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Inayawan cops train barangay tanods to elevate community safety

Inayawan Police launched a comprehensive training on Thursday, February 29, 2024, for barangay tanods in order to elevate community safety. |Photo by Mark Bandolon Inayawan Police launched a comprehensive training on Thursday, February 29, 2024, for barangay tanods in order to elevate community safety. |Photo by Mark Bandolon CEBU CITY, Philippines – Inayawan police station launched a training initiative aimed at enhancing the skills of barangay peace and safety officers. Entitled “Capacity Building and Professionalizing of Barangay Tanods” the training was conducted on Thursday morning, February 29, 2024, in Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City. The activity is aligned with the police’s commitment to the Barangay Ayaw sa Droga (BAD) initiative, aimed at eradicating drug-related issues in the barangay level. The program aims to equip Barangay Public Security Officers (BPSO) with the necessary skills to effectively combat drug-related incidents. Barangay chairpersons and BPSO personnel representing Barangay Bulacao, Cogon Pardo, Basak Pardo, Inayawan, Kinasang-an, and Poblacion Pardo, participated in the event. Police Major Jeciree S. Basitao, chief of Inayawan Police Station, said that the event marks the beginning of a comprehensive series of initiatives. Basitao highlighted the significance of prioritizing barangay tanods because they are the first responders and force multipliers of untoward incidents. The program’s future activities will be tailored to participants, including seminars and self-defense training for women, focusing on Eliminating Violence Against Women and Children (EVAWC). Additionally, youth-focused seminars on drug prevention will be provided, recognizing the vulnerability of this sector to substance abuse. Basitao revealed that self-defense training will include training on arnis and martial arts under the guidance of an expert. This ensures a sustainable program that extends beyond a one-time event. The morning session of the inaugural training featured lectures on Katarungang Pambarangay, and other law issuances. Meanwhile, the afternoon session featured hand cuffing training and basic self-defense techniques, emphasizing practical skills that are crucial for community safety. Guests include Police Colonel Leoncio Baliguat, Regional Chief of the Police Community Affairs and Development Unit – 7 (PCAD-7); Police Colonel Albert Reevs Quilotorio, Chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CCADU); Police Lieutenant Colonel Luis Ramos, Chief of the CPPU; and Police Lieutenant Colonel Jomar Medil, Chief of the Investigation and Detective Management Unit (IDMU) of the Cebu City Police Office. Dave Tumulak, the barangay captain of Basak Pardo said the program greatly helps the physical and mental preparedness of the BPSO. He said in an interview that the program will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of the laws and ordinances governing their respective barangays. “Ang atong mga barangay tanod mafully equipped na sila with knowledge not only on mental but also physical… Basically makahibaw sad sila sa mga laws and ordinances nga giimplement sa mga tagsa-tagsa nga barangay,” Tumulak said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards. Subscribe to our regional newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

rgabuya

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 18:59:42 PST

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/559442/inayawan-cops-train-barangay-tanods-to-elevate-community-safety

Inquirer

Lorraine Badoy is guilty of indirect contempt for red tagging judge – SC

FILE PHOTO: Lorraine Badoy during the House inquiry on the alleged fake news peddling and franchise violations of the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), November 30, 2023. The Supreme Court has found Badoy, former spokesperson of the government’s anti-insurgency task force, guilty of indirect contempt for red-tagging a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge.| PHOTO FROM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE FILE PHOTO: Lorraine Badoy during the House inquiry on the alleged fake news peddling and franchise violations of the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), November 30, 2023. The Supreme Court has found Badoy, former spokesperson of the government’s anti-insurgency task force, guilty of indirect contempt for red-tagging a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge.| PHOTO FROM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has found Lorraine Badoy-Partosa, former spokesperson of the government’s anti-insurgency task force, guilty of indirect contempt for red-tagging a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge. In a 51-page ruling penned by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, Badoy was ordered to pay a fine of P30,000 and warned against repeating the same or similar acts in the future, or she would be meted a more severe punishment. The former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson hurled scathing remarks against Manila RTC Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar on social media in September 2022. READ: Judge attacked online for junking terror tag on CPP-NPA Her attacks came after Magdoza-Malagar dismissed the government’s proscription case that sought to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army,  as terrorist organizations. Badoy called Magdoza-Malagar an “idiot judge” who lawyered for the CPP-NPA. She even made a hypothetical situation about her “killing” the judge – but she can beg the judge for leniency because she did it out of her political beliefs. The post was later deleted and denied. READ: Badoy, co-host sued for red-tagging on SMNI program In another post, Badoy asked why Magdoza-Malagar was “so well-versed” about the constitution of the CPP-NPA that only members know. She also mentioned human rights lawyers Edre Olalia, Maria Sol Taule, and Rachel Pastores, asking if they were the ones who wrote the judge’s decision. “For her vitriolic statements and outright threats against Judge Magdoza-Malagar and the Judiciary, respondent is found guilty of indirect contempt and is fined P 30,000.00 with a warning that repeating the same or similar acts will lead to a more severe penalty,” the SC said in its ruling released on Thursday. READ: Ombudsman finds ex-NTF-Elcac execs Parlade, Badoy guilty of red-tagging This SC decision granted the petition filed by legal experts that include former Philippine Bar Association president Rico Domingo; Ateneo Human Rights Center executive director Ray Paolo Santiago; former Ateneo law dean Antonio “Tony” La Viña; Soledad Deriquito-Mawis of the College of Law of Lyceum University; Anna Maria Abad, of Adamson University College of Law; and Rodel Taton, of the Graduate School of Law of San Sebastian College-Recoletos. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Tetch Torres-Tupas

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 11:12:15 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911943/sc-lorraine-badoy-is-guilty-of-indirect-contempt-for-red-tagging-judge

Inquirer

2 ex-justices air views on 100-percent foreign ownership

Former Supreme Court Justice Adolfo Azcuna and former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio (INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS) Former Supreme Court Justice Adolfo Azcuna and former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio (INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS) MANILA, Philippines _There is no constitutional problem in allowing 100-percent foreign ownership in certain industries in the country, but there should be “reciprocity clauses” when amending economic provisions that limit foreign ownership in those sectors, two former justices said during the House of Representatives hearing on Resolution of Both Houses No. 7, which seeks to ease foreign ownership limits in public utilities, educational institutions, and advertising. Constitutional framer and former Supreme Court Justice Adolfo Azcuna said such amendments were “constitutional as long as there is no showing that the effective control of Filipinos of the entire economy has been negated.” READ: Carpio cites PH laws on foreign ownership of businesses “If doing so (allowing full foreign ownership in certain economic sectors) would deprive Filipinos of effective control of the economy, then the legislation would be unconstitutional,” he added. Azcuna’s comments were in response to ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro’s question about whether proposals to allow full foreign ownership in certain sectors would negate Article 2, Section 19, of the current Charter, which mandates the state to “develop a self-reliant and independent national economy efficiently controlled by Filipinos.” There have been some propositions to simply delete this provision on self-reliance to avoid getting entangled in future legal challenges once proposals to amend the economic provisions pass. However, Azcuna said the country “should still have an economy effectively maintained by Filipinos while allowing foreign investments to come in in certain areas.” During the continuation of the House hearing on Wednesday, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio told lawmakers that if the country would allow 100-percent foreign ownership of public utilities and other services, then Filipinos “must likewise be able to own 100 percent of the same businesses in the countries of these investors.” “This is fair and equitable to Filipinos and foreign investors alike,” he said. Such a clause, he said, was not new as this was already included in the amendment to the Public Service Act, which prevents foreign nationals from owning more than 50 percent of capital in critical infrastructure unless their respective countries accorded reciprocity to Philippine nationals. He suggested that, when opening up these provisions, to insert the clause “unless otherwise provided by law, subject to reciprocity and two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate.” Azcuna, now 85, has twice been part of the process to amend the Constitution—first as a member of the 1971 Constitutional Convention and as member of the Presidential Constitutional Commission in 1986. He later served as Corazon Aquino’s legal counsel, press secretary and spokesperson. In 2002, he was appointed associate justice by former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Azcuna noted that the framers of the 1987 Constitution intended its economic provisions, particularly the three being considered for amendment through RBH 7, to be in effect only for five years and not for nearly fourwq decades. Azcuna maintained that his peers expunged the phrase “unless otherwise provided by Congress” from the section pertaining to the ownership of educational institutions with the intention of possibly changing the provision after five years. Azcuna said: “Why didn’t we put it originally? The reason was because we did not want Congress to change it then, precisely for at least five years. We wanted no change by initiative. There’s a five-year period, we wanted the economic framework to work for at least five years.” “We did not expect it to be unamended for 37 years so the time frame, in our minds, is five years then it could be amended after. But we did not have any amendment, even on the economic provisions for 37 years,” he added. “[E]conomic policies should not be frozen in time for a long period. It’s now 37 years from that time and the situation has changed. The strictly nationalistic approach has to be modified to be able to meet current trends in the world economy while still trying to maintain… an economy effectively controlled by Filipinos,” he said. Still, the former associate justice appointed by former President Benigno Aquino III was not too keen on Charter change. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Carpio argued that what was discouraging foreign investors were bureaucratic gaps and the absence of the rule of law in the country. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jeannette I. Andrade, Krixia Subingsubing

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:32:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911781/2-ex-justices-air-views-on-100-foreign-ownership

Inquirer

3 men guilty of slaughtering dog ordered to pay P6,000 each

Angeles City, Pampanga. INQUIRER FILES Angeles City, Pampanga. INQUIRER FILES MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga — The court has fined three men who slaughtered and cooked a dog as “pulutan” (snacks accompanying drinks) in nearby Angeles City a year ago. In a two-page judgment issued on February 13 by Judge Victor Soriao of the Angeles City Municipal Trial Court Branch, Amorsolo Guevarra, Renato Halili, and Jerry Mari were found guilty of accusations filed against them and were ordered to pay P6,000 each for violating Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998. READ: 300000 dogs killed for meat in Philippines every year The city government of Angeles filed the case against the three men on February 9 last year, five days after the trio were caught killing and cooking a dog in Lourdes Sur village. In a statement on Thursday, February 29, the Angeles City government said this is the first time in the history of the local government to win a filed criminal case of this nature. Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. considers the conviction of the three men as a victory for the cause of animal welfare. “Angeles City is a refuge for stray canines and felines rescued by the City Veterinary Office, and I hope that this victory will serve as a deterrent to those who would commit similar acts of cruelty,” the statement quoted the mayor as saying. READ: ‘Oro’ sued over dog slaughter scene The officer-in-charge of the Angeles City veterinary office Dr. Christian Xyric Arcilla, who witnessed the animal cruelty done by the trio, led the filing of charges against them on the directive of Lazatin. He filed the case along with city legal officer lawyer Ralph Macalino. The city government said that it was Angeles City Vice Mayor Vicenta Vega-Cabigting who informed Lazatin’s office about the slaughtering and cooking of the dog after receiving a report from concerned citizens in Lourdes Sur village on Feb. 4, 2023. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jun A. Malig

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 18:57:31 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1912195/3-men-guilty-of-slaughtering-dog-ordered-to-pay-p6000-each

Inquirer

Farmer shot dead by stepson in Quezon province

Quezon province. INQUIRER FILES Quezon province. INQUIRER FILES LUCENA CITY — A 58-year-old farmer was shot and killed by his stepson on Wednesday, Feb. 28, in Lopez town in Quezon province, police said. Quezon police, in a report Thursday, Feb. 29, said Rogelio Arganda was on the balcony of his house in Barangay (village) Sumalang around 8:30 p.m. when his stepson, “Louielito” arrived armed with a handgun which he used to repeatedly shoot Arganda. The gunman fled after the shooting and left his target dead on the spot. READ: Farmer who allegedly beheaded another farmer shot dead in Davao de Oro According to the police, sometime on March 2022, Arganda raped Louielito’s daughter but no charges were filed. The police are conducting a manhunt operation to arrest the killer. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Delfin T. Mallari Jr.

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 13:27:20 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1912041/farmer-shot-dead-by-stepson-in-quezon-province

Inquirer

Imee Marcos: There’s no forever in politics

MANILA, Philippines — Take it from Senator Imee Marcos: No one stays in power forever. “Walang forever sa pulitika,” Marcos said during the regular Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday. Her father, late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. ruled the country for 21 years until he was toppled by a power revolt led by the late President Corazon Aquino in 1986. This sent Marcos and his family to flee to Hawaii where he died in 1989. READ: A twist in history: The rise and fall and rise of Marcos “Sabi ng nanay ko, ang buhay daw namin e parang tsubibo — asa taas, pinakatuktok o ‘di kaya sa ibaba. Kaya ngayon pa lang, matuto nang yumuko at hold on. ‘Yun ang nanay ko,” the senator continued. (My mother said our life is like a carousel — sometimes we’re up, or at the peak, or down below. So this early on, we should learn to bend and hold on. That’s my mother.) “Kaya dapat konting pakumbaba, konting hinay-hinay at maghawak-kamay sa mga kasamahan imbes na away-awayin,” she added. (So we should learn to be a little humble, take things slowly, and hold hands with our companions instead of fighting). READ: Marcos admits people’s initiative for Charter change politicized According to the senator, her message was not directed at anyone in particular. In the past weeks, though, she traded barbs with some members of the House of Representatives over proposals to change the 1987 Constitution through a people’s initiative. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Maila Ager

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 17:34:31 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1912202/imee-marcos-theres-no-forever-in-politics

Inquirer

Eumir Marcial not losing sight on golden goal in Paris Olympics

FILE–The Philippines’ Eumir Felix Marcial at right reacts after defeating Syria’s Ahmad Ghousoon in the Boxing Men’s 71-80Kg Semifinal bout for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) FILE–The Philippines’ Eumir Felix Marcial at right reacts after defeating Syria’s Ahmad Ghousoon in the Boxing Men’s 71-80Kg Semifinal bout for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) MANILA, Philippines–Eumir Marcial assured he remains focused on fulfilling his ultimate goal of winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Marcial is set for a homecoming fight on March 23 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, where the Filipino boxing prospect aims to put on a dazzling performance and show how far he’s come in his Paris buildup. “I am looking forward to this homecoming fight because the last time I fought in the country was during the 2019 SEA Games,” Marcial said. “And I intend to put on a great show for those who will watch and see me live. I believe that I will be more than ready by the time I get to Paris in July.” “Even though I am fighting in March, my focus and concentration is on the Paris Olympics,” he added. The 28-year-old Marcial, who will be competing in a stacked light heavyweight class, faces a steep climb in his bid for a historic boxing gold for the Philippines in the Summer Games with some familiar names standing in his way. “The competition there is very tough since the Cuban super champion Arlen Lopez is there as well as the Chinese who beat me in Hangzhou. The Ukrainian who beat me in the semis of the Tokyo Olympics—Oleksandr Khyzhniak—is there so it’s a star-studded cast,” added Marcial, referring to Chinese-Kazakh  Tanglatihan Tuohetaerbieke, who beat him by unanimous decision in the gold medal match of last year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou. Arlen Lopez is a two-time Olympic champion while Oleksandr Khyzhniak outlasted Marcial in a semifinal slugfest at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. Marcial (4-0, 2KOs), who is fighting Thai journeyman Thoedsak Sinam (23-13, 19KOs) in his first bout on home soil since winning the gold at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, has been holed up training in Las Vegas since the third week of January but will move to Tagaytay for the final stretch of his preparations beginning March 11. Marcial is currently training under the guidance of American coach Kay Koroma and former Filipino amateur boxing standout Mario Fernandez, who was sent by the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) to lend a hand in the preparations. The Zamboanga City native’s last pro fight was in February 2023 when he stopped a much experienced Ricardo Villalba of Argentina in just two rounds in San Antonio, Texas, USA. Marcial turned pro back in December 2020. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Mark Giongco

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 18:35:42 PST

https://sports.inquirer.net/555050/eumir-marcial-not-losing-sight-on-golden-goal-in-paris-olympics

Inquirer

Mindoro folk, on oil spill anniv, vow to hold polluters accountable

REMINDER | PHOTO: Fishers and residents in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, together with their supporters, unveil on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, a mural painted by the community reminding them of the importance of protecting the Verde Island Passage (VIP).. (Photo from the Facebook account of PROTECT VIP) REMINDER | PHOTO: Fishers and residents in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, together with their supporters, unveil on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, a mural painted by the community reminding them of the importance of protecting the Verde Island Passage (VIP).. (Photo from the Facebook account of PROTECT VIP) CITY OF CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines — Residents of coastal communities in Oriental Mindoro whose livelihood was disrupted by the oil spill from a vessel that sank off Naujan town last year vowed to continue the search for justice as they marked the first anniversary of the environmental tragedy on Wednesday. Groups supporting local fisherfolk started the program in Pola town, considered the “ground zero” of the marine disaster, with a Mass at the Pola Community College celebrated by Oriental Mindoro Bishop Moises Cuevas. M/T Princess Empress, carrying 900,000 liters of industrial oil, sank off the coast of Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28 last year. The site is within the Verde Island Passage (VIP), an area between mainland Luzon and Mindoro island considered the “center of global shorefish biodiversity” due to the high density of marine resources there. Fisherfolk, local officials, and representatives of environmental, youth, and religious groups called attention to the slow progress on compensation and recovery in the widespread oil spill that followed the tanker’s sinking. READ: Mindoro oil spill ruins nearly P1 billion in livelihood sources “Today, we gather in prayer and unity to commemorate the day that changed the course of the lives of the people of Oriental Mindoro. Pope Francis in his Laudate Deum (Praise God) reminds us that the most effective solutions will not come from individual efforts alone but, above all, from major political decisions,” Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convener of Protect VIP, said in a statement emailed to the Inquirer on Wednesday. Protect VIP is a coalition of different organizations advocating for the protection of the Verde Island Passage. “Our fight does not end today and we will not cease to fight until we see a clear path towards … recovery, which would only be possible if justice is served, polluters are held accountable and communities are properly compensated,” said Gariguez. “The marine life and the people who depend on the Verde Island Passage deserve nothing less than P41.2 billion, which is the estimated damage caused by the oil spill,” said the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), a think tank which earlier released a valuation report on oil spill damage, as assessed by experts. “We hope that this number serves as a guidepost for the government and the agencies for tougher policies in protecting our waters and ensuring that no polluter walks free from their accountability,” said Gerry Arances, co-convener of Protect VIP and executive director of the CEED. Arances underscored the need for decisive actions from policymakers to prioritize the urgent protection of Verde Island Passage. A symbolic march to Pola Bridge showcasing a mural designed by artist AG Sano, in collaboration with local communities and youth groups, was also held Wednesday. A design for a commemorative marker that will be put up in Pola as a symbol of the courage and determination of the community was also unveiled. “The mural and marker will memorialize the unwavering spirit of the people of Mindoro in the face of the oil spill. This will be a permanent reminder of what the polluters owe to the communities and what the government must do in protecting Verde Island Passage,” Gariguez said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Aldrin Villanueva, leader of the fisherfolk group Lapian ng Mangingisda sa Batuhan, said only 627 of the more than 4,000 claimants from Pola town, who lost their livelihood due to the fishing ban imposed last year, had received compensation as of Feb. 16. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Madonna T. Virola

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:02:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911717/mindoro-folk-on-oil-spill-anniv-vow-to-hold-polluters-accountable

Inquirer

Mom of slain teen Jemboy Baltazar blames PNP for unfair court ruling

Rodaliza Baltazar weeps as she testifies before the Senate on the death of her son Jemboy on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. (INQUIRER PHOTO) Rodaliza Baltazar weeps as she testifies before the Senate on the death of her son Jemboy on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. (INQUIRER PHOTO) MANILA, Philippines — The mother of slain 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar on Wednesday blamed the Philippine National Police for the lighter sentences and acquittal handed down by a court against the six policemen involved in the teenager’s fatal shooting in August 2023. “It’s as if they killed my son all over again because of the decision of the court regarding the six policemen,” Rodaliza Baltazar said in a press briefing at the Senate. “This is just too painful for our family. It’s really difficult to get justice when you are poor,” the grieving mother said in between sobs. Rodaliza and her husband, Jessie Baltazar, met with Sen. Risa Hontiveros a day after the Navotas City Regional Trial Court Branch 286 gave its verdict. Hontiveros had pushed the Senate inquiry into the botched police operation near a river in Navotas on Aug. 2, 2023, that resulted in the killing of Jemboy. During one of the hearings, the victim’s friend, witness Sonny Boy Augustilo, said the police officers had wanted him to issue an affidavit claiming that Jemboy, who was unarmed, was carrying a gun and illegal drugs purportedly to show that he had engaged them in a shootout. The opposition senator said while the court ruling should be respected, it only mirrored the worsening culture of impunity in the country, which had allowed abusive law enforcers to get away with their crimes literally. “Five of the six policemen will be freed while the other one will be jailed for only four years. On the other hand, (Jemboy) had lost his life and his dreams,” Hontiveros lamented. According to Baltazar, they could have secured the conviction of all the six accused had the police officers who initially investigated the case done their job without prejudice. For one, she pointed out, the police investigators did not thoroughly search the boat where Jemboy was shot and killed. Had they inspected the boat, the policemen could have recovered a bullet slug that would have bolstered the allegation that the six accused directly shot the victim and Augustilo, contrary to their claim that they only fired into the water. “From the start, the (killing of my son) was not investigated properly,” Baltazar said. The victim’s family sued the six Navotas policemen for murder, but the court instead found Police Staff Sgt. Gerry Maliban guilty of homicide for shooting Jemboy, whom they had mistaken for another suspect they were supposedly pursuing at the time. READ: One of six Navotas cops guilty of homicide in Jemboy’s death – court Maliban was sentenced to up to six years in prison and also ordered to pay P50,000 in moral and civil damages. One of the accused, Police Staff Sgt. Antonio Balcita Bugayong was acquitted due to the failure of the prosecution to prove that he had fired his gun during the operation. Four other PNP officers — Police Executive Master Sgt. Roberto Dioso Balais Jr., Police Staff Sgt. Nikko Pines Corollo Esquilon, Police Cpl. Edmard Jake Blanco and Patrolman Benedict Danao Mangada — were found guilty of the lesser offense of illegal discharge of firearms. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. They were sentenced to a maximum of four months and one day in prison. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jacob Lazaro, Marlon Ramos

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:42:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911770/slain-teens-mom-blames-pnp-for-unfair-court-ruling

Inquirer

BARMM to give lifetime aid to ex-revolutionaries

BARMM headquarters. (File photo from the BARMM website) BARMM headquarters. (File photo from the BARMM website) COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines — The Bangsamoro Parliament has approved a measure to provide financial aid to men and women revolutionaries of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who are seniors or those who have disabilities. At least 41 of the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority present during the session on Monday, approved Bill No. 44 which would establish the Office of the Bangsamoro Mujahideen Under Special Circumstance, to oversee the implementation of the program. No one abstained or opposed during the deliberation presided by Deputy Speaker Omar Yasser Sema. Under the measure, former MILF and MNLF combatants who are senior citizens or those with permanent, partial, or total disabilities will be entitled to a minimum monthly aid of P7,000. Sema said the measure was a way to “reciprocate” mujahideen for the sacrifices they made for the Bangsamoro. “The measure is a legacy legislation intended to provide for the former combatants of the MILF and the MNLF from legal and available resources of the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) government, for them to know that their leaders are doing all they could to reciprocate in any way, big or small, their sacrifices for the Bangsamoro,” said Sema. For the first year of implementation, recipients will receive a lump sum of P84,000, followed by quarterly allowances in subsequent years. READ: Opening up of BARMM to investments cheered Funding for the initiative will come from a total of P500 million that will be appropriated and integrated into the annual budget of the Office of the Chief Minister. The eligibility criteria outlined in the bill include mujahideen who participated for a minimum of 20 years in the struggle for the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro people between 1969 and 2014. They must also belong to the “underprivileged” sector. Member of Parliament Aida Silongan, chair of its committee on social services and development, said 1969 was the reckoning point as it was the start of clashes between Moro revolutionaries who tried to defend Moro-controlled lands and communities against government-backed militias, months after the MNLF was formally organized on March 18, 1968. Also, 2014, or exactly March 27, 2014, is when the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was signed between the government and the MILF, Silongan explained. The approved bill, which is awaiting the signature of Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, also covers those who have permanent and total disabilities due to injuries or diseases causing complete, irreversible, and permanent incapacity that renders a member unable to work or engage in any gainful occupation, resulting in a loss of income. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Silongan said it was important to reciprocate the sacrifices of the mujahideen by recognizing what they have done, respecting them, and allocating necessary financial support. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Sheila Mae Dela Cruz, Taher Solaiman

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:04:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911715/barmm-to-give-lifetime-aid-to-ex-revolutionaries

Inquirer

Fire razes 5 classrooms in Zamboanga del Sur town

Bureau of Fire Protection personnel try to extinguish that fire that hit classrooms of the Parasan National High School in Molave town, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. | PHOTO: BFP Molave Fire Station Bureau of Fire Protection personnel try to extinguish that fire that hit classrooms of the Parasan National High School in Molave town, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. | PHOTO: BFP Molave Fire Station PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Authorities have estimated that some P3.7 million in infrastructure was damaged by a fire in a school in Molave town, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday. Fire Senior Inspector Robert Soyum, chief of the Molave station of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), said the main damage that they have accounted, so far, is the five classrooms of Parasan National High School that were razed to the ground. READ: 16 families left homeless after fire in Zamboanga del Sur town Fire hits classrooms of the Parasan National High School in Molave town, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. | PHOTO: BFP Molave Fire Station A BFP investigation showed that the fire broke out at around 1:42 a.m. on February 28 and was eventually put off at around 3:15 a.m. The BFP has yet to account the facilities and equipment that were lost to the blaze. As of Thursday, authorities were still conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Leah Agonoy

