Manila Standard - 2022 June 30 - Thursday by Manila Standard

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INSIDE A 12-page Special Supplement on the inauguration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. SectionS D, e & F

MOVING FORWARD: VOL. XXXVI • NO. 134 • 6 SECTIONS 24 PAGES • P18 THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Handover: Fresh start begins BBM takes oath as 17th President at 12 noon amid high hopes By Rey Requejo, Vince Lopez and Vito Barcelo FINAL REHEARSAL. It's all systems go for today's inauguration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the country's 17th President. (Inset) Singer Cris Villonco rehearses the song 'Pilipinas Kong Mahal' along with the Young Voices of the Philippines choir. Norman Cruz and Danny Pata

T 12 noon today and with the eyes of over 100 million hopeful Filipinos upon him, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will take his oath as the country's 17th President during the inauguration rites set at the National Museum in Manila. As preparations were underway, Pope Francis congratulated Marcos, who takes over from outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, in a mess a g e Wednesday.

“I send my congratulations and cordial wishes to your excellency as you begin your mandate as the president of the republic,” the Pope —the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, which include 85 million Filipinos—said in his message. Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown said the Pope also assured Marcos, who was catapulted to the presidency on the strength of more than 31 million votes in the May 9 elections, Next page

First Family to showcase local No signal jamming at inauguration site fashion design in barong, terno By Willie Casas

FOR his inauguration today, Presidentelect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family will wear several barong Tagalog shirts made by local designers, who hope it will also spur a revival of their moribund industry laid even lower by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the morning activities, Marcos will wear a modern barong inspired by

the rayadillo, the traditional military uniform in the Spanish era, his office said in a statement Wednesday. Multi-awarded designer Pepito Albert designed both this barong as well as a fully embroidered barong from Taal, Batangas that Marcos will wear for the evening’s activities following his inauguration at the National Museum in Manila. Next page

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said there are no plans to jam mobile phone signals during the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. today. Balloons, however, will not be allowed in the venue as these "may create fear in case they accidentally pop," the Manila Police District said

Marcos: I’ll sue Calida moves to COA, Veloso agri smugglers; to GSIS, Manalo likely to DFA Sotto: I’ll spill all By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Joel E. Zurbano, Othel V. Campos, and Julito G. Rada PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to prosecute all personalities involved in agricultural smuggling in the country, as hehad also named himself the head of the Department of Agriculture while searching for its next Next page Secretary.

By Rey E. Requejo and Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has designated outgoing Solicitor General Jose Calida as chairman of the Commission on Audit and Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso as the general manager of the Government Service Insurance System. Sources said Marcos is also inclined

to appoint the country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations as his Foreign Affairs Secretary. Manalo, the son of two ambassadors, previously served as acting DFA chief in 2017. His mother, Rosario, was the first female career diplomat of the DFA, while his father, Armando, was a journalist and a former ambassador to Belgium. A UP economics graduate, Manalo

Police likewise warned protesters not to hold demonstrations outside designated freedom parks, saying they would be met with a “corresponding police response.” “It just depends on the situation but for now, there are no plans to shut down the mobile signal. We have not really monitored an actual threat but our actions will depend on the developments until tomorrow,” outgoing DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.

He said "all hands are on deck" to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of Marcos’ inauguration. "We have prepared for this and we will execute all protocols as planned for the success of this historic occasion,” he added. Año said the Philippine National Police (PNP) activated its Task Force Manila Shield with more than 18,000 Next page

VISITING DIGNITARY.

US Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris, visits the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig on June 29, 2022. Emhoff will attend the inauguration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. today. AFP

LTFRB grants jeepneys P2 fare increase HELLO, GOODBYE. (From left) Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday bids farewell to her staff, security personnel and supporters at the Quezon City Reception House in New Manila. Outgoing Department of Transportation Secretary Art Tugade meets with his successor, Jaime Bautista, at the DOTr Clark Offices in Pampanga to discuss the agency's ongoing projects. Mandaluyong CIty Mayor Benjamin Abalos, who is under quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19, takes his oath before Supreme Court Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda virtually. Outgoing Manila Mayor Isko Moreno officiates the oath-taking of incoming Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah Honey Lacuna Pangan at the Manila Cathedral on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Manny Palmero and Danny Pata

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board approved an P11 provisional minimum fare for jeepneys nationwide. For Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon and Mimaropa, this would mean an additional P1 as the LTFRB earlier this month already approved a Next page

News

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SEC orders Rappler shut down T

Ressa has been a vocal critic of Duterte and the deadly drug war he launched in 2016, triggering what media advocates say is a grinding series of criminal charges, probes, and online attacks against her and Rappler. The latest blow was delivered by the Securities and Exchange Commission. In a statement Wednesday, it

confirmed the "revocation of the certificates of incorporation" of Rappler for violating "constitutional and statutory restrictions on foreign ownership in mass media." Rappler said the decision "effectively confirmed the shutdown" of the company and vowed to appeal, describing the proceedings as "highly irregular."

But Ressa was characteristically defiant, vowing the news site would continue to operate as they followed the legal process. "We continue to work, it is business as usual," Ressa told reporters, adding "we can only hope for the best" under Duterte's successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The International Center for Journalists has urged the government to reverse its order to shut down Rappler. "This legal harassment not only costs Rappler time, money and energy. It enables relentless and prolific online violence designed to chill independent reporting," ICFJ said in a statement posted on Twitter.

Handover:...

vehicles, to the inaugural venue. Before leaving the Palace he has occupied since 2016, Duterte will be given departure honors. The inauguration ceremony will start with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, followed by an ecumenical prayer. A 30-minute military-civic parade will follow. Then the Senate President will read the Joint Resolution from both Houses of Congress before the administration of the Oath of Office of the President-Elect at exactly noon, as the Constitution mandates. For Marcos’s inaugural address, slight changes have been made after he was advised to make use of a teleprompter for the outline of his speech, to ensure sequencing and coherence. For the inaugural song, Cris Villonco and the Young Voices of the Philippines choir will sing the Pilipinas Kong Mahal. Villonco was chosen because she can sing traditional kundiman songs even as Marcos wants his inauguration to be very traditional and solemn. After the ceremony, Marcos will hold a vin d' honneur also at the National Museum. He will proceed to Malacanang for the

mass oath-taking of his designated Cabinet secretaries and the inaugural dinner. In the evening, a People’s Concert, which is part of thanksgiving activity, will follow. The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra will serenade the people to express the incoming President’s gratitude for the support he received from them. Cecile Licad, a world-renowned and awarded classical pianist, will render a solo performance. Protocols for those attending the inauguration include a negative RT-PCR result taken 48 hours prior to the event. Guests are also required to be fully vaccinated or boosted and to comply with minimum public health standards. Marcos on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court to dismiss the disqualification cases against him. He said he was glad because the Court ruling “removes all the questions” that had been raised about his qualification to run for president in the May 9 national elections. The incoming President made the statement when he attended the mass oath-taking of winning members of One Cebu party at the Marco Polo Hotel in Cebu on Tuesday.

Marcos was with incoming Vice President-elect Sara Duterte during the red carpet event. Leading the winning One Cebu candidates who were sworn in were Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, party president. Marcos expressed his thanks to One Cebu for its “immense contribution” to his victorious presidential campaign. In his speech, Marcos reiterated his call for unity as “vast work” awaits him as the country’s 17th president. Marcos thanked the Cebu officials for helping him in his campaign and pleaded for more help once he assumes office. “I needed your help during the campaign. Perhaps, I can say, I need your help even more now. There’s a lot that we have to do. There will be many challenges that we will face,” Marcos said. Marcos said that Cebu will have a key role to play in his plan to revitalize the country’s economy that was badly hit by the pandemic. Cebu is already ahead of other provinces when it comes to reopening its economy, he said. “That is why we will be continuing to make Cebu be the leader when it comes to economic transformation,” Marcos said.

private equipment may be reasons for their arrest. People attending the inauguration may enter the venue from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., Ines said, with Victoria and General Luna streets open to the public heading to the National Museum in those hours. He said these streets will be closed at 9 a.m. Marcos supporters will be asked to view the ceremonies at the golf course in Intramuros in front of the National Museum, which can hold around 25,000 to 30,000 people. About 1,500 VIPs are also expected to attend Marcos’s oath taking as the 17th Philippine president. Some will be seated above the podium of the museum, while others will be seated on a lane along Padre Burgos Avenue. PNP Officer-in-Charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao called on the participants and attendees of the inauguration to remain calm and continue to cooperate with the police to make it peaceful and safe. Also on Wednesday, the Office of Civil Defense activated its National Incident Management Team at Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium to secure Thursday's inauguration rites. OCD deputy administrator for operations, Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro led the deployment of personnel who will help in monitoring and coordinating for emergency preparedness during the event. Several groups announced last week that they will hold demonstrations during the inauguration. Renato Reyes Jr., secretary-general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), said that the demonstration will be held at the Liwasang Bonifacio (Bonifacio Square) in Manila starting 9 a.m. Reyes said that since the venue is a freedom park, the groups do not need to secure a permit from the local government to conduct the demonstration.

First...

of the weavers and embroiderers who made the cloth and the remarkable designs behind the national shirt. The renewed interest in the barong and other Filipiniana costumes would help bring work to the workers in Lumban, Laguna who specialized in them, as well as those in Marcos’ home region of Ilocos and in Mindanao, Bacudio told ABS-CBN in an interview. “It’s great because all our artists are emerging again, just waiting in the wings. Our local weavers have been given another chance (to use their craft) after more than two years, because the skill is dying already. Our embroiderers are disappearing, we need to take care of them,” he said in Filipino. Bacudio, who designed Marcos’ trademark comfortable barong shirts or “polo jack,” also pitched the use of more fabrics such as sinamay and newer clothing technology to use on barongs. His own designs for the Presidentelect include the use of jusi, banana, silk cocoon, and mother-of-pearl fibers, and the embroidery for each is also full of symbolism.

HE news company Rappler was ordered Wednesday to shut down, a day before President Rodrigo Duterte is due to leave office, but its boss, Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, vowed to keep the website running.

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of his prayers to “sustain wisdom and strength” for his new administration. Foreign dignitaries who will attend the inauguration include Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, US Second Gentleman Douglas Craig Emhoff, Australian Governor General David Hurley and Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai. The city governments of Pasay, San Juan, Navotas, and the municipality of Pateros have already declared June 30, Thursday, as a special non-working holiday for the inauguration. Earlier on June 24, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno also signed Executive Order No. 53 declaring a special non-working holiday in Manila City “to ensure the safety, security, and protection of participants” in Marcos’ inauguration. The events of the day will start with the traditional meeting of the outgoing president and his successor in Malacanang Palace before they proceed, in separate

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police officers, soldiers, Coast Guard personnel, and other force multipliers to be deployed and on stand-by across Metro Manila. Checkpoints and chokepoints were also set up in all entry points of Manila starting Tuesday, with a gun ban also in effect in Metro Manila from June 27 to July 2. The director for operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, said protesters can only stay inside Liwasang Bonifacio, Plaza Miranda, Plaza Moriones, and Plaza Dilaw—the four designated freedom parks. “We all know the world is watching us. And we would like to showcase how orderly and how disciplined Filipinos are,” he said in Filipino. The Manila Police District announced on Wednesday it will conduct law enforcement checkpoints within the city limits for the inauguration on Thursday at the National Museum. Starting Sunday, the MPD started conducting random checkpoints in various streets and areas around Manila. MPD spokesman Maj. Philipp Ines said the MPD is now ready for the inauguration. “We are all systems go and we are continuously checking to make sure all security measures are in place. In MPD, we will deploy about 5,000 personnel for the event,” he said. Ines also reminded those who will attend the inauguration that jackets are not allowed and backpacks are discouraged. "Please wear a face mask. If you need to bring bags or backpacks, it should be transparent,” he said. Protesters were also warned that burning of effigies, obstruction of traffic flow, and destroying government and

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In a speech in Cebu City on Tuesday night during the inauguration of the winning officials of the One Cebu party, Marcos said: “We’re going to run after them. Hahabulin natin sila (we will pursue them).” This was after he received a copy of the 63-page report of the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) from outgoing Senate President Vicente Sotto III – who then said he would uncover all about what lawmakers knew about agricultural smuggling in the country. Sotto said this was if the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) continued to deny it supplied senators with a list of 22 suspected smugglers and protectors of the illegal practice. "You do not just object to the Senate committee report because if they do that, I would be constrained to reveal everything," Sotto said Wednesday, warning NICA officials led by Director Edsel Batalla to “just shut up” if they still chose to deny they were the ones who provided the list to lawmakers.

Apart from giving Marcos Jr.—who also served as Senator with Sotto from 2010 to 2016 —a copy of the report, the Senate President said they also remitted it to the Ombudsman for it to investigate further. "Gave a copy to the Office of the Ombudsman. It's their job to investigate and file necessary charges," Sotto, who is stepping down as Senate President today, said in a text message to reporters. This developed as two more ranking officials of the Bureau of Customs, who were among the personalities mentioned in the Senate committee report released Monday, denied their involvement in the multibillion-peso anomaly, and called the list “malicious and false.” Vener Baquiran, Customs Deputy Commissioner for Revenue Collection Monitoring Group, and Yasser Abbas, director of the BOC Imports and Assessment Service, said the bureau “will not be deterred by these allegations and will continue its unwavering commitment to run after unscrupulous individuals and to protect the welfare of the local farmers.” Their boss, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, reiterated in a statement that the bureau under his watch was able to seize P2.5 billion worth of

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Albert also designed barongs for the new President’s three sons, his mother— former First Lady Imelda Marcos—and his sister, Irene MarcosAraneta. The terno to be worn by the new First Lady—Marcos’ wife Liza— was designed by Filipino designer Lesley Mobo, who is known as an international fashion genius. It was made from a vintage pina fabric. The President’s elder sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, chose a different designer for her outfit. Also, the President and the First Lady “will showcase the country’s talents by using Philippine-made shoes,” Marcos’ office said. But more than the attention on the barongs and the other clothes to be worn during the inauguration by both Marcos and the guests, designer Avel Bacudio—who has made some clothes for the President-elect as well as other celebrities—stressed the importance

Rappler can get a temporary restraining order from a court higher than the SEC, which would stop the order for its closure or hold it in abeyance, said Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III. "We should follow court processes and hierarchy," stressed Pimentel, a lawyer and former Senate President – and former ally of Duterte, who gives way to Marcos Jr. today. Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said it was “truly deplorable that this administration continues to find new ways of threatening legitimate news organizations not to exercise press freedom.” Macon Ramos-Araneta with AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

joined the DFA in 1979 and has served in various capacities—including as undersecretary for policy during the Arroyo, Aquino and Duterte administrations. Meanwhile, Calida is the current Solicitor General of President Rodrigo Duterte’s outgoing administration. Veloso, on the other hand, is the chief executive officer of the Philippine National Bank (PNB) and president of the Bankers Association of the Philippines. Marcos has yet to complete his Cabi-

net nominees. He earlier nominated former Armed Forces chief of staff Jose Faustino Jr. as acting head of the Department of National Defense and retired University of the Philippines professor Clarita Carlos as National Security Adviser. Among his latest nominees are former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile as chief presidential legal counsel and outgoing Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra as Solicitor General. Marcos also chose Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala as acting commander of the Presidential Security Group. Zagala and concurrent Senior Military Assistant.

smuggled agricultural products over the last six years. The bureau also filed hundreds of cases against suspects before the Department of Justice and revoked the accreditation of 84 suspected importers and customs brokers since 2019, Guerrero said. “If we really have involvement in this, then file charges against us, so we can defend ourselves,” the former Army general added in a television interview while expressing his dismay over the development. Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco, one of the local executives named on the Senate list, on Wednesday said an order issued by the Department of Agriculture was being used to cover up fish smuggling of fish in the country. “They are covering up the imported fish through the) permit issued because of that special order,” Tiangco said in a Dobol B TV interview. He was referring to Department Special Order No. 1077, which revoked Special Order No. 1202, which prohibits the importation of galunggong, mackerel, moonfish, and squid for processing purposes. Meanwhile, the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) urged the incoming Marcos administration to stop the rampant

undervaluation and misdeclaration of farm commodity imports, as it conducts its probe. “It is very possible that revenue foregone from undervaluation and misdeclaration equals – if not exceeds - the losses from outright smuggling,” said FFF national manager Raul Montemayor. “It is also easier to plug loopholes and prevent importers’ undervaluation and misdeclaration than to run after smugglers,” he added in a statement. For rice alone, the FFF estimated the cumulative shortfall in tariff collections at almost P12 billion since the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) liberalized rice importation in 2019. In a radio interview, Sotto said he sent to the Ombudsman not only the list but the entire committee report, including the committee's recommendation on who should be charged for the alleged smuggling. NICA’s Batalla had denied the names of suspected smugglers and protectors mentioned in the Senate COW were not from their agency, after two senators criticized them over the rawness of the information they had disclosed to the Senate panel. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Calida... From A1

DOH revises risk metrics for COVID alert By Willie Casas FIVE Metro Manila areas earlier declared to be under a moderate risk for COVID-19 will revert to a low-risk classification after the metrics for identifying the risk were revised, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday. DOH spokesperson and Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has modified the matrices to be used for the Alert Level System and removed the two-week growth rate in determining the case-risk classification. With this, Vergeire said, Pasig, San Juan, Quezon City, Marikina, and Pateros will deescalate to low risk despite recording a growth rate of 200 percent as of Saturday. “They will go back to low risk again because their average daily attack rate does not exceed 6 and their health care utilization is less than 50 percent,” Vergeire said. “The hospitalization rate, the overcrowding in hospitals, and the severe and critical cases are more important to all of us,” she added. The DOH said an area will be classified as moderate risk if its hospital utilization is above 50 percent, and its average daily attack rate is at least six average cases per day per 100,000 population. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

SC issues TRO vs. Guanzon’s substitution as party-list solon By Rey Requejo THE Supreme Court on Thursday issued a temporary restraining order stopping the Commission on Elections from implementing its resolution approving the substitution of the original nominees of P3PWD Party-List. The five new nominees were led by former Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. In a resolution, the SC also enjoined Comelec from issuing a certificate of proclamation to the substituting nominees of P3PWD and the House of Representatives from allowing Guanzon and other substituting nominees to assume office as members of the House. The High Court also required Comelec, the House of Representatives and the partylist substitute nominees led by Guanzon to comment within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of the resolution. “A temporary restraining order is issued effective immediately and continuing until further orders from this Court,” read the resolution, which was issued by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo upon the written recommendation of the member-in-charge Associate Ricardo Rosario. “Will file a comment in 10 days as ordered. I filed my Certificate of Proclamation in the House of Representatives last Monday,” Guanzon said in a message to CNN Philippines.

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provisional P1 hike that brought the minimum fare to P10. For the other regions, the new order meant a P2 increase in minimum fare to bring it to P11. The LTFRB likewise provisionally set a higher fare for modern jeepneys with an additional P1, bringing the minimum fare for the first four kilometers to P13. “The Board is mindful of the present economic state of every Filipino brought about by the continuous rise in oil prices in the world market and the reeling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the agency said. “With the cautious examination of the complexities of the various concerns of our stakeholders, the Board balances these interests guided by the principle that now more than ever, the need for the riding public to have mass transportation must be sufficiently met,” it added. Earlier this week, pump prices moved closer to P100 per liter in Metro Manila, with the latest round of oil price hikes Tuesday of P1.65 per liter for diesel, P0.50 per liter for gasoline, and P0.10 per liter for kerosene. The Department of Energy (DOE) estimated that gasoline would sell from P79.04 to P97.84 per liter, diesel from P85.16 to P96.26 per liter, and kerosene from P89.72 to P99.12 per liter. World oil prices declined by $3 last week, but this was not reflected in local pump prices as the peso depreciated versus the US dollar and raised the cost of fuel by about P1 a liter, DOE officials said.

The Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte - National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC) sincerely welcomes

HIS EXCELLENCY FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. as the 17th President of the Republic of the Philippines, with high hopes for good and moral governance that unites the Filipino people for a brighter future.

News

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

Private citizen Rody set to go back to Davao By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE of Representatives House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday thanked outgoing President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the latter’s “outstanding and excellent service to the Philippine nation.” Romualdez made this remark during the final days of the Chief Executive’s tenure in Malacañang. On June 30, President Duterte will receive at the Palace his successor, President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. After that, President Duterte will go back to being a private citizen in his native of Davao City, where his exploits and achievements as a multi-term mayor catapulted him to the national scene. “You are loved by patriotic and peaceloving Filipinos. You created the blueprint in making our country safe, secure, and connected. For these reasons alone, you are one of the most accomplished leaders the Philippines has ever had,” Romualdez said in his message to Duterte. Romualdez said the Duterte administration will be remembered by the common folk for its “Build, Build, Build” program, which ushered in a new golden age for infrastructure development; as well as his no-nonsense campaign against illegal drugs and criminality, which made it safe again for Filipinos to roam the streets even when it’s already dark.

PREPARATIONS. Despite the heavy rains and without adequate lights, a Public Works personnel works double-time to finish the entrance (ramp) portion of the venue of the inauguration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Revoli Cortez

Robredo bids farewell to OVP staff

By Rio N. Araja

UTGOING Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday bade farewell to her staff, security personnel and supporters on her last day at the Quezon City Reception House in New Manila.

Dressed in her signature campaign color pink, she boarded a black van as people outside her office of six years greeted her with applause and her security staff gave her a snappy salute. Her official portrait was placed beside the other portraits of past vice presidents. Aika Robredo, the Vice President’s eldest

daughter, posted photographs of their family during her first and last day in office. In a news conference, Robredo said she was able to bring out volunteerism among her supporters during her COVID-19 response efforts, and to be part of the InterAgency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs. She vowed to pursue health and educa-

tion projects for her Angat Buhay program, citing some of the artworks and other crafts from her supporters would be auctioned to fund the program. Incoming Vice President Sara Duterte will hold office at the Quezon City Reception House. Robredo’s term ends on June 30 at 12 noon. Earlier, Robredo passed the leadership of the opposition to Sen. Risa Hontiveros. Hontiveros, who ran for reelection in the May 9 elections under the Akbayan party, is now the highest elected official from the opposition, Robredo said, when she administered the lawmaker’s oath of office, ABS-CBN News reported.

