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Ticket prices, seat plan: BINI’s ‘BINIVERSE’ concert | Russell Ku | 05/04/2024 17:03 | Photo from BINI's Instagram page
MANILA, Philippines – Getting a ticket to P-pop girl group BINI’s upcoming BINIVERSE concert has become a challenge for the group’s fans, also known as Blooms, as tickets for the group’s first solo show on June 28 at the New Frontier Theater sold out in just two hours.
The demand for the concert prompted BINI’s agency, Star Music PH, to add second and third concert days on June 29 and 30. Tickets for the new shows will go on sale Tuesday, April 9.
P-pop girl group BINI is extending its "BINIVERSE" concert for a second day on June 29 at the New Frontier Theater. Tickets for the new show go on sale April 9.Blooms have been clamoring to have the venue for the concert upgraded to the nearby Araneta Coliseum. #BINI… pic.twitter.com/XOKbt5puVS
Ticket prices for the second and third shows are as follows:
All seats are reserved seating and are open to concertgoers ages 7 and up.
Those who secure a SVIP ticket will get to have a group photo opportunity, sound check access, and a random photo card.
Tickets will go on sale April 9, through Ticketnet outlets and ticketnet.com.ph. Buyers can only purchase a maximum of four tickets per transaction.
Despite the announcement of the second show, Blooms trended the hashtag #WeWantBINIverseInAraneta, urging Star Music PH to upgrade the concert to the nearby Araneta Coliseum.
The New Frontier Theater has a seating capacity of 2,325 people, while the Araneta Coliseum can accommodate 9,513 concertgoers with a concert stage setup.
ABS-CBN Entertainment Production and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi noted fans’ sentiments for a venue upgrade in an Instagram Live on Friday, April 5.
“‘Yang Araneta at ‘yang MOA na ‘yan, sa takdang panahon, darating din tayo sa lugar na ‘yan. Of course, who does not want to have a big concert in Araneta or MOA? But definitely, hindi pa mangyayari ‘yan ngayon,” he said.
(Regarding Araneta and MOA, we will eventually get there at the right time. Of course, who does not want to have a big concert in Araneta or MOA? But definitely, it will not happen for now.)
The hashtag #WeWantBINIverseInAraneta is among the top five Philippine trends on X, as Blooms suggest that BINI’s “BINIVERSE” concert be moved to the Araneta Coliseum.The P-pop group’s June 28 show at the New Frontier Theater was sold out in just two hours on Tuesday, April 2,… pic.twitter.com/9tnD5TQ5cP
BINI debuted in June 2021 and is composed of eight members: Jhoanna, Maloi, Stacey, Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Mikha, and Sheena.
BINI recently rose to viral fame with its hit “Pantropiko” and released its first EP Talaarawan with the single “Salamin, Salamin” on March 8. The group is also known for songs such as “Na Na Na,” “Lagi,” and “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi.”
BINI is also confirmed to participate in the Chinese show Show It All with fellow P-pop girl group G22.
– Rappler.com
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[Rappler’s Best] The elusive big fish – and big fishers | lfangeles0309 | 08/04/2024 19:02 | Nico Villarete/Rappler
A happy (broken) long weekend to you!
Tomorrow, April 9, is the Day of Valor, which commemorates April 9, 1942, when thousands of Filipino and American soldiers were forced to march to their surrender – and death – by the occupying Japanese forces. If you have not visited it, perhaps it’s time to see the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan, site of the fiercest battles fought with the Japanese. Here are nine facts you need to know about the Day of Valor.
On Wednesday, April 10, Ramadan comes to an end, as Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the breaking of their month-long fast. It’s one of the two most important Islamic feasts; read more about it here.
It’s been a holiday, too, for one big fish that refuses to yield to the law, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed appointed son of God. On Saturday, April 6, he finally broke his silence but on his own terms: His 33-minute audio monologue was pre-recorded and played in his own Sonshine Media YouTube channel, a one-way traffic of bombast and melodrama that could not be questioned because he was essentially preaching to himself and to his crowd. “I will not be caught alive,” he declared.
Some of his followers did. Two of his close associates surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation in Davao City on April 4. Before this, another two surrendered while two others were arrested.
The alleged sex offender and his cohorts are the subject of two arrest warrants and a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe in the US. Quiboloy continues to cry state and American harassment, but Rappler Thought Leader Vergel Santos is aghast at the assertion that he and his network are covered by press freedom. “It’s an outrageous and insulting insinuation no self-respecting journalist can let pass undisputed. Imagine being lumped with Quiboloy and his fake press! Indeed to claim that SMNI is press and Quiboloy a member of the press fraternity is to misrepresent their statures untenably, ludicrously,” wrote Santos in this piece.
Speaking of big fish. Rappler’s Lian Buan and Iya Gozum put a spotlight on a little-known reality: that well-connected fishing companies continue to fight regulation that would disallow their unfettered commerce at sea. Their two-part investigation uncovered the following:
Is there hope especially for small fisherfolks and their communities? As long as we shine the light on them – and get to deep dive into their concerns. Rappler reporters Iya Gozum and Michelle Abad visited fishing towns in Northern Samar; here’s their story. – Rappler.com
Rappler’s Best is a weekly newsletter of our top picks delivered straight to your inbox every Monday.
To subscribe, visit rappler.com/profile and click the Newsletters tab. You need a Rappler account and you must log in to manage your newsletter subscriptions.
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Marcos sets town hall on traffic woes, sans major transport advocacy groups | Dwight de Leon | 08/04/2024 18:15 | CONGESTION. Heavy traffic builds up on the southbound section of EDSA in Quezon City on August 24, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has scheduled a public consultation to discuss the perennial problem of traffic in Metro Manila and potential solutions to it, but some major transport advocacy groups did not receive an invitation.
The event, dubbed the “Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting on Traffic Concerns,” will take place at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Wednesday, April 10.
A draft of the program seen by Rappler indicated that Marcos himself will grace the event and deliver a speech, while the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will submit a synthesis of proposals to address traffic in the capital region.
There will also be an open forum whose participants include:
Marcos already hinted at the event in a nearly six-minute vlog uploaded on his YouTube channel on Sunday, April 7.
In that video, he mentioned work-from-home and four-day work week setups, alternatives which he said may be “[discussed] further in detail together with other government agencies and local government units.”
“Watch out for it, you will also get to join via the comments section, so that we will know what ideas you have,” Marcos said in Filipino.
Data from the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index showed Metro Manila is the world’s slowest metro area to drive in.
While an MMDA advisory seen by Rappler extends the invitation to transport groups of public utility vehicle owners, advocates for more inclusive public transportation appear to be missing from the list.
Some groups such as the Move as One Coalition, AltMobility PH, and Make It Safer Movement told Rappler on Monday, April 8, that they did not get an invitation. These groups advocate for active transport modes, like biking and walking, and for commuters’ rights. PISTON and Manibela, groups which have been active in opposing the government’s jeepney modernization program and consolidation plan, were also not invited, based on the list seen by Rappler.
AltMobility PH director Ira Cruz said the absence of the public from the event is perplexing, but he hopes that this is just the beginning of the process.
“It’s looking more like a traffic management seminar hosted by the MMDA rather than the traffic summit that we had hoped for from the President – one that we perceived was an initial step to coming up with a comprehensive plan to address mobility issues of the country,” he said.
“Any initiative that aims to craft a transportation plan should be led by the Department of Transportation, the government agency with a national mandate to address mobility needs, and actively participated in by relevant groups,” Cruz added.
The Move as One Coalition and the Make It Safer Movement also reiterated their call for the government to significantly rethink how it addresses the transportation crisis in Metro Manila.
“The MMDA already held a three-day ‘traffic summit’ in 2022. Nothing has changed since then because the focus has been on ‘traffic’ – the movement of cars from point A to point B, instead of transportation – the movement of people from point A to point B,” Move as One said in a statement.
“We’ve been doing all that we can to communicate policy proposals and solutions to anyone in government and private sector willing to listen. We’ll be ready to participate when they are, too,” Make It Safer Movement organizer Cristina Batalla added.
The Move as One Coalition and the Make It Safer Movement will mount what they call a “critical mass ride for safe and inclusive roads” on Wednesday, coinciding with Marcos’ town hall.
They say the intention is to oppose the MMDA ban against tricycles, pedicabs, and light electric vehicles on national roads, fight for the 94% of the population who do not have cars, and raise awareness of the climate crisis. – Rappler.com
Not invited to Marcos’ traffic town hall but want to weigh in on the transport crisis? Rappler will hold a simultaneous live commentary before, during, and after the traffic summit. Rappler journalists and transport groups will fact-check, annotate, and provide analysis and reactions to the statements made by government officials during the summit. To find out more, check the Make Manila Liveable page on the morning of April 10, the day of the town hall.
You can be part of the discussion by joining the Liveable Cities chat room on the Rappler Communities app during the live commentary. We will read out your questions and insights from the chat room.
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Can jeepney fares stay at P15 after modernization? Experts fear it could double. | lkyu0285 | 08/04/2024 15:48 | MODERN. Drivers and mechanics of an automotive corporation inspect modernized jeepneys imported from China at a plant in Project 4, Quezon City, on January 31, 2024.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Commuters may just bear the pain of the government’s modernization program as minimum fares could soar from the current P15 to as high as P40.
Experts and manufacturers fear that the high cost of modern jeepneys could force a fare hike, especially since some jeepney operators are already struggling to pay for the monthly amortization of their new vehicles.
“‘Yung jeepney price po na P2.5 million, mag-iincrease ang fare natin, possibly from P27 to P40 per [passenger]. So ‘yung sinasabi ng DOTr [Department of Transportation], LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] na walang fare increase with modernization, hindi po ‘yata totoo ‘yon,” said retired University of the Philippines (UP) professor and UP scientist Teodoro Mendoza.
(With a jeepney price of P2.5 million, our fares will increase, possibly from P27 to P40 per [passenger]. So what the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is saying that there will be no fare increase with modernization, I don’t believe that’s true.)
Under the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, traditional jeepneys must be upgraded to meet Philippine National Standards – which usually means that operators have to buy expensive modern jeepneys. These imported modern jeepneys usually cost about P2.48 million per unit.
In a UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies research, the researcher found that jeepney operators can usually get 250 passengers per day. That means an operator would need a minimum fare of P30 to offset their total costs, including the monthly amortization for their P2.5-million modern jeepney.
If passenger count were to drop to just 200 passengers per day, then minimum fares could reach P40.
What about if jeepney operators purchase locally manufactured jeepneys, such as the Francisco Motors e-jeepney that will sell for just P985,000 for the first 1,000 units? Mendoza estimates that fares could rise to about P24.
“High quality, safe, comfortable, and clean jeepneys have a corresponding price to pay. Making the riding public believe that there is no fare hike is like owning a cake and eating it too,” Mendoza said in a UP-hosted roundtable discussion on Monday, April 8.
Meanwhile, the LTFRB’s Chief Transportation Development Officer Joel Bolano was quick to soothe fears of an impending jeepney fare hike.
“Gusto ko rin po ipaalala na ‘yung pagtaas po ng ating pamasahe lagi pong dumadaan sa discussion o mga hearings na ginagawa po ng LTFRB,” Bolano said, adding that the LTFRB also considers inputs from other government agencies, like estimates from the National Economic and Development Authority on how a fare hike could impact inflation.
(I’d also like to reiterate that increases in fares always pass through discussions and hearings conducted by the LTFRB.)
Bolano also mentioned that some cooperatives, which have already bought modern jeepney units, wanted to keep the current minimum fares, fearing that a raise in minimum fares would lead to fewer passengers and cut their revenues.
Asked by Rappler whether the requirement to upgrade to modern jeepneys would lead to higher fares, Boleno said that changes to minimum fares was usually related to fuel costs.
Officer-in-charge program manager of the PUV modernization program Sharmaine Enales also said that the requirement to modernize would also be supported by service-contracting fuel subsidy programs.
“These are all operational subsidies that, hopefully, will aid the operations of our transport service entities in their operations. Hopefully, this will cushion or subsidize the operations cost…affected by the volatility of our fuel market prices,” Enales said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Previously, the DOTr and LTFRB also shot back against a statement by IBON Foundation that minimum fares could reach up to P50 in five years due to the costs of modern jeepneys, calling such predictions “falsehoods” being spread by minority groups to “sow fear.” (READ: Gov’t denies job loss, higher fares even as only half of jeepneys in NCR consolidate)
Meanwhile, Leonard John Sarao – operations supervisor of the renowned jeepney manufacturer Sarao Motors – countered the LTFRB’s assumption, saying that the loan payments that operators bear for the modern jeepneys would now be a new factor in deciding minimum fares.
In the past, before operators were asked to upgrade to pricey modern jeepneys, Sarao said that the price of fuel was the main factor in determining the minimum fare.
“But now, with the increased cost of the modern unit, I think it directly correlates to the monthly amortization na binabayaran po, kaya din siya magtataas (that they pay, which is why it might go up),” Sarao said on Monday. “So again, this is something new, which needs to be pondered upon.” – Rappler.com
Affordable commutes is one way we can #MakeManilaLiveable. Join this push by journalists and communities to improve quality of life in Philippine cities, through community-driven storytelling and events that link ordinary citizens with policymakers and government officials. Learn more about the movement, and how to volunteer, here.
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Bangko Sentral holds interest rates high as inflation risks ‘become worse’ | lkyu0285 | 08/04/2024 17:30 | MANILA, Philippines – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) kept its key policy rate at 6.5%, marking the fourth time that rates have remained unchanged since an off-cycle hike in October 2023.
The BSP’s Monetary Board decision to keep its benchmark interest rate at the 16-year high comes as inflation in March also accelerated.
The central bank raises and lowers this rate as its way of controlling inflation. Theoretically, increasing interest rates or maintaining them at an elevated level can discourage people from borrowing and spending, slowing down economic growth and the rise of prices.
BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. also said the projected inflation path has “shifted slightly higher but remains within target.” Risk-adjusted inflation for 2024 has inched up to 4% from the 3.9% forecast in the BSP’s February meeting, affected by higher global oil prices and the higher-than-expected inflation in February and March.
At the same time, the central bank is keeping an eye on the price of rice, especially as rice inflation is nearing an all-time high and may go even higher until the middle of 2024. (READ: High rice inflation could linger until July as market prices keep going up)
“If I were to name one single commodity, it would be rice. Rice prices, they’re not only very significant this time, they also are what we call ‘salient prices.’ They get noticed, and they tend to affect expectations more than other commodities,” Remolona said.
Average inflation for the year is still expected to remain within the government’s 2% to 4% target range.
However, given the uptick in inflation, Remolona said the central bank is retaining a more hawkish stance and may delay rate cuts further.
“My sense is that the upside risks mainly have become worse, so that would make us somewhat more hawkish than before. If we were relatively dovish, we might reduce rates in the third quarter, and that would be by no more than 25 basis points, but now we’re feeling a bit more hawkish than before,” Remolona said on Monday, April 8.
A rate cut may come further “down the road,” the BSP governor said. That could mean as soon as the third quarter if they see “some good news with inflation and somewhat weak growth.”
“If it’s the opposite, we would ease by the first quarter of 2025. So parang middle of the range ‘yung fourth quarter (so fourth quarter would be middle of the range),” Remolona said.
He also added that the central bank is contemplating easing, not further tightening, given that the current tight key policy rate “is sufficient to bring inflation rates down.” – Rappler.com
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Can jeepney fares stay at P15 after modernization? Experts fear it could double. | lkyu0285 | 08/04/2024 15:48 | MODERN. Drivers and mechanics of an automotive corporation inspect modernized jeepneys imported from China at a plant in Project 4, Quezon City, on January 31, 2024.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Commuters may just bear the pain of the government’s modernization program as minimum fares could soar from the current P15 to as high as P40.
Experts and manufacturers fear that the high cost of modern jeepneys could force a fare hike, especially since some jeepney operators are already struggling to pay for the monthly amortization of their new vehicles.
“‘Yung jeepney price po na P2.5 million, mag-iincrease ang fare natin, possibly from P27 to P40 per [passenger]. So ‘yung sinasabi ng DOTr [Department of Transportation], LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] na walang fare increase with modernization, hindi po ‘yata totoo ‘yon,” said retired University of the Philippines (UP) professor and UP scientist Teodoro Mendoza.
(With a jeepney price of P2.5 million, our fares will increase, possibly from P27 to P40 per [passenger]. So what the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is saying that there will be no fare increase with modernization, I don’t believe that’s true.)
Under the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, traditional jeepneys must be upgraded to meet Philippine National Standards – which usually means that operators have to buy expensive modern jeepneys. These imported modern jeepneys usually cost about P2.48 million per unit.
In a UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies research, the researcher found that jeepney operators can usually get 250 passengers per day. That means an operator would need a minimum fare of P30 to offset their total costs, including the monthly amortization for their P2.5-million modern jeepney.
If passenger count were to drop to just 200 passengers per day, then minimum fares could reach P40.
What about if jeepney operators purchase locally manufactured jeepneys, such as the Francisco Motors e-jeepney that will sell for just P985,000 for the first 1,000 units? Mendoza estimates that fares could rise to about P24.
“High quality, safe, comfortable, and clean jeepneys have a corresponding price to pay. Making the riding public believe that there is no fare hike is like owning a cake and eating it too,” Mendoza said in a UP-hosted roundtable discussion on Monday, April 8.
Meanwhile, the LTFRB’s Chief Transportation Development Officer Joel Bolano was quick to soothe fears of an impending jeepney fare hike.
“Gusto ko rin po ipaalala na ‘yung pagtaas po ng ating pamasahe lagi pong dumadaan sa discussion o mga hearings na ginagawa po ng LTFRB,” Bolano said, adding that the LTFRB also considers inputs from other government agencies, like estimates from the National Economic and Development Authority on how a fare hike could impact inflation.
(I’d also like to reiterate that increases in fares always pass through discussions and hearings conducted by the LTFRB.)
Bolano also mentioned that some cooperatives, which have already bought modern jeepney units, wanted to keep the current minimum fares, fearing that a raise in minimum fares would lead to fewer passengers and cut their revenues.
Asked by Rappler whether the requirement to upgrade to modern jeepneys would lead to higher fares, Boleno said that changes to minimum fares was usually related to fuel costs.
Officer-in-charge program manager of the PUV modernization program Sharmaine Enales also said that the requirement to modernize would also be supported by service-contracting fuel subsidy programs.
“These are all operational subsidies that, hopefully, will aid the operations of our transport service entities in their operations. Hopefully, this will cushion or subsidize the operations cost…affected by the volatility of our fuel market prices,” Enales said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Previously, the DOTr and LTFRB also shot back against a statement by IBON Foundation that minimum fares could reach up to P50 in five years due to the costs of modern jeepneys, calling such predictions “falsehoods” being spread by minority groups to “sow fear.” (READ: Gov’t denies job loss, higher fares even as only half of jeepneys in NCR consolidate)
Meanwhile, Leonard John Sarao – operations supervisor of the renowned jeepney manufacturer Sarao Motors – countered the LTFRB’s assumption, saying that the loan payments that operators bear for the modern jeepneys would now be a new factor in deciding minimum fares.
In the past, before operators were asked to upgrade to pricey modern jeepneys, Sarao said that the price of fuel was the main factor in determining the minimum fare.
“But now, with the increased cost of the modern unit, I think it directly correlates to the monthly amortization na binabayaran po, kaya din siya magtataas (that they pay, which is why it might go up),” Sarao said on Monday. “So again, this is something new, which needs to be pondered upon.” – Rappler.com
Affordable commutes is one way we can #MakeManilaLiveable. Join this push by journalists and communities to improve quality of life in Philippine cities, through community-driven storytelling and events that link ordinary citizens with policymakers and government officials. Learn more about the movement, and how to volunteer, here.
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Raffy Tulfo, Sara Duterte top Pulse Asia’s 2028 presidential survey | Bonz Magsambol | 02/04/2024 20:25 | TOP CONTENDERS. Senator Raffy Tulfo and Vice President Sara Duterte are top choices for 2028 presidential race.
SENATE PRIB; ANGIE DE SIVA/RAPPLER
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Raffy Tulfo and Vice President Sara Duterte are the top contenders for the 2028 presidential race, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey.
The poll conducted from March 6 to 10 showed that the two are statistically tied among potential candidates for the presidency, with the neophyte senator obtaining 35% voter preference and the Vice President receiving 34% support.
Former vice president Leni Robredo is trailing with 11% voter preference, followed by Senator Imee Marcos (5%), former senator Manny Pacquiao (3%), Senator Robin Padilla (2%), Senator Risa Hontiveros (1%), and House Speaker Martin Romualdez (0.5%).
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (0.2%) and former Manila mayor Isko Moreno were also mentioned by the respondents (0.1%).
The survey results first circulated online over the weekend. Pulse Asia on Tuesday, April 2, confirmed that this was part of its quarterly Ulat ng Bayan survey.
The rider question was: Some say that those who can run for the presidency in the 2028 elections are the following. Who would you vote for if the 2028 elections were held today? You may mention others not included in the list.
Pulse Asia said that its first quarter Ulat ng Bayan survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8%.
Tulfo was able to catch up with the numbers of Duterte, who was seen as the frontrunner in the WR Numero’s survey conducted in December 2023. Duterte scored 36% voter preference while Tulfo had 23% voter support in the said poll.
The Vice President has been the subject of attacks in the past months. Political developments in the last year – from the removal of the confidential funds from her office, to the charter change push under the administration – have been interpreted by analysts as disadvantageous to her.
Despite her family’s attacks against the President and her own sentiments of being ganged up on by allies of the administration, Sara said she has no plans of leaving the Cabinet as education secretary.
Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe topped a list of possible contenders for the vice presidential race in 2028 with 35% voter preference.
Trailing her are Senator Imee (16%), Pacquiao (14%), and Padilla (14%), Zubiri (7%), Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro (4%), and Romualdez (1%).
– Rappler.com
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It is good that Senator Raffy Tulfo has tied up with VP Sara Duterte. The problem is that we need to know his stand on China’s bullying of our Navy in the West Philippine Sea. He might be equal to or more than VP Sara Duterte when it comes to putting above China’s interest over our nation’s in the West Philippine Sea.
How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/results-pulse-asia-2028-presidential-vice-presidential-survey-march-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2jsrNvlBYTHJGqKoiFVvTy9aBz-1hF1m5EgD8gV7QK0M2NYpKT48EmpVY_aem_nI_1vMoL7G9gSg6L5rklqg | null | null | null | null | null | null |
[EDITORIAL] Kapag bumabagsak ang ratings, balikan ang basics | Lilibeth Frondoso | 08/04/2024 15:25 | Nico Villarete
Nitong nakaraang linggo, bumulusok ang ratings ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa buong bansa mula 73% na trust noong Disyembre pababa sa 57% noong Marso, ayon sa Pulse Asia. Aray. Masakit din ang 16% percentage points drop.
Pinakanangungusap ang numero mula sa Duterte country ng Mindanao, kung saan lumagapak siya nang 32 points. BASAHIN: Marcos’ trust rating in Mindanao drops by 32 points in March, says Pulse Asia)
Sabi nga ng dating journalist at political communications consultant na si Joey Salgado sa opinion piece na ito, kung pagbabatayan ang historical data, pagpatak ng ikatlong taon sa termino ni dating pangulong Benigno Aquino III, nasa 72% pa rin ang performance rating niya, habang si dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte naman, namayagpag sa 79% performance rating sa ikatlong taon niya sa puwesto. [OPINION] Can Marcos survive a voters’ revolt in 2025?
Obserbasyon din ni Salgado, maasim na maasim pa ang mga ngalang Aquino at Duterte nang maganap ang midterm elections sa kani-kanilang termino. Sa madaling salita, masyado pang maaga para bumagsak ang ratings ni Marcos.
Sabi rin ng mga kritiko ni Marcos, charter change o Cha-Cha raw ang humila pababa sa ratings ng Presidente. Batay sa pinakahuling survey tungkol sa charter change, 88% ng mga Pilipino ang may ayaw rito.
Hindi rin nakatutulong na nagpalipad ng trial balloon ang disbarred na abogadong si Larry Gadon na ngayo’y Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation. Lantaran nang ipinanukala ni Gadon ang extension ng term limits, pagdadagdag ng mga senador mula 28 para maging 48, pagpapalit sa isang parlamentaryong porma ng gobyerno, pagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa pangulong mag-appoint ng judicial at constitutional commissions, at pagboto sa presidente at bise presidente bilang single team.
At take note, hindi raw ito alam ng pangulo. Wink, wink.
Sabi rin ni Salgado, nanganganib na madungisan ang kinang ng restored family name ng mga Marcos dahil sa dausdos ng ratings. Pero higit sa dungis sa pangalan, nanganganib ang paghahari ng mga Marcos sa 2025 midterm elections at 2028 presidential elections. Sino ang makikinabang? Hindi ang “oposisyon” na kinakatawan ng Liberal Party at Pink Movement ni Leni Robredo.
Sabi ng ilang analysts, ang makikinabang ay ang mga Duterte – na sa maraming punto ay ang pangunahing oposisyon ngayon.
Pero hindi lang Cha-Cha ang galis na nakapapangit sa imahe ni Marcos. Dama ng tao ang taas ng bilihin, lalo na ang rice inflation na inaasahang mananatili hanggang Hunyo 2023, at mataas pati ang presyo ng gasolina. At anong pinagkakaabalahan? Cha-Cha.
Kung hindi pa madikit na isyu ang agresyon ng Tsina sa West Philippine Sea, wala nang ibang pampapogi points si Marcos. Sa halip, itinutulak niya ang Maharlika Fund.
Ginoong Marcos, stop and read the writing on the wall. Signs of the times ang surveys na nagbabadyang burahin lahat ng ganansiya mo sa influence operations simula 2014 at unprincipled alliance ng 2022 sa angkan ng iyong bise presidente.
Kung naging malinaw lang sana ang direksiyon at may malinaw na blueprint ang gobyerno ni Marcos. Kung na-gets lang sana niya na walang katumbas ang good governance. Kung natanto sana niya na hindi nakukuha sa misinformation, disinformation at revisionism ang pagmimintina ng kapangyarihan.
Kapag bumabagsak ang ratings, panahon nang mag-soul searching. Marupok ang loyalty ng mga bayaran. Marupok ang ilusyon at alamat. Sa bandang huli, isa ang saligang katotohanan: ang pamumuno ay pagsisilbi. – Rappler.
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Can jeepney fares stay at P15 after modernization? Experts fear it could double. | lkyu0285 | 08/04/2024 15:48 | MODERN. Drivers and mechanics of an automotive corporation inspect modernized jeepneys imported from China at a plant in Project 4, Quezon City, on January 31, 2024.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Commuters may just bear the pain of the government’s modernization program as minimum fares could soar from the current P15 to as high as P40.
Experts and manufacturers fear that the high cost of modern jeepneys could force a fare hike, especially since some jeepney operators are already struggling to pay for the monthly amortization of their new vehicles.
“‘Yung jeepney price po na P2.5 million, mag-iincrease ang fare natin, possibly from P27 to P40 per [passenger]. So ‘yung sinasabi ng DOTr [Department of Transportation], LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] na walang fare increase with modernization, hindi po ‘yata totoo ‘yon,” said retired University of the Philippines (UP) professor and UP scientist Teodoro Mendoza.
(With a jeepney price of P2.5 million, our fares will increase, possibly from P27 to P40 per [passenger]. So what the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is saying that there will be no fare increase with modernization, I don’t believe that’s true.)
Under the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, traditional jeepneys must be upgraded to meet Philippine National Standards – which usually means that operators have to buy expensive modern jeepneys. These imported modern jeepneys usually cost about P2.48 million per unit.
In a UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies research, the researcher found that jeepney operators can usually get 250 passengers per day. That means an operator would need a minimum fare of P30 to offset their total costs, including the monthly amortization for their P2.5-million modern jeepney.
If passenger count were to drop to just 200 passengers per day, then minimum fares could reach P40.
What about if jeepney operators purchase locally manufactured jeepneys, such as the Francisco Motors e-jeepney that will sell for just P985,000 for the first 1,000 units? Mendoza estimates that fares could rise to about P24.
“High quality, safe, comfortable, and clean jeepneys have a corresponding price to pay. Making the riding public believe that there is no fare hike is like owning a cake and eating it too,” Mendoza said in a UP-hosted roundtable discussion on Monday, April 8.
Meanwhile, the LTFRB’s Chief Transportation Development Officer Joel Bolano was quick to soothe fears of an impending jeepney fare hike.
“Gusto ko rin po ipaalala na ‘yung pagtaas po ng ating pamasahe lagi pong dumadaan sa discussion o mga hearings na ginagawa po ng LTFRB,” Bolano said, adding that the LTFRB also considers inputs from other government agencies, like estimates from the National Economic and Development Authority on how a fare hike could impact inflation.
(I’d also like to reiterate that increases in fares always pass through discussions and hearings conducted by the LTFRB.)
Bolano also mentioned that some cooperatives, which have already bought modern jeepney units, wanted to keep the current minimum fares, fearing that a raise in minimum fares would lead to fewer passengers and cut their revenues.
Asked by Rappler whether the requirement to upgrade to modern jeepneys would lead to higher fares, Boleno said that changes to minimum fares was usually related to fuel costs.
Officer-in-charge program manager of the PUV modernization program Sharmaine Enales also said that the requirement to modernize would also be supported by service-contracting fuel subsidy programs.
“These are all operational subsidies that, hopefully, will aid the operations of our transport service entities in their operations. Hopefully, this will cushion or subsidize the operations cost…affected by the volatility of our fuel market prices,” Enales said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Previously, the DOTr and LTFRB also shot back against a statement by IBON Foundation that minimum fares could reach up to P50 in five years due to the costs of modern jeepneys, calling such predictions “falsehoods” being spread by minority groups to “sow fear.” (READ: Gov’t denies job loss, higher fares even as only half of jeepneys in NCR consolidate)
Meanwhile, Leonard John Sarao – operations supervisor of the renowned jeepney manufacturer Sarao Motors – countered the LTFRB’s assumption, saying that the loan payments that operators bear for the modern jeepneys would now be a new factor in deciding minimum fares.
In the past, before operators were asked to upgrade to pricey modern jeepneys, Sarao said that the price of fuel was the main factor in determining the minimum fare.
“But now, with the increased cost of the modern unit, I think it directly correlates to the monthly amortization na binabayaran po, kaya din siya magtataas (that they pay, which is why it might go up),” Sarao said on Monday. “So again, this is something new, which needs to be pondered upon.” – Rappler.com
Affordable commutes is one way we can #MakeManilaLiveable. Join this push by journalists and communities to improve quality of life in Philippine cities, through community-driven storytelling and events that link ordinary citizens with policymakers and government officials. Learn more about the movement, and how to volunteer, here.
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Marcos says Quiboloy making demands for surrender is like ‘tail wagging the dog’ | Dwight de Leon | 08/04/2024 12:46 | Graphics by Guia Abogado/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took a swipe at fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy for laying down conditions for his supposed surrender.
Over the weekend, Quiboloy had demanded a written assurance from the Marcos administration that the United States won’t meddle in the criminal cases he is facing here in the Philippines.
“I think it seems to be a little bit tail wagging the dog ano, na siya ang magbibigay ng kundisyon sa gobyerno doon sa kaso niya, akusado siya, sa warrant of arrest (that he is the one setting conditions to the government about his case, when he is the one accused and the subject of an arrest warrant),” Marcos said on Monday, April 8.
“Now as to the involvement of the United States, malayo pa ‘yan e (that’s far from the horizon). That’s going to take years. So I don’t think that’s something he needs to worry about quite frankly,” he added.
The President, however, guaranteed that his administration “will exercise all the compassion to Pastor Quiboloy, whom we have known for a very long time.”
A trial court in Davao ordered the arrest of Quiboloy and five of his associates in March for child abuse and sexual abuse. The Senate also issued a similar order against him for “unduly refusing to appear” at the upper chamber’s inquiry into his alleged human rights abuses.
In the US, a federal grand jury indicted him and eight of his associates in 2021 over allegations of labor trafficking. He has since been included in the most wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Quiboloy, in the 33-minute audio recording posted by the media arm of the Quiboloy-led Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) on YouTube over the weekend, said he needs President Marcos, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Philippine National Police chief Rommel Marbil, and National Bureau of Investigation Director Medarmo de Lemos to promise in writing that Washington won’t interfere in court proceedings here in the Philippines.
If the government fails to satisfy that demand, Quiboloy said “you will never see my face.”
“Ako po ay hindi nagtatago sa kasong ito dahil ako po ay may kasalanan. Hindi po. Ako ay umiiwas dahil pinoprotektahan ko ang aking sarili (I am not hiding from this case because I am guilty. No. I am avoiding it because I am protecting myself),” he said.
Quiboloy also wants the Senate committee chaired by opposition lawmaker Risa Hontiveros to stop its probe into the alleged abuses committed against former KOJC workers, who he claimed were paid to lie.
Responding to Quiboloy, Hontiveros insisted that the fugitive does not have any evidence to dispute the allegations raised by the witnesses in those Senate hearings.
“Wala kang karapatang siraan ang institusyon ng Senado at ang mandato nito (You have no right to tarnish the reputation of the Senate and its mandate),” Hontiveros said on Monday.
“Kung totoong matapang ka, ulitin mo lahat ng sinabi mo tungkol sa Senado, dito sa Senado (If you are brave you will repeat what you said about the Senate, here in the Senate). Make your words of record. Record your shameless audacity in history,” she added. – Rappler.com
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Sara Duterte on continued China bullying: No comment | Bonz Magsambol | 08/04/2024 13:55 | Vice President Sara Duterte
Rappler file
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte broke her silence for the first time regarding continued Chinese harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). But instead of giving her thoughts about the growing tension, she said: “No comment.”
The Vice President made a brief statement on Monday, April 8, in an ambush interview when she was asked to react to the sea dispute. “I think the statement of Cong. Paolo Duterte about me and the West Philippine Sea is comprehensive,” she added.
On March 27, her brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, said that it was not the job of the Vice President and the secretary of education to “demonize China or any country for that matter.” The lawmaker was reacting to an Akbayan party-list statement as to why the Vice President was mum on the issue.
“The question on the actions of Chinese vessels in the WPS should be directed to the chief architect of foreign policy, the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs,” he added.
The Vice President has been silent on the issue concerning national security, and yet she has openly defended doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, who has been tagged as a fugitive by the National Bureau of Investigation. She has downplayed the sexual abuse and human trafficking charges filed against Quiboloy, describing the congressional probe as “unfair.”
The Duterte family is known to favor China. Former president Rodrigo Duterte made a pro-China pivot during his administration. (READ: Duterte’s ‘China pivot’ draws int’l reactions)
On the contrary, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made a commitment to defend the country against China’s actions. He ordered to strengthen the Philippines’ maritime security through Executive Order 57, which renamed and reorganized the National Coast Watch Council into the National Maritime Council. (READ: What is EO 57, which bolsters PH maritime security amid China’s bullying?)
In a Pulse Asia survey released in January, eight in 10 Filipinos wanted the country to work with the United States to resolve the sea dispute.
In its latest intimidation, two China Coast Guard ships harassed Filipino fisherfolk as they installed payaos or local fish aggregating devices in the vicinity of Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea. – Rappler.com
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Marcos says Quiboloy making demands for surrender is like ‘tail wagging the dog’ | Dwight de Leon | 08/04/2024 12:46 | Graphics by Guia Abogado/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took a swipe at fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy for laying down conditions for his supposed surrender.
Over the weekend, Quiboloy had demanded a written assurance from the Marcos administration that the United States won’t meddle in the criminal cases he is facing here in the Philippines.
“I think it seems to be a little bit tail wagging the dog ano, na siya ang magbibigay ng kundisyon sa gobyerno doon sa kaso niya, akusado siya, sa warrant of arrest (that he is the one setting conditions to the government about his case, when he is the one accused and the subject of an arrest warrant),” Marcos said on Monday, April 8.
“Now as to the involvement of the United States, malayo pa ‘yan e (that’s far from the horizon). That’s going to take years. So I don’t think that’s something he needs to worry about quite frankly,” he added.
The President, however, guaranteed that his administration “will exercise all the compassion to Pastor Quiboloy, whom we have known for a very long time.”
A trial court in Davao ordered the arrest of Quiboloy and five of his associates in March for child abuse and sexual abuse. The Senate also issued a similar order against him for “unduly refusing to appear” at the upper chamber’s inquiry into his alleged human rights abuses.
In the US, a federal grand jury indicted him and eight of his associates in 2021 over allegations of labor trafficking. He has since been included in the most wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Quiboloy, in the 33-minute audio recording posted by the media arm of the Quiboloy-led Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) on YouTube over the weekend, said he needs President Marcos, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Philippine National Police chief Rommel Marbil, and National Bureau of Investigation Director Medarmo de Lemos to promise in writing that Washington won’t interfere in court proceedings here in the Philippines.
If the government fails to satisfy that demand, Quiboloy said “you will never see my face.”
“Ako po ay hindi nagtatago sa kasong ito dahil ako po ay may kasalanan. Hindi po. Ako ay umiiwas dahil pinoprotektahan ko ang aking sarili (I am not hiding from this case because I am guilty. No. I am avoiding it because I am protecting myself),” he said.
Quiboloy also wants the Senate committee chaired by opposition lawmaker Risa Hontiveros to stop its probe into the alleged abuses committed against former KOJC workers, who he claimed were paid to lie.
Responding to Quiboloy, Hontiveros insisted that the fugitive does not have any evidence to dispute the allegations raised by the witnesses in those Senate hearings.
“Wala kang karapatang siraan ang institusyon ng Senado at ang mandato nito (You have no right to tarnish the reputation of the Senate and its mandate),” Hontiveros said on Monday.
“Kung totoong matapang ka, ulitin mo lahat ng sinabi mo tungkol sa Senado, dito sa Senado (If you are brave you will repeat what you said about the Senate, here in the Senate). Make your words of record. Record your shameless audacity in history,” she added. – Rappler.com
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Sara Duterte on continued China bullying: No comment | Bonz Magsambol | 08/04/2024 13:55 | Vice President Sara Duterte
Rappler file
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte broke her silence for the first time regarding continued Chinese harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). But instead of giving her thoughts about the growing tension, she said: “No comment.”
The Vice President made a brief statement on Monday, April 8, in an ambush interview when she was asked to react to the sea dispute. “I think the statement of Cong. Paolo Duterte about me and the West Philippine Sea is comprehensive,” she added.
On March 27, her brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, said that it was not the job of the Vice President and the secretary of education to “demonize China or any country for that matter.” The lawmaker was reacting to an Akbayan party-list statement as to why the Vice President was mum on the issue.
“The question on the actions of Chinese vessels in the WPS should be directed to the chief architect of foreign policy, the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs,” he added.
The Vice President has been silent on the issue concerning national security, and yet she has openly defended doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, who has been tagged as a fugitive by the National Bureau of Investigation. She has downplayed the sexual abuse and human trafficking charges filed against Quiboloy, describing the congressional probe as “unfair.”
The Duterte family is known to favor China. Former president Rodrigo Duterte made a pro-China pivot during his administration. (READ: Duterte’s ‘China pivot’ draws int’l reactions)
On the contrary, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made a commitment to defend the country against China’s actions. He ordered to strengthen the Philippines’ maritime security through Executive Order 57, which renamed and reorganized the National Coast Watch Council into the National Maritime Council. (READ: What is EO 57, which bolsters PH maritime security amid China’s bullying?)
In a Pulse Asia survey released in January, eight in 10 Filipinos wanted the country to work with the United States to resolve the sea dispute.
In its latest intimidation, two China Coast Guard ships harassed Filipino fisherfolk as they installed payaos or local fish aggregating devices in the vicinity of Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea. – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/sara-duterte-response-continued-china-bullying-no-comment-april-8-2024/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2-plA9edQMRuxQTIxQTyMx59Orsf38JYLac7sg4Aj8g9-Mqxkr5LrWX_M_aem_5sNu1894mamihRgujWCKtg | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Marcos says Quiboloy making demands for surrender is like ‘tail wagging the dog’ | Dwight de Leon | 08/04/2024 12:46 | Graphics by Guia Abogado/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took a swipe at fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy for laying down conditions for his supposed surrender.
Over the weekend, Quiboloy had demanded a written assurance from the Marcos administration that the United States won’t meddle in the criminal cases he is facing here in the Philippines.
“I think it seems to be a little bit tail wagging the dog ano, na siya ang magbibigay ng kundisyon sa gobyerno doon sa kaso niya, akusado siya, sa warrant of arrest (that he is the one setting conditions to the government about his case, when he is the one accused and the subject of an arrest warrant),” Marcos said on Monday, April 8.
“Now as to the involvement of the United States, malayo pa ‘yan e (that’s far from the horizon). That’s going to take years. So I don’t think that’s something he needs to worry about quite frankly,” he added.
The President, however, guaranteed that his administration “will exercise all the compassion to Pastor Quiboloy, whom we have known for a very long time.”
A trial court in Davao ordered the arrest of Quiboloy and five of his associates in March for child abuse and sexual abuse. The Senate also issued a similar order against him for “unduly refusing to appear” at the upper chamber’s inquiry into his alleged human rights abuses.
In the US, a federal grand jury indicted him and eight of his associates in 2021 over allegations of labor trafficking. He has since been included in the most wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Quiboloy, in the 33-minute audio recording posted by the media arm of the Quiboloy-led Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) on YouTube over the weekend, said he needs President Marcos, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Philippine National Police chief Rommel Marbil, and National Bureau of Investigation Director Medarmo de Lemos to promise in writing that Washington won’t interfere in court proceedings here in the Philippines.
If the government fails to satisfy that demand, Quiboloy said “you will never see my face.”
“Ako po ay hindi nagtatago sa kasong ito dahil ako po ay may kasalanan. Hindi po. Ako ay umiiwas dahil pinoprotektahan ko ang aking sarili (I am not hiding from this case because I am guilty. No. I am avoiding it because I am protecting myself),” he said.
Quiboloy also wants the Senate committee chaired by opposition lawmaker Risa Hontiveros to stop its probe into the alleged abuses committed against former KOJC workers, who he claimed were paid to lie.
Responding to Quiboloy, Hontiveros insisted that the fugitive does not have any evidence to dispute the allegations raised by the witnesses in those Senate hearings.
“Wala kang karapatang siraan ang institusyon ng Senado at ang mandato nito (You have no right to tarnish the reputation of the Senate and its mandate),” Hontiveros said on Monday.
“Kung totoong matapang ka, ulitin mo lahat ng sinabi mo tungkol sa Senado, dito sa Senado (If you are brave you will repeat what you said about the Senate, here in the Senate). Make your words of record. Record your shameless audacity in history,” she added. – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-responds-quiboloy-making-demands-surrender/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR02rjopza2kiYbKoCnmYAohUvxTlkLpj_C_Go19Pg7GdMyKWmE_Bh9ent0_aem_-hjhO3IcOc1j_BkEsZtvzA | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Sara Duterte on continued China bullying: No comment | Bonz Magsambol | 08/04/2024 13:55 | Vice President Sara Duterte
Rappler file
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte broke her silence for the first time regarding continued Chinese harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). But instead of giving her thoughts about the growing tension, she said: “No comment.”
The Vice President made a brief statement on Monday, April 8, in an ambush interview when she was asked to react to the sea dispute. “I think the statement of Cong. Paolo Duterte about me and the West Philippine Sea is comprehensive,” she added.
On March 27, her brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, said that it was not the job of the Vice President and the secretary of education to “demonize China or any country for that matter.” The lawmaker was reacting to an Akbayan party-list statement as to why the Vice President was mum on the issue.
“The question on the actions of Chinese vessels in the WPS should be directed to the chief architect of foreign policy, the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs,” he added.
The Vice President has been silent on the issue concerning national security, and yet she has openly defended doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, who has been tagged as a fugitive by the National Bureau of Investigation. She has downplayed the sexual abuse and human trafficking charges filed against Quiboloy, describing the congressional probe as “unfair.”
The Duterte family is known to favor China. Former president Rodrigo Duterte made a pro-China pivot during his administration. (READ: Duterte’s ‘China pivot’ draws int’l reactions)
On the contrary, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made a commitment to defend the country against China’s actions. He ordered to strengthen the Philippines’ maritime security through Executive Order 57, which renamed and reorganized the National Coast Watch Council into the National Maritime Council. (READ: What is EO 57, which bolsters PH maritime security amid China’s bullying?)
In a Pulse Asia survey released in January, eight in 10 Filipinos wanted the country to work with the United States to resolve the sea dispute.
In its latest intimidation, two China Coast Guard ships harassed Filipino fisherfolk as they installed payaos or local fish aggregating devices in the vicinity of Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea. – Rappler.com
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A peek into Apollo Quiboloy’s expensive gun collection | Jodesz Gavilan | 03/04/2024 16:38 | Illustration by Raffy De Guzman
READ: Part 1 | Inside Apollo Quiboloy’s lavish world: Mansions, rich-and-famous lifestyle in North AmericaPart 2 | Quiboloy in the US: More multi-million properties in Las Vegas, Hawaii
Doomsday preacher Pastor Apollo Quiboloy did not only accumulate multi-million-peso properties abroad. The self-appointed “Son of God” also has an expensive arsenal of licensed firearms.
A Rappler investigation found that Quiboloy, the leader of the controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), has a collection of at least 19 firearms whose estimated worth is about P2.3 million ($41,000)*, documents obtained by Rappler showed.
