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Shinzo Abe assassinated

Japan’s ex-PM shot during stump, suspect held; Govts express shock and dismay

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 143 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

APAN'S former prime minister Shinzo Abe died in hospital on Friday hours after being shot at a political campaign event Friday, in an attack condemned as "absolutely unforgivable."

Citing a senior member of Abe's Liberal Democratic Party, national broadcaster NHK said "former prime minister Abe died at a hospital in Kashihara city, Nara, where he was receiving medical treatment. Next page He was 67."

GUNNED DOWN.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers a campaign speech for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidate Keiichiro Asao for the Upper House election in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo, on July 6. Security tackled the man who supposedly shot the ex-PM (inset), as emergency workers tried to stabilize Mr. Abe, but he succumbed to cardiac arrest at the hospital, officials said. AFP

DOE sees bigger oil price Marcos positive for COVID, in isolation rollback of about P5 to P6 By Vito Barcelo, Mervin Vince Lopez, and Willie Casas

By Alena Mae S. Flores CONSUMERS will see a higher rollback in pump prices of around P5 to P6 per liter across all petroleum products by Tuesday, the Department of Energy confirmed on Friday. Rino Abad, DOE director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau, said the four-day trading mark showed a higher decline in global oil prices of around $16

to $17 per barrel compared to last week. This is higher than the $10 per barrel decline seen during the Monday to Wednesday trading days. "The P5 to P6 per liter rollback is an estimate," Abad said, as he attributed the drop in world oil prices to ongoing concerns over US interest rate hikes. The global supply tightness and recession fears also continued to fuel the volatility in world oil prices. Next page

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has tested positive for COVID-19 in an antigen test, Malacañang said Friday. In a briefing, Press Secretary Trixie Angeles said the President was

experiencing a slight fever but was otherwise all right. This is the second time Marcos tested positive for the coronavirus. Angeles said those who had been in close contact with the President are currently being informed by the Presidential Management Staff to observe their symptoms.

The Palace said the President will continue his work. "Rep. Sandro Marcos has not tested positive for COVID-19 despite being exposed to his father. The other members of the first family were out of town," Angeles said. “The President encourages the public Next page

Palace urged to declare state BBM sets up of emergency on food supply private sector council on agri

By Othel V. Campos and Maricel V. Cruz

THE Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. (PCAFI) is urging President Marcos to declare a state of emergency on food sufficiency in the face of insufficient production and supply in the market and the rising cost of food locally and globally. Noting the government’s empty treasury, PCAFI president Danilo Fausto said the President can tap available funds to help tide the sector over until the crisis dissipates. “I would estimate that P1 trillion is available for lending from the Agri-Agra loan allocation. We can mobilize this. That is one

of the items that we would like to propose for mobilization of funds,” he said. The Agri-Agra Law requires all banking institutions to allot 15 percent of their total lending portfolio for agriculture loans and 10 percent for agrarian reform credit. PCAFI said the President can also encourage local government units to set aside a portion of their internal revenue allotment (IRA) and divert those to improving food production on the LGU scales. Under the Mandanas-Garcia ruling, LGUs are supposed to download P235 billion in 2022 from their share of taxes from the national government. “The agriculture sector can be assisted within their area of responsibility. It (funds) will not be taken out of the LGUs Next page

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has sought the cooperation of the private sector to provide support to Filipino farmers. He met with members of the Private Sector Advisory Council on Thursday to discuss ways to aid the agriculture sector, even sharing photos of the meeting at Malacañang in a Facebook post. Marcos, who concurrently serves as the Agriculture Secretary, said he was "excited" to partner with the private sector in improving the agricultural sector. "I thank the members of the Private Sector Advisory Council for joining us in a meeting to discuss and exchange ideas about scaling up our agricultural sector," Next page he said.

SLOW SALES DAY. Chicken vendors at Paco Market in Manila sort their goods on Friday, a day after some fast-food chains in the country admitted experiencing shortages of supplies for their customers as the local supply of chickens did not meet their quality standards. Norman Cruz

Pastrana’s PPA nomination not CA upholds conviction of Ressa, writer revoked—Trixie NOBEL Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa has lost her appeal against a conviction for cyber libel, her news website Rappler said Friday, in the latest blow for the veteran journalist. Ressa and her former colleague Rey Santos Jr. face lengthy jail sentences, but the company said they will "avail of all legal remedies available to them," including taking the case to the Supreme Court. The ruling comes less than two weeks after authorities ordered Rappler to shut down ahead of former president Rodrigo Duterte's last day in office. Ressa, who is also a US citizen,

is fighting at least seven court cases, including the cyber libel case, for which she has been on bail and faces up to six years in prison. The Court of Appeals (CA) on Friday upheld the conviction of Ressa and Santos Jr. over a published story linking a businessman to criminal activities, Rappler confirmed. The CA upheld the conviction handed by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) in June 2020 involving the 2012 article published by Rappler linking businessman Wilfredo Keng to human trafficking and drug smuggling, citing an intelligence report. Next page

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not withdrawn his nomination for Christopher Pastrana to be the general manager of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Malacañang said on Friday. Press Secretary Beatrix Rose CruzAngeles said: "There is no statement and there is no information on that one. So, it's status quo as of the moment." But about an hour after the presser, the PPA released a statement saying Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista had designated Port Manager Manuel A. Boholano as officer-in-charge (OOIC) and general manager of the PPA, ABSNext page CBN reported.

MUSLIMS HAILED ON EID’L ADHA NEWS / A2 MIDDAY PRAYERS. Muslims pray at the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila on Friday on the eve of Eid’l Adha, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared July 9 as a regular holiday in observance of the Islamic Feast of Sacrifice. Norman Cruz

News

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

okays ‘Break chains,’ BBM says on Eid’l Adha Marcos China invite,

By Vito Barcelo

but date TBD

The Chief Executive also encouraged lessons learned today,” as he wished the the people to “offer themselves for the country’s Muslim communities to have a sake of others and take to heart the solemn and meaningful observance of the

so-called “Greater Eid.” The President said that Eid’l Adha is a reminder that “with deep faith and loyalty to our virtues, we can take risks for hefty costs, even if it means losing those whom we love and letting go of many things that matter to us.” “As we commemorate how Ibrahim offered his son in obedience of Allah, let us likewise believe that in entrusting ourselves and surrendering our worries to the Supreme Authority, all our hearts’ desires for the greater good will be heard

and granted,” Marcos said. “The solemn narrative that punctuates this occasion tells us that, at the onset of this administration, we must prepare ourselves to go beyond our comfort zones as we walk the path we have willingly chosen,” the President said. “The journey ahead of us will not be easy, but if we fight for what is right and predicate our very action on our love for our fellowmen and women, our people will surely benefit from the results of our individual choices,” he added.

family, and the people of Japan." Former President Rodrigo Duterte and his wife Honeylet Avanceña “are deeply saddened by the untimely passing” of Abe, said former presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar on Twitter. "Abe was a good and loyal friend, a staunch supporter of my administration, and a strong ally of the nation. As the world mourns the loss of this great man, we remember him for his compassionate service and remarkable leadership. Indeed, one of the most influential world leaders of our time,” Andanar quoted Duterte as saying. The assassination of the country's bestknown politician comes despite Japan's strict gun laws and with campaigning underway ahead of upper house elections on Sunday. Earlier Prime Minister Fumio Kishida abandoned the campaign trail and flew to Tokyo by helicopter where he addressed reporters in a voice that wavered with emotion. "Former prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot in Nara, and I have been informed he is in a very grave condition," he said just before Abe died. "I pray that former prime minister Abe will survive," he added, condemning "a barbaric act during election campaigning, which is the foundation of democracy." "It is absolutely unforgivable. I condemn this act in the strongest terms." The attack came before noon in the country's western region of Nara, where Abe, 67, had been delivering a stump speech with security present, but spectators were able to approach him easily. Footage broadcast by NHK showed him standing on a stage when a man dressed in a grey shirt and brown trousers begins approaching from behind, before drawing something from a bag and firing. At least two shots appear to be fired, each producing a cloud of smoke.

As spectators and reporters ducked, a man was shown being tackled to the ground by security. He was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, reports said. Local media identified the man as 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, citing police sources, with several media outlets describing him as a former member of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, the country's navy. He was wielding a weapon described by local media as a "handmade gun” and NHK said he told police after his arrest that he “targeted Abe with the intention of killing him.” Witnesses at the scene described shock as the political event turned into chaos. "The first shot sounded like a toy bazooka," a woman told NHK. "He didn't fall and there was a large bang. The second shot was more visible, you could see the spark and smoke," she added. "After the second shot, people surrounded him and gave him cardiac massage." Abe was bleeding from the neck, witnesses said and photographs showed. He was reportedly initially responsive but subsequently lost consciousness. Officials from the local chapter of Abe's Liberal Democratic Party said there had been no threats before the incident and that his speech had been announced publicly. Kishida said no decision had been made on the election, though several parties announced their senior members would halt campaigning in the wake of the attack. The attack prompted international shock. "This is a very, very sad moment," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at a G20 meeting in Bali, saying the United States was "deeply saddened and deeply concerned.”

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha was "very shocked" at Abe's shooting, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply distressed" by the news. Earlier, US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said he was "saddened and shocked." "Abe-san has been an outstanding leader of Japan and an unwavering ally of the United States," he said in a statement. European Council president Charles Michel said he was "shocked and saddened by (the) cowardly attack.” Abe was "a true friend, fierce defender of multilateral order and democratic values," Michel tweeted. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he was "deeply shocked.” The Chinese foreign ministry said it was shocked by the shooting. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had announced his intention to resign over the latest scandal, said he was appalled by the shooting. "Utterly appalled and saddened to hear about the despicable attack on Shinzo Abe," he tweeted. The Russian embassy in Japan condemned the attack as “barbaric.” The French embassy in Japan expressed concern over the "hateful" attack. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong described Abe as "a good friend of Singapore". "I am deeply shocked to learn that former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was shot in Nara Prefecture this morning. This is a senseless act of violence," he said in a Facebook post. Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, held office in 2006 for one year and again from 2012 to 2020, when he was forced to step down due to the debilitating bowel condition ulcerative colitis. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

school year. The meeting’s dinner has been removed “to prevent officials from removing their masks.” According to the protocols implemented by the Health Department, Marcos is not required to take a confirmatory Rapid Test-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test but will instead isolate for seven days starting from the positive test result. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that after seven days if the President is symptoms-free, he will be able to resume face-to-face activities. In a meeting with Health officials Wednesday, Marcos said there was a

need to further study the COVID-19 alert level system. “He analyzed the metrics we have at present, and he instructed us to further study the alert level so that it will be more appropriate to our situation,” Vergeire said in Filipino. Vergeire said Marcos wants the DOH to expand the coverage of the national government's inoculation program and increase the vaccination rate (see related story on A2 – Editors) . Vergeire said most of those infected with COVID-19 are mild and asymptomatic. She said a booster shot does not necessarily address the "further rise"

of infections, however, it will protect individuals from getting severe infections and there will be fewer individuals who will be admitted to hospitals. “Even though you're vaccinated, you could still get sick. But the promise of vaccines, even though we get sick, is that we will be prevented from having severe and critical infections,” Vergeire said. Meanwhile, the DOH expressed support for the plan to resume face-toface classes. Earlier, Marcos said the Department of Education wants physical classes in some schools by September before holding 100 percent in-person schooling by November.

DOE...

since the start of the year. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with key Energy officials Thursday to address the continued rise in oil prices. No details of the meeting were released, however. The meeting came two days after Marcos said he planned to expand the coverage of the government’s fuel subsidy to public transport operators and drivers by including tricycle drivers. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier announced that over 600,000 tricycle drivers nationwide will be receiving a fuel subsidy. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) began releasing cash subsidies for other public transport operators an drivers in March. The President has yet to name an Energy secretary. Meanwhile, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. launched this week the first carbon offset offer to the public and its first electric vehicle (EV) charging service in the country. The launch of Shell Recharge and Shell NBS Carbon Offset Service is part of the steps Pilipinas Shell is undertaking to meet its goal toward a lower carbon footprint and cater to customers' changing needs. Pilipinas Shell is making its Naturebased Solutions (NBS) Carbon Offset Service available to B2B Fleet customers and everyday drivers who want to go carbon neutral. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

but the direction of the funds should go to food production,” Fausto said. The group also asked the President to review the mandate of the Philippine Guaranty Corp. and ensure that the agency caters to the needs of farmers and agribusiness groups. Citing the 2020 report of the Commission on Audit, PCAFI said a big disparity in the allocation of guarantee funds when figures showed that the PGC has committed more than P203 billion to the real estate industry from a total of P207 billion. Fausto said very little was left for vulnerable industries and sectors like agriculture since farmers and stakeholders cannot deal with banks for lack of collateral. “In fact, only P500 million was allocated to agriculture. Real estate developers do not need the guarantee, they can fend for [themselves],” he said, adding that the PGC continues to collect penalties from banks that do not comply with the Agri-Agra Law. PCAFI stressed that the penalties collected should be made available to farmers and producers. Also on Friday, the new head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), Silvestre Bello III, said Marcos wants the Philippines to take advantage of its ties with Taiwan to improve local agriculture technology. “His directive was very simple, that is to strengthen our economic and cultural ties and to take advantage of our relations by getting their technology, especially for agriculture technology,” Bello said.

"Boholano became a Port Manager in 2005 and currently designated at the Port Management Office of Eastern Leyte/Samar since 2020. He has been with PPA since 1988," the tweet, quoted by the report, said. Boholano has been with PPA since 1988 and he became a port manager in 2005. He is presently designated at the Port Management Office of Eastern LeyteSamar. Pastrana was the chairperson of the Archipelago Philippines Ferries Corporation, the operator of FastCat

ferries, before his nomination to the helm of the PPA in June 2022. Reports said Bautista met with PPA officials on July 7, but Pastrana was noticeably absent from the event. “As we wait for the appointment of your General Manager, which will happen in the next couple of days, please make sure to further reduce shipping and travel costs nationwide and maintain the high quality of service in all ports,” Bautista told PPA officials, without mentioning Pastrana's name, ABSCBN reported. With Mervin Vince Lopez

RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed hopes Friday that Filipinos will “break the chains of divisiveness” towards achieving “shared goals” as the country observes the Islamic holiday of Eid’l Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice today.

