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Carmen flash floods: 100 personnel help search for victims | eares | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 17:39:30 PST | The search and rescue operation continues for the five individuals who were swept away by floodwaters in Carmen town, northern Cebu on Monday, July 8. | Photo from Mayor Carlo Villamor FB
The search and rescue operation continues for the five individuals who were swept away by floodwaters in Carmen town, northern Cebu on Monday, July 8. | Photo from Mayor Carlo Villamor FB
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A total of 100 personnel have joined the search for the five persons who remained missing after their vehicle was swept away by flash floods in Carmen town, northern Cebu on Monday, July 8.
This was revealed by Engineer Roger Suico, head of the Carmen Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), in an interview with Alan Domingo of Balitang Bisdak posted on his social media page.
According to Suico, 100 personnel are now assisting in the search and rescue operation that began on Monday for the Carmen flash floods victims.
Among these are DRRMO personnel from Danao and Catmon, Cebu City Coastguard, Danao firefighters, and members of the Philippine Army.
Moreover, Suico said that the local government has agreed to provide drones to help the search for the victims of the Carmen flash floods .
Suico relayed that they are now focusing their search on the river in Brgy. Luyang, where two of the victims were found dead.
He explained that this was because their search turned out negative despite circling the 6-kilometer river in Brgy. Cantumog three times.
At past 5:00 p.m. on Monday, the pickup truck containing 17 individuals was cruising on a road beside a river which overflowed. The driver lost track of the concrete road which was now covered with raging flood waters until the vehicle fell into the river in Brgy. Cantumog.
The victims were on their way home to Brgy. Cantacung after a party at a mountain resort in Barangay Natimao-an.
According to Suico, the vehicle possibly failed to support the weight while facing the surge of water in the river.
The vehicle then got stuck on a big rock several meters away, which gave 10 of the passengers time to get off.
They were rescued and brought to the rural health unit for psychosocial intervention.
The 10 people who were rescued from the Carmen flash floods were: Ranilo Hermoso, 44; the driver of the vehicle; Debie Hermoso, 40; Jojielyn Tungal, 39; Jasmine Gica, 37; 4 six-year-old girls; an 11-year-old girl; and a 16-year-old girl.
Meanwhile, operatives retrieved the body of an 11-year-old in the Luyang River a few hours later.
On Tuesday, July 9, they found the pregnant Rhesamie Ypil Costan, 26, in the seawaters off Luyang.
As of this writing, emergency personnel are still searching for the remaining five missing passengers of the Carmen flashflood: Elmer Costan, 25; an 11-year-old girl; a 12-year-old boy; a 13-year-old girl; and a 15-year-old boy.
The 10 rescued persons were already taken home on the morning of Tuesday, July 9, added Suico.
Following this incident, Suico advised residents not to be complacent and to refrain from traversing river waters during bad weather.
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Carmen, Cebu: Family outing ends in tragedy after flashfloods sweep pickup truck | merram | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 10:00:12 PST | The Isuzu D-Max pickup is being secured by ropes at the river. | Paul Lauro
The Isuzu D-Max pickup is being secured by ropes at the river. | Paul Lauro
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A family outing in Carmen town, northern Cebu ended in tragedy after flashfloods swept away their pickup truck last Monday, July 8.
The pickup truck was carrying a total of 17 passengers and tried to cross the spillway in a river in Brgy. Cantumog, a mountain barangay in Carmen, when it was struck by a huge volume of flood waters, initial reports from the Carmen Police Station showed.
As of Tuesday, July 9, at least one already died while 10 have been rescued, said Mayor Carlo Villamor.
Disaster and rescue personnel retrieved the body of an 11-year-old child identified as Arshane Bejoc in Luyang River, a few kilometers downstream.
Meanwhile, search and rescue operations resumed at 8 a.m. on Tuesday for the six remaining missing family members — four of whom happened to be minors.
READ MORE:
Cebu river sweeps away truck with 17 partygoers: 1 dead, 6 missing
Pick-up truck with 17 passengers washed away by river overflow
50,000 residents affected by floods in 2 Maguindanao del Sur towns
Also included in the list of missing people were the couples Rhesamie Ypil Costan, 26; and Elmer Costan, 25. Reports stated the Costans recently tied the knot last weekend before the tragedy occurred.
The family was on its way home to Brgy. Cantucong after having a party at a mountain resort in Sitio Mangingit, Brgy. Lower Natimao-an on Monday afternoon.
A total of 17 passengers boarded the vehicle, which was a Isuzu D-Max, pickup, ideally designed to carry up to five passengers only, including its driver.
At least 10 of them sat on the cargo box of the pick-up truck, investigations showed.
While it was making its way downhill around 5 p.m., the pickup truck reportedly tried to cross a spillway in Barangay Cantumog, it was then hit by a huge volume of flood waters along the river.
As a result, most of the passengers were swept away by the strong current. Those inside the pickup truck managed to flee to safety by breaking the glass windows and climbed on top of a nearby rock.
Search and rescue operations immediately followed for all the passengers on board the pick-up truck, but Villamor halted them past 9 p.m. due to inclement weather.
It resumed on the morning of the following day, Tuesday, with the help of the Philippine Coast Guard and other disaster and rescue personnel from neighboring localities.
Carmen town is a third class municipality of the province of Cebu, which is situated approximately 38.6 kilometers north of Cebu City.
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Whirlwind hits Liloan, Cebu brgy, destroying houses, bunkhouse | dsingson | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 15:42:13 PST | Residents try to recover what they can get from the houses that were destroyed by Monday’s whirlwind that hit the area in Purok Narra 2 Greenhills, Barangay Poblacion, Liloan town. | Paul Lauro
Residents try to recover what they can get from the houses that were destroyed by Monday’s whirlwind that hit the area in Purok Narra 2 Greenhills, Barangay Poblacion, Liloan town. | Paul Lauro
CEBU CITY, Philippines — “Alimpus gyod to (It was really a whirlwind).”
This was how a resident of Purok Narra 2 Greenhills, Barangay Poblacion in Liloan town in northern Cebu described the swirling mass of wind, that hit the the area at past 4 p.m. on Monday, July 8.
The strong gusts of wind blew away the roofs of several houses including Regie Estomago’s house, which partly collapsed and sent several of their things strewn all over in disarray.
READ MORE:
‘Buhawi’ damages four houses in Medellin town
At least 15 dead in US tornadoes, storms
What is a waterspout & how do they form?
Estomago told CDN Digital in an interview on Tuesday, July 9, that fortunately, his wife and two minor children inside the house were left shaken but not hurt after the whirlwind hit.
According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, a whirlwind is a small rotating windstorm of limited extent.
Monday’s strong gusts of wind from the whirlwind, however, destroyed several of the houses in the area and caused the collapse of a bunkhouse in a nearby construction site for a warehouse project.
Another resident, whose house was destroyed, said that the sudden gusts of wind felled several banana plants before hitting their house and blew away the roof.
The female resident said that they hid under the table and waited for the strong wind to pass.
“Giingnan ko sa akong anak nga ma pasok mo ilawom sa lamisa,” she said.
(I was told by my daughter, ma hide under the table.)
She, her husband and her grandson did that and hid under the table.
She believed that the strong winds lasted for about 15 minutes.
A worker of a construction site also described how the strong winds hit and destroyed their bunkhouse.
“Maayo gani nga niigo to ang kusog nga hangin mga pasado alas 5 sa hapon kay kung pasado alas 6 pa to, anha na mi moistar sa bunkhouse,” the construction worker told CDN Digital about how fortunate they were that they were outside the bunkhouse when the whirlwind struck.
(It was fortunate that the strong winds hit at past 5 p.m. and not at 6 p.m. because at that time we will usually stay in the bunkhouse.)
The whirlwind’s strong winds caused the bunkhouse to collapse causing damage to a motorcycle parked inside it.
“Uwan uwan ra man to nga ordinaryo unya nagsige og pangilat. Unya nikalit lang og kusog ang hangin,” said the construction worker.
(It was just an ordinary rain then there was frequent lighning. Then the wind suddenly because stronger.)
Another resident, Lani Angtud, said that she and her son hid under the bed when the roof of their house got blown away by the strong winds.
She said that the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office personnel arrived later and moved them to the elementary school in the barangay where the affected residents were evacuated.
Liloan is a first class municipality of the province of Cebu, and it is located approximately 18 kilometers north of Cebu City.
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Rain showers expected during Palaro opening – Pagasa | dbongcac | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 17:17:05 PST | File photo
File photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Prepare your umbrellas.
Engineer Al Quiblat, the chief of Pagasa-Mactan, said there is a high probably that Metro Cebu will again experience moderate to heavy rain tonight, while the opening program of Palarong Pambansa 2024 is ongoing at the Cebu City Sports Center.
“Most likely ari ni siya sa sayong buntag or late afternoon or evening. Unya duna gyud nay chance nga magkaroon ng heavy rainfall, pareha atong nahitabo gahapon kay naa gyoy higayon nga intense or severe ang thunderstorm,’’ Quiblat said.
READ: Weather contingency plans in place for Palarong Pambansa 2024
The temperature in the next five days will range between 26 to 32 degrees Celsius, with wind conditions that will vary from light to moderate.
The PALARONG PAMBANSA 2024: A CDN DIGITAL SPECIAL ONLINE COVERAGE is in partnership with:
However, Quiblat said, that there is a very minimal possibility that a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) or tropical cyclone would enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in the next five days.
READ: Cebu City now 100% ready to host Palarong Pambansa – Raymond
Moreover, Quilbat said there was no need for the weather bureau to issue a gale warning due to the light to moderate sea conditions that is currently being experienced here.
“Ang kadagatan is wala tay gi expect nga mo issue ta ug gale warning because light to moderate ang expected nga sea condition with 3 meters to 1.0 meters ra ang katas-on except during thunderstorm at open sea,” Quilbat said.
READ: Cebu Province to host a ‘spectacular’ Palaro closing ceremony
Still, he is asking those who would go out to sea to always exercise caution.
Quiblat said that the formation of straight-line winds in the coming days is likely to cause high sea waves.
In addition, Quiblat is asking Cebuanos to monitor only the weather updates that are being released by their office to stay informed.
He also appealed against the spread of misinformation that may cause undue alarm.
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Carmen tragedy: Pregnant woman jumped after husband | eares | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 19:41:10 PST | A red pickup truck with 17 passengers onboard was swept away by flood waters in a river in BarangayCantumog, Carmen, Cebu on Monday afternoon, July 8. | Paul Lauro
A red pickup truck with 17 passengers onboard was swept away by flood waters in a river in BarangayCantumog, Carmen, Cebu on Monday afternoon, July 8. | Paul Lauro
CEBU CITY, Philippines — One of the victims who went missing during the Carmen town river flash flood was a pregnant woman who reportedly jumped in after seeing her husband fall into the river on Monday, July 8.
A few hours later, her body was found floating in the river while her husband remains missing. Rhesamie Ypil Costan, 26, and Elmer Costan, 25, officially tied the knot on Saturday, July 6.
READ MORE:
Carmen, Cebu tragedy: Body of pregnant woman, 12-yr-old boy found
Carmen, Cebu: Family outing ends in tragedy after flashfloods sweep pickup truck
Cebu river sweeps away pickup truck with 17 people: 1 dead, 6 missing
Rhesamie was six months pregnant. The newlyweds came to a mountain resort in Sitio Mangingit, Barangay Lower Natimao-an with family and friends on Monday.
The woman’s father, Amadeo Ypil Jr., 47, told CDN Digital in an interview that they arrived at the resort at 11 a.m. At around 3 p.m., one of their close neighbors arrived in a pickup truck and joined them.
At the same time, Ypil decided to bring some of the relatives home on his motorcycle. When he offered to come back for the rest, they allegedly said that they would catch a ride on their neighbor’s pickup truck.
However, Ypil received news from another neighbor that a vehicle had been swept away a few hours later. According to Ypil, the water in the river had not overflowed when he crossed the spillway just after 3 p.m.
The pickup truck containing his daughter and 16 others was hit by a huge volume of floodwaters as they tried to cross the river at around 5 p.m.
READ MORE:
Carmen flash floods: 100 personnel help search for victims
50,000 residents affected by floods in 2 Maguindanao del Sur towns
Ypil stated that his daughter was sitting inside the pickup truck while her new husband was at the back. When she saw him falling into the river, she allegedly jumped in after him.
“Pagtan-aw niya nga natagak iyang bana, iyang gisunod,” stated Ypil.
The couple and four others then went missing while 10 persons were immediately rescued. A few hours later, an 11-year-old child was found dead in the river in BarangayLuyang.
On Tuesday, July 9, Rhesamie’s body was found floating along the coast of the same river. Also found by emergency personnel was 12-year-old Nathaniel Lozano.
Rhesamie, the eldest of 8, worked as a cashier at a pawnshop, according to Ypil. He added that before the incident, she had shared her plans of moving to Camotes Island, where her new husband, Elmer, was from.
As of this writing, Elmer and three minors are still missing. A total of 100 emergency personnel continue to conduct search and rescue operations for the missing victims.
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BINI’s ‘Pantropiko’ hits 100 million streams on Spotify, YouTube Music | Hans Carbonilla | 2024-07-10T04:05:56+00:00 | Photo from bini_ph/X
Photo from bini_ph/X
Contrary to the belief that performing groups are often one-hit wonders, the “nation’s girl group” BINI is proving otherwise. Their songs continue to dominate various online streaming platforms, shattering records with every stream.
The group’s summer anthem and breakthrough single, “Pantropiko,” has achieved a milestone, becoming the first BINI song to reach 100 million streams on Spotify.
This achievement coincides with their 100th day as the daily most streamed OPM female artist.
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In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Star Music celebrated the success of BINI’s hit song “Pantropiko,” which has surpassed 100 million streams on both Spotify and YouTube Music.
Additionally, the song peaked at 65th place on YouTube’s Top 100 Daily Global Music Video chart and is currently ranked at 68th.
Not just that as their other song “Salamin, Salamin” is close to 100 million streams with more than 88 million streams as of writing. “Karera” is also in the running with more than 45 million streams. Given these numbers, the group is currently the biggest P-pop group in terms of listenership with 7.4 million monthly listeners.
The “Salamin, Salamin” hitmakers’ success is not limited to the digital realm. The eight-member girl group has already started the regional leg of their BINIverse tour, kicking off with a show in Baguio last Saturday.
Their next stops include Cebu City and General Santos City in July.
Following the regional leg are the North American stops. Jhoanna, Maloi, Stacey, Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Mikha and Sheena will kick off their Canada tour in Vancouver on Aug. 9, followed by Edmonton on Aug. 10, Winnipeg on Aug. 16 and Toronto on Aug. 17.
The group will then culminate their tour with the “Grand BINIverse” day at the Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 4.
In addition to their tour, BINI is set to release their highly anticipated single “Cherry on Top” on July 11. For this release, the group collaborated with renowned producers Skylar Mones and Shintaro Yasuda, known for their work with international stars and K-pop icons. Members Colet and Maloi also contributed to the songwriting process.
BINI’s continued success and record-breaking achievements demonstrate their staying power and growing influence in the music industry, defying the notion that girl groups are fleeting sensations.
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PH slams Chinese claims of marine damage in WPS caused by BRP Sierra Madre | John Eric Mendoza | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 11:50:40 PST | The BRP Sierra Madre is seen docked at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on November 10, 2023. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
The BRP Sierra Madre is seen docked at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on November 10, 2023. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines on Tuesday rejected the findings of Chinese experts alleging marine damage was caused by the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea.
NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya also labeled as misinformation the Chinese state tabloid Global Times’ report, which cited government-backed experts. The report claimed the grounded World War II-era warship in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal “seriously damaged the diversity, stability, and sustainability of the coral reef ecosystem in the area.”
“The accusation against the Philippines by so-called ‘Chinese experts’ is false and a classic misdirection,” Malaya said in a statement.
READ: Sue China over suspected reclamation in Escoda Shoal — Carpio
Malaya then called for third-party scientists to step in and conduct an “impartial investigation.”
“We also call for an independent, third party marine scientific assessment in the West Philippine Sea by impartial recognized experts,” Malaya said.
This year, the Philippines also conducted marine scientific research in the West Philippine Sea and their mission saw disruptions from China Coast Guard (CCG).
READ: ‘Irreparable harm’: China intrusion’s impact on West Philippine Sea ecosystem
Malaya noted that Manila has also collated evidence that Beijing has been responsible for severe damage to corals in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Rozul (Iroquois) Reef, Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, and cays in Pagasa (Thitu) Island.
“It is China who has been found to have caused irreparable damage to corals. It is China that has caused untold damage to the maritime environment, and jeopardized the natural habitat and the livelihood of thousands of Filipino fisherfolk,” he said.
Global Times claimed that Manila is thwarting Beijing’s collection of evidence of marine destruction off Ayungin Shoal, which is only 115 nautical miles away from mainland Palawan or well within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
The resupply mission of the BRP Sierra Madre, a naval outpost grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999, became one of the main flash points of tension between Manila and Beijing.
June 17 saw the most violent confrontation in the West Philippine Sea to date as CCG actions during the rotation and resupply mission for the naval outpost led to what the military deemed as “looting” of seven firearms, destruction of two navy boats, and resulting in one navy personnel losing his finger.
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Beijing’s actions are in line with its assertion of sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea — including most of the West Philippine Sea — as it continues to reject a July 2016 Arbitral Award which effectively dismissed its claims while ruling heavily in favor of Manila.
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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Marcos commends Cebu City’s hosting of Palarong Pambansa 2024 | mbgerodias | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 20:58:43 PST | President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. and Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia. | Photo by Josh Almonte
President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. and Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia. | Photo by Josh Almonte
CEBU CITY, Philippines —President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. praised the Cebu City Government for its efficient hosting of the Palarong Pambansa despite the ‘short time’ available, as he served as the keynote speaker at the grand opening ceremony of the annual games on Tuesday, July 9, at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
While Marcos acknowledged the swift preparations, it’s noteworthy that Cebu City, alongside DepEd Cebu City and the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC), has been gearing up to host the Palarong Pambansa since 2022.
Cebu City hosted its first sports event under the Palarong Pambansa banner in 2022, post-COVID-19 pandemic, featuring football and boxing bubble tournaments within strict health protocols.
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This marked the return of sports activities following the global lockdown and health restrictions.
Building on this momentum, Cebu City successfully hosted the Palarong Pambansa pre-qualifying tournament the following year, reinforcing its commitment to host the national games, last hosted here in 1994.
Mayor Michael Rama’s administration formally submitted the bid to host the Palarong Pambansa, and in July of the previous year, Cebu City was awarded the hosting rights in Marikina City.
Preparations continued under the stewardship of Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia last June, who took over from Rama following the latter’s six-month suspension.
Garcia assured that everything was in place and no stone was left unturned in terms of preparation when he took office as the acting mayor of Cebu City.
“To the local government officials and the people of Cebu, thank you for making this event possible. It was a great success. It is a significant achievement that you managed to put together this spectacular event in such a short time. I know there were many sleepless nights before we considered ourselves ready for this, but we thank you for that,” said Marcos in his speech.
“Because your warmth, hospitality, and enthusiasm are truly remarkable, I’m confident that these qualities will undoubtedly lead to the triumph of this year’s Palarong Pambansa,” he added.
Garcia, for his part, attributed the success of Palarong Pambansa to the unity of all stakeholders.
“He (Marcos) was very happy, apparently. Nakadungog man ta during his speech that in a very short span of time, I think he was referring kadtong pagsulod nako. So, it’s not my victory alone. That’s a victory of those who contributed to the success ani atong Palaro and that includes DepEd. A lot of the work was done by DepEd. Tanan mga employees sa City Hall, kadtong mga sleepless nights to prepare, and special mention to Councilor Dondon Hontiveros, Mayor Mike who won the bid ug dili nato kalimtan si Gov. Gwen Garcia who will host the closing ceremony,” Garcia said.
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PSEi pushes past 6,500 over US inflation thrill | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 02:05:00 PST | The local bourse opened the week in green territory as traders awaited new inflation data in the United States that could steer interest rate policy direction.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) added 0.56 percent, or 36.68 points, to close at 6,529.43 on Monday. Meanwhile, the broader All Shares Index gained 0.44 percent, or 15.43 points, to 3,524.42.A total of 447.30 million shares worth P5.63 billion changed hands as foreigners made net purchases worth P143.69 million, stock exchange data showed.
Luis Limlingan, head of sales at stock brokerage house Regina Capital Development Corp., said investors were bracing themselves “for another week that could give hints to the timing of the [US Federal Reserve’s] rate cut.” A further cooling in US inflation is being expected for announcement this week.
READ: Euro slips in Asian trade after snap French poll
Any direction taken by the American central bank may be mirrored by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which has been raising hopes of a possible rate cut in August.
Banks dominated the gainers with a 2.66-percent rise, buoyed by increases in Sy family-led BDO Unibank Inc., which was the top-traded stock as it surged by 4.47 percent to P145 each, and the Zobels’ Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), up by 2.94 percent to P122.50 per share.
BDO was followed by Ayala Land Inc., down 0.17 percent to P29.20; Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., up 0.15 percent to P65.10; SM Investments Corp., down 0.59 percent to P845; and SM Prime Holdings Inc., down 0.52 percent to P28.50 each.
Other actively traded stocks were International Container Terminal Services Inc., down 1.39 percent to P355; PLDT Inc., up 2.31 percent to P1,504; Ayala Corp., unchanged at P568; LT Group Inc., down 1.08 percent to P9.20; and Aboitiz Equity Ventures, unchanged at P37 each.
Losers edged out gainers, 104 to 95, while 42 companies closed unchanged. —Meg J. Adonis INQ
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Raymond proposes cash incentives for Cebu City Palaro medalists | dbongcac | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 20:22:05 PST | Central Visayas athletes during the grand parade of the Palarong Pambansa 2024. | Photo from UP Cebu Intern Jay Chan Baa
Central Visayas athletes during the grand parade of the Palarong Pambansa 2024. | Photo from UP Cebu Intern Jay Chan Baa
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia will recommend to the City Council to set aside a budget for the release of cash incentives to the city’s athletes who will win a medal in Palarong Pambansa 2024 that will start on Thursday, July 11.
In an interview at the Cebu City Sports Center during the opening of the Palarong Pambansa on Tuesday, Garcia expressed his intention to reward athletes who will bring pride to the City.
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“We will discuss that with the City Council. We can set aside a certain budget for that. Ato nang i charge, but that depends on the City Council, but I can recommend,” Garcia said.
READ: Cebu City hosts spectacular Palarong Pambansa opening ceremony
Cebu City is a perennial champion in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA).
READ: Alternative playing venues in place in case of bad weather— Pages
Last May, Cebu City amassed a total of 118 gold medals, exceeding the 110 gold medals they earned in the CVIRAA 2023 held in Carcar City.
READ: President Marcos attends Palaro opening but VP Sara a no show
This means that the majority of the athletes comprising Central Visayas are from Cebu City. Thus, a cash incentive would be necessary to boost their morale in their bid to top the overall medal standings of the Palaro that had long been dominated by the National Capital Region (NCR).