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:43:23 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1912069/fire-razes-5-classrooms-in-zamboanga-del-sur-town

Inquirer

Zamora fires back at Ejercito, rejects ‘vindictive’ tag

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora (Photo from Mayor Francis Zamora FB page) San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora (Photo from Mayor Francis Zamora FB page) MANILA, Philippines — San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora countered on Thursday allegations that his leadership is “vindictive,” maintaining that he embraced all the people that the Estrada clan left behind when they were no longer in power. Zamora’s remarks came after Senator JV Ejercito’s allegation that some San Juan City residents were being “terrorized” by Zamora’s “vindictive” leadership. Ejercito was a former mayor of San Juan City. So were his brother, Senator Jinggoy Estrada; his father, former President Joseph Estrada; and his mother, Guia Gomez. “I have no idea what he’s talking about regarding vindictiveness kasi niyakap ko yung mga tao nila. Marami sa mga leaders and supporters nila na pinabayaan nila, especially when they both lost in the Senate in 2019, when his mother was not a mayor anymore and when they both lost in the Senate — noong pinabayaan nila ang leaders nila, namamatay, nagkakasakit, kanino sila lumalapit? Sa akin,” Zamora told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview. (I have no idea what he’s talking about regarding vindictiveness because I embraced their people. Many of the leaders and supporters they abandoned, especially when they both lost in the Senate in 2019, when his mother was not a mayor anymore and when they both lost in the Senate — when they abandoned their leaders, dying, getting sick, who did they approach? It was me.) “If I am terrorizing San Juan, then how come we won 15-0 in 2022. All positions from mayor, vice mayor, congresswoman and 12 councilors?” he added. Zamora then stressed that every single city hall employee in San Juan in 2019 was an Estrada employee since the clan was in power from 1969 to 2019. “Most of my department heads now are former Estrada department heads. I and these Estrada appointees [or] Estrada elected officials have been working hard with each other. In fact, San Juan has won so many awards because of our harmonious working relationship,” said Zamora. To prove his point, Zamora even named some of these supposed Estrada elected officials: Zamora specifically noted that Silvano eventually resigned to work for Ejercito but later on regretted his decision when he realized that his “salary was much lower.” “I know how to work with people. There’s no truth to namumulitika, ‘pag supporter nila ay kinakawawa – anong proof nila?” he added, emphasizing that being vindictive is different from being accountable. (I know how to work with people. There’s no truth that I am politicking, and to the allegation that I oppress their supporters – what proof do they have?) Ejercito, in a separate forum on Thursday, likewise claimed that to date, some retired San Juan City workers have yet to receive their terminal pay. Zamora, however, stressed that the city government – under his leadership – He added that even the terminal pay of former Mayor Gomez and former Vice Mayor Janella Estrada were immediately released.  has released millions of local funds to pay qualified retired workers. He added that even the terminal pay of former Mayor Gomez and former Vice Mayor Janella Estrada were immediately released. “Now, there are some that we really cannot [pay] terminal leaves yet because of pending investigation or those with uncomplied requirements, there’s clearance – so there’s a process that they have to go through for us to release the terminal leave,” Zamora explained. But the mayor maintained that he was unaware of what Ejercito was talking about when the senator said that “11 out of 30” have yet to receive their terminal pay. Despite this, Zamora has committed to immediately release the terminal pay of those 11 should they be cleared without any issues. “If I get to see the names of the 11, I’ll be in a better position to know if indeed meron bang pending investigation, meron bang clearance na dapat tapusin, then pag wala namang nakikitang problema I would gladly and immediately release the terminal leave,” he noted. (If I get to see the names of the 1, I’ll be in a better position to know if there is a pending investigation, if there is a clearance that must be completed, and then if there is no visible problem, I would gladly release the terminal leave.) Zamora then challenged Ejercito’s allegation of corruption in San Juan City’s social aid programs. In his privilege speech delivered during the Senate’s plenary session, Ejercito said the scheme was made through an “ayuda scam” concerning the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program and other social assistance initiatives. Ejercito then presented two videos supposedly revealing some local officials in San Juan City “who exploited the system.” But according to Zamora, his sources pointed out that the videos that Ejercito presented in the Senate were taken more than two years ago. “The lady talking is already dead. Why didn’t he mention this? They are trying to make it appear as if it is of the present,” said Zamora. The San Juan City mayor then questioned Ejercito for “moving away” from the TUPAD issue, further prodding the lawmaker what his evidence was in order to prove that San Juan is, indeed, involved in corruption. Zamora said he would be willing to appear before the Senate should investigation on the alleged aid scam pushes through. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The Estradas and Zamoras have long been political rivals in San Juan City. Zamora ended the 50-year grip of the Estrada clan over San Juan when he was elected city mayor in 2019. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Charie Abarca

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 22:37:46 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1912304/zamora-to-ejercito-what-vindictive-i-embraced-all-people-you-left-behind

Inquirer

San Juan people are being ‘terrorized’ by the mayor, claims Sen. JV Ejercito

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito (File photo from Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB) Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito (File photo from Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB) MANILA, Philippines — Senator Victor “JV” Ejercito on Thursday claimed some San Juan City residents are being “terrorized” by Mayor Francis Zamora’s “vindictive” leadership. Speaking at a Kapihan sa Senado forum, Ejercito accused the mayor of presenting two sides of his character — one that appears to be “soft-spoken” and one that is vengeful. It was Zamora who ended the 50-year grip of the Estrada clan over San Juan when he was elected city mayor in 2019. The political rift between the camps was only ignited by Ejercito’s recent exposé surrounding an alleged corruption in the city’s social aid programs. “People are being terrorized, lalo na ‘yung super political. Kasi malayong malayo. Very deceiving kasi,” said Ejercito. (People are being terrorized, especially those who are super political. It’s too far. It’s very deceiving.) “Si Mayor Zamora, kapag nagsalita, soft spoken [at] akala mo napakabait,” the senator observed. (Mayor Zamora, when he speaks, he seems to be soft-spoken [and] you’ll think that he is very kind.) “Para itong pelikula lang eh. Kapag nasa on cam… Kaya lang, off cam, naaawa ako doon sa mga tao,” he went on. (It’s just like a movie. When it’s on cam… However, off-cam, I feel sorry for the people there.) “Ang sabi ko nga sa kanya, tayo na lang ang mag away [at] kawawa naman ‘yung mga tao,” he added. (I told him, let us just fight between us, and the people are suffering.) According to the senator, he was very hesitant to expose the alleged corruption in San Juan at first, knowing that “people get oppressed” every time he speaks. He said he only exposed it because of the gravity of the situation. “I think I also brought up the issue of City employees or Department heads that after 3 years, their terminal leave is still not being given, which is money that is theirs,” Ejercito recalled. “As we are speaking right now, there are about 11 more out of the 30 plus who have yet to receive it,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino. “So you can see the pattern of his vindictiveness,” Ejercito added. In the same forum, Zamora was likewise urged by Ejercito to spare the people from their families’ political rift. “Magandang magkaharap harap tayo. Ang apila ko lang, sana kami na lang ang magbangayan sa politika,” the senator said. (It will be good if we confront each other face to face. My only appeal is that I wish we would just spare the people from politics.) Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. INQUIRER.net has sought Zamora’s comment on Ejercito’s remarks and allegations, but he has yet to respond as of press time. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Charie Abarca

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 12:53:01 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1912049/san-juan-people-are-being-terrorized-by-the-mayor-claims-sen-jv-ejercito

Inquirer

DOE: Economic cha-cha to create more jobs in renewable energy

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Department of Energy (DOE) believes that 1.5 million jobs may be created in the renewable energy sector if amendments to the 1987 Constitution’s economic provisions push through. At the hearing of the House committee of the whole on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7, Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin said 1.5 million new jobs are possible since an additional 357,459 individuals were employed in the renewable energy sector in 2022 when the government allowed 100 percent foreign ownership in the industry. With this as a guide, Garin said there may be 10 direct jobs and 30 indirect jobs generated per megawatt (MW). “[The] estimated direct and indirect job generation for 2023 new contracts based on potential capacity is at least 1.5 million positions,” Garin said during the committee of the whole hearing on Wednesday. “Other than investments in the development of [renewable energy], other components that will come in because of the trillions of investment from foreign investors is port development. We will need at least 10 new ports in order to cater to offshore wind projects,” she added. Additionally, there may be more jobs stemming from foreign investments in ports and mining of rare earth metals like vanadium, a critical component of steel alloys that are used in creating space vehicles, nuclear reactors, aircraft carriers, and various other applications. “In mining, the battery components include rare earth metals from our indigenous resources, including Vanadium and Scandium […] The additional transmission lines, including a newly proposed smart green grid, will require more copper,” she noted. However, former lawmaker and current Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares expressed concerns over opening the economy further, noting that ideally, the government should be in control of key utilities to ensure that operations are driven by service, not profit. Colmenares was also present in the hearing as a resource person. “In my opinion, it will have implications […] what are public utilities?  These are important industries to a country — water, electricity, transportation, communication, that we hope are operated by the government.  That should not be for private companies, because the moment it is privatized, of course, service is just an afterthought, and profit is the main motivation,” Colmenares said. “The problem here is that it is not only privatized, it will also be foreign-owned.  Public service to the Filipino people becomes service to foreign stockholders,” he added. Colmenares also highlighted that having foreigners operate key industries presents a national security issue, citing a possibility that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) can be controlled by Chinese investors who can manipulate the country’s electric supply when tensions rise on the West Philippine Sea. READ: NGCP: China ownership is not a national security threat “The second is, of course, national security implications. Are we not afraid that when a foreign country handles our electric grid, water supply, even transportation and communications, we will have a huge problem because this is the lifeblood of society, Mr. Chair?” he said. “So if we open restrictions, can China increase from 40 percent to 80 (percent) or 90 percent in NGCP?  Can other countries enter?  When China handles, for example, Mr. Chair, our big generation or distribution utilities, then there is a dispute in the West Philippine Sea, they can just put Luzon on a blackout and we will have no choice but to kneel to China.  Is that something we anticipate, Mr. Chair?” he asked. This is not the first time people have been concerned over China’s involvement in NGCP.  Last May 2023, Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez questioned whether or not NGCP can be held accountable for the power outage that hit the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last January 1, 2023. NGCP then “categorically denied” accusations of being behind the power issues, insisting that their system cannot be controlled remotely.  NGCP officials also noted that they are a Filipino corporation and that they remain committed to providing electricity to the country. Both the House and the Senate are hearing proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution’s economic provisions: the committee of the whole started discussing RBH No. 7 last Monday, while the Senate started deliberating RBH No. 6 in early February. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Both proposals seek to amend Article XII, Article XIV, and Article XVI of the Constitution by inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” — allowing Congress to legislate laws that would dictate the percentage of foreign ownership in public utilities, basic education, and advertising. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 18:38:16 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1912237/doe-economic-cha-cha-to-create-more-jobs-in-renewable-energy

Inquirer

Marcos appoints Rogelio Quevedo as new PCGG commissioner

Rogelio Quevedo was part of the Government Corporate Counsel, which acts as the lawyers of government corporations and financial institutions, such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.| PHOTO: Official facebook page of OGCC-EU Rogelio Quevedo was part of the Government Corporate Counsel, which acts as the lawyers of government corporations and financial institutions, such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.| PHOTO: Official facebook page of OGCC-EU MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Rogelio V. Quevedo as a new Commissioner for the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), said the Palace on Thursday. The PCGG is a body created to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family while they were in power during the time of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s father, the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr. “Itinalaga si G. Rogelio V. Quevedo bilang Commissioner ng Presidential Commission on Good Government sa ilalim ng Department of Justice,” said the Presidential Communications Office in a Facebook post. (Mr. Rogelio V. Quevedo has been named Commissioner of the  Presidential Commission on Good Government under the Department of Justice.) READ: Marcos names new PCGG commissioner, 3 other execs Quevedo was part of the Government Corporate Counsel, representing government corporations and financial institutions, such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jean Mangaluz

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:54:01 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911907/fwd-new-pcgg-appointment

Inquirer

Accusations hounding Quiboloy sadden Imee Marcos: ‘He has been kind to us’

Sen. Imee Marcos (File photo from the Senate Social Media Unit) Sen. Imee Marcos (File photo from the Senate Social Media Unit) MANILA, Philippines — While recognizing the power of Congress to issue a subpoena, Sen. Imee Marcos reminded her colleagues about giving due process and respecting one’s right against self-incrimination. At the regular Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday, Marcos was asked about the call of her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, for pastor Apollo Quiboloy to face the congressional probes. “We are aware that it is indeed the power of the Congress and the Senate to issue subpoenas, and that is a fundamental power,” the senator said, partly in Filipino. “But let us remember that substantive and procedural due process must be given, along with the right against self-incrimination.” “What I mean is, I am deeply saddened by the events surrounding SMNI [Sonshine Media Network International] and Pastor Quiboloy,” she added. “He has been kind to us, and above all, he has truly helped many people. So, it saddens me that it has come to this. I hope that this can be resolved in a peaceful and quiet manner.” The self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” is now the focus of separate investigations by the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the Senate, Quiboloy is being investigated for alleged sexual abuse, forced labor, and other offenses within his church. On the other hand, the House focuses its probe on the supposed violations of the SMNI franchise. Pastor, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, also reportedly owns SMNI. He is now being compelled by the two chambers to attend their hearings. “For now, it’s there. We are in a legal situation. That will just be followed through because that’s where we are now,” Senator Marcos said. “But even then, I hope it can be resolved as soon as possible. And then, those who are talking about extradition, there’s no extradition request. So why the rush? It’s too much.” Quiboloy has been on the wanted list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; bulk cash smuggling.” Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Maila Ager

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 16:39:30 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1912170/charges-hounding-quiboloy-saddens-imee-marcos-he-has-been-kind-to-us

Inquirer

Janella Salvador, Win Metawin’s movie to premiere at Asian Film Awards

Thai actor Win Metawin and Janella Salvador. Image: screengrab from YouTube/28 Squared Studios Thai actor Win Metawin and Janella Salvador. Image: screengrab from YouTube/28 Squared Studios “Under Parallel Skies,” which stars Janella Salvador and Thai actor Win Metawin, is the first Philippine cross-country film to have its world premiere as part of the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong. This was announced by film director Sigrid Bernardo through her Instagram page on Wednesday, Feb. 28. “‘Under Parallel Skies’ becomes the first Philippine cross-country film to have its world premiere in Hong Kong as one of the special events of the prestigious 17th Asian Film Awards (AFA),” she said. “The gala will happen on March 11 at APM in Kwun Tong. Following the gala, the film will have its Hong Kong premiere at the B+ cinema,” she added. Aside from Bernardo, Salvador and Metawin, executive producers from production company 28 Squared Studios, members of the AFA committee, the film’s partners and select guests of honor will also be in attendance at the Hong Kong event. A post shared by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo (@sigridandreapbernardo) Salvador also shared the announcement on her Instagram page, adding: “Hope you’re ready to meet Iris and Parin!” A post shared by Janella Salvador (@superjanella) “Under Parallel Skies,” which is set in Hong Kong, tells the story of a man struggling with a painful past and a woman who has a significant role in the story of his life. Rumors of Salvador and Metawin, who gained a following in the Philippines after his hit boy love series “2gether: The Series,” joining together in a project first sparked in June 2023. The production company confirmed the project a month later. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our entertainment news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Anne Pasajol

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 11:23:56 PST

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/544143/janella-salvador-win-metawins-movie-to-premiere-at-asian-film-awards

Inquirer

SC slaps PAO chief Persida Acosta with P180,000 fine

FILE PHOTO: Supreme Court and PAO chief Persida Acosta. INQUIRER FILES FILE PHOTO: Supreme Court and PAO chief Persida Acosta. INQUIRER FILES MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has ordered Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta to pay fines totaling P180,000 for her adverse remarks against the new code of conduct for lawyers, or the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA). Acosta was fined P30,000 for indirect contempt of court and an additional P150,000 for grossly undignified conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. The penalty came with a stern warning that “a repetition of the same or similar offenses shall be dealt with more severely.” According to the high tribunal, Acosta’s remarks and “innuendos” on her Facebook page about the CPRA provision allowing public lawyers to represent opposing parties in court cases “attributed ill intent and malice to the court.” “Atty. Acosta’s actions violated Sections 2 and 14, Canon II of the CPRA, which enjoin lawyers to respect the courts, to submit grievances against court officers only through the appropriate remedy and before the proper authorities, and to refrain from making unfounded statements insinuating improper motive on the part of court officers,” the court’s Public Information Office said in a statement on Tuesday. READ: SC cites PAO chief for indirect contempt over remarks on CPRA The justices also ruled that Acosta violated her duty to observe and maintain due respect for the court and to promote respect for laws and legal processes when she issued an office order that “instigated disobedience” to the new conflict of interest rule for the PAO. In addition, the court said the PAO chief attempted to “sway public opinion to pressure the court into yielding to her position” when she launched a public campaign against the new provision using public attorneys and PAO staff and clients and when she publicized the contents of the PAO’s letters to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo requesting the deletion of the same rule. The Inquirer sought Acosta’s comment on the matter, but she had yet to respond as of this writing. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jane Bautista

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 05:50:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911765/sc-slaps-pao-chief-acosta-with-p180000-fine

Inquirer

QC prosecutor OKs filing of raps vs mall guard who tossed puppy to death

This file photo taken in July 2023 shows mall security guard Jojo Malecdem following an incident involving a puppy being thrown from a footbridge near the mall. | PHOTO: Janine Santos This file photo taken in July 2023 shows mall security guard Jojo Malecdem following an incident involving a puppy being thrown from a footbridge near the mall. | PHOTO: Janine Santos MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Prosecutors Office has approved the filing of a criminal case against a mall security guard for throwing a puppy from an elevated footbridge in Quezon City, causing its death. Facing a case for violating Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act is Jojo Malicdem. Section 9 of the law punishes any person who subjects any animal to cruelty, maltreatment, or neglect by either imprisonment, fine, or both. In his defense, Malicdem denied tossing the puppy named Brownie. The incident happened in July 2023. READ: PAWS files criminal complaint vs. mall guard for throwing puppy to death He said one of the puppy’s owners shoved it in front of his face when he confronted them because vendors and beggars are not allowed to stay on the bridge. Malicdem said he tried to push the puppy away from his face when he felt something sharp touching his skin. Thinking that he was bitten, he forcefully pushed away the hand of the teenager holding the puppy, causing the puppy to be thrown off the railing. But the prosecutor said the complainant, Janine Santos, who witnessed the incident, clearly narrated and submitted proof of the incident. The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) joined Santos as a complainant. Santos said Malicdem grabbed the “object” and threw it outside the footbridge railing. She said she learned that the “object” thrown outside the railing was actually a puppy when a concerned pedestrian picked it up. The prosecutor said Malicdem’s defense was evidentiary and “should be presented, proven, and subject to the court’s determination.” A P12,000 bail was recommended for Malicdem’s temporary liberty. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The resolution was recommended by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Diovie Macaraig-Calderon and approved by Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Chief Division V Jaime Villanueva. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Tetch Torres-Tupas

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:37:46 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911804/qc-prosecutor-oks-filing-of-raps-vs-mall-guard-who-tossed-puppy-to-death

Inquirer

T-bond yields fall on rate cut bets

MANILA, Philippines  —The government was able to borrow as planned during Tuesday’s auction of Treasury bonds (T-bonds) after rates sought by local creditors fell amid expectations of monetary policy easing at home and in the US. The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) raised its target amount of P30 billion from the sale of T-bonds, with demand exceeding the original size of the offering by over three times to P91.4 billion. The healthy appetite for the long-term debt securities, which are payable in 20 years, helped push down borrowing costs for the state. Auction results showed the 20-year T-bonds fetched an average rate of 6.209 percent, lower than the 6.631 percent recorded in the previous auction of the comparable bonds last March 21, 2023. The yield was also lower than the 6.405 percent quoted for the same tenor in the secondary market as of Feb. 27, 2024. Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said expectations of a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also helped the government borrow at a lower cost. “Average auction yield [was] much lower… amid the easing inflation trend already within the BSP’s inflation target of 2 to 4 percent that could support local policy rate cuts later this year, especially if the Fed starts cutting rates,” Ricafort said. The BSP is widely expected to match the timing of Fed’s easing moves to avoid pressuring the peso, which may upset the inflation outlook at home by pushing up import costs. READ: BSP keeps policy rate unchanged, as expected At its first meeting this year, the central bank’s Monetary Board kept its key rate unchanged at 6.5 percent, the tightest in over 16 years, as it waits for a more convincing downtrend of inflation before deciding on loosening its monetary policy settings. Data showed inflation softened to 2.8 percent in January, the lowest reading in over three years. That was the second consecutive month that price growth moderated to within the BSP’s 2 to 4 percent target after hovering above that range for 20 months. READ: Gov’t unveils P585-B local borrowing plan for Q1 2024 The Marcos administration is planning to borrow P1.85 trillion onshore in 2024. Of that amount, P51 billion will be raised via Treasury bills while P1.8 trillion will come from weekly auctions of T-bonds. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Those borrowings are needed to help plug a projected budget hole of P1.39 trillion this year, which is equivalent to 5.1 percent of gross domestic product. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 10:01:54 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447698/t-bond-yields-fall-on-rate-cut-bets

Inquirer

Top American CEOs to join PH trade mission in March

FILE PHOTO: Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez (Photo by Andrew Harnik / POOL / AFP) FILE PHOTO: Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez (Photo by Andrew Harnik / POOL / AFP) MANILA, Philippines  -The Fortune 500 cavalry is coming. At least 30 top American CEOs from major corporations are joining US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in a landmark presidential trade and investment mission to the Philippines from March 11 to March 12 this year. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said on Monday the country was witnessing an uptick in investment interest under the Marcos administration, which has embraced closer economic and defense ties with the United States. READ: Biden to send top-level trade mission to PH in March This was a marked shift from former President Rodrigo Duterte’s pivot toward US global competitor China. “I cannot overemphasize the fact that our relationship with the United States is at its best right now. This is the time we have to take advantage of this relationship because the interest is so high,” Romualdez said during a media briefing on Monday that was organized by the nonprofit US-Philippines Society. READ: How US courted PH to thwart China Romualdez, who said the final list of CEOs and corporations had yet to be finalized, claimed interest was so high from American businessmen that they had to pare down the list of delegates. “Secretary Raimondo told us she wanted this to be very focused, she wanted to make sure something will come out of this delegation,” he recounted. “This is a big deal for the United States. The White House has never organized something like this,” he added. The US-Philippines Society meeting was also called to welcome the organization’s new co-chair, tycoon Jamie Augusto Zobel de Ayala. Romualdez was also joined in Tuesday’s discussion by Ambassadors John Negroponte, a co-chair at the US-Philippines Society and Thomas Hubbard. INQ Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Miguel R. Camus

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:07:00 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447629/top-american-ceos-to-join-ph-trade-mission-in-march

Inquirer

SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup

The 2024 PBA Philippine Cup, the second conference of the league’s 48th season, opens on February 28, Wednesday. The PBA doubleheaders are scheduled every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 4:30 pm and 7:30pm on weekdays and 3pm and 6pm on weekends. Aside from the usual venues of Smart Araneta Coliseum, Philsports Arena, Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig and Ynares Center in Antipolo, the PBA will also hold games at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila and Caloon Sports Complex. Out-of-town games highlight several Saturdays of the Philippine Cup with the league holding games in Candon, Ilocos Sur; Tiaong, Quezon; Cagayan de Oro and Batangas. PBA games are now airing on the free-to-air channel RPTV in an arrangement started in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals. RPTV is on Channel 9 Analog in Manila, Cebu and Davao; Channel 5 in Zamboanga; Channel 12 in Baguio; and Channel 8 in Bacolod. It is also available via pay TV at Cignal TV (Channel 10), SatLite (Channel 9). GSat (Channel 8) and over 300 cable and satellite providers across the country. Games are also live on PBA Rush on Cignal TV (Channel 260 HD, Channel 90 SD). The games will also be streamed on the Pilipinas Live app, live and on-demand. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

INQUIRER.net

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:59:26 PST

https://sports.inquirer.net/554683/schedule-2024-pba-philippine-cup

Inquirer

Marcos: Presence of Chinese warships in West Philippine Sea ‘worrisome’