“When we learned of the election result, I texted Senator Risa. I told her, ‘You are now our leader, so please know we have your back. We will help whenever you need us,” Robredo said. Hontiveros said she would continue her advocacies at the Senate, including efforts on COVID-19 response and other health initiatives, ABS-CBN further reported. “We will help spur economic growth and restore healthcare services disrupted by the pandemic. As promised, we will facilitate an increase of budgets for agencies integral to our recovery initiatives. Our advocacy continues for healthy life and livelihood,” she said.

Rody leaves franchise, school, and infra measures unsigned

MEETING WITH BBM.

House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep Martin Romualdez chats with the presidentelect and incoming Vice President Sara Duterte during the Oath of Office Ceremony of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia Tuesday night at the Grand Ballroom of Marco Polo Hotel in Cebu City. Ver Noveno.

By Vito Barcelo FOUR franchise bills and seven others have lapsed into law and are left unsigned by President Rodrigo Duterte whose term will end on June 30. Malacanang said that Duterte left 11 bills that have not been signed by the outgoing President, including the extending of franchises for another 25 years, converting schools into independent schools, and renaming national and provincial roads nationwide. Republic Acts (RA) No. 11773, 11774, 11801 renewed for another 25 years the franchises granted to Panay Telephone Corporation, Calapan Telephone System, Inc., and Victorias Telephone System, Inc., respectively.

RA 11775 grants the estate of Mr. Amado L. Ola, OPC, doing business asAmapola Broadcasting System, a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in the Philippines. Under a law, a bill will automatically become law or lapse into law, if it was neither signed nor vetoed by the President 30 days after being forwarded to his office. The 11 bills that lapsed into law between May 27 to June 2 are: Republic Act No. 11773 which renews for another 25 years the franchise granted to Panay Telephone Corporation (Lapsed into law May 27, 2022)

Senate now has President-elect asked to keep in mind public school teachers ‘apat na sikat,’ says Jinggoy By Maricel V. Cruz

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE “Macho Bloc” is now a thing of the past in the Senate with the emergence of the so-called “Apat na Sikat” composed of former matinee idolsturned-politicians. Senator-elect Jinggoy Estrada replied said there is “no need to revive the “macho bloc” following his return in the Upper Chamber after winning a seat in the last May elections. Instead, Estrada said “may apat na sikat na” referring to himself, Senatorelect Robin Padilla, Senator Bong Revilla, and Senator Lito Lapid. The four senators are idolized by the Filipino moviegoers prior to their joining the political bandwagon. Estrada and Padilla will serve in the Senate until 2028 while the terms of Revilla and Lapid expires in 2025. The members of the “Macho Bloc” are Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Senator Gringo Honasan. Sotto and Lacson will “graduate” as senators on January 30 while Honasan failed to return to the Senate after losing in the elections. Sought about his expectations from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. , Estrada stressed he is very confident that the incoming President will do good. He related seeing the sincerity and determination of Marcos to serve during the election campaign.

A LEGISLATOR who represents the education sector in the House of Representatives on Wednesday asked incoming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to keep in mind the call of public school teachers for a pay hike when he assumes office at noon on Thursday. Assistant Minority Leader France Cas-

tro at the same time welcomed Executive Order 174 signed by President Duterte establishing the expanded career progression system for public school teachers. “The teachers welcome the expanded career progression system for the colleagues in the public schools but this should not be a substitute for the demand to upgrade their salary grade from SG 11 to SG 15,” Castro said.

Castro said the teachers have been left behind other professionals in the government as far as pay is concerned. The Nurse 1 is SG 15 already, the policemen get more than P29,600 already as base pay of patrolman. This is an injustice to teachers who have the same qualifications and are given more work than their mandated job of teaching,” Castro said. “We are glad that EO 174 also ex-

PROTECTION. A farmer sprays pesticides on rice plants in a paddy in Santo Tomas, Peñaranda in Nueva Ecija on Wednesday (June 29, 2022). The farmer said newly planted rice seedlings are expected to be harvested in September. Oliver Marquez

Govt continues aid to ex-MILF member

THE government has assisted decommissioned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and their families to register for the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) and acquire birth certificates as part of their full integration into mainstream society. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) on

Wednesday reported that some 305 Philippine identification (PhilID) cards or the national ID and 1,064 birth certificates of MILF members and their families were processed with the help of a civil registration assistance project, jointly organized by the Joint Task Force on Camps Transformation (JTFCT) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

panded the career progression for Master Teachers and Principals. We urge the Department of Budget and Management to clarify how many items will be created for each position,” she said. “We support the proposal of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines on the following measures and we will file appropriate House bills and resolutions in the 19th Congress:

Gatchalian lauds ‘new’ PH anti-trafficking law By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian said the signing of Republic Act No. 11862 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 is a major victory in the country’s effort to strengthen the government’s crackdown on human trafficking. Gatchalian said it now covers illegal adoptions, child laundering, and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. “This gives law enforcers additional tools in running after human traffickers,” he said. The senator said this is also an important step forward in protecting our children, who are among the most vulnerable to human trafficking. “We cannot allow this kind of abuse to our youth to continue We will continue to push for the safety of our youth to all forms of violence,” he said. The law also makes internet intermediaries, including social media networks, tourism, and business establishments, and financial intermediaries responsible for, knowingly or by gross negligence, allowing their facilities, infrastructure, and platforms to be used in promoting human trafficking. “I thank President Rodrigo Duterte for signing this law, which I co-authored and co-sponsored,” Gatchalian said.

Opinion Transition

AT HIGH noon today, the nation rings out the old administration, and rings in the new that an overwhelming majority of our people voted into office last May 9. As we submit this article a day before it is printed, we have yet to witness the inaugural rites where the peaceful transfer of power in our formal democracy are to take place at the historic building, now the National Museum of Fine Arts, then the Legislative Building. The new president has stated that it will be a solemn and symbolic inauguration, done in the historic traditions of the nation. Last Sunday, the outgoing president was feted to a touching farewell concert at the Quirino Grandstand, where several artists, accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra sang some of Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s favorite songs. You Raise Me Up, Bridge over Troubled Water, Fill the World with Love, Send in the Clowns, among others, are songs he used to sing in his favorite after dinner watering hole in his native Davao City, accompanied by a versatile pianist. And everyone is quite familiar with his favorite song “Ikaw” which he sang in many occasions, during the campaign of 2016, and on several events, big or small, during his presidency. A group of government officials who call themselves the “ex-es” – most of whom were part of the historic campaign of 2015-16 that elected successfully the first Mindanawan to the presidency – gathered over lunch at the nearby Vin 55, a small restaurant fronting the Rizal Park Hotel, formerly the American Army and Navy Club, while waiting for the concert to start, and for the honoree to arrive. Headed by now Ex-Executive Secretary Bingbong Medialdea, Ex-Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, Ex-Secretary for the Visayas as presidential assistant Michael Dino, and Pagcor President Fred Lim, GSIS President Rolly Maca-

saet, Sec. Nick Acosta of the Commission on Overseas Filipinos, Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco, Clark Development’s Chito Clavano, and this ExChairman and Resident Representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan, we were treated to a sumptuous lunch of Malabon delicacies by Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio. Vin 55 was our favorite hang-out during the 2015 pre-campaign, when we were all kept in tenterhooks by then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who kept hemming and hawing on whether or not to run for the presidency, even as the public clamor was ever-growing.

The new president has stated that it will be a solemn and symbolic inauguration, done in the historic traditions of the nation I had to leave at around 4:30 in the afternoon as I had a pre-arranged dinner last Sunday, and skipped the concert as well as the arrival of the honoree, for whom the event was organized, billed as “Salamat, PRRD.” I just watched part of the “hail and farewell” concert the following day on the television monitor. The president, accompanied by his partner, Ms. Honeylet Avancena and the ubiquitous Sen. Bong Go, was visibly touched by the profuse admiration shown by both crowd and the performers, some of whom were themselves carried by their emotions, as they bade goodbye to six years of a presidency that exits with the highest trust and approval ratings of any leader elected after the EDSA people power revolution. So visibly overwhelmed was President Duterte that after treating the crowd with a rendition of his signature “Ikaw,” he could only utter as parting message, “maraming, maraming salamat po” to the “sambayanang Pilipino.”

By Anna Malpas, with Blaise Gau- press conference. The reality of what they are up against quelin in Kharkiv

has been thrown into stark relief with the recent deaths of a Dutchman, a Frenchman, a German and an Australian. Separatist pro-Russian authorities have also handed down death sentences to two Britons and a Moroccan who have been fighting for Ukraine and have appealed the verdicts. In early June, Russia reported its forces had killed “hundreds” of foreign combatants in Ukraine since the start of the invasion of its neighbor, a situation which looks to have starkly reduced the flow of arrivals.

The reality of what they are up against has been thrown into stark relief with the recent deaths of a Dutchman, a Frenchman, a German and an Australian Legion spokesman, Damien Magrou, 33, from France, concedes that many of the fighters, often hailing from NATO member states, are taken aback by the brutality of the combat theatre. “An American who has been through six wars told me it was the worst he had seen,” says Magrou. “Missiles, bombardments: on the ground it’s very different to what they might have expected.” As a result, between 10 and 30 percent of recruits head back to civilian life having barely arrived on the battlefield, he

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Peaceful transfer of power

The Philippine president wields awesome powers. He exercises control over all executive departments, bureaus and offices.

T EXACTLY noon today, Presidentelect Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. will take his oath of office before Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo in the presence of his family, members of his Cabinet, foreign dignitaries and other invited guests.

The ceremony underscores a significant feature of a democratic set-up: the peaceful transfer of power from one leader to another after a generally free and fair election

This is what he will actually say: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God.” The part about defending the Constitution is perhaps the most important, since laws emanate from its key provisions and it contains the broad outlines of the duties and responsibilities of all public officials. The ceremony underscores a significant feature of a democratic set-up: the peaceful transfer of power from one leader to another after a generally free and fair election.

Aside from being the Chief Executive, he is also the Commander-inChief of the armed forces. As such, he can call out the armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion with the concurrence of Congress, a condition not found in the 1935 Constitution. Apart from these, the president can contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines. He also has the power to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons after conviction by final judgment.

The oath of office of the President is in fact a covenant – a binding agreement – with the Filipino people to serve all of them, not just those who voted for him in the May 9 election. The presidential election divided the people into political factions. But now that the people have spoken, it is time to end the division and work together to achieve a shared goal: to move forward with giant strides in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new administration starts from a position of strength with a landslide victory in the last polls. But this strength must be channeled into determined efforts to revitalize the economy, institute the needed reforms to improve governance, and provide vital social services such as education and health especially to the disadvantaged sectors. It is standard practice to allow a new dispensation what’s called a “honeymoon period” of its first 100 days in office to give it an opportunity to prove its mettle and start to deliver on its campaign promises. We look forward to the first 100 days of efficient and effective governance by the new administration that we hope will be sustained in the next six years.

Metro Manila’s public transportation understood to mean the rail, buses, jeepneys, taxis and the ubiquitous tricycles.

Full version on www.manilastandard.net

Disillusionment creeps in for Ukraine volunteers

The ‘worst’ war “Elon Musk, if you can hear me — we need help!” That was the plea to the billionaire entrepreneur, the world’s richest man, on Friday from a former American GI serving in the northern city of Kharkiv at a

Honor Blanco Cabie, Editor

EDITORIAL

Amid combat brutality

FOREIGN fighters who have joined Ukrainian forces battling Russia’s invasion have been shocked by the brutality of the war and some say that disillusionment is creeping in. “They fought in Afghanistan or in Iraq and say they aren’t ready” for what they face in Ukraine, says Polak, of his Western comrades who have signed up to fight. Polak — whose nationality AFP is withholding to protect his anonymity — estimates there are “perhaps several hundred” foreign fighters who have taken up arms for Kyiv since the invasion began on February 24. “Honestly, we have quite a few cowards” serving in the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine, he says, speaking to AFP at a supermarket cafe at Kramatorsk in the eastern Donbas region to which Russia lays claim. “Sometimes after the first fighting exchanges they will say, ‘we aren’t prepared for that’ and they go home,” says Polak, as he offers a rare insight into the experiences of foreign citizens who have joined up. He indicates a wide mix of nationalities in the Legion – “Canadians, Georgians, Croatians,” he says. But, they have not been trained to fight in a war involving artillery attack.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

The persistence of the road transportation problem is the failure or inability of our transportation authorities to rationalize the exact roles of rail, buses, jeepneys and tricycles in Metro Manila’s overall transportation system

WHEN the new DOTr team takes over, the public expects them to hit the road running. This is because the problems at hand need their immediate attention. One of these is the state of public transport system that we have in Metro Manila. This problem has been crying for solutions for years that expectations are high that the new administration can finally solve the problem. To be fair, previous governments have tried to alleviate the problem. Some succeeded in lessening the problems while others only aggravated the problems because of faulty programs. Today, with the many infrastructure projects going on and have been completed, the problems still persist. Why? Has the government been doing wrong? To add to the problem is that every time we speak of public transportation, we invariably also have to talk of traffic which complicates everything. Public transportation is normally

adds, despite experience in weapons handling being a prerequisite. “Almost all participants are former soldiers, a third of them coming from an English-speaking country,” he says. English is indeed the language of communication. The remainder come from a variety of states — mainly in central or eastern Europe — and are in Ukraine for different reasons. “The Americans are fighting for freedom and western values, whereas the Poles say they want to defend Ukraine in that that is also defending their country,” says Magrou. Though they have all signed a contract with Ukrainian forces, they are all free to leave at any time. “I wanted to come here when I saw the

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

As we are witnessing, there are several rail projects currently going on to add to the existing MRT3, LRT 1, and LRT 2. These are the 35-kilometer subway, the LRT 1 extension to Laguna, LRT 7, the PNR North and South extension lines that, when completed, will be able to move hundreds of thousands of commuters every day. The persistence of the road transporta-

pictures on TV,” says Mika, a German interviewed by AFP in Kharkiv. “As I have been in the armed forces I thought I could help. If we do not stop the aggressor in Ukraine, he is going to invade one country after another,” he adds. Combat chicken The legal situation surrounding the activities of the combatants varies from country to country, with some “risking legal action,” notes Magrou, in states including Italy or South Korea. Britain has also advised British soldiers and veterans against participating in the conflict. Magrou’s own case is a little different — he had spent two years working for a law firm in Kyiv, hence the war came to him rather than vice-versa.

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

tion problem is the failure or inability of our transportation authorities to rationalize the exact roles of rail, buses, jeepneys and tricycles in Metro Manila’s overall transportation system. The ideal situation should be that when rail is available along a route, there should be no more buses or jeepneys to compete with rail. In like manner, when buses are available along a certain line, jeepneys should not be there either. EDSA is the best example of a chaotic situation. Along this route, we see buses and jeepneys competing with MRT 3. There is no order. Tricycles should bring passengers to jeepney lines and jeepneys bring passengers to bus lines so that each of these services will not be competing against each other but complementing one another. This, however, will be difficult to change if the government will continue to rely solely on the private sector to provide the investment for road transportation. It is time that government start investing on road transportation like other major metropolitan areas in the developed world. It is already investing in light rail transportation and has invested in road transportation before. Full version on www.manilastandard.net

As he talks with AFP, clad in military fatigues and speaking in French but brandishing a Ukrainian flag, an elderly lady waves as she walks down a central Kyiv street. “We are much appreciated by Ukrainian civilians who offer us food and thank us for our engagement,” he notes. Women are few and far between in this foreign legion. But to mark International Women’s Day in March, some fighters rustled up flowers and chocolate for a Norwegian woman serving at the front in the Kyiv suburb, Irpin. Even a chicken has joined up. “She survived a bombardment and has attached herself to a regiment which lugs her around everywhere since,” says a regimental spokesman.

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

Associate Editors News Editor City Editor

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News

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

SSS will launch 2 new payment programs in July By Rio N. Araja

BOATS OF HOPE. The Naval Reserve Center Eastern Visayas, in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, turned over 10 fishing boats to survivors of Typhoon Odette at Olango Island in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu. ‘These fishing boats represent a new hope for the survivors of Typhoon Odette which struck Cebu in December last year. The fishing boats of the beneficiaries were either destroyed or heavily damaged by the storm,’ NRCen-EV Commander James Francis Lugtu said. Commodore Florante Gagua, commander of Naval Forces Central, said the project was timely and relevant in helping the community recover from the devastation brought about by Typhoon Odette.

PH now uses e-declaration at NAIA By Joel E. Zurbano

IR travelers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) can now declare goods and currency via online using the electronic baggage declaration form, making the Philippines the third country in Asia to use the system.

Passengers with valuable goods or money to declare can fill up and submit the electronic Customs Baggage and Currency Declaration (e-CBCD) using their mobile phones and gadgets. “Today marks another milestone in the journey of the Bureau of Customs towards its vision of a modernized customs administration that is among the world’s best. True to this vision, the

Philippines is now the 3rd country in ASEAN, after Singapore and Indonesia, to implement an electronic Customs Baggage and Currencies Declaration System or the i-Declare System,” said Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero at the launch of the project. “We hope that through this system, our passengers would have more convenient travel experience to the Philip-

pines,” Guerrero said. The system, according NAIA Customs Deputy Collector for Passengers Service Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang, offers air travelers an option to complete their declarations online, anywhere or at the comforts of their home before flying-in to the Philippines. Mangaoang said in case the passengers were not able to declare online prior to arrival, they may still use the paper copy or the electronic Customs Baggage and Currencies Declaration Form through the i-Declare Kiosks found at the airport’s Customs Area. She said the system shall initially be piloted here in NAIA Terminal 1 and subsequently rolled-out to other inter-

national airports by 2023. The project was an offshoot of the action plan of the Bureau of Customs, together with the Anti-Money Laundering Council and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to remove the Philippines from the countries greylisted by the Financial Action Task Force, which basically puts the Philippines in a less attractive position to investors. Customs law provides that “whenever dutiable goods are not declared by any person arriving within the Philippines, such goods shall be seized and the person may obtain release of such goods, if not imported contrary to any law, upon payment of a surcharge equivalent to 30% of the landed cost of such goods.”

PCUP to assist 15m urban poor until yearend THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) targets 15 million urban poor Filipinos for its economic benevolence program for the remaining half of the year. Amid the transition period, PCUP is not abandoning its mission to look after the welfare of the urban poor sector as its top priority, said PCUP chair and chief executive officer Alvin Feliciano said. He said the commission was able to set an all-time record of 10 million underprivileged Filipinos served by its programs and services aimed for their betterment last year. He mentioned the agency’s prime programs of capability building programs; relief operations; food, health, scholarship and accreditation caravans. He said they were not remiss in helping to resolve issues of land tenure, and monitoring of demolition and eviction; and doing continuous efforts in aiding the urban poor during disasters, such as last year’s Taal eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic. “In behalf of our Commission, we hope that next Chairperson and set of Commissioners to set foot in PCUP will be inspired of what we will left for the Commission and may they continue to respond to the needs of our urban poor Filipinos, transforming their lives, one step at a time,” the PCUP undersecretary said. Rio N. Araja

HISTORICAL STAMPS. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio lead the unveiling of a commemorative stamps marking the 125th anniversary of the Department of Finance on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

THE Social Security System (SSS) will launch next month two new programs – the flexible payment schedule and contribution subsidy provider program – to help ensure the social security protection of the informal economy workers, such as farmers and fishermen, and other individually paying members. SSS president and chief executive officer Michael Regino said the payment schedule would provide a longer payment window, wherein contributions for any of the 12 applicable months may still be paid in the current month to avoid missing applicable months that may qualify such members for SSS benefits and loans. “Considering that crops and fishery products have their harvest seasons, we are looking to implement a more workable payment schedule for farmers, fishermen, and other self-employed persons in the informal economy. We recognize the unique situation of our informal economy workers and we are coming up with the appropriate payment program to make SSS more inclusive to as many fellow Filipinos,” he said. “Another project is the contribution subsidy provider program (CSPP), wherein the SSS may enter into a partnership arrangement with potential contribution subsidy providers among private and government entities who will pay contributions on behalf of selected self-employed workers, land-based overseas Filipino workers, and voluntary members of the SSS,” he added. The minimum period of subsidy under the CSPP is six consecutive calendar applicable months, he noted.

Agents seize P256-m worth of fake cigarettes GOVERNMENT agents have seized more than P256 million worth of counterfeit tobacco products and cigarette-making paraphernalia during a raid at a warehouse in Cavite. A composite team from the Manila International Container Port - Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (MICP-CIIS), the Armed Forces, and National Bureau of Investigation conducted the raid on the strength of a mission order issued by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero against the establishment in Barangay De Ocampo in Trece Martirez. Four Chinese nationals were arrested during the operation, and will be charged for smuggling. Guerrero said his agency is working double time even now that a new administration is about to take over and amid well-funded efforts to tarnish the bureau’s gains. Joel E. Zurbano

Party-list hails enactment of Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act A PARTY-LIST group which crafted the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act on Wednesday hailed the enactment of the measure, indicating it was a dream come true. Ang Probinsyano Partylist Rep. Alfred Delos Santos was elated. “Natutuwa po ako na naisabatas na ang Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.” “Matagal din naming trinabaho ito sa kongreso. Malapit po ang batas na ito sa ak-

ing puso dahil ako po ay maagang naulila sa ama. Ang aking ina ay isang solo parent na itinaguyod kaming limang magkakapatid. Kaya ramdam ko po ang hirap ng isang magulang na mag-isang kumakayod at kumakalinga sa kanyang pamilya. Ang batas na ito ay alay namin sa milyun-milyong solo parents nating kababayan. Nasa inyo po ang aking malalim na respeto,” he said. Republic Act No. 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act was among 25

bills enacted by President Duterte and released by Malacanang. It may be recalled that as early as 2019, both chambers of the 18th Congress worked to ensure the passage of the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act. The House of Representatives submitted it to the Senate on January 20, 2021, for approval. The Senate eventually approved the bill on December 13, 2021. Among those who actively lobbied for the passage of the bill in Congress was [“I

am elated that after going through a lot of Congress hearings, Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act is finally a law. This is close to my heart because I lost my father early on. My mother singularly took care of her five children. I have experienced and felt the hardships of a solo parent taking on the cudgels and responsibilities on her family. This law is dedicated to millions of Filipino solo parents. My deepest respect and hats off to you!”]