Mandaue City, which also has a significant number of athletes representing Region 7 in Palarong Pambansa already announced its plan to provide them with P5,000 cash allowances to use for the duration of the meet.
On top of that, the gold, silver, and bronze medalists will receive P10,000, P7,000, and P5,000, respectively.
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Philippines elected to host Loss and Damage Fund Board | Julie Aurelio, Zacarian Sarao | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 20:34:32 PST | Aerial photo of a coastal community in Orion, Bataan. Fishing communities in Manila Bay are vulnerable to impacts of climate change such as storm surges and sea level rise that directly affect their livelihood and security. Coastal erosion due to sea bed quarrying increases the risks of coastal communities to climate change.
Aerial photo of a coastal community in Orion, Bataan. Fishing communities in Manila Bay are vulnerable to impacts of climate change such as storm surges and sea level rise that directly affect their livelihood and security. Coastal erosion due to sea bed quarrying increases the risks of coastal communities to climate change.
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has been elected to host the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) Board, announced President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday.
The LDF Board, created at a United Nations climate change summit in Dubai last year, is a financing facility created under the auspices of the United Nations to help vulnerable countries cope with the increasingly costly and damaging impacts of climate disasters.
“I am proud to announce that the Philippines has been elected to host the Loss and Damage Fund Board, out of seven other contenders,” Marcos said in a post on X.
“We are also honored to have a seat on the Board itself, ensuring that the Philippines will be a formidable voice in promoting and advancing global climate action— an issue of critical interest to the country,” he added.
READ: PH gets board seat in new global climate fund
According to Marcos, hosting the LDF Board signifies the country’s dedication to inclusivity in shaping the future of international climate policies.
Besides the Philippines — which sits in the Asia Pacific Group of the Board — the other countries considered were Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Barbados, Bahamas, Togo, Kenya, and Eswatini.
The selection of the host country of the Loss and Damage Fund Board was held at a closed-door meeting of the board in Incheon, South Korea on Tuesday.
“On July 9, 2024, at the second meeting of the board of the fund for responding to loss and damage, the board decided to select the Philippines as the host country of the board of the fund,” a post on the United Nations Climate Change secretariat’s website said.
The LDF Board will be in charge of operationalizing the multi-million dollar fund, including the setting of access modalities, allocation parameters, and resource mobilization strategies to deliver climate finance funds to vulnerable nations.
Rich nations responsible for most of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions have pledged $ 700 million to the Loss and Damage Fund, which will be used for climate finance or to help poor countries address and cope with the impact of climate change.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in a separate statement said that the Philippines as the host will be dedicated to “ensuring the accessibility of the Board not only for its Members or the Secretariat, but also for all Parties participating in the official business of the Board.”
“The Philippines will serve as a committed steward of the Board’s efficient operations, and ensure a supportive environment for the performance of its mandate,” the DFA said.
Last December, Marcos expressed the Philippines’ intention to host the Loss and Damage Fund following its creation at the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Dubai.
In pushing for the Philippines’ bid to host the Loss and Damage Fund, the President pointed out that the country, as a developing nation, “has always been at the forefront of this issue, not by choice but by necessity.”
He cited the Philippines’ “transformative solutions to curb the effects of climate change and address biodiversity laws and pollution” as he said climate change was not just an environmental issue but a matter of “survival, justice and protecting the rights of our people.”
The board’s co-chairs Richard Sherman of South Africa and Jean-Christophe Donnellier of France are set to discuss the host country agreement with the Philippines.
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The Philippines was represented on the 26-member board by ex-finance undersecretary Mark Joven. Its board included members from 12 developed nations and 14 developing countries.
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Cheaper rice to be sold soon in VisMin, says DA | Lisbet K. Esmael | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 05:25:00 PST | Inquirer file/stock photos
Inquirer file/stock photos
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is targeting to expand the “P29” and “Rice-for-All” programs—two government initiatives meant to provide consumers with cheaper rice—to Visayas and Mindanao by August.
Arnel de Mesa, assistant secretary and spokesperson for the DA, said on Monday that both programs would be available at Kadiwa centers, state-subsidized stores aimed at cushioning surging prices of basic goods, including rice.
An initial 10 locations in Metro Manila and Bulacan were covered by the recently launched P29 program, but De Mesa said the agency eyes to ramp up its presence across the country.
READ: BIZ BUZZ: P20/kilo price goal for rice still on
“Hopefully, next week, more stores will be added. I can’t say the exact number but by August, we can be in Visayas and Mindanao already and other parts of Luzon … for both P29 and Rice-for-All,” he told reporters.
READ: DA sees rice price drop in July; farmers grumble
According to him, the government has already more than 300 Kadiwa stores. More local governments have also initiated talks with the DA for the establishment of Kadiwa stores in Batangas, Cavite and Laguna provinces.
The Rice-for-All program, on the other hand, may be implemented within the month. For this project, the per-kilo prices of rice may range from P45 to P48, but de Mesa hinted that the figures may become lower following a drop in international prices.
He assured the public that the supply of rice being sold at Kadiwa stores would be “definitely cheaper than the prevailing prices” in the market.
Based on the price monitoring of DA for July 1 to July 6, the weekly average price per kilo for imported commercial rice ranged from P49.22 to P60.36. Local commercial rice, on the other hand, had a weekly average price of P49.16 to P60.69.
The DA official also said that the agency was studying the possibility of implementing a limit for the ‘Rice-for-All’ program to prevent others from buying in bulk and reselling them at higher prices.
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“So similar to P29 where we set a limit of 10 kilos per cardholder, we might be setting also a limit for the Rice-for-All to prevent abuse,” he said, adding that the government has “enough supply for now” of the lower-priced staple.
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Marcos to keynote UN-led summit on drug policy reform | Diana G. Mendoza | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 05:15:34 PST | Presidential Communications Office
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to keynote on Wednesday a summit on drug abuse that aims to review and reform the country’s drug laws and policies and consult the people affected by their enforcement.
The three-day Philippine Drug Policy and Law Reform Summit to be held at Diamond Hotel was organized by the United Nations Joint Programme on Human Rights (UNJP), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other partner agencies and institutions.
READ: After P13-B shabu seizure, Marcos says no need to change anti-drug strategy
The event is scheduled this month as the framework of the UNJP is due to conclude by July 31. The landmark agreement was signed in August 2021 by the United Nations and the Philippine government, even amid the drug war on the watch of then President Rodrigo Duterte.
READ: Marcos forms special body on human rights
Marcos, only months after his June 30, 2022, inauguration as president, said he was shifting the government’s antidrug campaign toward rehabilitation. He also articulated that policy in his second State of the Nation Address last year.
The summit that the President is scheduled to address aims to conduct a review of the country’s drug policies and their very foundation, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165).
UNJP, which is based on a human rights approach and the humane treatment of drug dependents, is composed of UN entities, state agencies such as the Dangerous Drugs Board, institutions like the UP College of Law, and civil society stakeholders like the Drug Policy Reform Initiative.
The organizers urge the public to take part in the forum and submit documentation of their experiences. A team led by professor Glenda Litong, director of the UP Law Center Training and Convention Division, continues to gather data in addition to nearly 60 documents since the call for submissions was announced in May.
Daniele Marchesi, country manager of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, the main UN entity leading the drug summit, said the UN is “looking forward to the government’s commitment to review its national drug law through the lens of human rights that puts public health at the center.”
He noted the government’s attention to jail overcrowding. “As many persons deprived of liberty are incarcerated for drug-related offenses, criminal justice sector reforms and addressing jail and prison issues would contribute to improving further [the] health and human rights situation in the context of drugs,” Marchesi said in reply to emailed questions.
Adeeba Kamarulzaman, a member of the Switzerland-based Global Commission on Drug Policy, said the Philippines had created “an opportunity for change and a space for some new discussions” about drug use.
“But in order to deliver meaningful change in the human rights situation, more attention and pressure is required from state and development partners,” she said.
“Protecting and respecting human rights in the implementation of all drug-related policies and practices is an obligation,” she said. “Put people’s health first. Ineffective and harmful enforcement-led approaches must be replaced with responses that prioritize public health and community safety, recognizing the fundamental human right to health.”
“It is also essential for the Philippines to continue working through human rights institutes and existing mechanisms to ensure human rights implementation within the context of its current framework as applied to drugs,” Kamarulzaman said.
In an interview, Litong emphasized the factors acknowledged by many as contributing to the rampant problem of drug use—poverty, lack of opportunities, lack of access to basic services, punitive policies and restrictions on Filipinos’ rights to exercise their freedom.
“The problem is not drugs but the flaws in the preparation of a person to have access to health, education and livelihood and enjoyment of their human rights,” she said. “If you do not create that environment, people will go into using and abusing narcotic drugs.”
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“There is a need to look at poor Filipinos’ access to justice,” Litong said. “The poor, who are just using the crumbs from the transnational, cross-border drug trade controlled by the powerful, are further marginalized by the repressive and prohibitive measures that outrightly criminalize drug use.”
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INQToday: Filipino fisher missing in West Philippine Sea after being hit by ‘unidentified’ ship | INQUIRER.net | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 18:53:52 PST | Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
A Filipino fisherman remains missing after a still-unidentified ship hit his boat in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Tuesday.
Filipino fishing boat Fbca John Robert was hit by an unidentified vessel about 62 nautical miles southeast off Sampaloc Point in Subic, Zambales last July 3, causing it to sink, according to PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.
The House of Representatives is awaiting confirmation from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on whether or not Vice President Sara Duterte will attend President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona).
In a press briefing, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said they got word that OVP will send out a letter on Tuesday, although he noted that deadlines are flexible for high-ranking officials.
The announcement of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of televangelist Apollo Quiboloy was “wrong on so many levels,” his legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, said on Tuesday.
According to Topacio, the reward being offered should come from public funds and not from private individuals.
Police are now looking into the possible involvement of two ex-policemen — who reportedly killed beauty pageant candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend, Yitshak Cohen — in a “mortgage scheme.”
PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said they are now backtracking the activities of the two main suspects, Michael Angelo Guiang and Rommel Abuzo.
The breakthrough “123 agreement” on nuclear energy cooperation between the Philippines and the United States entered into force, the US State Department announced on Tuesday (Manila time).
In a statement uploaded on its website, the US State Department said the peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement entered into force last July 2.
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Forty-four percent of Filipino adults expect their quality of life to improve in the next 12 months, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.
The survey showed that 44 percent of Filipinos believe their quality of life would improve (optimists), another 44 percent see no change, 7 percent think it would worsen (pessimists), and the remaining 6 percent did not respond.
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Lightning strike kills farmer in Quezon | Delfin T. Mallari Jr. @dtmallarijrINQ | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 11:19:36 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
LUCENA CITY — A 59-year-old farmer died Monday after lightning allegedly struck him in Gumaca town in Quezon province, police said.
The Quezon police said in a report on Tuesday, July 9, that “Fernando,” a barangay tanod (village watchman), was found dead at around 3:30 p.m. on a farm in Barangay Casasahan.
READ: Lightning strike kills 3 in Bulacan
He bore signs of burns on his right arm that investigators believed were caused by lighting that eventually caused his death.
The report said there were no signs of foul play.
His family said Fernando left the house around 6 a.m. to attend to their farm animals but did not return.
Police have recorded his death as due to a “suspected lightning strike.”
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Carmen, Cebu tragedy: Body of pregnant woman, 12-yr-old boy found | rgabuya | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 16:22:57 PST | The body of Rhesamie Ypil Costan, 26, who was six months pregnant, was found by fishermen off the waters of Barangay Luyang in Carmen town, northern Cebu a day after their pickup truck loaded with 17 passengers was swept by flashfloods. | Paul Lauro
The body of Rhesamie Ypil Costan, 26, who was six months pregnant, was found by fishermen off the waters of Barangay Luyang in Carmen town, northern Cebu a day after their pickup truck loaded with 17 passengers was swept by flashfloods. | Paul Lauro
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The death toll in the Carmen tragedy that struck a family on Monday afternoon, has climbed to three.
This after disaster and rescue personnel recovered two more bodies on Tuesday bringing to three the number of fatalities of the ill-fated pickup truck that was swept away by flash floods last Monday, July 8.
READ MORE:
Carmen tragedy: Pregnant woman jumped after husband
Carmen, Cebu: Family outing ends in tragedy after flashfloods sweep pickup truck
The newly found bodies were those of Rhesamie Ypil Costan, 26, and 12-year-old Nathaniel Lozano. .
Fisherfolks from the Luyang Fishermen Association who joined in the search and rescue operations on Tuesday, July 9 found Costan’s corpse floating along the coasts of Brgy. Luyang, also in Carmen town.
Authorities confirmed that Costan was six-months pregnant, and that she just wed her husband, Elmer Costan, the weekend prior to the Carmen tragedy.
Elmer was also one of those who got swept away by the strong current of the river, and remained missing as of this writing.
READ MORE:
Cebu river sweeps away pickup truck with 17 people: 1 dead, 6 missing
50,000 residents affected by floods in 2 Maguindanao del Sur towns
The Costans were among the passengers of the Isuzu Dmax pick up truck that got hit by flashfloods while traveling downhill from the mountain barangays of Carmen last Monday.
It was initially reported that the vehicle tried to cross the spillway of the river during Monday’s downpour.
But it was later found out that the pick-up truck swerved to the riverbanks when the river swelled and overflowed to the nearby roads.
As a result, the driver reportedly lost direction of the concrete road and unaware that the vehicle already encroached the banks before it was suddenly hit by a huge volume of flood water.
Of the 17 passengers of the Carmen tragedy, 10 were rescued.
Search and rescue operations continue for the five remaining passengers, including Costan’s husband and four minors.
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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.
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Group calls for 6.5% yearly alcohol price hike to cut consumption | Luisa Cabato | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 19:53:01 PST | MANILA, Philippines — A group of health advocates and civil society organizations on Tuesday urged for a 6.5 percent annual increase in the price of alcoholic beverages in a bid to reduce consumption among Filipinos, especially the youth.
This move, the Six Tax Coalition said in a press conference, would benefit both public health and the country’s economy.
READ: Pandemic habits? DOH survey shows 40% of Filipinos drink alcohol, 15% smoke tobacco
“Ang target ay mabawasan ‘yung pag-consume [ng alcohol]. Ang most effective way ay taasan ‘yung presyo kasi ‘di ba kung ikaw, bibili ka ng alak, hindi mo naman iniisip ‘yung tax, ang iniisip mo lang ay ‘yung presyong nasa bote,” AJ Montesa, fiscal policy team leader for Action for Economic Reforms, told reporters.
(The goal is to reduce alcohol consumption. The most effective way to do that is to increase the price because when you buy alcohol, you don’t think about the tax; you only think about the price of the bottle.)
Based on the data presented by the coalition, 67 percent of Filipinos support raising excise taxes on alcoholic products.
This was based on a nationwide survey conducted by Vital Strategies, an international public health organization working in more than 80 countries, with 1,000 respondents, and local research firm WR Numero, which surveyed 1,765 respondents in 2024.
Meanwhile, a Global Burden of Disease study in 2021 showed that “high alcohol use” was the third leading behavioral risk factor in the Philippines that year.
The same study revealed that Filipinos aged 20 to 24 had the highest consumption of alcoholic beverages, followed by those aged 15 to 19.
“We would need to increase the price by around 6.5 percent per year. It’s not a one-time increase. At the same time, we would need that price increase to actually double the tax, meaning the tax would be around 13 percent,” Montesa said.
The goal to impose a 6.5 percent yearly increase in the price of alcoholic beverages aligns with the World Health Organization’s target of at least a 20 percent reduction in the harmful use of alcohol by 2030, according to Montesa.
This goal includes indicators such as total alcohol per capita consumption, prevalence of heavy episodic drinking or binge drinking, alcohol-attributed deaths, and alcohol-attributed disability-adjusted life years.
Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Florence Reyes, one of the key speakers at the event, said he plans to submit a bill proposing an increase in excise tax for alcoholic beverages.
“Mag ta-translate ‘yan to better tax revenues din para sa gobyerno, para sa ating year marking for universal healthcare, for law enforcement, para sa anti-drunk driving, and ‘yung pag prohibit sa sale sa minors,” he said.
(That will also translate to better tax revenues for the government, for our earmarking for universal healthcare, for law enforcement, for anti-drunk driving, and for prohibiting sales to minors.)
READ: 60% of Filipinos alarmed by alcohol advertising’s effect on youth
“Bababa ‘yung economy ‘pag hindi na-address to, kasi 20 to 25 eh nasa productive stages of their lives pa,” he said, referring to potential alcohol-related death among said age bracket.
(The economy will decline if this isn’t addressed because those aged 20 to 25 are still in the productive stages of their lives.)
The bill, if signed into law, would support the implementation of universal healthcare if the excise tax is earmarked for health services.
“Imagine ‘yung scenario na sobrang optimize natin ‘yung sin taxes; hindi na natin kailangan magbayad ng premium kasi sapat na ‘yung nako-collect natin. Definitely, that is a welcomed proposal from the Congress,” Reyes said.
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(Imagine a scenario where we optimize sin taxes so well that we no longer need to pay premiums because our collections are sufficient. That would definitely be a welcomed proposal from Congress.)
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Filipino fisher missing in West PH Sea after boat hit by ‘unidentified’ ship | John Eric Mendoza | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 17:12:38 PST | PCG personnel recovers Fbca John Robert, who capsized after being hit by an unidentified vessel. PHOTO FROM THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD
PCG personnel recovers Fbca John Robert, who capsized after being hit by an unidentified vessel. PHOTO FROM THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD
MANILA, Philippines (Updated) — A Filipino fisherman remains missing after a still-unidentified ship hit his boat in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Tuesday.
Filipino fishing boat Fbca John Robert was hit by an unidentified vessel about 62 nautical miles southeast off Sampaloc Point in Subic, Zambales last July 3, causing it to sink, according to PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.
Balilo said 47-year-old Robert Mondoñedo survived after being rescued on July 6 but his brother Jose Mondoñedo remains missing.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan has ordered BRP Sindangan to search for the missing fisherman.
According to Senator Francis Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate panel on maritime and admiralty zones, the ship that hit the Filipino fishing boat allegedly had Chinese characters labeled “Yang Fu,” but its registry was still uncertain.
“Parang hit-and-run sa ating sariling karagatan ang nangyari!” the senator said.
“I remain hopeful that our coast guard can recover safely our missing fisherman, Jose Mondeñedo, and that justice be given to him and his brother Robert, and their families.
“The ship responsible, initially identified as Chinese vessel Yang Fu, must be tracked down and held accountable under Philippine and international maritime laws,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Balilo told INQUIRER.net over the phone that they “are still investigating and we are backtracking” when asked if they were aware of the reports from Tolentino.
Balilo said the PCG is now looking into the automatic identification system logged by the cargo vessels and other commercial vessels in the area.
When asked if the commercial vessels could be the culprit of this incident, Balilo said: “Well yes, because the area is a maritime trade route, and based on our observation, there are so many ships which passed by there.”
Similar allision incidents occurred in the West Philippine Sea previously.
READ: PH ready to protect fishermen in West Philippine Sea
A maritime incident is described as allision — as opposed to collision — when a vessel runs over a stationary boat.
In December 2023, a Filipino fishing boat Ruel J was moored to a fishing aggregation device or payao when it had an alleged allision with Chinese bulk carrier MV Tai Hang 8. Five of its crew were safe.
Another allision incident involving a Marshall Islands-flagged carrier occurred off Scarborough Shoal last October 2023, which led to the death of three crew members.
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The South China Sea is a channel for more than $3 trillion worth of annual maritime commerce.
Beijing claims sovereignty there, which encroaches most of the West Philippine Sea as it continues to reject a 2016 international tribunal ruling that heavily ruled in favor of Manila. —With a report from Adrian Parungao
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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PH, Korea agree to add 10,000 seats a week | Tyrone Jasper C. Piad | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 02:03:00 PST | INQUIRER.net stock images
INQUIRER.net stock images
Travelers will soon have more options to fly between Manila and Incheon as the Philippines and Korea have agreed to increase the weekly seat capacity for this route to 30,000 from 20,000, to boost tourism in both countries.
In a statement on Monday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that it had inked a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korea to improve air services relations.
Prior to this, the 20,000-passenger cap was in place for seven years.
READ: DOT: 1 in every 4 foreign tourists in PH from South Korea
While there is a limit imposed for Manila-Incheon route, flights from points outside Manila to elsewhere in Korea “continue to be open and without limits under the new MOU,” the DOTr explained.
This move is seen to support the tourism activities between the countries. South Korea is the Philippines’ top source of tourist arrivals, accounting for 27 percent of the total inbound visitors as of Apr. 24.
“The increase in capacity will be felt by the market once airlines take advantage of the opportunity to carry more passenger traffic between the capital cities of the two countries,” the DOTr said.
AirAsia Philippines head of communications and public affairs Steve Dailisan said they consider “this opportunity as a strong indicator that outbound tourism is in its sustaining phases, being backed by by the guests’ appetite for travel.”
“We will strategically plan the seat entitlement increase vis-a-vis our existing capacity and our future flight expansion plans to South Korea, especially during the onset of the winter season,” he added.
READ: Deal makes it simpler for Filipinos to apply for a Korean visa
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific is set to resume flights from Clark International Airport to Davao, General Santos, Iloilo and Puerto Princesa by October.
The return of the routes will expand its Clark network to 10 domestic and international destinations. Currently available flights from central Luzon operations are Boracay, Cebu, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Narita and Singapore.
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Prior to this, Cebu Pacific also announced the launch of direct flights from Cebu to San Vicente, Palawan; Bangkok and Masbate by October. The airline will have 25 routes available in its Cebu hub by then. INQ
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PAF planes join Australia-led exercise | Frances Mangosing | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 05:40:34 PST | Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 and US Air Force’s B-52H bomber aircraft fly over the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone on Feb 19, 2024. —file photo/Philippine Air Force
Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 and US Air Force’s B-52H bomber aircraft fly over the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone on Feb 19, 2024. —file photo/Philippine Air Force
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is sending its light fighters for the first time overseas to join the Australia-led multilateral exercise which begins later this week.
Exercise Pitch Black 2024, which will run from July 12 to Aug. 2 in Darwin, Australia, is the biggest in the exercise’s 43-year history, with 20 nations, over 140 aircraft and approximately 4,435 personnel taking part.
Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, spokesperson for the PAF, said the PAF would send four FA-50 light fighters, its interim aircraft while preparing for the acquisition of multi-role fighters.
READ: PH to send 6 FA-50s, 125 personnel in Australia’s ‘Pitch Black’ drills
“This marks the first time the Philippines will deploy air assets to participate in an international exercise outside of the country, making it a monumental event in the history of the Philippine Air Force,” she said in a statement.
The first batch of the PAF contingent arrived in Darwin, Australia, on Sunday. PAF airmen were ferried by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30 aircraft, while their equipment was transported by the RAAF C-130 and PAF C-295 aircraft, Castillo said.
The main PAF contingent will fly to Darwin in the coming days.
The Philippines and Australia have four security deals: the 1995 memorandum of understanding on cooperative defense activities; 2012 Visiting Forces Agreement; 2015 comprehensive partnership agreement; and 2021 Mutual Logistics Agreement.