FILE PHOTO: The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea says the water cannon attack by the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday, December 9, 2023, caused “significant damage” to the Datu Bankaw (left). It condemned the CCG’s action as “not as only illegal but also inhumane” for it was directed at a humanitarian mission. —Screen grab from Philippine Coast Guard video FILE PHOTO: The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea says the water cannon attack by the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday, December 9, 2023, caused “significant damage” to the Datu Bankaw (left). It condemned the CCG’s action as “not as only illegal but also inhumane” for it was directed at a humanitarian mission. —Screen grab from Philippine Coast Guard video MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, on Wednesday called the presence of Chinese warships in the West Philippine Sea worrisome, but the government will continue to defend maritime security. The signal of Philippine vessels was allegedly jammed by China when they traveled in the West Philippine Sea. Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Jay Tarriela also reported the presence of a Chinese aircraft in Bajo de Masinloc. “We just defend our maritime territory. We continue to support all of our fisherfolk who make their living from these fishing grounds,” said Marcos in an ambush interview before his flight to Australia. Marcos said that the government will continue doing its job to help the fisherfolk. “It’s worrisome because there are two elements to that. One, dati Coast Guard lang ng China ang gumagalaw doon sa area natin, ngayon may Navy na, sumama pa mga fishing boat. So nagbabago ang sitwasyon,” said Marcos. (It’s worrisome because there are two elements to that. One, before it was just the Chinese Coast Guard moving in our area, now it is the Navy with the fishing boats. So the situation is changing.) “That’s the basic principle there is that the fishers must be allowed to fish in their traditional fishing grounds which belong in the maritime territory of the Philippines,” said Marcos. Beijing’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea increased during the time of Marcos, with Philippine vessels being rammed by Chinese boats and the PCG being hit with a water cannon. Filipino fisherfolk have also accused China of poisoning Bajo de Masinloc with cyanide. Marcos earlier vowed not to surrender a single inch of territory to foreign forces. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions. Subscribe to our global news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jean Mangaluz

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:55:09 PST

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/226590/fwd-marcos-on-wps

Inquirer

Marcos visits Australia twice in span of week for parliament talk, summit

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —PPA POOL Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —PPA POOL President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will visit Australia twice within a week for a state visit and a special summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Australia. He will leave today for Canberra for a two-day visit from Feb. 28 to Feb. 29 upon the invitation of Governor General David Hurley. As “guest of the government,” Mr. Marcos’ visit is akin to that of a state visit. He will address the Australian Parliament, the first Philippine leader to do so, to discuss the two countries’ strategic partnership. “The President’s visit and official activities in Canberra shall further strengthen existing bonds of cooperation and shall enable discussions for new avenues of collaboration,” said Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza at a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday. Mr. Marcos will return to the country on Thursday then will leave again this time for Melbourne to attend the Asean-Australia Special Summit from March 4 to March 6. His visit to Melbourne is upon the invitation of Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Asean-Australia relations. During the special summit on March 6, Mr. Marcos will tackle the South China Sea dispute where the Philippines has been grappling mainly with China despite the country’s arbitration win under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) that invalidated China’s sweeping claims. “For the leaders plenary, the President may take the opportunity to thank Australia for its unwavering support for the rule of law and for the 1982 Unclos and the 2016 arbitral award,” said Foreign Assistant Secretary for Asean Affairs Daniel Espiritu. “The President may also highlight Asean-Australia cooperation on maritime issues, climate and clean energy track, people-to-people exchange and economic cooperation,” he added. READ: South China Sea issue part of Marcos’ agenda in Australia visits – DFA “As the leaders retreat, the President may encourage Australia to remain committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes and to maintain respect for the rules-based international order and multilateralism which is currently very much under challenge,” Espiritu said. Prior to the special summit, President Marcos will speak before the Lowy Institute and meet with the Filipino community on March 4. On March 5, he will promote the Philippine Business Forum organized by the Department of Trade and Industry. He will deliver a speech at the Victoria International Container Terminal, a subsidiary of the Philippine International Container Terminal Services Inc. Mr. Marcos will also hold bilateral meetings with Cambodia and New Zealand. According to the DFA, there are about 408,000 Filipinos in Australia, constituting the fifth largest immigrant community. Most are crafts and related trade workers; professional service and sales workers; skilled agriculture, forestry and fishery workers; technicians; associate professionals; and managers. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. In 2022, there were around 17,825 Filipino students in Australia’s universities, government records showed. INQ Subscribe to our global news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Dona Z. Pazzibugan

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:25:58 PST

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/226577/marcos-visits-australia-twice-in-span-of-week-for-parliament-address-special-summit

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DOJ to review decision on Navotas teen’s slay

WAITING FOR JUSTICE Relatives and supporters of the family of Jemboy Baltazar, 17, who was mistaken for a murder suspect and killed by policemen last year, gather in front of the Navotas Hall of Justice on Tuesday to wait for the court’s decision on the case. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA WAITING FOR JUSTICE Relatives and supporters of the family of Jemboy Baltazar, 17, who was mistaken for a murder suspect and killed by policemen last year, gather in front of the Navotas Hall of Justice on Tuesday to wait for the court’s decision on the case. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA “Is that the only value of my son’s life?” These were the words of Rodaliza Baltazar, mother of 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar, after five of the six policemen involved in his “mistaken identity” killing were ordered released by a Navotas court. “I feel so much pain, it’s like nothing happened to my son… Only one was convicted and the other four [were sentenced to] only four months [in jail],” Rodaliza told reporters following Tuesday’s decision by the Navotas Regional Trial Court Branch 286. The victim’s family also objected to the lighter charge of homicide for the convicted cop and the acquittal of another accused who was also ordered released. The Department of Justice (DOJ) assured the family that it would exhaust all legal remedies as it reviews the ruling by Presiding Judge Pedro Dabu Jr. The Baltazars originally filed murder charges against six Navotas policemen for shooting Jemboy in his boat after he was mistaken for another suspect they were chasing during a police operation on Aug. 2, 2023, at Barangay North Bay Boulevard South Kaunlaran in Navotas City. But the court instead found Police Staff Sgt. Gerry Maliban was guilty of homicide. His sentence was four to six years in prison, and he was also ordered to pay P50,000 in moral and civil damages. READ: One of six Navotas cops guilty of homicide in Jemboy’s death – court According to the judge, Maliban “did not commit murder” since he “cannot be said to have employed means, methods, or forms in the execution of the crime.” “There is no doubt PSSgt. Maliban was performing his duty during that fatal incident,” the judge said. Released The four other officers—Police Executive Master Sgt. Roberto Dioso Balais Jr., Police Staff Sgt. Nikko Pines Corollo Esquilon, Police Cpl. Edmard Jake Blanco and Patrolman Benedict Danao Mangada—were found guilty of illegal discharge of firearms and sentenced to a maximum of four months and one day in prison. But since they had already served that sentence during their preventive detention at the Metro Manila District Jail in Taguig City, the court ordered their release. Another officer, Police Staff Sgt. Antonio Balcita Bugayong was acquitted after the court said there was “doubt” as to whether he fired his gun during the operation. The court noted the conflicting testimonies between the accused, who claimed that Bugayong fired his gun, and the witness, Jemboy’s friend, Sonny Boy Agustillo, who said he didn’t see the officer fire his weapon. Bugayong also tested negative for gunpowder residue. Appeal In a briefing by the DOJ, Rodaliza said, “My family and I are feeling a lot of pain right now because we expected six of them to be convicted but the opposite happened—five of them were released and only one was convicted.” “My son is dead, he will be gone forever, [while Maliban] will only suffer for four years for killing my son,” she said on the verge of tears, with her face masked to protect her identity while she wore a bulletproof vest. Jemboy’s father, Jessie Baltazar, said: “It hurts that we lost our son—my partner in our livelihood.” Justice Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had ordered him to review the facts and arguments in the case to see what they could appeal. Clavano said the DOJ plans to elevate the case to the Court of Appeals (CA), with the Office of the Solicitor General serving as counsel for the Baltazar family. He said that based on the DOJ’s initial assessment, there were several arguments in the decision that could still be challenged, including conspiracy, intent to kill, and “reasonableness of the action taken by the police and the reaction that the police had when Jemboy ran away.” ACCUSED Wearing prison shirts and in handcuffs, the police officers accused of shooting and killing Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar in August last year arrive at Navotas City Regional Trial Court on Tuesday. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA “At the end of it all, justice must be served, the decision today is not enough, in our opinion, because there are policemen who will be freed but the Baltazar family lost someone,” Clavano said. ‘Changed view’ The DOJ official said the Baltazars will remain under the government’s witness protection program for their security. “Because it is dangerous when [the convicted are released] and, of course, the peace and security of the Baltazar family will also be at risk,” he said. The Marcos administration, he pointed out, has a “changed view” regarding cases of extrajudicial killings like what happened to Jemboy. “Before, during the past administration, the police were empowered, still, to do their mandate to protect and serve the country. But now, with the new administration, we think more benevolently,” he said, adding that law enforcers should perform their duties with self-restraint. “This is a fight against a culture that has been hounding our society for a very long time, this culture of impunity… So we are taking this case very seriously so that the police treat the citizens differently,” Clavano said. But rights group Karapatan said: “This lamentable outcome [of] Jemboy’s case shows how the Philippine justice system continues to fail the victims of police killings and brutality in the country in pursuing full accountability of perpetrators.” “As in the case of the killings under the Duterte regime, victims, especially the poor, are still unable to obtain justice,” the group added. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Meanwhile, Police Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the Philippine National Police, said the case should remind police officers “to adhere to their existing police operational procedures.” —WITH REPORTS FROM NESTOR CORRALES AND JACOB LAZARO INQ News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jane Bautista

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:55:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911096/doj-to-review-decision-on-navotas-teens-slay

Inquirer

Cartoon art museum celebrates Pinoy comic book artists

This painting by Alex Niño is featured at the Cartoon Art Museum. “Pinoy Power!” shines the spotlight on Filipino comic book artists. Photo from the Cartoon Art Museum This painting by Alex Niño is featured at the Cartoon Art Museum. “Pinoy Power!” shines the spotlight on Filipino comic book artists. Photo from the Cartoon Art Museum SAN FRANCISCO – The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco is featuring “Pinoy Power! A Celebration of Filipino Komiks from the Archipelago to the Bay,” a two-gallery exhibition of original artwork spanning six decades of Filipino heritage and history. The first component of the exhibition looks back at the first wave of comic book artists who immigrated to the United States in the 1970s as American publishers actively recruited the brilliant, hard-working and underpaid artists who were seeking more opportunities and a wider audience outside of their native Philippines. The second half of the exhibition, co-curated by graphic novelist Rina Ayuyang, celebrates contemporary Filipino voices. Photo from the Cartoon Art Museum “Pinoy Power!” shines the spotlight on several of these artists, including Alex Niño, Alfredo Alcala and Nestor Redondo, whose detailed and electrifying storytelling made them into household names on both sides of the Pacific. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. By the middle of the 1970s, many of the top Filipino comic book artists were dazzling readers in the pages of DC’s horror and mystery anthology titles including “House of Secrets” and “Weird War Tales,” as well as sword-and-sorcery comics and lavishly-illustrated tales inspired by the Bible and the legend of King Arthur and Camelot. Cartoon Art Museum Executive Director Summerlea Kashar (left) accompanied Consulate representatives, including Vice Consul Adrian Baccay, during the guided tour of the “Pinoy Power!” exhibit. Photo from San Francisco PCG The majority of the artwork on display in this installment of the exhibition comes from the collection of Manuel Auad, a San Francisco-based publisher who specializes in monographs celebrating the best in 20th century illustration. Auad, a much beloved and celebrated comics historian, was instrumental in bringing many of these featured artists to the United States in the 1970s, and continues to preserve and celebrate the legacy of those artists today. Rina Ayuyang, bus shelter comics funded by SFAC The second half of the exhibition, co-curated by graphic novelist Rina Ayuyang, celebrates contemporary Filipino voices, including Donna Almendrala, Lynda Barry, Martin Cendreda, Trinidad Escobar, Tintin Pantoja and Bong Redila. “The Philippines has always been shaped by the actions of revolutionaries, so it’s not surprising that a similar kind of drive and passionate spirit can be felt in the work made by Filipino comic artists through the years,” says Ayuyang. “Whether injecting gorgeously detailed craftsmanship in portrayals of iconic American superheroes, or breaking new ground in the indie alternative comics scene, the Filipino comic artists included in this important and exciting exhibition all embrace the importance of change with a deep appreciation for what came before. “Their work celebrates being Filipino, the power of representation, and the huge impact that Filipinos have made to American art and culture. I am so honored and full of Pinoy Pride to be involved in this exhibition, and grateful to the Cartoon Art Museum for putting Filipino voices and stories under the spotlight and center stage.” The Cartoon Art Museum will host a series of panel discussions throughout the run of the exhibition, both onsite at the Cartoon Art Museum and online to allow artists from the Bay Area to Manila Bay to participate in the museum’s public programming. The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, represented by Vice Consul Adrian Baccay and Cultural Officer Cristine Clasara-Steylaerts, toured the groundbreaking exhibit last week. Cartoon Art Museum Executive Director Summerlea Kashar accompanied consulate representatives during the guided tour of the “Pinoy Power” exhibit. Want stories like this delivered straight to your inbox? Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Nimfa U. Rueda

2024-02-29T02:22:28+00:00

https://usa.inquirer.net/145550/cartoon-art-museum-celebrates-pinoy-comic-book-artists

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PH okays WTO’s accord on subsidies to help disaster-hit fisherfolks

These fishermen are seen catching blue crabs along Sugar beach in Sipalay city, Negros Occidental. (From RONNIE BALDONADO / CONTRIBUTOR) These fishermen are seen catching blue crabs along Sugar beach in Sipalay city, Negros Occidental. (From RONNIE BALDONADO / CONTRIBUTOR) MANILA, Philippines — Philippines, through Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has ratified the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (FSA) of World Trade Organization (WTO). According to DTI, Trade Secretary Fred Pascual has submitted Philippines’ instrument of ratification to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on February 27. “The Agreement allows Members to grant subsidies for disaster relief under certain conditions to support fisherfolks impacted by natural disasters,” Pascual said. “This is vital to the Philippines, being a climate-vulnerable country, especially since small-scale and artisanal fisherfolks are heavily impacted by strong typhoons and the increasing sea temperatures exacerbated by climate change,” he added. The FSA, which was adopted in 2022, aims to promote marine protection by prohibiting subsidies that allow illegal and unregulated fishing. “The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) on 17 June 2022, marks a major step forward for ocean sustainability by prohibiting harmful fisheries subsidies, which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world’s fish stocks,” WTO had said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Adrian Parungao

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:56:02 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911592/ph-okays-wtos-accord-on-subsidies-to-help-disaster-hit-fisherfolks

Inquirer

Marcos revamps flagship infra list

Arsenio Balisacan Arsenio Balisacan MANILA, Philippines  -The Marcos administration added 23 new items to its list of infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) while removing 36 projects following a “rationalization” meant to ensure faster implementation of priority undertakings. The update brought the total number of IFPs to 185 from 198 previously, with a new total value of P9.14 trillion, according to a statement released on Tuesday following a meeting of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) board, which is chaired by President Marcos. But Neda clarified that certain projects deleted from the list “will still proceed as planned” as they were already part of the regular government programs. “By rationalizing the list, we ensure the implementation of as many important infrastructure projects of high significance as possible,” Neda Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. The Marcos administration is hoping to supercharge infrastructure spending to 5 to 6 percent of gross domestic product. Past administrations had tried to bridge the Philippines’ wide infrastructure gap in a bid to attract more investments, especially in the countryside. READ: Marcos bares 23 newly-approved infra flagship projects Based on the old list of IFPs, 74 projects were ongoing as of fourth quarter of 2023, while 10 were awaiting government approval. Meanwhile, 30 had been approved for implementation and 83 were undergoing either project or pre-project preparation. Among the 74 ongoing projects, 19 are scheduled to be completed this year. Apart from revising the list of IFPs, the Neda board on Tuesday also approved changes in the scope of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project, which increased the needed financing to P70.8 billion after the pandemic hampered the project’s implementation. READ: Marcos launches P46.8-billion road project in Davao City The board likewise confirmed the Integrated Water Resources Master Plan that will serve as the comprehensive national policy for managing water resources in the country. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “We will closely monitor our infrastructure flagship projects to ensure they are completed and delivered on time,” Balisacan said. INQ Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:08:00 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447634/marcos-revamps-flagship-infra-list

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Filinvest Land net income up 30% to P3.8B in 2023

MANILA, Philippines  —Gotianun-led Filinvest Land experienced a banner year in 2023 as net income jumped 30 percent to P3.77 billion on the back of “solid” contributions of its residential and mall leasing segments. Total revenues and other income also hit P22.55 billion last year, a gain of 13 percent, a stock exchange filing on Wednesday showed. “We are very pleased to report Filinvest Land’s financial results in 2023 which were driven by the consistent and robust performance of our residential business segment,” Tristan Las Marias, president and CEO of Filinvest Land, said in the filing. “This was driven by increasing sales to our overseas Filipino workers, alongside the strategic expansion and regionalization of our sales network,” he added. READ: OFWs seen keeping local property market hot despite steep loan rates During the past year, the residential segment saw a 13-percent increase in revenue to about P14.5 billion, attributed to rapid construction progress of its housing and medium-rise condominium projects. For malls, revenues expanded by 32 percent to P2.2 billion, driven by greater mall occupancy, a rise in shopper footfall, and stable rental rates, particularly in its key shopping centers like Festival Mall in Alabang and IL Corso in Cebu. READ: Filinvest Land raises P11.4B from bond sale The office segment experienced a modest 2 percent revenue growth to P4.7 billion. This was due to higher occupancy rates and strategic partnerships, like the joint venture with KMC Community, Inc., boosting the company’s presence in the co-working space market. “We are also excited about the strong performance of our leasing businesses, including malls, offices, industrial spaces, co-living, and co-working spaces,” Las Marias said. “We anticipate further expansion opportunities for [Filinvest Land] in the coming year,” he added. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Miguel R. Camus

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:22:48 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447793/filinvest-land-net-income-up-30-to-p3-8b-in-2023

Inquirer

Only 627 of 4,000 fishers compensated for Mindoro oil spill

BACK TO FISHING Fishermen in Barangay Lazareto in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, take theirboat to shore after another day of fishing on Tuesday, now that the almost six-month fishingban is over. They, however, could not forget how the oil spill from the Princess Empress gavethem sleepless nights after it disrupted their livelihood. Photo at right, taken in March last year,shows Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel collecting water samples from the site wherethe tanker sank off Naujan town. —MADONNA T. VIROLA/PCG PHOTO BACK TO FISHING Fishermen in Barangay Lazareto in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, take theirboat to shore after another day of fishing on Tuesday, now that the almost six-month fishingban is over. They, however, could not forget how the oil spill from the Princess Empress gavethem sleepless nights after it disrupted their livelihood. Photo at right, taken in March last year,shows Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel collecting water samples from the site wherethe tanker sank off Naujan town. —MADONNA T. VIROLA/PCG PHOTO CITY OF CALAPAN—Local fisherman Aldrin Villanueva, 54, of Pola town in Oriental Mindoro province, expressed frustration at the delayed restitution for coastal villages that bore the brunt of the massive oil spill from MT Princess Empress in 2023. It has been a year since the fuel tanker sank in the waters off neighboring Naujan town. Yet, Villanueva and other Pola fisherfolk who rely on the sea for their livelihood still await total and proper compensation. The town of Pola was considered “ground zero” of the oil spill, which has caused P41.2 billion in environmental and economic losses, according to a Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) report. Interviewed by phone on Tuesday, Villanueva, president of the Pola Municipal Fisheries Aquatic Resources Management Council and head of fisherfolk group Lapian ng Mangingisda sa Batuhan, said several affected fishers told him they had not received full payment, including aid from the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Funds. The IOPC Funds, financed by contributions paid by entities that receive certain types of oil by sea transport, “provide compensation for oil pollution damage resulting from spills of persistent oil from tankers,” according to its website. Of more than 4,000 claimants from Pola, only 627 received initial payment on Feb. 15 and Feb. 16, according to Villanueva, a resident of Batuan village. The fisherman said he received only P14,000 of the P54,000 in compensation to which he was entitled. The total amount was supposed to represent lost income “when fishing for two months during peak season” before the oil spill resulting in a five-month fishing ban. Princess Empress, departing from Bataan en route to Iloilo with 20 crew members on board, began sinking on Feb. 28 last year because of an overheated motor tanker and rough sea conditions. Remove sunken tanker By March 1, the tanker had been submerged off Naujan town. In 10 days, the slick had spread to Antique and Palawan provinces. Aside from the yet-to-be-received compensation, the fisherfolk are worried about further ecological damage due to the underwater tanker, threatening the Verde Island Passage (VIP). The VIP, known as the “center of global shorefish biodiversity,” spans 1.14 million hectares and is home to 60 percent of all known shorefish species, over 300 coral species, and thriving reef formations along the coastlines of Batangas, Romblon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro provinces. Villanueva said the fishers were concerned that the sunken vessel might release the remaining oil, believed to still be inside it, over time. Holes in the main body or hull of the vessel had been sealed to keep the remainder of the 900,000 liters of industrial fuel from spilling out. There is a long-standing appeal among Pola officials and residents to have the sunken tanker removed, Villanueva said. ‘Felt for generations’ A commemoration program will be conducted in Pola today, the anniversary of the disaster, to remind the public of the first marine environmental crisis under the Marcos administration. The CEED report, released on Feb. 26, estimated that the oil spill caused P40.1 billion in environmental damage and P1.1 billion in socioeconomic losses. On Tuesday, the Protect Verde Island Passage group called on San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to compensate all those affected by the oil spill. The tanker owned by RDC Reield Marine Services had been chartered to carry industrial oil by SMC subsidiary SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corp. READ: Group estimates 2023 Mindoro oil spill damage at P41.2B “The effects of the oil spill will be felt for generations. It will take a long time for the environment to recover truly and for fishermen to get back the income, equipment, and ways of life they lost due to the oil spill,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convener of Protect VIP. In a legal opinion dated Feb. 15, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was mandated to facilitate the preparation of claims for compensation for the damage due to the oil spill. Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez cited Republic Act No. 9483 or the Oil Pollution Compensation Act of 2007, which laid down the role of the PCG in filing compensation claims. “It is understood that if the shipowner’s insurer is willing to pay the claims, no such action in court need be filed, as the claims can be directly filed with the insurer,” Vasquez said. Last week, the DOJ recommended filing falsification charges against the owners and corporate officers of RDC, two crew members of Princess Empress, a member of the Maritime Industry Authority and a private individual. No charges for the environmental damage have yet been filed. A year after the oil spill, fishing activities are back to normal in Oriental Mindoro. But the “catch has dwindled to about five to seven kilos from about 20 kilos caught using nets,” said Villanueva. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. This meager catch is still to be “distributed among two to three fishers in a small boat,” he said. —WITH REPORTS FROM JANE BAUTISTA AND INQUIRER RESEARCH INQ News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Madonna T. Virola

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:40:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911095/only-627-of-4000-fishers-compensated-for-oil-spill

Inquirer

ACEN, too, wants to recover losses from Meralco

MANILA, Philippines  -Ayala-led ACEN Corp. wants to recover more than P2.5 billion in losses related to power supply deals with distribution giant Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), incurred due to a surge in global coal prices back in 2022. This developed two years after two power generation subsidiaries of San Miguel Corp. filed for rate increases for their own supply contracts with Meralco. ACEN’s concern refers to two power supply agreements (PSAs) with Meralco that the supplier won in 2019. The PSAs provided that ACEN was to provide Meralco electricity sourced from the 246-megawatt (MW) South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp. (SLTEC) coal power plant in Batangas province. In its “change in circumstance” notice sent to Meralco last Feb. 1, ACEN reported at least P2.23 billion in additional costs under its PSA with Meralco, and another P329.65 million under a separate PSA. Of ACEN’s total claim, the company said that P1.85 billion accounted for purchases from third-party generators and from the spot market as replacement supply. READ: ACEN eyes P20-B loan for renewable energy expansion plans The remaining P706.24 million was used to shoulder additional costs for the SLTEC plant. Jose Ronald Valles, head of regulatory management at Meralco, told reporters on Monday that ACEN was only entitled to recover the P706.24 million it spent to draw power from SLTEC. Valles said recovering the amount would mean a rate increase of around 4 centavos per kilowatt-hour in the monthly bills of Meralco customers for six months. He added that if ACEN disagreed, then the Ayala unit would have the option to end the PSAs. INQ Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Meg J. Adonis

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:03:00 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447633/acen-too-wants-to-recover-losses-from-meralco

Inquirer

Bulalacao, Or. Mindoro under state of calamity due to El Niño

Farmlands in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro are drying up due to a prolonged dry spell triggered by the El Niño phenomenon as seen on this photo from the Bulalacao local government posted on Facebook on February 28, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — The municipality of Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro was placed under s state of calamity due to the effects of the El Niño climate phenomenon, the municipal government said on Wednesday. Farmlands in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro are drying up due to a prolonged dry spell triggered by the El Niño phenomenon as seen on this photo from the Bulalacao local government posted on Facebook on February 28, 2024. An El Niño report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued at 8 a.m. on Wednesday identified the town of Bulalacao as the first municipality this year which declared a state of calamity due to the climate phenomenon. According to the Bulalacao Public Information Office, the local government unit (LGU) declared a state of calamity on Feb. 26 due to a prolonged drought which severely affected farmers. In a post on Facebook, the  LGU said that so far, the dry spell has affected around 1,148 onion and rice farmers tilling some 1,059 hectares of farmland. “Due to the lack of water supply, the quality and quantity of rice, onions, and other staple crops were affected,” the post read. It added that the local government is already in talks with the Department of Agriculture regarding the aid that they will provide to the town’s farmers. In the same report, the NDRRMC further said that so far, the dry spell has resulted in agricultural losses of up to P865,161,689 across the Ilocos, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula regions. Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said in its latest El Niño advisory on Feb. 6 that a strong El Niño is ongoing and is expected to continue throughout this month. It will, however, transition to El Niño Southern Oscillation(Enso)-neutral conditions in April to June this year. Enso-neutral refers to meteorological conditions that are neither El Niño nor La Niña. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Zeus Legaspi