Central Luzon mayors back CDC on pay scale row CLARK FREEPORT—The Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC) composed mostly of Pampanga mayors backs the Clark Development Corporation’s (CDC) stand on the controversial Compensation and Position Classification System (CPCS) issued by the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled

Corporation (GCG) to the stateowned CDC. MCAC members and officials included Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr., Porac Mayor Jaime Capil, Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Jose Antonio Feliciano and Capas, Tarlac Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan signed on

June 28, 2022. They adopted a resolution strongly endorsing the CDC’s appeal to the GCG to defer implementation of the CPCS. Under the resolution, MCAC said that the CPCS has caused “a largescale diminution of compensation, benefits, and demoralization to most CDC employees.”

Kuwait Airways secures P11.97m tax credit THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has affirmed the grant of a tax credit to the Kuwait Airways Corp. for P11.97 million representing its overpaid income tax for the year ending March 2016. In a 24-page decision written by Associate Justice Lanee Cui-David, the

tax court en banc affirmed the May 2021 decision of the CTA’s Second Division on the case. The CTA en banc said no new or substantial arguments were made by the parties to persuade the tribunal to reverse the findings of the second division.

In its May 2021 decision, the tax court’s Second Division partially granted the firm’s petition and ordered the issuance of the tax credit certificate (TCC). The amount represents overpaid income taxes on its Gross Philippine Billings (GPBs) for the year 2016.

CUPPING THERAPY. Massage therapist Neil Libres places ventosa cups on the back of a client at the Zabarte Town Center in Camarin, Caloocan City on Wednesday. Ventosa is a kind of massage that uses heat and alternative pressure to create suction on the skin. Ben Briones

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NATO chief says Russia poses a ‘direct threat’ to alliance N

ATO leaders meeting in Madrid Wednesday are set to label Russia a menace to their security as they overhaul the alliance’s defences in response to the war on Ukraine, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said.

“We’ll state clearly that Russia poses a direct threat to our security,” Stoltenberg said ahead of the unveiling of NATO’s new strategic blueprint. Stoltenberg said the meeting in Madrid was set to be “historic and transformative” for the seven-decade-old alliance as it grapples with the fallout from Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. “We meet in the midst of the most serious security crisis we have faced since the Second World War,” Stoltenberg said. NATO is due to launch the largest revamp of its defence and deterrence capabilities since the end of the Cold War by strengthening the forces on its eastern flank and massively ramping up the number of troops it has at high readiness. FOR THE DEARLY DEPARTED. Photo shows candles, flowers and children’s toys next to a destroyed mall in Kremenchuk the It is also set for the first time to turn day after it was hit by a Russian missile strike according to Ukrainian authorities. AFP CYAN CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK its attention to the challenge posed by Manila Manila Manila the rising might of China in an update Manila Standard Standard to its guiding “strategic concept.” TODAY TODAY TODAY “China’s not an adversary,” Stoltenberg said. HUNDREDS of police were deployed and mobile internet was Sharma at a TV debate in late May “But of course, we need to take into account the consequences to our secut in an Indian city on Wednesday following the alleged mur- sparked protests that turned violent curity when we see China investing der of a Hindu tailor by two Muslim men. in some parts of India and demonheavily in new modern military capaWestern India’s Udaipur was placed under partial curfew to strations across the Islamic world. bilities, long range missiles or nuclear guard against potential sectarian violence after a video purportIn the video purporting to show weapons and also trying to control criting to show the attempted beheading went viral. the alleged murder, the two men ical infrastructure for instance, 5G.” Mobile internet access was also cut in other parts of Rajast- can be seen brandishing large In a sign of this shift the leaders of han state, and local authorities issued a month-long order ban- knives and threatening to kill Prime partners South Korea and Japan will atning four or more people from gathering anywhere in the state. Minister Narendra Modi as well as tend a NATO summit for the first time. The dead man’s funeral was due to be held later in the day. Sharma. AFP For his part, British Prime Minister The victim was reportBoris Johnson said Russian President edly a tailor who shared a Vladimir Putin would not have started social media post supportthe war in Ukraine if he was a woman. ing recent comments about “If Putin was a woman, which he the Islamic Prophet Moobviously isn’t, but if he were, I really hammed by a spokeswomdon’t think he would’ve embarked on an for India’s ruling Hindu a crazy, macho war of invasion and nationalist Bharatiya Janata violence in the way that he has,” JohnParty (BJP). son told German broadcaster ZDF on The remarks by Nupur Tuesday evening. AFP

Police sent to Indian city after gruesome killing

52 inmates die, 26 more injured in prison riot, fire in Colombia AT LEAST 52 inmates were killed and 26 more injured early Tuesday after a fire broke out during a prison riot in southwestern Colombia, the national prisons agency said. The tragedy occurred when rioting inmates set a fire at around 2:00 a.m., attempting to prevent police from entering their enclosure at the prison in the city of Tulua, said Tito Castellanos, director of the National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (INPEC). “We have treated a total of 26 injured and the number of deaths is 52,” Cristina Lesmes, head of the health department in Valle del Cauca, said on Twitter. “We have people in very serious condition with extremely extensive burns,” she said. Castellanos had earlier given the “riot” death toll as 49 with another 30, including six prison guards, “injured and affected by the blaze and the smoke.” The prison, which holds more than 1,200 inmates, was surrounded by police and soldiers. “By setting mattresses alight, they had not gauged what the consequences could be and unfortunately this happened,” Castellanos told Radio RCN. He said the blaze had been brought under control by fire fighters. AFP

Ecuador president survives impeachment amid protests ECUADOR’S president survived an impeachment vote on Tuesday, as negotiations to end more than two weeks of cost-of-living protests by Indigenous groups were suspended following the death of a soldier. The opposition-led congress had sought to remove right-wing President Guillermo Lasso over “the serious political crisis and internal commotion” caused by the protests. But the motion garnered Ecuadorian only 80 of the 92 votes President needed, according to reGuillermo Lasso sults read aloud by the parliament’s secretary, Alvaro Salazar, in a virtual session broadcast on social media. “In spite of the coup attempts, today the country’s institutions prevailed,” Lasso said after the vote. “It is evident who works for the political mafias. Meanwhile, we continue to work for Ecuador.” Earlier in the day, Lasso had accused Indigenous protest leader Leonidas Iza of self-serving politics, saying: “We will not negotiate with those who hold Ecuador hostage.” Iza’s powerful Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie), in turn, accused the government of “authoritarianism,” and said Lasso would bear the consequences for “his hawkish policy.” On Tuesday morning, the military said a soldier died and five police and seven soldiers were injured in an attack on a tanker truck escort in the country’s east. AFP EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT of of estate estate EXTRAJUDICIALSETTLEMENT SETTLEMENTof of estate estate EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT OF OF ESTATE ESTATE SETTLEMENTOF OFESTATE ESTATE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE is hereby hereby given given that that NOTICE isis is hereby hereby given given that that the the the estate estate of of the the late late ADONIS ADONIS theestate estateof ofthe thelate late ADONIS ADONIS MENDIOLA MENDIOLA MENDIOLA DECANGCHON DECANGCHON DECANGCHON MENDIOLA DECANGCHON who who who died died intestate intestate on on October October whodied diedintestate intestateon onOctober October 3, 3, 3, 2021 2021 in Manila, Manila, consisting consisting of of 3,2021 2021inin inManila, Manila,consisting consistingof of his his his conjugal conjugal share share to to the the extent extent hisconjugal conjugalshare shareto tothe theextent extent of of of one-half one-half one-half (1/2) (1/2) (1/2) portion portion portion of of of a of one-half (1/2) portion of aaa parcel parcel parcel of of land land with with improvement improvement parcelof ofland landwith withimprovement improvement erected erected erected thereon thereon situated situated in erected thereon thereon situated situated inin in Brgy. Brgy. Brgy. Immaculate Immaculate Concepcion, Concepcion, Brgy. Immaculate Immaculate Concepcion, Concepcion, Quezon Quezon Quezon City City City and and and covered covered covered Quezon City and covered under under under Transfer Transfer Certificate Certificate of of under Transfer Transfer Certificate Certificate of of Title Title Title No. No. 004-2010002904, 004-2010002904, Title No. No. 004-2010002904, 004-2010002904, has has has been been extrajudicially extrajudicially settled settled hasbeen beenextrajudicially extrajudiciallysettled settled by by by and and among among his his heirs heirs as as per per byand andamong amonghis hisheirs heirsas asper per Doc. Doc. Doc. No. No. 305, 305, Page Page No. No. 60, 60, Doc. No. No. 305, 305, Page Page No. No. 60, 60, Book Book Book No. No. No. I-C, I-C, I-C, Series Series Series of of of 2022 2022 2022 Manila Manila BookManila No. I-C, Series of 2022 Manila inin in the the Notarial Notarial Registry Registry of of Atty. Atty. inthe theNotarial NotarialRegistry Registryof ofAtty. Atty. Donato Donato Donato C. C. Manguiat. Manguiat. DonatoC. C.Manguiat. Manguiat.

Standard Standard TODAY TODAY

TODAY

(MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE 23,30 23,30 JULY JULY 7, 2022) 2022) (MS-JUNE23,30 23,30JULY JULY7,7, 7,2022) 2022)

Notice Notice of Extrajudicial Noticeof ofExtrajudicial Extrajudicial Settlement Settlement of Estate Settlementof ofEstate Estate

Notice Notice Notice is hereby hereby given given Notice isis is hereby hereby given given that that that the the estate estate of of VILMA VILMA that the the estate estate of of VILMA VILMA VILLACORTA VILLACORTA VILLACORTA QUETULIO QUETULIO VILLACORTA QUETULIO QUETULIO who who who died died intestate intestate on on October October whodied diedintestate intestateon onOctober October 19, 19, 19, 2021 2021 at at Dagupan Dagupan City, City, 19, 2021 2021 at at Dagupan Dagupan City, City, Pangasinan, Pangasinan, Pangasinan, consisting consisting of of Pangasinan, consisting consisting of of personal personal personal property, property, property, in in in relation relation relation personal property, in relation to to to One One (1) (1) Share Share of of Stock Stock to One One (1) (1) Share Share of of Stock Stock in in in Baguio Baguio Country Country Club, Club, in Baguio Baguio Country Country Club, Club, has has has been been subject subject of of an an has been been subject subject of of an an Extrajudicial Extrajudicial Extrajudicial Settlement Settlement Settlement of of Extrajudicial Settlement of of Estate Estate Estate executed executed on on March March 3, 3, Estateexecuted executedon onMarch March3, 3, 2022 2022 2022 at at at Makati Makati Makati City City City recorded recorded recorded 2022 at Makati City recorded as as as Doc. Doc. Doc. No. No. No. 472, 472, 472, Page Page Page No. No. No. as Doc. No. 472, Page No. 96, 96, 96, Book Book VIII, VIII, Series Series of of 2022, 2022, 96,Book BookVIII, VIII,Series Seriesof of2022, 2022, in in in the the Notarial Notarial Registry Registry of of Atty. Atty. inthe theNotarial NotarialRegistry Registryof ofAtty. Atty. Rodmel Rodmel Rodmel L. L. Bautista, Bautista, Notary Notary RodmelL. L.Bautista, Bautista,aaa aNotary Notary Public Public Public for for for and and and in in in the the the City City City of of Public for and in the City of of Makati. Makati. Makati. (MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE 16, 16, 23 23 30 30 2022) 2022) Makati. (MS-JUNE16, 16,23 23&&& &30 302022) 2022)

NOTICE NOTICE OF NOTICEOF OF EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE SETTLEMENTOF OFESTATE ESTATE AMONG AMONG HEIRS WITH AMONGHEIRS HEIRSWITH WITH WAIVER WAIVER OF OF RIGHTS RIGHTS WAIVER OF RIGHTS

of of of the the late late HADRIAN HADRIAN PAULO PAULO G. G. FLORES FLORES of the thelate lateHADRIAN HADRIANPAULO PAULOG. G.FLORES FLORES Notice Notice Notice is is hereby hereby given given that that the the estate estate of of the the late late HADRIAN HADRIAN Notice is is hereby hereby given given that that the the estate estate of of the the late late HADRIAN HADRIAN PAULO PAULO PAULO G. G. G. FLORES FLORES FLORES who who who died died died intestate intestate intestate on on on September September 22. 22. PAULO G. FLORES who died intestate on September September 22. 22. 2019 2019 2019 have have have been been been extra-judicially extra-judicially extra-judicially settled settled settled among among among his his heirs heirs 2019 have been extra-judicially settled among his his heirs heirs duly duly duly executed executed on on April April 13, 13, 2022 2022 as as per per Acknowledgment Acknowledgment duly executed executed on on April April 13, 13, 2022 2022 as as per per Acknowledgment Acknowledgment Certificate Certificate Certificate issued issued by by Consul Consul General General Marford Marford M. M. Angeles Angeles Certificate issued issued by by Consul Consul General General Marford Marford M. M. Angeles Angeles of of of Abu Abu Dhabi, Dhabi, United United Arab Arab Emirates Emirates and and recorded recorded as as per per of Abu Abu Dhabi, Dhabi, United United Arab Arab Emirates Emirates and and recorded recorded as as per per Service Service Service No. No. No. 02780A; 02780A; 02780A; Doc. Doc. Doc. No. No. No. 005831; 005831; 005831; Book Book Book No. No. No. 024; 024; 024; Fee Fee Service No. 02780A; Doc. No. 005831; Book No. 024; Fee Fee Paid: Paid: Paid: AEO100; AEO100; O.R. O.R. No. No. 716183. 716183. Paid:AEO100; AEO100;O.R. O.R.No. No.716183. 716183. (MStandard-June (MStandard-June (MStandard-June 23, 23, 30 30 & July July 7, 7, 2022) 2022) (MStandard-June23, 23,30 30&& &July July7, 7,2022) 2022)

EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT OF OF ESTATE ESTATE SETTLEMENTOF OFESTATE ESTATE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE is hereby hereby given given that that NOTICE isis is hereby hereby given given that that the the the estate estate estate of of of the the the late late late ADONIS ADONIS the estate of the late ADONIS ADONIS MENDIOLA MENDIOLA MENDIOLA DECANGCHON DECANGCHON MENDIOLA DECANGCHON DECANGCHON who who who died died intestate intestate on on October October whodied diedintestate intestateon onOctober October 3, 3, 3, 2021 2021 in Manila, Manila, consisting consisting of of 3,2021 2021inin inManila, Manila,consisting consistingof of his his his conjugal conjugal conjugal share share share to to to the the the extent extent his conjugal share to theextent extent of of of one-half one-half (1/2) (1/2) portion portion of of of one-half one-half (1/2) (1/2) portion portion of of aaaa parcel parcel parcel of of land land with with improvement improvement parcelof ofland landwith withimprovement improvement erected erected erected thereon thereon situated situated in erected thereon thereon situated situated inin in Brgy. Brgy. Brgy. Immaculate Immaculate Immaculate Concepcion, Concepcion, Brgy. Immaculate Concepcion, Concepcion, Quezon Quezon Quezon City City and and covered covered Quezon City City and and covered covered under under under Transfer Transfer Certificate Certificate of of under Transfer Transfer Certificate Certificate of of Title Title Title No. No. 004-2010002904, 004-2010002904, Title No. No. 004-2010002904, 004-2010002904, has has has been been been extrajudicially extrajudicially extrajudicially settled settled settled has been extrajudicially settled by by by and and among among his his heirs heirs as as per per byand andamong amonghis hisheirs heirsas asper per Doc. Doc. Doc. No. No. 305, 305, Page Page No. No. 60, 60, Doc. No. No. 305, 305, Page Page No. No. 60, 60, Book Book Book No. No. No. I-C, I-C, Series Series of of 2022 2022 Manila Manila BookManila No. I-C, I-C, Series Series of of 2022 2022 Manila inin in the the the Notarial Notarial Notarial Registry Registry Registry of of of Atty. Atty. Atty. in the Notarial Registry of Atty. Donato Donato Donato C. C. Manguiat. Manguiat. DonatoC. C.Manguiat. Manguiat.

REPUBLIC REPUBLIC OF OF THE THE PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES TARIFF TARIFF COMMISSION COMMISSION

ADOPTION ADOPTION OF AHTN 2022 APPROVED BY NEDA BOARD ADOPTIONOF OFAHTN AHTN2022 2022APPROVED APPROVEDBY BYNEDA NEDABOARD BOARD

The The Tariff Commission (TC) (TC) will implement the 2022 version NOTICE NOTICE The Tariff Tariff Commission Commission (TC) will will implement implement the the 2022 2022 version version NOTICE NOTICE of of the the ASEAN ASEAN Harmonised Harmonised Tariff Tariff Nomenclature Nomenclature (AHTN (AHTN Standard Standard of the ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN Notice Notice is is hereby hereby given given that that AXEIA DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT Notice is on hereby given 2022 that AXEIA AXEIA DEVELOPMENT TODAY TODAY 2022) 2022) on 01 01 July July 2022 following following the the approval approval by by the the National National TODAY 2022) on 01 July 2022 following the approval by the National CORP. CORP. (Formerly: (Formerly: Asiatic Asiatic Development Development Corporation) Corporation) Notice Notice is is hereby hereby given given that that GREENCORE GREENCORE POWER POWER CORP. (Formerly: Development Corporation) Notice is hereby Asiatic given that GREENCORE POWER with with office office address at at 5th & & 6th 6th Floor, Westar Building, Building, 611 611 3, 3, INC. INC. is is applying applying for for registration registration with with the Board Board of of Economic Economic and and Development Development Authority Authority Board of its adoption with office address at5th 5th & 6thFloor, Floor,Westar Westar Building, 611 3, INC. isaddress applying for registration with the the Board ofBoard Economic and Development Authority Board of of its its adoption adoption Shaw Shaw Blvd., Blvd., Brgy. Brgy. Kapitolyo, Kapitolyo, Pasig Pasig City, is is applying for for Investments Investments (BOl) (BOl) as as Renewable Energy Energy Developer Developer Notice Notice of Extrajudicial Shaw Blvd., Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City, City, is applying applying for Investments (BOl) as Renewable Renewable Energy Developer Noticeof ofExtrajudicial Extrajudicial on on 27 27 May May 2022. 2022. on 27 May 2022. registration registration with with the the Board Board of of Investments Investments (BOl) (BOl) as as aaaNew New Settlement Settlement of of Estate of of Solar Solar Energy Energy Resources Resources (43.500MWdc (43.500MWdc / / registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as New Settlement ofEstate Estate of Solarof Energy Resources (43.500MWdc / Developer Developer of Economic Economic and and Low-cost Housing Housing Project Project Developer of Economic and Low-cost Low-cost Housing Project 30.933MWac 30.933MWac Arayat-Mexico Arayat-Mexico Solar Solar Power Power Plant Plant Notice Notice Notice is is is hereby hereby given given 30.933MWac Arayat-Mexico Solar Power Plant on Notice is hereby hereby given given Starting Starting 01 01 July July 2022, 2022, all all Advance Advance Rulings Rulings on Tariff Tariff Classification Classification Starting 01 July 2022, all Advance Rulings on Tariff Classification (Woodlands (Woodlands at at Trece Trece Martires Martires Phase Phase 1) 1) with with a a capacity capacity that that that the the estate estate of of VILMA VILMA (Woodlands at 2) Trece Martires Phase 1) with a capacity Project Project Phase Phase 2) in in Brgy. Brgy. San San Antonio, Antonio, Arayat Arayat and and that the the estate estate of of VILMA VILMA Project Phase 2) inlow-cost Brgy. San Antonio, Arayat and of of 744 744 economic economic and and low-cost housing housing units, units, with with project project VILLACORTA VILLACORTA VILLACORTA QUETULIO QUETULIO QUETULIO issued issued pursuant pursuant to to Section Section 1100 1100 of of the the Customs Customs Modernization Modernization of 744 economic and low-cost housing units, with project VILLACORTA QUETULIO issued pursuant to Section 1100 of the Customs Modernization Brgy. Brgy. Buenavista, Buenavista, Mexico, Mexico, Pampanga, Pampanga, to to avail avail of of the the Brgy. Buenavista, Mexico, Pampanga, to avail of the sited sited located located at at Brgy. Brgy. Hugo Hugo Perez, Perez, Trece Trece Martires Martires City, City, who who who died died died intestate intestate on on on October October October sited at Brgy. Hugo Perez, Trece City, who diedintestate intestate on October incentives incentives under under R.A. R.A. No. No. 9513, 9513, otherwise otherwise known known as as and and Tariff Tariff Act Act (Republic (Republic Act Act No. No. 10863) 10863) under under the the 2017 2017 version version incentives under R.A. No. 9513, otherwise known as andlocated Tariff Act (Republic Act No.Martires 10863) under version 19, 19, 19, 2021 2021 2021 at at at Dagupan Dagupan City, City, City, Cavite Cavite under under Tier Tier IIIof of the the 2022 Strategic Strategic Investment Investment Priority Priority 19, the 2021 2017 at Dagupan Dagupan City, Cavite under Tier of the2022 2022 Strategic Investment Priority the the Renewable Renewable Energy Energy Act Act of of 2008. 2008. Pangasinan, Pangasinan, Pangasinan, consisting consisting consisting of of of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008. of of the the AHTN AHTN (AHTN (AHTN 2017) 2017) shall shall no no longer longer be be valid. valid. Plan Plan (SIPP) (SIPP) of of R.A. R.A. 11534 11534 (CREATE (CREATE Act). Act). Pangasinan, consisting of of the AHTN 2017)Act). shall no longer be valid. Plan (SIPP) of R.A. (AHTN 11534 (CREATE personal personal personal property, property, property, in in in relation relation relation personal property, in relation to to to One One One (1) (1) (1) Share Share Share of of of Stock Stock Stock Any Any person person with with valid valid objection/s objection/s on on the the aboveaboveto One (1) Share of Stock Any Any person person with valid valid objection/s objection/s on the aboveaboveAny personwith with valid objection/son on the the aboveThe The AHTN AHTN 2022 2022 Philippine Philippine tariff tariff schedules schedules will will be be carried carried on on Any person with valid objection/s on the aboveThe AHTN 2022 Philippine tariff schedules be Country carriedClub, on in in in Baguio Baguio Baguio Country Country Club, Club, in will Baguio Country Club, mentioned mentioned project may file file his/her objection in in writing, writing, mentioned project project may file his/her objection in writing, writing, mentioned project may may filehis/her his/herobjection objection inis writing, has has has been been been subject subject subject of of of an an the the Philippine Philippine Tariff Tariff Finder, Finder, which which is posted posted on on the the TC TC website website has been subject of an an the oath, Philippine Tariff Finder, which is posted on the TC website under under oath, oath, with with the the BOI BOI within within three three (3) (3) days days from from oath, with with the the BOI BOI within within three three (3) (3) days days from from the the under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from Extrajudicial Extrajudicial Extrajudicial Settlement Settlement of of oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the Extrajudicial Settlement Settlement of of the the date date of of this publication. publication. https://www.tariffcommission.gov.ph https://www.tariffcommission.gov.ph on on 01 July July 2022. 2022. For For date date of of this publication. publication. Estate Estate executed executed executed on on on March March March 3, 3, the date ofthis this publication. https://www.tariffcommission.gov.ph on 01 01Estate July 2022. For date ofthis this publication. Estate executed on March 3, 3, 2022 2022 2022 at at Makati Makati City City recorded recorded 2022at atMakati MakatiCity Cityrecorded recorded further further inquiries, inquiries, TC TC may may be be reached reached at at the the following following email email further inquiries, TC may be reached at as the following email as as Doc. Doc. No. No. 472, 472, Page Page No. No. (SGD.) (SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT as Doc. Doc. No. No. 472, 472, Page Page No. No. (SGD.)MARY MARYANN ANNE. E.RAGANIT RAGANIT 96, 96, 96, Book Book VIII, VIII, Series Series of of 2022, 2022, addresses addresses TC.Assist@mail.tariffcommission.gov.ph TC.Assist@mail.tariffcommission.gov.ph and and Acting Acting Director 96,Book BookVIII, VIII,Series Seriesof of2022, 2022, addresses (SGD.) TC.Assist@mail.tariffcommission.gov.ph and (SGD.) RAQUEL RAQUEL B. B. ECHAGUE ActingDirector Director (SGD.) RAQUEL B.ECHAGUE ECHAGUE in in in the the Notarial Notarial Registry Registry Registry of of of Atty. Atty. inthe theNotarial Notarial Registry ofAtty. Atty. Infrastructure Infrastructure and Services Services Industries Service Director Records@tariffcommission.gov.ph, Records@tariffcommission.gov.ph, and and at Viber number number 09490949Infrastructureand andDirector ServicesIndustries IndustriesService Service Rodmel Rodmel Rodmel L. L. Bautista, Bautista, Notary Notary Notary Director Records@tariffcommission.gov.ph, and at at Viber Viber number RodmelL. L.Bautista, Bautista,aaa a0949Notary Resource-Based Resource-Based Industries Industries Service Service Public Public Public for for for and and and in in in the the the City City City of of Public for and in the City of of 118-3891. 118-3891. 118-3891. Resource-Based Industries Service Makati. Makati. Makati. Makati.