Shinzo... From A1

The death was also reported by other broadcasters as well as the Japanese news agencies Jiji and Kyodo. Malacañang said it was “shocked and dismayed” by the attack, extending its condolences “to the Japanese people and the family” of the country’s longest-serving premier after he passed away. "It is with profound sadness that we learn of the passing of former PM Abe Shinzo," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, echoing an earlier message posted by Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo on his Twitter account. "We express our deepest condolences to the Japanese government and people on his tragic death. We send our most heartfelt sympathy to Madame Akie Abe and their family. We pray for their comfort in thismost difficult time," it added. "Mr. Abe was greatly admired by many Filipinos. We thank him for his key role in the strengthening of Philippines-Japan relations and for establishing a very deep bond of friendship with our country. Mr. Abe will be very much missed and always remembered," the DFA said. Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez also extended his deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Abe, saying: "The world has lost a kind and decent man, a great leader, and a statesman.” "I join the country of Japan and the Filipino nation in mourning the death of the beloved leader," Romualdez said in a statement. "We send our collective wish across the sea that justice is served to his family and to the Japanese people." "Shinzo Abe is a dear friend of the Filipino people, and we are saddened by this dastardly attack on such a peaceful man. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his

Marcos... From A1

to get their vaccine series and boosters,” she added. His condition prevented Marcos from physically attending the 246th anniversary of US independence at the US Embassy held on July 8. Marcos, however, would deliver a speech virtually at the meeting of the League of Governors and Mayors Friday night regarding the “continuing campaign for a series of vaccinations and booster shots in preparation for the face-to-face opening of classes this

BBM... From A1

"It is refreshing to hear ideas from them, and I'm excited to establish programs with the cooperation of the private sector to help our farmers." Marcos, however, did not elaborate on the specific programs that he intends to implement to boost the agriculture industry. In a press briefing on July 5, Marcos vowed to look for long-term solutions to address the problems plaguing the country's agriculture sector. He made the commitment as he stressed that having "robust" agriculture is key to building a stronger economy. Marcos also emphasized the need to boost the production of staples such as rice and corn, as well as livestock and fisheries. He said one of the short-term solutions is to increase food production for the rest of 2022. The President also vowed to look for

CA... From A1

"[Ressa and Santos] disagree with the decision and their legal counsels are currently reviewing the decision. Both will avail of all legal remedies available to them, including elevating the decision to the Supreme Court for review," Rappler said in a statement. Rappler also said the Supreme Court should also look at the legality of the cyber libel law and the continuing criminalization of libel, especially in light of the freedom of expression and freedom of the press. "The decision weakens the ability of journalists to hold power to account. We call on our media colleagues, our community, and other advocates of a free and independent press to be vocal and vigilant now more than ever," Rappler said. "This is not just about Maria Ressa, Rey

ways to address the food price crisis (see related story on A1—Editors) "We still have to feed our people and so, we still have to find strategies to make sure that those who are in need are supported by the government as best as we can do," Marcos said. Joey Concepcion, a council member, said Marcos "really wants to be attuned to the problems of businesses." "I am part of the Private Sector Advisory Council. I'm the lead for jobs. That council is a big help because the President really wants to be attuned to the problems of businesses, especially in agriculture," said Concepcion, who was the presidential adviser for entrepreneurship during the Duterte administration. "We want to make sure that the economy will continue to move, to accelerate. Our growth rates cannot stall and for us to be able to do this, there cannot be lockdowns anymore," he said at the Laging Handa briefing on Friday. Vince Lopez Santos Jr., or Rappler. What is ultimately at stake is our democracy whose strength rests on a media that is not threatened by the state nor intimidated by forces out to silence critical voices," Rappler added. Government prosecutors indicted Ressa, Santos, and Rappler for cyber libel in January 2019 over an article published by the news site in 2012 that cites an "intelligence report" linking Keng, a businessman and the private complainant, to human trafficking and drug smuggling. The Philippines' anti-cyber-crime law would not be enacted until months after the article was published, but prosecutors alleged that a supposedly "republished" version of the story in February 2014 is covered by the law. Rappler's lawyers, the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), argued before the court that the "multiple republication" principle does not apply to online media. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

From A1

According to a report by CNN, the West Texas Intermediate fell below $100 per barrel this week amid US recession concerns that could dampen global demand. Last July 5, local oil companies cut diesel prices by P3 a liter and kerosene by P3.40 a liter. Gasoline prices did not move. These adjustments brought net increases of P42.90 per liter for diesel, P36.35 per liter for kerosene, and P30 per liter for gasoline since the start of the year. On Thursday, Abad said pump prices were likely to go down by P4 a liter for diesel and P3 a liter for gasoline next week, as the decline in world oil prices would likely offset the impact of the peso’s depreciation against the US greenback. From June 27 to July 1, the Philippine peso depreciated week-on-week against the US dollar by P0.56 to P54.97 from P54.41 the previous week. Meanwhile, concerns of a slowdown in global economic demand also affected oil prices. On July 5, the oil companies cut diesel prices by P3 a liter and kerosene by P3.40 a liter. Gasoline prices did not move. These adjustments brought net increases of P42.90 per liter for diesel, P36.35 per liter for kerosene and P30 per liter for gasoline

Pastrana’s... From A1

Bautista confirmed to GMA News on Friday that Boholano was indeed designated as PPA OIC. "Mr. Boholano shall perform and discharge the functions and responsibilities of an OIC-GM until 31 July 2022 or until a permanent GM has been appointed or designated, whichever comes first," the PPA, in a post on Twitter, said.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has accepted the invitation of the Chinese government to visit China, Malacañang said Friday. In a press briefing, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said: “There was an invitation (from China) but there is no date set as of yet (for Marcos’ visit).” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi extended the invitation of China’s President Xi Jinping during his recent courtesy call on Marcos at Malacañang. Meanwhile, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is up to the Philippines under the Marcos administration to participate in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. Ed Meñez, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, said in an interview: “Based on my experience as former UNIO ASec. (Office of United Nations and Other International Organizations Assistant Secretary), it is up to member states to decide if they wish to participate at the UNGA and at what level.” Meñez was responding to questions seeking confirmation about an invitation sent to the President to attend the event in September. Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Gov’t vax drive has plateaued to 200k dail—DOH By Willie Casas THE government’s COVID-19 vaccination program has "plateaued" to 200,000 daily jabs since March, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the DOH to ramp up COVID booster uptake as virus cases rise and immunity wanes, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. All regions have yet to administer booster shots to 50 percent of their target population, said Vergeire, DOH spokesperson and interim chairperson of the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC). Around 895,000 health workers, elderly, immunocompromised, and persons with comorbidities have gotten a second booster shot, she said. Metro Manila is the closest to reaching the target, having vaccinated 43 percent of its target population, Vergeire added. "We will be mobilizing and asking help from the DOH, DOLE, DILG and other agencies so the approach will still be whole of government,” she said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Palace... From A1

News

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022

‘Navotas mayor should not be on list of smuggling protectors’ By Othel V. Campos

GROUP of commercial fishing operators in the National Capital Region asked the Senate to review its report on agricultural smuggling implicating Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco as one of the alleged smuggling protectors.

MISTING AND FOGGING. Due to the continuous increase of dengue and COVID-19

cases in some areas in Metro Manila, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) conducted misting and fogging around some hospitals, including Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center in Delpan, Tondo. Norman Cruz

Heavy rains affect hundreds in Ifugao, NDRRMC reports SOME 500 families have been affected by floods due to heavy rains in the province of Ifugao, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Friday. In its latest situation report, the NDRRMC said this is equivalent to around 1,500 persons residing in six villages in the town of Banaue. As of this posting, an evacuation center has been activated and is currently sheltering 13 families or around 23 persons. The NDRRMC also added that three roads so far are not pass-

able due to flooding -- Banaue Mayoyao Alfonso Lista Isabela Boundary Road (Boundary Poitan, Banaue, Ifugao); BanaueHungduan Benguet Boundary Road (Barangays Poblacion and Gohang, Banaue) and Nueva Vizcaya Ifugao-Mount Province Boundary Road (Barangays Amganad, Tam-an, Poblacion and Viewpoint, Banaue). The agency also reported a wrecked house in Banaue. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has so far provided some 500 family food packs worth PHP339,375 to affected residents.

IN BRIEF Two killed in elevator collapse in Makati TWO persons were killed and two others were injured after an elevator undergoing repair inside a building in Makati City collapsed early Friday. In a report, the Southern Police District (SPD) said the incident happened around 2:55 a.m. at the Burgundy Tower along Buendia Avenue in Barangay Pio del Pilar. The two fatalities were identified as Manuel Linayao and Rey Miguel Gilera, both elevator installers and employees of DLC Contractor. “The above-mentioned victim/deceased and with two other elevator installers from DLC Contractor Company were fixing an elevator on the sixth floor when suddenly an elevator came from 38th floor accidentally fell to the basement that resulted to the death of herein victims and injured of two others,” the report said. A report on Super Radyo dzBB, citing BFP personnel on the ground, said the second body was yet to be retrieved.

Bato seeks renaming NAIA back to MIA SEN. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa yesterday suggested renaming Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) back to Manila International Airport (MIA). “I don’t want this facility to be dragged into a...tug of war between Aquino and Marcos,” said Dela Rosa said in an interview with CNN Philippines. Earlier, incoming Senate President Migz Zubiri said renaming NAIA after the late Ferdinand Marcos, the President’s father and namesake would trigger a fight between the “yellows” and “reds.” Dela Rosa also said that instead of passing a law to name the airport after the President’s father, it should be renamed “MIA.” He said this airport should be spared from the political row between the Aquinos and the Marcoses. “To be fair about it, to be neutral about it, let us rename it to Manila International Airport. We should not name it after Marcos or Aquino. To get rid of politics, let us bring back its original name-Manila International Airport to put an end to this talk,” he said. Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. filed a bill which seeks to rename NAIA after the President’s father. Teves said it is more appropriate to name NAIA to Ferdinand E. Marcos Jr. following his contributions to the idea and execution of the said project. Macon Ramos-Araneta

PAO alarmed over mandatory vax for kids THE Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Friday raised alarm over the mandatory vaccination of school children against COVID-19 infection. PAO Chief Persida Acosta said PAO has sent a “Very Respectful Memorandum” for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla last July 6, informing the President about an “extremely urgent petition for certiorari, prohibition, declaratory relief and injunction (with application for issuance of a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction) filed by former broadcast journalist Dominic Almelor and Girlie Samonte before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. “We are writing you, Your Excellency, to respectfully inform your honor of the pending petition, which our office filed, for Your Honor’s information and guidance,” PAO cited. “The said petition is anchored on patent nullity and unconstitutionality of Department of Health Department Order Memorandum No. 2022-004…,” her letter read. While DOH rescinded the parens patriae provision of the memorandum mandating that informed consent of vaccination of children could come from the State itself, Acosta said the vaccination to be required by the Department of Education for full face-to-face classes is “indirectly being forced.” Rio N. Araja

The Navotas-based Inter-Island and Deep Sea Fishing Association, Inc. (IDSFA) said while the Senate did a good job of addressing agricultural smuggling, it might have made a mistaken identity error for including Tiangco in the list of smuggler cuddlers. “With due respect to the Committee and with no intention to undermine its report, we have witnessed Mayor Tiangco’s and his team’s valiant effort in the fight against

smuggling. It is impossible that he is a protector of smugglers,” the group said in a position paper submitted to the Senate. IDSFA noted that the government needs to step it monitoring and police work to capture the people accountable to smuggling activities. According to Senate Committee Report 649, smugglers gained foothold and influence in the highest of government agencies tasked with the mandate to prevent such il-

legal activities, many of whom have been identified in the said report. IDSFA commended the government for its accomplishments in the last 5 years, beginning with the apprehension by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of the smuggled galungong in December 2018 in Navotas City. Other apprehensions followed, most notably by the LGU of Navotas City and other agencies of government. “For our sector, the turning point of these apprehensions pertain to the decisive action of the Navotas City government. They dutifully filed cases with the City Prosecutor’s Office, for violations of both RA10654 (Fisheries Code) and RA10845 (Anti Agricultural-Smuggling),” IDSFS said.

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022

Bill offers free legal help for soldiers, cops

News THE GRADUATES: CLOSING ONE DOOR, OPENING ANOTHER. K-12 graduates from the Makati High School (inset) share mixed emotions during their commencement exercise at the Makati Coliseum with Makati Rep. Luis Campos as a special guest. Diana B. Noche

Solons file new disaster dept. bill By Maricel V. Cruz

HREE congressmen, among them Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, have filed a bill seeking the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) to better manage the country’s disaster risk reduction and response efforts. “It is high time that we create a truly empowered department that will focus on natural hazards and disasters, characterized by unity of command, a science and ICT-based approach and the capacity to take charge of three key result areas: disaster risk reduction; preparedness and response; and recovery, rehabilitation and building forward bet-

ter,” House Bill No. 13 stated. The measure said the Philippines is currently the world’s second nation most vulnerable to climate change and disasters, with up to 19 tropical storms entering its area of responsibility, of which six to nine make landfall. It noted that typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda, the world’s strongest ty-

Japanese envoy hits China for ignoring UNCLOS, Hague ruling JAPANESE Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko has assailed China for ignoring the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 arbitral ruling in The Hague, the Neitherlands that dismissed Beijing’s expansive claim to most territories in the South China Sea. Koshikawa also deplored what he called “unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force” in the East China Sea where Japan and China have conflicting claims. “While the world was still recovering from the pandemic, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine broke out. We all have to bear in mind that no country or region in the world can or should shrug this off as ‘someone else’s problem.’ It is a situation that shakes the very foundations of the international order,” Koshikawa said in a speech at a reception marking the 68th year of the Japan

Self-Defense Forces. “Turning our eyes to the South China Sea, is international law really being respected? Neither international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which all relevant parties agreed after years of dialogue and tireless efforts, nor the 2016 award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal under the said Convention, is being complied with,” the envoy noted. “Meanwhile in the East China Sea, where Japan is located, we also see the continuation of unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, which is in violation of international law. Japan is taking a firm stance against such attempts,” he added. The Japanese diplomat was eyeing stronger defense cooperation with the Philippines under the Marcos administration, “in order to achieve a ‘free and open IndoPacific’ based on the rule of law.”

phoon ever recorded, struck the country in November 2013, with Eastern Visayas suffering the most damage and loss of life. The bill also said 74 percent of Filipinos and 80 percent of the country’s land area are exposed to the risk of natural calamities. “This ‘new normal’ requires a more focused and in-depth attention in the way we understand, prepare and respond to natural disasters,” the explanatory note stressed. Romualdez’s co-authors of HB 13 are Tingog party-list Representatives Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

As proposed, the DDR would be the primary disaster management agency of the government. “It shall integrate and define what needs to be done, where it needs to be done, based on what standards, how it should be done, and how well it should be done,” the bill said. The bill defines the powers, functions and organization of the projected new department, which will be headed by a secretary, assisted by four undersecretaries - one for disaster preparedness and response, another for disaster risk reduction, a third for recovery and building forward better, and a fourth for support to operations.

SOLDIERS, policemen, along with firemen, jail guards, and coast guard personnel who might find themselves litigants in service-related cases may yet have free legal assistance, courtesy of a bill now pending at the House of Representatives. The measure was filed by Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, his cousin Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, his wife and Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, and Jude Acidre, also of Tingog. .Covered by the proposed statute are personnel of the uniformed services specifically the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), as well as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The free legal assistance benefit is being sought for uniformed service personnel who have pending cases before the prosecutor’s office, the courts, or any quasi-judicial or administrative body. “By providing free legal assistance under this measure, our MUPs who sacrifice their life and limb for the preservation of our national security, public order, and public safety will be able to perform their sworn duties without fear of unwarranted cases filed against them for the purpose of harassment or reprisal,” the bill stated. “Hence, this bill will provide free legal assistance to all offices or uniformed personnel of the AFP, PNP, BJMP, BFP, and PCG in all stages of criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings arising from service-related incidents, including retired MUPs who had cases or charges involving service-related incidents while still in active duty,” it added. “In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought,” the bill further said. If enacted, the measure will be called the “Free Legal Assistance for Military and Uniformed Personnel Act”. Maricel V. Cruz

TRASH FIRE.