This estimate is based on the current market value of each of the 13 firearms that Rappler was able to independently verify by consulting popular gun stores or directly inquiring with manufacturers. We will update this once we obtain more information about the other five.
Two documents show almost entirely different sets of firearms, save for five guns that appear on both lists. The documents also differ on the indicated date of approval for the licenses. Information in the two documents, however, are both registered with the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO).
One of the documents shows 11 guns, while the other has 13, or a total of 19 linked to Quiboloy. One license recently expired on March 5, 2024, and another one is set to expire in September 2024, records showed.
At least 13, however, have an expiry date of April 2033 – indicating that Quiboloy obtained these licenses in 2023. This means that he benefited from Republic Act No. 11766, which extended the validity of a firearm license from four to 10 years.
RA 11766 was signed into law on May 6, 2022 by known Quiboloy friend and then-president Rodrigo Duterte, just a little over a month before his term ended. Duterte himself obtained 10-year licenses for 358 of his own firearms in June 2022, a few weeks after the law was enacted.
Quiboloy is on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most-wanted list for sex trafficking of children and promotional money laundering, among others. In the Philippines, the doomsday preacher was charged with human trafficking, a non-bailable offense, on top of a March 14 arrest warrant issued by a regional trial court in the Davao region for child abuse and sexual abuse.
The PNP on Friday, April 26, announced that it has revoked Quiboloy’s licenses, after the recommendation of the PNP FEO. Spokesperson Jean Fajardo earlier this month confirmed that Quiboloy has 19 firearms, as quoted by several media reports, affirming the count on documents first obtained and reported on exclusively by Rappler.
Earlier on Wednesday, April 24, the PNP FEO told Rappler that it already recommended revoking the gun licenses of Quiboloy, adding that it had submitted the resolution for approval by PNP chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil.
Quiboloy has a Type 5 license, as stated in the document that contains information on the firearms. The document obtained by Rappler certifies that these “information exist in FEO records.”
Individuals who have a Type 5 license can own more than 15 firearms because the law does not impose an explicit limit. This, however, is subject to a process where a prospective license holder needs to submit requirements, including results from drug and psychological tests.
All but one – or at least 18 – firearms in Quiboloy’s vault are pistols. Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2012 defines a pistol as “a hand-operated firearm having a chamber integral with or permanently aligned with the bore which may be self-loading.”
At least 15 pistols listed have complete details, meaning that the document states the pistol’s make, model, caliber, and serial number or “key identifiers of a firearm,” according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. “Make” refers to the name of the firearms manufacturer. The “model” is a way to identify each firearm produced by a manufacturer.
The model of three pistols licensed under Quiboloy are not indicated in the documents.
But based on firearms with complete details, the most expensive in the doomsday preacher’s vault are the pistols manufactured by Philippine-based Metrillo Gun Corporation. Quiboloy has at least five Metrillo pistols, with a total conservative estimate of around P1.5 million ($27,000).
Rappler was able to obtain price quotations of specific pistol models – three Fastidious, one Masterpiece, and one Phenomenal – indicated in the documents.
A Masterpiece pistol can range from P285,000 ($5,000) to P420,000 ($7,400), depending on whether it is customized or not. A Fastidious, meanwhile, can go as high as P650,000 ($11,500). The cheapest Phenomenal model is P420,000 ($7,400), while the most expensive is worth P750,000 ($13,300).
Duterte also owns three Masterpiece pistols from Metrillo.
Quiboloy owns two pistols made by CZ, a Czech Republic-based manufacturer. One is a 75 TS Orange pistol, “a top of the range sport special,” that costs P195,000 ($3,466). The other, meanwhile, is a Shadow 2 pistol with a price tag of P100,000 ($1,700). It is described as “an all-steel, large-capacity SA/DA pistol that is currently the most celebrated firearm in today’s dynamic sport disciplines.”
The sole rifle licensed under the doomsday preacher’s name is a Colt that has no indicated model, but one of the cheapest goes for P61,000 ($1,080) a piece.
Gun ownership is not unusual, and that includes even religious leaders.
In the United States, for example, Pew Research in 2017 found that 41% of evangelicals own guns. Sociologist of religion Jayeel Cornelio explained that, in the US context, guns and God go hand-in-hand as a reflection of a theological worldview that Christ is “masculine, dominant, and ready to fight.”
This becomes dangerous when they start believing that people who are not like them – those who have opposing views on important issues – are “potential enemies.”
“Gun ownership reflects two possibilities in the Christian worldview: As a form of protection or in preparation for a possible war,” he told Rappler on Monday, April 1. “Either way, the working assumption is that there is an imminent threat for which gun ownership is necessary.”
Quiboloy may have only 19 firearms in his vault, but one can view this as part of a “bigger war that he is waging,” especially as he continues to face legal issues stemming from accusations of abuse by former KOJC members.
“He is after all a countercultural, counterintuitive religious leader,” Cornelio said. “He knows that many would not like what he preaches so that could be one reason why he feels threatened.”
It is important to note that this report covers only guns that are officially licensed under Quiboloy’s name. These do not include other possible firearms that are in use by his security.
In February 2018, when Quiboloy was temporarily detained, Hawaii News Now reported that authorities discovered “parts to assemble military-style rifles” and undeclared cash in the plane that he and other KOJC associates were on.
A former church member also claimed that the doomsday pastor would arrive in his vast property in Davao City with lots of firearms. He also supposedly witnessed Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, leave the premises with bags of guns. The former president denied this claim, calling it “a very stupid proposition,” and even questioned where Quiboloy would get these guns.
The over P2-million gun vault of Quiboloy (about $41,000) – is the latest in a slew of discoveries about his vast wealth. Rappler previously published reports that explored multi-million-peso homes traced to Quiboloy and his controversial KOJC – four currently owned and one that has already been sold.
The four have a total estimated value of $9.07 million (P503 million), based on current market prices. If the property sold in 2018 is included, the total value would go up to $10.83 million (P601 million).
The properties found to have current links to Quiboloy and the KOJC include the following:
There is also a property in Hawaii worth $1.76 million (P97.71 million) that was the subject of a ruse sale in July 2018, months after Quiboloy was temporarily detained in 2018. The listed owners of the company it was sold to are directly linked to the pastor, while its address leads to a KOJC church.
KOJC is far from being the only church that has this much wealth and properties. According to Cornelio, having that much resources that could be claimed to come from God would be “irrefutable to a believer.”
“For any religious group, the mark of success is the accumulation of wealth,” he said. “It is much easier to say that you have God’s anointing if you can concretely identify the ‘blessings.’”
One way that Quiboloy could justify his wealth is to say that “it is a demonstration of the fulfillment of God’s calling” for him and the KOJC, Cornelio said. Obtaining properties both in the Philippines and abroad happened because God is “at work in them.”
But Quiboloy is accused of accumulating his wealth by forcing members to not just give money, but also solicit donations in various places across the Philippines and even the world. (READ: ‘Root of all evil’: Quiboloy church’s demands for money mire followers in debt)
Following the publication of Rappler’s investigation into Quiboloy’s multi-million-peso mansions, some supposed KOJC supporters defended their leader online by saying that the properties are owned by the entire church. These are aside from the intense defense they mounted against allegations of abuse.
Why are many people still defending Quiboloy? Cornelio said that the KOJC is a “high-demand, high-control religion” where so much is at stake when one joins – referring to demands and responsibilities, as well as repercussions when members stray from what is ordered. This leads to their identities being “fully intertwined with the institution itself.”
“So effectively, individuality gives way to group solidarity [and] for this reason, an attack on Quiboloy is an attack on all of them,” he said.
“But that is also where all the problem lies: not just the lack of accountability when the leader becomes corrupt, but also people’s inability to recognize that something is already wrong,” Cornelio added.
Quiboloy remains untouchable – despite having an existing arrest warrant from a local court, an arrest order from the Senate, and landing on the FBI’s most wanted list. Will he remain invincible? – Rappler.com
*$1 = P56
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NGCP improves transmission line to boost Western Visayas power supply | Herbie G | 08/04/2024 13:29 | NEW LINE. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks to a crowd in Bacolod during the inauguration of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines's Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone project on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Erwin Delilan/Rappler
BACOLOD, Philippines – The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) energized on Monday, April 8, its P67.98 billion, 230-kilovolt (kV) Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) backbone project, aiming to do away with the crippling power outages in Negros and Panay.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial energization and inauguration of the Bacolod, Iloilo, and Cebu substations in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
With the 230-kV CNP line and transmission facilities, NGCP said, Negros-Panay’s power supply will be boosted more than double from the current 180 megawatts.
Designated as an Energy Project of National Significance (EPNS) in 2019, CNP is seen to be a game-changer for the energy sector in the Visayas, offering a solution to the persistent power challenges in Negros and Panay islands, which has been experiencing crippling outages since early this year.
Marcos said CNP was important for the current 500-megawatt standby power capacity in northern Negros, adding that it will play a role in enhancing energy sufficiency, sustainability, and stability across Cebu, Negros, and Panay.
He said it would benefit some 16 million people in Central and Western Visayas and showcase the government’s commitment to national empowerment and economic growth.
NGCP said the energization of CNP marked a significant stride towards ensuring a stable transmission grid in the country.
The project comprises 670 transmission towers spanning 432 circuit kilometers of overhead lines, 98.9 circuit kilometers of submarine cables, along with 10 new substations and the expansion of two existing major substations.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez expressed hope for reduced blackouts with the the multi-billion-peso transmission infrastructure energized, while Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) General Manager Arnel Lapore welcomed CNP’s potential to enhance power reliability in the region.
Anthony Almeda, NGCP president and chief executive officer, said CNP would play a vital role in the Visayas like its first two backbone projects – the Hermosa-San Jose 500-kV Transmission Line in Luzon, and the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP), which was commissioned last January.
He said the CNP would strengthen the link between the three major islands of the Visayas and provide a more reliable transfer of power to support the fast-growing economies of the provinces in Cebu, Negros, and Panay.
Meanwhile, Marcos urged NGCP to fulfill its commitment to providing reliable transmission service to the nation through dependable expansions.
Marcos pointed out that power generation in the country still needs a boost by building more baseload power plants, especially in the Visayas.
Completing the six-year CNP project has been no easy feat for the NGCP, which faced public criticisms and condemnation, especially during island-wide blackouts in Negros or Panay early this year.
“The dedication of our personnel, who worked despite security threats, inclement weather conditions, land rows, among others, has been instrumental in driving this project forward,” read part of an NGCP statement. – Rappler.com
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National Privacy Commission: DOST hack includes data of 597 employees | Victor Barreiro Jr. | 08/04/2024 11:14 | MANILA, Philippines – Initial findings by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) revealed that the personal data of 597 data subjects – all employees of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – were exposed in the hacking of the agency’s sites.
In a statement on Monday, April 8, the NPC said that preliminary assessments indicated the data breach potentially exposed personal information, such as the names, gender, civil status, and addresses of DOST employees.
The data dump by the threat actor also held the resumes of a number of DOST applicants.
The NPC’s Complaints and Investigation Division said it “is currently engaged in a thorough analysis of the data dump to fully determine the extent of the breach and assess associated risks.”
“Under NPC Circular 16-03, it is mandatory for the DOST to notify the affected data subjects and the NPC within 72 hours upon knowledge of or a reasonable belief that a personal data breach has occurred,” the NPC added.
The NPC also urged the public to avoid “accessing, downloading, or sharing the uploaded data dump without legitimate purpose or proper authorization.”
It said that such actions may constitute unauthorized processing of personal data, which is punishable by law.
– Rappler.com
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Sara Duterte on continued China bullying: No comment | Bonz Magsambol | 08/04/2024 13:55 | Vice President Sara Duterte
Rappler file
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte broke her silence for the first time regarding continued Chinese harassment of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). But instead of giving her thoughts about the growing tension, she said: “No comment.”
The Vice President made a brief statement on Monday, April 8, in an ambush interview when she was asked to react to the sea dispute. “I think the statement of Cong. Paolo Duterte about me and the West Philippine Sea is comprehensive,” she added.
On March 27, her brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, said that it was not the job of the Vice President and the secretary of education to “demonize China or any country for that matter.” The lawmaker was reacting to an Akbayan party-list statement as to why the Vice President was mum on the issue.
“The question on the actions of Chinese vessels in the WPS should be directed to the chief architect of foreign policy, the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs,” he added.
The Vice President has been silent on the issue concerning national security, and yet she has openly defended doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, who has been tagged as a fugitive by the National Bureau of Investigation. She has downplayed the sexual abuse and human trafficking charges filed against Quiboloy, describing the congressional probe as “unfair.”
The Duterte family is known to favor China. Former president Rodrigo Duterte made a pro-China pivot during his administration. (READ: Duterte’s ‘China pivot’ draws int’l reactions)
On the contrary, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made a commitment to defend the country against China’s actions. He ordered to strengthen the Philippines’ maritime security through Executive Order 57, which renamed and reorganized the National Coast Watch Council into the National Maritime Council. (READ: What is EO 57, which bolsters PH maritime security amid China’s bullying?)
In a Pulse Asia survey released in January, eight in 10 Filipinos wanted the country to work with the United States to resolve the sea dispute.
In its latest intimidation, two China Coast Guard ships harassed Filipino fisherfolk as they installed payaos or local fish aggregating devices in the vicinity of Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea. – Rappler.com
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Marcos says Quiboloy making demands for surrender is like ‘tail wagging the dog’ | Dwight de Leon | 08/04/2024 12:46 | Graphics by Guia Abogado/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took a swipe at fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy for laying down conditions for his supposed surrender.
Over the weekend, Quiboloy had demanded a written assurance from the Marcos administration that the United States won’t meddle in the criminal cases he is facing here in the Philippines.
“I think it seems to be a little bit tail wagging the dog ano, na siya ang magbibigay ng kundisyon sa gobyerno doon sa kaso niya, akusado siya, sa warrant of arrest (that he is the one setting conditions to the government about his case, when he is the one accused and the subject of an arrest warrant),” Marcos said on Monday, April 8.
“Now as to the involvement of the United States, malayo pa ‘yan e (that’s far from the horizon). That’s going to take years. So I don’t think that’s something he needs to worry about quite frankly,” he added.
The President, however, guaranteed that his administration “will exercise all the compassion to Pastor Quiboloy, whom we have known for a very long time.”
A trial court in Davao ordered the arrest of Quiboloy and five of his associates in March for child abuse and sexual abuse. The Senate also issued a similar order against him for “unduly refusing to appear” at the upper chamber’s inquiry into his alleged human rights abuses.
In the US, a federal grand jury indicted him and eight of his associates in 2021 over allegations of labor trafficking. He has since been included in the most wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Quiboloy, in the 33-minute audio recording posted by the media arm of the Quiboloy-led Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) on YouTube over the weekend, said he needs President Marcos, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Philippine National Police chief Rommel Marbil, and National Bureau of Investigation Director Medarmo de Lemos to promise in writing that Washington won’t interfere in court proceedings here in the Philippines.
If the government fails to satisfy that demand, Quiboloy said “you will never see my face.”
“Ako po ay hindi nagtatago sa kasong ito dahil ako po ay may kasalanan. Hindi po. Ako ay umiiwas dahil pinoprotektahan ko ang aking sarili (I am not hiding from this case because I am guilty. No. I am avoiding it because I am protecting myself),” he said.
Quiboloy also wants the Senate committee chaired by opposition lawmaker Risa Hontiveros to stop its probe into the alleged abuses committed against former KOJC workers, who he claimed were paid to lie.
Responding to Quiboloy, Hontiveros insisted that the fugitive does not have any evidence to dispute the allegations raised by the witnesses in those Senate hearings.
“Wala kang karapatang siraan ang institusyon ng Senado at ang mandato nito (You have no right to tarnish the reputation of the Senate and its mandate),” Hontiveros said on Monday.
“Kung totoong matapang ka, ulitin mo lahat ng sinabi mo tungkol sa Senado, dito sa Senado (If you are brave you will repeat what you said about the Senate, here in the Senate). Make your words of record. Record your shameless audacity in history,” she added. – Rappler.com
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DepEd orders public schools to implement distance learning on April 8 | Bonz Magsambol | 07/04/2024 16:12 | SCHOOL. Students and teachers hold regular classes at the General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City, on February 21, 2024.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Sunday, April 7, ordered all public schools in the country to implement distance learning on Monday, April 8, so students can “complete pending assignments, projects, and other requirements.”
“Teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools shall not be required to report to their stations,” the DepEd said.
For private schools, the DepEd said they have the option to implement the same.
“Basically, since ipit rin siya sa (since Monday is sandwiched with) holidays, best time for learners to use the time to complete whatever they need to complete,” DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa told reporters in a Viber message.
The country will have two consecutive days of holidays on April 9 and 10 due to Day of Valor and Eid’l Fitr, respectively. The DepEd oversees some 47,000 public schools in the country.
Poa said that in-person classes will resume on Thursday, April 11, depending on weather condition. Last week, some areas in the country declared in-person class suspension due to extreme heat, prompting schools to implement remote learning. – Rappler.com
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The DepEd distance Learning directive is relevant given the present circumstances. But the question of access and resources returns. How many students have access to an internet connection and the appropriate gadgets? What about the teachers? It also brings back the issue of overpriced PC laptops. Anybody who would care to remember?
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National Privacy Commission: DOST hack includes data of 597 employees | Victor Barreiro Jr. | 08/04/2024 11:14 | MANILA, Philippines – Initial findings by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) revealed that the personal data of 597 data subjects – all employees of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – were exposed in the hacking of the agency’s sites.
In a statement on Monday, April 8, the NPC said that preliminary assessments indicated the data breach potentially exposed personal information, such as the names, gender, civil status, and addresses of DOST employees.
The data dump by the threat actor also held the resumes of a number of DOST applicants.
The NPC’s Complaints and Investigation Division said it “is currently engaged in a thorough analysis of the data dump to fully determine the extent of the breach and assess associated risks.”
“Under NPC Circular 16-03, it is mandatory for the DOST to notify the affected data subjects and the NPC within 72 hours upon knowledge of or a reasonable belief that a personal data breach has occurred,” the NPC added.
The NPC also urged the public to avoid “accessing, downloading, or sharing the uploaded data dump without legitimate purpose or proper authorization.”
It said that such actions may constitute unauthorized processing of personal data, which is punishable by law.
– Rappler.com
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LOOK: This new Baguio hotel is a modern respite in the heart of the city | Steph Arnaldo | 07/04/2024 13:51 | MANILA, Philippines – Baguio City’s old-timey, well-loved charm never goes out of style – well-maintained heritage structures, generations-old businesses, cabin-themed hotels, and classic landmarks frequented by tourists for years.
Some tourists, however, may be looking for something different on their next trip uphill – something more modern and minimalist, veering away from the typical log cabin aesthetic the Summer Capital of the Philippines is known for.
One of the city’s newest hotels – SotoGrande Baguio – officially opened in February, along Leonard Wood Road, Cabinet Hill, right across Teacher’s Camp.
Managed by Enderun Hotels, SotoGrande is situated at a prime location, easily walkable from various lounge bars and restaurants, and only a 5-10 minute drive away from the city proper (near Sky Ranch, Session Road, and Burnham Park).
Based on the lobby alone, SotoGrande makes itself known as a clean, modern, minimalist, and simple getaway spot that highlights the best of Baguio – cool weather, fresh air, and nature’s finest. Touches of native charm adorn the property – intricate wood carvings of Cordillera region’s tribes and Baguio’s famous landmarks on the lobby ceilings, made by Baguio’s own native artisans.
The lobby is homey and classy, with cozy sofas and a lounge cocktail bar for happy hour.
Since the property is new, everything is clean and organized. It’s well-designed, and has prompt guest service. The lobby is spacious and cozy at the same time – fit with sofas for waiting and a lounge cocktail bar for happy hour.
If it’s cold outside, stay inside! Sotogrande has a total of 188 rooms – either with twin beds, double beds, or queen beds. Its nightly rates are affordable (starting at P3,000+ a night), considering the accessible location, its comfy bed and pillows, and the basic amenities available per room – toiletries, slippers, refrigerator, smart TV with Netflix, and a coffee/tea station.
Note that it isn’t a luxury five-star hotel, so the rooms aren’t very big (nothing more than 30 square meters) and the amenities are very straightforward; no frills. However, Sotogrande’s Queen Deluxe (P4,500+) is one of the biggest rooms (including its comfort room), complete with its own sofa and a small balcony facing Sotogrande’s residential building. A nice detail: Ifugao woven textiles used as the headboard. What I was looking for, however, were bedside lamps for ambient lighting.
There are also special Deluxe Corner rooms, if you’d like a better view of Baguio’s cityscape and greenery. The 43.2 sqm One Bedroom Suite (P10,000) is fit for a family – it comes with a sophisticated and cozy living room and a bedroom with two double beds.
Sotogrande’s value-for-money rate already includes breakfast for two.
The breakfast buffet is good, with a diverse selection of breads, jams, and Filipino ulams and favorites, like arroz caldo, a champorado station, pancakes, free-flowing brewed coffee, juices, fresh fruits, and even a taho man on call.
Sotogrande’s restaurant is located by the patio, so you can enjoy Baguio’s cool breeze while dining. The patio is where the hotel’s 24/7 heated pool is located, too.
Hotel restaurants are usually a hit or miss, and thankfully, Sotogrande proves the former! It’s easy to have all your meals at Brisa del Baguio, Sotogrande’s high-quality restaurant with an extensive menu of traditional Filipino recipes, using some indigenous Cordilleran ingredients from local farmers and fine produce unique to the region.
All the meals we ordered were value-for-money, with big servings good for sharing, an appetizing presentation, and bold flavors. The Buttered Chicken (P520) features crispy and juicy fried chicken coated in a buttery garlic sauce that’s savory, tangy, and a tad sweet, topped with fried garlic.
The really cheesy Baked Bangus (P520) is a fresh boneless bangus topped with four cheeses and vegetables, baked until melted and served with French fries; the Kilawin (P480) is a refreshing appetizer of soft and cured white fish in a zingy vinegar dressing and mango tomato salsa.
The Dirty Fries (P440) can feed two to three, topped with chili con carne, salsa, and cheese. The Buffalo Chicken (P480) features hefty boneless chicken nuggets that are moist and juicy, tossed in an addictive spicy-tangy buffalo sauce and served with a creamy ranch dressing.
The Sizzling Sisig (P380) is a soft and chewy kind of sisig, using thrice-cooked pork maskara with tasty liver spread, onion, and chili. Of course, the fresh Strawberry Smoothie didn’t disappoint!
Sotogrande’s property also has function rooms for company meetings, a fitness center in the making, and a roof deck that is still being developed.
If you’re looking for a new and affordable accommodation choice on your next Baguio trip that keeps you in the midst of the action but doesn’t feel exactly like old-time Baguio, check out Sotogrande Baguio – the busiest branch among Sotogrande’s other branches in Katipunan and Palawan. It’s a modern getaway with a fresh and updated design that’s straight to the point and comfortable in terms of service, with affordable rates, good food, and a location that’s very convenient. – Rappler.com
To book a room, you can visit Sotogrande Baguio’s website.
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DENR terminates Socorro ‘cult’ use of protected area | Iya Gozum | 08/04/2024 13:56 | A monument inside the PACBRMA area formerly under the stewardship of the Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) cancelled the Protected Area Community-Based Resource Management Agreement (PACBRMA) No. 74007 of the alleged cult Socorro Bayanihan Services Incorporated (SBSI), led by Jay Rence Quilario, alias Señor Aguila.
The DENR served the cancellation order to SBSI on April 4, terminating the PACBRMA which awarded 353 hectares of protected area in Surigao del Norte to the organization in 2004.
A PACBRMA is a legal instrument entered into by the DENR and tenured migrant groups to conserve land within a protected area for 25 years. Tenured migrants are residents who have been living in the area at least five years before it was proclaimed a protected area.
Upon cancellation of the agreement, the government instructed residents to “self-demolish their houses and to harvest their crops within a reasonable amount of time.”
“The whole idea of our approach is to be as humane and as peaceful in terms of this process,” DENR Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga said in Filipino during a press briefing on Monday, April 8. “That’s why it took a while because we wanted to be sure that there were options available especially for peaceful resettlement.”
The following were SBSI’s violations of the agreement, according to findings from the DENR’s investigation conducted last year:
Found within the PACBRMA area were the following illegal structures:
The DENR originally awarded the PACBRMA to 404 tenured migrant households. It has now ballooned to 1,425 households. According to Nonito Tamayo, regional executive director of DENR Caraga, the number increased in 2019 when an earthquake hit the area and forced locals to relocate.
In September last year, the DENR suspended SBSI’s use of the protected area. SBSI had been the subject of Senate hearings which covered allegations of child marriages, sexual abuses, and military training. Senator Risa Hontiveros said in a previous hearing that the alleged practices could have been prevented if the DENR suspended the agreement earlier.
The PACBRMA area formerly under the stewardship of SBSI is part of the protected area in northeastern Mindanao proclaimed by then president Fidel V. Ramos in 1996.
There are 131 PACBRMAs across the country that are currently under investigation. – Rappler.com
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Quiboloy: ‘I will not be caught alive’ | Jairo Bolledo | 06/04/2024 16:33 | PREACHER. Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church and a friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Quiboloy's Facebook page
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – “Hindi ako magpapahuli nang buhay (I will not be caught alive).”
Fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy broke his silence on Saturday morning, April 6, to once again accuse the Marcos administration of conspiring with the United States in an alleged assassination plot against him.
Wanted in connection with child abuse and sexual abuse cases in Davao City, Quiboloy broke down towards the end of a nearly 33-minute audio recording posted by the media arm of the Quiboloy-led Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) on YouTube.
“Tandaan po ninyo: Ako’y mamamatay with honor. Tatayo ako para sa mga ginipit, kinunan ng katarungan, kinunan ng hustisya sa bansang ito. Dito tutulo ang aking dugo. Dito ako mamamatay. Bahala na, basta Pilipino ang papatay sa akin. OK sa akin iyon,” Quiboloy said, his voice cracking.
(Remember this: I will die with honor. I will stand for the oppressed, those deprived of justice, and those deprived of fairness in this country. Here, my blood will be shed. Here, I will die. Let it be, as long as it’s a Filipino who kills me. That’s OK with me.)
Quiboloy released the statement three days after the National Bureau of Investigation and the police initiated a search to serve two arrest warrants issued by a Davao regional court against him and five of his associates. Of the six accused, Quiboloy remains the only one at large.
“Ako po ay hindi nagtatago sa kasong ito dahil ako po ay may kasalanan. Hindi po. Ako ay umiiwas dahil pinoprotektahan ko ang aking sarili,” he said
(I am not hiding from this case because I am guilty. No. I am avoiding it because I am protecting myself.)
Quiboloy said he would confront his accusers and respond to their allegations in court only if the US would keep off.
The preacher alleged that US authorities intended to kidnap or kill him rather than extradite him for trial in an American court without specifying why the US would want him dead.
Quiboloy also claimed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had agreed to hand him over to the Americans, suggesting that recent actions by the Senate and the House of Representatives against him and his group were part of the alleged US strategy. He did not say how exactly he learned of this, but he stated that the purported US plot was confirmed by his lawyers.
Wanted in the US, Quiboloy has been placed on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) list of most wanted after he and several of his associates were indicted by a federal grand jury in a California district court in 2021 for a series of cases including sex trafficking, fraud and coercion, misuse of visas, bulk cash smuggling, and money laundering.
Quiboloy asserted that his decision not to surrender was “wisdom from God” aimed at protecting him.
“I am preserving myself,” said the controversial preacher, who styles himself as the “appointed son of God.”
He also said he would only appear in court on condition that Marcos, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and heads of various law enforcement agencies would guarantee in writing that the US would not be involved in any manner and that he would not get killed.
Another condition for his surrender, according to Quiboloy, is if the Senate committee chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros would cease its ongoing investigation into the alleged abuses committed against former KOJC workers.
He accused the former KOJC workers who testified against him before Hontiveros’ committee of being paid to lie and fabricate stories against him.
It was not the first time for Quiboloy to hurl such accusations against the US, particularly the FBI, the US Central Intelligence Agency or CIA, and the Marcos administration.
Responding to it in late February, Marcos laughed off the alleged assassination plot against the preacher, and asked: “Hindi ko naiintindihan ‘yung sinasabi niya. Bakit siya i-assassinate (I can’t understand what he’s saying. Why will he be assassinated)?”
That same month, the US embassy in Manila also stated: “For more than a decade, Apollo Quiboloy engaged in serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, and he is currently on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. We are confident that Quiboloy will face justice for his heinous crimes.” – Rappler.com
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If he is really the ‘annointed son of god’ why is he afraid of assassination? We will even volunteer to help authorities to secure his safety if he will volunteer to be crucified in order to “fulfill” his mission / vision statements. Since all his presumptions and conditions are product of a psychotic person, we might just as well ride on his hallucinations.
According to Quiboloy: “Hindi ako magpapahuli nang buhay (I will not be caught alive).” Really? As the “Appointed Son of God, ” he should not fear death because he is assured of his place in “Heaven.” Or would it end like that of someone who promised that “he will fight until the last drop of his blood”? This is indeed a thrilling politico-religious theatrics.
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NLEX rewards unheralded Dominick Fajardo with salary upgrade for steady play | delfin.dioquino editor | 07/04/2024 14:20 | SHOT. Dominick Fajardo in action for the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Dominick Fajardo is just as pivotal to the NLEX Road Warriors’ success in the PBA Philippine Cup as his more acclaimed teammates.
So the Road Warriors gave the unheralded rookie a well-deserved salary upgrade after he helped NLEX clinch its fourth straight victory in the All-Filipino tournament by way of an 87-74 win over Magnolia on Saturday, April 6.
Fajardo finished with 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block as the Road Warriors improved to 5-1.
“They said I’m playing well so the NLEX management and the bosses rewarded me. They adjusted my salary,” Fajardo said in Filipino.
“I need to double my effort and hard work in practices and in games because I’m now well-compensated.”
Fajardo worked as an NLEX employee before joining the Road Warriors in the PBA, serving as a security crew for the tollways company.
An MVP in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League, the Bulacan State University product still found time for the sport as he saw action in the MVP Olympics, a tournament for companies owned by tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan.
There, the Road Warriors discovered Fajardo and tapped him for their PBA 3×3 team, the Cavitex Braves.
Fajardo, who is considered undersized for the position he plays as a six-foot forward, admitted he never imagined reaching the PBA considering the Braves only brought him in as a last-minute replacement for David Murrell.
“It was only because of an emergency why I got into 3×3. I just continued to play well there, and coach probably saw my potential,” said Fajardo.
But Fajardo exceeded expectations as he helped Cavitex win multiple leg titles.
His exploits in the PBA 3×3 paved the way for NLEX to include Fajardo in its lineup for the PBA On Tour, a series of exhibition games during the offseason.
Fajardo once again impressed and averaged in double-figure scoring, taking advantage of the playing time given to him by head coach Frankie Lim.
Convinced he is ripe for the PBA, Fajardo threw his name in the 2023 draft, and the Road Warriors snagged him in the third round as the 30th pick.
“He is so hungry to learn. He wants people to teach him. He is so humble to work on his game,” said NLEX team manager Larry Fonacier. “That is the kind of character that we want here at NLEX.”
“Just looking at his history from where he began to where he is now finishing games and playing a crucial role in our team, I think it is just fair that we give him an increase midseason.”
After juggling his corporate job and his professional basketball career throughout his PBA 3×3 and PBA on Tour stints up to his first conference in the league, Fajardo is now a full-time athlete.
Being able to focus solely on basketball has worked wonders for Fajardo as he averages 7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1 block.
His best game came in a 103-97 win over Blackwater last March 13, where Fajardo put up a season-high 14 points on top of 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.
“I’m really happy because I’m able to focus on cutting down weight. I can focus on my skills. And I can recover longer because I do not have to go work after practice,” Fajardo said.
His contract set to expire at the end of the year, Fajardo said he wants to remain with the Road Warriors as long as they continue to acquire his services.
“I earn more as a player compared to being an employee. I want to stay here in the long run so I can save money,” Fajardo said. – Rappler.com
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LIST: April 2024 special non-working days in PH provinces, cities, towns | Miriam Grace Go | 26/03/2024 20:09 | Pangasinan image from provincial government; Antipolo and Mountain Province images from Shutterstock
MANILA, Philippines – This is a compilation of special non-working days in various localities in the Philippines for April 2024, as proclaimed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Bookmark this page for possible additional announcements from Malacañang. – Rappler.com
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UP Law brings Philippines’ 3rd win in biggest moot court contest | Lian Buan | 08/04/2024 9:36 | WORLD CHAMPIONS. University of the Philippines College of Law wins the 2024 Jessup moot court world championship.
Jessup White & Case LLP Facebook Page
MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law won the world championship in the 2024 Philip C. Jessup moot court competition, the country’s only third win in what is considered the most prestigious moot court competition in the world.
The UP Law team was composed of Mary Regine Dadole, Pauline De Leon, Pauline Samantha Sagayo, Chinzen Viernes, and Ignacio Lorenzo Villareal. They were coached by Professor Marianne Vitug, who was a world champion in the 2018 Stetson International Moot Court Competition and best oralist of the final round. Their adviser was international law professor Rommel Casis.
The last time UP Law won the Jessup cup was three decades ago, in 1995. The last time that the Philippines won was when a team from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) won two decades ago, in 2004.
The Jessup cup is the “oldest, largest, and most esteemed moot competition worldwide,” said the UP Law Debate and Moot Court Union. A total of 642 teams from 100 jurisdictions competed. UP Law competed against Argentina’s Universidad Torcuato Di Tella in the finals, held on Saturday, April 6, US time, in Washington D.C.
The 2024 Philip C. Jessup moot court imagined a fictional case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of the republic of Antrano against the constitutional monarch Remisia. The made-up case is about Remisia’s criminal conviction of 40 activists for disrespecting the crown which, under its domestic law, is punished with the removal of citizenships. Antrano, which is an advocate against statelessness, secured a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution to “call upon” Remisia to allow a team of investigators to enter the country and obtain documents.
UP Law represented the respondent or Remisia. In the final rebuttal, UP Law’s Villareal discussed the bindingness of the security council resolution when it used the language “call upon,” and in doing so, mentioned the real-life resolution of the UNSC to “use the mandatory language demand” for the ceasefire in Gaza. Villareal won best oralist in the finals.
On X, formerly Twitter, transitional justice lawyer Ruben Carranza said: “I am very proud of what the UP Law Philippines team did in this Final Round: they used this fictional case as a platform, invoking the ICJ case on genocide in Gaza, and reminding us all that in the real world, Palestinian lives should and do matter.” Carranza said Villareal “smoothly dropping” the Gaza ceasefire “just shows why he deserved being named 2024 Jessup Finals Best Oralist.”
Carranza, a UP Law alumnus, coached the last UP Law team that won the Jessup cup in 1995. The 1995 UP Law team was composed of the late Commission on Human Rights chairperson Chito Gascon, Maria Luisa Bartolome Bunggo, Ingrid Rosalie L. Gorre, Philip Ronald P. Regondola and Anthony Suzette V. Suarez.
“The entire UP community joins in celebrating this historic triumph, which not only underscores UP Law’s legacy of excellence but also inspires future generations of legal scholars and practitioners worldwide,” said the UP College of Law in a statement Sunday, April 7.
“With UP Law’s last and only world championship title dating back to 1995 and the only other Philippine victory in 2004, this triumph marks a watershed moment in legal education,” said the UP Law Debate and Moot Court Union.
The last Philippine team to win the Jessup cup before this was the 2004 team from Ateneo Law. They were Frederick Ryan Castillo, Justine Adrienne Guerrero, Andrew Fornier, Aimee Dabu and Ryan Mancera, coached by Professor Silvia Jo Sabio. – Rappler.com
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Congratulations to the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law, especially its UP Law team, for winning the world championship in the 2024 Philip C. Jessup moot court competition. I hope that UP Law’s legacy of excellence will not only be limited to moot court competitions but will benefit the Filipino People by fighting the triumvirate of Corruption, Repression, and Disinformation that manipulates Filipino Society.
“Mabuhay ang Pag-asa ng Bayan!”
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Standhardinger takes 4th-quarter benching in stride as Ginebra suffers rare loss to Terrafirma | delfin.dioquino editor | 08/04/2024 8:03 | TOUGH SHOT. Christian Standhardinger in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – The absence of Barangay Ginebra star Christian Standhardinger in a crucial stretch against Terrafirma raised questions as the Gin Kings lost to the Dyip for just the second time in PBA history.
Standhardinger dominated for Ginebra with 21 points and 7 rebounds through the first three quarters before he rode the bench the entire fourth period of the 91-85 loss on Sunday, April 7.
But Gin Kings assistant coach Richard del Rosario said benching Standhardinger came out of a need for a different look as he opted to play Japeth Aguilar and Sidney Onwubere for most of the final frame.
“Christian was scoring, but the guys that we put in made the run. So we stayed with those guys,” said Del Rosario, who called the shots late as head coach Tim Cone took a backseat.
“Nothing against Christian, we just stayed with those guys.”
Aguilar poured 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, while Onwubere finished with 9 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists off the bench for his best performance of the conference.
Del Rosario noted it was not just Standhardinger who saw a decrease in playing time but also fellow starter Stanley Pringle, who logged a conference-low 18 minutes and put up 2 points and 5 rebounds.
Veteran guard LA Tenorio played extensively off the bench as he tallied 11 points and 5 assists in a conference-high 30 minutes of action.
“When you get lifts from guys off the bench, you have to reward them also. They played well so we stuck with those guys in that stretch,” said Del Rosario.
Standhardinger understood his reduced role in the last canto.
“There is nothing much I can do, as a player you just do it. But coach Richard decided to go with Sidney and Japeth and they both had a great fourth quarter,” said Standhardinger.
“It is just unfortunate that we did not make it with the victory.”
Losing back-to-back games and slipping to 3-3, Ginebra hopes to get back on track as it battles vastly-improved Blackwater next on Friday, April 12, at the PhilSports Arena. – Rappler.com
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Dream fulfilled: Rising star Vanessa Sarno earns Olympic weightlifting berth | delfin.dioquino editor | 07/04/2024 22:39 | PUMPED. Vanessa Sarno in action for the Philippines in the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Cindy Liu/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – Back when Vanessa Sarno defended her title in the Southeast Asian Games in May last year, she talked about her desire to win an Olympic medal.
The rising star will get a chance to do exactly that in Paris as Sarno secured her Olympic berth in the women’s 71kg class following the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand on Sunday, April 7.
Sarno, 20, shattered her own national record in snatch with 110kg and cleared 135kg in the clean and jerk for a total lift of 245kg to finish fifth in the tournament that served as the last qualifying event for Olympic weightlifting.
Her participation in the World Cup – one of the two mandatory events for Paris hopefuls – allowed Sarno to formalize her Games entry as she remained in the top 10 of the IWF Olympic Qualification Ranking (OQR).
Sarno, the pride of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, retained the No. 5 spot in the OQR behind her 249kg total lift – also a national record – she accomplished in the IWF Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar, in December.
Philippine team veteran Kristel Macrohon also competed in the same weight category, recording a total lift of 233kg (103kg in snatch and 130kg in clean and jerk).
USA’s Olivia Lynn Reeves topped the World Cup with 268kg followed by China’s Liao Guifang (264kg) and North Korea’s Song Kuk Hyang (261kg).
Liao kept her No. 1 spot in the OQR after setting a world record of 273kg in the World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September.
The IWF will release the final OQR in May.
With Sarno also bound for Paris, the Philippines will have its biggest weightlifting contingent in the Olympics in nearly four decades as she joins John Ceniza (men’s 61kg) and Elreen Ando (women’s 59kg) in Paris.
The last time three weightlifters represented the Philippines in a single Olympics was in the 1988 Seoul Games.
Rosegie Ramos, who sits at No. 11 in the OQR for the women’s 49kg division, hopes to make it four Filipino weightlifters in Paris as she waits for the final qualification ranking.
Other Filipino athletes who have earned their Olympic spots include pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas. – Rappler.com
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Dream fulfilled: Rising star Vanessa Sarno earns Olympic weightlifting berth | delfin.dioquino editor | 07/04/2024 22:39 | PUMPED. Vanessa Sarno in action for the Philippines in the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Cindy Liu/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – Back when Vanessa Sarno defended her title in the Southeast Asian Games in May last year, she talked about her desire to win an Olympic medal.
The rising star will get a chance to do exactly that in Paris as Sarno secured her Olympic berth in the women’s 71kg class following the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand on Sunday, April 7.
Sarno, 20, shattered her own national record in snatch with 110kg and cleared 135kg in the clean and jerk for a total lift of 245kg to finish fifth in the tournament that served as the last qualifying event for Olympic weightlifting.
Her participation in the World Cup – one of the two mandatory events for Paris hopefuls – allowed Sarno to formalize her Games entry as she remained in the top 10 of the IWF Olympic Qualification Ranking (OQR).
Sarno, the pride of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, retained the No. 5 spot in the OQR behind her 249kg total lift – also a national record – she accomplished in the IWF Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar, in December.
Philippine team veteran Kristel Macrohon also competed in the same weight category, recording a total lift of 233kg (103kg in snatch and 130kg in clean and jerk).
USA’s Olivia Lynn Reeves topped the World Cup with 268kg followed by China’s Liao Guifang (264kg) and North Korea’s Song Kuk Hyang (261kg).
Liao kept her No. 1 spot in the OQR after setting a world record of 273kg in the World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September.
The IWF will release the final OQR in May.
With Sarno also bound for Paris, the Philippines will have its biggest weightlifting contingent in the Olympics in nearly four decades as she joins John Ceniza (men’s 61kg) and Elreen Ando (women’s 59kg) in Paris.
The last time three weightlifters represented the Philippines in a single Olympics was in the 1988 Seoul Games.
Rosegie Ramos, who sits at No. 11 in the OQR for the women’s 49kg division, hopes to make it four Filipino weightlifters in Paris as she waits for the final qualification ranking.
Other Filipino athletes who have earned their Olympic spots include pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas. – Rappler.com
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UP Law brings Philippines’ 3rd win in biggest moot court contest | Lian Buan | 08/04/2024 9:36 | WORLD CHAMPIONS. University of the Philippines College of Law wins the 2024 Jessup moot court world championship.
Jessup White & Case LLP Facebook Page
MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law won the world championship in the 2024 Philip C. Jessup moot court competition, the country’s only third win in what is considered the most prestigious moot court competition in the world.
The UP Law team was composed of Mary Regine Dadole, Pauline De Leon, Pauline Samantha Sagayo, Chinzen Viernes, and Ignacio Lorenzo Villareal. They were coached by Professor Marianne Vitug, who was a world champion in the 2018 Stetson International Moot Court Competition and best oralist of the final round. Their adviser was international law professor Rommel Casis.
The last time UP Law won the Jessup cup was three decades ago, in 1995. The last time that the Philippines won was when a team from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) won two decades ago, in 2004.
The Jessup cup is the “oldest, largest, and most esteemed moot competition worldwide,” said the UP Law Debate and Moot Court Union. A total of 642 teams from 100 jurisdictions competed. UP Law competed against Argentina’s Universidad Torcuato Di Tella in the finals, held on Saturday, April 6, US time, in Washington D.C.
The 2024 Philip C. Jessup moot court imagined a fictional case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of the republic of Antrano against the constitutional monarch Remisia. The made-up case is about Remisia’s criminal conviction of 40 activists for disrespecting the crown which, under its domestic law, is punished with the removal of citizenships. Antrano, which is an advocate against statelessness, secured a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution to “call upon” Remisia to allow a team of investigators to enter the country and obtain documents.
UP Law represented the respondent or Remisia. In the final rebuttal, UP Law’s Villareal discussed the bindingness of the security council resolution when it used the language “call upon,” and in doing so, mentioned the real-life resolution of the UNSC to “use the mandatory language demand” for the ceasefire in Gaza. Villareal won best oralist in the finals.
On X, formerly Twitter, transitional justice lawyer Ruben Carranza said: “I am very proud of what the UP Law Philippines team did in this Final Round: they used this fictional case as a platform, invoking the ICJ case on genocide in Gaza, and reminding us all that in the real world, Palestinian lives should and do matter.” Carranza said Villareal “smoothly dropping” the Gaza ceasefire “just shows why he deserved being named 2024 Jessup Finals Best Oralist.”
Carranza, a UP Law alumnus, coached the last UP Law team that won the Jessup cup in 1995. The 1995 UP Law team was composed of the late Commission on Human Rights chairperson Chito Gascon, Maria Luisa Bartolome Bunggo, Ingrid Rosalie L. Gorre, Philip Ronald P. Regondola and Anthony Suzette V. Suarez.
“The entire UP community joins in celebrating this historic triumph, which not only underscores UP Law’s legacy of excellence but also inspires future generations of legal scholars and practitioners worldwide,” said the UP College of Law in a statement Sunday, April 7.
“With UP Law’s last and only world championship title dating back to 1995 and the only other Philippine victory in 2004, this triumph marks a watershed moment in legal education,” said the UP Law Debate and Moot Court Union.
The last Philippine team to win the Jessup cup before this was the 2004 team from Ateneo Law. They were Frederick Ryan Castillo, Justine Adrienne Guerrero, Andrew Fornier, Aimee Dabu and Ryan Mancera, coached by Professor Silvia Jo Sabio. – Rappler.com
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Congratulations to the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law, especially its UP Law team, for winning the world championship in the 2024 Philip C. Jessup moot court competition. I hope that UP Law’s legacy of excellence will not only be limited to moot court competitions but will benefit the Filipino People by fighting the triumvirate of Corruption, Repression, and Disinformation that manipulates Filipino Society.