The The Tariff Commission (TC) will implement the 2022 version The Tariff Tariff Commission Commission (TC) (TC) will will implement implement the the 2022 2022 version version of of the ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN of the the ASEAN ASEAN Harmonised Harmonised Tariff Tariff Nomenclature Nomenclature (AHTN (AHTN 2022) 2022) on 01 July 2022 following the approval by the National 2022) on on 01 01 July July 2022 2022 following following the the approval approval by by the the National National Economic Economic and Development Authority Board of its adoption Economic and and Development Development Authority Authority Board Board of of its its adoption adoption on on 27 May 2022. on 27 27 May May 2022. 2022. Starting Starting 01 July 2022, all Advance Rulings on Tariff Classification Starting01 01July July2022, 2022,all allAdvance AdvanceRulings Rulingson onTariff TariffClassification Classification issued issued pursuant to Section 1100 of the Customs Modernization issuedpursuant pursuantto toSection Section1100 1100of ofthe theCustoms CustomsModernization Modernization and and Tariff Act (Republic Act No. 10863) under the 2017 version andTariff TariffAct Act (Republic (RepublicAct Act No. No. 10863) 10863) under under the the 2017 2017 version version of of the AHTN (AHTN 2017) shall no longer be valid. of the theAHTN AHTN (AHTN (AHTN 2017) 2017) shall shall no no longer longer be be valid. valid. The The AHTN 2022 Philippine tariff schedules will be carried on The AHTN AHTN 2022 2022 Philippine Philippine tariff tariff schedules schedules will will be be carried carried on on the the Philippine Tariff Finder, which is posted on the TC website the Philippine Philippine Tariff Tariff Finder, Finder, which which is is posted posted on on the the TC TC website website https://www.tariffcommission.gov.ph https://www.tariffcommission.gov.ph on 01 July 2022. For https://www.tariffcommission.gov.ph on on 01 01 July July 2022. 2022. For For further further inquiries, TC may be reached at the following email further inquiries, inquiries, TC TC may may be be reached reached at at the the following following email email addresses addresses TC.Assist@mail.tariffcommission.gov.ph TC.Assist@mail.tariffcommission.gov.ph and addresses TC.Assist@mail.tariffcommission.gov.ph and and Records@tariffcommission.gov.ph, Records@tariffcommission.gov.ph, and at Viber number 0949Records@tariffcommission.gov.ph, and and at at Viber Viber number number 09490949118-3891. 118-3891. 118-3891.

(MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE 23,30 23,30 JULY JULY 7, 2022) 2022) (MS-JUNE23,30 23,30JULY JULY7,7, 7,2022) 2022)

30, 30, 30, (MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE 23, 23, 2022) 2022) (MS-JUNE23, 30,2022) 2022) 23,

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NOTICE NOTICE OF NOTICE NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICEOF OF NOTICE OF OFDISSOLUTION DISSOLUTION EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL EXTRAJUDICIAL LENEWTION LENEWTION INC. INC. LENEWTION INC. SETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE SETTLEMENTOF OFESTATE ESTATE AMONG AMONG HEIRS WITH AMONGHEIRS HEIRSWITH WITH

WAIVER OF OF RIGHTS WAIVER OFRIGHTS RIGHTS Notice Notice Noticeisis ishereby hereby herebygiven given giventhat that thatthe the theAmended Amended AmendedArticles Articles Articlesof of ofIncorporation Incorporation IncorporationWAIVER of of ofLENEWTION LENEWTION LENEWTION INC., INC., INC.,

(MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE (MS-JUNE 30, 30, 2022) 2022) (MS-JUNE30, 30,2022) 2022)

Notic Noti Not Not PAU PAU PAU PAU 2019 2019 201 201 duly duly duly duly Cert Cert Cer Cer of of of A of AA A Serv Serv Serv Serv Paid Paid Paid Paid

CYAN CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK

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NOTICE NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION NOTICE OF OFDISSOLUTION DISSOLUTION LENEWTION LENEWTION INC. LENEWTIONINC. INC. Notice Notice Noticeisis ishereby hereby herebygiven given giventhat that thatthe the theAmended Amended AmendedArticles Articles Articlesof of ofIncorporation Incorporation Incorporationof of ofLENEWTION LENEWTION LENEWTIONINC., INC., INC.,

CYAN CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

Peso slumps, now at 55.06 versus dollar By Julito G. Rada THE peso on Wednesday broke the 55-per-dollar boundary on the possibility of more aggressive rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve that buoyed the greenback against other currencies. The peso lost P0.29 to close at 55.06 from 54.77 per dollar on Tuesday. It was the local unit’s weakest level in more than 16.5 years since 55.08 on Oct. 27, 2005. Total volume traded stood at $1.277 billion, down from $1.653 billion in the previous day. “The latest currency movements came after the US dollar corrected higher vs. major global currencies after continued hawkish signals from some Fed officials [New York Fed President John Williams and San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly]... ,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort told Manila Standard in an emailed message. Ricafort added the latest peso exchange rate movements were “partly due to the healthy downward correction in the PSEi today, after rising for three straight trading days, considered a healthy correction, by -42.22 points or -0.7 percent to close at 6,303.19, still among 1-week highs, in line with the healthy downward correction in the US stock markets from 2-week highs after the net gains/relief rally since late last week.” The peso has been retreating for days against the greenback since the aggressive 0.75-basis point hike in the policy rate by the US Federal Reserve in middle of June, the biggest rateManila increase since 1994. Standard Economists earlier said the Fed’s TODAY move would lead to a stronger US dollar against global currencies. The inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee in its latest macroeconomic assumptions projected the peso-dollar exchange rate to range from 51 to 53 this year. The peso-dollar rate assumption was pegged at 50-53 from 2023 to 2025.

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Wednesday, June 29, 2022

-42.22 PTS. 6,303.19

FFICE space demand more than doubled in the second quarter to 255,000 square meters from 124,000 sq. m. in the first quarter on strong take-up from the business process outsourcing sector, Leechiu Property Consultants said Wednesday.

LPC director for commercial leasing Mikko Barranda said leasing transactions reached 379,000 sq. m. in the frist six months, representing 70 percent of 2021’s full year take-up.

Barranda said with 212,000 sq. m. of office requirements expected to be finalized in the second half, the 2022 office space demand would likely hit pre-pandemic levels. He said the demand for office space in the second quarter came from IT-business process management firms, which accounted for 107,000 sq. m. Philippine offshore gaming operators took up 21,000 sq. m., marking the first sign of leasing activity from the sector since March 2020. “All the leasing activity in the past three months―from many new captives and companies doing business here for the first time―tell us outsourcing to the Philippines continues to be a reliable solution for companies in the West fighting impending global recession,” Barranda said.

532,415,810

TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP)

69,079 4,913,091,915.58

ADVANCES

DECLINES

UNCHANGED

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2022

Demand for office space surged in second quarter O By Jenniffer B. Austria

TOTAL VOLUME

Data showed that BPO workforce grew by 15 percent between 2019 and 2021 despite the pandemic. BPO firms, at the height of the pandemic in 2021, hired some 120,000 full time employees even as many of them adopted hybrid worth set-up arrangement, where a portion of employees worked in the office and others worked from home. LPC said that in the residential market, condominium sales jumped 54 percent in the second quarter from the previous quarter as developers offered extended and flexible payment terms and investors purchased residential units to lock in current prices. LPC director Roy Golez said, however, that sales to lower-income market declined by 89 percent, as buyers prioritized purchasing necessities over the security of owning a home.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

54.7570

Japan

Yen

0.007346

0.4022

Pound

1.219100

66.7543

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127429

6.9776

Switzerland

Franc

1.045041

57.2233

Canada

Dollar

0.777122

42.5529

Singapore

Dollar

0.720721

39.4645

Australia

Dollar

0.690600

37.8152

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652942

145.2671

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266454

14.5902

Brunei

Dollar

0.718133

39.3228

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.028441

1.5573

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

14.9092

Euro

1.052400

57.6263

Korea

Won

0.000774

0.0424

China

Yuan

0.149076

8.1630

India

Rupee

0.012663

0.6934

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.227531

12.4589

New Zealand

Dollar

0.623600

34.1465

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033705

1.8456 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF PCIC now under supervision of IC

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has placed Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) under the supervision of the Insurance Commission (IC) to empower the latter to regularly examine the financial affairs, condition and method of business of the state-run agricultural insurance firm. With Department Order No. 038.2022 signed on June 28, Dominguez said the results of the examination conducted on the PCIC “shall be submitted by the IC to the DOF (Department of Finance).” President Duterte in September last year, issued Executive Order No. 148 transferring PCIC from the Department of Agriculture to the DOF as an attached agency “for policy and program coordination and general supervision.” The PCIC board was also reorganized under EO 148 with the DOF Secretary as chairperson. The presidential directive and Section 253 of the Insurance Code mandated the IC to conduct an examination into the affairs, financial condition and method of business of government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) engaged in social or private insurance.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Air Asia PH eyes more passengers

POWER SUPPLY DEAL. Residents of Iloilo City will soon enjoy a stable source of clean, renewable energy with the signing of a 20-megawatt mid-merit supply agreement between More Electric and Power Corp. and First Gen Corp.’s subsidiary Energy Development Corp. Attending the event are (from left) First Gen vice president for power marketing, trading and economics Carlo Vega, MORE Power president and chief executive Roel Castro and EDC vice president for business development Marvin Bailon.

Pag-IBIG’s five-month loans hit record P40.4b NOTICE AND AGENDA OF THE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING TO ALL STOCKHOLDERS: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of GLOBAL-ESTATE RESORTS, INC. (the “Company”) will be held on 22 July 2022 at 9:00 a.m. to be conducted virtually, through the link https://geri.com.ph/asm2022/ that can be accessed through the Company’s website, with the following agenda: I. II. III. IV. V. VI.

Call to Order Certification of Notice and Quorum Approval of the Minutes of the previous Annual Stockholders’ Meeting Annual Report of Management Appointment of External Auditor Ratification of all acts and resolutions of the Board of Directors, Board Committees and Corporate Officers adopted during the preceding year VII. Election of Directors VIII. Other matters IX. Adjournment

Stockholders of record as of 22 June 2022 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Pursuant to Article V, Section 2 of the Company’s Amended By-Laws and Sections 23 and 57 of the Revised Corporation Code and to conform with the government’s regulation on social distancing and prohibition on mass gatherings, the Company decided to hold the Annual Meeting via remote communication, and allow the stockholders to cast their votes by remote communication or in absentia, or by proxy. To participate in the Annual Meeting, stockholders must register from 9:00 AM of 07 July 2022 until 5:00 PM of 15 July 2022. The procedure for participation via remote communication and in absentia is contained in the Information Statement. Stockholders who wish to appoint proxies may submit proxy instruments until 5:00 pm of 14 July 2022 to the Office of the Corporate Secretary at 9th Floor, Eastwood Global Plaza, Palm Tree Avenue, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City or by e-mail at corpsecretary@ global-estate.ph. Validation of proxies shall be held on 15 July 2022. A sample proxy form will be enclosed in the Information Statement for your convenience. The Information Statement and other pertinent documents and information on the Annual Meeting are available through the Company’s website. For any clarifications, please contact the Office of the Corporate Secretary via email at corpsecretary@global-estate.ph. Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, 07 June 2022.

MARIA CARLA T. UYKIM Corporate Secretary (MS-JUNE 29 & 30, 2022)

PAG-IBIG Fund surpassed its own record by releasing over P40 billion in home loans in the first five months, top officials said Tuesday. The agency said it released home loans worth P40.41 billion from January to May, the highest amount it disbursed in the first five months of any year. It said the amount climbed 15 percent from P35.28 billion year-on-year. “Pag-IBIG has once again set a new record in the amount of home loan releases to begin the first five months of the year. We are happy that the number of Filipino workers who are able to become homeowners through the Pag-IBIG home loan programs continue to grow,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. “Our consistent performance also indicates that the home loan policies we have set in place have been effective, and we expect that these would continue to enable even more Filipino workers to have decent and affordable homes in safe, sustainable and resilient communities,” said del Rosario, who also heads the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees. Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Acmad Rizaldy Moti said the amount released as of May financed the acquisition and construction of 36,865 homes for Pag-IBIG Fund members, or 5 percent higher than the 34,979 homes financed in the same period last year. He said of the total number of homes financed, 6,787 or 18 percent were socialized housing units which are now owned by minimum-wage and low-income workers and their families.

AIRASIA Philippines on Wednesday is aiming to attain as high as 70 percent of its preCOVID capacity for international routes by fourth quarter this year. AirAsia Philippines recently restarted flights to Hong Kong, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia and Seoul, South Korea. Joining AirAsia Philippines’ roster of operating international routes starting July 1 is Manila-Singapore. The airline is expecting to fly almost 10,000 guests to Singapore in the third quarter this year. “Our aggressiveness in expanding our domestic route network also manifests in our resumption strategy for international routes,” said AirAsia Philippines spokesperson and head of communications and public affairs Steve Dailisan said. “This is in service of Filipino globetrotters and Overseas Filipino Workers who wish to explore the tourism and economic opportunities present abroad,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

EDC supplies clean electricity to MORE ENERGY Development Corp., a unit of First Gen Corp., will supply 20 megawatts of renewable energy to More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) starting July 25. EDC’s five-year power supply to MORE Power will come from the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plant, one of the company’s largest geothermal facilities. “Green power is not only reliable but also affordable. MORE Power gives priority to affordability of electricity, then having renewable energy in our portfolio. We are confident that this partnership with First Gen and EDC will give us both our priorities that will benefit our consumers in the long term. Especially now that global fuel prices are, and will continue to be volatile, having renewable energy in our portfolio will save our consumers from high electricity costs,” said MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro during the ceremonial contract signing on June 28. Geothermal energy can provide uninterrupted, year-round baseload power and hardly emits carbon dioxide. EDC said MORE Power would avoid releasing a minimum of 124,942 tons of carbon dioxide that could otherwise be emitted annually if the electricity came from a coalfired power plant. Alena Mae S. Flores

Valencia Group buys 8,000 Globe Asiatique units WESTCHESTER Realty Corp., a property firm led by the family of former Governor Rodolfo Valencia, acquired and took over more than 8,000 housing units previously owned by Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Corp. John Nico Valencia, president and chief operating officer of WRC, said the company acquired the properties, including 540 units of GA Tower along EDSA in Mandaluyong City, from Pag-IBIG Fund for about P3.2 billion. He said WRC also spent on the refurbishing of the units. “We expect to sell the GA Tower residential units within the next six months. These readyfor-occupancy units, with average selling price of P77,000 per square meter, are 40 percent to 50 percent cheaper than similar residential projects in the EDSA-Mandaluyong area,” said Valencia. Valencia said WRC coordinated with PagIBIG Fund and Globe Asiatique owner Delfin

Lee to ensure that the turnover of the units to the end-buyers would proceed smoothly. “This will not prosper without the proper coordination and cooperation from the previous developer, Mr. Delfin Lee. We’ve assured Mr. Lee that WRC will respect and give priority to GA’s previous and original buyers especially those who have fully paid their purchased housing units,” he said. “We are very excited about the GA Tower project, as this would once again prove to be a success based on the most affordable pricing scheme that we have prepared particularly for qualified Pag-IBIG Fund member-borrowers. Its location and amenities provide homebuyers the opportunity to own condominium units right at the center of everything,” said Valencia said He said GA Tower provides “affordable luxury” at the lowest price. The company will start selling the units of GA Tower on July 8.

Sports

Tropang Giga edge Batang Pier, 117 to 112 JAYSON Castro and Poy Erram drilled in key baskets in the final minute to save the day for undermanned defending champion Talk N Text Tropang Giga on Wednesday in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Castro’s triple and charity in the last 28 seconds helped the Tropang Giga endure a late comeback by the NorthPort Batang Pier to post a 117-112 triumph. His baskets came right after the Batang Pier threatened at 110-111, allowing the Tropang Giga to move out of range by five points, 115-110. Castro and Erram each had 17 points for the Tropang Giga, who posted their sixth win in eight games. Erram’s split charity in the last 10 seconds finalized the count for Tropang Giga. Erram scored moments after Jamie Malonzo dunked with 16 ticks remaining to keep Batang Pier close, 112-116. TNT has been struggling with its injured players still in recovery mode. But coach Chot Reyes has asked his reserves to contribute in their absence. “We don’t worry about those who are not here, but for those who are here. And we took it from there,” said Reyes. Knee injuries have been bothering Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes and JD Tungcab since the Tropa’s 87-72 win over Phoenix Super LPG last Sunday. They also missed Kib Montalbo, who sat the match out due to a groin strain. Mikey Williams led Tropang Giga with 27 points and seven rebounds, while Roger Pogoy added 22 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Peter Atencio

Stajcic wants fans to support Filipina booters By Peter Atencio A PACKED stadium filled with Filipino fans is in the wish list of national coach Allen Stajcic as the Philippine national women’s football returns to Manila this week. The Filipinas are set to play their f irst tour nament on local soil, when football action retur ns to Rizal Memorial Stadium starting on Sunday. The Rizal Stadium will be back in use again after two years as it will serve as the venue when the Philippines plays host to the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship 2022 from July 4 to 17. “I hope to have a full stadium supporting the team, and watch them play in what is really a tough group. There is no doubt that we are in the tougher set of the tournament,” said Stajcic. The Filipinas are coming back to Manila following a series of friendlies in Europe. Last Sunday, Katrina Guillou scored the winning goal as the Philippines ended its series of international friendlies with a 2-1 triumph over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Brezice, Slovenia. Sarina Bolden made two goals for the Filipinas on Thursday last week when they stopped the same team, 3-0, at the Matija Gubec Stadium in Krsko, Slovenia. The Philippines, which is one of two ASEAN nations to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, is bunched with fourtime winners Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia and Malaysia in Group A. “We are looking forward to the challenge, and playing before a home crowd,” added Stajcic. Games of the tournament will also be at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna and the City of Imus Stadium in Cavite, with the Philippine Football Federation National Training Center in Carmona being one of the training venues.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

TNT’s Mikey Williams soars for a layup against a NorthPort defender in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Tropang Giga, 117-112, at the Smart Araneta Coliuseum on Wednesday.

