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College in Davao responds to false thesis grade claim in Juris Doctor program, confirms individual is not enrolled

Xianna Bengo

2024-07-30T10:47:55+00:00

Featured POP! is INQUIRER.net’s premier pop culture channel, delivering the latest news in the realm of pop culture, internet culture, social issues, and everything fun, weird, and wired. It is also home to POP! Sessions and POP! Hangout, OG online entertainment programs in the Philippines (streaming since 2015). As the go-to destination for all things ‘in the now’, POP! features and curates the best relevant content for its young audience. It is also a strong advocate of fairness and truth in storytelling. POP! is operated by INQUIRER.net’s award-winning native advertising team, BrandRoom. MRP Building, Mola Corner Pasong Tirad Streets, Brgy La Paz, Makati City Someone suspiciously received a high grade for their thesis in the Juris Doctor Program at St. Mary’s College of Tagum. This is despite the fact that the program is non-thesis. The Juris Doctor Department of the college disproved a social media post made by a person who claimed to be attending the institution, when in fact, she is not enrolled in the program. In a statement released by the department’s student council Facebook page, they wrote, “Recently, the Juris Doctor Department of St. Mary’s College of Tagum Inc. received information regarding a social media post authored by an individual identified as ‘Miecha Angeli M. Bisnar’ purporting to possess an approved thesis with a grade of 1.05 from our institution. It is imperative to clarify to the public that St. Mary’s College of Tagum, Inc. exclusively provides a Juris Doctor Non-Thesis Program, thereby rendering the asserted approval sheet as a fraudulent instrument. Further, the abovementioned individual is not enrolled under the Juris Doctor Program of this institution.” “We wish to officially convey that legal measures are being prepared to address the defamatory actions and misrepresentation propagated by the parties responsible for this deceptive publication. The college remains steadfast in upholding the veracity and authenticity of academic achievements and qualifications conferred upon our students, thereby repudiating any misrepresentation that threatens the integrity of our educational programs,” their statement continued. Their statement ended ensuring everyone that they are taking necessary actions needed and wrote, “Our commitment to preserve the sanctity of educational credentials and uphold the standards of academic excellence resonates in our resolve to address any malicious claims and spurious representations that may undermine the credibility of our institution. We wholeheartedly affirm our dedication to observing due diligence in safeguarding the reputation and qualifications associated with the Juris Doctor Program at St. Mary’s College of Tagum, fortified by the tenets of legal rectitude and ethical conduct.” Facebook users took to the comments to share their thoughts about the said issue. It seems that some have yet to learn from past issues. This case bears a striking resemblance to the situation involving Kathleen Joy Poblete, who falsely claimed to have graduated summa cum laude from the Political Science Program at UP Manila. While it is okay to share our achievements online, propagating false claims is a dangerous act as it can blur out the truth. Let this be a reminder to be vigilant and make counter checks to ensure that the claims that are being stated are indeed true. As of this writing, Bisnar hasn’t aired her side of the story yet. Other POP! stories you might like: [Commentary] Bacalso’s misgendering issue doesn’t grant a ‘free pass’ for transphobic remarks [Commentary] Do academic grades still reflect true competency in today’s education system? ‘Marketing Gone Wrong’: Viral ‘Gil Tulog’ stunt proves that just because you can, doesn’t mean you should Content creators can learn a thing or two from TPC about not subscribing to ‘poverty porn’ in charitable work Iconic 90s show ‘Art Attack’ reportedly set to return after 17 years Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. For marketing/advertising inquiries, email us at [email protected] Copyright © 2021 POP! All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

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This 21-year-old UP Manila student is the next Filipino powerlifter to watch out for

No author found

2024-07-01T05:55:17+00:00

Powerlifters and weightlifters never fail to be impressive. The body is pretty capable of many different feats, but you’ll always think a person moving more than their body weight is awesome. There’s really no need to explain amazing acts of strength—either you make the lift or you don’t. Which is why it’s a little baffling that lifting sports aren’t more popular in the Philippines. Sure, Hidilyn Diaz gets hype whenever she wins big, especially when she won gold in the Tokyo Olympics, but these really aren’t in the national consciousness even after we’ve proven that this is a doable, winnable sport. Perhaps one of the ways to fix this problem is to continuously introduce young phenoms, fresh faces we can all root for. Here’s one: national powerlifting team member and college student Maritoni Neri. A 21-year-old occupational therapy student at the University of the Philippines Manila and a student of competitive lifter and coach Regie Ramirez, Neri is so fresh that she’s only been competing on big stages for a little over a year but she’s already racked up medals and set her own records in her division. These achievements and performances are even more impressive when you factor in how Neri didn’t even like lifting weights and powerlifting itself all that much. “I got into powerlifting because my sister and handler, Mikee Neri, is a former member of the national team. She kept on telling me to give the sport a try,” Neri shares. “She even told me it would be nice if we could compete internationally together. When I first tried it, I thought it was boring. Come 2022, I volunteered at Raw Nats (the National Classic Powerlifting Championships) and enjoyed watching the competition. That’s when I decided that I wanted to see myself on the platform as well. I joined my first meet in May last year. “Actually, I was introduced to the sport in 2019, iba pa yung coach ko. Ginagawa ko yung pagbubuhat for physical activity. I just really didn’t like it kaya hindi ko siya sineryoso,” she continues. “Kahit anong aya sa akin ng coach ko na lumaban, ayaw ko talaga. On and off ako sa training tapos nag-pandemic pa, so it really took time for the sport to grow on me. Nung 2022, I made the decision to get serious about it and join Raw Nats 2023 because I was slowly getting to appreciate the sport, and I felt like it was time. Parang kailangan ko nang tumigil sa paglalaro and try to achieve something, especially since my sister always tells me it would be nice kung masusulit ko yung junior years ko.” A post shared by Regie Ramirez | Powerlifting Coach (@rigidregimen) That’s on top of silver medals and national records for equipped squat, bench, deadlift, and total. The impressive outing has qualified her to compete at this year’s World Junior Equipped Powerlifting Championships in Malta this coming August. The mark of a naturally talented competitor is when they’re able to pull off a big game without really overthinking it, which is what happened with Neri in Hong Kong. “I was super nervous because it was my first international meet, and I’m going against world champions who’ve been competing for years,” she says. “Nanginginig talaga ako. But my coach and my teammates kept on telling me to only lift as I do in training, so a lot of my confidence really came from their support. After my squat opener, I felt more relaxed and knew that I’ll be able to perform well.” And for Neri’s upcoming performance at Worlds, her focus is a lot more streamlined as they have a clear game plan. “My coach and my PT are working really hard to optimize my lifting performance and get me closer to hitting the 500kg mark,” she shares. “As for individual lifts, I’m aiming to squat 200kg. Malapit na. All I have to do is deliver. I’m really hoping that I get a spot on the podium for the total medal. Looking at the nominations, it’s possible.” With the goal of becoming a world champion, getting to this point after only a little over a year is huge. Fortunately, Neri is very confident and laser-focused on getting it done, and it’s entirely possible that by next month, she’ll have checked this box off her list. It’s now up to us to pay attention. “You are in control of what you can achieve,” she says. “I believe that whether you stay or drift away from your desired path depends a lot on the decisions and actions that you do.” Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/506503/maritoni-neri-filipino-powerlifter/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0YbLyXERM_v5XsJbcNsOX5mGYY3BnLJXPDm_wlal6RAVeowqiMHV8FM28_aem_z51y388ACz3eIsIPL6uU8g

Proposed 2025 budget ‘anti-poor, militaristic’ – Castro

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:52:06 PST

House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro (Photo from House of Representative FB Page) House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro (Photo from House of Representative FB Page) MANILA, Philippines — ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro believes the P6.352 trillion proposed budget for 2025 is “anti-poor” as it supposedly fails to address the concerns and needs of Filipinos. In a statement on Wednesday, Castro said the 2025 National Expenditures Program (NEP) submitted to Congress is also “militaristic” even with the budget for the defense sector and confidential expenses going down. “This proposed budget fails to address the root causes of poverty and inequality in our country. We demand a people-centered budget that prioritizes social services, supports workers’ rights, and promotes genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization,” she said. “This militaristic approach, purportedly to address developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), is absurd.  We should demilitarize the WPS and not further militarize it. The Marcos government also earmarked P5.9 billion for intelligence expenses, and confidential expenses are at P4.36 billion, slightly higher than this year’s P4.111 billion,” she added. Castro also said that funds allocated to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) should be reduced, given that appropriations to the education sector still do not conform to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) standards. “The red-tagging [NTF-ELCAC] has P7.8 billion for its proposed budget in 2025. Such allocations divert crucial funds from social services and genuine economic development,” she said. “While the Marcos Jr. administration boasts of allocating 15.4 percent of the budget to education, this is still far below the Unesco-recommended 20 percent of the national budget or 6 percent of the GDP for education,” she added. “The P977.6 billion for education barely scratches the surface of the sector’s needs, especially considering the learning crisis exacerbated by the pandemic.” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Monday said the proposed Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF) for 2025 went down by 16 percent, or from P12.37 billion in the actual 2024 budget to P10.29 billion in the 2025 NEP. READ: DBM: Confidential, intel funds for 2025 down 16% The intelligence fund of the Department of Transportation — the mother agency of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) — remained at P400 million. On the other hand, the intelligence fund allocation of the Department of National Defense — another agency crucial to securing the country’s territory — decreased from P2.811 billion in 2024 to P1.761 billion in the proposed budget for 2025. READ: House to fund WPS efforts amid intel budget cut: Measure isn’t cast in stone On Tuesday, House leaders particularly Majority Floor Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said the chamber will support efforts to secure the WPS, even with lower CIF allocation. According to Dalipe, nothing has been set in stone yet, noting that the House can make adjustments if needed. The NEP was submitted to Congress on Monday, seven days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s  State of the Nation Address (Sona). Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Under the 1987 Constitution, the budget should be transmitted to Congress within 30 days after the Sona. For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

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INQToday: Trillanes sues Rep. Duterte, VP’s husband, ex-BOC head for drug smuggling

INQUIRER.net

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:15:42 PST

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories: Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual resigned from his post, the Palace said on Wednesday. According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Pascual resigned from his post to return to the private sector. Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a drug smuggling case before the Department of Justice on Wednesday against Davao City First District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, Atty. Mans Carpio – the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, and several other personalities allegedly involved in the P6.4 billion shabu shipment seized in 2017. Also named respondents are Taiwanese businessman Charlie Tan, some Davao local officials, a Taiwanese businessman and a retired military official from Davao. Eight areas in Cavite were placed under a state of calamity after the oil spill from the sunken MT Terra Nova reached the province’s coastline, Governor Jonvic Remulla announced on Wednesday. “The oil spill reached the coastal areas of Cavite. Affected are the municipalities of Bacoor, Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, and Ternate. As of today, the province is declaring a STATE OF CALAMITY in these areas,” Remulla said in Filipino in a Facebook post. The United States’ provision of $500 million military aid to the Philippines shows they are “equal partners in maintaining peace, freedom of navigation, and a rules-based approach to differences,” Senate President Francis Escudero said on Wednesday. In a message to reporters, Escudero also said the military aid is “unprecedented assistance and investment” that the Philippines “has been needing.” Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s executive order allowing online gambling operators to make games available overseas was “ill-advised,” the Marcos administration’s Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile said on Wednesday. Enrile attended the House of Representatives’ hearing on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) to accompany his daughter, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Ceza) Administrator Katrina Ponce Enrile, who explained that there are no Pogos within their jurisdiction. At least three or four more local chief executives from the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon may be involved in the operations of illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country, according to “raw” information received by Sen. Joel Villanueva’s office. Speaking at a Kapihan sa Senado forum on Wednesday, Villanueva emphasized that the complaints he received are still unverified. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The International Criminal Court (ICC) can do whatever it wants, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said on Wednesday. Finally breaking his silence, the senator responded to Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra’s statement that the Philippine government could not stop the ICC’s prosecutor from interviewing suspects in the alleged crimes against humanity committed during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1968011/inqtoday-trillanes-sues-rep-duterte-vps-husband-ex-boc-head-for-drug-smuggling?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2qsD-LbYUb_dVOG1G6lo6jjc3bXwC1n0N1ePybWOqKg00tXCxzNW-sT-s_aem_sorb9tsFTwqsH3kghLa3Fg

My dream job disappeared when I graduated

No author found

2024-07-16T06:16:20+00:00

You might remember a more analog childhood, when the internet was spelled with a capital “I” and was a place you actually logged out of to do non-digital things in a largely offline world. Amid consoles you either plugged to TVs (do you still have a TV?) or powered with AA batteries, there were also certain dream jobs that inspired us, thanks in large part to the popular media that accompanied those good ol’ days: Magazines like W.I.T.C.H, Candy, Reader’s Digest, and National Geographic, publishing houses like VisPrint and Adarna making darn good Filipino komiks, TV Channels like MYX and Animax, and seeing our ates and kuyas visit indie music hubs like Route 196 and Today x Future, to name a few career-spos. Some of us were considered lucky to get internships in the above companies even as students: junior jocks in stations like and Monster RX, courtside reporters (hello, noona Gretchen Ho!), and guest contributors to *ahem* pubs like Scout. Many of these companies still run today but only because they’ve largely adjusted to a media and technology landscape that was (sorry for the buzzword) disrupted around the time we were finishing high school and college (looking back, “disrupted” now takes an ominous meaning, huh?). Nonetheless, we can’t be complacent, as misused technologies like AI threaten not just the existence of the above industries, especially creative fields, but the economic ecosystem as a whole. “New jobs will emerge,” optimists say, but isn’t the whole point of automation to “cut costs,” in this case human “capital”? Those of us who took business classes might remember that businesses should balance 3 Ps: people, planet, and profit, but in practice, it seems the last P is growing at the expense of the first two. And anyway, isn’t an economic system based on infinite growth in a finite planet kinda messed up? But that’s for another discussion. Here, we sat down with three young creatives with three different stories, each a glimpse into how we can thrive—and not just survive—in this economy. “It’s rare to see one story change everything, but if you’re working for a bigger picture, it’s not useless,” Melissa Luz Lopez smiles as she takes her last slice of carrot cake. It’s a few months shy of 10 years since her 2014 graduation, and the former BusinessWorld reporter and CNN broadcaster embraces her full-on titahood by holding our interview at a Mary Grace Cafe, sparkles and all. Today, she considers herself more of a professional academic, almost done with her master’s in economics at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, (UPD) where she also finished her undergrad with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She hopes to publish studies that can influence public policy. In a way, it’s a full-circle moment as she was in the math club for all of her high school years. While she looked up to journalists like Jessica Soho, Mel Tiangco, and Ed Lingao (who eventually mentored her), she only considered the profession during her last year of (pre-K12) high school when her essay-writing teacher asked out loud if she was in the school paper. Back then, she was always submitting papers early as writing tests weren’t taken home but finished in the classroom. The school year was in full swing, and she couldn’t leave the math club, but when college apps rolled around, she immediately signed up for journalism courses, eventually getting into UPD. There, she found out she had much catching up to do as her course peers joined the “Palarong Pambansa equivalents of journalism” before college. She joined Tinig ng Plaridel, one of the campus papers, and became editor-in-chief in her senior year. For her internship, she worked for Vera Files and, considering herself lucky for landing a paid internship, decided that journalism really was for her. Upon graduating, she began covering politics for BusinessWorld (“My first salary was P19,000, feeling ko ang yaman-yaman ko na!”), eventually moving to CNN Philippines where she finished as a camera-facing broadcaster. It’s been a roller coaster since. She left the field in 2022, around the time of the national elections, “easily the dirtiest coverage I’ve ever done.” By then, many threats to the field were in full-swing, from armies of anonymous trolls using disinformation to sway the general public to red-tagging any journalist (or citizen, for that matter) reporting on critical information related to the administration and its allies. Long before that time, however, she was already considering jumping ship as the pay wasn’t sustainable for a breadwinner taking care of a retired, single mother, an accountant who dreamed of becoming a journalist. “I’m not after luxury,” Lopez says wistfully, “but mom deserves some ease, right?” Her resolve to leave deepened when the attacks on the profession spiked during Rodrigo Duterte’s administration from 2016 to 2022. Her mental health was taking a toll, all as she recounts that her own cousins didn’t believe what she was reporting. “You report the facts, but suddenly the facts are now weaponized [often] against you. It’s basically shooting the messenger.” She didn’t mind the trolls regularly flooding her inbox, but it stung when the shots hit close to home. Nonetheless, the opposition campaign was a spot of hope and Lopez told herself she might stay if they won. We all know how that turned out. It was all trauma, however. The light is easily what keeps us coming back. Lopez recalls one election story where she interviewed an elderly man paralyzed on the right side of his body. He had to climb the stairs backwards in his voting precinct because he didn’t make the PWD registration deadline when his stroke hit. He told Lopez that “My vote means as much as a rich person’s” as they wept. Suffice to say, Lopez is happy to contribute to journalism even as an economist and academic. She presently writes part-time for an economic quarterly in Europe and local online magazine Bilyonaryo. Since journalism stopped being her main job, she’s since found herself able to take more time and deeper dives with stories. It’ll always be a part of her, and she will always be part of it, albeit in a different capacity. Sometimes, it’s all right to move to new pastures to support old loves in a new way and from a better place. Just like Lopez, Sarah Santos also jumped ship after initially practicing as a journalist. Unlike Lopez, however, Santos, who graduated from UPD journalism in 2018, is no longer practicing as of press time. She continues to support former classmates and colleagues in the field while being an avid reader of longform and watcher of documentaries. She plans to get more subscriptions to quality journalism; understanding that the paywall bemoaned by many can actually support media practitioners and other workers in the field, from drivers to translators to graphic artists. Growing up in a province south of Metro Manila, Santos’s case was love at first sight. Her father, who loved to read, was an avid subscriber of Reader’s Digest and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “He continued to subscribe even when the physical paper increased its prices through the years.” All of it, from the children’s drawings at the Sunday Comics to the daily homilies of Fr. Jerry Orbos to the critiques of Conrado de Quiros accompanied her formative years. It was Patricia Evangelista who stood out for her most. “I liked her brand of narrative journalism—pwede pala magsulat that way?” all as young Santos cut and saved clippings of her articles. By her junior year of high school, she was features editor of her campus paper and “like most journ’ grads, I chose my course thanks to well-intentioned advice” from her teacher, who, standing confidently “well-spoken with her pink lipstick,” the paragon of a woman Who Made It, told Santos the she had a future as a journalist. “My world deepened after graduation.” After applying for a number of media outlets, Santos was eventually accepted in the Philippine Bureau of an ASEAN-focused business news company. “I enjoyed reading the reports of different companies,” and this likely set her on the path of business communications. Eventually, she became an editor, handling a team of reporters, some of whom were her seniors. The nuances of word choices and their impact on business and policy was even more pronounced. She recalls mistakes made in managing people: Writing and reading was one skill, bringing the best out of people was another thing altogether. But she looks back humbly, without a trace of regret. Similar to Lopez, she left journalism as the take-home pay wasn’t sustainable despite increasing responsibilities, work hours, and emotional labor. Another factor was the realization that media outlets could also serve as propaganda arms of certain nations at the expense of poorer countries. It was back to square one. After drifting for a while, she decided to “get serious” and sent many applications (and faced many rejections), around 100+, to government agencies before landing in the economic cluster. Back then, the pandemic—and layoffs—were in full swing, and only the government could more or less hold on to its employees. The stability appealed to her. Today, she works as a government communicator, making policy digestible to the general public, among other tasks. She still applies many of the skills of her former trade albeit in a different setting. More importantly, there are times when she feels she’s still contributing to nation-building. Her pay now allows her to enjoy food she couldn’t before, rent out a decent condo, and send support home to her parents. She dreams of a better life for them, for a lifestyle, for trips they were not able to experience during her girlhood. Time to give back. Lopez shares that finances are no joke, acknowledging her relative privilege. Santos, who came from a humbler background and whose parents are both retired, had a calculus weighing heavier than Lopez’s. But more than personal survival, Santos notes how she also values the “predictability and quantifiability” of reporting for the government, seeing a more direct impact on the lives of people. Her idealism never left, it just manifests now from different quarters, from a more stable place. Growing up, Jill Arteche had the full support of her family behind her art practice. “I was never told that there’s no money in art,” she recalls, now a full-time artist under DF Art Agency and also a professional illustrator. She was in the campus papers of both high school and college as a graphic artist, and immediately after graduating from Ateneo de Manila University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Information Design, she dove into ad agencies before becoming a full-time freelance illustrator and artist in 2019. Google Search now autofills her name on the URL tab, attaching the label “illustrator” next to it. She’s worked with brands like Decathlon, Nike, GCash, Ayala Malls, and Fete de la Musique, to name a few. She’s also done some numbers with children’s publisher Adarna. “The movie ‘13 Going On 30,’ by Mark Ruffalo, that’s the life I wanted,” she beams, and it seems she’s lived up to the dream, working sometimes from home, and sometimes from her condominium along Katipunan Avenue, which increasingly serves as a bodega for her paintings. “Admittedly, mine is a rare and privileged story,” Arteche smiles. This did not mean though she didn’t face the challenges almost all visual creatives face. For one, there’s the tightrope walk between artistic inspiration and jealousy and insecurity, brought by the double-edged sword that is social media, which connects one to community and clients while also leading to spirals of creative paralysis. “Comparison is a rabbit hole. And there was a period that I was so paralyzed by the thought that my peers, and even my idols were better than me that I didn’t work for six months. Thankfully I had some savings during that time.” How did she get out? “My dogs! But for real, I took a step back from art and taught myself to stop associating myself with my brand. And don’t take it too seriously, make spaces for play, for curiosity. Use the time spent stepping back from work to step back into your oasis, your hobbies, your advocacies, people you love.” Being a freelance creative is that after all: You are your own brand, and while this is a nauseatingly romanticized slogan, this also means you haul your own weight, pay your own taxes, are your own HR and Admin, and accept the fact that never-ending backlogs are a part of life. Admittedly, it’s not for everyone, as the structure and predictability of a corporate setting works for many a creative while also providing enough income so they can work on projects on the side, the most famous examples being poet Charles Bukowski, who worked blue collar jobs, and in the Philippines, the creators of the komiks series Trese, who worked on the project after hours. And then there’s the recent mass-adoption of AI (which is not without its flaws, even in terms of workflow and quality output). Arteche is anxious, but unfazed, echoing chef Nobu Matsuhisa in that “You can copy my style, but you can’t copy my soul.” *** In any creative field, workers find themselves in a balancing act between practical and idealistic concerns: the financials inform how we approach the emotional element of the job. All this as tools like social media and artificial intelligence can both help or harm one’s career, depending on how it’s used. That very factor, how it’s used, confirms the agency of humans in most every societal issue we face today. We’re not facing a monolith beyond our control, but the sum of human action, something which, while difficult, is more actionable than the former. The human factor: Something honed and shaped by daily action, something which no machine can replace, even if others want to insist otherwise. *Named changed to protect privacy Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/510992/my-dream-job-disappeared-when-i-graduated/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR06UgbazdGRPSXrji5LIrTggKAtLDe87W2_Qhh6U84fx5SyhPqjR3kyPI4_aem_ciNmIu7tIyIWPMvarMESwQ

Marcos should prioritize bill seeking to void Pogo tax law – Villanueva

Charie Abarca

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 17:43:46 PST

Senator Joel Villanueva answered a query from the media during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on July 31, 2024. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net Senator Joel Villanueva answered a query from the media during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on July 31, 2024. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines — If given a chance, Sen. Joel Villanueva would ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to consider as a priority measure the bill that seeks to repeal the law taxing Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos). READ: Villanueva files bill to void Pogo tax law Villanueva made the pronouncement at the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Wednesday. The lawmaker said he is willing to push for the prioritization of his measure Senate Bill No. 2752, which calls for the permanent cancellation of Pogo licenses issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. “If I were given a chance to talk to the President, I would appeal that this be made a priority. I am sure the President is so happy about the people’s reaction. I remember shaking hands with him after his Sona (State of the Nation Address), and I told him that I felt it and that I knew that he was very happy that he delivered the right message, not only anticipated but also needed by Filipinos,” Villanueva told reporters. Senate Bill No. 2752 was filed days after Marcos announced the Pogo ban during his third Sona. Villanueva also said he wants to discuss his plan with Senate President Francis Escudero. “I have yet to talk to our Senate President but probably today, I’ll talk to him about it, if we can fast-track this important measure,” he said. “Even if Pogos are eradicated, for example, by the end of the year, this measure will still not exist because it has yet to be passed. I will still continue to push for this measure. And as I earlier mentioned, it’s because of the fact that we don’t want the next administration or the future administration to invite the Pogos back,” he added. Under Villanueva’s measure, Pogos will have 30 days from the effectivity of the proposed law to cease their operations. “Failure or refusal of the firms to close operations shall subject the responsible officers to imprisonment of 12 to 20 years or a fine of P100 million or both, and will subject the foreign offenders to deportation after service of sentence,” his bill reads. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The bill also states that the Bureau of Internal Revenue will still have the authority to collect unpaid taxes from Pogos even after the repeal of Republic Act 11590 or the Act Taxing Pogo, which was signed into law in 2021. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1968009/marcos-should-prioritize-bill-seeking-to-void-pogo-tax-law-villanueva?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3B58kTT1c9vIhN-KbWUSVrmuk1xdBMr7pvR6Y-5be_khP_s4sK8GCsqa0_aem_rBl01UCB_VP1gq8pZfJANw

Pascual resigns as trade secretary

Zacarian Sarao

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:17:54 PST

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual | PHOTO: Official website of the Presidential Communications Office Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual | PHOTO: Official website of the Presidential Communications Office MANILA, Philippines — Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual resigned from his post, the Palace said on Wednesday. According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Pascual resigned from his post to return to the private sector. His resignation will be effective on Aug. 2. The PCO also said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepted Pascual’s resignation after a meeting in Malacañang. “His focus on MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) was absolutely correct, and we are beginning to see the fruits of that policy. We are sorry to lose him, but we respect his decision that this is the time for him to return to the private sector,” said Marcos, as quoted by PCO. No successor has been named yet, but the PCO said the search for Pascual’s replacement “will commence immediately to ensure a seamless transition and continuity in the [Department of Trade and Industry’s] initiatives.” Pascual confirmed that he resigned as DTI chief. “After much reflection, I have decided it is time for me to return to the private sector. There, my roles will allow me to continue contributing my expertise and experience while being able to spend quality time with my family,” his statement read. He also thanked Marcos for the opportunity and said his time serving in the Cabinet was an “extraordinary privilege and honor.” According to Pascual, his role as DTi chief has been one the “most challenging yet fulfilling experiences” of his career. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1967985/pascual-resigns-as-trade-secretary?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2Vsgz7y3rb1SFj4Lun0JhRISZwAfLzvx_L1MsTV4Zp-lNlsFusV7aW7k0_aem_CQnSjZG-wTKJ1gVXRmFkfg

China says Philippines risks ‘greater insecurity’ after US military aid pledge

Agence France-Presse

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 17:06:30 PST

A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fires its water cannon at Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels escorting supply boats chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in August 2023. On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the CCG again water cannon-attacked Philippine vessels on a mission to bring supplies to troops in the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea. (File photo/Video grab from PCG FACEBOOK PAGE) A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fires its water cannon at Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels escorting supply boats chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in August 2023. On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the CCG again water cannon-attacked Philippine vessels on a mission to bring supplies to troops in the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea. (File photo/Video grab from PCG FACEBOOK PAGE) China on Wednesday warned the Philippines it risks “greater insecurity for itself,” after the United States said it would provide $500 million in additional military funding to Manila in the face of Beijing’s growing assertiveness. In Manila on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled what he called a “once in a generation investment” to help modernize the Philippine armed forces and coast guard. Asked about the announcement, Beijing’s foreign ministry on Wednesday warned Manila that “wooing countries from outside the region to provoke confrontation in the South China Sea will only undermine regional stability and aggravate tensions.” “Trying to introduce external forces to protect its own security will only lead to greater insecurity for itself, and it might even become someone else’s pawn,” spokesman Lin Jian said. The latest high-level US visit follows a series of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed waterway that have raised concern that Washington could be dragged into a conflict due to its mutual defense treaty with Manila. The Philippines’ proximity to the hotly contested South China Sea, as well as self-ruled Taiwan, would make it a key partner for the United States if a conflict were to break out in the region. Beijing claims almost the entire waterway, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and considers democratic Taiwan to be part of its territory. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

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Taguig court issues TRO vs Meralco’s power supply bidding

Lisbet K. Esmael, Tetch Torres-Tupas

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:01:13 PST

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the power distributor giant of the MVP Group, faces a roadblock after a regional trial court issued a temporary restraining order against its planned bidding for an additional power supply of 1,000 megawatts (MW). In a five-page Order promulgated on July 31, 2024, Executive Judge Byron G. San Pedro of Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 15-FC, granted the petition of the members of the consortium operating the Malampaya gas field — Prime Energy, Prime Oil and Gas Inc, UC38 LLC, and the Philippine National Oil Exploration Corp (PNOC-EC) — for the immediate issuance of the 72-hour temporary restraining order (TRO) against Meralco’s conduct of competitive selection process for its 600 MW and 400 MW power supply requirements after finding merits to the verified complaint by the plaintiffs. “Upon evaluation of the allegations contained in the verified complaint for injunction, it appears from the facts shown that great or irreparable injury would result to the plaintiffs-applicants before the writ of preliminary injunction could be heard. “In other words, there exists EXTREME URGENT NECESSITY for the writ as to warrant the issuance of Temporary Restraining Order to prevent further damages to the plaintiffs’ interests, the government, and the environment,” the Taguig court ruled. The court has set a TRO bond of P5 million. “Upon posting a TRO bond which is hereby fixed in the amount of five million pesos (P5,000,000), let a Temporary Restraining Order effective for 72 hours be issued in favor of the plaintiffs-applicants enjoining the respondent Manila Electric Company from conducting its competitive bidding selection process (CSP), under its current Terms of Reference, including the receipt of bids, the award and the implementation of any award arising from (it),” the RTC said. The Malampaya consortium earlier filed a complaint against Meralco. It stressed that pursuing the bidding can put indigenous natural gas at a disadvantage, “violat[ing] the preference given” by existing laws. “Increased reliance on imported sources of fuel threatens the country’s energy security and energy sovereignty because these are greatly susceptible to a volatile market,” the previous petition said. It also said Meralco’s bidding done through the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) was “flawed, skewed or supplier-driven and grossly violative of existing laws, rules and regulations.” The bidding process was scheduled for August 2 at 9 a.m. It added that the bidding could “put the country in a situation where a significant portion of our power supply is placed in the hands of imported coal and imported LNG, the prices of both are notoriously unstable and extremely subject to external shocks in the market.” Furthermore, it said that awarding PSAs only to suppliers using imported fuel will also harm the exploration and development of indigenous resources, and will affect the Malampaya project, which has been reliably and securely supplying natural gas to power plants that provide 30 to 40 percent of Luzon’s electricity requirements. Sought for comments, Meralco said it has yet to receive an official copy from the Taguig court. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. But an official insisted that Meralco follows existing rules of the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission in conducting biddings. “It is our mandate to ensure that we conduct these in a timely manner, as delay will expose our consumers to unnecessary burden in the amount of billions of pesos in the form of higher power rates,” said Jose Ronald V. Valles, Meralco SVP and Head of Regulatory Management. Subscribe to our business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

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Traitors in Philippine history who are only loyal to one thing

No author found

2018-04-18T01:26:57+00:00

The Philippines withstood crude and shrewd regimes from the West and one from the East. As we all know, what our nation had gone through wasn’t always triumphal because of some people who are too greedy to realize they were getting played by the subjugators. These are the traitors and the balimbings or turncoats of our history, the bane of our heroes. It really sucks to think we had chances to prevail from the enemy if it just wasn’t for these selfish pricks. And here they are. Here are some Filipinos from decades ago who earned their reputation in betraying the country and their countrymen. Pedro Paterno is the first and “original” balimbing in the Philippines, says historian Ambeth Ocampo. He was “first on the Spanish side and then wormed his way to power to become President of Malolos Convention in 1899.” He was a Filipino politician, novelist, and poet who mediated the signing of the Biak-na-Bato Pact between Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and Spanish Governor-General Fernando Primo de Rivera. The signing marked the end of the Philippine Revolution and Aguinaldo’s expatriation to Hong Kong. After the signing, Paterno requested dukedom, a seat in the Spanish Senate, and a million bucks as reward. Primo de Rivera refused to grant his request. Upon Aguinaldo’s return, Paterno wheedled his way to become Malolos Congress’ president and the head of the general’s cabinet. When the Philippine-American War started, Paterno pushed the government to accept America’s sovereignty. During the Philippine Revolution, lawyer Felipe Buencamino, Sr. was one of those who sided with the Spaniards until the conquistadors imprisoned him. He later joined the Filipino camp and even became Aguinaldo’s cabinet member. When the Americans came to our shores, Buencamino drew the ire the Filipino revolutionaries as he switched sides again. His encounter with enraged Gen. Antonio Luna was actually famous—there were accounts that say the general slapped Buencamino in the face, but Ocampo said Luna didn’t. The two just had a heated argument because Buencamino was in favor of the proposed autonomy by the Americans. Discussions are long on whether Januario Galut really was a traitor or not (some say Galut didn’t consider himself part of the Philippine army and was subjected to discrimination by lowlanders). Nevertheless, Galut is a Christian Igorot who guided the Americans around Tirad Pass. This led to the overthrowing of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar’s forces. The group of Filipinos recruited by the Japanese Army during World War II who acted like spies, informants, and torturers is called Makapili or Makabayang Katipunan ng mga Pilipino. They would turn over suspected guerilla fighters who they knew personally in pursuit of some sort of personal revenge over who knows what. This resulted in destroying trust within the communities, which was imperative for survival. Teodoro Patiño is a katipunero who got into a fight with fellow katipuneroApolonio de la Cruz because of the two-peso wage increase in the printing shop of Diario de Manila. Because of this, Patiño went to his sister Honoria and revealed the secrets and plans of the KKK. Honoria then went to tell the head nun about this. The nun urged Patiño to tell the secrets to the parish priest. The priest then divulged what he just learned to the authorities until the Guardia Civil raided the Diario de Manilaoffice. This also resulted in “Juez de Cuchillo” or “total annihilation” of indiosin one of the places where KKK would uprise. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

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Eldest daughters of Asian households—okay pa ba tayo?

