice to open our regional partnership with Viu.” Flower of Evil is currently in production and is scheduled to premiere soon. It follows the thrilling story of a man who successfully changes his identity in order to hide his scandalous past. He then marries a police detective, who will later on be tasked with investigating an unsolved serial murder case that will lead her back to him. The show also stars Agot Isidro,

Shanti Dope, Flow G’s new single encourages listeners to check on their friends By Patricia Taculao

ABS-CBN partners with Viu to bring Philippine adaptation of ‘Flower of Evil’ ABS-CBN and Viu, PCCW’s leading pan-regional OTT video streaming service, has announced the expansion of their partnership to adapt the hit South Korean thriller drama Flower of Evil in 16 markets across Asia, the Middle East, and South Africa. The much-anticipated series is the first Viu Original Adaptation from the Philippines which stars Lovi Poe and Piolo Pascual. It will stream simultaneously on Viu 48 hours before its domestic television broadcast. ABS-CBN Entertainment’s Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast, Cory Vidanes, and Viu Philippines’ Country Manager, Arianne Kader-Cu, shared their excitement for the series, which will be Lovi’s first Kapamilya drama series since joining ABS-CBN, and Piolo’s first drama series after four years. Kader-Cu said, “Testament to our commitment to bringing the best premium Asian entertainment to Viuers, we are happy to work with ABSCBN once again to bring the Philippine adaptation of Flower of Evil to all of Viu’s 16 markets. This latest offering puts Filipino talent front and center in the way we do storytelling, supported by a powerhouse cast and a world-class

journalists itself reportedly garnered more than 300,000 viewers on the White House’s YouTube channel, more than 10 times the traffic on a day when the only people watching events in the briefing room are mostly media or political professionals. It was certainly something new for economic policy advisor Brian Deese, who had been scheduled to brief reporters on Biden’s fight against US inflation right after the group left. “I get to go home and tell my kids that BTS opened for me,” he said to laughter. AFP, Read full story on manilastandard.net

Edu Manzano, Denise Laurel, Joross Gamboa, Joem Bascon, Epy Quizon, Rita Avila, Jett Pangan, Pinky Amador, Joko Diaz, and JC de Vera. ABS-CBN and Viu’s collaboration strengthens their vision and commitment to bringing premium Asian entertainment to more viewers worldwide. The partnership kicked off early this year, with the streaming of ABS-CBN’s hit drama series The Broken Marriage Vow on Viu.

THE Filipino greeting “kumusta” (or “kamusta”) is more than just a friendly phrase. It also opens the opportunity for people to connect and relay their present situations. It also serves as an invitation among friends to discuss difficult predicaments that few people can handle alone. Rap star Shanti Dope’s new song revolves around the premise of asking how your friends are doing because you don’t know the challenges they’re facing in life entirely. Aptly titled “Kamusta,” the new single was written and created in collaboration with another rising star in the Filipino hip-hop scene, Flow G. The pair share a good relationship and often ask how the other is doing, sparking the inspiration for the song. Both Shanti Dope and Flow G wrote their verses for the song. As they demonstrated their parts to each other, they realized they had to add more because it conveys a relevant message that people shouldn’t have to carry their burdens alone and for others to be considerate about their mental health. Some people struggle with accepting mental health problems and the stigma surrounding them, which came from years of prejudice and disinformation. As a result, they keep their feelings in the dark and try to find solutions themselves, even if they’re already struggling. For Shanti, people must care for their mental health since it maintains their overall well-being. “Learn how to balance things. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and you need to take care of it. Also, don’t be afraid to share your problems with the people who matter because they’ll help you get through them,” he said in the vernacular during the exclusive premiere of “Kamusta” and its music video. “Kamusta” begins with Flow G asking the greeting and hoping the listener is doing well. However, he hopes that they’re also not pretending to be strong and share their problems because there’s someone ready to listen. “Those verses are me scolding myself for trying to be tough when I should be finding the light to help solve my problems,” Flow G said. He added that the phrase that hit him the most was, “Habang yung katinuan naka-kadena sa alak, usok, at tableta,” because it reflects how people turn to vices whenever a problem arises instead of finding support from peers or through faith. Shanti, who admits to having low points in his life, turns to music to combat negativity and remain inspired to do what he loves. In the meantime, Flow G seeks the company of family and loved ones for solace. In the music video, directed by Jeremy Lim, both Shanti Dope and Flow G donned all-white ensembles while standing atop a building. Lim shared that the concept behind the visuals is that both rappers portrayed guardian angels looking down from above to remind people that there’s always someone ready to listen to them. As the music video progresses, it also tackles the significance of consent, respect for a person’s privacy, and the impact of social media on one’s mental health. “Kamusta” is the first collaboration between Shanti Dope and Flow G. Yet, they’re already encouraging their fans to stay tuned for more future partnerships. The song and its music video are now available to watch on YouTube. It’s also accessible on Spotify. Rap star Shanti Dope raises awareness on mental health problems through his new single 'Kamusta'