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:20:17 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911402/fwd-mindoro-town-state-of-calamity-el-nino

Inquirer

Hontiveros: Quiboloy can’t skip Senate inquiry

Senator Risa Hontiveros answers queries from members of the media during the Kapihan sa Senado forum at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net Senator Risa Hontiveros answers queries from members of the media during the Kapihan sa Senado forum at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday put her foot down as she insisted that televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, the founder and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect, should attend the Senate inquiry into allegations that he raped some of his former followers. “In the past, Cabinet officials, lawmakers, an incumbent Senate president and even a former president have submitted to Senate subpoenas and appeared as witnesses,” Hontiveros said in a statement. “His constitutional rights, like all witnesses, [will be] respected. But he is not higher than the president, the Senate and the law,” she stressed. Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, issued the statement after Quiboloy again challenged the panel’s authority to investigate him. READ: Quiboloy: Not attending ‘bogus hearing’ He has also disregarded previous invitations to attend the inquiry, prompting the Senate to subpoena him for the next hearing on March 5. “The Senate is open to hear your side. We are waiting for you,” Hontiveros said. —MARLON RAMOS Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:45:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911108/hontiveros-quiboloy-cant-skip-senate-inquiry

Inquirer

Why Ebitda is not a good measure of profitability

Since the 1990s, the use of Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) as a measure of profitability has gained popularity, being regarded by analysts and investors alike as a simple and straightforward metric for evaluating the operating profitability of a company. The purpose of Ebitda is to offer a clearer view of the ability of a company to generate cash from its primary business activities. While Ebitda highlights the core earnings, failure to account for these expenses results in an incomplete depiction of true cost structure and profitability. This limitation could potentially lead to misguided investment decisions. For instance, interest expenses represent the cost of borrowed capital, and excluding them can distort the actual profitability, especially for highly leveraged companies. Similarly, depreciation and amortization expenses reflect the gradual wear and tear of tangible and intangible assets, respectively. Failing to consider them can result in an inflated sense of profitability. Take the case of Philweb. In its financial report for the first nine months of 2023, its Ebitda was P50.9 million, representing 8 percent of its total revenues. However, upon deducting its depreciation, interest, and income taxes, the bottom line results in a net loss of P13.6 million. Ebitda is also often mistaken as a measure of cash flow because it ignores the cash flows associated with changes in working capital, which are important for assessing a company’s liquidity and long-term sustainability. Changes in working capital, such as inventory levels, accounts receivable and accounts payable, impact a company’s cash flow and its ability to meet short-term obligations. By neglecting these factors, Ebitda fails to capture the cash flow dynamics that underpin financial stability. For example, if we examine the financial report of Cebu Landmasters as of September 2023, its Ebitda stood at P4.7 billion, accounting for 36.5 percent of its total revenues. However, when we factor in the changes in its working capital, we find its operating cash flows for the period declining to negative P808 million. READ: Using Ebitda multiple to buy stocks Moreover, Ebitda is often used to see how easily a company can pay the interest of its outstanding debt in the form of Ebitda-to-interest coverage ratio. In reality, when a company has significant capital expenditures, it means that it needs to allocate a substantial amount of its cash flow toward these investments. This allocation of cash reduces the available funds that the company can use for other purposes, such as debt service, which involves making interest payments on outstanding debt. Even if the Ebitda-to-interest expense multiple of a company appears favorable, indicating that it generates enough earnings to cover its interest costs, neglecting the impact of capital expenditures can be misleading. The company may have limited cash available for debt service after accounting for the necessary investments in its operations. Investors rely on financial metrics like Ebitda to assess the attractiveness of a company for investment. When Ebitda fails to account for depreciation and interest expenses, investors may get the wrong impression that the company is more profitable than it actually is. For example, PLDT has an enterprise value (EV) to Ebitda multiple of 5.1 times, which is lower than the market average of 7.9 times, indicating that it is relatively underpriced. But when we factor in the interest expenses and depreciation, PLDT appears overpriced compared with the market, with a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 25.9 times, nearly double the market average of 13 times. Capital-intensive companies often require substantial investments in infrastructure, equipment and technology to maintain operations and propel growth. READ: Why investors should not use P/E ratio as a valuation tool By ignoring depreciation, Ebitda fails to account for the ongoing capital requirements necessary to replace aging assets. As a result, investors may underestimate the future capital needs of the company, leading to underinvestment and potential operational challenges down the line. Despite its flaws, Ebitda is still widely used and accepted in financial analysis because it’s easy to understand and calculate. It may seem like a simple and helpful metric for assessing performance, but it has significant limitations that make it unreliable. It is therefore important to be cautious and not rely solely on Ebitda when evaluating a company. Investors and analysts should approach Ebitda with skepticism and consider other important factors like debt levels, tax exposures and asset depreciation to get a better understanding of the financial situation of a company. By understanding the limitations of Ebitda and considering a broader range of financial factors, investors can make more informed judgments and avoid being deceived by its apparent simplicity. INQ Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Henry Ong is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. Stock data and tools were provided by First Metro Securities. To learn more about investment planning, attend the 106th RFP program this March 2024. To register, email [email protected] or text 0917-6248110. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Henry Ong

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:01:00 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447632/why-ebitda-is-not-a-good-measure-of-profitability

Inquirer

PBA: Rey Nambatac makes Blackwater debut, leads win over Meralco

Rey Nambatac makes his debut for Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Philippine Cup.–PBA IMAGES Rey Nambatac makes his debut for Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Philippine Cup.–PBA IMAGES ANTIPOLO CITY—Rey Nambatac put up a splendid debut for his new team as Blackwater escaped with a 96-93 victory over Meralco to tip off the PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at Ynares Center here. Nambatac shook off early struggles to finish with 27 points and a career-high 10 assists as the Bossing got the All-Filipino tournament off to a good start, with hopes of avoiding what transpired in the previous conference. Coach Jeffrey Cariaso won his maiden game for Blackwater in the Commissioner’s Cup, only to lose 10 straight to suffer an early exit. But with new players like Nambatac, who two weeks ago was traded from Rain or Shine, Blackwater will look to turn a different page this time. James Yap also suited up for the first time in a Blackwater uniform, coming off the bench to score five points in almost 13 minutes. But Nambatac and Yap’s first appearance with the Bossing was almost spoiled when the Bolts trimmed an 86-69 lead behind Allein Maliksi’s hot shooting. Maliksi’s last triple put Meralco behind 94-93 with less than a minute to go. The Bolts on the next play, however, fouled Nambatac, who hit both charities to make it a three-point game before Maliksi missed a chance to tie it with a three. READ: PBA: Jeff Cariaso gushes about Rey Nambatac’s addition The last attempt turned out to be only miss from downtown for Maliksi, who ended up with 27 points. Chris Newsome, fresh from representing Gilas Pilipinas in the two games of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers window, had 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals for the Bolts. Blackwater pulled ahead in the third as Nambatac was finally hitting his shots, particularly from beyond the arc. The Bossing drained five threes in that period to hike a 43-41 halftime lead to double figures. BLACKWATER 96—Nambatac 27, Rosario 15, Suerte 11, Hill 10, DiGregorio 9, David 7, Escoto 6, Guinto 5, Yap 5, Jopia 1, Ilagan 0, Kwekuteye 0, Sena 0. MERALCO 93—Maliksi 27, Newsome 16, Jose 10, Mendoza 10, Black 10, Hodge 6, Banchero 5, Quinto 3, Bates 3, Torres 3, Caram 0, Pasaol 0, Pascual 0. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Quarters: 18-26, 43-41, 72-62, 96-93. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jonas Terrado

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 19:50:06 PST

https://sports.inquirer.net/554888/pba-rey-nambatac-makes-blackwater-debut-leads-win-over-meralco

Inquirer

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is Senate’s top absentee

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB) Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB) Senate records show that Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who once skewered President Marcos for his absence in the second vice presidential debate during the 2016 election campaign, is the chamber’s top absentee. According to records from the Senate Legislative Journal Service, Cayetano, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, attended only 36 of the upper chamber’s 54 regular plenary sessions from July 24, 2023, to Feb. 21 this year. On the days he was present, he came in late 16 times to their thrice-a-week proceedings, which usually start at 3 p.m. He was also absent four times as he was on an official trip abroad on those occasions. READ: 12 senators maintain ‘perfect attendance’ from July 2023 In 2017, Cayetano had the most number of absences in the Senate, having only attended 31 session days from July 25, 2016, to May 31, 2017. He was also on official trips for more than half of the time. When he did show up at the Senate, he arrived late or after the roll call over 10 times. Former lawmaker and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao had also been cited as a leading absentee both in the House of Representatives as Sarangani representative and in the Senate. Cayetano’s sister and colleague, Sen. Pia Cayetano, also turned up late 16 times in the Monday to Wednesday sessions. But she was absent only once during the second regular session of the 19th Congress. The Inquirer sought the Cayetano siblings for comment, but both had yet to respond at press time. Sen. Nancy Binay, chair of the Senate ethics committee, placed second to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano with six absences, while Senators Francis Escudero and Juan Edgardo Angara both missed the plenary sessions five times. Angara had to skip the session days thrice as the head of the Senate panel to the bicameral conference committee on the 2024 national budget. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri had perfect attendance, while two of his deputies, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and nine other colleagues were also present in all 54 session days. “In my long years as a public servant, I have learned this one important thing: True leadership starts by showing up for the important work for the people. And here in the Senate, we take that to heart,” Zubiri said in a statement. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who also had perfect attendance, said, “Our presence during plenary sessions is essential when expressing views, raising concerns and proposing amendments to bills and measures.” Also having perfect attendance were Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Sherwin Gatchalian, Christopher “Bong” Go, Risa Hontiveros, Robinhood Padilla, Ramon Revilla Jr., Raffy Tulfo and Cynthia Villar. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Rounding up the attendance list were Senators JV Ejercito (52), Imee Marcos (52), Mark Villar (52), Lito Lapid (51), Grace Poe (51), Aquilino Pimentel III (51) and Francis Tolentino (47), who skipped six session days because of official functions abroad. —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH INQ News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Marlon Ramos

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:30:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911094/sen-alan-peter-cayetanois-senates-top-absentee

Inquirer

Salceda questions Singapore’s exclusivity of Taylor Swift’s concert

MANILA, Philippines — Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ask the Singaporean ambassador to the Philippines about claims of exclusivity in hosting the only Taylor Swift concert in Southeast Asia. Salceda requested this to the DFA on Wednesday amid rumors that the grant given by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to company AEG Presents, the producer of Swift’s concert, included a provision that prevents AEG from staging concerts in other Southeast Asian countries. Such a practice, Salceda said, is not “what good neighbors do.” “Some 3 million USD in grants were allegedly given by the Singapore government to AEG to host the concert in Singapore. The catch was that they do not host it elsewhere in the region,” Salceda, who chairs the House committee on ways and means which discusses tax policy proposals, said in a statement. “I give it to them that the policy worked. Regional demand for Singaporean hotels and airlines was up 30 percent over the period. I estimate that the exclusivity term caused an increase in industry revenues by USD 60 million. So, the grant produced 30 times more in economic activity,” he added. According to Salceda, the allegation was made public by Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who said that the Singaporean government’s grant was offered on the condition that there be no other stops in Taylor Swift’s Southeast Asian leg. READ: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour allegedly omits PH, other regions after closing exclusive deal with SG Filipino fans were disappointed upon hearing the news that Taylor Swift would not be holding a concert in the country, leading “Swifties” to fly off to other locations like Japan and Singapore just to see the artist live. READ: Filipinos laugh-cry to news of Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ Asian leg skipping the Philippines “But it was at the expense of neighboring countries, which could not attract their own foreign concertgoers, and whose fans had to go to Singapore. I doubt the exclusivity terms were on the grant contract itself,” Salceda said. “But I don’t think we should just let things like this pass. We should still officially register our opposition. It also runs contrary to the principle of consensus-based relations and solidarity on which the ASEAN was founded,” he added. READ: Singapore lures Taylor Swift with grant for sold-out March concerts Such a policy by Singapore should be enough reason for DFA to send a note verbale to the Singaporean envoy according to Salceda. Salceda, an economist by profession, however, admitted that the Philippines really needs to improve its approach and step up its game so that it can attract revenue-generating events. “So, I think the DFA should send a note verbale to our counterparts in Singapore. Our countries are good friends. That’s why actions like that hurt I think it’s also one example of the evolving nature of trade in services that we need to discuss with our neighbors, perhaps as enhancements to the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement,” he said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “In the long run though, we need to up our game. That is what agencies like the Tourism Promotions Board were made for,” he added. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:47:56 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911549/salceda-questions-singapores-exclusivity-on-taylor-swifts-concert

Inquirer

Most Filipinos see no change economy in 2024 – SWS survey

P INQUIRER file photo/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ INQUIRER file photo/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ MANILA, Philippines — A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that majority of adult Filipinos think that the Philippine economy will stay the same in the next 12 months. The survey was conducted from Dec. 8 to 11, 2023. According to the SWS survey, 44 percent said that the economy will stay the same, while 40 percent of respondents, termed “economic optimists”,  10 percent, or the so-called “economic pessimists” said that it will worsen,while five percent did not give an answer. The current Net Economic Optimism Score is +30, which is classified as “very high,” but is five points below the September 2023 Net Economic Optimism Score, the SWS said. It added that Net Economic Optimism Score rose in Metro Manila, where it was highest at +36, and in Visayas at +25. In contrast, the Net Economic Optimism Score fell in Mindanao at +32, and in Balance Luzon, or outside Metro Manila, at +30. The SWS likewise reported that Net Economic Optimism was highest for those who graduated tertiary studies and beyond, followed by those who had or finished secondary education, those who had or finished elementary education, and finally, lowest for those who did not have formal education. It said that Net Economic Optimism was higher for adults who belong to families who did not consider themselves to be poor, followed by those whose families considered themselves poor, and lastly, those whose families considered themselves to be borderline poor. The SWS said that 1,200 adults were surveyed for the study, while error margins were marked at ±2.8 percent for national percentages, and ±5.7 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Adrian Parungao

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 20:23:31 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911676/sws-on-economic-optimism

Inquirer

BIZ BUZZ: Davao grabs Head balls

The biggest tennis ball production hub in the world will soon rise at Anflo Industrial Estates in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. In three months, Austrian-American sports equipment and apparel manufacturer Head Sports, which controls 40 percent of the global tennis ball market, will complete its factory. Through Head Sport Philippines Inc., a Philippine Economic Zone Authority-registered company, the group had acquired with local partners 50,679 square meters of land to build on its new hub, where it will consolidate operations. “What’s interesting is that right now, their main facility is in China. Once this is operational, they will slowly phase in everything here,” said Ricardo “Cary” Florendo Lagdameo, president of Damosa Land, developer of the industrial park. With this big-ticket investment, Head will become the single biggest locator at Anflo Industrial Estates, the first fully operational industrial park in Davao. While Head has pretty much maximized the area that it purchased, Lagdameo said it was already looking at the adjacent property for future expansion. Head had long wanted to set up a production hub specifically in Mindanao, because of the proximity of rubber suppliers. Damosa Land, which started talking with the foreign firm in 2018, likewise had the advantage of having Davao International Container Terminal close by. When it came to the toss-up between Cagayan de Oro and Davao del Norte, the latter prevailed. Once operational, Head Sports factory will create new jobs for about 800 people in Davao. Lagdameo added that the popularity of padel, another type of racket sport that uses similar balls, has also contributed to the surge in the global business of Head Sports. —Doris Dumlao-Abadilla When PLDT Inc. and ABS-CBN Corp. decided to abort the P6.75-billion Sky Cable deal, the parties did not specify the reason why, leaving market observers both surprised and clueless. It was a year in the making, after all. Biz Buzz, however, reported that PLDT allegedly wanted to reduce the P6.75-billion offer to Sky Cable purchase and include new conditions to the transaction. All signs point to parties not agreeing to any changes even after the Philippine Competition Commission gave its go-ahead. The telco giant finally made an official statement on Tuesday in response to the report about the cancelled multi-billion peso deal but was still mum on the specifics. PLDT said they did not proceed “due to the non-fulfillment of certain closing conditions, which compelled parties to revisit the commercial terms of the proposed transaction.” It must be noted that the company did not directly confirm nor deny the details in the Biz Buzz report. “We trust that the foregoing explanation clarifies matters,” PLDT added. But did it? The parties have yet to disclose these “certain closing conditions” to really inform the market what went down. Now, the question is: Will the parties eventually explain everything moving forward? Let’s see! — Tyrone Jasper C. Piad Asialink Finance Corp., a leading local lender to small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), has reason to bring out the champagne after getting a P4-billion investment from Malaysian private equity firm Creador. This investment gives Creador an 18-percent stake in the lending firm, which will in turn use the funds to expand its lending capacity and support the growth of SMEs. Aside from funding its lending expansion, Asialink said in a statement that Creador will help improve the lender’s operational efficiency, and offer its expertise in business innovation and automation. “With Creador, Asialink is primed for further growth to help the largely unbanked part of the business community. This partnership is envisioned to strengthen the SMEs and make them a major contributor to economic growth just like in other developed economies”, said Robert Jordan Jr., CEO of Asialink. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Paulton & Company acted as Asialink’s financial advisor for this transaction. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao INQ Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:05:00 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447631/biz-buzz-davao-grabs-head-balls

Inquirer

4 die, 8 injured in Cebu City fire

Cebu. INQUIRER FILES Cebu. INQUIRER FILES CEBU CITY — A couple and their two teenage sons died while eight others were injured when a fire engulfed a residential area in Sitio Lucia, Barangay Tinago here past 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Fire investigators believed that Parulito and Rosita Otadoy, 60 and 54 respectively; along with their sons Joseph, 14; and Jeffrey, 12; were in deep sleep when the fire broke out. Based on the data of Cebu City Fire Office (CCFO), at least 13 houses were destroyed while three were damaged in the fire. READ: Elderly woman dead in Rizal town blaze Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire that lasted for three hours. Damage was pegged at P7 million. Thirty families, composed of 90 individuals, were affected by the fire and are currently housed in the Tinago gym. SFO2 Wemdell Villanueva, spokesperson of CCFO, said that it is possible that the Otadoy couple and their children were sleeping and did not notice. “Perhaps, when they woke up, the fire was already too big and they could no longer escape,” he said. Monaliza Otadoy, daughter of the Otadoy couple, survived the fire. She said her parents and younger siblings were sleeping on the third floor of their house while she and other members of the family were sleeping on the lower floors. When she noticed the fire, Monaliza said she immediately rescued those near her. She said she later noticed that her parents and other two siblings were not able to get out of their house. The other members of the Otadoy family who were injured were Sean Roby, Rose Ann, Jemar, Emarie, Keira Marie, Neil John, Christopher, and Dylan. READ: BFP: Fire hits Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City It has yet to be established how many children the Otadoy couple have and their relationship with those who were injured. Villanueva said around 57 fire trucks responded to the fire in Tinago. The firefighters received the fire alarm at 1:43 a.m. and were put out at 5 a.m. Villanueva admitted they had many challenges during the operation. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “The place was a residential area and the way towards the incident was too narrow. Also, many houses were made of light materials. Those were among the obstacles encountered,” he said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Nestle Semilla

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:19:25 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911299/4-die-8-injured-in-cebu-city-fire

Inquirer

13 senators sign panel report endorsing medical marijuana bill

Senate Bill No 2573 states that the use of cannabis for medical purposes will  be permitted “to treat or alleviate a qualified patient’s debilitating medical condition or symptoms.” (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO) Senate Bill No 2573 states that the use of cannabis for medical purposes will  be permitted “to treat or alleviate a qualified patient’s debilitating medical condition or symptoms.” (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO) Updated on February 28, 2024, at 3:26 p.m. MANILA, Philippines — A bill that seeks to legalize the medical use of cannabis or marijuana has reached the Senate floor. Senate Bill No. 2573 was contained in Committee Report No. 210 signed by 13 senators. The report, which was calendared for ordinary business on Tuesday, was jointly prepared and submitted by Senate committees on health and demography, public order and dangerous drugs, and finance. Those who signed the panel report are Padilla, Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Lito Lapid, Raffy Tulfo, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Grace Poe, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva. Go, Villar, and Revilla, though, signed with reservations while Estrada, Pimentel, and Villanueva indicated that they would interpellate or make proper amendments when the bill is reported on the Senate floor. “The state shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Pursuant thereto, the state shall legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis, which has been confirmed to have beneficial 9and therapeutic uses for known debilitating medical conditions,” the bill reads. Under the proposal, the use of cannabis for medical purposes will  be permitted “to treat or alleviate a qualified patient’s debilitating medical condition or symptoms.” “The medicalization of cannabis includes its acquisition, possession, transportation, delivery, dispensing, administration, cultivation, or manufacturing by private individuals or entities only for medical and research purposes,” the bill said. A Philippine Medical Cannabis Authority or PMCA will be created under the Department of Health (DOH), which shall be the principal regulatory agency in the access and use of medical cannabis and the implementation of the measure. Upon the recommendation of the DOH Secretary, the President will appoint a director to lead the PMCA as proposed in the measure. Importation of medical cannabis “from countries with stringent regulatory agencies or countries with established medical cannabis regimes or countries already using the same medical cannabis products in the last five years, will be allowed under the bill. It, however, prohibits the importation of medical cannabis products “from countries not using their own products.” Other prohibited acts were also enumerated in the bill. A qualified patient, for instance, is prohibited from doing the following: Meanwhile, any physician is prohibited from doing the following: A counterpart measure was also approved by a joint panel in the House of Representatives early this month. This proposal, however, was met with opposition from medical doctors and various sectors of society. They fear that this would open the “floodgates for the legalization of recreational marijuana.” “We want to educate the public [about the dangers of marijuana]. We want to stop [our lawmakers from their proposed law to legalize medical marijuana]. Our lawmakers have a moral and legal responsibility to safeguard [the well-being of the public],” health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon was earlier quoted as saying. Leachon warned the Philippines might end up like “the Colombia of Southeast Asia,” referring to the Latin American country known for being the world’s top producer of cocaine. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “We will be the ones exporting these (marijuana). It will lead to the tainting of the good image of our country,”  he said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Maila Ager

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 10:09:01 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911219/12-senators-sign-panel-report-endorsing-medical-marijuana-bill

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Iloilo City school to cease operations after 52 years

Iloilo. INQUIRER FILES Iloilo. INQUIRER FILES ILOILO CITY — One of the city’s oldest basic education schools will be closing down by the end of the current academic year due to financial losses and a continued drop in enrollment. In a letter to stakeholders, parents, teachers, learners, and alumni dated Feb. 15, Maria Lourdes Josefina Garcia, owner of St. Joseph School Iloilo, announced the institution’s permanent closure by the end of school year 2023-2024. Garcia cited “insurmountable financial losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent continuing decrease in enrollments as the reasons” behind the decision to cease operations. READ: 2 private schools in Bacolod permanently cease operations The 52-year-old private school is located along Diversion Road in Barangay San Rafael Mandurriao district. Garcia and her husband Roberto started the St. Joseph Kinder School in 1972. It had 40 students, three teachers, and one office staff member. The school eventually expanded as it opened its elementary education in 1986 and high school in 2002. It was envisioned as a non-profit institution and “a center for holistic learning” by Garcia. READ: In Western Visayas, 76 schools stop operations Garcia said that her three children had reservations of having to continue the school’s operation in the future. But as an educator, she went on to run the school. The St. Joseph School Iloilo was known for its students who had been representing the country in international academic competitions. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Last year, one of its students, Gihun Yoo, won Bronze in the Heat Round of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad 2023. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Joey Marzan

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:58:02 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911314/iloilo-city-school-to-cease-operations-after-52-years

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Augustinians support Cebu on return of historic church pulpit panels

FROM OLD PULPIT The National Museum of the Philippines received a series of early 19th-century panels depicting the founder of the Augustinian Order as a gift from private collectors on Feb. 13. The panels came from the pulpit of the Patrocinio de Maria Santisima Parish Church in Boljoon, Cebu. Leaders of the Archdiocese of Cebu and the provincial government, however, are asking the National Museum to return the panels, said to be stolen and lost for four decades, to the church.—NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES FROM OLD PULPIT The National Museum of the Philippines received a series of early 19th-century panels depicting the founder of the Augustinian Order as a gift from private collectors on Feb. 13. The panels came from the pulpit of the Patrocinio de Maria Santisima Parish Church in Boljoon, Cebu. Leaders of the Archdiocese of Cebu and the provincial government, however, are asking the National Museum to return the panels, said to be stolen and lost for four decades, to the church.—NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES MANILA, Philippines — The Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu has expressed solidarity with the Archdiocese of Cebu in its request to the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) to return the four pulpit panels in the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santissima in Boljoon, Cebu. In its statement on Monday, the religious group said that the objects are of “Catholic Cebuano heritage” and “Augustinian legacy.” READ: National Museum open to share donated historical pulpit panels with Cebu “The friars of the Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu-Philippines, in oneness with the Archdiocese of Cebu, are immensely thankful that the missing pulpit panels have resurfaced and definitively ascertained their provenance. These valuable objects are considered important artifacts of Catholic Cebuano heritage but bespeak as well of Augustinian legacy,” the statement said. “In consideration of the foregoing, we express our full support to the Archdiocese of Cebu on its declaration of ownership of the four pulpit panels and the demand for their immediate return to the rightful owner and sanctuary, the Boljoon Parish Church and Shrine,” it added. On Feb. 13, the NMP received the four panels depicting Saint Augustine from private collectors. READ: Archdiocese of Cebu calls on National Museum to return pulpit panels This was followed by separate petitions from Cebu Archbishop Most Rev. Jose Palma and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to return the panels on account that they are treasures of the city, and that they are still sacred in nature. The NMP also said that it is open to dialogue on the sharing of the panels. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Adrian Parungao