No author found

2023-08-29T12:35:38+00:00

“I’m tired,” I admitted to a friend one late afternoon, feeling the familiar prick of tears behind my eyes. “Like, really tired. Can’t even sleep,” I continue, knowing that if I exert any more effort, I’ll burst into tears. Here, I am overextended. I am preparing to move out of my childhood home of 29 years to live with my boyfriend in a new place we’ve just signed a contract for. In many ways, I am over the moon. He is a good man, very kind and gentle, and I love him. I am also excited to be independent for the first time and live by my own time and schedule. But in other ways, I am terribly anxious. I keep worrying about my family needing this or that—to the point of making an entire Google document and sheet containing all the information they need. From where I buy everyone’s specialized birthday cakes and how to contact certain relatives to keeping tabs on everyone’s birthday and not forgetting tidbits about each family member. I am surrounded by half-filled boxes and teetering piles of clothes. I’m wrapping little trinkets in scarves to make sure they don’t break during the journey. My books sit solemn in one stack across me as I balance my laptop on top of it during the video call. My friend asks me, “What’s got you so tired?” All at once, I imagine scenarios where my family will need me. I imagine closed doors and silent suffering or the screaming matches and hair-tearing. I think about my father’s impending retirement and my mother having to financially handle all my siblings for a bit. I pray no one gets COVID-19 again and that, if they do, everyone remembers how much the tests are in the Watson’s around the corner. I think of my father’s silent yearning for a meal that everyone will hesitate to volunteer cooking and my mother’s concern as she comes to me to ask about one of my brothers. I think of the way my siblings’ faces stiffen when they’re hurt but refuse to speak to anyone else. I think of all the words that everyone wants to say at the dinner table, the ones only I will eventually hear and sit with for a long time. I shake as I inhale. “Am I abandoning them?” I clasp my hands inside a box of books, almost like I’m trying to remember how to pray. “Is a home that falls apart when it loses you really something you are going to spend the rest of your life holding up as its only foundation? Or is it time you stopped raising your whole household to give yourself that grace and space to breathe for a second you should have had since you were a kid?” my friend answers. When she says this, I hiccup and turn up my music so I can let out a wail, and then another, and then another. Being the oldest sibling has come with expectations, obligations, and even outright responsibilities. It’s an age-old dynamic—you’re supposed to be the beacon for your siblings and how they should walk, talk, and behave. You don’t just hand down old clothes and toys, you become the blank board on which your parents draw their picture of obedience and excellence to be displayed for your younger siblings to emulate. This is magnified in Asian households—whether East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, etc. Being the eldest in an Asian household was pretty much a guarantee that your childhood was going to be taken very, very early. Zoe, 29, echoes this. “Being a role model to my brother was an unspoken rule. I was expected to excel and demonstrate a lot of what my brother struggled to achieve,” she says. Isabela, 27, agrees. “As the first one to break out into the real world, I do feel like I’m testing the waters not just for me but for my siblings as well.” In recent years, however, more people have come to realize that eldest daughters in Asian households have a shared experience of added emotional upkeep. They’ve been subjected to parenting their entire families and were unrecognized and unappreciated for it. It’s likely been this way for centuries, but the memes and jokes like “be her peace bro, she’s the eldest daughter in an Asian household” that have bubbled up on social media have become thinly veiled cries for help that other women have immediately attuned to. Apart from the weight of being the panganay, eldest daughters also face sexist and conservative ideals, misogyny, and even religion. Many older sisters felt this way. Chase, 32, says, “I was told ‘kababae mong tao,’ and I was expected not to fail or that I’m not supposed to do things that are conventionally masculine like riding a motorcycle, heading home late at night, or taking an interest in video games, and I even was told to pick a ‘feminine-leaning’ field like nursing or education.” For Anon B, 32, she noticed that her parents were much harsher on her compared to her younger brother. “My family were softer on my brother. As a child, I did resent seeing this happen that they coddled him more than they did me.” Most of the time, we were expected to prop everyone up, upkeep tenuous bonds, manage everyone’s emotions, and do chores while simultaneously being undermined and doubted by virtue of our gender. This echoes how society deems domestic labor non-existent. People don’t believe that cooking, cleaning, and mediating family ties is even “real work” because it doesn’t earn anything monetary, which is a dangerous rabbit hole to go down. This also feeds the sexist celebration and coddling of masculinity and the belief that women should be naturals at caring and nurturing. Sticking with the stereotype burdens little girls to adhere to it and only hurts them. Not only did eldest daughters become surrogate mothers, but they also became the middle women for arguments or fights. “My parents were emotionally immature. Found myself mediating a lot between their arguments,” says Anon B. It fell to us to become logical, but not too logical, emotional, but just enough to feel compassion for whoever was angry. We were tasked to be understanding and to listen and then deescalate situations—even encourage patience and forgiveness. When Anon A spoke out against this proposed necessity by her parents, she was shamed for it. “When I started saying no, I was labeled selfish, irresponsible, and apathetic.” Anon C, 38, was also dragged into arguments. “My parents had lots of fights when I was growing up. I had to be present in some. I would even end up arguing for my mom against my dad. I would get dragged into talking endlessly with them until the wee hours of the morning. I was a kid. I didn’t know a thing, and thinking about it now, it sucks.” When it came to chores, some households depended solely on their daughters to learn them—especially the eldest. While some stressed that all their children should learn to cook and clean, there was still a disparity of expectations. “It was expected that I do chores by default, whereas my brother’s main household chore was taking out the trash or cleaning his room; anything involving cleaning and cooking was secondary for him but primary for me,” says Chase. Anon A, 27, says her mother would “entrust [a] list [of groceries and chore schedules] to me and make it my responsibility to make sure that our maid and my dad abide by that list” whenever her mother would go on business trips. “I was also entrusted to make a bottle of milk for my sister when she was a baby and watch over her and make sure our maids at the time weren’t hurting my sister. Managing my sister’s afternoon sumpong also became my responsibility. Then, making sure my sister didn’t lose stuff in school when we were in grade school already and that she didn’t get bullied or get in trouble,” Anon A continues. She also describes how she would be punished for any of her younger sister’s mistakes. “That part always bugged me ‘cause I would get spanked and scolded. It was logistically impossible for me to watch her all the time since we were in different grades and I had different schedules. I literally could not control my sister, so I didn’t understand how I was supposed to take responsibility for things she did without me there.” “Since I was the first to go to school and learn, I tutored all my brothers. I didn’t really enjoy doing that, but I thought it was my job to do so. And people get paid tutoring. I was a kid, I did it for free. I would also cover my and my brothers’ books and notebooks in plastic,” Anon C says. Domestic work is often attributed to the feminine. No one batted an eye that my brothers didn’t know how to use a washing machine. But someone seemed offended at the idea that I potentially didn’t (I did) and I asked them why that was. “’Cause you know, all my sisters do. So does my mom.” I told him, “I’m not your sister. Or your mom.” “I mean,‘cause you’re a girl and you were the eldest girl.” “Do you know how to use one?” He scratched the back of his neck. “No, but because my ate does. So I don’t have to.” This mirrored many Filipino households. Anon C says, “In a way, it felt like my brothers had an added air of pride because they were boys who could do chores.” Among Anon A’s implied duties was “making sure my dad stayed in line, didn’t add random things while we were grocery shopping, didn’t make us eat junk food a lot.” She continues, “My dad was shit at doing household chores. He’d break stuff and burn food. Which I also did ’cause I was clumsy and had undiagnosed ADHD, but my mother was sure to let me know that that wasn’t acceptable.” It was heartbreaking to watch “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once.” When Evelyn was born, the doctor expressed regret instead of congratulations. Even more heartbreaking was seeing other Asian daughters online say “lol same” because it happened to them too. Many Asian cultures still dread having daughters as they can’t carry on the family name and will only elevate the family if another man is interested in them. So they become scapegoats and vigilantes all at once—they are detested for their gender but relied on because of the invisible labor they are expected to uphold anyway as some kind of penance for being born a girl. It’s like there’s no winning. Parents are too busy, brothers don’t have to do anything, younger sisters may also receive some semblance of this gendered labor, but the eldest is often the one paying the biggest price. Learn to nurture the family you’re supposed to love without question. It’s okay if boys don’t do it because they’re boys—they have better things to do. But you, by virtue of the genitals you were born with, must care and nurture. This was only exacerbated in Catholic school where I was told, verbatim, that all I was was an incubator. I was made to be filled up with babies, to care for them, and then to play house. I was not meant to have other ambitions—I was a girl. I asked why it was so stressed that we were learning so much about homemaking for our extra subjects, but my brothers in a nearby boys’ school were able to pick and choose extracurriculars like robotics, drafting, etc. I was told it was because it was up to us, as upstart Catholic women, to keep our homes together. “But what if I’m working?” I asked. “You do both. As a mother and a wife to a good man, you will just know how.” To “just know how” felt like such a cop-out. It was ridiculous to go to this school and be told to be one thing but not told how. And then, to be humiliated and scolded for not being that thing. Anon A echoes this, saying, “Whenever we’d be left in my grandma’s house, the adults would tell me to watch over my younger siblings. Since I expressed no interest or diligence in doing so, I was shamed for being unreliable, unfeeling, and selfish.” This expectation has even extended to taking care of people outside the family. Because I behaved well in class, didn’t ask questions, and followed instructions well, I was constantly seated with more “difficult” classmates—some boys in kindergarten too. My teachers, frazzled, would ask me to help get them to behave and say it was because I was “such a good girl.” My ego did not inflate at this, however, and I bemoaned the task of having to watch over boys even in school, just as I did at home. I didn’t appreciate the extra task when I was in school to learn and make friends, not to babysit. I understood that my teachers were likely at full capacity and were probably not being paid fairly, but I didn’t see why it became my job to have to handle others who weren’t being scolded for their disruptiveness when I was being shamed for not wanting to deal with them. My boyfriend, as I was typing away at work, came into our bedroom once and thanked me for always refilling the ice tray. “I appreciate you—I never said it, but I’ve been meaning to. It’s nice to not have to worry about ice.” It was so mundane, but I was so taken aback by his gratitude. I just blushed and said I just like making our home functional and easy. Later, I figured out it was because I had never been seen for the small things I had been expected to do. It was odd and simultaneously heartwarming to be recognized for such a small thing, but I was touched all the same. I found myself in the same vein of thinking when he would come home with small trinkets and gifts for me, “just because.” I had grown to only anticipate anything of the sort because I’d “worked to deserve it.” I asked once, “Why did you get me this? What did I do?” Had I earned it? He looked puzzled. “I just wanted to.” It sat with me in the most profound way. I didn’t need to do anything to be on the other end of thoughtfulness. There’s still plenty I am unlearning when it comes to being away from my household now. I am slowly giving myself more grace now that I no longer live with my family, and yet still sometimes have to do a lot of emotional heavy lifting even from far away. For many, after finding their own voices and independence, the aftershocks of having to keep an entire household afloat still stay with them, too. Anon B says about feeling like she had to take care of everyone even after leaving home. “It did feel like my job in a relationship was to solve everyone’s problems. That’s what my parents expected of me with my brother and with me when they told me about their issues.” She continued to fall into the habit of taking care of people, as that’s how she understood love. Anon C walked away from her household confused and trying to find a better way to find answers. “I think I have had a ton of toxic traits because of this. I had no boundaries. I didn’t know how to control my rage, which is my go-to emotion, even if you show me love. I rebel a lot. I had tons of dysfunctional relationships. Took a lot of therapy,” she says. Many eldest daughters, once at last physically away from their households, feel like they have to continue this act of surrogacy. A lot of us tend to parent our friends and loved ones, going beyond just funny “mom friend” stereotypes of handbags full of goodies to becoming overly emotionally available to the point of burnout. Boundaries become difficult to establish, especially for ourselves, because we were asked for such limitless amounts of understanding and patience and were told that that was love. We were told constantly to turn the other cheek and to be obedient and grateful for it, even if we were being bludgeoned by a burden we should never have carried at all. It’d be disingenuous to dismiss the plight of male panganays as well. They definitely don’t have it easy, as a lot of them are also treated pretty severely in the guise of making them “tougher” or “manlier,” and many have suffered other types of expectations. Male panganays are often saddled with the continuation of the family and are tasked with being breadwinners to secure that. It’s difficult to trade in your childhood for something you never chose—especially knowing in adulthood that you weren’t supposed to even be exchanging something as fleeting as childhood joy in the first place. To any eldest daughter still finding it in her to give herself grace, take your time. Those burdens should have never been yours, and it’s okay to navigate the rest of your life without having to worry constantly about how people will respond to your absence. You are long overdue to making your own life—with or without the people you have propped up for so long. Follow Preen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and Viber Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/492739/eldest-daughter-asian-household-okay-pa-ba/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0QKm1wNpVTKVH9vLE3XOCeP72eyMDNzsIRmmJ8K1Bcsa6sybMKYW7I798_aem_Rw3rnKyOTPHPFkDSK0cC2w

It’s no one’s fault: When a friendship naturally runs its course

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2024-04-30T12:38:21+00:00

Do memes imitate life or does life imitate memes? I once saw a post featuring an old oil painting, the kind found in the illustrated Bible stories of my parents’ time (see also: White Jesus)—its caption, in 2008 Microsoft Word Art white read: “The real miracle is that Jesus had 12 close friends as a 30-year-old.” It’s safe to say that I wheezed. Come to think of it, since everything was part of a divine plan, I don’t think Jesus harbored any bad blood against Judas, who seems to have been fulfilling a necessary role in a larger plot and stage. I think some progressive theologians would agree. Catholic school kid reminiscences aside, what a way to add closure to a friend breakup, huh? Perhaps coming of age is more multi-season US TV than single-season K-drama; a series of life events that, to quote the mystic, poet, and lover Rumi, “bring us to ever-expanding rings of being.” Our zeitgeist today is all about realizing that growth is lifelong: One doesn’t “just become an adult” but “continuously becomes.” You read that right, becoming, a verb, not just a one-time-big-time coming-of-age but a series of comings-of-age. The yin to such yang would be that in the process of growth, we also shed old attachments. After each summer comes the proverbial autumn, a fall, and, a falling out. Enter the friend breakup. If our first romantic breakups were our first coming-of-age, then perhaps the next might be a friend breakup (or more) sometime around our late 20s and early 30s. Friend breakups hurt more than romantic breakups because more often than not, it was to our friends we turned to when our lovers felt more like strangers. Our barkada was our safe space and also the runway that egged us to take the leap of faith and eventually, the nest that caught us as we fell or celebrated our homecoming as we tied the knot. Our barkadas were arguably more tahanan than our kasintahan. Cool how both Filipino words have “tears” as their root words huh? And so when we find ourselves crying over losing our friends, the salt stings more. It’s fine when friendships end because of abuse or repeated toxic behavior that’s been called out, but the rougher waters are in seas where no one is clearly at fault. And sometimes, it’s the slow burns that really cook, the gradual realization that the values, humor, goals, and more which glued your friendship before no longer stick around now. As the pathways of our individual lives have led us to new places, we simply became different people with different priorities. Sometimes, two high school besties finally open their dream cafe in their hometown having walked separate paths after college all while finding each other again, different people, but with notes that complement and harmonize. But sometimes too, your decision to quiet quit the rat race and choose a slower lifestyle might run against the goals of a college confidant who took care of you (and vice versa) when drunk after midterms, an old friend whose choices have made her a grind-and-hustle girl boss. If being authentically oneself is about having life options to act on, then a woman choosing the Way of the Girlboss is no less empowered than a woman choosing the Way of the Girlmoss. Sometimes, exercising these choices may result in the end of friendships and there’s no way around it, no sugar to coat the bitter reality. But it’s equally human to attempt harmonizing the bitter and the sweet, the espresso and milk, so let me attempt a flat white: The world is round, and while paths diverge, sometimes, after much meandering, after each person, each walker has found treasures from their respective journeys, old paths may find new convergences. And sometimes they don’t. And that’s okay, too. Even when you find a new village eager to raise a new you, past memories and attachments may hinder your attempts to open up. Really? Should I allow people in again knowing it can end? But what hurts more? The pain of separation or the pain of loneliness? But in a zeitgeist also perceiving an interconnected world, it’s comforting to realize that each moment of (seemingly) individual clarity, joy, and whatnot nourishes The Whole. We may no longer be invited to the tables of old friends, but whenever we’re in a good place, I’d like to think that the unselfish joy we radiate reaches love past, present, and future—and vice versa. And that might include people who (seemingly) no longer share a path with us. It’s been said that though many of the stars in the sky light years away are actually dead, their light is a last breath belatedly reaching us on Earth, and yet there’s also no denying that such light has still guided many a sailor across a dark sea. Sometimes, the hardest grief we bear is for those who still walk the Earth, over people who saw us at our worst, thus allowing us to eventually come into our best. Having known such best, I guess, is its own gift, even if we no longer walk together, bes. Follow Preen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and Viber Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. 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Joanie Delgaco gets shot at 19th place in Paris Olympics rowing

Lance Agcaoili

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:00:04 PST

Joanie Delgaco of Team Philippines crosses the finish line in the women’s single scull rowing repechage at the Paris Olympics 2o24, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) Joanie Delgaco of Team Philippines crosses the finish line in the women’s single scull rowing repechage at the Paris Olympics 2o24, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) MANILA, Philippines — Team Philippines rower Joanie Delgaco lost steam anew in the women’s single sculls semifinals C/D classification round of the Paris Olympics 2024 and was relegated to Final D, which will give her a shot at finishing 19th to 24th. Delgaco started strong with a hope to get a higher rank in the classification round — the top three advancing to Final C —  but she couldn’t sustain momentum at third place, dropping to sixth midway through the race. She can finish her Olympic campaign with 19th as her best ranking if she triumphs in her final race in Paris on Friday at 4:30 p.m. (Manila time). READ: LIVE UPDATES: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024 July 31 The 26-year-old Filipino bet avoided a last-place finish on Wednesday, clocking a time of 8:00.18 — six seconds ahead of last placer Fatemeh Mojallal of Iran. Jovana Arsic of Serbia topped the race with the fastest time of 7:44.60, barging into the Final C with Slovenia’s Nina Kostanjsek (7:48.86) and Brazil’s Beatriz Tavares (7:49.96). Alejandra Alonso of Paraguay settled for fourth with a time of 7:56.50, also relegated in Final D with Delgaco and Mojallal. READ: Paris Olympics: Team Philippines’ Joanie Delgaco out of medal race The Filipino Olympic rower bombed out of medal contention with a last-place finish of 7:58.30 in the quarterfinal on Tuesday. She earned a shot at a quarterfinal after topping her repechage regatta on Sunday. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Angara: 99% of schools open for SY 2024-2025; 673 still closed

Luisa Cabato

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 17:04:52 PST

MANILA, Philippines — Almost 99 percent of schools nationwide have already opened their classes for the School Year (SY) 2024-2025, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said on Wednesday. Based on data as of July 31 at 7 a.m., only 673 schools have not yet opened their doors for learners to give way to ongoing cleanup and repair activities in areas affected by the southwest monsoon and typhoon Carina. READ: DepEd has until August to find over 20,000 teachers These schools are in the National Capital Region and Regions 1, 3, and 4A. In an ambush interview on the sidelines of the Brigada Pagbasa Partners Network Launch in Mandaluyong City, Angara said that 673 schools represent less than one percent of those expected to open for SY 2024-2025. “So less than one percent ‘yung 600,” he said. (So that 600 is less than one percent of all schools nationwide.) READ: DepEd: 77% of learners so far enrolled for School Year 2024-2025 Meanwhile, as of 9 a.m., DepEd said that 22,440,747 students have enrolled for SY 2024-2025. This is approximately 80 percent of the 27,722,835 students expected to enlist for the current school year. DepEd said that number is still expected to go up until the end of the enrollment period on September 16. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Dela Rosa: ICC can do whatever it wants, I’m not bothered

Maila Ager

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 17:32:54 PST

MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) can do whatever it wants, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said on Wednesday. Finally breaking his silence, the senator responded to Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra’s statement that the Philippine government could not stop the ICC’s prosecutor from interviewing suspects in the alleged crimes against humanity committed during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte. READ: PH gov’t can’t stop ICC from probing drug war suspects – SolGen Dela Rosa and four other retired and incumbent police officers were tagged as suspects by the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC. READ: ICC prosecutor tags Bato dela Rosa, 4 PNP execs as ‘suspects “We have no control over them,” Dela Rosa said in an interview at the Senate. “Kung ano ang gusto nilang gawin, e ‘di gawin nila.” (We have no control over them. If they want to do something, they might as well just do it.) But no one from the ICC has reached out to him yet, the senator said. “Wala, wala (none),” Dela Rosa said. He was also unfazed by the reported request of the ICC prosecutor to put him under the International Police’s (Interpol) “blue notice.” Interpol notices, according to its website, are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information. A blue notice seeks “to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.” “I don’t know kung posible ba ‘yan. Nasa kanila lang ‘yan,” Dela Rosa said of the said blue notice request. (I don’t know if that’s possible. That’s up to them.) When asked if he was still hoping the Philippine government would protect him from the ICC probe, the senator said, “Sabi naman nila palagi noon (Like what they said before), investigating is one thing, or issuance of [a] warrant is one thing, and implementation of [a] warrant is another thing.” One thing is certain: Dela Rosa is not bothered by the latest actions of the ICC. “Bakit ako maba-bother? Hayaan mo na sila. I’m not bothered. Hayaan mo sila, go ahead,” he said. (Why should I be bothered? Let them be. I’m not bothered. Let them be, go ahead) Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. As then police chief during Duterte’s administration, Dela Rosa was the chief implementer of Duterte’s ruthless war on illegal drugs. READ: Dela Rosa admits rights abuses in ‘drug war’: Probe each case separately Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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After her own health battle, Doris Bigornia is now learning from her mistake

Armin P. Adina

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:42:07 PST

Doris Bigornia via Instagram / Patrol ng Pilipino andDoris Bigornia Doris Bigornia via Instagram / Patrol ng Pilipino andDoris Bigornia Broadcaster Doris Bigornia earned the endearing monicker “Mutya ng Masa” by getting close to the masses, engaging in challenging field work that saw her covering demonstrations, naturals calamities, and even wars, that immerse her with the people. But that is all a thing of the past because of the health scare she encountered in 2021. The veteran journalist underwent heart surgery three years ago, and started undergoing regular dialysis since then because of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which has been preventing her from taking assignments on the ground. And now Bigornia, taking from her experience, has been grabbing all the opportunity she could to encourage the people to be more mindful of their health. Incidentally, July is observed as the nutrition month in the Philippines. “Gusto ko iyong mga pagkakamali na nagawa ko, ma-educate ko ang ibang tao na huwag ninyo akong tularan. Kasi dapat iyong sinasabi natin na corny, cliché, na importante ang health, totoo po iyon (I want to educate people through my mistakes, don’t do the same. Even if we find corny or cliché saying health is important, it’s true). No amount of money that you’ll earn would mean happiness and security for you and your family kundi iyong health mo (only your health),” she told INQUIRER.net when she hosted a pharmaceutical company recently. “So kapag ganito naimbitahan ako, hindi sila nahirapan na kumbinsihin ako na gawin ko ito, kasi (when I get invited like this, they don’t have a hard time convincing me because) it’s close to my heart,” Bigornia shared, adding that it has never occurred to her that she, as somebody who was not health conscious, would be given the opportunity to handle events that touch on health. “Hindi ko inalagaan ang kalusugan ko (I did not take care of my health). At that time I was so busy working. I had no time to check on my health, which was a big mistake kasi binalikan ako (because it got back to me),” added the broadcaster, who also encouraged mall goers to listen to the resource persons who discussed about the CKD’s prevalence in the country, the people who have been enduring it, and how it could be prevented. She also invited the people to take advantage of the free blood and urine laboratory testing offered during the event. Doris Bigornia. Photo by ARMIN P. ADINA “Magpa-test, kahit wala kayong nararamdaman (Get tested even if you are not feeling anything),” reminded Bigornia, who confessed that she earned “notoriety” in ABS-CBN for always skipping the company’s annual physical examinations by making up excuses, such as having pretend coverages or events to attend. “Iyon ang pinakamalaking mali na ginawa ko. Kasi libre iyon eh. Libre na nga sa kumpanya, hindi ko pa inavail. Kung ginawa ko iyon, nakita sana agad na tumataas na iyong creatinine level ko, baka puwede pang maabatan eh (That was the biggest mistake that I have committed. Because it’s already free. It’s free in the company, and I did not avail myself of it. If I had done it, we could have seen my creatinine level shoot up, we could have prevented it),” she shared. Bigornia said what also discourages people from getting tested is the fear of having to spend a huge sum if a health concern gets discovered. “That would mean gastos (expenses). Which was a wrong mindset. Mas malaki ang gastos mo, at mas malaki iyong impact sa’yo at sa pamilya mo kapag hindi mo naabatan kaagad ang sakit (The expenses will just increase even more, and the impact will be greater for you and your family if you do not immediately address the ailment),” she said. “It’s a very big challenge, struggle, kasi andaming napalit sa buhay ko, sa lifestyle ko (because a lot has changed in my life, in my lifestyle). I have to slow down on work, kasi (because) I do dialysis three times a week, four hours per session,” said Bigornia. She said the situation hurts as someone who is always on-the-go, and then getting strapped in for four hours. It also causes depression whenever she sees important events unfold and she no longer covers them. “Naiisip mo na dapat ako kumo-cover ng istorya na iyon, dapat nandoon ako sa rally na iyon. Ginagawa ko iyon dati (You’d think I should have covered that story, I should have been there at that rally. I used to do that),” she said. Bigornia pleaded to the people, “Ayusin mo ang buhay mo. Iyong buhay mo, which means pagkain mo, iyong health mo, lahat iyan iba-balance mo doon sa trabaho mo, kasi kailangan mong magtrabaho. At meron pang isa, ang pamilya mo. Kailangan iyan sabay-sabay na dapat mong asikasuhin. Mahirap, napakahirap (Fix your life, which means the food you eat, your health, all that you have to balance with your work, because you have to work. There’s one more thing, your family. You have to take care of all of that. It’s hard. It’s really hard).” She continued: “Andami nating pinagsasabi tungkol sa politics, tungkol sa mga marites na ganiyan. Pagdating sa health, parang hindi natin pinag-uusapan (We talk a lot about politics, about gossips. But when it comes to health, we don’t talk about it). Mainly because ang iniisip natin iyong gastos (we think about the expenses).” Bigornia said Filipinos should not be scared of spending money in maintaining one’s health, that they just bear whatever pain they are feeling. “Pero mali. Lagi na lang sinasabi ‘early detection,’ tama iyon, totoo iyon, gawin ninyo iyon (But that is wrong. It has always been said, ‘early detection,’ that is right, that is true, you have to do it),” she further said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. She is regularly seen weekday mornings hosting “Gising Pilipinas” on Teleradyo Serbisyo, together with her former “SRO” partner Alvin Elchico. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Villanueva to Marcos: Tackle flooding as seriously as Pogos

Charie Abarca

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:12:20 PST

Senator Joel Villanueva answers query from the media on Wednesday during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on July 31, 2024. (NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net) Senator Joel Villanueva answers query from the media on Wednesday during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on July 31, 2024. (NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net) MANILA, Philippines — Keep an eye on flooding as much as you keep an eye on Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), Sen. Joel Villanueva urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday. “You have to be serious about it. I’m also calling on Malacañang. As serious as we are about Pogo, let’s be serious about this too,” Villanueva said, speaking partly in Filipino, at the Kapihan sa Senado forum. “Otherwise, tanggalin na natin ang pondong ito because it’s a waste of money. It’s an awful waste of time, awful waste of money,” Villanueva said . “Otherwise, let’s get rid of this fund because it’s a waste of money. It’s an awful waste of time, [an] awful waste of money.” The senator made the appeal after lamenting about the perennial flooding in the Philippines, especially after the recent onslaught of Typhoon Carina which enhanced the southwest monsoon. “This happens every year. I already mentioned this last year. You were also there in the Senate hearing last year. No one believes in the Senate anymore,” he said. “No one believes the government anymore that it will do anything to address the problem because every single year it’s getting worse.” To support his remarks, the senator pointed out that the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Commission on Climate Change, had a combined budget of P1.44 billion a day. This budget alone can fund 700 classrooms a day, according to Villanueva. “Can you imagine, we can have 700 classrooms built in a day instead of putting it into a waste project? Well, tell me that it’s not a waste. Go ahead. Prove it to me that it’s not a waste project,” he said. The “project” that the senator was referring to was the government’s flood control programs. In his third State of the Nation Address, Marcos said 5,500 of these initiatives had so far been completed, but Villanueva admitted to thinking that the chief executive might have been misled. READ: Villanueva’s dare: I’ll quit if proven reclamation doesn’t worsen Bulacan floods Meanwhile, two Senate committees — on public works and on the environment, natural resources, and climate change — will conduct an inquiry on Thursday into the country’s flood control master plan and pending flood control projects. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “What’s going to happen? What do you think is going to happen? Let’s again enumerate this one by one. I have learned how to raise my voice and how to lower my voice. What more can we do? Should we do this every day? Let’s look at all these,” Villanueva said. Despite his frustration, he made clear that there would still be a need to investigate this matter so that the country’s flooding problem could be minimized once and for all. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Eumir Marcial ‘devastated’ after early exit in Paris Olympics

Lance Agcaoili

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 17:04:05 PST

Team Philippines’ Eumir Marcial, right, fights Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev in their preliminary men’s 80kg boxing match at the Paris Olympics 2024 Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher) Team Philippines’ Eumir Marcial, right, fights Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev in their preliminary men’s 80kg boxing match at the Paris Olympics 2024 Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher) MANILA, Philippines — Team Philippines’ boxing bet Eumir Marcial expressed his devastation after his medal dream was shattered early in the Paris Olympics 2024. Marcial couldn’t hide his frustration after his second Olympic campaign only lasted for one match, losing to Turabek Khabibullaev of Uzbekistan in the men’s 80-kilogram boxing early Wednesday (Manila time) at North Paris Arena in France. “My fighting spirit has never once wavered for the Philippines,” wrote Marcial on Instagram “I’m devastated and at loss for words. It’s a tough loss, I do not know how to explain this loss to all the Filipinos who believed in me and supported me. It’s a difficult place to be in, no one really prepares to lose.” “But like I said there’s no excuses. The people know that it has always been my absolute dream to win the gold medal at the Olympics not just for myself, for my family, but most especially, for the Philippines,” he added. The 28-year-old boxer, who was one of the Team Philippines’ top bets to win a medal, said he injured his ribs two weeks before the Olympics but did not use that as an excuse with his gold medal hopes slipping away right in the campaign opener. “I went to training every day with a mindset of winning the gold. I’ve put in the hard work and sacrificed so much for this dream, as far as putting my professional career on hold,” Marcial said. Team Philippines’ Eumir Marcial, right, fights Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev in their preliminary men’s 80kg boxing match at the Paris Olympics 2024, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher) “Not many people know but behind the scenes, I sustained an injury two weeks leading up to this match that prevented me to move and do my usual training, which also affected my mental strength and overall performance. But no regrets still, I know God has a bigger purpose for this loss. I may not understand it now but I need to trust that it was God’s protection to keep me safe from any further potential injury.” In an interview with Paris Olympics broadcaster One Sports, an emotional Marcial admitted his future is uncertain whether he will still chase his gold medal dream in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics or now focus full time on the pros after blowing his “best chance” in Paris. READ: Team Philippines in Paris Olympics 2024: Meet the athletes Despite not a heartbreaking campaign, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist remained grateful to the Filipinos and proud to represent the country. “I gave my all in that ring and regardless of the result, I am deeply grateful to all of the Filipinos who believed in me and supported me. I’m so proud to have been able to represent our country once again here at the Olympics. Thank you for all your prayers and words of encouragement,” Marcial said. “This is not the end of my journey.” Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio advanced to the next round of their respective women’s competitions. Carlo Paalam and Hergie Bacdayan make their debut in the round of 16 of men’s 57kg and women’s 75kg divisions, respectively, on Wednesday. Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Comelec, Namria ink deal to use GIS for fair, seamless elections