Kibitzers mill around as firemen train their hoses on a trash fire that took place under the Araneta Bridge at the boundary of Sta. Mesa, Manila and San Juan City. Norman Cruz

Fugitive ASG Ex-CBCP prexy and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo dies at 81 man nabbed on arrival at NAIA FORMER Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Jaro Archbishop-Emeritus Angel Lagdameo died early Friday morning. He was 81. The Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo confirmed the passing of their retired prel-

ate in a social media post. No further details were given. “Archbishop Angel Lagdameo returned to our Creator just this 8:30 a.m. at the age of 81. Let us include him in our prayers and masses,” the diocese said. Lagdameo was ordained a priest for

the Diocese of Lucena on Dec. 19, 1964. He served as CBCP president from December 2005 to December 2009. Prior to that, Lagdameo was CBCP vice president for two terms of four years. He was appointed as Cebu Auxiliary Bishop in June 1980.

In January 1986, he was designated as coadjutor bishop of Dumaguete and then he became bishop of the diocese in May 1989. He was named archbishop of Jaro on March 11, 2000. Pope Francis accepted Lagdameo’s resignation at the age of 77 in 2018. Vito Barcelo

By Joel E. Zurbano GOVERNMENT agents arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport an alleged member of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) wanted by the law for kidnapping. A composite team from the Southern Police District, the Bureau of Immigration, Police - Aviation Security Group, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the Manila International Airport Authority, and the Philippine National Police arrested Hajar Binadbul Mubina who also goes by the aliases Abu Asrie, Mheiradz, Muad, and Muhadz. The 30-year-old suspect was a resident of Bubuan Island, in Basilan. The authorities nabbed Mubina upon his arrival at the NAIA - Terminal 3 from Malaysia around 11:30 p.m. Thursday. SPD director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg said the composite team conducted the operation based on the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Peter Eisma of Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court. He added that Mubina was wanted for the crime of kidnapping for ransom with no bail recommended. “Mubina is a member of ASG based in Basilan under the demised leader Furuji Indama. He was also involved in at least four encounters with the military,” Macaraeg said.

JOB FAIR. Job seekers flock to the one-day job fair spearheaded by the Philippine National Police at the Activity Center of Farmers Plaza in Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City in observance of 27th Police Community Relations Month. Manny Palmero

Laguesma, Jinggoy plan to revisit Labor Code LABOR Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said he will revisit the Labor Code of the Philippines, saying the 1974 labor law is “already vintage.” “The first we’re looking at is we’ll have to revisit the provision of the Labor Code… because that was enacted in 1974, it’s vintage already,” Laguesma said. He said there were “piecemeal amendments” in the Labor Code which did not correspond with

other provisions. Meanwhile, to boost protection of the labor sector, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is contemplating on the overhaul of the Labor Code as he cited the need for a legislated wage increase. “There are conflicting provisions such as between wages and labor relations that can be a source of friction between labor and management,” the labor chief added. Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta

Usec: BBM will alter NTF-ELCAC image A NEWLY designated deputy national security adviser has expressed hopes the Marcos administration would change the image of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) which was tainted due to its ‘red-tagging’ issues over the past years. In a press briefing, Undersecretary Dr. Rommel Banlaoi on Friday said the task force will continue to operate under the current administration, welcoming improvements in different areas such as addressing the issue of ‘red-tagging’. The presser, held at the Kamuning Bakery Café in Quezon City, had the topic “The present status and future direction of NTF-ELCAC plus Other Security Issue.” “Red tagging is a product of labeling and stereotyping and that is counterproductive for good governance so there will be no ‘red-tagging,” Banlaio said. The undersecretary said the government will be more cautious and prudent over the speculated personalities and groups involved in facilitating the armed conflicts in the Philippines. Banlaoi highlighted the importance of human rights, which he said will be observed and implemented on NTF-ELCAC following the principles of human rights law and international humanitarian law. Chelsea Din

Opinion Reorganizing the Office of the President

ONE of the first official acts by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. the day after he took office, was to issue Executive Order 1 reorganizing the Office of the President. As such, the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Office of the Cabinet Secretary and the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson were abolished and the Presidential Communications Operations Office reorganized. The objective is to achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency in the exercise of his continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President. The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission was created during the administration of Duterte through Executive Order 43 signed in 2017 response to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and her deputies Melchor Arthur Carandang and Rodolfo Elman pursuing a fact-finding investigation on Duterte’s alleged illegal bank deposits. It must be said though that other Presidents since Fidel V. Ramos had their own version of the PACC. The PACC enables the President to conduct lifestyle checks and fact-finding on public officials and employees. Marcos has transferred the functions of the to the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs. The Deputy Executive Secretary for legal affairs shall make recommendations to the executive secretary for approval, adoption or modification by the President and promulgate rules of procedure in administrative cases under its jurisdiction. The abolition of the PACC is a rational measure. Its creation has always been for political objectives (as In Duterte when he used it as a counterattack against then Ombudsman Carpio-Morales s and her deputies) and it does not serve a useful function. Aside from the internal process that the Office of the Executive Secretary can run to investigate wrongdoing by presidential appointees, there is also the Ombudsman who is the ultimate official in charge of investigating and prosecuting corrupt officials in the government, especially high level ones. One other casualty of E.O. 1 are the Office of the Cabinet Secretary (a throwback of the first Aquino Administration) and the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson. Under EO No. 237 issued by Aquino in 1987, the Cabinet secretary heads the Cabinet secretariat, which provides technical support to the official family. The functions of the OCS are to be performed by the Presidential Management Staff or PMS, an attached agency tasked to manage the development and formulation of the projects and policies of the Office of the President. The PMS can trace its lineage to the administration of Diosdado Macapagal when the latter created in 1962 the Program Implementation Agency to serve as his technical staff for the socioeconomic projects, which his administration was implementing. For the record, when I was in the Cabinet of Fidel V. Ramos as an environmental undersecre-

tary, I found the PMS as one of the best agencies of government. I welcome this move to restore it to its rightful role. Executive Order. 2 also abolished the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson while reorganizing and renaming the Presidential Communications Operations Office or PCOO which is now the Office of the Press Secretary. This is also welcome. The PCOO under Duterte became a hub of disinformation and an instrument against a free press. Hopefully, that will change under the new dispensation. Under the E.O. the Executive Secretary is granted the authority to exercise supervision, control and oversight functions over all agencies and offices under and attached to the OP.

Under the law, the President has a continuing authority to create, abolish and rationalize offices under his control and administration in pursuit of efficient public service and effective governance Obviously, under the Marcos administration, Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez is prima inter pares – first among equals - in the Cabinet. Under the law, the President has a continuing authority to create, abolish and rationalize offices under his control and administration in pursuit of efficient public service and effective governance. Marcos is exercising this power with respect to his own office. One can expect he will do the same for the rest of the executive branch. We must be vigilant as he does that to make sure that government remains effective and accountable. Marcos said that the reorganization of the Office of the President is with the purpose of a “just allocation of resources” and a “simplified management and governance” in the face of current health and fiscal crises. To achieve simplicity, economy and efficiency in the bureaucracy without effecting disruptions in internal management and general governance, the Marcos administration shall streamline official processes and procedures, including abolishing duplicated and overlapping official functions. Every president has the right and the authority to align the bureaucracy to his priorities and leadership as well as management style. In this case, these issuances are in the right direction as it will result in less bureaucracy and save more money for projects and programs that directly benefit our people instead of just being spent on salaries and wages of government officials and employees. Surely, in this time of crisis, when the country is still reeling from the effects of COVID- 19, staggering national debt and runaway inflation, among others, any move to streamline the bureaucracy and save money that can be devoted to meaningful programs and projects, without sacrificing efficiency and service is a breath of fresh air and always a welcome development. Website: tonylavina.com Facebook page: deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

Making PPPs transparent to the public EvEryman By Ferdinand Pecson IT WAS 10:37 pm of March 31, 2022 when the National Economic Development Authority received from the Department of Finance, a copy of the draft IRR containing the 6th signature that sealed the approval of the new IRR of the BOT Law -- the key legal framework for PPPs in the Philippines. The new IRR had eight signatures by the time it was published in print on April 11, 2022. I was the 7th person to sign. As one of three panelists in a World Bank webinar on PPPs last June 27, 2022, I was asked what the government achieved with the new IRR and what the response of the market was. I responded by categorizing the amendments into 3: the greens, the reds and the yellows. In a limited sense, project preparation and project approval could be shorter, given that the documentary requirements for proposals and the criteria for project approval have been respectively defined in Section 2.7 and Section 2.10 of the new IRR. I say this with a caveat -- the new IRR added a layer in the project evaluation process that could lengthen the project approval process, if nothing else is done to streamline the process. In line with best practice in many PPP regimes, the new IRR makes PPPs transparent to the public sector. Section 11.4 requires concerned agencies to post in their websites and in the websites of PHILGELPS and of the PPP Center, the results of a PPP bidding that they had conducted. Furthermore, they are also required to post in the same websites, the Notice of Award they had given to the winning bidder.

Lastly, Section 14.9 requires agencies to publish in their website, the PPP contracts that they have awarded. The new IRR raises the bar for accountability for the results expected from the project. First, Section 2.8 requires that the project’s key performance indicators, along with the targets, measurement, and reporting of those indicators, be among the parameters, terms, and conditions that would be approved during the project approval stage.

Past PPP contracts mitigated this risk by including among the provisions in a PPP contract, the initial user charges, the formula for future adjustment of user charges, and a government contingent liability that would ensure enforcement of those provisions conSecond, Section 4.3 requires that the draft con tract be consistent with the approved parameters, terms, and conditions. Third, Section 12.8 imposes new rules for setting the form and the amount of performance securities during the construction phase of a project. In Section 12.9, one will find similar new rules that apply during the operation phase of a project. Lastly, Section 12.14 provides stricter rules

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SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022

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EDITORIAL

Small secret to happiness MID the rising cost of food and fuel and important commodities, money seems to be the only common factor to bring us comfort in these difficult times.

Let’s take a pause a little bit and deviate from serious talks about national issues. Let’s talk about our own ourselves and how we can be happy in the midst of a crisis. Remember the movie, Pay It Forward? Set in Las Vegas, it was a story about a social studies teacher who asked his class to think of an idea to help make the world a better place to live in. One student thought about the plan of doing simple favors and “paying it forward.” That chain reaction of human kindness stirred a national phenomenon. The movie, released globally in 2000 by Warner Bros, grossed millions of dollars and drew rave reviews worldwide. Putting the movie into real life, however, proved too difficult. Man’s natural tendency is to put himself first before others. People forget easily and they have their own personal problems to deal with every day. But all is not lost to make the world, or at least the place around us, a bit better. We can start with ourselves. Why not make yourself happy by taking the daily task of making at least one person happy. That’s bringing happiness to at least 365 people in a year. Several inspiration-based internet sites have come up with a list of small gestures

to make you feel good by doing good to others—small acts of kindness that can make a big difference in someone else’s life. Zenhabits has 32 suggestions to make someone happy today but here are our best five:

Several inspirationbased internet sites have come up with a list of small gestures to make you feel good by doing good to others— small acts of kindness that can make a big difference in someone else’s life Smile. They say a smile makes the world go round. It is contagious. And they say smile is the best medicine. Psychologists say that when you are put in a rough situation against someone, especially in road rage, smile. Surprisingly, things become calmer. Call or send someone a message to see

how he or she’s doing. Getting in touch with someone you have not seen or talked to for a long time might be a good idea, especially in your idle time. There’s also a good chance that he’s probably the answer to something that you’re planning for. Praise someone publicly. Notice an officemate’s new hairdo. Praise him for a job well done. Let him know how proud you are of his achievement. It’s a simple act of positivity that could go a long way. Secretly leave someone a thank you notes. Or in our modern times, send someone a private message on social media account. It really makes someone feel good to be appreciated. If you are blessed for the day, financially that is, pay for someone’s lunch. He could be a taxi driver eating beside you at a cafeteria, or that old man on the street that you are used to seeing every day on your way to work. It will make you feel good. There are a lot of ways to make someone happy in a day. But the secret to doing more effectively is to be happy yourself. Just by knowing that you are still breathing and healthy is enough reason to celebrate the day. And look around you, you might probably be doing better than anybody else. So, from this day on, commit yourself to doing the small gestures of goodness to a friend, relative, colleague, or complete stranger. It will make you feel good, knowing that you are also doing it yourself. Be happy.

BBM should redefine PH policy with China and US I THINK the invitation by US President Joe Biden to visit the White House will give BBM much time to rethink and redefine the country’s stand with China. Our relations with the two countries have become paradox; that the US is now becoming more of a problem than a solution to our security. Foremost, the contempt order issued by that crackpot judge in Hawaii remains legally stale but can be activated any time after BBM performs his “official role” as head of state after his homage to the While House. BBM has a $353 million contempt judgment issued by the Hawaii Circuit. According to the US Chargė d’ Affaires Heather Variava, immunity will be given to him “in his official role” as head of State of the son of the dictator they ousted from power. The big catch is for how long will the immunity last? The lifting of the contempt order does not say whether it will become permanent or will be reinstated after his state visit. The US will always argue that the issue belongs to the court to decide not by mere policy declaration. In other words, what will be given to BBM is a mere pass to enter the US and not a grant of immunity as many understood. The amount of $353 million is not an ordinary amount for an economy that is now scouring for help to support its proxy war in Ukraine. From the Philippine standpoint, our support today for keeping of those various defense structures the US has set up has become more of a problem than a solution to our problems. Some say, the US purposely bequeath things to purposely keep our mind busy. Ideally, the country should take the position of only securing its own interest. The country should stop relying on the US, that it will come to our rescue in the event the country is attacked by a foreign power. But things have drastically changed since 1986. The invitation to BBM to visit may appear that the US is seeking penance to the most dastard act of ousting his father’s government from power. The contempt order for him to pay $353 million is a remnant the US would have hard time to squelch. But with these pending issues that remain unresolved, would the Philippine-China relations not be affected should BBM decide to accept the visit to the White House? Others would prefer to interpret the invitation as testing the waters.