“Mabuhay ang Pag-asa ng Bayan!”
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Soldier and cop couple arrested for illegal gun selling in Mindanao | Jodesz Gavilan | 07/04/2024 20:11 | LOVERS FALL. Police detectives arrest an army intelligence operative and a lady cop for illegal gun trade during an entrapment in Pigcawayan town, Cotabato province. CIDG BARMM photo
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – An army intelligence operative and his girlfriend, who were allegedly into illegal weapons trade, fell into the hands of lawmen during a sting operation in Cotabato province on Saturday, April 6.
Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Huesca, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the Bangsamoro region, named the arrested soldier as Corporal Jaafar Sabturaon, assigned with the intelligence unit of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, a unit of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.
Huesca identified Sabturaon’s partner as Patrolwoman Irish De Emoy, who is assigned to the holding unit of the Regional Personnel Management Division of the police in the Soccsksargen region.
Detectives posing as buyers of weapons were able to acquire for P120,000 the guns and bullets from the couple.
Huesca said the two did not resist and gave themselves up to arresting police officers when they were cornered in the village of Tubon in Pigcawayan town at around 4 pm on Saturday, April 6.
Regional police director Brigadier General Augustus Placer said the two have been subject to a month-long surveillance following reports about the couple’s illegal activities.
Huesca said they are now in detention at the police’s regional headquarters, awaiting the filing of appropriate charges for violation of Republic Act RA 10591, which prohibits the sale and trafficking of guns and explosives.
Authorities seized from the couple a Noveske caliber 5.56mm assault rifle, a caliber 45 pistol, several bullets for the two guns, cellphones, and Honda 150cc motorcycle. – Rappler.com
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Standhardinger takes 4th-quarter benching in stride as Ginebra suffers rare loss to Terrafirma | delfin.dioquino editor | 08/04/2024 8:03 | TOUGH SHOT. Christian Standhardinger in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – The absence of Barangay Ginebra star Christian Standhardinger in a crucial stretch against Terrafirma raised questions as the Gin Kings lost to the Dyip for just the second time in PBA history.
Standhardinger dominated for Ginebra with 21 points and 7 rebounds through the first three quarters before he rode the bench the entire fourth period of the 91-85 loss on Sunday, April 7.
But Gin Kings assistant coach Richard del Rosario said benching Standhardinger came out of a need for a different look as he opted to play Japeth Aguilar and Sidney Onwubere for most of the final frame.
“Christian was scoring, but the guys that we put in made the run. So we stayed with those guys,” said Del Rosario, who called the shots late as head coach Tim Cone took a backseat.
“Nothing against Christian, we just stayed with those guys.”
Aguilar poured 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, while Onwubere finished with 9 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists off the bench for his best performance of the conference.
Del Rosario noted it was not just Standhardinger who saw a decrease in playing time but also fellow starter Stanley Pringle, who logged a conference-low 18 minutes and put up 2 points and 5 rebounds.
Veteran guard LA Tenorio played extensively off the bench as he tallied 11 points and 5 assists in a conference-high 30 minutes of action.
“When you get lifts from guys off the bench, you have to reward them also. They played well so we stuck with those guys in that stretch,” said Del Rosario.
Standhardinger understood his reduced role in the last canto.
“There is nothing much I can do, as a player you just do it. But coach Richard decided to go with Sidney and Japeth and they both had a great fourth quarter,” said Standhardinger.
“It is just unfortunate that we did not make it with the victory.”
Losing back-to-back games and slipping to 3-3, Ginebra hopes to get back on track as it battles vastly-improved Blackwater next on Friday, April 12, at the PhilSports Arena. – Rappler.com
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LOOK: This new Baguio hotel is a modern respite in the heart of the city | Steph Arnaldo | 07/04/2024 13:51 | MANILA, Philippines – Baguio City’s old-timey, well-loved charm never goes out of style – well-maintained heritage structures, generations-old businesses, cabin-themed hotels, and classic landmarks frequented by tourists for years.
Some tourists, however, may be looking for something different on their next trip uphill – something more modern and minimalist, veering away from the typical log cabin aesthetic the Summer Capital of the Philippines is known for.
One of the city’s newest hotels – SotoGrande Baguio – officially opened in February, along Leonard Wood Road, Cabinet Hill, right across Teacher’s Camp.
Managed by Enderun Hotels, SotoGrande is situated at a prime location, easily walkable from various lounge bars and restaurants, and only a 5-10 minute drive away from the city proper (near Sky Ranch, Session Road, and Burnham Park).
Based on the lobby alone, SotoGrande makes itself known as a clean, modern, minimalist, and simple getaway spot that highlights the best of Baguio – cool weather, fresh air, and nature’s finest. Touches of native charm adorn the property – intricate wood carvings of Cordillera region’s tribes and Baguio’s famous landmarks on the lobby ceilings, made by Baguio’s own native artisans.
The lobby is homey and classy, with cozy sofas and a lounge cocktail bar for happy hour.
Since the property is new, everything is clean and organized. It’s well-designed, and has prompt guest service. The lobby is spacious and cozy at the same time – fit with sofas for waiting and a lounge cocktail bar for happy hour.
If it’s cold outside, stay inside! Sotogrande has a total of 188 rooms – either with twin beds, double beds, or queen beds. Its nightly rates are affordable (starting at P3,000+ a night), considering the accessible location, its comfy bed and pillows, and the basic amenities available per room – toiletries, slippers, refrigerator, smart TV with Netflix, and a coffee/tea station.
Note that it isn’t a luxury five-star hotel, so the rooms aren’t very big (nothing more than 30 square meters) and the amenities are very straightforward; no frills. However, Sotogrande’s Queen Deluxe (P4,500+) is one of the biggest rooms (including its comfort room), complete with its own sofa and a small balcony facing Sotogrande’s residential building. A nice detail: Ifugao woven textiles used as the headboard. What I was looking for, however, were bedside lamps for ambient lighting.
There are also special Deluxe Corner rooms, if you’d like a better view of Baguio’s cityscape and greenery. The 43.2 sqm One Bedroom Suite (P10,000) is fit for a family – it comes with a sophisticated and cozy living room and a bedroom with two double beds.
Sotogrande’s value-for-money rate already includes breakfast for two.
The breakfast buffet is good, with a diverse selection of breads, jams, and Filipino ulams and favorites, like arroz caldo, a champorado station, pancakes, free-flowing brewed coffee, juices, fresh fruits, and even a taho man on call.
Sotogrande’s restaurant is located by the patio, so you can enjoy Baguio’s cool breeze while dining. The patio is where the hotel’s 24/7 heated pool is located, too.
Hotel restaurants are usually a hit or miss, and thankfully, Sotogrande proves the former! It’s easy to have all your meals at Brisa del Baguio, Sotogrande’s high-quality restaurant with an extensive menu of traditional Filipino recipes, using some indigenous Cordilleran ingredients from local farmers and fine produce unique to the region.
All the meals we ordered were value-for-money, with big servings good for sharing, an appetizing presentation, and bold flavors. The Buttered Chicken (P520) features crispy and juicy fried chicken coated in a buttery garlic sauce that’s savory, tangy, and a tad sweet, topped with fried garlic.
The really cheesy Baked Bangus (P520) is a fresh boneless bangus topped with four cheeses and vegetables, baked until melted and served with French fries; the Kilawin (P480) is a refreshing appetizer of soft and cured white fish in a zingy vinegar dressing and mango tomato salsa.
The Dirty Fries (P440) can feed two to three, topped with chili con carne, salsa, and cheese. The Buffalo Chicken (P480) features hefty boneless chicken nuggets that are moist and juicy, tossed in an addictive spicy-tangy buffalo sauce and served with a creamy ranch dressing.
The Sizzling Sisig (P380) is a soft and chewy kind of sisig, using thrice-cooked pork maskara with tasty liver spread, onion, and chili. Of course, the fresh Strawberry Smoothie didn’t disappoint!
Sotogrande’s property also has function rooms for company meetings, a fitness center in the making, and a roof deck that is still being developed.
If you’re looking for a new and affordable accommodation choice on your next Baguio trip that keeps you in the midst of the action but doesn’t feel exactly like old-time Baguio, check out Sotogrande Baguio – the busiest branch among Sotogrande’s other branches in Katipunan and Palawan. It’s a modern getaway with a fresh and updated design that’s straight to the point and comfortable in terms of service, with affordable rates, good food, and a location that’s very convenient. – Rappler.com
To book a room, you can visit Sotogrande Baguio’s website.
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No hard feelings as Gomez de Liaño torches Ginebra in rare Terrafirma win | delfin.dioquino editor | 07/04/2024 21:58 | JUMP SHOT. Javi Gomez de Liau00f1o in action for the Terrafirma Dyip in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Javi Gomez de Liaño played his best game of the PBA Philippine Cup in a rare win against the very same team that drafted, and eventually, traded him.
Coincidence? Probably.
But Gomez de Liaño made it clear he has no hard feelings towards Barangay Ginebra as he lifted Terrafirma to a surprising 91-85 win with a conference-high 22 points at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, April 7.
The sophomore forward shot a near-perfect 9-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and added 6 rebounds and 3 blocks to help the Dyip topple the Gin Kings for just the second time in league history.
“Honestly, just to be honest, I was over it already since last year,” said Gomez de Liaño when asked if he felt an added satisfaction by beating Ginebra, which picked him No. 8 overall in 2022 but shortly shipped him to Terrafirma.
“Of course, I did not know why I got traded, but I shifted my focus right away to how I can help Terrafirma. Once I started training with them from Day 1, that has always been my goal – how I can help the team.”
History favored the Gin Kings in the head-to-head matchup as they defeated the Dyip in all but one of their 22 previous encounters.
The only time Terrafirma beat mighty Ginebra came in the 2021 Philippine Cup held inside a bubble in Bacolor, Pampanga, where the Dyip scored a breakthrough 95-90 win.
But the Gin Kings bounced back and nailed their last five battles by nearly 14 points.
That streak ended on Sunday as Gomez de Liaño took over in the second half, dropping 11 points in the third quarter for a 64-61 edge and 8 points early in the fourth period that allowed Terrafirma to pull away and build a double-digit lead.
Juami Tiongson, the hero in that landmark victory three years ago, delivered anew with a game-high 25 points on top of 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Tiongson knocked down a pair of free throws that gave the Dyip a 91-79 cushion with under two minutes left – a lead big enough to ward off a last-ditch Ginebra comeback.
“It is just a collective effort from the team. It started in the second half. Based on our history, sometimes, we tend to slack off at the start of the third,” said Gomez de Liaño.
“We made sure as a group, the ones who started in the second half, to make an impact already.”
Top rookie Stephen Holt also delivered 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, while fellow newcomer Kemark Cariño added 12 points and 5 rebounds for Terrafirma, which improved to 4-3.
Christian Standhardinger finished with 21 points and 7 rebounds to pace the Gin Kings, although he sat out the entire fourth quarter as assistant coach Richard del Rosario stuck with Japeth Aguilar and Sidney Onwubere.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone handed the coaching reins to Del Rosario out of frustration with the Gin Kings’ sluggish play that resulted in the team absorbing its second straight loss and slipping to 3-3.
Aguilar had 18 points and 5 rebounds in the loss.
Terrafirma 91 – Tiongson 25, Gomez de Liano 22, Carino 12, Holt 12, Go 9, Sangalang 7, Cahilig 2, Alolino 2, Olivario 0, Calvo 0, Ramos 0.
Barangay Ginebra 85 – Standhardinger 21, J.Aguilar 18, Tenorio 11, Malonzo 10, Onwubere 9, Ahanmisi 6, Pessumal 6, Pringle 2Cu 2, Pinto 0, R. Aguilar 0.
Quarters: 24-17, 41-40, 64-61, 91-85.
– Rappler.com
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Cebu to write to OSG on legal opinion over pulpit panels | Jodesz Gavilan | 08/04/2024 8:00 | ART. The National Museum of the Philippines receives a series of early 19th-century panels depicting the founder of the Augustinian Order from private collectors Edwin and Aileen Bautista.
National Museum of the Philippines
CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu provincial government will write to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to clarify its legal opinion on the pulpit panels from the heritage church of Boljoon in southern Cebu that are now with the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP).
NMP Board of Trustees Chair Andoni Aboitiz visited the Capitol on Friday afternoon, April 5, to meet with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who gave NMP officials until last week to meet with her.
In an interview after their meeting, Garcia said that she clarified with Aboitiz that apart from being religious items, the four panels are also part of Cebu’s cultural heritage and history. She said the NMP should also recognize that both the Capitol and the Boljoon Municipal Government, through their respective legislative bodies, called for the return of the panels.
Garcia said Aboitiz told her that although he was the board chair, “he cannot make the decision alone.” Action on the panels would need a decision by the entire board, which will meet in May.
NMP will meet with Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma in the mid-April to discuss the issue of the panels.
In the meantime, Garcia said she will write the OSG to clarify the legal opinion that they issued upon the request of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Garcia said that the way the NMP interpreted the OSG opinion made the National Museum think it was in their favor.
But she said the opinion was based “on a limited set of facts.” She pointed out the disclaimer in the OSG document, “In providing our comments in this communication, we have relied solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Thus, this comment may not apply to situations with different set of facts.”
Garcia told Rappler that she didn’t think the OSG had a copy of the deed of donation, which identified the panels as having come from the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima in Boljoon.
Garcia said the Province of Cebu “would write officially to the OSG given additional and the more complete facts, which would include (the deed of) donation, which for all the four said the provenance refers to Patrocinion de Maria, and of course the very, very clear letter of Archbishop Palma.”
After the issue on the panels broke out, Palma issued a statement calling for their return, saying their removal was not only unauthorized but constituted a sacrilege. Palma also said the panels were not works of arts for public display but instruments of evangelization.
In their legal opinion sent to NCCA Chair Victorino Manalo, the OSG said, “It is only when the fact of ownership, and the theft or robbery, are duly established that the Archdiocese of Cebu can demand for the return of the Panels.”
The OSG also listed four conditions that needed to be established before the NMP could be considered liable for fencing. In an interview with Rappler, NMP Director General Jeremy Barns said the conditions listed showed they were not liable. In a press conference at the Capitol, however, Cebu Provincial Government lawyers said the conditions indicate NMP liability on fencing. – Rappler.com
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Maxine Esteban saddened Sam Catantan dragged into PH fencing issue | Jasmine Payo | 06/04/2024 16:29 | FIGHTER. Maxine Esteban takes a break during a fencing competition.
MAXINE ESTEBAN FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines – The perceived Philippine fencing rivalry between former teammates Maxine Esteban and Samantha Catantan isn’t exactly the issue.
That’s what Esteban pointed out days after the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA) issued a statement “to set the record straight” on the controversies surrounding the Olympic-bound athlete’s decision to switch nationalities.
“It saddens me to see my teammate’s name brought up in this issue. It was never a fight between me and Sam,” said Esteban in a social media post on Saturday, April 6.
“It was my quest for JUSTICE against my removal from the national team despite being issued an approved WRITTEN excuse letter to skip all local qualifiers and training while recovering from my surgery.”
Esteban had accused the PFA of dropping her from the Philippine team while recovering from an ACL injury she suffered during competition, describing the move as “extremely hurtful, unfair, and disrespectful.”
Amid the controversy, the 23-year-old Esteban opted to become a naturalized player for Ivory Coast and completed her quest to book a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics last March.
“It hurt me seeing her name brought up as she was not only my teammate, she was my best friend,” said Esteban of Catantan.
“We grew up together, we made historic wins together, we lost together, and most importantly, we dreamt together.”
In a statement on Wednesday, April 3, the PFA defended its decision to send Catantan to the Olympic qualifiers, saying she’s the country’s No. 1 fencer in the women’s foil category as evidenced by competition results and statistics.
“I have always been protective of my teammates,” said Esteban. “Their problems were mine too. Therefore, I would really appreciate it if we stop writing negative comments about her as she is not at fault here.”
Esteban also noted that there’s no rivalry between her and rising fencing star Juliana Gomez, who recently defended her UAAP epee title.
“Likewise, I appeal to all of you to refrain from dragging Juliana Gomez’s name in this issue as well,” the former Ateneo standout said.
“Juliana is a friend. She is an up and coming brilliant fencer making a name for herself. She fences epee, a different weapon from me.”
Esteban wished Catantan well as the Filipina fencer – a former UAAP star now competing in the US NCAA with Penn State University – bids to qualify in the Paris Games through the Asian wild card tournament this month.
“As she is now preparing for the wild card tournament, she needs all the focus. I know this, as I was in the same situation the past year as I strove for direct qualification while going through all the drama, anxiety, and sleepless nights that affected my performance as well,” said Esteban.
“Without me in her way now, I wish her all the best in the upcoming wild card qualifier, and hope she qualifies.” – Rappler.com
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Philippines, US, Japan, Australia hold maritime drills as tension lingers in West PH Sea | Jodesz Gavilan | 07/04/2024 21:57 | SUCCESS. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, United States Indo-Pacific Command, Australian Defence Force, and the Japan Self-Defense Forces successfully conducts the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity in the West Philippine Sea on April 7, 2024.
AFP
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines, the United States, Australia, and Japan successfully engaged in the first multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday, April 7, “with no untoward incident that happened.”
In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said all planned exercises were conducted within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Those who joined included the AFP, United States Indo-Pacific Command, Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Japan Self-Defense Forces.
The AFP said, “The MMCA demonstrated the participating countries’ commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific through interoperability exercises in the maritime domain.”
“It will also contribute greatly to the AFP’s capability development,” it added.
In a joint statement on Saturday, April 6, the four countries said that the activity is “in support of a free and open Indo-pacific,” adding that they seek to “uphold the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, and respect for maritime rights under international law.”
The MMCA said they, “will strengthen the interoperability of our defense/armed forces doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures.”
The activities included communication, photo exercises, division tactics, or Office of the Watch maneuver.
“These activities were designed to enhance the different forces’ abilities to work together effectively in maritime scenarios,” AFP said.
The following naval vessels and aircraft from the Philippines, US, Japan, and Australia participated:
The MMCA came amid increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea. On Thursday, April 4, two Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ships harassed Filipino fisherfolk within the vicinity of Recto Bank. Just a few weeks earlier on March 23, CCG attacked military-contracted vessel Unaizah May 4, with water cannons for an hour. – Rappler.com
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I appreciate this initiative of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the leadership of President Marcos Jr. This is the “first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea,” conducted on April 7, 2024. Congratulations on its success.
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Dream fulfilled: Rising star Vanessa Sarno earns Olympic weightlifting berth | delfin.dioquino editor | 07/04/2024 22:39 | PUMPED. Vanessa Sarno in action for the Philippines in the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Cindy Liu/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – Back when Vanessa Sarno defended her title in the Southeast Asian Games in May last year, she talked about her desire to win an Olympic medal.
The rising star will get a chance to do exactly that in Paris as Sarno secured her Olympic berth in the women’s 71kg class following the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand on Sunday, April 7.
Sarno, 20, shattered her own national record in snatch with 110kg and cleared 135kg in the clean and jerk for a total lift of 245kg to finish fifth in the tournament that served as the last qualifying event for Olympic weightlifting.
Her participation in the World Cup – one of the two mandatory events for Paris hopefuls – allowed Sarno to formalize her Games entry as she remained in the top 10 of the IWF Olympic Qualification Ranking (OQR).
Sarno, the pride of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, retained the No. 5 spot in the OQR behind her 249kg total lift – also a national record – she accomplished in the IWF Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar, in December.
Philippine team veteran Kristel Macrohon also competed in the same weight category, recording a total lift of 233kg (103kg in snatch and 130kg in clean and jerk).
USA’s Olivia Lynn Reeves topped the World Cup with 268kg followed by China’s Liao Guifang (264kg) and North Korea’s Song Kuk Hyang (261kg).
Liao kept her No. 1 spot in the OQR after setting a world record of 273kg in the World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September.
The IWF will release the final OQR in May.
With Sarno also bound for Paris, the Philippines will have its biggest weightlifting contingent in the Olympics in nearly four decades as she joins John Ceniza (men’s 61kg) and Elreen Ando (women’s 59kg) in Paris.
The last time three weightlifters represented the Philippines in a single Olympics was in the 1988 Seoul Games.
Rosegie Ramos, who sits at No. 11 in the OQR for the women’s 49kg division, hopes to make it four Filipino weightlifters in Paris as she waits for the final qualification ranking.
Other Filipino athletes who have earned their Olympic spots include pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas. – Rappler.com
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LIST: Filipino athletes who qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics | jisaga0269 | 12/03/2024 21:31 | CHAMPION. The Philippines' EJ Obiena celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's pole vault in the 19th Asian Games.
Dylan Martinez/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – The clock is ticking for the world’s best athletes to punch their tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympics, and so far, the Philippines is on track to once again be well-represented in the top quadrennial multi-sport showpiece.
Several Filipino standouts have already qualified to fly the flag in Paris, with many more in the wings waiting for their shot at ultimate sporting glory.
The Philippines will have a lot to prove in the 2024 Olympics after a historic 2021 run in Tokyo, where living legend Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first-ever gold through a masterful weightlifting display.
Additionally, the 19-strong Filipino delegation also secured the nation’s biggest medal haul ever in a single Olympics, with Diaz’s gold topping a big four-medal tally, boosted by two silvers and one bronze from boxers Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, and Eumir Marcial, respectively.
Here is the updated list of athletes hoping to make more history for the Philippines in Paris, in chronological order of qualification:
First on the list is one of the Philippines’ best hopes for a 2024 Olympics medal, pole vaulting superstar EJ Obiena.
Ranked No. 2 in the world just behind reigning Olympic champion Mondo Duplantis, the 28-year-old is looking to capitalize on a monumental 2023 season highlighted by notching a new personal and Asian record 6-meter jump on June 10, 2023 and an early Paris qualification on July 3, 2023.
Looking to prove doubters wrong after a controversial split with his old coach, artistic gymnastics phenom Carlos Yulo punched his Olympic ticket on October 1, 2023, and has continuously trained to perfect his craft just in time for Paris.
At just 24 years old, the two-time world champion, six-time Asian champion, and nine-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champion is gunning for his first Olympic gold, particularly in his floor exercise pet event.
Prior to even stepping foot in Paris, Aleah Finnegan is already a history maker for Philippine gymnastics, as her qualification on October 3, 2023, marked the first time a Filipina gymnast qualified for the Olympics since 1964.
Only representing the Philippines for two years so far since her 2022 SEA Games debut, the 21-year-old prodigy is out to make herself a household name with a stellar Olympics debut, and perhaps, win even more hearts with her first medal.
Another familiar face in the upcoming Olympics, boxing star Eumir Marcial is up for another round (or two, or three) with the world’s best, and is looking for a better shine to his 2021 bronze medal.
Qualified for Paris on October 4, 2023, the 28-year-old veteran makes a forced jump to the men’s 80kg class after his favored 75kg division was scrapped for the 2024 Games and is now out to prove himself and the world that he can still bring his best foot forward in the ring even in uncharted territory.
One of the Philippines’ best female boxers today, 31-year-old Nesthy Petecio is right in the middle of her athletic prime, and now has a golden opportunity to improve on her historic 2021 Olympic silver with a return trip to the sport’s biggest stage.
After qualifying on March 12, 2024, Petecio returns to the women’s 57kg event in Paris, where she has a chance to make more history for Filipina boxing.
Making her Olympics debut in July, Aira Villegas joins Petecio as the other Filipina boxer who will give the Philippines a much-needed extra medal chance, this time at the women’s 50kg class after also booking her spot on March 12, 2024.
At 29 years old, the Leyte native already has significant experience under her belt to make her go toe-to-toe with other world-class sluggers and possibly snag an Olympic medal in just her first try.
Weightlifter John Ceniza looks all set for an Olympic debut after securing his Paris Games spot after a strong performance in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup men’s 61kg event in Phuket, Thailand, on April 2, 2024.
The 26-year-old rising Cebuano star stayed well inside the qualification cutoff as only the top 10 in each weight category will compete in the sport’s biggest stage.
Elreen Ando sealed her Olympic return after a solid showing in the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand on April 3, 2024 to secure her place in the women’s 59kg division of the Paris Games.
The 25-year-old Cebuana weightlifter, though, had to do it at the expense of Hidilyn Diaz – the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist – as only one weightlifter per country per weight category will advance to Paris. She bested Diaz with a total lift of 228kg in the World Cup to stay inside the top 10 qualification cutoff.
Ando, who shattered the Southeast Asian Games record last year, aims to surpass her Olympic debut performance where she finished seventh in the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Reigning Southeast Asian Games champion Vanessa Sarno secured a spot in the Paris Games on April 7, 2024, paving the way for the Philippines to have its biggest weightlifting contingent in the Olympics in nearly four decades.
The 20-year-old pride of Bohol stayed inside the top 10 of the women’s 71kg class in the IWF Olympic Qualification Ranking after an impressive stint in the World Cup where she shattered her own national record in the snatch event.
Far from the Olympic radar, Levi Jung-Ruivivar pulled off the improbable to become the Philippines’ third gymnastic bet in the Paris Games.
The Filipino-American teen, who narrowly reached the final as the last qualifier, captured a silver in the women’s uneven bars of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series in Doha, Qatar on April 19, 2024.
With her medal breakthrough, Jung-Ruivivar hiked her qualification points to become the country’s 10th Olympian in Paris.
Joanie Delgaco became the Philippines’ first female rower to qualify for the Olympics on April 21, 2024 after a strong performance in the women’s single sculls of the World Rowing Asian and Oceanian Olympic Qualification Regatta in Chungju, South Korea.
Delgaco finished fourth in the 2,000-meter event, staying in the top five to earn her ticket to Paris.
Philippine fencing booked a return trip to the Olympic stage after three decades as Samantha Catantan topped the continental Paris Games qualifiers.
A former UAAP standout, Catantan ruled the women’s foil category in the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates on April 27, 2024 to become the first Filipino fencer to earn an Olympic spot since Walter Torres competed in the 1992 Barcelona Games.
A fourth gymnast joined the Philippines’ Olympic cast as Filipino-American Emma Malabuyo sealed her bid with a medal-winning performance in the qualifiers.
Malabuyo, a varsity member of the University of California, Los Angeles, claimed her spot in the Paris Games after bagging a bronze in the individual all-around of the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships on May 24, 2024 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam made sure to book a return trip to the sport’s biggest stage.
Although the Cagayan de Oro boxer took a longer route after falling short in the two previous qualifiers, Paalam did so convincingly this time, winning all of his five bouts in the the men’s 57kg of the World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand to claim his Paris Games ticket on June 1, 2024.
Paalam, who had a thrilling debut run in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 before settling for silver, hiked Philippine boxing’s Olympic contingent to four.
Make that five Filipino boxers in the Paris Games.
Hergie Bacyadan made Philippine boxing the biggest contingent for the country in this year’s Olympics after earning her spot in the women’s 75kg.
A former world champion in the combat sport vovinam, Bacyadan earned a unanimous decision win over Venezuela’s Maryelis Yriza in the World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand on June 2, 2024 to book her ticket to Paris.
Earning another trip to the Olympics, golfer Bianca Pagdanganan completed the 60-women field after making the Paris Games cut-off in the world rankings released on June 25, 2024.
But the 26-year-old Pagdanganan aims for a better showing this time after finishing 43rd in the Tokyo edition in 2021.
Golfer Dottie Ardina reached the quadrennial showpiece for the first time after making the the 60-women cut-off for the Paris Games released on June 25, 2024.
The 30-year-old Ardina competed in just two LPGA events this year, but looks to rebound in Paris after a tough season.
Filipina-Japanese judoka Kiyomi Watanabe secured a second consecutive Olympic stint after clinching one of the two continental quotas reserved for Asia in the women’s -63kg category on June 25, 2024.
The 27-year-old bet targets a better showing in the Paris Olympics after a first-round exit in the Tokyo Games.
Lauren Hoffman earned her Paris Olympics spot via the world rankings in the women’s 400m hurdles on July 2, 2024.
Hoffman – the Filipino-American who holds the national record in the women’s 100m hurdles – accomplished the feat by the skin of her teeth as she made the 40-entry cutoff at the 39th spot, collecting just enough points to advance.
Another hurdler made it to the Paris Olympics via the world rankings as John Cabang Tolentino qualified on July 2, 2024.
Tolentino, a Filipino residing in Spain, finished 30th out of 40 qualifiers in the men’s 110m hurdles, just a couple of months after setting the Philippine record in the same event.
Swimmer Kayla Sanchez advanced to the Olympics for the second straight edition as she qualified via universality on July 3, 2024.
Helping Canada win a silver and a bronze in the Tokyo Games, Sanchez will represent the Philippines this time a year after her citizenship switch as she is set to see action in the women’s 100m freestyle.
Like Kayla Sanchez, Jarod Hatch formalized his Olympic entry via universality on July 3, 2024.
Hatch, who won three medals in the previous Southeast Asian Games, will compete in the men’s 100m butterfly. – Rappler.com
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A Negrosanon’s journey from being food crew to real estate CEO | Ralf Rivas | 07/04/2024 18:58 | SUCCESS. Nabaja Land Corporation CEO Jurry Nabaja.
Jurry Nabaja
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Growing up in an underprivileged family can present significant challenges that hinder one’s ability to pursue their aspirations and achieve their goals in life.
44-year-old Jurry Nabaja, a native of Isio village in Cauayan town, Negros Occidental, had also faced immense challenges in his life as he fought his way out of poverty.
In an interview with Rappler, Nabaja said he had to overcome enormous challenges while growing up in a family of eight. Despite losing his father at the age of five, his mother bravely took up the mantle of providing for the family as a tailor-turned-fruit vendor.
“Sang una, ga lakat ko sa eskwelahan nga gutom kay wala man kami kalan-on sa balay. Gina-ubra ko, mabaligya ko ice candy para maka-kwarta ko bakal pagkaon,” he said.
(During my school days, I often went to class hungry because there wasn’t enough food at home. To support myself, I sold ice candy to make money for meals)
Nabaja was fortunate to have been awarded a scholarship from 4th grade through his third year of college, allowing him to pursue a degree in civil engineering.
“Even were underprivileged, I was able to receive a scholarship from an international non-profit organization since I was in the 4th grade until 3rd-year college at West Negros University, now known as STI-West Negros University,” he said.
Nabaja said that his scholarship was discontinued during the later years of his college journey, prompting him to pause his studies and seek work opportunities. He worked as a crew member of a fast food chain in Manila from 2001 to 2002 and spent an additional two years in Brunei.
After four years, he returned to the Philippines, continued his studies at the university, and completed his engineering degree two years later.
From humble beginnings, Nabaja now serves as the chief executive officer of seven companies, which he says have more than 400 employees nationwide.
After graduating from college, Nabaja secured a position in a call center company in Manila in 2007 and later became its operations head, where he excelled until 2017.
While working at a call center, Nabaja met people who encouraged him to enter the realty business. He then served as a land developer’s marketing arm for its properties and built his first business, the Casa Quatro Realty Corporation.
“When an acquaintance introduced me to the realty business, I saw its potential, and it was when I decided to establish Casa Quatro Realty Corporation in 2018 using my hard-earned money from working in a call center company,” he said.
Nabaja started learning about the business gradually. In 2020, when the coronavirus disease was at its peak, he established his second company, Nabaja Land Corporation, which deals with land development.
Nabaja said he collaborated with a landowner in Pililia, Rizal, who helped the person sell a 19-hectare property. He divided the land into 40—to 60-square-meter parcels and sold them to nearly 1,700 buyers. This allowed him to pay for the entire property and gave him additional capital to start selling land and properties on top of my ongoing commission from his realty business.
“During the peak pandemic, each square meter of land was 4,000 per sqm, which was 40-50% lower than other subdivisions’ prices at that time, which attracted Filipinos from different walks of life, including overseas Filipino workers (OFW), to buy the property,” he said.
“In a mere six months of launching our business operations in 2020, we successfully closed six subdivision deals, each consisting of thousands of units. What’s more impressive is that these were achieved despite my limited experience in the industry at that time,” Nabaja told Rappler.
Nabaja said, “Even though I didn’t have enough money, my risk appetite was strong then.” His starting capital was “my commission from selling property units of other property developers amounting to more than a million pesos.”
According to Nabaja, he utilized the connections from his previous job in the BPO industry to encourage people to buy his land properties in Rizal in 2020. As a result, the sales of these properties increased even during the peak of the global health crisis.
“Each square meter of land during the peak of the pandemic was at P 4,000, which is 40-50% lower than other subdivisions’ prices at that time, which attracted Filipinos from different walks of life, including overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to buy the property,” he said.
“La Rosa Homes currently has six construction projects underway in Pililla, Baras, Tanay, and Montalban, all located in the province of Rizal. Additionally, we have a project in Caticlan-Boracay and a new 27-unit small-pocket subdivision in Antipolo City, whose price ranges between P4.5 million to P8 million,” Nabaja told Rappler.
Nabaja lamented that he had not borrowed or loaned any money from banks. Instead, his income, which was used as his starting capital, was from selling 19-hectare land in Antipolo City and commissions from selling properties of other developers.
Nabaja said that construction of the properties under the Nabaja Land Corporation began in mid-2022, and the turnover of some properties is expected to happen in the fourth to last quarter of 2024.
After successfully starting his first two businesses, he established five more: the Nabaja Foundation, Nabaja Builders, Isio Printing Services, KapeLonggo Restaurant, and the Shalum Security Agency.
Nabaja, who grew up in a religious family, said that his life’s journey was shaped entirely by his unwavering faith in God Almighty, whom he regarded as his steadfast companion through all life’s challenges and triumphs.
“Sa tanan ko nga desisyon kag plano, naka-sandig gid sa pagpangamuyo kay siling ko, He is the reason why I am still here fighting for my dreams,” he said.
(Every decision and plan I make is grounded in prayer because He [God] is why I am still here fighting for my dreams).
After triumphing over poverty with Nabaja’s unyielding hard work, he gives back to the community through his foundation.
Now, he plans to build a strip mall and call center company in his hometown in Cauayan, which for him would generate employment for thousands of residents of the southern Negros Occidental town. – Rappler.com
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NLEX rewards unheralded Dominick Fajardo with salary upgrade for steady play | delfin.dioquino editor | 07/04/2024 14:20 | SHOT. Dominick Fajardo in action for the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Dominick Fajardo is just as pivotal to the NLEX Road Warriors’ success in the PBA Philippine Cup as his more acclaimed teammates.
So the Road Warriors gave the unheralded rookie a well-deserved salary upgrade after he helped NLEX clinch its fourth straight victory in the All-Filipino tournament by way of an 87-74 win over Magnolia on Saturday, April 6.
Fajardo finished with 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block as the Road Warriors improved to 5-1.
“They said I’m playing well so the NLEX management and the bosses rewarded me. They adjusted my salary,” Fajardo said in Filipino.
“I need to double my effort and hard work in practices and in games because I’m now well-compensated.”
Fajardo worked as an NLEX employee before joining the Road Warriors in the PBA, serving as a security crew for the tollways company.
An MVP in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League, the Bulacan State University product still found time for the sport as he saw action in the MVP Olympics, a tournament for companies owned by tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan.
There, the Road Warriors discovered Fajardo and tapped him for their PBA 3×3 team, the Cavitex Braves.
Fajardo, who is considered undersized for the position he plays as a six-foot forward, admitted he never imagined reaching the PBA considering the Braves only brought him in as a last-minute replacement for David Murrell.
“It was only because of an emergency why I got into 3×3. I just continued to play well there, and coach probably saw my potential,” said Fajardo.
But Fajardo exceeded expectations as he helped Cavitex win multiple leg titles.
His exploits in the PBA 3×3 paved the way for NLEX to include Fajardo in its lineup for the PBA On Tour, a series of exhibition games during the offseason.
Fajardo once again impressed and averaged in double-figure scoring, taking advantage of the playing time given to him by head coach Frankie Lim.
Convinced he is ripe for the PBA, Fajardo threw his name in the 2023 draft, and the Road Warriors snagged him in the third round as the 30th pick.
“He is so hungry to learn. He wants people to teach him. He is so humble to work on his game,” said NLEX team manager Larry Fonacier. “That is the kind of character that we want here at NLEX.”
“Just looking at his history from where he began to where he is now finishing games and playing a crucial role in our team, I think it is just fair that we give him an increase midseason.”
After juggling his corporate job and his professional basketball career throughout his PBA 3×3 and PBA on Tour stints up to his first conference in the league, Fajardo is now a full-time athlete.
Being able to focus solely on basketball has worked wonders for Fajardo as he averages 7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1 block.
His best game came in a 103-97 win over Blackwater last March 13, where Fajardo put up a season-high 14 points on top of 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.
“I’m really happy because I’m able to focus on cutting down weight. I can focus on my skills. And I can recover longer because I do not have to go work after practice,” Fajardo said.
His contract set to expire at the end of the year, Fajardo said he wants to remain with the Road Warriors as long as they continue to acquire his services.
“I earn more as a player compared to being an employee. I want to stay here in the long run so I can save money,” Fajardo said. – Rappler.com
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Hungry for redemption, razor-sharp Oftana guides TNT out of funk | delfin.dioquino editor | 07/04/2024 19:04 | LONG BOMB. Calvin Oftana in action for the TNT Tropang Giga in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
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MANILA, Philippines – TNT star Calvin Oftana turned down a pre-game interview as he aimed to keep his focus on their battle against Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup.
That was how badly Oftana wanted to win.
Oftana hit key buckets late and finished with a game-high 26 points as the Tropang Giga got back on track in the All-Filipino tournament with a 92-90 win over the Bolts at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, April 7.
The reigning Three-Point Shootout champion, Oftana sank 6 of his 8 attempts from beyond the arc and added 9 rebounds and 3 blocks to help TNT snap a two-game skid and improve to an even 3-3 record.
“I wanted to focus because I wanted to bounce back from my performance last game,” Oftana said in Filipino. “We did not just lose, we got blown out.”
Oftana was referring to a 112-96 beating NorthPort dealt the Tropang Giga last Friday – a defeat where he put up a conference-low 13 points on a 5-of-13 from the field, including 1-of-3 from long range.
It marked the most lopsided loss by TNT this season.
Hungry for redemption, Oftana came out firing against the Bolts early, unloading 19 points in the first half as the Tropang Giga built a 49-40 lead going into the break.
Oftana went scoreless in the third quarter, but when TNT needed him the most, he rose to the occasion anew.
Meralco held to an 87-84 edge with under four minutes remaining before Oftana scattered 7 points in an 8-0 run that gave the Tropang Giga a 92-85 advantage, and eventually, the win.
“Credit to my teammates and coaches for their trust in me. I just try to repay that,” said Oftana.
Jayson Castro backstopped Oftana with 15 points and 6 rebounds, Kelly Williams put up a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds, while rookie Henry Galinato added 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Aaron Black paced the Bolts with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, although his supposed game-tying layup got blocked by Roger Pogoy with under 10 seconds left.
Meralco retained possession with a chance to either win it all or send the game to overtime, but rookie Jolo Mendoza missed his game-winning trey at the buzzer.
Cliff Hodge chimed in 16 points and 5 rebounds, while Allein Maliksi and Chris Banchero contributed 11 and 10 points for the Bolts, who fell to 3-4.
TNT 92 – Oftana 26, Castro 15, Pogoy 11, K.Williams 11, Galinato 11, Khobuntin 8, Montalbo 5, Aurin 3, M.Ganuelas-Rosser 2, B.Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Varilla 0, Reyes 0, Heruela 0, Ponferrada 0.
Meralco 90 – Black 16, Hodge 16, Maliksi 11, Banchero 10, Quinto 9, Newsome 8, Almazan 8, Pascual 5, Mendoza 2, Jose 2, Torres 2, Pasaol 1, Rios 0.
Quarters: 21-25, 49-40, 73-68, 92-90.
– Rappler.com
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Here’s how to take care of your fur babies in this heat | Kaycee | 06/04/2024 21:02 | Shutterstock
MANILA, Philippines – Summer is upon us, and we’re not the only ones feeling the heat – we need to look out for our furry companions, too.
“They’re feeling more or less the same thing that we’re feeling, except they cannot say anything…. So, we have to watch out for their body language to see if we can safely bring them out,” Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) executive director Anna Cabrera told Rappler.
Over the past week, some schools suspended on-site classes as temperatures rose to 40°C or higher. Like humans, pets may also be exposed to heat-related health risks.
It may even be worse for brachycephalic breeds – such as French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, and Persian cats – which Cabrera said were at risk for heat stroke. These breeds may already have problems even without the heat because of their short noses, which the American College of Veterinary Surgeons said were “prone to difficult, obstructive breathing.”
Here are PAWS’ tips for fur parents who want to make their pets a little bit more comfortable in this heat.
Your pet should have access to fresh water at all times to help them cool down and eliminate the risk of dehydration.
“Change their water diligently, every day, a few times a day,” Cabrera said.
At PAWS shelters, Cabrera said they have feeding times for dogs and cats. However, they always keep the water bowls full, and it is considered an infraction for caretakers if some of the bowls are left empty.
“Water should always be available, especially in this weather,” she added.
Owners are reminded to put their pets in an area with proper ventilation and cool air – whether through an electric fan or an air-conditioning system – and shade.
“As long as you make sure that the paw pads are cool, they’re able to pant freely, and they are in an area where you can also stay as a human being, and you’re not feeling any heat, then that’s the ideal situation,” Cabrera said.
Cooling mats are sold in pet stores, which can be put in the fridge before having pets lie on them. But PAWS has some low-cost alternatives:
Pets should be allowed to move around freely so they can adjust and choose a different area when it gets too hot for them.
“We want to launch a full-blown campaign against chaining or putting dogs in cages outside kasi (because) in this weather, you’re just baking dogs,” Cabrera said.
PAWS also advocates for the equal treatment of all dogs – whether they are aspins or purebred dogs. Cabrera noted that some families own an aspin, which would be assigned to stay outside to be the family guard dog and feed on leftovers, while the Shih Tzu they bought stays inside the house and eats dog food.
“We have been advocates that dogs are part of the family, so if you can’t bring them into your homes and you just want a burglar alarm system, then you should just get a CCTV, an alarm system – not a dog,” Cabrera said.
While dogs need exercise, PAWS advises owners against bringing them outside on a hot day. Exercise time may be limited to early in the morning before 7 am or rescheduling their routine at night.
“A very good rule is that if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog,” Cabrera said.
Owners are also advised to avoid concrete as these are conductors of heat. If unavoidable, it’s best to check by having owners put one of their palms against the concrete.
“Kasi ‘pag napaso ka (Because if you get burnt), then most likely your dog will have burns on the paw pads,” Cabrera said.
Having your pet wear dog shoes is also not advised since one of the ways dogs and cats release heat is by sweating through their paws.
PAWS said “summer cut” or getting our furry friends a really short haircut is unnecessary.
Missouri-based Willowbrook Veterinary Clinic noted that cutting or shaving a pet’s fur may also affect how they regulate their temperature when it gets too hot. They may be at risk of sunburn or even skin cancer if their fur is shaved off. Their skin may also be exposed to other harmful things.
However, showers can help – but not too much that it removes natural oils.
“Just water to cool down,” Cabrera said, adding that pet owners don’t need to shampoo their fur babies every day.
In this heat, PAWS said excessive panting, salivating, and excessive grooming – since they are trying to cool themselves off – can be among the signs that something isn’t right with your pet.
PAWS shelter veterinarian Eizel Ladores noted that some of the common heat-related illnesses for pets include heat stress or heat stroke, urinary problems because of dehydration, and ectoparasites since there would be more ticks around during the warm weather. – Rappler.com
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NEA’s sacking of electric coop’s directors in Negros Occidental worries power advocates | Victor Barreiro Jr. | 07/04/2024 18:03 | ANNUAL MEETING. One of the consumers-members-owners (CMOs) of Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative questions the holding of the business meeting of the cooperative's management committee on Saturday, April 6, in Kabankalan City.
Reymund Titong/Rappler
(Editor’s note: Clarification added that PHILRECA cited an earlier court ruling regarding NEA appointments.)
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Power advocates in Negros Occidental have expressed concern over the termination of the board of directors and extended suspension of the general manager of the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (NOCECO) by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) due to alleged anomalies.
Lawyer Rey Gorgonio, legal council for Negros Power Watch, claimed that the ousting of NOCECO’s nine board members and the suspension of its general manager were carried out without legal justification as a registered cooperative under Republic Act No. 9520 or the Cooperative Code of the Philippines.
Gorgonio claimed that when the cooperative was facing difficulties due to Super Typhoon Odette, “NEA did not offer any assistance despite its mandate to assist electric cooperatives (ECs) during challenging times.”
The cooperative’s general manager (GM), Engineer Ray Bustamante, was suspended by NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda for 90 days on allegations of disregarding NEA Memorandum No. 2017-035, dated October 24, 2017, which outlines the revised policy on the selection, hiring, termination of service, and suspension of general managers of electric cooperatives.
NEA appointed another engineer, Domingo Santiago Jr., as the acting general manager of NOCECO for six months or until a regular general manager has been appointed.
Almeda also suspended its board members after they failed to explain how Bustamante assumed office as the general manager.
Another order was issued on December 11, 2023, placing them for another 90 days of preventive suspension due to the alleged board’s decision to grant salary and allowance increases to its employees and pay retirement pay to its former general manager, Jonas Discaya, without NEA’s approval.