Dianne Sampang

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:16:38 PST

Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, Comelec Chairman George Garcia, Namria Undersecretary Peter Tiangco and Namria Mapping and Geodesy Branch Director Ruel Belen at the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement for the Geographic Information Systems Project on Wednesday, July 31. (Photo from the Office of the Chairman/Comelec) Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, Comelec Chairman George Garcia, Namria Undersecretary Peter Tiangco and Namria Mapping and Geodesy Branch Director Ruel Belen at the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement for the Geographic Information Systems Project on Wednesday, July 31. (Photo from the Office of the Chairman/Comelec) MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (Namria) underscored the importance of using technology to ensure seamless and fair elections in a ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement on Wednesday. Comelec and Namria teamed up to implement the Geographic Information System (GIS), a computer-based application that analyzes and displays map information. “By leveraging Namria’s expertise in mapping and geospatial intelligence, we aim to support Comelec in addressing challenges to geospatial data and updating election precinct maps,” said Namria Undersecretary Peter Tiangco. Furthermore, Namria Mapping and Geodesy Branch Director Ruel Belen mentioned that the agency would provide base maps and training for Comelec technical personnel. “Of course, we always say that, in order to enhance democracy, we must use technology, and in order to enhance democracy and technology, we must always use the power of partnership,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said, speaking partly in Filipino, in an ambush interview on Wednesday. Garcia noted that Namria would be helpful during elections in tasks such as locating barangays and poll precincts. READ: ‘Problematic’: Comelec sees 1,000 voters per precinct in 2025 elections “We want to see the actual barangays up to the precinct [level]. What happens there? The maps from Namria will be a big help in distributing electoral materials and sending electoral board members, the military, and the PNP. It would be very useful for us to have maps from Namria,” Garcia said. “We have what we call precinct mapping that identifies the location of a precinct.  Is this particular precinct near voters? We may be putting precincts too far from voters. Namria will help ensure that we will not have disenfranchised voters just because Comelec polling precincts are too far,” READ: Comelec expects 20,000 voting machines by August According to Garcia, the GIS will operate as early as January when 82 repair hubs will be established in all the provinces nationwide. Repair hubs will assist in repairing broken voting machines. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Last April, Comelec reported that the initial batch of around 20,000 voting counting machines for the 2025 local and national elections were expected to arrive by August. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Elderly NPA combatant slain in southern Negros clash

Philippine News Agency

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:36:38 PST

INQUIRER FILES INQUIRER FILES BACOLOD CITY — A 64-year-old combatant of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed Monday during an encounter with troops of the Philippine Army’s 15th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Basak, Cauayan, Negros Occidental. The 3rd Infantry Division (ID) said in a report on Wednesday that Ramon Moico Enseniales, with aliases Art and Bugtong, was considered a remnant of the dismantled South West Front (SWF). He was killed during a two-minute encounter between the soldiers and about five NPA rebels Monday noon, according to Major General Marion Sison, commander of the 3ID. He said the collaboration between the 15IB troops and the community led to the neutralization of Enseniales. “To those who remain in hiding, I urge you to choose the path of peace to avoid the fate of your comrades in previous encounters,” he added. The body of the slain combatant was found after other rebels fled the encounter site. Enseniales’ identity was confirmed by his wife, Epeania, the report said, adding that their family resides in Purok 1, Barangay Tambad in Cauayan. During the clearing operation, the troops also recovered an improvised 12-gauge shotgun, two hand grenades, three keypad mobile phones, personal belongings, and antigovernment documents with high intelligence value. (PNA) Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Morissette Amon reunites with family after falling-out

Anne Pasajol

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:23:57 PST

Morissette Amon, her husband Dave Lamar and her family. Image: Instagram/@itsmorissette Morissette Amon, her husband Dave Lamar and her family. Image: Instagram/@itsmorissette Morissette Amon celebrated “miracles” as she and her husband Dave Lamar finally reconciled with her family, years after their public dispute in 2019. Morissette showed moments from their family bonding at home and in what appears to be a restaurant, through her Instagram page on Monday, July 29. Morissette also shared a photo of a paper that had the question: “What are you celebrating today?” The singer ticked off the box that says “Reconciliation #peace.” “Celebrating life and all its miracles. Thank You Jesus,” she captioned her post. A post shared by Morissette (@itsmorissette) Morissette’s dad, Amay Amon, also shared photos of their family through his Instagram page. “Christmas came early this year and we’re not even in the ‘-ber’ months yet! And it’s never too late for a N-switch or AirConsole party with the fam,” he said. A post shared by ウルリッヒ アマイ (@otbnxir) It can be recalled that the Morissette and Amay had a falling-out in 2019 after the latter expressed his disapproval of his daughter’s relationship with Lamar. Despite being mum on the matter at the time, Morissette hoped for their family’s healing. A year later, Morissette made public her engagement to Lamar. The couple then tied the knot in Batangas in 2021, although they only revealed their marriage to the public in 2022. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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BSP sees July inflation to settle between 4-4.8%

Philippine News Agency

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:21:09 PST

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. (File photo / Philippine Daily Inquirer) Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. (File photo / Philippine Daily Inquirer) MANILA – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) forecast that inflation rate in July 2024 will settle between 4 and 4.8 percent. The inflation rate projection is higher than last month’s 3.7 percent. “Higher electricity rates along with the increased prices for agricultural commodities like vegetables, meat, and fruits along with higher domestic oil prices are the primary sources of upward price pressures for the month,” the BSP said in a statement Wednesday. READ: Inflation cooled to 3.7% in June, slowest in 4 months The central bank said the lower prices of rice and fruits as well as the appreciation of the Philippine peso are expected to offset the faster increase in prices of other commodities. “Going forward, the BSP will continue to monitor developments affecting the outlook for inflation and growth in line with its data-dependent approach to monetary policy formulation,” it said. The government targets inflation to settle between 2 and 4 percent for 2024. Meanwhile, Fitch Solutions unit BMI expected that consumer spending in the Philippines will grow to 6.2 percent this year from 5.1 percent in 2023 as inflation remains manageable although slightly elevated. “For 2024, we expect an acceleration, driven mostly by easing inflationary pressures, a stable labor market, and lower interest rates,” the BMI said in its commentary on Wednesday. On the other hand, risks to its forecast include prolonged inflation, lower remittances, and a weakening of the domestic economy. The BMI projected that consumer spending will ease to 5.9 percent in 2025. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. It also forecast inflation rate this year to settle at 3.2 percent before slowing down to 2.9 percent next year, which are still within the government’s target. Subscribe to our business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Eumir Marcial loses opening bout, bows out of Paris Olympics

Francis T.J. Ochoa

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 03:58:47 PST

Team Philippines’ Eumir Marcial, right, fights Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev in their preliminary men’s 80kg boxing match at the Paris Olympics 2024, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher) Team Philippines’ Eumir Marcial, right, fights Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev in their preliminary men’s 80kg boxing match at the Paris Olympics 2024, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher) SCHEDULE: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024 Eumir Marcial, one of Team Philippines’ brightest hopes for a medal, crashed out of the 2024 Paris Olympics boxing hunt early Wednesday morning (Manila time). Turabek Khabibullaev of Uzbekistan outpointed Marcial in their men’s 80-kilogram boxing duel at North Paris Arena, deftly using his long reach to keep the power-punching Filipino at bay. The 6-foot-1 southpaw kept coming in behind his jab to land key shots against Marcial in the opening round, shutting his opponent out there to set the pace of the match. LIVE UPDATES: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024 July 31 Khabibullaev gave up little ground in the second round, even as Marcial began pressing on the attack. Marcial had said this would be his last Olympics and was hoping to finish higher than his bronze medal in the Tokyo Summer Games. But he could not get much going against his foe, who won on all judges’ scorecards. Marcial was hoping to join Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio in the next round of the country’s medal hunt. Both Villegas and Petecio earlier subdued their foes to move on to the next phase of the women’s competitions. Carlo Paalam and Hergie Bacdayan make their Paris Olympics debut in the round of 16 of men’s 57kg and women’s 75kg divisions, respectively, on Wednesday. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Paris Olympics: Nesthy Petecio banks on masterful game plan vs taller foe

Lance Agcaoili

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:12:59 PST

India’s Jaismine, left, fights Team Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio in their preliminary women’s 57kg boxing match at the Paris Olympics 2024, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher) India’s Jaismine, left, fights Team Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio in their preliminary women’s 57kg boxing match at the Paris Olympics 2024, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher) MANILA, Philippines — Familiarity helped Team Philippines’ boxing bet Nesthy Petecio open her 2024 Paris Olympics campaign on a rousing note. Petecio kicked off her gold medal campaign with a unanimous victory over Jaismine Lamboria to advance to the women’s 57-kilogram boxing tournament round-of-16 early Wednesday (Manila time) in France. The Tokyo Olympics 2020 silver medalist, who stands 5-foot-2, was able to stand taller against the 5-foot-9 Indian thanks to the perfectly executed gameplan crafted by Reynaldo Galido to neutralize her foe’s advantage. “It’s a good thing I sparred with her. That’s really what I said after our weigh-in. I’m so thankful to Coach Galido because that was our game plan,” said Petecio in an interview with Paris Olympics broadcaster One Sports. “Coach Galido and I worked on making sure I couldn’t be reached at her distance, making it harder for her while I could still reach her. The distance was the most important thing. We trained for it and studied it.” Galido said their fight strategy was to be more aggressive since they were facing a taller competitor. “She’s very tall, so we made a game plan where we couldn’t play from a distance. You have to get to her first and hurt her so she’ll be scared of you. And that’s what Nesthy likes—her overhand punches—so no matter how tall she is, Nesthy can reach her,” said Petecio’s coach. “Her range is good, and we studied that right after she sparred. All our training paid off.” Galido will bank again with their familiarity of the French foe, believing Petecio will continue to show no fear amid facing a home bet. “We sparred with her several times in Bulgaria and Thailand. It’s her home crowd, but Nesthy doesn’t mind that. She’s a warrior. She’s not a rookie. Nesthy is ready to face anyone,” said the Team Philippines coach. Petecio is determined to sustain her momentum from a strong start, enjoying the support of Filipino fans in Paris after celebrating her first victory with an “Eyy”—the latest trending expression and loose hand gesture in the Philippines, popularized by the girl group BINI. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “It’s a really good start for me and the team. I hope it continues because our next opponent is France,” she said. “It’s a huge help to hear the crowd cheering for the Philippines. It really hypes me up.” Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Enrile on his plunder case: Ok with SC allowing trial to continue

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:57:29 PST

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s sectoral meeting along with cabinet secretaries at the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s sectoral meeting along with cabinet secretaries at the Malacanang Palace on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ MANILA, Philippines — Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile sees no problem with the Supreme Court’s (SC) move to allow the continuation of the trial for his plunder case, urging the courts to decide on the case already. In an ambush interview at the Batasang Pambansa complex on Wednesday, Enrile was asked about the SC’s decision allowing the Sandiganbayan to proceed with the plunder trial, with 13 justices voting to dismiss his petition for prohibition of his case. “Well, let them decide. Until now, they have not decided. Mahigit na 10 taon na ‘yan walang evidence na prine-presenta sa akin,” the former Senate president said. (It has been 10 years since the case was filed, but no strong evidence has been presented against me.) “That’s not the only case. I have many cases regarding the coconut levy, and they benefitted from it, but until now, I do not know what happened to my cases,” he added. Last Monday, it was reported that the SC allowed the continuation of the trial, with two justices not participating in the decision. “Enrile’s doubts as to the Sandiganbayan’s fealty to the law is no cause of action and his inability to trust in the judicial system does not merit relief,” read the 32-page decision penned by Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh. “The Court does not act on the basis of fear, baseless assumptions of bad faith, or conjectures…. [Since] litigants demand fairness from the courts, the judiciary similarly expects fairness from litigants,” it added. READ: SC allows Enrile’s trial for plunder to proceed Enrile is one of the three senators charged with plunder for alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada have been acquitted. They were accused of pocketing their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) after allocating parts of the funds to pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles’ bogus non-government organizations. Enrile was accused of pocketing P172 million of his PDAF. The three senators denied knowing the allocations, claiming that their staffers acted on their behalf. READ: Sandiganbayan lets Enrile challenge prosecution evidence in plunder case Enrile was at the House of Representatives’ hearing on illegal activities linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) on Wednesday to accompany his daughter, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Ceza) Administrator Katrina Ponce Enrile. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The younger Enrile clarified that there are internet gaming (iGaming) operations in Cagayan economic zone, but it differs from Pogos, which she said was merely a creation of the past administration of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Vin Abrenica, Sophie Albert expecting second child

Hannah Mallorca

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:44:50 PST

(From left) Sophie Albert, Avianna Celeste Abrenica, and Vin Abrenica. Image: Instagram/@itssophiealbert (From left) Sophie Albert, Avianna Celeste Abrenica, and Vin Abrenica. Image: Instagram/@itssophiealbert Vin Abrenica and Sophie Albert are going to be a family of four, as Albert announced that they’re about to welcome a new addition to their family. Albert confirmed that she is pregnant with her second child in a joint Instagram post on Monday, July 30, by sharing a photo of herself, Abrenica, and their daughter Avianna Celeste. The photos showed the actress flaunting her baby bump in a white cover-up and bandeau top, while Abrenica and Avianna Celeste showed different forms of affection towards her. “From three to four, our family is growing more! The secret’s out and we’re over the moon,” the caption read. A post shared by Sophie Albert 🌸 (@itssophiealbert) The couple received congratulatory messages from fellow celebrities in the comments, including Joyce Ching, Jo Berry, Jason Abalos, Shaira Diaz, Carla Abellana, Rocco Nacino, Pancho Magno, Yasmien Kurdi, Rodjun Cruz, Luis Hontiveros, and Iya Villania. Screenshots from Instagram/@itssophiealbert Abrenica and Albert were in a long-term relationship before deciding to wed twice: first at a church ceremony in January 2023, and second at a garden ceremony in the same month. The couple welcomed Avianna Celeste in March 2021. The couple first met as competitors on the talent show “Artista Academy” in 2012, which they eventually won, and started dating a year later. Abrenica and Albert initially broke up in 2016, but got back together months later. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Rep. Duterte welcomes drug smuggling case, maintains innocence

Luisa Cabato

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:39:54 PST

MANILA, Philippines —  Davao City First District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has welcomed the move of former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to file a drug smuggling case against him and nine others in relation to the P6.4 billion shabu shipment seized in 2017. In a statement on Wednesday, the same day Trillanes filed the case, Duterte said that he accepts the development as it will ensure that the case will be heard in court instead of on social media. READ: Trillanes sues Rep. Duterte, VP’s husband, ex-BOC head for drug smuggling “This move will allow us to address these accusations through the proper legal channels, ensuring that the truth will prevail,” Duterte said. He then maintained his innocence and expressed confidence in the country’s judicial process. “I have always maintained my innocence, and I am confident that the judicial process will clear my name. It is important to rely on our legal institutions rather than resorting to trial by publicity or baseless allegations,” he said. At around noon on July 31, Trillanes filed a drug smuggling case before the Department of Justice against Rep. Duterte; Atty. Mans Carpio, who is the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte; and former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon for their alleged involvement in the shabu shipment case. READ: BOC: Evidence ‘sufficient’ on P6.4-B shabu conspiracy Trillanes claimed that the lawmaker and the other respondents violated Section 4 in relation to Section 26(a) of Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 as amended by Republic Act No. 10640; and Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Drug suspect busted in Cavite, marijuana distribution hub dismantled

Delfin T. Mallari Jr.

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:59:49 PST

INQUIRER FILES INQUIRER FILES LUCENA CITY — A suspected big-time pusher was arrested and more than P500,000 worth of marijuana or “weeds” and its derivatives were seized Tuesday in Imus City, Cavite by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents and other law enforcers. The buy-bust operation resulted in the dismantling of a marijuana distribution hub based in Imus, PDEA-Region 4A reported on Wednesday, July 31. The report said PDEA operatives, Philippine Air Force personnel, and local policemen conducted a sting operation in Barangay Pinagbuklod at 4:50 p.m. The arrested suspect, identified as Wenxer Teoxon, 27, yielded dried “weed” leaves, marijuana oil, resin, and other marijuana by-products worth P506,000. The suspect, a freelance tattoo artist and video editor, is classified as a “high-value” target in the government campaign against illegal drugs. Teoxon was detained and will face a complaint for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Duterte’s order on offshore gaming ‘ill-advised’ – Enrile

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 13:55:03 PST

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile. FILE PHOTO Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s executive order allowing online gambling operators to make games available overseas was “ill-advised,” the Marcos administration’s Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile said on Wednesday. Enrile attended the House of Representatives’ hearing on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) to accompany his daughter, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Ceza) Administrator Katrina Ponce Enrile, who explained that there are no Pogos within their jurisdiction. In an ambush interview, Enrile was asked if it was wise to allow Pogos to operate when other countries have banned these operations. “It was ill-advised. They did not study it well. My God, Pogo was banned by Cambodia, banned by many countries in Central Asia, and we adopted it here. And why is that here until now, you have Pogos in Bamban and Porac and without Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) being able to control them?” the former Senate president said. “Is that a wise decision, wise activity?” he added. Enrile did not specify which part of Duterte’s Executive Order No. 13 was ill-advised, but the presidential decree released in February 2017 clarified online gambling. Under Section 3 of the executive order, a licensed online gambling operator or provider of activities and services is prohibited from allowing “persons who are physically located outside the territorial jurisdiction of the licensing authority to place bets, or in any way participate, in the games conducted […] through an online portal or similar means.” However, the same section also stated that gambling operators who want to operate outside of the government’s jurisdiction can apply “for a separate license with the appropriate authority.” READ: Duterte orders intensified fight vs illegal gambling According to Enrile, Pogo was never on his mind when he crafted Republic Act No. 7922 or the Cagayan Special Economic Zone Act of 1995, which established the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP) in Santa Ana town. READ: Marcos: ‘All Pogos are banned!’ “If I were the president, I agree with President [Ferdinand Marcos Jr.]. I will kick out Pogo in this country,” he said. “I do not know anything about Pogo. That was never in my mind when I crafted Republic Act No. 7922. In fact, when I revised the Pagcor charter, Pogo was never in my mind or in the mind of any legislator,” he added. During the hearing, the younger Enrile explained that there are internet gaming (iGaming) operations in CSEZFP, but it differs from Pogos. “To this end, I want to categorically state that there are no Pogos in the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport. There never was, and there never will be. Pogos are the exclusive creation of the past administration of Pagcor. Ceza has the authority to conduct offshore iGaming operations since it can register enterprises organized or domiciled in the Philippines or any foreign country,” she said. The Senate and the House have been probing Pogos since earlier this year after authorities raided Pogo hubs in Bamban, Tarlac and in Porac, Pampanga, revealing human trafficking, sexual abuses, torture, murder, and even possible money laundering. The Ceza was dragged into the discussions on Pogos after the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission on June 13 said that some gaming hubs are operating near the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites. The Edca is an agreement between the Philippines and the United States. There are currently nine Edca sites, with two located in Cagayan. The Edca site in the Naval Base in Santa Ana, Cagayan, is within the CSEZFP. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. READ: PAOCC confirms Pogos operating near Edca sites Pagcor clarified that there are no Pogos near Edca sites. The younger Enrile also said the military had no concerns placing the base near iGaming operations because the economic zone has been safe. Subscribe to our global news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Villanueva bares reports linking more local execs to illegal Pogos

Charie Abarca

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 13:54:01 PST

MANILA, Philippines —  At least three or four more local chief executives from the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon may be involved in the operations of illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country, according to “raw” information received by Sen. Joel Villanueva’s office. Speaking at a Kapihan sa Senado forum on Wednesday, Villanueva emphasized that the complaints he received are still unverified. “May mga raw information. May mga nagsusumbong po through Facebook; for instance, I encountered at least three or four na local executive na hindi po naririnig natin na gusto nilang paimbestigahan so we just forwarded their complaints,” Villanueva told reporters. (There is raw information. There are those who reached out through Facebook; for instance, I encountered at least three or four local executives whom we haven’t heard from that they want us to investigate, so we just forwarded their complaints.) “Raw pa ho eh. Hindi siya verified,” he emphasized. (It’s raw. Unverified.) READ: Pogo worker cites pros, cons and scams as part of the job But while the complaints have yet to be verified, the senator said he is certain that there are local chief executives who are dipping their toes into illegal Pogo operations. “I mean, with the amount of money that’s flowing from these operations, lobbyists coming from chief executive[s] from local government units, I’m almost sure na meron po (that some are involved),” he said. As for the location of the local chief executives, Villanueva named three regions: Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and Central Luzon. “[Sa] 4A, NCR and Central Luzon ‘yung mga nakuha ko po. Again, I don’t want to dwell on these information kasi nga po hindi verified but I will not be surprised and I am actually saying this — yung gut feel ko, meron na talaga, marami nang infuence ang Pogo. Malawak na malawak na,” he said. (I received reports from 4A, NCR, and Central Luzon. Again, I don’t want to dwell on this information since it’s not verified but I won’t be surprised and I am actually saying this — my gut feeling is that some are already involved. Pogo has many influences. It’s so vast now.) According to the senator, some of these complaints have already been forwarded to the National Bureau of  Investigation and the Philippine National Police. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. READ: Marcos: ‘All Pogos are banned!’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the immediate ban of Pogos in the country in his third State of the Nation address this July. He subsequently ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to wind down the operations of these firms until the end of 2024. Subscribe to our global news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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2 dead, war materiel seized in Sultan Kudarat clash

Philippine News Agency

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:43:07 PST

WAR MATERIEL. Authorities seize assorted high-powered and unlicensed firearms after a brief firefight between government troops and a lawless armed group in Barangay Lagandang in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat province on Monday afternoon, July 29. Two members of the armed band, who remain unidentified, were killed in the clash. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division, Philippine Army WAR MATERIEL. Authorities seize assorted high-powered and unlicensed firearms after a brief firefight between government troops and a lawless armed group in Barangay Lagandang in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat province on Monday afternoon, July 29. Two members of the armed band, who remain unidentified, were killed in the clash. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division, Philippine Army CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte – Two armed men were killed when they tried to prevent police and military authorities from entering a village in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat province, where a “rido” (clan war) was brewing, the Army in this camp reported on Wednesday. Lieutenant Colonel Tristan Rey Vallescas, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion, said soldiers and police officers were responding to reports from civilians about a dispute involving armed Moro families locked in a feud on Monday afternoon. Involved in the hostilities that sent civilians fleeing were gunmen belonging to the armed factions of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Barangay Lagandang, according to Vallescas. “These escalating tensions and violence resulted in the displacement of civilians within the community,” Vallescas said, lamenting that the armed groups involved in the ‘rido’ had targeted the responding Army and police personnel. Police are still determining the identities of the two slain armed men and whose side they belonged. Government forces recovered two Barrett rifles, two M16 rifles, an M60 machine gun, a 60 mm mortar tube and launchpad, a .22-caliber rifle, an M79 grenade launcher, and hundreds of ammunition. Major Gen. Antonio Navarrete, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the law enforcement operation aimed to disarm and arrest armed groups that have constantly harassed civilians in Barangay Lagandang due to clan war. “We have emphasized that no one is above the law, and we will enforce that to all armed groups,” Navarrete said in a statement, referring to groups such as the MNLF and MILF forces, reminding them of the existing comprehensive ceasefire agreements with the government. (PNA) Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Eva Darren recalls FAMAS snub: ‘Napahiya ako, ang sakit’

Jessica Ann Evangelista

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 14:30:12 PST

Eva Darren | Image: Screengrab from YouTube/TicTALK with Aster Amoyo Eva Darren | Image: Screengrab from YouTube/TicTALK with Aster Amoyo Veteran actress Eva Darren turned emotional as she recalled the events attending the FAMAS fiasco last May that left her heartbroken and embarrassed.In a recent interview with host and entertainment writer Aster Amoyo, Darren gave an update on how she has been doing since the controversial FAMAS incident, where she was supposed to present an award but got replaced by somebody else at the last minute. “Maganda naman na ngayon ang paghinga ko na pagkatapos ng nerbyos dahil sa pagkapahiya na hindi ko maintindihan bakit nangyari ‘yon. Ngayon medyo okay-okay na. Dati nga gusto ko magtago, parang ang liit-liit ko na gusto ko magtago sa ilalim na lamesa,” she expressed. Darren recalled that she was sitting in front of the stage together with fellow actresses Marissa Delgado, and Divina Valencia, and her three grandchildren, and the floor directors walked past her multiple times before they went on to call Tirso Cruz III on stage, with whom he was supposed to present an award with. Cruz then proceeded onstage, but with singer Sheena Palad, instead of Darren. “‘Yung sinasabi nung partner niya (Palad) dialogue ko ‘yon, binasa ko ‘yon nasa script na pinadala sakin, memoryado ko. Hindi pako kumikibo, sabi ko, ‘Baka nagkamali lang,’ Mamayang unti, ‘Aba ‘yung pangalawang dialogue ko ‘yon ah,’ Sabi ko, ‘Pambira naman ‘to, nenerbyos na ako,’ Pangatlo, sabi ko, ‘Wala na pinalitan na ako ng tuluyan,’” she detailed. The seasoned actress said that she asked her companions to go home and decided not to finish the ceremony because she felt utterly embarrassed. “Kasi parang gusto ko na maglupasay doon, kasi nahihiya ako. Maraming nakakaalam, mga kamag-anak nag-aabang, pinapanood ‘yung FAMAS. Sabi ko, ‘Mare, pasensya na, nanginginig na ako, aalis na ako kasi nahihiya ako,’” she said. “Napahiya ako. Ang sakit,” she tearfully expressed. “Sa bahay (umiyak). Ewan ko nanginig talaga ako,” adding that she couldn’t blame her children, especially her son, Fernando, who lamented on social media about what happened to her. Darren underscored that she got overwhelmed with the people’s reactions after her son’s Facebook post went viral, as she saw the comments of the public sympathizing with what happened: “Hindi ko akalain. Hindi ko alam. Grabe. Ganon pala ang social media.” Despite the controversy, the award-winning actress reiterated that they have accepted FAMAS’ apology and was grateful for the positive things that took place after the incident. Last June, Darren starred in GMA Network’s wish-granting program, “Wish Ko Lang.” She also guessed in “Family Feud Philippines” and has a TV series that is soon to air. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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DA-Cordillera: P11.9-M damage from Carina, stable veggie prices

Philippine News Agency

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:09:49 PST

Crops affected by Typhoon Carina. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Crops affected by Typhoon Carina. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera BAGUIO CITY — Prices of vegetables from the Cordillera region remain stable as of Tuesday amid the P11.93-million crop damage by Super Typhoon Carina, the Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) said. The DA-CAR’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Information Service reported at 4:30 p.m. on Monday an initial P11.93 million worth of 24.39 metric tons of high-value crops from 129.78 hectares of plantations damaged by Carina. Minimal damage was logged on rice, corn, and cassava. At least 402 farmers were affected by the typhoon, which enhanced the southwest monsoon and brought continuous rains even after the bad weather. Despite the damage, data on Tuesday show that wholesale prices of vegetables decreased compared to Monday. The price of cabbage declined by P2 to P3 per kilogram, with an average price of P15 to P18; carrots by P15 to P20, with an average of P50 to P65 per kilo; and potato-granola by P2, with an average of P58. A kilo of sayote remained stable at P15, while the first-class Chinese cabbage was higher by P3 from its previous price of P9 per kilo. Aida Pagtan, Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Service (RAFIS) chief of DA-CAR, said current monitoring in the local market shows enough supply of vegetables. “Based on market monitoring in Baguio City and La Trinidad, there is sufficient supply as residents have not yet gone out to buy volumes for the family,” she said. Local governments in the Cordillera have posted on their official social media pages calling on farmers to report the situation on the farm, specifically, the area planted, the kind of crop, and the stage of the plant, and to submit photo documentation to make reporting faster. “As of now, we cannot give the actual supply data, but looking at the trend in pricing, it is fluctuating. We need to wait for a while, but rest assured that reporting is being fast-tracked,” Pagtan said. Lawyer Jennilyn Dawayan, DA regional director and head of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said the Department is ensuring the provision of rice, corn, and vegetable seeds to farmers affected by the recent calamity and has a Quick Response Fund (QRF) that would cover the rehabilitation of affected farms. “We are gathering and assessing reports on crop damage and losses in the region, including affected livestock from the local government units. The regional field office will then have to jointly validate the reports for DA-CAR to identify what specific intervention may be provided to the affected farmers,” she said. DA-CAR has repositioned its seed reserve to include 204,564 kilos of hybrid, inbred registered, and inbred certified rice seeds; 45,000 kilos of white and yellow corn seeds, and 564.70 kilos of upland and lowland seeds that may be distributed to the affected farmers in the region. The supply is part of the La Niña preparedness plan of the DA, which was laid out during the height of El Niño. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. DA also has the Survival and Recovery loan program from the Agriculture Credit Policy Council and the crop insurance that the Philippines Crop Insurance Corporation will provide. (PNA) Support Typhoon Carina Victims The Inquirer is extending its relief and fund drive to help families affected by Typhoon Carina. Donate to Inquirer Foundation Corp. at BDO Current Account No: 007960018860. For inquiries, email [email protected]. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Okada Manila launches “Embrace Your Own Greatness” Campaign to celebrate athletic excellence

No author found

2024-07-31T04:35:28+00:00

Okada Manila, Asia’s premier integrated resort, joins in the celebration and the spirit of the highly anticipated summer games with its latest campaign, “Embrace Your Own Greatness.” The campaign underlines the resort’s commitment to provide exceptional guest experiences and world-class amenities, designed to make every guest feel like a champion every time they stay at the five-time Forbes five-star integrated resort. “For every guest, every moment spent at Okada Manila is a milestone, every stay a victory lap,” said Robert Scott, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Okada Manila. “Our goal is to create an environment where the world’s finest comforts meet heartfelt Filipino warmth and Japanese hospitality, celebrating the most important part of our story—our guests.” The “Embrace Your Own Greatness” campaign will feature a series of events and promotions for guests to mark their achievements and enjoy personal wins. The Okada Manila experience is made even better with championship-caliber promotions such as the Stay and Dine package, which includes complimentary dining credits worth PHP 2,500, and the Stay, Flex, Fly offer, providing flexible check-in and check-out times along with roundtrip airport transfers. From August 17 to September 22, families, car enthusiasts, and staycation lovers are in for an unforgettable time at The Ultimate Hot Wheels Experience at Cove Manila, Asia’s largest indoor beach club. To top off these amazing offers, guests can go on a gastronomic journey beyond flavors and explore a feast for the soul at more than 40 dining options, offering a culinary marathon that caters to every palate. Okada Manila invites everyone to join in the celebration as the world witnesses the greatness of sport and spectacle. Guests are welcome to experience the unparalleled leisure and hospitality that has made Okada Manila a premier destination in the region. Whether guests are looking for a relaxing getaway, a culinary adventure, or a vibrant cultural experience, Okada Manila offers something for everyone. For more information about the “Embrace Your Own Greatness” campaign and to make reservations, please visit  https://www.okadamanila.com/embrace-your-own-greatness ADVT. This article is brought to you by Okada Manila. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Cynthia Villar on Las Piñas’ local polls: ‘I want to run for mayor but…’

Maila Ager

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 13:50:29 PST

Senator Cynthia Villar (Senate file photo) Senator Cynthia Villar (Senate file photo) MANILA, Philippines — Senator Cynthia Villar on Wednesday declared her intention to run for mayor in Las Piñas City in the May 2025 elections. Villar, who will end her second term as senator in June next year, is poised to run against her niece — incumbent Vice Mayor April Aguilar. “I want to run for mayor kaya lang, may other considerations. We’ll see,” she told Senate reporters. (I want to run for mayor but there are other considerations.) Among these considerations is her husband, former Senate President Manny Villar, who wants her to return to the House of Representatives. Her husband believes she would have more “value” if she is in the House. But whose opinion will prevail? “E di syempre, ultimately, ako,” the lady senator said. She said she would make the final decision in October, in time for the filing of certificates of candidacy. Continuing her advocacy and projects in Las Piñas is one of her reasons why she wants to run for mayor, according to the senator. “May farm school ako sa Las Piñas. Mayro’n akong River Rehabilitation Program. Mayro’n akong Las Piñas-Parañaque Wet Land Farm. May drug rehab center kami dun. Madaming mga infrastructure (projects),” Villar pointed out. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. (I have a farm school in Las Piñas. I have a River Rehabilitation Program. I have Las Piñas-Parañaque Wet Land Farm. We have a drug rehab center there – lots of infrastructure [projects]) Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Niño Muhlach fans rumors about son Sandro with cryptic post