This year’s exercise will focus on offensive counter-air and air interdiction operations in a multi-national coalition environment, Castillo said.
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PVL: Roma Mae Doromal excited to play for Gorayeb, face older sister | INQUIRER.net | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 16:40:43 PST | Capital1’s Roma Mae Doromal during the PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Capital1’s Roma Mae Doromal during the PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — As promised, Roma Mae Doromal is eager to bring the leadership skills she honed with the Ateneo Blue Eagles when she plays for Capital1 beginning in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference, which kicks off next week at Philsports Arena.
Doromal, the former Ateneo captain, was thrilled to be selected by the Solar Spikers in the second round as the 14th overall pick on Monday night at Novotel.
“Siyempre sobrang nakakakaba talaga siya and very happy talaga ako na nakuha ako and very thankful talaga ako sa Capital1 for having me and welcoming me. [Nafeel ko na] gustong gusto nila ko sa team nila,” said the ace libero.
Although she’s just a rookie, Doromal and second-overall pick Leila Cruz have huge responsibilities for the Solar Spikers, who are hopeful that this PVL Draft will help them improve from a one-win debut in the All-Filipino Conference.
“Ie-embrace ko siya kung paano ko inembrace yung [challenge] sa Ateneo. This time, I hope na makapaglead pa talaga ako, kami ni Leila and super excited talaga to play with her inside the court,” she said.
Roma Mae Doromal on joining Capital1. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/LDfOzFCduq
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Capital1 coach Roger Gorayeb was pleased to select Doromal in the second round, where they had planned to draft a libero.
“Talagang libero yung hinahanap ko kasi para meron naman kaming kaunting choice sa libero kasi dadalawa yung libero namin. Sa tingin namin si Doromal yung makaka-puno doon sa gap na yun,” Gorayeb said.
And Doromal, who played for coach Oliver Almadro and Brazilian coach Sergio Veloso in the UAAP, is excited to learn new things from another ex-Ateneo tactician in Gorayeb.
“Excited ako to be under coach Roger and I’ve heard a lot of good feedbacks talaga from him and super open talaga ako na matuto sa kanya under sa system niya,” she said.
Roma Mae is also looking forward to going up against her older sister Roma Joy, who is playing for Galeries Tower and supported her during draft night.
“Exciting talaga alam kong hindi yun magpapatalo siyempre hindi din ako papatalo and really ano talaga happy ako na this time nasa isang league na kami,” the younger Doromal said.
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In the second round, ZUS Coffee drafted Sharya Ancheta before Doromal was selected by Capital1. Galeries picked Jewel Encarnacion as the 15th overall, followed by Farm Fresh’s selection of Pierre Abellana (16th), Nxled’s Razel Aldea (17th), and Petro Gazz’s Donnalyn Paralejas (18th) as the six other teams passed.
The third-round draftees were Nikka Yandoc (ZUS Coffee), Gilliana Torres (Capital1), and Dodee Batindaan (Galeries). The fourth round featured two more players with Jenina Zeta heading to ZUS Coffee and Danivah Aying landing with the Highrisers.
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Garcia to NBI: Probe bribery raps, ‘it’s a demolition job vs Comelec’ | Luisa Cabato | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 15:21:03 PST | Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia talks with the media at Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum in Malate, Manila on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. (INQUIRER.net/RYAN LEAGOGO)
Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia talks with the media at Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum in Malate, Manila on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. (INQUIRER.net/RYAN LEAGOGO)
MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia has requested assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into allegations that he accepted bribes from a Korean firm.
Garcia made the appeal in a letter addressed to NBI Director Jaime Santiago dated Monday, July 8.
READ: Comelec: Lowest computed bid for overseas voting system emerges
“I am writing to formally request the assistance of your agency in investigating the recent allegations circulating online that implicate me in accepting bribe money from a Korean firm,” the letter, sent by Garcia to INQUIRER.net, read.
“These unverified claims assert that I hold numerous bank accounts across various banks in Singapore, North America, China, and the Caribbean,” it added.
The poll body chief stressed in his letter that such claims were “entirely false and baseless.”
He specifically asked for NBI’s help in finding out the source of the accusations, the details and validity of the bank accounts, and any legal action that may be taken to solve the matter.
Moreover, Garcia said he is willing to cooperate through any necessary steps that will be required for the investigation.
“If it would aid in your inquiry, I am prepared to issue whatever waivers to override any anti-money laundering regulations and bank deposit secrecy law pertaining to the alleged accounts in question,” he said in the letter.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta said at least P1 billion worth of funds were transferred from South Korean-based banks to 49 offshore accounts that are supposedly linked to an unnamed Comelec official.
“Some reports coming to the office of this representation […] There are four countries involved in the payment hubs: Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Caribbean and North America […] There are 18 banks and 49 number of accounts. Why do you need 49 offshore bank accounts if the money involved here is not so huge? Well, first of all, why do you need 49 banks, offshore accounts?” Marcoleta asked.
“The most intriguing part here, ladies and gentlemen, is that these accounts are traceable to one Comelec official. This is a work in progress. You must be patient with me and you have to bear with me because we’re still verifying most of these accounts. But I will tell you that […] the total offshore bank account worth $15.2 million or almost P1 billion,” he said.
READ: Comelec, Miru ink P17.99 B pact for automated 2025 polls
In an ambush interview on the same day, Garcia said he was the one being referred to by Marcoleta.
“Huwag na po nating paikut-ikutin. Ako po ‘yung nire-refer doon. Dalawang linggo na po kaming may impormasyon. Actually po, nakaplano ‘yung demolition job laban sa Comelec. May mga nag-presscon,” he told reporters.
(Let’s not beat around the bush. I am the one being referred to. We’ve had the information for two weeks. Actually, the demolition job against Comelec was planned. Some people held a press conference.)
The poll body chief proceeded to deny owning any foreign accounts or any property abroad.
“Diyos ang aking saksi, wala po ako kahit anong foreign account o kahit anong bahay o property o lupa sa kahit anong foreign land,” he said.
(As God is my witness, I do not have any foreign account or any house, property, or land in any foreign country.)
“Hindi po ako masisira sa isyu ng pera dahil hindi naman po ako pumasok sa Comelec dahil sa pera. Pwede ko naman kitain yung pera niya nung nagpapractice ako. Maganda naman po yung aking practice bago ako pumasok sa Comelec. At alam na alam po yan ni Congressman Marcoleta,” he added.
(I will not be destroyed by the issue of money because I did not enter Comelec for the money. I could have earned that money when I was practicing. My practice was good before I joined Comelec. And Congressman Marcoleta knows that very well.)
As Marcoleta admitted in the briefing that verifications are still ongoing on said bank transactions, Garcia said the lawmaker should have verified his information first before publicizing it.
“Napakataas ng respeto natin kay Congressman Marcoleta. Pero sana, katulad ng naitanong sa kanya kung verified, sabi niya hindi naman daw po verified, sana naman po bago man lang makapagbitaw ng mga pananalita, sana ma-verify lang. Sana ma-countercheck lang,” he said.
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(We have the utmost respect for Congressman Marcoleta. But I hope that, like what was asked of him if it was verified, he said it wasn’t verified. Hopefully, before making statements, they should be verified first. They should be counterchecked.)
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NBI seizes counterfeit products worth P13M | Dianne Sampang | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 11:17:02 PST | INQUIRER.net file photo
INQUIRER.net file photo
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized counterfeit products worth P13 million in two operations last Friday.
Authorities served 12 arrest warrants to the operators of shops in Manila selling counterfeit Huawei products worth P1 million. They are facing complaints for violating Section 155 (Trademark Infringement) and Section 168 (Unfair Competition) of the Intellectual Property Code.
READ: Greenhills shopping center aims to shed ‘counterfeit haven’ tag
The NBI also acted on the complaint filed by Lee Bumgarner, Inc. on behalf of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works regarding the distribution of counterfeit Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works products.
Authorities seized fake Victoria’s Secret and Body Works products worth P12,282,500 from shops in Manila, Quezon City, and Parañaque City.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago reminded the public to purchase from authorized retailers or official stores.
READ: RTC judge, ex-SWAT sharpshooter Jaime Santiago is new NBI chief
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Palarong Pambansa 2024 in Cebu opens | Nestle Semilla-Dakay | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 22:46:46 PST | Palarong Pambansa 2024 Parade of Athletes | PHOTO: Voysen T. Balneg via the official Facebook account of the Cebu City Palarong Pambansa 2024 Organizing Committee
Palarong Pambansa 2024 Parade of Athletes | PHOTO: Voysen T. Balneg via the official Facebook account of the Cebu City Palarong Pambansa 2024 Organizing Committee
CEBU CITY – A total of 10,000 student-athletes from the country’s different regions gathered here on Tuesday for this year’s Palarong Pambansa.
The eight-day national games opened at the Cebu City Sports Center with a program that started at 5:30 p.m.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led various government officials who attended the opening ceremony.
“The Palarong [Pambansa] stands as the country’s pinnacle of national sporting events. Today, we continue this important legacy, celebrating not just the games but also celebrating the unity, the camaraderie, and the national pride that these games inspire,” he said.
“This event is more than just an inter-school [and] inter-regional competition. It is also a platform where we discover, where we develop, and hone future professional athletes, Olympians, and servant-leaders,” he added.
“The values and virtues that will be displayed and put into practice here—such as excellence, teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and most importantly sportsmanship—are the same ideals that we need to succeed in life and build a great nation.”
It had been 30 years since Cebu City last hosted the Palarong Pambansa.
The event will culminate on July 16.
The Palarong Pambansa is an annual multi-sport event involving student-athletes from the country’s different regions. The event, which started in 1948, is organized and governed by the Department of Education.
Student-athletes from public and private schools at elementary and secondary levels can compete provided they qualify by winning at their regional meet.
For young Filipino student-athletes, the Palarong Pambansa is the culmination of school sports competition, which starts with local school intramurals, followed by the congressional district, provincial, and regional athletic meets.
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PVL: Almonte leads all seven Adamson players taken in draft | Lance Agcaoili | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 16:27:18 PST | Nxled’s fifth overall pick Lucille Almonte led seven former Adamson Lady Falcons who were selected in the PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Nxled’s fifth overall pick Lucille Almonte led seven former Adamson Lady Falcons who were selected in the PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — All seven Adamson Lady Falcons were selected in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft as their school emerged as one of the biggest winners during Monday’s proceedings at Novotel in Quezon City.
The Lady Falcons may have missed the Final Four in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament but their core players thrived in the first-ever draft with five being selected in the first round.
Although the first four picks were from La Salle led by ZUS Coffee’s first overall selection Thea Gagate, Lucille Almonte was the top prospect from Adamson with Nxled selecting her at No. 5. Four of her teammates followed from the seventh to 10th picks with Ishie Lalongisip heading to Cignal, setter Angge Alcantara being drafted by PLDT, Karen Verdeflor emerging as Chery Tiggo’s newest libero, and AA Adolfo joining defending Reinforced Conference champion Petro Gazz.
ZUS Coffee, handled by former Adamson coach Jerry Yee, drafted his former players middle blocker Sharya Ancheta and setter Nikka Yandoc in the second and third rounds, respectively.
Despite not getting the ending they wanted in the UAAP, the Lady Falcons are proud of each other as they start the new chapter of their careers with different pro teams.
Lucille Almonte on joining the revamped Nxled. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/WHZY2LmQvZ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
“Sobrang happy ako sa kanilakasi sabay sabay kami umaangat sa pro, sabay sabay din kami nag-grow,” said Verdeflor, who was selected by Chery Tiggo at No. 9.
The Adamson libero is likely to get her break with the Crossovers since Jennifer Nierva is currently with Alas Pilipinas although the team is yet to release the latter along with Eya Laure, whose national team status are still under negotiation with the PVL and Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).
“Sobrang happy po ako and sobrang laking opportunity sa akin. Siyempre po yung Chery Tiggo maraming ates doon na mas may experience sa akin so parang looking forward din ako sa team nila since super experienced ng team nila,” said Verdeflor, who is excited to team up with former Adamson stalwart Mylene Paat.
“Super happy kasi since si Ate Mylene Paat na yan so malaking opportunity and privelege. And honored ako na ako yung na-pick nila.”
Alcantara, who was drafted by PLDT at No. 8, is thrilled to see the Adamson Lady Falcons succeed in the draft, is looking forward to learning from veteran setters Kim Fajardo and Rhea Dimaculangan.
Chery Tiggo’s ninth overall pick Karen Verdeflor during the PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Sobrang excited po ako and proud po ako sa mga teammates ko po dati kasi pangarap po namin ‘to. Gustong-gusto po talaga namin na ma-draft and mapunta po sa mga teams sa PVL,” Alcantara said.
“As a setter po, sobrang excited po ako kasi knowing na veterans po sila, alam kong marami po akong matututunan sa kanila. Willing naman po ako to learn and to be better as a setter,” she added.
Adolfo was honored to get selected by the “three-peat”-seeking Petro Gazz, led by All-Filipino MVP Brooke Van Sickle, hoping to contribute to the Angels’ bid to stay on top of the important-laden tournament.
“Nakakamotivate po siya kasi since sa college days ko hindi pa po ako nakakafeel ng championship so baka in this field na po doon ko na po maexperience yung championship,” said the young wing spiker.
Lalongisip offers her positive attitude to Cignal, which selected her at No.7, vowing to step up in Alas player Vanie Gandler’s absence to help Ces Molina, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Gel Cayuna, Ria Meneses, and Rose Doria.
“Yung maturity sa pagiging isa sa leaders sa Adamson. Feel ko yun talaga yung mabi-bring ko sa HD Spikers na hindi lang ako isang rookie ngayong PVL kasi it’s a pro league na which is dapat lahat kaya nang magcontribute sa team,” Lalongisip said. “I am a risk-taker and I love taking challenges, lalo na yung mga big challenges. I will take it as a positive one because it will help me as a person to improve and mas maging matured pa, hindi lang inside the court kundi outside the court.”
Adamson’s program has been a big boost to the program as several Lady Falcons jumped to the pros last year to form Farm Fresh, which recruited Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Louie Romero, Rizza Cruz, Aprylle Tagsip, Cae Lazo, and its latest recruit early this year Lorene Toring.
The Lady Falcons have been thriving in the PVL with Jema Galanza emerging as their biggest star, leading Creamline to multiple titles.
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Choco Mucho’s Thang Ponce became the league’s back-to-back Best Libero.
Other notable Adamson products are Nxled’s Bang Pineda, Chiara Permentilla, Trisha Genesis, and Krich Macaslang, Fhen Emnas of Galeries Tower, Petro Gazz’s Joy Dacoron Jellie Tempiatura, Pau Soriano of Creamline, and May Macatuno of Capital1.
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VP Duterte no show at opening of 64th Palarong Pambansa | Zacarian Sarao | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 19:36:26 PST | MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte did not show up at the opening of the 64th Palarong Pambansa on Tuesday.
READ: Duterte says she ‘prays’ for DepEd’s success
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. graced the event.
The grand opening ceremony of the annual event was supposed to be one of Duterte’s final appearances as chief of the Department of Education (DepEd) after she resigned on June 19.
She did not provide a definite reason for stepping down and only explained that her action was not a sign of weakness, as it was stirred by compassion for teachers and students.
Her resignation will be effective on July 19.
Before the ceremony, Duterte attended the Learners’ Convergence Opening in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu the same day.
Also on the same day, Duterte visited athletes who won’t be able to participate in the Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City Medical Center.
She also previously confirmed that she will attend the Palaro’s opening ceremony even after she has resigned.
READ: VP Sara to attend Palarong Pambansa 2024 opening event
INQUIRER.net has asked the Office of the Vice President for comment on Duterte’s absence but has yet to receive a response as of this writing.
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DOE limits LPG inspection to official law enforcement agencies | Adrian Parungao | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 17:56:02 PST | MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) said on Tuesday that only official law enforcement agencies were authorized to inspect facilities and transport vehicles of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products.
According to the DOE, it does not give authority to individuals or entities to perform the said operations.
READ: DOE wants power plants to have enough time to rest
“Aside from the law enforcement agencies officially requested by the DOE to assist in the implementation of the law that includes the inspection of LPG facilities and LPG transport vehicles, as provided under Section 13 of the Act, the DOE does not deputize other individuals or entities to exercise its powers and functions,” the DOE said.
The agency made the advisory to LPG industry participants.
The DOE likewise said that inspectors from the Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) and the Energy Industry Management Division (EIMD) always have official identification cards and documents explaining their purpose.
READ: DOE creates new division for nuclear energy
“OIMB and EIMD inspectors, authorized to conduct compliance monitoring, carry always a Special Assignment, specifying their names, purpose of assignment, duration, and places of assignment, for reference. They are also required to wear the DOE official identification card while performing their functions,” it added.
The DOE also told the public to report individuals or entities who claim to be associated with the agency.
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Cafgu yields illegal gun, meth in Batangas checkpoint | Delfin T. Mallari Jr. @dtmallarijrINQ | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:25:11 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
LUCENA CITY — A motorcycle-riding member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) of the Philippine Army was caught Monday with an illegal firearm and shabu (crystal meth) after a brief chase with police in Tuy town in Batangas province.
The Region 4A police reported on Tuesday, July 9, that cops conducting “Oplan Sita,” a routine anti-criminality inspection, flagged down “Ariel” in Barangay Luntal at 8:50 p.m. for driving without a crash helmet.
While the authorities were inspecting the vehicle’s documents, the rider suddenly fled, prompting the policemen to give chase until he was cornered.
READ: 2 traffickers yield P340,000 shabu in Batangas City
During the routine frisking, the police found the suspect carrying an undocumented caliber .45 pistol loaded with two bullets, one empty magazine for the same pistol, and a sachet of shabu worth P18,360.
The suspect was also found with a Cafgu identification card.
The suspect was placed under police custody and is facing criminal charges including violating the firearms law and the anti-drugs law.
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Alyssa Valdez: Dream is not over for undrafted players | Lance Agcaoili | Tue, 09 Jul 2024 16:04:33 PST | The 2024 PVL Rookie Draft picks during the inaugural ceremony on Monday.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The 2024 PVL Rookie Draft picks during the inaugural ceremony on Monday.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-four players went undrafted in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on Monday night at Novotel.
When the league was wrapping up its successful draft night, Creamline star and three-time MVP Alyssa Valdez approached the players, who weren’t fortunate enough to be selected by the 12 PVL teams, hugging and giving them inspiring words to keep their dreams going.
“We all want them to be part of the community. They’re still part of the community, free agent sila ngayon. I told them this is just a stepping stone for them para abutin yung mga dreams nila to be a part of any teams in the PVL,” Valdez told reporters.
Alyssa Valdez on the #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/VAfXtCmT6k
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 9, 2024
“It’s just the beginning. This is the first draft, so marami pa silang opportunities na mapupuntahan at mag-o-open sa kanila. Kapit lang, tiyaga lang, and work harder and smarter.”
Left undrafted were former BaliPure libero Jewelle Bermillo, University of the Philippines’ Abi Goc, University of the East players Dara Nieva and Dea Villamor, Filipino-Canadian Nathalie Ramacula, Jamie Solina from Marinduque, Caroline Santos, Remcel Santos, Lalaine Evangelista, Charmina Diño, BayAnne De Leon, Catherine Almazan, Lalaine Arizapa, Camille Belaro, Maxinne Tayag, Daisy Melendres, Sandra Dayao, Robbie Mae Matawaran, Mary Grace Vernaiz, Lovely Zapf, Lian Macasiray, Andrea Jardio, Danya Casiño, and Ysabela Bakabak.
PVL president Ricky Palou and Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo also gave encouraging words to the undrafted players, whose journey doesn’t end on Draft Night as they can still make a team as free agents.
“We’re just sorry for those who were not drafted. After the draft, I went to talk to the players who were not drafted and I told them that this is not the end. Pwede pa naman kayong maglaro sa PVL, ngayon you are free to tryout for any team since free agent kayo,” Palou said. “I told them also na those who got drafted, hindi pa naman sila sigurado na papasok sila sa team that drafted them. So [the undrafted players] are free agents, they can try out for any team so sana they don’t lose hope.”
Creamline only drafted Filipino-Canadian libero Aleiah Torres and passed up in the second round. The inaugural draft went as far as the fourth round with a total of 23 aspirants selected bannered by number one overall pick Thea Gagate. Cebuano and University of San Jose-Recolletos product Danivah Aying was the last pick in the draft by Galeries and was the lone non-UAAP and NCAA player of the class.
Valdez remained pleased with the turnout of the draft, which will change the landscape of Philippine volleyball for the upcoming years.
“Who would’ve thought na aabot tayo sa ganitong point in our lives also. Being part of the volleyball community, akala natin, maglalaro lang tayo until college, but now, we’re really legit na pro with all this drafting,” said the Creamline captain. “We’re just very, very happy for the league itself, we’re happy for the players, we’re happy for all the team owners, kasi siyempre lahat naman tayo magbe-benefit din dito. Ako, napapa-proud ako kasi napaka-successful ng first-ever draft ngayong taon, kaya naman excited na kami sa mga magpapa-draft ulit next year.”
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Lawmakers push changes to Epira | Jeannette I. Andrade | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 05:50:00 PST | READY FOR MORE JUICE Two boys in Caloocan City look at transmission cables of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, which said on June 24 it was ready to deliver more electricity to consumers. —Grig C. Montegrande
READY FOR MORE JUICE Two boys in Caloocan City look at transmission cables of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, which said on June 24 it was ready to deliver more electricity to consumers. —Grig C. Montegrande
MANILA, Philippines — Officials in the House of Representatives on Sunday backed a comprehensive review of the Electric Power Industry Regulation Act (Epira) to possibly bring down the cost of electricity in the country, acknowledging that Philippine rates were among the highest in Southeast Asia.
The House leaders issued a joint statement on Sunday to push for reforms in the Epira, or Republic Act No. 9136, which was passed in 2001 in a bid to resolve the power crisis of the 1990s and reduce the cost of electricity by privatizing the generation, transmission and distribution assets of the power sector.
READ: Consumer group hits high power rates, bats for Epira amendment
After 23 years, however, the Epira has also been blamed for the country’s energy problems, including high electricity rates and spotty power supply, as shown by the shortage experienced at the peak of El Niño in the first quarter.
The House statement was signed by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David Suarez, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, as well as majority lawmakers Inno Dy V, Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, Raul Angelo Bongalon, Zia Alonto Adiong, Francisco Paolo Ortega V, Jefferson Khonghun, Mikaela Angela Suansing, Joel Chua, Margarita Nograles and Cheeno Miguel Almario.
The majority of lawmakers maintained it was time to bring down the cost of electricity in the county, which was among the highest in Southeast Asia, and potentially achieve energy security for the country.
According to the chamber leaders, “We fully support this move by our leader in the House. If we can finally reduce the cost of electricity, this would be one of the legacies of our Speaker [Martin Romualdez] and the chamber he heads,” noting that RA 9136 has not been reviewed since it was passed in 2001.
Possible amendments to the Epira have been included among priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) on June 25.
Romualdez said during the Ledac meeting that the House would try to finish the Epira amendments before Congress goes into its Christmas break.
He said the legislative agenda included 28 bills and eight of the 18 top priority measures were already in advanced stages.