The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (PHILRECA) has reiterated that the NEA does not have the power to appoint or determine the selection criteria for GMs of electric cooperatives. The group stated that the selection process removed the EC’s right to choose its general manager, rendering the EC powerless.
PHILRECA cited an earlier court ruling on the Isabela Electric Cooperative that nullified at least two NEA issuances related to selecting GMs for electric cooperatives.
Following a motu proprio investigation, NEA removed all of the Board of Directors of NOCECO in a decision released on February 27, 2024, for grave misconduct. According to the decision, the BODs were found guilty of violating NEA’s memorandum, resulting in their removal.
The decision also recommends their disqualification for “reinstatement or reemployment in any electric cooperative, to run as a candidate for a board of director position in any cooperative, and their other monetary benefits are hereby recommended forfeited.”
Former NOCECO board member Edmund Arceo filed a petition for certiorari with an application for a preliminary mandatory injunction before the Court of Appeals, directing NEA to reinstate the cooperative’s removed directors.
Arceo warned all CMOs to be vigilant and should ask for a copy of the revised CBL of NOCECO in a local dialect so they can fully understand the amendments, as it could deceive them. He added that NOCECO is not ailing, so NEA has no right to step in and take over the operation of the electric cooperative. – Rappler.com
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DepEd orders public schools to implement distance learning on April 8 | Bonz Magsambol | 07/04/2024 16:12 | SCHOOL. Students and teachers hold regular classes at the General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City, on February 21, 2024.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Sunday, April 7, ordered all public schools in the country to implement distance learning on Monday, April 8, so students can “complete pending assignments, projects, and other requirements.”
“Teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools shall not be required to report to their stations,” the DepEd said.
For private schools, the DepEd said they have the option to implement the same.
“Basically, since ipit rin siya sa (since Monday is sandwiched with) holidays, best time for learners to use the time to complete whatever they need to complete,” DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa told reporters in a Viber message.
The country will have two consecutive days of holidays on April 9 and 10 due to Day of Valor and Eid’l Fitr, respectively. The DepEd oversees some 47,000 public schools in the country.
Poa said that in-person classes will resume on Thursday, April 11, depending on weather condition. Last week, some areas in the country declared in-person class suspension due to extreme heat, prompting schools to implement remote learning. – Rappler.com
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The DepEd distance Learning directive is relevant given the present circumstances. But the question of access and resources returns. How many students have access to an internet connection and the appropriate gadgets? What about the teachers? It also brings back the issue of overpriced PC laptops. Anybody who would care to remember?
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LOOK: This new Baguio hotel is a modern respite in the heart of the city | Steph Arnaldo | 07/04/2024 13:51 | MANILA, Philippines – Baguio City’s old-timey, well-loved charm never goes out of style – well-maintained heritage structures, generations-old businesses, cabin-themed hotels, and classic landmarks frequented by tourists for years.
Some tourists, however, may be looking for something different on their next trip uphill – something more modern and minimalist, veering away from the typical log cabin aesthetic the Summer Capital of the Philippines is known for.
One of the city’s newest hotels – SotoGrande Baguio – officially opened in February, along Leonard Wood Road, Cabinet Hill, right across Teacher’s Camp.
Managed by Enderun Hotels, SotoGrande is situated at a prime location, easily walkable from various lounge bars and restaurants, and only a 5-10 minute drive away from the city proper (near Sky Ranch, Session Road, and Burnham Park).
Based on the lobby alone, SotoGrande makes itself known as a clean, modern, minimalist, and simple getaway spot that highlights the best of Baguio – cool weather, fresh air, and nature’s finest. Touches of native charm adorn the property – intricate wood carvings of Cordillera region’s tribes and Baguio’s famous landmarks on the lobby ceilings, made by Baguio’s own native artisans.
The lobby is homey and classy, with cozy sofas and a lounge cocktail bar for happy hour.
Since the property is new, everything is clean and organized. It’s well-designed, and has prompt guest service. The lobby is spacious and cozy at the same time – fit with sofas for waiting and a lounge cocktail bar for happy hour.
If it’s cold outside, stay inside! Sotogrande has a total of 188 rooms – either with twin beds, double beds, or queen beds. Its nightly rates are affordable (starting at P3,000+ a night), considering the accessible location, its comfy bed and pillows, and the basic amenities available per room – toiletries, slippers, refrigerator, smart TV with Netflix, and a coffee/tea station.
Note that it isn’t a luxury five-star hotel, so the rooms aren’t very big (nothing more than 30 square meters) and the amenities are very straightforward; no frills. However, Sotogrande’s Queen Deluxe (P4,500+) is one of the biggest rooms (including its comfort room), complete with its own sofa and a small balcony facing Sotogrande’s residential building. A nice detail: Ifugao woven textiles used as the headboard. What I was looking for, however, were bedside lamps for ambient lighting.
There are also special Deluxe Corner rooms, if you’d like a better view of Baguio’s cityscape and greenery. The 43.2 sqm One Bedroom Suite (P10,000) is fit for a family – it comes with a sophisticated and cozy living room and a bedroom with two double beds.
Sotogrande’s value-for-money rate already includes breakfast for two.
The breakfast buffet is good, with a diverse selection of breads, jams, and Filipino ulams and favorites, like arroz caldo, a champorado station, pancakes, free-flowing brewed coffee, juices, fresh fruits, and even a taho man on call.
Sotogrande’s restaurant is located by the patio, so you can enjoy Baguio’s cool breeze while dining. The patio is where the hotel’s 24/7 heated pool is located, too.
Hotel restaurants are usually a hit or miss, and thankfully, Sotogrande proves the former! It’s easy to have all your meals at Brisa del Baguio, Sotogrande’s high-quality restaurant with an extensive menu of traditional Filipino recipes, using some indigenous Cordilleran ingredients from local farmers and fine produce unique to the region.
All the meals we ordered were value-for-money, with big servings good for sharing, an appetizing presentation, and bold flavors. The Buttered Chicken (P520) features crispy and juicy fried chicken coated in a buttery garlic sauce that’s savory, tangy, and a tad sweet, topped with fried garlic.
The really cheesy Baked Bangus (P520) is a fresh boneless bangus topped with four cheeses and vegetables, baked until melted and served with French fries; the Kilawin (P480) is a refreshing appetizer of soft and cured white fish in a zingy vinegar dressing and mango tomato salsa.
The Dirty Fries (P440) can feed two to three, topped with chili con carne, salsa, and cheese. The Buffalo Chicken (P480) features hefty boneless chicken nuggets that are moist and juicy, tossed in an addictive spicy-tangy buffalo sauce and served with a creamy ranch dressing.
The Sizzling Sisig (P380) is a soft and chewy kind of sisig, using thrice-cooked pork maskara with tasty liver spread, onion, and chili. Of course, the fresh Strawberry Smoothie didn’t disappoint!
Sotogrande’s property also has function rooms for company meetings, a fitness center in the making, and a roof deck that is still being developed.
If you’re looking for a new and affordable accommodation choice on your next Baguio trip that keeps you in the midst of the action but doesn’t feel exactly like old-time Baguio, check out Sotogrande Baguio – the busiest branch among Sotogrande’s other branches in Katipunan and Palawan. It’s a modern getaway with a fresh and updated design that’s straight to the point and comfortable in terms of service, with affordable rates, good food, and a location that’s very convenient. – Rappler.com
To book a room, you can visit Sotogrande Baguio’s website.
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Hungry for redemption, razor-sharp Oftana guides TNT out of funk | delfin.dioquino editor | 07/04/2024 19:04 | LONG BOMB. Calvin Oftana in action for the TNT Tropang Giga in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – TNT star Calvin Oftana turned down a pre-game interview as he aimed to keep his focus on their battle against Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup.
That was how badly Oftana wanted to win.
Oftana hit key buckets late and finished with a game-high 26 points as the Tropang Giga got back on track in the All-Filipino tournament with a 92-90 win over the Bolts at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, April 7.
The reigning Three-Point Shootout champion, Oftana sank 6 of his 8 attempts from beyond the arc and added 9 rebounds and 3 blocks to help TNT snap a two-game skid and improve to an even 3-3 record.
“I wanted to focus because I wanted to bounce back from my performance last game,” Oftana said in Filipino. “We did not just lose, we got blown out.”
Oftana was referring to a 112-96 beating NorthPort dealt the Tropang Giga last Friday – a defeat where he put up a conference-low 13 points on a 5-of-13 from the field, including 1-of-3 from long range.
It marked the most lopsided loss by TNT this season.
Hungry for redemption, Oftana came out firing against the Bolts early, unloading 19 points in the first half as the Tropang Giga built a 49-40 lead going into the break.
Oftana went scoreless in the third quarter, but when TNT needed him the most, he rose to the occasion anew.
Meralco held to an 87-84 edge with under four minutes remaining before Oftana scattered 7 points in an 8-0 run that gave the Tropang Giga a 92-85 advantage, and eventually, the win.
“Credit to my teammates and coaches for their trust in me. I just try to repay that,” said Oftana.
Jayson Castro backstopped Oftana with 15 points and 6 rebounds, Kelly Williams put up a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds, while rookie Henry Galinato added 11 points and 6 rebounds.
Aaron Black paced the Bolts with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, although his supposed game-tying layup got blocked by Roger Pogoy with under 10 seconds left.
Meralco retained possession with a chance to either win it all or send the game to overtime, but rookie Jolo Mendoza missed his game-winning trey at the buzzer.
Cliff Hodge chimed in 16 points and 5 rebounds, while Allein Maliksi and Chris Banchero contributed 11 and 10 points for the Bolts, who fell to 3-4.
TNT 92 – Oftana 26, Castro 15, Pogoy 11, K.Williams 11, Galinato 11, Khobuntin 8, Montalbo 5, Aurin 3, M.Ganuelas-Rosser 2, B.Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Varilla 0, Reyes 0, Heruela 0, Ponferrada 0.
Meralco 90 – Black 16, Hodge 16, Maliksi 11, Banchero 10, Quinto 9, Newsome 8, Almazan 8, Pascual 5, Mendoza 2, Jose 2, Torres 2, Pasaol 1, Rios 0.
Quarters: 21-25, 49-40, 73-68, 92-90.
– Rappler.com
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Spotify RADAR artist Illest Morena: A skilled rapper and a proud Pinay | jreyes0314 | 06/04/2024 19:48 | RADAR. For the second consecutive year, Illest Morena is a Spotify Philippines RADAR artist.
Spotify Philippines
MANILA, Philippines – Anybody can tell that Illest Morena loves what she does.
Even when she’s offstage, she beamed with energy, enthusiastically answering whatever questions we had for her and willingly opening up on the journey to get to where she was now.
The Filipina hip-hop artist had always been drawn to singing since her childhood, but she had always felt that she couldn’t keep up with the standards back then that placed more value on singers who could effortlessly belt out high notes and do runs on top of that.
Interestingly, however, this was what kickstarted her foray into hip-hop – realizing that she was made for rap and rap was made for her.
At present, the young artist has seen herself sit at the top of the Spotify Philippines chart numerous times, with several hits like “Faded (Raw),” “Lagabog,” and “Slow Burn” under her belt. With this, it’s no surprise that this was already her second year as a Spotify RADAR artist.
“I think [Spotify RADAR] really helped me reach more people through my music kasi kahit hindi ka nila nakita somewhere on social media, mas nagiging familiar sila sa name mo, sa music mo (because even if they didn’t see you somewhere on social media, they still become familiar with your name and your music), [so it gives you more] credibility for them to check you and your music out,” she said.
In an exclusive interview with Rappler, the young artist shared what it was like to make a name for herself in the local hip-hop scene and how she has evolved throughout her career.
Illest Morena began making a name for herself in 2021 when she participated in an online rap challenge she called “Swagapino.” The entire thing had been a spontaneous affair. She had filmed herself spitting out the bars she had thought of off the top of her head, posted it on social media, and was later surprised to see thousands of people lip-syncing to her short audio and using it for makeup videos.
Illest Morena was among the very few female rappers in the local music scene when she began releasing her own songs, so she quickly gained traction among Filipino listeners looking to adorn their playlists with more hip-hop.
“The only rappers [who were] out and really getting recognized by people were Alex Bruce and Zae, so it was really hard to fill in those shoes in some way. Pero siyempre, since uhaw ‘yung mga tao (But of course, since people were thirsty) for more female music, for more hip-hop music, medyo naging madali siya for me kasi sabi, ‘Uy, bago ‘to (it was quite easy for me because people were saying, ‘Hey, this is new.’),‘” Illest Morena said.
Her career had only moved forward from there. Despite admittedly having a few “down days” here and there, Illest Morena had pushed herself to keep writing. After a few sessions, she had finally crafted an entire song, and never stopped from then on.
“Naglabas kami nang naglabas ng kanta (We kept releasing songs) until I got my first hit, and that’s what gave me motivation to continue. Sabi ko, ‘Pagpapatuloy ko ‘to kasi (I said, ‘I’ll keep at this because) I feel like I was made for this,'” she said.
But being a woman in the music industry hasn’t been an easy ride for Illest Morena, so much so that she saw it as a double-edged sword.
“‘Pag female artist ka, mabilis kang mare-recognize ng tao kasi hindi kayo ganoon karami pa sa scene e. Pero at the same time, limited lang din ‘yung listeners na makikinig sa’yo kasi not a lot of guys listen to female music. Not a lot of guys get into the vibe and the themes na nilalabas ng mga female artists, so I feel like you either have to be super unique or super pretty to really pop off kapag female artist ka sa Pinas,” she explained.
(When you’re a female artist, people will recognize you more quickly because there aren’t that many of you yet in the scene. But at the same time, your listeners will be limited because not a lot of guys listen to female music. Not a lot of guys get into the vibe and the themes that female artists put out, so I feel like you either have to be super unique or super pretty to really pop off when you’re a female artist in the Philippines.)
For the love of music and for her desire to create an impact, however, Illest Morena soldiers on.
“As a female artist, I feel like there’s a lot of pressure to create an impact, pero (but) at the same time, now na (that) there’s a lot of female representation compared to before, I want to keep it going kasi (because) I’m one of the pioneers, I can say, in this genre in this generation. That’s what pushes me to keep on creating music,” she said.
A lot has changed since Illest Morena officially began her career as an artist in 2021. She had gone through several phases of experimentation, often diving into new styles and genres whenever she had the chance. Three years later, she had finally found who Illest Morena was supposed to be.
“[In] 2021, my mindset was that I should put out songs na mas pinapakinggan ng listeners ko, pero now, nagshift ‘yung mindset ko, lalong-lalo na nung nirelease ko bigla ‘yung ‘Salvaje Freestyle’ before ‘Faded (Raw).’ That’s what changed my mindset. Sabi ko: ‘I’m gonna do me. I’m gonna do what I want. I don’t have to conform to the standards I set [for] myself,'” she declared.
(In 2021, my mindset was that I should put out songs that my audience was more likely to listen to, but now, my mindset has shifted, especially when I suddenly released “Salvaje Freestyle” before “Faded (Raw).” That’s what changed my mindset. I said: “I’m gonna do me. I’m gonna do what I want. I don’t have to conform to the standards I set for myself.”)
Despite the evolution of her sound, there’s one thing that remained constant: her Pinay pride.
“I’m really proud of my heritage,” Illest Morena said when asked why it’s important for her to highlight her being a Filipina and a morena in her music.
The “Sabik” artist admitted to having a colonial mentality before, opting to look up to international artists instead of Filipino ones. But Illest Morena had gradually realized the value of representing her own country through her craft.
“I wanted to be the best version of myself instead of being a subpar version of somebody else. That’s the reason why I place a lot of emphasis on being a Filipina. I’m proud to be Pinay,” she added.
Aptly, this is the exact legacy Illest Morena would like to leave behind as a modern Filipina musician: taking pride in her culture, skin color, and experiences as a Filipino woman. Ultimately, she hopes to inspire younger Filipino women to pursue their craft head-on.
With this, Illest Morena has one sage piece of advice:
“Don’t give up on [your passions]. Just because you’re not seeing the results right now doesn’t mean it’s not gonna happen. If you want it, you already deserve it. It’s already there, it’s just not showing up yet,” she said. – Rappler.com
Check out the Spotify RADAR playlist here.
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Takoyaki shop admits April Fools’ tattoo prank a ‘marketing stunt’ | Ivy Pedida | 07/04/2024 15:55 | “Oo, nangsinungaling ako sa inyo, at gusto kong humingi ng tawad. (Yes, I lied to all of you, and I want to apologize.)”
In a video titled ‘Taragis the Revelation,’ posted by the Taragis Facebook page on Saturday, April 6, owner Carl Quion said his takoyaki restaurant’s April Fools’ tattoo prank, which had gone viral, was a planned “marketing stunt.”
In a now-deleted Facebook post from April 1, Taragis promised it would be give P100,000 to the first person who had their shop’s logo tattooed on their forehead. Social media users were able to identify the person who took the challenge, Ramil Albano, and brands and netizens have since offered to help the man.
“Dinala namin kayo dito sa isang malaking marketing stunt na may iba’t-ibang klase ng emosyon, diskusyon. (We brought you along this big marketing stunt with different kinds of emotions, and discussions),” Quion said in the 11-minute long video, detailing how he planned the stunt, including asking his tattoo artist friend to find someone willing to tattoo his shop’s logo on his forehead.
Quion also shared screenshots of his conversation with Albano, who expressed his willingness to do the challenge for his son who has Down Syndrome.
The Taragis owner also laid out the supposed pros and cons of their stunt, highlighting how they helped other business owners by allowing them to ride the hype surrounding the controversial post. Quion added they were able to help Albano through the spirit of bayanihan. “Posible palang magbayanihan ang malalaking brand sa social media para lang sa isang tao. (It’s possible for big brands to be join hands on social media just for one person.)”
“Gusto kong sabihin sa inyo ang salitang salamat, at salitang patawad. Ang tanging tao lamang na kayang gumawa nito ay willing magsakripisyo. ‘Yung taong kayang itaya ang lahat. (I want to say the words, ‘thank you,’ and ‘forgive me.’ The only person who can do this is someone willing to sacrifice. A person who can bet everything,)” Quion added, imploring netizens to understand where they are coming from, and likening their stunt to a magic trick, where everything is scripted.
Commenters on various social media platforms were quick to react to the video, criticizing Quion for branding their stunt a marketing strategy, and for fooling the public and using their emotions against them.
One X user said the takoyaki restaurant’s stunt should be “penalized severely if not outright declared unlawful” for preying on the people’s emotions. “Any business that does this deserves neither understanding not patronage.”
Pranks like this that prey on the unassuming public's emotions in a social experiment to drum up publicity should be made to be penalized severely if not outright declared unlawful. Any business that does this deserves neither understanding nor patronage.
“Downright pangloloko na talaga ginawa nila. Nung nag-video na drama eme pa sila, ang cringey na noon (What they did was downright fraud. When they made a dramatic video, it was cringey,)” one X user posted.
Grabe yung Taragis issue noh? Ganito na ba talaga ka forda clout ang mga tao? Di naman yun “marketing strategy” lang. Downright panloloko na talaga ginawa nila. Nung nag video na drama eme pa sila, ang cringey na nun. Tapos ito ngayon w/ the “revelation” eme. Asking sorry again. pic.twitter.com/ovv5ucZx0w
“All that mental gymnastics for a fucking takoyaki?” another X user posted. “Scammer ka, not some marketing bullshit you pretend to be.”
Sobrang pretentious nung Taragis. Hello, all that mental gymnastics for a fucking Takoyaki brand??? Your Takoyaki must be so bad. Scammer ka, not some marketing mastermind bullshit you pretend to be.
One X user described the stunt as a “cheap and badly planned PR stunt,” adding that because of the viral prank post, the brand will now be associated with dishonesty and deceit.
Instead of improving the quality of your takoyakis, Taragis really chose that route of doing a cheap & badly planned PR stunt. Ruining ur own brand in the process. Now everytime i see Taragis brand i associate it w/ dishonesty / deceit.
Other users in the comments pointed out that the “marketing strategy” everyone was praising took advantage of Albano needing to support his child.
Some commenters came to Quion’s defense, however, echoing his sentiment that the “prank” managed to solicit help for Albano and his family. Others praised Quion for telling the truth, using his platform to help those in need, and for making a viral marketing stunt.
Brands tend to take advantage of the yearly April Fools celebration by having different gimmicks and marketing materials to draw attention to themselves and increase sales.
A thread by X user Vincent Quilop highlighted an example of a well-executed stunt that brought no harm to the brand and its customers.
now that april fools’ is done, as an ad girly, i find it fun when brands that post “jokes” actually push thru with it. bc as expected of brands, they’ll ride on the april fools’ moment and post something and it just…ends there. like…yun na yun.
With Taragis admitting the prank was elaborately planned from the beginning, netizens are now more wary of similar stunts, warning others to always check the information they see online. For some, businesses that resort to “pranks” like these should never receive any form of support or clout.
Oh diba scripted yung tattoo prank. Sa panahon ngayon lahat gagawin para magpapansin kaya wag agad nagpapaniwala.At sana malugi yang Taragis na yan.
What do you think of this issue? – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/filipino-online-reaction-taragis-takoyaki-shop-april-fools-marketing-stunt-2024/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR19cQHYfK3FJpv7qecMvyYDVyFDHtzpBAoJ2y2zfmrTSXI-FpZuG5C7mjg_aem_g3qgafJ_vYGmdLXPlLW7hQ | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Takoyaki shop admits April Fools’ tattoo prank a ‘marketing stunt’ | Ivy Pedida | 07/04/2024 15:55 | “Oo, nangsinungaling ako sa inyo, at gusto kong humingi ng tawad. (Yes, I lied to all of you, and I want to apologize.)”
In a video titled ‘Taragis the Revelation,’ posted by the Taragis Facebook page on Saturday, April 6, owner Carl Quion said his takoyaki restaurant’s April Fools’ tattoo prank, which had gone viral, was a planned “marketing stunt.”
In a now-deleted Facebook post from April 1, Taragis promised it would be give P100,000 to the first person who had their shop’s logo tattooed on their forehead. Social media users were able to identify the person who took the challenge, Ramil Albano, and brands and netizens have since offered to help the man.
“Dinala namin kayo dito sa isang malaking marketing stunt na may iba’t-ibang klase ng emosyon, diskusyon. (We brought you along this big marketing stunt with different kinds of emotions, and discussions),” Quion said in the 11-minute long video, detailing how he planned the stunt, including asking his tattoo artist friend to find someone willing to tattoo his shop’s logo on his forehead.
Quion also shared screenshots of his conversation with Albano, who expressed his willingness to do the challenge for his son who has Down Syndrome.
The Taragis owner also laid out the supposed pros and cons of their stunt, highlighting how they helped other business owners by allowing them to ride the hype surrounding the controversial post. Quion added they were able to help Albano through the spirit of bayanihan. “Posible palang magbayanihan ang malalaking brand sa social media para lang sa isang tao. (It’s possible for big brands to be join hands on social media just for one person.)”
“Gusto kong sabihin sa inyo ang salitang salamat, at salitang patawad. Ang tanging tao lamang na kayang gumawa nito ay willing magsakripisyo. ‘Yung taong kayang itaya ang lahat. (I want to say the words, ‘thank you,’ and ‘forgive me.’ The only person who can do this is someone willing to sacrifice. A person who can bet everything,)” Quion added, imploring netizens to understand where they are coming from, and likening their stunt to a magic trick, where everything is scripted.
Commenters on various social media platforms were quick to react to the video, criticizing Quion for branding their stunt a marketing strategy, and for fooling the public and using their emotions against them.
One X user said the takoyaki restaurant’s stunt should be “penalized severely if not outright declared unlawful” for preying on the people’s emotions. “Any business that does this deserves neither understanding not patronage.”
Pranks like this that prey on the unassuming public's emotions in a social experiment to drum up publicity should be made to be penalized severely if not outright declared unlawful. Any business that does this deserves neither understanding nor patronage.
“Downright pangloloko na talaga ginawa nila. Nung nag-video na drama eme pa sila, ang cringey na noon (What they did was downright fraud. When they made a dramatic video, it was cringey,)” one X user posted.
Grabe yung Taragis issue noh? Ganito na ba talaga ka forda clout ang mga tao? Di naman yun “marketing strategy” lang. Downright panloloko na talaga ginawa nila. Nung nag video na drama eme pa sila, ang cringey na nun. Tapos ito ngayon w/ the “revelation” eme. Asking sorry again. pic.twitter.com/ovv5ucZx0w
“All that mental gymnastics for a fucking takoyaki?” another X user posted. “Scammer ka, not some marketing bullshit you pretend to be.”
Sobrang pretentious nung Taragis. Hello, all that mental gymnastics for a fucking Takoyaki brand??? Your Takoyaki must be so bad. Scammer ka, not some marketing mastermind bullshit you pretend to be.
One X user described the stunt as a “cheap and badly planned PR stunt,” adding that because of the viral prank post, the brand will now be associated with dishonesty and deceit.
Instead of improving the quality of your takoyakis, Taragis really chose that route of doing a cheap & badly planned PR stunt. Ruining ur own brand in the process. Now everytime i see Taragis brand i associate it w/ dishonesty / deceit.
Other users in the comments pointed out that the “marketing strategy” everyone was praising took advantage of Albano needing to support his child.
Some commenters came to Quion’s defense, however, echoing his sentiment that the “prank” managed to solicit help for Albano and his family. Others praised Quion for telling the truth, using his platform to help those in need, and for making a viral marketing stunt.
Brands tend to take advantage of the yearly April Fools celebration by having different gimmicks and marketing materials to draw attention to themselves and increase sales.
A thread by X user Vincent Quilop highlighted an example of a well-executed stunt that brought no harm to the brand and its customers.
now that april fools’ is done, as an ad girly, i find it fun when brands that post “jokes” actually push thru with it. bc as expected of brands, they’ll ride on the april fools’ moment and post something and it just…ends there. like…yun na yun.
With Taragis admitting the prank was elaborately planned from the beginning, netizens are now more wary of similar stunts, warning others to always check the information they see online. For some, businesses that resort to “pranks” like these should never receive any form of support or clout.
Oh diba scripted yung tattoo prank. Sa panahon ngayon lahat gagawin para magpapansin kaya wag agad nagpapaniwala.At sana malugi yang Taragis na yan.
What do you think of this issue? – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/filipino-online-reaction-taragis-takoyaki-shop-april-fools-marketing-stunt-2024/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0WyDwJSYWF9SkgelVzXfOi4imQns1HDLYkfK9wxVga91783NSR8wM4J0A_aem_yefOslfKs7AeATAogLLmRw | null | null | null | null | null | null |
[REFLECTION] Little nuggets of light | Chito de la Vega | 07/04/2024 11:00 | shutterstock
(This reflection is courtesy of Word and Life Publications, publisher of ‘Patnubay sa Misa’ at ‘Euchalette.’ Rappler is sharing this reflection as Roman Catholics commemorate Divine Mercy Sunday on April 7, the second Sunday of Easter.)
There is no denying the obvious – We live in a world filled with light of all types. We know a whole lot more than just a short generation ago.
Information is readily available anytime, anywhere. Gone are the days of voluminous encyclopedias of just 50 years ago or so. Nowadays, Mr. Google, more than SM, has got everything for us! But the other side of the picture that may not be immediately obvious is also true. The very same vast knowledge and access to information has caused the world a lot of darkness. In our times, anybody who is somebody is an object of boundless and boundary-less curiosity of the digital generation. Where you live, your expensive condo, how you got it, and who is the real owner of the unit you are living in, is fair game to digital sleuths and gossip-mongers. All it takes is a trigger and the whole country is, as digital natives put it now, “affected much.” Just ask Dominic and Bea. And go back a few months back and ask KathNiel. The four have been, and still are, fodder for the gossip mills of the “per minute” variety and so many others.We are surrounded by so many and newfangled types of darkness. Let us name a few: The darkness of fake news, for one, and the darkness grows even bleaker and blacker once you realize that upwards of 80% of people would rather be lieve fake news and false narratives rather than good, old fashioned truth and incontrovertible facts.
False narratives have, of late, made the world a lot more darkness-filled. Call it that, or historical revisionism, woke-ism or what-have-you, they all are the same banana. In the name of self-defense, more than 39,000 innocent non-combatants have been mercilessly killed in Gaza since October 7 of 2023. Similarly, in the name of “traditional values” and a distorted rebranding of history, or in the name of “De-Nazification,” or “De-militarization,” powerful purveyors of false narratives attack civilians and civilian targets without blinking an eye, or – in plain language – without mercy.
Mercy and compassion are now easily sacrificed on the altar of re-branded “colonialism” made to appear like it is not colonialism but the establishment of a “new world order.”
The world might appear all lit up and bathed in the glow of big data and “woke-ist” grand awareness of ideologically tainted “reality,” but darkness is all over the place. The grand victim is more than just objective truth. Compassion and mercy are nothing but collateral damage to this hypocritical dedication to self-serving ideological truth.
But today, the Christian world is getting a big reminder. That truth, no matter how the world seems to ignore it, are like a shower of little nuggets of light that matters more than big data and manipulated truth. That truth revolves around a God of mercy and compassion – a God who is, who was, and always will be source and standard and measure of saving truth. Jesus Christ, the King of Divine Mercy, came and bodily showed us the breadth, height, and depth of this saving truth.
The wounds on his side, shown and offered to Thomas for him to touch, taste and see for himself were deep. But the truth behind them was even deeper. It is so deep that one remains speechless, slain by a so powerful and undeniable truth, that all Thomas – and us – could utter was and is: “My Lord and my God!” – Word and Life Publications/Rappler.com
This reflection is part of the Euchalette, which can be downloaded at the Word and Life Publications site.
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GAME SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball | jisaga0269 | 08/05/2024 20:35 | It’s down to the last two teams standing as the University of Santo Tomas and National University battle for the UAAP volleyball championship in both the women’s and men’s divisions!
The league’s best separate themselves from the pack as the Final Four showdown kicks off! Here’s the schedule:
UAAP Season 86 volleyball action intensifies as the second round of the men’s and women’s divisions begins on Wednesday, March 20.
The contenders will separate themselves from the pack, with each game determining which teams will make the Final Four. Here’s the schedule:
Volleyball action is back in the UAAP!
Stars from both men’s and women’s divisions are set to ply their growing skill sets once again in front of thousands of fans, beginning on Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18, both at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Here are the first-round schedules for both divisions:
*The March 13 games will be played at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Notable matches include women’s champion La Salle’s debut against contending Adamson on Saturday, 4 pm, at MOA, while men’s three-time defending titlist NU rolls into an immediate finals rematch with UST on Sunday, 12 pm, also at the same venue.
La Salle and NU – finalists in the last two women’s tournaments with one title won each – will wrap up their first-round schedule on March 16, 2 pm at Araneta. – Rappler.com
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DepEd orders public schools to implement distance learning on April 8 | Bonz Magsambol | 07/04/2024 16:12 | SCHOOL. Students and teachers hold regular classes at the General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City, on February 21, 2024.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Sunday, April 7, ordered all public schools in the country to implement distance learning on Monday, April 8, so students can “complete pending assignments, projects, and other requirements.”
“Teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools shall not be required to report to their stations,” the DepEd said.
For private schools, the DepEd said they have the option to implement the same.
“Basically, since ipit rin siya sa (since Monday is sandwiched with) holidays, best time for learners to use the time to complete whatever they need to complete,” DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa told reporters in a Viber message.
The country will have two consecutive days of holidays on April 9 and 10 due to Day of Valor and Eid’l Fitr, respectively. The DepEd oversees some 47,000 public schools in the country.
Poa said that in-person classes will resume on Thursday, April 11, depending on weather condition. Last week, some areas in the country declared in-person class suspension due to extreme heat, prompting schools to implement remote learning. – Rappler.com
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The DepEd distance Learning directive is relevant given the present circumstances. But the question of access and resources returns. How many students have access to an internet connection and the appropriate gadgets? What about the teachers? It also brings back the issue of overpriced PC laptops. Anybody who would care to remember?
How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/deped-orders-public-schools-implement-distance-learning-april-8-2024/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2nxeGBlD20QNX0YUzbtrPf6jYjwhyXd-7MxWSKJjlk3v2EJiXhYhOKydo_aem_0Tv5Fo5x4SIz4jpKhr4uaA | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Takoyaki shop admits April Fools’ tattoo prank a ‘marketing stunt’ | Ivy Pedida | 07/04/2024 15:55 | “Oo, nangsinungaling ako sa inyo, at gusto kong humingi ng tawad. (Yes, I lied to all of you, and I want to apologize.)”
In a video titled ‘Taragis the Revelation,’ posted by the Taragis Facebook page on Saturday, April 6, owner Carl Quion said his takoyaki restaurant’s April Fools’ tattoo prank, which had gone viral, was a planned “marketing stunt.”
In a now-deleted Facebook post from April 1, Taragis promised it would be give P100,000 to the first person who had their shop’s logo tattooed on their forehead. Social media users were able to identify the person who took the challenge, Ramil Albano, and brands and netizens have since offered to help the man.
“Dinala namin kayo dito sa isang malaking marketing stunt na may iba’t-ibang klase ng emosyon, diskusyon. (We brought you along this big marketing stunt with different kinds of emotions, and discussions),” Quion said in the 11-minute long video, detailing how he planned the stunt, including asking his tattoo artist friend to find someone willing to tattoo his shop’s logo on his forehead.
Quion also shared screenshots of his conversation with Albano, who expressed his willingness to do the challenge for his son who has Down Syndrome.
The Taragis owner also laid out the supposed pros and cons of their stunt, highlighting how they helped other business owners by allowing them to ride the hype surrounding the controversial post. Quion added they were able to help Albano through the spirit of bayanihan. “Posible palang magbayanihan ang malalaking brand sa social media para lang sa isang tao. (It’s possible for big brands to be join hands on social media just for one person.)”
“Gusto kong sabihin sa inyo ang salitang salamat, at salitang patawad. Ang tanging tao lamang na kayang gumawa nito ay willing magsakripisyo. ‘Yung taong kayang itaya ang lahat. (I want to say the words, ‘thank you,’ and ‘forgive me.’ The only person who can do this is someone willing to sacrifice. A person who can bet everything,)” Quion added, imploring netizens to understand where they are coming from, and likening their stunt to a magic trick, where everything is scripted.
Commenters on various social media platforms were quick to react to the video, criticizing Quion for branding their stunt a marketing strategy, and for fooling the public and using their emotions against them.
One X user said the takoyaki restaurant’s stunt should be “penalized severely if not outright declared unlawful” for preying on the people’s emotions. “Any business that does this deserves neither understanding not patronage.”
Pranks like this that prey on the unassuming public's emotions in a social experiment to drum up publicity should be made to be penalized severely if not outright declared unlawful. Any business that does this deserves neither understanding nor patronage.
“Downright pangloloko na talaga ginawa nila. Nung nag-video na drama eme pa sila, ang cringey na noon (What they did was downright fraud. When they made a dramatic video, it was cringey,)” one X user posted.
Grabe yung Taragis issue noh? Ganito na ba talaga ka forda clout ang mga tao? Di naman yun “marketing strategy” lang. Downright panloloko na talaga ginawa nila. Nung nag video na drama eme pa sila, ang cringey na nun. Tapos ito ngayon w/ the “revelation” eme. Asking sorry again. pic.twitter.com/ovv5ucZx0w
“All that mental gymnastics for a fucking takoyaki?” another X user posted. “Scammer ka, not some marketing bullshit you pretend to be.”
Sobrang pretentious nung Taragis. Hello, all that mental gymnastics for a fucking Takoyaki brand??? Your Takoyaki must be so bad. Scammer ka, not some marketing mastermind bullshit you pretend to be.
One X user described the stunt as a “cheap and badly planned PR stunt,” adding that because of the viral prank post, the brand will now be associated with dishonesty and deceit.
Instead of improving the quality of your takoyakis, Taragis really chose that route of doing a cheap & badly planned PR stunt. Ruining ur own brand in the process. Now everytime i see Taragis brand i associate it w/ dishonesty / deceit.
Other users in the comments pointed out that the “marketing strategy” everyone was praising took advantage of Albano needing to support his child.
Some commenters came to Quion’s defense, however, echoing his sentiment that the “prank” managed to solicit help for Albano and his family. Others praised Quion for telling the truth, using his platform to help those in need, and for making a viral marketing stunt.
Brands tend to take advantage of the yearly April Fools celebration by having different gimmicks and marketing materials to draw attention to themselves and increase sales.
A thread by X user Vincent Quilop highlighted an example of a well-executed stunt that brought no harm to the brand and its customers.
now that april fools’ is done, as an ad girly, i find it fun when brands that post “jokes” actually push thru with it. bc as expected of brands, they’ll ride on the april fools’ moment and post something and it just…ends there. like…yun na yun.
With Taragis admitting the prank was elaborately planned from the beginning, netizens are now more wary of similar stunts, warning others to always check the information they see online. For some, businesses that resort to “pranks” like these should never receive any form of support or clout.
Oh diba scripted yung tattoo prank. Sa panahon ngayon lahat gagawin para magpapansin kaya wag agad nagpapaniwala.At sana malugi yang Taragis na yan.
What do you think of this issue? – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/filipino-online-reaction-taragis-takoyaki-shop-april-fools-marketing-stunt-2024/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2eZysk8xfjtRX3RtGGMRUmRqoGT_XbNw4T9FZs6pxjR-ejEjLSOwoAD0I_aem_W5do9mMLl4JvgXboH2NDQg | null | null | null | null | null | null |
NLEX rewards unheralded Dominick Fajardo with salary upgrade for steady play | delfin.dioquino editor | 07/04/2024 14:20 | SHOT. Dominick Fajardo in action for the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Dominick Fajardo is just as pivotal to the NLEX Road Warriors’ success in the PBA Philippine Cup as his more acclaimed teammates.
So the Road Warriors gave the unheralded rookie a well-deserved salary upgrade after he helped NLEX clinch its fourth straight victory in the All-Filipino tournament by way of an 87-74 win over Magnolia on Saturday, April 6.
Fajardo finished with 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block as the Road Warriors improved to 5-1.
“They said I’m playing well so the NLEX management and the bosses rewarded me. They adjusted my salary,” Fajardo said in Filipino.
“I need to double my effort and hard work in practices and in games because I’m now well-compensated.”
Fajardo worked as an NLEX employee before joining the Road Warriors in the PBA, serving as a security crew for the tollways company.
An MVP in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League, the Bulacan State University product still found time for the sport as he saw action in the MVP Olympics, a tournament for companies owned by tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan.
There, the Road Warriors discovered Fajardo and tapped him for their PBA 3×3 team, the Cavitex Braves.
Fajardo, who is considered undersized for the position he plays as a six-foot forward, admitted he never imagined reaching the PBA considering the Braves only brought him in as a last-minute replacement for David Murrell.
“It was only because of an emergency why I got into 3×3. I just continued to play well there, and coach probably saw my potential,” said Fajardo.
But Fajardo exceeded expectations as he helped Cavitex win multiple leg titles.
His exploits in the PBA 3×3 paved the way for NLEX to include Fajardo in its lineup for the PBA On Tour, a series of exhibition games during the offseason.
Fajardo once again impressed and averaged in double-figure scoring, taking advantage of the playing time given to him by head coach Frankie Lim.
Convinced he is ripe for the PBA, Fajardo threw his name in the 2023 draft, and the Road Warriors snagged him in the third round as the 30th pick.
“He is so hungry to learn. He wants people to teach him. He is so humble to work on his game,” said NLEX team manager Larry Fonacier. “That is the kind of character that we want here at NLEX.”
“Just looking at his history from where he began to where he is now finishing games and playing a crucial role in our team, I think it is just fair that we give him an increase midseason.”
After juggling his corporate job and his professional basketball career throughout his PBA 3×3 and PBA on Tour stints up to his first conference in the league, Fajardo is now a full-time athlete.
Being able to focus solely on basketball has worked wonders for Fajardo as he averages 7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1 block.
His best game came in a 103-97 win over Blackwater last March 13, where Fajardo put up a season-high 14 points on top of 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks.
“I’m really happy because I’m able to focus on cutting down weight. I can focus on my skills. And I can recover longer because I do not have to go work after practice,” Fajardo said.
His contract set to expire at the end of the year, Fajardo said he wants to remain with the Road Warriors as long as they continue to acquire his services.
“I earn more as a player compared to being an employee. I want to stay here in the long run so I can save money,” Fajardo said. – Rappler.com
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Satellite images show little progress in NGP’s mangrove rehab efforts | Iya Gozum | 02/04/2024 16:40 | BIRD'S-EYE VIEW. Mangrove forests in San Enrique, Negros Occidental.
Rappler video screenshot
MANILA, Philippines – The Geospatial Database Office (GDO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has found little progress in selected National Greening Program (NGP) mangrove rehabilitation sites when they compared historical satellite images to 2022 photos.
Reforestation efforts in mangrove sites in Calauag, Quezon province, for example, started in 2013. But seven years later, satellite images show empty patches where mangroves should have already grown. It’s the same scenario in other NGP sites in Pampanga, Eastern Samar, and Pangasinan.
Agatha Bedi, an ecologist in the GDO specializing in coastal ecosystems, used satellite images, DENR’s maps of NGP sites, and the mangrove map from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, for this initiative.
“There’s a lot of available information out there, but no one’s collecting and analyzing,” said Bedi in a mix of Filipino and English during an office visit.
Bedi told Rappler that the DENR already informed regional directors about the NGP results last year.
In the same year, the DENR partnered with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and produced the National Mangrove Map 2023 using remotely sensed images taken from the European Space Agency’s imaging mission Sentinel-2 and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s ALOS PALSAR2.
Bedi said that while these still need validation from the ground, the images are already representative of what’s on the ground.
“The National Mangrove Map 2023, once ground-truthed this year, will help our initiatives to analyze the NGP results, and identify and monitor specific areas for science-based mangrove rehabilitation in the country,” she said.
The environment department has ordered regional offices to conduct field validation and report back within two months. The DENR also encouraged the offices to partner with the academe, non-government organizations, and volunteers.
An increasing awareness of mangroves had amplified its role in coastal protection and as crucial habitat for wildlife. Mangroves are also vital in the fight against climate change as they capture carbon emissions four times more than rainforests.
When the government established the NGP in 2011, it envisioned a program that could both target poverty and the degradation of Philippine forests.
The DENR, together with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Reform, carries the huge responsibility of ensuring a greener Philippine landscape.
The Forest Management Bureau (FMB) gauged success by the number of seedlings planted and jobs provided. It reported 60.4 million seedlings planted in 2021. Around 5.6 million jobs were created from 2011 to 2022.
But the recent satellite images of mangrove covers say otherwise.
Mangrove expert Jurgenne Primavera said among the common reasons why the mangroves are not flourishing are the use of the wrong species and/or planting in the wrong zones.
Often planted in NGP sites is the Rhizophora or bakhaw. But there are other types of mangroves like bungalon (Avecennia marina) and pagatpat (Sonneratia alba) that could be more resilient.
“Just with the site selection, we should already be checking the tidal elevation because mangroves should be in the middle and upper intertidal,” explained Primavera in a mix of Filipino and English. “Many of the NGP [initiatives] plant at the lower intertidal.”
Planting at the lower intertidal would drown the mangrove seedlings during high tide.
Other reasons, according to Primavera, are the wrong measurement for success and lack of monitoring. Primavera said that success of NGP sites is based on the number of seedlings planted. But what happens after planting season? Do we know?
“Kung maraming matatanim, maraming pera,” said Primavera. “Ang driver ay not science, pero pera.” (There’s a lot of money if a lot of seedlings are planted. The driving motivation is not science, but money.)
“Whereas science demands survival,” the marine scientist said.
If there is a good site for mangrove reforestation, it would have to be abandoned fishponds.
Under the Fisheries Administrative Order No. 197-1, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) should revert abandoned or underdeveloped fishponds back to the stewardship of the DENR for mangrove restoration.
Primavera said the government should focus on putting more resources in restoring these abandoned fishponds into mangroves.
“Abandoned fishponds are where mangroves used to be,” said Primavera. “They cleared the forests, dug holes. These became the fishponds.”
Environment Undersecretary Carlos Primo David told Rappler they are very much willing to restore the mangrove forests, if and when BFAR reverts back these fishponds to the DENR.
A mangrove map is the first step towards better governance of the country’s natural resources.
Using satellite data, David said, helps them “disburse the management of the environment remotely.”
David heads the GDO staff which have their hands full mapping the country’s freshwater resources, identifying industries without environmental compliance certificates, among others.
The mangrove mapping initiative helps the DENR and its regional offices as well as local governments determine where to focus conservation efforts. According to David, the next step is to identify places where there should be mangroves.
David said there were some areas they saw that are near mangrove forests and have the same conditions. These are places that should have mangroves, or had mangroves before.
DENR Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga lauded the National Mangrove Map 2023 as a “milestone.”
“With the help of our partner agencies and academic community, and non-government organizations, we reiterate the DENR’s firm commitment to establish natural capital accounts which equals integrating key ecosystems like mangrove forests into building a sustainable and thriving blue economy for the country,” Loyzaga said in her speech during the launch in February. – Rappler.com
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Yeng Guiao lauds Rain or Shine as franchise that plays by the rules | delfin.dioquino editor | 06/04/2024 17:36 | LAYUP. Beau Belga in action for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – From the time the franchise entered the PBA as the Welcoat Dragons to the present that it is now known as Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, one thing has stayed the same: it continues to play by the rules.
