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Abolish NTF-ELCAC – UN’s Khan

NSC spox: Now’s not the time, agency may shift to peace mandate

VOL. XXXVII • NO. 354 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024 •

CLOSING TALK. United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan (left) talks to
Flood, landslides from torrential rains kill 6 in Davao Oro Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin as she wraps up her 10-day visit to the country
on Friday. Malacañang on Friday vowed to boost its efforts to balance the rights to
association and expression with the fundamental right to life. PCO Photo

By Rey E. Requejo, Vince Lopez, Charles Dantes and

Macon Ramos-Araneta

V
ISITING United Nations Special Rapporteur
Irene Khan on Friday called on the government
to scrap the National Task Force to End Local
Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) since the
bases for its creation have already changed.
Khan also noted that freedom of to the time of former President Ro-
expression has improved under the drigo Duterte, but added that much
Marcos administration, as compared can still be done. Next page

Diesel to lead 4th straight weekly

RAIN AND FLOOD
WOES. In this aerial photo
provided by the Davao de Oro
provincial government, soil
erosion causes the concrete
pavement to crack and erode
part of the national highway at
Km. 74, Purok 1B, in Barangay
Sawangan, Mawab on Thursday
morning. Meanwhile, residents
push a makeshift raft loaded with
a motorcycle through floodwaters
brought about by heavy rains
in Propseridad, Agusan del Sur
(inset). Erwin Mascarinas/AFP
By Vince Lopez Rain began pounding wide areas of the trough of a low-pressure area in Davao
Mindanao last weekend, causingfloods (Region 11) and Caraga (Region 13).
and Maricel V. Cruz and landslides that officials said sent thou- The hardest-hit areas were the mountain-
sands fleeing to emergency shelters. ous municipality of Maragusan in Davao
FLOODS and landslides triggered by tor- The National Disaster Risk Reduction de Oro, which recorded 23 landslides since
rential rain killed six people across Mind- and Management Council (NDRRMC) Sunday, and the adjacent town of New Bata-
anao, with one other person missing, res- said almost 100,000 residents were affect- an, where more than 10,000 people were
cuers said Thursday. ed by flooding and landslides triggered by evacuated from flooded homes. Next page
hike in fuel prices by P1.70 a liter
By Alena Mae S. Flores
CONSUMERS will face a fourth
straight round of oil price hikes next
week of as much as P1.70 per liter for
diesel, reflecting the continuing volatil-
ity in the world oil market.
Industry sources said that based on
End probe on people's initiative now,
House Majority Leader urges Senate
By Maricel V. Cruz
and Vito Barcelo
HOUSE Majority Leader Manuel Dali-
pe on Friday urged the Senate to termi-
nate its inquiry into the alleged bribery
of voters in thesignature campaign of
people’s initiative (PI) advocates to
the four-day trading of the Mean of
Platts Singapore (MOPS), the pricing
benchmark used by oilimporters, die-
sel pump prices may go up by P1.50
to P1.70 per liter, kerosene by P1.05 to
P1.15 per liter, and gasoline by P0.75 to
P0.95 per liter.
Next page
amend the Charter.
Dalipe said the Commission on Elec-
tions has already decided to indefinitely
suspend the acceptance of PI signatures.
He noted that senators may also be
losing interest in the hearing, judging
from the failure of the witnesses to
present evidence of alleged bribery.
Next page

Galvez hits Rody’s Mindanao secession call

By Charles Dantes and
Vince Lopez
PRESIDENTIAL peace adviser
Carlito Galvez on Friday urged
the public to turn away from any
action that would destabilize the
country, including former Presi-
dent Rodrigo Duterte’s call for
Mindanao to secede from the rest
of the country.
"When we, as Filipinos, are united,
there is peace, development and pros-
perity. But when we, as a people, are
divided, there is instability, underde-
velopment, and disorder," Galvez said
in a statement.
"Let us therefore turn away from
any call or movement that aims to
destabilize our beloved nation, espe-
cially to separate Mindanao from the
CORNELL CLUB. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (left) delivers his welcome remarks during the Cornell Club of
the Philippines ‘Speaker and Forum’ on Financial Literacy at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City on Friday. Romualdez,
rest of the country," he added. the Cornell Club president, commended the leadership of the Bureau of Treasury for organizing the session. Ver Noveno
Next page