Anne Pasajol

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:20:01 PST

Niño Muhlach and his son Sandro Muhlach. Image: screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network Niño Muhlach and his son Sandro Muhlach. Image: screengrab from YouTube/GMA Network Niño Muhlach sparked intrigue among netizens after he shared a cryptic but fierce remark aimed at certain individuals whom he did not immediately name. The actor took to his Facebook page on Wednesday, July 31, to say: “Inumpisahan nyo, tatapusin ko!” Image: Facebook/Niño Muhlach While Niño did not elaborate on whom he was addressing in his post, netizens apparently concluded that it was about his son Sandro, who had just joined show business, with many of the netizens commenting for justice to be served. Images showing support for Nino Muhlach’s son on Facebook Some Facebook users also alluded to “GMA” and certain “executive,” although no explanation was immediately stated. Image: Facebook Sandro, interestingly, also shared a religious quote about the “helpless” via his Instagram Stories. “God is never late. He sees the cries of the helpless and He will heal, provide, lead, and saved. Trust in Him,” it stated. Image: Instagram/@sandromuhlach Incidentally, GMA earlier released a statement addressing rumors about two consultants hired by the network who allegedly sexually abused a young actor after the network’s recent gala night. The rumors, which made the rounds of social media, further claimed that the victim is the son of an actor who comes from a known showbiz clan. “Online articles and posts have recently circulated regarding an alleged incident involving an artist and independent contractors of GMA Network. We have yet to receive a formal complaint from those allegedly involved in the issue. Should one be filed, the network is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation. We assure the public that GMA Network takes such matters with the utmost seriousness,” GMA’s statement read. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Villanueva files bill to void Pogo tax law

Charie Abarca

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:41:10 PST

FILE PHOTO: Sen. Joel Villanueva. Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau) FILE PHOTO: Sen. Joel Villanueva. Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau) MANILA, Philippines — Another measure seeking to repeal the law taxing Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) has been filed in the Senate. Sen. Joel Villanueva called for the permanent cancellation of Pogo licenses issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation in his Senate Bill No. 2752, which was filed days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the ban of all Pogos in the country. “Bilang pagsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos, kailangan na rin po nating siguraduhin na wala nang bakas ng Pogo sa Pilipinas,” Villanueva said in a statement on Tuesday. (In compliance with President Marcos’ directive, we must ensure that no Pogo in the Philippines can be traced.) READ: Marcos bans Pogo, cites ‘disorder’ it caused PH Under Villanueva’s Senate Bill No. 2752, Pogos are given 30 days from the effectivity of the proposed law to cease their operations. “Failure or refusal of the firms to close operations shall subject the responsible officers to imprisonment of 12 to 20 years or a fine of P100 million or both, and will subject the foreign offenders to deportation after service of sentence,” the bill states. It also mandates the Bureau of Internal Revenue to continue collecting unpaid taxes from Pogos even after the repeal of  Republic Act 11590 or the Act Taxing Pogo signed in 2021. READ: Pagcor: Pogo ban covers legal gaming hubs or IGLs According to Villanueva, the Pogo tax law amended the National Internal Revenue Code to improve the collection of taxes from Pogos and impose additional taxes aside from the franchise tax on their operations. “The evidence of crimes and social ills from Pogo operations immensely overwhelm the benefits the Filipinos get from the taxes they pay,” Villanueva pointed out. A similar measure was filed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the committee on ways and means, last May. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. While he acknowledged that the Pogo industry has “undoubtedly boosted the Philippines’ economy,” he also stressed it led the Philippines to grapple with a surge in Pogo-related crimes. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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No Pogos in Cagayan economic zone – Ceza chief

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 13:16:05 PST

FILE PHOTO FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — There are no Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Ceza) Administrator Katrina Ponce Enrile said on Wednesday. During the House of Representatives’ hearing on illegal activities linked to Pogos, Enrile explained that there are internet gaming (iGaming) operations in CSEZFP, but it differs from Pogos. “To this end, I want to categorically state that there are no Pogos in the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport. There never was, and there never will be. Pogos are the exclusive creation of the past administration of Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation). Ceza has the authority to conduct offshore iGaming operations since it can register enterprises organized or domiciled in the Philippines or any foreign country,” she said. “We believe congressional hearings are in aid of legislation; hence, we need to better understand the distinctions between Ceza’s iGaming licensees and Interactive Gaming Support Service Providers, and Pagcor’s Pogos,” she added. According to Enrile, internet gaming in CSEZFP started long before Pogos were created. However, the Pogo was a concept copied from Ceza’s iGaming operations. “When the interactive gaming industry in [CSEZFP] started in 2003, it was very peaceful and orderly. Everybody knew everybody, and we were actually taken as a gaming jurisdiction very seriously. Ceza established itself as the first interactive gaming jurisdiction in Asia and stood at the forefront of regulatory innovation,” she said. “In 2017, former President [Rodrigo] Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) No. 13 mandating all gaming and gaming-related activities to operate inside the territorial jurisdiction of the authority that issued the license…In the same year, the Pagcor officially institutionalized the term Pogo,” she added. However, Enrile said the Pagcor “dictated” rules on how Pogos were supposed to operate, eventually differing from Ceza’s iGaming system. “Initially, Pagcor Chairman Andrea Domingo was supposed to give Pogo licenses to just 25 operators, but she eventually expanded it. Obviously, they were already dictating the rules on how offshore gaming was going to be operated. With all the iterations and mutations from the original concept, it actually transformed into something else that was not any more reflective of what was being done within [the CSEZFP],” she explained. “The idea was stolen from us. Its form changed and eventually turned into a hotbed for crime, but it appears they cannot control it. Now, we are being dragged into this mess and blamed for things that we did not do. Please do not do that,” she said in Filipino. The Senate and the House have been probing Pogos since earlier this year after authorities raided Pogo hubs in Bamban, Tarlac and in Porac, Pampanga, revealing human trafficking, sexual abuses, torture, murder, and even possible money laundering. Eventually, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared that all Pogos are banned, and instructed Pagcor to wind up Pogo operations by the end of 2024. READ: Marcos: ‘All Pogos are banned!’ The Ceza was dragged into the discussions on Pogos after the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said last June 13 that some gaming hubs are operating near the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) sites. The Edca is an agreement between the Philippines and the United States. There are currently nine Edca sites, with two located in Cagayan. The Edca site in the Naval Base in Santa Ana, Cagayan, is within the CSEZFP. READ: PAOCC confirms Pogos operating near Edca sites Pagcor eventually clarified that there are no Pogo hubs near Edca sites. READ: Pagcor says no licensed Pogo hubs next to Edca sites Enrile confirmed that only one of the Edca sites is within the CSEZFP, noting that the military has no concerns placing the base near iGaming operations because it is “safe and secured.” “Lastly, as to the issue of the presence of 10 offshore operations/gambling areas near Edca sites in Cagayan, may we clarify that there is only one Edca site within the Zone. The other Edca site in the province of Cagayan is located in Lal-lo,” she said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “The service providers inside Ceza have been in the Zone before the Edca was signed and way before the determination of Edca sites. Hence, it would be safe to assume that the military knows of the presence of gaming service providers, and despite this knowledge, they still chose an area inside Ceza to be one of their Edca sites,” she added. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Luzon grid placed on yellow alert on Wednesday — NGCP

Lisbet K. Esmael

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 13:47:32 PST

FILE PHOTO: A power substation in Cainta, Rizal fenced off from the town public market. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON FILE PHOTO: A power substation in Cainta, Rizal fenced off from the town public market. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has placed the Luzon grid under yellow alert on Wednesday afternoon to evening due to limited supply after two power plants tripped. In an advisory, the grid operator said the yellow alert would be in place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. READ: Marcos aims for 100% electrification by term’s end In a yellow alert, power supply can still meet demand, but it will serve as a warning that when a plant breaks down one way or another, it will result in brownouts. A red alert, meanwhile, means that supply is no longer sufficient to meet demand. Brownouts could happen if demand is not managed. It said the Luzon grid’s available capacity was 12,969 megawatts (MW), while the peak demand reached 11,768 MW. The Visayas and Mindanao grid, meanwhile, were running under normal conditions. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Sara Duterte’s security reduced, not taken out: ‘Don’t politicize it’

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 15:43:29 PST

FILE PHOTO: Vice President Sara Duterte | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte FILE PHOTO: Vice President Sara Duterte | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s security team was “only reduced” – not totally taken out – to augment the current needs of the Philippine National Police (PNP), according to a lawmaker, who also urged her to refrain from politicizing the issue. Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua on Tuesday noted that police officers from Duterte’s security force were transferred or reassigned to other areas – that, for him, the Vice President should respect. “First of all, we should respect the decision of the PNP because they are the ones knowledgeable on where to deploy our police officers. We should always remember that usually, our police are facing a shortage of personnel.  Security was not totally removed from her,” Chua said in a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa Complex. “It was only reduced so that it could be used for more important agencies or assignments. So not every action should be given malice or colored with politics, especially if this was only done in line with their jobs as police officers,” he added. According to the 2022 Commission on Audit (COA) report on the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Duterte’s Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group had 433 members. The latest audit even explained that the 433 security and protection personnel of Duterte make up the majority of the 683 OVP staff. Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., who was also present in the briefing, said there were times that lawmakers’ security personnel were also pulled out due to more pressing tasks for the PNP. He said such is a reality that government officials must come to grips with. “In addition to what Congressman Joel (said), we congressmen sometimes only have two security personnel assigned, we go around our districts, sometimes our security will be pulled out but we cannot do anything about this because there would be other things to do,” Gonzales explained. “So we have to be understanding of that situation, though for us it happens sometimes that we have to attend to something important in far-flung barangays, we have to be there, but there are times that the personnel commander’s (would recall them), so we can do nothing about that, we have to respect that,” he added. On Monday, Duterte released an open letter to PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, calling the removal of 75 police security escorts as a “clear case of political harassment.” Duterte also claimed that Marbil was lying when he said that the withdrawal of her police protection detail was due to the PNP being short-staffed – asserting that the removal of the police officers from her security force happened when she resigned from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet. According to Dutert, the 75 police officers were removed from her security team last July 23 – or a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nationa Address (Sona). Marbil responded by saying that the officers assigned to Duterte were given another assignment to address personnel shortage within the police force. Marbil also said they saw no threat against Duterte, hence the reduction.  He, however, clarified that Duterte was not singled-out because other retired generals’ security were also recalled. Aside from asking Duterte not to politicize the PNP’s move, Chua also speculated that Duterte was only deflecting attention from her criticized trip to Germany while many parts of the country were ravaged by Typhoon Carina (internal name: Gaemi) and the strong southwest monsoon. The Office of the Vice President (OVP) confirmed that Duterte flew to Germany. It admitted that the timing of Duterte’s trip was off but explained it was scheduled before the typhoon. READ: Sara’s trip to Germany explained, draws Leni Robredo comparison “I think there is no politics here, but maybe they are just trying to divert the issue, because remember, she addressed this concern when the issue of her making the trip to Germany in the middle of a typhoon popped out,” Chua said. “I think they’re trying to divert the issue because this should not be gleaned from a political lens.  The PNP is just doing their job, I hope we respect how they do their job,” he added. Chua has previously criticized Duterte’s actions. Last July 15, he said the Dutertes should address their alleged links to illegal drugs instead of releasing statements to divert public attention. READ: Imee Marcos on VP Duterte’s Germany trip: She didn’t know there was storm Chua was referring to Vice President Duterte’s decision to skip the Sona last July 22 and appoint herself as “designated survivor.” Her controversial remarks came a day after he House dangerous drugs panel gave Chinese businessman Michael Yang a contempt citation. Yang is the former economic adviser of Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Chua also pointed out that the Vice President’s announcement that her father and brothers, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, will be running for senator in 2025 was made on the same day that House committee on human rights invited former President Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa to the “drug war” probe. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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LOOK: Marcos meets with Blinken, Austin at Malacañang

Zacarian Sarao

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 09:39:18 PST

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, who paid a courtesy call in Malacañang on Tuesday. In welcoming the two high-level US officials, Marcos expressed his gratitude for the open communication lines between the Philippines and the United States, especially involving the situation in the West Philippine Sea. “I am always very happy that these communication lines are very open so that all the all the things that we are doing together in terms of our alliance, in terms of a specific context of our situation here in the West Philippine Sea, in the Indo-Pacific, are continuously examined and re-examined, so we are agile in terms of our responses,” said Marcos. “I’m a bit surprised considering how interesting your political situation has become back in the States, but I’m glad that you found the time to come and visit with us,” he added. READ: Meeting with Blinken ‘absolutely necessary’ for PH-US ties – Marcos US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (L) pay President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (C) a courtesy call in Malacañang on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. | Photo screengrabbed from RTVM Blinken and Austin are in the country for the 4th Philippines-US Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue (2+2 Dialogue). Blinken, for his part, described the dialogue as “historic” as it is the first time that the Philippines will be hosting its ministerial meeting with the US. “I think today is genuinely historic. This is the first time that the Philippines has hosted our two plus two,” said Blinken. “It’s, I think, really evidence of a steady drumbeat of very high-level engagements between our countries that are covering the full range of issues and opportunities that bring us together, not only security, but also economic, and we’re truly grateful for this partnership,” he added. READ: US Defense chief says PH more than an ally: We’re family Meanwhile, Austin highlighted the Philippines-US relationship, again saying the two countries are more than allies: “We’re family, and it always feels that way when I’m working with our colleagues.” “We have common interests, common values, and so I think we’ve done a lot over the last three and a half years to continue to strengthen our alliance, and we look forward to continuing to work with you and your team to move even further,” he added. Marcos last met Blinken in March after the US official visited Manila to discuss the strengthening of defense and economic ties between his country and the Philippines. On the other hand, Marcos last met Austin in April during his visit to the Pentagon. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. After meeting with Marcos, Blinken and Austin are expected to meet with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manolo for the 4th Philippines-US Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue (2+2 Dialogue). The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said the top US and Philippine government officials are anticipated to talk about further enhancing the two countries’ alliance during the dialogue. Subscribe to our global news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Folk singer Coritha bedridden due to stroke

Anne Pasajol

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:54:46 PST

Folk singer Coritha. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Pambansang Almusal, NET25 Folk singer Coritha. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Pambansang Almusal, NET25 Far from her prime years in the 1970s to 1980s, folk singer Coritha is now unable to speak and bedridden in her Tagaytay home after she suffered from a stroke. Coritha, best known for her songs “Oras Na,” “Lolo Jose,” “Gising Na, O Kuya Ko” and “Sierra Madre,” was visited by broadcaster Julius Babao, as seen on the latter’s YouTube vlog on Tuesday, July 30. Coritha has been living with her partner Chito Santos in Tagaytay after her Quezon City home was destroyed by fire in 2018. Recalling how their relationship started, Santos said he and Coritha have known each other way before she officially started her singing career. Santos admitted that he has admired the singer since then but that they lost communication and only reunited after several decades. “Bago mag-pandemic, kinuha ko siya kasi nga nasunog ‘yung bahay niya. Nung hanapin ko [siya], natutulog lang sa tent, sa folding bed. Una ayaw niyang sumama sa akin [pero] bandang huli, napilitan,” Santos said. At the time, Coritha was still healthy physically although she reportedly struggled mentally after she lost her house. “Diabetic kasi siya e, tapos isang beses may naiwan akong dalawang guyabano tapos kinain niya. Nung madaling araw no’n, sabi niya, ‘Wiwiwi lang ako.’ Pagkaraan no’n, parang lantang gulay na lang siya [kaya] dinala ko siya sa hospital,” Santos recalled. “‘Yun nga, nung makita ‘yung CT scan, marami na raw siyang atake na hindi lang napapansin—stroke,” he continued. Santos added that Coritha did not undergo an operation as advised by his sibling who is a doctor. When her medical results went back to normal, Santos then decided to just take her home and provide her with an oxygen tank. “Nag-normal naman [‘yung paghinga niya], ‘yun lang hindi na siya nakapagsalita,” he said. “Akala ko hindi na siya tatagal. Sabi ko, ‘Iiwan mo na ako?’ Parang ayaw niya, pilit siyang lumalaban e,” Santos stated as he turned emotional. Santos further noted that a few relatives and some friends came to visit Coritha to extend help for her everyday needs, which include a P2,000-worth of milk that only lasts for four days. He also added that while Coritha earned a lot when she was still in the industry, she allocated most of her earnings to donate to churches and orphanages. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “Hindi kami pinababayaan ng langit. Hindi umaabot sa magutom kami kasi laging may dumadating na tulong,” he said, noting that they have a billiard table and a camping site as their source of income. Babao, who gave the couple P50,000 as financial help, then provided Santos’ account so that those who want to help can send financial assistance. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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#JusticeForSandro trending, banta ni Niño: Inumpisahan n’yo, tatapusin ko

No author found

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:16:56 PST

Sandro Muhlach at Niño Muhlach Sandro Muhlach at Niño Muhlach TRENDING ang pangalan ng anak ni Niño Muhlach na si Sandro Muhlach sa social media simula kahapon hanggang ngayong araw. Maraming nagki-click sa socmed accounts ng baguhang aktor at Sparkle artist na tila na-curious kung sino nga ba ang Kapuso youngstar. Sa mga hindi pa nakakaalam, si Sandro ay ang panganay na anak ng aktor at dating child wonder na si Niño Muhlach at unang nakilala bilang artista sa teatro. Baka Bet Mo: Sandro Marcos umamin na sa real score nila ni Alexa Miro Usap-usapan ang pangalan ni Sandro sa apat na sulok ng kashowbizan sa gitna ng naglabasang blind item tungkol sa isang baguhang aktor na hinaras at hinalay umano ng dalawang “powerful gay executives” na konektado sa isang TV network. A post shared by Sandro Muhlach (@sandromuhlach) Ang feeling ng mga netizens, si Sandro ang tinutukoy sa naturang blind item kaya naman mabilis na kumalat ang chika sa social media kahit hindi pa nakukumpirma kung sinu-sino nga ang sangkot sa issue. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit biglang nadagdagan ang followers ni Sandro sa socmed kasabay ng pagte-trending ng kanyang name dahil nga sa dami ng nagse-search sa pangalan niya pati na rin sa kanyang amang si Niño. Mas lalo pang pinag-usapan si Sandro nang mag-post siya sa Instagram ng isang sad face emoji bukod pa sa quote na ibinahagi niya na may kinalaman sa pagiging “helpless”. Sabi ni Sandro, “God is never late. He sees the cries of the helpless and He will heal, provide, lead, and saved. Trust in Him.” Baka Bet Mo: Donny Pangilinan ikinumpara kay Sandro Marcos, netizens nag-react: Hindi po siya public servant Naikonek nga ito ng mga netizens sa kumalat na blind item tungkol sa isang newbie actor na umano’y pinagsamantalahan ng dalawang TV executive na nangyari raw sa hotel kung saan ginanap ang bonggang showbiz event kamakailan. Ngayong araw, isang cryptic message naman ang ipinost ni Niño sa kanyang Facebook page na hinihinalang may kinalaman din sa pinagdaraanan ni Sandro. Ang nakasulat sa FB status ni Niño ay,  “INUMPISAHAN NYO, TATAPUSIN KO!” Narito ang ilang comments ng netizens sa post ni Onin. “Nakakagulat..napakagwapong Bata Kasi ni Sandro..pero Mali pa rin talaga. .nakakagalit bilang magulang.tsk tsk…Justice for him.” “Laban boss Onin. We are praying for you and We will always support you.” “Managot ang dapat managot, pati kung sino ang poprotekta sa mga walang-kaluluwang kriminal! #JusticeforSandro.” “ANDITO LANG KAMI TAPUSIN NATIN YANNNNNNN!!!!!!” “Fight for what is right!!! Justice will be served!!! Dito kami for you and your family!!! Labaaannn Dude!!!” Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “Sending hugs and prayers po. Nandito lang kami para suportahan kayo sa malaking pagsubok na ito.”

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‘Iti Mapukpukaw’ is a story about /real/ love. Aliens be damned

No author found

2023-08-11T09:03:02+00:00

Note: This is not a spoiler-free review and will discuss the film’s major plot points as well as potentially triggering content including childhood trauma, death, sexual assault, and child abuse “Iti Mapukpukaw” is the first full-length animated feature film to make its way into the Cinemalaya roster—where it’s currently this year’s highest grossing film. It tells the story of Eric (Carlo Aquino), an animator living a regular life, with a regular job, a loving mom (Dolly De Leon), and a crush on his coworker, Carlo (Gio Gahol). The thing is, he doesn’t have a mouth. Unable to speak, Eric communicates in day-to-day life via a whiteboard and video chats with his mom who lives in their home province of Ilocos. After working late one night Carlo offers to take Eric home and maybe grab a bite. Before they could leave, Eric’s mother Rosalinda calls him to check on his uncle, who has seemingly gone missing. That night, Eric’s seemingly normal life gets turned on its head after discovering the lifeless, decomposing corpse of his uncle. Out of nowhere, Eric is abducted by an alien and this is right about when things take a turn for the strange. As the film progresses, it’s revealed that the alien abduction isn’t an alien abduction at all. It’s Eric’s way of coping with his childhood sexual abuse at the hands of his uncle—which is also why he was drawn without a mouth (but more on that later). Finding his uncle’s dead body triggered his deep-seated, unprocessed trauma. This trauma manifests itself through hallucinatory episodes where he’s dissociating from reality and being abducted by aliens. With the increasing frequency of “alien abductions,” we see Eric imagining himself lose more parts. At the start of the film, he was only without a mouth. Later on, he also loses his ear, an eye, his genitals, and his hand (which was turned into a transparent layer on photoshop—kind of breaking the fourth wall, as well as possibly being a nod to the amazing animators on the team). The order in which his parts go missing—and when they go missing—is important. The mouth was first, obviously because he couldn’t tell anyone what happened. He lost his eye when he saw his uncle’s casket for the first time (where we meet his cousin who also doesn’t have a mouth), and his private bits when things were heating up with Carlo. Trauma doesn’t stay as it is. It evolves and changes over time, and sadly, gets bigger and more intense the longer they stay buried. In flashbacks, we see Eric as a happy, talkative kid. Eric’s uncle moves in with him and his mom after the failure of his marriage. This is, sadly, when the multiple instances of sexual assault begin. After a car ride with his uncle, Eric comes home without a mouth and rendered unable to speak. For survivors of childhood sexual assault—and sexual assault in general—losing important parts of youself is a common occurence. The movie interpreted it in a literal manner, with Eric literally losing important parts of his body required for living a normal life. These alien abductions (read: dissociative episodes) also take a toll on Eric’s relationships. At the start of the film, we see things warming up between Eric and his crush, Carlo. The further and more intensely his alien hallucinations progress, the more it drives a wedge between the potential lovers. During the dissociative episodes, it becomes apparent that Eric literally forgets where he is and completely exits the real world. In one instance, Eric invites Carlo back to his place where they’re supposed to watch a movie. Carlo offers to buy snacks at the convenience store nearby when another “alien abduction” occurs. When Eric returns to his senses, it’s morning and he’s faced with a frustrated Carlo who was banging on his locked door the entire time. Carlo storms out—which is seemingly the end of their budding relationship—and leaves Eric chasing after him. The movie does a fantastic job of illustrating the difficult and frustrating realities of a sexual assault survivor. Nolisoli managing editor Pauline Miranda (and my wonderful boss who watched the movie with me and handed me a tissue to wipe my tears and snot away) also noted that these alien abductions tend to happen when something romantic or intimate—not necessarily sexual—is about to happen between Carlo and Eric. It’s common for survivors of sexual assault to be triggered by these types of encounters, even if they’re interested in the other person and give their full consent. That’s just another layer of how difficult it is to navigate trauma and its aftermath. All of Eric’s unprocessed trauma bleeds into the real world, affecting his relationship with his mother (who is unaware of the truth) and almost nips the slowly blossoming relationship he has with Carlo in the bud. Carlo’s reaction to Eric’s behavior is expected. Carlo has no idea that this is what Eric’s going through, so frustrations are bound to rise. What makes this film special is that aside from painting the realities of living with this kind of trauma, it shows just how much love and care can also coexist with—and eventually—defeat it. During the film’s climax, Carlo joins Eric on an impromptu road trip to (unbeknownst to either of them at the time) Eric’s childhood home to defeat the phallically-drawn alien (which represents the trauma he experienced as a child). Carlo, God bless him, plays along (with imagined guns and all) and tries to help Eric defeat the extraterrestrial being. After the battle, we see the scene the movie’s poster is taken from. Eric cuddled up under the bed between Carlo and Rosalinda as they both comfort him through the night. It was a deeply moving scene that portrayed the love, patience, and compassion people have for each other. A post shared by Carlo Aquino (@jose_liwanag) At the end of the film, we see Eric (accompanied by Rosalinda and Carlo) digging up his uncle’s grave. Inside the casket are his missing parts—which he takes back and puts back on. A literal reclamation of what’s been stolen. After decades of silence, he finally puts his mouth back on. The film ends with him telling Rosalinda and Carlo that he has something to tell them. The film is a victorious reclamation of one’s self, with the care and support of the people who love you. With an all-star cast, the acting was of course superb. For most of the film, we see Eric losing more and more parts, which makes their reclamation even more victorious. He played the character as real as it can get, showing not only the good and the bad, but also all the ugly that comes with his baggage. The nuance in his physical acting seeps into your heart, which makes the film all the more precious. That being said, Carlo Aquino literally acted his eyes (ear, hand, and other parts) off. Dolly De Leon’s portrayal of Rosalinda was warm and funny, but it also showed how no matter how you care for someone, important details may fall through the cracks. Gio Gahol as Carlo portrayed such a tender, loving, and grounded reflection of a man (potentially) in love. But beyond the romance, the compassion and true humanity of how he cared for Eric was where his character truly shined. As difficult as the subject matter is, “Iti Mapukpukaw” executed it with a gentle, kind, and surprisingly fun deftness. As strange as it may sound, the beautiful rotoscope animation helped ground the film further and illustrate how it feels to go through life carrying that kind of weight. The film also showed just how important community is. While the love Rosalinda and Carlo showed Eric wasn’t the magic cure-all for the resolution of his trauma, it was an important push to help him reclaim himself. Human beings aren’t meant to exist alone, and the film reminds us that we all need each other to live a full and beautiful life. The premise of an animator facing alien abductions is quite literally out of this world, but when it comes to talking about trauma, compassion, understanding, humanity, and real love, it’s as grounded as it gets. Needless to say, you simply must run to the theaters and catch this film. Just make sure to bring a whole lot of tissues. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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8 areas in Cavite under state of calamity due to oil spill

Dianne Sampang

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 13:00:49 PST

The sunken MT Terra Nova caused an oil spill off Limay, Bataan. | Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard The sunken MT Terra Nova caused an oil spill off Limay, Bataan. | Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard MANILA, Philippines — Eight areas in Cavite were placed under a state of calamity after the oil spill from the sunken MT Terra Nova reached the province’s coastline, Governor Jonvic Remulla announced on Wednesday. “The oil spill reached the coastal areas of Cavite. Affected are the municipalities of Bacoor, Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon, and Ternate. As of today, the province is declaring a STATE OF CALAMITY in these areas,” Remulla said in Filipino in a Facebook post. The MT Terra Nova, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel, sank off Bataan early last Thursday,  July 25. On Saturday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that the oil from the sunken tank spread about 12 to 14 kilometers across Manila Bay. In an interview with Teleradyo 630, Remulla described the situation of the coastline affected by the oil spill. “Tanker fuel was released. It’s heavy. When it reached us [Cavite], it settled on the seabed in our area. That’s why all the shellfish, crabs, clams, and mussels were affected by the oil spill,” Remulla said. Remulla declared a “no catch zone” for all shellfish in Cavite this week. He added that the provincial government would distribute food and cash assistance to the 25,145 displaced fisherfolk. In a statement on Monday, Pamalakaya Vice Chair Ronnel Arambulo expressed concern about the oil spill’s impact on the livelihood of fisherfolk. “Our worst fear happened. The oil spill spread to Manila Bay and affected the livelihood of many fishermen,” Arambulo said in Filipino. Remulla added that Cavite officials had started coordinating with national government agencies to help clean up the oil spill. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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PNP denies ‘casing’ VP Duterte’s residence: ‘No truth to this’

Faith Argosino

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 19:54:53 PST

FILE PHOTO: PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo answers questions from reporters after a media briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, in this file photo on April 25, 2023. INQUIRER.net /Faith Argosino FILE PHOTO: PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo answers questions from reporters after a media briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, in this file photo on April 25, 2023. INQUIRER.net /Faith Argosino MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has denied allegations that its personnel attempted to “case” the residence of Vice President Sara Duterte, spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo disclosed on Tuesday. In a social media post, Duterte claimed that PNP operatives attempted to “case” or loiter with no apparent lawful purpose around her residence and also tried to find the place she was renting. “According to PNP leadership, there’s no truth to this,” Fajardo said in a press conference when asked about the reaction of the national police chief, Gen. Rommel Marbil, to Duterte’s four-page open letter posted on her social media account. READ: Sara Duterte appeals protection for her family – physically or online Fajardo added that she is not at liberty to disclose Marbil’s reaction, adding that the PNP top official is currently focused on his duties despite the “political noise.” “Whatever issues our vice president wrote in her letter, it is better to address them silently, but the PNP is open to any dialogue to address any issue, including this concern,” she said. On July 29, Duterte slammed Marbil for his alleged lies concerning the withdrawal of her police protection detail “immediately” after she resigned from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet, her comment on his State of the Nation Address, and the circulation of the Chief Executive’s video online purportedly using illegal drugs. READ: VP cries harassment, blasts PNP chief’s ‘lies’ over guards’ recall She likewise called the removal of her 75 police security as a “clear case of political harassment.” Earlier Tuesday, Duterte pleaded for protection for her family on Facebook, as she thanked Senators Ronald dela Rosa, Robin Padilla, and Bong Go for backing her after the PNP removed its men from her security group. For his part, Dela Rosa called on former police and army personnel to volunteer as security for Duterte. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1967634/pnp-denies-casing-vp-dutertes-residence-no-truth-to-this#ixzz8hWe6kxiX

Niana Guerrero on being called a global youth icon: ‘Big responsibility’

Jessica Ann Evangelista

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:53:56 PST

Niana Guerrero during her launch as a new endorser of a cosmetic brand on Tuesday, July 30 | Image: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista Niana Guerrero during her launch as a new endorser of a cosmetic brand on Tuesday, July 30 | Image: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista Being one of the icons for the youth, especially when it comes to dancing, is a “humbling” experience, yet a “big responsibility” for Niana Guerrero, one that she is not taking lightly. During her launch as a new endorser of a cosmetic brand on Tuesday, July 30, INQUIRER.net had a brief interview with Guerrero where she expressed her gratitude for being referred to as a global youth icon. She also took the opportunity to advise fellow young ladies to make the right choices even in the face of adversities or receive criticism for expressing themselves. “It’s amazing and also humbling. I think it’s a big – great – responsibility, and it’s also an opportunity to inspire young people, which I’m very grateful for,” she expressed. In the era where young ladies are primed for self-expression, but often get criticized for their choices, the 18-year-old content creator encouraged fellow ladies to continue choosing what’s best for them. “It’s important that you make your own choices for yourself. You can’t really win everybody. Have friends who support you in everything you do. Whatever makes you happy, at the end of the day, that’s what’s important,” said the social media star. A post shared by Niana (@nianaguerrero) Guerrero rose to fame with her incredible dance covers which she posts on social media. Over the years, the young internet personality has met and collaborated with different international celebrities, including Troye Sivan, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, and Meghan Trainor, among others. As the most-followed Filipino TikToker, Guerrero has had some interesting interactions with celebrities on social media. For instance, Jungkook of K-pop sensation BTS follows her on TikTok and has praised her dancing skills, including EXO member Chanyeol. She was also almost cast as a talent by one of South Korea’s biggest agencies, SM Entertainment, the management behind many popular K-pop groups including Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, EXO, Red Velvet, and aespa, among others. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Time to ‘LEVEL UP’ with SM’s Cyber Month 2024