By now, BBM should know as to who needs who in this part of the world. Not understanding this simple deduction is like playing ignorant about the concept of power play. By visiting Washington, BBM would have lost the bargaining leverage he has to exact from the US. Moreover, any negotiation that may take place during the visit will surely work to the advantage of the US. Although the US and China are engaged in a tight struggle, the determination of that struggle still lies in the Philippines.

for liquidated damages arising from performance lapses. The new IRR requires the government to proactively control fiscal risks. Section 15 includes the approval of government liabilities and of the measures to control such liabilities in the project approval process. The latter includes the approval of a risk mitigation plan for contingent liabilities. Section 14.6 requires the prior consent of the government before a private proponent agrees with lenders on matters that could impact fiscal risks. These include conditions precedents, defaults,

termination, and refinancing. To minimize the amount of firm liabilities, such as a government subsidy, Section 15.2 requires that PPP projects with firm liabilities undergo a competitive bidding. The reaction of stakeholders to the draft IRR after the public consultation process was summed up in three words by an editorial of the Philippine Daily Inquirer titled “Regressive BOT amendments.” By providing a restrictive definition of material adverse government action in Section 1.3, the new IRR had effectively transferred regulatory risk and change-in-law risk to the private proponent. This is a departure from universally accepted prac-

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

Our interest cannot be augmented by our alliance with the West or allowing them to have military bases, because for all their good intentions, each has its own motivation This explains why the US wanted to keep their bases. In fact, the additional bases are all facing the South China Sea. The problem is that the Philippines could not digress as to who needs who in this game of power dominance in the South China Sea. Because of our inability to consider the US as our ally and defender against possible Chinese aggression, the US takes advantage of the premise that we need the US for our defense. This view continues to linger in the thoughts of our traditional pollical analysts. BBM has to bear in mind that the US needs more allies in its struggle for supremacy in AsiaPacific rim, than the Philippines need them to contribute to the fancy of the arms suppliers to sustain US ambition. To drive the point, the US keeps on pounding to our head the need to retain the bases here in the Philippines and the freedom to access to the archipelago at any time. The China threat is just a facade to cover its desire to control the Philippine archipelago while the threat of China is to bamboozle into the minds of Filipinos that China is about to occupy us. The Philippines should get rid of the myth that we remain forever under the clutches of Uncle Sun for our security and protection.

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The country has conditionally been focused on that even as US state department secretary Anthony Blinken said, to quote: “China’s increasingly aggressive and expansive authoritarian oneparty state, and another anchored by President Joe Biden’s conception of a bulwark of allies and partners committed to democracy, human rights and the “international rules-based order.” In other words, our minds have long been conditioned that the US will always come to our side. Many, up to now, do not realize that the successive US defeat forced them to adopt the concept of “proxy war.” The concept of letting others bleed for another’s cause is so significant to amplify the importance of the US bases. Reading the provisions of the Visiting Forces Agreement nd Enhance Cooperation Defense Agreement is more than enough to tell us that that US policy makers have been preparing the minds of the Filipinos people that China is our enemy. Objectively, our alliance with the US resulted in our being politically isolated instead of gaining more friends. We are looked upon as pariah, and an America’s errand boy acting in accordance to what was instructed to us. Former President Marcos himself realized that the determination of what constitute the country’s national interest is for the people themselves to know. Our interest cannot be augmented by our alliance with the West or allowing them to have military bases, because for all their good intentions, each has its own motivation. Our neutrality, in truth, is hated by the US because it reflects a departure from the alliances they created for Asia-Pacific. The US realizes that it cannot fight China, which explains why it has to seek alliances with countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Even countries located outside of the geo-political nomenclature like India were included to give it a semblance of control over the Indo-Pacific and so with UK which is deeply embedded in Europe. The victory of BBM is ominous of a changing political wind in Asia. The return of BBM is doubly significant because it marked the reversal of the tide of American propaganda, that former President Marcos is a dictator, human rights abuser and who opposed the traditional American values. (rpkapunan@gmail.com) tice of allocating these risks. The resulting sub-optimal allocation of risks severely impacts the bankability, if not increases the cost, of PPP projects. An issue affecting project bankability is the lack transparent and consistent policies for the setting and adjustment of user charges. Past PPP contracts mitigated this risk by including among the provisions in a PPP contract, the initial user charges, the formula for future adjustment of user charges, and a government contingent liability that would ensure enforcement of those provisions. Full version on www.manilastandard.net

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NOTICE OF OF APPLICATION APPLICATION OF OF NOTICE BENGUET CORPORATION CORPORATION BENGUET FOR FOR EXPLORATION PERMIT PERMIT EXPLORATION Notice is is hereby hereby given given that that pursuant pursuant to to Section Section 21 21 of of DENR DENR Administrative Administrative Order Order (DAO) (DAO) No. No. Notice 2010-21, Series Series of of 2010, 2010, the the Consolidated Consolidated Implementing Implementing Rules Rules and and Regulations Regulations of of Republic Republic Act Act No. No. 2010-21, 7942, otherwise known as the “PHILIPPINE MINING ACT OF 1995”, BENGUET CORPORATION 7942, otherwise known as the “PHILIPPINE MINING ACT OF 1995”, BENGUET CORPORATION filed an an application/proposal application/proposal for for Exploration Exploration Permit Permit for for the the exploration exploration of of gold, gold, copper copper and and other other filed related minerals minerals particularly particularly described described as as follows: follows: related A) A)

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BENGUET CORPORATION CORPORATION BENGUET

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LINA G. G. FERNANDEZ FERNANDEZ LINA President President 106 Universal Universal Re Re Building Building 106 Paseo De De Roxas, Roxas, Makati Makati Paseo

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov joined colleagues for day-long talks in their first meeting since the outbreak of war, with the host immediately telling them the conflict must end through negotiations. Before the meeting on the resort island of Bali, Blinken met his French and German counterparts and a senior British official to discuss “Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war of choice” in Ukraine, the State Department said in a statement. They “reviewed ways to address the global food security concerns that have resulted from Russia’s deliberate targeting of Ukrainian agriculture”, it said. Blinken shunned a meeting with Lavrov and instead accused Russia of triggering a global food crisis, demanding Moscow al-

low grain shipments out of war-battered Ukraine. “To our Russian colleagues: Ukraine is not your country. Its grain is not your grain. Why are you blocking the ports? You should let the grain out,” Blinken said in the closeddoor talks, according to a Western official present. Lavrov earlier told reporters he would not “go running” after Washington for talks. “It was not us who abandoned contact, it was the United States,” he said, adding that no ministers walked out of the talks. “Our Western partners are trying to avoid talking about global economic issues,” he added. - Abe shooting overshadows meet Lavrov was absent as Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed the meeting virtually in the afternoon session of

the talks, three diplomatic sources told AFP. The gathering was overshadowed by the shooting of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a campaign event on Friday, with Japanese premier Fumio Kishida saying he is in a “very grave condition”. Blinken voiced alarm and called it a “very sad moment” after the attack on a longtime ally of Washington and Japan’s longestserving premier. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, chair of the meeting, said Jakarta conveyed its “deepest sympathies” to Japan. Before the news emerged, she addressed the war in a speech to the ministers including Lavrov. “It is our responsibility to end the war sooner than later and settle our differences at the negotiating table, not the battlefield,” Marsudi said. AFP

Exploration Permit Permit Application Application (EXPA) (EXPA) No. No. 122 122 Exploration

ENGR. VALERIANO VALERIANO B. B. BONGALOS, BONGALOS, JR. JR. ENGR. Vice President/Resident President/Resident Manager Manager Vice Benguet Distric Operation Benguet Distric Operation Balatoc, Virac, Virac, Itogon, Itogon, Benguet Benguet Balatoc, D) D)

Date Applied Applied Date

November 12, 12, 2021 2021 November

E) E)

Area Coverage Coverage Area

282.3526 HECTARES HECTARES 282.3526

F) F)

Location Location

Barangays UCAB, UCAB, VIRAC VIRAC AND AND AMPUCAO AMPUCAO Barangays all in in the the Municipality Municipality of of Itogon Itogon all Province of of BENGUET BENGUET Province

G) G)

Technical Description Description of of the the Unpublished Unpublished Area: Area: Technical For details, details, kindly kindly refer refer to to the the attached attached Technical Technical Decription Decription and and Location Location For Map Map

H) H)

Term of of the the Permit Permit ifif approved: approved: Term Two years, years, renewable renewable for for like like periods periods but but not not exceed exceed aa total total of of eight eight years years Two

I) I)

Exploration Activities: Activities: Exploration YEAR 11 YEAR a) Research Research Work Work a) b) Regional Geological Survey Survey Studies Studies b) Regional Geological c) Tunneling Tunneling c)

YEAR 22 YEAR a) Tunneling Tunneling a) b) Drilling Drilling b)

J) J)

The applied applied area area covers covers 2,285.0423 2,285.0423 hectares. hectares. About About 282.3526 282.3526 hectares hectares was was The not published, published, hence, hence, this this publication, publication, Section Section 21. 21. Publication/Posting/Radio Publication/Posting/Radio not Announcement of of an an Exploration Exploration Permit Permit Application Application of of DAO DAO 2010-21 2010-21 provides provides Announcement that previously previously published published valid valid and and existing existing mining mining claims claims are are exempted exempted from from that publication/posting/radio announcement. announcement. publication/posting/radio

K) K)

EXPA No. No. 122 122 is is formerly formerly an an application application for for Mineral Mineral Production Production Sharing Sharing Agreement Agreement EXPA (APSA) No. No. 009 009 that that was was denied denied by by the the Office Office of of the the MGB MGB Regional Regional and and Central Central (APSA) Offices, however, however, reinstated reinstated by by the the DENR DENR Secretary Secretary on on October October 5, 5, 2021. 2021. The The Offices, conversion from APSA No. 009 to EXPA No. 122 is in accordance with the DENR conversion from APSA No. 009 to EXPA No. 122 is in accordance with the DENR Administrative Order Order (DAO) (DAO) No. No. 2021-25, 2021-25, Implementing Implementing Rules Rules and and Regulations Regulations of of Administrative Executive Order Order No. No. 130 130 Entitled: Entitled: Amending Amending Section Section 44 of of Executive Executive Order Order No. No. 79, 79, Executive Series of of 2012. 2012. Series

L) L)

Area Clearance Clearance for for APSA APSA No. No. 009, 009, now now EXPA EXPA No. No. 122 122 was was granted granted by by the the Area Undersecretary for for Mining Mining and and Legal Legal Affairs Affairs on on 15 15 February February 2006 2006 in in consonance consonance Undersecretary with DENR DENR Memorandum Memorandum Order Order (DMO) (DMO) 95-03, 95-03, as as amended amended by by DMO DMO No. No. 2005-05 2005-05 with re: Mandating Mandating the the Office Office of of the the Undersecretary Undersecretary for for Mining Mining and and Legal Legal Affairs Affairs to to Rule Rule re: on Appeal Appeal covering covering Denial Denial of of Area Area Clearance Clearance for for Mining Mining Applications. Applications. on

M) M)

APSA No. No. 009 009 now now EXPA EXPA No. No. 122 122 was was endorsed endorsed to to NCIP-CAR NCIP-CAR in in 2003 2003 for for the the APSA required Certification Certification Pre-condition. Pre-condition. required

This “Notice “Notice of of Application” Application” shall shall be: be: This (a) Published Published one one in in two two (2) (2) newspapers; newspapers; one one of of general general circulation circulation published published in in (a) Metro Manila Manila and and another another published published in in Baguio Baguio City City or or Benguet Benguet Province Province where where Metro the proposed permit area is located. the proposed permit area is located. (b) Posted Posted on on the the Bulletin Bulletin Board Board of of the the MBG-CAR, MBG-CAR, Provincial Provincial Capitol Capitol of of Benguet, Benguet, (b) Municipality of of Itogon Itogon copy copy furnished furnished the the concerned concerned Barangays Barangays of of Itogon, Itogon, Municipality Benguet where the proposed permit area is located for a minimum period of of Benguet where the proposed permit area is located for a minimum period one week week copy copy furnished furnished the the MGB-Central MGB-Central Office; Office; one (c) Radio Radio broadcasted broadcasted daily daily for for one one (1) (1) week week in in aa local local radio radio program program and and shall shall (c) consist of of the the name name and and complete complete address address of of the the applicant, applicant, area area location, location, consist duration of of the the permit permit applied applied for for and and instructions instructions that that information information regarding regarding duration such application application may may be be obtained obtained at at the the Regional Regional Office(s) Office(s) concerned. concerned. such Any and and all all persons persons having having adverse adverse claims, claims, protests protests and/or and/or opposition opposition to to the the above-mentioned above-mentioned Any application are are hereby hereby notified notified that that their their adverse adverse claims claims should should be be filed filed within within ten ten (10) (10) days days from from application the last date of publication/posting directly with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Regional the last date of publication/posting directly with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Regional Office CAR CAR or or through through any any concerned concerned Community Community Environment Environment and and Natural Natural Resources Resources Officer Officer Office (CENRO) or or Provincial Provincial Environment Environment and and Natural Natural Resources Resources Officer Officer (PENRO) (PENRO) of of the the DENR DENR for for filing filing (CENRO) in the the Regional Regional Office Office for for purposes purposes of of its its resolution resolution by by the the Panel Panel of of Arbitrators Arbitrators and/or and/or concerned concerned in appellate body/ies pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7942 and its Implementing Rules appellate body/ies pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7942 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. Regulations. Adverse Adverse claims, claims, protests protests or or oppostions oppostions should should be be accomplished accomplished in in accordance accordance and with Sections Sections 203 203 and and 204 204 of of DENR DENR Administrative Administrative Order Order No. No. 2010-21, 2010-21, Series Series of of 2010 2010 and and aa copy copy with thereof shall shall be be furnished furnished to to the the applicant applicant /contractor /contractor by by the the adverse adverse claimant. claimant. thereof For further further particulars, particulars, file file or or course course your your inquiries inquiries to to the the Regional Regional Director, Director, Mines Mines and and For Geosciences Bureau, Bureau, DENR-CAR, DENR-CAR, Baguio Baguio City. City. Geosciences Issued on on _____________________, _____________________, 2022 2022 Issued

DESTROYED. A man stands by a house destroyed by shelling by multiple launch rocket systems in Kharkiv on July 7 amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Three civilians were killed and 5 injured as a result of the shelling prosecutor’s office of Kharkiv region said. AFP

Mt. Arafat packed ‘It’s (almost) over’: UK press reacts to with hajj pilgrims, Johnson’s quitting party, exit as PM biggest amid virus MOUNT ARAFAT—Huge crowds of robed Muslim pilgrims prayed on Saudi Arabia’s Mount Arafat on Friday, the climax of the biggest hajj pilgrimage since the pandemic forced drastic cuts in numbers two years in a row. Groups of worshippers, many holding umbrellas against the fierce sun, recited verses from the Koran on the rocky rise, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his final sermon. Prayers on Mount Arafat, also known as the “Mount of Mercy”, are the highlight of the pilgrimage, capped this year at one million people including 850,000 from abroad after Covid greatly reduced numbers over 2020 and 2021. Pilgrims, many of them in simple white robes and chanting “Oh God, here I am”, reached Mount Arafat on foot or in buses from the tents nearby where they spent the night. After sunset, they will journey the short distance to Muzdalifah, where they will sleep under the stars before performing the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ceremony on Saturday. AFP

LONDON—Boris Johnson’s resignation as UK Prime Minister dominated newspaper front pages in Britain on Friday, with the press grappling to digest an extraordinary two days of politics. As late as Wednesday night, Johnson had been defiantly clinging to power despite a wave of more than 50 government resignations. But a fresh round of high-profile departures early Thursday and warnings of a second noconfidence vote next week by MPs from his Conservative (Tory) party changed his mind, and he stood down on Thursday. “It’s (almost) over”, the Guardian wrote, calling Johnson’s time in office “one of the most divisive and turbulent periods in British

politics”. The Times led with “Johnson throws in towel”, labelling the events of the last few days as “increasingly desperate attempts” to stay in power. Johnson’s unrepentant resignation speech on Thursday led the Financial Times to dub him “defiant to the end”. The scandal-ridden leader said he would stay on until his successor is found. But the Tory-friendly Daily Telegraph, quoting senior Conservative figures, said the “long goodbye” left the United Kingdom in a “state of paralysis”, and one of the ministers who resigned told the Times that Johnson would be running a “zombie government”. AFP

FRENCH FIRE.