THE STANDARD
BATO: LASCANAS’ THE THE STANDARD
TRADERS OPPOSETHE
SR. Lakas-CMD members in House issue manifesto backing Speaker
THE STANDARD THE THE STANDARD
BOOKLET THE
SCRAPPING By Maricel V. Cruz
STORY REHASHED
tect the truth,” members of the Lakas- House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G.
Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas- Romualdez on the issue of the peo-
NEWS / A?? NEWS / A?? IN ANOTHER display of solidarity CMD) have signed a manifesto of ple’s initiative.
NEWS / A2 NEWS / A3 and “unbending commitment to pro- support behind party president and Next page
A2
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Bato: Lascanas allegations rehashed
By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel Cruz
S
ENATOR Ronald Dela Rosa said he will have his neck
chopped if former Davao City police officer Arturo
Lascañas can prove that Vice President Sara Duterte was
involved in “Oplan Tokhang” when she was still mayor in 2012.
“I can only say one thing. What he said
now—a new version in which he linked
Inday Sara to Tokhang—I will have my
neck cut off,” said Dela Rosa.
Lascañas, an alleged member of the
original Davao Death Squad, submitted
a 186-page affidavit to the ICC where he
Abolish...
From A1
In a press conference in Mandaluyong
City, Khan, who serves as the UN Special
Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and
Expression, also urgedthe government to
adopt and expedite the passage of a law to
protect human rights defenders.
“First of all, my concern is about red
tagging which continues tohappen, and
that of course, fingers have been pointed
at them,” Khan said. “I am asking for
(the NTF-ELCAC) abolition because I
think its usefulness is outdated.”
“I think (the Marcos) administration
has set a different tone, a more open ap-
proach. I think definitely, there has been
change. But I think there are some more
systemic problems that need to be dealt
with, for example, impunity, addressing
attacks on journalists… there were four
killings as you know last year, and are
still taking place.”
“The abolition will not only address
some of the most critical drivers of red-
tagging, but it will also allow this ad-
ministration to modernize peace-build-
ing approaches based on this changing
political landscape. The abolition will
allow for a more inclusive peacemaking
platform or platforms, with participation
of women peacemakers and communi-
Flood,...
From A1
The national disaster agency said more
floods could develop in riversin Lanao del
Sur, where two towns would be affected,
and Maguindanao, where eight munici-
palities were under threat.
“People living near the mountain slopes
and in the low-lying areas ofthe above-
mentioned river systems and the Local
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Councils concerned are still advised to
take necessary precautionary measures,”
the state weather bureau said in a general
flood advisory for the Bangsamoro Auton-
omous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The trough of a low-pressure area could
bring a “significant” amount of up to 100
millimeters of rain in the next 24 hours
over BARMM and the Zamboanga Pen-
insula, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geo-
physical and Astronomical Services Ad-
ministration (PAGASA) said in its weather
advisory.
Diesel...
From A1
Department of Energy director for
the oil industry management bureau Ro-
dela Romero said the price uptrend was
supported by several developments.
These include the drone attacks and
fires to oil facilities of Russia designed
to disrupt supply lines and logistics and
the proposal to extend the production
cut of the Organization of the Petro-
leum Exporting Countries and its allies
(OPEC+) of 2.2 million barrels per day
until the first quarter of 2024.
World oil prices were also impacted
by the US Federal Reserve's plansto
reduce interest rates to help boost eco-
nomic growth and create demand for
commodities like crude oil, and the
economic stimulus package to boost
China's economy.
“(Friday's) MOPS trading will fur-
ther increase or decrease the said price
adjustments for next week,” Romero
said.
Lakas-CMD...
From A1
House Majority Leader and Zam-
boanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe,
Lakas-CMD executive vice president,
said the manifesto was created and
signed by party members to uphold the
principles of democracy.
"We, the members of the Lakas-
detailed the younger Duterte's alleged in-
volvement in Tokhang-related killings.
Duterte denied the allegations and
dared her accusers to file formal charges in
connection to their allegations.
“In the years that I served as Vice May-
or and Mayor of Davao City, my name
ties as a genuine whole-of-nation ap-
proach to peace,” she said.
National Security Council Assistant
Director General Jonathan Malaya said
the NTF-ELCAC may transition into the
National Task Force on Unity, Peace,
and Development, but said now was not
the time to abolish it.
At a press briefing at the Department
of Foreign Affairs in Pasay City, Malaya
said this plan was based on the observa-
tion that the New People’s Army (NPA)
guerrilla fronts have weakened.
“The transition is prompted by two
things: the first one is the strategic vic-
tory over the New People’s Army” and
the resumption of peace talks with the
communist rebels, he said.
Khan, who serves as the UN Special
Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and
Expression, also urged the government
to carry out other reforms related to free
speech and freedom of the press.
“So, there is a willingness [on the part
of the Philippine government]to engage
with the UN, these are all positive signals,
but they are not sufficient to turn the page
decisively on the past,” Khan said.
“Tackling the grave and deep-seated
human rights problems of the Philip-
pines, many of which are related to my
mandate, will require more fundamental
and sustained reforms and also a clear
commitment to accountability.”
Three people were killed and a fourth
was missing in the Maragusan landslides,
its municipal disaster officer Romeo
Tublag said.
"Our town is surrounded by mountains,
so landslides are an ever-present threat. It's
been raining almost daily here," Tublag
said.
In New Bataan, a landslide killed a man
while a woman was swept away and killed
by floodwaters. Another man was electro-
cuted outside his flooded house, disaster
official Aeona Armocilla said.
Swollen rivers flooded three villages,
forcing the evacuation of 10,100 residents,
Armocilla said, adding that it was still rain-
ing in the area late Thursday.
Floods also hit the municipalities of Bu-
nawan and Veruela in nearby Agusan del
Sur province, with more than 5,000 people
sheltering in evacuation centers, provincial
disaster official Alexis Cabardo said.
A situation report from the NDRRMC
on Friday said a total of 98,793 people
(27,245 families) felt the impact of deep
flooding and multiple landslides in Davao
The oil companies raised the price of
gasoline, diesel, and keroseneby P2.80
per liter, P1.30 per liter and P0.45 per
liter, respectively on Jan. 30.
The total adjustment of gasoline and
diesel stands at a net increase of P4.40
per liter and P2.90 per liter, respectively.
Kerosene, on the other hand, has
dropped P0.05 per liter for the year.
Prevailing retail prices of petroleum
products in the National Capital Region
for Jan. 30 to Feb. 5 range from P56.30
to P81.80 per liter forgasoline, P52.90 to
P82.06 per liter for diesel, and P72.09 to
P83.48 per liter for kerosene.
On Jan. 22, the oil companies also
hiked the price of gasoline by P1.30 per
liter and P 0.95 per liter for diesel but did
not move kerosene prices.
Oil firms also raised the prices for
diesel and kerosene of P0.90 per liter
and P0.30 per liter for gasoline on Jan.
15.
Another oil price increase was im-
plemented last Jan. 8 when diesel and
kerosene went up by P0.90 per liter and
gasoline by P0.30 per liter.
Christian Muslim Democrats in the
House of Representatives, stand united
in our resolve to defend the integrity of
our esteemed Speaker, the Honorable
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romual-
dez, against the unfounded criticisms
levied upon him in the context of the
People’s Initiative to amend the 1987
Constitution," the document read.
"We express our unwavering sup-
port for Speaker Martin Romualdez,
was never once associated with this issue.
Suddenly there was a witness against me
when I was elected Vice President. Now I
am one of the accused in the International
Criminal Court. It is evident that my name
was intentionally linked to this matter to
implicate me in the ICC,” she said, noting
the timing of the accusations.
Lascanas said the then-mayor Duterte
ordered Dela Rosa, who was then Davao
City police chief, to kidnap and bury all
drug pushers in the city.
He also claimed it was Senator Chris-
topher Go who provided a list of targets.
Dela Rosa said Lascañas already made
the same accusations more than six years
ago, but without the name of the Vice
Prior to Khan's visit, UN Special
Rapporteur Ian Fry, the first special rap-
porteur on the promotion and protection
of human rights in the context of climate
change, also recommended the abolition
of NTF-ELCAC last November.
Special rapporteurs are independent
human rights experts working voluntari-
ly to make reports on specific country
situations or thematic issues. They make
policy recommendations to nations they
have visited, but they cannot coerce
governments to apply these changes.
In a statement from the Presidential
Communications Office, the Palace said
Khan's recommendation would undergo
thorough evaluation and consideration
for implementation.
"The UNSR’s initial report offered
suggestions to enhance programs and
mechanisms safeguarding human rights,
with a focus on Freedom of Opinion and
Expression," the PCO said.
"While the government is open to
reforms, it points out the difficulties in
fully grasping the local nuances within
a brief ten-day visit. Hence, further dis-
cussions and collaborative efforts be-
tween the government and the UNSR
are planned," the agency added.
According to the PCO, Khan had in-
teractions with 24 government agencies,
meetings with over ten members of the
House of Representatives, and engage-
de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Davao City
(Region 11); and in Agusan del Sur and
Surigao del Sur (Region 13).
The Public Information Officer (PIO)
of Davao de Oro, said six people died in
the province due to landslides and drown-
ing: three each in New Bataan and Mara-
gusan towns.
The NDRRMC has tallied 33 land-
slides in Region 11, including 26 in Davao
de Oro. The other seven occurred in Davao
Oriental.
"Another one was missing in Pantukan
[Davao de Oro] specifically in Barangay
Araibo," Fe Maestre, the Davao de Oro
PIO said in a radio interview over dzRH.
The Philippine Coast Guard's
(PCG) District Southeastern
Mindanao(CGDSEM) has evacuated over
1,300 residents in Davao Oriental, Davao
de Oro, Davao del Norte, and Davao City
amid massive flooding in the region.
"As of press time, the PCG continues to
monitor the status of rivers in Davao City,"
PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Arman-
do Balilo said.
Galvez...
From A1
The move to separate Mindanao is
anathema to the Constitution and would
go against the present administration's
push for unity across the country.
Galvez, a former chief of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines, also called on
the public to continue supporting the
administration’s push for peace, recon-
ciliation, and unity.
He said that even members of for-
mer revolutionary groups are already
helping the government in pushing for
true peace and sustainable development
in the Bangsamoro region through in-
clusive, people-centered moral gover-
nance.
"Mindanao has already shed its im-
age as a land of volatility, violence and
armed struggle. It has now become a
symbol of hope, mutual understanding,
and solidarity, and most of all, a shin-
ing example that good things come to
those who choose the path of peace,"
recognizing his leadership and com-
mitment to the principles of democracy
and good governance. The allegations
against him, centered around the Peo-
ple’s Initiative, are baseless and do not
reflect the true nature of his service to
the nation," it added.
Lakas-CMD is the dominant po-
litical party with 94 members in the
315-strong House, which Romualdez
leads in his capacity as Speaker.
President.
“His new version is no longer the
truth,” Dela Rosa said.
Go also rejected Lascañas' allegations,
calling it “rehashed, old music, rotten style.”
Despite the denials, the Makabayan
bloc is set to file anytime next week a
resolution urging the leadership of the
House of Representatives to investigate
the alleged involvement of Duterte in the
“Oplan Tokhang” in Davao City.
House Assistant Minority Leader and
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas underscored
the need for Congress to step in to assess
and determine legislation necessary to ad-
dress the extrajudicial killings committed
during the past administration.
ments with seven members of the Su-
preme Court during her stay.
The NTF-ELCAC has come under
fire for red-tagging or linking activists,
human rights workers, journalists and
administration critics to the armed com-
munist movement, a charge its officials
have denied.
Khan’s press conference marked the
end of her visit to the Philippines, where
she held meetings with various con-
cerned government officials and person-
alities to assess the country’s situation
related to the protection of freedom of
opinion and expression.
Earlier, Khan visited various govern-
ment agencies and talked with officials
such as Executive Secretary Lucas Ber-
samin.
Among the government agencies she
visited were the Supreme Court, the De-
partment of Justice, and the Department
of the Interior and LocalGovernment.
Khan also visited civil society organiza-
tions and human rights activists.
Malaya said the task force would
focus on areas weakened by the com-
munist insurgency so that insurgencies
would not happen again.
“Once the 11 remaining guerrilla
fronts have been dismantled, then that
will be the signal to transition into the
National Task Force on Unity, Peace
and Development,” he said.
The PCG is also assisting in ongoing
relief efforts in Caraga andBanay-Banay
in Davao Oriental.
The regions of Davao and Caraga have
been experiencing continuous rains since
Jan. 29 due to the trough of a low-pressure
area.
A total of 46,018 people were displaced
by the bad weather, the NDRRMCsaid,
and at least 19,000 were staying in evacu-
ation centers.
The NDRRMC said 45 roads and nine
bridges in Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental,
and Agusan del Sur were not passable due
to flooding and landslides.
In Lupon, Davao Oriental, Barangays
Maragatas, Tagugpo, Calapagan, and Po-
blacion lost power.
Barangays Basa and Pulang Lupa in
Trento, Agusan del Sur were alsowithout
power.
Portions of Monkayo in Davao de Oro
experienced water supply interruptions.
Monkayo is still reeling from a devastat-
ing landslide two weeks ago that killed 11
people. With AFP
Galvez said.
"We cannot afford to go back to
square one," he added.
"The dividends of peace are upon us
and are now being felt by everyone," he
said.
Galvez's remarks came days after
Duterte called for a separate and inde-
pendent Mindanao at a press confer-
ence in Davao City.
Galvez’s call for unity was echoed
by Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief
Minister Ahod Ebrahim, who urged the
public to continue supporting the Mar-
cos administration and help protect the
gains of the peace processes.
"Let us continue to support the cur-
rent administration and allow peace
and civility to reign over the affairs of
our land," Ebrahim said in a separate
statement.
Ebrahim said that as the current
head of BARMM, he stands "firmly on
adhering to the faithful implementation
of the provisions of the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Through his reputation as a unit-
ing force, Romualdez has rallied
Lakas-CMD and its many allied par-
ties in the lower chamber to a very
fruitful 19th Congress under the
stewardship of President Marcos,
the party said.
The manifesto stated that under
Romualdez's leadership, the House
has achieved record success in ap-
proving bills that propel economic
NEWS
AFP hails ‘flawless’
resupply run for
BRP Sierra Madre
By Vince Lopez
CHINA'S usual blockade at Ayungin
Shoal did not materialize yesterday
during the latest rotation and resupply
mission for BRP Sierra Madre.
“Mission accomplished!” Armed
Forces spokesperson Col. Francel Pa-
dilla said in a post on X.
“Today, we executed a flawless ro-
tation and resupply operation for BRP
Sierra Madre. Teamwork, precision,
and dedication at its best,” she added.
Former US Air Force Col. Ray
Powell said the latest resupply mis-
sion was “very different” with the ab-
sence of China’s maritime and militia
vessels.
Powell said Beijing's vessels were
staying back at Panganiban Reef or
Mischief Reef.
“Whatever deal the two sides
made in Shanghai may have dialed
down China's aggression (for now),”
he said.
“The Philippines' resupply seems
to have encountered virtually no re-
sistance from China. Of course, there
are certainly AIS-dark vessels we
can't see (e.g., Chinese Coast Guard
5203) but those we can detect have
kept their distance,” Powell added.
As this developed, the Philippine
Navy spokesperson for the West Phil-
ippine Sea said they are in need of
two or three submarines.
“We do not only [need] one sub-
marine, we need two or three,” Com-
modore Roy Vincent Trinidad said.
President Marcos earlier approved
adjustments to the AFP moderniza-
tion program's "Horizon 3," Defense
Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said.
Teodoro said these will range from
domain awareness, connectivity, in-
telligence capabilities, and deterrence
capabilities on maritime and aerial
domains.
The Defense chief said the Philip-
pines is also starting a new defense
concept called the Comprehensive
Archipelagic Defense Concept.
End...
From A1
Dalipe reiterated his call for
members of the Upper Cham-
ber to help Senate President
Juan Miguel Zubiri to beat
their self-imposed deadline to
pass Resolution of Both Hous-
es (RBH) 6.
"Let's just work together to
pass RBH 6. People's Initiative
is definitely gone," he said.
The House leader said
Comelec is now busy prepar-
ing for next year’s mid-term
elections and that it would
have no time for a plebiscite.
“This means that the PI is in
the freezer, for now. So, what
is there to investigate, unless
the purpose is to target some
personalities, embarrass them?
The Senate inquiry is just a
waste of taxpayers’ money that
could otherwise be used for
productive purposes,” he said.
Comelec chairman George
Garcia said the commission
has decided to suspend all
people’s initiative proceedings
to make way for reviewing and
amending rules regarding the
initiative.
“We honestly believe, based
on our initial assessment, that
we have to review, enhance, or
add to the existing IRR con-
cerning PI because we think
that there is something that
is lacking in the guidelines,”
Garcia said.
“For example, our rules on
withdrawal, our rules on op-
position, and the rules on no-
tices that we need in the end
to avoid problems, confusion,
and misunderstandings when it
comes to the interpretation of
the provisions of our rules,” he
added.
growth, create job opportunities, and
improve the overall quality of life for
Filipinos.
"With him at the helm, the House
has adopted a more activist role in
nation-building, exemplified by our in-
tensified oversight function, combating
economic disparities and supporting
the government's efforts against drug
trafficking and other societal challeng-
es," it read.
NEWS
DFA vows to curb
illicit issuances of
visas by consulars
THE Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA) has vowed to go after individ-
uals involved in the sale of its travel
permits or visas. At the same time, the
DFA said it is committed to provide
excellence in public service and im-
prove its consular services.
Meanwhile, the Department of Jus-
tice (DOJ), through the Inter-Agency
Council Against Trafficking (IA-
CAT), has started looking into ways
of closing the country’s backdoor on
human traffickers using it’s as an es-
cape route.
The DFA issued the statements
amid allegations of illicit activities
within its ranks, including embassy
officials.
According to the DFA, it “does not
tolerate or condone acts of corruption
in its visa and consular services at
Philippine Foreign Service Post.”
“Integral to its quality policy, the
DFA takes allegations of extortion
and other illicit activities in its visa
processes seriously,” the DFA said in
a statement.
The agency gave assurance that
systems were already in place to
“safeguard the integrity of the visa is-
suance process, including the conduct
of a timely and thorough investigation