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:41:31 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911705/augustinians-support-cebu-on-return-of-historic-church-pulpit-panels

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Sandiganbayan clears 2 NGO execs in P5-M pork barrel scam case

INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA The Sandiganbayan acquitted on Tuesday the officials of a nongovernment organization who were accused of misappropriating P5 million of former Malabon-Navotas Rep. Alvin Sandoval’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for a nonexistent project in 2008. In a 108-page decision, the antigraft court’s Fourth Division cleared Pangkabuhayan Foundation, Inc. (PFI) president Petronila Balmaceda and PFI secretary Fernando Balmaceda of graft and malversation of public funds charges, saying that prosecutors failed to present evidence to prove them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The court, however, found the pair civilly liable for the “improper implementation” of a ghost livelihood project and ordered them to pay back “jointly and severally” with their coaccused the losses incurred by the government due to the irregular release of public funds totaling P4.5 million. READ: Court denies Napoles’ plea to reverse conviction over pork barrel scam The figure is equivalent to the PDAF allocation, excluding the 10 percent in management and service fees charged by the defunct Technology Resource Center (TRC), the supposed implementing agency of the nonexistent project. In a 2015 resolution, the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause that Sandoval’s PDAF was unlawfully channeled to bogus foundations, including PFI, using the TRC as an implementing agency. This was based on the Ombudsman’s findings that the projects supposedly funded by the lawmaker’s pork barrel fund were nonexistent. In absolving the PFI officers, the Sandiganbayan pointed to the acquittal nearly five years ago of Sandoval and former TRC officials, the PFI executives coaccused in the case. The Malabon-Navotas lawmaker, along with TRC group manager Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, chief accountant Marivic Jover and budget officer Consuelo Espiritu, were cleared of graft and malversation charges in September 2019. “Regardless of the undue injury suffered by the government, particularly the constituents of Sandoval, the acquittal of their co-accused public officers contradicts the guilt of Petronila and Fernando, especially so when there is no proof that they themselves acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence,” the court said. It also noted that proof of conspiracy was not established among the respondents. —KATHLEEN DE VILLA INQ Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:05:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911100/sandiganbayan-clears-2-ngo-execs-in-p5-m-pork-barrel-scam-case

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STI Education Systems to buy PSBA

MANILA, Philippines  —Education and ports tycoon Eusebio Tanco is buying the 61-year old Philippine School of Business Administration, which has local campuses in Manila and Quezon City, in a bid to expand his school network. Tanco-led STI Education Systems Holdings announced on Wednesday that its board had approved the signing and execution of a term sheet to acquire PSBA Manila and PSBA Quezon City. “The term sheet covers the takeover by the company of the operations of PSBA as well as the acquisition of licenses, trademarks, trade names and school-related assets owned by PSBA,” said STI, which is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. READ: PSBA QC campus closes in October “The term sheet and the implementation of the transaction are subject to several conditions including the execution of mutually acceptable definitive agreements, the fulfillment of conditions precedent, the approval of the stockholders of PSBA and regulatory approvals,” it added. Other details, including the purchase price, were not included. Established over six decades ago, PSBA now offers high school, business college courses and advanced management degrees. It also has partnerships with other schools in Indonesia and Pakistan where it provides technical assistance in designing academic programs in business education and in providing administrative advisory services and qualified Filipino professors and instructors, the school’s website showed. READ: Higher enrollments lift STI income by 132% STI is one of the biggest private school chains in the country with enrollees in the current school year reaching almost 120,000 students Net income during the six-month period ending Dec. 31 last year surged 132 percent to P517.8 million, STI said in a previous stock exchange filing. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Miguel R. Camus

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:10:27 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447791/sti-education-systems-to-buy-psba

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Caraga and Davao Region to have scattered rain showers, thunderstorms

MANILA, Philippines — State meteorologists advised residents in Caraga and Davao Region to prepare for possible flash floods and landslides as the two regions are expected to have scattered rain showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday. According to the 4 a.m. advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), these weather conditions in Caraga and Davao Region are due to the trough or extension of a low pressure area (LPA) currently affecting parts of eastern Mindanao. READ: Pagasa: Davao Region, parts of Soccskargen to have scattered rains However, the LPA has not yet entered the Philippine area of responsibility, and no weather disturbance is projected to enter the country until the end of February, the state weather bureau noted. In a flood advisory issued at 6 a.m., Pagasa said that light to moderate rains and thunderstorms may affect watercourses in Davao Oriental, Davao De Oro, and Davao Occidental in the next 12 hours. “Extra caution is advised in these areas, particularly in Caraga and Davao, as the rains may cause flooding and landslides,” Pagasa specialist Obet Badrina said in Filipino during a morning report. The rest of Mindanao, Badrina mentioned, will have isolated rain showers and thunderstorms brought by localized thunderstorms. READ: Pagasa: February tropical cyclone chance low for PH In the same 4 a.m. advisory,  Pagasa reported that the northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, is still affecting Luzon, bringing overcast skies and light rains over Cagayan Valley and Aurora. Also affected by the northeast monsoon is the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Visayas, which may have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains due to the weather system, the advisory continued. No gale warning was raised over the country’s seaboards on Wednesday, but Badrina cautioned that waves as high as 3.1 meters may occur in Luzon, Visayas, and the northern and eastern sections of Mindanao. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Zeus Legaspi

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 07:55:34 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911180/fwd-weather-feb-28

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120,000 garment workers at risk over pay hike

INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE A local group of garment exporters warned on Tuesday that a new wage hike would devastate their industry, with data pointing to over 120,000 jobs getting wiped out in a sector already on a downward spiral due to softening global demand. Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (Conwep) executive director Maritess Jocson-Agoncillo said that as much as two-thirds of the 182,600 currently employed by the industry could end up losing their jobs should a legislated salary increase push through. “Maybe [around] 20 to 30 percent of 160,000 would stay,” Jocson-Agoncillo told reporters. “We are already suffering a bad 2024 projection of losing another 22,000 workers without the legislated minimum wage,” she added. The group employs around 65 percent of the local garments industry’s over 180,000 employees who work in factories that make clothes for international brands. Aside from the job losses this year, Jocson-Agoncillo also presented data showing that their export revenues for apparel, leather goods and footwear were also expected to decline by 11 percent. The export revenues for these goods were pegged at $1.35 billion in 2023, with the business group projecting it to settle at $1.20 billion for 2024. These commodity groups have seen a 34-percent decline in export revenues after the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. The figure hit $1.79 billion in 2019. Conwep has already asked President Marcos to reconsider a wage hike through a letter, where it also explained the reasons behind the decline in export revenues. READ: P350 wage hike to hit biz sector hard–employers “Falling consumer purchasing power and rising price cuts leave retail stores with higher inventory, and buyers migrate their orders to more affordable options such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia due to preferential trade agreements or competitive sourcing costs and faster deliveries,” it said. In the same letter, the group told Mr. Marcos that a major client in the United States had already warned Conwep on Feb. 22 that its orders would be diverted to Indonesia and Cambodia should a new wage increase be implemented. According to Conwep, garment factories in Regions 3, 4A, 4B and 7 would be impacted by this loss. Citing these problems, the group said it suggested, in its letter to Mr. Marcos, to enforce a two-year monthly government inflation subsidy of P1,000 for minimum salary earners instead of another pay increase. “We understand the predicament of the approximately 4.2 million registered minimum wage earners adversely affected by inflation and rotational job loss. The [Department of Labor and Employment’s] Adjustment Measure Program can be mobilized and funded rather than legislating a P100 minimum wage increase or any amount,” Conwep said. It added that a two-year inflation subsidy would allow the industry to recover, saying that it expected global demand for apparel exports to remain soft until March 2026. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “Other countries such as Vietnam, China and Cambodia have implemented support programs similar to those of their apparel export sectors in previous years,” it noted. A second suggestion from the group was for the President to mobilize government agencies to improve the country’s business climate and promote the Philippines as a preferred investment choice. INQ News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Alden M. Monzon

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:00:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911105/120k-garment-workers-at-risk-over-pay-hike

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Bongbong Marcos leaves for Australia for 2-day official visit

FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. INQUIRER.net / Ryan Leagogo FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. INQUIRER.net / Ryan Leagogo MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. left for Canberra, Australia on Wednesday morning. Marcos will address the Australian Parliament during his two-day visit to Australia. He will return to the country on Thursday. “As part of this visit, I will have the opportunity to address the Parliament of Australia and provide greater detail on the commitments that we place in this partnership and our vision for the future of the Philippines,” said Marcos in his departure speech. “I will make sure to acknowledge the ever-growing relations on defense and security with one of our only two Status of Visiting Forces partners, as highlighted last year by the success of Exercise Alon and the Maritime Cooperative Activity,” he said. In 2023, Australia and the Philippines held joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea as part of their commitment to regional peace. South China Sea issue part of Marcos’ agenda in Australia visits – DFA\ “I anticipate an enhancement of the mutual understanding between the Philippines and Australia as we share a common vision not just for our bilateral relations, but for the peace and security of the region as well,” said Marcos. Marcos also said he expected large investment opportunities in Australia. According to the Palace, Marcos will be the first Filipino leader to make such an address to Australian lawmakers. The President will return to Australia next Monday for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Australia Summit. “The President’s visit and official activities in Canberra shall further strengthen existing bonds of cooperation and shall enable discussions for new avenues of collaboration, as both the Philippines and Australia look forward to celebrating the 78th anniversary of diplomatic relations later this year,” Department of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said in a press briefing. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our global news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jean Mangaluz

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:37:26 PST

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/226585/fwd-embargo-marcos-leaves-for-australia

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SM Investments reported P77-B profit haul in 2023

MANILA, Philippines  —The Sy family’s SM Investments Corp., the country’s biggest conglomerate by market value, saw 2023 net income surge 25 percent to P77 billion, with nearly half of the earnings coming from record profits at its banking units. During the past year, total revenues reached P616.3 million, a gain of 11 percent, buoyed by robust growth in both the property sector and its consumer-focused retail and malls portfolio. “A key success driver was the healthy spending patterns of Filipino consumers in both essential and discretionary purchases, particularly in fashion, dining and entertainment,” SM Investments CEO Frederic C. DyBuncio said in a statement on Wednesday. The conglomerate also underscored the 6-percent growth of its emerging investment portfolio, which accounted for nearly 10 percent of earnings last year. These businesses include renewable energy firm Philippine Geothermal Production Co., 2GO Group Inc., Goldilocks Bakeshop and the leisure and casino arm of Belle Corp. “Our portfolio companies continue to present solid potential as we invest in emerging sectors that positively impact the economy,’’ DyBuncio said. Another major earnings driver was the company’s retail segment, which has a nationwide presence of supermarkets and grocery stores. SM Retail Inc. saw net income climb 11 percent to P19.9 billion while revenues increased 10 percent to P415 billion in 2023. READ: SM Group makes major push into grocery delivery services Nearly half of its revenues came from SM Markets, WalterMart and Alfamart while net income at the division increased 21 percent. The SM Store sales also increased 16 percent while specialty retail revenues grew 11 percent amid robust spending on “fashion, health and beauty, pets, toys and other discretionary items”. “This sustained growth is reflective of the spending power of Filipinos. Through our diverse range of brands, we cater to the many needs and wants of our consuming public,” DyBuncio said. The group’s retail footprint increased to 3,853 retail outlets at the end of 2023, with more store openings focused on provincial areas, the conglomerate said. SM Prime Holdings, the second-biggest contributor (25 percent) to the parent firm, saw profits in the past year surge 33 percent to P40 billion. The company’s mall businesses, which accounted for more than half of total property revenues, saw a 30 percent increase to P71.9 billion. SM Development Corp. led the residential business to an 8 percent increase in revenues to P43.1 billion, with reservation sales hit P102 billion, equivalent to over 21,000 units sold. SM Prime’s other segments including offices, hotels, and convention centers enjoyed a 26 percent revenue jump to P13.1 billion. READ: BDO shatters PH income records A few days ago, BDO Unibank announced its largest profit yet at P73.4 billion in 2023 while China Banking Corp. recorded P22 billion in net income, which was also a record figure. BDO’s net interest income surged to P186.4 billion, supported by a 9 percent expansion in gross customer loans to P2.85 trillion. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Chinabank’s net interest income expanded by 17 percent to P53.5 billion as loans grew by 10 percent to P791 billion. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Miguel R. Camus

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:39:52 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447796/sm-investments-reported-p77-b-profit-haul-in-2023

Inquirer

SMC makes best power supply offer to Meralco

MANILA, Philippines  -A subsidiary of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) gave the best offer for the 400-megawatt (MW) baseload capacity requirement of distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) that must be available until February 2025 to help meet growing demand. Meralco on Tuesday said Limay Power Inc. (LPI) offered a rate of P6.2708 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the entire baseload requirement. This already includes value-added tax and line rental, according to Meralco. Baseload refers to capacity and supply that is deployed throughout the business day. Masinloc Power Co. Ltd., another San Miguel company, offered the next best bid at P6.2957 per kWh for 195 MW. READ: Meralco calls for more power supply as warm months near The bids and awards committee of Meralco is set to conduct a postqualification evaluation prior to the issuance of a notice of award. The power supply agreement will only be implemented upon the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission. LPI currently operates a 600-MW coal-fired power plant in Bataan province. The facility started commercial operations in 2017. The power utility giant sought suppliers for the baseload requirement in January to meet high demand and ensure ample supply for its customers, especially at the onset of the El Niño climate pattern. READ: Meralco bares best bids for new supply deals Another 260-MW peaking interim power supply agreement was also up for bidding. However, the only two companies that initially expressed their interest to join had withdrawn, resulting in a failed bidding, Meralco head of regulatory management Jose Ronald Valles said on Monday. Valles did not disclose why the companies backed out, but noted that they would apply for a second round of bidding with the Department of Energy. INQ Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Meg J. Adonis

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:06:00 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447626/smc-makes-best-power-supply-offer-to-meralco

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LOOK: PAF continues heli bucket operations vs Benguet forest fire

Photos from the Philippine Air Force Photos from the Philippine Air Force MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday said it continued its heli bucket operations in Benguet to suppress the forest fire in the province. PAF’s Bell-205 helicopter conducted two heli bucket operations on Feb. 27 (Tuesday) in the municipalities of Sajatan and Bokod. On Feb. 25, the same helicopter also performed two sorties of heli bucket operations in Bokod, dropping a total of 11 buckets of water across Barangays Karao and Banao. The same aircraft, on Feb. 26, conducted three sorties over Itogon, Benguet, dropping 15 buckets of water on Mt. Lusod. Each heli bucket only contains 800 liters of water, which is not enough to suppress the fire in the woods, according to PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo. To address this, Castillo said they will conduct cloud seeding operations in Benguet this week. At least 200 hectares of forested areas in the Cordillera region have been ravaged by fires since Jan. 2024, according to authorities. READ: AI use in fighting wildfires increases as their threat rises In Feb. 2019, five men were killed while helping put out a fire that razed a 60-hectare forest area in Benguet. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

John Eric Mendoza

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:31:49 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911624/look-paf-continues-heli-bucket-operations-vs-benguet-forest-fire

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Philippine Navy test-fires weapons of anti-submarine choppers in WPS

A .50-caliber machine gun is lodged at AW-159 antisubmarine helicopter for a firing exercise at Marine Base Gregorio Lim firing range in Ternate, Cavite on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. (Photo from the Philippine Navy) A .50-caliber machine gun is lodged at AW-159 antisubmarine helicopter for a firing exercise at Marine Base Gregorio Lim firing range in Ternate, Cavite on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. (Photo from the Philippine Navy) MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy test-fired the weapon systems fitted in two of its AW-159 anti-submarine helicopters,  Cmdr. John Percie Alcos, the newly designated Navy spokesperson, told reporters in a phone interview on Wednesday. Alcos said that two .50-caliber machine guns — one for each of the AW-159 — were test-fired at Marine Base Gregorio Lim firing range in Ternate, Cavite on Monday, Feb. 26. “The inclusion of the .50-caliber heavy machine gun further enhances the aircraft’s mission capabilities, providing the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] with a potent weapon system to combat potential threats in the maritime domain,” Alcos also said. The heavy machine gun is a secondary weapon of the AW-159, with the Blueshark torpedoes being its primary weapon. The two United Kingdom-made AW159 Wildcat Helicopters are an integral part of the Jose Rizal Class anti-submarine frigate’s firepower. In June 2023, the AW-159s were deployed in the West Philippine Sea for the first time to ensure effective maritime presence there, according to the AFP Western Command. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

John Eric Mendoza

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:14:31 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911332/ph-navy-test-fires-weapons-of-anti-submarine-chopper-deployed-in-wps

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2 suspected drug pushers yield P523,000 shabu in Lucena City bust

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO LUCENA CITY – Police arrested a suspected drug trafficker and his associate in a buy-bust operation here early Wednesday, Feb. 28, and seized over P523,00 worth of shabu (crystal meth). Lucena City police reported that members of the local drug enforcement unit busted “Jeff”, 41, and “Nelson”, 42, at 1:35 a.m. after they allegedly sold shabu to an undercover cop in Barangay (village) Bocohan. READ: Over P2M shabu seized in Camarines Sur buy-busts Authorities confiscated from the suspects two plastics containing meth weighing 25.66 grams with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P174,488. The seized shabu is worth P523,464 in the street market at the prevailing price of P20,400 per gram, police said. Authorities are investigating the source of the drugs. Police tagged “Jeff” as included on the police drug watch list as an “HVI” or high-value individual on the local drug scene while “Nelson” was classified as a street-level drug pusher on the police list. They were detained and are facing charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Delfin T. Mallari Jr.

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:34:21 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911300/2-suspected-drug-pushers-yield-p523000-shabu-in-lucena-city-bust

Inquirer

Elderly woman dead in Rizal town blaze

Rizal map. INQUIRER FILES Rizal map. INQUIRER FILES LUCENA CITY — A 75-year-old woman died on Tuesday, Feb. 27, when a fire of still unknown origin gutted her house in Taytay town in Rizal province. The Police Regional Office (PRO 4A) in a report Wednesday, Feb. 28, identified the victim as Catalina Edrial. The report added that Edrial was trapped inside her house in a subdivision in Barangay (village) San Juan when it caught fire at 5:56 p.m. READ: BFP: Fire hits Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City The local fire department responded and declared the blaze under control 21 minutes later. The body of the victim was recovered by firemen inside her room during the clearing operation. The report did not provide information on the whereabouts of the victim’s family when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire, which started in the stockroom and library of the house, is still under investigation. Authorities estimated the cost of damage to P2.7 million. Police said the family of the victim waived the conduct of an autopsy of her remains. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Delfin T. Mallari Jr.

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:43:12 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911298/elderly-woman-dead-in-rizal-town-blaze

Inquirer

MMC passes resolution banning e-bikes on major roads

A motorist (R) speeds past a woman riding an electric bike along a street in Manila on November 24, 2023. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP) A motorist (R) speeds past a woman riding an electric bike along a street in Manila on November 24, 2023. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP) MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Wednesday passed a resolution banning electric bikes / trikes on national roads under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The MMC is one of the governing boards and policymakers of the MMDA, along with the president of the Metro Manila Vice Mayors League and the president of the Metro Manila Councilors League. MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes said that the resolution will be effective by April since the guidelines are still being drafted prior to publication. Below is the list of national roads where e-bikes / trikes will be prohibited: Each local government unit in Metro Manila will also craft their respective ordinances on the ban on e-bikes / trikes. Violators will be fined P2,500, Artes said. Their units will also be impounded if they are not able to present a driver’s license upon apprehension, he added. According to Artes, there were 554 e-vehicle-related accidents and two deaths logged last year. “Dumarami ‘yung gumagamit [ng e-vehicle] at parami nang parami ‘yung masasabi nating reckless driver,” he said. (The users of e-vehicles are increasing, and we’re seeing more and more of what we can call reckless drivers.) Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. On February 15, MMDA and other government agencies also conducted a meeting to discuss the creation of a unified regulation for e-vehicles. Among the concerns raised during the meeting were minors driving e-vehicles on national roads, driving without helmets or protective gear, and driving in the middle of highways. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Luisa Cabato

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:45:15 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911479/mmc-passes-resolution-banning-e-bikes-on-major-roads

Inquirer

Proposed 2024 climate change budget slashed

A view of Baguio City, considered the most vulnerable to climate change among four cities outside the National Capital Region due to its vulnerability to extreme weather events, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines, which did a study years ago. (INQUIRER FILES) A view of Baguio City, considered the most vulnerable to climate change among four cities outside the National Capital Region due to its vulnerability to extreme weather events, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines, which did a study years ago. (INQUIRER FILES) MANILA, Philippines — A total of P86 billion was trimmed from the proposed 2024 budget for climate change, with a portion reallocated to unprogrammed funds, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Wednesday. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday declared that the government has allotted P457.41 billion pesos for climate change in the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which is the final budget that Congress deliberated and passed. The DBM, however, proposed around P543 billion for climate change in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) 2024. This is a P86 billion slash during Congressional hearings. INQUIRER.net learned that a portion of the P86 billion became unprogrammed funds. “This is to confirm that the amount of P543.4 billion was allocated for climate change projects, programs and activities under the NEP, while P457.41 billion was allocated for the same under the [Fiscal Year] 2024 GAA,” the DBM told INQUIRER.net in a message. “Our concerned budget bureau explained that a portion of the P543.4 billion were reclassified to unprogrammed appropriation under the FY 2024 GAA,” the DBM added. This is a mere P4 billion increase from the 2023 climate change budget, which was P453.11 billion. INQUIRER.net has reached out to both chambers of Congress for a comment. The 2024 GAA has  a sizable P449.5-billion unprogrammed funds, which raised concerns from a number of lawmakers. In January,  Albay First District Representative Edcel Lagman questioned the legality of the unprogrammed funds, as they were inserted by Congress and exceeded the budget that the Executive asked for. “This year’s GAA, which took effect on [Jan. 1, 2024], suffers a constitutional infirmity insofar as the bicameral conference committee inserted P449.5 billion in excess of the unprogrammed appropriations of P281.9 billion recommended by the President in the national budget or the NEP (national expenditure program),” Lagman said in a prior statement. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. However, the DBM previously explained that the unprogrammed appropriations are merely standby funds. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jean Mangaluz

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:37:15 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911635/proposed-climate-change-budget-slashed

Inquirer

Crab fest in Zamboanga seen to revive ‘dying’ industry

ABOUT CRABS In this photo taken on Feb. 23, students in Zamboanga City’s Barangay Vitali, through a street dance, depict the life of residents whose income depend on aquaculture. Crabs andother crustaceans are the main source of income in Vitali. —JULIE ALIPALA ABOUT CRABS In this photo taken on Feb. 23, students in Zamboanga City’s Barangay Vitali, through a street dance, depict the life of residents whose income depend on aquaculture. Crabs andother crustaceans are the main source of income in Vitali. —JULIE ALIPALA ZAMBOANGA CITY—For half a century, Barangay Vitali, about 70 kilometers from the city proper here, has been known as a source of first class cultured king crabs, prawns and other shelled products. Dr. Kier Dela Calzada, administrator of the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU)-Vitali Extension, recalled how the stretch of national highway in the village used to thrive with small stores selling crabs, prawns and milkfish. “A fresh catch in the morning easily sold out before the day ended,” he said. But in the early part of 2010, the vibrant image of seafood covering the highway as one passed through this village drastically changed when the villagers observed colorful spots on their crabs and prawns. The spots were caused by a crustacean’s disease that badly hit all crab and prawn raisers here, recalled Mike Alavar, a former city councilor whose family owned the famous Alavar Seafoods House here. Now, villagers felt the pressing need to revive the dying aquaculture industry before Vitali could easily end up buying king crabs from neighboring provinces. On Feb. 23, the village celebrated its first Cangrejo (crab) Festival intended to revive the dying industry and draw attention to Vitali as the source of first class crabs, said Dela Calzada, who organized the event. He wanted to make the festival bigger in the succeeding years so it would included in the city’s calendar during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival, also known as Fiesta Pilar in honor of the city’s patron saint Nuestra Señora del Pilar, celebrated every Oct. 12. READ: World street food festival: Try ’em all “We support the city’s active involvement in promoting sardines, but (the industry) all come from big investors. We have our own crabs, prawns, talaba (oysters) and milkfish, our industry that is dying to be known and promoted too,” he said. With a population of 10,716 based on the 2020 census, Vitali used to be Zamboanga city’s pride, harvesting almost five tons of crabs and crustaceans a month. Most of the harvest used to go to the markets in the National Capital Region, supplying five star hotels and restaurants in Metro Manila and other big cities. But harvests drastically dropped from five tons a month to only four tons in a year when the crustacean’s disease struck in 2010, with most aquafarmers unable to recover from their losses Edward Falcasantos, who was a financier of fishpond operators, lamented the lack of support from the local governments and the increasing ravages brought about by climate change. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “We used to have more 1,000 fish pond operators and tank owners here, now there are only about a hundred, so the harvest have gone down drastically,” said Falcasantos, who also used to operate a fish pond that got hit by the disease. “Our business that I ran for more than 30 years was gone and now I ended up as a buyer-seller of prawns,” Falcasantos said. INQ News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Julie Alipala