EJ Obiena shows readiness for world tilt with Taby gold By Randy Caluag

ILIPINO Olympian Ernest “EJ” Obiena unfurled his winning form again, winning a pole vault gold medal in the Taby Stavhoppsgala tournament in Taby, Sweden as he gears up for the World Athletics Championships slated two weeks from now.

Showing no ill effects of the COVID-19 virus infection he sustained recently, the pride of Tondo, Manila registered 5.92 meters in the same street pole vault competition he ruled last year, where some of the best in the world are competing. Obiena’s performance was just 0.1 centimeter shy of his Asian record and his personal best of 5.93, which he set at the 17th Golden Roof Challenge in Austria in September last year. Thiago Braz of Brazil, Obiena’s constant training competition, took the silver with a

5.82-meter leap, while Norway’s Simen Guttormsen placed third with a 5.72-m for the bronze medal. In a social media post, Obiena expressed his thanks to a couple of compatriots, who supported his campaign. “To the two kababayan who came and watched and even asked if I want any water or energy drink, ramdam ko po ang pagmamalasakit ninyo. Maraming salamat po,” said Obiena, who looks forward to another big performance in Stockholm’s capital

Sweden this weekend. The Europe competitions serve as Obiena’s preparation for his biggest task ahead this season, the World Athletics Championships slated on July 15 to 25 in Oregon, USA. Obiena’s prime benefactor, Jim Lafferty, was ecstatic with the Filipino’s victory. “Big shout-out congrats to superstar Ernest Obiena for a terrific win,” said Lafferty. “This puts EJ in great shape heading into Stockholm this weekend and the upcoming World Championships. Way to go EJ! We are so proud of you!” Obiena was coming off a golden victory in the European City of Sports leg in L’Aquila, Italy before he was hit by the COVID-19 virus. The 26-year-old Obiena earlier defended the pole vault title at the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam with a new SEA Games record of 5.46m.

Ernest Obiena

Gilas Pilipinas to play against NZ, India in FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers FILIPINOS can cheer for Gilas Pilipinas as leading mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) brings the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers hardcourt action closer to basketball fans through the Smart GigaPlay App. The 11-man national basketball team, composed of Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, RJ Abarrientos, Carl Tamayo, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu, Francis “Lebron” Lopez, William Navarro, Dave Ildefonso, Rhenz Abando, and Kevin Quiambao will go against the New Zealand team on June 30, 3:30PM at the EventFinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. This will be followed by a game against India on July 3, 7PM at the Mall of Asia in Pasay, Metro Manila. “We are a hundred percent behind the whole Gilas team as they take a step closer to our end goal: to be able to make our country proud. This is also an important window for us as we are preparing to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023 with Japan and Indonesia. We wish the team the very best as they show the world the heart and fighting spirit of Filipinos,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT and Smart President and CEO.

Panlilio also serves as the Chairman of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 local organizing committee, Second Vice President of FIBA Asia Central Board, and President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Smart is a global partner of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The global event will be jointly hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, with its final phase to be held here in Manila in August next year. “Smart empowers Filipinos to do more with the Philippines’ fastest mobile data network. As a basketball-loving nation, we are here to enable our customers cheer for Gilas Pilipinas even when they are on the go and on their mobile phones,” said Francis Flores, Head of Consumer Business Group—Individual at Smart. Subscribers can enjoy the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers live free of streaming charges for a limited time on the GigaPlay App. Smart’s coverage of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers adds to GigaPlay App’s lineup of top-notch sports content, which includes the streaming of the UAAP, NBA, PBA, PVL, and VNL games.

Gilas Pilipinas, led by Dwight Ramos

GigaPlay is powered by Smart, the country’s fastest 5G mobile network, as reported by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

Que back in hunt as PGT resumes at Eagle Ridge

Angelo Que: Fully rested and hungry for another crack at a local crown.

ANGELO Que seeks to make an early impact on his return to the local circuit, eager and ready to slug it out with the men of the Philippine Golf Tour all geared up for the ICTSI Eagle Ridge at Aoki Invitational, which gets under way on July 5 in Gen. Trias, Cavite. The many-time PGT winner hasn’t seen action since finishing tied for 11th in the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Challenge, also at Aoki, won by Miguel Tabuena in 2021, resuming his campaign in Japan where he failed to advance in his last two tournaments, the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship and the Golf Partner Pro-Am tournament, both in Ibaraki, last month. He tied for 47th in The Crowns in Aichi last April. But fully rested and hungry for another crack at a local crown, the former Philippine Open champion is brimming with confidence as he targets a top podium finish in the 72-hole championship put up by ICTSI and organized by

Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. The PGT will be held simultaneously with the Ladies PGT for the fourth time in the season. “I played last in Japan last month and has spent time with my family since,” said Que. “With enough rest, I think I’m prepared for next week’s tournament.” Also back in the roster is Keanu Jahns, due for a big finish after posting a couple of runner-up efforts in 2019— in the Apo Golf Invitational and The Country Club Invitational. Headlining the Eagle Ridge cast are Caliraya Springs leg runaway winner Zanieboy Gialon and Dutch Guido Van der Valk, who edged Tabuena in sudden death to snare the ICTSI Splendido Taal crown last month. Tabuena, who ruled the PGT kickoff leg at Luisita last March, also via playoff over Clyde Mondilla, is skipping next week’s tournament to play in the US while Mondilla has also begged off to honor a previous commitment.

Sports

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

Women power up in Sun Life 5150 meet THE Sun Life 5150 Triathlon unwrapping on July 10 in Bohol won’t just be a clash of power, speed and endurance among the men of the multi-sport but also a showcase of grit and poise from the bidders in the distaff side. Seventy-two fearless ladies are set to vie for top honors in nine age-group categories in their side of the duel in the 1.5 km-swim, 40 km-bike and 10 km run held under an Olympic-style setup in one of the country’s top triathlon hubs at The Bellevue Resort on Panglao Island. Twelve are competing in the relay all-female and 10 more in the relay mixed while 26 others, including beginners wanting to immerse themselves into the sport, are in the roster of the Sunrise Sprint. Siblings Edna and Erna Agoo, along with Camille Arce, Patricia Belido, Janina Garcia and Isabel Piccio headline the field in the 3034 division while Ilyn Andale, Joy Fernandez, Celeste Laquian, Angela Sangel and Megan Yu lead the 3539 cast in the event, one of the great drivers of gender equality where women learn the values of teamwork, self-reliance and resilience. Minimum health protocols will also be enforced, according to the organizing The IRONMAN Group/ Sunrise Events, Inc. Spicing up the title chase are five foreign entries, including United Kingdom’s Emily Miller (30-34) and Jo Cudmore (55-59), Japanese Kaoiri Dezaki (35-39) and Mayu Kohno (45-49) and Malaysia’s Noraziah Abd Manaf (40-44). Bannering the 25-29 side are Anne Relova, Jessica Resch, Jam Gonzalez and Khimberly Paguibot while Jackie Reazon, Ma. Elena Santos, Diana Gellane and Jessiel Leonidas lead the chase in the 4044 category of the event put up by Sun Life. Also on tap are the centerpiece men’s individual and relay and mixed relay competitions.

DeChambeau to LIV Golf critics: Move on L

OS ANGELES—Bryson DeChambeau says he understands criticism of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series over human rights issues, but said Tuesday people need to “move on” from past “bad” Saudi actions.

The 2020 US Open champion spoke ahead of Thursday’s kickoff of the upstart tour’s first US event and second overall at Pumpkin Ridge in North Plains, Oregon. Asked about concerns over the new circuit’s financial backers, the 28-year-old American said people need to look at the good things LIV Golf could bring. “I understand people’s decisions on their comments and whatnot. But as it relates to me, I have made my own decision,” DeChambeau said. “Golf is a force for good and I think as time goes on, hopefully people will see the good they are doing and what they are trying to accomplish rather than looking at the bad that has happened before. “I think moving on from that is important and going and continuing to move forward in a positive light is something that could be a force for good for the future of the game.” Saudi money is backing the richest prizes in golf history with $25 million at stake in this week’s 54-hole tournament. It has lured a number of US PGA Tour stars despite bans for those who jump to LIV Golf. Asked about concerns with Saudi involvement, four-time major winner Brooks Koepka said, “We’re here to play golf. We’re excited about it. We’re going to go out there, put on the best show we can.” American Pat Perez, also making his LIV debut this week, replied, “I don’t have any concerns. I’m playing golf. This group has provided me an opportunity to play golf and have a different schedule and that’s my only concern. “I understand the topics you’re trying to bring up, and they’re horrible events, but I’m here to play golf. That’s my deal.” Players said a smaller schedule, only eight events this year, and richer purses were major reasons they made the jump to LIV Golf. “I wanted to spend more time with my children,” said 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed. “I wanted to be a dad. And to have an opportunity where I can play with some of the top players in the world. “The reason why we’re able to do that is because our purses are higher.” ‘My opinion changed’ Koepka, who had supported the PGA earlier, said his decision was made last week. “My opinion changed. That was it,” he said. “We didn’t have the conversation ‘til everything was done at the US Open.” Nagging injuries and recovery times were factors in his choice, citing burnout. “What I’ve had to go through the last two years on my knees, the pain, the rehab, all this stuff, you realize, I need a

Richard Albo finds his range for Bacolod Bingo Plus.

Batangas, Bacolod, QC maul foes at OKbet-MPBL Bryson DeChambeau: Golf is a force for good. AFP

little bit more time off,” Koepka said. It could cost top players their chances to compete in some majors after this year, if the tournaments follow the US PGA Tour in banning LIV talent. AFP

Serena loses on Wimbledon return LONDON—Serena Williams was defeated in her first singles match for a year on Tuesday, going down 7-5, 1-6, 7/6 (10/7) to unseeded Harmony Tan in the first round of Wimbledon. “For my first Wimbledon it’s wow— just wow,” said Tan. Seven-time champion Williams was cheered as she walked onto Centre Court for the evening match, but she looked rusty and was broken in her first service game. Williams, far below her imperious best and apparently lacking fitness, bounced back, breaking in the fourth game to level at 2-2, buoyed by a supportive crowd at the All England Club. The pair swapped further breaks but Tan, ranked 115th, broke again in the 11th game and held her nerve to close out the set 7-5. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, broke after a mammoth second game of the second set and went on to level the match 6-1. The American was first to break in the decider but Tan levelled at 3-3. Williams broke again in the ninth

Serena Williams, looking out of breath, could not find inspiration netting when facing a second match point. AFP

game, throwing her arms into the air in jubilation but faltered as she served for the match. She faced a match point on her own serve in the 12th game but saved it with a forehand volley, taking the contest into a third-set tie-break.

Williams stepped up a gear, winning the first four points as the match, under the Wimbledon roof, ticked past three hours. But still her French opponent was not down and out, winning the next five points to edge ahead.

Williams, looking out of breath, could not find inspiration netting when facing a second match point. “I’m so emotional now,” said Tan. “She’s a superstar. When I was young, I was watching her so many times on the TV. “When I saw the draw, I was really scared. She’s such a legend. I thought if I can win one game, two games, that would be really good for me.” Twelve months ago, Williams quit her Wimbledon first-round match in tears after suffering an injury and she had not played singles tennis since until Tuesday. Doubts had been growing about whether the former world number one —who has slumped to 1,204th in the rankings after her period of inaction— would return to the sport. But she warmed up by teaming up with Ons Jabeur in the doubles at Eastbourne last week. Williams, 40, won the last of her seven Wimbledon singles titles six years ago but reached the final in 2018 and 2019. The American, who was given a wildcard for this year’s tournament, remains stuck on 23 Grand Slam singles wins—agonisingly one short of Margaret Court’s alltime record. AFP

BATANGAS City won by 24 points, Bacolod by 20, and Quezon City 31. Routs marked the OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season presented by Xtreme on Tuesday at the Batangas City Coliseum. The unbeaten Batangas City Embassy Chill trounced the Mindoro Tams, 8662, in the nightcap to tally their sixth straight victory and gain the solo lead in the single round-robin eliminations of the 22-team, 2-division tournament. Bacolod Bingo Plus rebounded with a 77-57 thrashing of Laguna Krah Asia, while Quezon City MG Cars pounded the Makati City MNL Kingpins, 103-72, to complete the favorites’ romp. Flaunting the form that made them the league’s inaugural champions in the 2018 Rajah Cup, the Batangas City Athletics sealed the outcome, 77-46, early in the fourth quarter and moved ahead of Nueva Ecija, Sarangani and Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines, all with 5-0 slates, in the standings. Batangas Coach Cholo Villanueva shuffled his players at will, 13 of them managing to score with John Rey Villanueva and Juneric Baloria contributing 17 and 14 points, respectively. Mindoro, which got 13 points from DarielBayla, tumbled to 1-6 in a tie with Makati. Smarting from a 72-66 beating it absorbed from Batangas on June 18, Bacolod stormed beyond reach at 6743 behind Jhan Mchale Nermal and Richard Albo, who wound up with 12 points each, and homegrown Jeramer Cabanag, who chipped in 11. Laguna fell to 1-4 as only Sean Laban and Virgilio Serios found their mark with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Quezon City clustered 18 points to pull away at 64-40 and notch its first triumph after back-to-back setbacks. Christopher Menguez presided over Quezon City’s balanced offense with 17 points plus 9 rebounds, followed by Kentoy Segura with 16 points, Kim Cinco with 15 points and Jeric Nacpil with 12 points plus 10 rebounds. Composed mostly of homegrown players, Makati got 19 points from Larry Arpia, 15 from Kobe Bryant Pableo and 14 from Kenz Diokno. The MPBL visits Orion, Bataan on July 2 with a triple-bill pitting GenSan against Quezon City at 5 p.m., Nueva Ecija against Sarangani at 7 p.m. and Valenzuela against Bataan at 9 p.m.

Pilipinas Super League welcomes Pasig Cocolife Pirates FINALLY, Metro Manila will have a representation in the Pilipinas Super League this July. A Pasig City youth basketball team was formally welcomed by the fledgling regional tilt in the 21-Under division of the league named as Pambansang Liga ng mga Pilipino. The Pasig City Cocolife Pirates made an official entry to the PSL 21-Under through a Memorandum of Agreement during the recent signing between the league, city government and team sponsor Cocolife at the Pasig City Hall. PSL President Rocky Chan, Cocolife President Atty. Jose Martin Loon and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto jointly penned the MoA, witnessed by PSL Vice President Ray Alao, league official Leo Isaac, Cocolife SVP Joseph Ronquillo, basketball operations head

Aries Conde, VP Rowena Asnan and EVP Franz Joie Araque. “On behalf of our CEO, Mayor Dinko Bautista, we would like to thank the honorable mayor of Pasig, Mayor Vico Sotto, for taking part and being part of the Pilipinas Super League family, and to President Martin Loon of Cocolife na walang sawang sumusuporta, not only to the team that is participating in the Pilipinas Super League but to the league itself,” Chan said. Sotto for his part said: “We’re very thankful and excited to have this partnership between the local government of Pasig and Cocolife.” On the other hand, Loon believes the partnership between the Pirates and Cocolife will lead to greater things ahead. “We appreciate this. Thank you for

making this partnership possible. It’s an honor for Cocolife to be given the chance to partner with Pasig and Mayor Vico, and we look for greater things,” Loon said. “Ang dami naman nating puwedeng maging common advocacies and projects together at abangan natin ang susunod kung ano pa iyong puwede nating gawin para palaguin ang pagsasamang ito na simula ng napakarami pang opportunities and possibilities.” He added that Cocolife has someting in common with Sotto that made forging the partnership easier such as Mayor Vico’s advocacy of good governance and the private sectors’ commitment in the advocacy. “We’re very grateful to Pasig and PSL for this opportunity to work together for basketball and the development of Filipino youth. Cocolife has

PSL and Cocolife officials, led by PSL president Rocky Chan and Cocolife president Jose Martin Loon, are shown with Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto.

always been a consistent partner to the youth and their future, especially through sports,” Loon added. Meanwhile, Sotto hopes that the

Pirates will get huge support from his fellow Pasigueños as they play in the Luzon leg of the PSL 21-U, which will kick off on July 9 in Pampanga.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang,, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

Woody Allen says ‘thrill is gone,’ next movie may be his last

Alec Baldwin (left) and Woody Allen (Photo from Vanity Fair)

In a rare interview on Tuesday, filmmaker Woody Allen did not rule out Tuesday that his next movie, to be shot in Paris, will be his last, saying that “a lot of the thrill is gone.” The 86-year-old director and comedian, who fell from grace in the United States after his adopted daughter accused him of sexually abusing her as a child, spoke for about half an hour with actor Alec Baldwin on the latter’s Instagram show. Baldwin has himself been at the center of recent controversy after he accidentally shot dead the director of

photography on one of his own movies last October while handling a firearm. “I’m probably making this one more movie but a lot of the thrill is gone,” the director of Annie Hall and Manhattan told Baldwin. He said the excitement had been in showing his films on the big screen in cinemas, while these days so many people stream their movies at home. “I don’t get the same fun [as] doing a movie and putting it in a theater,” Allen said. “It was a nice feeling to know that 500 people were seeing it at once.” “I don’t know how I feel about making

Darryl Yap’s most intriguing film piques everyone’s curiosity

Cesar Montano (left) and Ruffa Gutierrez portray the roles of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and former First Lady Imelda Marcos, respectively

(From left) Christine Reyes as Imee, Diego Loyzaga as Bongbong, and Ella Cruz as Irene

ONTROVERSIAL filmmaker Darryl Yap made it clear that his latest project Maid in Malacañang was not produced to change history. Its main goal was to “tell another story” shared through the eyes of a “reliable source.”

film trains on the Marcoses’ side of the story about one of our nation’s most unforgettable part of history. Produced by VIVA Films, Maid in Malacañang is a dramedy that gives us a glimpse of the last 72 hours of the Marcoses inside the Palace before fleeing to Hawaii during the 1986 People Power Revolution. The film shows the lighter and more carefree side of the First Family, that until now has never been shared with anyone. It will also introduce characters and storylines that make the First Family more relatable and normal like other Yap, who’s behind some interesting and blockbuster films Jowable, Paglaki Filipino households with close family ties. It is the quintessential Filipino Ko, Gusto Ko Maging Pornstar, Revirginized, Gluta, and Ang Babaeng Walang family sticking together braving all odds. Pakiramdam, thanked Senator Imee Marcos for allowing him to do film, Maid in Malacañang has been trending even before being officially greenlit which he said, intended for Filipino audiences who wanted to see a broader for production, receiving floodgates of curiosity and responses on social media version of our history. after the young director shared the idea during the heat of the 2022 National “Sa tingin ko, ito ay pag-uusapan at tatangkilikin Election. ng mga Pilipinong nagnanais ng mas malawak at mas The film stars two of the country’s most awarded and malinaw na bahagi ng ating kasaysayan,” the young talented actors, Cesar Montano and Ruffa Gutierrez, director told the press during the film’s virtual junket. who portray the roles of former President Ferdinand Senator Marcos, who was also present during the Marcos, Sr. and former First Lady Imelda Marcos, virtual presser explained that the film does not intend to respectively. revise history as opposed to what most critics say. VIVA’s premiere stars Cristine Reyes, Diego “We should have an entertaining fun-filled and Loyzaga, and Ella Cruz will portray as the couple’s controversy-laden movie and I’m not looking for children - Imee, Bongbong, and Irene. Also joining controversy but unfortunately there will be some truths the cast are Karla Estrada, Elizabeth Oropesa, and told and some lies revamp finally. Hindi natin binabago Beverly Salviejo. ang katotohanan, dinadagdagan lang ng kaalaman Viva Films is giving cinemagoers front seats to get to namin,” the senator said. (From left) Karla Estrada, Elizabeth Oropesa, know more about the world-famous and most colorful As the former first family returns to the Malacañang and Beverly Salviejo join the cast of Darryl First Family through the eyes of the people closest to Palace for another seat of presidency, Yap said that the Yap’s ‘Maid in Malacañang’ them. Maid in Malacañang premieres on July 20.