Aside from Epira reforms, the priority bills included three tax measures (the excise tax on single-use plastics, CREATE MORE, and value-added taxes on digital services); rationalization of fiscal incentives for the mining sector; and the addition of yet another department to the bureaucracy that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he would “right-size” when he was campaigning.
The lawmakers said, “It’s time we alleviate or at least lessen, the suffering of our people. Congress should address the issues created by the Epira,” adding that should the House, under the leadership of Romualdez, succeed in bringing down electricity costs, it would have achieved what past Congresses failed to do.
“That achievement then would be one of the legacies of our Speaker and his present colleagues in the House,” they pointed out.
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The lawmakers further said, “The expansion of our economy has long been hobbled by high electricity rates. This problem has consistently been one of the top concerns of the business community since the enactment of Epira.”
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5 lending firm officers found guilty of falsifying documents | Meg J. Adonis @MegINQ | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 16:17:01 PST | FILE PHOTO
FILE PHOTO
A Pasay City court has found five officers of a lending company guilty of falsifying public documents related to their registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the corporate watchdog said on Monday.
In a statement, the regulator said the Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 24 had found that Jerlie Singh, Erlinda Ocampo, Elaine Ocampo, Erwin Ocampo and Amarjit Singh of All-in 7,000 Lending and Trading Corp. violated Article 172(1) of the Revised Penal Code.
READ: Public warned vs investing in Safe District Enterprise
Back in 2017, the company submitted a certificate of bank deposit allegedly issued by Banco de Oro Pasay-Two Shopping Center branch as part of its registration as a lending company as proof of P1 million in paid-up capital.
The SEC later found, however, that All-in 7,000’s certificate was fake and was not actually issued by the bank.
The five officials will be sentenced to a minimum one year imprisonment and a fine of P5,000 each.
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4 Indian nationals arrested for kidnapping 4 Indian students | Faith Argosino | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 12:14:32 PST | Four Indian nationals have been arrested for allegedly robbing and illegally detaining their fellow countrymen last week, the Southern District Police reports on Monday, July 8, 2024. | PHOTO: Official facebook page of SPD
Four Indian nationals have been arrested for allegedly robbing and illegally detaining their fellow countrymen last week, the Southern District Police reports on Monday, July 8, 2024. | PHOTO: Official facebook page of SPD
MANILA, Philippines — Four Indian nationals have been arrested for allegedly robbing and illegally detaining their fellow countrymen last week.
According to the Southern Police District (SPD), the suspects are identified through their aliases Ramanathan, 22; Devesh, 22; Sanjay, 22; and Venkata, 21. They reportedly have two other cohorts – alias Lmahen and Shivarishi – who are still at large.
Authorities said the four suspects were arrested for allegedly victimizing fellow Indian nationals who are also identified through their aliases Ven, 21; Vam, 21; Kal, 19; and Sai, 22. The suspects supposedly illegally detained the victims, who are students, from July 4-5.
READ: Indian admits having uncle kidnapped for P30 million
The SPD said Las Piñas City Police Station officers rescued the victims on July 5, following a complaint which detailed the purported nefarious activities of the suspects. The police did not disclose the name of the complainant.
Based on the police’s investigation, the four Indian students were reportedly detained due to an unpaid balance of P200,000 from a previous car accident settlement.
READ: 9 foreigners found dead and scattered in Pampanga
It appears that the four victims rented from the four Indian nationals an SUV that figured in an accident in Nasugbu, Batangas last May 24. The four suspects asked the victims to pay P700,000 for damages, but was just paid P500,000.
The SPD said police officers confiscated from the suspects a vehicle, wooden broomstick, and metal dustpan allegedly used to assault the victims, ATM cards owned by the victims, the P120,000 cash supposedly taken from the victims’ bank accounts, and a phone during the rescue operation.
It also said that the victims and suspects were taken to Las Piñas District Hospital for medical examination and later to the Las Piñas Police Station for further investigation.
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West PH Sea: Philippines, Japan on verge of key defense pact | Agence France-Presse | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 10:41:59 PST | This file photo taken on October 6, 2018 shows a member of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) walking past JGSDF amphibious assault vehicles during a joint amphibious landing exercise with Philippine and US troops in San Antonio, Zambales province, north of Manila. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
This file photo taken on October 6, 2018 shows a member of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) walking past JGSDF amphibious assault vehicles during a joint amphibious landing exercise with Philippine and US troops in San Antonio, Zambales province, north of Manila. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Japan are set to sign on Monday a key defense pact that will allow the deployment of troops on each other’s territory.
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa will hold high-level talks with their Philippine counterparts Gilberto Teodoro and Enrique Manalo in Manila.
The Philippines and Japan — longtime allies of the United States — have been deepening defense ties in the face of an increasingly assertive China.
READ: West Philippine Sea: PH hopes to sign key defense pact with Japan
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will witness the signing of the reciprocal access agreement (RAA), which the countries began negotiating in November, the Philippine Presidential Communications Office said.
The accord would provide the legal framework for Japan and the Philippines to send defense personnel to each other’s territory for training and other operations.
Negotiations were “close to conclusion”, Tokyo’s ambassador to Manila, Kazuya Endo, said in a speech on Thursday, as he flagged “significant developments” in Japan’s defense equipment supplies to the Philippines.
READ: Japan and Philippines trying to finish defense pact for signing in Manila as alarm grows over China
The talks follow escalating confrontations at sea between Chinese and Philippine ships as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to nearly all of the South China Sea.
The most serious in a number of incidents happened on June 17 when Chinese coast guard personnel wielding knives, sticks and an axe surrounded and boarded three Philippine navy boats during a resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
A Filipino sailor lost a thumb in the clash.
Tokyo and Beijing are also at loggerheads over Japan-controlled disputed islands in the East China Sea.
The RAA was important because it would enable the Philippines “to enhance our interoperability with like-minded partners,” said Manila-based geopolitical analyst Don McLain Gill.
“This would also complement what we are trying to do in terms of enhancing our security partnerships within the US hub and spokes network.”
READ: PH-Japan ties crucial as world faces ‘turning point,’ says top Tokyo envoy
Washington has been strengthening its network of alliances in the Asia-Pacific region to counter China’s growing military might and influence, which Chinese officials have said is a US effort to create a “NATO” in the region.
Leaders from Japan, the Philippines and the United States had their first trilateral summit in April aimed at boosting defence ties in Washington.
It was held on the heels of four-way military drills that included Australia in the South China Sea, riling Beijing.
The Philippines has been a key focus of US efforts to build an arc of alliances, owing to its position in the South China Sea and proximity to Taiwan, which China claims as its own.
Philippine support would be crucial for the United States in the event of any conflict.
Japan, wary about possible future changes in US policy in the region, was also seeking “to play a larger role” as an independent and stabilizing force, Gill the analyst, said.
Tokyo has signed similar reciprocal access agreements with Britain and Australia in recent years.
The Philippines has equivalent pacts with the United States and Australia and plans to pursue one with France.
Japan, which invaded and occupied the Philippines during World War II, is a top provider of overseas development assistance to the country and also a supplier of security equipment.
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“The Japanese would like to impress upon the Americans that Japan is the linchpin of US security presence, military presence here in the region, and of course, the most reliable ally of the United States,” said Renato Cruz De Castro, professor for international studies at De La Salle University in Manila.
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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CCSC oval to undergo repairs before Palarong Pambansa kickoff | dbongcac | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:07:49 PST | The rubberized track oval of the Cebu City Sports Center. | CDN Digital photo / Glendale G. Rosal
The rubberized track oval of the Cebu City Sports Center. | CDN Digital photo / Glendale G. Rosal
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Palarong Pambansa 2024 organizers assured all athletes competing in the medal-rich track and field event that the newly-renovated rubberized track oval of the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) will be ‘adjusted and repaired’ prior to the official start of the games on July 11.
Francis Cesar Bringas, the assistant secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), announced that the rubberized track oval will be ready come Thursday’s kick off of the centerpiece track and field event.
“We contacted and discusses it already with our expert technical consultant and they reported minor adjustments and repair on lanes 1 and 6 which are close to the finish line,” Bringas said in a media briefing on Monday, July 8, the eve of the grand opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa at the CCSC. He was joined by officials of the local organizing committee that included John Pages, the chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission, and DepEd Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Adolf Aguilar.
READ: Cebu City now 100% ready to host Palarong Pambansa – Raymond
“The consultant is in contact with the contractor already for the necessary intervention so it will be ready before the start of the games on July 10,” he added.
Concerns were raised after several signs of damage appeared on the newly-installed rubberized track of the CCSC which for many concerned citizens is highly-unusual and are signs that materials used were ‘substandard.’
READ: CCSC’s rubberized track oval shows ‘visible signs’ of damage
The oval was highly-criticized by many Cebuanos for taking more than a year to complete after renovation works started in May 2023.
Fast forward to July, damages such as the detachment of the rubber from its base, a bumpy surface, and the presence of water trapped inside the rubber base, among others, were observed on the facility.
READ: Palarong Pambansa 2024: Dengue fever sidelines 2 athletes
However, Bringas and Pages assured this will not hinder the track and field event to push through in Palarong Pambansa.
“We can say it is safe provided we do the adjustments and repairs to be done. We are looking into really repairing these with our technical consultants,” said Bringas.
READ: Palarong Pambansa 2024: Pre-Tournament live updates
For his part, Pages assured everyone that they have been communicating with the contractor of the oval to make necessary repairs the soonest.
“I have to defer what we have talked about with Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymod Garcia a few hours ago. We have been in touch with the contractor and they will be making [the] necessary repairs. Let us remember the entire track oval is a huge area. There are just some portions [that] need to be repaired. They need to be done. Most important the track oval is ready for the July 11 start of the athletics,” Pages said.
Other than that, the Palarong Pambansa is ready to fire off tomorrow. No less than Philippine President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio will grace the event.
“We are very very excited, it has been a long time [since] Cebu has hosted the Palaro. Our journey began two years ago, when we hosted the bubble Palaro boxing and football events. We also hosted the pre-qualifying events of the Palaro. Last year was the very intensive bidding process we had to go through and the hosting of the CVIRAA,” Pages said.
“We are ready and Cebu is ready. We are waiting for this moment and we look forward to the coming week.”
The official kick off of Palarong Pambansa 2024 will start with a parade of the 19 participating regions along Osmeña Boulevard going to the CCSC at 2:30 pm. This will be followed by the opening program at 5:30 p.m.
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Palarong Pambansa 2024: Dengue fever sidelines 2 athletes | dsingson | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 13:35:47 PST | INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Two student athletes, who will be participating in the Palarong Pambansa 2024, were confirmed of having dengue fever.
Dr. Peter Mancao, chief of Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), told reporters on Monday, July 8, that the patients were already admitted at the CCMC since Friday.
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Mancao said that the patients were rushed to the CCMC last week when they just arrived in Cebu City. However, he was unable to specify the exact date.
One of the patients was from Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), while the other was still being confirmed by Mancao as of press time. He also could not confirm yet what sports discipline these patients would participate.
READ MORE:
Palarong Pambansa 2024: Pre-Tournament live updates
Dengue in Cebu City: Impose measures vs disease, city health dep’t urged
Dengue cases in Central Visayas reach 7,000 with 19 deaths
“Pero one thing common is bag-o lang sila nangabot. Kaning usa nagfever na daan before kuno nilakaw unya naabot dire,” Mancao said.
(But one thing they have in common is that they just arrived here. One of them had already a fever before he left and arrived here.)
Mancao assured that the patients’ conditions were “stable.”
Moreover, as of this writing, Mancao said that he would be meeting with other health officials and event’s committee for a meeting today, especially to check if there would be suspected cases of dengue.
With the current situation, Mancao assured that the CCMC would be ready and prepared to provide medical assistance and care for all the delegates of the Palarong Pambansa.
Furthermore, he said that the health officials would only allow “fully recovered” patients to participate in the Palaro.
“Og maluya-luya pa, dili pa pwede,” Mancao said.
(If the athlete would still be weak, then we would not allow him or her to participate in the games.)
READ MORE:
DOH notes small hike in dengue but warns cases may still go up
Meanwhile, Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia in a press conference on the same day, said that the CCMC had already allocated a “separate area” in the hospital for Palaro athletes.
“We are very prepared. Madengue man, mapiang man, mabali man, unsa pa na diha, we are very much prepared so far as CCMC,” Garcia said.
(We are very prepared. Whether it be dengue, a sprain, a fracture, or whatever ailments the athletes would suffer, we are very much prepared so far as CCMC.)
“Pero ang mga private hospitals, I [was] told by them, wala pa man sad ko kabisita, they are also very much prepared. So, we are very much prepared for any eventuality when it comes to Palaro and God willing di gyud na mahitabo,” he said.
(But the private hospitals, I [was] told by them, but I have not visited them yet, they are also very much prepared. So, we are very much prepared for any eventuality when it comes to Palaro and God willing, nothing would happen at all.)
Earlier, Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal, regional epidemiologist of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health (DOH-7), reported that dengue cases in Central Visayas had reached 7,132 with 19 deaths for the first six months of the year.
In a separate interview on Monday, Dr. Daisy Villa, head of Cebu City Health Department, said that one of the student athletes was already discharged yesterday. However, she could not disclose which patient was discharged for privacy reasons.
Villa assured that the moment they learned about the cases, they already conducted misting, search and destroy operations in the billeting quarters even before the delegates arrived in Cebu City.
They also conducted another misting operation to the billeting quarters occupied by those student athletes who got positive of dengue fever.
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Batangas, Bukidnon, Tarlac bets top Miss World Philippines’ ‘head-to-head’ challenge | Armin P. Adina | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 22:42:49 PST | Miss World Philippines 2024 ‘Head-to-Head’ Challenge finalists (from left) Dolly Cruz, Jasmine Omay, and Bianca Tapia/MISS WORLD PHILIPPINES ORGANIZATION FACEBOOK PHOTO
Miss World Philippines 2024 ‘Head-to-Head’ Challenge finalists (from left) Dolly Cruz, Jasmine Omay, and Bianca Tapia/MISS WORLD PHILIPPINES ORGANIZATION FACEBOOK PHOTO
After a series of grueling sessions of extemporaneous speaking, the 2024 Miss World Philippines pageant has narrowed down the list of ladies with the gift of gab to three finalists—Dolly Cruz from Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Jasmine Omay from Tarlac Province, and Bianca Tapia from Batangas.
The ladies were chosen from the eight semifinalists for the “Head-to-Head” Challenge, who faced off at the final round of the preliminary event held at the Southville International School and Colleges in Las Piñas City on Monday, July 8.
“These exceptional ladies have showcased their speaking and presentation skills, intelligence, and quick thinking,” the Miss World Philippines Organization (MWPH) said on social media when it announced the names of the finalists. The challenge winner will earn a guaranteed spot in the semifinals at the coronation show.
Also among the semifinalists were former Miss Charm Philippines Krishnah Gravidez, 2021 Miss World Philippines First Princess Rhiana Pangindian, former Miss Manila Gabrielle Lantzer, Marianel Tan from Bacolod, and Christine Chagas from Quezon City.
The 35 ladies were split into five batches for the Head-to-Head challenge, and had their initial sessions at the Grand Westside Hotel in Parañaque City on Thursday, July 4. It followed the “Beauty with a Purpose” presentation on July 1, another fast-track event, where the three ladies also secured top placements.
Cruz is a lawyer, while Omay and Tapia are national pageant veterans who earned semifinal placements at the 2022 Binibining Pilipinas and 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageants, respectively.
Three titles are at stake in the competition—Miss World Philippines, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas, and Miss Philippines Tourism.
The 2024 Miss World Philippines coronation night will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on July 19. Billy Crawford and reigning Universal Woman Maria Gigante will host the ceremonies, with The Juans scheduled to perform.
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Gov’t seeks arbitration with Chinese train supplier | Meg J. Adonis | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 02:09:00 PST | Arbitration may be the solution to the seven-year-old case of unsuitable trains from China left idle at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3) depot, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista told reporters on Friday that while the government had yet to solve the issue of the incompatible trains delivered by Dalian Co. Ltd. in 2017, intervention may be needed.
“It’s possible for the case to undergo arbitration. In fact, it seems that that’s where the problem with Dalian is headed,” Bautista said during a press conference.
The issue involves 48 sets of trains that the Philippine government purchased from China-based Dalian in 2014 to expand the major railway system.
When the P3.75-billion trains were delivered in 2017, however, the government found that these were too heavy to use in the existing MRT 3 system.
The trains remain unused to this day, as the government has yet to figure out how these could be utilized without incurring higher maintenance costs and damaging the rail line.
“We will have to liquidate the damages because they were not able to meet our requirements,” the secretary said. “But, of course, that’s subject to an agreement. We need to talk to them (Dalian) also,” Bautista said.
Asked whether the government would include in its computation of damages forgone revenues from the unused trains, Bautista said this was a “contentious issue.”
“We can always include it. But we should also be fair and reasonable in terms of what should be collected from Dalian,” he explained, adding that the MRT 3’s train requirements were “enough” for now.
Among the possible solutions, according to Bautista, was the privatization of the railway.
In July last year, the DOTr announced that it was considering privatizing MRT 3 by 2025, and possibly package it with the Light Rail Transit Line 2.
The agency had received unsolicited proposals from Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ramon S. Ang-led San Miguel Corp. earlier this year, but these were both declined, as the DOTr wanted more options through solicited bidding.
Bautista noted that the proposals, although rejected, included provisions on how to operate the Dalian trains despite the unsuitable weight.
“Once MRT 3 is privatized, which we plan to do by the second or third quarter of 2025, it’s possible that the operator can look at the Dalian train,” the official said.
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As of now, the DOTr is still working with the Asian Development Bank to finalize the terms of reference for the bidding, Bautista clarified. INQ
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Speaker pledges House support for food security | Jeannette I. Andrade | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 05:40:00 PST | Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez —file photo/Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez —file photo/Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday assured the House of Representatives of support to help attain President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s aspiration of rice self-sufficiency for the Philippines, removing the country’s dependence on imports of the staple grain, by 2028.
READ: Affordable ‘Rice-for-All’ available soon, says DA
Romualdez vowed that the chamber would do everything it could to help in achieving Marcos’ agricultural aspiration and end goal, citing efforts by the Department of Agriculture (DA), its attached agencies, and other national government offices toward a more efficient and productive agricultural sector.
READ: PH seen to import more rice as harvest may fall short this year
He noted that a consolidation of efforts by the DA, National Irrigation Administration, and other government offices is being undertaken to ensure that funds allocated for the agencies’ programs are efficiently and optimally utilized.
The Speaker observed a seeming lack of communication between the agencies previously, which is now being remedied by working together toward the country attaining the aspiration of rice self-sufficiency, where the Philippines would no longer have to import the grain, by 2028.
He said it was an “all-of-government approach,” which would involve all the agencies in the Executive branch and Congress to come up with long-term measures to ensure food security for Filipinos.
According to the Speaker, “Food security, is national security … First we want to bring down the price of rice so it is affordable to all Filipinos because the President does not want any Filipino to suffer or go hungry.”
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VP Duterte to NSPC attendees: ‘Never print something that is not truth’ | Zacarian Sarao | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 20:05:00 PST | MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday told campus journalists to “never print, post or circulate” anything that “is not the truth.”
Duterte gave the reminder to participants of this year’s National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) at a kick-off ceremony in Carcar City, Cebu.
“Never print or post or circulate something that you know is not the truth,” Duterte said in her opening remarks.
“Huwag ninyong gawin na sirain ang buhay ng ibang tao, sirain ang imahe ng iba’t ibang organisasyon o ng mga tao sa alam niyong hindi totoo. Never assume, and don’t lie sa inyong trabaho,” she added.
(Do not destroy other people’s lives, destroy the image of various organizations or people for what you know is not true. Never assume, and don’t lie in your work.)
Duterte also urged students never to mix “assumption and opinion” in writing their reports.
“‘Pag opinyon ninyo ang sinusulat ninyo, never assume anything. Huwag ninyong ipaghalo ang assumption at opinyon, magkaibang bagay ‘yon,” she said.
(If what you write is your opinion, never assume anything. Do not mix assumption and opinion, those are different things.)
READ: NSPC 2023 opens in Cagayan de Oro after two-year hiatus
The NSPC is held annually pursuant to Republic Act 7079. It aims to recognize the role of journalism in advocating for social consciousness and environmental awareness and promote fair and ethical use of media as tenets of responsible journalism.
The competition’s opening marks one of Duterte’s last events as education secretary after she resigned from her post on June 19, which will be effective exactly a month after or on July 19.
Senator Sonny Angara is set to replace Duterte.
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READ: DepEd to hold first-ever online Nat’l Schools Press Conference 2021
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INQToday: Binay files ethics rap vs Cayetano; CCG, militia ships intercept 2 PCG boats near Ayungin | INQUIRER.net | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 13:06:32 PST | Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Sen. Nancy Binay formally filed on Monday an ethics complaint against Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for allegedly resorting to name-calling and behaving disorderly during the chamber’s proceedings.
“This is not just about me. Nanay ako. May mga anak ako at alam ko ang mga pinagdaanan ng mga bata noong tinitira niya yung pamilya ko noong 2015 and parang during this time, I cannot let it pass anymore,” Binay told reporters in an ambush interview after she filed the complaint before the Senate panel on ethics.
A 102-meter-long Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship, along with at least six maritime militia vessels, reportedly intercepted two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) boats near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday, West Philippine Sea monitor Ray Powell said two PCG ships were intercepted by CCG and are now passing through 14 nautical miles east of Second Thomas Shoal.
The country’s unemployment rate in May rose to 4.1 percent as more Filipinos joined the labor market, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Monday.
Preliminary results of the statistics agency’s May round of the Labor Force Survey (LFS) showed the unemployment rate moved at its highest pace in four months compared to the 4 percent in the previous month but still lower than 4.3 percent in May 2023.
Five of the seven persons of interest in the abduction and killing of beauty pageant candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen are under police custody, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Lima na po yung nasa custody natin, tatlo arrested for different cases, dalawa po ay surrendered and gave their testimonies and dalawa lang po yung at large,” PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said in a Radyo 630 interview on Monday.
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2 alleged rebels slain in Masbate clash | Ma. April Mier-Manjares @MaAprilMierINQ | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 14:05:38 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
LEGAZPI CITY — Two suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a clash Monday with government troops in Esperanza town in Masbate.
Major Frank Roldan, spokesperson for the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, reported that the unidentified slain rebels and six other members of Komiteng Larangang Guerilla-South, Sub-Regional Committee 4, had a 15-minute firefight at 6:50 a.m. with members of the 2nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay San Roque.
READ: 2 suspected NPA rebels killed in Masbate clash
Roldan said the rebels immediately fled and left their slain comrades in the area.
The authorities recovered an M653 rifle, a caliber 38 revolver, and other personal belongings. INQ
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Cebu Daily Newscast: Woman jailed for bathing naked in fountain near Dalaguete church | dbongcac | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 19:01:12 PST | Listen to Cebu Daily Newscast and get the latest stories in and around Cebu.
Here’s what you need to know on Monday, July 8, 2024.