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:35:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911063/crab-fest-in-zambo-seen-to-revive-dying-industry

Inquirer

Hacked PCG Facebook page sharing, uploading movie clips

A screenshot of the official PCG Facebook page at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28. A screenshot of the official PCG Facebook page at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28. MANILA, Philippines — Netizens are now watching clips of free movies online through an unexpected source – the hacked Facebook page of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). On Wednesday, the PCG’s social media page started uploading and sharing clips of various movies. In a span of almost 48 hours, since the PCG announced that its page had been hacked on Monday, the page has posted 12 movie clips, each lasting anywhere between three to 13 minutes. READ: Coast Guard’s FB page hacked in third cyberattack this year The clips were taken from foreign movies and television series, including CBS’ The Flash. The page uploaded some of the video clips while the other video snippets were shared from another Facebook page, Salsa Socca Gigante. A quick search of the page shows that it is a “gaming video creator” from Colombia and has uploaded the same content as those shown on the PCG’s page. Some Filipino Facebook users quickly made fun of the incident, with one user commenting on one of the videos, “Watching full movies with family.” Other netizens commented that clips from movies are better than sharing explicit content, which is known to happen among other hacked official social media accounts. On Monday evening, the PCG announced that an “unknown entity has gained access” to its Facebook page. This is the third time that the agency has sustained cyberattacks this year. Just two weeks earlier, hackers gained access to its official X (formerly Twitter) account. READ: PCG retakes X page control after hack Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The PCG previously fell victim to a series of cyberattacks that followed after the agency released videos and photos of Chinese ships at the contested Scarborough Shoal and within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. As of posting time, the PCG has yet to regain control of its Facebook page. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Zeus Legaspi

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:00:16 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911455/hacked-pcg-facebook-page-sharing-uploading-movie-clips

Inquirer

Mindanao solon to Quiboloy: Show up in hearings if you’ve nothing to hide

Apollo Quiboloy Apollo Quiboloy MANILA, Philippines — A House lawmaker from Mindanao has called on Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder and leader Apollo Quiboloy to attend hearings conducted by congressional panels if he has nothing to hide from the public. During the press briefing on Wednesday, Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario said that while he is not a member of the House committee on legislative franchises, he understands why the panel issued a subpoena against Quiboloy. Quiboloy is being asked to attend the said panel’s hearing this March 12, to answer questions regarding his alleged involvement in Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) ownership structure. “I’m not a member of the committee, but looking at it at least from my perspective personally, there is a process to everything.  And although we here, and it is also greatly recognized from the words of our former President to Pastor Quibuloy there are things that we also have to consider in terms of at least how we go through the process,” Almario told reporters at the House complex. “Now we cannot deny that there is an ongoing subpoena, that there are ideas being bounced off, but the thing is you know, quite frankly speaking, if you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear,” he added. According to Almario, there is a logic behind a House panel’s decision to summon resource persons — it is also meant to give people a chance to air their side and defend themselves. “And we just really want to present also — well not we, but I guess in the nature of our jobs, when we issue subpoenas, when we try to call also guest speakers, resource persons, we also want to hear from their side, so that we can have a better understanding on how to move forward with the things that we are trying to achieve, or we are trying to understand,” he said. “So I guess, to put it simply, for this to be smooth sailing, there should be a transparent submission of information, at least one that is required by the Senate in this case, or in any matter,” he added. Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II meanwhile clarified that a subpoena is only an invite.  However, the lawmaker also noted that the committee is entitled to act in accordance with the actions taken by the invited resource person. “You know, a subpoena is just an invitation.  It’s akin to filing a complaint to the fiscal, you will be subpoenaed to give you an opportunity to answer. If the subpoena is received and you don’t want to answer, it doesn’t mean that the fiscal has no right to make a resolution, you are just given an opportunity to answer […] If the legislative franchise issued a subpoena to him to appear, it’s an invitation,” Gonzales said. “If he wants to attend, he can attend to air his side. If he doesn’t want to attend, then the committee is not without authority to decide the issue even without his testimony,” he added. The House committee issued a subpoena against Quiboloy last February 19, for him to clear the ownership issue, as he has continuously evaded the hearings.  SMNI has been linked to Quiboloy, although company officials have denied accusations that the pastor is involved in the network’s operations. READ: House summons Quiboloy to panel hearing on SMNI franchise Originally, the panel conducted hearings about SMNI after Laban Kasama ng Bayan host Jeffrey Celiz made false claims about Romualdez’ travel expenses on air.  However, the hearings led to the discovery of possible franchise violations. According to Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel, they are looking at three possible violations of SMNI’s franchise: READ: Surigao lawmaker wants SMNI franchise revoked amid violations It was also Pimentel who moved that a subpoena be issued against Quiboloy, after Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas complained that the KJC leader has been absent for several times. Brosas asked SMNI legal counsel Mark Tolentino as to why Quiboloy was getting preferential treatment from SMNI hosts if the pastor was not part of the network’s day-to-day operations. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Tolentino said thanking Quiboloy was the prerogative of the hosts and was part of their free speech. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 20:28:16 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911679/mindanao-solon-to-quiboloy-show-up-in-hearings-if-youve-nothing-to-hide

Inquirer

Philippine Navy to commission 2 more missile-mountable gunboats

Photo from Philippine Navy/FACEBOOK Photo from Philippine Navy/FACEBOOK MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy will commission two additional Israeli-made gunboats designed to mount missiles in March, according to its spokesperson. “The Philippine Navy is scheduled to commission two more fast attack interdiction craft missiles this coming March,” said Navy Spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos in a regular briefing in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday. Capable of delivering precision strikes thanks to its remote stabilized weapons and short-range missiles, the 32-meter long FAIC platforms are still in the East Commodore Posadas Wharf in Cavite City for mandatory enhancement and maintenance. Alcos said the acquisition of FAICs “is geared towards further developing the Navy’s capability to support the range of missions that different unified commands are mandated to undertake.” The Navy’s fifth and sixth gunboats are expected to be commissioned under hull numbers PG906 and PG907, joining the other four which are under the Philippine Fleet’s Littoral Combat Force. The Acero-class patrol vessels were also named under Medal of Valor awardees, and the newest patrol vessels could also follow the pattern of being named after the recipients of the highest military honor. In total, the government acquired nine FAIC platforms from Israel, with the remaining three still being manufactured. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

John Eric Mendoza

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:59:46 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911646/navy-to-commission-two-more-missile-mountable-gunboats-in-march

Inquirer

LIVE UPDATES: UAAP Season 86 volleyball February 28

10am– NU Bulldogs vs Adamson Falcons (men’s) 12nn– Ateneo Blue Eagles vs UP Fighting Maroons (men’s) 2pm–NU Lady Bulldogs vs Adamson Lady Falcons (women’s) 4pm–Ateneo Blue Eagles vs UP Fighting Maroon (women’s) ADVERTISEMENT FULL SCHEDULE HERE. Alyssa Solomon and the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines — Alyssa Solomon is happy her team is rediscovering its touch after the NU Lady Bulldogs strung two straight victories in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament despite their slow starts.FEATURED STORIES SPORTS State-of-the-art ‘Home of the UAAP’ set to rise in 2027 SPORTS Alex Eala excited ahead of first US Open campaign as a pro SPORTS POC says all athletes invited after PH gymnasts miss Heroes parade After losing to UST and being forced to a five-setter by the rebuilding Ateneo last week, the Lady Bulldogs showed flashes of their lethal form in sweeping Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-17, 25-20, 25-20, on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Lyann De Guzman and the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines —With her former coach on the other side of the court,  Lyann De Guzman stayed focused on leading Ateneo past Oliver Almadro and University of the Philippines on Wednesday. De Guzman dropped a career-high 24 points, 18 excellent receptions, and 11 digs to lift the Blue Eagles to a come-from-behind 22-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, 15-9 against Almadro and the Fighting Maroons. Lyann De Guzman and the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo pulled off the biggest comeback of the season so far by reversing University of the Philippines, 22-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17,15-9, on Wednesday night at the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball. On the brink of another meltdown, the Blue Eagles snatched their first victory from the jaws of defeat after riding on the heroics of Lyann De Guzman and Sophia Buena in the last three sets. WATCH: Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso, Lyann De Guzman, and Sobe Buena on getting their first win. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/Ky0220sptp ADVERTISEMENT — INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024 FINAL: The Ateneo Blue Eagles (1-2) complete a come-from-behind win over their former coach Oliver Almadro and the UP Fighting Maroons (0-3). #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/glOBhgy90i — INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024 Ateneo earns its first win! #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/PInupY0J5q — Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024 END OF SET 4: Ateneo 25, UP 17 The Blue Eagles force a decider. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/WzaNSRgIOX — Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024 END OF SET 3: Ateneo 25, UP 22 Lyann De Guzman with a clutch kill to extend the match for Ateneo. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/aC2kzTXVhp — INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024 END OF SET 2: UP 25, Ateneo 20 The Fighting Maroons inch closer to their first win with a two-set advantage. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/1wsH1L0jvM — INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024 END OF SET 1: UP 25, Ateneo 22#UAAPSeason86 @inquirerdotnet — Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024 NU Lady Bulldogs (2-1) beats Adamson Lady Falcons (1-2), 25-17, 25-20, 25-20, to earn its second straight victory in UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball. Photos: Marlo Cueto | INQUIRER.net #UAAPSeason86 Posted by Inquirer Sports on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 NU Lady Bulldogs’ Sheena Toring in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines — Sheena Toring  made sure she’s a student first and an athlete second. Amid National University’s redemption tour in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, Toring has also been focused on completing her thesis. Alyssa Solomon and the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines–The National University Lady Bulldogs felt their egos got deflated despite clipping the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ wings in a five-setter. The Lady Bulldogs wasted no time redeeming themselves four days later by devouring the Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-17, 25-20, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. Alyssa Solomon pummeled the other side of the floor without mercy with 14 attacks out of her game-high 17 points while Bella Belen was just as superb in imposing herself with 15 kills as NU registered a second straight win in three games. NU coach Norman Miguel, Alyssa Solomon, and Sheena Toring on their second straight win. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/uT38kzCPeu — INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024 Sheena Toring on playing at the Big Dome after her injury last year. Alyssa Solomon on addressing their slow start. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/QV1tBt3O8J — Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024 Bella Belen with a match-clinching hit. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/ot0tlrLk9u — Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024 FINAL: NU (2-1) beats Adamson (1-2), 25-17, 25-20, 25-20, to earn its second straight victory. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/Yoga2Q2fEE — INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024 END OF SET 2: NU 25, Adamson 20 Bella Belen gives the Lady Bulldogs a commanding 2-0 lead. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/XTVq8bLpn9 — Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024 END OF SET 1: NU 25, Adamson 17#UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/tupHD5ZaT8 — Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 28, 2024 NU Bulldogs.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion National University needed to recover from a second set loss before taking down Adamson, 25-19, 25-27, 25-21, 25-18, to earn its second straight win in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Bulldogs leaned on the versatile showing of Nico Almendras and Jade Disquitado with the graduating spiker leading the way with 23 points and 19 excellent receptions while the rookie delivered 21 points and 11 receptions. After losing to the University of Santo Tomas last week, NU forced a four-way tie in the second place with the former, La Salle, and Ateneo, which swept the University of the Philippines, 25-19, 25-16, 25-23, in the second game. Ateneo coach Timmy Sto. Tomas and Jan Mangulabnan on their second win. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/sGYnlGMZvS — INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024 FINAL: Ateneo (2-1) sweeps UP (0-3), 25-19, 25-16, 25-23, in the #UAAPSeason86 men’s volleyball tournament. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/OBwrBVlj6w — INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024 NU coach Dante Alinsunurin and Joshua Retamar after their second win in the #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/pgVwsDRXcZ — INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024 FINAL: Defending champion NU (2-1) beats Adamson (1-2), 25-19, 25-27, 25-21, 25-18, for its second straight win in the #UAAPSeason86 men’s volleyball tournament. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/seu7dSGHoc — INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) February 28, 2024 NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net National University (NU) coach Norman Miguel has watched his team lose in an upset to University of Santo Tomas (UST) and struggle to get a win against a rebuilding Ateneo He didn’t bother getting too technical about what needs to be done against Adamson. “Work twice as hard [with our] blocking, passing and floor defense,” he said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

INQUIRER.net

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:42:15 PST

https://sports.inquirer.net/554712/live-updates-uaap-season-86-volleyball-february-28

Inquirer

Investors await fresh catalysts

MANILA, Philippines  -The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) lingered below the 6,900 level as investors waited for further market catalysts while regional markets were mixed. The PSEi slipped 1.45 percent, or 30.82 points, to 6,860.67 while the broader All Shares Index was down 0.48 percent, or 17.4 points, to 3,583.09. READ: Asian shares mixed after Wall Street edges back from recent highs A total of 577.04 million shares valued at P5.66 billion changed hands while foreigners were net buyers to the tune of P77.08 million, data from the stock exchange showed. Meanwhile, most PSE subsectors slumped, led by mining and oil (1.92 percent), property (-1.28 percent), financials (-1.16 percent) and holding firms (-0.49 percent). Services and industrial added 1.12 percent and 0.05 percent, respectively. BDO Unibank, the most actively traded stock, shed 3.81 percent to P143.80 per share. It earlier reported a 2023 profit of P73.4 billion—the highest ever by the bank and by a Philippine corporation to date. INQ Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Miguel R. Camus

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:02:00 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447628/investors-await-fresh-catalysts

Inquirer

Negros Occidental bans entry of pigs, pork products from areas with ASF

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has issued an executive order that bans the entry into Negros Occidental all pigs, boar semen and pork products from areas with reported cases of African swine fever (ASF). The order is meant to protect and enable the hog industry in the province to recover. The directive was released on Monday, February 26. It prohibits the identified items from Bacolod city, Negros Oriental, Luzon, Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Panay Island, Guimaras Island, Cebu province, Camotes Island and Bantayan Island. The entry of the same commodities is also banned if they come from countries affected by ASF, as declared by Department of Agriculture (DA). Exempted from the order are processed pork products that are fully cooked. Samples are hams, sausages, hotdogs, canned goods, pork chicharon and pork-based seasonings. The exempted items must be sourced from meat establishments with Certificates of Compliance to the ASF Public-Private Audit. According to National Meat Inspection Service, ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs, warthogs and boars. It causes pigs to have high fever and lose their appetite, and results in hemorrhages in skin and internal organs. Pigs die in a span of two to 10 days upon affliction. There is no known vaccine against ASF yet. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Health officials reiterated ASF does not pose any threats to humans and that other pork products from infected areas are safe to eat. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Carla Gomez

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:24:38 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911301/negros-occidental-bans-entry-of-pigs-pork-products-from-areas-with-asf

Inquirer

Ayala Land’s Cresendo: North’s gateway to growth comes to life

Written by: Amy R. Remo Excitement builds for this emerging estate in the north as it unveiled new developments that will, this early, cement its position as a premier destination for contemporary urban living. Cresendo, Ayala Land’s expansive 290-hectare masterplanned estate in Tarlac, is cementing its position as a premier destination for contemporary urban living Cresendo, Ayala Land’s expansive 290-hectare masterplanned estate in Tarlac, is rapidly gaining momentum as it continues to attract strong interest from businesses and investors amid the ongoing turnover of its commercial and industrial lots, the debut of its inaugural locator, the successful hosting of various community events, and the introduction of fresh offerings. Each milestone reached came with the promise of potential, foretelling a vibrant future for those who will soon be part of this burgeoning estate. Significant milestones Last year, in particular, saw several significant milestones being achieved in Cresendo. For one, AyalaLand Estates completed the fully sold out 32-ha Cresendo Industrial Park, enabling it to commence the turnover of lots to locators as early as June. Hosting light to medium industrial locators, this park is expected to generate about 2,000 jobs at full build. Phase 1 of the 47-ha Cresendo Downtown, the community’s commercial core, was completed in December last year. This prompted turnover of lots to commercial investors. AyalaLand Estates brought to life its shophouse concept with the completion of Cresendo’s shophouse model unit. Ayala Land is skillfully integrating the traditional shophouse, considered a heritage architectural icon in Southeast Asian cities, in Cresendo. Given the flexibility in use, strong investment potential, and community integration, shophouses are cost-efficient, and offer a practical approach to the live and work concept. It highlights business inclusivity as it allows smaller industries to be part of the Cresendo development. These commercial and shophouse lots have drawn such strong interest that AyalaLand Estates offered in September fresh inventory under Phase 3, valued at P4.4 billion. Retail, amenity selections Complementing Cresendo’s shophouse lot offering are 2,000 sqm of leasable retail spaces for various uses such as offices, dormitory, and the “one-stop-shop” of the city government of Tarlac. Already completed are the flower farm and the 2-ha multipurpose ground that now serves as a civic space within the estate. In December, Cresendo saw the opening of its first locator, McDonald’s, with its flagship “Green and Good” store. Its design integrates environment-friendly building features, systems and practices. Cresendo will have an operational MerryMart, a full-sized supermarket carrying a full line of grocery, pharmacy, personal care and other essential products By the second quarter this year, Cresendo will have an operational MerryMart, a full-sized supermarket carrying a full line of grocery, pharmacy, personal care and other essential products. Soon, more businesses are set to find a home in Cresendo, all poised to provide fresh retail and dining concepts in Tarlac while generating jobs and helping accelerate growth in the city. The opening of pioneer locators has spurred strong interest in retail. AyalaLand Estates is currently negotiating with other potential locators including national players. For the coming school year 2024-2025, Don Bosco, one of the country’s premier educational institutions, will start accepting 800 senior high school students who will occupy the first school building completed within this estate. Nurturing community bonds As Cresendo continues to take shape, AyalaLand Estates is also hosting an array of community gatherings and diverse activities that can cultivate social ties and strengthen community bonds. Don Bosco and MerryMart Grocery are set to start operations this year Last month, Cresendo hosted TakboJuan, a fun run event for the Don Bosco and Salesian Community, which gathered about 2,500 students, parents, faculty and Salesians. A Christian Mass, zumba, a tree planting activity, as well as the blessing of Don Bosco’s Senior High School building also took place. Ayala Land is skillfully integrating the traditional shophouse in Cresendo This 2024, AyalaLand Estates will be holding even more onground events catering to diverse hobbies, interests and passions. The public can thus look forward to an outdoor movie night, a football meet, concerts, trade fairs, a banchetto or food bazaar, a car meet and even a Flores de Mayo. Come Christmastime, Cresendo will have a Belenismo and Simbang Gabi. To further support this growth, Ayala Land has commenced planning of the transport terminal in Cresendo to ensure ease of access and connectivity. Indeed, all these developments underscore the many exciting prospects on the horizon, signaling a tremendous potential fueled by businesses and investors who have embraced the vision of such a promising estate that is Cresendo. ADVT. Curated business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 06:00:16 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447569/ayala-lands-cresendo-norths-gateway-to-growth-comes-to-life

Inquirer

Eumir Marcial slated to fight Thai amid Olympic preparations

Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial during the 2023 Asian Games send off ceremony. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial during the 2023 Asian Games send off ceremony. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net Eumir Marcial gets to show off his flair and power in front of fellow Filipinos before turning his focus on the 2024 Olympics in Paris. On Tuesday, MP Promotions confirmed Marcial’s upcoming brawl with Thailand’s Thoedsak Sinam on March 23 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. “Just like the rest of Filipinos around the country, I’m very excited to spearhead a fight for Eumir here in the Philippines, so everybody will get a chance to see him before the Paris Olympics,” said Manny Pacquiao. The owner of MP Promotions and former eight-division world champion spearheaded the effort in making the fight a reality as Marcial aims to finally seize the gold medal in what could possibly be his last Olympics. The 28-year-old slugger from Zamboanga City claimed a bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as a middleweight. Since his weight class has been scrubbed off the Paris program, Marcial will be wearing his gloves as a light heavyweight. MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons said the fight will set the tone for Marcial heading to the Olympics set in July. “Everybody wants to see their fellow [Filipino] Eumir, a big boxer fighting for them for free. This fight will serve as a good fitting send-off heading to his Olympic campaign. Everybody will be there too,” said Gibbons. “This is for the people.” According to Gibbons, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Richard Bachmann, PSC Commissioners Walter Torres, Fritz Gaston, Olivia “Bong” Coo and Edward Hayco and PSC executive director Paulo Tatad have been invited to witness the fight. “We are so thankful to these people for making this fight possible and for helping not only Marcial, but also the rest of the other Filipino athletes to achieve their dreams,” said Gibbons. “The POC and the PSC salute to them for helping the athletes like Eumir.” Marcial is deep in training with sparring sessions in Las Vegas under coach Kay Koroma, who molded several amateur boxers who saw action in the Olympics since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games. Sinam is sporting a 23-13 record with 19 knockouts while Marcial remains undefeated after four fights, two of them by knockouts. After the fight, Marcial will return to the US to continue preparing for Paris. “He has a great time training and sparring in the US with coach Kay. We have to remember that we’re not going to send him to war just yet, but to showcase his skills for the people,” said Gibbons. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Marcial clinched his ticket to the French capital after claiming a silver medal in the light heavy division at the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games last year. INQ Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

June Navarro

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:15:00 PST

https://sports.inquirer.net/554647/marcial-slated-to-fight-thai-amid-olympic-preparations

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Fire hits Tandang Sora in Quezon City

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Fire hit a residential area in Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City, on Wednesday morning. According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the blaze at Janet Extension Corner M. Aquino Street reached the 1st alarm at 11:06 a.m. A few minutes later, at 11:31 a.m., the fire was raised to 2nd alarm until it eventually reached the third alarm at 11:34 a.m. Meanwhile, Volunteer group Txtfire Philippines said the situation was declared under control at 12:09 p.m. “Fire out” was determined at 1:23 p.m. No injuries or fatalities occurred as a result of the blaze. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Zeus Legaspi

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:16:46 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911335/fire-hits-tandang-sora-in-quezon-city

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Over 12,000 students are ineligible DepEd voucher grantees — PEAC

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 12,675 students have been found to be ineligible grantees in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) voucher program as of school year 2022 to 2023, said the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) on Wednesday. PEAC executive director Rhodora Ferrer bared the data after Senator Raffy Tulfo inquired about “ghost” beneficiaries of the DepEd’s voucher program during a Senate committee on basic education and committee on finance joint hearing. According to Ferrer, aside from the 12,675 students recorded to have had issues in DepEd’s voucher program from 2021 to 2023, 588 students also had issues in DepEd’s Educational Service Contracting (ESC). “’Yung mga eskwelahan na may issues from SY 2020-2021 to 2022-2023 so this covers three school years — sa voucher program, 12,675. Sa ESC, 588,” said Ferrer during the hearing. (The schools facing issues from the school year 2020-2021 to 2022-2023, covering three school years, amount to 12,675 in the voucher program and 588 in the ESC.) When Tulfo asked for clarification on whether Ferrer was referring to the number of students, Ferrer responded with a yes. The DepEd’s voucher program or the Senior High School Voucher Program allows the department to shoulder the costs of schooling for senior high students by providing subsidies in the form of vouchers to qualified learners in participating SHS. DepEd implemented the program in an effort to allow increased access to SHS education, especially for the marginalized. READ: DepEd opens voucher program for senior high school students But Ferrer noted that some of these cases are mere “clerical issues,” which result in schools giving back the funding to DepEd due to ineligible beneficiary students. “‘Yung ibang issues dito clerical, because this is spread over several schools. Merong mga eskwelahan na high performing,” explained Ferrer. (Some issues here are clerical, as they are spread across multiple schools. Some schools are high-performing.) Such clerical issues pertain to students being declared voucher recipients even if they did not apply for the grant. “Isa sa pinakamalaking naging concern natin is ‘yung mga ALS (Alternative Learning System) completers na nagiging voucher recipients, dahil dinedeklara silang voucher-eligible … ngunit hindi sila pumasok sa voucher application which ‘yung tamang guideline,” said Ferrer. (One of our major concerns is the ALS completers who become voucher recipients because they were declared voucher-eligible but did not participate in the voucher application as per the correct guidelines.) “In other words, kung ALS completer ka, hindi ka automatically eligible, dapat nag-apply ka. Kaso hindi sila nag-apply,” she added. (In other words, being an ALS completer doesn’t automatically make you eligible; you must apply. However, they did not apply.) However, if there were over 10 students with such instances in a specific school, Ferrer explained that it would be deemed intentional and beyond a mere clerical matter. “Kung mahigit sampu ‘yan per school (if it exceeds ten for each school), we move towards suspension,” said Ferrer. When asked by Tulfo how much has been refunded so far by the schools to the DepEd due to the said issues, Ferrer responded that P239 million of around P300 million remain unrefunded from SY 2022 to 2023. On the other hand, 32 voucher-participating schools so far are recommended for termination from the program, with DepEd and PEAC vowing to complete the refunds and investigations before the opening of classes for SY 2024 to 2025. READ: A puzzler in DepEd’s voucher program Tulfo then pointed out the sluggish progress in addressing the problem. “Kung titignan natin ang figure sa P300 million na original amount, at ang collected ay P239, medyo mabagal po ata ang collection?” said Tulfo. (If we look at the figures, with the original amount at P300 million and the collected amount at P239 million, it seems that the collection process may be somewhat slow.) “Ang gusto natin dito ay mapabilis po ‘yung pagtapos ng investigation at para [makuha] na ‘yung pera na napunta sa eskwelahan na hindi dapat,” he added. (We aim to expedite the investigation’s completion and retrieve the funds that shouldn’t have gone to schools, hastening the resolution.) For her part, Ferrer committed to accelerating the process of collecting the funds. The official said that to avoid such cases from happening again, PEAC started requiring schools to submit documents accepting their billing request for the program for DepEd to validate the list of students before releasing the program funds. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Zacarian Sarao