It’s Sparkada’s time to shine By Patricia Taculao SPARKLE, GMA’s talent agency, introduced 17 fresh faces and talented individuals last April as Sparkada. Renowned Starmaker Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan handpicked each group member for their colorful backgrounds and potential as the next leading stars in showbiz. Its members include Saviour Ramos, Roxie Smith, Anjay Anson, Vanessa Peña, Jeff Moses, Cheska Fausto, Michael Sager, Kirsten Gonzales, Kim Perez, Caitlyn Stave, Vince Maristela, Dilek Montemayor, Raheel Bhyria, Tanya Ramos, Larkin Castor, Lauren King, and Sean Lucas. As they begin their career as professional artists under Sparkle, they have become exposed to the opportunities and struggles of showbiz. During an online media conference, 10 out of Sparkada’s 17 members, namely Kirsten, Anjay, Lauren, Roxie, Vanessa, Caitlyn, Kim, Tanya, Jeff, and Cheska, shared their excitement about landing appearances in several GMA shows. For instance, Vince, Raheel, Michael, Sean, Caitlyn, Cheska, and Tanya are part of the cast of Luv Is: Caught In His Arms, GMA’s television adaptation of the hit Wattpad web novel Caught In His Arms by Ventre Canard. They’ll also be working alongside young Kapuso stars Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay. While the show serves as a springboard for their

career, it’s also their chance to demonstrate their acting abilities. “At first, kinabahan ako since this is my first show. Parang na-pressure ako [kasi] hindi ko alam kung anong i-expect. Medyo napagaan naman ‘yung loob ko kasi may mga kasama ako from my Sparkada family,” Kirsten said. Kirsten added that since it was their first time to star in a show, she felt relieved that she won’t be going through the experience alone. As the Sparkada member allowed herself to relax on set, she began to enjoy the opportunity and focus on her acting. Caitlyn shares the same sentiments as Kirsten, as she was also a bundle of nerves for her first appearance in a show. However, she was thankful to have some members of her Sparkada family around her, and she feels that working together on a show brought them closer together. “I hope, though, that in the future, I’ll have more shows and with more of my fellow Sparkada,” Caitlyn said. During their first day shooting Luv Is: Caught In His Arms, the production team welcomed the Sparkada members with open arms. Despite the young artists’ lack of experience, the team treated them accordingly and helped them portray their characters effectively. “Ang pinaramdam nila sa amin is comfort and kitang-kita ‘yung pagkakaintindi nila. Lahat kasi kami bago ‘don. Instead of feeling nervous, [we

Kirsten Gonzales

movies. I’m going to make another one and I’ll see how it feels,” he said. Baldwin had announced the controversial interview on his Instagram account on Sunday to talk about Allen’s new book Zero Gravity, but he anticipated the emotions that would be stirred up. “I have zero interest in anyone’s judgments and sanctimonious posts here,” Baldwin said in his trailer for the interview. He did not mention the accusations of sexual abuse in the interview. Allen has always denied them. AFP

Nationwide songwriting tourney gets global recognition ABS-CBN has been recognized once again alongside the world’s best in communication by bagging two honors at the 2022 Gold Quill Awards, the prestigious annual awards program by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) that recognizes communication excellence. The country’s leading content provider won for its internal COVID-19 awareness project and its “Kapamilya Himig Handog” employee songwriting contest in IABC’s premier awards program that held its awarding ceremony in New York City, USA on June 28. With the goal of helping mitigate the COVID-19 cases within the organization, ABS-CBN’s “Act As If You Have the Virus” campaign won in the Communication Skills division with its masterful use of visuals and language to reiterate the importance of adhering to safety protocols and to reawaken a sense of caution in the workforce. “Excellent approach to reaching the challenging business purpose,” commented one evaluator, while another said, “very well done work for the resources you had available. Impactful messaging and imagery.” Meanwhile, the entry for “Kapamilya Himig Handog,” ABS-CBN’s first employee songwriting competition that is an offshoot of the country’s premier songwriting competition organized by the company, was commended for being comprehensive and having a clear call to action. The project enabled the company to discover new songwriters and at the same time fulfill the dreams of employees with songwriting talent to have their works get heard by the world. Its top five song entries now comprise the OPM Fresh Songwriters Series Vol.1 EP available for streaming on Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other digital platforms while the corresponding lyric videos have a combined total of 70,000 views as of writing. “The corporate communications team did a great job in maximizing a limited budget to produce high production value content that engaged employees and amplified the key messages,” said one evaluator. IABC’s Gold Quill Awards, which recognize excellent communication work for more than four decades, drew a total of 406 entries from 16 countries in 2022, with only 125 winning after being evaluated by a remarkable group of blue-ribbon panelists. ABS-CBN has two of the seven Gold Quill Awards received by the Philippines this year. It also won Gold Quill Awards for its Sagip Pelikula film restoration project (2019), “Wow at Saya” audience experience program (2018), and election advocacy campaign “Boto Mo, i-Patrol Mo” (2011).

Tanya Ramos

KZ Tandingan at the Himig Handog 11th edition

Caitlyn Stave

Raheel Bhyria

were] comforted pa,” Tanya said. She added that Sofia and Allen were also welcoming toward the Sparkada family and didn’t make them feel that it was their first time to appear in a show. The road to showbiz fame is a long and challenging one. It’s good, then, that the members of Sparkada are ready to face the hurdles and consequences of stardom to do what they love. There’s undoubtedly still a lot for them to learn, but it seems they’re having fun along the way.

Social Ballroom at Sunshine Place

Danny Vinculada (right) teaches dance exercise class for beginners to enhance their physical strength and flexibility

DANCE to the classic dancing beats featuring the basic ballroom styles of Foxtrot, Waltz, Mambo, Cha-cha, Swing, and Latin. Enjoy an hour of easy-to-follow line dancing with assistance from Mr. Danny Vinculado, and enhance the strength and flexibility of your hips, legs, and arms. Sunshine Place with Danny Vinculado offers Social Ballroom every Wednesday. It is an eight-session dance exercise class for beginners, dance enthusiasts, or anyone who just wants to have fun. Vinculado has been working with Sunshine Place for more than five

years on developing elderly-ageappropriate dances only available at Sunshine Place. Among a few is Yeba-Indak – unique healthy exercise program featuring OPM music and folk dance steps, Chair Dancing – seated dancing for elderly with hip, waist, leg medical concerns, and Tap Dancing as he shares his expertise on Broadway choreography. He started dancing at a young age with the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Dance Group, a world-renowned group representing the Philippines in different countries. He widened his knowledge and interest in dance

by studying Ballet, Jazz, Folk, and Contemporary dance in the Philippines and abroad. He became part of the Metropolitan Dance Theater and Hotlegs as a choreographer and has been associated with Bodytalk, Dance Masters, and Hamstrings. His skills led him to become TV commercials and theater plays choreographic director. He is currently working as a dance facilitator at GMA’s Artist Center, and jazz instructor / choreographer at Arts in the City. For inquiries and details please call M. (0917) 515-5656 or email: online. sunshineplace@gmail.com

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022

Life

Work with Pride By Patricia Taculao

Telus International Philippines has a gender-neutral restroom to acknowledge all their employees

their preferred pronouns, and every time somebody sees their names on the screen, and it’s their true gender expression that’s being showcased,” Giammattei added. Leading the jacket designing activity was Fred Telarma from the SoFA Design Institute. As a designer, Telarma specializes in avant-garde fashion but produces clothing that conveys a strong message. During the activity, he emphasized the need for authenticity to allow participants to share their stories through

UNE marks a significant celebration of a progressive and inclusive society, Pride Month. It is a time when people show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community by making them feel accepted and recognizing their sexual orientation despite the decadeslong prejudice imposed by a less open-minded public.

Since the first Pride March in 1994, members of the LGBTQIA+ community have become vocal about their sexual orientation. Event organizers have also begun leveraging social media and other platforms to allow LGBTQIA+ members to express themselves while calling on allies to participate in the movement. Telus International Philippines (TIP), a leading provider of business process outsourcing solutions in the country, spearheads various activities inside and outside their workspaces to foster gender inclusivity. For this year’s celebration of Pride Month, TIP invited media practitioners to their Vertis North office to participate in “Work With Pride,” a jacket designing

Participants of the ‘Work With Pride’ jacket designing activity

activity where they can unleash their creativity and show that they’re an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. Brand Marketing and Culture Director for the Asia Pacific and AI Telus International Carlos Giammattei believes these opportunities, where allies can replicate the message of pride and acceptance during the meaningful month, spread awareness for better inclusivity in the country. He shared that these steps start to “open

doors to make sure that, at some point in the future, there’s not gonna be a country or a person who will not feel comfortable celebrating pride.” “We know that pride goes beyond the brink. Pride is something we have to take even further than the month of June. Pride gets celebrated every time somebody feels comfortable enough, every time somebody feels confident enough to request their managers to address them in

Workplace burnout is real By Tet Defensor IT IS normal to feel disengaged from work, every so often. Just like any chosen path, there will always be humps on the road that challenges one’s ability to adapt to change. Such situations, when properly channeled can lead to growth and development. However, if the “disengagement” leads to emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and work inefficiency then you could be suffering from burnout. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines burnout as a syndrome from unmanaged chronic workplace stress. Characterized by feelings of depletion or exhaustion this can lead to cynicism and feeling mentally distant from one’s job. Workplace stress can be overwhelming and WHO emphasized that burnout is a phe- trigger a fight or flight response nomenon within the occupational context and must not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life. emotional exhaustion. Common signs of burnout include losCiting the fermata in a music piece as ing interest in activities that used to be en- an example, an effective way to prevent joyable and feeling unmotivated at work. burnout is to observe a productive pause. Some literally dread Mondays because of “We need to pause to be aware of what the stress and heavy pressure. we are thinking or experiencing at the moIn a recent webicon organized by Car- ment.” She added that the “pause” is not dinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC), en- simply an immediate solution., It should titled “Beat IT: Different Self-Care Strat- be strategically placed and must be an inegies to Combat Burnout” the audience tegral part of the work experience. listened to the insights of Clinical PsyWorkplace stress must be addressed bechologist Ma. Araceli Balajadia-Alcala. cause the overwhelming feeling can trigWith over 20 years of experience, Alcala ger a fight or flight response, a psychotackled the physical, behavioral, and emo- logical reaction to a threatening situation, tional barriers that lead to burnout. where the person can either resist or run Skipping work or habitual tardiness is a away. “Our minds are revved up, even if behavioral sign of burnout. This is crucial nothing is going on. Pausing allows you because it can result in inefficiency and to increase your focus. It helps slow down reduced productivity. Increased smoking and increase your awareness to help you or frequent drinking session among work- make more healthy choices.” mates is another indication because these While at work a productive pause can “soothing patterns” can easily combat mean taking a few minutes to calm your stress and pressure. mind and senses. She recommends straw There are also personality factors that breathing exercises, where one inhales are predisposed to burnout according to through the nose and exhales through the Ms. Alcala. “For example, having a pes- mouth slowly, as if one is blowing through simistic view of yourself and the world, a drinking straw. If one is seated taking or having a high need for control and a few moments to notice something, can perfectionism,” can translate to exces- help keep emotions in check. “It can be a sive pressure that brings about mental and photo of a loved one, the sound of birds

outside the window, or a pleasant smell. As you describe the details in your head, pay attention to how you feel. A healthy work-life balance can be attained by engaging in activities that enrich the mind and body. Having an exercise regimen, and engaging in pleasurable activities not related to work like gardening or doing volunteer work are meaningful pauses that can calm the emotions. With the recent focus on mental wellbeing especially during the pandemic, organizations are taking steps to prevent employee burnout, which is prevalent among workers in the service and healthcare industry. During the webicon, CSMC’s HR Specialist Mikaela Joie Pascual shared the hospital’s psychosocial support programs help prevent or manage burnout “For us to create a safe and comfortable environment for our employees, we needed to build a culture where everyone was accountable for their own health and safety.” The hospital has a program called Ohana, a Hawaiian word that refers to extended family. For CSMC family means “nobody gets left behind.” With their employees at the frontline of the global pandemic, along with the hectic day-to-day operations are several programs on mental health and fun activities that prioritize self-care. CSMC also has a lounge and a healing garden where employees can relax and enjoy some quiet time in between work. To ease the ill effects of workplace frenzy, Alcala emphasized the importance of setting clear boundaries to focus on self-care. “What has worked for me in the pandemic is to setting a moment at the end of the day to quiet down, pray and meditate. I also tried to keep Sundays free. This means creating that structure in your daily life that will help you have a greater sense of control. For some, it could be having more time with loved ones, having a good night’s sleep, or having a rich spiritual life.”

Lifestyle brand launches loyalty programs for shoppers JAPANESE lifestyle retailer Miniso recently launched its loyalty program that features exciting perks and rewards. Called Miniso Wink Rewards Card, it gives shoppers more reason to check out Miniso’s fun and fashionable finds. With the rewards program, cardholders get a 10 percent off on regular items upon registration, double reward points during special days and occasions, and priority lane access when they visit the store. There are also promos of the month’s discounts and offers exclusive to members only, and a 20 percent off discount on regular-priced items during the member’s birth month. The physical card can also be used as Beep Card at all partner merchants and transport stations like P2P, LRT, MRT, etc. and it has the same function as the ordinary blue beep card which is reloadable and can be also used to pay at merchants/ terminals that accept beep. The Miniso Wink Rewards Card which only costs P200 can be used to earn points on all merchandise purchases and redeem points for in-store credit. Customers must present their Miniso Wink Card at the ca-

Three participants of the jacket designing activity stand out because of their creativity and authenticity

Shop and earn exciting perks and rewards with the Miniso Wink Rewards Card

shier during check out and points will be awarded. For every P200 spent, customers will collect 1 membership point automatically credited to the account after 7 to 10 days from the date of purchase. It can be redeemed inside Miniso stores as cash to purchase any item from Miniso (1 point = P1.) The Wink Rewards Card can only be used at Miniso stores nationwide except Miniso stores inside SM Hypermarket, Savemore, and Alfamart. Conveniently shop and earn rewards using Miniso

Conveniently shop for your favorite Miniso collectibles and earn points and rewards using your Miniso Wink Rewards Card

Wink Rewards Card! For more details, visit Miniso in-store or online via shop. minisoph.com or follow MinisoPhilippines on Facebook and Miniso PH on Instagram.

Members of the press working on their pride jackets

their work. Aside from supporting the LGBTQIA+ community through productive activities like jacket designing, TIP also implements various amenities in their workspaces to make their employees feel like they belong. Those who self-identify as he/him or she/her can use the gender-assigned restrooms. In the meantime, individuals with other identifiers have gender-neutral lavatories at their disposal. With the help of Spectrum Philippines, TIP’s resource group for the LGBTQIA+ community, the company constantly educates its employees about the relevance of an inclusive workplace where everyone is safe to express themselves and be true to their personalities. “Over the years, Telus International has been honored to have such a fantastic team leading diversity efforts. We have celebrated several SOGIE sessions for leaders, human resources, and team members to learn more about sexual orientation and gender identity expression,” Giammattei said. Pride Month celebrates the love that knows no gender. It’s the time when people support and accept members of the LGBTQIA+ community, proving that society has come far in creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone is welcome.

Although truly escaping stress is impossible, some people mastered the art of managing stress

What you should do in times of stress JOB WELL DONE BY JOBA BOTANA

of personal difficulties (e.g. conflict with loved ones, being alone, lack of income, worries about the future), problems at work (e.g. conflict with colleagues, an extremely demanding or insecure job), or major threats in your community (e.g. violence, disease, lack of economic opportunity). The guide, which can be downloaded as a book or audiobook, is intended for all who experience stress, whether one is a parent, caregiver, health professional working in difficult situations, or someone just finding a way in this vast and sometimes harsh world. It is also for people who fled war, lost everything they have in The World Health Organization’s guide offers tips life, and even for well-protected peoon how to reduce stress ple living in peaceful communities. Informed by available evidence and STRESS will always be there, no matter extensive field testing, it provides informawhere we are and what we do. It’s part tion and practical skills to help cope with of our life and comes in varying degrees. stress. Per WHO, while the causes of stress People have different ways of coping with must be addressed, there is also a need to stress, and we all have different thresholds protect and support people’s mental health. and reactions to it. The guide has five sections, each contain“Stress” is defined as feeling troubled ing easy-to-learn techniques that can be used or threatened by life that causes us to have for just a few minutes a day to help reduce difficult thoughts and feelings, which then stress. If your days are fully-occupied, you ”hook” us and pull us away from our val- can go through one section in your free time ues. Our values are our deepest desires for or every few days and practice the exercises. the kind of person we want to be; how we Another option is to read the book through want to treat ourselves and others, and the in one sitting, applying whatever you can, world around us. When we are hooked to and then reading it again, taking more time negative thoughts and feelings because of to appreciate the ideas and practice the techstressful situations, we pull away from our niques. Practicing and applying the ideas values. This may lead to making decisions to daily life is key to reducing stress. The that are not aligned with our values, and guide can be read at home, during break or that we may later on regret in life. rest periods at work, before going to sleep, It is important to be aware when stress or at any other time when you might have a becomes too much, as it can wreak havoc few moments to concentrate on taking care on our health and well-being. When we of yourself. can easily identify our triggers, and manYou can download the book and its age our stress reactions, life becomes audio version from https://www.who.int/ bearable. This is probably the reason why publications-detail/9789240003927 to some people claim to be “living a stress- support your practice. free life.” That while it is impossible to The WHO advised that if you find that truly escape from stress, some people have doing the exercises in the guide is not mastered the art of managing stress. enough for you to cope with intolerable The Caribbean Development Bank stress, you should seek help from relevant and the Pan American Health Organiza- health professionals, social services, or tion have developed a stress management trusted people in your community. guide called “Doing What Matters in Times of Stress: An Illustrated Guide”* *Doing what matters in times of stress: to help people cope with adversity. The an illustrated guide. Geneva: World Health publication is an adaptation of the World Organization; 2020. Licence: CC BY-NCHealth Organization (WHO) publication SA 3.0 IGO. to support the implementation of its recommendations for stress management. For feedback, you may reach the author Causes of stress may come in the form at joba.botana@gmail.com.

THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS JR.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022 advertise@manilastandard.net

National unity is the call of the hour The landslide victory gave him a mandate unprecedented in contemporary political history that will serve him in good stead as he goes about bringing changes for the better in the economy, our democratic system of governance, and the social fabric.

HEN President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. takes his oath of office at noon today, June 30, 2022, at the National Museum, he will do so fully aware of both the awesome powers and responsibilities of the highest elective post, and the formidable challenges he will have to face squarely in the next six years.

At the same time, the start of the second Marcos administration, which comes 36 years after his father Ferdinand Sr. governed the nation from 1965 to early 1986, marks a new beginning for Philippine democracy under vastly changed conditions at home and abroad. It’s a new beginning that heralds the prospect of meaningful change and reforms that hopefully will redound to a better future for the entire nation and a better life for all Filipinos, especially those still trapped in grinding poverty. A WINNING STRATEGY Marcos Jr. ran in the May 9 elections with his teammate, Davao City Mayor and now Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio, on a platform anchored on the overarching theme of “unity.” In fact, he called the tandem “UniTeam” to emphasize his fond wish to unite Filipinos behind his vision of a nation where there is sustained economic growth, lasting political stability and social harmony. Part of this strategy to win the hearts and minds of the electorate was to decline participation in most public debates on political

platforms. He preferred to go to the people directly throughout the length and breadth of the archipelago and listen to their concerns even as he offered the broad outlines of his future policies and programs once elected. The strategy clearly worked: he garnered 31 million votes as against the 15 million of his closest political rival—as most opinion surveys before the polls had predicted—a feat unrivalled in recent presidential elections. The landslide victory gave him a mandate unprecedented in contemporary political history that will serve him in good stead as he goes about bringing changes for the better in the economy, our democratic system of governance, and the social fabric. NATIONAL UNITY WILL REVITALIZE THE ECONOMY The clearest indication that the new Chief Executive is determined to hit the ground running and hasten the country’s economic construction in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is his choice of people for the Cabinet. He has earned praise from the business sector in particular for designating respected economists as members of his economic team. Benjamin Diokno takes over the Department of Finance (DOF) after several years at the helm of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Another former UP School of Economics professor, Felipe Medalla, takes over the BSP. Former Economic Planning Secretary and concurrent National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Arsenio Balisacan returns to his old post. Meanwhile, former UP President Alfredo Pascual brings a wealth of experience in government service to his new assignment as Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

What brings them together is unity of purpose. Incoming Finance Secretary Diokno will lead the crafting of the country’s’ first-of-itskind, six-year fiscal plan, aimed at bringing back to the pre-pandemic budget deficit level by 2028. The plan will contain the 2023-2028 macroeconomic and fiscal assumptions as well as targets. This medium-term fiscal plan will be part of the new president’s State of the Nation Address when the 19th Congress starts session in July. The main challenge before the economic team is to build the national economy according to what the fundamental law mandates: a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income and wealth; the sustained increase in the amount of good and services for the benefit of the people; and an expanding productivity Incoming Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno

Incoming BSP Gov. Felipe Medalla

as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially the poor and the underprivileged. Crucial in ensuring sustained economic growth is the continuation of the ambitious infrastructure program begun during the previous administration as this would lay the foundation for further economic advance in the next six years. NATIONAL UNITY WILL ENHANCE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE Unity is a prerequisite as well for strengthening our democratic system of governance. A democratic government, by its very nature, allows the citizenry to enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press, as well as the right to peacefully asTurn to D2

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National unity... semble and petition the government for redress of grievances. The enjoyment of these freedoms, however, is subject to limitations imposed by law. The new administration must give the entire population of more than 110 million the means to enjoy the freedoms and rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Every citizen is entitled to due process of law and equal protection of our laws. Transparency is another hallmark of good governance. The new dispensation should implement a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving the public interest. The new administration should mobilize the executive, legislative and judicial branches to work toward good governance, and to uphold public welfare at all times. The Constitution is very clear: “Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.” Beyond appointing the best and the brightest to key positions in the executive and judicial branches of government and ensuring a smooth transition from the old to the new, the new administration should wage a an uncompromising and sustained campaign against all forms of corruption, from street-level bribery and extortion by traffic enforcers to large-scale embezzlement of public funds by the greedy and unscrupulous in the bureaucracy. The anti-corruption drive should be a whole-of-nation effort, with government, the private sector, civil society groups and ordinary citizens joining hands to stamp out thievery of public funds whenever and wherever they occur. The same zeal should be demonstrated by all sectors of society in upholding law and order. Bringing down the crime rate and maintaining peace and order in our communities cannot be done solely by the police, but with the citizenry extending utmost cooperation with law enforcers in keeping our homes, streets, work-

provide the incoming president with sound advice on legal issues. From D1 The incoming president has also appointed the progeny of two other places and neighborhoods safe and prominent members of his father’s secure. Cabinet in the 1970s. They represent NATIONAL UNITY WILL continuity by serving as bridge beACCELERATE POVERTY tween the past and the present—as REDUCTION well as the future. Unity is just as important in winning the war against poverty and attaining social justice. The Constitution mandates the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure prosperity and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. Ample proof that Marcos Jr. is Susan ‘Toots’ Ople heads the newly determined to give agriculture the created Department of Migrants Workers priority it deserves is his decision to take the helm of the Agriculture deSusan “Toots” Ople, daughter of partment for as long as it takes for it the late senator Blas Ople, who was to achieve food security and improve Marcos Sr.’s labor secretary for 18 the lives of farmers. years, will head the newly created Recent appointments by the inDepartment of Migrant Workers coming president augur well for the (DMW). She is highly qualified for continuation of social reforms in the the post because of her consistent next six years. advocacy of OFW rights and her experience with the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, a nongovernmental organization she organized to provide training to OFWs and assisting them in finding good jobs abroad.