to check the veracity of the report.“
The DFA also said it closely com-
municates with its foreign service
posts and stakeholders in the tourism
and security sectors in enhancing its
mandate to issue entry visas and re-
solving complaints.”
In a statement, the DOJ said an
IACAT delegation headed by Under-
secretary-in-charge Felix Ty recently
visited Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and
Tawi-Tawi.
The DOJ explained that the trip,
done on Jan. 21 to 26, was the first
part of the IACAT’s research on back-
door exits being utilized by human
traffickers in avoiding arrest in the
country.
“Ty has a positive approach on the
trip which he believes will expand the
awareness of Filipinos on human traf-
ficking,” the DOJ said. Rey E. Requejo
PCSO submits list of top lotto winners
from July ‘23 to January to Tulfo panel
THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes
Office (PCSO) has submitted to the
Senate the list of jackpot lotto winners
from July 2023 to Jan. 30, 2024.
This developed as the Senate Com-
mittee on Games and Amusement head-
ed by Senator Raffy Tulfo resumed its
inquiry into perceived irregularities in
the conduct of the PCSO’s lotto draws.
Tulfo sought last week the submis-
sion of pertinent documents on the lotto
games, including the tax records, and
the list of jackpot winners.
Lyssa Grace Pagano, chief of staff
of PCSO general manager Melquiades
Robles, delivered the documents to the
Senate.
Aside from the list of lotto winners,
the PCSO also turned over a so-called
“alpha list” or record of taxes collected
Party-list lawmaker
heads newly formed
AFP reserve group
By Maricel V. Cruz
A PARTY-LIST congressman has
been unanimously elected as the first
chairman of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) reservists’ associa-
tion.
1-Pacman Rep. Mikee Romero,
chairman of the House Committee on
Poverty Alleviation, now holds the
rank of lieutenant colonel in the Phil-
ippine Air Force (PAF) reserve corps.
His election to the military reserv-
ists group took place Thursday, Feb.
1, during the first meeting of the ad-
visory board and board of trustees
of the Association of Reservists and
Reservist Administrators of the Phil-
ippines, Inc. in Camp Aguinaldo,
Quezon City.
Romero and other officers of the
association took their oath of office
before Maj. Gen. Joel Alejandro Nac-
nac, AFP deputy chief for reservist
and retiree affairs.
In his acceptance message, Romero
urged his colleagues to harness their
individual talents and skills in sup-
porting the AFP advance its mission
of preserving peace and defending the
country.
Business groups oppose scrapping
of seniors, PWD purchase booklets
By Othel Campos
T
WO business groups are opposed to the removal of
the booklets used by senior citizens and persons with
disability to purchase groceries and medicines.
The Philippine Consumer Centric
Traders Association said the law only
authorizes up to P1,300 in weekly pur-
chases for certain basic goods in the
supermarket.
The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of
2010 grants senior citizens a 20-percent
discount and exemption from value-
added tax on the sale of specific goods
and services from all establishments for
their exclusive use and enjoyment.
“If there is no booklet, there will be
no way to check if a senior has pur-
chased more than what is allowed un-
der the law,” the association said.
from the jackpot winners from July
1,2023 to December 2023.
Tulfo assured the PCSO that the doc-
uments would be treated in confiden-
tiality and would only be used for his
panel’s review.
The Senate committee has been look-
ing into the recent PCSO games fol-
lowing allegations of “manipulation”
and senators’ questions on the frequent
winnings of lotto games involving huge
amounts of jackpot prizes.
Robles denied during the last hearing
that the PCSO manipulated the results
of a recent 6/49 Grand Lotto draw won
by a single bettor.
The senators also question the pur-
ported PCSO augmentation that sig-
nificantly raised the amount of the lotto
prize jackpots.
Three-agency panel draws up emergency plans in case ‘Big One’ occurs
By Joel Zurbano
THREE government agencies are de-
veloping plans for Metro Manila and
nearby provinces to prepare for the so-
called “Big One,” referring to a major
earthquake.
Metro Manila Development Author-
ity (MMDA) chairman Romando Artes
and Department of the Interior and Lo-
cal Government (DILG) Secretary Ben-
jamin Abalos Jr. have met with officials
CORONATION NIGHT IN JARO CATHEDRAL. The Jaro Metropolitan
Cathedral is all aglow in the night for the coronation of the image of Nuestra Señora
de la Candelaria (Our Lady of the Candles) Thursday in Jaro, Iloilo City. Photo by the
Iloilo City Mayor’s Office
The Philippine Retailers Association
pointed out the booklet requirement
protects the system from abuse, as buy-
ers could jump “from store A to store
B” to get basic necessities in excess of
their requirements, said PRA director
Paul Santos.
“He might buy not just for himself,
but also for his family,” Santos said.
The retailers were responding to a
proposal by Deputy Majority Leader
and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin
Tulfo to remove purchase booklets as a
requirement for senior citizens, calling
them “useless and an additional bur-
of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to
discuss the contingency plans.
The meeting resulted in a consensus
to intensify disaster and emergency re-
sponse to earthquakes and other calami-
ties in Metro Manila and surrounding
areas.
The three agencies also agreed
to implement a simultaneous earth-
quake drill, which will feature the
absence of electricity, water, and
telecommunication signals to pre-
den” for the elderly.
Tulfo aired his sentiments during the
resumption of the House Committee on
Ways and Means hearing on the motu
propio inquiry into the implementation
and policies that provide discounts, in-
centives and tax exemptions for senior
citizens and persons with disabilities
(PWDs).
To get discounts, senior citizens
must bring their senior citizen ID and
a purchase booklet when they shop in
supermarkets, convenience stores, and
pharmacies.
He said most senior citizens tend to
forget their booklets and when this hap-
pens, they are not granted discounts by
business establishments.
United Senior Citizens party-list Rep.
Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay agreed
with Tulfo’s suggestion to abolish the
requirement.
TRAVEL TOUR
EXPO.
The Travel Tour
Expo 2024 comes
off the wraps
with (from left)
Transportation
Secretary Jaime
Bautista, TTEX
chairperson Patria
Chiong, and
Tourism Secretary
Maria Christina
Frasco leading the
opening ceremony.
The event, along
with the 9th
International Travel
Trade Expo, is
being held at the
SMX Convention
Center in Pasay City
under the auspices
of the Philippine
Travel Agencies
Association.
Norman Cruz
pare for the expected magnitude 7.2
earthquake caused by the West Val-
ley Fault and tsunami.
Artes said they are also planning to
construct the MMDA Disaster Response
Training Center in Carmona, Cavite to
raise public awareness of disaster pre-
paredness and emergency rescue mea-
sures.
Experts believe that the “Big One”
will happen anytime and inflict occur-
ring in the first hour alone, over 100,000
Customs foils smuggling bid in Zambo,
seizes vessel, P27.6m worth of cigarettes
By Darwin Amojelar
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has
thwarted a smuggling attempt in Zam-
boanga, resulting in the seizure of a
wooden boat and smuggled cigarettes
worth P27.6 million.
The BOC’s Water Patrol Division
(WPD), together with Enforcement and
Security Service-Customs Police Divi-
sion and the Customs Intelligence and
Investigation Service based in Zambo-
anga, conducted a maritime patrol op-
eration which led to the apprehension
and seizure of the motor boat marked
“FB JFM 2.”
Upon inspection, the vessel, also
A3
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
FREE PEDICABS.
At least 30
impoverished residents
of Tacloban City are
now proud owners of
pedicabs they received
free of charge courtesy
of the Tingog party-list,
the Office of Speaker
Ferdinand Martin
Romualdez and the
Department of Labor
and Employment. On
hand at the turnover
rites held in Brgy.
Calanipawan, Tacloban
City are Karla Estrada,
Tingog director for
community affairs, and
DOLE representative
Shirley Nibreja.
CJ tells traders:
Judiciary is your
equal in growth
THE Supreme Court (SC) has as-
sured the country’s business lead-
ers of a functioning and reliable
judiciary as their counterpart in
enhancing economic growth and
stability.
In his speech during the 2024
Justice Summit organized by the
High Court and the Justice Reform
Initiative (JRI) held in Makati City
on Thursday, Chief Justice (CJ)
Alexander Gesmundo expressed
gratitude to the JRI members as
partners of the judiciary.
“Much remains to be done. But
we are already seeing the effects
of our progress, as shown in the
results of your survey. This gives
us additional impetus to continue
on this difficult road we have cho-
sen,” the country’s top magistrate
said.
JRI was formed almost a decade
ago. It was a private initiative
composed of leading business or-
ganizations and foreign chambers
of commerce in the country.
“The judiciary’s role in national
development has been underap-
preciated or simply ignored. The
economy has been viewed as a field
entirely separate and unconnected
to the justice system. But thanks
to the JRI, the important connec-
tion has been made and JRI made
it its avowed mission,” Gesmundo
stressed.
He recalled that “year in and year
out, we are rated globally as one of
the poorest in terms of Ease of Do-
ing Business.” Rey E. Requejo
injured, and an economic loss of P2.5
trillion.
The three-man panel also aims to in-
form the public about survival methods
and the “do’s and don’ts” before, dur-
ing, and after the disaster.
Artes emphasized the importance of
continuing preparedness for the possi-
bility of the “Big One” in Metro Manila.
He enjoined every sector of society to
be aware and ready to respond to such
catastrophic events.
known as “jungkong,” was found to be
loaded with smuggled cigarettes.
The arrested nine crewmembers al-
legedly failed to present documents to
prove the legality of their shipment.
The 2nd Zamboanga City Mobile
Force Co. assisted the BOC personnel
in taking the motor boat with its cargo
to the BOC office address in Brgy.
Baliwasan where proper inventory was
conducted.
Acting district collector Arthur Se-
villa Jr. commended the WPD for the
successful maritime security in the
area, contributing to the BOC’s ef-
forts to curb smuggling as mandated by
Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.
A4
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
PROSPERITY TREE.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna Pangan
(center, inset) lead the lighting ceremony
of the Prosperity Tree to mark the
430th anniversary of Chinese New Year
celebrations at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz in
Binondo on Thursday night. Binondo is the
oldest Chinatown in the world, established
in 1594 by the Spaniards as a settlement
near Intramuros across the Pasig River.
Norman Cruz
Tests show towns
in Occ. Mindoro
have no more ASF
RANDOM blood tests by the
Bureau of Animal Industry on
pigs in three towns in Occiden-
tal Mindoro tested negative for
African Swine Fever, the De-
partment of Agriculture (DA)
announced Friday.
The latest blood tests were
conducted to secure Recognition
of Active Surveillance on ASF
(RAS-ASF), attesting there are no
active cases of ASF in a specified
place, the department said.
The tests, conducted at the
Regional Animal Disease
Diagnostic Laboratory, con-
firmed the absence of ASF in
the local pig population.
Municipalities in the province
have applied for the RAS-ASF
from the BAI.
Aside from the assurance of
no active ASF cases within the
municipality, the certification
also serves as a prerequisite for
allowing the entry and exit of
pigs in Occidental Mindoro, to
prevent the spread of ASF and
maintain the biosecurity of pig
farms in the province.
The province has set up meat
inspection checkpoints on the last
week of January following the
confirmation of an ASF outbreak
in the towns of San Jose, Santa
Cruz, and Rizal.
The local governments also
quarantined affected farms
after the ASF announcement.
Othel V. Campos
Peralta new PNP No. 2, Arnaldo takes directorial staff post in revamp
TWO top officials got new positions in
the latest revamp in the command group
of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In an order dated Feb. 1 and released
Friday, PNP Chief, Gen. Benjamin
Acorda Jr., named Lt. Gen. Emmanuel
Peralta as the deputy chief for adminis-
tration (DCA), the force’s second-high-
est post.
Party-list thanks gov’t agencies
for building NAIA OFW Lounge
By Maricel V. Cruz
REP. Marissa Magsino of the OFW
party-list group has expressed grati-
tude to the administration for putting
up the recently inaugurated OFW
Lounge at the Ninoy Aquino Inter-
national Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1,
calling it the “legacy of the President.”
Magsino visited the lounge where her
group donated four units of high-grade
plasma air purifiers to improve its indoor
air quality. The party-list also provided
home-cooked meals to the overseas
Filipino workers in appreciation of their
hard work and dedication before their de-
parture for their assignments abroad.
The lounge, which officially opened its
doors on Jan. 16, is a collaborative effort
among the Overseas Workers Welfare Ad-
ministration (OWWA) of the Department
of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Manila
DA steps up onion production
By Othel V. Campos
T
HE Department of Agriculture (DA) is taking proactive
steps to improve the production of quality onions in the
country, including partnering with local government
units in information awareness and training programs.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Ge-
nevieve Guevarra on Friday encouraged
onion farmers to share information to ad-
dress concerns affecting their industry.
“Let us practice early reporting and
monitoring of unusual events in the
He replaced Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia,
who retired from the service last Jan. 26.
Before his appointment to the post,
Peralta was the PNP’s fourth top offi-
cial or the chief of the directorial staff.
He previously held key posts, including
director for operations and director of the
Police Regional Office 1 (Ilocos) and the
Southern Police District in Metro Manila.
International Airport Authority (MIAA)
under the Department of Transportation
(DOTr), OFW party-list, and the House of
Representatives headed by Speaker Ferdi-
nand Martin G. Romualdez.
“We are glad that a daily average of
1,000 Overseas Filipino Workers are
able to use the OFW Lounge and are
being served with free food and drinks,
essential amenities, Wi-Fi connectiv-
ity, charging docks, power outlets, and
a paging system,” Magsino said.
“It was a dream turned into reality as
the OFW Party List worked closely with
OWWA, DMW, MIAA, and DOTr from
September 2023 to January 2024 on the
preparations for and renovations on the
OFW Lounges in NAIA Terminals 1 and
3,” she added, as she thanked the offi-
cials of government agencies concerned
for their effort to provide a decent space
for the OFWs at the airport.
farms,” Guevarra said during a meeting
with onion growers and members of the
Provincial and Municipal Agriculture
Office in Nueva Ecija.
Agriculture officials led by the Bu-
reau of Plant Industry (BPI) visited pro-
Meanwhile, Area Police Command
- Northern Luzon Commander, Maj.
Gen. Jon Arnaldo, replaces Peralta as
the chief of the directorial staff.
Arnaldo will supervise and synchro-
nize the functions of the PNP directo-
rial staff offices in support of the opera-
tions of the 17 Police Regional Offices
and the different national operational
GUAGUA CENTER. Senator Lito Lapid speaks then leads the groundbreaking ceremonies of the convention center to rise in Brgy.
San Antonio, Guagua, Pampanga on Thursday. The convention center will be shaped like a star and a dome, symbolizing the Christmas
lantern, which is the main industry in the province. ‘Supremo’ Lapid joined TIEZA COO Mark Lapid and local officials of Guagua led by Mayor
Anthony Joseph ‘Tonton’ Lim Torres and Vice-Mayor Benjamin Lim Jr. in the groundbreaking. Lino Santos
4 killed, 5 hurt in blaze at Laguna fireworks factory
FOUR persons were killed while five
others were injured in a blast and fire that
hit a fireworks factory in the province of
Laguna on Thursday afternoon, the Phil-
ippine National Police said Friday.
In a report, the PNP-Area Police
Command Southern Luzon (APC-SL)
NEWS
Manila lights golden
money tree for CNY
By Randy Caluag
MANILA Mayor Honey Lacuna on Thursday night
led the lighting of the gold-themed money tree at the
Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, kicking off a se-
ries of celebrations for the Chinese New Year and the
430th anniversary of Manila Chinatown.
Prominent figures from the Filipino-Chinese busi-
ness community, led by Manila Chinatown Develop-
ment Council Executive Director Willord Chua and
Chinatown Barangay Organization President Jeffer-
son Lau, joined Lacuna in underscoring the signifi-
cance of Manila Chinatown as a prime tourism desti-
nation and a hub for trade and commerce.
Lacuna emphasized that the event, a first in Ma-
nila, serves as a platform to celebrate the rich his-
tory and culture of “Chinoys” while recognizing
their substantial contributions to Manila and the
broader development of the nation.
“Like our hardworking Filipino-Chinese fellow
citizens, we should all strive not just for material
things, but for the overall progress of our city,” said
Lacuna in Filipino.
duction areas in Bongabon and Rizal, tive tools and knowledge in managing
Nueva Ecija to monitor harvest and the production areas.
engage farmers to be more proactive Aside from the regular information
in coordinating with the DA regarding campaign carried out by the Regional
concerns and issues. Crop Protection Center, BPI will hold
Guevarra added that government is training programs on Integrated Pest
ready to support the industry to ensure Management, efficient use of biocon-
that farmers maximize productivity to trol agents and judicious use of farm in-
increase their income. puts, including fertilizer and pesticides.
BPI director Glenns Panganiban said “We will also assist onion growers
the government will provide a techni- of Nueva Ecija in securing a Philippine
cal support program to onion farmers Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP)
and agricultural extension workers to certificate to enable them to access
equip industry stakeholders with effec- more markets,” Panganiban said.
PENSION
PAYOUT.
First Lady Louise
PAGCOR revenue
rises 34 percent,
Araneta-Marcos
(center, seated)
and Department
hits P79 billion
of Social
Welfare and
Development
Secretary Rex
Gatchalian lead By Darwin G. Amojelar
the DSWD’s
ceremonial social THE Philippine Amusement and
pension payout
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on
to indigent senior
citizens at the Friday said its revenues rose by 34.63
percent to P79.37 billion in 2023,
agency’s central
office in Quezon driven mainly by robust earnings
City on Friday. from licensed casinos and the rising
Manny Palmero electronic games sector.
PAGCOR’s gaming operations re-
main the main source of its revenues
with P73.11 billion while other sourc-
es such as services, business income,
gains and non-operating income con-
tributed P6.26 billion.
Net income amounted to P6.81 bil-
lion, a 53.27 percent increase from the
agency’s P4.44 billion profit in 2022.
Alejandro H. Tengco, PAGCOR
chairman and chief executive, said the
higher earnings enabled the state gam-
ing firm to increase its contribution to
support units. nation-building (CNB) to P49.56 bil-
Earlier this week, the PNP nullified lion, 43 percent higher than the P34.67
an order designating Lt. Gen. Michael billion CNB in the previous year.
John Dubria as the acting DCA, replac- “Our robust revenue generation in
ing Sermonia. 2023 allowed us to remit more funds
Dubria was supposed to serve in a to the government to finance various
concurrent capacity while remaining as services, including funding for the
the PNP’s third top official or deputy Universal Health Care program, also
chief for operations. Vince Lopez known as PhilHealth,” Tengco said.
said the incident occurred around 3:30 Protection (BFP) Cabuyao immediately
p.m. at the Diamond Fireworks Inc. in responded to the fire, which was de-
Barangay Bigaa, Cabuyao City. clared out shortly before 6 p.m.
The Cabuyao Component City Po- Two unidentified bodies were recov-
lice Station, Cabuyao City Disaster ered at the site, while the injured per-
Risk Reduction and Management Of- sons were rushed to various hospitals.
fice (CDRRMO) and the Bureau of Fire Vince Lopez