Firefighters spray water to extinguish a wildfire near Besseges, southern France, on July 7. Around 700 firefighters backed by aircraft were on Friday battling a massive blaze in France’s southern Gard region that had already burned 600 hectares (1,500 acres) overnight. AFP

Ex-cop gets 20-plus years for Floyd slay TikTok sued in US SAINT PAUL—Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of the murder of George Floyd, was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison on Thursday on Manila federal charges. Manila Standard Standard Chauvin, who is white, pleaded guilty in TODAY TODAY December 2021 to violating the civil rights of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, during his May 2020 arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy a pack of cigarettes. Chauvin is already serving a 22-and-ahalf-year sentence after being convicted of state murder charges for Floyd’s death, which sparked protests against racial injusAUCTION SALE NOTICE OF LOSS tice and police brutalACME PAWNSHOP, INC. Name of the issuer: ity across the United CAMP JOHN HAY GOLF Auction sale on July CLUB, INC. States. 05, 2022 10:00 a.m. MJ Holding Bldg., Almanza The state and fedName of the Stockholder: BENJAMIN PHILIP ROMUALDEZ

Stock Certificate No.: 1174 No. of Shares: 1 As per Doc. No. 96; Page No. 20; Book No. II; Series of 2022 before Notary Public ATTY. SHEILA C. CENITBELGICA (MS-JUNE 25/JULY 2 & 9, 2022) (MS-JUNE 25/JULY 2 & 9, 2022)

(MS-JUNE 25, JULY 2 & 9, 2022)

eral sentences are to run concurrently but the 46-year-old Chauvin will be allowed to serve his term in a federal prison rather than in a Minnesota state penitentiary, where he has been held in solitary confinement. Federal prosecutors had sought a sentence of 25 years. “He knew what he was doing was wrong and he did it anyway,” assistant US attorney LeeAnn Bell told the court. “I really don’t know why you did what you did,” US District Court Judge Paul Magnuson said in delivering the sentence of 252 months with seven months off for time already served. “But to put your knee on another person’s neck until they’re deceased is wrong,” Magnuson said. “You must be substantially punished.” Chauvin, a 19-year veteran of the Minneapolis police force, was captured in a video that Las Piñas; 12:00 noon went viral kneeling on Alabang Town Center Stall 2074 U/L, 2:00AURELIO pm G/F S. CARLOS Floyd’s neck for nearMajalcoNovember Bldg. Benavidez 12, 1955 - June 24, 2022 ly 10 minutes, until he St., Legaspi Village, Peacefully Makati and L&R joined Bldg.,his creator at the age of 66 passed out and died. 1018loving Pasay Road, His wife MariaMakati Victoria “Baby”; Children Francesca and Chauvin spoke and 4:00 pm Circle G14, request the reader to pray for his Julian, relatives and Cfriends #17 Congressional Ave. briefly before the eternal happiness in heaven. Bahay Toro D1, Quezon sentencing but did His lie in state at Crematory Chapel of La Funeraria Paz, Citycremains All items Pawned Inc. Quezon City not apologize for his February 1-28, 2022 Inurment of ashes at Forest Lawn Cemetery, California U.S.A. actions. AFP (MS-JULY 2, 2022)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources MINES AND GEOSCIENCE BUREAU Cordillera Administrative Region 80 Diego Silang St., Baguio City 2600

for girls’‘Blackout Challenge’ deaths

SAN FRANCISCO—Video-sharing sensation TikTok is being sued in California after children died while taking part in a “Blackout Challenge” that makes a sport of choking oneself until passing out. The lawsuit filed in state court in Los Angeles last week accuses TikTok software of “intentionally and repeatedly” pushing the Blackout Challenge that led to the deaths of an eight-year-old girl in Texas and a nine-year-old girl in Wisconsin last year. “TikTok needs to be held accountable for pushing deadly content to these two young girls,” said Matthew Bergman, an attorney at the Social Media Victims Law Center, which filed the suit. “TikTok has invested billions of dollars to intentionally design products that push dangerous content that it knows are dangerous and can result in the deaths of its users.” AFP

CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN

Business PSEi July 8, 2022

TOP GAINERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2 3 4 5

ION PXP ACEX X DITO

0.72 5.8 13.3 0.315 4.42

0.1 0.8 1.44 0.025 0.35

16.13% 16.00% 12.14% 8.62% 8.60%

6 7 8 9 10

PHR MARC TECHW JFC TUGS

0.92 1.37 0.54 217 0.95

0.07 0.08 0.03 12 0.05

8.24% 6.20% 5.88% 5.85% 5.56%

TOP LOSERS LAST PRICE

% CHANGE CHANGE

1 2 3 4 5

IPO KPH MED ZHI OPMB

5.16 7.51 0.26 0.153 0.011

-1.62 -2.19 -0.045 -0.017 -0.001

-23.89% -22.58% -14.75% -10.00% -8.33%

6 7 8 9 10

CAT MAC ELI TCB2D BKR

9.2 4.18 0.191 54 1.8

-0.55 -0.2 -0.009 -2.4 -0.08

-5.64% -4.57% -4.50% -4.26% -4.26%

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022 || extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market ends flat; URC, Converge lead gainers S TOCKS closed nearly ﬂat Friday, with bearish sentiments doused by easing recession fears while the euro extended losses and headed close to parity with the dollar.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 9.5 points, or 0.2 percent, to 6,361.82 on a value turnover of P6.6 billion. Gainers beat losers, 92 to 72, with 62 issues unchanged. Universal Robina Corp. of the Gokongwei Group, the biggest snack food maker, advanced 3.2 percent to P119.50, while ﬁber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. climbed 2.8 percent to P21.80.

BDO Unibank Inc. of the Sy Group, the biggest lender in terms of assets, rose 2.2 percent to P118.80, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. of the Ty Group, the second largest bank, added 2 percent to P49.70. The rest of Asian markets rose Friday on easing recession fears with optimism boosted by hopes that Joe Biden will remove some Trump-era tariffs from Chinese goods. The safe-haven yen also picked up following news of Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe being shot during a campaign rally. He is still ﬁghting for his life. Equities were also boosted by reports that Beijing was considering a huge stimulus push to the struggling economy by allowing local governments to raise billions of dollars through bond issuance for infrastructure projects.

But surging inflation, rising interest rates and a fresh flare-up of COVID infections in Shanghai continued to keep investor sentiment grounded. Traders were handed a strong lead from Wall Street, where all three main indexes climbed for a fourth straight day, helped by two top Federal Reserve officials who said the economy could withstand sharper rate hikes and maintain growth. There has been growing talk that the fast pace of monetary tightening by the bank will tip the world’s top economy into recession. But Christopher Waller, a member of the board of governors, said worries were overblown and that a strong jobs market would provide a buffer, adding that rates needed to go up sharply and quickly. St Louis Fed president James Bullard also said there was “a good chance of a soft landing.” With AFP

MOST ACTIVE 1

ALI

VOLUME 39,698,900

VALUE (PHP) 1,029,342,035

2 3 4

BDO SMPH SM

4,617,990 13,805,900 510,240

553,548,140 522,387,885 432,707,155

5 6 7 8

CNVRG AC TEL URC

15,183,600 446,980 133,270 1,739,090

331,487,045 290,300,165 228,574,135 206,780,005

9 10

MBT ICT

3,915,100 1,017,920

194,746,420 191,503,043

STRONG DOLLAR. People are seen in front of a screen showing the exchange rate between the Colombian peso and the US dollar in Medellin, Colombia, on July 7, 2022. The price of the US dollar against the Colombian peso reached a maximum high when markets closed on July 6. AFP

Argentina turmoil sparks panic buying and price hikes By Sonia Avalos BUENOS AIRES, Argentina—A political crisis in inflation-ravaged Argentina that was sparked by the economy minister’s resignation has spooked markets and generated fears resulting in panic buying and hasty price hikes, as the informal exchange rate soars. “Every day it’s like going out to hunt a lion,” Luis Sacco told AFP in front of his electronics store in the capital Buenos Aires. Since Monday, prices have risen dramatically at shops and businesses across the country. On Saturday, economy minister Martin Guzman resigned following months of pressure from inside President Alberto Fernandez’s center-left Frente de Todos (Everyone’s Front) governing coalition. Guzman was the chief negotiator in Argentina’s haggling with the International Monetary Fund to restructure a $44-billion debt. But he was collateral damage in a power struggle between Fernandez and his vice-president, the former president Cristina Kirchner. Opposition to Guzman’s fiscal policies from the former president’s influential faction within the coalition resulted in him quitting and being replaced by Kirchner loyalist Silvina Batakis. She is the one who must now steer agricultural powerhouse Argentina through its years-long economic crisis. Inflation, which surpassed 60 percent in the last 12 months, is hurting ordinary Argentines, who have been gripped by the political soap opera. “It was the longest Sunday of my life,” said Sacco, the electronics store owner who spent an anxious weekend “not knowing whether or not to lift the shutters, (and) a Monday thinking about catastrophe.” The black market peso briefly dropped from 239 to the US dollar to 280 on Monday before stabilizing at 250. The official exchange rate is 132. ‘Prices not set by costs’ But amidt the uncertainty and panic, sales actually soared for many businesses with consumers afraid prices would soon increase. That is a major concern in a country

US recession concerns are ‘overblown —Fed’s Waller WASHINGTON, United States— Concerns the US economy will face a downturn amid the Federal Reserve’s aggressive interest rate increases have been exaggerated, a top Fed official said Thursday. The world’s largest economy still has a “spectacular” jobs market, and there are signs price pressures are starting to ease, Fed Governor Christopher Waller said. The central bank last month implemented the biggest interest rate increase in nearly 30 years, and signaled a similar move was possible this month as policymakers worried inflation was getting entrenched. That fueled an upsurge in predictions that US economy will collapse. “I personally think some of the fears of a recession are kind of overblown,” Waller said during a fireside chat with the National Association for Business Economics (NABE). The US is facing the highest price surge in more than 40 years—with Americans squeezed by rising costs for food, fuel and housing—made worse by the war in Ukraine. Waller stressed that getting inflation down is the primary goal, even if that means inflicting some pain through a slowing economy. He advocates “front loading” of rate hikes, with another super-sized increase in the key lending rate later this month, followed by a big step in September, after which the central bank can move to smaller hikes depending on how inflation and the economy behave. The Fed’s policy committee “is dead set on getting inflation under control,” to avoid a repeat of the 1970s, he said, referring to the period when growth flatlined amid an inflationary spiral. “We’re not going to let that happen,” he said. “We may have to take the risk of causing some economic damage,” he acknowledged, but given how strong the job market is the moves are unlikely to cause “a real severe recession.” AFP

New traffic tool leaves HK pedestrians red in the face

HONG KONG, China—Pedestrians crossing the road in Hong Kong may now find themselves bathed in a red glow after authorities installed a device reminding the public to obey traffic lights. Too often, Hong Kongers walk into traffic because they are distracted by their smartphones, Alex Au, chief engineer of the city’s transport department, said Thursday. “For people looking down at Manila their phones, we have found anStandard other way to let them know there TODAY is danger,” Au said on a radio program.

A woman buys vegetables at a market in Buenos Aires, Argentina on July 6, 2022. The unexpected resignation of Argentine Economy Minister, Martin Guzman, over the weekend, became a sea of speculation and remarks with price jumps of up to 30 percent, when inflation for this year is projected to exceed 60 percent. AFP

struggling with years of high inﬂation. “There was no earthquake. There are sales, more than ever,” said Sacco. But “people are also buying because they know that if they wait, the price will increase. It’s the time to sell stock.” He pushed up his prices by 15 percent a few weeks ago, with another five percent increase this week, while he has now hiked prices on his imported goods by 30 percent. Fernando Agote, who owns a hardware store, says “things are calming down” after some initial panic buying despite little change in prices. But conversely, many suppliers have suspended their sales, waiting to see what happens to prices before taking new orders, so they do not get left short-changed. “There was a lot of anxiety, a lot of speculation. No one knows where the real prices are, they’re not set by costs,” said Agote. Luckily for him, only one of his suppliers suspended their sales on Monday. At a paint shop in the Floresta neighborhood, prices were pushed up 20 percent with no drop in sales volume. “Everything was sold,” said the man-

ager, Leo. However, supplies were not replenished. “Only one company delivered.” Leo expects that next week suppliers “will change all their price and payment conditions.” After 20 years in the business, Leo has lived through several economic crises in Argentina. “This is unusual because people have money, they are consuming, these days we’ve been selling like crazy, online orders have exploded,” he added. Time for caution The change in government comes at a time when workers are receiving a biyearly salary bonus, leaving them ﬂush with cash. Even so, “you have to be cautious and not change things more than they are so you don’t spark an unnecessary inﬂation snowball. We’ve already had enough of those,” said Alberto Sorrentino, 60, who runs a construction materials company. He expects prices of “domestic products will rise between six and 10 percent, and imports between 10 and 20 percent.” The biggest price hikes have been in the food industry. AFP (MS-JULY 9, 2022)

Au added that in the first half of the year, four of the seven fatal incidents occurring on Hong Kong’s road crossings were related to pedestrian behavior. “Maybe (the device) can help save lives,” Au said. The new device works in sync with a traffic light and projects a red hue from above when pedestrians need to stop. It is being tested at four road crossings across the city, and officials will review in six months their effectiveness in curbing inattentive strollers and unrepentant jaywalkers. AFP

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

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022

Business

IN BRIEF Venture companies of Globe, Ayala tie up 917VENTURES, the corporate venture builder of Globe Telecom Inc., teamed up with AC Ventures of Ayala Corp. to explore business opportunities and expand their ecosystem. AC Ventures under the arrangement will participate in funding the research, development and launch of 917V’s new business ventures. “We are very excited to work with AC Ventures. We can leverage the ecosystem and network advantage that they provide to solve the pain points of consumers and businesses. Through digital solutions, we can help pave the way and deliver indelible value to the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region,” 917 Ventures managing director Vince Yamat said. Ayala Corp. chief finance officer and AC Ventures president and chief executive Alberto de Larrazabal said the accelerated growth of digital adoption became ingrained in many Filipinos who have quickly transitioned how they work, study, play and access basic services. Darwin G. Amojelar

Maya spearheads financial fitness MAYA, the country’s all-in-one money platform, added a consumer savings feature to its growing suite of digital banking services. Powered by Maya Bank, Maya’s new savings offer aims to encourage Filipinos to set aside and compartmentalize funds for different purposes while earning a 6-percent interest rate per annum (up to P1 million, per goal), one of the market’s highest interest rates. “At Maya, we are changing the game with our all-in-one money app experience. We hope to empower Filipinos with personalized digital banking services for greater ﬁnancial wellness as a nation. New features such as Personal Goals provide a more delightful and convenient experience to consumers who want to manage their money better,” said Maya Bank president Angelo Madrid. He said through Maya Personal Goals, customers can set up ﬁve active money goals at a time, with a target amount and deadline within six months. Personal Goals can be as simple as saving for a new phone or more strategic such as earmarking for emergency funds.