Screenshot of a contributed video
A woman was arrested for bathing naked in a fountain situated right outside the parish church of Dalaguete town, southern Cebu on Monday, July 8.
Police in Dalaguete confirmed the arrest of a woman and her German partner for causing public alarm, scandal, and disobedience to authorities on Monday dawn.
If things go accordingly, civil works for the trunk line of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) may be completed next month.
The World Bank, in a recently disclosed report, stated that Package 1 of the P29-billion project has already achieved a progress of 64 percent, and may be “substantially completed” by August this year.
A P10 million reward awaits anyone who will step forward and provide credible information that would lead to the arrest of fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
In a press conference on Monday, Abalos also announced a P1 million reward each for the arrest of Quiboloy’s subordinates Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, Sylvia Camanes and Jackiely Roy.
The condition of the newly-renovated rubberized track oval at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) has sparked concerns less than a week before the official start of Palarong Pambansa 2024, following reports of ‘visible signs’ of damage.
Netizens have also expressed their frustrations on social upon learning of the damages found on the oval.
ALSO READ:
Dalaguete buy-bust: HVI nabbed with shabu, unlicensed firearm
Family of welder killed in accident files complaint vs engineers, local govt. of Dalaguete
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House urged to pass bills seeking to lower fuel prices | Gabriel Pabico Lalu | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 15:26:02 PST | NO TO OIL PRICE HIKES Jeepney drivers and members of labor and transport groups protest in front of a gas station on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, after a big-time fuel price hike took effect in October 2022. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
NO TO OIL PRICE HIKES Jeepney drivers and members of labor and transport groups protest in front of a gas station on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, after a big-time fuel price hike took effect in October 2022. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — With another fuel price hike looming, the House of Representatives should pass the five bills that seek to lower fuel prices, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said on Monday.
Castro said Malacañang and House leaders should prioritize measures that would address problems encountered by Filipinos. She mentioned the following bills:
All these bills were filed by Makabayan bloc lawmakers, including Castro.
“With the aim of lowering oil prices in the country, Malacañang should certify as urgent the ‘Lower Oil Prices Bill Package,” she said.
“This bill package, when made into law, can lower oil prices, cause a domino effect in lowering basic products and services, and at least alleviate the suffering of consumers,” she added.
Castro made the statement as oil prices are expected to rise for the fourth straight week, with diesel fuel and kerosene going up by P0.65 centavos per liter and P0.60 centavos per liter, respectively. Gasoline will jump by P1.60 per liter.
READ: Fuel prices up for 4th straight week
Castro said the price hikes have far-reaching effects on the economy and ordinary Filipinos.
“As we face the fourth consecutive week of increases in pump prices, it’s clear that urgent action is needed. These price hikes don’t just affect transportation; they inflate the costs of basic goods and services, further burdening our already struggling populace,” she said.
“Malacañang and the House leadership must prioritize these measures. There are numerous House bills just waiting to be acted upon. It’s time to stop the runaway oil prices and provide real relief to our people,” she added.
Last Friday, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that headline inflation rates for June 2024 eased to 3.7 percent — lower than May’s 3.9 percent and 5.4 percent in June 2023.
READ: Inflation cooled to 3.7% in June, slowest in 4 months
However, several economists have warned that the worst is not yet over for the country.
Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda said that despite the lower numbers, he believes the country can still do better than what happened.
Oil prices have been known to play a role in inflation numbers. In June 2022, the Philippines encountered a 5.4-percent headline inflation rate, which was a 42-month high back then, due to higher prices of oil products.
READ: Expensive food, fuel push PH inflation to 42-month high of 5.4 percent
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During that period, transport costs jumped 14.6 percent year-on-year (2022 compared to 2021), as gasoline prices climbed 47.2 percent year-on-year, while diesel prices soared by 86.2 percent.
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First Gen delays delivery of 5th LNG order | Lisbet K. Esmael | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 02:08:00 PST | Lopez-led First Gen Corp. decided to defer the shipment of its fifth cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which was supposed to arrive in the country this month, an official said.
In a chance interview on Friday, Francis Giles Puno, First Gen president and COO, said the group has still enough supply from its last procurement.
In an earlier disclosure, the company said it awarded an LNG deal to Chinese company CNOOC Gas and Power Trading & Marketing Ltd. to bring in around 130,000 cubic meters (cu. m.) in May. Another supply contract was given to Japanese firm TG Global Trading Co. last month for about 125,000 cu. m., scheduled for July.
“We still have residual gas. So, we have to deplete residual gas,” he told reporters.
When asked about the arrival of the next batch of imported LNG, Puno said there was no definite date yet.
The official said the Philippines can also bank on the output of the Malampaya offshore field in Palawan, the country’s largest producing gas field catering to 40 percent of Luzon’s electricity needs.
Last year, First Gen awarded the first three cargo contracts to TotalEnergies Gas & Power Asia Private Limited, Shell Eastern Trading (Pte.) Ltd., and Trafigura Pte. Ltd. It received its first LNG cargo in Subic, while the remaining deliveries were brought to its import terminal in Batangas.
The company has a network of four gas-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 2,017 megawatts. San Lorenzo, San Gabriel, Santa Rita and Avion gas plants are all located in Batangas.
These gas-fired power plants have long relied on the Malampaya field until the group decided to blend it with imported LNG to provide consumers with a “least-cost solution.” The Palawan gas field is expected to run dry in 2027.
Last month, the company said it was exploring long-term contracts for LNG with international players to ensure the continuous flow of power to the Luzon grid.
First Gen is jacking up its spending by 15.5 percent this year to $1.27 billion. INQ
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PLDT’s 50-MW data center launches this month | Tyrone Jasper C. Piad | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 02:05:00 PST | Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT)
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT)
The PLDT Group is set to double its data center capacity to 100 megawatts (MW) this month with the launch of its 11th hub in Laguna as it seeks to accommodate growing demand for facilities that house critical servers due to accelerated digitalization.
Victor Genuino, president and CEO of PLDT data center arm ePLDT, told the Inquirer that the newest facility was “on schedule to be energized this July.”
The facility, dubbed Vitro Sta. Rosa, is designed to have a capacity of up to 50 MW—the biggest for any data center of ePLDT. The PLDT unit currently has 10 data centers with a total of 50-MW capacity.
“We’re now finalizing site selection for our next wave of data centers,” he added.
Genuino previously shared that three more data centers were undergoing the design phase. One of them is eyed to have at least 100 MW in capacity.
Data centers are facilities housing critical servers and networks. Demand for these hubs is on the rise due to the growing needs of hyperscalers, or entities providing cloud, networking and internet services such as Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google GCP, Alibaba AliCloud, IBM and Oracle.
Apart from PLDT, other players like Globe Telecom Inc., Converge ICT Solutions Inc. and Digital Edge have been pouring in investments in this space.
PLDT, meanwhile, is also wrapping up the partial sale of its data center business—valued over $1 billion—to a foreign buyer.
Manuel Pangilinan, president and chair of the telecom giant, earlier said they were aiming to finalize the binding sheet agreement this month.
He noted PLDT would keep 51-percent ownership post-transaction, proceeds of which are allocated for debt payments.
The group’s data centers are complemented by over 1.1 million kilometers of fiber cable network here and abroad. INQ
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In Iloilo, delay hits repair work on ‘sinking’ flyover | Ruchelle Denice Demaisip | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 04:45:00 PST | STILL OUT OF COMMISSION The 453.7-meter Ungka flyover, which straddles Iloilo City and the town of Pavia and costs P680 million to build, opened for only four months, from June to September 2022, after the structure was observed to be “sinking.” This photo was taken on April 25, 2022, before the flyover was opened to motorists. —DPWH-Western Visayas photo
STILL OUT OF COMMISSION The 453.7-meter Ungka flyover, which straddles Iloilo City and the town of Pavia and costs P680 million to build, opened for only four months, from June to September 2022, after the structure was observed to be “sinking.” This photo was taken on April 25, 2022, before the flyover was opened to motorists. —DPWH-Western Visayas photo
ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The completion of the P295-million repair work on the controversial Ungka flyover in Iloilo may have to wait for some time.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced that the full reopening of the flyover, initially scheduled for August, has been reset to November this year.
Sanny Boy Oropel, regional director of the DPWH in Western Visayas, reasoned that the rectification techniques, including drilling and jet grouting every 6 meters up to 52 m of the flyover, followed by curing periods, are complex.
READ: Repair works for ‘sinking’ Iloilo flyover extended
The presence of underground cabling systems of utilities, such as water and telephone lines, also slowed down the process, he added.
According to Oropel, the contractor, Monolithic Construction and Concrete Products Inc., was carefully conducting seismic tests to ensure the stability of the soil beneath the structure.
The first phase of repairs, with a budget of P95 million, is expected to conclude by July 30 while the second phase, which costs P200 million, will still commence in August, said Oropel.
At present, the two inner lanes of the flyover have been opened to traffic but only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
The cost of the Ungka flyover in Iloilo had soared from its original budget of P680 million to P975 million due to ongoing repairs.
Oropel appealed for public understanding regarding the delays, saying that the first phase of repairs was 65-percent complete as of June 30.
Engineering consultant Adam Abinales recommended adding bored piles to stabilize the structure.
This requires the removal and possible replacement of the existing prestressed concrete girders to accommodate the necessary drilling equipment.
The new piles will need to be bored to a depth of at least 40m, compared to the current depths of 26m to 28m.
The flyover, designed to alleviate traffic congestion at the intersection of Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue and President Corazon Aquino Avenue here, connects Barangay Ungka of Jaro district in Iloilo City to Barangay Ungka 2 of Pavia town in Iloilo province.
The 453.7-m Ungka flyover was opened to the public in June 2022 but was closed in September of the same year after public complaints over the “wavy feel” while driving over it, as well as reports and images of flooding at the top of the flyover during rainy days.
To address the issues, the DPWH spent P13 million last year on a third-party geotechnical investigation, which found the structure to be sinking.
The Ungka flyover was funded through the efforts of former Sen. Franklin Drilon to cut travel time to Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan town.
Phase 1 of the rectification work, which involves 2,352 linear meters of jet grouting on multiple piers, began in January on a P95.95-million contract.
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A pier is a type of structure that extends to the ground below or into the water. It is used to support the flyover and transfer the loads to the foundation.
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Mandaue City employees hold silent protest to support Oliva | mbgerodias | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 20:33:51 PST | Mandaue City Treasurer Regal Oliva/ Photo: Mary Rose Sagarino
Mandaue City Treasurer Regal Oliva/ Photo: Mary Rose Sagarino
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — Employees of the Mandaue City Hall held a quick silent protest in solidarity regarding the pending transfer of Atty. Regal Oliva, the city’s treasurer.
The silent protest was conducted after the flag-raising ceremony before the start of the employees’ work on Monday morning, July 8.
The employees also wore black, expressing their sadness and protest regarding the matter.
Oliva said she was overwhelmed and touched by the support of the city employees and the government.
“It is very heartwarming,” said Oliva.
Employees of the Mandaue City government hold a silent protest to show their support for City Treasurer Regal Oliva, who is reportedly being transferred to another local government unit./Photo: Mary Rose Sagarino
Reassigned
Oliva is set to be reassigned by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) to Navotas City in the National Capital Region.
Oliva said she learned about the transfer in January this year when her friends from the treasury informed her. She said that she did not receive an official communication about the reassignment but only received calls from the director of the BLGF last April.
The City Treasurer said she does not know the reason for the transfer. She noted that city treasurers appointed on a permanent basis can only be removed at the request of the mayor.
“Totally different from this angle wherein it is not the mayor who requested. Apparently, I do not know who requested, but I was told that it was from the Office of the Speaker of the House. But I never saw the official communication. I was just told by the Department of Finance,” said Oliva.
She said that the Department of Finance also has a difficult time transferring her because she has not committed any corruption or graft during her service. She believes that the transfer is political, although she clarified that she is not against the reassignment.
Mayor Jonas Cortes has already sent a letter to the Department of Finance requesting that Oliva be retained as Mandaue City Treasurer, considering her contribution to the growth of Mandaue City.
Cortes described Oliva as a ‘Lost Treasure of the City’.
Cortes, on his Facebook page, also debunked allegations that he was blaming national officials for the transfer of Oliva.
Cortes said that the allegations are an attempt to mislead Mandauehanons about the real situation of the city. He also expressed his commitment to serving during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., just as during the time of Cortes’ father.
City Administrator Atty. Jamaal James Calipayan said they are also surprised by the pending transfer.
“Kami mismo, we are worried because kani man gud nga lihok dili ni siya mahitabo out of the blue. I don’t think nga gikan nis taas ang move. I think wala may cause para himoon nis taas,” said Calipayan.
Contributions
Oliva first served Mandaue City as an acting assistant city treasurer in 2008 and was appointed permanent city treasurer in 2015. When Oliva assumed office, the city operated with a budget of nearly P300 million. Today, through strategic financial management and prudent decision-making, the city oversees a budget exceeding P7 billion.
Oliva also fully automated the city’s tax collection system, with Mandaue becoming the first city in the Visayas and Mindanao to achieve full automation in 2013.
Moreover, Mandaue City obtained ISO certification in 2015, a significant accomplishment that reflects quality and accountability in governance.
Oliva was also instrumental in the implementation of online payment for all Mandaue City’s collections, making the city a leader in online processes. This contribution led to the city being hailed as the Most Business-Friendly City in 2022 by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Aside from financial management, Oliva is also an advocate for community development and social justice. She served as the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter and Governor of the IBP Eastern Visayas Region from 2020 to 2022, and she is the National Director for Gender and Equity from 2022 to the present.
Oliva also champions the rights of women and children as the president of the Cebu Lady Lawyers Association (CELLA) and Internal Vice President of the Zonta Club of Cebu II. She is also the Executive Vice President of the Philippine Association of Local Treasurers and Assessors (PHALTRA) and an LGBT champion.
Oliva said that she was already interviewed by Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco and is only waiting for confirmation from the Department of Finance regarding the transfer.
“If it will come, then I will be a good soldier of the government and I will not cause any hesitation to transfer and to have a smooth transition of power and functions with the city treasury,” said Oliva.
Oliva thanked the city government and the business community for their support, cooperation, and diligent payment of their taxes.
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BIZ BUZZ: Chiong’s revenge | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 02:10:00 PST | In about two months, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) will be turned over to the San Miguel-led consortium that bagged the P170.6-billion contract to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the country’s primary gateway.
And according to insiders in the aviation sector, among those calling the shots at the New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC)—composed of San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc., and Incheon International Airport Corp.—is former Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Cesar Chiong.
Indeed, there are talks that Chiong may even end up heading the newly incorporated venture given his vast experience in the airline industry plus his eventful years at the MIAA.
If he does, then that will be vindication for Chiong, who had been eased out of the MIAA and even ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombdusman after ordering the reassignment of some 285 MIAA employees within less than a year since he was appointed in July 2022.
The Court of Appeals eventually reversed his dismissal, and Chiong has apparently moved on to greener pastures. What’s more, he may find himself dealing with the same employees who had plotted to have him removed, the same ones who must now be quaking in their boots because of his return.
Sources said, however, that his leading NNIC is not a done deal as former Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez is already heavily involved in the discussions with the government and other stakeholders such as airline companies that will be affected by the turnover of Naia from government to private hands.
Either way, Chiong, a former EVP and COO of Air Philippines Corp. and who handled the operation and maintenance of the Boracay/Caticlan Airport, stands to exact some sweet revenge. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao
It may take a little more time for Ayala Corp. to liquidate its 35-percent stake in Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), operator of Light Railway Transit (LRT) Line 1, which is among the noncore assets that the Zobel-led conglomerate has put on the block.
We hear that the Metro Pacific group—which owns 55 percent of the consortium and naturally has the first crack to buy out the shares—is no longer keen to raise its interest. While tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan aka MVP wanted very much to consolidate control of LRT 1, we hear from reliable sources that he was persuaded to walk away. We hear that Ayala’s asking price was too high for MVP’s group considering that the latter had already booked impairment losses from this asset. Neither is the group of tycoon Manuel Villar anywhere close to any deal to take over the LRT 1 extension project, our sources said. Last year, Villar cited discussions to extend the railway deeper into Cavite, boosting connectivity to his “megalopolis” Villar City.
This suggests that Ayala needs to cast a wider net to look for buyers; some private equity firms have reportedly expressed interest. The good thing is that the LRT 1 concession, awarded to LRMC in 2014, has 22 more years to go, hopefully long enough to entice new investors, and its daily ridership remains high at more than 500,000.
But in the last 10 years, it has been challenging for the operators to seek a fare adjustment. Prior to the fare increase in 2023, the last one was back in 2015, its validity was even contested all the way to the Supreme Court.
We hear that the system is now saddled with more than P20 billion in debt versus an annual cash flow of just P1 billion.
Hopefully, a new investor who’s focused on infrastructure and more tolerant of regulatory risks could enter the picture, reminiscent of how tycoon Enrique Razon had come in to scoop up Manila Water Co. at the time when it was reeling from the no-win dispute with Malacañang during the Duterte regime. —Doris Dumlao-Abadilla
Malls are no longer just a place to spend money; they are also venues to help thousands of Filipinos land a job.
Last month, SM Investments Corp. said job fairs under its Job Opportunities Building Skills (JOBS) program recorded the 10,000th hired-on-the-spot Filipino.
It is this milestone that’s now pushing SM to tap more government and industry/trade groups and help more Filipinos land badly needed jobs.
“SM is ready to partner with government agencies and private organizations in hosting job fairs in its malls nationwide, and roll out upskilling programs to upgrade the local workforce with relevant skills to future-proof companies,” the Sy family-led company said in a statement.
Currently joining SM’s roster of employment partners are the Private Sector Advisory Council, the Department of Labor and Employment, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Jobstreet by SEEK, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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The conglomerate has also been quite busy since the beginning of the year, having hosted over 100 weekly job fairs in its many malls across the country. Keep your eyes peeled for the next one! —MEG J. ADONIS INQ
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INQToday: P10 million reward offered for arrest of Apollo Quiboloy | INQUIRER.net | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:16:36 PST | Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
A P10 million reward awaits anyone who will step forward and provide credible information that would lead to the arrest of fugitive televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said in a press conference on Monday.
Abalos also announced a P1 million reward each for information leading to the arrest of Quiboloy’s subordinates Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada, Sylvia Camanes, and Jackiely Roy.
The Philippines and Japan signed a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) on Monday in Malacañang.
The RAA will serve as the legal basis for both countries’ troops entering each other’s territory for joint military exercises.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko signed the agreement, which was witnessed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
China Coast Guard’s “monster ship” has remained near the Philippine Coast Guard’s vessel in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal for about five days now, according to a West Philippine Sea monitor.
Ray Powell, program head of Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, which monitors Chinese vessel activity in the South China Sea, told INQUIRER.net that the CCG vessel with bow number 5901 is only about 500 meters away from PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua.
There is no relief for motorists this week as oil companies are set to implement a new round of price increases starting Tuesday.
In separate advisories Monday, Shell Pilipinas, Cleanfuel, and Seaoil said the per-liter prices of diesel and kerosene would go up by 65 centavos and 60 centavos, respectively.
The two former policemen, who are now suspects in the case of Pampanga beauty pageant candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen, allegedly shot the couple over a land dispute.
This information comes from the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG).
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June PH dollar reserves dip as BSP defends peso | Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 02:12:00 PST | The Philippines’ dollar reserves inched down in June, partly due to foreign exchange interventions of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to soothe the peso’s volatility.
Data released by the BSP showed that the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) stood at $104.70 billion in June, slightly lower than the $105.02 billion recorded in May.
Similarly, the net international reserves—or the difference between the GIR and liabilities like short-term foreign debt and loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)—decreased by $290 million month-on-month to $104.69 billion in June.
As the term connotes, the GIR serve as the country’s buffer against external shocks. The BSP’s reserve assets consist of foreign investments, gold, foreign exchange, reserve position in the IMF and special drawing rights.
By convention, GIR is viewed to be adequate if it can finance at least three months’ worth of the country’s imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.
The reserves are also considered adequate if they provide at least 100-percent cover for the payment of the country’s foreign liabilities—both from the public and private sectors—falling due within the immediate 12-month period.
The central bank attributed the June decline to repayment of old external debts of the government and cheaper global prices of gold that affected the BSP’s own holdings. Data showed the GIR components that posted the largest month-on-month drop were foreign exchange holdings (-17.8 percent) and gold holdings (-1.1 percent).
But Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said “some” of the decrease in the reserves was also due to the central bank’s efforts to prop up the peso.
“As I said before, we don’t want the peso to depreciate very sharply. We don’t have a target level for the peso. We just don’t want it to depreciate sharply,” Remolona told reporters.
During the last monetary policy meeting in late June, market watchers had expected the local currency to depreciate closer to the record-low 59 after Remolona struck a very dovish tone and gave clearer hints of a rate cut in August that would likely happen ahead of the US Federal Reserve.
But what seemed to be a forceful intervention by the BSP prevented a sharp fall of the peso, which has now managed to reverse some of its losses in the previous months. The central bank can avert a sharp currency depreciation by selling some dollars in its reserves.
As it is, the end-June GIR level was still among two-year highs, giving the BSP enough ammunition to defend the peso from speculative attacks.
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The buffer funds were also enough to pay for 7.7 months’ of the country’s import needs, about 6.1 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.8 times based on residual maturity.
The BSP forecasts the GIR to end the year at a comfortable $104 billion. INQ
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Philippines, Japan strengthen ties as key defense agreement signed | Zacarian Sarao | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 14:25:38 PST | President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., Japan Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Japan Defence Minister Kihira Minoru during the ceremonial signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Philippines and Japan on July 08, 2024. PHOTO BY YUMMIE DINGDING/ PPA POOL
President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., Japan Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Japan Defence Minister Kihira Minoru during the ceremonial signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Philippines and Japan on July 08, 2024. PHOTO BY YUMMIE DINGDING/ PPA POOL
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Japan fortified their commitment to further boost the two countries’ ties and partnership by “maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.”
Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru paid President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. a courtesy call in the Malacañan Palace on Monday followed by the signing of a key defense agreement between the two countries.
Marcos witnessed the signing of a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, which would allow each country’s troops to enter each other’s territory for joint military exercises.
READ: Philippines, Japan sign reciprocal access agreement
“Your presence here increases our confidence in the importance that the Japanese government puts on these extremely important agreements that we have. I’m very glad that we have come to this day,” Marcos told the two Japanese officials during the meeting.
Kamikawa, for her part, noted the “concrete progress” in the cooperation between the Philippines and Japan, particularly the signing of the RAA which she tagged as a “great achievement.”
“To maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, we would like to strengthen our partnership under Your Excellency’s leadership,” she told Marcos.
READ: West Philippine Sea: PH hopes to sign key defense pact with Japan
The official also conveyed to Marcos Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s best wishes.
The RAA with Japan was based on a commitment made at the inaugural Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting between the Philippines and Japan or 2+2 in April 2022.
Meanwhile, the first negotiations concerning the RAA were held in Tokyo from November 29 to 30 last year.
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With the agreement now signed, the RAA will then be submitted to the Philippine Senate and Japan’s legislature for ratification.