INQUIRER.net BrandRoom

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 11:52:42 PST

Tech buffs, gadget experts and gaming enthusiasts unite! This August, Cyberzone invites you to evolve, upgrade, and LEVEL UP your life with the latest tech innovations at this year’s SM Cyber Month 2024! Cyberzone, the leading and largest IT retailer in the country, has some amazing activities lined up for Cyber Month! Think immersive gaming tournaments, showcases of the latest gadgets for shoppers to experience firsthand, and of course, exclusive deals and sales that await tech lovers of every age. Isn’t that exciting? Come One, Come All! Cyber Month kicks off with a 3-day long multi-zone expo on August 2-4, 2024, at the Music Hall at SM Mall of Asia. It is sure to be jam-packed with thrilling schedules and mini-events! Gamers and players of all ages, genres, and consoles will enjoy showing off their skills and working together to succeed in their favorite games like Honkai: Star Rail, Tekken 8, Call of Duty: Warzone and more, at the Cyberzone Game Arena! Gamers, activate! More of a trading card game or miniatures hobbyist? Then you’ll enjoy Hobby Corner! Dive into miniatures painting, immerse yourself in characters and storytelling through a role-playing game session, and engage with other hobbyists through TCG and miniatures play sessions. What’s more, some very lucky players have the chance to win invitations to the Magic: The Gathering SEA Championship and the Flesh and Blood Calling: Manila main event! Gadgets Galore If you’re into gadgets, consoles, and the latest and greatest tech products on the market, Cyberzone will be featuring these and more at the Gadget Expo! Get ready to see what the biggest tech brands have to offer, and have fun with their experiential displays, pop-up booths, and more! Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 | Fold6Starts at ₱70,990 ASUS Vivobook S15Starts at ₱84,995 Shop  and Save with Exclusive Deals The fun doesn’t stop there! Cyberzone is ready to LEVEL UP the entire month of August! Get your hands on the hottest deals at the Great Gadget Sale, with up to 60% off on select items at any Cyberzone nationwide. You’ll also find exclusive sales on SM Malls Online. Logitech G309 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse₱4,695 Realme GT6Starts at ₱34,999 MSi Claw A1M₱37,950 AweSM Fun for Everyone Even MORE activities are set to thrill the community! Find the “CTRL+ALT+PLAY!” gaming hubs dedicated to gamers of all ages at participating SM malls. Cosplayers and collectors will also get their spotlight as SM malls transform into spaces for these fun-loving, pop culture enthusiasts. Cyber Month is sure to be a blast, so don’t miss out! Whether you’re a casual gamer who appreciates the simplicity of a user-friendly program, or a complete technophile who is excited to see where digital and technological developments take us, Cyberzone definitely has something that will get you ready to LEVEL UP! For more information and to stay updated, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on Facebook. LEVEL UP now and be part of this exciting event that celebrates all things tech! See you at the Cyber Month 2024 launch and at your nearest Cyberzone! ADVT. This article is brought yo you by SM Supermalls. Subscribe to our technology news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres’ daughter Juliana graduates cum laude from UP

Anne Pasajol

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 10:12:12 PST

Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres with their daughter Juliana (middle). Image: Instagram/@richardgomezph Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres with their daughter Juliana (middle). Image: Instagram/@richardgomezph Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres were beaming with pride as they attended the graduation of their only child, Juliana, who finished college with Latin honors. Richard documented the University of the Philippines’ commencement ceremony through a video on his Instagram page on Monday, July 29. In the caption, the actor-turned-politician turned sentimental as he recalled Juliana’s first day in school. “I vividly remember your first day in school as a young child. I drove you to your school near the house, you were in a white shirt and jeans in rubber shoes,” he addressed his daughter. “Look at you now all grown up and a college graduate in Public Administration at the UP Diliman and a Cum Laude. Congratulations ‘day!” he continued. Richard admitted that he and Torres couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with emotions during Juliana’s graduation. “Mom and I are so proud of you. Mom was in tears going up the stage. My eyes were in tears too when I went back to my seat as things sank into my head and realized how time flies so fast,” he stated. “Go on and make things better and beautiful,” he concluded. A post shared by Richard Gomez 🇵🇭 (@richardgomezph) Aside from being cum laude, Juliana also earned achievements as a member of the UP Fencing Team. She was the individual women’s epee champion at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) seasons 85 and 86. In 2022,  Juliana also emerged as the champion in a fencing competition held in Thailand. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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https://entertainment.inquirer.net/568689/richard-gomez-lucy-torres-daughter-juliana-graduates-cum-laude-from-up

Solon slams VP on open letter to PNP chief

Faith Argosino

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 00:33:54 PST

San Jose del Monte Rep. Rida Robes —file photo San Jose del Monte Rep. Rida Robes —file photo MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker described Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement over the recall of her 75-member police security detail as “childish tantrums” and “theatrics” used to hide that she had more bodyguards than the country’s previous second-highest officials combined. San Jose del Monte Rep. Rida Robes issued the statement on Monday after Duterte slammed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rommel Marbil for his alleged lies concerning the withdrawal of her police protection detail. READ: Sara Duterte cries ‘political harassment’ as PNP security detail taken away “Truth is often surrounded by a bodyguard of lies, says a famous saying. In the case of the VP’s childish tantrums against the move to reduce, by little, her garrison of guards, she has muddled the issue, supplanting facts with theatrics,” Robes said. “The truth is her security contingent dwarfs the number of policemen assigned to cities. The COA (Commission on Audit) says so in its latter report,” she added. Citing COA’s annual report 2022, Robes pointed out that 433 security personnel were deployed only for Duterte, which was higher by 455 percent compared to her predecessor’s (Vice President Leni Robredo) security detail. “What is also undeniable is that she has a number of bodyguards more than all previous VPs of the land combined. Some VPs had a protective detail that could fit in a van. Hers would need three Airbus planes filled to the rafters,” Robes said. “Volume is what distinguishes a protective detail from a private army, and her insistence to have a battalion of guards betrays her real motive,” the lawmaker said. In a four-page open letter posted on her official Facebook page, Duterte said that PNP security was pulled out immediately after she resigned from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet, her comment on his State of the Nation Address, and after a video showing Marcos allegedly using illegal drugs circulated online. She also claimed that no official request was made to the Office of the Vice President regarding the withdrawal of her security personal protection detail—contrary to Marbil’s assertions. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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LOOK: Marcos gets copy of proposed P6.3-trillion 2025 budget

Zacarian Sarao

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:20:56 PST

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives a copy of the proposed 2025 National Expenditure Program from Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman in Malacañang on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (KJ ROSALES/PPA POOL) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives a copy of the proposed 2025 National Expenditure Program from Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman in Malacañang on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (KJ ROSALES/PPA POOL) MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received on Wednesday a copy of the proposed 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP). Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman personally handed the document to Marcos in a presentation at Malacañang. The 2025 NEP was presented and delivered to the president after the Department of Budget and Management turned the same proposed budget over to the Senate and the House of Representatives on Monday. READ: DBM turns over to Senate the proposed nat’l budget for 2025 READ: House receives P6.352-T budget for 2025 At P6.3 trillion, the proposed budget for 2025 is higher than the P5.7 trillion budget in 2024. Specifically, the Office of the President (OP) has a proposed budget of P10.4 billion, including confidential funds at P2.2 billion and intelligence funds at P2.3 billion. READ: Marcos’ office retains P4.5-B confidential, intel fund for 2025 – DBM In total, the OP’s proposed budget for 2025 of P10.4 billion is slightly lower than 2024’s P10.6 billion. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Metrobank: Rate cuts may boost economic growth in 2025

Erica Ann C. Villasorda, Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:12:30 PST

This photo taken on January 29, 2019 shows a general view of the skyline of the financial district of Makati in Manila. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP) This photo taken on January 29, 2019 shows a general view of the skyline of the financial district of Makati in Manila. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP) The expected boost to consumption and investments from upcoming rate cuts by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) could give the economy more room to expand at a faster rate in 2025, although growth might still fall short of the Marcos administration’s target, Metrobank Research said. In a commentary, Nicholas Mapa, chief economist at Metrobank, said the combination of easing inflation and lower borrowing costs “could help the Philippines salvage a good growth rate this year, while looking forward to an acceleration for 2025.” READ: Gov’t debt hits new high of P15.48T in June For this year, Metrobank penciled in a 5.7 percent growth which, if realized, would miss the Marcos administration’s 6 to 7 percent expansion target. But the Bank projects a faster 6 percent growth in 2025, which would still settle below that state’s goal of 6.5 to 7.5 percent. ”A challenged consumer and still lackluster investments may lead to GDP underperforming potential,” Mapa said. “However, other signs such as slower inflation could give households breathing room to repair balance sheets, while a projected one-two-three rate cut punch before year end could likewise reinvigorate investments momentum,” he added. Government data showed growth of household spending eased to 4.6 percent in the first quarter—the weakest reading since the 4.8-percent contraction at the height of Covid-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2021—amid stubbornly high inflation and interest rates. READ: PH economic growth slower than expected That, in turn, held back the first quarter gross GDP growth to 5.7 percent, slower than market consensus. With inflation expected to cool down following the government’s decision to reduce import duties on rice, BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said the central bank might start its easing cycle in August, likely ahead of the US Federal Reserve. “Getting the economy roaring back to life proves to be challenging,” Metrobank’s Mapa said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. ”While the economy still demonstrates strength in various sectors and adapts to market conditions, there are factors that we need to understand and monitor,” he added. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Ivana Alawi signs off from ‘Batang Quiapo’ amid ‘attitude’ rumors

Hannah Mallorca

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:01:39 PST

Ivana Alawi shares behind-the-scenes moments of her time in “Batang Quiapo.” Images: Instagram/@ivanaalawi Ivana Alawi shares behind-the-scenes moments of her time in “Batang Quiapo.” Images: Instagram/@ivanaalawi Ivana Alawi bid goodbye to her character Bubbles in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” as she thanked her co-stars, production team, and her leading man Coco Martin, despite issues attending her exit from the show. Alawi admitted that she initially felt undeserving of her character in an Instagram post on Tuesday, July 30, but let go of her doubts due to the trust bestowed on her by Martin, who served as one of the creative directors of the show, and the other people she worked with. “Nung unang inalok sakin ang Batang Quiapo, isang malaking tanong ang pumasok sa isip ko. Bakit ako? Kaya ko ba ito? Deserve ko ba? Pero dala na ng aking tiwala sa ABSCBN lalo na kay Tita Cory, Direk Coco, at sa panalangin ko din, tinanggap ko siya ng buong puso. At sobrang proud ako sa show na ito,” she said. (When “Batang Quiapo” was first offered to me, I had a huge question at that time. Why me? Can I do this? Do I deserve this? But I carried ABS-CBN’s trust in me, especially Tita Cory and Direk Coco, and through prayers, I accepted it wholeheartedly. And I’m very proud of this show.) A post shared by Ivana Alawi (@ivanaalawi) Alawi then thanked Martin, her co-stars, technical staff, and production staff for “taking care” of her, saying she would carry everything she learned from her experience. “Mula kay Direk Coco, hanggang sa lahat ng mga artistang nakasama ko, technical staff, production staff, at sa mga utilities… Salamat sa pag aalaga ninyo sa akin,” she said. “At ngayong tapos na ang isang chapter ng buhay ko sa Batang Quiapo, babaunin ko lahat ng natutunan ko.” (From Direk Coco, all the actors I’ve worked with, technical staff, production staff, and the utilities, thank you for taking care of me. And now my chapter with “Batang Quiapo” has ended, I’ll carry everything that I had learned.) The actress-internet personality also thanked her supporters for loving her character. “From the bottom of my heart maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, sa inyong walang sawang pagtanggap sa akin gabi-gabi, sa pagmamahal niyo kay Bubbles. Salamat po ng marami at sana patuloy niyo parin supportahan ang Batang Quiapo. Hanggang sa muli, Bubbles signing off,” she wrote. (From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much to all of you. To your nonstop support toward me every night and for loving Bubbles. Thank you very much and I hope you will continue to support “Batang Quiapo.” Until next time, Bubbles signing off.) Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Alawi’s character was killed on the July 29 episode of the show after she was shot by David (McCoy de Leon), the half-brother of Jesus Dimaguiba, played by Martin. Rumors of Alawi’s exit from “Batang Quiapo” were rife since early this month, amid claims that the production was having problems with her due to her supposed behavior. These claims, however, were immediately shot down by her talent manager Perry Lansigan and talent agency Star Magic. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Eva Darren recalls past relationship with the late Paquito Diaz

Hannah Mallorca

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:17:22 PST

Eva Darren recalls her past relationship with the late Paquito Diaz. Images: Screengrab from YouTube/TicTALK with Aster Amoyo, IMDb Eva Darren recalls her past relationship with the late Paquito Diaz. Images: Screengrab from YouTube/TicTALK with Aster Amoyo, IMDb Eva Darren looked back on her previous romance with the late screen veteran Paquito Diaz, the father of the actress’ eldest son Dr. Fernando de la Peña. In a sit-down interview with entertainment journalist Aster Amoyo uploaded on Friday, July 26, Darren was asked about the relationship between de la Peña and his half-siblings while touching on their past romance. “Mabuti, magkakasundo. Kapag nasa States si Joko [Diaz], nagpupunta sa Kuya niya. Noong buhay pa si Paquito, bumibisita din sina Paquito sa kanya sa States (They’re okay. They get along well. Whenever Joko Diaz is in the States, he visits his older brother. When Paquito was still alive, he visits him in the States as well), she said. Without delving too deeply into their past romance, Darren disclosed that Diaz asked to marry her at some point. The actress, however, rejected his proposal because she pointed out that he did not appear ready to take marriage seriously at the time. “Siguro nakita ko na, malaki ang pamilya ko, nakita ko rin may pamilya na siya. Hindi siya ready pa. Niyayaya niya akong magpakasal n’un pero ayoko. Kasi nakita ko na hindi pa siya ready talaga na magkaroon ng pamilya,” she said. (I guess he saw that I have a big family. I saw he has a family as well. He was not yet ready. He asked to marry me but I didn’t want to. Because I saw that he’s not ready to have a family with me.) The screen veteran also admitted that she hasn’t been in contact with Diaz’s wife, Nena Gutierrez Diaz, ever since, although she noted they are aware of each other’s presence in the late actor’s life. “Hanggang sa naging sila ni Nena. Kinasal na sila, may anak na sila, nagkakasundo naman sila [ng anak ko]. Kapag nagbibirthday si Fernando, dinadala niya si Joko para [makisama]… hanggang sa sumunod [ang iba kong mga anak],” she said. “Hindi [kami magkausap. Pero alam niya [kung sino] ako. Alam ko rin kung [sino] siya.” (Until he and Nena eventually got together. They got married and had children. Our children get along. When Fernando celebrated his birthday, he would bring Joko and they celebrate together. Until my other children came along as well. Nena and I haven’t talked, but she knows who I am. I know who she is.) Darren briefly shared that she got into other relationships and bore children out of them. But after getting involved with a married man, she eventually realized that she was “unlucky in love.” The actress also opened up about her controversial snub at the recent edition of the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) awards last May, saying she felt embarrassed and humiliated over the incident. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “Ngayon medyo okay-okay na. Dati nga gusto ko magtago, parang ang liit-liit ko na gusto ko magtago sa ilalim na lamesa (Now, I’m okay with it. Before, I felt like I wanted to hide under the table during the incident),” she recalled. Diaz was a filmmaker and actor known for portraying antagonist roles in series and films alongside such huge action stars such as Action King, Fernando Poe Jr., and Philip Salvador. He died of complications from pneumonia in March 2011 at age 78. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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https://entertainment.inquirer.net/568865/eva-darren-recalls-past-relationship-with-the-late-paquito-diaz?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1lTUJWjg9mkjG6RTKPQVpp_nIPN8MzBR9rbctUWacO8b2mJ6MqblJPXc4_aem_04DH9cPEtyO3-YW7c4VWPA

Hugot ni Angelica: Madalas naiinggit ako sa childhood ni Amila…

No author found

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:44:45 PST

Angelica Panganiban, Gregg Homan at Amila Sabine Angelica Panganiban, Gregg Homan at Amila Sabine HINDI maiwasang balikan at alalahanin ni Angelica Panganiban ang kanyang naging buhay noong bata habang nakikipaglaro sa anak na si Bean. Ikinumpara ng celebrity mom ang precious moments at mga pinagdaanan niya sa murang edad sa childhood ngayon ng panganay nila ng asawang si Gregg Homan. Ngayong lumalaki na raw si Bean o Amila Sabine, mas marami pa raw siyang natututunan bilang nanay at may mga pagkakataon talaga na bigla na lang niyang maaalala ang kanyang childhood na ibang-iba raw sa kanyang anak. Baka Bet Mo: Angelica emosyonal sa unang kaarawan ni Baby Amila: ‘1 taon na ‘kong baliw sa ‘yo, mahal na mahal kita nang wagas!’ Nag-share ang Kapamilya actress ng video sa kanyang Instagram page kung saan makikita ang mga bonding moments nilang pamilya, kabilang na ang paglalaro ni Bean sa iba’t ibang lugar na kanilang pinupuntahan. “Making memories for our little munchkin. Madalas naiinggit ako sa childhood ni Amila. A post shared by Angelica P Homan (@iamangelicap) “Pero yun naman ang goal namin. (hindi mainggit ha) yung tipong paglaki niya matutuwa siyang balikan ang mga panahon na puno ng kulay at sigla,” bahagi ng caption ng super hands-on mom. Ayon pa kay Angelica, sa kabila ng pagkakaiba ng environment at mga sitwasyon na kinalakihan nila ng anak, masasabi naman niyang naging exciting at makulay din ang kanyang kabataan, lalo na nang mapasabak na siya sa showbiz sa murang edad. “Pero kung babalikan ko ang childhood ko, kakaiba rin ha! Sa murang edad iba’t ibang tao na nakasalamuha ko. Iba’t ibang buhay ang binuhay ko. “Natuto akong balansehin ang oras ko sa pag-aaral, pagtatrabaho, at laro,” sey ni Angge. Baka Bet Mo: Angelica, Gregg excited sa 1st day ni Baby Bean sa school: Proud parents “Marami raming lugar ang nabisita ko at naging mga kaibigan ko dahil sa trabaho. Pero wait bakit naging kwento ko na ‘to Mahinahon na weekend sa lahat,” pahayag pa ng aktres. Sa isa pa niyang IG post, ibinahagi rin ni Angelica ang video ng anak kung saan makikitang enjoy na enjoy ito sa paglalaro sa labas ng kanilang bahay, kabilang na ang pagsakay ni Bean sa swing habang itinutulak ng tatay niyang si Gregg. “The sun is finally out!! Sharing with you our little ray of sunshine who’s very happy to go out and play again,” aniya sa caption. A post shared by Angelica P Homan (@iamangelicap) Narito ang reaksyon ng ilan sa kanyang IG followers. “Ay bitin! Ang sarap lang basahin ng kwento mo nung kabataan mo Angge kahit isang bukas na aklat na ang buhay mo sa amin lalo na sa mga nagmamahal sayo simula nung bata ka pa lalo na nung naging c Becky ka. Salamat for sharing your life and experiences to us. I love you and your family.” “Bean ang cuteeeeee cuteeeeee mo talaga and ang pretty mo pa like your mom Mrs. @iamangelicap.” “Cute naman nung Fur Kuya niya sa likod. Binabantayan din si Bean.” Kamakailan ay ibinalita rin ni Angelica sa pamamagitan ng kanyang vlog na sumailalim siya sa hip surgery last July 7, na tumagal nang pitong oras. “Nasa recovery room ako, nanghihina. Sobrang sakit, hindi ko ma-explain ang sakit. “Nu’ng nakita ng doctor ‘yung x-ray ko napansin niyang meron na ngang slight collapse ‘yung left hips ko. “Hindi pa siya totally nagco-collapse pero bumabagsak na ‘yung kaliwa kung balakang kaya nagli-limp na ako kaya todo na ‘yung pain. “So nu’ng hinihingi namin ‘yung suggestion niya kung ano ang dapat gawin, ayaw niyang mabigyan din ako ng hip replacement so binigyan niya ako ng cord decompression,” pagbabahagi ni Angge. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. July 10 naman nang ma-discharge siya sa ospital at kinailangang mag-bedrest for three weeks da bahay, “Hopefully sana hindi na ako umabot sa hip replacement with the help of proper therapy, care, and prayer.”

Inquirer

https://bandera.inquirer.net/391355/hugot-ni-angelica-madalas-naiinggit-ako-sa-childhood-ni-amila?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR14osS7aCbFWfs-USdYdO2Royaf4aSJNszoh7Kp12P8lwF_KQd9QTidqBQ_aem_qp2R3H-GIzIVuiajqqVp3g#ixzz8hWQa93BJ

INQToday: 22 senators seek suspension of PUVMP; PNP denies ‘casing’ VP’s house

INQUIRER.net

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:18:44 PST

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories: Twenty-two senators have filed a resolution pushing for the temporary suspension of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), pending the resolution of valid and urgent concerns raised by the affected sector. Only Sen. Risa Hontiveros did not sign  Senate Resolution  No. 1096, filed on Monday. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has denied allegations that its personnel attempted to “case” the residence of Vice President Sara Duterte, spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo disclosed on Tuesday. In a social media post, Duterte claimed that PNP operatives attempted to “case” or loiter with no apparent lawful purpose around her residence and also tried to find the place she was renting. Eumir Marcial, one of Team Philippines’ brightest hopes for a medal, crashed out of the 2024 Paris Olympics boxing hunt early Wednesday morning (Manila time). Turabek Khabibullaev of Uzbekistan outpointed Marcial in their men’s 80-kilogram boxing duel at North Paris Arena, deftly using his long reach to keep the power-punching Filipino at bay. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1967853/inqtoday-22-senators-seek-temporary-suspension-of-puvmp-pnp-denies-casing-vp-saras-residence?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2CRgkTuuSVycKuP7VAKPdQsFBVUDV4r5IXwYC1aZYU-FfiDtcnyYONZ9A_aem_A6Pmq-hiTEjfBQ3TeHLmzA

Shooting ng KathDen movie sa Canada napilitang lumipat dahil sa fans

No author found

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:07:17 PST

Kathryn Bernardo at Alden Richards Kathryn Bernardo at Alden Richards FOLLOW-UP ito sa nasulat namin dito sa BANDERA kahapon tungkol sa malaking problema ng production people sa shooting ng “Hello, Love, Again” sa Canada. Napakarami kasing nagpupuntang supporters nina Kathryn Bernardo at Alden Richards sa location kaya nadi-delay ang kanilang shooting. Kuwento ng aming kaibigan sa Canada na kahit wala siya sa location ay nakakarating sa kanya ang nangyayari dahil sa mga kapitbahay niyang tuwang-tuwang nagkukuwento. Baka Bet Mo: Payo ni Zeinab sa mga lalaki, tularan si Xian Gaza: ‘Wag kayong pumasok sa relasyon kung hindi n’yo pa kayang manindigan Nabanggit sa ulat ni Nanay Cristy Fermin sa programa nila ni Romel Chika na “Cristy Ferminute” kahapon (napakinggan sa 92.3 Radyo 5 TRUE FM) na pinagsabihan ang mga kababayang Pinoy na huwag mag-ingay dahil baka magalit ang mga residente ng Bridlewood, Calgary at puwedeng ireklamo ang mga nagsu-shoot at posibleng mapaalis pa sila. A post shared by Bandera (@banderaphl) Ang update na tsika sa amin, “Nagdagsaan na naman ang mga Pinoy mula sa ibang lugar na sinabihan ng mga kapitbahay namin, tumawag na ng police kasi naiistorbo na ang shooting, eh.” May tinapos lang daw na eksena si Direk Cathy Garcia-Sampana at sabay pack-up na ang buong prod. Ang siste pala ay lumipat na sila ng location at hindi na alam ng mga kababayang Pinoy dahil nagbilin sa lahat na walang magpo-post sa social media kung nasaan na sila para naman magdire-diretso ang shooting. Nabanggit pa na noong Biyernes, July 26 nagsimulang gumiling ang kamera ni direk Cathy kahit wala si Alden na nahuli ng dating sa Canada dahil may mga commitments pang dapat niyang tapusin dito sa Pilipinas. Aabutin pala ng isang buwan ang KathDen sa Calgary kaya matagal-tagal din ang bonding moments at pagkikita ng dalawa. Baka Bet Mo: Daniel malutong na nagmura habang kumakanta, apektado sa KathDen? Tsika naman ng isa pang kaibigan namin ay pawang bahay ng mga Pinoy ang pinagsusyutingan nina Kathryn at Alden kaya ang iba ay may cameo role o nadaanan ng camera bilang owner ng bahay kung saan doon nanunuluyan ang aktres sa kuwento. A post shared by Kathryn Bernardo 🐘 (@bernardokath) Samantala, natanong namin sa aming kausap kung nag-rent ba ng isa o dalawang buong bahay para sa mga staff and crew at para rin sa mga artistang kasama sa movie. “Naku hindi, naka-hotel sila,” kaswal na banggit ng aming kaibigan. Dagdag pa niya, “Medyo mahal nga kasi summer ngayon dito.” Nakakaaliw dahil walang tigil ang mga nagpo-post ng KathDen shootings dahil kanya-kanyang update sa kanilang social media para naman sa mga kaibigan nilang wala sa nasabing lugar. E, paano na, nagbago na ng location na medyo malayo na raw, ang tanong hindi ba ito maaamoy ng mga kababayan nating Marites doon? Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Abangan natin ang latest!

Inquirer

https://bandera.inquirer.net/391370/shooting-ng-kathden-movie-sa-canada-napilitang-lumipat-dahil-sa-fans?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3bpy1sTJPGBElldwsfKl5hti3knD_8oLhq_ibE6hG2I2MYgynubAeVC1U_aem_lToUJCZl9W4JR9RmXK3mdg#ixzz8hWQvwDG5

Fil-Am swimmer Jarod Hatch lifts up Kayla Sanchez after Paris Olympic bid ends

Hans Carbonilla

2024-07-31T03:53:10+00:00

Filipinos support Filipinos! As Filipino Canadian swimmer Kayla Sanchez ended her bid for a podium finish at this year’s Paris Olympics, fellow Filipino swimmer Jarod Hatch honored her with words of support, expressing his pride in representing the Philippines together. In an Instagram story posted recently, the Filipino American Olympian shared a photo of himself with Sanchez wearing Francis Libiran’s “Sinag” barongs and offered words of encouragement following her semifinal match. “For your hard work and resilience, I am proud to represent the Philippines with you, [Kayla Sanchez]!” the University of California, Berkeley tanker wrote on Wednesday morning (PST). Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Photo from Jarod Hatch/Instagram Earlier, the two-time Tokyo Olympic medalist, who represented Canada in 2020, set a new national record by finishing fourth in heat four of her event, qualifying for the semifinals with a time of 53.67 seconds. Overall in that qualifying round, she finished 10th and reached the semifinal match. However, the 23-year-old Fil-Canadian’s hopes for another medal this year for the Philippines were dashed during the semifinal match. She finished seventh with a time of 54.21 seconds in the women’s 100-meter freestyle, thus exiting the Paris Olympics 2024 medal race at La Defense Arena. A post shared by Kayla Sanchez (@kaylasanchez_) At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Sanchez showcased her prowess by clinching a silver medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay and a bronze in the 4x100m medley relay while representing Canada. Sanchez made headlines with her decision to switch federations from Canada to the Philippines in 2022. The sports committee granted her a waiver, exempting her from the customary three-year residency rule for athletes switching nationalities. A post shared by Jarod Hatch (@_jhatch_) Hatch, meanwhile, holds the Philippine records in the 50-meter (23.89) and 100-meter (52.87) butterfly events. He is now set to swim for the Philippines (100-meter men’s butterfly) after nearly bidding farewell to the sport due to exhaustion when he initially retired in 2021. You may like: Meet Fil-Am Olympic gold medalist in fencing Lee Kiefer Want stories like this delivered straight to your inbox? Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

https://usa.inquirer.net/154258/fil-am-swimmer-jarod-hatch-lifts-up-kayla-sanchez-after-paris-olympic-bid-ends?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2IHAV_kPBdpgAw3yEki4SJag4rnp0Gf9E-ZR9aVUMXU7siKIPaPq11qYM_aem_qM5Kg6sBZaChZE1XkrVsHQ

Iloilo health office seeks public’s help as dengue cases rise

Philippine News Agency

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 11:47:38 PST

ANTI-DENGUE EFFORT. The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) collects mosquito larvae and identifies new breeding sites in Barangay Odiongan, Badiangan on June 13. The IPHO is appealing to the public to help in the campaign against dengue as cases in the province continue to rise. (Photo courtesy of IPHO) ANTI-DENGUE EFFORT. The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) collects mosquito larvae and identifies new breeding sites in Barangay Odiongan, Badiangan on June 13. The IPHO is appealing to the public to help in the campaign against dengue as cases in the province continue to rise. (Photo courtesy of IPHO) ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is appealing to the public to help campaign against dengue as cases in the province continue to rise. The provincial epidemiology and surveillance data showed that from Jan 1 to July 20 this year, Iloilo had 2,493 cases, including six deaths, an increase of 161 percent compared with the 956 cases with no deaths in the same period in 2023. During the 29th monitoring week, the province recorded 440 cases against the over 300 cases in the 28th week of monitoring. Despite the intensive anti-dengue efforts through the Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue (ABKD) and information education dissemination campaigns, all local governments in the province had already logged dengue cases, with 32 barangays having a clustering of cases. READ: Dengue cases up in Western Visayas “The Iloilo provincial government, PHO, and local health offices cannot combat dengue on our own; we need help from the community to search and destroy breeding places,” said IPHPO head Dr. Maria Socorro C. Quiñon in an interview on Tuesday. The provincial health office urged the public to observe the 5S strategy: search and destroy mosquito breeding places; secure self-protection; seek early consultation when signs and symptoms of dengue occur; say yes to fogging as a last resort when there is an impending outbreak; and stay hydrated as dehydration is a fatal complication in dengue patients. The IPHO said that while the province was still below the epidemic alert threshold level, the municipalities of Badiangan and Lemery had already reached it. Badiangan, now with 118 cases, declared a state of calamity last month. In contrast, cases in Lemery are reported to be manageable based on the initial assessment. Passi City, on the other hand, is listed with an alarming rise in cases, or close to the epidemic alert threshold level. As the situation remains critical, the IPHO reminded the public to be proactive in helping prevent dengue outbreaks. “We will continue to respond along with LGUs to conduct an outbreak response,” Quiñon said. (With reports from Grace Salumag-WVSU OJT/PNA) Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. READ: Iloilo experiences rise in dengue cases amid dry spell Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1967846/iloilo-health-office-seeks-publics-help-as-dengue-cases-rise?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0adq2Q3-CUcBlaQLaczau--y5UUI1f5H74nlTmljbcbPh_YnHN4vLtBRk_aem_qVIIoZeXfMIHJpEVe_AITQ

Amanda Zamora dismisses rumors linking her to Daniel Padilla

Hannah Mallorca

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 11:45:10 PST

Amanda Zamora and Daniel Padilla. Images: Instagram/@amandaazamora, @supremo_dp Amanda Zamora and Daniel Padilla. Images: Instagram/@amandaazamora, @supremo_dp Former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Amanda Zamora denied speculations of romantic involvement with Daniel Padilla, amid rumors of them being in a relationship. Zamora broke her silence in a statement on her Instagram Story on Tuesday, July 30, where she asked netizens to stop spreading “baseless rumors” that she’s “in no way associated with.” “I kindly ask everyone to stop spreading baseless rumors and fake news where I am in no way associated with,” she said, apparently referring to Padilla. Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@amandaazamora Zamora also requested netizens to practice “discernment” especially when it comes to using social media. “May we be kinder in words towards one another and practice discernment, especially on the internet. Thank you, Amanda,” she wrote. Zamora’s post comes after allegations that she and Padilla were allegedly in a relationship after entertainment insider Ogie Diaz claimed on his showbiz vlog last July 25 that the singer-actor is currently dating someone named Amanda. “Totoo nga ba na ang bagong girlfriend ni DJ ay Amanda? Hindi naman natin alam ‘yan. Binabasa lang naman natin ‘yan, at bahala na sila (Is it true that DJ has a new girlfriend named Amanda? We don’t know that. We’re just reading what was given to us. Let’s let them be),” Diaz said. Padilla has yet to confirm or deny the rumors as of this writing. The actor-singer was previously in a long-term relationship with Kathryn Bernardo. The ex-couple confirmed they parted ways in November 2023. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/568837/amanda-zamora-dismisses-rumors-linking-her-to-daniel-padilla?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0uBEH782JYbrSi6g-K72JdIbv3fy79rTBDzCfPZShlEZGAuQGqtmQhhLs_aem_-PdOCG6Xgder4U6Ig2vQUg

SC allows Enrile’s trial for plunder to proceed

Jane Bautista

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 05:55:00 PST

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile —PPA pool Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile —PPA pool MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has allowed the Sandiganbayan to proceed with the plunder trial of former Senator and now Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, Juan Ponce Enrile. Voting 13-0 with two justices having “no part,” the Supreme Court dismissed Enrile’s petition for prohibition of his plunder case, in which he is accused of pocketing more than P172 million in pork barrel funds. That allegation was among the highlights of the pork barrel scandal that broke in 2013. READ: Enrile to seek dismissal of graft case over ‘pork barrel’ scam “Enrile’s doubts as to the Sandiganbayan’s fealty to the law is no cause of action and his inability to trust in the judicial system does not merit relief,” the high court said in its 32-page decision penned by Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh. “The Court does not act on the basis of fear, baseless assumptions of bad faith, or conjectures…. [Since] litigants demand fairness from the courts, the judiciary similarly expects fairness from litigants,” it added. The decision, released only on Monday, was promulgated on Feb. 24. The case stemmed from the June 5, 2014, plunder complaint filed by the Ombudsman against Enrile, his chief of staff at the time Jessica Reyes, Ronald Lim, John Raymund de Asis, and Janet Lim Napoles—whom the Sandiganbayan would find guilty of plunder five years later for the misuse of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.’s pork barrel fund. According to the complaint, Enrile and the four other accused had amassed P172 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) from 2004 to 2010. On July 10 that year, Enrile filed a motion for a bill of particulars, allowing the accused to request specific details from the prosecution to prepare properly for trial. But his motion was denied, prompting Enrile to challenge that ruling in a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court. The next year, the high court partially granted Enrile’s petition and ordered the prosecution to submit a bill of particulars as sought by his earlier motion. Among these particulars were the amounts of “kickbacks or commissions” that the accused were alleged to have received, the projects under Enrile’s PDAF, and the names of Napoles’ supposed nongovernmental organizations that allegedly profited from those projects. As the case dragged on, Enrile later objected to the contents of the pretrial order, including the evidence marked, which he said should have been limited to the prosecution’s bill of particulars. The Sandiganbayan denied that appeal in 2021 and decided to proceed with the trial. The prosecution presented among its witnesses Ombudsman field investigator Ryan Medrano, who testified that the projects under Enrile’s PDAF were not implemented. In March 2022, Enrile petitioned the high court to dismiss the plunder case against him, again arguing that the prosecution’s evidence must be limited to the bill of particulars. “At its core, Enrile’s claim is rooted in the argument that the Sandiganbayan must not allow the prosecution to present evidence that is irrelevant to the issues in the main case,” the Supreme Court said in its decision. In dismissing Enrile’s petition, it noted that the case was a “question of the admissibility of the prosecution’s evidence”—such as Medrano’s testimony which the high court said Enrile was free to object. “In the event that the Sandiganbayan allows the admission of evidence which Enrile deems to be inadmissible, and thereafter convicts him, Enrile has the remedy of appeal,” the Supreme Court said. Given these available remedies, the high tribunal said it was not necessary to bar the Sandiganbayan from proceeding with the plunder case, much less to order its dismissal. The Supreme Court also ruled that the Sandiganbayan did not act with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it refused to limit the prosecution’s evidence to the bill of particulars and allowed its inclusion in the pretrial order. The high court clarified that a bill of particulars does not indicate the prosecution’s entire trial strategy. Therefore, the prosecution may present other evidence during the trial not mentioned in the bill of particulars. “Clearly, to limit the prosecution to the presentation only of evidence mentioned in the information and the bill of particulars would be to shackle and tie its hands and deprive it of the free exercise of its discretion to determine who and what to present,” the Supreme Court said. Enrile, 100, was sought for comment about the decision but had yet to reply as of Monday night. At the height of the pork barrel scandal which the Inquirer first reported, the Sandiganbayan in 2014 ordered the arrest of then Senators Enrile, Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada for plunder and multiple counts of graft. Citing his advanced age and poor health, the Supreme Court granted bail to Enrile in August 2015. But the antigraft court’s Third Division denied his appeal to throw out the plunder charge. In December 2018, the court’s Special First Division cleared Revilla of plunder but convicted his legislative officer, Richard Cambe, and Napoles. Cambe, who was detained at New Bilibid Prison, died of a stroke at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa in April 2021. He was 53. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. In January 2024, the Fifth Division acquitted Estrada of plunder but convicted him of the less serious offenses of direct and indirect bribery. Revilla, 57, and Estrada, 61, are back in the Senate after being reelected in the 2019 and 2022 elections, respectively. —with reports from Inquirer Research and Melvin Gascon News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Inquirer

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1967215/sc-allows-enriles-trial-for-plunder-to-proceed?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2eQoCoP0_UasDLZVDB8-FKKp12E44gRxeHaPgAcnU_0CfRLEjgfKb4g7Q_aem_bb7m59NWKiGVRysP1pkebQ#ixzz8hWQwVA8g

Sassa Gurl umamin: As baklang kanal, palaaway talaga ‘ko!