UNO Digital Bank taps AWS solutions SINGAPORE-HEADQUARTERED ﬁnancial technology company UNOAsia said it built the UNO Digital Bank in the Philippines in less than a year using Amazon Web Services, an Amazon.com company. “I’m often asked how we could build UNO Digital Bank in less than a year. The truth is it’s only possible to do so by working closely with the world’s leading cloud provider. AWS helped us rapidly build a digital bank interface our customers can trust, elevating the customer experience to help meet our customers’ ﬁnancial needs at speed with ease,” said UNO Digital Bank chief executive Manish Bhai. UNOAsia’s technology is cost-effective and scalable to bring innovative, futurelooking digital banking services to customers in the Philippines. Building the UNO Digital Bank on AWS enables UNOAsia to meet the highest and most recent security and compliance standards set by local regulators and government bodies.

PLDT Inc. announced Friday the completion of the largest solar-powered rooftop facility in its business center in Cebu City. PLDT president and chief executive Al Panlilio said the project is one of the green initiatives of the country’s largest integrated telecom company. “We are set to power 20 PLDT and Smart facilities nationwide with renewable energy—true to our commitment to practice sustainability every day,” said Panlilio. MSpectrum Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of sister company Manila Electric Co., will handle the operations and maintenance of the rooftop facility in Cebu, he said. Spectrum offers tailor-ﬁt solutions for industrial, commercial and residential customers through an in-depth understanding of energy consumption behaviors and strategic partnerships with world-class technology partners. PLDT will pay on per use, per kilowatt-hour basis, with the cost ﬁxed over 25 years. The Cebu solar rooftop facility is expected to produce 214,553 kilowatthours of solar power annually. This will reduce PLDT’s carbon footprint by 152 tons of carbon dioxide yearly, which would translate into 313,600 trees planted over 20 years. The PLDT Group identified energy efficiency as one of the key areas that would ensure sustainable operations in delivering products and services. It started to adopt initiatives that aim to reduce its energy consumption.

Friday, July 8, 2022

9.50 PTS. 6,361.82

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

538,262,532 82,108

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

6,603,184,182.64 92 72 62

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

55.9090

Japan

Yen

0.007352

0.4110

Pound

1.202400

67.2250

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127431

7.1245

Switzerland

Franc

1.026694

57.4014

Canada

Dollar

0.771069

43.1097

Singapore

Dollar

0.714031

39.9208

Australia

Dollar

0.683900

38.2362

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652801

148.3155

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266390

14.8936

Brunei

Dollar

0.711491

39.7788

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.027762

1.5521

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

15.2228

Euro

1.016500

56.8315

Korea

Won

0.000771

0.0431

China

Yuan

0.149220

8.3427

India

Rupee

0.012634

0.7064

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.225938

12.6320

New Zealand

Dollar

0.617400

34.5182

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033665

1.8822 Source: BSP

BAIN & COMPANY IN PH. Top executives of Bain & Company, a global business and management consultancy firm, announces the opening of its Philippine office in Manila, marking its broader reach across the Southeast Asia region. The firm serves more than 60 percent of the Fortune 500, operating in 40 countries and 65 cities, with more than 14,000 employees worldwide. Patricia Buenaventura Nichol, who has been a partner with Bain’s global financial services practice, will serve as office head for the Bain Manila office, responsible for its growth, operations, people and strategy.

Gov’t unveils robust GDP growth goals for six years By Julito G. Rada

HE government’s economic managers on Friday disclosed a six-year economic plan that aims to reduce the budget deficit, bring down poverty incidence, promote fiscal sustainability and enable a robust gross domestic product growth of up to 8 percent annually. The interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee adjusted the 2022 GDP growth projection to a range of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent from 7 percent to 8 percent previously, but raised the target to 6.5 percent to 8.0 percent from 2023 to 2028. Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said in a statement the economic team also submitted the first medium-term fiscal framework to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He said the Department of Finance would implement the fiscal strategy in two stages over the entire term of

the administration. “This framework will set the tone or will be our game plan for the next six years. This is the first time that this government or any government of the Philippines has presented such a game plan,” Diokno, who heads the economic team, said. He said the MTFF demonstrates the government’s holistic approach in accelerating economic growth and promoting the welfare of Filipinos. The MTFF will also serve as the government’s guidebook in reducing poverty incidence and lowering the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio.

It aims to elevate the country to upper middle-income status, where per capita income for Filipinos would reach $4,046 by the end of the President’s term, Diokno said. “We are not only concerned with growth per se, but we are also concerned with reducing poverty. So, our target is that by the end of President Marcos’ term, poverty incidence will be down to a single digit – nine percent,” Diokno said. The MTFF’s overall goal is to create more quality jobs and reduce poverty incidence by steering the economy back to its high-growth path in the near term and sustain the high but inclusive and resilient growth over the medium term. The DBCC said the increase in household consumption and private investments, along with a robust manufacturing industry, high vaccination rate, improved healthcare capacity and the upward trend on tourism and employment allowed the government to safely re-open the economy and register a positive growth in the ﬁrst three months.

PLDT installs large solar rooftop grid in Cebu business hub By Alena Mae S. Flores

PSE INDEX CLOSING

FINANCIAL ALLIANCE. Security Bank Corp. president and chief executive Sanjiv Vohra (front row, third from left) attends the launch of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero APAC Network Office in Singapore. With over 450 member firms in 45 countries, GFANZ aims to accelerate the world’s transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Security Bank disclosed its commitment to zero out coal generation financing—which means it will no longer fund the construction of new coal generation plants and with a view to completely exit by 2033.

DOE clears 22 projects for NGCP’s grid impact study By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Department of Energy said Friday it endorsed 22 power projects to undergo a grid impact study by National Grid Corp. of the Philippines. It said among the big-ticket projects are the geothermal facilities of Energy Development Corp. in Leyte, with a total combined capacity of 542 megawatts. These are Mahanagdong Geothermal Power Plant in Ormoc, Leyte with a capacity of 198.13 MW; Malitbog Geothermal Power Plant in Barangay Tongonan, Kananga, Leyte with 232.614 MW; and Upper Mahiao Geothermal Project in Barangay Lim-ao, Kananga, Leyte with 112 MW. The department also endorsed the 181.4-MW Makban-Calauan Geothermal Project of Aboitizcontrolled AP Renewables Inc. in Barangay Limao, Calauan, Laguna. It approved the conduct of the study on the 160-MW Balaoi and Caunayan wind project of Ayalaowned Bayog Wind Power Corp. The DOE also endorsed five power projects of state-owned National Power Corp. to NGCP. These are mostly small capacity diesel plants such as Talicud diesel power plant in Davao del Norte; Panlaitan diesel plant in Busuanga, Palawan; Debangan diesel plant in Taytay, Palawan; Hilotongan diesel power plant in Bantayan, Cebu; Casian diesel plant in Taytay, Palawan; and Nangalao diesel plant in Linapacan, Palawan. Other endorsed projects are Petron Corp.’s 44-MW refinery solid fuel-fired boiler (phase 3); Citicore Solar Cebu Inc.’s 60-MW Toledo solar power plant; Citicore Renewable Energy’s 22.32-MW Clark solar project; King Energy Generation Corp.’s 16-MW Misamis Occidental diesel plant; Green Core Power Solutions 3 Inc.’s 72-MW Arayat solar power plant; Maramag MiniHydro Power Corp.’s 2-MW hydro project; and Cartingas Mini-Hydro Power Corp.’s 2-MW diesel plant. Asian Greenergy Corp.’s 10.5MW Kibawe solar project and Bicol Hydropower Corp.’s 1.6-MW Inanihan hydropower project also received DOE endorsements.

Cavitex announces toll adjustment with opening of flyover extension By Darwin G. Amojelar CAVITEX Infrastructure Corp., a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., said Friday it will implement a toll adjustment once the extended C5 Link flyover (3A2) opens by July 16 this year. “When we open 3A2, the toll rates will be from P22 to P37,” said MPTC chief financial officer Christopher Lizo. The flyover extension will extend Cavitex C5 Link’s 2.2-kilometer operational segment that spans from Merville to Taguig, with an additional 1.6 km., providing motorists more convenient access to and from Taguig, Pasay and Paranaque and helping decongest nearby roads. The company is charging P22 for the 2.2-kilometer

stretch of Cavitex C5 Link Flyover. Once opened, the Merville entry/exit ramps will be relocated to the new segment in front of Shell C5 Southlink. A service tunnel road will also be opened to the public to manage the traffic of motorists coming from West Service Road going to Merville, Pasay and Parañaque. CIC is on its last leg of works for the segment, installing traffic signage to guide motorists on the new traffic flow in the area upon opening. It will also install traffic signals for better traffic management. The company said the construction for Cavitex C5 Link Segment 2 (Cavitex to Sucat Interchange) continues in full swing and reached more than 30-percent completion. “The Cavitex C5 Link will span a total of 7.7 km. and connect to Cavitex in 2023. This will help reduce travel

time by 30 to 45 for motorists traveling from Cavitex to Makati, Taguig and Pasay (vice versa). This project also helps decongest major thoroughfares such as EDSA, MIA Road, etc. beneﬁtting around 50,000 motorists daily,” said CIC president and general manager Raul Ignacio. CIC said that in preparation for the opening, it would intensify campaign to encourage motorists to avail of Easytrip RFID for more seamless travel. “We continue to offer free RFID installation and reloading at our customer service stations in Cavitex and Cavitex C5 Link. They may also conveniently reload and monitor our expressways’ trafﬁc conditions by using our latest app, MPT DriveHub. With the help of the app and by using their RFIDs, they would be able to avoid long queues at the cash lane and have a more seamless travel in our expressways,” Ignacio said.

Axelum raises share buyback program to P800m using retained earnings By Jenniffer B. Austria AXELUM Resources Corp., the country’s leading fully-integrated manufacturer of premium coconut products, increased its share buyback program to P800 million from P500 million. Axelum said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday it also extended the share buyback program to Dec. 31, 2022. The company said it would use cash from unrestricted retained earnings to buy back the shares. The shares will be

placed under its treasury shares now totaling 196.772 million. It said it would execute the buy-back program in open market through the trading facilities of the Philippine Stock Exchange. “The buy-back program shall be implemented in an orderly manner and should not adversely affect the company’s and its subsidiaries’ prospective and existing projects,” said Axelum. Axelum reported a 25-percent growth in ﬁrst-quarter net income to P181.93 million from P145.6 million in the same

period last year. First quarter sales reached P1.67 billion, up 14 percent from P1.47 billion a year ago, driven by steady volumes and higher average selling prices of core product segments. It said despite global logistics problem, it remained conﬁdent in achieving its growth trajectory this year on strong global demand for premium coconut products. Axelum said to address the shipping situation, it contracted strategically located third-party storage centers to immedi-

ately support its aggressive manufacturing pipeline. Axelum is expanding its main warehousing facility to increase storage capacity by 30 percent. The company plans to complete the expansion next year. The company uses all the parts of the coconut in its production, resulting in a full-line of coconut products including coconut water, desiccated coconuts, coconut milk powder, coconut milk/cream, reduced fat coconut, sweetened coconut, coconut oil and other coconut products.

Sports

Djokovic eyes Wimby glory after Nadal pulls out LONDON—Novak Djokovic is preparing for Friday’s Wimbledon semi-final against Cameron Norrie safe in the knowledge that his greatest rival Rafael Nadal no longer stands in the way of a 21st Grand Slam triumph. The Spanish second seed was Thursday forced to pull out before his last-four match against Nick Kyrgios with an abdominal injury, admitting defeat in his race to be fit. Nadal’s withdrawal deprives the tournament of a blockbuster semi-final against Kyrgios, which had been on the cards since the Australian beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in a bad-tempered third-round match. Kyrgios will have an enforced break before Sunday’s final while Djokovic, the top seed, can now see the path to a fourth consecutive Wimbledon title opening up before him. The Serb had to come back from two sets down against Italian 10th seed Jannik Sinner in his quarter-final on Tuesday. But the 35-year-old finished the match looking fresh, even pulling off an outrageous winner while doing the splits. Djokovic is on a 26-match winning streak at Wimbledon as he seeks to draw level with Pete Sampras on seven titles at the All England Club -- just one behind Roger Federer’s men’s record. He is also bidding to reach a record 32nd Grand Slam singles final, which would put him one ahead of Federer. If he wins the title he would reach 21 Grand Slam titles, moving past Federer and just one behind Nadal in the race to be crowned the greatest of all time. - ‘Take it to Djokovic’ British ninth seed Norrie had never progressed beyond the third round of a Grand Slam before this year’s Wimbledon. The 26-year-old has vowed to “take it” to Djokovic and will hope to ride a wave of home support but he has a tough task on his hands to unseat the champion. Djokovic, who beat Norrie in their only previous meeting, is braced for a partisan crowd. “For him, not much to lose,” he said. “Every victory from now onwards is a big deal for him. “I know that. But, you know, I practised a few times. I know his game well. He’s been around. Of course I will do my homework and get ready.” Kyrios will be kicking his heels on Friday, deprived of the chance to repeat his famous 2014 victory over Nadal at Wimbledon, which the Spaniard avenged five years later. The Australian cruised through his last-eight match against unseeded Chilean Cristian Garin in straight sets to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final. Kyrgios’s tournament has been defined by breathtaking shot-making but also his familiar rants on court -- including a demand that Tsitsipas be thrown out of the championships for hitting a ball into the crowd. AFP

Bohol pumped up for Sun Life 5150 return BOHOL switches into triathlon mode as the Sun Life 5150 welcomed the more than 500 bidders in various age divisions categories yesterday, ushering in a weekend of fun and excitement to tri-sport’s return to the mainstream following a twoyear hiatus. The first wave of athletes, including those vying in the Sunrise Sprint, have checked in at various official hotels simultaneously with the opening of the exposition on health and fitness and the official IRONMAN store at the Bellevue Resort’s Grand Pavilion in Panglao. The pre-5150 activities resume today (Saturday) with the expo booths of Sun Life, Go for Gold, the Province of Bohol, Bellevue Resort, Rudy Project and 5150 store to open at 8 a.m. while the bike and gear check-in starts at 1 p.m. at the beachfront. More than 500 triathletes, including beginners and weekend runners, make up cast in the first multi-sport event in post-pandemic set to fire off tomorrow (Sunday). The host province, a top triathlon hub, has ensured another successful staging of the event featuring Olympic (1.5 kmswim, 40 km-bike and 10 km run) and Sprint distances.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022

Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after missing a shot against US player Taylor Fritz during their men’s singles quarter final tennis match on the 10th day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London. Nadal will withdrew from Wimbledon after failing to recover from an abdominal injury, British media reported on July 7, 2022. Scheduled semi-final opponent Nick Kyrgios will receive a walkover into Sunday’s final.

Lean 10-athlete delegation ready for ‘22 World Games A

LEAN 10-athlete Philippine delegation marched behind the country’s colors carried by powerlifter Joyce Gail Reboton during the opening ceremony on Friday at the Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. Delayed a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, chef de mission Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the Filipino athletes packed energy and enthusiasm for the games that are played widely all over the world but are not included in the Olympic program. “Our athletes are ready for the competition and hopefully we’re going to make the podium,” said Gregorio, president of the Philippine Rowing Association. Heading Team Philippines is Carlo Biado, who clinched the country’s

Powerlifter Joyce Gail Reboton bears the Philippine flag ahead of the World Games opening ceremony. With Reboton are (from left) karate coach Okay Arpa, karatkeka Junna Tsukii, chef de mission Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, karate association head Ricky Lim and powerlifting coach Willord Capulong.

only gold medal so far in the 2017 World Games in Wroclaw, Poland.