Head coach Yeng Guiao highlighted that specific quality as Rain or Shine paid tribute to its humble PBA beginnings by wearing retro Welcoat jerseys in a 110-90 win over Converge in the Philippine Cup on Wednesday, April 3.
“There were ups and downs, but the character and the values of the team have not changed,” said Guiao in a mix of Filipino and English.
After a successful stint in the Philippine Basketball League, Welcoat acquired the PBA franchise relinquished by Shell in 2006.
Two years later, the team adopted the Rain or Shine name and slowly worked its way into becoming a perennial title contender in the 2010s, building a formidable team through the rookie draft and key trades.
Gabe Norwood, Paul Lee, Jireh Ibañes, Jervy Cruz, Jericho Cruz, Maverick Ahanmisi, Don Trollano, Ryan Arana were among the notable draftees the franchise picked throughout its first decade in the league.
At the peak of their powers, the Elasto Painters reached the finals six times and won a pair of titles – emerging as the last independent team to win a championship outside the San Miguel Corporation and MVP Group.
“The reason I settled in this franchise is because it protected its good name all throughout,” said Guiao, who returned to coach Rain or Shine in 2022 after a six-year run with NLEX.
“They take care of their name in a way that they’ll play by the rules, they’ll play fair, and they’ll be ethical.”
With a promising group of young players and with Guiao back at the helm, the Elasto Painters hope to regain their lost glory. – Rappler.com
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Day to remember: Thirdy’s San-En, Kiefer’s Shiga hit Japan B. League milestones | Jasmine Payo | 06/04/2024 22:41 | SIBLING SUCCESS. Brothers Kiefer (left) and Thirdy Ravena in Japan B. League action.
JAPAN B. LEAGUE
MANILA, Philippines – It was a day to remember for brothers Thirdy and Kiefer Ravena as their respective teams achieved milestones in the Japan B. League on Saturday, April 6.
Thirdy’s San-En NeoPhoenix officially clinched a playoff spot in B1 after cruising to a 96-79 win over the Osaka Evessa at the Toyohashi City Gymnasium.
◤𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃◢本日の試合結果により三遠ネオフェニックスの「日本生命 B.LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP 2023-24」への出場（2回目）が決定👏@NEO_PHOENIX｜#Bリーグ｜#日本生命Bリーグチャンピオンシップ pic.twitter.com/j0ZxHRDGDC
This is Thirdy’s first time advancing to the playoffs since joining the NeoPhoenix in the 2020-2021 season as the first ever Filipino import in the B. League.
The former Ateneo standout and three-time UAAP Finals MVP chalked up 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists for San-En, which hiked its Central Conference-best record to 39-10.
“HISTORY! We’ve come a long way, but the job’s not finished,” wrote Thirdy on his Instagram story as he expressed his gratitude to their boosters.
Meanwhile, Kiefer and the Shiga Lakes captured the Western Conference title in B2 following a 90-78 victory against the Greg Slaughter-less Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka at the Teriha Sekisui House Arena.
◤𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒◢🏆B2西地区優勝🏆滋賀レイクス@shigalakestars｜#Bリーグ pic.twitter.com/u2t2uazRzC
The former Gilas Pilipinas stalwart had 13 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals as Shiga improved to a 41-15 slate with only four games left before entering the playoffs.
Kiefer and the Lakes were relegated to Division 2 this season after finishing second to the last in Division 1 last year with a 14-46 card.
A finals appearance in B2 will automatically put Shiga back in B1 next season, where Kiefer would get the chance to go up against his younger brother Thirdy and other Filipino star imports such as Kai Sotto and Dwight Ramos once again. – Rappler.com
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Philippines transitions to online voting for most overseas Filipinos in 2025 | Dwight de Leon | 02/04/2024 13:26 | Seniors and PWDs are accommodated in open spaces of the Rizal Elementary School in Taguig City for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30, 2023, and made to sign waiver forms to ensure their official ballot are cast by election officers.
Alecs Ongcal/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Online voting will be the primary mode of casting ballots for overseas Filipinos in the 2025 midterm elections, except in countries with internet restrictions.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman Rex Laudiangco said mail-in and physical voting will likely be implemented in only around 17 posts across a dozen countries, namely:
Details of the exact technology that the Comelec will use are not immediately clear, but the poll body is eyeing the use of a mobile application with identity authentication features that overseas Filipinos may download on their devices.
“We can assure you that the system being procured by Comelec has authentication and enrollment features. It will confirm and audit and record not only one’s registration and enrollment, but also the casting, counting, and canvassing of votes,” Laudiangco said in Filipino on Tuesday, April 2.
“Our system is capable of printing the votes in the consulates and embassies, even here in the Philippines, and these will remain secure and confidential. If you can trust financial and banking institutions with your money, you can also trust the system that the Comelec will procure because security and auditability will be our priority,” he added.
The poll body said the move will save the Comelec hundreds of millions of pesos since it would no longer have to ship voting machines in many countries.
It also targets to improve voter turnout among overseas Filipinos, after the 2022 Philippine elections saw a still dismal 38% turnout abroad, despite being the highest in history.
The Comelec said in July 2023 that internet voting would only be optional for overseas voters in 2025.
After a failed bidding in February, the Comelec on Tuesday opened the second round of bidding for the procurement of online voting technology, with one joint venture besting three other participants.
The joint venture of US-based company Sequent Tech and local firm SMS Global Technologies advanced to the post-qualification stage of the procurement process after submitting a bid worth P112 million, undercutting the next lowest bidder, Voatz and its local partners, which offered their services for P435 million.
The Comelec’s maximum budget for the contract is P465.8 million.
The Comelec under previous leaderships tiptoed on adopting online voting, citing the Overseas Voting Act of 2013 that provided that a new law was necessary in order for internet voting to materialize.
The 2013 law, says the Comelec, is authorized to explore other ways – such as internet-based technology – to make overseas voting more efficient, but results of its evaluation must be submitted to Congress.
When veteran lawyer George Garcia took helm of the Comelec, he insisted that no legislation or prior approval from Congress is needed to shift to online voting, arguing that Congress yields to the expertise of the commission in understanding the peculiarities of overseas voting. – Rappler.com
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‘People get hurt’: Angel Canino’s mother pleads public to ‘be responsible’ in posting rumors | jisaga0269 | 05/04/2024 18:54 | MVP. La Salle star Angel Canino with parents Sol (left) and Rodel during the UAAP Season 85 awarding ceremony in 2023.
MANILA, Philippines – Let Angel Canino heal in peace.
That is the wish of the UAAP MVP’s mother Sol after her daughter sat out La Salle’s first game back from the Holy Week break due to a freak accident that caused a right arm gash.
Despite news outlets and the Lady Spikers team itself revealing what they can about the non-volleyball-related injury last Thursday, April 4, conspiracies and accusations still ran rampant online, to the point where the Canino matriarch was forced to go on record to defend her daughter’s side.
In an emotional Facebook post, Sol ruled out multiple speculations in one fell swoop: Her daughter is not faking her injury, not pregnant, not going through academic woes, nor is she leaving La Salle to presumably join the PVL, where her father Rodel is an Akari assistant coach.
Asked earlier for comment, Rodel likewise assured fans his daughter “is doing fine,” which Angel quickly proved by being a positive bench presence in the Lady Spikers’ eventual four-set win over UP.
“She’ll bounce back. She’s not going anywhere,” Sol wrote. “She’s hurt and she will recover. As a mom, I pray that we must be responsible of what we post and comment because somewhere along the way, there are people who get hurt.”
It is an awful situation altogether for the Canino family, who went from reflecting the Holy Week together to suddenly being cast in a searing hot spotlight, all while Angel is rendered unplayable in the middle of the Lady Spikers’ title defense against legitimate contenders.
While the MVP – arm sling and all – continues to ramp up her recovery, her teammates like Maicah Larroza, Baby Jyne Soreño, and Shevana Laput have all taken on bigger roles to cover for her absence, with fair results to show for it.
Angel herself, with guidance from head coach Ramil de Jesus, has respectfully declined interviews since her return from the harrowing accident.
With a handful of games left in the elimination round, La Salle and the Canino family could certainly appreciate fewer problems that the ones they already have on their plates.
“I still believe in kindness, so please just please be kind,” Sol concluded. – Rappler.com
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New direct US route: PAL to start Manila-Seattle flights on October 2 | lkyu0285 | 02/04/2024 16:02 | Shutterstock
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Airlines (PAL) will start flying nonstop between Manila and Seattle starting October 2, 2024, becoming the first carrier to offer direct flights for the Philippines and the US Pacific Northwest regions.
The route will be served thrice weekly on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday using a Boeing 777-300ER, among the world’s largest long-range jets. It has 42 full-flat seats for business class passengers and another 328 seats for economy passengers. The flights will operate between Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 and Seattle’s Tacoma International Airport.
Here is the schedule of PAL’s flights:
Introductory fares for the new route will run from April 2 to 30, with a travel period from October 2 to November 30, 2024, and February 1 to March 22, 2025.
The Seattle route will serve the bustling Pacific Northwest region, which is home to some 240,000 Filipino-Americans. Washington state also has the United States’ fourth-largest Filipino population, according to Port of Seattle Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa.
“We’ve been looking into Seattle for a long time already, even before the pandemic. It was always on our radar,” PAL president and chief operating officer Stanley Ng said. “The 240,000 diaspora in the region, we believe it will provide convenience for them to come home to the Philippines, as well as also the mainstream US citizens that would like to visit our beautiful country.”
Ng also highlighted that several big corporations also have headquarters in the Seattle metropolitan area – including Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft, and Nintendo – which means that establishing a route to the Philippines could stimulate business between the two areas.
The route also connects traffic through Manila to PAL’s other destinations in Cebu, Davao, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Seattle is now PAL’s eight route in North America. The flag carrier currently has 46 weekly flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York, Toronto, Honolulu, and Guam.
PAL still maintains the largest network of nonstop flights between the Philippines and the US, but the Philippine-based full-service airline is not the only player in town anymore.
In October 2023, United Airlines launched its inaugural route between San Francisco and Manila, becoming the first-ever United States carrier to have a nonstop flight from the continental US to the Philippines. Like PAL, United is also a full service airline and competes at a similar price point.
Although the US carrier only has one route so far between Manila and the continental US, PAL admits that United’s entry in the space adds pressure.
“Definitely, we feel a little bit of pressure because once you have a competitor, you always just have to step up as well,” Ng said during a press conference on Tuesday, April 2.
“But we would also say that the market is really big enough for the two carriers,” PAL’s president added. “We just have to compete and provide the service that we can to our customers.” – Rappler.com
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Campus journalists tackle intersection of AI, media at Leyte conference | Herbie G | 04/04/2024 14:04 | DISCUSS. Rappler’s community head, Pia Ranada, and head of data, Don Kevin Hapal, lead the discussions during the first plenary session of campus journalists in Leyte.
courtesy of Fred Leander Baldos
LEYTE, Philippines – Over 300 campus journalists from 29 colleges and universities in Region VIII gathered for the Regional Tertiary Schools Press Conference (RTSPC) at Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, Leyte, on Wednesday, April 3.
The conference marked the return of the event since 2018, anchored on the theme “The Student Press in an AI World.”
The event began with a recorded message from Rappler Chief Executive Officer and Nobel laureate Maria Ressa, encouraging the campus journalists to consistently pursue the truth amid the constantly evolving information landscape.
Ressa said, “This is a time of creative destruction, and what you do today will determine the future of our country. Do the ‘what,’ but more importantly, ask the ‘whys.’”
Journalist Pia Ranada, Rappler’s community head, discussed the role of artificial intelligence in community building, highlighting the Rappler Communities App as a response to the prevalent AI threat.
She said the app is also a means for the newsroom to “harness AI in community building,” presenting a public-driven approach to social media where the algorithm is grounded solely on “news value,” determined by public interest and the importance of news they should be exposed to.
Rappler’s head of data, Don Kevin Hapal, spoke about the challenges and prospects of AI in journalism. He said the most effective approach to AI threats is to “adapt to it,” akin to Rappler’s integration of AI into its newsroom operations, focusing on various AI systems and their ethical use.
“I encourage you to use AI to supercharge your work as journalists and keep doing what you do best,” he said, adding that campus journalists can use the technology to their advantage.
However, Hapal pointed out that although AI is better than humans in many aspects, such as “pattern detection in a data set,” it can never interpret context within the data the way journalists do.
The newly elected VSU president, Dr. Prose Ivy Yepes, also encouraged the campus journalists to “use their skills and talents to keep their constituents informed with nothing less than the truth and high-quality data.”
An afternoon session featured a talk by Voltaire Tupaz, co-founder of FYT Media, about bridging media and communities through mobile journalism, and Ben Domingo Jr., a retired professor from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, which tackled the brand new ways of development reporting.
The conference will run until Saturday, April 6, and will feature a powerhouse of speakers and experts, including multi-awarded journalist Jamela Alindogan, Leo Katigbak of ABS-CBN Film Restoration, and Jeff Canoy, chief of reporters at ABS-CBN Integrated News.
Among the major awards to be handed out is the Journalist of the Year Award. For the first time in RTSPC history, its Campus Press of the Year award will be divided into three categories for the flagship campuses of state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) and component campuses, and for private higher education institutions (HEIs). – Rappler.com
Jerry Yubal Jr. is a campus journalist from the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City Main Campus. The executive editor of Amaranth, he is also an Aries Rufo Journalism fellow of Rappler for 2023-2024.
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Big fishers encroach on small fisherfolk’s municipal waters | Iya Gozum | 06/04/2024 9:30 | Big fishers encroach on small fisherfolk’s municipal waters
Small fisherfolk have preferential rights in municipal waters under the law. But a recent court victory by a big operator is threatening to change the game.
PUBLISHED APRIL 6, 2024 9:30 AM PHTBY Lian Buan, Iya Gozum
READ: Part 1 | Top officials with private interests spoil effort to track big fishers
Municipal fisherfolk remain among the poorest Filipinos, earning only an average of P363 (US$6.45)* a day, and the possibility of losing preferential access to their fishing grounds poses an added threat to their existence.
After three commercial fishing operators successfully evaded the state requirement for a tracking system, the next battleground for them is obtaining the right to fish inside municipal waters or the rich fishing grounds within 15 kilometers from the shore.
The Fisheries Code gives small fisherfolk preferential rights to this area. But a big fishing operator partly owned by the family of former National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) chief Gamaliel Cordoba won a court case contesting the provision, and gained the rights to this fishing ground.
Malabon Regional Trial Court Judge Zaldy Docena, who also favored the three commercial fishers in the tracking system case, ruled in December 2023 to allow Mercidar Fishing Corporation to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal waters.
Mercidar Fishing Corporation, Rappler has confirmed, is partly owned by Monica Elena Cordoba, the wife of Cordoba, former NTC chief and now Commission on Audit (COA) chair appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in October 2022. Under Cordoba, the NTC did not issue service identity numbers needed for the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), a tracking system that commercial fishers are resisting.
“Mercidar Fishing Corporation [may] be allowed to operate on all territorial waters in the Philippines without regard to the 15 kilometer limit,” said Docena on December 11, 2023.
Rappler sought Mercidar’s comment via email and text message but we have yet to receive a response. We will update this story once we get a reply.
The tracking system and the 15-kilometer cases were not the first time that Docena favored commercial fishers. In 2014, Docena also stopped the implementation of a fisheries ordinance that bans the use of the destructive hulbot-hulbot gear. But he was reversed by the Supreme Court later on.
Docena was sanctioned by the Supreme Court at least two more times for other cases, both with suspension as penalties. One of the suspensions had to do with irregular issuances of search warrants.
Asked if he could comment on the impression that his rulings had consistently favored big fishers, Docena told Rappler through a family relative, “I am just interpreting the existing law to the best of my ability. Whether I agree with the law or not, or what I think of their consequences – these are questions that I am duty bound to exclude from my interpretation.”
The judge, who retired just after the Mercidar win, denied personally knowing the involved fishing families in the court cases.
Rappler’s three-month investigation into government records and interviews with fisherfolk, advocates and bureaucrats, show commercial fishers being favored by the court and some regulators. The battle for the 15-kilometer zone now makes small fisherfolk worry that an impending amendment of the law, a priority of Marcos, could favor commercial fishers again.
In a vast ocean of depleting marine resources, it is in shallow waters where sunlight can penetrate and a number of fish and marine resources thrive. Given preferential use under the Constitution, small fishers find livelihood in the 15-kilometer zone, their refuge from unequal competition against big fishers who have the technology like fish finders and echosounders.
When Docena gave Mercidar the right to fish within the 15-kilometer zone, the judge included a caveat: commercial fishers can operate within 15 kilometers, but they cannot fish in shallow areas. The decision said commercial fishers can only operate within the zone if the waters are at least seven fathoms (equivalent to 12.8 meters) deep.
Shallow waters or those less than seven fathoms deep are roughly only 10% of municipal waters, marine scientist Rene Abesamis said, citing an initial analysis done by a colleague. It means 90% of the municipal waters are already fair game for commercial fishers.
If Docena’s ruling will be taken as precedent in the amendment of the Fisheries Code, small fishers will be left with next to nothing, and big fishers will have virtual monopoly over almost all of Philippine waters.
Removing the 15-kilometer boundary and simply following the seven fathoms measurement present a “technically demanding” job for the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (Namria), said Abesamis, because they would have to “do an analysis where they would outline the depth contour of the seven fathoms.”
Namria would have to map this for the entire country’s coastline, all 36,289 kilometers, the fifth longest coastline in the world. Currently, only 311 coastal municipalities (out of 822) have certified municipal water boundaries, according to Aaron Andro Ching of Namria.
Any way the wind blows, the Malabon ruling only legalizes what has long been accepted practice at sea. There had been reports in the past of commercial fishers encroaching on municipal waters.
“They have defeated the law, actually,” said biologist Wilfredo Campos, a member of the National Science Advisory Group (NSAG) which had been advocating ever since to keep commercial fishers out of the 15-kilometer zone.
In 2023, online platform Karagatan Patrol detected 28,822 commercial fishing vessels operating inside municipal waters through the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), a sensor on board a weather satellite operated by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
In 2019, the Philippines divided waters into fisheries management areas (FMA) in a bid to conserve and manage stocks. Karagatan Patrol’s data show that most of the commercial fishing vessels encroach on the municipal waters of FMAs 4 and 5 – FMA 4 covers Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Negros Oriental; while FMA 5 covers Antique, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan. FMAs 4 and 5 are major fishing grounds for sardines and galunggong, said Campos.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24, 2023, Marcos said he would prioritize amending the Fisheries Code.
“Our Fisheries Code must be revised to incorporate and strengthen science-based analysis and determination of fishing areas. This approach will protect both the interests of our fisherfolk and our fisheries and aquatic resources,” said Marcos.
Four months after giving this marching order, Marcos finally vacated his interim post as Agriculture Secretary and appointed his campaign donor and fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Before his appointment, Tiu Laurel served as president of family-run Frabelle Fishing Corporation. One of the immediate concerns then was the glaring conflict of interest, which the agriculture chief shrugged off.
In an ambush interview on April 3, the agriculture chief confirmed they are looking at changing the delineation of municipal waters by depth instead of distance.
At least from the draft he’s seen that came from the DA-BFAR, Tiu Laurel said “20 fathoms is what’s being contemplated.” 20 fathoms is around 37 meters.
This 20 fathoms proposal also came from commercial fishers, said Ruperto Aleroza, vice chair for basic sectors of the National Anti-Poverty Commission. “According to the technical person, NGO researchers whom we consulted, waters 20 fathoms deep are as close as within 5 kilometers from the shore, meaning the space will become smaller for municipal fisherfolk,” Aleroza told Rappler in Filipino.
Conservation groups worry that court rulings may no longer be necessary for commercial fishers to win this 15-kilometer battle. If they succeed in their lobbying, the amendment of the law may just reflect their wishes.
The pre-consultations seem to be engaging commercial fishers more, said Aleroza.
“What’s happening is that commercial fishers get to talk more [in these consultations], and BFAR – we’re also wondering – instead of playing their role to facilitate the opposing sectors, the impression is, whatever the version of commercial fishers is, that’s what they are facilitating,” Aleroza told Rappler in Filipino.
Aleroza said NAPC did its own consultations, which resulted in resolutions calling on Marcos “to firmly uphold the constitutionally-guaranteed preferential right of artisanal fishers over the 15-kilometer municipal fishing grounds.” They are waiting for a more comprehensive meeting with either Marcos or Tiu Laurel.
“If we want sustainability, we should protect critical habitats that produce aquatic resources like coral reefs. If you allow commercial fishing to enter, and studies have shown they destroy coral reefs, what future will we rely on?” said Aleroza in Filipino.
In 2019, the NSAG already told BFAR that more fishing activities in municipal waters would prevent fish species from respawning properly.
“[A]ny additional fishing, such as the proposed operations of commercial vessels in municipal waters, would contradict the solution to the problem of overfished scad and sardine stocks,” the NSAG told BFAR back then. But BFAR did not respond, according to Campos.
Mercidar argued in its complaint that the 15-kilometer is not only unconstitutional, it also does not hold any scientific basis. The story goes that when Marcos’ father, the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos passed Presidential Decree No. 1015 in 1976, he banned commercial fishers from the seven-kilometer zone, and banned trawls in waters seven fathoms deep or less, only because he had a penchant for the number seven.
Abesamis, the marine scientist, said the question of whether the 15-kilometer boundary is scientific or not seems more of a distraction. The boundary is set to give an edge to small fishers, 31% of whom live below the poverty threshold.
“I read that as a social thing. Here’s where small players can fish,” Abesamis told Rappler. “That’s the spirit [of the law].”
The resistance to VMS and the opening up of the 15-kilometer zone have caused the sea to shrink for the municipal fishers. Even the agriculture chief said that commercial fishers operating in municipal waters are within the purview of local government units. “That’s not under the DA,” he said in Filipino.
And this is exactly what’s happening at the local level. Small fishers are edged out further by local government ordinances that demarcate zones, resulting in arrests at sea.
In Navotas, which is covered by Docena’s court rulings for VMS and the 15-kilometer zone case, small fisherfolk are apprehended when they go outside the Navotas side of the sea.
Rogelio Guevarra, 57, from Navotas, was arrested in 2022 when he reached the waters of Cavite. He calls his apprehenders “maritime,” which refers to the Philippine National Police Maritime Group. Guevarra said they were initially told to follow them to shore to get the proper permits.
A source who was once part of the maritime’s advisory body told Rappler that it is made up of members of different stakeholders, including representatives from commercial fishing companies. This has been confirmed by Rappler through a current member of the advisory body.
But Guevarra, his son, and fisherfolk from two other boats, were taken instead to Parañaque. They were made to pose for mugshots, and fined P3,000 ($54) per boat when they were earning a maximum of only P2,000 ($36) a day.
“Nangutang lang ho kami noon,” Guevarra said, recalling having to leave his son at the detachment area to get bail money. “Kasi dito sa paligid namin, walang mahuling isda, kaya doon kami namamalakaya.” (We only borrowed money then. There were no fish to catch here in our area, that’s why we were fishing there.)
The fisherfolk were trapped: if they stayed in Navotas, there would be no catch. But if they fished elsewhere, they risked getting arrested.
After Guevarra was arrested, he stayed away from fishing whenever he could. Staying within their zone has been tough because, according to him, there have been fewer and fewer areas to fish ever since San Miguel Corporation (SMC) started building the New Manila International Airport in nearby Bulacan in 2020.
According to Guevarra, big waves drive fish to hide in underwater excavations used by the ships for the airport’s construction. But they cannot follow the fish to that area, citing incidents of drop-ins by individuals who simply tell them to stay out of the airport zone.
“Sa labas naman, mababaw, wala naman hong isda,” said Guevarra. “Kaya napipilitan kami, ‘pag dumadaan ‘yung barko, lumalayo kami. Pagka wala nang barko, saka kami umaarya.”
(Outside, the waters are shallow, there are no fish. We’re forced to hide further whenever the dredger passes. When it’s gone, that’s when we fish.)
We sent SMC emails requesting for comment on this story, but they have yet to respond. The intimidating presence of armed SMC personnel was earlier reported in the pre-construction consultations with the community, but the conglomerate told UK-based non-government organization Global Witness in 2023 that the personnel were there to “secure the area” and “prevent outsiders from causing disruption.”
BFAR, tasked to increase fisheries and aquaculture production within ecological limits, said it cannot intervene.
“We note that the management of the municipal waters belongs to local government units,” BFAR spokesperson Nazer Briguera told Rappler. “Hence, it is within the jurisdiction to enact and implement municipal ordinance which they deem necessary.”
From January to October 2023, the maritime police apprehended at least 66 fishermen from Navotas, according to figures from the Parañaque’s agricultural, fisheries, and aquatic services office. This is roughly half of the fisherfolk arrested at sea, the others hailing from Cavite and Malabon.
Implementing their local ordinance is a way to keep the best interests of their local fishers, said Amie Hernandez, officer-in-charge of the city’s agriculture office. The maritime police apprehend local fishers and the latter are taken to city hall to pay fines at the treasury office, Hernandez told Rappler.
Right now, Parañaque is revising Ordinance No. 06-02 released in 2005, Hernandez said, to increase penalties and add eight buoys to mark the delineation of their municipal waters.
Arrests based on zoning ordinances have long been a recurring issue across the country, according to Dennis Calvan of the conservation group Rare Philippines, and a member of the government’s fisheries advisory committee.
Municipalities exercise territorial rights within their zones, resulting in extreme measures such as arrests. It is a case of local governments wanting to exercise autonomy in all areas – even over waters that are hard to govern.
As fish stocks dwindle in their area and arrests abound, Guevarra said they mainly rely on baklad or fish corrals for their catch. These are stationary traps made of bamboo stakes and plastic nets that can capture fish.
Inside Guevarra’s house is a small booth where the family sells flavored shaved ice to augment their income. There are days when they would still sail to fish. It had been, after all, their way of life for generations. And they have mouths to feed.
“Kung nasaan ‘yung isda, talagang pinupuntahan namin, dahil ‘yun talaga ang buhay namin,” said Guevarra. “Kung pagbabawalan kami doon at wala kaming mapuntahang may isda, talagang mapipilitan kaming pumasok doon sa bawal na sinasabi nilang bawal.”
(Where the fish go, we go, because that’s our life. If we’re not allowed in some areas, but we can’t find another place with enough fish, then we don’t have a choice but to fish in those areas.)
Guevarra goes out to sea only to accompany his son. His neighbor, 73-year-old Celso Sebastian, has quit fishing altogether, the only job he has ever known in Navotas. The catch has exponentially decreased in recent years, and he decided that the threat of being arrested at sea was no longer worth the few fish he is able to take home.
“Ayaw ko na, hindi ko na kaya ang ganyan (I quit, I can no longer bear it),” Sebastian said. He has also already sold his boat.
Calvan called this a “desperate situation that could get even more desperate.” If not stopped, he said poverty incidence will increase and depletion of resources will continue.
“There will be no more preferential rights as guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution. It’s like we’re saying, [the waters] are free-for-all.” – Rappler.com
Disclosure: Oceana, a co-petitioner in the Supreme Court VMS case, is an advocacy partner of Rappler. The group was not used as a source for the story, however in the latter part of reporting, we referred to data from Karagatan Patrol, which is an initiative of Oceana.
$1 = P55.43
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It looks like Goliath is winning. For David, the small fishermen had better plan how they would “quit fishing altogether, the only job (they have) ever known.” It is now just a matter of timing, and the soonest will be the best. They should be realistic and must not expect that Marcos Jr.’s Government will consider their welfare a greater priority than that of the commercial fishing corporations. NGOs that are working for them should help them in this exit out of the fishery industry sector.
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4 years in the making: Trillanes scores first major SC win vs Duterte | Jairo Bolledo | 07/04/2024 9:30 | Two years after his archenemy stepped down, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV secured his first major win at the Supreme Court (SC). It also marked the first time that the High Court directly rebuked former president Rodrigo Duterte by upholding on April 3 the amnesty granted to Trillanes.
It was Duterte who signed Proclamation No. 572 that ordered the revocation of Trillanes’ amnesty.
Speaking to Rappler in an interview, Trillanes said that “in a way,” he expected a positive ruling from the High Court because the issues raised in his case were easy to resolve. But although he was confident, the former senator said he was sure that his SC victory would not come under a Duterte presidency.
“Duterte really had a stronghold over the different democratic institutions and he was weaponizing these institutions against the critics…And they used that to have a chilling effect [on] our society, which made this Supreme Court ruling very, very significant,” Trillanes told Rappler.
Under a different presidency, Trillanes said democratic institutions are now slowly being rebuilt because there’s no longer pressure from the executive.
In 2010, then-president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III granted immunity to those involved in the Oakwood mutiny in 2003 and the Manila Peninsula siege in 2007, which included Trillanes. By issuing a proclamation, a Philippine president can grant amnesty – or forgiveness for a person’s criminal action – and may specify the parameters of the amnesty, including its coverage and effects.
But only two years into his term, in 2018, Duterte revoked Trillanes’ amnesty. This came at the height of his staunch criticisms against the then-sitting president. Duterte rationalized the revocation by saying they could not find Trillanes’ amnesty application form even though there was television footage of him filing it.
For Trillanes, the Supreme Court ruling is important because it can be used to avoid similar abuses in the future: “But more than this particular case, this is precedent-setting and will be part of the jurisprudence moving forward. It could be a deterrent to avoid abuses from a president.”
The decision penned by Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh explained the limitations of presidential powers – it stated that a president cannot unilaterally revoke a granted amnesty. The SC also said that “neither the government nor any of its officials, including the President, are above the law.”
“That was not a necessary or essential element in the decision, but they needed to say that. Because they know that this is a clear demonstration of abuse of power by the executive branch, particularly the president and his legal advisers,” Trillanes said.
The ruling is also important because it touched on the basic principles of the Bill of Rights, which ensures that the constitutional rights of people will not be trampled on. Justice Singh said in the ruling that the revocation of Trillanes’ amnesty, after it became final and without prior notice, violated the former lawmaker’s constitutional right to due process.
Since Duterte’s proclamation that ordered the revocation sought to revive cases that had already been dismissed, the order violated Trillanes’ rights against ex post facto laws (or laws retroactively applied) and double jeopardy, according to the SC.
The SC ruling also resolved the main contention in the amnesty case, which was whether or not Trillanes filed his amnesty application. In the decision, the High Court said there was convincing evidence that the former lawmaker did.
When Aquino granted the amnesty to Trillanes and his colleagues, the then-president explained that he granted the amnesty “to promote an atmosphere conducive to the attainment of a just, comprehensive and enduring peace and in line with the government’s peace and reconciliation initiatives.”
Past presidents like Aquino issued amnesty proclamations to enhance the country’s peace process. Most recently, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. granted amnesty to rebels, followed by an announcement of new peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
“The [issue on the] revocation of amnesty, it’s significant because we are using amnesty as a tool for peace, right? So we can have proper negotiations with several groups within our state. If you violated the sanctity of amnesty, there would be trust issues from the part of the party that you would negotiate with someday. They will think that amnesty can be easily revoked,” Trillanes told Rappler.
In one session, the present composition of High Court magistrates invalidated two of the Duterte administration’s orders.
Aside from siding with Trillanes, the SC also overturned another Duterte-time policy, ruling that persons convicted of heinous crimes are still entitled to Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA). The GCTA law allows convicted persons to have their sentences reduced on the basis of good conduct.
For some, the decision on Trillanes case was surprising, considering that majority of the sitting justices are Duterte appointees. Only two of the 15 current justices were appointed by Aquino – Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa – while the rest, including Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, are Duterte designees. (READ: IN NUMBERS: Things to know about the Philippine Supreme Court and its justices)
The SC decision was also strong because compared to other tribunals, the High Court explicitly stated that Duterte’s proclamation that revoked the amnesty was unconstitutional.
Although Judge Andres Soriano of Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 contradicted Duterte and junked the DOJ’s request to have Trillanes arrested in 2018, he said that the issuance of the proclamation was well within Duterte’s powers. Judge Soriano ruled then that there was no sufficient basis to say Trillanes did not file his application for amnesty, and said he could not reopen a case that was already done, due to the principle of immutability of a final judgment.
When the case reached the Court of Appeals, the appellate court sided with Trillanes in 2021, but did not invalidate Duterte’s proclamation.
But for some, the recent decision could have had more impact if it was handed down earlier.
Lawyer Mel Sta. Maria, former dean of the Far Eastern University Institute of Law, said that if the decision had been decided when Duterte was still the president, “it would have been more significant, asseverating that a sitting president with all his authority was not above the law, much more the Constitution.”
Still, Sta. Maria said in his thought piece that Trillanes’ win still has benefits for the former senator: “The Supreme Court decision on Trillanes might have arrived late, but it may nevertheless give the former senator a strong legal foundation for what could be the vindication of his violated constitutional rights.”
When asked if he would go after Duterte following his SC victory, Trillanes said: “My lawyers are studying our options. And if we will do something about this, it will not be born out of vindictiveness because that’s not our style. If we will do something, if we will file complaints, that is to teach some people a lesson, so there will be accountability.”
If Trillanes can prove that Duterte violated his rights, he can file civil and criminal complaints against the former president.
Under article 32 of the Civil Code, “any public officer or employee, or any private individual, who directly or indirectly obstructs, defeats, violates or in any manner impedes or impairs any of the following rights and liberties of another person shall be liable to the latter for damages.” Meanwhile, Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act penalizes a person who will cause “any undue injury to the party, including the government.”
But even if he won against Duterte in the amnesty case, Trillanes still has reservations about the future. With the possible return of another Duterte to presidency – Vice President Sara Duterte – Trillanes said it could be a resumption of another “six-year nightmare.” The younger Duterte was among the top contenders for the presidency, according to a Pulse Asia survey, just trailing behind Senator Raffy Tulfo.
“So it’s going to be a nightmare for the people in the sectors and the organizations who advocate for strong democracies. Because the Dutertes are anti-democracy. They want to be monarchs, they like being kings and queens,” Trillanes said. – Rappler.com
Quotes were translated to English for brevity
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China Coast Guard harasses Filipino fisherfolk in Recto Bank | Bea Cupin | 06/04/2024 13:46 | Two China Coast Guard ships monitor and harass much-smaller Filipino fishing boats as they install payaos (fish aggregating devices) in Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea on April 4.
Photo by Bea Cupin/Rappler
PALAWAN, Philippines – Filipino fisherfolk were harassed by two China Coast Guard (CCG) ships as they installed payaos or local fish aggregating devices in the vicinity of Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea on Thursday, April 4.
At one point, CCG personnel appeared to position in front of their ship’s water cannon, as they sailed close to much-smaller boats (fishing vessels) and tried to chase away the smaller Filipino fishing boats.
Journalists on board the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) BRP Lapu-Lapu and the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Cabra were also told to prepare for water cannons when one CCG personnel seemed to position himself in front of the red water cannon spout.
This was despite the presence of, and radio challenges from, vessels of the PCG and the BFAR which had accompanied 25 fisherfolk to install 10 payaos in Rozul Reef, which is in the southernmost part of Recto Bank.
Rappler was among several media outfits that joined the four-day mission to Recto Bank.
“That kind of harassment is an obvious indication that the China Coast Guard never really hesitates to harass even our ordinary fishermen,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the PCG for the West Philippine Sea, said in a press briefing on Saturday, April 6.
The BRP Lapu-Lapu, a BFAR vessel manned by the PCG, was also subject to dangerous maneuvers from the two CCG ships, one of which began tailing the 50-meter vessel as early as 4 am on April 4.
The BRP Cabra was also the subject of the CCG’s dangerous maneuvers.
BRP Lapu-Lapu also received a radio challenge from China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy at around 8:29 pm on April 3, as it was passing through Magat Salamat Reef en route to Rozul Reef. The PCG said the PLA Navy vessel was just some three nautical miles away from the Lapu-Lapu.
A minute later that same night, PCG personnel on board the Lapu-Lapu also monitored a drone flying over the vessel.
The two CCG ships, noted Tarriela, where of the CCG’s 215 series – maneuverable and fast vessels that man the area surrounding Ayungin Shoal, a flashpoint for tensions between the Philippines and China.
CCG ships 21556 and 21551 were the “usual interdictors in the resupply operation in Ayungin Shoal,” Tarriela said in a statement.
The incident happened days before the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia were to hold a “maritime cooperative activity” (MCA) in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone on Sunday, April 7. The defense ministers of the four countries announced this in a joint statement on Saturday.
Recto Bank is a feature in the West Philippine Sea that is approximately some 80 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan. Filipino fisherfolk brave the long, dangerous, and expensive journey to Recto Bank for a chance at richer yields in the open sea.
The area has also been witness to violence by Chinese fisherfolk towards Filipino fisherfolk. In 2019, a Chinese fishing vessel rammed the Gem-Ver then left its crew of 22 behind in the open sea. It was Vietnamese fishermen, who happened to be anchored close by, that ended up first rescuing its crew.
The bank is believed to have large deposits of oil, gas, as well as other minerals.
The joint venture that holds Service Contract 72 for Recto Bank had to cease plans to drill wells in Recto Bank, after the energy department in April 2022 pending “such time that the [Security, Justice and Peace Coordinating Cluster (SJPCC)] has issued the necessary clearance to proceed,” according to PXP Energy Corporation’s official website. – Rappler.com
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Another harassment, another round of word war. When will this end?
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Metro Manila Film Festival 2024: What to expect | jreyes0314 | 05/04/2024 16:31 | MMDA's X
MANILA, Philippines – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes on Friday, April 5, announced the calendar of events and activities for the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
The 49th edition of the MMFF marked several milestones during its run. Apart from being the highest-grossing edition in the annual film festival’s history, it also produced one of the Philippines’ highest-grossing films of all time: Rewind. The festival was even extended for another week due to public clamor.
Unlike the usual eight films from previous editions, MMFF 2023 had a lineup of 10 films, all of which managed to collectively produce P1.069 billion.
“We’re riding on the success of 2023. Nakikita na natin na bumabalik ‘yung interest ng tao…. We’re relying on that, na napabalik ng MMFF ang interest ng movie-goers,” Artes said in press conference on Friday.
(We’re riding on the success of 2023. We saw that people’s interest is returning…. We’re relying on that, that MMFF was able to restore the interest of movie-goers.)
Given this, there are high hopes and much in store for the 50th edition of the MMFF. Here’s a rundown of its calendar of events and activities.
MMFF 2024 will revert back to the usual lineup of eight films. However, Artes also said that expanding the lineup to 10 entries is still a possibility given two factors: if there are many good films to choose from, and if more cinemas will be able to screen MMFF films during its run.
“Kung sakali po maraming magagandang entries sa palagay po ng selection committee, subject to the approval of ExeCom, puwede naman daw gawin hanggang 10,” Artes said.
(If there are a lot of entries that the selection committee thinks is good, subject to the approval of ExeCom, the lineup of entries may go up to 10.)
As MMFF 2023 had around 800 cinemas screening the films, Artes said that they are now aiming for 900 cinemas.
The 50th edition of the MMFF will be hosted by the city of Manila. According to Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, the city plans to organize the route for the Parade of Stars in a way that will allow even more people to witness the event. Lacuna said that they plan to pass through populous areas like Tondo to ensure that as many people as possible can witness the parade.
Artes also explained that they are working on lowering MMFF ticket prices.
“Nagpass na po ang Metro Manila Council ng resolution kung saan irereview din ang amusement tax,” Artes said.
(The Metro Manila Council has already passed a resolution where the amusement tax will also be reviewed.)
Artes previously announced in January that the MMFF would be forgoing the Summer Festival to make way for the activities lined up for the MMFF’s 50th edition.
These activities include the launch of Sine-Singkwenta, which will screen past MMFF movies in selected cinemas nationwide. This is in cooperation with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Mowelfund, and the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP).
Artes said they have already spoken to several film producers who are willing to allow their films to be screened again. The tickets for these films will be priced at P50.
The MMFF Student Short Film Caravan, which was a regular MMFF activity prior to the pandemic, will be making its return for the film festival’s 50th edition. It’s a special activity where students are taught how to make short films.
The Student Short Film Competition will also be making a comeback. It can be recalled that in the pre-pandemic MMFF editions, these short films were screened right before the feature film in cinemas.
During the press conference, Artes mentioned that they will no longer prohibit product placements in films so that producers would be able to get as much funding as possible to complete the films.
– Rappler.com
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Foreign investments will come even without economic charter change – PH’s biggest bank | lkyu0285 | 06/04/2024 7:30 | FINANCIAL DISTRICT. A view of the Makati City skyline on June 2, 2022.
Mau Victa/Rappler
The top investment officer of the Philippines’ biggest bank believes that foreign direct investments (FDI) will play a big part in lifting the country’s economy in 2024 – with or without the controversial changes to the economic provisions in the Constitution that some lawmakers have been pushing for.
No less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has thrown his weight behind economic charter change to lift the “restrictive” limits on foreign ownership in the country. The proposal – Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 – has already breezed through the House. RBH7, by the way, opens up foreign investment in just three sectors: education, advertising, and public utilities.
But if you ask BDO senior vice president and chief investment officer Frederico Rafael Ocampo, foreign investments will find their way into the country even without this move. And besides, Ocampo opines, these three target segments might not even be the most lucrative ones to open up anyway.
The senior bank official said that plenty of foreign investors are already coming in or showing a strong interest in investing in the Philippines, even with the existing 60-40 foreign ownership limit. How do they do it?
“We have PEZA zones, and in the Bataan area, they can easily expand the export processing zones. There’s flat land there,” Ocampo said on Thursday, April 4. “So they can do it. If nothing happens, they can do it by getting local partners, by entering the PEZA zones.”
Special economic zones, which are managed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), are areas specifically designed to attract foreign investors. Foreign companies that set up shop in these zones enjoy incentives like exemptions from certain taxes and duties, and permanent resident status for big-time investors.
Ocampo also highlighted the case of Uniqlo, which opened more than 60 stores in the Philippines in just 10 years. The Japanese casual clothing brand took the country by storm, partnering with local mega-conglomerate SM Investments to get around the foreign ownership restrictions.
The BDO investment head also sees a lot of potential investors from the United States, lured by the recent visit of US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in March 2024. The US commerce chief brought with her at least 30 US chief executive officers from leading companies in various industries – some of which, Ocampo said, have “already pulled the trigger.”
“She brought 30 US CEOs, including United Airlines’ CEO. United’s direct flights resumed, right? The others are still coming in,” Ocampo said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Besides the US, Ocampo expects companies elsewhere to turn to the Philippines as they shy away from China.
“When the US and European companies reduce exposure to China, where do they go?” Ocampo said. “Now, there are a lot of inquiries into renewable energy.”
But could economic charter change open the floodgates to more investors, as some lawmakers have been proposing? The veteran banker is doubtful.
“Maybe they’ll come in. But what’s the justification [for charter change]? Because you want to open education, advertising? Really? Those are not growth areas globally,” Ocampo said. “It’s AI, it’s tech, it’s driverless vehicles, it’s developing batteries to store solar power. That’s the global trend. Nobody is talking about advertising in the global trend or education.”
Others, such as the Philippines’ chief economist, will disagree. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan has gone on record saying that it was time to remove “unnecessary restrictions” on foreign investments, specifically citing the education sector.
“I think we have missed a major opportunity to have the country as a base for higher education of many countries that have looked for branch campuses outside of their country,” Balisacan said earlier in January.
A big majority of Filipinos (74%) believe that the Constitution “should not be amended now or any other time,” according to a recent Pulse Asia Research survey. Only 8% of Filipinos support charter change – making it now a deeply unpopular move.
Most Filipinos surveyed did not agree with any of the mentioned economic amendments to the Constitution, which include allowing foreigners to own schools, mass media and advertising companies, telecommunications, or residential and industrial land.
While a majority of Filipinos do believe that foreign ownership limits do hinder foreign investment in the Philippines, it’s not the only reason. Instead, a separate Pulse Asia survey found that the most common barrier cited was “complicated rules and regulations” (56%), followed by “restrictive rules on foreign ownership” (55%), and “corruption in the public sector” (46%).
Balisacan likewise mentioned the importance of dealing with other issues surrounding the ease of doing business in the Philippines, like high energy costs, and policies and regulations that change per administration.
A 2021 study by economists in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also found that “while reducing FDI restrictions and the corporate tax rate could provide a boost to a country’s FDI performance, improving the way business is done in a country would most likely have a more positive impact in attracting and retaining FDI.” – Rappler.com
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Thanks to BDO senior vice president and chief investment officer Frederico Rafael Ocampo for his insight and Rappler’s Lancer Spencer Yu for this report. In the government sector, only academic economists can speak against the ballyhooed Charter Change; otherwise, the exit door will immediately open for them. In addition, according to Ocampo: “… three target segments (education, advertising, and public utilities) might not even be the most lucrative ones to open up anyway.” I greatly suspect that the Cha-cha economic provisions merely serve as “bait” for the political provisions to follow. The “humble suggestions” of Presidential Adviser Larry Gadon support this suspicion.
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From wildcard to champion: Hidilyn Diaz in the last 4 Olympics | delfin.dioquino editor | 06/04/2024 11:02 | ELATED. Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines celebrates after a lift in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Edgard Garrido/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – For the first time in two decades, there will be no Hidilyn Diaz on the Philippines’ Olympic roster.
Gunning for a fifth straight Olympic appearance, Diaz lost her Paris Games spot to Elreen Ando following the conclusion of the women’s 59kg qualification in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, on Wednesday, April 3.