OPINION
Citizen Barok
Louis ‘Barok’ Biraogo
UN’s press freedom circus in PH
IRENE Khan, the UN’s self-pro-
claimed savior of press freedom, has
graced the Philippines with her fleet-
ing presence.
A 10-day expedition, masked as an
evaluation of human rights mecha-
nisms, raises questions about the san-
ity of UN allocations.
Khan, the supposed priestess of
press freedom, will conduct her super-
ficial assessment in a mere 10 days.
How convenient!
—“—
The UN’s theatrical
circus, under the guise
of press freedom
assessments, continues
unabated, and Khan’s
role in this macabre
show is one of wasted
time and money
Can a foreigner genuinely com-
prehend the intricacies of Philippine
Constitutional Law and the zealous Su-
preme Court protection of press free-
dom in such a short span?
The standards guiding Khan’s evalu-
ation remain a mystery.
Will she defy the decisions of the Su-
preme Court, or will her visit be noth-
ing more than an arbitrary exercise of
UN bureaucracy?
A foreigner’s subjective perspective
on a Constitutional right leaves much
to be desired.
The question of objectivity lingers
EVERYMAN
SMC: Caring for seniors, PWDs
By Melandrew T. Velasco
IT IS inherent in our culture to respect
and care for our elderly family members.
This respect and care go beyond fam-
ily members to include elderly citizens to
whom we look up for words of wisdom
and guidance.
Caring for the elderly is also enshrined
in our Constitution.
Article XV Section 4 states “The fam-
ily has the duty to care for its elderly
members but the State may also do so
through just programs of social security.”
Moreover, Article XIII Section 11
provides “The State shall adopt an inte-
grated and comprehensive approach to
health development which shall endeavor
to make essential goods, health and other
social services available to all the people
at affordable cost. There shall be priority
for the needs of the underprivileged sick,
elderly, disabled, women, and children.”
Benefits and privileges of senior citi-
zens or the elderly are governed by Re-
public Act 9994, the Expanded Senior
Citizens Act of 2010, which further
amended Republic Act 7432.
These benefits and privileges include:
— discount and exemption from value
added tax on the sale of goods and serv-
ices from establishments for senior citi-
zens’ exclusive use; travel fare discounts;
exemption from training fees for socio
economic programs;
— free vaccination against the influ-
enza virus and pneumococcal disease
for indigent senior citizen patients; free
medical and dental services in govern-
ment facilities; priority or express lanes
for senior citizens in all government of-
fices and commercial establishments;
— and five percent discount to the
monthly water and electricity bills pro-
vided the utility meters are registered in
the name of the resident senior citizen
and monthly consumption for electricity
does not exceed 100 kWh and for water,
30 cubic meters, among others.
For PWDs, the Magna Carta for Disa-
bled Persons as amended by Republic
Act 9442 ensures they are not left behind.
Despite the mandated benefits and
privileges for senior citizens and PWDs,
Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard
Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo
de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.
Telephone numbers 8-5646225 and 8-5646229
(connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554,
(Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post
Office, Manila. Website: www.manilastandard.net
like a bad smell.
Khan’s rendezvous with biased crit-
ics, including former Senator Leila de
Lima, showcases a cherry-picked nar-
rative.
How can Khan ascertain the truth
from a limited pool of sources, espe-
cially when dealing with someone like
de Lima, known for her one-sided dia-
tribes?
This entire escapade reeks of a co-
lossal waste.
Who foots the bill for Khan’s lavish
accommodations and luxury travel?
Suspicions linger that Khan, a UN
puppet, enjoys a luxurious vacation at
the expense of the host country.
A five-star hotel and chauffeured
rides — the perks of being a UN dip-
lomat on a supposed fact-finding mis-
sion.
While Khan enjoys her taxpayer-
funded holiday, genuine issues of press
freedom elsewhere remain neglected.
Countries like Russia, China, Saudi
Arabia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Ma-
laysia, where press freedom is a myth,
escape UN scrutiny.
The UN’s priorities are as twisted as
a psychological thriller’s plot.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine con-
flict and the unending violence in Gaza
mock the UN’s claim of relevance.
What is the UN doing? Nothing sub-
stantial.
Instead of denouncing actual perpe-
trators like Hamas, they point fingers
at Israel.
The UN’s ineptitude is glaring, leav-
ing one to wonder if it’s just a global
talking shop.
We won’t grace Khan’s desk or be
acknowledged in her seemingly prede-
termined report.
The UN’s theatrical circus, under the
guise of press freedom assessments,
continues unabated, and Khan’s role
in this macabre show is one of wasted
time and money.
alleged non-compliance by some estab-
lishments has been reported prompting
an inquiry by the House of Representa-
tives recently.
The investigation brought together the
Committees on Ways and Means, Senior
Citizens, and PWDs.
It was conducted to clarify issues in re-
lation to the mandated benefits and privi-
leges of senior citizens, PWDs, and even
solo parents particularly on the discounts
they are entitled to.
—“—
Aside from its
businesses that
contribute to economic
development, SMC has
programs and projects
that directly impact on
the different sectors of
society
Amid the discussions on how to im-
prove the implementation of the laws and
empower the concern sectors, it is heart-
ening to know that hopefully, the elderly
and PWDS will soon be getting 20-per-
cent discounts on the use of expressways
and skyways operated by San Miguel
Corporation namely: Metro Manila and
NAIA skyway, South Luzon Express-
way, STAR (Southern Tagalong Arterial
Road), and TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-
La Union Expressway).
It was San Miguel Corporation’s infra-
structure group head Mr. Rafael Yabut
who made the announcement during the
hearing.
A former undersecretary of public
works, he said granting discounts would
be coordinated by SMC with the Toll
Regulatory Board and relevant agencies.
ManilaStandard
Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno
can be accessed at:
ONLINE manilastandard.net
MEMBER
PPI
Philippine Press Institute
Edgar M. Valmorida
The National Association
of Philippine Newspapers
No to secession
N
EARLY six years
ago, the Consultative
Committee tasked
by then president Rodrigo
Duterte to review the
1987 Constitution voted to
unanimously revise parts
of the Preamble under its
proposed Constitution
under a federal form of
government to ensure the
proposed federal republic
will be permanent and there
will be no secession.
More specifically, the ConCom want-
ed to prohibit secession under a federal
system and make the nation “indissolu-
ble, permanent, and eternal.”
ConCom chairman and former chief
justice Reynato Puno said then, in voting
in favor of the revisions to the Preamble
during an en banc session at the Philip-
pine International Convention Center:
“Our proposed Preamble proposes a un-
ion that is indissoluble, a federalism that
is permanent, a bond that is eternal.”
He added: “This is not just a grandiose
display and play of words but a pledge
by all our people, a promise by all our
constituents not to secede from the new
federal republic. This pledge not to se-
Eagle Eyes
Tony La Viña
FORMER Senator Leila De Lima once
reflected on why the International Crimi-
nal Court can rightfully come in to the
Philippines to investigate the thousands
of extrajudicial killings committed dur-
ing Duterte’s war against drugs.
De Lima started with a well-accepted
observation that ideally, extrajudicial
killings should be resolved domestically,
applying national Constitutional and le-
gal remedies of criminal investigation
and prosecution.
However, according to her: “In such
cases, when the “ideal scenario” fails to
manifest itself in reality, there remains an
international forum under which justice
can be achieved if and when domestic
remedies fail to provide a genuine solu-
tion.
The ICC provides such a forum. Thus,
essentially, it is an extraordinary remedy,
available only when it can be shown that
domestic justice system can no longer be
expected to provide a genuine solution
“to end impunity and prevent further acts
of injustice.”
According to De Lima, “Complemen-
tarity consists of an examination of the
existence of genuine relevant national
proceedings in relation to the potential
cases being considered for investigation
by the Office, bearing in mind the Of-
fice’s prosecutorial strategy of investigat-
ing and prosecuting those most responsi-
ble for the most serious crimes.
“Conversely, complementarity is not
fulfilled where the state party is able to
show that it has taken genuine steps to:
(1) End impunity; (2) Encourage genuine
national proceedings; and (3) Prevent the
further commission of the crime.
Thus, Senator De Lima emphasizes,
before resort can be made to the ICC,
“it must be shown that substantial ef-
forts have been exerted to the end of
conducting a criminal prosecution in the
According to reports, Yabut agreed to the
proposal of Rep. Joey Salceda, Chair of the
House Ways and Means Committee, that in-
stead of deducting 20 percent from the cost
of an expressway or skyway radio frequen-
cy identification (RFID) card or its top-up
load, an equivalent amount would be added
to the card price or additional load.
Thus, the 20 percent discount would be
given as an add-on.
For elderly owners of vehicles to avail
themselves of the discount, the vehicle
with the RFID should be registered under
the name of the senior citizen or PWD.
For those of us who are not legislators
or lawmakers, we do not know if an ena-
bling law is needed for this.
Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser
Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager
Baldwin R. Felipe Head—Ad Solutions
Circulation Manager
EDITORIAL
cede is ultra important. For today, the
world is beset by the problem of seces-
sion of states.”
We remember Puno’s words because
Duterte, who tasked the ConCom to
review the 1987 Constitution, said this
week there is currently a “regrouping
of the political arena that is still in the
works” that would lead to the campaign
for Mindanao to separate from the rest
of the country.
—“—
Admittedly there is
no room for secession
as some quarters,
whatever their hidden
agenda may be, are
loudly suggesting
Senator Francis Escudero said Du-
terte’s announced plan to separate Mind-
anao to secede from the Philippines
might “not be Constitutionally possible.”
Duterte’s fellow Mindanaon, Senate
President Juan Miguel Zubiri, himself
said: “With due respect to the former
President, I think the last thing we
want is to make our country chaotic
The killings began in Davao
jurisdiction of the state party, and that the
accused has not been tried because the
domestic legal system of the state party
has failed to exact accountability.”
This follows from the rationale of the
ICC which was established not to sup-
plant the justice systems of the individual
state parties, but to complement them.
Hence, the principle of complementarity.
—“—
The CHR was
also the very first
government institution
to undertake an
investigation on the
Davao Death Squad
starting March of 2009
De Lima then observes:
“In relation to the Duterte Administra-
tion’s War on Drugs, the 2019 Report of
the Office of the Prosecutor states that,
based on open source information, there
is indication that ‘a limited number of in-
vestigations and prosecutions have been
initiated (and, in some cases, completed)
at the national level in respect of direct
perpetrators of certain criminal conduct
that allegedly took place in the context
of, or connection to, the WoD campaign,’
including, for example: 1. sporadic public
updates provided by Philippine govern-
ment officials and bodies on the number
of investigations conducted by various
authorities into killings that occurred
Or, amendments will be introduced to
the existing Expanded Seniors Citizens
Act and the Magna Carta for Disabled
Persons.
Whichever, I hope it will not take too
long for our legislature to pass one.
San Miguel Corporation did it again.
It has proven it is a trailblazer for many
ideas that are benefitting the country and
its people.
Aside from its businesses that contrib-
ute to economic development, it has pro-
grams and projects that directly impact on
the different sectors of society.
Its advocacies extend from education
for the youth, livelihood and skills train-
ing for the unemployed, housing, health
Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher
Chin Wong Associate Editor
Joyce Pangco Pañares Managing Editor
Jimbo Owen Gulle News Editor
Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board
B1
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
HONOR BLANCO CABIE, Editor
and divided.”
Presidential Adviser on Peace, Rec-
onciliation, and Unity Secretary Carl-
ito Galvez Jr. also called on Filipinos to
rally behind President Ferdinand Mar-
cos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” initiative, in
light of Duterte’s call to separate Mind-
anao from the Philippines, stressing this
would bring greater peace, progress and
unity to the nation.
The government’s Bagong Pilipinas
campaign is a multi-sectoral effort that
seeks to bring all Filipinos, in the words
of Galvez, “together as one nation re-
gardless of ethnicity, religion, economic
status or personal beliefs.”
The Marcos administration’s clarion
for national renewal seeks to build a so-
ciety that will provide all Filipinos with
equal opportunities to uplift their lives
and fulfill their full potential.
We believe this is not just a slogan but,
as President Marcos said, “a holistic and
inclusive brand of governance that will
guide the government in its development
and peace-building efforts for the 113.9
million population.
That includes 27,021,000 from Mind-
anao, divided into six administrative re-
gions: Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern
Mindanao, Caraga Region, Davao Re-
gion, Soksuksargen Region and Bang-
samoro Autonomous Region.
Admittedly there is no room for se-
cession as some quarters, whatever their
hidden agenda may be, are loudly sug-
gesting.
during law enforcement operations; 2.
criminal charges have been laid in the
Philippines against a number of indi-
viduals – typically low-level, physical
perpetrator – including in the case of the
November 2018 death of 17-year-old Kian
Delos Santos, wherein three police offic-
ers were convicted for murder by the Ca-
loocan City Regional Trial Court.
De Lima recalls her own communica-
tion to the ICC, where she argued that:
“The Commission on Human Rights is
the only remaining credible institution
capable of holding state security forces
accountable for abuses and violations, in
light of the fact that other state account-
ability institutions are under the direct
control and supervision of the President
who is the one responsible for the mass
extermination program being carried
out by the Philippine National Police at
present.
The CHR was also the very first gov-
ernment institution to undertake an in-
vestigation on the Davao Death Squad
starting March of 2009.
This was the time when Duterte threat-
ened to line up all CHR commissioners
and shoot them one by one, before he met
them face to face in the first public hear-
ing on the DDS which was conducted at
the very heart of Davao City.
It has been reported that aside from
former President Duterte, Vice-President
Sara Duterte (as former vice-mayor and
mayor of Davao City), and Senators Bato
Del Rosario (as former chief of police in
Davao City as head of the Philippine Na-
tional Police) and Bong Go (as the long-
time aid of Duterte in Davao and Malaca-
nang), might be indicted I the ICC.
The killing started in Davao. There
will be accountability for that.
Website: tonylavina.com Facebook:
deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs
and medical aid, environment protection,
among others.
Now, it is working to help the elderly
and PWDs.
SMC, under its President Ramon S.
Ang has showed other organizations that
beyond profit, is the need to help the gov-
ernment care for its citizens.
It is my fervent hope others will follow
the lead.
(The author is president and executive
director of the Million Trees Foundation
Inc., a non-profit group advocating tree
planting and watershed protection. He is
also a book writer and publisher of bio-
graphical and coffee table books.)
Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor
Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer
 TODAY