Joining Biado and Reboton are billiards ace Rubilen Amit, jiu-jitsu

champion Annie Ramirez, karate star Junna Tsukii, muay sensations Philip Delarmino and Leeana Bade and duathlon top bets Marion Kim Mangrobang, John Chicano and Fernando Caseres. Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed high hopes that the athletes could add to the one gold, five silver and five bronze medals that the country has won in the games since Filipino athletes started participating in the games’ debut in 1981 in Santa Clara, California. “Coming off the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, our athletes are prepared for the competition,” Tolentino said. “They have tapered down from the Vietnam SEA Games and are now in peak form.” The Alabama edition of the games lured 3,600 athletes from 110 countries, including war-torn Ukraine, whose athletes were given a standing ovation as they marched around the stadium during the opening ceremony.

Amer jumper lifts Blackwater past Phoenix By Peter Atencio BASER Amer’s jumper in the last two seconds pushed the Blackwater Elite Bossings to a thrilling 91-89 triumph over the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters on Friday in the 2022 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Amer’s chance to score his only basket in the final period came after Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser caught a rebound off a missed triple by Matthew Wright in the final seven seconds. The victory was the Bossings’ fifth in six games and it was an emotional one for coach Ariel Vanguardia.

“Masyado kong na-fired up ang mga players. Gigil sila from the start,” said Vanguardia as the Bossings picked up their fourth consecutive victory. The Bossings, led by Renato Ular with a career-high 34 points and 10 rebounds, are now behind the solo-leading San Miguel Beermen (7-1), and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings (6-1). Ular’s trey in the 1:57 mark saw the Bossings keeping a slim 86-85 lead. Vanguardia’s squad is seeking to match or even surpass the franchise’s best-ever elimination round finish in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup when it registered a 7-4 win-loss record.

Ganuelas-Rosser drilled in 16 points for the Bossings, who forced four of five deadlocks in the last canto. Yousef Taha tied the game for the last time with his two charities in the last 25 seconds, 89-all. Jason Perkins unloaded 22 points for the Fuel Masters, who fell behind at 2-3. Wright shot 15 points with Tyler Tio, and gave the Fuel Masters the upper hand in the last 1:20, 89-86. Blackwater is an entirely different case following a 4-1 start to the tournament that more than erased the bitter memories of last season, when it could only win one game after losing a

league-worst 29 straight. After losing two straight games that relegated them to a 2-5 record and a tie for eighth spot, the Fuel Masters are hard-pressed to come up with the needed wins just to keep alive their hopes of gaining inclusion among the eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals. Still, there is no letting up for Vanguardia and his crew as they set out to at least keep their current third-running spot and from there match or even surpass the franchise’s best-ever elimination round finish in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup when it notched a 7-4 record.

Bibat ends long wait, wins ICTSI Aoki crown by 1 GENERIAL TRIAS—Michael Bibat ended a disquieting title spell of nine years ruined by a slew of near misses by winning the ICTSI Eagle Ridge at Aoki Invitational crown on a 71 here Friday, edging the player he upstaged in his breakthrough run at Rancho Palos Verdes in 2013. Bibat pounced on a key two-shot swing on the daunting No. 13 to break free from a tied matchup with Lascuña then hung tough in the closing holes with the kind of resolve he showed in the thwarting the tour’s big guns’ challenges almost a decade ago in Davao. But the multi-titled Lascuña didn’t

give up, threatening to within one with a clutch birdie on the 16th and giving the P2 million championship the kind of thrilling finish the event had guaranteed after putting up a stellar cast. Bibat, however, pulled through in a duel of poise and nerves on the 72nd hole, which they both bogeyed. As the pressure mounted, they both missed the green with Bibat coming up short and chipping way past the hole on a downhill spot and Lascuña dumping his approach shot into a bad lie in the greenside bunker. Bibat missed his par-putt bid and tapped in for bogey, giving Lascuña a

chance for a playoff, which he, however, blew after his putt from 16 feet out grazed the cup, enabling the former Asian Games bronze medalist to savor the sweet taste of Tour victory. “Finally, I won,” said Bibat, who banked the top purse of P360,000, more than doubling his earnings when he beat Lascuña and Elmer Salvador in the 54hole PGT Palos Verde Classic. “I’m so thankful that I played well enough to be in contention, which was my goal at the start,” said Bibat, who anchored his triumph on a third round 66 that tied him with Lascuna and Lloyd Go on his way to a seven-under 278 total.

It was long time coming for Michael Bibat as he relishes the moment. Manny Marcelo

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor E-mail: jdlacsamana@gmail.com

Home/Design

Italian heartland in Quezon

ORDERING the entrance of Lucena City, in Quezon province, Camella Monteia is home to a Tuscan- inspired community that celebrates the heritage and vibrancy of the Southern Tagalog heartland.

Getting your kitchen in order HAVE you ever asked yourself, “Are there any red flags in my kitchen?” Sometimes, what seems like ordinary and common things around the kitchen might actually tell you that something could go wrong. It is important that you can see the possible risks lurking around your kitchen and figure out how to address them to avoid possible accidents. To help keep your kitchen safe, check if you can see any of these hazards around: Improper storage of equipment You might get excited about having your own set of kitchenware and appliances, but make sure you store them properly (Shown in photo). Stack kitchenware correctly and don’t overstuff cabinets to avoid falling objects and

unwanted accidents. The last thing you want is to turn your kitchenware into a mess you have to clean up. Dirty cleaning tools Maintaining a great-looking kitchen means having the right tools for the job. Leaving your cleaning equipment dirty will only lead to a big mess next time you clean up. Keeping your tools in their best condition means that they will always keep everything looking spotless. No fire extinguisher in the kitchen There are several reasons why a fire can start in your kitchen. That is why it is important that you are ready for one if it happens. Quick solutions like a damp cloth or a lid to cover a fire can do the job sometimes but there are fires that only a fire extinguisher can put out. There will be no need to panic about

how you are supposed to put out a fire when you are always prepared for it. Odd, mysterious smells in the kitchen Do you smell rotten eggs in your kitchen but all your food seems fine? If yes, your LPG tank might be leaking. Turn off all appliances and keep all sources of fire off as you disconnect the tank and bring it to a ventilated area. The smell should be gone with enough time and proper ventilation. This is a big red flag; however, it only happens when you buy fake or substandard LPG tanks that have not gone through rigorous inspections. Avoiding gas leaks and other accidents is easy when you buy your LPG from Solane authorized dealers. Genuine Solane tanks are guaranteed to have gone through proper safety checks before being sold. Gas leaks are more likely to happen and cause accidents when you use fake or illegal LPG tanks or when the LPG tank is not installed properly. Every time you buy a genuine Solane tank, you always get the 7-point Safety Check. This service, exclusive to genuine Solane tanks, is available to all home deliveries to ensure that every household will remain safe and secure. Watching out for kitchen red flags is important in maintaining a clean and orderly kitchen. Using only quality LPG can help give you one less thing to worry about. To order verified Solane LPG, customers may call the Hatid Bahay Hotline - (02) 8887-5555, send a message to 0918-887-5555 (Smart) / 0917 8977555 (Globe) or the Solane Facebook page.

The relaxed Mediterranean feel of Tuscany is apparent upon arriving at the gates of Camella’s newest development in Quezon Province. Accessible via the main Maharlika Highway, just off the Lucena City Junction, Camella Monteia is only five minutes away from the city proper. Charm of an Italian-inspired community Rows of cypresses and topiaries, as well as terracotta urns on travertine and saltillo-tiled pathways welcome you to this new Camella development. Camella Monteia offers pocket areas for community gatherings and family weekend barbecues. Other amenities include a covered court, a children’s

play park, nature trails and jogging paths, and yoga spaces under canopies of trees. Camella Monteia’s range of home models, including the more spacious Camella best-sellers, offer payment plans at a reasonable down payment. Interior designed homes will also be available for viewing, where staff can guide you through the features that balance the natural contours of the location with the modern facilities redolent of a gateway community. Camella, focused on the mid-market segment, is a subsidiary of home builder Vista Land & Lifescapes. For more information about Camella Monteia visit www.camella.com.ph.

MEGAWIDE TO BUILD PHIRST PARK HOMES GENERAL TRIAS.

Megawide Construction Corp. has secured its eighth project with horizontal housing developer, PHirst Park Homes, Inc. (PPHI). The Company signed a contract to “supply and build” 1,664 housing units using precast materials in PPHI General Trias. This is the second partnership for the two companies in Cavite; Megawide also supplied and built PPHI Tanza in 2018. “Our continued presence in this segment is part of our commitment to help address the perennial housing problem in the country,” said Edgar Saavedra, Megawide Chairman and CEO. “Apart from seeing strong long-term prospects in this segment, it also gives us an opportunity to improve the quality of affordable horizontal housing through our value-engineering capabilities and innovative techniques.” Data from the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) show that the country’s estimated total housing backlog is 5.7 million for 2011-2016, which will require the construction of 2,600 homes per day in the next six years.

FILINVEST REIT WINS BIG AT REAL ESTATE ASIA AWARDS. The publicly listed real estate investment trust (REIT) arm of Filinvest Land recently bagged two major awards — the Office Development of the Year- Philippines Award and the REIT Initiative of the Year - Philippines Award — at the recently held Real Estate Asia Awards 2022. Filinvest City is the first CBD in the Philippines to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4 Gold Certified for Neighborhood Development recognition. LEED is one of the most widely used international green building rating systems in the world. Filinvest City also integrates the use of renewable energy, with six FILRT buildings sourcing 100% from renewables. Shown here is Northgate Cyberzone IT Park, one of the first Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)registered IT parks in the Philippines, and hosts of 16 of the 17 Filinvest REIT properties.

ALLIANCE TO LOOK OUT FOR. Joy~Nostalg Group, together with partner developer Raemulan Lands, Inc., recently collaborated with One Meralco to seek priority energization, establish multichannel payment services, and install connectivity solutions for its housing projects in Mega Manila. Joy~Nostalg Group, the home organization of management companies Everyhome Enclaves, Everglow Enclaves, and Extraordinary Enclaves, together with Raemulan Lands held a business alliance with One Meralco’s Radius Telecoms, Bayad, and power utility giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) last April 26 at the Joy~Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila. Led by Joy~Nostalg Group Executive Officer Jacinto C. Ng, Jr., Raemulan Lands Chief Executive Officer Eileen Uy-Doyle, and Meralco President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Ray Espinosa, the business alliance resulted in a stronger partnership with Meralco committing to energize upcoming 16,000 housing units of Raemulan Lands this year. Meanwhile, Bayad presented its multi-channel payment system including its payment centers and newly-launched digital payment app which will provide easier and more convenient online transactions. Joy~Nostalg and One Meralco, through Radius Telecoms, also signed an agreement to provide a stronger internet connection to the residential communities of Joy~Nostalg located in Cavite and Bulacan. To date, Raemulan Lands has 10 completed communities, at least 12 ongoing housing projects, and a total of 32,000 constructed homes.

Tech & Gadgets New admin urged to address policy gaps hindering digital infra builds THE new administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should take concrete steps to invest in the expansion and upgrade of the country’s digital infrastructure which is indispensable to the sustainable recovery from the economic slump and enable more Filipinos to partake of the digital economy, an advocacy group said this week. “There remain numerous roadblocks and hurdles that prevent us from realizing our full potential to be a tech-driven economy,” said lawyer Tim Abejo, co-convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines. “We support the new administration’s pronouncements to harness technology as power tools to improve public services and productivity of industries but there are obsolete policies that are no longer responsive and are even hindering the building of last mile infrastructure and depriving consumers’ access to quality internet services.” A missed opportunity Atty. Abejo lamented that House Bill 10388, or “An Act Mandating the Allocation of an Area for Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure and Facilities in Subdivisions and Housing Development,” that was unanimously passed on third reading at the House of Representatives did not become a law in the Duterte administration. “Both Houses of the 19th Congress must immediately act on this,” Abejo said. The law would have mandated subdivisions to allot areas for cell sites so that their residents could enjoy better internet services. “As it is, many homeowners associations and communities continue to prohibit the construction of cell sites and other communication infrastructure in their areas. They cite aesthetics, or perceived health risks, which are unfounded,” Abejo said. He said that telecommunication companies have encountered permitting issues with such associations, which has in turn frustrated their goals of constructing cell sites and deploying broadband fiber connectivity for the benefit of residents of gated communities. The bill, if passed, would remedy this and more homes will have access to the best broadband services that of their choice. “We support the proposal that up to 30% of the gross area for open spaces should be allotted for the establishment of ICT infrastructure and related amenities,” said Abejo. “This covers all housing projects, subdivisions, villages and other residential areas including socialized housing projects,” he said. “The measure mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission to have a locational plan, identifying the sites for ICT facilities in accordance to zoning ordinances and comprehensive land use plans,” said Abejo. He added: “There should also be a clear provision saying developers may opt to be resellers of ICT services so long as their rates are aligned to the rates of ICT providers. This will protect consumers from overpriced internet services.” The digital new normal Abejo said that the COVIDinduced lockdowns showed Filipinos the necessity and indispensability of internet services not only for work and livelihood but also for personal purposes. “As such, our legislators should categorize ICT infrastructure as utilities that should be free from the requirement of land purchase and lease,” he said. “Our recovery hinges on our ability to develop our human resource potential into a highly competitive digital force. By eliminating policy and bureaucratic obstacles, government, in partnership with the private sector, can align investment plans for complementing projects to achieve a systemic digital transformation of government and private enterprises and aim to be a competitive player in the global digital economy, “ Abejo said.

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

Shell PH opens 1st EV fast-charging station in PH By Peter Atencio

BLACK Jaguar I-Pace EV400 full electric vehicle became the first automobile that got plugged into a 180-kilowatt charging station that Shell Philippines got up and running Thursday morning at its sprawling Mamplasan gas station complex.

The luxury vehicle, which runs on an 90 KwH battery, got hooked through the left-front port of the engine block’s back, via a gas pump-shaped plug attached to a cable that has been hooked to a power supply. The setup, known as the Shell Recharge Station, is located inside a shed, in the middle of the many restaurants and shops that Shell-Mampalasan offers to travellers in the Southern Luzon Expressway’s southbound lane. The charging station is powered by solar panels attached to the roof of the shed and is the first of eight that Shell Philippines is planning to put up throughout Luzon later this year. “We will probably be building to around 3 to 8 this year. But the good thing about this is that this is a very fast charger,” said Randy del Valle, General Manager and Vice President of Shell Mobility Philippines. Del Valle talked about their plans during morninglong festivities in the presence of top company officials, led by Amr Adel, senior vice president of Shell Mobility Asia. Also gracing the launch were Carol Chen, SVP for Global Marketing; Lorelie Osial, President and CEO of Shell Companies in the Philippines; Ivstan Kapitany, EVP for Shell Mobility; and Mih Yih Tan, SVP for Mobility Network.