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BI reports 1M outbound travelers in June alone | Jane Bautista | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 05:30:00 PST | Inquirer file photo
Inquirer file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) noted a rise in international travel during the month of June, attributing the spike to the school break that allowed families to have their vacations abroad.
“In April, we only saw an average of around 32,000 passengers a day, but in June that number rose to around 36,000,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement on Sunday.
In April, the BI said a total of 946,092 departed via Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals, while in May, there were 979,720 departures.
READ: What tops Pinoy travel goals these days? Most likely, Japan
For June, the bureau recorded 1,072,651 international departures and anticipates it to rise or remain high in July.
“Revenge travel is real and is still very much evident. After the pandemic, a lot of people are itching to travel. After the end of classes, a lot of families saw the opportunity to take their vacations,” Tansingco said.
The immigration chief advised international travelers to arrive early and check in at least three hours before their flights to have ample time for airport procedures.
“We are assuring that all our counters are fully manned, and our officers are working doubly hard to process everyone in a timely manner,” Tansingco said.
The spike in outbound travel was reported after the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced in April that over 2 million international visitors arrived in the country during the first quarter, with South Koreans topping the list of inbound arrivals.
The country’s tourism receipts from Jan. 1 to March 31 have also accounted for around P157.62 billion, which translates to an estimated 120.70 percent recovery rate from the P130.59 billion revenue gained from the same period in 2019.
Based on the DOT’s monitoring data, a total of 2,010,522 international visitors entered the country, with 94.21 percent or 1,894,076 of the country’s total international arrivals, delivered by foreign tourists and about 5.79 percent or 116,446 are overseas Filipinos.
This is 15.11 percent higher than the international arrivals recorded in the same period last year, pegged at 1,746,630.
South Korea remains the Philippines’ top source market in terms of inbound visitor arrivals with 27.19 percent or 546,726, followed by the United States with 315,816 (15.71 percent), China with 130,574 (6.49 percent), Japan with 123,204 (6.13 percent), and Australia with 88,048 (4.38 percent).
Canada, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Germany ranked sixth to tenth, respectively.
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According to Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, the country aims to welcome 7.7 million international visitors this year. The country welcomed 8.26 million tourists in 2019.
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Alternative playing venues in place in case of bad weather— Pages | dbongcac | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 19:57:36 PST | John Pages (in green/yellow shirt) answers the media during the Palarong Pambansa 2024 media briefing at the CCSC on Monday. | Cebu City PIO photo
John Pages (in green/yellow shirt) answers the media during the Palarong Pambansa 2024 media briefing at the CCSC on Monday. | Cebu City PIO photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines— The unpredictable weather in Cebu will not be a major problem for Palarong Pambansa 2024 after the organizers gave the assurance that contingency measures are in place for the week-long meet.
Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) Chairman John Pages told the media that they have identified alternative venues for outdoor sports that will be affected by heavy downpour and that they would carry on the games until the evening if the weather will not be favorable early in the day during the meet scheduled from July 11 to 15.
On Monday, July 8, a heavy downpour was experienced throughout Metro Cebu as the preparations for the opening ceremony of the Palarong Pambansa was in full swing. Reports of flooding in several areas in Cebu City were reported during the heavy downpour.
READ: Cebu City now 100% ready to host Palarong Pambansa – Raymond
“About 70% of our playing venues are indoors but other sports of course, we can’t do anything about it especially softball, baseball, and football, but one particular sports— tennis have two indoor venues,” Pages said.
The elementary girls and secondary boys tennis competitions will be held at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club courts and Citigreen, respectively.
READ: CCSC’s rubberized track oval shows ‘visible signs’ of damage
In case of a bad weather, Pages said that they already reached an agreement with the Naga City Mayor Val Chiong to hold the tennis there for the elementary boys and secondary girls.
READ: Palarong Pambansa 2024: Here are some tips for spectators
The Naga City is located 20.5 kilometers south of Cebu City or an hour drive. The City is equipped with an indoor shell court which was utilized in previous CVIRAA competitions.
Pages also said that they have already taken note on what to do if bad weather occurs based on their observation in last year’s Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City.
READ: Palarong Pambansa 2024: Pre-Tournament live updates
“Last year in Marikina we saw the heavy downpour and it was something that we noted. We have been taking note of it. In some cases, we have prepared sand bags for the baseball venue to put them as quickly as possible so the downtime won’t be that long,” Pages said.
“We are praying that the weather will be favorable. During the CVIRAA it was very hot. No drop of rain, but this time, it’s a different variable, but I think we are prepared for that,” he added.
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19 police officers in Davao City relieved from posts | Germelina A. Lacorte | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 16:09:57 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
DAVAO CITY — Police Major Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Davao region, confirmed the relief of 19 heads of police stations in this city on Monday, July 8, but stayed mum about the reason for the move.
“Nineteen commanders or officers-in-charge of the 19 police stations of the Davao City Police Office have been relieved effective July 8,” de la Rey told reporters in a statement.
READ: Davao police chief relieved from post amid probe into drug ops deaths
“They were replaced by officers from the police provincial offices and the regional headquarters of PRO 11,” she added.
As of posting time, Dela Rey did not reveal the reason for the move except to say that it was “part of the duty or of the regional director to assign or reassign officers.”
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Expert: Sharing common ‘threat’ led to swift inking of PH-Japan defense pact | John Eric Mendoza | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 23:00:33 PST | (From left to right) Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, and Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro holding each other’s crossed hands after a press conference during the 2nd Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) at Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig City on Monday, July 8, 2024. —Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net
(From left to right) Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, and Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro holding each other’s crossed hands after a press conference during the 2nd Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) at Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig City on Monday, July 8, 2024. —Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The swift signing of the landmark defense pact between Japan and the Philippines was made possible through late night meetings, teleconferencing and informal talks.
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo revealed this Monday as observers noted the fast signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Manila and Tokyo.
The RAA was signed in Malacañan with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, as witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
READ: Año lauds swift signing of defense pact between Philippines, Japan
“I have to congratulate the negotiators from both sides, with the very hard work that they undertook in order to negotiate this very important agreement,” Manalo said in a press briefing held after the signing of the RAA.
“Not only did they meet to discuss or to negotiate this agreement face to face, they also had late night meetings, they also negotiated via Zoom, they also had regular contact informally,” Manalo continued. “That’s I think what contributed very much to the [early] conclusion of the agreement.”
Analysts said the current geopolitical situation faced by two countries called for the fast approval of the RAA, which enables a mechanism for shared military training and operations and larger joint exercises between two countries.
Manila and Tokyo have territorial disputes with Beijing over the maritime features in the West Philippine Sea and Pinnacle Islands, respectively.
Geopolitical analyst Don McLain Gill said several things became the “catalyst” of such a move.
Gill, a lecturer at the De La Salle University’s Department of International Studies told INQUIRER.net on Monday that the bilateral move is due to “the convergence in political will; the growing and shared threat perception; and the intersection of regional goals in Southeast Asia.”
“The hastiness and precipitation for the enactment of the RAA is valuable and valid due to the ambiguity and complexity of the regional security environment,” said security expert Chester Cabalza in a message to INQUIRER.net on Monday.
Cabalza also said the bilateral move shows that Manila and Tokyo share the same common “threat” and that there are trust on both sides.
“The speed of signing the agreement shows that Japan and the Philippines experience the same common threat that should be deterred,” Cabalza, president and founder of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, also said.
“It’s fast development of the defense pact shows that both parties trust and rely on each other,” he added.
Despite the swift signing, the Senate of the Philippines and its counterpart in Japan still needs to ratify the RAA.
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But for the part of the Philippines, former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that the majority of the upper chamber would favor the RAA. —with reports from Felice Nafarrete
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Pagasa forecasts fair weather in Metro Cebu for Palarong Pambansa week | clorenciana | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:33:01 PST | An aerial shot was taken on June 21 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), which will serve as one of the playing venues for the Palarong Pambansa 2024. The opening and closing ceremonies of the sporting event will also be held there. | Cebu City News and Information
An aerial shot was taken on June 21 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC), which will serve as one of the playing venues for the Palarong Pambansa 2024. The opening and closing ceremonies of the sporting event will also be held there. | Cebu City News and Information
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Delegates and the public will be able to experience a fair weather throughout the week for Palarong Pambansa 2024.
Engineer Alfredo Quiblat Jr., chief of Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in Mactan, on Monday, July 8 said that no typhoons or low-pressure area are expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this week, affecting Metro Cebu.
The PALARONG PAMBANSA 2024: A CDN DIGITAL SPECIAL ONLINE COVERAGE is in partnership with:
Next week, from July 16 to July 18, there is expected to be a low likelihood of typhoons entering PAR.
Quiblat cited that the Easterlies are currently affecting parts of Luzon and Visayas, especially Eastern Visayas.
However, the public should anticipate localized thunderstorms in Metro Cebu, which could be intense or severe, lasting at least two hours and potentially causing flooding and landslides.
READ MORE:
Palarong Pambansa 2024: Pre-Tournament live updates
Cebu City now 100% ready to host Palarong Pambansa – Raymond
On Monday, the weather will be mostly cloudy, with a moderate to high chance of isolated rain showers, particularly in the afternoon or evening, with a 60% chance of precipitation.
For the remainder of the week until Friday, the weather is expected to improve, with conditions ranging from partly cloudy to cloudy, according to Quiblat.
Throughout the week, there is a 60 percent chance of rain, ranging from light to moderate, due to localized thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon and evening.
“Generally ang atung kadagatan, malinawon man. Light to moderate ang hangin ang equivalent ana nga sea condition kay light to moderate ang mga sea waves. So range of temperature, 26 to 32 degrees celsius,” said Quiblat. /clorenciana
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T-bills rates increases | Mariedel Irish U. Catilogo | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 20:12:22 PST | INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
The government fully awarded the P20-billion short-term debt securities during Monday’s sale of Treasury-bills (T-bills) amid higher interest rates.
The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) was able to borrow its target amount of P20 billion via T-bills as the total bids reached P43.815 , exceeding the original size of issuance by more than twice.
READ: T-bill rates surge ahead of inflation data release
Auction results showed the 91-day T-bill averaged at 5.698 percent., more expensive than the 5.686 percent in the previous auction. The yield for the 182-day debt paper rose by 5.968 percent from 5.959 percent. Likewise, the rate for the 364-day debt note went up by 6.073 percent from 6.050 percent last week.
“Yield were slightly higher as consistent signals on possible local policy rate cut of 25 basis points (bps) as early as August 2024 and possible 50 bps local rate cuts in 2024 led to some greater investor demand for longer-dated bonds and other fixed income securities to lock in still relatively higher interest rates rates,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Micahel Ricafort said in a message.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona said earlier that the Monetary Board may cut rates by 25 basis points (bps) as early as August and another 25 bps in the last quarter of the year even ahead of the Federal Reserve.
“I think they may cut sometime this year, and we may cut sometime this year. We just don’t know who will be first. So that’s up to the data.,” Remolona said in an economic briefing yesterday.
The Monetary Board has kept its key rate at a 17-year high of 6.5 percent.
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Two European ambassadors end tour of duty in the Philippines | Zacarian Sarao | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 22:57:47 PST | Finnish ambassador Juha Markus Pyykkö pays President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a farewell call in Malacañang on Monday, July 8. —photo from PCO
Finnish ambassador Juha Markus Pyykkö pays President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a farewell call in Malacañang on Monday, July 8. —photo from PCO
MANILA, Philippines — The Finnish and Irish ambassadors made farewell visits to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday in Malacañang.
In his farewell call on Marcos, Finnish ambassador Juha Markus Pyykkö thanked the President for the reopening of the Philippine Embassy in Helsinki this year.
“I’m extremely happy that the Philippines is reopening in Helsinki. So, thank you for that. It’s very, very interesting,” he added.
READ: PH to open Helsinki embassy this year
Marcos in response then stressed the importance of the Philippine Embassy in Helsinki as it builds connections with Finland, noting that it would not only be beneficial for the two countries but “for everyone else.”
“These relationships provide us a solid footing in terms of our relationships around them with not only amongst ourselves, but [also] with other countries,” President Marcos said.
The Philippine Embassy in Helsinki was closed in October 2012, but was later approved by the Senate in November 2022 to reopen.
Irish ambassador William John Carlos in his farewell call on President Marcos in Malacañang on Monday, July 8. —photo from PCO
Meanwhile, Irish ambassador William John Carlos told Marcos how difficult it is for him to leave the country due to his attachment to Filipino hospitality and the country’s culture.
“[What] I like about here as well is the accessibility of the people. And the humor, it’s something that we connect with,” Carlos said.
READ: Simon Harris becomes Ireland’s youngest prime minister
“There’s a lot of connection between my country and your country. There’s a growing relationship between Ireland and the Philippines,” he added.
Marcos, for his part, expressed joy in the fact that Carlos had a wonderful stay in the country.
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The Philippines and Ireland established diplomatic relations in July 1984.
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Binibining Pilipinas 2024 crowns Abra’s Myrna Esguerra, Pampanga’s Jasmin Bungay | Armin P. Adina | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 01:12:46 PST | Binibining Pilipinas winners Abra’s Myrna Esguerra, and Pampanga’s Jasmin Bungay. Images from Armin P. Adina
Two new queens became instant millionaires, Binibining Pilipinas International Myrna Esguerra from Abra and Binibining Pilipinas Globe Jasmin Bungay from Pampanga, at the culmination of the Bb. Pilipinas 2024 competition, the national pageant’s 60th edition.
The ceremonies celebrating the most enduring national pageant’s 60th anniversary began Sunday night, July 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City in Quezon City, and ended past midnight on Monday, July 8.
For the milestone celebration, Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) awarded its biggest cash prize ever, and also gave P400,000 each to first runner-up Christal Jean de la Cruz from Zambales and second runner-up Trisha Martines from Pila Laguna . Forty ladies competed in this year’s competition.
The recently-concluded coronation show was the grandest ever for the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, with more than 100 former winners assembled on stage, including Miss Universe winners Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, and Pia Wurtzbach who also sat at the judging panel, and Catriona Gray who was one of the hosts.
READ: What Bb. Pilipinas queens Angelica Lopez and Anna Lakrini would do with P1M prize
The winners of the Binibining Pilipinas 2024. Image from Armin P. Adina
Bea Santiago, the fifth Miss International winner from the Philippines, was also one of the judges, while 2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa was one of the hosts.
Also part of the all-female hosting team were 2016 Miss Grand International first runner-up Nicole Cordoves, 2014 Binibining Pilipinas Universe MJ Lastimosa, and 1993 Miss World princess Ruffa Gutierrez.
Reigning Miss International Andrea Rubio flew all the way from Venezuela for the 2024 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, where she sat at the judging panel, and helped crown Esguerra.
Esguerra is set to compete in the 63rd Miss International pageant next year. Her predecessor Angelica Lopez is scheduled for the 62nd edition of the global tilt in Japan in November.
Bungay will represent the Philippines in The Miss Globe pageant later this year. She received her national title from Anna Lakrini, who finished third in the international competition last year.
The significance of the coronation was not lost on Catriona Gray who served as one hosts of the event.
“In 1964, 60 years ago, and the 60th year this year, we crowned our first Binibining Pilipinas queen. Her name was Myrna Panlilio. And this year in 2024 60 years later, would you believe that we have just crowned another Binibining Pilipinas queen and her name is Myrna Esguerra?” she said.
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Pageant organizers earlier in the night paid tribute to the Binibining Pilipinas queens who have passed on, beginning with Panlilio, who died in July 16, 2009.
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Pagasa: Rainy Monday likely in parts of Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao | Faith Argosino | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 07:26:51 PST | MANILA, Philippines — A rainy Monday is highly possible due to the easterlies in parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
“At yung prevailing weather system ngayon sa ating bansa ay yung easterlies ito ang magdadala ng mas malaking tsansa ng mga pag-ulan partikular na sa may silangang bahagi ng ating bansa, ito yung area ng Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Quezon, Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, at Davao,” Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina said in an early morning bulletin.
(The easterlies is the prevailing weather system, which means a bigger chance of rain, especially in the eastern part of our country, particularly Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Quezon, Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Davao regions.)
Rain showers and thunderstorms may also prevail in the rest of the country from afternoon until evening.
Pagasa added that no weather disturbance is looming in and around the Philippine area of responsibility.
No gale warning is likewise in effect over all of the country’s seaboards.
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China’s ‘monster ship’ staying near PCG vessel in West Philippine Sea | John Eric Mendoza | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 14:38:23 PST | China Coast Guard 5901/ Monster ship passing BRP Teresa Magbanua in Sabina Shoal on July 3, 2024. PHOTO FORM PCG
China Coast Guard 5901/ Monster ship passing BRP Teresa Magbanua in Sabina Shoal on July 3, 2024. PHOTO FORM PCG
MANILA, Philippines — China Coast Guard’s “monster ship” has remained near the Philippine Coast Guard’s vessel in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal for about five days now, according to a West Philippine Sea monitor.
Ray Powell, program head of Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, which monitors Chinese vessel activity in the South China Sea, told INQUIRER.net that the CCG vessel with bow number 5901 is only about 500 meters away from PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua.
When asked if the giant CCG ship was heading closer to BRP Teresa Magbanua, Powell said, “[The distance] seems constant from what I can tell.”
READ: West Philippine Sea: China ‘monster ship’ inches closer to PCG vessel
CCG’s gigantic patrol cutter, which is the largest coast guard vessel in the world, departed off Hainan Island waters on July 1 before arriving near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on July 3.
Also on July 3, the giant Chinese ship passed by Mischief Reef before heading towards nearby Escoda Shoal a few hours later, staying there until now.
BRP Teresa Magbanua was deployed in Escoda Shoal on April 16 to become the longest-deployed PCG asset in the West Philippine Sea.
READ: China’s ‘monster ship’ returns to West Philippine Sea amid talks
Manila is holding the line in the West Philippine Sea as Beijing asserts sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the exclusive economic zone of the country’s western section, even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by the arbitral award issued in July 2016.
The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, or a year after its tense standoff with Beijing over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, whose lagoon the latter now has an effective control of.
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For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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‘Biggest-ever’ West PH Sea conference set on arbitral award’s 8th anniversary | John Eric Mendoza | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 18:39:06 PST | MANILA, Philippines—The “biggest-ever” West Philippine Sea conference this year will be held on July 12, marking the 8th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award.
The conference will see key military leaders, ambassadors, and experts exchanging views on the landmark ruling.
Dindo Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR, one of the organizers of the event along with the embassies of the United States and Australia, said the arbitral a5ward “serves as a reminder of the Philippines’ victory in upholding its sovereign rights and the enduring strength of the rules-based international order.”
“Underscoring the ongoing challenges and the need for sustained vigilance and collective action, renewing the shared commitment to maritime security among all participants forges stronger partnerships in exploring innovative strategies to safeguard common interests in the Indo-Pacific,” Manhit said in a statement on Monday.
Beijing asserts sovereignty in almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by the arbitral award issued in July 2016.
The landmark ruling stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013, a year after its tense standoff with Beijing over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, whose lagoon the latter now effectively controls.
READ: No gov’t downplay of China’s actions in West Philippine Sea – Teodoro
Beijing continues to reject the ruling, prompting tensions with Manila, which continues to hold the line in the West Philippine Sea.
The June 17 incident in a naval outpost grounded in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal — one of the flashpoints of recent tensions in the West Philippine Sea — saw the most violent actions of China Coast Guard personnel so far, leading to what the Philippine military deemed as “looting” of its disassembled high-powered guns and even caused the thumb amputation of one of its naval personnel.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte pivoted to China, but his successor Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reversed this move. He green-lighted joint patrols and military exercises with the United States in the West Philippine Sea and allowed Washington access to four more Philippine military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which angered Beijing.
The Marcos administration’s policy shift also included the government’s so-called “transparency initiative” in the West Philippine Sea.
“Confronted with asymmetric security challenges, the Philippines remains steadfast in its stance, employing a whole-of-society approach to asserting its rights in the West Philippine Sea,” Manhit said. “The current administration’s firm pronouncements are complemented by the military’s efforts to boost external defense capabilities.”
Meanwhile, Manhit said ambassadors of the United States, Australia, Canada, France, and Japan to the Philippines will attend the event.
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The National Security Council, top military officials from the Philippine Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns are also expected to speak during the event.
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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LIVE UPDATES: 2024 PVL Rookie Draft | INQUIRER.net | Mon, 08 Jul 2024 16:10:57 PST | The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) holds its inaugural rookie draft on Monday night at Novotel in Quezon City.
ZUS Coffee, formerly known as Strong Group Athletics, owns the No. 1 pick and is expected to take former La Salle star Thea Gagate.
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There are a total of 47 aspirants in the draft.
Capital1, Galeries Tower, Farm Fresh and Nxled hold picks No. 2 to 5, respectively, followed by Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho and Creamline. The Cool Smashers are coming off a successful title defense in the PVL All-Filipino Conference last May.FEATURED STORIES
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The PVL Reinforced Conference, where the Angels are the reigning champions, fires off on July 16 at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
It’s a wrap for the first-ever #PVLDraft2024 after four rounds. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/jELRiuDQKb
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Galeries selects Danivah Aying of USJ-R in the fourth round. #PVLDraft2024 pic.twitter.com/C2E1erMx3W
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— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Capital1 chooses to pass. #PVLDraft2024
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
ZUS Coffee, Capital1, and Galeries are the only teams remaining heading into the fourth round
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Third round summary pic.twitter.com/QtPhVNBkBT
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Third round continues with Arellano’s Dodee Batindaan getting drafted by Galeries
Dodee Batindaan of Arellano joins Galeries in the third round. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/luOi5RvPaW
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Only six teams get to continue to pick in the draft with the other six opting to pass in the second round
Third round: Gilliana Torres lands to Capital1. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/mFMB9dyE2a
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Third round: ZUS Coffee drafts Nikka Yandoc. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/hBUqZJs2TI
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Here’s a look at the second round of the draft
The second round #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/lQgzz3v9Ub
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
That wraps up the second round of the draft
Choco Mucho and Creamline choose to pass in the second round. The sister teams won’t be part of the third round. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Arellano’s Donnalyn Paralejas goes to Petro Gazz at No. 18 in the draft
Petro Gazz selects Donnalyn Paralejas of Arellano as the 18th overall pick. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Os6MqUHzJO
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
PLDT and Chery Tiggo also pass
PLDT and Chery Tiggo choose to pass. That ends their #PVLDraft2024 participation.