Flow G's verses are reminiscent of some pieces of advice that most friends give

Morissette moves to new talent management NYMA SINGER Morissette is pursuing her professional career with talent management agency NYMA. In a statement sent to Manila Standard Entertainment, NYMA said it is “extremely excited to witness Asia’s Phoenix take to the skies and beyond for the next chapter of her career.” “We’re honored that Morissette has chosen to bring her immense talents to NYMA, who joined us last May 1. We can’t wait to share with the world the relaunch of Morissette,” said Kat Bautista, NYMA’s Head of Talent and Morissette’s sole manager. An alumna of TV5’s Star Factor

and the first season of ABS-CBN’s The Voice Philippines, Morissette rose to prominence as “Asia’s Phoenix” after an iconic performance at the Asia Song Festival 2017 in Busan, South Korea. In 2019, Morissette sang several Disney songs in a two-day concert entitled Disney in Concert: A Tale as Old as Time and was later chosen by Disney to sing the theme song, “A Whole New World,” for the live-action film version of Aladdin. She even met with actor Will Smith, and performed a short number with Alan Menken on a special clip for the film. She has also worked with Grammyaward winning singer Michael Bolton on two international talent competitions:

Bolt of Talent of Star World Asia and Fox TV and Asian Dream of AXN Asia, where she yet again co-hosted and judged with Michael. In 2021, Morissette released her first collection of original music entitled “Signature,” featuring the hit single “Love You Still,” with her husband Dave Lamar. The song charted in 12 countries including the U.S. and U.K. Morissette debuted on the Pandora Predictions Chart and at number 7 on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart, making her the firstever female OPM artist to do so. To celebrate her 10th anniversary in the industry, she held a virtual concert titled Phoenix in January 2022 highlighting her growth as a performer through the years.

Most recently, Morissette went viral after a soaring performance of her original song “Power” at Miss Universe Philippines 2022 coronation night. Hitting high note after high note as both past and current Miss Universe winners and contestants wowed the audience, Asia’s Phoenix proved that she is more than ready to conquer the world stage. “I aspire to fly on to the world stage, and together with NYMA, soar to new heights,” Morissette said of her new management. NYMA, which means “Now, You Must Aspire,” is one of the brands under Kroma Entertainment. To know more about KROMA and NYMA, visit https://www.kroma.ph/.