A black Jaguar I-Pace EV400 full electric vehicle (left) getting charged.

Shell Mobility is making available the first and most powerful DC fast charger for EVs along the expressways located in North and South Luzon. The station in Mamplasan has two charging points with CCS2 connectors, and two vehicles can charge at the same time, and will be topped up within 30 minutes, and for P65 per minute. Their recent project is part of Shell’s plans to become

a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050. This in step with numerous companies’ plans to meet the goals of the United Nation’s Paris Agreement on climate change. Shell is focused reducing emissions from their ongoing operations and providing more low-carbon energy, such as charging for electric vehicles, hydrogen and electricity generated by solar and wind power.

DOST meets maritime industry for R&D consultation CAGAYAN DE ORO, Misamis Oriental - In a bid to strengthen its research and development arsenal, the Department of Science and Technology met 100 maritime experts, researchers, and naval engineers to map its next moves in strengthening science, technology, and innovation in its industry. DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, in partnership with DOST Regional Office No. 10 convened the Conquering New Horizons: The 2022 Marine and Maritime R&D Roadmap Conference to discuss challenges and how DOST can support the industry. In his opening address, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña emphasized that all concerned stakeholders must work together to increase the country’s maritime outputs and develop new technologies for the industry to prosper. “The Department of Science and Technology is one with you in this shared goal. We support R&D projects in the maritime sector to become more efficient, sustainable, and globally competitive through our calls for R&D proposals,” he said. DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit said that the goal of the gathering is to solicit science-backed and

data-driven suggestions from experts in the field. “With the issues hounding the industry, it is important engage our stakeholders and get their views on the best ways forward.

We are hopeful that with the gathering of the best minds in the industry, we can craft initiatives that are better attuned to the needs of the marine and maritime industry,” he said.

PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico C. Paringit, along with DOST Region 10 Director Alfonso Alamban and other council members and regional office personnel, visited the PICMW shipyard at Jasaan, Misamis Oriental as part of the initiatives of the council in crafting the marine and maritime R&D roadmap.

In his welcome remarks, DOST 10 Regional Director Alfonso P. Alamban emphasized that greater collaboration with other regions and institutions can result to stronger synergism that will hasten the development of the industry and that DOST-10 hopes that this will forge initial agreements that will move the region forward for greater industry development. Since 2017, DOST PCIEERD has partnered with the Maritime Industry Authority to implement the Science and Technology for Maritime Transport Applications and ensure that the country’s maritime transport industry will flourish from S&T activities and innovations on alternative fuels and energy efficient water, transportation technologies, renewable energy, modernization of merchant fleets, and intelligent transport systems. By 2028, the goal of the sector is to have an integrated maritime safety, security and surveillance, alternative systems for coastal, inland waterways and inter-island transport system, green supply chain management and energy efficiency for maritime transport, and green modernized maritime transport system through a Maritime R&D Hub based on the transport sector’s Maritime Transport S&T Roadmap 2021-2028.

Kaspersky calls for building cyber-resiliency in PH to boost growing digital economy AGAINST the backdrop of constantly evolving cyber threats, the Philippines needs to take a more active stance in prioritizing cybersecurity, Kaspersky’s findings suggest. A critical move towards achieving cyber-resiliency would potentially support the growth of local businesses, foster current digital opportunities, and mitigate dangerous risks to the country’s economy. Just like its neighbors in Southeast Asia (SEA), the past five years saw the country consistently hit by various cyber threats ranging from web attacks, remote desktop protocol (RDP) attacks, and mobile malware. Data from Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) show that web threat attempts against Filipino users of Kaspersky software grew 432.75% from 9,487,775 in 2017 to 50,544,908 in 2021. In Kaspersky’s global ranking of most attacked countries, the Philippines climbed from the 30th spot to 4th place in just five years. With the pandemic-borne shift towards remote working, the overall RDP attacks

versus local businesses rose by 141% from 2019 (2,549,698) to 2021 (6,150,891). RDP enables computers running Windows on the same corporate network to be linked together and accessed remotely, even when employees are at home. Mobile malware attacks may have dropped sharply in the Philippines from 2019 to 2021 by 69% but according to Kaspersky, there are indications that Trojans are injected into third-party ad modules and new Trojans are being discovered —proof that cybercriminals have become creative and sophisticated in their approach. As far as the local government is concerned, legal policies and regulatory frameworks on cybersecurity have already been laid out and are currently in place. Kaspersky executives urge the state to collaborate with its neighbors and private companies to further build its cyber-resiliency. “Looking at the Philippines’ unique cybersecurity landscape and how it is dealing with cyberattacks, it appears that the country

Genie Gan, head of public affairs & government relations for APAC & META at Kaspersky discussed the 3 types of modes that the public can check at Kaspersky’s transparency center

is now in the intermediate stage of cybersecurity readiness. Intermediate-level countries are those that have identified cyberattacks as areas they need to look into and have attempted to make some inroads. The goal is to have the country move to the Advanced stage where we hope to see it doing more in terms of development,” said Genie Gan, Head of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Asia Pacific & Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Kaspersky. Gan says that while the cybersecurity landscape in the Philippines is distinct from the rest of SEA, it is still interconnected with its regional neighbors in so many ways. “This is why we encourage the government regulators to begin boosting its cyber capacity-building and cooperation efforts. These two are basically the building blocks of cybersecurity,” she said. Gan recommended the following specific action steps for the Philippines’ cybersecurity: • Continuous promotion of security awareness and digital education for its more than 76 million users • Growing its pool of cybersecurity talents • Public-private partnerships • Regional and international cooperation between countries and industries From Kaspersky’s experience, an effective formula includes constant improvement of security awareness. This includes engagement with the wider cybersecurity community and stakeholders including cybersecurity providers to validate and verify the trustworthiness of their products, internal processes and businesses — an important pillar held by Kaspersky and implemented within the overall framework of its pioneering Global Transparency Initiative (GTI). One of the GTI’s cornerstones included the opening of a network of Transparency Centers — in Zurich (Switzerland), Madrid (Spain), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), São Paulo (Brazil), Singapore, Tokyo (Japan), and

Woburn, Massachusetts (the United States). This global network of Transparency Centers serves as facilities for trusted partners and government stakeholders, responsible for cybersecurity, to review the company’s code, software updates, and threat detection rules. The Transparency Centers are fully operational and available for on-site (physical) and remote access. With guidance from the company experts, visitors at the Transparency Center can conduct transparency review sessions in three different modes: • Blue Piste: overview of Kaspersky’s security and transparency best practices and product portfolio • Red Piste: review of the most critical parts of Kaspersky’s source code by a client or regulatory stakeholder • Black Piste: deepest and most comprehensive review of the most critical parts of Kaspersky’s source code The GTI also paved the way for the creation of Kaspersky’s Cyber Capacity Building Program to help government organizations, academia, and companies around the world develop mechanisms and skills for security assessment of ICT products they use. Requesting access is as easy as sending an email to TransparencyCenter@kaspersky. com. Kaspersky also advised that countries like the Philippines continually promote skills training and enhanced collaboration to support incident response capabilities and ensure the safety and wellbeing of their citizens. “Cyber threats are here to stay as it is parallel with the digitalization drive in the Philippines. A latest study even projected a five trillion peso digital economy in 2030, a huge opportunity that will be realized best if digitalization efforts are built upon trusted and transparent cybersecurity foundations,” said Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky.

MILO RIVERA Sub-editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2022

Motoring

Toyota Gazo Racing Vios Cup kicks off 2022 Season classified into three categories; the Super Sporting, Sporting and Promotional class, with a total of 27 racers participating across all three categories. The winners for the Super Sporting class were John Dizon of Obengers Team, Inigo Anton of Toyota North Edsa-Obengers Team, and Darryl de Leon of Toyota Marilao Obengers Team; meanwhile, Celebrity Troy Montero, from Toyota Gazoo Racing PH, won the Sporting class followed by Royce Sarmiento of RMS Cars Racing Team and Joaquin Garrido

HRILL and excitement dominated the race tracks as Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) kicked off the 2022 season of the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Vios Cup. The Clark International Speedway (CIS) in Pampanga roared with heartpounding cheer as veteran racers, celebrities and influencers, and members of media welcome motorsport enthusiasts back in the grandstands.

Vios Cup celebrity veterans Troy Montero, Daniel Matsunaga, and Fabio Ide were back in the Circuit Championship using their One Make Race (OMR) Toyota Vios, perfect for the thrill and excitement of wheel-towheel racing. Young and fresh faces joined them in driving full-throttle in their respective classes. The Circuit Championship was

of Toyota Otis – Obengers Racing Team. Meanwhile, in the promotional class, Alain Alzona of Alzona Racing Team-Toyota Team General Santos grabbed the first place, followed by Alan Placios and Ian Robles from Toyota Cebu. Meanwhile, the Autocross Challenge made enthusiasts’ hearts thump with excitement when celebrities,

influencers, and members of the media showcased their speed and racing skills by navigating the specially designed obstacle course. First timer Benedict Cua became an instant favorite, and even claimed the top spot in the podium for the Influencer Promotional Class. He was joined by Gino Quillamor as the champion in the Influencer Sporting Class. For the media class, Autoindustriya’s Jan Lacuna won the Sporting Class as Pablo Salapantan of YugaAuto took the trophy for the Promotional Class. This year, the excitement was not limited to veteran and skilled racers. Toyota Gazoo Racing Gran Turismo (GR GT) Cup champions were also there to take their e-racing skills from the screen to the tracks. After joining the Toyota Gazoo Racing Academy, these champions participated in the Autocross event. Over the years, TMP has strived to elevate the motorsport industry in the country by providing a more inclusive and accessible platform to everyone. So, don’t miss Leg 2 and 3 of the TGR Vios Cup, happening in August and November respectively. The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Vios Cup is organized in cooperation with Bridgestone and Petron, and is supported by Brembo, Denso, OMP, Tuason Racing, AVT, 3M, ROTA, myTOYOTA Wallet, and Kinto One.

Volkswagen’s BGC showroom now Staying safe on wet roads - The HONDA way at the newly-opened AC Motors Centrale VOLKSWAGEN Philippines showcased its new home at the recently-inaugurated AC Motors Centrale in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The German marque’s lineup of vehicles, such as the Lavida, Lamando, Santana and Santana GTS, as well as its best-selling model the T-Cross subcompact SUV, are among AC Motors’ distinguished mobility brands highlighted at the one-stop-

shop venue. The Volkswagen showroom embodies the youthful dimension of motoring lifestyle that combines the hip and fun with luxury, elegance and driven ambition—qualities unique to the Volkswagen brand. The Volkswagen showroom at AC Motors Centrale is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and can be reached through its contact number

at (02) 8558-5888. You may visit other Volkswagen showrooms nearest you located at Quezon Avenue, Pampanga, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao. Log on to www.volkswagen. com.ph for more details and follow Volkswagen Philippines on Facebook and Instagram at @ volkswagenph to be updated with latest news and promos.

HONDA Cars Philippines, Inc. shares essential car care tips to keep you safe during the rainy season. These points will also help ensure the pristine condition of your vehicle and help you have peace of mind come the heavy downpours. Clean your car’s windshield properly Visibility is important, especially when driving in a heavy downpour. Aside from wading through floods and running the risk of hydroplaning, some accidents can be attributed to poor visibility. Once rainwater dries up, it leaves mineral deposits behind which will accumulate and then turn into dirt if you do not clean immediately. This is why it is critical to properly clean your windshield. Having clean windows is also as important to help you drive safely so you have a better view of your surroundings. You could either invest in window detailing or have it cleaned on a regular basis to avoid the build up of dirt and dust. Inspect your windshield wipers Next to the windshield are your wipers, as they are responsible for keeping your windshield and rear windows free from water and other contaminants. Part of their maintenance is checking the wiper blades and determining if they’re already due for replacement. Windshield wiper blades can last anywhere from 6 months to a year on average, once the time has come, you’ll be needing to replace the blades in order to achieve a good view of the road even during challenging conditions. Maintain your headlamps Heavy downpours can affect your on-road visibility, which is why having well-maintained headlights is a must, allowing you to achieve optimum visibility during rain showers. Like your car’s windshield, headlamps can also get hazy or cloudy over time due to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays and built-up grime. To avoid this, it is highly advised to have your headlamps regularly cleaned, not only for their sole appearance, but also to maintain their proper function, allowing you to achieve a welllit pathway during rainy chapters. Make sure to check your headlight bulbs for damages or if they need replacement. Always use the correct bulb specification on your headlights. Check your car’s battery A car battery’s lifespan could possibly be

shortened due to the corrosion caused by humidity and potential droplets splashing about during the rainy season. Difficulty in starting your car or not being able to turn on the lights are some of the symptoms of battery power shortage. Once experienced, it is highly advised to have your car battery replaced immediately, allowing you to avoid getting stranded in the middle of a heavy downpour. Assess the quality of your tires Vehicle traction is important, and maximum gripping power during the rainy season is achieved by having well-maintained tires. Admittedly, this rewards the driver and its passengers with better safety, as having adequate tread allows the vehicle to move the excess water away from the tires, which should reduce the risk of hydroplaning. Therefore, ensure proper inflation about every two weeks because over or under-inflated tires can lead to reduced traction and early wear. You can find the recommended tire pressure listed near the driver’s door and on the owner’s manual. Oh and don’t forget to also check the tire pressure of your spare! Never let your tires go past their life, instead, have the urge to replace them immediately for safety. Always do a brake check Brakes take longer to dry during rainy situations. That said, it’s important to have them checked from time to time in order to ensure optimal condition. Obtain brake services according to vehicle manufacturer specifications. If you notice any squeaking or any grinding noises while braking, have your vehicle checked immediately as the brake pads might need a replacement. Do take note that braking in the rain might not work as quickly as it would on a dry day, therefore, it’s best to drive slower than usual and set a further distance in between cars. Wash and wax your car regularly Aside from giving your beloved Honda a good bath, applying wax also adds an additional layer of paint protection to its paint. While it may seem a bit pointless to clean your car if it’s going to get dirty again, there are certain benefits that make it a rewarding practice. Adding a protective layer of wax can help keep rain marks from forming, plus, it also makes it easier to clean the car after the rain.

CHERY launches The World of Luxury Nationwide Roadshow for Tiggo 8 PRO AFTER the successful unveiling of Tiggo 8 PRO at the biggest auto show in the country, the Manila International Auto Show 2022, CHERY Auto Philippines brings the New Seat of Power closer to Filipinos with The World of Luxury nationwide roadshow which kicked off with its first stop at the SM Aura Premier last July 1-7. Visitors were welcomed with a bespoke experience featuring the all-new Tiggo 8 PRO 1.6 Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (TDGI) and Tiggo 8 PRO Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), showcasing their equally luxurious interior and exterior. The booth highlighted the variants’ exquisite design and elegant vibe where guests lounged and were served a selection of coffee & treats at the coffee bar. Catch the Tiggo 8 PRO on the World of Luxury’s next stops in SM Megamall, Eastwood City, Estancia, SM City North EDSA, SM Mall

of Asia, Lucky Chinatown, and Glorietta. Future stops in parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are in the works to reach and introduce more Filipinos to the World of Luxury.