No author found

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:44:38 PST

Sassa Gurl Sassa Gurl BAGO sumikat bilang content creator at social media influencer, nagtrabaho muna si Sassa Gurl sa corporate world. Naging call center agent siya sa isang kumpanya ilang taon na ngayon ang nakararaan at nagtrabaho rin siya sa marketing. Pero talagang ang passion at ang puso niya ay nasa mundo ng entertainment kaya gumawa siya ng paraan para makilala sa social media hanggang sa makilala na nga siya bilang si Sassa Gurl. Baka Bet Mo: Alice Dixson nilinaw na buhay pa ang nanay ni Sassa: Ayoko naman angkinin ang credit sa pagpapalaki ng kanyang anak Sa episode ng “Updated with Nelson Canlas” podcast, naibahagi niya kung paano siya nagsimulang mag-work sa call center at sa marketing pero dumating yung araw na kailangang i-push niya ang totoong pangarap niya sa buhay. A post shared by Sassa Gurl (@itssassagurl) “Like, alam ko ‘yung passion ko talaga. Sabi ko nga, ito talaga ‘yung bet ko, ‘yung entertainment talaga. Sabi ko, kailangan magpapansin (ako),” chika ng vlogger na nag-aartista na rin ngayon. Sabi pa ng content creator, nakaranas din siya ng hindi maganda habang nagtatrabaho sa corporate world kaya mas lalo siyang nagsikap na ma-penetrate ang entertainment. Pagbabahagi ni Sassa Gurl, ang unang naging target niya ay ang makabili ng  cellphone na gagamitin niya sa paggawa ng mga content. “Nu’ng nagkaroon na ako ng cellphone sa pagtatrabaho, ang ginawa ko, habang nagtatrabaho, nag-content-content ako,” pag-alala niya. Baka Bet Mo: ‘Banta’ ni Sassa Gurl: Kabahan na kayo Barbie at Jak dahil ako na ang ibinabalita ng GMA! Lagot! Kaya naman, super thankful and grateful siya sa nabiling cellphone dahil ito ang naging daan para matupad niya ang kanyang mga pangarap sa buhay. Marami-rami rin siyang nagawang content sa naturang cellphone na eventually ay naging daan din para mapansin siya bilang vlogger hanggang sa dumami na nang dumami ang subscribers niya. A post shared by Sassa Gurl (@itssassagurl) Nang tanungin naman si Sassa kung ano ang pinaka-favorite o unforgettable content na ginawa niya, umamin siyang hindi na niya naaalala kadalasan ang laman ng vlog niya. “Ako, actually, ang eksena ko kasi, in the moment lang talaga ako, kumbaga, parang what happens now, happens now. So kadalasan talaga, nakakalimutan ko na ‘yung mga content ko. “Pero alam mo, in its entirety, ‘yung entirety ng content ko, sabi ko parang ang pinaka-bet ko kasi, ‘yung kunyari may inaaway ako. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “Kasi as a baklang kanal talaga, palaaway talaga ako. Ngayon hindi na pwedeng mang-away kasi alam mo naman, issue nanaman ‘yan kung mang-away ka,” chika ni Sassa Gurl.

Inquirer

https://bandera.inquirer.net/391353/sassa-gurl-umamin-as-baklang-kanal-talaga-palaaway-talaga-ko?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1csD8XEfLhWh0j4bya4bLst4Txjwlvpc7RCFfvVz7JwKTrW0X7mnaYU6Y_aem_lF4VJKanWGpqzu0uIHQhtA#ixzz8hWQdijvE

Foreign soldiers in Legazpi City for humanitarian mission

Philippine News Agency

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 11:30:38 PST

The United States Naval Ship (USNS) City of Bismarck arrives at the port of Legazpi City on Tuesday, July 30, for a two-week Pacific Partnership mission in the Philippines (PHOTO FROM PIA ALBAY/FACEBOOK) The United States Naval Ship (USNS) City of Bismarck arrives at the port of Legazpi City on Tuesday, July 30, for a two-week Pacific Partnership mission in the Philippines (PHOTO FROM PIA ALBAY/FACEBOOK) LEGAZPI CITY — The United States Naval Ship, City of Bismarck, arrived on Tuesday at the port in this city from the United States of America, carrying around 500 foreign soldiers who will conduct a two-week humanitarian mission under the Pacific Partnership 2024. “It’s wonderful to return to the Philippines, where we look forward to training alongside the citizens of Legazpi City’s medical and disaster relief personnel,” said Captain Daniel J. Keeler, Pacific Partnership 24-2 mission commander. Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific. It was first conducted in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan province, in 2022 and in San Fernando City, La Union in 2023. The mission team will be in this city from July 30 to Aug. 14. The Pacific Partnership fosters multilateral cooperation and emphasizes a multinational and whole-of-government approach by planning and executing operations with partner nation militaries, host nation civilian agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the US State Department, US interagency, and the US military service branches. Keeler said their nation would share a rich history of collaboration and look forward to strengthening that cooperation and friendship in the days and years ahead. “Combining the expertise of professional mariners with the skills of our Pacific Partnership forces makes the USNS City of Bismarck a ready and versatile asset to respond to any humanitarian assistance or disaster relief scenario,” Ship Master Chris Jackson said. City Mayor Geraldine Rosal said in an interview that at least 500 soldiers from the USA, Japan, and Korea would conduct humanitarian activities here, particularly the rehabilitation of some school buildings constructed during the American era. She said there would be no joint military exercise between the foreign soldiers and Filipino troops alongside the mission. (PNA) Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Trillanes sues Rep. Duterte, VP’s husband, ex-BOC head for drug smuggling

Luisa Cabato

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 11:20:56 PST

Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes files a drug smuggling complaint against Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband Mans Carpio, and other respondents at the Department of Justice on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo from TETCH TORRES-TUPAS / INQUIRER.net) Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes files a drug smuggling complaint against Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband Mans Carpio, and other respondents at the Department of Justice on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo from TETCH TORRES-TUPAS / INQUIRER.net) MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a drug smuggling case before the Department of Justice on Wednesday against Davao City First District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, Atty. Mans Carpio – the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, and several other personalities allegedly involved in the P6.4 billion shabu shipment seized in 2017. Also named respondents are Taiwanese businessman Charlie Tan, some Davao local officials, a Taiwanese businessman and a retired military official from Davao. READ: BOC: Evidence ‘sufficient’ on P6.4-B shabu conspiracy The case stemmed from a May 2017 issue where 602.2 kilograms of crystal meth, worth P6.4 billion, were imported from China using the Bureau of Customs’ express lane. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee conducted a series of public hearings, which revealed that the contraband was given a “green lane” passage to slip through the Customs’s alert system and did not undergo physical inspection or document verification. “This morning, I filed a case against Pulong Duterte and other members of the Davao group smuggling syndicate,” Trillanes told reporters. “This is the result of the Senate investigations conducted in 2017, in which we have identified Pulong, Charlie Tan, and Mans Carpio, as the masterminds behind the Php6.4 billion shabu shipment that was allowed to slip through Customs in collaboration with its Commissioner Nic Faeldon and former Presidential Adviser Allen Capuyan, who was known as the ‘Big Brother,’” he recalled. “The conspiracy to import the subject shipment from China to the Philippines necessitated the crucial interventions of the ‘powerful insiders’- the corrupt customs leadership, and more importantly, the very powerful protectors who used their influence to consummate this unlawful crime of importation of billions of pesos worth of dangerous drugs into the country,” he said. Trillanes also claimed the 10 respondents violated Section 4 in relation to Section 26(a) of Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 as amended by Republic Act No. 10640; and Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. “Dito mo makikita na fake ang war on drugs ni Duterte. Libu-libo ang mga pinatay na hinihinalang drug addicts pero sila mismo pala ang protektor at ka-partner ng mga big-time drug lords. Pinatay lang nila ang kompetisyon sa illegal drug trade,” the former senator noted. (This is where you can see that Duterte’s war on drugs is fake. Thousands of suspected drug addicts were killed, but it turns out they were the protectors and partners of big-time drug lords. They just eliminated the competition in the illegal drug trade.) Furthermore, Trillanes noted that there are credible documentary and testimonial evidence gathered against the respondents. “Solid yung ebidensya na nakalap natin kaya we’re confident na magdi-diretso diretso ito sa korte,” he said. (The evidence we gathered is solid so we’re confident that it will go straight to court.) The former senator also alleged that Tan is the main drug lord in the case. “Ang pinaka-drug lord dito ay si Charlie Tan na ka-partner ito ni Michael Yang. Magkaparehas sila ng triad. Tapos, ang naging protektor ay sina Pulong at Mans Carpio,” he said. (The main drug lord here is Charlie Tan. He is the partner of Michael Yang. They have the same triad. Then, the protectors were Pulong and Mans Carpio.) “Ang naging facilitators naman nito na naipasok ito at naipuslit palabas ng customs ay sina Faeldon, sina (former Presidential Adviser for Indigenous Peoples’ Concern) Allen Capuyan at iba pa na na-mention doon sa case,” he said. (These facilitators here that’s why it was brought into and smuggled out of customs were Faeldon, Allen Capuyan and others who were mentioned in the case.) The former senator said the charge is non-bailable and the respondents’ cooperation in solving the case is crucial. “Itong mga respondents dito ay talagang kailangan nilang mag-isip isip nang malalim kung sino sa kanila magco-cooperate. Conspiracy ito kaya the act of one is the act of all. Kaya pag na-detain yung isa, detained silang lahat,” he warned. (These respondents here really need to think deeply on who among them will cooperate. This is a conspiracy so the act of one is the act of all. So when one is detained, they are all detained.) Meanwhile, in his complaint affidavit, Trillanes further stressed that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee was able to establish that there had been a conspiracy among the respondents to accomplish such an act. READ: BIR: Taguba earned P1.2 billion as Customs ‘fixer’ in 2016 “The spate of hearings in the Senate unraveled that at the center of the conspiracy to commit this grand outlawry was a Filipino customs broker and trucking proprietor named Mark Ruben Taguba II,” the affidavit read. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “However, it bears stressing that Taguba could not have done this alone,” it emphasized. “The conspiracy to import the subject shipment from China to the Philippines necessitated the crucial acts of the ‘persons from the inside’ – the corrupt customs officials, and more critically, the very powerful ‘players’ who used their influence to consummate this unlawful crime of importation of billions of pesos worth of dangerous drugs to the country,” it noted. INQUIRER.net has sought a comment from the Office of the Vice President regarding the issue, but it has yet to respond as of posting time. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Marcos reaffirms gov’t commitment to support BARMM

Zacarian Sarao

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:51:54 PST

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to help ensure peace and progress in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Marcos made the pronouncement during the ceremonial turnover of the third Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) progress report in Malacañang. The progress report, Marcos pointed out, is a “testament” to the partnership between the national government and the BARMM and their commitment to peace and development. “I reaffirm once again the national government’s unwavering commitment to helping and assisting the Bangsamoro Government in all its endeavors as we continue with this important process not only for Muslim in Danau, not only for the Southern Philippines but for the entire Republic,” Marcos said in his speech. “Together, let us continue to build a future where peace, progress, and unity prevail. Our collective efforts to bring about positive change for the BARMM and our nation be realized sooner rather than later,” he added. Marcos urged Budget Secretary and IGRB co-chairperson Mina Pangandaman to expedite finalizing the IGRB Manual of Operations and Resolution of Identified Issues. The manual, said Marcos, would clarify the roles and functions that facilitate proactive monitoring of issues and establish a system of continuity amongst those mechanisms. He expressed confidence that the IGRB will continue maximizing the already established mechanisms to identify and resolve issues, especially with the upcoming 2025 BARMM elections. “I am confident that we are on the right path to building a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous Bangsamoro region as we find solutions to the remaining issues and concerns that still need to be addressed,” he added. The IGRB was created under Section 2, Article VI of  Bangsamoro Organic Law to coordinate and resolve issues through regular consultation and continuing negotiation in a non-adversarial manner. It is mandated to exhaust all means to resolve issues brought before it, while unresolved issues shall be elevated to the President through the Chief Minister. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Hontiveros: Pogos used corporate layering to evade audit

Marlon Ramos

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 05:50:00 PST

HEARING RESUMES | Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center Director General Dennis Cunanan are among the resource persons who attended the Senate hearing on Pogo activities on Monday. | Photo by Richard A. Reyes, Philippine Daily Inquirer HEARING RESUMES | Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center Director General Dennis Cunanan are among the resource persons who attended the Senate hearing on Pogo activities on Monday. | Photo by Richard A. Reyes, Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, Philippines — Individuals behind the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) had put up various companies in the country to evade regulatory audit, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said on Monday, promising to continue investigating serious crimes related to Pogos even after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a ban on them. At the resumption of the Senate inquiry, Hontiveros pointed out that Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. was first represented by Katherine Cassandra Li Ong when it applied for a permit from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to operate the Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga province. She said the 10-hectare compound was owned by Whirlwind Corp., which named one Stephanie Mascareñas as its authorized representative. READ: Pogo posed as BPO, duped local gov’t — Porac execs However, the senator noted that Ong would later enter into transactions with Pagcor as an official of Whirlwind, while Ronalyn Baterna replaced her as the representative of Lucky South 99. “It appears from the documents we have obtained that different companies were established to protect those who are really operating Pogos and those harboring fugitives (connected with Pogos),” Hontiveros said before concluding the five-hour proceedings. READ: Roque’s bank documents found in raided Pampanga Pogo – PAOCC “Don’t use corporate layering to avoid scrutiny. This is part of their dirty tactics. Don’t fool this committee because we will not stop holding people to account just because Pogos are now banned,” she warned. Hontiveros, who initiated the probe as chair of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, said the loopholes in the government’s regulatory system should be addressed to ensure the success of Marcos’ directive to pull the plug on Pogos. “Honestly, I already want to end this hearing, but we cannot do that until we have completely identified those who should be liable for this heinous (Pogo) activities,” she said. “That would not be justice.” Testifying at the hearing, Nancy Gamo, Guo’s accountant, maintained that it was the suspended mayor of Bamban, Tarlac province, who hired her to facilitate the registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of two Pogo companies—Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. and Zun Yuan Technology Inc.—that authorities raided in her town. Quizzed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Gamo said she started working on a “per project basis” for the mayor in 2012 after she retired from her corporate job as an accountant for 27 years. She said among those she had helped register were the companies owned by Guo and her family, including 3 Lin-Q Farms Inc., QJJ Slaughter House, QJJ Smelting Plant, Q-Seed Genetics Inc., Siopao Bulilits Foods Inc. and West Cars Inc. Gamo claimed that Guo also asked her to process the SEC registration of Baofu Land Development Inc., which owned the 7.9-hectare property that hosted the 36 multistory buildings that Hongsheng and Zun Yuan had used for their operations. But Gatchalian pointed out that Guo had previously told the Senate panel that she did not know Gamo. “She was lying,” Gamo said in response to Gatchalian’s question. “[Guo] was my client. I directly transacted and spoke with her regarding Hongsheng,” she pointed out. Asked by Gatchalian if Guo had “active participation” in the operations of Hongsheng and Zun Yuan, she replied: “I think so.” “I cannot say that she is not involved because the lease contract was (between Hongsheng) and Baofu, whose representative is Alice Guo,” Gamo noted. Speaking with reporters after the hearing, Gatchalian said Gamo’s testimony only proved that Guo had perjured herself several times when she appeared twice before Hontiveros’ committee. “What she said before that she has nothing to do with Pogos were all lies because even the names of incorporators of both Zun Yuan and Hongsheng came from her,” the senator said. “That’s why the testimony of Nancy Gamo was material because we can see [Guo’s] active participation (in Pogos). Even Gamo said [Guo] has been lying,” Gatchalian lamented. Hontiverous also warned Guo after the suspended mayor skipped the Senate hearing for a third straight time. “The long arm of the law will soon reach you, Guo Hua Ping,” the senator said, using the mayor’s supposed real identity as a Chinese citizen. (See related story on this page.)“You may be able to hide now, but you will not be able to hide forever,” she added. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada pressed the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to help the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms in tracking down Guo, who had been ordered arrested for snubbing the Senate inquiry. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “If you cannot arrest her within a month, your proposed budget (for 2025) might be affected,” Estrada said. News that matters By providing an email address. 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22 senators seek suspension of PUV modernization program

Maila Ager

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:31:37 PST

(Philippine Daily Inquirer file photo/ Richard A. Reyes) (Philippine Daily Inquirer file photo/ Richard A. Reyes) MANILA,  Philippines— Twenty-two senators have filed a resolution pushing for the temporary suspension of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), pending the resolution of valid and urgent concerns raised by the affected sector. Only Sen. Risa Hontiveros did not sign  Senate Resolution  No. 1096, which was filed on Monday. Those who signed the resolution were Senate President Francis Escudero, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, and Sen.  Raffy Tulfo,  chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services. The other senators who signed were Nancy Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Ronald dela Rosa, Loren Legarda,  JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Christopher “Bong” Go,  Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, Grace Poe, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.,  Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar, and  Juan Miguel Zubiri. “While the PTMP is integral to the traffic management solution, there is an urgent need to thoroughly review and reassess the impact of the program, to alleviate the fears of the drivers and transport operators who will be directly burdened by its implementation,” the senators said in the resolution. Despite the April 30, 2024 deadline set by the Department of  Transportation (DOTr) for the consolidation of public utility vehicles (PUVs), the resolution pointed out that 36,217 units, or approximately 19% of the jeepneys and other PUVs, have not yet been consolidated. The measure cited two primary  reasons for the “high figure of unconsolidated” PUVs: “Those who did not participate in the consolidation are now considered as colorum or operating illegally and run the risk of being fined and their vehicles impounded should the drivers continue to ply their routes,” the senators said in the resolution. Meanwhile, the resolution noted that only 174, or 11.05%, of the 1,574 local government units (LGUs) had approved the Local Public Transport Route Planning (LPTRP). Unlike the deadline for  PUV consolidation, however, the LGUs and the DOTr have until now to comply with the complete  LPTRPs. “Another alarming concern raised is the potential phaseout of the iconic jeepney design in favor of the so-called modern jeepneys, which are merely mini-buses imported from other countries,” the resolution said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Although the intent of the PTMP is “laudable,”  the senators said, “continuing with the program without threshing out these concerns, would go against the Constitutional directive of promoting social justice in all phases of national development.” “More consideration and clarifications are needed to be made by the DOTr in order to address the concerns voiced by affected stakeholders, especially the drivers,”  they added. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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House to fund WPS efforts amid intel budget cut: Measure isn’t cast in stone

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:44:23 PST

This handout photo taken on December 2, 2023 and released on December 3 by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows an aerial view of Chinese vessels gathered by Whitsun Reef, around 320 kilometers (200 miles) west of Palawan Island, in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Philippines said December 3 more than 135 Chinese vessels were “swarming” a reef off its coast, describing the boats’ growing presence as “alarming.” (Photo by Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP) This handout photo taken on December 2, 2023 and released on December 3 by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows an aerial view of Chinese vessels gathered by Whitsun Reef, around 320 kilometers (200 miles) west of Palawan Island, in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Philippines said December 3 more than 135 Chinese vessels were “swarming” a reef off its coast, describing the boats’ growing presence as “alarming.” (Photo by Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP) MANILA, Philippines — Protecting the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and other territories of the country will be supported in the 2025 national budget. This commitment was voiced by some members of the House of Representatives despite a lower confidential and intelligence fund (CIF) allocation for the security sector. In a press briefing on Tuesday, House Majority Floor Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said they will take guidance from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy on territorial integrity. He noted that budgetary needs of agencies securing the country’s waters like the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be funded. “The policy is always being set by the President and we take guidance from his Sona (State of the Nation Address), and everyone in the House knows how the President gives importance on defending our national territory and integrity,” Dalipe said. The lawmaker was responding to the question about security allocations in the P6.3 trillion proposed budget for 2025. “So, we in the House of Representatives take cue from the pronouncement of President Bongbong Marcos and no doubt, I think each member of the majority bloc would be in full support of the President in giving more support to the Philippines Coast Guard and all other agencies that would help protect, especially our fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea,” he added. Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said House members led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez have been adamant that funding for PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will be increased. “In addition, we were in Masinloc, I think, two months ago, one of our topics and discussions is to increase the budget of the Philippine Coast Guard and the BFAR as far as the fisherfolks are concerned,” Gonzales recalled. “That was what we talked about. I think, in our budget deliberations, we will tackle that issue and I understand na Congressman [Jay] Khonghun was the one who asked that and (raised) the issue of his kababayan in Zambales and, of course, the West Philippine Sea,” he added. In the deliberations for the 2024 budget, some of the confidential funds of civilian agencies were reallocated by the House to the PCG to support its mandate of securing the country’s waters. However, under the 2025 National Expenditures Program (NEP), the Department of Transportation — PCG’s mother agency — would just get the same P400 million intelligence fund as it did in 2024. READ: PCG to use add’l confidential funds to boost West Philippine Sea protection READ: How House removed, reduced the confidential funds of gov’t agencies Aside from PCG, the intelligence fund allocation of the Department of National Defense — another agency crucial in securing the country’s territories — decreased from P2.8 billion in 2024 to P1.7 billion in 2025. As a whole, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said on Monday, after turning over the NEP to the House, that proposed CIF allocations for 2025 went down by 16 percent. This meant that from P12.3 billion in the actual 2024 budget, the amount decreased to P10.2 billion the 2025 proposed allocations. READ: DBM: Confidential, intel funds for 2025 down 16% When asked about how the House would respond to this, Dalipe said they can still make alterations to the proposed budget. “First, we will ask the absorptive capacity utilization rate of the department or national agency concerned,” he said. “How were they able to utilize the fund and why did the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) recommend such changes?” he asked. “So, it will now be up to the national government agency to defend their proposal and in the event that they want an increase, I think it is incumbent upon the House, the power of the purse to put back again whatever a government agency needs,” Dalipe said. “So, it’s not done. The appropriation measure is not cast in stone. It is subject to revisions. It is subject to amendments and even that will not be final […],” the lawmaker explained. “So, if the proposal of the DBM or the executive budget needs to be adjusted, the House, the leadership of the House, is always attuned with the current times and basing on the speech of the President in the Sona, if things need adjusting […] the House will do such recommendation,” he added. READ: Solon thanks Marcos for early budget turnover: More time for scrutiny Gonzales and Dalipe expect the proposed budget to be approved by the House before Congress goes on a break in October, especially since the NEP was transmitted early. The NEP was submitted to Congress on Monday, or just seven days after Marcos’ Sona. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Under the 1987 Constitution, the budget should be transmitted to Congress within 30 days after a president’s Sona. For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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IHG’s luxury InterContinental brand returns to the Philippines at Hann Reserve

INQUIRER.net BrandRoom

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:00:13 PST

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, announces the return of InterContinental Hotels & Resorts – the world’s first and largest international luxury hotel brand – to the Philippines in a franchise agreement with Hann Philippines Inc., an emerging leader in the local luxury integrated resort (IR) sector with its Hann Resorts brand. L-R: IHG Senior Director for Development–Southeast Asia and Korea (SEAK) Chris Anklin, IHG Managing Director for SEAK Vivek Bhalla, Hann Philippines Chairman and CEO Dae Sik Han and IHG Vice President for Development–SEAK Patrick Finn. InterContinental Clark will sit at the heart of the 450-hectare Hann Reserve luxury estate in New Clark City. The development will feature three 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Nicklaus Design, KJ Choi, and Sir Nick Faldo, along with the country’s only PGA-affiliated player development facilities. Hann Reserve will also include exclusive ultra-luxury residences, lifestyle commercial centers, gaming, international school, and a 10-hectare public park. Construction will start on the 250-key property in 2027, ahead of it welcoming guests, including IHG One Rewards members, in 2031. Chris Anklin, Senior Director, Development, IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “With its bustling megacities, natural wonders and warm and friendly hospitality, the Philippines is a beautiful country where IHG has a rich history of delivering great stays for guests in Manila, Cebu and Makati. “The country has an ambition to become a regional tourism behemoth with rapid infrastructure development to promote ease of travel and strong growth potential. Hann Reserve represents one of the new waves of development growth in the market, which IHG is supporting. We are confident that InterContinental Clark will enhance its attractive mix of leisure, lifestyle and business offerings and we look forward to working alongside our partners to bring more of our much-loved brands to new and exciting locations across the country.” Dae Sik Han, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hann Philippines Inc. said: “We are delighted to partner with IHG to turn our vision for Hann Reserve into reality and return the InterContinental brand with its over 75 years of heritage back to the Philippines. I have always enjoyed my stays at InterContinental hotels, especially appreciating their unmatched heritage and history in luxury travel. “The InterContinental brand will bring a fresh take on luxury at Hann Reserve, an ultraluxe mountain resort getaway, and I’m confident it will elevate New Clark City as a world-class leisure destination. We hope this is the first of many collaborations through which we leverage IHG’s world-class Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio and introduce new tourism concepts and stay experiences for all travellers together.” Illustrative perspective of Hann Reserve at New Clark City, Tarlac. InterContinental Clark will be a 15-minute drive from Clark International Airport and a two-hour drive from Manila. Facilities are set to include two restaurants and two bars, meeting spaces for 600 people, the brand’s signature Club InterContinental Lounge, a Health Club and Spa, swimming pool, Kids Club and a retail outlet. The InterContinental brand, which has been pioneering luxury travel experiences for more than 75 years, is undergoing a transformative end-to-end evolution, reimagining the luxury travel experience for the modern luxury traveller. InterContinental Clark will join more than 200 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts properties globally, each of which celebrates bold exploration, travel and cultural discovery. As of March 2024, IHG has five open hotels in the Philippines – four of which are part of the Holiday Inn brand family – and will introduce new brands in its pipeline including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Six Senses. ADVT. This article is brought to you by Hann Resorts. Subscribe to our business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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SolGen: Gov’t will not stand in way of ICC probe

Jane Bautista

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 05:55:00 PST

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra —photo from the House of Representatives Facebook page Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra —photo from the House of Representatives Facebook page MANILA, Philippines — Despite the Philippines’ complete disengagement from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2019, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said the government would not stand in the way of the prosecutor’s investigation of the Duterte administration’s bloody drug war. “[The Philippines] has no legal duty to lend any assistance to the ICC prosecutor in conducting his investigation. But the Philippine government cannot stop him from proceeding any way he wants,” Guevarra told reporters. READ: Dela Rosa, 4 others now suspects in ICC ‘drug war’ case – Trillanes The ICC’s prosecutor’s office, led by Karim Khan, is looking into the alleged “crimes against humanity” perpetrated during the ruthless campaign against illegal drugs waged by former President Rodrigo Duterte. The ICC has maintained that its inquiry is “within the jurisdiction of the court” from Nov. 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019, or when the country was still a member of the international tribunal. Guevarra confirmed that the ICC prosecutor sought assistance from the government earlier this month to interview former and current high-ranking police officers allegedly involved in the deaths of thousands of people in what was then known as “Oplan Tokhang.” He said the Hague-based tribunal could interview persons of interest via online platforms, phone, email, or in person, provided they have consented. “But the ICC prosecutor cannot expect that the Philippine government will facilitate it for him,” he pointed out. The solicitor general issued the statement after former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV shared a confidential ICC document tagging former Philippine National Police chief and now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa and four other retired and current police officers who had “concrete involvement” in the systematic killings in the implementation of the antidrug campaign. The others named by the ICC prosecutor’s office were retired PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Romeo Caramat Jr., former National Police Commission chief Edilberto Leonardo, and former PNP chief intelligence officer Eleazar Mata. Guevarra clarified that these five individuals were “not accused” but “under suspicion.” He added that his office already submitted its recommendation to Malacañang regarding the ICC’s recent request, but gave no further details. Reacting to Guevarra’s statement, Trillanes said he believed the Marcos administration would eventually cooperate with the ICC. “President Marcos will say what he needs to say, but when the time comes, he will do what he needs to do,” Trillanes said in a message to the Inquirer. Marcos said in January that his administration would not lift a finger to aid the ICC probe into the drug war, since the tribunal’s action was a “threat” to the country’s sovereignty. The President also said in April that the Philippines would not hand Duterte over to the ICC. On May 8, the Department of Justice disclosed that it was working on a legal brief that would lay down “all the legal options” for the President regarding any arrest warrants that may be issued by the ICC, including the Philippines’ possible return to the jurisdiction of the Rome Statute, the 2002 treaty that established the court. “Once the ICC warrants of arrest, if ever, are issued, then he will know what the legalities are, his options, and the President’s remedies,” said Assistant Justice Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV. He noted that the legal brief would be done “with an awareness that policy frameworks may evolve,” but clarified that the government’s stance of not recognizing the ICC’s jurisdiction in the country did not change. The government’s refusal to be covered by the ICC’s jurisdiction stems from its assertion that the Philippines has a “robust and functional justice system capable of addressing internal issues without external interference.” On June 27, President Marcos said former Sen. Leila de Lima’s acquittal should be proof that the Philippine justice system works. While De Lima said after her acquittal that she would help the ICC in the case against Duterte, Marcos said it was up to the former lawmaker to work with the ICC and reiterated the Philippines’ position that the tribunal has no jurisdiction over the country. However, based on the investigation of the advocacy group Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) Inc., 95 percent, or 92 out of 97 of the alleged extrajudicial killings it examined were either never investigated or were not followed up after the routine initial inquiries by authorities. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “The general consensus from victims and their families is that there are no genuine investigations, completed or ongoing, from the Philippine government and its agents,” according to the IDEALS’ survey organized in partnership with AJ Kalinga Foundation. —with reports from Kathleen De Villa and Inquirer Research News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1967709/solgen-govt-will-not-stand-in-way-of-icc-probe