Vice President-elect Sara DuterteCarpio succeeds Leonor Briones at the Department of Education (DepEd)

Vice President-elect Sara DuterteCarpio has been appointed to head the Department of Education (DepEd), which has the biggest chunk of the national budget in keeping with the priority given by the State to the education of the Filipino youth. Another appointee is Bienvenido Laguesma, a former Labor Secretary, who has been tapped to reassume his old post and assist the labor force in getting jobs in the post-COVID era. Marcos Jr. has also decided to appoint an original member of his father’s Cabinet, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, who is already 98 years old but can still

program begun in the early years of the first Marcos administration but continued since then by succeeding dispensations. The challenges in the social sphere are many. These include reducing poverty incidence to manageable levels; addressing income inequality; giving the basic sectors—farmers, labor, women and children, youth, indigenous peoples, among others—the services they need to improve their quality of life, including education, health, and housing. Full support should also be given to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as it strives to consolidate the gains made in self-government and attaining a significant improvement in the standards of living of the Muslim population in southern Philippines. NATIONAL UNITY WILL ENHANCE FOREIGN RELATIONS Unity likewise plays a vital role in managing our foreign relations. Our fundamental law explicitly provides that the State should pursue an independent foreign policy. This means that in our relations with other countries, our government should assert national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the national interest. Ample proof that the incoming president enjoys the trust and confidence not only of the majority of Filipinos but also of the international community has been the stream of congratulatory messages from world leaders, such as US President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as various heads of state in Asia and Europe, among others. The congratulatory messages reflect optimism in the conduct of future bilateral relations in various spheres, such as economic cooperation, trade and investments, cultural exchanges, and tourism. Initial meetings with ambassadors from other countries also indicate

that the Marcos administration can rely on their support on the ground in various fields of endeavor, including economic construction, trade and investments, travel and tourism; and humanitarian assistance to victims of natural disasters such as typhoons that the country must contend with every year. We expect the new administration to enhance bilateral ties with the United States, China, Japan, Russia, the ASEAN member-states, and the European Union, among others, on the basis of mutual benefit and shared goals of peace and stability. The new administration is on the right track in vowing to uphold the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague favoring the Philippines in its maritime claims in the South China Sea. At the same time, this should not hinder the robust expansion of the other aspects of bilateral relations, including trade and investments, economic cooperation, and people-to-people/cultural exchanges in the years ahead. NATIONAL UNITY NOW NEEDED MORE THAN EVER The new administration needs the support of the entire Filipino people in the next six years to succeed in the massive effort to rebuild the economy, fortify the ramparts of the democratic system and attain social harmony. Our national hero Jose Rizal once wrote: “Governments are established for the welfare of the people, and in order to accomplish this purpose properly, they have to follow the suggestions of the citizens who are best qualified to understand their own needs.” It was true then and it is true now. In unity there is strength. Now, more than at any other time, we need to forge the strongest unity so the nation can surmount all challenges, prevail over difficulties and chart a better future for the nation in the next six years.

Incoming Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III

Conrado Estrella III, a former district and party-list congressman and grandson of Conrado Sr. who was Marcos Sr.’s agrarian reform minister for 15 years, will oversee the operations of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). This office hopes to finish the agrarian reform

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden

Pro-PH independent foreign policy: Friends to all, enemy to no one By Rey E. Requejo AFTER being proclaimed as the 17th President of the Philippines through a landslide victory in the May 9, 2022 elections, incoming President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has laid down the foreign policy direction of his administration – an independent one where the country would be a friend to everyone and an enemy to no one. “I think we have to find an independent foreign policy where we are friends with everyone, that’s the only way. We have to be good neighbors and we asked them to be good neighbors to us as well. It is of mutual benefit to us,” Marcos said. With the ongoing maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea, Marcos, who has yet to name his secretary of Foreign Affairs, said having better relations would be more judicious as the countries involved are the Philippines’ closest neighbors. He said China, on its closest part, is only 600 kilometers away from his province, Ilocos Norte. He emphasized the importance of forging partnerships with neighboring countries and not allowing the territorial dispute to fester and escalate into a severe problem as the West Philippine Sea is a critical part of trade routes for shipping in the region. “The partnerships that we make within the region, with ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations], are going to be of critical importance. And that’s why we have to forge partnerships,” the incoming President said. “It will be the partnerships that will keep things stable.” Marcos, however, assured his ad-

ministration will not cede a single square millimeter of the country’s maritime and coastal territories. “Considering in the West Philippine Sea that there have been these conflicts, we will not allow a single square millimeter of our maritime, coastal up to 200 meters rights to be trampled upon,” he said. “How do we do that? We talk to China consistently in a firm voice …We continue to discuss with them the conflicting claims that we have with China and that China has with other ASEAN members.” “We need to continue having bilateral contact and communication with China. This is what I mentioned when I talked to President Xi (Jinping) when he called me to congratulate me on winning the elections. I said we have to continue to talk about this. This cannot be allowed to fester and to become more severe in terms of a problem between our two countries,” he added. Marcos said the arbitral ruling issued by a United Nations tribunal in The Hague which favored the Philippines can be used to assert the country’s territorial rights in the WPS. During the campaign, Marcos laid down the foundation for his so-called “pro-Philippines” independent foreign policy that would always place the national interest of Filipinos and country at its core. “Well, it’s very simple in my mind. I don’t work for Washington D.C. and I don’t work for Beijing. I work for the Philippines,” he said. “You cannot afford mistakes or misjudgments or lack of understanding when it comes to the Department of Foreign Affairs when it comes to foreign policy. We have to get it absolutely right,” he added.

“

Well, it’s very simple in my mind. I don’t work for Washington D.C. and I don’t work for Beijing. I work for the Philippines.

”

Marcos earlier had a phone conversation with United States President Joe Biden where both leaders agreed to further strengthen the ties between Manila and Washington. “The Philippines has always held the United States in high regard as a friend, an ally and a partner,” Marcos said. In a statement, the White House said: “President Biden underscored that he looks forward to working with the president-elect to continue strengthening the USPhilippine Alliance, while expanding bilateral cooperation on a wide

range of issues, including the fight against COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, promoting broadbased economic growth, and respect for human right.” US State Secretary Anthony Blinken also acknowledged the two countries’ relations that are “rooted in a long and interwoven history, shared values and interests, and people-to-people ties.” “As friends, partners and allies, we will continue to collaborate closely with the Philippines to promote respect for human rights and to advance a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific region,” Blinken said. In his talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping, on the other hand, Marcos said “the centuries-old relationship and friendship of the Philippines and China has been and will continue to be of great mutual benefit to our people, from trade, arts, culture, athletics to regional peace and stability to the employment of opportunities for our people, and all the significantly generous efforts extended to us during the pandemic, the cooperative partnership of our donations continue to reach new heights.” “China and the Philippines are neighbors linked by the sea and partners that have stood together through hardships. In recent years, with the joint efforts from both sides, China-Philippines relationship has been strengthened and elevated, bringing benefits to the peoples of our two countries and making contributions to regional peace and stability,” Xi said. Xi said China and the Philippines are “both at a critical stage of development, posing important opportunities and broad prospects for our bilateral relations.”

“I am ready to build a good working relationship with you to preserve our good neighborliness, work for common development and deepen our Relationship of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation so as to bring benefits to our two countries and two peoples,” Xi said. And with the world recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the bilateral partnerships that the Philippines will forge will also play a major role, the incoming 17th President said. “As I told the ambassadors, as we emerge from the pandemic, we have to form alliances because no countries can recover or change the geopolitical situation on their own,” he said. Political analyst Professor Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit said Marcos’ call for “unity,” which he conveyed throughout the campaign period, will also be tested against circumstances on the ground, especially on critical issues such as the territorial and maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea. “Formulating and implementing a foreign policy includes the participation of domestic and international actors along with their priorities and interests. The interplay between these actors enables the government to create a framework that will systematically guide the state in navigating the international system,” Manhit said. He noted that the “independent” foreign policy pursued by the outgoing administration has led to a significant shift in focus and direction. “Filipinos deserve and expect the Marcos presidency to execute not only a strategically responsive foreign policy but also a clear, comprehensive, and consistent national security agenda that will not compromise Philippine interests,” Manhit said.

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Online portal to accelerate digital shift of education system By Joel Zurbano

HE government under the new administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio is programmed to create the National Education Portal (NEP) to hasten the digital shift of the country’s education system.

The project, which will be developed by concerned government agencies in collaboration with private information technology experts, is an online platform accessible to students and teachers to simplify and secure e-learning for both public and private institutions. The portal will also serve as a central hub to allow students and teachers to communicate securely and provide digital learning materials. Marcos said the program would go hand in hand with the current administration’s Build, Build, Build program as he is also looking to integrate a digital infrastructure thrust. He observed that because of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s protracted lockdowns, Internet access, particularly for students and employees consigned to their homes, has become indispensable. Marcos lamented the plight of teachers and learners who were illprepared to face the challenges posed by distance learning. There were even reports of teachers and students alike figuring in accidents to find better mobile internet signals. “I feel their hardship. It has not been easy, many of our students are still struggling. They don’t have computers, tablets or even cellphones. They also have difficulty accessing the internet – they even climb trees, roofs just to study well,” Marcos said. Marcos is also planning to implement initiatives to bring the country’s educational system and government learning institutions at par with global standards. “This is the right time for our government to lay out plans for what we called post-pandemic in education and even in other aspects,” he said. Marcos said he would also seek the support and assistance of telecommunication companies and internet providers to ensure that the NEP becomes a success. “We will contact the big telcos and other companies to discuss the digital infrastructure. We need to solve this kind of problem in education, we also make school equipment more digital or advanced,” he added. Aside from NEP project, Marcos also wants a new program intended for out-ofschool-youth (OSY) to give them a fighting chance to become productive and responsible citizens of their respective communities. Department of Education records showed that there are currently more than four million out-of-schoolyouth in the country. Marcos said his education agenda includes ‘strengthening the Free College Tuition Fee Act, and funding the stalled Commission on Higher Education Scholarship program. He is also looking at the construction of specialized colleges and universities which will greatly help students and young people who want to study and go to college for free without having to leave their communities. Marcos also plans to increase the number of programs that offer free online courses in different schools.

BLENDED LEARNING IMPROVES ACCESS TO EDUCATION.

The use of information and communication technology in teaching and learning helps improve student learning outcomes

The objective is for the OSY to learn new skills that would help them land better jobs, which in the process would help them return to school and finish their schooling. “Let’s strengthen the online courses program, the programs that they will receive not only certificates but also diplomas, for those who have completed on-

line courses, depending on how many years they have completed,” he said. Meanwhile, Vice President and incoming Education secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio said Marcos made a directive to review the implementation of the present K to 12 education program. “That’s something that needs to be discussed. It

is something that President Marcos and I have discussed,” she said. Duterte said she will initially look on priority issues concerning the country’s present education system. These, she said, include the full implementation of face-to-face classes, and the review of the K-to-12 program.

Zubiri’s job as Senate President: Organize, rein in ‘super majority’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta SINCE the Senate Presidency “is already in his bag,” Senator-elect Juan Miguel Zubiri just needs the 19th Congress to open on July 25 to officially claim the Upper Chamber’s highest post. As of press time, Zubiri sees no threat to his desire to become Senate President. He emerged the lone contender for the top post after Senator Cynthia A. Villar quit the race. Stressing she just wants a “simple life,” Villar – called the “Mama Bear” of the group – yielded to the next SP, who succeeds Senator Vicente Sotto III. The other reported aspirants for the Senate Presidency – returning Senators Loren Legarda and Chiz Escudero and re-elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian -- appeared to have abandoned their desire to lead the chamber. It was reported they did not have the numbers that Zubiri already clinched. Legarda will sit as Senate President

Incoming Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri

Pro Tempore, while Gatchalian will lead the Senate committee ways and means. Escudero will take over the justice committee from Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who has yet to be assigned a committee chairmanship. With the Senate presidency secured, Zubiri’s first focus is resolving the looming rivalry over the chairmanship of the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC). While Sen. Francis Tolentino had gladly accepted Zubiri’s offer to lead the

committee, returning Sen. Alan Cayetano wants the same chair. Noting he has always been a “fiscalizer,” Cayetano said he would join the majority bloc in the Senate only if given the chairmanship of the Blue Ribbon, which he had led previously. Although Tolentino agreed to head the BRC, he still needs the votes of the majority before he can be officially declared its chairman. According to Cayetano, he will be able to do his job as a fiscalizer in the BRC. “But if you will give me a committee where I cannot fiscalize or only a few will fiscalize or those who will fiscalize are in disagreement, that would be difficult,” he explained. Cayetano likewise told Zubiri that if he believes in democracy “just like the 31 million Filipinos who voted for President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos,” he should also believe in fiscalizing. Outgoing Senate President Sotto rusts Zubiri to decide on the issue and that is-

sues “are inclined settle on their own.” “The Senate is like water. It seeks its own level. I think the problem will resolve itself,” Sotto related. Zubiri said he would need to consult the majority first on the request of Cayetano. Sotto also asserted that since Zubiri has learned so much as majority leader under three Senate Presidents, all those lessons will give him “a very good pulse” to run the Senate. “He was the best choice as far as the members of the majority are concerned because of his vast experience. “ “I expect him to do well,” Sotto said in an interview. Zubiri will remain as Senate President Pro Tempore until June 30 and become Acting Senate President from July 1 to 25. Meanwhile, Cayetano said he will be happy to be in the minority if the majority cannot give him a role where he can explicitly say when is right, when is wrong.

THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS JR.

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Marcos gov’t seeks higher PH economic and credit standing By Julito G. Rada

HE administration of President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. is bent not only on overcoming multiple challenges, but also on bringing the country to a higher economic and fiscal status. Strong fundamentals and bright macroeconomic prospects provide room for optimism, according to the new economic team. “It will not be an easy road ahead, but we are not without the necessary wherewithal and elbow room to manage the challenges,” Marcos, himself, said in an economic briefer. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, who left his post as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor, said pursuing a fiscal consolidation plan would help the country achieve the “A” investment grade score from global rating agencies Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings. Diokno said the country was on its way to the “A” level credit rating before the global pandemic hit in 2020. Despite the disruption, the economy remained strong and the Duterte administration carried on game-changing reforms. “Not surprisingly, all the international and regional rating agencies unanimously affirmed the Philippines’ investmentgrade ratings throughout the pandemic despite a wave of ratings downgrades for many advanced and emerging econ-

Incoming Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno

omies,” Diokno said. “Now, the [Marcos] administration has to continue the country’s pursuit of A-level rating. This can be done by crafting, among others, a well-thoughtout fiscal consolidation framework, which has been prepared by the Executive Department and ratified by Congress,” Diokno said. “As Finance Secretary under the incoming administration, I will make the attainment of an A-level credit rating as one of the goals of the economic team. This can be done by improving tax administration and adopting a fiscal consolidation framework, among others,” he said. STRONG FUNDAMENTALS Debt watchers cited the country’s strong fundamentals, adequate buffers against shocks and sound macroeconomic management as reasons why they decided to affirm the country’s invest-

ment grade ratings. At the height of the pandemic, 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, while Fitch Ratings affirmed its “BBB” rating with a negative outlook for the country in February 2022. DEBT MANAGEMENT The economic team set its sights on the sustainability of the government’s debt that ballooned to a record P12.76 trillion as of end-April 2022, driven by the Duterte administration’s borrowings to finance COVID-19 response efforts and infrastructure projects. Diokno said debt would be the first

fiscal issue he would focus on at the DOF. “Maybe the first order of business will be [looking at] the sustainability of public debt. While our debt-to-GDP ratio is above the 60-percent limit, I don’t think that is a cause of concern,” Diokno said in a recent briefing. “As long as the economy grows 6 to 7 percent, we can outgrow our debt... So it is important to look at the sustainability of the debt... We must [also] show that we are serious in consolidating our resources,” said Diokno, who also headed the Department of Budget and Management before being appointed BSP governor. Diokno said he would look at the fiscal consolidation plan proposed by outgoing Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that includes raising taxes, deferring personal income tax reductions and expanding the value-added tax coverage to pay for the debt incurred during the Duterte administration. “The tax system we are leaving to the next administration is much better than the previous administration. It is not a perfect tax system, but it is too early to talk about raising taxes at this time,” Diokno said. He also said it is very important to raise the level of economic growth because, “the higher the growth of the economy, the more revenues that may be generated.” DEBT STOCK The national government debt at P12.76 trillion in April was 8.83 percent higher than the end-2021 outstanding debt. The DOF said in an economic bulletin that the recent build-up of debt was largely on account of the economy’s response to the pandemic. The economy

borrowed massively precisely because it had the capacity to do so prior to the pandemic. “The debt to GDP could have been higher had the additional stimulus bills earlier proposed by Congress [such as the Bayanihan 3] been passed. Stimulus packages are best unpacked at the appropriate moment such as when disasters strike, not when the economy is on high gear at which time the appropriate policy response is to conserve energy and keep powder dry,” the DOF said. From economic management in general, the agency said trimming down the debt-GDP ratio means growing the economy at a faster rate than the buildup of debt. The interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee—composed of the heads of DOF, National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Budget and Management—projected a 7 to 8 percent GDP growth in 2022 and 6 percent to 7 percent next year through 2025. The DOF said there are higher odds of achieving these investment-led growth targets given the infrastructure spending in prior years, the lowering of corporate income taxes and the recently-passed structural reforms (amendments to the Foreign Investment Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act and Public Service Act). The DOF said fiscal consolidation is achieved by narrowing the deficit: shoring up revenues and cutting non-priority expenditures but without sacrificing infrastructure spending. In the absence of new tax measures and further cuts in spending, the latest baseline scenario projects the deficit reaching 4.1 percent of GDP by 2025, down from 8.6 percent in 2021. Turn to F2

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New economic managers vow to sustain infrastructure projects By Julito G. Rada

HE administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. vows to sustain the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure initiative of the Duterte administration because of its huge multiplier effect and impact on economic growth and job creation.

Multilateral lenders such as the Asian Development Bank already assured their support for the continuous financing of infrastructure projects, many of which already started in the previous administration. ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa said in June the bank was working closely with the government, development partners and private sector to support infrastructure investment, including projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program, promote sustainable agri-development and food security and invest in Filipinos’ welfare. “As we prepare our next country partnership strategy for 2024-29, we will be

exploring opportunities with the incoming administration’s priorities on climate change action to support a resilient and green economic recovery, climatesmart transportation and continuing investments in education, vocational skills training, employment programs, health promotion, and social protection,” Asakawa said. Marcos, himself, promised during the election campaign period to continue the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure initiative of the Duterte administration. Government data showed that of the 119 infrastructure flagship projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program, 12 were completed and seven more were about to be completed by June—the last month of the Duterte administration. About 12 other are set to be completed by December 2022. The Marcos administration inherits 88 projects that are expected to be completed in the next six years. Former President Rodrigo Duterte expressed that confidence the new administration would sustain big-ticket infrastructure projects that his government started. ECONOMIC GROWTH Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno—the head of the Marcos government’s economic team—told an investors’ roundtable discussion that these

The newly built iconic bridge in Loay, Bohol.

big-ticket infrastructure projects would integrate regional economies into mainstream growth. “The Marcos administration will inherit a better state of infrastructure to aid the country’s socioeconomic agenda. It will inherit a robust pipeline of implementation-ready infrastructure projects. A total of 88 infrastructure flagship projects are ready for completion by 2023 and beyond,” Diokno said. Infrastructure spending reached P895.1 billion in 2021, growing by nearly a third from a year ago. Under the P5-

trillion 2022 budget, about a fifth would be allocated for capital outlays which include infrastructure projects. Former Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said breaking the vicious circle of shrinking demand and supply in the domestic economy under the grip of the global coronavirus crisis could be done by accelerating the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program to create jobs, and, in turn, stimulate growth and boost domestic consumption. Dominguez said restarting “Build, Build, Build” projects, especially those

in rural areas, would be the best way to revive the economy because of infrastructure spending’s high multiplier effect of raising incomes, stimulating demand and generating new jobs and businesses. The “Build, Build, Build” program will not only rev up the economy, but will also fix the country’s weak infrastructure and logistics network, which pushed up production and operational costs for investors, Dominguez said. Policy continuity The World Bank said the continuity of policies implemented in the Duterte administration that support growth and investments would be key to strengthening the recovery of the Philippines from the impact of the pandemic. “Continuity of reforms in the last six years promoting greater competition and attracting foreign investments will further boost the country’s growth outlook in the coming years,” said World Bank country director Ndiamé Diop. “In the context of narrowing fiscal space, the authorities can encourage public-private partnerships to sustain improvements in the country’s infrastructure assuming financial risks to the government are managed and the quality of services for the citizens are secured,” he said. Turn to F4

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DTI chief lays out strategy to help consumers By Othel V. Campos

RADE Secretary Alfredo Pascual prefers an “open door” policy on goal setting, crafting of policies and settling consumer complaints.

“The DTI is open to dialog on consumer matters. Despite differences in opinions and positions, there is no need for adversarial approach. What we need is a collaborative approach when negotiating on specific matters that affect consumers, so we can establish a common ground,” Pascual says. He says the DTI would also adopt a consensual approach on decision making to agree on solutions that will impact the economy and consumers, especially on the issue of prices. Pascual believes that one of the biggest hurdles the incoming administration faces is the continued inflationary effect of world geopolitics. He says while it is crucial to address basic problems such as the rising cost of goods and services in the first 100 days of the Marcos government, there is no easy cure for inflation especially when the origin of problem is an imported one. “We have little control over that, especially on imported commodities. Instead, we can work harder to ensure that merchants and businesses will not charge profit more than what they need to. After all, profiteering is a crime,” Pascual says. What the government can do to attain a certain level of food security, he says, is to be more creative and more innovative in sourcing of commodities that otherwise can be replaced or supplanted by alternatives with similar properties and purpose. “For instance, while bakers are grunting about the high price of flour, due to high importation cost of wheat, there is a proposal to use coco flour for bread manufacturing. Bakers can add 10-percent coco flour to the mix, to lower down the cost of bread,” he says. Pascual says the Philippines accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will also give the country access to global food sources, particularly during times of emergencies. Under the new administration, the DTI may hatch a plan to draw up another possible economic support package for the micro, small and medium enterprises reeling from the effects of high crude oil prices and the soaring cost of raw materials. Among the ongoing programs available for access by MSMEs are the credit support launched by Small Business Corp. of the DTI under the Bayanihan CARES program. “We’d see whether a recovery package is in order. I have to look closely at the situation before deciding on this, but there are tools we can use. There is the provision for borrowing with government guarantee, and we have the institutions that provide guarantees to bank, so the banks can lend to small businesses. So, we have the instruments. It’s a matter of matching the need with the right instrument,” he says.