Unable to improve on her best lift of 224kg that put her in the top 10 of the IWF Olympic Qualification Ranking, the 33-year-old Diaz saw the younger Ando punch her ticket to Paris with a 228kg total in the World Cup.
The two were forced to compete in the same 59kg class after their previous weight categories in the Tokyo Games – Diaz’s 55kg and Ando’s 64kg – got scrapped for the Paris Olympics.
Also, only one athlete per weight category per country will advance to Paris.
With Diaz set to miss the Olympics, let us look back on her journey in the last four editions:
No stranger to making historic feats for the Philippines, Diaz made one when she first set foot on the Olympic stage.
In the 2008 Beijing Games, Diaz – just 17 years old then – became the first female weightlifter to represent the Philippines in the Olympics as she took part in the women’s 58kg division as a wildcard entry.
Although Diaz finished 10th out of the 12 competitors after recording 85kg in snatch and 107kg in clean and jerk for a total lift of 192kg, it was an experience that set the tone for her storied and inspired weightlifting career.
“I didn’t even really know what the Olympic Games were then, but I quickly realized that I was surrounded by and competing with the best of the best,” Diaz told Olympics.com.
A return trip to the Olympics augured well for Diaz.
Determined to put on a better showing as she served as the Philippines’ flag bearer in the 2012 London Games, Diaz cleared 97kg in the snatch portion of the 58kg category – 12kg more than her best lift in Beijing.
But just when it seemed things were looking up for the Zamboangueña, she endured one of the biggest heartbreaks of her career at 21 years old.
Diaz registered a “did not finish” after three unsuccessful clean and jerk attempts at 118kg and exited the stage a picture of sorrow as she burst into tears, convinced she let the country down.
“I felt like a loser that time. I felt like I was an embarrassment to the Philippines because I did not perform well in London,” Diaz told the For The Love Of The Game podcast in Filipino.
“Good thing there was still another Olympics.”
Third time proved to be the charm for Diaz.
Competing in a lighter 53kg class in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, Diaz became the first Filipina to win an Olympic medal as she snagged silver with a total lift of 200kg (88kg in snatch and 112kg in clean and jerk).
Diaz finished behind Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Shu-ching, ending the Philippines’ 20-year Olympic medal drought since boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco bagged silver in the 1996 Atlanta Games.
She also became the first Filipino weightlifter to medal for the country.
“Only a few knew that I could win in the Olympics that time. Then one day, Filipinos woke up and realized someone won,” Diaz told the For The Love Of The Game podcast. “We thought it was impossible but it was possible.”
While time and experience shaped Diaz, then already 25, in her Rio de Janeiro breakthrough, winning the silver also took a little bit of luck as she admitted she only set her eyes on the bronze considering the caliber of her rivals.
At the top of that list was China’s Li Yajun, who appeared on her way to the gold when she topped the snatch portion with an Olympic record 101kg.
Li, however, went home empty-handed as she set the bar too high for herself in the clean and jerk, failing to lift 123kg in her first try and 126kg in her second and third attempts.
Hsu and Diaz both cleared just 112kg for their best clean and jerk lifts.
“That’s all I wanted – a bronze medal. But God gave me the silver medal,” said Diaz.
Although Diaz showed how to get the job done following her terrific performance in Rio de Janeiro, ending the Philippines’ near decade-long quest for the elusive Olympic gold still seemed like an improbable task.
Prior to the 2020 Tokyo Games – held in 2021 due to the pandemic – the Philippines’ all-time medal tally stood at 10. Only three of those were silvers.
A formidable foe in the form of China’s Liao Qiuyun, the reigning world champion and world record holder in the 55kg division at the time, also stood in the way of Diaz.
Liao beat Diaz in every event in the lead-up to the Olympics, with the Chinese star ruling the World Weightlifting Championships and Asian Weightlifting Championships before Tokyo.
But Diaz defied the odds once again as she stunned Liao with the help of her Team HD: head coach Gao Kaiwen, strength and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo, nutritionist Jeaneth Aro, and sports psychologist Karen Trinidad.
Diaz and Liao both wrapped up the snatch portion with 97kg, setting up a gripping mano a mano between the two finest weightlifters in the 55kg class that put hopeful Filipinos at the edge of their seats.
In the end, it was the fierce Filipina who emerged triumphant, lifting 127kg in clean and jerk for a total of 224kg – both Olympic records.
Liao settled for silver with a 223kg total as she used her third and final clean and jerk attempt at 126kg.
“I never gave up because I knew I’m capable of winning,” said Diaz.
Diaz not only delivered the Philippines’ first and only Olympic gold but also invigorated the campaign of the rest of Filipino contingent in Tokyo.
Inspired by Diaz, boxers Nesthy Petecio (silver), Carlo Paalam (silver), and Eumir Marcial (bronze) also secured podium finishes, resulting in the Philippines’ biggest medal haul in Olympic history.
More than becoming the Philippines’ first Olympic champion, Diaz has grown into a role model for the next generation of Filipino athletes, particularly for future weightlifters who look to follow in her footsteps.
The spotlight Diaz put the sport under, thanks to her international success, has paved the way for a promising batch of Filipino weightlifters.
A post shared by Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo OLY (@hidilyndiaz)
Just in the last Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, rising stars Ando and Vanessa Sarno, Angeline Colonia, Lovely Inan, Rosalinda Faustino, and John Tabique – all 25 years old and under – won medals.
The Philippines captured a total of seven medals in the 2023 Phnom Penh edition: two golds, four silvers, and one bronze.
In contrast, only Diaz won a weightlifting medal for the country in the 2013 SEA Games, three years before her silver finish in Rio de Janeiro.
The Paris Games also serve proof to the massive contributions Diaz has made for the sport.
If things go accordingly, four Filipino weightlifters may see action in Paris, the most by the country in any edition of the Olympics.
“For me, I don’t feel any pressure in setting an example. I just want to inspire the young generation to get involved in sports, especially in weightlifting,” Diaz told Olympics.com.
An end of an era looms for Diaz, but her legacy is here to stay. – Rappler.com
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Mangan, kaon, kain! What to expect at year-long Philippine Eatsperience food fair in Manila | Steph Arnaldo | 05/04/2024 15:37 | MANILA, Philippines – It’s a Filipino fiesta all year round!
Just in time for Filipino Food Month, the Department of Tourism (DOT) launched the first “Philippine Eatsperience” on Wednesday, April 3, a local food market that aims to highlight Filipino cuisine as a vessel to attract both domestic and international tourists.
The food fair is one of the projects under the Philippine Experience Program (PEP), a flagship initiative of DOT.
“We are crafting unique culinary tours and circuits that allow connoisseurs and travelers alike to explore our gastronomic delights at the grassroots level,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said at the Philippine Eatsperience launch.
“Through these, we aim to showcase the diversity and richness of our culinary traditions.”
Located at Manila’s historical landmarks like Rizal Park and the walled city of Intramuros, regular park goers and tourists alike can taste their way through the Philippines through the fair’s different regional cuisines.
The fair itself exudes the vibrantly diverse culture of our local gastronomy, featuring provincial delicacies, nostalgic treats, and the warm hospitality of the stall owners.
Hungry yet? Here’s what you can look forward to before getting a taste of the Philippine Eatsperience for yourself. Kain na!
Visitors can expect delicious, authentic, yet affordable Filipino grub, ranging from underrated regional cuisine to nostalgic street food, as well as iconic pasalubong treats and ice-cold refreshers.
You can also learn a thing or two about where the dishes hail from – every stall has a brief historical description of its offerings and a background of the region they’re from.
Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Mimaropa or the Southwestern Tagalog Region are a few of the regional cuisines repped at Philippine Eatsperience.
While there is a variety of food options at both locations, we noticed that there were a few more hefty ulam (viand) options at Intramuros in particular, while Rizal Park’s menu veers towards lighter snacks and merienda (snack) options.
We spotted everything from silogs, kakanin, fresh sugarcane and coconut juice, pancit bagnet, cheese corn, tusok-tusok (skewers). You name it! The fair’s filling viand selection is also worth saving your appetite for, featuring the likes of Cebu lechon, chicken inasal, pork dinuguan, and Bicol express.
The Philippine Eatsperience showcases more than 30 local food concessionaires and small food businesses, which include merchants from the Kilometro Zero Organization and other community-based groups.
In preparation for the project, vendors have rigorously undergone culinary and food safety workshops or seminars led by the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Philippine Eatsperience merchant Dolores Mendoza has been feeding Intramuros workers and students with her lutong-bahay (home-cooked) meals for more than 40 years now. Not too far from where the Intramuros bazaar is located, Dolores’ eatery is one of many well-loved food spots and karinderyas that originated from the district. They have since relocated to become part of the Philippine Eatsperience for the rest of the year.
“Pumayag kami na lumipat dito para ma-recognize, ma-boom, at makilala ng husto ang Intramuros,” Dolores told Rappler.
(We agreed to relocate so that Intramuros could be further recognized and could boom.)
She shared that the move is an opportunity for small businesses like theirs to become more visible and attract more customers, making the most out of the steady uptick of tourists visiting the area.
The fair was strategically set up at the two popular locations. Rizal Park is known to be a prime public outdoor space for social gatherings and picnics, while Intramuros has become its own dynamic lifestyle district, showcasing its rich history while hosting various public events.
To fully enjoy the experience, DOT made sure that live entertainment would accompany every food trip. Philippine Eatsperience will also include a “weekly lineup of food demonstrations and activities” for the public to participate in.
The “Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino” or Filipino Food Month of April looks to uphold Filipino food as an “art form that celebrates and harmonizes our diversities.”
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Executive Director Oscar Caysasay noted that with centuries of colonization along with the realities of globalization and neoliberalism, the Filipino palate has seen numerous indigenous and colonial influences – a melting pot of all these eras.
“Our hapag-kainans, our salo-salos, are constantly changing over time – our proof of our enduring dedication to embrace the culinary traditions and dishes that our ancestors gifted us,” Caysasay said.
Spearheaded by the NCCA alongside the DOT, Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM), Filipino Food Month is celebrated every April by virtue of Proclamation No. 469, Series of 2018.
Philippine Eatsperience is a yearlong project under the lineup of NCR, regional, and international festivities slated for Filipino Food Month this year.
Philippines Eatsperience is set to run for one whole year. Its Rizal Park location (Noli Me Tangere Garden) is open from 7 am to 10 pm from Friday to Sunday, while the Intramuros spot (Baluarte Plano de Sta. Isabel) is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm. – Rappler.com
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Quiboloy: ‘I will not be caught alive’ | Jairo Bolledo | 06/04/2024 16:33 | PREACHER. Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church and a friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Quiboloy's Facebook page
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – “Hindi ako magpapahuli nang buhay (I will not be caught alive).”
Fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy broke his silence on Saturday morning, April 6, to once again accuse the Marcos administration of conspiring with the United States in an alleged assassination plot against him.
Wanted in connection with child abuse and sexual abuse cases in Davao City, Quiboloy broke down towards the end of a nearly 33-minute audio recording posted by the media arm of the Quiboloy-led Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) on YouTube.
“Tandaan po ninyo: Ako’y mamamatay with honor. Tatayo ako para sa mga ginipit, kinunan ng katarungan, kinunan ng hustisya sa bansang ito. Dito tutulo ang aking dugo. Dito ako mamamatay. Bahala na, basta Pilipino ang papatay sa akin. OK sa akin iyon,” Quiboloy said, his voice cracking.
(Remember this: I will die with honor. I will stand for the oppressed, those deprived of justice, and those deprived of fairness in this country. Here, my blood will be shed. Here, I will die. Let it be, as long as it’s a Filipino who kills me. That’s OK with me.)
Quiboloy released the statement three days after the National Bureau of Investigation and the police initiated a search to serve two arrest warrants issued by a Davao regional court against him and five of his associates. Of the six accused, Quiboloy remains the only one at large.
“Ako po ay hindi nagtatago sa kasong ito dahil ako po ay may kasalanan. Hindi po. Ako ay umiiwas dahil pinoprotektahan ko ang aking sarili,” he said
(I am not hiding from this case because I am guilty. No. I am avoiding it because I am protecting myself.)
Quiboloy said he would confront his accusers and respond to their allegations in court only if the US would keep off.
The preacher alleged that US authorities intended to kidnap or kill him rather than extradite him for trial in an American court without specifying why the US would want him dead.
Quiboloy also claimed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had agreed to hand him over to the Americans, suggesting that recent actions by the Senate and the House of Representatives against him and his group were part of the alleged US strategy. He did not say how exactly he learned of this, but he stated that the purported US plot was confirmed by his lawyers.
Wanted in the US, Quiboloy has been placed on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) list of most wanted after he and several of his associates were indicted by a federal grand jury in a California district court in 2021 for a series of cases including sex trafficking, fraud and coercion, misuse of visas, bulk cash smuggling, and money laundering.
Quiboloy asserted that his decision not to surrender was “wisdom from God” aimed at protecting him.
“I am preserving myself,” said the controversial preacher, who styles himself as the “appointed son of God.”
He also said he would only appear in court on condition that Marcos, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, and heads of various law enforcement agencies would guarantee in writing that the US would not be involved in any manner and that he would not get killed.
Another condition for his surrender, according to Quiboloy, is if the Senate committee chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros would cease its ongoing investigation into the alleged abuses committed against former KOJC workers.
He accused the former KOJC workers who testified against him before Hontiveros’ committee of being paid to lie and fabricate stories against him.
It was not the first time for Quiboloy to hurl such accusations against the US, particularly the FBI, the US Central Intelligence Agency or CIA, and the Marcos administration.
Responding to it in late February, Marcos laughed off the alleged assassination plot against the preacher, and asked: “Hindi ko naiintindihan ‘yung sinasabi niya. Bakit siya i-assassinate (I can’t understand what he’s saying. Why will he be assassinated)?”
That same month, the US embassy in Manila also stated: “For more than a decade, Apollo Quiboloy engaged in serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, and he is currently on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. We are confident that Quiboloy will face justice for his heinous crimes.” – Rappler.com
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If he is really the ‘annointed son of god’ why is he afraid of assassination? We will even volunteer to help authorities to secure his safety if he will volunteer to be crucified in order to “fulfill” his mission / vision statements. Since all his presumptions and conditions are product of a psychotic person, we might just as well ride on his hallucinations.
According to Quiboloy: “Hindi ako magpapahuli nang buhay (I will not be caught alive).” Really? As the “Appointed Son of God, ” he should not fear death because he is assured of his place in “Heaven.” Or would it end like that of someone who promised that “he will fight until the last drop of his blood”? This is indeed a thrilling politico-religious theatrics.
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Madlang Kapuso vs Kapatid: Philippine network war heats up as ‘It’s Showtime’ airs on GMA-7 | gdecastro0289 | 06/04/2024 10:32 | It's Showtime/TV5/ Marc Logan social media pages
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ network war heats up on Saturday, April 6, as the ABS-CBN noon show It’s Showtime airs for the first time ever on its former fierce competitor GMA Network’s (GMA) flagship free TV Channel 7.
The show competes with the country’s longest running noon show, Eat Bulaga!, led by showbiz veterans Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, which used to air on GMA’s Channel 7, but is now on tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan’s network, TV5. Eat Bulaga! will hold a “National Barangay Day” for its Saturday episode, where several local communities get to participate on the show live.
On Friday night, April 5, Kapamilya star Anne Curtis, one of the Philippines’ leading social media influencers with 21 million followers on Instagram, made a guest appearance on GMA’s flagship prime time news show 24 Oras to promote the noon show.
FIRST ON PHILIPPINE TV ✨️Kapamilya actress-host, Anne Curtis live on the Kapuso flagship news program, @24OrasGMA! ❤️💚💙🌈 @annecurtissmith pic.twitter.com/smgynvrfo3
“Never in my wildest dream na mangyayari ang pagkakataon na ito, at eto na nga, bukas na po, mangyayari na. Ang imposible magiging posible na po sa GMA-7. Isang malaking pasabog at engrandeng pagwelcome sa amin dito sa GMA,” Curtis said on the show’s entertainment segment, Chika Minute.
(Never in my wildest dream that this would happen, and here it is, it’ll happen tomorrow. The impossible will become possible here on GMA-7. It’ll be a big show with a grand welcome here on GMA.)
The Saturday episode of It’s Showtime is also the belated 48th birthday celebration on the show of its lead host, comedian Vice Ganda, and Curtis promised the show would bring lots of laughter and happiness to its viewers.
“Please join us tomorrow [Saturday] as we bring you laughter, fun. Magtatawanan po tayo bukas. Magsasayawan, kantahan, tawanan, lahat ibibigay po namin sa inyo mga Madlang Kapuso… .At birthday din ni Vice bukas. Kaya abangan nyo rin po ang birthday ng meme ng bayan, Vice Ganda,” Curtis said.
(We will be laughing together, dancing, singing, we’ll give it all to you Madlang Kapuso…And it’s also the birthday celebration of Vice Ganda tomorrow. So watch out also for the birthday of the country’s meme star Vice Ganda.)
Curtis said she and other It’s Showtime hosts will also join the popular game show Family Feud on GMA on April 8, Monday. She said she also hopes she’d get a chance to participate in the reality game show, Running Man Philippines, which will be on its second episode on GMA in May this year.
“’Yung IQ ng mga ‘yan ang bababa ‘no!” – Vice Ganda to Team Anne! 🤣#FeudItsShowtime | April 8, 2024 at 5:35 PM#FamilyFeudPH #BestTimeEver pic.twitter.com/i7pWRhmO2E
Curtis said she wished she would also be able to work with her sister, Kapuso star Jasmine Curtis-Smith, her wedding ninong (godfather) and ex-Kapamilya host Kim Atienza, as well as Kapuso leading men Alden Richards, Dingdong Dantes, and Dennis Trillo.
Nice seeing you ninong! Thanks for having me 🌈 https://t.co/LPR1MQ5TsQ
“Parehong determinasyon at magandang intensyon ng Kapuso at Kapamilya, nagsama at nakabuo sila ng magandang desisyon na gawin ito…for the audience,” Vice told GMA News.
(The determination and good intention of Kapuso and Kapamilya combined for this good decision…for the audience.)
WHAT’S UP, MADLANG KAPUSO! 💖 Iniimbitahan kayo ni Vice Ganda na abangan ang #ItsShowtime sa GMA!#ShowtimeSaGMA, MAMAYA NA! pic.twitter.com/Un5rchuONa
In another GMA News report, it was revealed that Kapuso stars Jillian Ward, Gabbi Garcia, Sanya Lopez, Mikee Quintos, Glaiza de Castro, Mark Bautista, and Christian Bautista will be guests on It’s Showtime’s Saturday episode.
Filipino-Argentinian K-pop star Maria Chantal “Chanty” Videla of Lapillus will also make a guest appearance. Chanty is on indefinite hiatus from Lapillus’ group activities due to chronic fatigue syndrome but her agency, MLD Entertainment, said earlier this week that she would continue individual activities.
The Saturday show is the first under a co-production agreement between GMA and ABS-CBN on the airing of It’s Showtime on Channel 7. Both sides signed last year a blocktime agreement on airing It’s Showtime on GMA’s second major channel, Good TV or GTV, after TV5 took in Eat Bulaga! for its noon show starting July 1, 2023. Channel 7 is the Philippines’ leading free TV channel.
It’s Showtime also airs on the Zoe Network’s A2Z channel and on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Channel on pay cable television.
The co-production was made possible after Television and Production Exponents Incorporated (TAPE) and GMA agreed to end the former’s blocktime agreement on the airing of Tahanang Pinakamasaya on the noon time block of Channel 7.
TAPE, which had a blocktime deal with GMA until end of 2024, could not sustain its noon show after failing to get enough advertisers.
ABS-CBN and GMA were strongest rivals in the Philippines’ broadcast industry until the Duterte administration ordered the Lopez-led media conglomerate to shut down its free radio and TV business in May 2020 after its franchise expired.
The House of Representatives dominated by allies of then-president Rodrigo Duterte then rejected its application for a new franchise.
ABS-CBN has since pivoted into a content provider to its former competitors and to streaming platforms. It is now the Philippines’ leading content provider.
Meantime, ex-Kapamilya funny news man Marc Logan made a guest appearance on the Kapatid network’s flagship prime time news show, Frontline Pilipinas, on Friday night to promote his weekly magazine show, Mga Kuwentong Marc Logan, which premieres on Saturday at 6:15 pm on TV5. He said he will be appearing three times a week on Frontline Pilipinas for teasers of his weekend show.
‘Pag nakita mo ’to, sign na para abangan si Pambansang Pantanggal Umay, Marc Logan! Mga kwentong kagigiliwan at kaaaliwan, just for you! Abangan ang #Top5MgaKwentongMarcLoganTV5, simula ngayong APRIL 6, 6:15PM sa #WeekendTripTV5! pic.twitter.com/W9Uhd9YtKp
Logan also appeared on Eat Bulaga! in March where he joined comedian Vic Sotto and participated in the game show segment Peraphy.
Logan signed with the Kapatid channel more than a year after retiring from ABS-CBN.
Aside from Logan’s show, TV5 also beefed up its weekend programming by adding incumbent Senator Raffy Tulfo’s magazine show, Kapatid Mo, Idol Raffy Tulfo, starting April 7, at 6:15 pm.
Tulfo is a popular Filipino legislator who promises quick “justice” and action to consumer and other public complaints.
TV5 also introduced former CNN Philippines anchor Ruth Cabal as its news anchor for a daily afternoon newscast, Frontline Express, starting April 8.
According to official Nielsen annual ratings seen by Rappler, while GMA Channel 7’s audience share stayed almost the same in 2022 and 2023, TV5’s share has gone up by a couple of percentage points, although GMA-7 still has a wide margin of roughly 30-percentage points over TV5 overall. – Rappler.com
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Big fishers encroach on small fisherfolk’s municipal waters | Iya Gozum | 06/04/2024 9:30 | Big fishers encroach on small fisherfolk’s municipal waters
Small fisherfolk have preferential rights in municipal waters under the law. But a recent court victory by a big operator is threatening to change the game.
PUBLISHED APRIL 6, 2024 9:30 AM PHTBY Lian Buan, Iya Gozum
READ: Part 1 | Top officials with private interests spoil effort to track big fishers
Municipal fisherfolk remain among the poorest Filipinos, earning only an average of P363 (US$6.45)* a day, and the possibility of losing preferential access to their fishing grounds poses an added threat to their existence.
After three commercial fishing operators successfully evaded the state requirement for a tracking system, the next battleground for them is obtaining the right to fish inside municipal waters or the rich fishing grounds within 15 kilometers from the shore.
The Fisheries Code gives small fisherfolk preferential rights to this area. But a big fishing operator partly owned by the family of former National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) chief Gamaliel Cordoba won a court case contesting the provision, and gained the rights to this fishing ground.
Malabon Regional Trial Court Judge Zaldy Docena, who also favored the three commercial fishers in the tracking system case, ruled in December 2023 to allow Mercidar Fishing Corporation to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal waters.
Mercidar Fishing Corporation, Rappler has confirmed, is partly owned by Monica Elena Cordoba, the wife of Cordoba, former NTC chief and now Commission on Audit (COA) chair appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in October 2022. Under Cordoba, the NTC did not issue service identity numbers needed for the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), a tracking system that commercial fishers are resisting.
“Mercidar Fishing Corporation [may] be allowed to operate on all territorial waters in the Philippines without regard to the 15 kilometer limit,” said Docena on December 11, 2023.
Rappler sought Mercidar’s comment via email and text message but we have yet to receive a response. We will update this story once we get a reply.
The tracking system and the 15-kilometer cases were not the first time that Docena favored commercial fishers. In 2014, Docena also stopped the implementation of a fisheries ordinance that bans the use of the destructive hulbot-hulbot gear. But he was reversed by the Supreme Court later on.
Docena was sanctioned by the Supreme Court at least two more times for other cases, both with suspension as penalties. One of the suspensions had to do with irregular issuances of search warrants.
Asked if he could comment on the impression that his rulings had consistently favored big fishers, Docena told Rappler through a family relative, “I am just interpreting the existing law to the best of my ability. Whether I agree with the law or not, or what I think of their consequences – these are questions that I am duty bound to exclude from my interpretation.”
The judge, who retired just after the Mercidar win, denied personally knowing the involved fishing families in the court cases.
Rappler’s three-month investigation into government records and interviews with fisherfolk, advocates and bureaucrats, show commercial fishers being favored by the court and some regulators. The battle for the 15-kilometer zone now makes small fisherfolk worry that an impending amendment of the law, a priority of Marcos, could favor commercial fishers again.
In a vast ocean of depleting marine resources, it is in shallow waters where sunlight can penetrate and a number of fish and marine resources thrive. Given preferential use under the Constitution, small fishers find livelihood in the 15-kilometer zone, their refuge from unequal competition against big fishers who have the technology like fish finders and echosounders.
When Docena gave Mercidar the right to fish within the 15-kilometer zone, the judge included a caveat: commercial fishers can operate within 15 kilometers, but they cannot fish in shallow areas. The decision said commercial fishers can only operate within the zone if the waters are at least seven fathoms (equivalent to 12.8 meters) deep.
Shallow waters or those less than seven fathoms deep are roughly only 10% of municipal waters, marine scientist Rene Abesamis said, citing an initial analysis done by a colleague. It means 90% of the municipal waters are already fair game for commercial fishers.
If Docena’s ruling will be taken as precedent in the amendment of the Fisheries Code, small fishers will be left with next to nothing, and big fishers will have virtual monopoly over almost all of Philippine waters.
Removing the 15-kilometer boundary and simply following the seven fathoms measurement present a “technically demanding” job for the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (Namria), said Abesamis, because they would have to “do an analysis where they would outline the depth contour of the seven fathoms.”
Namria would have to map this for the entire country’s coastline, all 36,289 kilometers, the fifth longest coastline in the world. Currently, only 311 coastal municipalities (out of 822) have certified municipal water boundaries, according to Aaron Andro Ching of Namria.
Any way the wind blows, the Malabon ruling only legalizes what has long been accepted practice at sea. There had been reports in the past of commercial fishers encroaching on municipal waters.
“They have defeated the law, actually,” said biologist Wilfredo Campos, a member of the National Science Advisory Group (NSAG) which had been advocating ever since to keep commercial fishers out of the 15-kilometer zone.
In 2023, online platform Karagatan Patrol detected 28,822 commercial fishing vessels operating inside municipal waters through the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), a sensor on board a weather satellite operated by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
In 2019, the Philippines divided waters into fisheries management areas (FMA) in a bid to conserve and manage stocks. Karagatan Patrol’s data show that most of the commercial fishing vessels encroach on the municipal waters of FMAs 4 and 5 – FMA 4 covers Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Negros Oriental; while FMA 5 covers Antique, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan. FMAs 4 and 5 are major fishing grounds for sardines and galunggong, said Campos.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24, 2023, Marcos said he would prioritize amending the Fisheries Code.
“Our Fisheries Code must be revised to incorporate and strengthen science-based analysis and determination of fishing areas. This approach will protect both the interests of our fisherfolk and our fisheries and aquatic resources,” said Marcos.
Four months after giving this marching order, Marcos finally vacated his interim post as Agriculture Secretary and appointed his campaign donor and fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Before his appointment, Tiu Laurel served as president of family-run Frabelle Fishing Corporation. One of the immediate concerns then was the glaring conflict of interest, which the agriculture chief shrugged off.
In an ambush interview on April 3, the agriculture chief confirmed they are looking at changing the delineation of municipal waters by depth instead of distance.
At least from the draft he’s seen that came from the DA-BFAR, Tiu Laurel said “20 fathoms is what’s being contemplated.” 20 fathoms is around 37 meters.
This 20 fathoms proposal also came from commercial fishers, said Ruperto Aleroza, vice chair for basic sectors of the National Anti-Poverty Commission. “According to the technical person, NGO researchers whom we consulted, waters 20 fathoms deep are as close as within 5 kilometers from the shore, meaning the space will become smaller for municipal fisherfolk,” Aleroza told Rappler in Filipino.
Conservation groups worry that court rulings may no longer be necessary for commercial fishers to win this 15-kilometer battle. If they succeed in their lobbying, the amendment of the law may just reflect their wishes.
The pre-consultations seem to be engaging commercial fishers more, said Aleroza.
“What’s happening is that commercial fishers get to talk more [in these consultations], and BFAR – we’re also wondering – instead of playing their role to facilitate the opposing sectors, the impression is, whatever the version of commercial fishers is, that’s what they are facilitating,” Aleroza told Rappler in Filipino.
Aleroza said NAPC did its own consultations, which resulted in resolutions calling on Marcos “to firmly uphold the constitutionally-guaranteed preferential right of artisanal fishers over the 15-kilometer municipal fishing grounds.” They are waiting for a more comprehensive meeting with either Marcos or Tiu Laurel.
“If we want sustainability, we should protect critical habitats that produce aquatic resources like coral reefs. If you allow commercial fishing to enter, and studies have shown they destroy coral reefs, what future will we rely on?” said Aleroza in Filipino.
In 2019, the NSAG already told BFAR that more fishing activities in municipal waters would prevent fish species from respawning properly.
“[A]ny additional fishing, such as the proposed operations of commercial vessels in municipal waters, would contradict the solution to the problem of overfished scad and sardine stocks,” the NSAG told BFAR back then. But BFAR did not respond, according to Campos.
Mercidar argued in its complaint that the 15-kilometer is not only unconstitutional, it also does not hold any scientific basis. The story goes that when Marcos’ father, the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos passed Presidential Decree No. 1015 in 1976, he banned commercial fishers from the seven-kilometer zone, and banned trawls in waters seven fathoms deep or less, only because he had a penchant for the number seven.
Abesamis, the marine scientist, said the question of whether the 15-kilometer boundary is scientific or not seems more of a distraction. The boundary is set to give an edge to small fishers, 31% of whom live below the poverty threshold.
“I read that as a social thing. Here’s where small players can fish,” Abesamis told Rappler. “That’s the spirit [of the law].”
The resistance to VMS and the opening up of the 15-kilometer zone have caused the sea to shrink for the municipal fishers. Even the agriculture chief said that commercial fishers operating in municipal waters are within the purview of local government units. “That’s not under the DA,” he said in Filipino.
And this is exactly what’s happening at the local level. Small fishers are edged out further by local government ordinances that demarcate zones, resulting in arrests at sea.
In Navotas, which is covered by Docena’s court rulings for VMS and the 15-kilometer zone case, small fisherfolk are apprehended when they go outside the Navotas side of the sea.
Rogelio Guevarra, 57, from Navotas, was arrested in 2022 when he reached the waters of Cavite. He calls his apprehenders “maritime,” which refers to the Philippine National Police Maritime Group. Guevarra said they were initially told to follow them to shore to get the proper permits.
A source who was once part of the maritime’s advisory body told Rappler that it is made up of members of different stakeholders, including representatives from commercial fishing companies. This has been confirmed by Rappler through a current member of the advisory body.
But Guevarra, his son, and fisherfolk from two other boats, were taken instead to Parañaque. They were made to pose for mugshots, and fined P3,000 ($54) per boat when they were earning a maximum of only P2,000 ($36) a day.
“Nangutang lang ho kami noon,” Guevarra said, recalling having to leave his son at the detachment area to get bail money. “Kasi dito sa paligid namin, walang mahuling isda, kaya doon kami namamalakaya.” (We only borrowed money then. There were no fish to catch here in our area, that’s why we were fishing there.)
The fisherfolk were trapped: if they stayed in Navotas, there would be no catch. But if they fished elsewhere, they risked getting arrested.
After Guevarra was arrested, he stayed away from fishing whenever he could. Staying within their zone has been tough because, according to him, there have been fewer and fewer areas to fish ever since San Miguel Corporation (SMC) started building the New Manila International Airport in nearby Bulacan in 2020.
According to Guevarra, big waves drive fish to hide in underwater excavations used by the ships for the airport’s construction. But they cannot follow the fish to that area, citing incidents of drop-ins by individuals who simply tell them to stay out of the airport zone.
“Sa labas naman, mababaw, wala naman hong isda,” said Guevarra. “Kaya napipilitan kami, ‘pag dumadaan ‘yung barko, lumalayo kami. Pagka wala nang barko, saka kami umaarya.”
(Outside, the waters are shallow, there are no fish. We’re forced to hide further whenever the dredger passes. When it’s gone, that’s when we fish.)
We sent SMC emails requesting for comment on this story, but they have yet to respond. The intimidating presence of armed SMC personnel was earlier reported in the pre-construction consultations with the community, but the conglomerate told UK-based non-government organization Global Witness in 2023 that the personnel were there to “secure the area” and “prevent outsiders from causing disruption.”
BFAR, tasked to increase fisheries and aquaculture production within ecological limits, said it cannot intervene.
“We note that the management of the municipal waters belongs to local government units,” BFAR spokesperson Nazer Briguera told Rappler. “Hence, it is within the jurisdiction to enact and implement municipal ordinance which they deem necessary.”
From January to October 2023, the maritime police apprehended at least 66 fishermen from Navotas, according to figures from the Parañaque’s agricultural, fisheries, and aquatic services office. This is roughly half of the fisherfolk arrested at sea, the others hailing from Cavite and Malabon.
Implementing their local ordinance is a way to keep the best interests of their local fishers, said Amie Hernandez, officer-in-charge of the city’s agriculture office. The maritime police apprehend local fishers and the latter are taken to city hall to pay fines at the treasury office, Hernandez told Rappler.
Right now, Parañaque is revising Ordinance No. 06-02 released in 2005, Hernandez said, to increase penalties and add eight buoys to mark the delineation of their municipal waters.
Arrests based on zoning ordinances have long been a recurring issue across the country, according to Dennis Calvan of the conservation group Rare Philippines, and a member of the government’s fisheries advisory committee.
Municipalities exercise territorial rights within their zones, resulting in extreme measures such as arrests. It is a case of local governments wanting to exercise autonomy in all areas – even over waters that are hard to govern.
As fish stocks dwindle in their area and arrests abound, Guevarra said they mainly rely on baklad or fish corrals for their catch. These are stationary traps made of bamboo stakes and plastic nets that can capture fish.
Inside Guevarra’s house is a small booth where the family sells flavored shaved ice to augment their income. There are days when they would still sail to fish. It had been, after all, their way of life for generations. And they have mouths to feed.
“Kung nasaan ‘yung isda, talagang pinupuntahan namin, dahil ‘yun talaga ang buhay namin,” said Guevarra. “Kung pagbabawalan kami doon at wala kaming mapuntahang may isda, talagang mapipilitan kaming pumasok doon sa bawal na sinasabi nilang bawal.”
(Where the fish go, we go, because that’s our life. If we’re not allowed in some areas, but we can’t find another place with enough fish, then we don’t have a choice but to fish in those areas.)
Guevarra goes out to sea only to accompany his son. His neighbor, 73-year-old Celso Sebastian, has quit fishing altogether, the only job he has ever known in Navotas. The catch has exponentially decreased in recent years, and he decided that the threat of being arrested at sea was no longer worth the few fish he is able to take home.
“Ayaw ko na, hindi ko na kaya ang ganyan (I quit, I can no longer bear it),” Sebastian said. He has also already sold his boat.
Calvan called this a “desperate situation that could get even more desperate.” If not stopped, he said poverty incidence will increase and depletion of resources will continue.
“There will be no more preferential rights as guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution. It’s like we’re saying, [the waters] are free-for-all.” – Rappler.com
Disclosure: Oceana, a co-petitioner in the Supreme Court VMS case, is an advocacy partner of Rappler. The group was not used as a source for the story, however in the latter part of reporting, we referred to data from Karagatan Patrol, which is an initiative of Oceana.
$1 = P55.43
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It looks like Goliath is winning. For David, the small fishermen had better plan how they would “quit fishing altogether, the only job (they have) ever known.” It is now just a matter of timing, and the soonest will be the best. They should be realistic and must not expect that Marcos Jr.’s Government will consider their welfare a greater priority than that of the commercial fishing corporations. NGOs that are working for them should help them in this exit out of the fishery industry sector.
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Madlang Kapuso vs Kapatid: Philippine network war heats up as ‘It’s Showtime’ airs on GMA-7 | gdecastro0289 | 06/04/2024 10:32 | It's Showtime/TV5/ Marc Logan social media pages
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ network war heats up on Saturday, April 6, as the ABS-CBN noon show It’s Showtime airs for the first time ever on its former fierce competitor GMA Network’s (GMA) flagship free TV Channel 7.
The show competes with the country’s longest running noon show, Eat Bulaga!, led by showbiz veterans Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, which used to air on GMA’s Channel 7, but is now on tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan’s network, TV5. Eat Bulaga! will hold a “National Barangay Day” for its Saturday episode, where several local communities get to participate on the show live.
On Friday night, April 5, Kapamilya star Anne Curtis, one of the Philippines’ leading social media influencers with 21 million followers on Instagram, made a guest appearance on GMA’s flagship prime time news show 24 Oras to promote the noon show.
FIRST ON PHILIPPINE TV ✨️Kapamilya actress-host, Anne Curtis live on the Kapuso flagship news program, @24OrasGMA! ❤️💚💙🌈 @annecurtissmith pic.twitter.com/smgynvrfo3
“Never in my wildest dream na mangyayari ang pagkakataon na ito, at eto na nga, bukas na po, mangyayari na. Ang imposible magiging posible na po sa GMA-7. Isang malaking pasabog at engrandeng pagwelcome sa amin dito sa GMA,” Curtis said on the show’s entertainment segment, Chika Minute.
(Never in my wildest dream that this would happen, and here it is, it’ll happen tomorrow. The impossible will become possible here on GMA-7. It’ll be a big show with a grand welcome here on GMA.)
The Saturday episode of It’s Showtime is also the belated 48th birthday celebration on the show of its lead host, comedian Vice Ganda, and Curtis promised the show would bring lots of laughter and happiness to its viewers.
“Please join us tomorrow [Saturday] as we bring you laughter, fun. Magtatawanan po tayo bukas. Magsasayawan, kantahan, tawanan, lahat ibibigay po namin sa inyo mga Madlang Kapuso… .At birthday din ni Vice bukas. Kaya abangan nyo rin po ang birthday ng meme ng bayan, Vice Ganda,” Curtis said.
(We will be laughing together, dancing, singing, we’ll give it all to you Madlang Kapuso…And it’s also the birthday celebration of Vice Ganda tomorrow. So watch out also for the birthday of the country’s meme star Vice Ganda.)
Curtis said she and other It’s Showtime hosts will also join the popular game show Family Feud on GMA on April 8, Monday. She said she also hopes she’d get a chance to participate in the reality game show, Running Man Philippines, which will be on its second episode on GMA in May this year.
“’Yung IQ ng mga ‘yan ang bababa ‘no!” – Vice Ganda to Team Anne! 🤣#FeudItsShowtime | April 8, 2024 at 5:35 PM#FamilyFeudPH #BestTimeEver pic.twitter.com/i7pWRhmO2E
Curtis said she wished she would also be able to work with her sister, Kapuso star Jasmine Curtis-Smith, her wedding ninong (godfather) and ex-Kapamilya host Kim Atienza, as well as Kapuso leading men Alden Richards, Dingdong Dantes, and Dennis Trillo.
Nice seeing you ninong! Thanks for having me 🌈 https://t.co/LPR1MQ5TsQ
“Parehong determinasyon at magandang intensyon ng Kapuso at Kapamilya, nagsama at nakabuo sila ng magandang desisyon na gawin ito…for the audience,” Vice told GMA News.
(The determination and good intention of Kapuso and Kapamilya combined for this good decision…for the audience.)
WHAT’S UP, MADLANG KAPUSO! 💖 Iniimbitahan kayo ni Vice Ganda na abangan ang #ItsShowtime sa GMA!#ShowtimeSaGMA, MAMAYA NA! pic.twitter.com/Un5rchuONa
In another GMA News report, it was revealed that Kapuso stars Jillian Ward, Gabbi Garcia, Sanya Lopez, Mikee Quintos, Glaiza de Castro, Mark Bautista, and Christian Bautista will be guests on It’s Showtime’s Saturday episode.
Filipino-Argentinian K-pop star Maria Chantal “Chanty” Videla of Lapillus will also make a guest appearance. Chanty is on indefinite hiatus from Lapillus’ group activities due to chronic fatigue syndrome but her agency, MLD Entertainment, said earlier this week that she would continue individual activities.
The Saturday show is the first under a co-production agreement between GMA and ABS-CBN on the airing of It’s Showtime on Channel 7. Both sides signed last year a blocktime agreement on airing It’s Showtime on GMA’s second major channel, Good TV or GTV, after TV5 took in Eat Bulaga! for its noon show starting July 1, 2023. Channel 7 is the Philippines’ leading free TV channel.
It’s Showtime also airs on the Zoe Network’s A2Z channel and on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Channel on pay cable television.
The co-production was made possible after Television and Production Exponents Incorporated (TAPE) and GMA agreed to end the former’s blocktime agreement on the airing of Tahanang Pinakamasaya on the noon time block of Channel 7.
TAPE, which had a blocktime deal with GMA until end of 2024, could not sustain its noon show after failing to get enough advertisers.
ABS-CBN and GMA were strongest rivals in the Philippines’ broadcast industry until the Duterte administration ordered the Lopez-led media conglomerate to shut down its free radio and TV business in May 2020 after its franchise expired.
The House of Representatives dominated by allies of then-president Rodrigo Duterte then rejected its application for a new franchise.
ABS-CBN has since pivoted into a content provider to its former competitors and to streaming platforms. It is now the Philippines’ leading content provider.
Meantime, ex-Kapamilya funny news man Marc Logan made a guest appearance on the Kapatid network’s flagship prime time news show, Frontline Pilipinas, on Friday night to promote his weekly magazine show, Mga Kuwentong Marc Logan, which premieres on Saturday at 6:15 pm on TV5. He said he will be appearing three times a week on Frontline Pilipinas for teasers of his weekend show.
‘Pag nakita mo ’to, sign na para abangan si Pambansang Pantanggal Umay, Marc Logan! Mga kwentong kagigiliwan at kaaaliwan, just for you! Abangan ang #Top5MgaKwentongMarcLoganTV5, simula ngayong APRIL 6, 6:15PM sa #WeekendTripTV5! pic.twitter.com/W9Uhd9YtKp
Logan also appeared on Eat Bulaga! in March where he joined comedian Vic Sotto and participated in the game show segment Peraphy.
Logan signed with the Kapatid channel more than a year after retiring from ABS-CBN.
Aside from Logan’s show, TV5 also beefed up its weekend programming by adding incumbent Senator Raffy Tulfo’s magazine show, Kapatid Mo, Idol Raffy Tulfo, starting April 7, at 6:15 pm.
Tulfo is a popular Filipino legislator who promises quick “justice” and action to consumer and other public complaints.
TV5 also introduced former CNN Philippines anchor Ruth Cabal as its news anchor for a daily afternoon newscast, Frontline Express, starting April 8.
According to official Nielsen annual ratings seen by Rappler, while GMA Channel 7’s audience share stayed almost the same in 2022 and 2023, TV5’s share has gone up by a couple of percentage points, although GMA-7 still has a wide margin of roughly 30-percentage points over TV5 overall. – Rappler.com
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Though still unbeaten vs Ginebra, perfect San Miguel stays level-headed | delfin.dioquino editor | 05/04/2024 23:23 | DRIVE. CJ Perez in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
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MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel has proven to be a tough nut to crack for Barangay Ginebra.
The Beermen stayed unbeaten against the Gin Kings this season and remained the only perfect team in the PBA Philippine Cup after a 95-92 escape at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, April 5.
MVP contenders CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo turned in a pair of double-doubles as San Miguel improved to 5-0 against Ginebra this season and hiked its record in the prestigious All-Filipino tournament to 4-0.
The win further reinforced the belief that the Beermen are bound to defend their throne, but Fajardo is not one to get caught up in the hoopla of their flawless run.
“Coach always reminds us that we should not get complacent,” said the seven-time league MVP in Filipino. “We should strive to play better and execute our plays.”
Fajardo churned out 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Perez put up 18 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals – the two scoring 8 points apiece in the third quarter to help San Miguel mount a commanding 82-66 lead.
But that double-digit cushion quickly vanished after the Gin Kings inched within 91-93 off a 25-11 run capped by a Maverick Ahanmisi triple with 1:10 minutes remaining.
Fortunately for San Miguel, its vaunted depth once again worked wonders as Jericho Cruz – who failed to buy a bucket in the entire second half – scored a layup to give the Beermen just enough separation to escape.
Don Trollano also delivered 15 points and 8 rebounds, Mo Tautuaa tallied 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Terrence Romeo added 11 points and 4 assists.
“What is good about this team is when we play games, we try to improve and we try to get better on things that we have to get better at,” said San Miguel head coach Jorge Gallent.
Christian Standhardinger paced the Gin Kings with 14 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals, Japeth Aguilar scored 17 points, Maverick Ahanmisi posted 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Stanley Pringle chimed in 15 points.
Jamie Malonzo contributed 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists for Ginebra, which fell to 3-2.
San Miguel 95 – Perez 18, Trollano 15, Fajardo 14, Tautuaa 12, Romeo 11, Brondial 8, Cruz 8, Lassiter 6, Ross 3, Manuel 0, Enciso 0.
Barangay Ginebra 92 – J. Aguilar 17, Ahanmisi 16, Pringle 15, Malonzo 14, Standhardinger 14, Tenorio 8, Onwubere 8, David 0, Gumaru 0, Cu 0, Pinto 0.
Quarters: 33-18, 56-50, 82-66, 95-92.