B2
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
FOR UPGRADING OF
BUSINESS COMPANY NAME
This is to inform the public that
MJCG CONST. INC. upgraded
it’s company business name to
Manila
MJCG CONSTRUCTION AND
Standard
DEVELOPMENT
TODAY CORP.
per approved SEC Company
Registration No. CS201103212
dated September 14, 2023.
WORLD
SUPPORT FOR
PALESTINIANS.
People gather
in support of
Palestinians outside
the venue where
US President Joe
Biden is speaking
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
to members of the
United Auto Workers
as at the UAW National
Training Center, in
Warren, Michigan, on
Friday. AFP

ERRATA
On January 31, 2024,
Cirrus Global, Inc. (the
Corporation) with POEA
License No. POEA-166-

Hamas gives ‘initial’ approval

LB-091219-R, published
its Notice of Transfer of
Office from Room 109, 225
& 228 Universal Motors
Corporation, 2232 Don Chino
Roces Avenue, Makati City, to
to Gaza hostage-prisoner plan
Room 232 Universal Motors
P
ALESTINAN Territories dered Gaza “uninhabitable”, according to tions have important observations — and the
the UN, while an Israeli siege has led to dire Qatari statement is rushed and not true.”
— Fighting in Gaza
Corporation, 2232 Don Chino dragged on into Friday
shortages of food, water, fuel and medicines. A Hamas source had previously told AFP

Roces Avenue, Makati City,

with scores reported killed
effective February 5, 2024.
overnight, after mediator Qatar
said Hamas had given its
“initial” approval to a hostage-
The Corporation’s transfer of prisoner exchange deal that
would pause its war with Israel.
office is put on hold, and an
announcement will be made
Hamas’s health ministry said 105 people
were killed overnight from Thursday to Fri-
day, while the group’s press office reported
in the future. raids and shelling around Khan Yunis —
southern Gaza’s main city and the recent epi-
centre of hostilities.
Nearly four months of fighting have ren-
The humanitarian crisis, coupled with
soaring civilian casualties, has spurred in-
creasing international calls for a ceasefire.
Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Ma-
jed al-Ansari, said Thursday that recent talks
in Paris between Qatari, US, Israeli and
Egyptian officials had yielded a consolidated
truce proposal.
“That proposal has been approved by the
Israeli side and now we have an initial posi-
tive confirmation from the Hamas side.”
Ansari said there were hopes of “good
news” about a new pause in the fighting “in
the next couple of weeks”.
But a source close to Hamas told AFP on
Thursday: “There is no agreement on the
framework of the agreement yet — the fac-
the three-stage plan would start with an ini-
tial six-week halt to the fighting that would
see more aid deliveries into Gaza.
Only “women, children and sick men over
60” held by militants would be freed during
that stage in exchange for Palestinian prison-
ers in Israel, the source said, requesting ano-
nymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
There would also be “negotiations around
the withdrawal of Israeli forces,” with pos-
sible additional phases involving more hos-
tage-prisoner exchanges.
The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas’s
Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the
deaths of around 1,160 people, mostly civil-
ians, according to an AFP tally based on of-
ficial figures. AFP

Haley battles On course for power,

Trump, odds,
SWEEPING
REFORMS. A
man poses next to
UK’s Labor prepares
on home turf
policemen outside
the Congress while
lawmakers debate
for quick change
the government’s LONDON – If the main opposition Labor
COLUMBIA — Nikki Haley tried ‘omnibus bill’ of party wins the next UK general election
to fire up the crowd at a South Caro- economic reforms as opinion polls indicate, then a familiar
lina barbecue joint — even though in Buenos Aires sight will appear outside the prime min-
the polls say Donald Trump is set to Friday. Argentine ister’s official residence the next day: re-
smoke her in the Republican presi- police fired rubber moval vans.
dential primary in her home state. bullets to disperse The overnight transition, unique in ma-
“Head to head, Trump does not protesters gathered jor Western democracies, contrasts with
outside Congress as the roughly two months’ preparation for an
beat Joe Biden. I defeat Biden,” the
lawmakers debated incoming US administration and around 10
former South Carolina governor told the new president’s
supporters on Thursday (Friday in days for a new French president.
sweeping reform
Manila), as steam rose from piles of But if Labor defeats the governing
package. AFP
fried chicken and pulled pork on a Conservatives by a majority at this year’s
buffet nearby. nationwide vote, its leader Keir Starmer
The ex-UN ambassador is now the will replace Rishi Sunak inside 10 Down-
sole challenger to her former boss, ing Street within hours.
with Haley, 51, hoping a home ad- The UK’s politically neutral
vantage will help her in the Palmetto 500,000-strong civil service, satirized in

N. Korea fires multiple cruise missiles into West Sea

State’s primary on Feb. 24.
Her message is aimed at more
moderate Republicans and wavering
Democrats — focusing on the “cha-
os” of Trump’s first term, and bashing
both the 77-year-old and 81-year-old
Biden as too old for a second term.
She faces an uphill battle. A Wash-
ington Post/Monmouth Univer-
sity poll released Thursday showed
Trump leading Haley by 58 percent
to 32 percent.
Still, supporters at Doc’s Bar-
becue restaurant in South Caro-
lina state capital Columbia said she
could still win, describing the race
as a choice between a “Republican
and a fascist”.
“I just love her moral fiber,” said
Sarah Rock, from Columbia, sporting
a red, white and blue “I Pick Nikki”
badge on her blouse. “She’s not going
to have criminal issues and I think she
is what our country needs.” AFP
SEOUL -- North Korea fired multiple
cruise missiles into the West Sea on
Friday, Seoul’s military said, continu-
ing a fresh streak of weapons testing
as Kim Jong Un’s regime ramps up
“war preparations.”
Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the
military had “detected at around 11
am the firing of multiple unidentified
cruise missiles” into the sea off the
country’s west coast.
The South Korean military has
“stepped up surveillance in close co-
ordination with the United States,” the
JCS said in the statement.
The military is “closely monitor-
ing for signs of additional activity” by
the North Korean army, it said, add-
ing they were “closely analyzing” the
launch.
The Friday launch comes three days
after the nuclear-armed North con-
ducted what it said was a test-fire of a
strategic cruise missile.
On Sunday, Kim also oversaw the
launch of two Pulhwasal-3-31s, a new
type of strategic cruise missile, purport-
edly from a North Korean submarine.
Pyongyang has also claimed this
month to have tested an “underwater
nuclear weapon system” and a solid-
fueled hypersonic ballistic missile.
Unlike their ballistic counterparts,
the testing of cruise missiles is not
banned under current UN sanctions on
Pyongyang.
Cruise missiles tend to be jet-pro-
pelled and fly at a lower altitude than
more sophisticated ballistic missiles,
making them harder to detect and in-
tercept.
Analysts have warned that North
Korea could be testing cruise mis-
siles ahead of sending them to Russia
for use in Ukraine, with Washington
and Seoul claiming Kim has shipped
weapons to Moscow as part of a pos-
sible illicit deal, banned by rafts of UN
sanctions.
The latest launch follows Kim Jong
Un inspecting warships at a naval
shipyard as he looks to bolster his
maritime forces as part of “war prepa-
rations”, state media said Friday.
In recent weeks, Kim has declared
South Korea his country’s “principal
enemy”, jettisoned agencies dedicat-
ed to reunification and outreach, and
threatened war over “even 0.001 mm”
of territorial infringement. AFP
the hit 1980s British sitcom “Yes Minis-
ter”, will immediately find itself working
for new government ministers with new
priorities.
Key to the quick changeover are so-
called “access talks” between the opposi-
tion party and senior civil servants, which
occur in the run-up to an election.
Tory leader Sunak recently gave La-
bour permission to commence these dis-
cussions with mandarins in Whitehall
— the catch-all term for the civil service
— and they are due to start imminently.
“They’re important because they’re the
only opportunity before the election for
opposition politicians to privately share
their thinking and their ideas with the civ-
il service government machine,” former
civil servant Alex Thomas told AFP.
They are also a chance for civil servants
to inform future ministers and their advis-
ers about any operational issues they may
encounter at the department they might
soon lead. AFP