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:36:57 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911394/over-12000-school-have-ineligible-deped-voucher-grantees-peac

Inquirer

Drought may hit 30 areas in March due to El Niño – Pagasa

File photo of a fair warm weather File photo of a fair warm weather MANILA, Philippines — Drought may strike thirty areas nationwide by the end of March due to El Niño phenomenon, according to an official of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). During the House committee on agriculture’s hearing on Wednesday, Pagasa’s Climatology and Agrometeorology Division Officer-in-Charge Ana Liza Solis reported that 25 areas in Luzon and five in Visayas may experience drought by the end of March. Based on her presentation, drought is forecast in the following areas since they have experienced way below normal rainfall conditions over the past months (October 2023 to February 2024). Drought is experienced in areas with three consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition or greater than 60 percent reduction from average rainfall. Metro Manila is among the areas she mentioned that may have drought in Luzon, as well as Abra, Apayao, Aurora, Bataan, Benguet, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Laguna, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija,  Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Pangasinan, Quirino, Rizal and Zambales. In the Visayas, drought may hit Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, and Negros Occidentaal, Solid added. Aside from drought, she added that “dry condition,” or two consecutive months of below-average rainfall conditions, may prevail in 16 provinces and areas nationwide, while a “dry spell,” or three consecutive months below regular rainfall occurrences, is expected in 24 areas across the country. The areas and provinces that would likely experience “dry condition” and “dry spell” by the end of March are as follows: Luzon Visayas Mindanao Luzon Visayas Mindanao Solis, however, explained that this forecast may change by the end of February with more areas possibly joining the original list. According to the Department of Agriculture (DA) latest bulletin, the dry spell’s damage to the crop sector has spiked from P151.3 million to P357.4 million as of February 24. It added that the El Niño phenomenon affected 7,668 farmers inthe Ilocos, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula regions. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Faith Argosino

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:22:31 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911702/el-nino-may-bring-potential-drought-to-30-areas-in-ph-by-end-of-march-pagasa-exec

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Marcos: Conclusion on PhilHealth contribution hike coming ‘very soon’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. answers questions in an ambush interview at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on February 28, 2024. (Photo by JEAN MANGALUZ / INQUIRER.net) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. answers questions in an ambush interview at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on February 28, 2024. (Photo by JEAN MANGALUZ / INQUIRER.net) MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that the review of the increased PhilHealth contribution is still ongoing but a conclusion is coming soon. PhilHealth contributions have increased from 4 percent to 5 percent of the employee’s monthly salary in 2024. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has asked Marcos to suspend the hike, as Philhealth had enough money to give benefits. READ: Marcos wants PhilHealth to prove bigger contributions mean more benefits “If there are any benefits, if we can justify the increase. Then we’ll do it, but if not, we won’t. It is that simple. It’s just a very straightforward cause-benefit analysis. We’re still under study, but we’ll conclude very, very soon,” Marcos said, speaking partly in Filipino, in an ambush interview before leaving for Australia. PhilHealth chief Emmanuel Ledesma previously stated that the Palace has no objections to the impending increase. READ: Palace didn’t object to hike in premium, says PhilHealth chief However, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil noted that the review for a possible suspension is ongoing. Marcos has repeatedly stated that if PhilHealth could justify its increase through its services, there is no reason to suspend it. “PhilHealth has been expanding its services and trying to reach more people, trying to engage more people,” Marcos said. READ: Herbosa: PhilHealth has enough money, premium hike delay won’t hurt Herbosa said that he saw nothing wrong with delaying the contribution hike further. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “My position is I think PhilHealth has enough money to actually continue to give benefits. It will not be hurt by delaying the increase in premium,” Herbosa said. PhilHealth contribution hikes are meant to increase yearly from 2019 until they reach 5 percent under the Universal Health Care Law. The increases were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the hikes have now begun in 2024. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jean Mangaluz

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 09:31:46 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911208/fwd-marcos-on-philhealth-2

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Adiong vows no repeat of Marawi siege as gov’t pursues Maute remnants

CITY IN RUINS In this photo taken on Oct. 8, 2017, soldiers patrol a section of the city center of Marawi as government forces continue to battle members of Islamic State-linked groups that laid siege to the provincial capital of Lanao del Sur. —JEOFFREY MAITEM CITY IN RUINS In this photo taken on Oct. 8, 2017, soldiers patrol a section of the city center of Marawi as government forces continue to battle members of Islamic State-linked groups that laid siege to the provincial capital of Lanao del Sur. —JEOFFREY MAITEM MANILA, Philippines — Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has assured the public that there would be no repeat of the Marawi siege despite an incident between Maute group remnants and the military, saying that government forces and local governments are actively pursuing the terrorists. Adiong in a briefing on Tuesday explained that the support of local government units (LGUs) is crucial to law enforcement agencies and military institutions tracking down Maute Group fighters involved in the recent clash with the military. Six Scout Rangers and three alleged fighters of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group  (DI-MG) were killed in an encounter in Lanao del Norte’s Munai town last February 25, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said. READ: 6 soldiers killed in clash with terrorists in Lanao “With the support of the LGUs, we’ve seen how we were able to liberate Marawi City. And I don’t see any reason why the same problem again may pop up in the future,” Adiong, who chairs the Ad Hoc Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Victims Compensation, told reporters at the House complex. The lawmaker also said that the best way to deter public fear about the incident is to show that the government is in control of the situation — which happened as Brawner himself visited the area. “I saw that after what happened in Lanao del Norte, the chief-of-staff himself went there to condole bereaved families.  And then there are additional deployments in the area to secure it.  Because the military and the police, they already have an idea as to where the remnants would run towards,” Adiong said. “That’s why it’s important, based on our experience, is the engagement of our security sector with the LGUs down to the barangays.  We need to have a stronger presence there and the intelligence gathering is of prime importance.  Because if we have a good intelligence gathering and we get correct intel, resources are not wasted,” he added. Reports from the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division (1ID) stated that troops of the scout platoon of the 44th Infantry Battalion were on a military operation when they encountered DI-MG After a two-hour gunfight, the terrorists withdrew toward the direction of Lanao del Sur province.  Five soldiers were left wounded. READ: Six soldiers, three Maute fighters killed in Lanao del Norte clash The Maute Group is the same organization that laid Marawi City — a vibrant Islamic City which is the capital of Lanao del Sur — to siege.  Intense fighting between military forces and Maute members lasted for five months, but left a large-scale humanitarian crisis with over 300,000 residents displaced. READ: 4 years after siege, Marawi folk desperate to trek back home Despite the affiliation with Maute, Adiong said the recent clash between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the DI-MG might be an isolated incident. “If you go anywhere in Mindanao, all areas in Mindanao, okay naman…relatively peaceful,” he expressed.  “And there’s an ongoing military operation against the remnants. Remember, ISIS, it’s not a homegrown terrorist organization. This is an imported ideology.” Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “That’s why we can see even if the 2017 Marawi siege is finished they are still there.  Because they’ve been, you know, I don’t know how the military is handling this but I’m pretty sure they know exactly how the funds are coming in,” he added. With reports from Barbara Gutierrez, INQUIRER.net intern Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:39:01 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911147/adiong-vows-no-repeat-of-marawi-siege-as-govt-pursues-maute-remnants

Inquirer

BOC: P76-M marijuana from Thailand seized

(Bureau of Customs – Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service) (Bureau of Customs – Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service) MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted an estimated P76 million worth of  dried marijuana leaves inside “balikbayan” boxes from Thailand. “Based on the information we received, the alert order was issued against this shipment because of the suspected presence of illegal drugs. We found around 12 kilos of marijuana per balikbayan box during the inspection,” BOC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Director Verne Enciso said in a statement. According to BOC, the shipment was consigned to Marcelo D. Laylo Cargo Forwarders, and was sent to an individual from Cavite. It was originally declared as consolidated balikbayan boxes/personal effects from Thailand. The boxes and the containers were examined by the assigned Customs examiner and witnessed by the CIIS, BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service, Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, the Philippine Coast Guard, Environmental Protection and Compliance Division, Office of the District Collector, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Juvymax Uy said the BOC is now in the process of preparing supporting documents to track the individuals involved in the shipment. “We are preparing the necessary documents to start looking into these individuals. Stopping the entry of these shipments into the country is one thing, but the bigger part of the operation is making sure someone is held accountable for such activity,” Uy said. “The successful interdiction of illegal narcotics from entering our borders was possible because our officers continue to exhibit their experiences combined with the technology we now have. This operation shows our commitment to keeping illegal drugs off our communities because protecting the people is our duty,” BOC Commissioner Bien Rubio said. BOC said the consignees, senders, and recipients of the balikbayan boxes will possibly face charges for violating Section 118 (Prohibited Importation and Exportation) and Section 1400 (Misdeclaration) in relation to Section 1113 of Republic Act No. 10863 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and other provisions of Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). (With reports from Barbara Gutierrez, INQUIRER.net intern) Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:49:01 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911517/fwd-p76-m-worth-of-marijuana-in-balikbayan-boxes-intercepted-by-customs

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Teves on Interpol red notice, target of global manhunt — DOJ

MANILA, Philippines – Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. is currently the target of an international manhunt following his inclusion in the red notice system of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday confirmed that Teves is already included in Interpol’s Red Notice System. An INTERPOL Red Notice is a global alert to locate and provisionally detain a person awaiting extradition or similar legal acNtion based on a valid arrest warrant from the requesting country. “With more than 190 member countries, INTERPOL ensures the broad distribution of these notices, which are also accessible to international entities like the United Nations and International Criminal Court for arresting fugitives and conducting investigations,” the Department of Justice said in a statement. Teves is accused of masterminding the killing of then Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, on March 4, 2023, which also resulted in numerous injuries. Teves is also facing cases related to the death of three individuals from March to June 2019 in Negros Oriental, violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and violations of the Law on Explosives following the discovery of high-caliber weapons and ammunition in his family’s compound. On July 26, 2023, the ATC designated Teves Jr. and his affiliated armed group as a terrorist organization, identifying both the group and its members as terrorist entities. Remulla also announced that the Department of Foreign   Affairs (DFA) had officially canceled Teves’ passport. However, the DOJ admitted that they remain uncertain when the government would be able to bring Teves back to the country. “We have to be patient. We will just have to wait. It’s difficult to give an estimate as to when…We’ll go through the process. We won’t stop working here. We will continue our work, so just give us more time,” Remulla said. Remulla said officials of the justice department and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are now studying the possibility of sending a team to Timor Leste to implement the arrest warrant issued by a local court against Teves through Interpol’s red notice. Remulla said Teves is in Timor Leste. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Tetch Torres-Tupas

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 20:04:10 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911666/teves-on-interpol-red-notice-target-of-global-manhunt-doj

Inquirer

Asian stocks lower after Wall Street holds steady near record highs

Currency traders work at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Asian markets were mostly lower on Wednesday after U.S. stocks held near their record levels in a quiet day of trading.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) Currency traders work at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. Asian markets were mostly lower on Wednesday after U.S. stocks held near their record levels in a quiet day of trading.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) HONG KONG  —Asian markets were mostly lower on Wednesday after U.S. stocks held near their record levels in a quiet day of trading. U.S. futures and oil prices fell. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 edged 0.3 percent lower to 39,173.50. Shares in Hong Kong and Shanghai sank after the territory’s financial chief announced a budget aimed at boosting tourism and the property industry. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong slipped 1.4 percent to 16,562.96, while the Shanghai Composite sank 1.9 percent to 2,957.85. China’s largest private property developer, Country Garden, said Wednesday that it is facing a liquidation petition after failing to repay a term loan facility worth 1.6 billion Hong Kong dollars ($204.5 million). The first hearing in the case is scheduled for May 17. The move comes after China Evergrande, the world’s most heavily indebted real estate developer, was ordered to undergo liquidation following a failed effort to restructure $300 billion in late January. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was little changed at 7,660.40 after the Australian Bureau of Statistics said Wednesday the country’s inflation rate held at a two-year low in January, triggering hopes that the Reserve Bank may cut its benchmark interest rate. South Korea’s Kospi gained 1 percent to 2,652.29, while Thailand’s SET was down 0.6 percent. On Tuesday, the S&P 500 added 0.2 percent, to 5,078.18 and was just off its all-time high set last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.2 percent, to 38,972.41, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.4 percent to 16,035.30. Macy’s climbed 3.4 percent after reporting better results for the latest quarter than feared. It also announced a sweeping reorganization as it tries to kickstart growth in revenue. READ: Macy’s mulls closing San Francisco flagship Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings steamed 19.8 percent higher for the biggest gain in the S&P 500 after saying it’s seeing healthy demand from customers. AutoZone revved 6.7 percent higher after reporting a stronger profit than expected. Much of its growth last quarter came from its stores in Mexico and Brazil. Zoom Video Communications climbed after topping analysts’ forecasts for profit last quarter. It also announced a program to buy back up to $1.5 billion of its stock, which would send cash directly to shareholders. Those winners helped offset a 1.5-percent drop for Chevron, one of the main reasons for the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s slide. The company warned that its pending takeover of Hess may be under threat. Cryptocurrency prices have also been running higher. Bitcoin rose above $57,000 before edging back below the threshold and is up by roughly a third so far this year already. READ: Bitcoin breaks $57,000 as big buyers circle New exchange-traded funds that hold bitcoin have made investing in the cryptocurrency easier, while also driving business for Coinbase and others who safeguard those ETFs’ bitcoins. Coinbase rose 2.7 percent Tuesday to bring its gain for the year so far to 14.5 percent. Earnings reporting season is winding down for the big companies in the S&P 500, and the hope is that a remarkably solid U.S. economy will help profits grow through this year. A report in Tuesday morning showed orders for long-lasting manufactured goods were weaker last month than economists expected, but they were better than forecast after ignoring airplanes and other transportation items. A separate report said that confidence among U.S. consumers unexpectedly slipped. Confidence had been on the upswing, and it’s a closely followed figure on Wall Street because spending by consumers makes up the bulk of the U.S. economy. On the upside for investors, the report also showed that expectations for inflation among U.S. consumers ticked down a bit. In other trading, U.S. benchmark crude oil lost 36 cents to $78.51 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the international standard, shed 35 cents to $82.31 per barrel. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The U.S. dollar rose to 150.73 Japanese yen from 150.51 Japanese yen. The euro fell to $1.0821 from $1.0843. Subscribe to our business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Associated Press

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:06:59 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447798/asian-stocks-lower-after-wall-street-holds-steady-near-record-highs

Inquirer

P125 per week discount for seniors’ grocery items takes effect in March

Senior citizens wait for their turn to get their second booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine at a mall on May 20, 2022. (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ GRIG MONTEGRANDE) Senior citizens wait for their turn to get their second booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine at a mall on May 20, 2022. (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ GRIG MONTEGRANDE) MANILA, Philippines — The proposed increase in the discounts given to grocery purchases of senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) will take effect before March ends. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez gave the timeframe in a statement on Wednesday. The Speaker has met with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officials, including Undersecretary Carolina Sanchez. Sanchez informed the House leader that DTI is amenable to requests for additional discounts for seniors and PWDs. Currently, senior citizens and PWDs get a weekly grocery discount capped at P65. The amount is based on the computation of a 5 percent discount for the maximum allowable purchase of P1,300. Romualdez and other lawmakers have suggested that the maximum discountable amount should be increased to P2,500 for a P125 per week discount, or P500 per month. “I am delighted to welcome the imminent implementation of increased discounts for our senior citizens and PWDs,” he said. “This initiative to provide additional discounts for senior citizens and PWDs demonstrates the commitment of President Marcos to promoting inclusivity and social justice,” he added. Meanwhile, while the consultation process is still ongoing, an inter-agency circular will be issued within March. “We’re working so that the usual P65 per week discount for senior citizens and PWDs may be increased to P125,” Sanchez said. “It’s a joint issuance between the DA (Department of Agriculture), DTI and the DOE (Department of Energy).” On February 07, Romualdez said a technical working group was formed to study proposals to increase the discount hike. The move comes after concerns were brought up during a House committee hearing on ways and means. Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Representative Wilter Palma relayed to the committee that while he and his wife were buying groceries in a mall near Fairview, Quezon City, he was surprised to learn that despite the massive cost of their purchases, the discount was capped at only P65. It was then revealed that according to the Joint DTI-DA Administrative Order No. 10-02 series of 2010, seniors can avail of  a special discount of 5 percent for their groceries, provided that the “total amount of said purchase shall not exceed the amount of P1,300 per calendar week.” Committee chairperson and Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda suggested increasing the discounts. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. He said the maximum discountable amount per week of P1,300 set 20 years ago is already outdated. Salceda said the P1,300 is now worth P2,526 — and 5 percent of P2,526 is P126.31. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Gabriel Pabico Lalu

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 10:14:16 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911221/p125-per-week-discount-for-seniors-grocery-items-takes-effect-in-march

Inquirer

3 provinces challenge BARMM governance code

Bai Mariam Mangudadatu                          Mamintal Adiong Jr.                   Abdusakur Tan —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Bai Mariam Mangudadatu                          Mamintal Adiong Jr.                   Abdusakur Tan —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS COTABATO CITY—Three provincial governments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have petitioned the Supreme Court to declare as “unconstitutional and invalid” the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code (BLGC), a landmark measure that attempts, among others, to curb political dynasties. According to a news release of the BARMM Governors’ Caucus, the provincial governments of Sulu, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Sur filed the petition on Monday, in accordance with resolutions of their respective provincial legislatures. Sulu was represented in the petition by Gov. Abdusakur Tan, Lanao del Sur by Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr., and Maguindanao del Sur by Gov. Bai Mariam Mangudadatu. Joining them were the leagues of municipal mayors, councilors and barangay governments of the three provinces, represented in the suit by each bodies’ president. READ: Opening up of BARMM to investments cheered Tan, Adiong and Mangudadatu are convenors of the BARMM Governors’ Caucus that has evolved to be a counterforce to the current political dominance of the alliance of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the interim regional government. The MNLF and MILF have signed peace pacts with the government, in 1996 and 2014, respectively. The peace deal with the MILF led to the creation of BARMM in 2019. Their petition claims that the BLGC is riddled with provisions that violate the Constitution, the country’s Local Government Code and the Bangsamoro Organic Law, including the laws on disciplining elected officials. They argued that any provision in the BLGC that diminishes the rights and privileges of local governments under the Local Government Code and other national laws, is invalid. Adiong was cited in the news release as saying that the petition seeks “to clarify the boundaries of power of the national, regional and local governments in the region.” The BLGC is contained in the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 49 which was passed in September last year. It was signed into law by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim and became effective upon publication on Dec. 26, 2023. Hence, the petitioners asked the high court “for the immediate issuance of a status quo ante order, temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction to stop the implementation of the BLGC.” Mainly, the BLGC defines the relations between the regional government and its constituent local government units, giving the Chief Minister disciplining authority over local executives. The petitioners questioned the disciplining authority of the BARMM chief minister, arguing that only the President is vested with the power of supervision over local governments. Also, the petitioners questioned the power granted to the Chief Minister to appoint holders of vacant elective positions in the local governments, arguing that such authority also rests with the Philippine President. The petitioners also took issue with the antidynasty provisions of the BLGC saying it is only the Congress that can do so. They argued that the BLGC is only “a subordinate law to the Local Government Code” hence cannot amend the latter’s provisions setting the qualifications of local elective officials. The BLGC ensures a gradual devolution of authority to ensure a deliberate transfer of power as well as technical and financial capability at the local government level, mandating the Bangsamoro government to provide support to raise the capacity of local governments to make the necessary services available to the people. To support this devolution of powers, the BLGC mandates sharing the regional government’s fiscal resources with local governments. Under the Code, constituent local government units shall receive 40 percent of the share of the Bangsamoro government in the national taxes, fees and charges collected in the Bangsamoro territorial jurisdiction. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Also, 70 percent of the share of the Bangsamoro government in revenues from exploration, development and utilization of natural resources shall be apportioned to its constituent local government units, giving premium to the host locality. INQ News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Edwin O. Fernandez

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:40:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911066/3-provinces-challenge-barmm-governance-code

Inquirer

Global rich keep luxury property prices rising as Manila, Dubai soar

A general view of Dubai’s cityscape September 25, 2013. A stampede by competing apartment buyers in Dubai this week may have obscured signs that Dubai’s latest real estate boom is more restrained than the last one, which pushed the government close to default. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Tags: REAL ESTATE BUSINESS CITYSCAPE) A general view of Dubai’s cityscape September 25, 2013. A stampede by competing apartment buyers in Dubai this week may have obscured signs that Dubai’s latest real estate boom is more restrained than the last one, which pushed the government close to default. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Tags: REAL ESTATE BUSINESS CITYSCAPE) LONDON — Luxury residential property bucked the trend of falling prices in 2023 and rose 3.1%, as double-digit gains in the likes of Manila and Dubai offset falls in New York and London, Knight Frank said on Wednesday. A jump in borrowing costs, inflation and economic uncertainty hit property markets last year, causing a significant drop in transaction volumes. That helped support prices of luxury properties, along with a rise in the portfolios of the rich as stock markets rebounded, according to property agents Knight Frank. READ: OFWs seen keeping local property market hot despite steep loan rates The Philippine capital, Manila, topped the list of 100 markets Knight Frank tracks, with prices jumping 26%, followed by Dubai at 15% and the Bahamas at 15%. Luxury prices in New York and London declined 2% in 2023 and are now 8% and 17% lower than their most recent peaks respectively, Knight Frank said in its flagship The Wealth Report. “As wealth portfolios recovered in 2023, affluent buyers targeted residential property in the world’s luxury markets,” Liam Bailey, global head of research at Knight Frank, said in a statement. Kate Everett-Allen, head of international residential and country research, noted that while “the pandemic-fuelled property boom was set to end in tears as borrowing costs hit 15-year highs”, there had been “a much softer landing” for prices. READ: Navigating the future of Philippine real estate Unlike residential markets, commercial real estate is having a tougher downturn, as the working from home trend pushes up vacancy rates and high borrowing costs hit the value of office blocks. Global commercial real estate investment tumbled 46% in 2023 to $698 billion, driven by a pullback from U.S. investors, Knight Frank found. Industrial and logistics beat offices to become the most invested sector for the first time on record, winning a share of a quarter of all global investment while the office market shrunk to a 22% share from 25% in 2022, Knight Frank said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Private real estate investors, the most active buyers in 2023, look set to increase their buying activity in 2024 as they seek to take advantage of “dislocation” in the market, the London-based agents said. Subscribe to our business news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Reuters

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:48:53 PST

https://business.inquirer.net/447722/global-rich-keep-luxury-property-prices-rising-as-manila-dubai-soar

Inquirer

No Chinese Navy ship seen in Scarborough Shoal’s territorial seas

The side of the Scarborough Shoal as seen using a drone. Mother boats are anchored at the deeper part of the shoal while small boats can go across the coral reefs to catch fish inside. FILE PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA The side of the Scarborough Shoal as seen using a drone. Mother boats are anchored at the deeper part of the shoal while small boats can go across the coral reefs to catch fish inside. FILE PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA MANILA, Philippines — No Chinese Navy ship has been spotted inside the territorial sea of Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea as of Tuesday, according to a Philippine Navy official. Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said no People’s Liberation Army-Navy ship was seen inside twelve nautical miles of the low-tide elevation also known as Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag Shoal. “As of yesterday (Tuesday), that is the latest, there are no [PLA ships inside the 12 nautical miles],” Trinidad told reporters in a phone interview. READ: Chinese aircraft spotted over Scarborough Shoal – Coast Guard Trinidad made the statement after Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, noted the presence of three PLA-Navy warships within the vicinity of the Scarborough Shoal as observed by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ BRP Datu Sanday when it was deployed in the area last Feb. 21. However, Tarriela pointed out that these warships have maintained a distance of “more than 20 nautical miles away.” READ: BFAR verifying Chinese fishers’ alleged cyanide use in Scarborough “What we are concerned about is if the gray ship is now inside the 12 nautical miles,” Trinidad said, referring to Scarborough Shoal’s territorial seas. While it never deployed its naval ships inside the 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Shoal, China seized control of its lagoon in 2012 following its Chinese coast guard’s standoff with Philippine vessels. China asserts ownership in almost the entire South China Sea, which includes most of the West Philippine Sea. READ: 2023: A look back at rising tension in West PH Sea In 2013, the Philippines lodged a case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands. Manila challenged China’s nine-dash line at the time and won a favorable ruling that invalidated Beijing’s claims in July 2016. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. The landmark decision also covered Scarborough Shoal, which it declared a traditional fishing ground that should be shared among neighboring countries. Subscribe to our global news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

John Eric Mendoza

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:56:39 PST

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/226598/no-chinese-navy-ship-seen-in-scarborough-shoals-territorial-seas-trinidad