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Akari and Cignal are calling it a day
Akari Chargers and Cignal HD Spikers pass up in the second round. They will no longer be part of the latter round. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Pierre Abellana says being picked by Farm Fresh was ‘super unexpected’
Pierre Abellana on being selected by Farm Fresh. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/QRiXF90Wqa
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Perpetual Help’s Razel Aldea heads to Nxled
Nxled’s second round pick is Razel Aldea of University of Perpetual Help. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/tTitJ9Yk6G
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
UST hitter Pierre Abellana goes to Farm Fresh
Farm Fresh selects Pierre Abellana at No. 16. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/QoZxZt75d8
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Ex-Ateneo Blue Eagle Roma Mae Doromal excited to play for Roger Gorayeb and face her sister Roma Joy
Roma Mae Doromal on joining Capital1. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/LDfOzFCduq
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Galeries Tower adds UP’s Jewel Encarnacion to its roster
At No.15, Galeries Tower selects Jewel Encarnacion from UP. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/0cHlBfB9D9
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Roma Mae Doromal goes to Capital1 in the second round
Capital1’s 14th pick is Roma Mae Doromal. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/8k1UyRcz0a
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Angge Alcantara thrilled to play with PLDT standouts Kim Fajardo and Rhea Dimaculangan
Angge Alcantara on teaming up with Kim Fajardo and Rhea Dimaculangan at PLDT. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/lQyuvthuVw
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Ishie Lalongisip is looking forward to learning from her new coaches at Cignal
Ishie Lalongisip on joining Cignal. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Hcl39oIRDz
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Second round begins with ZUS Coffee selecting Sharya Ancheta
The second round starts as ZUS Coffee taps Sharya Ancheta. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/G2MVQzZXzJ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
First-round recap of the PVL Rookie Draft
Four La Salle Lady Spikers and five Adamson Lady Falcons headline the first round #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/W66paMH0MW
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
The first round of the PVL Rookie Draft ends with Aleiah Torres heading to Creamline
To end the first round, Creamline selects Aleiah Torres. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/FQEnG9WNt1
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Lorraine Pecaña of Arellano is the 11th pick by Choco Mucho
At No.11, Choco Mucho drafts Arellano middle blocker Lorraine Pecaña. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/VLZY0nURB2
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Adamson’s AA Adolfo goes to reigning PVL Reinforced Conference champion Petro Gazz
At No.10, Petro Gazz drafts AA Adolfo. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Cdkro1EbMH
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Former Adamson libero Karen Verdeflor is the ninth selection in the draft
Chery Tiggo drafts libero Karen Verdeflor at No.9. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/6j9rxcHExB
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Angge Alcantara, who is also from Adamson, joins PLDT
PLDT drafts Angge Alcantara at No.8. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/th59tK3dGA
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Steph Bustrillo ‘very excited’ to join the Akari Chargers
Steph Bustrillo on being the newest Akari Charger. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/2gIfqcVUyw
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Another Adamson Lady Falcon off the board as Ishie Lalongisip goes to Cignal
With the seventh pick, Cignal selects Ishie Lalongisip. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/dnl0AZVrxF
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Now a pro, Lucille Almonte admits to feeling ‘nervous’ as she enters a new chapter in her career
Lucille Almonte on joining the revamped Nxled. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/WHZY2LmQvZ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
UP product Steph Bustrillo is the latest Akari Charger
Akari selects UP star Steph Bustrillo at No.6. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/oSnN1mCKDU
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Maica Larroza says she did not expect to go fourth in the draft
Newest Farm Fresh Foxy Maicah Larroza after La Salle went No.1-4 picks. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Be53hwoHpD
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Former Adamson star Lucille Almonte is selected by Nxled at No. 5
Nxled drafts Lucille Almonte at No.5. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/kIxT0Iz3t0
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Julia Coronel willing to do whatever it takes to make an impact at Galeries Tower
Julia Coronel on being part of Galeries Tower. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/BBKGBFCqHM
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Leila Cruz thankful for being given a chance by Capital1 as its No. 2 selection
Leila Cruz on Capital1’s trust. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/WzDro6Sjfp
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Make it four ex-La Salle players taken early in the draft with Maicah Larroza at No. 4
Maicah Larroza is Farm Fresh’s No.4 pick. #PVLDRAFT2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/d2sjKQhpjV
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
ZUS Coffee’s Thea Gagate on officially being the top pick in the PVL Rookie Draft
Thea Gagate shares her thoughts after being the first overall pick of the #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/RhLtKHwpOx
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Julia Coronel, another La Salle product, is picked third by Galeries Tower
Julia Coronel is Galeries Tower’s No.3 pick. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/X3bl8Cseqt
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Thea Gagate, as expected, is taken first overall by the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft at Novotel in Quezon City.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — There were no surprises to begin the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft after Thea Gagate and Leila Cruz emerged as the top two picks on Monday night at Novotel in Quezon City.
ZUS Coffee and Capital1 will bank on their rookies to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming Reinforced Conference on July 16 at PhilSports Arena.
Leila Cruz goes to Capital1 at No. 2
Leila Cruz is Capital1’s second pick! #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/N1A4Nfm15l
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
No surprise as Thea Gagate goes to ZUS Coffee at number one
Cloanne Mondoñedo welcomes No.1 pick Thea Gagate. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/sh30IH34Bf
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
As expected, Thea Gagate becomes the first overall pick of ZUS Coffee. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/b0ikI60knI
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
And so it begins!#PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/pVVNrO8ns0
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
La Salle products Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz and Julia Coronel are among the projected top picks in the PVL Rookie Draft.
La Salle trio Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, and Julia Coronel at the #PVLDraft2024 📸 @marlocueto @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/8mi86uCRgZ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
The PVL Rookie Draft aspirants have started arriving at Novotel ahead of the proceedings set 7pm.
Aleiah Torres, Nathalie Ramacula, and Pierre Abellana are ready for the #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/kNh7FU2y5E
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Roma Mae Doromal is with her supportive sister Roma Joy of Galeries Tower. #PVLDraft2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/U9pzo7N2ZB
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 8, 2024
UP stars Steph Bustrillo and Abi Goc and other aspirants. #PVLDraft2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/FEUfngi6Gb
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 8, 2024
Leila Cruz slays it at the #PVLDraft2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/pTrJ6FUNre
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 8, 2024
The Lady Spikers! #PVLDraft2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/IFAGuAnqsU
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 8, 2024
UAAP stars Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, Julia Coronel, Maicah Larroza, and Roma Mae Doromal arrive at Novotel. #PVLDraft2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/nXy0GRebbc
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 8, 2024
Lucille Almonte and the Adamson Lady Falcons are here. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/ztxmCp0aNG
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
The first-ever #PVLDraft2024 starts at 7 p.m.@INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/QTrikqpjLh
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 8, 2024
Thea Gagate–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The first-ever PVL Rookie Draft happens Monday night at Novotel Hotel in Cubao, and the league can finally check off the first of two activities it wants to implement that would hopefully instill—and keep—parity across the field beginning with the upcoming Reinforced Conference.
Ex-La Salle standout and Alas Pilipinas middle blocking ace Thea Gagate looms as the No. 1 overall pick by ZUS Coffee, and unlike in the past when direct recruiting was allowed, the next 46 players in the pool will also go through the process of being drafted. FULL STORY
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PH gov’t’s recognition of MSMEs essential to their growth – Concepcion | Faith Argosino | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 19:31:08 PST | President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion.
President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion.
MANILA, Philippines — The national government’s move to recognize outstanding micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is essential to their growth, according to MSME Development Council Vice Chair and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion.
The Presidential Awards for Outstanding MSMEs 2024 will be held in Malacañan Palace on July 10. It is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry and the MSME Development Council “to recognize and celebrate exceptional MSMEs.”
READ: Unlocking MSMEs’ full potential
“When the President himself giving importance to MSMEs by recognizing the outstanding ones, this just emphasizes just how critical their role is in achieving our goal to become an upper-middle income nation,” Concepcion said in a statement on Sunday.
He also said that MSMEs account for almost “all of the enterprises in the country and generate more than half of the jobs for Filipinos.”
“The story of these finalists proved just how important it is for MSMEs to have access to money, markets, and mentoring in order for them to scale up,” Concepcion said.
“For MSMEs to fully realize their potential to power the economy, we must enable them to scale up: to help the micro become small, the small become medium, and the medium enterprises to join the ranks of the country’s large corporations,” he added.
Aside from this, the 2024 Presidential Recognition for Outstanding Development Partners will be given to five individuals who have “programs that improve the business climate, access to finance, markets, technology, and innovation, and management/labor capacities of MSMEs.”
“The grant of the awards is under the Magna Carta for MSMEs, or RA 9501. The winners will receive a trophy, plaque, and a cash prize from Go Negosyo,” Concepcion said.
“Only one hundred percent Filipino-owned and duly registered MSMEs are eligible for the awards. The board of judges is chaired by DTI Sec. [Fred] Pascual and the winners were chosen based on market development; technology and innovation; human resource development; sustainability, community linkages, and environmental impact; and financial management,” it added.
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LTO-7 opens new district office in Alcoy, Cebu | noliverio | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 10:57:14 PST | LTO-7 FILE PHOTO
LTO-7 FILE PHOTO
CEBU CITY, Philippines — In less than a month after opening an extension office in the City of Naga in Cebu, the Land Transportation Office here (LTO-7) has inaugurated a new district office in the southern part of the province.
On Friday, July 5, the LTO-7 District Office in Alcoy town officially welcomed customers from the southeastern side of Cebu, located in Barangay Atabay.
According to LTO-7, the Alcoy District Office now brings the total number of district offices in Central Visayas to 18 and increases the region’s total to 34 offices, including extensions, licensing, renewals, and mobile units.
Other district offices are located in Bais City, Bayawan City, Carcar City, Cebu City, Danao City, Dumaguete City, Jagna, Lapu-Lapu City, Lalibertad, Liloan, Mandaue City, Medellin, Ronda, Siquijor, Tagbilaran City, Talibon, and Toledo City.
The Alcoy District Office handles all driver’s license transactions, including student permits and motor vehicle and motorcycle registration renewals.
It has a seating capacity for up to 60 persons and operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
LTO-7 Director Glen Galario led the opening of the Alcoy District Office alongside the new LTO executive director Greg Guillermo Pua Jr.
READ: LTO-7 to open 3 extension offices, 1 district office in Central Visayas
Present during the event were also Alcoy Mayor Michael Angelo Sestoso, Vice Mayor Neil Tracy Plando, and municipal officials, the LTO said.
“This (opening of a new district office) marks another significant milestone in our commitment to serving the public and ensuring efficient and accessible services for all,” Galario said in a statement.
According to LTO-7, Galario emphasized that the establishment and enhancement of regional offices align with the directives of LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II.
Mendoza attended the opening of the extension office in Naga last month and noted that Central Visayas, apart from the National Capital Region (NCR), boasts the highest number of LTO offices.
Following the launch in Alcoy, Galario also announced plans to open new district offices soon in Consolacion, northern Cebu, and Tubigon, Bohol. /clorenciana
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Ruffa Gutierrez recalls Binibining Pilipinas World crowning: ‘Time flies’ | Hannah Mallorca | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 12:21:18 PST | Ruffa Gutierrez. Image: Instagram/@iloveruffag
Ruffa Gutierrez took a trip down memory lane as she looked back on her reign as Binibining Pilipinas World, ahead of the coronation night which coincided with the celebration of the oldest national pageant’s 60th anniversary on July 7.
Gutierrez took to her Instagram page on Saturday, July 6, to share photos of herself wearing her silver tiara as she donned a red dress with matching red drop earrings.
“Balik tanaw (A look back) 31 years ago. [18-year-old me] when I was crowned Binibining Pilipinas World 1993 at the Araneta Coliseum. Time flies indeed,” she said in the caption.
A post shared by RUFFA GUTIERREZ (@iloveruffag)
Gutierrez’s photos earned the praise of her brother Richard as well as fellow beauty queens Nicole Cordoves, Stacey Gabriel, Katarina Rodriguez, and Charlene Gonzales in the comments.
TV host-eventologist Tim Yap, Sunshine Cruz, and Vina Morales were also in awe of her beauty.
Screenshots from Instagram/@iloveruffag
Gutierrez, who had already been active in showbiz at the time, competed at the national pageant in 1993 where she earned the Binibining Pilipinas World title.
She represented the Philippines at the Miss World 1993 tilt where she was named second runner-up. Jamaica’s Lisa Hanna brought home the coveted title.
Gutierrez will join the all-female hosts of the Binibining Pilipinas 2024 coronation night, consisting of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves, and Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2014 MJ Lastimosa.
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Cebu FC loses to Laguna, AFC Cup hopes still up | dbongcac | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 17:28:44 PST | Stallion Laguna FC players huddle up to celebrate their win over Cebu FC in the PFL. | Photo from the PFL
Stallion Laguna FC players huddle up to celebrate their win over Cebu FC in the PFL. | Photo from the PFL
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu Football Club (CFC) Gentle Giants snapped their eight-match winning streak at home after losing to the visiting Stallion Laguna FC, 1-2, in the Philippines Football League (PFL) on Saturday, July 6, at the Dynamic Herb-Borromeo Sports Complex, here.
Despite the crucial defeat, the Gentle Giants still a huge chance of securing a ticket to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup as they currently hold the second overall spot in the team standings.
The Gentle Giants are ahead with 33 points, while Laguna is at third with 32 points after last night’s victory.
READ: Cebu FC faces Laguna in a ‘must-win’ PFL match on Saturday
However, both teams are tied in terms of goal difference, with 53 goals apiece.
Thus, it’s completely crucial for Cebu FC to win their last remaining match, against Mendiola FC 1991 on July 13 at home, to secure the second overall spot.
READ: Cebu FC tightens grip of No. 2 spot in PFL in 4-0 rout of PHL Army
Meanwhile, the Davao Aguilas-University of Makati is lurking at the fourth spot with 29 points.
The Aguilas must win their match today, Sunday, July 7, against league-leader and defending champion, Kaya FC Iloilo, to tie with the Stallion in the team standings, so as their last remaining match against the Philippine Air Force FC on July 14 to grab the second place.
READ: Cebu FC defends home turf, beats One Taguig 3-1 in PFL
During the match on Saturday, all of the three goals scored by both Cebu FC and Laguna were in the latter part of the second half.
Stallion Laguna’s Brazilian forward Magson Dourado scored the first goal in the 57th minute.
They made it 2-0 from Griffin McDaniel from his 61st minute goal.
Cebu FC made last efforts which converted to a 90th minute goal from Rintaro Hama, but it was a little too late to save them from the impending defeat.
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PSA-7 ensures data security measures for 2024 census collection | noliverio | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 11:44:20 PST | People walk along a street market in Quiapo, in Manila, Philippines, July 11, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo
People walk along a street market in Quiapo, in Manila, Philippines, July 11, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The officials of the Philippine Statistics Authority in Central Visayas (PSA-7) assured that they have taken data security measures for the collection of census information this year.
Chief statistical specialist Leopoldo Alfanta Jr. from PSA-7’s Statistical Operations and Coordination Division, along with PSA-Cebu senior statistical specialist Emmanuel Abellana, discussed on Wednesday the measures being taken by the agency for the 2024 Census of Population and Community-Based Monitoring System (POPCEN-CBMS).
One of PSA’s key measures addresses data security concerns.
The POPCEN-CBMS is scheduled to run from July 15 to September 10, with a submission deadline to the President on December 27, 2024.
To prevent scams where individuals pose as census enumerators, Alfanta stated they will follow their standard protocol.
Enumerators will be provided with identification cards (IDs), t-shirts, bags, tumblers, and umbrellas. They will also undergo training to make courtesy calls before conducting house visits.
Additionally, enumerators must visit the local government office or barangay hall to notify authorities of their purpose before visiting households.
Alfanta mentioned that PSA’s budget for the census is approximately P5.2 million, with the largest expenses allocated to technology applications for data collection, aiming to minimize paper usage during operations.
READ: Population challenges remain
“Top of the line, very popular brand, and the Philippine government spent P76,000 tablets for this operation,” Alfanta said.
Meanwhile, in Central Visayas, particularly in Cebu, Abellana mentioned that they have 4,035 tablets for enumerators. They also have extra tablets from previous use that could be allocated for team supervisors, along with more than 400 tablets for their own use.
Abellana explained that the tablets would be used offline for data gathering. Before starting home visits, each tablet must go online to activate security features like VPN (virtual private network) and to upload gathered data.
“Ang tablets used kay registered siya, if mawala siya, ang data pwede ma remove or erase. Ang enumerators dili sad kadali-dali ug access kay naay encryption,” Abellana said.
Alfanta added that there would be at least three follow-up visits after the initial home visit if no one is available to be interviewed.
If no one is still available during these visits, households will receive a self-administered questionnaire with instructions on how to complete it. The enumerator will then collect the questionnaire and include it in their data collection.
“Kolektahon pud balik sa enumerator, kay kahibalo man siya kinsa iya gihatagan diha ug self-administered questionnaire. Unya papitlan pud na siya ug sticker that’s the mark nga ang kana siyang particular housing unit is already visited….gibutangan pud na siya ug indicator na gi callback siya.” Alfanta said. /clorenciana
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Marcos revokes civil service privileges to NDCP graduates | Julie M. Aurelio | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 05:20:00 PST | National Defense College of the Philippines/Facebook
National Defense College of the Philippines/Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has revoked the granting of career executive service (CES) officer eligibility and ranks to graduates of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP).
In Executive Order (EO) No. 63, the President approved the Career Executive Service Board’s recommendation to rescind an earlier policy that gave CES eligibility and rank to NDCP graduates of its Master in National Security Administration program.
Marcos cited the need to “synchronize the standards and procedures for the conferment of CES rank” in voiding the policy as provided in EO 696 issued in 1981 and amended by EO 771 issued in 1982 and EO 145 issued in 2021.
READ: Palace halts granting of career executive rank to NDCP graduates
“As may be necessary, the CESB, in coordination with concerned government agencies, shall formulate and issue guidelines for the effective implementation of this order,” he said in the issuance dated July 2.
In October last year, the President issued Memorandum Circular 35 which suspended the granting of CES eligibility and ranks to NDCP graduates due to the need to “reevaluate the foregoing policy.”
Back then, Malacañang cited good governance strategies under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which sought to strengthen the CES through “the continuous updating of its programs, and the development of a new competency framework for the public sector.”
CES positions in the government are career positions above division chief that exercise executive and managerial functions.
These positions are: undersecretary, assistant secretary, bureau director, bureau assistant director, regional director, assistant regional director, department service chief and other executive positions of equivalent rank that are appointed by the President.
In EO 145 issued by then President Rodrigo Duterte in 2021, NDCP graduates who are already part of the government may be granted a CES eligibility and rank as long as they are already occupying CES positions and will be entitled to a salary equivalent to Salary Grade 25.
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Affordable ‘Rice-for-All’ available soon, says DA | Dianne Sampang | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 03:24:51 PST | Photos by Marianne Bermudez
Photos by Marianne Bermudez
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture announced that it will implement ‘Rice-for-All’, a program that offers affordable rice to all Filipinos.
Shortly after the rollout of P29 rice program to 10 Kadiwa stores across Metro Manila and Bulacan on Friday, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Guevarra said Saturday in a news forum that the ‘Rice-for-All’ program will sell rice ranging from P45 to P48 in the coming weeks.
READ: Project 29: Agri department to sell P29/kilo rice in ten Kadiwa sites
“Our ‘Rice-for-All program is in the works where rice will be sold at a cheaper price than the prevailing market prices,” Guevarra said.
READ: Lawmakers welcome Romualdez’s support for P29 rice program
Guevarra also expressed that it will be available for everyone to purchase.
“This is for everyone, and not just for the vulnerable sector. So, anyone can buy and there is no limit. Although let’s say that if there are 25 sacks, they can purchase one sack,” she added.
The new rice program will be launched in Kadiwa centers first before it becomes available in other areas.
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Gilas struggles against Brazil defense in Fiba OQT loss | Rommel Fuertes Jr. | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 17:54:44 PST | Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee tries to work his way around Brazil’s defense during the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) semifinal.–FIBA PHOTO
Gilas Pilipinas’ Justin Brownlee tries to work his way around Brazil’s defense during the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) semifinal.–FIBA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Brazil turned to its stifling defense to end Gilas Pilipinas’ Olympic dream in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Saturday (Manila time) in Riga, Latvia.
Except for a slow start that saw them trail by double-digits early, the Brazilians were able to limit Gilas’ offense en route to a 71-60 win.
“We can be proud [with] how we cut every single triangle game from the Philippines,” said Brazil coach Aleksander Petrovic after steering his squad to the OQT final where a spot in the Paris Olympics is at stake.
“We cut them everything. They stayed 31 points below what they averaged in their first two games. We cut the percentage of the shots. When the Philippines scores 60 points, in my opinion, we did a huge job.”
Brazil held Gilas to its worst scoring game in the tournament after the Filipinos put up 89 points against Latvia and 94 against Georgia.
The Philippines had to bleed for points, converting just 38 percent of its field goal attempts.
More importantly for Brazil, it managed to slow down Gilas’ main weapon in Justin Brownlee.
After averaging 27 points on 53 percent shooting from the field, Brownlee struggled against Brazil, finishing with 15 points on 5/16 shooting from the field.
“We had to cut his percentage to below 48% because he was shooting the ball pretty well,” said Brazil guard Georginho De Paula.
“Wherever he goes, we were there. I think we did a great job,” added De Paula.
Brazil meets Latvia in the final on Monday.
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Gilas ends Olympic bid, but not after showcasing elite program | Denison Rey A. Dalupang | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 05:30:00 PST | Dwight Ramos (with ball) rues loss to Brazil, but lauds the national program’s progress. —FIBA.BASKETBALL
Dwight Ramos (with ball) rues loss to Brazil, but lauds the national program’s progress. —FIBA.BASKETBALL
There will be chock-full of stories and thought pieces on Gilas Pilipinas’ run in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia.
The Filipinos ended their stint—and their bid to make it to the Paris Olympics—after a 71-60 loss on Saturday to Brazil in the capital city of Riga.
“I don’t know what to say. It’s funny we didn’t expect to be here but then when we got here we’d expect to win. So it’s painful that we didn’t especially having that halftime lead,” national coach Tim Cone said after the game.
READ: Gilas’ Olympic dream ends, bows out of Fiba OQT with loss to Brazil
His players, however, know they earned something from the arduous journey.
Take Kai Sotto, for example.
“I think the basketball world doesn’t give the Philippines much respect,” the 7-foot-3 big man said in an interview with the Olympic Channel.
“I think that’s our job to prove to the world [so] that teams got to respect us more,” he added.
The Philippines wowed global basketball with an 89-80 upset of World No. 6 Latvia and went on to prove that such a triumph was no fluke taking a narrow 96-94 loss to No. 23-ranked Georgia just 18 hours later.
HIGHLIGHTS: Gilas Pilipinas vs Brazil Fiba OQT semifinals July 6
“Now we know we could compete and we know we could play with European guys,” Cone said in an earlier television interview. “It’s just a matter of putting a really good game together.”
They almost did that, this time against a South American superpower ranked 12th in the world.
The Philippines took control of the first half and were up six at the break, before the Brazilians asserted themselves at the start of the third quarter to pull away.
“Them (Brazilians) going on a, what, 12-0 or 14-0 run on us to start the third quarter, was painful to watch. But there’s a reason Brazil’s 12th-ranked in the world and they proved that tonight,” Cone said.
READ: Gilas win over Latvia puts spotlight on Tim Cone’s triangle offense
It was actually an 18-0 run by the South Americans that had the Filipinos’ hopes of an Olympic stint caving in.
“[I]t just takes one night. You don’t show up and you lose. [S]o today we just didn’t play our best and Brazil just beat us,” said guard Dwight Ramos, a Gilas program fixture who finished with 13 points.
But it was also Ramos who earlier gave the Olympic Channel a perspective of what the team was able to do in Latvia.