COUP
Biden to receive bodies of troops killed in Jordan
ANNIVERSARY. DOVER -- President Joe Biden on Friday force base in Dover, Delaware, where they Donald Trump, hope to retake the White
A protester covered (Saturday in Manla) will oversee the re- will be received with military honors. House.
in fake blood flashes turn to the United States of the bodies of The president previously received bod- The Democrat, who has suffered many
the three-finger three American soldiers, killed in a drone ies at the base following the August 26, family tragedies of his own, is known to
salute next to an
attack at a base in Jordan that Washington 2021 bombing at the Kabul airport, during get emotional when greeting mourning
image of detained
civilian leader Aung
has blamed on Iran-backed militants. the US pull-out from Afghanistan. Americans.
San Suu Kyi during Amid strikes between US forces and Iran- The White House has said a militia He already called each of the three fam-
a demonstration backed groups in Iraq and Syria, as well as called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq was ilies of the soldiers killed in Jordan, in part
outside the UN exchanges with Yemen’s Huthi rebels, these behind the attack on the base in Jordan, to make sure they were OK with his pres-
office in Bangkok on were the first US military personnel killed by near the Syrian border. Biden has vowed ence at the ceremony.
Thursday to mark the hostile fire in the region following the Octo- a response, the nature and timing of which “I know there
CYAN MAGENTA is nothing
YELLOW BLACKanybody can
third anniversary of ber 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. have not been declared publicly. say or do to ease the pain, I’ve been there,”
the coup in Myanmar. The bodies of William Jerome Rivers, Pressure is mounting on the Democratic Biden said in one call, recorded and shared
AFP Kennedy Ladon Sanders and Breonna president during an election year where by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution news-
Alexsondria Moffett will arrive at an air Republicans, including his predecessor paper. AFP
BUSINESS
PH stocks surge on US market rebound
MANGROVE
PLANTING.
One Meralco Foundation
(OMF), the social
development arm of the
Manila Electric Company
(Meralco), celebrates this
year’s World Wetlands
Day by planting and
nurturing 125,000
native mangroves in
Del Carmen in Siargao
Islands, Surigao Del
Norte. OMF’s One For
Trees (OFT) program,
in partnership with the
local government of Del
Carmen and people’s
organization Kaanib ng
mga Mangingisda at
Magsasaka ng Numancia
(KAMAMANA) aims to
uphold the importance of
wetlands in the western
part of the teardrop-
shaped island.
Regus to open flexible workplace at Doña Elena Tower in Sta. Mesa
REGUS, a global brand for flexible work-
spaces, said Friday it will open its first
facility at Doña Elena Tower, a bustling
11-story building in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Regus at Doña Elena Tower will offer a
range of flexible spaces, including private
office spaces, coworking areas, virtual of-
fices and well-equipped meeting rooms,
all designed for comfort and productivity.
Happy Coral Way Realty Corp. (HC-
WRC) and International Workplace Group
(IWG), owner of the Regus brand, formal-
ized their partnership on Sept. 22, 2023.
SN Aboitiz’s
battery project
begins operation
By Alena Mae S. Flores
SN ABOITIZ Power Corp. (SNAP),
the joint venture of Norwegian
firm Scatec and Aboitiz Power
Corp., said Friday its 24-megawatt
Magat battery energy storage
system project in Isabela started
commercial operations after
receiving a provisional authority
to operate (PAO) from the Energy
Regulatory Commission.
The project broke ground in April
2022, completed construction in July
2023 and concluded testing and com-
missioning with the grid operator in
December 2023.
SNAP said it would operate the
BESS project primarily for ancillary
services in the Luzon grid and started
its commercial operation in the re-
serve market on Jan. 26, 2024. It re-
ceived the PAO certificate on Jan. 17,
2024.
The Magat BESS utilizes liquid-
cooled lithium-ion batteries and is
connected to the grid via a 230-kV
power transformer. It is co-located
with SNAP’s Magat hydroelectric
power plant in Ramon, Isabela.
SNAP president and chief execu-
tive Joseph Yu earlier said the Magat
BESS was cost around P1.2 billion.
“The rule of thumb is $800,000 to
$1 million per MW, but we’re looking
for ways to optimize it and reduce the
cost. We have a very good team work-
ing on it and I’m very optimistic that
they should be able to come up with
something interesting,” Yu said.
Basic teams up with Japan’s Renova
to develop 50-MW Mabini wind project
BASIC Energy Corp. signed a memo-
randum of understanding (MOU) with
Japan’s Renova Inc. for the joint de-
velopment of the 50-megawatt Mabini
wind project in Mabini, Batangas.
Renova, a publicly-listed compa-
ny incorporated on May 30, 2000, is
known as one of the leading players in
the growing renewable energy market
in Japan.
Basic said in a disclosure to the Phil-
ippine Stock Exchange the signing of
the MOU is the initial and definitive
step towards the joint development and
shareholders agreement (JDSHA) with
Renova.
The JDSHA will cement Renova’s
and Basic’s partnership, through its
“We are excited about our collabo-
ration with IWG on this project. With
Doña Elena Tower as the future home
of Regus, we are confident that we can
provide flexible and comfortable work-
spaces that will boost efficiency and
adaptability for hybrid work,” said Lar-
ry Cochanco, director of Happy Coral
Way Realty and Fly Ace Corp.
“This initiative aims to enable busi-
nesses to elevate their work environments
while fostering adaptability for hybrid
work setups. Our overarching objective
BANKING
INNOVATOR.
Rizal Commercial
Banking Corp.
(RCBC) executive
vice president and
chief innovation
and inclusion officer
Lito Villanueva is
named Philippines
Innovator of the
Year-Banking
category at the
inaugural Asian
Management
Excellence
Awards of the
Asian Business
Review. The award
recognizes his role
in accelerating
digital banking and
financial inclusion
in the country.
Gatchalian pushes hybrid power supply for off-grid areas
SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Fri-
day asked the government to fast-track
the hybridization of off-grid areas to
shield consumers from global oil price
volatilities.
Hybridization means using hybrid
technologies such as diesel with solar
or other RE sources to provide power to
far-flung areas.
“It’s important for the government to
facilitate an accelerated hybridization
of off-grid areas to enable small power
utilities group [SPUG] to provide af-
fordable electricity rates for the ben-
wholly owned subsidiary Mabini Ener-
gy Corp. as the special purpose vehicle
of the Mabini wind project.
This followed the Basic board’s ap-
proval for management to sign the
MOU on Jan. 29, 2024.
“The MOU signing comes after
Renova saw the potential viability of
the project based on its initial and on-
going due diligence review of the data
gathered from the met mast installed in
the project area as well as those gath-
ered from the LIDAR system procured
MEC back in 2023,” Basic said.
The Mabini wind project is covered
by Wind Energy Service Contract No.
2021-01-142 issued by the Department
of Energy. Alena Mae S. Flores
is to provide Filipinos with all-inclusive,
digitally-equipped, and inviting working
spaces,” said IWG country manager and
senior vice president Lars Wittig.
Doña Elena Tower is one of the most
highly anticipated real estate projects in
Manila, particularly for its suitability as
a hybrid workspace. Its prime location
is a standout feature, with close proxim-
ity to the entry and exit ramps of Sky-
way Stage 3 and seamless connectivity
to the public transport system, linking
EDSA through Shaw Boulevard.
efit of consumers,” Gatchalian said in a
statement.
He made the call as the National Pow-
er Corp. (NPC) proposed another round
of higher power rates in off-grid areas
amid higher fuel costs.
Gatchalian said that while the NPC
already committed to focusing on hy-
bridization and veering away from buy-
ing new diesel generator sets, it is im-
portant to accelerate the hybridization
of off-grid areas.
NPC earlier said hybridization is ex-
pected to result in savings ranging from
DENTAL HEALTH. A child receives free oral care kits from Colgate Philippines
during the 20th Annual National Dental Health Month on Jan. 28, 2024 at the Mall of Asia
Music Hall. Colgate, the leading oral health brand in the Philippines, teamed up with
the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) to celebrate the annual campaign to encourage
dental professionals, students, relevant government agencies and professional
organizations to reach out to more individuals who lack access to dental care.
Doña Elena Tower is a modern and
sustainable building that offers innova-
tive features and specifications. It offers
spacious parking areas and high-securi-
ty standards, making it a perfect envi-
ronment for businesses to thrive.
The facility is installed with a dual
24/7 generator system that provides
continuous power supply in case of
emergencies and fiber optic-ready ca-
bling that allows fast and reliable inter-
net connectivity to ensure uninterrupted
operations.
P0.75 to P1 per kilowatt-hour.
Gatchalian said hybridization would
help ensure a steady supply of energy
in off-grid areas and wean the country
from its dependence on imported fuel.
“Hybridization would help increase
the volume of renewable energy and
thus would help ensure energy efficien-
cy and security, which are vital in jump-
starting economic development in these
areas,” he said.
NPC operates at least 281 mostly die-
sel-fired SPUG power plants across the
country. Alena Mae S. Flores
B3
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
extrastory2000@gmail.com
By Jenniffer B. Austria
P
HILIPPINE stocks
rallied Friday to
close above the
6,700 resistance level
on sharp rebound in US
markets.
The 30-company Philippine Stock
Exchange index climbed 84.24 points,
or 1.27 percent, to close at 6,707.25,
while the broader all-shares index ad-
vanced 30.79 points, or 0.88 percent,
to finish at 3,516.82.
US shares bounced back overnight
as tech firms posted stronger-than-
expected financial results.
“Philippine shares surged with Wall
Street’s recovery following the Fed
day sell-off,” Regina Capital Devel-
opment Corp. head of sales Luis Lim-
lingan said.
All sectoral indices ended in the
green with financials and industrial
leading the gainers, except for prop-
erty, which declined by 0.57 percent.
Value turnover reached P5.6 billion.
Meanwhile, Asian stock markets
rose Friday, tracking a surge on Wall
Street fueled by bargain-buying from
the previous day’s sell-off, while
strong earnings from tech titans
soothed worries about the impact of
higher interest rates on bottom lines.
Disappointment over the Federal
Reserve’s warning this week that bor-
rowing costs would not likely be cut
in March was tempered by the knowl-
edge they are all but certain to come
down this year.
Data indicating a softening US la-
bor market—jobless claims rose and
private-sector jobs creation came in
below forecasts—added to the opti-
mism that the central bank will move
several times before 2025.
“Traders are not letting go of the
possibility of an earlier-than-expected
rate cut,” said Fawad Razaqzada of
City Index and Forex.com.
“Those expectations could rise fur-
ther if incoming US data from now on
takes a bearish turn.”
All eyes are now on the release
later Friday of the crucial non-farm
payrolls report, particularly after
Fed boss Jerome Powell suggested
decision-makers could be swayed by
a particularly big miss on key indica-
tors.
“It could be Frantic Friday on any
NFP beats or misses but an extremely
bullish one if the jobs report shows
a jump higher in the unemployment
rate that justifies a March cut,” said
SPI Asset Management’s Stephen
Innes. With AFP
Tobacco farmers
seek protection
at WHO meeting
FILIPINO tobacco farmers, count-
ing on a government roadmap to
expand production and the regu-
lation of of less harmful cigarette
alternatives, asked government
delegates to advocate for their
livelihood at the upcoming World
Health Organization’s conference
on global tobacco control.
Delegates from around the world
will meet in Panama City, Panama
on Feb. 5-10, 2024 for the 10th
Conference of the Parties (COP)
to the WHO Framework Conven-
tion on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
The global treaty plays a key role
in shaping international tobacco
policies, but farmer groups are con-
cerned about its potential impact on
their way of life.
“Our lives are deeply inter-
twined with tobacco farming,” said
Leonardo Montemayor, a former
agriculture secretary and board
chairman of the Federation of Free
Farmers.
“It is a way of life and our means
of survival amid harsh economic
headwinds. With the Department
of Agriculture roadmap affirming
its long-term support for tobacco
farming, we hope that the Philip-
pine government will take that
commitment to heart when cham-
pioning our industry in this upcom-
ing COP,” said Montemayor.
Saturnino Distor, president of the
Philippine Tobacco Growers Asso-
ciation, said the Philippine delega-
tion can effectively advocate for
farmers by aligning with the De-
partment of Agriculture roadmap,
the Sustainable Tobacco Enhance-
ment Program (STEP).
STEP is a strategic initiative
towards boosting indigenous
tobacco cultivation particularly in
Mindanao.
B4
SATURDAY,FEBRUARY 3, 2024
extrastory2000@gmail.com
RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor
ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
Japanese firm
hiring over 3,000
new employees
B
ROTHER Industries Philippines Inc., the local
subsidiary of a Japanese printer and equipment
maker, opened an expanded manufacturing facility
in Batangas province that will generate more than 3,000
new jobs.
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual led
the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the
factory which he described as a posi-
tive development for the manufacturing
sector.
He said that from its current 9,000
Filipino employees, Brother’s third
factory would add over 3,000 new jobs
and boost the economy.
Brother Industries Philippines is a
subsidiary of Brother Industries Ltd., a
Japanese multinational corporation and a
leading manufacturer of printers, sewing
machines and other office equipment.
Operating in the Philippines for 12
years, Brother Industries Philippines is
one of the Philippine Economic Zone
Authority’s locators and a major man-
ufacturer of printers and other office
equipment.
The company expansion is set to in-
crease its production capacity to meet
the growing demand for its products.
Pascual also affirmed the Department
of Trade and Industry’s strong efforts
to create an enabling environment for
investments.
“We are actively showcasing our
skilled workforce, strategic location
and generous investment incentives to
the world, tailoring opportunities to fit
New power plants
expected to ease
WESM prices—ERC
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE Energy Regulatory Commis-
sion (ERC) expects the downward
trend in wholesale electricity prices
to continue this year with the entry
of more power plants.
“If the downward trend contin-
ues, then, yes, we should expect
lower power bills this year espe-
cially as capacity increases with
entry of new players,” ERC chair-
person Monalisa Dimalanta said.
“We are monitoring closely the
impact of El Niño as well as use
of imported LNG of the gas plants
that used to fully rely on Malam-
paya. These are two factors that
could have adverse impact on pric-
ing even as we assure continuous
power supply,” Dimalanta said.
ERC noted a downtrend in
Wholesale Electricity Spot Market
prices after completing its review
of the trading recorded in the trad-
ing floor of electricity in 2023.
Based on the ERC market analy-
sis released in January 2024, the
average effective spot settlement
price (ESSP) declined across all
grids (Luzon, Visayas, and Mind-
anao) at P6.505 per kilowatt-hour
(kWh) by the close of 2023. The
ERC said this was lower by more
than P1 compared to the average
ESSP in 2022 of P7.885 per kWh.
The ESSP is the indicative effec-
tive price paid by large consumers
and distribution utilities for their
purchases from WESM for each
billing month.
DEALER FINANCING. Security Bank Corp. and Epson Philippines Corp.
team up to offer a special financing program to Epson’s distributors and their dealers
nationwide. Signing the memorandum of agreement are (from left) Security Bank
executive vice president and wholesale banking segment head John Cary Ong,
executive vice president and director Juichi Umeno, Epson Philippines president and
director Masako Kusama and head of sales Eduardo Bonoan.
the needs of global investors such as
Brother Industries Philippines Inc.,”
said Pascual.
The DTI chief said the government
implemented transformative initiatives
to attract investments such as the
implementation of the Corporate
Recovery and Tax Incentives for
Enterprises (CREATE) Act. The law
reduced corporate income tax rates,
streamlined tax administration and
provided various investment incentives.
Pascual also noted the department’s
digital efforts aligned with the Ease of
Doing Business (EODB) Act. He said
the DTI continuously boosted its online
services platforms to make it easier for
businesses to start and operate in the
Philippines.
He expressed optimism for Brother’s
future endeavors and reiterated the
government’s support for businesses
that contribute to the country’s eco-
nomic growth.
“The DTI fully supports businesses
in their vision for continued growth
and expansion. We are committed to
providing a supportive and enabling
environment for companies like Broth-
er Industries Philippines Inc. to thrive,”
Pascual said.
PEZA approved P2.21-b investments in January, eyes full-year tally of P250b
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) holds its first board meeting at
the Baguio City Economic Zone (BCEZ) from Jan. 25 to 27, 2024. Headed by PEZA
director-general Tereso Panga and BCEZ zone administrator Emmanuel Cortero, the
board members also witnessed the BCEZ Multi-Purpose Center groundbreaking
ceremony alongside company visits to the TI (Philippines) Inc. and Moog Controls
Corp. (Philippine Branch).
Industry group says Filipinos more excited to travel this year
RENEWED optimism for travel, cou-
pled with the rise of experiential and
DIY trips, could push outbound Filipino
tourism bookings beyond the industry’s
target of 4.86 million in 2024, accord-
ing to the Philippine Travel Agencies
Association (PTAA).
Foot traffic at the opening day of the
31st Travel Tour Expo (TTE) 2024 was
three to four times higher than in the
previous physical expo, PTAA said.
“This is even way, way bigger than
the revenge travel during the tail-end of
the pandemic,” said Cris Aquino, head
of the TTE program committee. “Peo-
ple are incredibly excited to experience
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual (center) leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the third factory of Brother Industries
Philippines Inc. in Batangas province. With Pascual are (from left) Brother Industries Ltd. president Ichiro Sasaki, Tanauan
Mayor Nelson Collantes, Brother Industries Philippines Inc. president Hiroki Yamamoto, Brother Industries Ltd. managing
executive officer Taizo Murakami, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) director-general Tereso Panga and Brother
Industries senior managing executive officer Satoru Kuwabara.
BPI’s 2023 income soared 30.5% to record P51.7b
By Jenniffer B. Austria
BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI),
the lending arm of Ayala Corp., saw
its 2023 net income soar to an all-time
high of P51.7 billion, up 30.5 percent
from P39.6 billion in 2022, driven by
record revenues and lower provisions
which offset the increase in operating
expenses.
Minus the impact of the one-off
gain from the 2022 property sale,
net income would be higher by 44.1
percent, the company said in a stock
exchange filing Friday.
BPI said fourth quarter net income
also jumped 44.3 percent year-on-
year to P13.1 billion led by higher
revenue growth and lower provisions
recognized.
“The bank’s solid financial
performance is a reflection of its
strengthened customer franchise and
deeper customer engagement which
travel in a new perspective.”
Travel professionals and experts ob-
served a surge in purchases of travel-re-
lated goods and services in the past six
months, spanning all ages and income
groups, PTAA said.
PTAA president Evangeline Tan-
kiang-Manotok said the trend is wel-
come news for Filipinos eager to
explore the world again after being
restricted for nearly three years due to
COVID-19.
“The enthusiasm for travel and to see
different places once again is making
for a buoyant travel industry, and we at
PTAA are very much ready to cater to
Softer inflation seen boosting household
spending by 6.4% this year—research firm
HOUSEHOLD spending in the
Philippines is projected to grow 6.3
percent in 2024 on easing inflation,
according to BMI, a Fitch Solutions
Company.
“Household spending growth will be
more positive, relative to 2023, as eco-
nomic growth persists, and consumption
levels normalize,” BMI said in a report
dated Feb. 1.
It said that in real terms, the value of
household spending would amount to
P12.8 trillion in 2024.
“We hold a positive outlook for con-
sumer spending in the Philippines over
2024, as the economic recovery feeds
BUSINESS
led to record volumes and market
share gains in several businesses,” it
said.
Total revenues rose 16.7 percent to
P138.3 billion year-on-year, on the
back of a 22.7-percent increase in
net interest income to P104.4 billion,
as average asset base expanded
7.7 percent and net interest margin
widened 50 basis points to 4.09
percent.
Non-interest income rose 1.5
percent to P34 billion, buoyed by
record trading income gains of P5.2
billion, up 37 percent year-on-year.
Fee income declined 3 percent to
P28.8 billion. Removing the impact
of the 2022 one-off transaction, fee
income would be higher by 16.6
percent to P4.1 billion on higher fees
from credit cards, various service
charges and bancassurance.
Operating expenses increased 19.2
percent to P69.1 billion, led by higher
By Othel V. Campos
THE Philippine Economic Zone Au-
thority (PEZA) said Friday it approved
P2.21 billion worth of investments in
January.
PEZA director-general Tereso Panga
said during the agency’s first board meet-
ing at the Baguio City Economic Zone
(BCEZ) that he was hoping for bigger
project approvals in the coming months.
“We are proud to have closed more
than P2 billion worth of investments in
the first month for 2024, and confident of
securing more investments which are al-
ready in PEZA’s pipeline and waiting for
approval in the coming months,” he said.
PEZA said it generated $69.62-mil-
lion exports and 1,337 direct jobs from
12 new and expansion projects, includ-
ing 7 new ecozone export enterprises, 4
IT enterprises and 1 facilities enterprise
the demand,” she said.
“We are pooling together our ex-
pertise under one roof to provide
Filipino travelers with the best advice
and make them realize that there are
so many options for them. PTAA’s
collective wisdom and many years
of experience make this possible,”
Manotok said.
TTE 2024 serves as a marketplace for
travel deals, featuring over 200 exhibi-
tors with 702 booths, including airlines,
domestic and international travel agen-
cies, tour operators, hotels and resorts,
cruise lines, shipping companies, and
more. Othel V. Campos
through to strong real consumer spending
growth over the year,” BMI said.
“Our forecast for year-on-year growth
in consumer spending in the Philippines
over 2024 is in line with our country risk
team’s forecast that the economy will
grow by a real rate of 6.2 percent y-o-y
over the year,” BMI said.
The Philippine economy, as measured
by gross domestic product (GDP), ex-
panded by 5.6 percent in 2023, slower
than the government’s target range of 6
percent to 7 percent.
The government expects a GDP growth
of between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent in
2024. Darwin G. Amojelar
manpower, technology and marketing
costs.
BPI booked provisions of P4
billion in 2023, down 56.4 percent
from last year as asset quality
remained strong.
Total loans reached P1.9 trillion,
a 10.5-percent increase over the
previous year, on strong growth across
all portfolios while deposits went up
9.5 percent to P2.3 trillion, mainly
from the growth in time deposits
which tempered the decline in current
and savings accounts (CASA).
Total assets grew 10.9-percent to
P2.9 trillion, while total equity stood
at P357.2 billion
BPI fully merged with Robinsons
Bank Corp. on Jan. 1, 2024. “This
merger will expand reach and enrich
the overall banking experience of its
customers by unlocking synergies
within the BPI Group and Gokongwei
ecosystems,” BPI said.
in January.
The new and expansion projects
are in Cavite Economic Zone (CEZ),
Cavite Technopark-Special Economic
Zone (SEZ), Laguna Technopark, Lima
Technology Center-SEZ, Carmelray
Industrial Park II-SEZ, Laguna Tech-
nopark Annex-SEZ, First Philippine In-
dustrial Park, Giga Tower Bridgetowne
IT Park in Quezon City, Southwoods
Mall in Laguna City, Panorama Tower
in Bonifacio Global City and Jazz IT
Center in Makati City.
PEZA aims to generate P250 billion
investments in 2024, after it ended
2023 with P175.7 billion worth of
investments.
Panga said it approved P175.7-bil-
lion investments in 2023, up by 24.88
percent from P140.7 billion in 2022.
The number of projects also grew by
20.10 percent to 233 from 194.
ICTSI completes
sale of 80% stake
in Indonesian unit
By Darwin G. Amojelar
INTERNATIONAL Container Termi-
nal Services Inc. (ICTSI) said Friday
it concluded the sale of 80.19-percent
interest in Indonesian subsidiary PT
ICTSI Jasa Prima Tbk (IJP) to PT Sa-
rana Kelola Investa.
ICTSI said the move is part of its
strategy to streamline operations and
concentrate on full concession con-
tracts where it holds complete con-
trol. The transaction, signed on Jan.
22, amounted to $2 million.
PT ICTSI Jasa Prima Tbk is a listed
company in Indonesia engaged in the
development, construction and opera-
tion of terminals and maritime logistic
infrastructure.
Meanwhile, ICTSI said in a sepa-
rate statement International Long-
shore and Warehouse Union and ICT-
SI Oregon Inc. jointly announced that
they reached a settlement of all legal
claims.
“Specifically, the settlement finally
resolves all ICTSI’s claims against
ILWU relating to the decade-long liti-
gation captioned ICTSI Oregon, Inc.
v. International Longshore and Ware-
house Union, et al., Case No. 3:12-cv-
1058-SI, pending in the United States
District Court for the District of Or-
egon, in which a jury determined that
ILWU and ILWU Local 8 engaged in
unlawful labor practices,” ICTSI said.