Life

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022

Kathryn Bernardo’s mantra for good health SCREEN star Kathryn Bernar- akong mang-surprise.” do is the latest addition to Biogesic One of Kath’s care languages is family and she is beyond ecstatic, giving gifts in the form of meals. “I especially after having done the love sending food, especially when iconic “ingat” salute. I know that they crave it. Or sim“I didn’t think they’d have me ply because I remembered them do it, and when they did, sabi ko with the food.” sa sarili ko, ‘My God, this is really Caring for one’s self happening. It is such an honor,” But Kath knows that to be able exclaims Kath, as she is fondly to continuously care for others, called, recalling how she would she also has to take care of herself watch award-winning actor John that’s why she is an advocate of Lloyd Cruz make the symbolic self-care. Without fail, she starts gesture when she was younger. her day with a workout to get her Cruz was the first brand ambas- endorphins kicking. She also loves sador to popularize the “ingat” sa- a good pampering at a nail salon or lute, followed by seasoned actress having a facial. Or simply trying Jodi Sta. Maria, Biogesic’s brand out a new recipe at home. ambassador for seven years. “Gustong-gusto ko ang me-time. “I grew up with Biogesic in our I would go to the mall and I would household, just like most Filipino buy myself clothes that I’ve been families. It is our go-to medicine eyeing for a while… Nagtatrabafor fever and headaches,” Kath re- ho ako para sa mga mahal ko and veals. of course para sa sarili ko so hindi Now 26, Kath continues to ko kinakalimutan na i-reward ang swear by the brand’s spotless repu- sarili ko once in a while. That tation. So much so that she makes works for me.” sure she has stock at home, with Kath does not shy away from some neatly tucked in the first aid asking for free days, too, especialkit that she carries in her bag wher- ly when she feels like she’s already ever she goes. been working days on end. This Kath went on to recall the recent she does to be able to go out with event when she and her family sent friends and keep everything in her out Biogesic to their relatives and life balanced. friends during the surge of cases early this year. “Ganon siya pinagkakatiwalaan ng mga tao. ‘Yun ang fastest and easiest way to get better from headache and fever.” With her genuine care for others, Kath couldn’t be a more perfect advocate for the brand, especially with its newest campaign dubbed “Alagang Biogesic: Languages of Care.” We all have different ways of expressing care. For Kath, it’s spendA young Kathryn with her parents ing quality time and making her loved ones feel that she cares for However, fatigue, them. lack of sleep, and Being a stress can somecelebrity, times wear Kath adher down mits to and make workher sick. In ing long times like hours these, she on end. likes to be H e r with family, b u s y specifically schedher mom. ule sel“I’m clingy dom leaves when I’m sick. enough time I like the feeling to go on exthat someone is taktended holidays. ing care of me... TaBut when an op- Kathryn receives the utmost pos request ko parati, portunity presents care from her mother, especially sopas, yung maramwhen she’s sick itself, she makes ing butter, ‘yung kusure to spend it lay yellow na ‘yung with the people that matter to her sabaw sa dami ng butter.” the most. Kath further adds: “And kung “I have a very small circle of kailangan, inuman din talaga ng friends, but that’s my core. I make medicine like Biogesic tapos mafitime for them because I am very feel mo na napapawisan ka and busy and nasa akin talaga kung you’re getting better.” paano ko ime-maintain yung #AlagangBiogesic friendship. So during my free time, For Kath, family, and friends, I make sure na maramdaman nila ample rest and proper nutrition are that I am there for them.” a powerful arsenal. “Listen to your Kath does the same and more body. Relax and take things slow. for her family. “Sometimes it’s You also need to eat food that will the little things. Like if you need help your body heal faster. And me, or kahit ayaw surround yourself with people who mo pero feelwill look after you while recovering ko kaiing.” langan She also stresses how important mo ako, it is to take a trusted and proven I would effective medicine for headache go to and fever, like Biogesic, which y o u , can be consumed on an empty t h a t ’s stomach and taken by pregh o w nant women, breastfeeding I am. moms, and the elderly. M a “Over the years, the brand hilig has proven how reliable it d i n is. If you feel like you’re coming down with something, inuman mo na agad ng gamot. It’s also one way of protecting your loved ones, by keeping yourself healthy.” To check Kath’s newest ad campaign, just click h t t p s : / / w w w. youtube.com/ watch?v=F7JRNHJnrA . Kathryn genuinely cares for others, making her the ideal endorser for Biogesic

A futuristic yet colorful boardroom welcomes guests at Phoenix

The media with the team from TaskUs in its HQ in Ortigas

The lounge area at Atlantis, the TaskUs’ site in Batangas

Why taking care of employees is a good business W

HAT made you quit your previous job? Was it already toxic? Was the passion no longer there? Did you feel that there’s no more growth for you as a professional? Was the company unsteady or you just didn’t really like the office culture? Working for a company is exactly like being in a relationship: you aim for the long haul; you want it to be the best place to work; you seek growth and opportunities; as you play your “A” game, you want to be rewarded with world-class benefits and compensation; and most of all, you want to feel valued and your relationship with your company be healthy, not just for your physical wellbeing but also for your mental health. A few weeks ago, I was invited by a team from TaskUs to have a tour of their headquarters in Ortigas and its new office in Batangas City. TaskUs, Inc. (Nasdaq: TASK) is a provider of outsourced digital services and next-generation customer experience to fast-growing technology companies. The tour coincided with Global Employee Health and Fitness Month celebration. Before we began the site tour, I asked Kris Mandap, the site VP in Ortigas, what kind of image would they like people to know them for. He said, “We want people to see us as a company that cares for its employees.” Sure, that’s a general statement and any important member of a business organization can simply drop that cliche. But what does taking care of company employees really mean? That, I would find out as we proceeded with the tour. TaskUs has built a reputation for having some of the best office space in the industry. The company creates a unique theme for each office, meant to inspire creativity, engagement, and wellbeing. Take “Phoenix,” TaskUs’s site in Ortigas, for example. Phoenix, which serves as the company’s new headquarters in the Philippines, has floors designed with augmented reality-inspired elements, reflecting how TaskUs values people and cutting-edge technologies to create excellent customer support experience and innovation. Teammates working at Phoenix can take advantage of the daycare, sleeping pods, gaming and multimedia space, massage chairs, and more. Apart from a gym, the site will also have a space dedicated for teammates to do exercises such as yoga, boxing, and dancing, among others. It also has an in-house clinic and a psychologist’s office. Ortigas, known as Metro Manila’s second-largest business district and the breeding ground for outsourcing for the past two decades, places Phoenix as an ideal location to find top-tier talent. Being at the center of the metro, it is accessible to different residential areas and transportation hubs, allowing for an easier daily commute and more personal and family time for teammates. “Atlantis,” TaskUs’ site in Batangas, on the other hand, is inspired by an underwater paradise, reflective of the province’s beaches, coves, and rich marine biodiversity. Aside from being known as a natural hotspot for tourists, the province of Batangas is also home to fresh talent from 13 major universities and 12 colleges-–six of which are located within a 10-kilometer radius of Atlantis. Despite being in a non-metro location, it can be easily accessed by public transportation as Atlantis is located near the city’s bus terminal and international port. According to Bryce Maddock, TaskUs Co-Founder and CEO, the company investment in its office space is based on