Paris Olympics: Finnegan, Malabuyo, Ruivivar keep slim chances alive

Lance Agcaoili

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:23:35 PST

The Philippines’ Aleah Finnegan competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP) The Philippines’ Aleah Finnegan competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on July 28, 2024. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP) MANILA, Philippines — The trio of Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Ruivivar may have slim chances of making it to the final round of artistic gymnastics but they debuted in style in the Paris Olympics 2024 on Sunday at Bercy Arena in France. After three subdivisions, the Filipino-Americans didn’t make it to the top 24 of the all-around category as Ruivivar and Malabuyo placed 28th and 29th, respectively, garnering identical scores of 51.099, while Finnegan placed 33rd with 50.498 points. With two more subdivisions to go on Monday (Manila time), only the top 24 finalists advance to the all-around final, while the top eight in each of the apparatuses compete for medals. Only two gymnasts from each country will advance to the finals. Finnegan reached the top 10 in the vault with 13.383 for a reserve spot in the apparatus final on Saturday. She placed 27th in floor exercise with 12.733 points, 37th in uneven bars (12.566), and 43rd in balance beam (11.466). The 18-year-old Ruivivar, the youngest member of Team Philippines,  placed 26th in uneven bars with 13.200 points, 36th in floor exercise (12.433), and 40th in balance beam (11.866), and had 13.600 points in vault. Malabuyo had her best showing in floor exercise as No. 20 (13.100), placed 36th in balance beam (12.233) and 39th in uneven bars (12.500), and scored 13.266 in vault. American Simone Biles dominated after three subdivisions with an all-around score of 59.566, while topping the vault and floor exercise. She placed second in the balance beam and eighth in uneven bars. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Icoy Rapadas and individuality in the age of modern food content creation

No author found

2024-07-31T01:43:46+00:00

If you spend a lot of time on the internet, then you might have already seen Icoy Rapadas’ cooking content on your social media feed. And if you haven’t yet, they go as such—he strolls into his apartment after a long day of work. Rapadas shrugs off his jacket, takes off his accessories, and starts cooking his meal for the evening. Whether it’s a comforting creamy chicken dish (his family’s own recipe), a mouthwatering croque madame (“pina-sosyal na ham and egg and cheese sandwich”), or his own recreation of a meal he’s seen on a TV show (see: Chef Sydney’s famous omelet from “The Bear”), it always looks pretty damn good. Pair these visuals with some calm, composed commentary reminiscent of an ASMR video. He speaks casually in a mix of Filipino and English; it sounds exactly like a friend teaching you how to craft a dish from scratch over Facetime. Throwing in an unexpected joke or two and some personal tidbits here and there, he’s done with the meal before you know it and sits down to eat. Rapadas ends every video with a single word, delivered in both a warm yet nonchalant manner: “Kain.” Sounds simple, yes, but these videos are exactly what charmed his rapidly growing fanbase, garnering him 142,000 followers on TikTok, 150,000 on Facebook, and 98,000 on Instagram as of writing. In just half a year since starting in January 2024, Rapadas has gone full-time food content creator, quitting his corporate day job as the brand deals came reeling in—truly a success story for aspiring food content creators out there. A post shared by icoy rapadas (@icoylaa) His average viewer would be surprised to find out that once upon a time, Rapadas was “an eat- to-live, not a live-to-eat type of guy.” His love for food only started in 2016, when a former colleague who knew all the best restaurants around their office in Kapitolyo introduced him to the wonders of great meals. Cooking came soon after when Rapadas took a break from work for nine months, doing it out of necessity and learning how to make the dishes he craved from his parents’ home. “I actually first started [making videos] during the pandemic, putting out a total of five videos. Format was completely different back then, but it still gained some traction,” Rapadas says about his early content creation days. “Pero ‘di ko tinuloy kasi ‘di ko pa kaya i-handle ’yung mga haters, so I stopped.” Finally, after taking some additional culinary classes at CCA Manila in 2022 and moving into his own place last year—the very same one his viewers see in his videos—Rapadas decided to craft food content again with a refreshed perspective. While food remains the main attraction of his videos, Rapadas, who also happens to front the rock band Lions and Acrobats, wanted to sprinkle bits of lifestyle and his unique personality in his content, with space and fashion turning into supporting elements that his audience can appreciate. This food-slash-lifestyle combo, he thinks, is exactly the type of material lacking in the local food content space. “When I put [my content] out, it was just good timing, serving a certain gap in the market. On a local level, the food content here is really about the food, about the recipes. That’s where most of the focus is rather than the person creating the food,” Rapadas shares. “In other countries, it recently became a thing where people have taken more interest in the creator and their lifestyle rather than just the food.” Rapadas drew from renowned international food influencers like Olivia Tiedemann, Anna Archibald and Kevin Serai, Matty Matheson, and Yung Cook God among others. He says, “When I tried taking on that approach, it worked almost instantly. I took inspiration from all of them and put together a format that works for me. ‘Di ako nag copy-paste, ginaya ko lang ‘yung atake, but I made sure to just highlight who I am, and share my stories.” A post shared by icoy rapadas (@icoylaa) What makes Rapadas’ videos stand out from other Filipino food content creators is most definitely the supporting character of his content—fashion. He emphasizes further that fashion’s infiltration into F&B has become somewhat of a recent phenomenon, citing how “chefcore” style and workwear are now a trend. From local restaurants collaborating with brands for merchandise to the meticulous plating of dishes, the focus on aesthetics enhances the overall dining experience, making food a multi-sensory affair. Its convergence with fashion also resonates with consumers’ desire for self-expression and connection to culinary culture. “My sense of style is heavily influenced by Japanese fashion, amekaji wear, workwear, Japanese Americana, and ivy primarily, tapos minsan may gorpcore din,” says Rapadas, with his clothing not going unnoticed by his viewers and other prominent names in food, such as JP Anglo and content creator Cyrus Jimenez. For Rapadas, the secret to success in this new age of food content creation are, first, to be a chronic online consumer (“That’s how you’ll know where and how you’ll fit in”) and second, to just be yourself, as cheesy as that sounds. A post shared by icoy rapadas (@icoylaa) “I think that’s when it clicked for me that people will only start following you when they’re invested in you,” he advises. “Find a way to showcase who you are. You have to have a strong sense of self, kilalanin mo sarili mo, then find a way to best show that. When you figure that out, unique ‘yan because no one else is like you.” And to that, we say in true Icoy Rapadas fashion—boogsh. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Mark Villar says major infra projects in Clark ‘engine of growth’ for PH

Luisa Cabato

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:06:29 PST

Clark, Pampanga. INQUIRER FILES Clark, Pampanga. INQUIRER FILES MANILA, Philippines — Major infrastructure projects are poised to transform Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone into a significant engine of growth not just for Luzon but for the entire country, Senator Mark Villar said. These projects include the Clark International Airport Expansion Project, the Clark National Food Hub, and the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway Project, all part of the proposed Luzon Economic Corridor. READ: Clark freeport attracts P44.5B investment in 1st quarter of 2024 “Kapag natapos po ‘yong mga projects–‘yong mga airport, ‘yong mga railway–I foresee that this will be one of the major engines of growth in our country that will allow us to reach the next level of development,” Villar said during a forum last July 17, as quoted in a statement from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Monday. (Once the projects are completed—the airport, the railway—I foresee that this will be one of the major engines of growth in our country that will allow us to reach the next level of development.) The senator chairs the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises. Government agencies and private companies are collaborating to implement major projects and investments in Clark, according to BCDA. Some of these include BCDA’s partnership with Maharlika Investment Corporation, which aims to include BCDA projects in the country’s first sovereign wealth fund. READ: BCDA sets public transport system demo, study for Clark ecozone Luzon International Premiere Airport Development, the operator of Clark International Airport, has also signed an agreement with Federal Express Corporation to expand the logistics company’s operations in Clark. Additionally, the provincial government of Tarlac, in partnership with the BCDA, has welcomed Narra Technology Park Development Inc.’s future investment worth P146 billion alloted to establish a 300-megawatt hyperscale data center in New Clark City. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. STB GigaFactory Inc.’s electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant at the Filinvest Innovation Park in New Clark City is slated to start operations this year. Subscribe to our business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Kathryn Bernardo gives glimpse of Canada trip for ‘Hello, Love, Again’ filming

Anne Pasajol

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:20:35 PST

Kathryn Bernardo. Image: Instagram/@bernardokath Kathryn Bernardo. Image: Instagram/@bernardokath Kathryn Bernardo treated excited fans to a peek at her arrival in Canada, where she is set to shoot her much-anticipated film with Alden Richards, “Hello, Love, Again.” The actress showed moments from her flight and from an airport through her Instagram page on Friday, July 26, two days after she left the Philippines. Also included in the post is a video of her carrying a bag she got from a vehicle’s compartment, and a snap of what appears to be her script for the movie. “A little update from Canada,” she captioned her post. A post shared by Kathryn Bernardo 🐘 (@bernardokath) Meanwhile, Richards flew to Hong Kong alongside director Cathy Garcia-Sampana in June, where they had begun shooting for the film as well. It was not immediately known, however, if the actor had already left for Canada to film with Bernardo. “Hello, Love, Again” is the sequel to Bernardo and Richards’ hit film “Hello, Love, Goodbye” released in 2019. Other cast members who will be reprising their roles in the followup film are Joross Gamboa and Jeffrey Tam. “Hello, Love, Again” is slated for release in Philippine cinemas this coming Nov. 13. Further details on the movie, including its storyline and other cast members, have yet to be announced as of this writing. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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3D seismic surveys in Palawan for oil, gas resources completed

Philippine News Agency

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:15:23 PST

Department of Energy facade from DOE / FILE Department of Energy facade from DOE / FILE MANILA — The Department of Energy (DOE) said Tuesday two seismic surveys in the Palawan basins were completed as part of the country’s exploration for indigenous oil and gas resources. Israeli firm Ratio Petroleum Ltd., the operator of Service Contract (SC) No. 76, completed its survey in the East Palawan Basin, while PNOC Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) concluded its own survey in the Northwest Palawan Basin under SC 57, it said in a statement. The DOE said the collected data will help understand the geological features of the basins and assess their oil and gas potential. READ: DOE approves conduct of 3D seismic survey of East Palawan Basin “The completion of these surveys marks a significant milestone in the nation’s petroleum exploration efforts, underscoring the DOE’s commitment to pursuing high-impact activities to support inclusive economic growth and societal advancement,” DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla said. DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said the processing of information from the activities up to the analysis and evaluation of data will take at least one and a half years. Moreover, the agency approved these surveys as part of the companies’ service contract commitments. The operations were supported by the provincial government of Palawan and various national government agencies. Ratio and PNOC-EC have contracted Shearwater Geoservices company and its seismic survey vessel SW Thuridur to collect the data. The surveys, conducted from March 18 to June 20, 2024, covered 1,619 square kilometers in SC 76 and 1,519 square kilometers in SC 57. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Over 220M coins deposited in BSP machines

Philippine News Agency

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 08:53:07 PST

COIN MACHINES Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla (center) pose with BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and BDO chair and SM Investments Corp. vice chair Teresita Sy-Coson (right) at the launching of coin deposit machines at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. —PHOTO FROM BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS COIN MACHINES Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla (center) pose with BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and BDO chair and SM Investments Corp. vice chair Teresita Sy-Coson (right) at the launching of coin deposit machines at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. —PHOTO FROM BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS MANILA – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said P831.77 million worth of coins have been deposited through its coin deposit machines (CoDM) as of July 15. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the BSP said the amount is equivalent to 223.02 million pieces of coins from 202,110 transactions. CoDMs allow customers to conveniently deposit their legal tender coins to be credited to their GCash or Maya electronic wallet accounts or converted into shopping vouchers. READ: BSP launches coin deposit machines The coin deposit machines support the BSP’s Coin Recirculation Program that aims to put idle coins back in circulation to serve the currency needs of the country. The BSP has so far deployed 25 CoDMs in partner retail establishments across the Greater Manila Area. The CoDMs are located at Robinsons Place Metro East, Pasig City and Antipolo, Rizal; Novaliches and New Manila (Magnolia) in Quezon City; Ermita, Manila; and Ortigas (Galleria); Festival Mall, Muntinlupa City; SM Hypermarket FTI, Taguig City; and SM malls Megamall, Mandaluyong City; Southmall, Las Piñas City; and Mall of Asia, Pasay City; and SM City Grand Central, Caloocan; Marilao, Bulacan; Taytay and San Mateo, Rizal; Sucat and Bicutan, Parañaque; Calamba, Laguna; Marikina City; Valenzuela; North EDSA and Fairview, QC; San Lazaro, Manila; and Bacoor, Cavite. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Gov’t raises P30B from Treasury bond sale

Mariedel Irish U. Catilogo

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:03:00 PST

The government successfully sold its planned amount of long-term debt securities on Tuesday’s auction of Treasury bonds (T-bonds), driven by investors seeking to lock in higher rates ahead of a widely anticipated policy rate cut next month. Auction results showed that the Bureau of the Treasury made a full award of P30 billion in reissued T-bonds, which have a remaining life of three years and one month. The total bids amounted to P62.6 billion, exceeding the size of the original offering by 2.1 times. READ: T-bills rates rise ahead of August MB meet The debt paper fetched an average rate of 6.009 percent, lower than the 6.071 percent rate of the comparable three-year debt note issued on May 28. However, it was more expensive than the 5.982 percent quoted for the same tenor in the secondary market. Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., attributed the higher yield to investors looking to secure high returns on debt securities, anticipating a widely expected 25-basis point (bps) cut in the local central bank policy rate. The Monetary Board has indicated a possible rate cut of 25 bps as early as August, with another 25 bps reduction eyed before the end of the year, possibly preceding any similar move by the US Federal Reserve. To combat inflation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has raised its benchmark rate to 6.5 percent, with a cumulative increase of 450 bps—or 4.5 percentage points—from May 2022 to October 2023. The Monetary Board will conduct its policy review on Aug. 15, the only policy meeting scheduled this quarter. The government borrows from both local and foreign sources to fund its budget deficit, which is capped at P1.48 trillion or 5.6 percent of the economic output this year. INQ Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Security roadmap inked; US aid assured regardless of new president

Philippine News Agency

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:56:39 PST

[From left to right] United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken,  and the Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. join hands during a photo opportunity before the start of ‘4th Philippines-US Two-Plus-Two Ministerial Consultations’ at the Tejeros Hall at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on July 30, 2024. (Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net) [From left to right] United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken,  and the Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. join hands during a photo opportunity before the start of ‘4th Philippines-US Two-Plus-Two Ministerial Consultations’ at the Tejeros Hall at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on July 30, 2024. (Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net) MANILA – The United States’ defense and security support to the Philippines will continue whoever wins its presidential election in November, State Secretary Antony Blinken affirmed Tuesday. “Elections are a regular feature of our democracy. What’s also a regular feature is a strong, longstanding alliance between our countries, and that doesn’t change from election-to-election,” Blinken said in a joint presser at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. The assurance was buttressed by the announcement of the first ever Bilateral Security Sector Roadmap, completed and signed on Monday, a day before the 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial meeting among Blinken, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III. The roadmap, signed by US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, aims to identify priority defense platforms and force packages that will bolster combined deterrence and capacity to resist coercion in the next years. In the same presser, Lloyd noted that Manila would continue to see “bipartisan support” as he characterized the Philippine-US ties as a relationship that goes beyond allies. “I’ve said a number of times that we’re more than allies. We’re family,” he said. “Again, we continue to enjoy bipartisan support, and that’s going to happen going forward in the future.” In announcing the roadmap, Lloyd said the plan would ensure that “mutual investments go toward the most important capabilities.” He bared that the US earmarked USD500 million for the Philippines out of the USD2 billion Indo-Pacific foreign military funding that Washington, D.C. announced in April. Meanwhile, Manalo echoed the two ministers’ optimism as he noted the continuously growing US-Philippines partnership, which he said has reached its “high point.” “The fundamental factors accounting for all of that is not only our shared adherence to democratic values, to social justice, but also the strong people-to-people relationship, which has really been the bedrock of our relationship,” he said. “I can say that, aside from having shared interests, shared strategic outlook, all those factors will combine to ensure that our relationship continues beyond perhaps seven decades, and even more so,” he added. During the 2+2 meeting, the four ministers reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to the alliance and discussed various subjects such as economic and defense cooperation, including the current situation in the West Philippine Sea. “Let me end by emphasizing that the Philippines will continue to uphold and protect the rules-based international order in the midst of a regional landscape that is significantly under stress,” Manalo said on the South China Sea issues. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “In our discussions, I have conveyed the situation in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, and that remains a priority to our government. In line with our treaty obligations, we discussed recent developments and committed to continue our work together in upholding Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.” Subscribe to our global news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Meralco’s nuclear dream pushed back to 2032

Lisbet K. Esmael

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:05:00 PST

While Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) representatives are set to fly to the United States and Canada to touch base with nuclear energy players, the Meralco group’s planned deployment of small-scale reactors would still be delayed by “eight to 10 years,” tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan said. “The timetable for deployment of SMR or MMR (small modular or micro modular or reactors) could be moved back as far as 2032, 2035,” the Meralco chair told reporters following the company’s financial results briefing on Monday. Pangilinan said that an MMR can have a minimum power generating capacity of 20 megawatts, while an SMR’s capacity will range between 50 megawatts (MW) to 70 MW. READ: PH must diversify nuke energy tech to meet 1,200 MW goal by 2032 Earlier, he said they were aiming at making Meralco group’s nuclear power plants operational by 2028. According to Pangilinan, companies they spoke with on a recent visit to South Korea, including top power plant builders and suppliers that cater to American customers, said that developing SMRs “turned out to be more difficult than anticipated.” Currently, Meralco is learning more on micro than on small modular reactors in efforts to help the government hit the target of having 1,200 MW of nuclear power capacity by 2032. This, as Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho said tapping MMR may “not be enough.” “Anyway, whatever the size might be, but roughly about eight to 10 years from today in terms of commercial deployment, we still are very keen to purchase a proof-of-concept plant, if it’s one to five megawatts,” Pangilinan said. Meralco’s intention is to deploy reactors in far-flung areas. Pangilinan previously said that starting with MMR in remote areas can help “produce power and demonstrate that it’s a safe mode of producing power.” Meanwhile, Aperocho said that Meralco key officials will meet with two to three leading players in the nuclear energy space in the US and Canada. Asked about the feasibility study with US-based company Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp., Aperocho said they still need to iron out some issues “as soon as possible.” “Maybe that’s part of our itinerary in the US,” he said. Froilan Savet Meralco First Vice President and Head of Networks also said the scheduled trips would also focus on signing memorandum of agreements with two universities as the group plans to send scholars to study nuclear engineering. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Aside from South Korea, the company is also seeking ties in France and Japan for the capability development of its people. INQ Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Roque apologizes, vows to cooperate in investigation of Chinese fugitive

Faith Argosino

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 06:52:21 PST

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau) Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau) MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque apologized to Chinese authorities and vowed to fully cooperate with concerned national government agencies in bringing the man arrested in a house he partly owns in Tuba, Benguet, to justice. Reports revealed that Khuon Moeurn, 37, who claimed to be a Cambodian national, was a “very high-level” Chinese fugitive who had evaded arrest in his home country, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros. Roque assured Philippine and Chinese authorities that PH2 Corporation, where he is a stockholder, would never abet or harbor a wanted foreign criminal in any of its properties, and that the company “rescinded its lease contract with its Chinese female lessee, Wan Yun.” He explained that they did not know that Wan Yun had a male partner who turned out to be a fugitive from China and that both parties had already “terminated the contract” in July. “The officers and stockholders of PH2 Corporate shall fully cooperate with the Embassy of China and our law enforcers in investigating the said Chinese fugitive. We apologize specifically to the Chinese authorities that a person whom we did not know to be a fugitive in their county took residence in the leased property,” Roque said in a statement on Tuesday evening. “When the Corporation entered into a lease contract with Ms. Wan Yun on January 15, 2024, she identified herself as a single Chinese national. The same information is indicated in Ms. Wan Yun’s passport and alien registration certificate,” he added. “No officer or stockholder of PH2 knew that a wanted person in his home country was staying at its corporate-owned house in Pinewoods Golf and Country Club in Tuba, Benguet,” Roque pointed out. Roque also reiterated that he never lobbied for the license renewal of the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) Lucky South 99. “In the July 10 and July 29 Senate hearing[s] on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo), Chairman Tengco testified under oath that we only discussed the rescheduling of arrears payment of my client, Whirlwind Corporation,” he said. “The Pagcor chair never once said that I lobbied for any Pogo. Those who state otherwise are spreading lies to defame and destroy my reputation,” he added. In a Senate hearing last July 10, Tenco said Roque called his office in July 2023, asking if he could have an appointment with Pagcor. The Pagcor chief also revealed that Roque was with Cassandra Lee Ong of Lucky South 99, adding that they were seeking to settle the license and unpaid arrears of the firm. Before this, Pagcor had already disclosed that a former “high-ranking” Cabinet official had been lobbying for the granting of licenses to illegal Pogos, which were recently raided. But Tengco, during the hearing, insisted that Roque “did not pressure” Pagcor to grant a license to Lucky South 99. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. On the other hand, Atty. Jessa Fernandez of Pagcor said Roque reached out to her office six times. One of these instances includes Roque asking which documents are still needed for the Pogo hub to be granted a license. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Villar firm offers premium rate to raise $300M

Meg J. Adonis, Thony Rose F. Lesaca

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:12:00 PST

The upcoming maturity of an existing debt has pushed a subsidiary of Vista Land and Lifescapes to pursue its overseas debt issuance at a high rate, raising $300 million. In a stock exchange filing on Tuesday, Vista Land said the five-year notes issued by VLL International Inc., an entity created for the purpose of issuing debt paper, were priced at a high 9.375 percent a year. This represents the interest rate that VLL International needs to pay bondholders. READ: Villar’s Vista Land savors real estate turnaround CreditSights, a company under international think tank Fitch Solutions, previously pointed out that VLL International had a $350-million debt due in November, forcing the Manny Villar-led company to proceed with the issuance despite high rates. The bonds, which will be listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Ltd., were likewise unrated by credit rating companies, implying a high-risk issuance for investors. Juan Paolo Colet, managing director at investment bank China Bank Capital Corp., said VLL International offered a “reasonable premium” to achieve its target issue size. “The new bonds will probably increase VLL’s overall borrowing cost, but this also means the company is confident that it can deploy the funds efficiently and profitably,” Colet said in a Viber message. According to Vista Land, the bonds were issued under VLL International’s $2-billion medium-term note program. These are also guaranteed by Vista Land and its subsidiaries Brittany Corp., Camella Homes Inc., Communities Philippines Inc., Crown Asia Properties Inc., Vista Residences Inc., and Vistamalls Inc. This means that should VLL International default on the bond obligation, repayment will be shouldered by the guarantors. Union Bank of the Philippines was tapped as the domestic lead manager, while DBS Bank Ltd. and HSBC were the joint global coordinators, bookrunners and lead managers. Vista Land has a P30-billion planned capital expenditure this year, 98 percent of which, or P29.4 billion, will be spent on building new residential units and land development. The remaining 2 percent of the budget will be set aside for land acquisition and construction of investment properties, according to Vista Land president and CEO Manuel Paolo Villar. The property giant, which currently has over 100 investment properties covering 1.6 million square meters, has so far spent P7 billion. Despite slower consumer spending, Vista Land’s earnings in the first quarter expanded by 11 percent to P3 billion, driven by new projects. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Revenues likewise jumped by 11 percent to P10 billion, while reservation sales reached P20.8 billion, up by 12 percent. INQ Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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2 to 3 tropical cyclones expected in August

John Eric Mendoza

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:23:20 PST

MANILA, Philippines — Two to three tropical cyclones are expected to form or enter the Philippine area of responsibility in August, state meteorologists said on Wednesday. “Sa buwan ng Agosto, inaasahan natin ang dalawa o tatlong bagyo na mabubuo o papasok sa Philippine area of responsibility,” said Obet Badrina, weather specialist of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), in a public weather forecast. (This August, we expect two or three tropical cyclones to form or enter the Philippine area of responsibility.) In July, two tropical cyclones, “Butchoy” and “Carina,” struck the country. The combined effects of southwest monsoon or “habagat” and Carina resulted in the death of 39 persons, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Badrina, however, said no tropical cyclones are expected this weekend. The “habagat”, Pagasa said, is weakening and only affecting parts of Luzon, although rains are still expected in many parts of the country. “Sa ating latest satellite imagery, nakikita natin ang pag-iral ng  habagat nakikita natin na humihina na ang southwest monsoon magdadala pa din ito ng mas malaking tiyansa ng thunderstorm lalo na sa kanlurang bahagi ng Luzon,” he said. (Based on our latest satellite imagery, the prevailing southwest monsoon is now starting to weaken, but rain is still expected in the western section of Luzon.) Pagasa also reported no gale warning for the country’s seaboards. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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House OKs motorcycle taxis bill

Jeannette I. Andrade

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 04:55:00 PST

INQUIRER.net stock images INQUIRER.net stock images MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on Tuesday in its third and final reading a measure recognizing motorcycle taxis as common carriers and additional modes of public transportation. With 200 lawmakers voting in the affirmative and only Kabataan party list Rep. Raoul Manuel opposing, House Bill No. 10424, or the proposed Motorcycles-for-Hire Act, was given the final nod during Tuesday’s plenary session. Under the bill, motorcycle taxis will be considered common carriers and public utility vehicles (PUVs) for the transportation of passengers and goods, including parcels and mail. They are required to register with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which will be tasked to ensuring their roadworthiness. READ: Speaker pushes law on motorcycle taxis The draft measure also tasks the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to work with the Department of Trade and Industry and LTO in setting the standards and specifications for motorcycles-for-hire to ensure the safety of passengers and transported cargo. It likewise authorizes the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to issue franchises or certificates of public convenience to motorcycle taxis. READ: LTFRB approves four more motorcycle taxi firms Under the bill, motorcycle taxi platform providers (MTPPs) and online E-commerce platform providers (OEPPs) must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The LTFRB, in addition to issuing franchises, will prescribe the fares, surcharges and other transportation fees to be charged by operators, OEPPs or MTPPs of motorcycle taxis in consultation with the industry and subject to DOTr approval. Speaker Martin Romualdez said the passage of the bill showed that the House recognizes “that motorcycles-for-hire not just serve as an efficient alternative to mass public transportation but also [as] a viable source of livelihood for Filipinos.” Motorcycle taxis were allowed to operate starting in June 2019 under a six-month pilot program to determine their suitability as PUVs. The test run was then extended until March 2020, only to be overtaken by the pandemic. It was later decided to further expand and lengthen the program to allow more motorcycle taxis to participate. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Megawide unit’s green community gets P500-M boost from BPI

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:06:00 PST

The property development arm of Megawide Construction Corp. is set to get a fresh P500-million loan from the Ayala group’s Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to fund a residential development project in Bulacan that is touted as “disruptive” with “enviro-smart” features. PH1 World Developers on Tuesday said it had already signed the loan agreement with BPI that was expected to help “accelerate” the company’s growth in the next two years via Northscapes in San Jose del Monte. “We thank BPI for their vote of confidence in both PH1 and Megawide, through Northscapes, and our goal to bring energy-efficient communities to emerging locations such as San Jose del Monte,” PH1 president Gigi Alcantara said in a statement. READ: Megawide erases losses amid flurry of projects The 4.6-hectare project is set to feature 338 “energy-efficient” housing units, according to PH1. The developer added that each house would have solar panels, tinted windows and insulated walls to reduce the amount of energy needed to cool the homes, thus “significantly cutting down electricity costs.” Townhouses in Northscapes range from 53 square meters (sq m) to 70 sq m, while single attached house models could have up to 95 sq m of space, PH1 said. Earlier this year, tycoon Edgar Saavedra-led Megawide announced it would set aside P2 billion in capital expenditure for the pipeline projects of PH1. These include the ongoing redevelopment of subsidiary Cebu2World Development Inc.’s Carbon Market District in Cebu City. PH1, which Megawide acquired for P5.2 billion from affiliate Citicore Holdings Investments Inc. last year, also broke ground in May for its mid-rise housing project in Imus, Cavite province. The first two residential buildings are set for completion in 2026, while another tower with commercial establishments is expected to be completed by 2028. In March, PH1 formed a joint venture with builder ProFriends to develop another project in Imus, this time two mid-rise buildings with 190 units each. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2026. —Meg J. Adonis INQ Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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PayPal token debuts on Gcash crypto platform

Meg J. Adonis

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:07:00 PST

Ayala-backed e-wallet platform GCash has launched PayPal’s stable coin locally, allowing Filipinos to trade a type of cryptocurrency protected from price volatility that is common among digital assets. GCash on Tuesday said PayPal USD (PYUSD) tokens could now be traded via GCrypto, an in-app feature powered by the Philippine Digital Asset Exchange, at “low transaction fees.” Stable coins are a type of cryptocurrency tied to another currency, commodity or financial instrument. READ: PayPal funds can now be redeemed via GCash In the case of PYUSD, it is tied to the US dollar and its value is meant to be equivalent to $1.“Through this joint effort, we are creating opportunities for Filipinos to utilize cryptocurrency in their daily lives,” Kenneth Chua, PDAX chief business development officer, said in a statement. “Whether it’s sending remittances or making purchases, this initiative will allow users to embrace digital assets as a secure and practical solution,” Chua added. According to GCash, PYUSD is issued by Paxos Trust Co. and employs multiple blockchains to give users more flexibility and choices with stable coins. GCash currently requires users to be at least 18 years old with a fully verified account before they can trade cryptocurrencies via GCrypto. “Crypto, unlike centralized currencies, is digital, secure and available for everyone,” said Winsley Bangit, GCash vice president and group head of new business. “Inclusivity is a way to maximize economic growth. The transcendence of crypto, partnered with a platform like ours, creates a more solid structure on how our users can grow their wealth,” Bangit added. GCash launched GCrypto in 2023, driven by the growing popularity of cryptocurrency in the Philippines. INQ Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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DepEd has until August to find over 20,000 teachers

Jeannette I. Andrade

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 05:05:00 PST

INQUIRER.net file photo INQUIRER.net file photo MANILA, Philippines — With just a month to go before its deadline, only 9 percent of the 22,323 vacant teaching positions nationwide have been filled by the Department of Education (DepEd). Around 22 percent of the vacancies were in various stages of being processed, Education Undersecretary for human resource and organizational development Wilfredo Cabral informed members of the House committee on appropriations on Tuesday during an oversight hearing. “As of this date, we have 9 percent of these items filled up. Twenty-two percent of the total teaching items are already in the different stages of appointment … and … we have launched a monitoring system for all regions to verify, which regions are complying,” he said. READ: PH schools open amid familiar woes According to him, the DepEd issued a memorandum order last year instructing regional directors and school division superintendents to draft catch-up plans to fill up the vacant teaching positions. He said they were closely monitoring compliance to “ensure that by August, as we specifically stated in our memorandum, that all of these items —whether newly created or previously unfilled—should be filled up to ensure that the budget allocated for these items should be utilized within the end of the fiscal year.” House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party list Rep. France Castro noted that there were also 9,673 unfilled items for nonteaching personnel, mostly for administrative officers and assistants. Cabral described the items as “hard to fill” posts due to their high turnover rate. “Once [applicants] get the position, after a certain period of time, they leave and look for greener pastures.” he said. Upon DepEd’s request, the budget department approved the creation of 5,000 nonteaching positions this year to relieve teachers of administrative tasks and allow them to focus on providing quality education. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Neglect of animals in San Juan City pound hit

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 05:15:00 PST

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito —Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito —Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB MANILA, Philippines — Sen. JV Ejercito on Tuesday urged the San Juan City government to hold all responsible parties accountable for the alleged neglect of animals in its city pound. Animal welfare group Strategic Power for Animal Respondents-Philippines earlier expressed concern over the reported “mistreatment” and “neglect” of animals being kept in the city pound after they were left to drown in floodwaters due to Supertyphoon Carina (international name: Gaemi). READ: Heart Evangelista extends help to homeless, abandoned pets after Carina Several cats and dogs, in photos shared by the group on social media, were seen locked up in cages as floods rose inside the compound. Concerned citizens also reported that many animals died due to maltreatment inside the pound even before the typhoon, according to the animal welfare group. “I am very saddened by this tragedy in San Juan. As a dog lover, this is too painful to see innocent lives lost due to negligence,” Ejercito said in a statement. He also called on the local government to implement measures to prevent similar future incidents. —Tina G. Santos Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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BINI meets global fans at KCON LA panel; interacts with Enhypen, KATSEYE