Incoming Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual

The DTI continues to be responsive to the plight of micro and small businesses, but it remains extra careful on deciding on calls for temporary suspension or reduction of the excise tax on imported raw materials. The call, if heeded, will impact on government revenues, setting a declining trend and may affect the country’s annual budget. The healthcare, education and social services will be the first casualties if the proposed measure is adopted, the DTI says. “If we decide to do this, there is a great deal of balancing needed to make this work. If we can encourage higher consumption, tax collection will be brisk but a lower rate. We can also employ short-term solutions if we see that there is really this big need to use palliative measures while prepping for medium to long-term solutions,” says Pascual. The suspension of excise tax on fuel products is expected to lower the retail price of gasoline by 10 percent, 6 percent on diesel and 5 percent on kerosene. Flour millers also sought the temporary deferment of duties on imported baking ingredients, which the government is carefully evaluating. Among the priorities of the DTI under Pascual is the promotion of digital transformation. Technological advancements of industries will take center stage at the manufacturing sector and will be the basis of the sector’s industrialization. Pascual is confident that consumers will see more efficient regulation and more effective developmental work at the DTI during his term.

DRAFT 1

“

We join the Filipino people in congratulating His Excellency President Ferdinand Romuladez Marcos Jr. for his resounding victory. Our best wishes for your success as you embark on this new journey of steering our country towards inclusive growth and sustainable development.

”

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THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS JR.

DA strengthens focus on food security amid escalating prices By Othel V. Campos

acing an unprecedented challenge of rising commodity prices, the Department of Agriculture has full confidence that the new government will consolidate measures to enhance food security, with no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. heading the department.

Outgoing Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the DA is bound to receive the attention it deserves, with President Marcos himself going the extra mile to give the agriculture and fisheries sector the utmost priority. “His resolve to take the reins is a strong indication to this. We are confident this will augur an unprecedented ‘whole-of-government’ movement for the urgent attainment of food sovereignty in this time of crisis,” he said. The DA prepared a transition report— outlining the short, medium and long-term plans—to significantly increase the productivity of key commodities such as rice, corn and fishery products and augment the incomes of farmers and fisherfolk. It also took account of the current state of the agriculture sector and recommendations and policy proposals from various sectors. As part of the strategy to address the food crisis, the DA drafted a list of programs that the incoming administration should prioritize—such as the balanced fertilization strategy which involves upscaling the use of biofertilizers and stimulants. The DA said it is also crucial to increase the budget for fuel and fertilizer to subsidize the cost of important commodities such as vegetables, following the uptick in global fuel prices. Other priority activities under the “Plant,

President and concurrent Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Plant, Plant” program are local feeds formulation and production; urban and peri-urban farming; aquaculture and mariculture production; and food mobilization through the Kadiwa marketing program. The DA is working on the proposed creation of the Bureau of Agri-Industry and Cooperatives Development and institutionalization of the Kadiwa marketing program as well as the development of a food terminal system. It proposed the transfer of the Food Terminal Inc. back to the DA from the Office of the President. The said policy recommendations were drafted to strengthen agriculture cooperatives and associations and help establish an efficient food value chain and logistics system to stabilize food prices, tame inflation and provide farmers and fishers bigger incomes. “We have crafted a 10-year national agriculture and fisheries modernization and industrialization plan, and we fervently hope the President-elect will favorably consider it to attain our joint aspiration of food security and food sovereignty in the next six years,” the DA said.

New DOT secretary promotes inclusive and sustainable tourism INCOMING Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco is promoting inclusive and sustainable tourism to bring development to more communities nationwide. “It is this inclusive, sustainable, innovative, and collaborative tourism governance that I intend to bring to the Department of Tourism,” Garcia-Frasco said during the welcome ceremonies organized by the Department of Tourism staff. Frasco said the inclusivity of all local government units to the overall tourism plan would help uplift the economic status of municipalities, cities and provinces and the nation as a whole. “From our experience in Cebu, there is a theoretical notion of the importance of national and local government cooperation. There is the mandated importance by the local government code requiring prior coordination between the national and the local government,” she said.

Incoming Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco

Garcia-Frasco brings with her the perspective of valuing the input of local government units in the crafting of national policy, “considering that the policies that are crafted nationally will be implemented by the local government units on the ground.” She underscored the importance of harnessing the marketability of already wellknown tourism sites, “but at the same time, shed light on sites in the Philippines that have not yet had equal opportunity for promotion and product development.” She said a multidimensional approach to tourism should not only focus on the country’s natural resources, but also on the development and promotion of people and products. Immediately after assuming office, the new Tourism secretary plans to present plans and programs, so the new leadership can set the direction for the department. She highlighted the general vision set by the outgoing administration to revitalize the tourism industry and ensure that it is inclusive in the countryside. It is also part of department’s plans to improve the overall tourist experience, not only to bring back lost tourism numbers, but also to explore potential markets to increase visitor arrivals. The leadership at the DOT also deems it imperative to develop domestic tourism, considering its vast potential and the opportunities this will give to small businesses and the livelihood it will generate. “I intend to be a listening Tourism secretary. To listen to the hopes and aspirations of our local government units as far as the development of their respective tourist destinations, and to find a way to make their desires cohesive as well with the overarching desire of the administration of President-elect Marcos to expand countryside development, to further develop our country as a tourism destination, and to give equal opportunities to all,” she said. Othel V. Campos

THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS JR.

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Senators in 19th Congress vow support for new stimulus bill By Macon Ramos-Araneta

EVERAL senators in the coming 19th Congress have aired their support for a new stimulus measure, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed is part of his priority legislation to expedite the country’s recovery from COVID-19 and provide funds for its pandemic response, to be dubbed as “Bayan Bangon Muli (BBM).”

Marcos has repeatedly said he will look at the 2023 national budget to “find sufficient funds” for the proposed economic relief package. The new President also said he plans to “move some public expenditures away from non-investment expenditures to more investment expenditures” to revitalize the economy. Incoming Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who ran under the ban-

Zubiri said. He said this measure is badly needed “to jumpstart our economic recovery and push us to become an Asian Tiger in the region.” Sen. Sonny Angara, who will retain his chairmanship of the Senate Finance committee in the new Congress, has responded positively to the call of Marcos for a new stimulus package. He assured his help in funding programs and policies crucial to the delivery of public services. Under his watch as chairperson of the Incoming Senate President Finance committee in the last Congress, Juan Miguel Zubiri the Senate passed two Bayanihan laws ner of Marcos and Vice President Sara to complement the government’s reDuterte, recalled that passing another sponse to the pandemic. “Bayanihan Law” or a stimulus bill that seeks to help the country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic is one of his campaign promises in the recent elections. “My campaign promise is to pass a Bayanihan 3 package to provide funding assistance to distressed industries such as Tourism and the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that were affected by the pandemic. So, the request of our President to pass a stimulus package is part of my legislative priority Senator Sonny Angara as a re-elected senator of the 19th Congress and will have my full support,”

Angara was the sponsor of the proposed 2022 national budget, which became law as the General Appropriations Act of 2022. Marcos said there was little to work with under the present budget. Due to this, he cited the need to look to the new national budget for 2023, which lawmakers are presently crafting. Angara committed to working closely with the President and his Cabinet to guarantee the funding of programs and policies crucial to the delivery of public services. “We, in the Senate, are cognizant of the huge mandate the President has received and the need to fulfill promises to the people,” noted Angara. Returning Senator Loren Legarda also vowed to support a measure that has sure funding to help MSMEs in the country. “I support the proposed stimulus package to be given to small businesses severely affected by COVID. I will make sure that the MSME law will be adequately funded so MSME programs of various government agencies will be effectively implemented,” said Legarda. She promised to rally behind the economic empowerment of every Filipino family. With Marcos Jr. eyeing the funding of the stimulus measure through the 2023 national budget, Legarda said she will support the immediate approval of the next

year’s General Appropriations Bill (GAB) but subject to necessary amendments. “Yes, of course. We will study the National Expenditures Program, see if it’s aligned to a pandemic recovery budget, and amend when needed,” she said. Another returning senator, erstwhile Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero, said a stimulus bill is exactly what the country needs, especially in agriculture and MSMEs. “This is exactly what we need... election spending spurred and increased our Gross Domestic Product and must be sustained in order to spur the economy further and create needed stable jobs domestically,” he said. Aside from borrowing, Escudero said the Philippines can source its funding through sales of unnecessary government assets, improvement in the collection of current taxes, fees, and charges, curbing or lessening corruption, and proper allocation of scarce resources through the annual budget. Escudero said he looks forward to working with like-minded and development/reform-oriented people in government, regardless of affiliation or color they may have had or carried in the last elections, and called on our people to do the same.

Turn to F2

Emergency vehicle and evacuation center from Marcventures INDIGENOUS People Municipal Representative (IPMR) Benjamin A. Tindogan and Bayogo Barangay Captain Jesus B. Arsolon acknowledged the Emergency Transport Vehicle from Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation (MMDC) President Eduardo Francisco. The initiative is in line with the company’s Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) which supports the sustainable development goal on ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all. The project also includes the newly completed evacuation center in Barangay Bayogo. Marcventures heads several health projects under its SDMP program which includes giving medical assistance to indigent patients and procuring medical equipment for health centers.

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Senators...

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“Our country and people deserve nothing less,” he said. For Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, he said the general ideas for the stimulus bill “are good but we have

to look at the details.” Pimentel, who is reportedly joining Senator-elect Risa Hontiveros in the opposition in the next Congress, vowed to scrutinize and debate a stimulus bill that seeks to provide funds for the incoming administration’s pan-

demic response. He also expressed reservations to the proposed title of the measure. He said the passage of the measure floated by House Majority Leader and returning Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez would depend on the details of the bill.

Senator Risa Hontiveros

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III

“It boils down to the details. Even the title, He emphasized the importance of mainwe should take a look at it,” said Pimentel. taining the government’s hard stance against “ Nakasama ba ang bayan ngayon? (Is the illegal drugs even when Duterte leaves office country in a bad way today?)” in order to prevent a resurgence. Romualdez emphasized that under the BBM Bill, the President can harness the resources available to him during this closing period of 2022 and address the needed measures for the pandemic, hopefully, endemic stage of this COVID issue.

Senator Bong Go

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian

Another re-elected Senator, Sherwin Gatchalian, who ran under the BBM-Sara UniTeam, said he will check the details of the stimulus bill proposed in the 19th Congress. “In theory, I support a stimulus program that will not be adverse to our fiscal standing,” Gatchalian said. As to Senator-elect Robin Padilla who wants the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, he will just focus on his advocacy for the country’s shift. The senators also expressed their support for an early passage of the 2023 national budget. Zubiri said he will support the aim of the next administration for an early passage of the 2023 budget. “We will act swiftly on the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP), “ said Zubiri. Angara would aid the incoming Marcos administration to work on the upcoming 2023 national budget bill. On the other hand, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go vowed to continue the Duterte administration’s fight against illegal drugs and corruption.

Marcos...

From E1

“Mobilizing an additional P250 billion a year will cut further the deficit to reach around 3.2 percent by 2025, a figure comparable to the pre-pandemic deficit of 3.4 percent,” the agency said. TAX ADMINISTRATION Former Finance Undersecretary Valery Joy Brion said in a briefing that by the end of 2022, the Philippine government would have borrowed P3.2 trillion more than initially planned in December 2019, prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic here in the Philippines. “Our debt-to-GDP level stands at 63.5 percent, slightly higher than the internationally prescribed best practice of 60 percent of GDP. As early as next year, the Philippine government will begin principal payments for loans incurred over the past two years,” she said. Brion said the new administration has three options. These include borrowing more, cutting spending or raising revenues and improving tax administration to maintain productive spending in infrastructure, health, education and other investments for the future. Borrowing more cannot be a viable option as this would further push up the country’s debt level and risk downgrading the investment-grade credit ratings, she said. Interest payments would also balloon, reducing the resources available for productive spending. Cutting spending, except for wasteful expenses, is also not a recourse because it could imperil the economic recovery and lead to reduced budgets on education, health, infrastructure and other socioeconomic priorities. Both widespread budget cuts and financing debts with borrowing would lead to slower economic growth, spiraling debt levels and eventually, fiscal and economic crises. Brion said the best way is “to raise more revenues and improve tax administration and for the government to channel resources from unnecessary and non-priority expenses to productive spending.” Bureau of the Treasury data show that to prevent having to use borrowings to pay the country’s P3.2 trillion in incremental debt, the government needs to raise at least P249 billion every year in incremental revenues

Go underlined the government’s resolve to strengthen the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs while also providing a comprehensive approach for individuals and their families who have been victims of illegal drugs to the end of Duterte’s term. The former presidential aide -- before becoming a senator – also vowed to fight corruption. Gatchalian echoed Go’s commitment to ward off the continuing pervasiveness of widespread corruption in government by eyeing to pursue policies that mandate the shift to a digital government. He said this would mean accelerating digitization and digitalization efforts in government processes and transactions, including the collection of tax payments and other regulatory fees. “No need to go to government offices to fall in line. The problem starts here,” the senator said. “If there is queuing in government transactions, there will surely be fixers and we already know what will happen if there are fixers,” said Gatchalian. He noted that all government collections should be paperless or done through electronic means. “It’s high time that we push the digital transformation of government services,” he added. According to Gatchalian, it is also high time to restore the level of trust and confidence of the public in those in government and uphold the dignity of civil servants. for the next ten years. The measures proposed by the DOF are estimated to yield an average of roughly P284 billion every year for the national government. ECONOMIC RECOVERY Diokno said the country is on its way to “full recovery” despite risks emanating from both the domestic and external fronts. The economy grew by 5.7 percent last year and sustained its robust momentum with an 8.3 percent growth in the first quarter of 2022 after the pandemic-driven recession in 2020. “We expect the economy to grow much faster in the second quarter, making the growth target for this year of 7.0-8.0 percent doable,” Diokno said. Diokno cited the country’s strengths that could support the economy to full recovery. These are the recovery in employment, surging foreign direct investments, vibrant manufacturing, improving business and consumer outlook and rebound in domestic economic activity. The employment rate is close to its prepandemic level. From a peak of 17.6 percent in April 2020 at the early onslaught of the pandemic, the unemployment rate went down to 5.8 percent in March this year. Foreign direct investments reached an alltime high last year, growing by 54.2 percent. In the first two months of 2022, FDIs went up by 8 percent to $1.7 billion. Manufacturing strongly rebounded, with the purchasing managers’ index at 54.1 in May. This represents nine months of expansion in factory activity. Diokno said the strong rebound in domestic economic activity and labor market conditions in the first quarter provided scope for monetary authorities to start rolling back pandemic-induced interventions. “One thing is sure: economies with strong fundamentals tend to handle crises better. In the case of the Philippines, it entered the pandemic with strong macroeconomic fundamentals. Its healthy external accounts and hefty gross international reserves served as a buffer during the pandemic,” Diokno said. He said the government’s fiscal space allowed it to finance its huge COVID-19 response without incurring unmanageable public sector debts. “Given all these positive developments, we are optimistic that the Philippine economy will do better this year,” he said.

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Thank You, PRRD His Excellency

Rodrigo Roa Duterte President, Republic of the Philippines

Maraming salamat sa inyong suporta at paglilingkod sa sambayanang Pilipino, Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte!

Atty. Alfredo C. Lim

Andrea D. Domingo

Gabriel S. Claudio

President & COO

Chairman & CEO

Director

Carmen N. Pedrosa Director

James Patrick R. Bondoc Director

Mr. President, as you step down to give way to the country’s new leaders, PAGCOR’s Board of Directors and its 11,000-strong workforce wish you well. Because of your trust and conﬁdence, we were able to spread our wings and adapt to the changing needs of our times. PAGCOR evolved into a judicious regulator as gaming in the country took new forms. We were likewise able to fund our vital Corporate Social Responsibility programs that helped alleviate the plight of our fellow Filipinos, especially during the pandemic. Without your most able leadership and being an exemplary role model, we could not have gone this far.

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THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS JR.

House thru Speaker Romualdez has BBM Bill as priority agenda By Maricel V. Cruz

HE House of Representatives, under the leadership of incoming Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, is committed to passing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s legislative agenda.

These include the Bayanihan-type legislation to be called Bayan Bangon Muli (BBM) and resetting the scheduled December barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, which would save P8 billion that can be used to fight the pandemic and the 2023 national budget. Romualdez said the 19th Congress will ensure that the priority legislation of the Marcos administration will be aided and supported with measures that will allow the President to pursue his agenda for the people. “President Marcos’ initials, BBM or Bayan Bangon Muli bill stimulus package, will allow him to harness the resources available during the closing period of 2022 and [pass] measures that are needed for the pandemic, hopefully, endemic stage of this COVID,” Romualdez said. The BBM bill is seen as the successor of the Bayanihan laws passed to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the economy. Romualdez said the BBM bill would help the news administration “harness whatever remaining resources [are available] to stimulate the economy and to reinvigorate it.”

Incoming House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez

The House’s resident economist, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, earlier proposed ways to fund the BBM bill: • A “cash sweep” similar to what was ordered by Executive Order 87 by President Rodrigo Duterte, which mandated the reversion to the Treasury of accounts payable from three years before the issuance of the EO in 2019. • The package can be in the form of a supplemental appropriations bill with “unprogrammed allocations” that can be funded in a manner similar to other unprogrammed allocations in the regular General Appropriations Act. Augmentation, excess revenues, and other relevant provisions under unprogrammed allocations in the 2022 GAA can be lifted into this provision. • Adopt the Bayanihan provision on the power to discontinue programs, projects, and activities, provided that certain parameters for discontinuance

can be set, and place a moratorium on some wasteful spending practices, such as yearend on-site seminars. • The package can include a provision that utilizes any unused funds in Special Purpose Funds for the programs under the package. • A provision that allows the President to use unused or unreleased subsidies to government-owned or -controlled corporations and government agencies that will no longer be able to finish the program subsidized this year. Salceda said: “Let us give the new administration a chance to fund and enact its own plans and programs for the country’s economic recovery.” Meanwhile, Romualdez earlier said more than P8 billion in savings could be generated if the barangay elections set for this year would be postponed. He suggested that the savings could instead be allocated for COVID-19 response and economic stimulus, as well as aid for those who suffered from the pandemic. Outgoing Assistant Majority Leader and Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas had appealed to the incoming Congress to prioritize legislation where the government may explore aid mechanisms for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), tourism establishments, and small private schools in the form of employee wage grants, interest-free loans, or other forms of assistance to help them recover. “Our economic recovery rests on the recovery of businesses and enterprises whose operations will help provide jobs and stimulate economic activity,” Vargas said. The oppressive economic effects of the pandemic continue to be felt by the poor and other vulnerable sectors, he added. “Aid in the form of financial and food assistance remains to be the most imme-

diate lifeline that government can extend to them,” said Vargas, chair of the House social services committee. He also expressed confidence that Congress under Romualdez will be able to provide the new administration the needed budgetary support to continue providing aid for sectors affected by the pandemic. The 2023 national budget will also be a top priority of the Romualdez leadership. Incoming Budget Secretary, Amenah Pangandaman, said the new administration will “aspire to draft and implement a budget that will promote a broad-based and inclusive economic recovery and growth.” Measures that will help ease the impact of increasing oil prices should also be the priority of the 19th Congress, according to reelected ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro. “The consecutive big-time oil price has taken a huge toll on our people. Prices of basic services and commodities like food have started to increase as well because of the high cost of fuel,” she said. Castro said her group, the Makabayan Bloc, will file bills aimed at mitigating the effects of the oil crisis. These measures include the repeal of VAT and excise taxes imposed on fuel; unbundling oil prices to show transparency in oil and petroleum products; repealing the Oil Deregulation Law and enactment of a new policy framework to ensure that oil prices are within reasonable costs and regulated; The buy-back of Petron to provide the public with a state-owned alternative to acquire oil and petroleum products; and the establishment of a National Petroleum Exchange Corporation to serve as the central import and distribution hub of oil and petroleum products.

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From E2

Diop said developing measures to reduce the budget deficit and the country’s debt would ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. These measures should focus on prudent spending, improved revenue collection through reforms in government procurement and greater private sector financing to ensure that government allocations for education, health, other social services and infrastructure are not sacrificed, he said. Anchored on more robust domestic activities, the World Bank said the Philippines would likely grow by 5.7 percent in 2022 and 5.6 percent on average from 2023 to 2024 amid intensifying global uncertainties. The Philippines grew 8.3 percent in the first quarter this year, fueled by strong domestic demand and the recovery of industry and services sectors. Continuing growth this year would draw strength from an improving domestic environment, characterized by low COVID-19 cases, greater mobility of people and wider resumption of economic and social activities. The reopening is shoring up services, especially transportation, restaurant and food services and wholesale and retail trade. Prospects also improved for tourism following the opening of borders to vaccinated individuals, reopening of tourist attractions and relaxed travel requirements for travelers. Sustained public investments, along with recovering business activities will boost construction and industry sectors. The World Bank, however, flagged several risks to the outlook, including rising inflation, geopolitical uncertainty brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, tightening global financing conditions and weaker growth of trading partners like the United States and China. It said that while the Philippines entered a benign phase of the pandemic, the threat of a new variant-driven surge hangs over the growth outlook. The report also warned that prolonged war in Ukraine and the continuing sanctions on Russia, could further disrupt global economic activity, slow down growth of major economies in the world and impair trade and financial flows.