SPORTS
Bumina-ang
seeks ONE
contract in bid
for 4th win
WITH his eyes on the prize, Carlo Von
“The Bull” Bumina-ang believes that
he’s just one win away from his dream of
landing a ONE Championship contract.
And he can inch closer to that goal as
he returns to action this 2024 at ONE
Friday Fights 50 this Friday at Lump-
inee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.
Thailand.
Bumina-ang takes on unbeaten Chi-
nese bantamweight stud Xie Zhipeng
looking for his fourth straight victory.
“Hopefully they give me a contract
with another win. But more so than the
wins, I know they’re looking at my per-
formance before they give me that six
figure contract,” he said, well aware of
the stakes for him in this match.
“I’m just focused on getting that vic-
tory, getting that contract will follow in
the future if I continue winning.”
The Team Lakay upstart has been very
impressive since his debut in The Home
of Martial Arts, winning his last three
matches including his last – a two-punch
knockout of Ilyas Dursun in just 23 sec-
onds at ONE Friday Fights 44.
But he’s not settling as he knows
that there’s a sea of difference between
fighting in this stage and being a con-
tracted ONE athlete.
“I always sharpen everything, from
my striking, grappling and wrestling so
I’m prepared for whoever I face on that
stage,” he said, exuding confidence on
the training that he has undergone un-
der coach Mark Sangiao.
“Now we’re back to basics. We’re
bringing the same habit that they used
to have back then, the very reason why
they reached those heights. It’s just hard
work. When it comes to experience, I
believe we have experienced coaches
here and now it’s all about hard work.”
Carlo Von ‘The Bull’ Bumina-ang
Curry, Davis
among NBA
All-Star reserves
NEW YORK—Golden State War-
riors star Stephen Curry gained a
10th NBA All-Star nod and Lakers
star Anthony Davis a ninth as re-
serves for the mid-season showcase
were announced on Thursday.
Coaches chose the seven reserves
from each conference, with Minne-
sota’s Anthony Edwards and Karl-An-
thony Towns both selected in the West.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George of
the Los Angeles Clippers and Devin
Booker of the Phoenix Suns were also
named to the West squad which will be
captained by 20-time All-Star LeBron
James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The East reserves include three first-
timers in Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey,
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and the New
York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks’ Julius Randle was also
named a reserve along with Boston star
Jaylen Brown, Cleveland’s Donovan
Mitchell and Miami’s Bam Adebayo.
All-Star starters, selected by a com-
bination of fan voting and voting by
a media panel and by players, were
named last month.
Four-time NBA champion James
broke the record he had shared with
another Lakers legend, Kareem Abdul-
Jabbar, with his 20th selection.
James will captain and join a start-
ing lineup that also includes Phoe-
nix’s Kevin Durant and Serbian cen-
ter Nikola Jokic, a two-time MVP
from the defending champion Denver
Nuggets. AFP
Perpetual makes history,
bags 2 table tennis titles
By Dennis Abrina
T
HE Perpetual Lady Altas and Junior Altas spinners
made history as they dethroned the defending
champion San Beda University paddlers on
Thursday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Sports Center
in Ermita, Manila.
The Las Pinas City-based women’s
team, composed of Rookie of the Year
and Most Valuable Player Chrisien Mae
Santillan, Keziahbien Ablaza, Patrica
Luca, Trisha May Plurad, Zada Marie
Bocala and Charmaine Glorioso, out-
smarted the seven-time champion San
Beda U team via a 3-2 score in the fi-
nals to claim its first crown in the wom-
en’s division of the National Collegiate
Athletic Association Season 99 Table
Tennis Tournament.
On the other hand, the Junior Atlas
table netters, bannered by Freshman
of the Year and MVP Gerald Aguilar,
outclassed the defending champion Red
Cubs, 3-1.
WADA warning shocks POC General Assembly
PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee (POC)
president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino
officially informed the body’s General
Assembly of an impending World Anti-
Doping Agency (WADA) suspension on
the country unless the Philippine Sports
Commission (PSC) complies with the in-
ternational agency’s code.
The presidents or secretary-generals of
the 38 national sports associations who
attended the assembly on Thursday were
shocked.
“Everybody was shocked, but I had to
Maraño brings veteran act to PNVF Champions League
VETERAN Aby Maraño vowed to play
her best for her new team Chery Tiggo
in the Philippine National Volleyball
Federation (PNVF) Champions League
that starts with the women’s tourna-
ment this Sunday at the Rizal Memorial
Coliseum in Manila.
“To be the champions,” Maraño
told a packed Philippine Sports Com-
mission Conference Room during the
Champions League press launch on
Friday. “I and my new team won’t al-
low our hardship and dedication in
training to go waste.”
Maraño, a veteran at 31, is one of the
stars to watch out for in the five-team
women’s play of the Champions League
organized by the PNVF under president
Ramon “Tats” Suzara and secretary-
general Donald Caringal.
Joining Maraño on centerstage in the
press launch was fellow club team player
Rem Palma of Petro Gazz as well as the
team captains and lead players of defend-
ing champion College of Saint Benilde,
Cignal HD and Philippine Army.
The win finally redeemed the
team after the post-James Diocareza
era lost in the finals to San Beda in
Season 95, before the league was
temporarily suspended due to the
Covid-19 pandemic.
It was the third title for the Altas
in the senior section this season fol-
lowing triumphs in chess and men’s
beach volleyball while it was the
first junior crown of the year by
UPHSD.
In all, it was the second women’s and
juniors crown for the school
College of St. Benilde also beat
San Beda in the men’s division finals
via a 3-1 score, while the Perpetual
report to the general assembly because
it’s my responsibility,” said Tolentino
during Thursday’s General Assembly at
the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in
Parañaque City.
“Nobody wanted this for sure, nobody
wanted to be in this delicate situation and
we are also celebrating our 100 years of
participation in the Olympics in Paris,” he
said. “So we are all praying and hoping
that we comply.”
The Philippines stands the risk of its
flag not being flown in Paris because
Aby Maraño
“It’s a wide-open field as all teams pions League. “With a balanced cast of
vow to wage strong fights,” said Car- seasoned pro clubs, new-look squads
ingal of the third edition of the Cham- and collegiate teams, expect the
The Perpetual Lady Altas spinners receive their trophy.
men’s team clinched 3rd place for the Gabriel Amata, Russel Luna, Aguilar,
bronze medal.
The Junior Altas is composed of zuela and Ian Tablang.
of the PSC’s non-compliance with the
WADA Code.
The PSC in a statement last week said
it’s been working on complying with the
code and has until February 13 to com-
plete the task.
Non-compliance, the WADA stressed
in its notification to the PSC last Janu-
ary 22, would result in the Philippine flag
banned from the Olympics Paralympic
Games, Asian Games and Para Games,
Southeast Asian Games and Para Games
and world championships.
C1
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
Keziah Bien
Ablaza of the
Perpetual
Lady Altas
spinners
celebrates
after her
team won
over the San
Beda Red
Lioness in the
finals, 3-2,
to clinch its
first NCAA
Women’s
Division table
tennis title
on Thursday.
Dennis Abrina
James Michael Crom, Jheyron Valen-
Non-compliance would also ban the
country from hosting international
competitions.
“We [POC leadership] were totally un-
informed of the WADA issue. They [PSC]
didn’t even approach us for help, maybe we
can do something,” Tolentino said. “The
clock is ticking and it’s only 11 days to go.”
“It’s sad and disappointing if that hap-
pens because all our athletes are reli-
giously training to qualify for the Olym-
pics,” Tolentino said. “We’re hoping it’s
not too late yet.”
matches to be a toss-up for the presti-
gious title.”
Chery Tiggo and Cignal play in
Sunday’s double-header at 6 p.m.
after the duel between Philippine
Army and Petro Gazz at 3:30 p.m.
Saint Benilde opens its campaign
against Petro Gazz Monday.
Reigning champion Cignal HD,
meanwhile, is favored in the eight-team
men’s contest that starts on February 11.
With Cignal HD in Pool A are PGJC
Philippine Navy, Savouge Spin Doc-
tors and Saint Benilde while VNS
Asereht Griffins, Iloilo D’Navigators,
Philippine Air Force and Philippine
Army are in Pool B.
Besides Maraño, the Kungfu Reyes-
coached Chery Tiggo will also parade
former F2 Logistics star Ara Galang
and former Premiere Volleyball League
MVP Mylene Paat and Eya Laure.
Cignal and Petro Gazz will also have
former F2 players libero Dawn Macan-
dili and Myla Pablo—a former Angel
and PVL MVP.
C2
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
extrastory2000@gmail.com
JOEL D. LACSAMANA, Editor
JOY OF CYCLING.
Intrepid bikers check out
the 1.8km bike trail of
Riverpark.
Sustainable digs in Southern Luzon
PH1 World Developers (PH1WD) is
ramping up standards in sustainable
housing with its newest horizontal
property development in Trece Mar-
tires, Cavite.
The groundbreaking for the devel-
opment was kicked off last week, on
the heels of the introduction of North-
scapes—PH1WD’s first horizontal
offering in San Jose del Monte, Bu-
lacan (Northscapes SJDM). PH1WD
is a subsidiary of engineering and
infrastructure innovator Megawide.
PH1WD Landscapes general man-
ager Eric Gregor Tan detailed the unit
offerings of Northscapes SJDM: the
single-attached “Elia,” the townhouse
end-unit “Salana,” and the middle-
unit townhouse “Alba.”
He confirmed that “all will have
two storeys with three bedrooms each
and are priced from P3 million to P8
million.”
Soon, he added, the City of Trece
Premium, In City Line
CENTURY Properties Group (CPG), re-
cently announced plans to launch projects
in the first half of 2024 under its Premium,
In City Line.
First to be launched for this quarter, is
Federal Land blends nature,
urban vibes in Riverpark
R
Martires will also experience the compa-
ny’s unique “energy efficiency” concept
that incorporates energy-saving features
into the structure of each unit. SolarSave
energy panels will ensure each home can
utilize solar energy and lessen electricity
bills while reducing carbon footprint.
“The Hotel Residences at Acqua” in Man-
daluyong City, Metro Manila. Leveraging
the success of Acqua Private Residences,
this project offers move-in ready, hotel-
fitted and fully furnished suites.
ResiShade tinted windows will pre-
vent excessive sunlight and heat from
seeping into the unit.
TropiCool insulated walls will protect
the interior from scorching outdoor tem-
peratures, keeping homes cool given the
area’s tropical climate.
Second, CPG will launch its first mid-
rise 12-storey residential development at
Azure North in San Fernando, Pampanga,
with the first tower offering 375 units.
The development will have a sprawl-
ing multi-feature water-park amenities,
adding a unique dimension to resort liv-
ing. Azure Urban Resort Residences,
situated in Bicutan, Parañaque City, re-
defines beachfront living with its large-
scale man-made beach concept. This
tropical-inspired community boasts
both outdoor and indoor beach-inspired
amenities.
The Azure Wave Pool (Shown in
photo) , equipped with a wave machine
creating beach-like waves, adds an
exhilarating touch. Azure North by
Century Properties will be a resort-
inspired residential development in
the heart of Pampanga. Building on
the success of Azure Urban Resort
Residences in the South, Azure North
aims to extend the allure of a coastal
haven to more Filipino condo buyers.
PROPERTY
EAL estate developer Federal Land, Inc. recently
unveiled Riverpark, a master-planned new city
that not only fulfills the desire for a unique urban
lifestyle, but also stands as a testament to Federal Land’s
commitment to shaping dynamic communities.
New township amenities provide residents with plenty of space
Federal Land has introduced two to unwind, congregate, and cultivate
additions to Riverpark, its largest lasting connections. The park is
township development to date. planned to feature various trekking and
Together with the General Trias, Cavite jogging paths, lush Japanese gardens,
local government, Federal Land set and a bamboo forest reminiscent of the
up distinctive entry signage facing the famed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in
Open Canal Interchange. The signage Kyoto, Japan.
serves as a gateway to a community River of life
that prioritizes a life immersed in the Among the developments of
beauty of nature. Riverpark is Yume, which stands
A 1.8km bike trail serves as a out as the embodiment of Japanese-
tangible proof of concept, designed inspired living. Developed by Federal
to bring residents and guests alike Land NRE Global Inc. (FNG), Yume
together as they explore the potential seamlessly integrates into Riverpark,
of the community through its offering 296 lots that fuse Filipino
activated spaces in the heart of nature. creativity with Japanese expertise.
Riverpark Trails, highly accessible Looking ahead, Riverpark’s roadmap
via major thoroughfares, promises for the next 5-10 years includes the
families the joy of cycling and the completion of the CALAX Cavite
great outdoors, all within 40 minutes Segment in 2024*, establishing the
from Metro Manila via SLEX, MCX, estate as a highly accessible next-
or CAVITEX. gen city. The construction of SM City
The bike trail is part of a larger General Trias, promises convenience
network of open spaces in Riverpark. and retail excellence. These are just
The 600-ha township is set to dedicate the first steps: Riverpark envisions
70-ha to parks and greenways. A the introduction of an Adventure
Central Park serves as a green highway Park, a partner school, and a church,
that seamlessly connects the north and solidifying its commitment to a vibrant,
south end of the development, as well as purposeful living experience.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Stephen S. Comia (Federal Land Inc. Project
Development Group Head); Francisco H. Suarez (GT Capital Holdings
Executive Vice President & Chief Finance Officer); Hon. Congressman
Antonio Ferrer of the 6th District of Cavite; Yusuke Hirano (Federal
Land NRE Global Inc. Vice Chairman); Hon. Mayor Luis ‘Jon-Jon’ Ferrer
IV of General Trias; Thomas F. Mirasol (Federal Land President and Chief
Operating Officer); Hon. Vice Mayor Jonas Glyn P. Labuguen of General
Trias; and Councilor Martin Ferrer.
HASSLE-FREE LIVING EXPERIENCE AT MYTOWN.
Developed by Philippines Urban Living Solutions (PULS), a part of the SM Group,
MyTown redefines affordable urban living for young professionals with 14
properties in Metro Manila, particularly near Bonifacio Global City and Makati
CBDs, transportation hubs, and commercial centers. “MyTown’s target demographic
typically includes young professionals, expats, students, and individuals seeking
convenient,
community-
focused living
arrangements
in Metro
Manila,” said
Jogee Arellano,
CEO, MyTown.
Incorporating
a unique blend
of features that
sets MyTown
apart from other
co-living spaces
in Metro Manila,
it extends beyond
the provision of
living spaces,
providing a holistic lifestyle experience for its tenants. MyTown co-living spaces
offer amenities tailored to various preferences and lifestyles including roof decks, a
basketball half-court, a boxing gym, and fitness gyms to KTV rooms, a music room,
indoor cinemas, lounges, and worklabs.
REDEFINING EMPLOYEE HOUSING. Aboitiz InfraCapital recently
launched “The Pods
at LIMA,” a 600-bed
dormitory built
for employees of
locators within LIMA
Estate. Key locators
within LIMA Estate
have partnered with
Aboitiz InfraCapital
by leasing beds
within The Pods
at LIMA. Epson
Precision Philippines,
Inc. and Furukawa
Automotive Systems
LIMA Philippines
have respectively
leased 414 and 198 beds. The Pods at LIMA offers residents a comfortable and
community-focused living experience. Common amenities include a canteen,
mess hall, laundry facilities, and commercial areas, designed to promote a sense of
community and convenience within the dynamic LIMA Estate. Aboitiz InfraCapital
Economic Estates is planning stages the second phase of The Pods, featuring an
expanded capacity of 2,500 beds for locator employees.
 C3
AGRICULTURE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
agriculture.manilastandard@gmail.com
PATRICIA TACULAO-DELIGERO, Editor