– Rappler.com
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‘People get hurt’: Angel Canino’s mother pleads public to ‘be responsible’ in posting rumors | jisaga0269 | 05/04/2024 18:54 | MVP. La Salle star Angel Canino with parents Sol (left) and Rodel during the UAAP Season 85 awarding ceremony in 2023.
MANILA, Philippines – Let Angel Canino heal in peace.
That is the wish of the UAAP MVP’s mother Sol after her daughter sat out La Salle’s first game back from the Holy Week break due to a freak accident that caused a right arm gash.
Despite news outlets and the Lady Spikers team itself revealing what they can about the non-volleyball-related injury last Thursday, April 4, conspiracies and accusations still ran rampant online, to the point where the Canino matriarch was forced to go on record to defend her daughter’s side.
In an emotional Facebook post, Sol ruled out multiple speculations in one fell swoop: Her daughter is not faking her injury, not pregnant, not going through academic woes, nor is she leaving La Salle to presumably join the PVL, where her father Rodel is an Akari assistant coach.
Asked earlier for comment, Rodel likewise assured fans his daughter “is doing fine,” which Angel quickly proved by being a positive bench presence in the Lady Spikers’ eventual four-set win over UP.
“She’ll bounce back. She’s not going anywhere,” Sol wrote. “She’s hurt and she will recover. As a mom, I pray that we must be responsible of what we post and comment because somewhere along the way, there are people who get hurt.”
It is an awful situation altogether for the Canino family, who went from reflecting the Holy Week together to suddenly being cast in a searing hot spotlight, all while Angel is rendered unplayable in the middle of the Lady Spikers’ title defense against legitimate contenders.
While the MVP – arm sling and all – continues to ramp up her recovery, her teammates like Maicah Larroza, Baby Jyne Soreño, and Shevana Laput have all taken on bigger roles to cover for her absence, with fair results to show for it.
Angel herself, with guidance from head coach Ramil de Jesus, has respectfully declined interviews since her return from the harrowing accident.
With a handful of games left in the elimination round, La Salle and the Canino family could certainly appreciate fewer problems that the ones they already have on their plates.
“I still believe in kindness, so please just please be kind,” Sol concluded. – Rappler.com
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Out to ‘prove something,’ Tolentino, NorthPort extend winning streak | delfin.dioquino editor | 05/04/2024 20:28 | STAR. Arvin Tolentino in action for the NorthPort Batang Pier in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
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MANILA, Philippines – If there were still any doubts, NorthPort is here to compete.
Arvin Tolentino said the youthful Batang Pier are out to prove themselves as NorthPort claimed its fourth straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup after a 112-96 demolition of TNT at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, April 5.
Coming off a month-long layoff, the Batang Pier showed no rust and flipped the script on their more experienced foes, dealing the Tropang Giga – perennial contenders in the All-Filipino tiff – their most lopsided loss of the season.
“We’re a young team. We have a lot of young players in the team who are hungry and trying to prove something in this league,” said Tolentino in a mix of Filipino and English.
“That is the reason why we’re able to compete now – this team is trying to prove something.”
Heroes were aplenty as NorthPort extended its splendid run, but no one shone brighter than Tolentino, who finished with all-around numbers of 29 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in just almost 31 minutes of play.
Tolentino set the tone in the rout, scattering 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the first two quarters alone to help the Batang Pier mount a commanding 61-34 lead.
He exploded for 13 points in the second period as he nearly matched the 16-point output of the entire TNT squad and gave his side its biggest lead at 66-34 when he knocked down a three-pointer early in the third frame.
“I just try to do the right things to set an example to these guys. I also encourage them to make sure that all us are confident coming to every practice and every game,” said Tolentino.
“My teammates have responded well.”
With Tolentino at the forefront of the NorthPort attack, the rest of the Batang Pier followed suit.
Sophomore big man JM Calma produced a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds, third-year guard Joshua Munzon chimed in 14 points with 2 steals, while rookie forward Cade Flores put up 9 points and 8 rebounds.
Four more players scored at least 5 points: Allyn Bulanadi (7), Zach Lucero (6), William Navarro (6), and Paolo Taha (5).
Roger Pogoy carried the fight for the Tropang Giga with 34 points off a 7-of-12 clip from beyond the arc, but their deficit proved too big to overcome.
Kim Aurin churned out 18 points off the bench, while Calvin Oftana tallied 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals for TNT, which slipped to 2-3.
NorthPort 112 – Tolentino 29, Calma 22, Munzon 14, Flores 9, Bulanadi 7, Navarro 6, Lucero 6, Taha 5, Rosales 4, Amores 3, Paraiso 3, Adamos 2, Zamar 2, Yu 0, Cuntapay 0.
TNT 96 – Pogoy 34, Aurin 18, Oftana 13, Galinato 7, Montalbo 6, Khobuntin 5, B. Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Castro 4, Ponferrada 3, K.Williams 2, M.Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Reyes 0, Varilla 0, Heruela 0, Ebona 0.
Quarters: 32-18, 61-34, 85-57, 112-96.
– Rappler.com
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Filipina deaconess wins peace award from World Methodist Council | Paterno Esmaquel II | 05/04/2024 19:46 | DEACONESS. Norma Dollaga, a Filipina United Methodist deaconess, is the 2024 recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award.
World Methodist Council
MANILA, Philippines – Filipina deaconess Norma Dollaga, known for defending drug war victims in the Philippines, is the 2024 recipient of the peace award from the World Methodist Council.
In its First Friday Letter on Friday, April 5, the World Methodist Council announced that Dollaga received its 2024 Peace Award. The council described her as “a United Methodist deaconess in the Philippines, who for decades has struggled heroically to forge the justice that makes for peace in her conflict-ridden homeland.”
The council said Dollaga “became an outspoken advocate for the right of the poor not to be killed” during the previous administration’s war on drugs. “She and other courageous faith leaders refused to be intimidated by then-president Rodrigo Duterte and other government officials who villainized church leaders and others who spoke up for the poor,” said the group, citing how she organized prayer vigils and memorial services for drug war victims.
Dollaga was one of the founders of the Rise Up for Life and Rights, a group of families of drug war victims. In 2018, Rise Up submitted a 50-page complaint to then-International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to “call for an end to madness” in Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Established in 1881, the World Methodist Council is an association of 80 Methodist, Wesleyan, and other churches with over 80 million members across nearly 140 countries, including the Philippines.
The council has handed out the World Methodist Peace Award since 1976 to recognize men and women of courage, creativity, and consistency, as recipients are given a gilt medallion, a citation, and a cash prize of $1,000. Prominent awardees include former South African president Nelson Mandela (2000) and former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan (1998).
In its citation for Dollaga, the World Methodist Council noted how United Methodist deaconesses in the Philippines “are an amazing group of women,” but their contributions inside and outside the church “are often unrecognized by male church leaders.”
According to the United Methodist Church, a deaconess is a laywoman who engages in a “full-time vocation in ministries of love, justice, and service.” Part of their work, following the example of Jesus Christ, is to “eradicate causes of injustice and all that robs life of dignity.”
“Frustrated with low pay and outright discrimination, it’s not surprising that many have abandoned their official deaconess status for better pay or more effective work unrelated to the church. Deaconesses have left the church to become pastors, social workers, government officials, and guerrilla insurgents,” the council said.
“Despite the myriad challenges, Dollaga has stayed true to her calling and appointment as a deaconess, and has become an inspiring model for younger deaconesses interested in deepening their Wesleyan witness to personal and social holiness within the Philippines,” the World Methodist Council added. – Rappler.com
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Filipina deaconess wins peace award from World Methodist Council | Paterno Esmaquel II | 05/04/2024 19:46 | DEACONESS. Norma Dollaga, a Filipina United Methodist deaconess, is the 2024 recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award.
World Methodist Council
MANILA, Philippines – Filipina deaconess Norma Dollaga, known for defending drug war victims in the Philippines, is the 2024 recipient of the peace award from the World Methodist Council.
In its First Friday Letter on Friday, April 5, the World Methodist Council announced that Dollaga received its 2024 Peace Award. The council described her as “a United Methodist deaconess in the Philippines, who for decades has struggled heroically to forge the justice that makes for peace in her conflict-ridden homeland.”
The council said Dollaga “became an outspoken advocate for the right of the poor not to be killed” during the previous administration’s war on drugs. “She and other courageous faith leaders refused to be intimidated by then-president Rodrigo Duterte and other government officials who villainized church leaders and others who spoke up for the poor,” said the group, citing how she organized prayer vigils and memorial services for drug war victims.
Dollaga was one of the founders of the Rise Up for Life and Rights, a group of families of drug war victims. In 2018, Rise Up submitted a 50-page complaint to then-International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to “call for an end to madness” in Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Established in 1881, the World Methodist Council is an association of 80 Methodist, Wesleyan, and other churches with over 80 million members across nearly 140 countries, including the Philippines.
The council has handed out the World Methodist Peace Award since 1976 to recognize men and women of courage, creativity, and consistency, as recipients are given a gilt medallion, a citation, and a cash prize of $1,000. Prominent awardees include former South African president Nelson Mandela (2000) and former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan (1998).
In its citation for Dollaga, the World Methodist Council noted how United Methodist deaconesses in the Philippines “are an amazing group of women,” but their contributions inside and outside the church “are often unrecognized by male church leaders.”
According to the United Methodist Church, a deaconess is a laywoman who engages in a “full-time vocation in ministries of love, justice, and service.” Part of their work, following the example of Jesus Christ, is to “eradicate causes of injustice and all that robs life of dignity.”
“Frustrated with low pay and outright discrimination, it’s not surprising that many have abandoned their official deaconess status for better pay or more effective work unrelated to the church. Deaconesses have left the church to become pastors, social workers, government officials, and guerrilla insurgents,” the council said.
“Despite the myriad challenges, Dollaga has stayed true to her calling and appointment as a deaconess, and has become an inspiring model for younger deaconesses interested in deepening their Wesleyan witness to personal and social holiness within the Philippines,” the World Methodist Council added. – Rappler.com
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Out to ‘prove something,’ Tolentino, NorthPort extend winning streak | delfin.dioquino editor | 05/04/2024 20:28 | STAR. Arvin Tolentino in action for the NorthPort Batang Pier in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – If there were still any doubts, NorthPort is here to compete.
Arvin Tolentino said the youthful Batang Pier are out to prove themselves as NorthPort claimed its fourth straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup after a 112-96 demolition of TNT at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, April 5.
Coming off a month-long layoff, the Batang Pier showed no rust and flipped the script on their more experienced foes, dealing the Tropang Giga – perennial contenders in the All-Filipino tiff – their most lopsided loss of the season.
“We’re a young team. We have a lot of young players in the team who are hungry and trying to prove something in this league,” said Tolentino in a mix of Filipino and English.
“That is the reason why we’re able to compete now – this team is trying to prove something.”
Heroes were aplenty as NorthPort extended its splendid run, but no one shone brighter than Tolentino, who finished with all-around numbers of 29 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in just almost 31 minutes of play.
Tolentino set the tone in the rout, scattering 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the first two quarters alone to help the Batang Pier mount a commanding 61-34 lead.
He exploded for 13 points in the second period as he nearly matched the 16-point output of the entire TNT squad and gave his side its biggest lead at 66-34 when he knocked down a three-pointer early in the third frame.
“I just try to do the right things to set an example to these guys. I also encourage them to make sure that all us are confident coming to every practice and every game,” said Tolentino.
“My teammates have responded well.”
With Tolentino at the forefront of the NorthPort attack, the rest of the Batang Pier followed suit.
Sophomore big man JM Calma produced a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds, third-year guard Joshua Munzon chimed in 14 points with 2 steals, while rookie forward Cade Flores put up 9 points and 8 rebounds.
Four more players scored at least 5 points: Allyn Bulanadi (7), Zach Lucero (6), William Navarro (6), and Paolo Taha (5).
Roger Pogoy carried the fight for the Tropang Giga with 34 points off a 7-of-12 clip from beyond the arc, but their deficit proved too big to overcome.
Kim Aurin churned out 18 points off the bench, while Calvin Oftana tallied 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals for TNT, which slipped to 2-3.
NorthPort 112 – Tolentino 29, Calma 22, Munzon 14, Flores 9, Bulanadi 7, Navarro 6, Lucero 6, Taha 5, Rosales 4, Amores 3, Paraiso 3, Adamos 2, Zamar 2, Yu 0, Cuntapay 0.
TNT 96 – Pogoy 34, Aurin 18, Oftana 13, Galinato 7, Montalbo 6, Khobuntin 5, B. Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Castro 4, Ponferrada 3, K.Williams 2, M.Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Reyes 0, Varilla 0, Heruela 0, Ebona 0.
Quarters: 32-18, 61-34, 85-57, 112-96.
– Rappler.com
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Ticket prices, seat plan: BINI’s ‘BINIVERSE’ concert | Russell Ku | 05/04/2024 17:03 | Photo from BINI's Instagram page
MANILA, Philippines – Getting a ticket to P-pop girl group BINI’s upcoming BINIVERSE concert has become a challenge for the group’s fans, also known as Blooms, as tickets for the group’s first solo show on June 28 at the New Frontier Theater sold out in just two hours.
The demand for the concert prompted BINI’s agency, Star Music PH, to add second and third concert days on June 29 and 30. Tickets for the new shows will go on sale Tuesday, April 9.
P-pop girl group BINI is extending its "BINIVERSE" concert for a second day on June 29 at the New Frontier Theater. Tickets for the new show go on sale April 9.Blooms have been clamoring to have the venue for the concert upgraded to the nearby Araneta Coliseum. #BINI… pic.twitter.com/XOKbt5puVS
Ticket prices for the second and third shows are as follows:
All seats are reserved seating and are open to concertgoers ages 7 and up.
Those who secure a SVIP ticket will get to have a group photo opportunity, sound check access, and a random photo card.
Tickets will go on sale April 9, through Ticketnet outlets and ticketnet.com.ph. Buyers can only purchase a maximum of four tickets per transaction.
Despite the announcement of the second show, Blooms trended the hashtag #WeWantBINIverseInAraneta, urging Star Music PH to upgrade the concert to the nearby Araneta Coliseum.
The New Frontier Theater has a seating capacity of 2,325 people, while the Araneta Coliseum can accommodate 9,513 concertgoers with a concert stage setup.
ABS-CBN Entertainment Production and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi noted fans’ sentiments for a venue upgrade in an Instagram Live on Friday, April 5.
“‘Yang Araneta at ‘yang MOA na ‘yan, sa takdang panahon, darating din tayo sa lugar na ‘yan. Of course, who does not want to have a big concert in Araneta or MOA? But definitely, hindi pa mangyayari ‘yan ngayon,” he said.
(Regarding Araneta and MOA, we will eventually get there at the right time. Of course, who does not want to have a big concert in Araneta or MOA? But definitely, it will not happen for now.)
The hashtag #WeWantBINIverseInAraneta is among the top five Philippine trends on X, as Blooms suggest that BINI’s “BINIVERSE” concert be moved to the Araneta Coliseum.The P-pop group’s June 28 show at the New Frontier Theater was sold out in just two hours on Tuesday, April 2,… pic.twitter.com/9tnD5TQ5cP
BINI debuted in June 2021 and is composed of eight members: Jhoanna, Maloi, Stacey, Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Mikha, and Sheena.
BINI recently rose to viral fame with its hit “Pantropiko” and released its first EP Talaarawan with the single “Salamin, Salamin” on March 8. The group is also known for songs such as “Na Na Na,” “Lagi,” and “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi.”
BINI is also confirmed to participate in the Chinese show Show It All with fellow P-pop girl group G22.
– Rappler.com
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Metro Manila Film Festival 2024: What to expect | jreyes0314 | 05/04/2024 16:31 | MMDA's X
MANILA, Philippines – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Don Artes on Friday, April 5, announced the calendar of events and activities for the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
The 49th edition of the MMFF marked several milestones during its run. Apart from being the highest-grossing edition in the annual film festival’s history, it also produced one of the Philippines’ highest-grossing films of all time: Rewind. The festival was even extended for another week due to public clamor.
Unlike the usual eight films from previous editions, MMFF 2023 had a lineup of 10 films, all of which managed to collectively produce P1.069 billion.
“We’re riding on the success of 2023. Nakikita na natin na bumabalik ‘yung interest ng tao…. We’re relying on that, na napabalik ng MMFF ang interest ng movie-goers,” Artes said in press conference on Friday.
(We’re riding on the success of 2023. We saw that people’s interest is returning…. We’re relying on that, that MMFF was able to restore the interest of movie-goers.)
Given this, there are high hopes and much in store for the 50th edition of the MMFF. Here’s a rundown of its calendar of events and activities.
MMFF 2024 will revert back to the usual lineup of eight films. However, Artes also said that expanding the lineup to 10 entries is still a possibility given two factors: if there are many good films to choose from, and if more cinemas will be able to screen MMFF films during its run.
“Kung sakali po maraming magagandang entries sa palagay po ng selection committee, subject to the approval of ExeCom, puwede naman daw gawin hanggang 10,” Artes said.
(If there are a lot of entries that the selection committee thinks is good, subject to the approval of ExeCom, the lineup of entries may go up to 10.)
As MMFF 2023 had around 800 cinemas screening the films, Artes said that they are now aiming for 900 cinemas.
The 50th edition of the MMFF will be hosted by the city of Manila. According to Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, the city plans to organize the route for the Parade of Stars in a way that will allow even more people to witness the event. Lacuna said that they plan to pass through populous areas like Tondo to ensure that as many people as possible can witness the parade.
Artes also explained that they are working on lowering MMFF ticket prices.
“Nagpass na po ang Metro Manila Council ng resolution kung saan irereview din ang amusement tax,” Artes said.
(The Metro Manila Council has already passed a resolution where the amusement tax will also be reviewed.)
Artes previously announced in January that the MMFF would be forgoing the Summer Festival to make way for the activities lined up for the MMFF’s 50th edition.
These activities include the launch of Sine-Singkwenta, which will screen past MMFF movies in selected cinemas nationwide. This is in cooperation with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Mowelfund, and the Cinema Exhibitors Association of the Philippines (CEAP).
Artes said they have already spoken to several film producers who are willing to allow their films to be screened again. The tickets for these films will be priced at P50.
The MMFF Student Short Film Caravan, which was a regular MMFF activity prior to the pandemic, will be making its return for the film festival’s 50th edition. It’s a special activity where students are taught how to make short films.
The Student Short Film Competition will also be making a comeback. It can be recalled that in the pre-pandemic MMFF editions, these short films were screened right before the feature film in cinemas.
During the press conference, Artes mentioned that they will no longer prohibit product placements in films so that producers would be able to get as much funding as possible to complete the films.
– Rappler.com
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Bush fire hits Mt. Arayat | Joann Manabat - CMS | 05/04/2024 18:00 | BUSH FIRE. A fire razed a portion of Pampanga's Mount Arayat that destroyed 12 hectares on Thursday, April 4.
Contributed photo
PAMPANGA, Philippines – A bush fire on Thursday night, April 4, razed a portion of Mount Arayat in Pampanga province that destroyed some 12 hectares.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection in Magalang town, the estimated 12-hectare open space included a private property and parts of the protected forest reservation area.
Senior fire officer John Patrick Manuel said the fire started on Tuesday, April 2, at the south peak area of the mountain and flared up two days later. It was declared out at around 1:30 am on Friday.
“Yung fire po kasi nagstart sa bandang gitna sa taas tapos naglakad siya. Mabagal siya eh. Two days ago pa nasusunog kaso naramdaman lang dito sa Magalang dahil lumakad siya,” said Manuel.
(The fire started at the middle at the top portion then it fanned out. It was slow. It was already burning two days ago but it was only felt here in Magalang because it fanned out.)
“Actually walang tumawag sa amin. Pag kasi nasa taas ng bundok, alam ng mga tao hindi makakaakyat yung firetruck. Pagkakita namin nagpunta kami sa paanan ng Arayat saka kami nag-asses saka kami sumilip sa mga residential na pwedeng puntahan. Bandang gitna siya saka kalat po siya. Wala naman residente na naapektuhan,” he added.
(Actually no one called us. When it’s at the top of the mountain, people know the firetruck can’t drive there. As soon as we saw it, we went to the foot of the mountain and then we assessed. We checked the residential areas that can be visited. It’s in the middle and it’s scattered. No residents were affected.)
According to Dan, a wait staff at the nearby bed and breakfast and restaurant, the fire also spread in the vicinity behind their cabins as they were already in keeping an eye before the fire spreads out.
“We were already monitoring it before the fire gets worse. We are thankful that it was cleared out right away,” Dan said.
Manuel said the fire burned mostly grass and bushes and did not spread to old trees even though the heat from the sun as well as the wind contributed to the spread of the fire.
The local fire department said it immediately attended the incident. However, the accessibility to the grass fire was also difficult as it took two hours to hike to the area.
“Mahirap yung kung saan lang pwede ang sasakyan. From there nag hike na kami papunta sa area dala-dala yung ginawa naming fire splatter,” he said
Manuel furthered while they were battling the upland in Mt. Arayat, a small grass fire also started in the low land area in Barangay Sto. Rosario which prompted the firefighters to break into two groups.
The cause of the fire in Mt. Arayat and Sto. Rosario remains unknown as investigation is still ongoing, said Manuel. Manuel said they have reminded the public to take precautionary measures amid the onset of the dry season. – Rappler.com
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World View with Marites Vitug: The Philippines’ growing security cooperation under Marcos | Jodesz Gavilan | 04/04/2024 18:00 | MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to ramp up the Philippines’ ties with other countries, an unprecedented effort in the face of increasing tension with China.
In recent months, the Philippines forged security ties with several nations like Canada, Japan, Australia, and countries in Europe.
On Thursday, April 5, Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug speaks to analyst Don McLain Gill on the foreign policy of the Marcos administration and what it means to the Philippines.
Gill is also a lecturer at the De La Salle University’s Department of International Studies.
What do these countries get in exchange of intensifying its cooperation with the Philippines? – Rappler.com
Watch previous World View episodes:
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FACT CHECK: No arrest order vs China over coral reef damage | Lorenz Pasion | 05/04/2024 19:30 | Claim: The Philippines has ordered the arrest of Chinese officials responsible for the destruction of coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea.
Why we fact-checked this: The claim was made in a YouTube video posted on March 24 by a channel notorious for posting dubious claims on the West Philippine Sea. As of writing, it has gained 249,702 views, 2,300 likes, and 1,509 comments.
The video’s thumbnail shows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seemingly holding up a document implied to be an arrest order. The thumbnail included the text “PBBM pinaaresto na!” (PBBM has ordered an arrest!)
The video says China has caused a death, seemingly referring to the destruction of coral reefs within Philippine territory. The video was uploaded after Filipino scientists conducted a marine research mission at Pag-asa Cays 1 and 2 on March 21.
The bottom line: There are no official announcements or reports from the Office of the President regarding any supposed arrest order against Chinese officials.
On March 25, the Department of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese embassy’s charge d’affaires to file a formal protest – not order an arrest – over a separate incident: the China Coast Guard’s “aggressive actions” against Philippine vessels on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal on March 23.
Coral destruction: On March 21, a contingent of Filipino scientists conducted four hours of “extensive coral reef and fishery resources assessment” at Pag-asa Cays 1 and 2, with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) noting that they found “no diversity” in the coral reefs.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the visit was successful despite “intimidation tactics” by China.
In September 2023, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it suspected China of illegally harvesting corals in the Rozul Reef in the West Philippine Sea. The PCG also reported extensive coral reef damage in areas frequented by Chinese maritime militia. These prompted the Office of the Solicitor General to consider filing a complaint against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague.
According to the Coral Reef Alliance, coral reef diversity is critical to ensure the marine ecosystem is suitable for many animals and plants.
PH ‘countermeasure’: Amid China’s ongoing acts of hostility in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines continues to assert the 2016 arbitral ruling that strikes down China’s sweeping maritime claims.
Marcos also vowed to form “countermeasures” to address the increasing tension in the region. On March 31, the President signed Executive Order 57 which reorganizes several agencies to strengthen the country’s maritime security. (READ: What is EO 57, which bolsters PH maritime security amid China’s bullying?)
The Philippines has already lodged more than 200 formal complaints against China regarding its actions in the West Philippine Sea. Meanwhile, China warned the Philippines against straying into a “dangerous path” of escalating tensions in the region. (READ: [ANALYSIS] China’s increased coercive activities in the WPS: Recalibrating the PH’s security response)
Rappler has already published multiple fact-checks involving the channel Boss Balita TV over erroneous claims regarding the situation in the West Philippine Sea:
– Kyle Marcelino/Rappler.com
Kyle Marcelino is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
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LIST: Avail of these free train rides on Araw ng Kagitingan, Philippine Veterans’ Week | clescudero0258 | 05/04/2024 17:08 | MANILA, Philippines – Heads up, commuters!
Light Rail Transit 2 (LRT2) is offering free rides to all passengers on Tuesday, April 9, in celebration of Araw ng Kagitingan.
The free rides can be availed during peak hours, from 7 to 9 am, and from 5 to 7 pm.
LRT2 and Metro Rail Transit 3 are also offering free rides to Filipino war veterans from April 5 to 11, in celebration of Philippine Veterans’ Week.
To avail of the free rides in both train lines, each veteran must present their valid Philippine Veterans Affairs Office identification card to the personnel in charge. They may also bring one companion, who can also enjoy the perk.
– Rappler.com
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EDSA-Kamuning flyover reopens after 3-month closure for retrofitting | lkyu0285 | 05/04/2024 16:02 | FLYOVER. Southbound portion of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover.
Department of Public Works and Highways' Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – The southbound lane of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover in Quezon City reopened to traffic on Thursday, August 15, following a three-month closure for retrofitting.
The road was partially closed last April 25 as part of an effort to strengthen the bridge in preparation for the “Big One.”
The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) initially estimated that the project would be completed by October 2024.
Every day, 24,000 four-wheeled vehicles and 23,000 motorcycles traverse the southbound lanes of the flyover, data from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center showed.
Other bridges in the metro are also scheduled for reinforcement such as the Guadalupe Bridge in Makati City, MMDA acting chairperson Don Artes said on Thursday..
He said the repair of the Guadalupe Bridge is still in the planning phase, with the construction of a temporary bridge needed to accommodate vehicles during the construction.
Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of the Magallanes Flyover is ongoing, but work is being conducted exclusively at night to avoid road closures and minimize disruption to traffic.
DPWH-National Capital Region project inspector Paul Chua earlier warned the public to expect heavy traffic while the repairs are ongoing. Motorists were advised to use the Mabuhay lanes as alternate routes. Necessary traffic management was also implemented during the retrofitting, according to Artes.
The retrofitting project included the demolition, reconstruction, and re-decking of parts of the flyover. It was done to prepare the more than 30-year-old flyover to withstand the “Big One,” a powerful earthquake that could strike along the West Valley Fault in Metro Manila within our lifetime.
“Kung hindi po natin ito aayusin, magkakaroon po tayo ng isang malaking pagsubok po para po sa safety ng ating motorista,” Chua said during a press conference led by the MMDA prior to the closure.
(If we don’t fix this, we’ll face a big challenge when it comes to the safety of our motorists.)
Besides the repairs to the flyover, the DPWH conducted at least 14 roadwork projects throughout Metro Manila that lasted until April 10 or 11.
The MMDA timed the repairs to take advantage of the weekend and successive holidays on April 9 and 10. Roadworks ran for 24 hours, starting 11 pm of Friday, April 5.
Here were the areas that were set to be repaired, according to a list provided by the MMDA:
– with reports from James Patrick Cruz/Rappler.com
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[In This Economy] Can the PH become an upper-middle income country within this lifetime? | Chay Hofilena | 05/04/2024 14:30 | On April 4, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan pronounced proudly that the Philippines is on track to become an “upper-middle income country” by 2025.
He said, “Because with the 6 to 7% is quite a high growth [sic] and still falls within the realm of possibility for our entry to the upper-middle income class.”
Let’s break this down.
The first thing to say is that Secretary Balisacan’s statement is merely the latest in a long string of promises made by the country’s economic managers.
In August 2017, former socioeconomic planning secretary Ernesto Pernia said that we could be an upper-middle income country by 2018. According to him, “The Philippine Development Plan [PDP] 2017-2022 aims for the Philippines to be an upper middle-income country by 2022. In fact, as I’ve said, we could achieve that by the end of next year.” That did not happen.
In 2018, Pernia said again we could be upper-middle income by 2019. That did not happen.
In 2019, Pernia said he was “surer” we would become upper-middle income by 2020. That did not happen (of course, we were held back by the pandemic).
In 2020, in the throes of the pandemic, there was no upper-middle income promise. Maybe it didn’t seem prudent.
But in 2021, the series restarted. The new socioeconomic planning secretary, Karl Kendrick Chua, said that we could be upper-middle income by 2022. He elaborated that “it is really slated at the end of 2022 or early 2023, but I think given the strong progress, the likelihood to achieving that even within 2022 is now higher.” Again, it did not happen.
In 2022, Chua said it’s “likely” that we would be upper-middle income by 2023. It did not happen.
Also in 2022, just before the new Marcos administration came in, Balisacan (who was returning for a second stint as socioeconomic planning secretary) said we might be upper-middle income by 2024 (at least not 2023). He said, “It might take a while for us to reach that point. So, if we grow at 7% next year, maybe by 2024 we would probably be there.” Actual growth in 2023 turned out to be just 5.6%, not 7%. And again, we did not become upper-middle income.
In 2023, Balisacan said we’re “on track” to be upper-middle income by 2025. Then he made the same promise a few days ago.
In sum, government officials have been dangling the coveted upper-middle income country status in the past seven years, to no avail.
Why do they keep promising it?
As I explained in a 2019 piece, countries of the world are classified by the World Bank into four income groups: low-income, lower-middle income, upper-middle income, and high-income.
In ASEAN in 2023, there are two high-income countries: Singapore and Brunei. There are three upper-middle income countries: Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The rest, including the Philippines, are lower-middle income countries. Figure 1 below shows the evolution of incomes in all 10 ASEAN countries.
Figure 1.
From 1987, when the World Bank started this classification, up until 2023, the Philippines has been assigned just one classification: lower-middle income. This is what we desperately want to change.
But to be considered an upper-middle income country, we need to exceed a certain income threshold.
In 2023, to be considered upper-middle income, average incomes in the Philippines (measured by gross national income per capita) in 2022 needed to be between $4,466 and $13,845. (Country classifications for a given year are based on the previous year’s income levels.)
So, we need at least $4,466. But in 2022, our income was just $3,950. Our average income was short of $516, and that’s quite a lot (about 13% of our actual income level). No wonder we didn’t make it, yet again.
If the minimum income is $4,466 – Secretary Balisacan is right in saying that, with modest growth, we will be able to cross the threshold.
But the problem is that the threshold itself is increasing because of the need to account for rising prices all over the world. If that happens, we will require more than modest growth to finally become an upper-middle income country.
This is not to say that becoming an upper-middle income country is virtually impossible. In fact, in 2023, Indonesia successfully made the crossing (Figure 2). Their average income was $4,580, or $114 more than the threshold.
Vietnam, too, is making fast progress. Note that it was classified as a low-income country as recently as 2008. But it became lower-middle income in 2009. What’s more, in 2020, Vietnam’s average income already exceeded ours.
In short, Vietnam is much closer to becoming an upper-middle income country than us. And compared to the Philippines, it will take Vietnam less than half the time to achieve the same status change.
Figure 2.
The next questions are: What is Vietnam doing right? What is the Philippines doing wrong? What can we learn and adopt from Vietnam’s economic miracle? Let’s leave that to another column.
The renewed upper-middle income promise comes on the heels of a meeting of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), comprising the economic managers. There they lowered the growth target for 2024 from 6.5-7.5% to 6-7%. For 2025, they also reduced their target range for growth: from 6.5-8% to 6.5%-7.5%.
Meanwhile, they still expect growth to be 6.5-8% yearly from 2026 to 2028, the end of Marcos’ term.
On the one hand, the revised growth targets are reflections of more realistic assessments of the economy’s prospects, as well as international events (including “global trade disruptions and geopolitical tensions”). Previously, the new finance chief, Ralph Recto, recommended “more realistic” growth targets.
Secretary Balisacan gave assurances that the 6-7% target for 2024 is “quite a high growth.” But as I argued before, that just won’t cut it.
In fact, we will need more than 10% growth per year if we are to go back to the pre-pandemic growth trajectory by 2028.
So while I appreciate the more realistic economic targets, we should be pushing for policies and programs that will boost growth as much as possible. In this post-pandemic era, settling for 6-7% growth spells stagnation. – Rappler.com
JC Punongbayan, PhD is an assistant professor at the UP School of Economics and the author of False Nostalgia: The Marcos “Golden Age” Myths and How to Debunk Them. He was recently named one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for 2023. JC’s views are independent of his affiliations. Follow him on Twitter/X (@jcpunongbayan) and Usapang Econ Podcast.
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I am angry at our government’s preoccupation with the economic growth rate. What about poverty, employment, purchasing power, income distribution, government debt, and corruption? This singular focus makes good PR copy, but without considering the other five economic targets and one political target, it would just turn out to be a tool to both misinform and disinform the Filipino people.
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‘People get hurt’: Angel Canino’s mother pleads public to ‘be responsible’ in posting rumors | jisaga0269 | 05/04/2024 18:54 | MVP. La Salle star Angel Canino with parents Sol (left) and Rodel during the UAAP Season 85 awarding ceremony in 2023.
MANILA, Philippines – Let Angel Canino heal in peace.
That is the wish of the UAAP MVP’s mother Sol after her daughter sat out La Salle’s first game back from the Holy Week break due to a freak accident that caused a right arm gash.
Despite news outlets and the Lady Spikers team itself revealing what they can about the non-volleyball-related injury last Thursday, April 4, conspiracies and accusations still ran rampant online, to the point where the Canino matriarch was forced to go on record to defend her daughter’s side.
In an emotional Facebook post, Sol ruled out multiple speculations in one fell swoop: Her daughter is not faking her injury, not pregnant, not going through academic woes, nor is she leaving La Salle to presumably join the PVL, where her father Rodel is an Akari assistant coach.
Asked earlier for comment, Rodel likewise assured fans his daughter “is doing fine,” which Angel quickly proved by being a positive bench presence in the Lady Spikers’ eventual four-set win over UP.
“She’ll bounce back. She’s not going anywhere,” Sol wrote. “She’s hurt and she will recover. As a mom, I pray that we must be responsible of what we post and comment because somewhere along the way, there are people who get hurt.”
It is an awful situation altogether for the Canino family, who went from reflecting the Holy Week together to suddenly being cast in a searing hot spotlight, all while Angel is rendered unplayable in the middle of the Lady Spikers’ title defense against legitimate contenders.
While the MVP – arm sling and all – continues to ramp up her recovery, her teammates like Maicah Larroza, Baby Jyne Soreño, and Shevana Laput have all taken on bigger roles to cover for her absence, with fair results to show for it.
Angel herself, with guidance from head coach Ramil de Jesus, has respectfully declined interviews since her return from the harrowing accident.
With a handful of games left in the elimination round, La Salle and the Canino family could certainly appreciate fewer problems that the ones they already have on their plates.
“I still believe in kindness, so please just please be kind,” Sol concluded. – Rappler.com
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Duty amid fear: An OFW’s story from the Taiwan quake epicenter | Michelle Abad | 05/04/2024 17:43 | EVACUATED. Patients and staff of a nursing home in Shoufeng, Taiwan, stay evacuated outside following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on April 3, 2024.
Courtesy of Mhalou Pereyra
MANILA, Philippines – “Hindi tayo sa lindol mamamatay. Sa nerbiyos tayo mamamatay (We won’t die from the earthquake. We will die because of anxiety),” Filipina nursing aide Mhalou Pereyra recalled her roommate as telling her, almost two days after a massive earthquake hit their host state, Taiwan.
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake – Taiwan’s strongest in 25 years – rocked the island on Wednesday, April 3, killing at least 12 and injuring hundreds. Mhalou worked in a nursing home in Shoufeng Township, which is in Hualien County, just over a dozen kilometers from the epicenter of the quake.
Miraculously, no one in that nursing home was injured or killed. That evening, 40-year-old Mhalou returned to her night duty.
Mhalou was already awake by the time the earthquake struck just before 8 am on Wednesday. She had been relaxing in bed, as she was supposed to have three days off.
Then the shaking began. While she had experienced earthquakes before, nothing topped the intensity of this one.
“Sobrang lakas…. ‘Yung mga gamit namin nagtumbahan, naglaglagan ang mga drawer namin at nagbukasan (It was so strong…. Our things fell over, and our drawers fell and things were spilling out),” Mhalou told Rappler over a call on Friday, April 5.
Even before the shaking stopped, they knew they had to get their patients out. At the nursing home, the first two floors were the patient wards, while the dorm was on the third. They rushed downstairs to evacuate their patients before they could think of themselves.
On the first floor were the patients who were not bedridden, while the bedridden ones stayed on the second floor. The patients at the time were around double the number of staff, who were mostly women. They were used to lifting their patients, but this was a race against time.
“Mabigat ang mga pasyente. Lalo na kapag mga bedridden. Tapos plus pa ‘yung mga equipment…. ‘Yung sakay ng pasyente na bakal ‘yun eh. Tapos ‘yung wheelchair. Dagdag mo pa ‘yung pasyente na overweight,” she said.
“Parang hindi na namin iniisip kung nasaktan ba kami, napagod ba kami or what. Ang pinasalamat namin is lahat kami safe. Lahat ng pasyente safe,” she added.
(The patients are heavy, especially the bedridden ones. Then you add the equipment…. The ones made of metal. Plus the wheelchairs. Then you factor in the patients who are overweight. We did not think if we got hurt, if we got tired or what. We were just thankful that all of us are safe, all of the patients are safe.)
All the staff and the patients stayed outside until 3 pm that day. Still, Mhalou said she worried about the patients, thinking maybe they would get a heat stroke from being outside for too long.
Fortunately, she said, the building was earthquake-resistant, and the administration had everything under control. Even as water pipes broke and some parts of ceiling fell, they were able to return to operations the evening of the quake.
Still, aftershocks persisted, keeping the staff on edge.
There are around 150,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Taiwan, plus around 9,000 non-OFWs. Four Filipinos were reported injured as of Friday, with no one missing or killed so far.
The earthquake left many Filipinos scared and in shock. Mhalou said that she and her fellow nursing aides helped each other stay mentally strong. There are 16 Filipinos in the nursing home she worked in.
“May kanya-kanyang abilidad at may kanya-kanyang pahinaan. Siguro po, unang kailangan unawain natin ‘yung ibang tao na hindi niya kayang i-handle ‘yung emosyon nila. Na kailangan, kung pinanghinaan siya, kailangan natin tulungan siya na mapalakas ‘yung kalooban,” she said.
(We have our own abilities and weaknesses. I think we need to understand that some people cannot handle their emotions. When they feel discouraged, we should help them gain mental strength.)
Mhalou also said that employers should be considerate of their workers who may be emotionally traumatized and may not be able to work so soon.
In an earlier interview, a factory worker in Taoyuan told Rappler that she and her co-workers began work just an hour after the earthquake happened, even though there were aftershocks.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Officer-in-Charge Hans Cacdac said in a press briefing on Thursday, April 4, that if OFWs need some time off to recover from the stress of the earthquake, this can be appealed with their recruitment agencies and employers.
“Knowing how strong our coordination is with them, it won’t be a problem if there are workers who are still not prepared to go back to work due to the trauma,” Cacdac said in a mix of Filipino and English.
The DMW also said that OFWs can avail of psychosocial counseling from Philippine authorities in Taiwan. The department also activated hotlines for Filipinos in Taiwan and their families in the Philippines.
OFW rights group Migrante International, in a statement on Friday, highlighted the need for continuous support for Filipinos in Taiwan.
“While the DMW’s Taiwan Help Desk and hotline are already established, it should be maintained and accessible while preparing to provide food, water, health supplies, medical assistance, and temporary shelter to all OFWs affected and in need,” said Migrante. – Rappler.com
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Inside Apollo Quiboloy’s lavish world: Mansions, rich-and-famous lifestyle in North America | Herbie G | 12/03/2024 15:00 | PROPERTIES. Rappler investigation finds properties linked to doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
Graphics by Raffy De Guzman
(Editor’s note: Rappler on March 18 published another story about two more properties in the United States worth P262.52 million linked to Quiboloy and the KOJC. One is a lavish mansion in Las Vegas, while the Hawaii property was sold to a group with links to the church a few months after the pastor was temporarily detained in 2018. Read the investigative report here.)
Embattled doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy and his controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) network are linked to multi-million-peso homes in North America – a glimpse of the rich lifestyle that he and his close associates have enjoyed through the years.
A Rappler investigation discovered three properties estimated to be worth $6.10 million (P338 million)* owned by individuals with close links to Quiboloy and the KOJC. Two of these are in Canada, while one is located in an affluent part of Los Angeles in California, near the homes of several celebrities.
The details are based on official documents obtained by Rappler on Monday, March 11, as well as information from sources privy to KOJC operations.
The discoveries came after former president Rodrigo Duterte was appointed caretaker of the properties belonging to the Quiboloy-led group. Besides the North American properties, there are also several landholdings in the Philippines, as well as an air fleet.
Quiboloy, as described by his mentor, Reverend Gordon Mallory of the United Pentecostal Church, “went from a pauper, a beggar, to a multi-billionaire,” with a “lifestyle of the rich and famous.”
“Money means nothing to him,” Mallory said.
Quiboloy has been in the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most-wanted list since early 2022, for sex trafficking of children and promotional money laundering, among others. An FBI poster says the preacher is also wanted for forcing members to “solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyle of its leaders.”
A Senate committee has cited him in contempt and has sought his arrest so he could testify before the panel which is looking into similar allegations of abuse and exploitation hurled by his former followers.
In a video posted on The Pentecostals of Cebu City Facebook page on January 30, Mallory said Quiboloy owns mansions and estates “all over the world,” confirming the one in California.
Mallory recalled being invited and brought to the California mansion with his wife, and seeing Quiboloy’s vehicles in the garage, which included a “brand new Bentley and a Mercedes.” He said the Filipino preacher also gave him a box that contained cash more than what his family needed to last six months.
“Justin Bieber has a house across the street; the Kardashians have a house down the street; Will Smith lives around the corner,” said Mallory who recalled the time he was invited to Quiboloy’s mansion.
The mansion stands on Simpson Place, a quiet residential neighborhood located in Calabasas, California. Known for its upscale homes, lush landscaping, and privacy afforded its residents, the area offers easy access to amenities and outdoor activities.
Calabasas, located in Los Angeles County, is known for its affluent neighborhoods and celebrity residents. Nestled in the hills west of the San Fernando Valley, it offers a mix of luxury homes, gated communities, and scenic hiking trails. The city also boasts of upscale shopping centers.
The six-bedroom Calabasas property is valued at US$2.573 million (P142.80 million), based on 2023 tax records seen by Rappler. Its land value was estimated to amount to US$1.19 million (P65.91 million) while improvements done to the property were pegged at US$1.39 million (P76.93 million). The owners paid a total of $29,409.94 (P1.63 million) in property taxes for the fiscal year 2023-2024.
The property was built in 1993 but was first bought by the KOJC in 2011 for US$2.1 million (P116.55 million), according to information obtained by Rappler. Since then, its ownership has been transferred four times among three entities – the KOJC, Helen Panilag, and Guia Cabactulan.
The last documented transaction was in 2018 when Cabactulan appeared to have bought the property from the church for an undisclosed price.
Panilag and Cabactulan are, however, known church associates of Quiboloy, and were among those indicted along with the preacher, by a federal grand jury in a California district court in late 2021.
Panilag is included in the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) most wanted list, alongside Quiboloy. She has been tagged by the FBI as “the alleged one-time church administrator in the [US] who oversaw the collection of financial data from church operations around the globe.” She has also been wanted for her alleged “participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members” to the US, including fraudulently obtaining visas and forcing members to solicit donations.
Cabactulan, meanwhile, has been described as “the top KOJC official in the United States who maintained direct communication with KOJC leadership in the Philippines.” She was arrested in January 2020 in the US for immigration fraud.
Another KOJC member included in the FBI’s wanted list – Teresita Dandan – was registered as a resident of the Calabasas property since May 2012. Dandan, according to the FBI, served as the alleged “international administrator,” and one of the top overseers of the church and its alleged bogus charity operations in the US.
Former KOJC workers, who turned against Quiboloy, said the preacher bought the mansion in 2011 and sold it sometime in October 2018, months after authorities held his private plane, where they found a suitcase containing US$350,000 (P19.4 million) in undeclared cash and assorted gun parts, in Hawaii. As it turns out, the buyer in 2018 is also a member of the KOJC.
“I’ve been to that mansion,” Arlene Caminong-Stone, a former KOJC worker based in Minnesota, told Rappler on Sunday, March 11. Stone was one of those who testified online against Quiboloy at the start of the Senate panel hearings in January, narrating details about the alleged abuses by the preacher and providing insights into the inner workings of the KOJC.
According to former KOJC workers, Quiboloy also bought mansions in Canada. One is an over P99-million house in Surrey, and another on Latania Boulevard in Brampton City in Ontario’s Greater Toronto Area.
The seven-bedroom property in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada is about half an hour away from Vancouver. It was first built in 2003, and is just a 15-minute drive from a KOJC church on 13055 Old Yale Road, also in Surrey.