Hannah Mallorca

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:52:37 PST

(From left) BINI participated in a panel discussion and interacted with Enhypen and KATSEYE at KCON LA 2024. Images: X/@bini_ph, Tiktok/@enhypen, @bini_ph, @katseyeworld (From left) BINI participated in a panel discussion and interacted with Enhypen and KATSEYE at KCON LA 2024. Images: X/@bini_ph, Tiktok/@enhypen, @bini_ph, @katseyeworld KCON LA 2024 was an unforgettable experience for BINI as they had the chance to meet their international fans at a panel discussion and interact with K-pop boy group Enhypen and global girl group KATSEYE. BINI was included in the festival’s “Meet The Rising Stars: BINI” panel on Monday, July 29 (Philippine time) where international fans had the chance to know more about the P-pop girl group. This came after the female octet performed their recent single “Cherry On Top” at KCON LA 2024’s “M Countdown” pre-show stage the day prior. The group’s leader Jhoanna, however, was absent in the event due to health-related issues. One of the highlights of the panel was BINI talking about their experiences as female artists, as seen on @drussmycol’s X (formerly Twitter) page. “It is indeed hard… I think for us, girls, since we all share similar experiences together and we go through these things together, it’s hard at times because there’s so many things that people [tell us what we should be]. But I guess what makes us, us and what we stick [with] is to be ourselves and be happy, sad, angry, or whatever version we’ll be,” she said. “What matters is you and what you choose and value, which I think you should focus on,” she further added. being a woman in this generation is really hard, but having aiah as one of the spokesperson about this matter feels so much better i love the way she answer it she’s really our beauty queen KCON RISING STAR BINI#BINIatKCON2024 #BINI @BINI_ph pic.twitter.com/9cgdCWy7oS — mira (@drussmycol) July 28, 2024 Another clip by @sapphicbiniii and @majoy_serva showed the members’ shocked expressions after a fan—who shared that she was accompanied by a “couple of producers who worked with BTS—asked if BINI was open to working with them. The group then directed the question to Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, who said it would be an “honor” for BINI to do so. one of the panelist was with a couple of producers (produced for bts, etc…) earlier—and she asked if they wanted to work with BINI, how would that work? and direk lauren was more than happy to answer. so happy that possible opportunities are presenting themselves na ngayon pa… pic.twitter.com/jGowPtYQI6 — ches | sapphic era (@sapphicbiniii) July 28, 2024 May International producers (who worked with BTS before) na umattend ng panel and asking the girls if open sila to work with them… huehue I smell . . . 😍 KCON RISING STAR BINI#BINIatKCON2024#BINI @BINI_ph pic.twitter.com/GI7hsFrjvz — Majoy 🐶🐺🐼🐨🐱🦊🐥🐰 (@majoy_serva) July 28, 2024 The girl group also shared glimpses of the panel discussion on their X page. “Check out these snaps of BINI from the #KCONLA2024 ‘Meet The Rising Stars’ Panel session earlier today! If you had the chance to ask them a question, what would it be?” the post read. #BINI : Check out these snaps of BINI from the #KCONLA2024 ‘Meet The Rising Stars’ Panel session earlier today!✨🎙️ If you had the chance to ask them a question, what would it be?😉#BINIatKCONLA2024 #KCON #KCONLA #BINIversayangHulyo pic.twitter.com/frnCFjaKxR — BINI_PH (@BINI_ph) July 29, 2024 On the sidelines of the festival, BINI had the chance to join forces with the K-pop boy group Enhypen for the “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” dance challenge on Tiktok. The short clip showed BINI members Colet, Stacey, and Sheena doing the song’s signature dance moves with Enhypen’s Sunoo, Jay, and Heeseung. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Sheena and Colet, who are known to be fans of Enhypen, were also ecstatic after receiving copies of the group’s recent album “Romance: Untold,” as seen on their respective accounts. thank you @ENHYPEN_members 🥹 pic.twitter.com/3bQSzkxTgo — Sheena Catacutan (@bini_sheena) July 28, 2024 [📷] 072924 — INSTAGRAM Another successful fangirl! See @bini_colet (a Heeseung biased ENGENE) posing with a signed album from @ENHYPEN_members 🥹✨️ ENHYPEN HEATS UP KCON#ENHYPENatKCONLA2024 #KCONLA2024 #ENHYPEN #엔하이픈 @ENHYPEN_members @ENHYPEN pic.twitter.com/uDSMNYGYJf — ENHYPEN ⨾ PHILIPPINES (@enhypen_phi) July 29, 2024 The girl group also had the opportunity to get chummy with the global girl group KATSEYE, where fellow Filipina Sophia Laforteza is one of its members. In the 31-second clip, BINI members Colet, Aiah, and Stacey collaborated with KATSEYE’s Sophia and Lara Rajagopalan to do the “Cherry on Top” dance challenge. BINI Maloi, Mikha, Sheena, and Gwen did their own interpretation of the dance of KATSEYE’s single “Touch” in a separate video. BINI made history as the first P-pop group to perform at KCON LA 2024, an annual festival and concert that is considered one of the biggest K-pop gatherings in the world. Organized by CJ E&M, the event aims to promote the influence of K-pop which has lately opened its doors to global groups. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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BofA: PH still lagging in Asean tourism revival

Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:10:00 PST

The Philippines continued to be a laggard in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) tourism recovery amid muted return of Chinese visitors, Bank of America (BofA) said, and the situation would unlikely take a turn for the better anytime soon following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to ban China-centric online casinos. In a commentary sent to reporters on Tuesday, Kai Wei Ang, economist at BofA, said the Philippines’ “underperformance” partly stemmed from the exodus of Philippine offshore gaming operators or Pogos during the COVID-19 onslaught in 2020. These gaming operators mostly employ Chinese nationals to cater to punters in mainland China, where gambling is banned. READ: Bank of America warns row with China may hurt PH economy Ang said Chinese arrivals in the Philippines were “still below 20 percent of 2019 levels.” This is because the pandemic-induced departure of Pogos coincided with the slow return of Chinese tourists after China reopened its economy much later than other Asian countries. “The Philippines is lagging considerably behind [in Asean], with tourist arrivals below 70 percent of 2019 levels,” he said. At his last State of the Nation Address, Mr. Marcos ordered gaming regulators to shut down Pogos, which flourished during the term of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte. The presidential order was the final nail in the coffin for Pogos after the pandemic and tighter tax rules forced many to relocate at the height of lockdowns. The move heeded loud calls from various sectors to ban the industry that had been linked to various crimes like money laundering and human trafficking. Transport data compiled by BofA showed outbound seats from China to five Asean destinations are expected to grow in the second quarter of this year through October, except in the Philippines. “The Philippines is an outlier, with outbound seats [from China] falling to 46 percent of 2019 levels,” Ang said. For this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) forecasts tourism receipts—a source of dollars for the economy—to grow by 40 percent. That would contribute to the projected $1.6 billion dollar surplus in 2024 which, if realized, would be smaller than the $3.7 billion windfall recorded in 2023. Elsewhere in Asean, BofA said Vietnam is the “clear leader” in the tourism recovery because of its more relaxed visa rules, while Singapore is middling as the one-time big boost in international arrivals due to Taylor Swift concerts faded. Meanwhile, Malaysia could expect bigger Chinese arrivals, with inbound travel seats from China expected to beat prepandemic level, the Bank added. INQ Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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PNP chief mum on Duterte’s letter

Frances Mangosing

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 04:50:00 PST

VP Sara Duterte and PNP Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil VP Sara Duterte and PNP Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has no comment on Vice President Sara Duterte’s open letter in which she called the pullout of 75 police personnel from her security detail “a clear case of political harassment.” “The chief PNP opted not to answer the Vice President’s statements out of respect. We’d rather address this issue silently,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo told reporters on Tuesday. Marbil earlier confirmed the removal of 75 police officers from Duterte’s security detail, saying they were transferred to beef up street patrols, especially in Metro Manila. He stressed that it was part of a move to rationalize deployment to individuals authorized to be given protection and was not meant to single out Duterte. READ: PNP removes all 75 cops from Sara security detail In her four-page letter posted on social media, Duterte said she could still work even without police protection but added that she could not stand the lies being spread to the public, including Marbil’s claim the PNP saw no threat against her. She also slammed the “malicious release” of a video showing her and her family at the airport before they departed for Germany on July 24, drawing public criticism since this was at the height of massive flooding in many areas due to a typhoon and the southwest monsoon. On Sunday, Marbil said he had ordered the PNP Police Security and Protection Group to rationalize its deployment based on a comprehensive threat assessment. “Our directive is to ensure that our limited security resources are allocated effectively, focusing on individuals who genuinely face significant security threats. This way, we can enhance our protective services for those in need while optimizing our overall public safety efforts in our communities,” he added. Key factors in the assessments will include recent incidents of threats or attacks, the individual’s role in government or society, and intelligence reports. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Paris Olympics: Kayla Sanchez medal bid ends in swimming semifinals

Francis T.J. Ochoa

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 04:19:55 PST

FILE–Team Philippines swimmer Kayla Noelle Sanchez. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) FILE–Team Philippines swimmer Kayla Noelle Sanchez. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) Team Philippines’ Kayla Sanchez’s hope of repeating as an Olympic medalist came to an end early Wednesday (Manila time) morning. The Filipino finished seventh in 54.21 semifinals of the women’s 100-meter freestyle to drop out of the Paris Olympics 2024 medal race  at La Defense Arena. Sanchez, a silver and bronze medalist in the Tokyo Olympics for Canada, finished 1.46 seconds behind Australia’s Mollie O’Callaghan, in the second semifinals of the event. Only the top eight times of the first and second semifinal legs advanced to the final. Sanchez finished with a silver in the Tokyo Games as part of Canada’s 4x100m freestyle team and also earned a bronze as part of the 4×100 medley. She then shifted federations to join the Philippines, where her parents are from, hoping to ride the momentum of her memorable final stint with Canada. She did fan hopes Tuesday after finishing fourth in heat 4 of her event to qualify for the semifinals, clocking 53.67 to reset the Philippine record. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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More selloffs push down PSEI near 6,600

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:04:00 PST

The weakening peso caused another round of selloffs on Tuesday, with the bourse nearly surrendering its 6,600 support level. By the end of the session, the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) lost 0.64 percent, or 42.87 points, to close at 6,606.36. The broader All Shares Index likewise shed 0.49 percent, or 17.56 points, to 3,587.77. A total of 739.53 million shares worth P4.63 billion changed hands, stock exchange data showed. READ: Asian shares mostly fall ahead of central bank meetings Foreigners also weighed the market down, with net outflows totaling P607.78 million. Mikhail Plopenio, researcher at Philstocks Financial Inc., said investors were worried about the peso, which has been “showing signs of weakening against the US dollar.” The local currency closed trading at 58.65 against the greenback on Tuesday. This is weaker than the P58.51:$1 recorded on Monday. Plopenio added that the Department of Budget and Management’s estimates that national debt would increase by 8.08 percent to P17.35 trillion by next year also weighed on market sentiment. Banks registered the biggest loss at 1.62 percent, as index heavyweights BDO Unibank Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) declined. Sy family-led BDO was the most actively traded stock as it shed 2.85 percent to P136.50 each. It was followed by Ayala Land Inc., down 2.91 percent to P30.05; SM Investments Corp., down 1.09 percent to P907; International Container Terminal Services Inc., up 0.86 percent to P353; and BPI, down 0.73 percent to P122.10. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Other actively traded stocks were Ayala Corp., up 0.34 percent to P593; SM Prime Holdings Inc., down 0.51 percent to P29.25; Metrobank, down 1.59 percent to P68; GT Capital Holdings Inc., down 2.46 percent to P575.50; and PLDT Inc., up 0.54 percent to P1,493 per share. —Meg J. Adonis INQ Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Metro manila office rentals seen steady until year-end

Alden M. Monzon

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:09:00 PST

Rental rates in Metro Manila’s office market are expected to remain steady during the second half of this year, averaging by a little over P1,000 per square meters (sq m) per month as vacancy rates remain elevated despite improving occupancy levels. Data released by global real estate services firm Santos Knight Frank on Tuesday showed that the average monthly rental rates in the urban metropolis during the first half of the year was at P1,022 per sq m. This is lower than the monthly rate of P1,035 per sq m the company reported during the first quarter this year and the rate of P1,048 per sq m it recorded for the whole of 2023. READ: COA calls out OSG over office rentals “I would expect it to be pretty similar to what it is now. It may fluctuate five pesos or so one way or the other,” Santos Knight Frank’s senior director Morgan McGilvray said in a press briefing at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. Based on their annualized data, rental rates have been falling for two straight years since 2022. It averaged at P1,121 per sq m in 2021, P1,077 per sq m in 2022, and P1,048 per sq m in 2023. From January to June, rental rates were the highest in Makati at P1,256 per sq m per month. This was followed by Taguig with P1,250 per sq m per month, the Bay area with P972 per sq m per month, Quezon City with P823 sq m per month, Ortigas with P820 per sq m per month, and Alabang with P788 per sq m per month. Asked when vacancy rates would likely go back to the single-digit levels seen before the pandemic, McGilvray said that it could take several years before the office market recovers. “I guess it would take five years more or less. I don’t think that’s terribly optimistic,” he said. Still, he expressed optimism that the industry would eventually reach it given the sector’s performance in the last few years. During the first six months of the year, vacancy rates in Metro Manila’s office market was seen at 18.9 percent. This is an improvement from the 20.9-percent vacancy rate during the first quarter and the 21 percent during the whole of 2023. Annualized data from Santos Knight Frank puts it at 20.3 percent in 2022, 20.2 percent in 2021, 10.5 percent in 2020 and 4.4 percent in 2019. Asked about the impact of President Marcos’ ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, Santos Knight Frank chair and chief executive officer Rick Santos said it was “too early to make any kind of statement.” “We need to wait and see how this will be implemented,” he added. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Despite this uncertainty, Santos said that major property developers in the country have already taken de-risking measures that should cushion any impact. INQ Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Gov’t debt hits new high of P15.48T in June

Mariedel Irish U. Catilogo

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:12:00 PST

(FILE PHOTO) (FILE PHOTO) Government debt rose to a fresh high of P15.48 trillion at the end of June, fueled by increased borrowings here and abroad plus the impact of the weaker peso, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said on Tuesday. BTr data showed that total state obligations increased by P135.90 billion in June, higher by 0.9 percent from the previous month. Compared with last year, the debt load grew by 9.4 percent or P1.335 trillion as of end-June. READ: Gov’t debt hits record high of P15.35T The BTr attributed the increase “to the net issuance of both domestic and external debt and the effect of peso depreciation.” The peso weakened by 13 centavos to 58.658 against the greenback as of end-June. Domestic borrowings, which accounted for 68.29 percent of the total debt, increased by 1.2 percent to P10.57 trillion in June. The increase was driven by the P129.9 billion net issuance of government securities while the P39 million came from the effect of peso depreciation on foreign-currency denominated domestic debt. These resulted in an increase of 5.5 percent or P555.19 billion since the start of the year. Compared to last year, domestic debt rose by 9 percent or an addition of P870.29 billion. Outstanding external debt increased by 0.1 percent to P4.91 trillion in June, adding P5.62 billion. The rise was due to P7.95 billion in net borrowing and an P11.23-billion revaluation of dollar-denominated debt because of peso depreciation. However, this was partially offset by a P13.56-billion reduction from favorable adjustments in other currencies. Robert Dan Roces, chief economist at Security Bank Corp., said the government may need to boost revenue through efficient tax collection and prioritize economic growth to increase its capacity to repay debt. The government set the debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio at 60.6 percent this year, slightly above the 60 percent that lenders deem manageable for developing economies. For the first quarter, the debt-to-GDP ratio placed at 60.2 percent. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The government raised its borrowing program by 4 percent to P2.57 trillion for this year. INQ Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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SC upholds FDA power to regulate tobacco products

Jane Bautista

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 05:25:00 PST

INQUIRER.net stock images INQUIRER.net stock images MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Tobacco Institute Inc. (PTI) suffered another setback in the Supreme Court after the high tribunal upheld its 2021 decision to grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority over the health aspects of tobacco products. In a July 23 ruling which has yet to be made public, the high court en banc upheld its earlier decision and denied the motions for reconsideration filed by PTI and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the Supreme Court Public Information Office said in a statement on Tuesday. “All products affecting health, including tobacco products, are covered by the FDA’s mandate to ensure the safety, efficacy, purity, and quality of health products,” the Supreme Court said. READ: Public health or tobacco farmers “Thus, the inclusion of tobacco products in the implementing rules of the FDA Act is in accordance with the law,” it added. The case stemmed from the petition for declaratory relief that PTI filed before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Las Piñas City in 2011. The company tried to stop the enforcement of the FDA implementing rules and regulations (IRR), alleging that rules improperly expanded Republic Act (RA) No. 9711, or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, by classifying tobacco products as health products, placing them under the FDA’s regulatory authority. PTI argued that under RA 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, the Inter-Agency Committee on Tobacco (IAC-Tobacco) had exclusive jurisdiction over tobacco products, including their health aspects, and not the FDA. It cited Section 25 of RA 9711, which specifically excluded tobacco products from the FDA’s jurisdiction. In 2012, the Las Piñas RTC ruled in favor of PTI and nullified the provisions of the FDA IRR insofar as it included tobacco products and the tobacco industry in its coverage. This prompted the Department of Health (DOH) and the FDA to file a petition for review on certiorari before the Supreme Court, which then overturned the RTC decision in 2021. PTI challenged the high tribunal’s ruling, with Lagman also filing a motion for reconsideration as respondent-intervener. “In denying the motions for reconsideration, the Court ruled that the IAC-Tobacco does not have sole and exclusive jurisdiction over tobacco products and the tobacco industry,” the high court said in its statement on Tuesday. Under the Tobacco Regulation Act, the inter-agency committee is chaired by the trade secretary with the health secretary as vice chair and includes a representative of the tobacco industry as a member. PTI previously held the position of representing the tobacco industry in the committee. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. According to the Supreme Court’s 2021 decision, the committee has limited jurisdiction over tobacco products and does not regulate all their aspects under RA 9211. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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PCG: ‘Very minimal’ oil sheen seen off Manila, nearby provinces

Kathleen de Villa, Nestor Corrales, Tina G. Santos

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 05:40:00 PST

Oil spill reaching the shoreline of Barangay Amaya VII in Tanza, Cavite Oil spill reaching the shoreline of Barangay Amaya VII in Tanza, Cavite MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Tuesday that an aerial survey showed “very minimal and unnoticeable oil sheen” along the shorelines of Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Cavite following the sinking of a tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil. Oil sheen was also observed at ground zero, or about seven kilometers east off Limay town in Bataan, where MT Terra Nova sank on July 25 due to bad weather, it added. But PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan told reporters in an online briefing that the oil spill was already “under control” and “the waters were clear along the coastline.” READ: PH Coast Guard: Oil spill from sunken tanker in Manila Bay lessened “There was no monitored sign of oil spill except for very, very thin packets of oil sheen, which are almost not visible to the naked eye, and this will dissipate through natural weathering effect,” he said. “Generally, everything is under control. There is nothing to worry about for now. We are on top of the situation but we remain cautious in handling this case because the oil remains underwater,” he added. According to him, the siphoning of the leak from the sunken tanker could start on Wednesday once divers seal the vessel’s remaining valves. “These valves are not leaking but we need to cap them as part of precautionary measures and to avoid possible leaks once the siphoning starts,” Gavan said. According to the PCG, the oil carried by Terra Nova is owned by SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Inc., the same company that chartered MT Princess Empress, which was carrying 800,000 liters of oil when it sank off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, in February 2023. The incident also led to an oil spill that reached as far as Palawan and Batangas. A marine scientist has warned that the oil leak can significantly harm marine life at Manila Bay, whose “semi-enclosed nature” may prolong its accumulation in the water. “A sunken ship leaking industrial fuel can cause significant ecological disasters … including toxicity to marine life, destruction of sensitive habitats like coral reefs and mangroves and contamination of water quality,” Charina Repollo, assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UP MSI), said in an email interview. She explained that the leak could have a toxic effect on marine habitats and animals, as the oil might “smother and coat” these species and endanger their population. Efforts to clean up the spill in Manila Bay may also be more taxing because its semi-enclosed form “limits water circulation and allows oil to accumulate and persist for longer periods,” noted Repollo, who is also UP MSI deputy director for research. “Furthermore, the high density of urban and industrial activity around the bay increases the complexity of cleanup operations and the potential for further contamination,” she added. For Repollo, “the most effective action plan” will involve a combination of “immediate containment using booms, oil recovery with skimmers, the use of dispersants to help break down the oil, and long-term bioremediation and restoration efforts.” “Containing and stopping an oil spill quickly is crucial to minimizing environmental damage,” she said. For Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, regulations on the maritime transport of petroleum products should be improved to prevent future oil spills. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “We need to leverage our manpower, mobilize all available resources and collaborate closely with local governments,” he said. “Oil spill incidents should not be happening in the country over and over again because the extent of damage it causes does not only affect the environment but also the lives of our fellow citizens.” News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Teaching our teenage children about money

Randell Tiongson

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 02:01:00 PST

Teaching teenagers how to manage their money is giving them an essential life skill that will serve them well into adulthood. With the rising cost of living and the increasing complexity of financial products, it’s more important than ever to equip young people with the knowledge and habits that can lead to financial independence. Here are tips to help our teens manage their money wisely, including the principle of tithing. One of the most important skills for financial management is creating and sticking to a budget. Encourage your teenager to start by tracking their income and expenses. This could include allowances, part-time job earnings and any other sources of money they might have. On the expenses side, they should note down everything they spend money on, from daily snacks and transportation to bigger purchases like gadgets or clothes. READ: Teaching our kids about money matters To make this process engaging, suggest using budgeting apps like Money Lover or Wally, which are available in the Philippines. These apps can help them visualize where their money is going and identify areas where they can save. Emphasize the importance of differentiating between needs and wants, and teach them to prioritize essential expenses over discretionary spending. Saving money is a habit that should be developed early. Teach your teenagers about the importance of setting aside a portion of their income for future needs. One effective method is the 50/30/20 rule: allocate 50 percent of their income for needs, 30 percent for wants and 20 percent for savings. Explain the benefits of saving regularly, such as building an emergency fund, preparing for future educational expenses, or saving for a significant purchase. Encourage them to open a savings account at a local bank. Many banks in the Philippines offer savings accounts specifically designed for young people, often with lower minimum balance requirements. Explain how interest works and how it can help their savings grow over time. Additionally, introduce them to the concept of compound interest and how starting to save early can significantly benefit them in the long run. Once your teenager understands the importance of saving, introduce them to the basics of investing. Investing can be an excellent way to grow their money over time, and it’s never too early to start learning about it. Explain different investment options available in the Philippines, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and UITFs (unit investment trust funds). Consider setting up a small investment account with them, where they can manage a portion of their savings. This hands-on experience can be invaluable. Use online platforms like GCash’s G Stocks and G Funds, which offer user-friendly interfaces for beginners. Discuss the risks and potential returns associated with different types of investments, and emphasize the importance of diversification to spread risk. Incorporating tithing into their financial plan can teach teenagers about generosity and the importance of giving back. Tithing, or giving a portion of one’s income to the church or charitable organizations, is a practice rooted in many Filipino families’ faith and values. Explain to your teenagers the concept of tithing and how it can be a meaningful part of their financial management. Encourage them to set aside a specific percentage of their income for tithing. This could be 10 percent, following the traditional tithing amount, or any other percentage they feel comfortable with. Discuss how tithing can help those in need and support God’s kingdom, and how it reflects their values and beliefs. This practice not only instills a sense of responsibility but also fosters a habit of generosity that can last a lifetime. Credit can be a powerful financial tool, but it needs to be used responsibly. Explain to your teenager how credit works, including the concepts of credit scores, interest rates and the dangers of accumulating debt. Discuss the differences between debit cards, credit cards and loans, and the importance of paying off any borrowed money on time. If appropriate, consider giving them a supplementary credit card with a very low limit, and monitor their spending together. This can be a practical way to teach them about managing credit and the importance of paying their bill in full each month to avoid interest charges. Emphasize that credit should be used for emergencies or significant, planned purchases rather than everyday spending. Finally, instilling a mindset of financial responsibility is key. Teach your teenagers the value of money and the effort it takes to earn it. Encourage them to set financial goals, both short-term and long-term, and to work toward achieving them. This could include saving for a new gadget, contributing to their college fund, or even starting a small business. Discuss the impact of their financial decisions on their future and the importance of living within their means. Use real-life examples to illustrate these points, such as how overspending can lead to financial stress or how prudent saving can provide financial security. Incorporate discussions about financial news and trends in the Philippines to make the lessons more relevant. Encourage them to stay informed about economic events and how these can affect their finances. By developing a well-rounded understanding of money management, Filipino teenagers can grow into financially-savvy adults capable of making sound financial decisions. Teaching our teenagers about managing money is a valuable investment for their future. By helping them create and stick to a budget, understand the value of saving, learn the basics of investing, incorporate tithing into their financial plan, use credit responsibly, and develop a mindset of financial responsibility, you can equip them with the skills they need to navigate their financial lives successfully. These lessons will not only help them avoid common financial pitfalls but also set them on the path to financial independence and prosperity. INQ Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Randell Tiongson is a registered financial planner at RFP Philippines. To learn more about financial planning, attend the 109th RFP program this September 2024. Email [email protected] or visit rfp.ph. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Paris Olympics: EJ Obiena opens quest for pole vault immortality

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 04:35:00 PST

Team Philippines’ EJ Obiena is set to begin this Paris Olympics 2024 campaign in pole vault. Team Philippines’ EJ Obiena is set to begin this Paris Olympics 2024 campaign in pole vault. SCHEDULE: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024 Hundreds of kilometers from where the ongoing action is, EJ Obiena continued quietly polishing his craft, insulated from all possible distractions that could derail his bid in the Paris Olympics. All that tranquility in far off Normandy shifts into chaos mode as the Filipino medal hope in men’s pole vault enters the Olympic village in the heart of the romantic French capital on Wednesday. There, the mounting pressure could only reach feverish levels with just a few days before another defining moment for Obiena, the world’s No. 2 in his sport, arrives. READ: Paris Olympics: Team Philippines’ EJ Obiena (pole vault) “I promise you all I will give not 99 percent, but all 100 percent,’’ said Obiena, whose quest for immortality on the grandest stage in sports got stymied after landing 11th in his first Olympic stab in Tokyo three years ago. The Asian record holder of 6 meters will test the field during the qualification phase on Aug. 3 where the top vaulters in the world headlined by world champion Mondo Duplantis will be in full display before an expected packed 81,000-seat Stade de France. It also won’t help that the stress and tension will go through the roof in the medal round on Aug. 6, the day when Obiena has been tipped by Sports Illustrated to stand on the podium after the smoke of the battles clear. READ: Paris Olympics: EJ Obiena vows 100% despite ‘physical problems’ “I’ll just try to make sure that my chances are as high as possible,’’ said Obiena, who admitted having a choppy ride burdened by injuries throughout his preparation. The US-based sports magazine published on its website that Obiena is projected to clinch a bronze medal behind Duplantis, the defending Olympic gold medalist, and Chris Nilsen of the United States. Prior to setting up camp at Normandy Sports Centre, Obiena was unable to climb the medal podium in his last big tournament before this one, finishing fourth two weeks ago at the Meeting de Paris, a top-caliber Diamond League leg handily won by Duplantis. Coached by Ukranian Vitaly Petrov, Obiena’s team includes physiotherapist Francesco Viscusi, osteopath Antonio Guglietta, nutritionist Carol Lafferty and sports psychologist Sheryll Casuga. “I have undergone in the past months and weeks a variety of medical procedures, to hopefully give myself the best shot at the Olympic Games,’’ said Obiena. The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and the Philippine Sports Commission have been all-out for Obiena even as his parents Emerson and Jeanette, both former athletes, will become instrumental in helping their son logistically during the Games. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Describing his entire preparation as bumpy, Obiena said: “I know these things happen. All athletes at the Olympic level deal with such adversities. I know not everything is in my control, but I am an optimist by nature.’’ INQ Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Marcos thanks US for ‘agile’ response in WPS, Indo-Pacific

Julie M. Aurelio

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 05:45:02 PST

‘OPEN COMMUNICATION’ President Marcos welcomes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III to Malacañang upon their arrival in Manila for the 4th Philippines-US Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue or the 2+2 meeting, as this gathering is also called. —Marianne Bermudez ‘OPEN COMMUNICATION’ President Marcos welcomes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III to Malacañang upon their arrival in Manila for the 4th Philippines-US Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue or the 2+2 meeting, as this gathering is also called. —Marianne Bermudez MANILA, Philippines — On the occasion of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with the United States held in Manila for this year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. thanked Washington for its open lines of communication which allowed its “agile” responses to developments in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the Indo-Pacific region. “I’m always very happy that these communication lines are very open, so that all of the things that we are doing together, in terms of our alliance, in terms of the specific context of our situation here in the West Philippine Sea and in the Indo-Pacific are continuously examined and reexamined so we are agile in terms of our responses,” Marcos said in his remarks on Tuesday, as he received US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III in Malacañang before the start of their dialogue with their Philippine counterparts Enrique Manalo and Gilberto Teodoro Jr. READ: US to allocate $500 million in foreign military financing for PH This is the fourth 2+2 dialogue, but the first to be held in Manila. The first dialogue between the foreign and defense chiefs of the Philippines and the US was held in Washington, DC on April 30, 2012, followed by a second dialogue on Jan. 12, 2016. The third dialogue between the two countries was held on April 12 last year. The four officials are expected to discuss how to strengthen the alliance between Manila and Washington “in support of the rules-based international order, enhanced economic ties, broad-based prosperity and solutions to evolving regional and global security challenges,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Posting on his Facebook and Instagram accounts, the President said “Our steadfast alliance with the US, particularly in the West Philippine Sea and Indo-Pacific Region, ensures the protection of our fishermen and countrymen.” During the US officials’ courtesy call, Austin said “We’re more than allies. We’re family and it always feels that way when I’m working with our colleagues. We have common interests and common values.” “We look forward to continuing to work with you and your team to move even further. It’s been a great three and a half years and I look forward to another three and a half or four years in building and strengthening this relationship,” he added. Blinken called the 2+2 dialogue this year “genuinely historic,” since this was the first time the Philippines was hosting the meeting. “It’s really evidence of a steady drumbeat, a very high-level engagement between our countries that are covering the full range of issues and opportunities that bring us together, not only security but also economic,” he said. “We’re truly grateful for this partnership. We look forward to a very good day with our colleagues and to further advancing the critical work that we’re doing together,” Blinken said. In a statement following the meeting, US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said Blinken and Austin discussed with Marcos “their shared commitment to upholding international law in the South China Sea.” “The two secretaries underscored the United States’ ironclad commitments to the Philippines under our Mutual Defense Treaty,” Miller said. Blinken and Austin also conveyed the “deepest sympathies” of US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to the victims of last week’s Supertyphoon Carina (international name: Gaemi). Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. At the start of the meeting, Marcos said he was “a bit surprised” to see the two US officials in Manila given how “interesting” the US political situation has become—a reference to Biden ending his reelection campaign this month and endorsing Harris to take on former President Donald Trump in the Nov. 5 election. For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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Paris Olympics: Carlos Yulo an all-around longshot in first crack at medal

June Navarro

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 01:20:00 PST

Team Philippines’ Carlos Yulo competes in the parallel bars event of the artistic gymnastics men’s qualification during the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP) Team Philippines’ Carlos Yulo competes in the parallel bars event of the artistic gymnastics men’s qualification during the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP) SCHEDULE: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024 Carlos Yulo has three chances of claiming a medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and his initial shot comes in the men’s artistic gymnastics all-around final on Wednesday at Bercy Arena in what could well be a preview of the podium encounter in the vault and floor exercise this weekend. There’s a narrow window for the Filipino two-time world champion to pull it off in the all-around though, having placed ninth in the qualification, safe enough to secure a spot in the top 24. But no one is discounting an upset. LIVE UPDATES: Team Philippines at Paris Olympics 2024 July 31 “It’s going to be tough in the all-around. But knowing Carlos, he always brings out the best in him on every routine,’’ said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion. Realistically speaking, the Japanese and Chinese are hands down the wise-money bets in the six-apparatus event with China’s Zhang Boheng the heavy favorite. Zhang wound up better than the Japanese tandem of Shinnosuke Oka and Daiki Hashimoto in the qualification phase while another Chinese in Xiao Ruoteng placed fourth. READ: Carlos Yulo has chance to make history at Paris Olympics The confidence level likewise went sky-high for Hashimoto following their team’s all-around triumph over China on Monday with the United States bagging the bronze medal. What’s left for the taking as far as Yulo is concerned are the finals in the floor exercise (Aug. 3) and vault (Aug. 4). He was the world champion in the floor in 2019 Stuttgart, Germany, and won the vault in the 2021 worlds held in Kitakyushu, Japan. During the qualifications over the weekend, Yulo compiled 83.631 points in the all-around after finishing second in the floor and sixth in the vault. He missed the medal rounds in the parallel bars, pommel horse, rings and horizontal bar. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. A bevy of possible contenders are also in the mix—Great Britain’s Joe Fraser, Ukraine’s Oleg Verniaiev and Illia Kovtun, Italians Yumin Abbadini and Mario Macchiati and Americans Frederick Richard and Paul Juda, among them. INQ Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

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