Inquirer

PBA: TNT slips past Rain or Shine in coach Chot Reyes’ return

TNT coach Chot Reyes in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES TNT coach Chot Reyes in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES ANTIPOLO CITY—TNT got a pair of clutch baskets from Calvin Oftana to bring down Rain or Shine, 108-107, in coach Chot Reyes’ return for a winning start to its PBA Philippine Cup campaign Wednesday at Ynares Center here. Oftana, who finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds, hit a go-ahead three and converted a left-handed layup inside the final two minutes as the Tropang Giga weathered the Elasto Painters’ determined stand to come away with a hard-fought victory. His five straight points gave TNT a 108-104 lead after trailing by a high of 10 in the third quarter. SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup RR Pogoy added 22 points and rookie Kim Aurin came off the bench for a season-high 21 for the Tropang Giga. New acquisition Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser came up with 15 points and 14 rebounds, two days after being acquired from NLEX in a three-team trade aimed at shoring up TNT’s lineup for the PBA All-Filipino tournament. TNT Tropang Giga’s Calvin Oftana in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES Reyes was back in charge after handing the reins to team manager Jojo Lastimosa in the last two conferences to focus on his previous role as coach of Gilas Pilipinas. READ: PBA: Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser stoked over TNT transfer Rookie Adrian Nocum finished with 20 points but suffered from cramps during the fourth quarter and didn’t return. Santi Santillan also had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Rain or Shine. Nocum and Santillan were responsible for putting Rain or Shine up 61-51 in the third, before TNT inched its way back in the contest. TNT 108—Oftana 23, Pogoy 22, Aurin 21, Ganuelas-Rosser B. 15, Castro 14, Galinato 4, Khobuntin 4, Ganuelas-Rosser M. 3, Montalbo 2, Williams 0, Ebona 0, Reyes 0, Heruela 0, Ponferrada 0. RAIN OR SHINE 107—Nocum 20, Santillan 20, Caracut 15, Ildefonso 11, Belga 10, Datu 8, Demusis 6, Clarito 6, Mamuyac 5, Borboran 4, Norwood 2, Concepcion 0. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Quarters: 26-26, 51-52, 83-88, 108-107. Subscribe to our sports news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jonas Terrado

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 22:23:27 PST

https://sports.inquirer.net/554926/pba-tnt-slips-past-rain-or-shine-in-coach-chot-reyes-return

Inquirer

China expresses concern over PH activities in West Philippine Sea

EYE IN THE SKY Two FA-50PH aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (first two from left) fly alongsideUS fighter jets in a joint patrol over the West Philippine Sea on Nov. 21, as seen from anotherUS military aircraft. Philippine and US navy ships are also taking part in the patrol.—PHOTO FROM 5TH FIGHTERWING AND 353RD SPECIAL OPERATIONS WING/US AIR FORCE EYE IN THE SKY Two FA-50PH aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (first two from left) fly alongsideUS fighter jets in a joint patrol over the West Philippine Sea on Nov. 21, as seen from anotherUS military aircraft. Philippine and US navy ships are also taking part in the patrol.—PHOTO FROM 5TH FIGHTERWING AND 353RD SPECIAL OPERATIONS WING/US AIR FORCE MANILA, Philippines — Following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s remark about the “worrisome” presence of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, China in return expressed “grave concern” over the Philippines’ “activities” in the disputed waters. “China’s position on the South China Sea is consistent and clear,” said China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning in a press conference on Wednesday after she was asked what her comment was on Marcos’ remark about Chinese vessels in Philippine waters. Marcos earlier noted the “changing situation” in the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing that Filipino fishers should be allowed to fish in their traditional fishing grounds which belong in the maritime territory of the Philippines. “We express grave concern over the Philippines’ recent activities in the South China Sea that infringe on China’s sovereignty and will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable,” she added. Mao did not categorically state what “recent activities” are being conducted by the Philippines against China. To note, China’s sweeping claim over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, has long been dismissed by an arbitral tribunal in a landmark ruling. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions. Subscribe to our global news By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Charie Abarca

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 23:21:16 PST

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/226618/china-expresses-concern-over-ph-activities-in-west-philippine-sea

Inquirer

Ex-president Duterte says he never called Marcos a drug addict

Former President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS) Former President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS) MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte denied calling his successor, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. a drug addict. “Wala akong sinabi na ganoon, even if you kill me a thousand times, wala akong sinabing ganoon,” said Duterte in a press conference late Tuesday night. (I did not say that; even if you kill me a thousand times, I did not say such a thing.) “Make it ‘taking a drug,’ pero kung sabihin mong ‘addict,’ wala akong sinabing ganiyan. Patayin ako ni Marcos niyan. Maawa ka naman sa’kin, matanda na ko,” he added. (Make it ‘taking a drug,’ but if you say ‘addict,’ I did not say that. Marcos might kill me for that. Have mercy on me; I’m already old.) The former president even claimed that Marcos was on the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) drug watch list. The PDEA denied that Marcos was included in its watchlist, as well as Duterte’s own narco-list during his administration. Meanwhile, Marcos previously brushed off Duterte’s allegations, attributing it to his predecessor’s alleged fentanyl-use. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Zacarian Sarao

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:21:46 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911616/fwd-ex-pres-duterte-on-denying-he-called-marcos-an-addict

Inquirer

Marcos presses Quiboloy to face House, Senate over allegations

Apollo Quiboloy (left) and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Bongbong Marcos/INQUIRER FILES) Apollo Quiboloy (left) and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Bongbong Marcos/INQUIRER FILES) Updated on February 28, 2024 at 12:24 p.m. MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy to address the various allegations against him in Congress and Senate. In an ambush interview before his flight to Australia, Marcos urged Quiboloy that he should attend the hearings and present his side of the story. READ: Quiboloy claims slay plot in anti-US, Marcos rant “He has an opportunity in the hearings both in the House and in the Senate to say his side of the story. Kaya po sinasabi niya, ‘hindi totoo lahat ‘yan, hindi totoo’, walang nangyaring ganiyan, ‘di sabihin niya,” said Marcos in an ambush interview. (He has an opportunity in the hearings both in the House and in the Senate to say his side of the story. If he says, ‘all of that is not true, it is not true,’ nothing will happen there, then he should say it.) In the Senate, the self-proclaimed son of God faces allegations of sexual abuse from former members of his religious organization, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. In the House of Representatives, the Quiboloy-led Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) is being probed for allegedly violating its franchise by disseminating false information. Quiboloy faces summons from both chambers of Congress. Senator Risa Hontiveros subpoenaed Quiboloy after he failed to show up to multiple hearings on his alleged sexual crimes. READ: Hontiveros says Quiboloy not above the law: ‘We are waiting for you’ In the House of Representatives, lawmakers are tackling a bill revoking the franchise of Quiboloy’s SMNI due to its violations. House Speaker Martin Romualdez has also subpoenaed Quiboloy. The self-proclaimed son of God has ignored these summons. “Pag hindi siya sumipot baka ma-contempt siya, oh tapos, tuloy-tuloy. Ay, naku. Eh mas malaking gulo. Kung makapunta siya, sagutin niya lahat ng tanong, ‘di tapos na. That’s why my advice for him is to just face the questioning in the House and in the Senate,” said Marcos. (If he does not show up, he might be held in contempt. Then, it will just go on. Oh my. That is a bigger problem. If he gets to come, answer all the questions, and it is done. That’s why I advise him to face the questioning in the House and Senate.) “We’re trying to be fair here and allowing him the opportunity and fora to make his case,” said Marcos. Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said that Quiboloy is not above the law. READ: Romualdez dismisses Quiboloy’s claim on connivance with foreigners Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. “His constitutional rights, like all witnesses, are respected. But he is not higher than the president, the Senate, and the law,” Hontiveros said Romualdez has also told Quiboloy to face the music. “We encourage Pastor Quiboloy to address his legal challenges through the proper legal channels and respect the legal processes in place,” said Romualdez. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Jean Mangaluz

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:26:31 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911187/marcos-presses-quiboloy-to-face-house-senate-over-allegations

Inquirer

Charter Day bonus for Cebu City gov’t employees ‘still pending’

JULY 16, 2023: A glimpse at the facade of the Cebu City Hall. CDN Digital photo | Brian J. Ochoa JULY 16, 2023: A glimpse at the facade of the Cebu City Hall. CDN Digital photo | Brian J. Ochoa CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Charter Day bonus for Cebu City government employees is still subject to deliberation, meaning there is no definite final date yet as to when it will be given. Councilor Noel Wenceslao, chairman of the Committee on Budget and Finance, has confirmed that Supplemental Budget 1, which includes allocations for the Palarong Pambansa and Charter Bonus, has been signed. However, he further said that they were currently awaiting its submission for deliberation during the council’s upcoming regular session on March 6. READ: Cebu City employees ‘may not’ receive Charter Day bonus on Feb 24 Wenceslao explained that the cutoff for all agenda, including proposals, is every Thursday of the week, with the agenda being addressed in the following week’s regular session, held every Wednesday. “So mao na (that is) they have to submit it tomorrow…the proposal. So once they’ve submitted it, maapil nana siya sa (It will be included in the) agenda then in next Wednesday,” Wenceslao said. Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Rama said that he had already signed the supplemental budget 1 and hoped that the Local Finance Committee (LFC) would submit the proposal to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for deliberation. “I have already signed it. The Local Finance (Committee, LFC) must have already submitted the documents to the Sangguniang Panlungsod,” he said in Ingna’ng Mayor program over Sugboanon Channel from Manila via Zoom on February 27. SB1 will encompass the necessary funds for the city’s transitional housing project, infrastructure requirements for the Palarong Pambansa in July, and other expenditures not included in the approved 2024 Budget. READ: Charter Day bonus for gov’t employees may be more than P25k Previously, Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the reason behind the delay of the submission of the proposal for the Charter Day bonus. He said that it was because the proposal would be submitted through a supplemental budget which would also include other expenditures apart from that of the bonus. “What I also know, it will be a supplemental budget that will also include other items not only the Charter Day. Mao bitaw nadugay na kay taas man gud ang (That is why it had taken a long time because it will take a long) process,” Garcia said. He also added that the exact amount of the bonus for the employees could not be confirmed as it had “not been tackled” yet by the council. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards. Subscribe to our regional newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

ppiquero

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:03:05 PST

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/559101/charter-day-bonus-for-cebu-city-govt-employees-still-pending

Inquirer

Marcos to Tesda: Fix job-skills mismatch of SHS graduates

TRAINING In this 2018 photo, students train under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Cookery National Certificate Level II Course to hone their knowledge and skills in preparing cold meals such as canapes and an open sandwich served as an appetizer. —LYN RILLON TRAINING In this 2018 photo, students train under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Cookery National Certificate Level II Course to hone their knowledge and skills in preparing cold meals such as canapes and an open sandwich served as an appetizer. —LYN RILLON President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday directed the country’s educational agencies to fix the current school programs to match the country’s current job demands with the skills given to senior high school (SHS) graduates. In his sectoral meeting in Malacañang, the President directed the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to “upskill and reskill” the graduates to meet the jobs required by the country’s industries, amid recent data that only 20 percent of SHS graduates were able to land jobs. “We need the involvement of the industry as they tell us what kind of workers they need and what kind of training [our schools] need to give. This, in turn, will lead us to put additional learning tracks,” he said. The President met with officials of the education sector led by Education Secretary Sara Duterte and Tesda Administrator Suharto Mangudadatu to discuss proposals to improve the country’s technical-vocational education and training (TVET) program. READ: Senator: Tesda ‘misaligned’ programs He lamented that the government has been offering livelihood programs and skills training such as dressmaking and cosmetology, which were no longer adapted to the present times. “We truly need this assessment of the labor market and the involvement of the industry. We need to have a close linkage with the industry so that even if our graduates are not hired outright, jobs are available and are waiting for them,” he said. He likewise said that Tesda’s training programs should be better designed for students in lower-class towns. “So, we really have to study that more, we can no longer rely on that shotgun effect—no one cares who gets hit,” the President noted. Recalibrated training program Tesda responded that it was proposing to embed its training programs in the various tracks of the SHS program that would allow graduates to obtain a national certification normally required of applicants in blue-collar jobs. Following consultations with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) and private stakeholders, Tesda said it had identified 84 training regulations that could be inserted into the existing SHS curriculum. The President then directed Tesda, DepEd, Dole and the Commission on Higher Education to form a technical working group to study Tesda’s project. At a briefing, Tesda Deputy Director General Rosanna Urdaneta cited a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies showing that only 20 percent of SHS graduates landed jobs. “That is what we want to improve because that 20 percent who get employed even involve menial jobs, such as cleaning or clerical tasks. If one has the skills, employers will value their competency and not assign them to roles like preparing coffee or running errands,” she said. “Aside from a high school diploma, they will also get a national certificate, which will come in handy once they encounter financial difficulties in pursuing college education and [are] compelled to work,” she said. She also dismissed fears that Tesda’s proposal to embed its training in the SHS program would entail an added financial burden on parents. “This will [also] not lead to a disruption of [students’] time for studies; the real burden would be on the teacher-trainers because their skills need to be improved,” she said. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. According to Urdaneta, Tesda estimated that it would have to train 4,000 DepEd teachers for a period of 15 days for its “recalibrated” TVET program. INQ News that matters By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Melvin Gascon

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 05:20:00 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911090/president-to-tesda-fix-job-skills-mismatch-of-shs-graduates

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Iloilo City government to re-assess boarding houses after fire

Iloilo. INQUIRER FILES Iloilo. INQUIRER FILES ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City government will reinspect boarding houses in La Paz district’s Barangay San Nicolas following a fire that hit seven boarding houses and killed two persons on Feb. 18. Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered the city government’s Boarding House Commission to check existing boarding houses in the barangay, which is close to big schools in the city such as the Western Institute of Technology, St. Therese-MTC Colleges, West Visayas State University and Iloilo Science and Technology University. “That area, San Nicolas, is mostly filled with boarding houses when you go there. In terms of voting population, [it] is small, but in terms of [the current residents], there are many people there,” Treñas said. “We’ve been ordering the closure of several boarding houses because of violations. We’re not being remiss. It’s very sad but we have to go back, and that means we have to do more,” he added. READ: 4 die, 8 injured in Cebu City fire Treñas said the licenses and business permits of boarding houses would be revoked if they found it not up to standard. Under City Regulation Ordinance No. 00-01 boarding houses must be made of strong materials and must have a fire extinguisher, fire alarm, and a dedicated fire exit, among other facility requirements. Investment Services, Business Permits and Licensing Division (ISBPLD) head Norman Tabud said that out of the seven boarding houses affected by the fire, three had no permits while two had not yet been renewed. READ: Elderly woman dead in Rizal town blaze Two people were killed the fire that engulfed one of the boarding houses without a permit. They were 21-year-old Renz David Aguilar of Concepcion town and 26-year-old Lyn Rose Sobretido of Pototan town who were staying in a boarding house owned by Rocky Gordon. Aside from the fatalities, 173 people were displaced in the fire that destroyed five houses and damaged two others. The Bureau of Fire Protection-Iloilo City estimated the damage at P2.1 million. The cause and the origin of the fire had yet to be determined. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Joey Marzan, Ruchelle Denice Demaisip

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:22:36 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911311/iloilo-city-government-to-re-assess-boarding-houses-after-fire

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DBM confirms 6.6% budget increase for health facilities enhancement in PH

INSIDE THE COVID WARD PGH / JUNE 19, 2021 Head Chaplain Father Marlito Ocon SJ and Assistant Chaplain Father Henry Ponce SJ of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Chapel and The Chaplaincy prepare to go inside the Covid Ward 3 to conduct sacrament of the anointing of the sick for the patients. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES INSIDE THE COVID WARD PGH / JUNE 19, 2021 Head Chaplain Father Marlito Ocon SJ and Assistant Chaplain Father Henry Ponce SJ of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Chapel and The Chaplaincy prepare to go inside the Covid Ward 3 to conduct sacrament of the anointing of the sick for the patients. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos may expect more improvements among public health facilities nationwide as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday confirmed an increase in the budget allocation for a program that seeks to upgrade the country’s health facilities. The DBM confirmed that P28.58 billion has been allocated for implementing the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) in this year’s General Appropriations Act – 6.6 percent higher than 2023’s figure of P26.81 billion. READ: DBM: 4Ps cash aid budget for 2024 is P106.3 billion “This is just proof that our government is really serious about improving health services in the country. As the President said in his last SONA [State of the Nation Address], we are increasing our public health facilities both in number and in capability. And so, we will ensure that this program will get a much-needed support,” DBM Chief Amenah Pangandaman said of the increased budget allocation for the program. “We understand that many Filipinos rely on public hospitals and clinics, that’s why it’s important that our health facilities are prepared and equipped to cater to the needs of our countrymen,” her statement continued in Filipino. The DBM said that the Department of Health-implemented program budget will be used for the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade or expansion of government healthcare facilities nationwide. The department added that it will also allow the purchase of hospital equipment and medical transport vehicles. The budget department further said that the HFEP prioritizes Universal Health Care sites and far-flung or Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged areas (GIDAS). GIDAS refers to communities with marginalized populations physically and socio-economically separated from mainstream society, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said on its website. READ: DBM allots 20.9% of ICT budget for cybersecurity Meanwhile, a page on the National Economic and Development Authority’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) website said that the HFEP plays an important role in achieving the country’s health-related SDGs by providing affordable, quality, and specialized treatment to Filipinos. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Zeus Legaspi

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 09:24:46 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911206/fwd-dbm-on-health-program-increase

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PNP in ‘constant communication’ with main suspect in Camilon case

Beauty queen Catherine Camilon. (File photo from the Facebook account of Miss Grand Philippines) Beauty queen Catherine Camilon. (File photo from the Facebook account of Miss Grand Philippines) MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been keeping in touch with dismissed Police Maj. Allan De Castro, the primary suspect in the disappearance of beauty queen Catherine Camilon, according to Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, chief of the Calabarzon Police Regional Office (PRO 4A). “In relation to the ongoing investigation, there is a constant communication between PNP and Major De Castro. So if we ever need to summon him, he’s just there. He is not hiding,” Lucas said in a phone interview. “Actually, he is willing to attend the Senate hearing. Unfortunately, the night before, he rushed his eight-month pregnant wife to the hospital. But he promised to attend the next one.” READ: Senate panel summons suspects in Catherine Camilon’s disappearance According to previous reports, De Castro was discharged last January 16 after being found guilty of conduct unbecoming of a police officer. The decision came as a result of a series of investigations conducted by the Calabarzon Regional Internal Affairs Service, uncovering evidence of an extramarital affair between DeCastro and Camilon. He is currently facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges with his driver, Jeffrey Magpantay, and two other “John Does.” De Castro was the supposed friend Camilon was about to meet when she disappeared on October 12 last year. Magpantay was one of the three men that witnesses allegedly saw transferring the beauty queen’s body from her car to another vehicle. The case was filed against them after the members of the PRO 4-A Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) recovered an abandoned car similar to the witnesses’ description in a vacant lot at the corner of Dumuclay Road and Star Tollway in Barangay Pallocan East on November 9. Police said the car, which had no license plate, was taken to Camp General Miguel C. Malvar in Batangas City for forensic examination. Results later showed that the DNA of the hair strands recovered in the red Honda CRV matched Camilon’s parents’ DNA. Meanwhile, the deputy chief of  PRO 4-A CIDG, Maj. Nilo Morallos, also revealed that Camilon might already be dead based on the accounts of their witnesses. On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs began its investigation on the case, which stemmed from the proposed Senate Resolution Nos. 913 and 767, both filed by Sen. Raffy Tulfo. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. However, De Castro skipped the probe to tend to his pregnant wife. As a result, the Senate panel issued a subpoena to him and Magpantay, who, according to his legal counsel, was “sick.” Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Faith Argosino

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:40:35 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911477/pnp-in-constant-communication-with-main-suspect-in-camilon-disappearance

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FDA reminds drugstores of 20% senior citizen’s discount

Tablets and capsules of medicines. Contributed photo Tablets and capsules of medicines. Contributed photo MANILA, Philippines —   The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday reminded all drugstores and hospitals to grant a 20 percent discount on medicines purchased by senior citizens. In FDA advisory 2024-0429 dated February 28, the agency also reminded senior citizens or their representatives to present any of the following identification documents upon purchase of medicines: The FDA also cited Section IV.2 of Administrative Order No. 2012-0007 entitled “Guidelines on the Grant of 20% Discount to Senior Citizens on Health-Related Goods and for Other Purposes,” which defined medicines as “prescription and nonprescription/over-the-counter drugs, both generic and branded.” These include vitamin and mineral supplements medically prescribed by attending physicians and approved by the health department and the FDA for  use in diagnosis, care, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. READ: Reminder to seniors: Discounts total 32% The FDA noted that food, devices or their components, parts, and accessories are not included in the items that can be discounted. Senior citizens were likewise reminded to always bring their purchase slip booklet when buying medicines. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Luisa Cabato

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:13:31 PST

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1911700/fda-on-20-discount-for-senior-citizens

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Flowers for Lolas: Remembering the 1945 Rape of Manila

This is the “Memorare Manila 1945 Monument” that can be found in  Plaza de Sta. Isabel at the corner of General Luna and Anda Streets Intramuros, Manila. This is the “Memorare Manila 1945 Monument” that can be found in  Plaza de Sta. Isabel at the corner of General Luna and Anda Streets Intramuros, Manila. “The non-combatant victims of that tragic battle will remain forever in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people”. This is part of the inscription penned by  Nick Joaquin, National Artist for Literature, on the “Memorare Manila 1945 Monument” that can be found in  Plaza de Sta. Isabel at the corner of General Luna and Anda Streets Intramuros, Manila, which is a short walk from Manila Cathedral and San Augustine Church. Made by sculptor Peter de Guzman, the monument serves as a “gravestone” reminder of the dark years of Manila that commemorates the lives lost during the battle for the liberation of Manila, waged by Filipino and American forces against Imperial Japanese troops from February 3 to March 3, 1945. ALSO READ: ‘No to Cha Cha’ in UP Fair and Oblation Run The monument was unveiled on February 18, 1995 with its main feature of the figure of a hooded woman slumped on the ground in great despair for the lifeless child she cradles in her arm along with six suffering figures surrounding her. The inscription states: “This monument is erected in memory of the more than 100,000 defenseless civilians who were killed during the Battle for the Liberation of Manila between February 3 and March 3,1945. They were mainly victims of heinous acts perpetrated by the Japanese Imperial Forces and the casualties of the heavy artillery barrage by the American Forces. The Battle for Manila at the end of World War II was one of the most brutal episode in the history of Asia and the Pacific. The non-combatant victims of that tragic battle will remain forever in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people” Subjected to incessant pounding and facing certain death or capture, the beleaguered Japanese troops took out their anger and frustration on the civilians caught in the crossfire, committing multiple acts of severe brutality. The Japanese forced Filipino women and children to be used as human shields into the front lines to protect Japanese positions. Those who survived were then murdered by the Japanese. The bodies of people, even babies — beheaded, mutilated, bayoneted and shot — littered the streets, schools, public buildings, even places of worship. ALSO READ: Mythical  Chinese dragons and bakunawa Also known as the Rape of Manila, the city became one of the most devastated Allied capital cities during the entire war, alongside Berlin and Warsaw as Japanese resistance and American artillery destroyed much of Manila’s architectural and cultural heritage dating back to the city’s founding. “In a war, everybody is a loser. Nobody is a winner. But we should also look at how we used our wisdom as a people to help liberate ourselves from the Japanese and see that the triumphant Filipino can overcome even the worst tragedies,” historian Xiao Chua said. After the simple commemoration rites last February 17, 2024, a forum was held at the nearby Bahay Tsinoy Museum entitled “RECOLLECTIONS.” Survivors shared memories and experiences during wartime Manila which ”sadly, hardly anyone remembers.” Teresita Ang See of Flowers for Lolas noted that victims of atrocities under the Japanese occupation include  the Filipina comfort women. About 200,000 women from Korea, China, Burma, New Guinea, and the Philippines were held in captivity and many thousands more were raped as part of one of the largest operations of sexual violence in modern history. The girls were abducted, trafficked, or brought to the Japanese military camps. The victims spent their lives in misery, having endured physical injuries, pain and disability, as well as mental and emotional suffering. According to testimony at the Yamashita war crimes trial, the Bayview Hotel was used as a designated “rape center”. ALSO READ: Ukuleles, bamboo instruments and kudyapi reverberate in CCP Pasinaya  2024 Some 400 women and girls were rounded up from Manila’s wealthy Ermita district, and submitted to a selection board that picked out the 25 women who were considered most beautiful. They were then taken to the hotel where Japanese enlisted men and officers took turns raping them. A four-meter Lola statue, wearing a traditional Filipino dress, blindfolded, with hands clutched to her chest, was installed along Roxas Boulevard on December 8, 2017. However, the statue was dismantled on April 27, 2018 by the DPWH, allegedly for a drainage improvement project, but it was seen as a submission to protests from Japan. It was later declared missing when its artist, Jonas Roces, failed to turn over the statue during its scheduled reinstallation on August 25, 2019. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) released on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2023, a decision on the complaint by the Malaya Lolas, which found that the “Philippines violated the rights of victims of sexual slavery perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second World War by failing to provide reparation, social support and recognition commensurate with the harm suffered.” The Rape of Manila must be linked with the hashtag #neverforget. (Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, please email [email protected], or call 09175025808 or 09088665786) Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy. Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards. Subscribe to our regional newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

dsingson

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 06:30:22 PST

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/558829/flowers-for-lolas-remembering-the-1945-rape-of-manila

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