Bohol Bee Farm in Dauis

Bohol to host 7th farm

tourism conference
FTER a five-year lull due to the DTI-led exhibit of agricultural produce and by-products under

A COVID-19 pandemic, the Provincial

Government of Bohol is hosting the
resumption of the Philippine Farm
Tourism Conference set at The Bellevue Resort
in Panglao on Feb. 26 to 28. Now, on its 7th
its One Town One Product program and a farm tour, which will
visit notable farm tourism sites.
Conference topics include the hospitality industry embracing
the sustainable farm-to-table concept, processing fruits and
vegetables – key to food security, proper marketing and
revenue, value-added benefits of artisanal fisheries, the revival
Kinaiyahan Forest Park in Bilar

edition, the international event is organized by
the International School of Sustainable Tourism
(ISST) and supported by the Southeast Asian
Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research
in Agriculture (SEARCA) based in Los Baños,
Laguna.
Themed “Farm Tourism: Consciousness
for Healthy Living and New Experiences,”
the conference will showcase lessons from
the pandemic and share best practices
that seek to provide social and economic
empowerment to communities.
The event is also supported by the
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, the
Department of Tourism, the Tourism
Promotions Board, the Department
of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources, the Philippine
Exporters Confederation (Philexport), the
Department of Trade and Industry, and
Asin Tibuok makers of Alburquerque
Philippine Airlines as the official carrier.
According to ISST president Mina
Gabor, this year’s conference will focus on sustainable growth Recycling Facility and Eco Farm.
through fruit and vegetable farm cultivation, aquaculture and
of the country’s multi-million seaweeds industry, the pampano
fish as the upcoming star of aquaculture, and green investment
in agriculture and tourism in the Asian setting.
The conference will also confer the 4th Lakbay Bukid
Awards to five local and foreign individuals and organizations
who contributed to Asian farm tourism development.
Bohol’s first district congressman,
Edgar Chatto, noted that the event is
an opportunity to showcase the island
province as the country’s first UNESCO
Global Geopark in 2023, recognizing
its rich terrestrial and marine attributes
spread out in an 8,808-sq km area.
Chatto, the House of Representatives’s
Chairperson of the Climate Change
Committee, will also be one of the resource
persons in the three-day gathering.
Participants will immerse in farm sites
such as Loboc Cacao Farm, Asin Tibuok
makers in Albuquerque, Kinaiyahan
Forest Park in Bilar, Lasang Cacao Farm The MOU between the Philippines and Vietnam creates a framework for the
in Maribojoc, Green Thumb Farm in promotion of sustainable rice trade cooperation
Corella, South Farm in Panglao, Bohol
DA inks cooperation agreement
Bee Farm in Dauis, Manay’s Farm in
San Miguel, Ubay Dairy Farm, and Jagna

with Vietnam
The group will also visit the province’s iconic attractions of
artisanal fisheries, and green investments in farm tourism. Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella and the Chocolate Hills Park in
The former tourism chief said that the confab will also have a Carmen.
AGRICULTURE Secretary Around 80 percent of our rice imports

Bataan legislated multi-purpose marine hatchery breaks ground
The multi-purpose marine hatchery aims to improve the capacity of aquafarm operators in Bataan to meet the demand for fish seed.
A HISTORIC groundbreaking ceremony DENR-CENRO for their cooperation in
of a Legislated Multi-Purpose Marine this initiative.
Hatchery was held in Brgy. Quinawan, He also mentioned the vital role of
Bagac, Bataan, this Jan. 26. SHAREMAX Holdings Inc. in providing
The ceremony was led by the Bureau of one hectare of land for the establishment
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the hatchery.
of the Department of Agriculture (DA) This over 30-million-peso project aims
led by BFAR Region 3 Regional Director to improve the capacity of aquafarm
Wilfredo Cruz as BFAR National Director operators in Bataan to meet the demand
Demosthenes R. Escoto’s representative. for fish seed. It is expected that the
The project was made possible hatchery will be the primary source of
by Republic Act 11912, or “An Act milkfish fry, seabass fry, giant freshwater
Establishing a Multi-Species Marine prawn or lobster seed stocks, and other
Hatchery in the Municipality of Bagac, high-value species such as pompano,
Bataan.” grouper, and red snapper.
In the message of DA Secretary Moreover, the hatchery will also
Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., shared by DA feature environmentally friendly
RFO 3 Regional Executive Director operations and new technology such as
Crispulo G. Bautista, Jr., he thanked the hybrid design solar-powered equipment,
provincial government of Bataan, the water treatment disposals, and innovative
local government of Bagac, BFAR, and breeding tanks for the bangus. Its design
can guide other operators in the fish
hatchery sector to improve fish seed
production.
The hatchery will also be an on-site
training facility that will provide training
on hatchery techniques, fish hatchery
management, and new technologies.
It also aims to be a training center for
students from schools and universities in
Bataan.
After construction, BFAR will manage
and provide the necessary knowledge
and skills for two years. Through a
Memorandum of Agreement, the facility
and management will be transferred to
the provincial and town governments.
Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia III, Vice
Gov. Maria Christina Garcia, Mayor
Rommel Del Rosario, and other Bataan
provincial and town government officials
were also part of the ceremony.
Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. signed
a memorandum of understanding
with Minister Nguyen Hong Dien of
the Ministry of Industry and Trade
of Vietnam to enhance cooperation
on rice trade. The MOU creates a
framework for promoting sustainable
rice trade cooperation that meets the
common interests of the Philippines
and Vietnam. Under the MOU,
Vietnam commits to supply the
Philippines with 1.5 to 2 million
metric tons of white rice annually.
For five years, the two agencies
will also pursue other cooperation
activities, such as exchanging
information on rice production, crop
situation, and import and export
needs, among other actions. The
DA and the Ministry of Industry and
Trade will also cooperate to ensure
that rice from Vietnam complies
with the Philippines’ food safety
and plant health requirements.
To further facilitate smooth trade
and help ensure food security, the
two ministries agreed to closely
coordinate to address illegal rice
trade and consult with each other
ahead of any imposition of export
measures that could hinder or delay
exportations.
“While DA is focused in improving
capacities for increased agricultural
productivity, it is equally imperative
to maintain a robust trade to help
ensure food security, in particular,
the supply of rice, especially in
challenging times,” says Tiu Laurel.
He added, “Vietnam is an important
trading partner of the Philippines in
agricultural commodities. It is, in
fact, our third-largest trading partner
in the ASEAN region in terms of
overall value of agricultural trade.
are from Vietnam, and the Philippine
market accounts for over 40 percent
of Vietnam’s rice exports.”
Aside from cooperation on the rice
trade, the Department also formalized
the agreement on cooperation in
agriculture with the Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development.
Tiu Laurel and Le Minh Hoan agreed
to strengthen existing agriculture
bilateral relations and update the
previous cooperation agreement
signed in 1999. The new memorandum
of understanding will promote and
intensify mutual support between
the Philippines and Vietnam in areas
covering high-value crops, livestock
(including dairy), and aquaculture
production and development; post-
harvest facilities and food processing;
digital and climate-smart agriculture;
agri-fisheries mechanization; among
others.
During his bilateral meeting with
Minister Le Minh Hoan, Tiu Laurel
articulated, “The Philippines puts
high importance on its bilateral
relations with Vietnam in the field
of agriculture, and it considers
Vietnam a key partner in the effort to
transform the agriculture sector of the
Philippines as well.”
The two agreements were signed
during the State Visit of President
Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to Hanoi,
Vietnam, on Jan. 29-30, 2024.
Marcos and Vietnam’s President Vo
Van Thuong witnessed the exchange
of bilateral documents.
On the margins of the State Visit,
Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr. also witnessed the
signing of memoranda of agreements and
understanding between three Philippine
and eight Vietnamese enterprises on rice
supply and food value chain.
C4
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
rumallari@thestandard.com.ph
rieramallari@yahoo.com
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
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The ‘Toughest Smartphones’ join forces:

HONOR, Nokia sign 5G Patent License Agreement
GLOBAL tech giants HONOR and Nokia re-
cently signed a new patent cross-license agree-
ment in pursuit of significant inventions in 5G
and other cellular technologies.
“We are delighted to have concluded an
amicable patent cross-license agreement
with HONOR, one of the leading players
in the Chinese smartphone market. It is
the fourth major litigation-free smartphone
agreement that Nokia has concluded over
the past twelve months and highlights once
again the strength of Nokia’s patent portfo-
lio and decades-long contributions to cel-
lular standards and other technologies,”
Nokia Chief Licensing Off icer Mobile De-
vices Susanna Martikainen said.
“As both 5G SEP holder and implementor,
HONOR highly respects IP rights and strong-
ly believes that reasonable value of IP is im-
portant to the development of mobile indus-
try. The conclusion of the patent cross-license
Two tech giants HONOR and Nokia just signed a pat-
ent agreement for bigger innovations soon
agreement shows HONOR’s commitment on
innovation to enabling a smart life across all
scenarios and all channels, for all people,”
HONOR Head of Global Intellectual Property
Wenyu Zhou also shared.
It is very recent that HONOR launched an
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