The lobby at the Atlantis site

The daycare room at Phoenix

the belief that happy and resilient employees are more agile, flexible, and focused. The company has begun to bring most of its employees back to the office while leaving specific programs working from home. “We put the people doing jobs for our clients at the center of everything that what we do. We have world-class benefits on site. We also have on-site childcare facility and we give our employees free lunch every single day. We just ask them to make a small donation of 5 to 10 pesos and we pull that amount and donate it to local charities,” the executive told the author. “Our teammates are the bedrock of our organization,” added Maddock, who visited the Philippines for the first time since the pandemic and TaskUs going public. “Individually our teammates are great, but united, together, in the office we are unstoppable. This is why we build the coolest offices in the industry. We want our people to be excited to come to work.” The majority of TaskUs offices across the country are strategically located in non-metro areas, including La Union, Bulacan, Bohol, Pampanga, Antipolo, and Batangas, to promote work-life balance. Even for sites located in NCR, offices are creatively designed, have close proximity to both residential and commercial areas, and are easily accessible—all of which contribute to providing employees a higher quality of life. “We continue to evaluate our footprint to the demand of our clients. If you look at our footprint here in the Philippines and our footprint across the world, you see that we purposely go into tiertwo cities or cities that don’t have a lot of competition,” said COO Stephan Daoust. “People have to travel countless hours just to get to the office. And that’s a burden that we don’t want our employees to have to go through so we go to the local market where there’s excellent talent, excellent infrastructure, and we have the capability of hiring thousands of people that are just happy to have to travel 15 minutes rather than having to travel 2 to 4 hours,” Daoust elaborated. Maddock first came to the Philippines in May of 2009 and opened an office in Cavite. What started with five employees working at an office along Aguinaldo Highway for busy startups in the United States has grown into 45,000 global employees, 30,000 of which are working in the Philippines. And paraphrasing what the company’s head honcho said, “It’s been good business!” To retain good business and ensure continuous growth, the company also invests heavily in employee benefits, and

we are not just talking about the pecuniary matter. TaskUs offers its employees comprehensive training and career development in able for them to grow their careers. They have developed a program called The Academy where people can take some time to learn new roles and new skills. But apart from enhancing their skills, the company recognizes the kind of stress working in a dynamic environment can bring. “We do a lot of work that are stressful. Professional life can be very stressful and in our business, we support clients that are in stressful situations. We want to build a company that cares for its frontline teammates and helps them to grow. And that is not only the right thing to do but it’s good business. It’s good business because employees that burn out don’t generally come back to work,” Maddock shared. “It’s a win-win situation for us. We have a team of over a hundred mental health professionals that work for TaskUs and they do just an amazing job doing group wellness sessions one to one counseling sessions. It’s great business because it means our employees are more engaged and more capable of doing their job,” he carried on. Complementing Maddock’s statement, Vina Paglicawan, the company’s director of Wellness & Resiliency, said that studies prove that engagement leads to retention. “Our retention is also best-in-class in this industry. We live the value of employee first or people first. People first is at the core of everything that we do. It’s not an afterthought. It’s really the first question we ask ourselves, what does it mean to our employees,” Paglicawan stated. Just like any other companies in the Philippines and around the globe, TaskUs was confronted by the challenges brought about by the pandemic. But with its preparedness and business continuity plans perfectly in place, they can only look forward with better wisdom and confidence. “One of the greatest things coming to the Philippines or going to any of our sites around the world is spending time with teammates. Our work gets stressful, and it was particularly stressful during the pandemic. Going into the site, walking the floor, sitting down with teammates, and hearing their stories remind us why we do what we do,” Maddock ended underscoring why their employees serve as the company backbone and why they are always at the center of what they do as a business organization.

The coaching room has a modern yet comfortable vibe

Vibrant blues at purples are a dominant theme at Phoenix’s lounge and locker room

TaskUs is present in nine locations across the Philippines. Across the globe, it has a total of 23 sites in 12 countries including the United States, India, Europe, Japan, and Malaysia. To learn more about TaskUs, visit https://www. taskus.com.