Based on tax records seen by Rappler, the Surrey property was assessed to be worth CAD$2.42 million (US$1.79 million/P99.5 million) in 2023. Its land value was estimated to be worth CAD$1.68 million (US$1.25 million/P69 million) and improvements done on the property cost CAD$734,000 (US$544,197/P30.17 million).
The owners paid CAD$7,297.54 (US$5,410/P300,000) in gross taxes for 2023.
A document obtained by Rappler from the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia shows that the property is owned by another known Quiboloy associate, Mariteo Canada. Her name was cited in an article posted on Quiboloy’s website. She was also tagged as part of Quiboloy’s delegation in an event with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in 2022.
The four-bedroom property in Brampton, Ontario is situated along Latania Boulevard, a half-hour car ride to Toronto. Houses in the area are priced not less than CAD$1 million each, according to real estate websites.
The alleged Quiboloy-linked property was first listed as being for sale in April 2010 for CAD$699,000 (US$518,243/P27.73 million) and was sold the same year for CAD$658,000 (US$487,826/P27 million).
The property was last listed as being available in September 2020 for CAD$1.45 million (US$1.74 million/P96.25 million) but with no indication whether it was successfully sold. Taxes paid were estimated to be CAD$7,721 (US$5,723/P317,249).
According to a property document obtained by Rappler, one of the two listed owners is linked to the KOJC. Her profile on LinkedIn showed that she is an “administrative assistant” of the church. A cursory search of other names included in the document also showed connections to Quiboloy’s group.
The property is half an hour’s drive from the nearest KOJC headquarters.
Quiboloy’s group has been open about many of their properties, especially those in the Philippines.
Among the notable properties owned by the group are well-manicured estates in the village of Tamayong in Calinan District in Davao. Tamayong serves as the KOJC’s headquarters and is where the preacher built his mansion, near the group’s so-called Prayer Mountain.
Aside from the approximately eight-hectare Prayer Mountain, Quiboloy’s group also owns what they refer to as Glory Mountain, roughly a 21-hectare property, in the same village.
According to KOJC workers, Quiboloy has landholdings in Samal Island city, and at Purok 8, Barangay San Miguel in Indangan Buhangin, Davao City, where the preacher set up the main headquarters of the allegedly bogus charity group, the Children’s Joy Foundation.
Quiboloy’s group also owns the Jose Maria College (JMC), and an unfinished multi-billion-peso mixed-use indoor arena, touted to dwarf the close to P9-billion Iglesia ni Cristo Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Located near Davao’s Francisco Bangoy International Airport, the King Dome, according to a November 2019 Sunstar report, was envisioned to be the biggest indoor arena “with a seating capacity of 70,000, bigger than the Philippine Arena, which is currently the world’s largest indoor arena with a maximum seating capacity of 55,000.”
ApolloAir, a Davao-based airline owned by Quiboloy, maintains an aircraft fleet that includes Bell 429 and 505 light helicopters, a Robinson R44 four-seat light helicopter, and two planes.
Senator Robinhood Padilla told reporters on Thursday, March 7, that Quiboloy lent him one of his helicopters when he campaigned for a Senate seat in 2022.
One plane, a US$18-million (P999 million) Cessna Citation Sovereign+, was bought in 2014 and was sold back to Cessna for US$9 million (P499.5 million) after the 2018 Hawaii incident. Another is a Gulfstream IIB transcontinental twin turbofan-powered aircraft, which was decommissioned in 2010 because it was no longer airworthy.
Quiboloy has been very generous toward his friends, especially Duterte, his new property administrator, with whom he forged a friendship dating back to the years preceding the latter’s presidency.
In 2016, Duterte openly acknowledged being gifted by Quiboloy with three properties in Woodridge Park in Ma-a, along with an additional lot in Royal Pines located in Matina, Davao City. Aside from real estate holdings, Duterte disclosed that Quiboloy had also gifted him with a Nissan Safari and Ford Expedition several years prior.
Duterte said Quiboloy was so generous that whenever the preacher made a purchase, he would buy two so he could give him the other one.
He also recalled that Quiboloy had even offered to cover the expenses for the then-mayor’s consultation with a known American neurosurgeon, Dr. Martin Cooper, after the preacher learned about his sweaty palms.
Quiboloy has humble beginnings, starting as a 19-year-old Pentecostal convert in the late 1960s, recalled Reverend Mallory who claimed to have mentored the then-young preacher long before he started building his religious empire.
“We took him out of a hut…. He and his family used to beg for food…. His teeth were rotten and we took him to a dentist,” the aging Mallory, preaching, told his congregation.
The American preacher said Quiboloy lived with him for eight years, and they sent him to a Bible school where he excelled. Years later, Quiboloy declared himself the “appointed son of God,” and has repeatedly claimed that without him, there will be no eternal salvation.
“He developed into a wonderful preacher and became our national youth president…. But somewhere along the line, he tripped up, left our organization, formed his own, and became something he really isn’t, but he really started to lift himself up…. He turned his back on the apostolic truth,” Mallory said.
Quiboloy traces his roots to the ultraconservative Oneness Pentecostal movement that began in the early 20th century, particularly in the US. It emphasizes a monotheistic view of God, departing from the conventional doctrine of the Trinity.
Oneness Pentecostals maintain their belief in a singular divine being who reveals himself in three manifestations, as opposed to the orthodox Christian concept of the Trinity consisting of three distinct persons.
Quiboloy has admitted to going into hiding even before Philippine authorities could issue an arrest order, citing purported threats of assassination. – Rappler.com
*$1 = P55.5
If you have tips about properties linked to Apollo Quiboloy and the KOJC or any other helpful information, you may share them with us via email: investigative@rappler.com.
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Thanks to Rappler’s investigative journalists Jodesz Gavilan and Herbie Gomez, whose work gives ordinary Filipinos a view of the lavish world of Pastor Quiboloy. Based on Reverend Mallory’s statement, Pastor Quiboloy is now the world’s most affluent religious leader. Indeed, his life follows this line: “… from rags to multi-billion worth of riches.” Now, it could end up either as 1) “… to a life of blessing in a faraway island nation beyond the reach of both US and Philippine Laws or 2a) “… to a privileged prison life (most likely in the Philippines)” or 2b) “… to a non-privileged prison life.” All this will depend on whatever God will do to his “appointed son.”
Option 2B seems most fitting. The world is tired of people like this who steal from others for their own enrichment.
How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/apollo-quiboloy-mansions-properties-lifestyle-north-america/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3-igrI6KQWUUWQ9eRiHApIZdxNv3tCLZ5eDkjV5f8T1fyxi-ZgJiUFHzc_aem_hZPTlX4omOSIUoLNdD0iMA | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Quiboloy in the US: More multi-million properties in Las Vegas, Hawaii | Jodesz Gavilan | 19/03/2024 9:00 | Graphic by Emil Mercado/Rappler
READ: Part 1 | Inside Apollo Quiboloy’s lavish world: Mansions, rich-and-famous lifestyle in North America
Apollo Quiboloy and his controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) own a multi-million-peso mansion in Las Vegas, and disposed of their Hawaii property after his legal woes began in 2018.
A Rappler investigation found that these two residential houses alone are estimated to be worth $4.73 million (P262.52 million)* in 2024, based on official tax and real estate documents obtained on Friday, March 14.
The $2.97-million (P165 million) mansion in Las Vegas, Nevada is still owned by the KOJC.
The property in Hawaii – worth $1.76 million (P97.71 million) – was at the center of a ruse sale when it was sold in July 2018 to a company that bears the same address as a KOJC church, and whose listed owners are directly linked to Quiboloy and his group. This transaction happened a few months after Quiboloy was temporarily detained in Hawaii in February 2018.
These multi-million homes are on top of the three previously discovered by Rappler to be linked to Quiboloy and his associates at the KOJC. These homes – one in the US and two in Canada – are estimated to be worth a total of $6.10 million (P338 million).
This means that Rappler has so far discovered four big houses currently linked to Quiboloy and the KOJC, with a total estimated value of $9.07 million (P503 million). Including the Hawaii property already sold would bring the value to $10.83 million (P601 million).
These expensive properties in North America give the public not just a glimpse, but also a front-seat view of the rich and lavish lifestyle of Quiboloy, who has been in the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most-wanted list since early 2022 for sex trafficking of children and promotional money laundering, among others.
First built in 2005, the Las Vegas mansion has about 784 square meters of livable space, covering five bedrooms, one pool, and a spa. Photos on popular real estate website Zillow show an opulent residence with high ceilings and huge windows.
It is located along Trophy Hills Drive, surrounded by luxurious properties, and about 16 minutes away from the famous Las Vegas Strip. The nearest KOJC church is almost half an hour away by car.
The property is valued at $2.97 million (P165 million), according to 2024 records obtained by Rappler from the Clark County, Nevada Tax Treasurer Office.
Its land value is assessed at almost $291,900 (P16.21 million) while improvements are estimated to have reached almost $699,911 (P38.9 million).
The owners are expected to pay $24,031 (P1.33 million) in taxes for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.
The property was first bought by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name Inc. in November 2016 for $2.1 million (P116 million), based on public records and the deed of sale obtained by Rappler. The buyer was tagged in the document as “a California Corporation.”
This transaction came six months after Quiboloy’s close ally Rodrigo Duterte was sworn into the presidency. Duterte ruled over Davao City where Quiboloy started his church. The former president even previously admitted to receiving valuable gifts from the pastor throughout the course of their “30-year” friendship.
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name Inc. first registered as a “stock corporation” in 2016 but its registration is currently suspended, according to records filed with the California Secretary of State. Business entities and companies are registered at the state level in the US. According to California’s Franchise Tax Board, an entity is “typically suspended…for failure to meet its tax requirements,” including failing to submit state tax returns, among others.
The company identified as the owner of the Las Vegas mansion shared the same address with another California-based entity: The Executive Pastor Of The Kingdom Of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, Inc.
The two companies’ official mailing address is listed as “14424 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California,” as indicated in official documents obtained by Rappler. Google Maps showed that the indicated address leads to a KOJC building, with its front bearing the all-too familiar sign present in all of its churches in North America.
The Executive Pastor Of The Kingdom Of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, Inc., however, went through two name changes. It was first registered as “Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name Inc” in 1996, before becoming “The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name” in March 2002.
It obtained its current name in February 2017.
The 2002 document that made the name change official was signed by Apollo Quiboloy and Ingrid Canada. They identified themselves as “president and secretary respectively” of the “California nonprofit religious organization.”
Ingrid’s family is one of the first families to join the KOJC in Davao City, Rappler has learned. She remains one of Quiboloy’s trusted and loyal associates. Her website identifies her as the “Kingdom Nation’s Chief Administrator.”
Quiboloy and Canada are no longer officers of the registered company, at least based on a document just filed on March 13, 2024.
The current officers, however, are still linked to the KOJC.
The corporation’s chief executive officer is Fernando Taguiang Jr., according to business registration documents. A Facebook post by the KOJC in London, United Kingdom identified him in 2016 as a “New York minister.”
Ingrid Canada, in a 2023 Facebook post, called a certain Fernando Taguiang Sr. a “faithful kingdom citizen from Dumoy, Davao City, who was baptized in 1987.”
Hawaii, a five-hour plane ride from Las Vegas, is the site of another Quiboloy-linked property.
The six-bedroom house along Opuakii Place in the city of Kapolei was built in 2009 and is now valued at $1.76 million (P97.71 million). It’s within a gated residential community that has magnificent views of the mountains of Honolulu County on the island of Oʻahu.
But unlike the multi-million Las Vegas mansion, the Hawaii property is not currently owned by Quiboloy nor the KOJC. They, however, undeniably benefited from its sale as information shows that the house was first transferred to a Quiboloy-linked group for a minimal amount ($101) before it was sold for a higher price in 2021.
The property was first purchased by The Kingdom Of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name in November 2013 for $1.12 million (P62.16 million), according to documents obtained by Rappler. The Hawaii property stayed with the church for five years until it was turned over in July 2018 to a company named David’s Cafe LLC for only $101.
A warranty deed obtained by Rappler, however, also showed that the amount was actually just $10, which is what is “typically included in deeds to make the transfer enforceable,” according to real estate websites. The document was signed by Felina Salinas, a KOJC associate who was also indicted in the US.
The selling price was significantly lower than its assessed value of $1.36 million (P75.47 million) for that year, based on tax records from Honolulu’s Department of Budget and Fiscal Services.
KOJC sold the property to David’s Cafe LLC just five months after Quiboloy was temporarily detained in Hawaii in February 2018, after Customs and Border enforcement agencies found $350,000 in undeclared cash and rifle parts in the private plane he was sharing with five other people. One of them was Salinas.
David’s Cafe LLC owned the property for three years, before disposing of it in September 2021 for $1.6 million (P88.79 million).
Why did the KOJC sell the property for only a meager sum in 2018? Apparently because it was being transferred to an entity it had close ties with. Information related to David’s Cafe LLC showed that it was first registered as a company in 2014 and has strong links to the KOJC, as established by the following facts:
The registered mailing address of David’s Cafe LLC leads to a KOJC church on Google Maps.
Documents obtained by Rappler also show that the building on the indicated address is being leased by The Kingdom Of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name Inc.
Meanwhile, searching the address on Google will lead to a Yelp site for David’s Cafe. Yelp is a webpage where customers can leave reviews about restaurants and other establishments.
One customer wrote in a December 2022 review that “a young girl… just hung around the parking lot with a shopping cart full of products to sell & would come up to you after you park your car.” Another customer also claimed that the sellers said they are raising money for “Children’s Joy Foundation USA.”
Children’s Joy Foundation is the name of a non-profit organization that was “born out of the vision of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy,” according to its website.
There are three names registered as owners of David’s Cafe LLC, according to its business registration filed with the Hawaii state. Rappler was able to verify the links of two individuals to KOJC – Carlo Catiil and Reinalynn Tolentino.
Carlo Catiil’s LinkedIn profile identifies himself as a reporter at Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), the Quiboloy-owned media company. A tweet by SMNI on March 6 tagged him as spokesperson of Laban Kasama ang Bayan rally, the event that sought to support Quiboloy and Duterte.
His links to the KOJC are more obvious on Facebook. His pinned post is a photo of him with Quiboloy. His personal details, meanwhile, include working at the Kingdom Of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name. He also identified himself as “business owner at David’s Cafe.”
Catiil posted a photo in January 2018 that shows Quiboloy in front of the Hawaii property.
Catiil is also Facebook friends with Tolentino, whose profile also shows photos with Quiboloy and KOJC events.
These latest discoveries come as authorities both in the US and the Philippines zero in on Quiboloy and the KOJC.
California Judge Terry Hatter Jr. on March 1 unsealed the warrants and returns against Quiboloy and his associates “upon application of the [US] government and for good cause shown.”
There is no information on what the next move will be in the ongoing hunt for the doomsday preacher, but one previous case indicated that the warrant was unsealed so the government can file a formal request for extradition and share information with the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol.
An extradition request will, however, have to go through different layers in the Philippine government, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice.
Quiboloy, who enjoys close relations with Duterte, is also being hunted by the Philippine Senate after he failed to appear before congressional hearings on alleged human rights violations committed by his group. But Duterte’s allies among legislators are protecting him.
Vice President Sara Duterte herself defended Quiboloy. In a statement on March 11, the daughter of the former president said that he is being treated unfairly.
All eyes will be on what the Marcos administration’s next moves will be.
– with reports from Herbie Gomez/Rappler.com
*$1 = P55
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Thanks to Jodesz Gavilan and Herbie Gomez for this “front-seat view of the rich and lavish lifestyle of Quiboloy.” Indeed, Pastor Quiboloy has amassed multi-million (not yet a billion?) pesos worth of properties from the sweat, tears, and blood of the lowly exploited and abused KOJC members.
How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/apollo-quiboloy-more-united-states-properties-hawaii-las-vegas/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3sp3dQ0IGSQvq9epyaIQWiuVZqwRq-ieQ27ThVhW4VVWIuw-GrgCCMegQ_aem_gWWjnotEE-lbohbfliT0yA | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Top officials with private interests spoil effort to track big fishers | Iya Gozum | 05/04/2024 14:13 | EMIL MERCADO
Top officials with private interests spoil effort to track big fishers
EXCLUSIVE: Part 1 | Gamaliel Cordoba, who headed the NTC under Duterte, has a personal stake in commercial fishing because of his family’s business. During his time, the commission stopped issuing service numbers for trackers that would prevent unregulated fishing.
PUBLISHED APRIL 5, 2024 2:13 PM PHTBY Lian Buan, Iya Gozum
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Department of Agriculture (DA) fought hard from 2021 to 2022 to implement a system that would track commercial fishing vessels at sea. It is a worldwide standard to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
A Rappler investigation, however, reveals that those efforts were hampered by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), which, at the time, was headed by a person with private interests in a commercial fishing company.
Gamaliel Cordoba, the NTC chairperson during that period, is married to Monica Elena Cordoba, whose family partly owns the commercial fishing company Mercidar Fishing Corporation (Mercidar). Monica serves as the chairperson and president of Mercidar, which benefited from NTC memoranda.
The NTC’s actions that spoiled rigorous implementation of the tracking system were backed by Cordoba’s fellow Ateneo Law alumnus, then-solicitor general Jose Calida.
When all of this was happening in 2022, Cordoba awarded a P6.2-million contract to Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency to provide security services for the NTC. Vigilant used to be wholly owned by Calida and his family until they divested in 2019, when they were being scrutinized for conflict of interest, but his son Josef Calida remained to be the company’s vice president for legal, their 2022 General Information Sheet shows.
All of these happened under the Rodrigo Duterte administration. The new Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration, which took over the reins of power in mid-2022, has reversed policies and is now pushing for a slightly limited implementation of the tracking system, although this seems to have been influenced in part by international pressure.
Rappler looked at government records and talked to fisherfolk, advocates, and bureaucrats. Our three-month investigation reveals a situation where private and political interests bubble up in a David vs. Goliath fight for rights to fish in Philippine waters.
It’s a desperate situation that sees the “commercial fishing industry successfully pushing back against environmental policies that have been there for decades,” one of our sources said.
The tracking system that regulates illegal, unreported, and unregulated or IUU fishing is called the Vessel Monitoring System or VMS. It is mandated by Republic Act 10645, which amended the 1998 Fisheries Code. Implementation of the VMS was further strengthened by Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 266.
As soon as FAO 266 was passed in 2020, making implementation imminent, commercial fishing companies began preparing to fight the regulation in court. They claim the system violates their constitutional right to protect trade secrets.
On January 22, 2021, Malabon Regional Trial Court Judge Zaldy Docena issued a preliminary injunction against the VMS, giving a Round 1 win to the commercial fishers who filed the case: Royale Fishing Corp (from Malabon), Bonanza Fishing Market Resources (from Navotas) and R.B.L Fishing Corp (from Puyo, Palawan). All companies have a history of being apprehended for fishing violations.
Royale was apprehended in 2021 for illegal use of super lights, while Bonanza was apprehended the same year in Palawan waters for carrying documents that were spurious or not certified true copies. Meanwhile, four commercial vessels of RBL were caught in 2019 for fishing within municipal waters.
In March 2024, the Philippine Coast Guard apprehended two fishing vessels of Royale for purse seine fishing within the municipal waters of Cuyo, Palawan.
Only six days after the preliminary injunction, Cordoba, as the head of NTC at the time, issued a memorandum to all regional directors to suspend the issuance of Maritime Mobile Service Identity numbers or MMSI, unique numbers assigned to identify each fishing vessel. The number is used to track and monitor vessels through the VMS trackers.
“In view of the writ of preliminary injunction…you are hereby directed to suspend the issuance of MMSI until further orders,” Cordoba said in a memorandum dated January 28, 2021.
The Cordoba family owns 40% of Mercidar through Monica and two other members of the family, whom we have verified through family photos they uploaded on their social media accounts. Mercidar is a company also involved in a court case contesting small fishers’ preferential rights over municipal waters.
Rolando Ligon Jr., according to the company’s general information sheet as of 2023, owns 30% of Mercidar. Douglas Michael Mallillin, who was former deputy commissioner of the NTC under Cordoba, owns the remaining 30%.
By June 2021, Judge Docena gave the commercial fishers a decisive win. He declared FAO 266 or the VMS unconstitutional and made the injunction against the system permanent.
Insisting that a lower court injunction was not enough to stop the implementation of a law, the BFAR chief at the time, Eduardo Gongona, continued to write commercial fishers to prepare for installation of the VMS, our documents show. BFAR went to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for a legal opinion, which they secured favorably.
On June 30, 2021, Assistant Solicitor General Ellaine Rose Sanchez-Corro and Senior State Solicitor Melanie Pimentel told BFAR in a legal opinion that nothing less than a Supreme Court injunction could stop the implementation of the VMS.
Gongona held on to that OSG opinion, and used it later as justification when the commercial fishers went back to Judge Docena’s court to cite Gongona for indirect contempt.
By this time, BFAR was continuing full implementation of the VMS, but Cordoba’s NTC had already suspended the issuance of the transceivers.
On January 18, 2022, BFAR held a consultative meeting and warned of sanctions if the VMS requirement was not complied with. The NTC was present in that meeting, and, based on OSG’s record, the NTC wrote them a letter on January 25, 2022, to seek advice, even though the OSG had already given a prior opinion that full implementation of the VMS was allowed. The NTC’s legal department told Rappler that it “never received” the OSG’s June 30, 2021, legal opinion.
For NTC’s newest request for a legal opinion, Calida entered the picture. Calida reversed his associates and quickly signed a legal opinion on January 26, 2022, telling BFAR and NTC that they should desist from implementing the VMS.
“This departs from the earlier opinion,” said Calida, who told the BFAR and NTC that “the writ of injunction is immediately executory and may not be stayed simply by appeal.” The appeal refers to a petition that, at the time, was already filed at the Supreme Court, challenging Judge Docena’s ruling.
Only a month before this legal opinion, in December 2021, Cordoba awarded a P6.27 million contract to Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency to provide security services to the NTC for 2022.
Calida, his wife, and children divested from Vigilant in 2019 after they were criticized for bagging hundreds of millions of pesos in government contracts while Calida was still solicitor-general.
Vigilant’s new owners are Dominic Edgard Angeles Cabangon and Benjamin del Villar Ramos, the executives of the erstwhile CNN Philippines, but business records show that Calida’s son Josef remained to be company vice president for legal with a .001% share. Vigilant also retained the same corporate secretary.
Armed with Calida’s opinion, Edgardo Cabarios, the NTC deputy commissioner at the time, repeated Cordoba’s orders. In a memorandum on January 31, 2022, he told regional directors not to issue any MMSI. “All NTC regional offices are hereby directed to comply with the permanent injunction,” said Cabarios.
This did not faze the fishing regulators because documents showed that on March 29, 2022, the Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary then, William Dar, issued a memorandum to BFAR and told the bureau to “continue the full implementation of the VMS to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.”
Dar echoed the earlier opinion of the associate solicitors. “Except the Supreme Court, no court can issue a writ of preliminary injunction against lawful actions of government agencies that enforce environmental laws or prevent violations thereof,” said Dar.
This assertion from Dar, and previously from Calida’s associates, is found in the Supreme Court’s Rules of Procedure for Environment Cases for the extraordinary remedy Writ of Kalikasan, a unique innovation from the Philippine judiciary to protect a Filipino’s constitutional right to a healthy environment.
Cordoba has not responded to Rappler’s requests for comment on this story, particularly his stake in an issue concerning commercial fishers when his family owns a commercial fishing company. We emailed Cordoba on February 29, which his office at the Commission on Audit (COA) acknowledged. We followed up on March 25, and April 1, but did not receive a response. We will update this story Cordoba replies. The NTC’s legal department told Rappler that its “position is self-explanatory.”
Cordoba is now the chairperson of the COA. He was appointed by Marcos to replace Calida, who served there only briefly after his stint in the OSG.
This move by the Cordoba-Calida or NTC-OSG tandem to stop the VMS, even if it ran counter to the position of the agriculture department, is reminiscent of the ABS-CBN franchise issue. At the time, the NTC and OSG insisted on shutting down the broadcast channel even if the Department of Justice indicated there was legal basis for ABS-CBN to continue operating.
The clash was an “atrophy” or a weakening in the government’s will to prevent IUU fishing, public interest lawyers later told the SC when they joined the appeal in the High Court representing the interest of small fishers. The SC case has undergone oral arguments and is still pending.
Rappler asked Calida for comment through representatives on March 26. A lawyer for the family acknowledged our message, but no longer responded.
BFAR and the DA almost got nowhere because Gongona was even cited in contempt by Judge Docena in June 2022, and was fined P30,000. Things only started to change under the Marcos administration.
Now under Marcos’ solicitor general, Menardo Guevarra, the OSG has shifted largely to the side of the DA and BFAR, radically changing the game.
“The OSG advised the BFAR and the NTC as follows: respect the writ of preliminary injunction against the implementation of FAO 266 in areas covered by the injunction order of the RTC until the SC sets it aside; but vigorously implement FAO 266 everywhere else in the country,” Guevarra told Rappler.
“Both BFAR and NTC are now on the same page, and compliance by commercial fishers has vastly improved,” Guevarra said.
This was reiterated by BFAR. “Tuloy naman ang installation namin at ang NTC ay part ng process,” BFAR spokesperson Nazer Briguera told Rappler. (The installation continues and the NTC is part of the process.)
Even the Supreme Court noticed the OSG’s shift. Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh remarked during oral arguments in October 2023 that the OSG was making “new arguments.” Guevarra could only reply: “Please forgive me for doing so, I was not the solicitor general [at the time].”
Inside Malacañang, the shifting of positions was less smooth. Initially in March 2023, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin suspended the VMS, only to backpedal three months later to say what Guevarra is also saying: implement the VMS, except for the companies who won the injunction.
According to Dennis Calvan, a director at the conservation group Rare Philippines and member of the government’s fisheries advocacy council, the VMS is the only cause for small fishers that the Marcos government seems to be willing to stand for “because of the European Union.” Calvan said the EU factor may have provided the incentive to the Marcos administration to stand by the VMS.
In 2014, the EU issued a yellow card to the Philippines over IUU fishing. This is equivalent to a threat to ban fishery products from the Philippines. In 2023, exports of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic invertebrates, and meat to the EU amounted to $50.30 million, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
If the Philippines does not do anything to combat IUU, it risks becoming a pariah in the EU – the world’s biggest market for fish. The country then amended the Fisheries Code in 2015 to strictly enforce the VMS, which appeased the EU into lifting the yellow card.
As early as 2015, Calvan said commercial fishers had threatened to challenge the constitutionality of the VMS provision in the Fisheries Code. But due to delays, like budgeting for technology, the enforcement of the VMS only actually began much later, prompting the constitutional challenge from commercial fishers in 2020.
The court cases reached the EU’s radar.
“This issue with the VMS does not align with our commitment to the EU. The EU found out about it, and there is an internal memorandum from the EU that they almost issued us a red card,” said Calvan.
A red card means exclusion of the country’s fish from the EU market. The Alliance of Philippine Fishing Federations Inc. issued a public statement in June 2023, calling on Marcos not to believe that a red card was on the horizon. APFFI is composed of most commercial fishing operators in the country, and its Allfish partylist nominee to the 2019 elections, Arnold Naval, was the lawyer for the commercial fishers in the Supreme Court VMS case.
Arnold Naval is the son of Domingo Naval, former owner of Mercidar. Mercidar was incorporated in 1973 by the Naval family, which includes Monica Cordoba’s mother. We asked APFFI for its side, but got no response. We will update this story once we do.
Was there indeed an internal EU memo and did the Philippine government act because of a possible trade sanction?
“This exchange of letters or documents between the European Commission and the Republic of the Philippines is not public and we cannot disclose it. The European Commission implements the provisions of the IUU Regulation through decisions published in the EU Official Journal,” a spokesperson of the European Commission told Rappler.
Marcos has shown a tendency to please international partners, and advocates have used this as leverage – for instance, the continued call of the human rights community for the EU to dangle GSP Plus, or tariff perks, to compel him to scrap the drug war.
Were it not for the EU, would the Marcos administration still have sided with small fishers? (To be concluded) – Rappler.com
NEXT: Part 2 | Big fishers encroach on small fisherfolk’s municipal waters
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Thanks to Rappler for this “three-month investigation,” which “reveals a situation where private and political interests bubble up in a David vs. Goliath fight for rights to fish in Philippine waters.” It shows “… a desperate situation that sees the ‘commercial fishing industry successfully pushing back against environmental policies that have been there for decades.'” Such a report is necessary for the Filipino people to know about one of the corrupt practices of the Duterte Administration. Thanks again to Rappler, Lian Buan, and Iya Gozum.
How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/officials-private-interests-spoil-effort-track-big-fishers/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3BTGuK58PeyAxlIv_7VmayWzOr5lUOKw1dsAxAAvbQWGMALCiACdl9KdQ_aem_77YPxo2iDomPJCnHMTfFWw | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Clutch Brownlee, Pelita Jaya reach BCL Asia Qualifiers 2nd round | Jasmine Payo | 05/04/2024 13:01 | CHALLENGE. Pelita Jaya’s Justin Brownlee goes up against the defense of Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos in the Basketball Champions League qualifiers.
Pelita Jaya Basketball
MANILA, Philippines – No matter what uniform he’s wearing, count on Justin Brownlee to always deliver in the crucial moments.
In his third game with Pelita Jaya Basketball, Brownlee came through the clutch as they gutted out an 89-83 win over Ulaanbaatar Xac Broncos in the Basketball Champions League (BCL) Asia Qualifiers at the UG Arena in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Thursday, April 4.
With Pelita Jaya staring at a two-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter, Brownlee took care of business and fired 11 of his game-high 26 points in the final 10 minutes, including a pair of free throws that iced the win for the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) powerhouse.
The 35-year-old naturalized Filipino star also showed that he still has plenty of hops left in the tank after soaring high for a vicious tomahawk dunk early in the final frame.
Justin Brownlee is a bad, bad man 😳 #BCLAsia pic.twitter.com/8teU0O8qzo
“It feels great,” said Brownlee in a postgame interview. “It was a tough game for us. Mongolia had a tough home crowd. We’re just excited to get to the second round and get a W.”
Fresh from an all-around performance in Pelita Jaya’s 99-81 thrashing of Hi-Tech Basketball Club on Wednesday, April 3, Brownlee filled the stat sheet yet again as he also tallied 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in nearly 30 minutes of action.
Thanks to Brownlee’s sensational outing, Pelita Jaya secured its spot in the second round of the qualifiers, which will take place from April 23 to April 26 in Jakarta.
“We’ll keep working hard and hopefully we’ll have more success in the future,” said Brownlee.
The BCL Asia is a rebranding of the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, where champion teams from the PBA, Japan B. League, Korean Basketball League, and the Chinese Basketball Association are already given outright berths in the top tier club competition.
The top two finishers from the qualifiers, together with the top two squads from the FIBA West Asia Super League, will round out the eight-team BCL Asia cast late in 2024. – Rappler.com
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Ticket prices, seat plan: BINI’s ‘BINIVERSE’ concert | Russell Ku | 05/04/2024 17:03 | Photo from BINI's Instagram page
MANILA, Philippines – Getting a ticket to P-pop girl group BINI’s upcoming BINIVERSE concert has become a challenge for the group’s fans, also known as Blooms, as tickets for the group’s first solo show on June 28 at the New Frontier Theater sold out in just two hours.
The demand for the concert prompted BINI’s agency, Star Music PH, to add second and third concert days on June 29 and 30. Tickets for the new shows will go on sale Tuesday, April 9.
P-pop girl group BINI is extending its "BINIVERSE" concert for a second day on June 29 at the New Frontier Theater. Tickets for the new show go on sale April 9.Blooms have been clamoring to have the venue for the concert upgraded to the nearby Araneta Coliseum. #BINI… pic.twitter.com/XOKbt5puVS
Ticket prices for the second and third shows are as follows:
All seats are reserved seating and are open to concertgoers ages 7 and up.
Those who secure a SVIP ticket will get to have a group photo opportunity, sound check access, and a random photo card.
Tickets will go on sale April 9, through Ticketnet outlets and ticketnet.com.ph. Buyers can only purchase a maximum of four tickets per transaction.
Despite the announcement of the second show, Blooms trended the hashtag #WeWantBINIverseInAraneta, urging Star Music PH to upgrade the concert to the nearby Araneta Coliseum.
The New Frontier Theater has a seating capacity of 2,325 people, while the Araneta Coliseum can accommodate 9,513 concertgoers with a concert stage setup.
ABS-CBN Entertainment Production and Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi noted fans’ sentiments for a venue upgrade in an Instagram Live on Friday, April 5.
“‘Yang Araneta at ‘yang MOA na ‘yan, sa takdang panahon, darating din tayo sa lugar na ‘yan. Of course, who does not want to have a big concert in Araneta or MOA? But definitely, hindi pa mangyayari ‘yan ngayon,” he said.
(Regarding Araneta and MOA, we will eventually get there at the right time. Of course, who does not want to have a big concert in Araneta or MOA? But definitely, it will not happen for now.)
The hashtag #WeWantBINIverseInAraneta is among the top five Philippine trends on X, as Blooms suggest that BINI’s “BINIVERSE” concert be moved to the Araneta Coliseum.The P-pop group’s June 28 show at the New Frontier Theater was sold out in just two hours on Tuesday, April 2,… pic.twitter.com/9tnD5TQ5cP
BINI debuted in June 2021 and is composed of eight members: Jhoanna, Maloi, Stacey, Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Mikha, and Sheena.
BINI recently rose to viral fame with its hit “Pantropiko” and released its first EP Talaarawan with the single “Salamin, Salamin” on March 8. The group is also known for songs such as “Na Na Na,” “Lagi,” and “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi.”
BINI is also confirmed to participate in the Chinese show Show It All with fellow P-pop girl group G22.
– Rappler.com
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Cebu disputes legality of pulpit panels donation to National Museum | Herbie G | 05/04/2024 16:19 | CONTROVERSY. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia (center) holds a press conference on the Boljoon church panels controversy with (from left) capitol lawyer consultants Benjamin Cabrido Jr. and Rory Jon Sepulveda, Provincial Legal Officer Donato Villa Jr., and Laila Arnaiz-Ortiz.
Max Limpag/Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu provincial government has questioned the legality of a donation made to the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), involving four historical pulpit panels from Boljoon, Cebu, asserting that it was defective since the donors allegedly did not own the panels.
Lawyers of the provincial government argued that the NMP should have exercised caution in receiving the questioned donation from collector couple Edwin and Aileen Bautista, especially since the items originated from a heritage church in the province.
“You cannot donate a thing which you do not own. Donation requires that the owner must have dominion over the property donated. You cannot give what you do not have,” said lawyer Benjamin Cabrido Jr., a consultant of the capitol, on Tuesday, April 3.
Another capitol legal consultant, Rory Jon Sepulveda, said the deed of donation should have made NMP “extra cautious” since it listed the panels as having come from the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima, a heritage church in Boljoon in southern Cebu.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia criticized what she described as the lackadaisical response of NMP to her call to return the panels. She gave NMP officials until this week to visit her office for that “long-delayed” meeting.
“I would also appreciate that Archbishop (Jose) Palma will be present right here in the capitol together with all of our lawyers,” Garcia told a news conference.
Garcia urged the NMP officials to take the matter seriously and involve their lawyers even as she warned that if they don’t respond properly, she has the authority from the provincial board to sue to get the Boljoon panels back.
NMP is scheduled to meet with Palma by the middle of this month to talk about the panels.
Garcia and her legal team, led by Cebu Provincial Legal Officer Donato Villa Jr., also discussed an opinion by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) written at the request of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to look into the probable liabilities of the NMP.
The OSG opinion listed four conditions that needed to be established for NMP to be liable for fencing.
The first was that a crime or robbery had been committed. Sepulveda said the statement by Palma that the removal of the pulpit panels was not authorized by the church is “a conclusive presumption of theft.”
In a separate interview the night before the capitol press conference, however, NMP Director General Jeremy Barns said the allegation of theft should be proven first.
Another condition listed by the OSG was that the accused should have known that the item was stolen. Barns said that for the NMP, the panels were not stolen but sold by the priest.
Sepulveda said that “any reasonable man” would have questioned how the donors possessed what were clearly church items.
Father Brian Brigoli, who heads the Cebu Catholic archdiocese’s commission on heritage, earlier told Rappler the panels were considered stolen, whether thieves carted them away or a parish priest sold them.
Another condition was the “intent to gain.” Barns told Rappler that in accepting the donation, the NMP “is not in it for any gain.” Sepulveda, however, said that displaying it for public viewing showed there is “still gain in so far as there is public display and benefit being granted to the museum.”
Garcia pointed out the delay in the response of NMP to her letter sent last February 26. The response was received by the capitol last March 25, which local officials said violated government regulations on responsiveness.
Barns, however, told Garcia that the visit by NMP Chairman Andoni Aboitiz was done as a response to her letter.
“Of course, we talked, we are old friends, and the subject of the panels was also mentioned. But I did not take that to be a formal reply because how could a formal letter dealing with an urgent and very serious issue be replied to by a visit of Mr. Andoni Aboitiz even if he is chairman of the board,” Garcia said.
She sent another letter on April 1, expressing her deep concern at the delay of the NMP reply and disappointment at the lack of answer to her invitation for key NMP officials to visit Cebu, meet with her, and visit the Boljoon church. Garcia said Barns quickly replied to that letter and offered to meet at the end of April.
“I was a little mystified how this has been dealt with. I’m sorry, but this is my impression. It’s like this is a trifling matter. The officials have trips abroad. It’s difficult for us to come together so maybe at the end of the month,” Garcia said.
Cabrido said, “April 30 is too long. We might have already filed cases against them. Let me tell you, this is a very easy case. So, I think they should take us seriously.” – Rappler.com
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Activist Renato Constantino Jr. dies at 79 | gdecastro0289 | 05/04/2024 15:50 | Renato 'RC' Constantino Jr.
Constantino Foundation Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – Activist Renato “RC” Constantino Jr. died on Thursday, April 4. He was 79.
The Constantino family announced his demise on the Facebook page of Constantino Foundation, a nonprofit that honors the legacies of RC’s parents, the late Filipino nationalist historians and writers Renato Constantino and Letizia R. Constantino. Renato authored history books, among them, The Philippines: A Past Revisited, and its sequel, The Philippines: The Continuing Past, which he co-authored with Letizia.
“With great sadness, we announce the passing of Renato Constantino Jr. – ‘RC’ to family and friends. We mourn the unbearable loss even as we celebrate a life fully lived,” the post reads.
His wake will be from Monday, April 8, to Wednesday, April 1,0 at 38 Panay Avenue, Quezon City from 10 am to 10 pm.
Sympathies and condolences poured in for RC on the Constantino Foundation post.
When Martial Law was declared in September 1972, authorities sought to arrest the elder Renato, but RC offered himself instead since the warrant did not say whether it was for Sr. or Jr., recalled RC’s brother-in-law, UP professor emeritus Randy David, in his Inquirer column in September 2019. RC would later be released while his father was placed under indefinite house arrest.
RC was an activist during the Martial Law years, and continued his cause-oriented activities and advocacies post-EDSA Revolution, particularly in the campaign that led to the Senate’s rejection of a new Philippines-US military bases treaty in September 1991. American forces left the country the following year.
RC was elder brother to the late Karina Constantino-David, who served in various capacities in government (social welfare undersecretary, housing secretary, Civil Service Commission chair) until her death on May 7, 2019 at 73.
Unlike his sister, RC preferred to work in the background, giving advice to various organizations and politicians. He served as vice-chair of former President Joseph Estrada’s campaign team in the latter’s failed presidential bid in the 2010 elections.
RC’s daughter is journalist Karmina Constantino-Torres, an anchor of the ABS-CBN News Channel or ANC. Karmina posted about her father’s death on X (formerly Twitter).
Karmina last posted a family photo with her parents on February 14, 2024 on her Instagram account.
A post shared by KC Constantino-Torres (@constantkc)
RC’s son, Renato Redentor or Red, is an environmentalist who was the former executive director of the think-tank Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities. – Rappler.com
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Officials see 60% plebiscite turnout in special BARMM territory in Cotabato | Herbie G | 05/04/2024 12:39 | SECURITY CONFERENCE. Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia and Army 6th Infantry Division commander Major General Alex Rillera share a light moment as they meet with officials from the BARMM and Soccsksargen to prepare for the April 13 plebiscite in the Bangsamoro region's special territory in Cotabato.
6th Infantry Division
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – All is set for a plebiscite that will present for ratification the laws that created eight new municipalities out of the 63 villages in the Special Geographic Areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The plebiscite has been scheduled for Saturday, April 13.
BARMM spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun said on Wednesday, April 3, that they expect a 60% turnout, similar to what happened in 2019 during a plebiscite when residents of the 63 villages in Cotabato province, a part of the Soccsksargen region, voted for inclusion in the BARMM.
The BARMM-SGA has around 89,594 registered voters who will troop to 189 clustered precincts and 67 voting centers. BARMM has earmarked at least P80 million for the conduct of the plebiscite.
In a conference with police and military officials at the regional police headquarters on Tuesday, March 2, Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia said all the necessary security preparations have been put in place to avoid disturbances during the political exercise.
The police and the military have beefed up personnel to ensure a smooth conduct of the plebiscite, Garcia said.
A gun ban has been in effect since March 14 and will be enforced until April 20. With the gun ban in effect, all permits to carry firearms outside of residence have been suspended, Garcia said.
In his previous pronouncements, Garcia said the SGA plebiscite will be part of the preparations for the first regional parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2025, along with the national and local elections.
The eight new towns, the creation of which will be presented for ratification during the plebiscite, include Pahamuddin, Kadayangan, Nabalawag, Old Kaabakan, Kapalawan, Malidegao, Tugunan, and Ligawasan.
These towns were created by Bangsamoro Autonomy Act Nos. 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48.
The BARMM laws that created the towns require the BARMM government to appropriate and provide financial assistance for the administrative and operational requirements of the new towns.
Every town will get their financial aid until they are able to get their share of the national tax allocation, Pendatun said.
He said that once the laws creating the towns are ratified, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim will appoint officers-in-charge.
“The chief minister will only appoint based on a review and selection process,” Pendatun said.
If ratified, Pahamuddin town will consist of the following villages:
The villages used to be under Pigcawayan town, Cotabato.
The town of Kadayangan was formed out of the following villages of Midsayap, Cotabato:
Nabalawag town comprises the following villages:
If ratified, the town of Old Kaabakan will be composed of the following villages, which used to be part of Kabacan town, Cotabato:
Kapalawan town comprises the following villages, which used to be part of Carmen, Cotabato:
The new town of Malidegao consists of the following villages, all of which used to be barangays of Pikit town, Cotabato:
Tugunan town’s villages, which used to be part of Pikit and Aleosan, are the following:
The town of Ligawasan consists of the following villages carved out of Pikit:
–Rappler.com
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Follow waste management law or else, Cagayan de Oro warns half of its barangays | Herbie G | 05/04/2024 14:46 | LANDFILL. A garbage truck arrives at the sanitary landfill in Barangay Pagalungan, Cagayan de Oro City, on February 29, 2024.
Franck Dick Rosete/Rappler
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – The city government warned half of Cagayan de Oro’s barangays that they remain non-compliant with the solid waste management law, issuing a memorandum compelling them to follow the law, or else face the consequence of continued violations.
Engineer Armen Cuenca, head of the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), said on Thursday, April 4, that the warning was sent to half of the city’s 80 barangays in the last week of March, and they were given an extended 15-day deadline to comply.
The city government, he said, began the strict enforcement of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, 24 years after the law was passed.
Cuenca said the city’s barangay officials were ordered to issue executive orders or barangay ordinances on solid waste management, and create barangay ecological solid waste management committees to oversee the program’s implementation.
The barangay officials were also tasked to produce their own ecological solid waste management plans consistent with the city government’s program, and set up materials recovery facilities designed to receive, sort, process, and store compostable and recyclable materials.
The city government directed the barangay officials to submit monthly reports on the program’s progress based on a Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) memorandum circular issued to ensure effective solid waste management systems.
A document attached to the city government’s memorandum obtained by Rappler showed that out of 40 non-compliant barangays, 13 lack only one requirement, while the others need to comply with two to four of the requirements.
Cuenca warned that failure to comply will result in notices of violation for the barangay chairpersons.
Section 10 of Republic Act 9003 states that the “segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level, specifically for biodegradable, compostable, and reusable waste.”
Cuenca also pointed out that the barangays are responsible for collecting and transporting segregated recyclable and biodegradable waste to their materials recovery facilities.
“That’s why they need a solid waste management plan, so we know what they are going to do,” he told Rappler.
Cuena also said the barangays can forge agreements with junk shops to collect recyclable waste, which can then be sold.
Segregation, he said, should be a top priority in every barangay, as it would help extend the lifespan of the city’s sanitary landfill.
In Barangay Balubal, for example, residual waste has been reduced from 9,000 to 2,500 kilograms per week since implementing the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy.
Establishing a materials recovery facility has been a challenge for Barangay Puerto, one of the non-compliant villages, according to village councilor John Alef Cordova, who chairs the barangay’s solid waste management committee.
Cordova said they are still searching for a suitable location to build the facility.
“What I did temporarily is to use an open area in lower [Puerto] for recyclable materials,” Cordova.
He said the barangay also lacks a vehicle to transport waste to their temporary facility, although they plan to purchase a garbage truck. Currently, a motorcycle with a sidecar is being used for garbage collection in some of Puerto’s areas.
Cordova appealed to the city government to give them more time to comply with the 2000 law. – Rappler.com
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