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“[W]e’re finally making strides, hanging tough with the teams, and beating teams we shouldn’t,” he said. “I think it’s a great feeling, and the progress we’ve been making over the years—I’m glad to be a part of it from the beginning.”
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Bill seeking the creation of Samar Island Region to be refiled in the House | Joey Gabieta | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 14:27:35 PST | VITAL LINK The 50-year-old San Juanico Bridge is a major infrastructure that has contributed to the economic growth of the islands of Samar and Leyte. — File photo from NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
VITAL LINK The 50-year-old San Juanico Bridge is a major infrastructure that has contributed to the economic growth of the islands of Samar and Leyte. — File photo from NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
TACLOBAN CITY – Inspired by the approval of the Negros Island Region (NIR), a party-list representative from Eastern Samar has decided to refile a bill creating the Samar Island Region (SIR).
Rep. Marcelino Libanan of the 4Ps party-list said the approval of the NIR by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has encouraged officials from Samar Island to try to separate from Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran.
These areas are the other provinces that comprise Eastern Visayas.
“I recently had a meeting with other officials of Samar to discuss the proposal of One Samar Island Region in light of the approval of Negros Island Region by the President,” Libanan said in an interview on July 1.
“We think it’s about time that we also renew our call for the one Samar Island Region,” he noted.
Last June 13, President Marcos approved the creation of the NIR which is composed of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
Negros Occidental used to belong to Western Visayas while Negros Oriental and Siquijor were under Central Visayas.
Libanan, who is also the minority floor leader in the House of Representatives, said he would reintroduce a bill for the creation of the SIR once sessions resume this month.
Samar, the third largest island in the country with 333,300 hectares, is composed of Western Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar with a combined population of more than 1.9 million.
These provinces are among the poorest in the country.
According to records from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the poverty rate in Samar is at 35.8%; Eastern Samar, 35.6%; and Northern Samar, 27.5%, as of last year.
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The island also faces an insurgency problem which is often cited as a reason for the lack of investors.
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3 Filipinas ready to compete in Miss Universe 2024 | Hans Carbonilla | 2024-07-08T03:41:35+00:00 | Photos from christinachalk/Instagram, manalochelsea/Instagram, missfranki/Instagram
Photos from christinachalk/Instagram, manalochelsea/Instagram, missfranki/Instagram
Pageant season in the Philippines is never truly over – it runs year-round. Similar to the excitement once sparked by Manny Pacquiao fights, Filipinos are now always thrilled about the Miss Philippines or Miss Universe pageants and hopeful to snag the fifth crown for the country.
In May, Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024, making history as the first Black Filipino woman to represent the country in Miss Universe 2024. But she isn’t the only Filipina competing.
A post shared by manalochelsea (@manalochelsea)
On July 6, Christina Dela Cruz Chalk, a former Miss Universe Philippines candidate representing the Filipino community in the United Kingdom, won the Miss Universe Great Britain crown on her third attempt after two first runner-up finishes.
In an Instagram post, the half-Filipina, half-British beauty queen having faced challenges along the way expressed her determination, captioning her post, “If at first you don’t succeed… try, try, try, try again.”
A post shared by Miss Universe Great Britain 🇬🇧 (@missuniversegb)
The 31-year-old beauty was also the Face of Scotland 2009 and a finalist in series 9 of Britain’s & Ireland’s Next Top Model. She also finished as a top 20 finalist during Miss Universe Philippines 2024 and is expected to reunite with Manalo in Mexico later this year.
Joining Chelsea Manalo and Christina Dela Cruz Chalk in Mexico is Kiwi-Pinay beauty and Pinoy Big Brother Otso alum Franki Russell from Dunedin, who was recently appointed the official delegate of New Zealand.
In an Instagram post, the Filipina actress reflected on her decade-long journey, stating, “I applied for Miss Universe New Zealand in 2014 – I was 19 at that time and really didn’t know who I was as a person. Now that I am 29, ten years older and with far more life experience, I realized that life definitely works in mysterious ways. As the saying goes: ‘everything happens for a reason,’ and it has led me to this new role.”
A post shared by Franki Russell (@missfranki)
Russell also thanked her Filipino mother, siblings and late father for being her “amazing support system.”
Chelsea, Chalk and Russell, though all Filipinas, will represent their respective countries at the 73rd Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico City. Other Filipino beauties have also tried their luck after competing at MUPH this year, with Southern California’s Jet Hammond finishing in the top 16 at Miss California USA and Florida’s Matea Mahal Smith achieving a similar result.
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Pagasa predicts rain showers on Sunday (July 7) due to ICTZ, easterlies | Faith Argosino | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 09:16:02 PST | (Satellite photo courtesy of Pagasa)
(Satellite photo courtesy of Pagasa)
MANILA, Philippines — Most parts of the country will have scattered rain showers on Sunday due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and easterlies, according to the state weather bureau.
In a morning forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said ITCZ will mainly affect the southern parts of the country, while easterlies will be felt in other parts of Luzon.
READ: Pagasa: Cloudy, rainy Saturday likely as 3 weather systems affect PH
“Patuloy pa rin umiiral ang ITCZ sa Southern Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao kung saan ngayong araw, magdudulot pa rin ito ng kalat kalat na pag-ulan sa kanlurang bahagi ng Southern Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao,” weather specialist Grace Castañeda reported.
(The ITCZ still exists in Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, where today, it will cause scattered rains in the western part of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.)
She added there is a high chance that easterlies will likewise bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over the eastern section of Northern and Central Luzon.
For the rest of the country, Castañeda said they are expecting isolated rain showers, especially from afternoon until evening.
Pagasa had not monitored any weather disturbance in and outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Meanwhile, no gale warning was raised in any of the country’s seaboards.
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West PH Sea: CCG, militia vessels intercept 2 PCG boats near Ayungin | Faith Argosino | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 15:00:28 PST | WPS COMPOSITE IMAGE from Inquirer, AFP, Reuters file photos
WPS COMPOSITE IMAGE from Inquirer, AFP, Reuters file photos
MANILA, Philippines — A 102-meter-long Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship, along with at least six maritime militia vessels, reportedly intercepted two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) boats near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday, West Philippine Sea monitor Ray Powell said two PCG ships were intercepted by CCG and are now passing through 14 nautical miles east of Second Thomas Shoal.
READ: China’s ‘monster ship’ returns to West Philippine Sea amid talks
“Philippines Coast Guard BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engano now passing, 14 nautical miles (nm) east of Second Thomas Shoal. They have been intercepted by China Coast Guard 5203 and at least six China maritime militia vessels, now closely shadowing,” Powell wrote on X.
“PCG’s BRP Cabra and BRP Cape Engano illuminated their AIS (Automatic Identification System) broadcasts around midnight, 18 nm south of Second Thomas Shoal. China reacted by dispatching seven more militia to bolster blockade around 2TS (Second Thomas Shoal) while CCG 5203 went south & first interdicted the two ships at 7:00,” he added.
“They have been intercepted by China Coast Guard 5203 and at least six China maritime militia vessels, now closely shadowing,” he added.
READ: West Philippine Sea: Marcos OKd purchase of more fighter jets – AFP chief
INQUIRER.net sought the confirmation of PCG regarding the report, but it has yet to reply as of posting.
The CCG’s biggest vessel, dubbed the “monster ship,” returned to the West Philippine Sea last July 3 amid ongoing talks between Manila and Beijing.
It returned to the region a few days after leaving the country’s exclusive economic zone on June 27.
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For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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‘Monster’ vs Magbanua: New source of tension | Nestor Corrales | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 05:30:09 PST | BREWING STANDOFF Neither one has budged since July 3: the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Teresa Magbanua and China Coast Guard vessel 5901. —PCG photo/www.sealight.live
BREWING STANDOFF Neither one has budged since July 3: the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Teresa Magbanua and China Coast Guard vessel 5901. —PCG photo/www.sealight.live
MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official on Saturday said that while China’s largest coast guard ship was not moving out of the waters of Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, neither was the BRP Teresa Magbanua, the biggest PCG vessel, sailing away from the atoll within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The 12,000-ton, 165-meter China Coast Guard (CCG) ship, the largest coast guard vessel in the world and nicknamed “The Monster,” dropped anchor at the shoal on July 3 and was still there on Saturday, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea said at a news briefing.
READ: PCG challenges China’s ‘monster ship’ anchored off Escoda Shoal
The 97-meter Teresa Magbanua, the PCG’s most modern vessel, has been stationed at Escoda since April in response to the presence of Chinese maritime militias and suspected Chinese reclamation activities in the area.
The presence of the largest coast guard vessels of the Philippines and China at Escoda underscores the heightening maritime conflict between the two countries.
A satellite picture showed that the CCG-5901 was about 650 meters northeast of the Teresa Magbanua.
READ: China’s ‘monster ship’ returns to West Philippine Sea amid talks
Since the Chinese ship arrived at the shoal, the crew of the Teresa Magbanua had constantly reminded it, through radio calls, that it was inside the country’s EEZ and told it to leave, Tarriela said.
He said the Chinese response was they had “sovereignty over these waters as well and that they are also doing a maritime law enforcement operation.”
China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, waters within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer EEZ.
Beijing has declared a fishing ban in waters that cover most of the West Philippine Sea and announced that it would enforce new regulations that would allow its coast guard to arrest and detain foreigners and foreign vessels that cross its borders illegally, a move that was denounced by Manila.
On July 1, before the arrival of CCG-5901, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reported that there were two Chinese coast guard vessels, one People’s Liberation Army-Navy ship and three Chinese maritime militia boats at Escoda.
The AFP said the “Monster” had been on “intrusive patrols” in the country’s EEZ since the last week of June.
PCG photo/www.sealight.livCh
Tarriela said the Chinese ship “directly encroached” on the country’s EEZ after it departed China’s Hainan Island on July 1. The ship headed directly to Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal then to Panganiban (Mischief) Reef where China built its largest artificial island before sailing to Escoda, he said.
China sent its biggest coast guard ship to the shoal to intimidate Teresa Magbanua into leaving the shoal, according to Tarriela. But the PCG will not order the Teresa Magbanua to return to Palawan, he said.
“With the clear guidance of our President and the intention of the commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard to maintain our presence in Escoda Shoal, we’re not going to pull out and we’re not going to be intimidated,” he said.
Tarriela did not say whether that decision was due to lessons learned when the country lost control over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal to China after the Philippine Navy left the shoal following a two-month standoff in 2012, with the understanding that the Chinese vessels would also leave Panatag.
Escoda is about 139 km west of Palawan. About 67 km to its west is Ayungin where the grounded BRP Sierra Madre serves as an AFP outpost.
Escoda serves as the rendezvous point or staging area for the rotation and resupply missions to the Sierra Madre, which the Chinese have been preventing in an increasingly aggressive manner since last year.
The appearance of CCG-5901 in the Philippine EEZ came two weeks after the June 17 attack by the Chinese coast guard against a resupply mission, seriously wounding one sailor who lost a finger. The Chinese also confiscated rifles and deliberately damaged equipment on Navy boats used to deliver supplies to the Sierra Madre.
The Chinese wielded bolos, knives, spears, used tear gas, high-pitched sirens and high-powered strobe lights to disrupt the resupply mission.
The China state-run Global Times, quoting CCG spokesperson Gan Yu, accused the Philippines of bringing “a large amount of supplies and even suspected construction materials suggest that the Philippines intends to eventually establish a permanent facility” at Escoda.
According to Tarriela, “it is not our burden to de-escalate because we are always only on the receiving end of the escalatory action of the China Coast Guard.”
“We are just maintaining our presence, we are not provoking anybody, we are just carrying out our patriotic duty of maintaining our presence in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
The PCG official also dismissed China’s claim that the Teresa Magbanua would be another permanent AFP outpost in the West Philippine Sea, similar to the Sierra Madre.
The Teresa Magbanua, Tarriela said, is the PCG’s flagship vessel and the “most expensive coast guard vessel that we have on our own inventory.”
“Outpost is something permanent. Again, this is a vessel that patrols Escoda Shoal and the immediate vicinity of Escoda Shoal,” he said.
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“So, regardless of whatever comments that the Chinese are saying, whether they are implicating that this will just be another Sierra Madre or this is a way for us to violate anything as they claim, I think we don’t have to listen to them,” he added. —with a report from Inquirer Research
For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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Over 7,000 Filipinos join advocacy run ‘Takbo para sa West PH Sea’ | Faith Argosino | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 17:29:07 PST | CONDEMNATION Protesters join a “Martsa ng Bayan” in Manila on Monday to condemn China’s alleged bullying of Filipino fishermen and Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
CONDEMNATION Protesters join a “Martsa ng Bayan” in Manila on Monday to condemn China’s alleged bullying of Filipino fishermen and Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — More than 7,000 Filipinos participated in the advocacy run “Takbo para sa West Philippine Sea” in Pasay City on Sunday, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
In a statement, the PCO said the event was organized by the RUNRIO Inc, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the PCO.
READ: West PH Sea: CCG, militia vessels intercept 2 PCG boats near Ayungin
PCG spokesman for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said the “high turnout of participants is indicative of ordinary Fiipinos’ support for the government’s advocacy” in the region, adding that it also helped boost the morale of the country’s uniformed personnel.
The event’s second leg will be held in Cebu on Aug. 4, while Cagayan de Oro will host the third leg on Sept. 8, according to the PCO.
“Our intention for this activity is to [raise] awareness on the efforts done by the national government to fight for the West Philippine Sea,” Tarriela said in Filipino.
Other local governments also plan to facilitate the same event in their respective areas, he added.
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For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.
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Binibining Pilipinas 2024 opens with epic reunion of more than 100 queens onstage | Armin P. Adina | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 21:53:25 PST | More than 100 Bb. Pilipinas are gathered together on one stage./ARMIN P. ADINA
Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) has managed to gather more than 100 of its winners from its 60-year run to open the 2024 competition show Sunday night, July 7, with the most iconic international titleholders from the Philippines sharing the same stage in a massive opening presentation.
Queens crowned in the 60s paraded alongside winners spanning decades, all the way to 2022, at the grand coronation night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the Araneta City in Quezon City.
The ladies were serenaded by Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, and P-Pop supergroup SB19 singing the pageant’s iconic theme song, with the queens’ images from then and now flashed on the LED panels displayed on stage.
Miss Universe winners (clockwise from front) Margie Moran, Catriona Gray, Gloria Diaz, and Pia Wurtzbach/ARMIN P. ADINA
Miss Universe winners Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray were called to the stage one-by-one, and stood together for an epic gathering, which also included Miss International winners Bea Santiago, Kylie Verzosa, and Melanie Marquez. Aurora Pijuan, who was crowned Miss International 1970, however, was called onstage but did not show up.
The first, and so far only, Miss Supranational winner from the Philippines, Mutya Johanna Datul, also made an appearance, and was joined by 2021 Miss Intercontinental Cinderella Faye Obeñita.
The massive assembly of ladies also cheered in jubilation when BPCI Chair Stella Marquez-Araneta was flashed on screen, waving and blowing kisses to the camera.
The epic reunion of Binibining Pilipinas queens was followed by the parade of the 40 candidates this year, who were all wearing silver dresses with sky-high slits. They danced to a mashup of Rihanna’s “Diamonds” and Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds Are Forever.”
Binibining Pilipinas International Angelica Lopez and Bb. Pilipinas Globe Anna Lakrini are set to relinquish their titles to their respective successors at the end of the show. The winners will receive P1 million each.
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PH-Japan ties crucial as world faces ‘turning point,’ says top Tokyo envoy | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 05:30:10 PST | Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa
MANILA, Philippines — Tokyo’s top diplomat underscored the need for stronger Japanese and Philippine cooperation to help “strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law,” as she meets with Filipino counterparts for a key meeting in Manila that seeks to elevate bilateral relations, especially in the security and economic fronts.
In a statement released through the Japanese Embassy, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa framed the 2nd Japan-Philippines Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting on July 8 as being crucial for “charting a path toward strategic synergy” between the two nations.
READ: PH, Japan ‘very close’ to signing military cooperation pact
Kamikawa, her country’s first female foreign minister in 20 years, noted how the relationship had “made remarkable progress in a wide array of areas,” reaching a new high when Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Manila and addressed Congress in November 2023.
Kishida, she said, “expressed his determination to elevate the ‘heart-to-heart ties’ established by our predecessors to new heights and pass them on to the next generation. The warm applause from the audience filling the hall demonstrated the depth of the ties between our two countries. I hope that my visit to the Philippines will further develop our bilateral relationship based on this solid foundation.”
High on the meeting’s agenda is the draft Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) for holding joint military exercises on either country’s soil. Last week, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the RAA is expected to be signed in the meeting after seven months of negotiations.
Kamikawa said both sides had made steady progress toward the conclusion of the RAA “as well as the provision of warning and control radars, coastal surveillance radars and large patrol vessels.’’
“It is very timely to review such progress and confirm ways forward for future cooperation at this ‘2+2’ meeting. I look forward to fruitful discussion with (Philippine) Foreign Secretary Manalo and Defense Secretary Teodoro,” she added.
“As the world faces a historic turning point, cooperation between our two countries—strategic partners, which are both maritime nations and share fundamental values and principles—is essential to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law.”
Citing substantive developments in economic cooperation, Kamikawa said Japan remained the Philippines’ largest donor, its development support ranging from transportation infrastructure, such as the Metro Manila Subway Project and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 Rehabilitation Project, to disaster management and the Mindanao peace process.
“Japan will continue to help the Philippines achieve upper middle-income country status through such efforts. With more than 1,400 Japanese companies operating in the Philippines, Japan stands as a major trading partner for the country. Meanwhile, the Philippines plays an important role in supply chain resilience for Japan,’’ she said.
Cultural and people-to-people exchanges continue to thrive, she said.
“In 2023, the number of Filipinos visiting Japan reached about 620,000, exceeding the prepandemic level. In addition, Filipino nurses and caregivers working under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement and specified skilled workers are supporting Japan’s economy.”
Kamikawa said she would use her Manila visit to strengthen the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, calling it “my lifelong commitment.”
The WPS, she said, is the pursuit of a more sustainable peace through participation of women in leadership positions, humanitarian and reconstruction efforts, and the protection of vulnerable groups in times of crisis.
The Japanese minister lauded the Philippines for being “proactive in women’s empowerment, exemplified by the active roles of female legislators” and making “enormous strides in the WPS, including developing a national action plan ahead of other Southeast Asian countries.”
To foster peace, stability and economic prosperity in the Philippines and the entire region, she said, “the relationship with the United States, an ally for both of our countries, is also important.”
Recalling the first-ever Japan-Philippines-US Summit held Washington in April, Kamikawa said the leaders of the three countries “discussed concrete directions for future cooperation primarily in the economic field and made achievements, such as launching the Luzon Economic Corridor, to enhance the regional connectivity. Discussions are already under way to bring these cooperation projects to fruition.
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“During this visit, I wish to reaffirm the steady progress of trilateral collaboration,” Kamikawa said.
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CCSC’s rubberized track oval shows ‘visible signs’ of damage | dbongcac | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 14:18:38 PST | The newly renovated rubberized track oval at the Cebu City Sports Center is showing visible signs of damage. | Contributed photo
The newly renovated rubberized track oval at the Cebu City Sports Center is showing visible signs of damage. | Contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The condition of the newly-renovated rubberized track oval at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) has sparked concerns less than a week before the official start of Palarong Pambansa 2024, following reports of ‘visible signs’ of damage.
Netizens have also expressed their frustrations on social upon learning of the damages found on the oval.
Observations were raised on the detachment of the rubber from its base, a bumpy surface, and the presence of water trapped inside the rubber base, among others.
READ: Palarong Pambansa 2024: Here are some tips for spectators
The CCSC’s rubberized track oval is the venue for the hosting of some of the Palaro’s centerpiece sports such as athletics and track and field events.
A long-time sports figure based at the CCSC, who asked not to be named, noted changes in the current condition of the track oval compared to 2012 when it was also made to undergo a major renovation.
READ: Palarong Pambansa 2024: Pre-Tournament live updates
“Lahi gyud ang rubberized track oval karon ug sauna kadto nga gi-renovate siya. We don’t know kung lain na nga technology gigamit kay dugay naman to ang 2012. Sauna wala gi mix ang adhesive ug ang rubber. Instead, gi una ug apply ang asphalt, black rubber, unya ang adhesive. Adto na isabyag ang red rubber,” the source said.
“Usually mo take na ug one week to one month and curing depende sa panahon. Pero karon daghan na ug ni reklamo kay naa na gyud damages nga visible na gyud. Naay mga part diin molubong ang tiil ug mosirit ang tubig. Maayo unta ug ilaha na ma repair.”
READ: Palarong Pambansa 2024 app now available for download
Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia reassured the public that the damages found on the oval were normal and will not affect the city’s hosting of Palarong Pambansa.
“Para nako that is the usual wear and tear noh kay brand new paman gyud kaayo. So, hopefully ako sad na tan-awon,” Garcia said in an interview during his inspection of the Palaro billeting quarters on Sunday, July 7.
READ: Palarong Pambansa 2024 will be a Palaro of many firsts
“What we can always do is wa pa baya bayri ang contractor ani di ba, so naa pa gyud tay hold ani nila. So, if we have any back job nga ato ipabuhat ani nila, so we’ll let them do it.”
The renovation of CCSC’s rubberized track oval faced public scrutiny last year due to significant delays in the project completion. CCSC was closed for renovation in May 2023 but the project was completed just recently.
The delays forced the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) to hold track and field events outside Cebu City.
Garcia pushed for the contractor to expedite the oval’s completion after assuming as acting mayor in May 2024.
The PALARONG PAMBANSA 2024: A CDN DIGITAL SPECIAL ONLINE COVERAGE is in partnership with:
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Solon asks House to pass bill that will protect history subject from revision | Faith Argosino | Sun, 07 Jul 2024 10:40:01 PST | Children watch as members of the Phil. Navy held Monday morning’s flag ceremony at the PAG-ASA island, one of the nine island stations in the West Philippine Sea. (File photo from INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)
Children watch as members of the Phil. Navy held Monday morning’s flag ceremony at the PAG-ASA island, one of the nine island stations in the West Philippine Sea. (File photo from INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)
MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of the House of Representatives should expedite the passage of a bill mandating the inclusion of Philippine History as a separate subject in the high school curriculum.
This move is meant to ensure that the subject is not revised.
These statements came from House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro on Sunday.
She made the call after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed newly-appointed Education Secretary Sonny Angara to focus on teaching the subject to students.
READ: Marcos orders more focus on PH history education
“President Marcos Jr.’s directive to Secretary Angara underscores the urgent need to pass House Bill (HB) 207,” Castro said.
“If we are serious about teaching our youth accurate and comprehensive Philippine history, we must ensure that it is given proper attention in our curriculum,” she noted.
“History is not ‘pagma-marites’ or mere gossip. It is a scientific discipline that requires rigorous study and fact-checking,” she said.
“By fast-tracking HB 207, we can safeguard our history from being revised or filled with fake news,” the lawmaker added.
The lawmaker likewise pointed out recent alleged attempts to distort the country’s historical narratives, especially during the term of the current chief executive’s father, former President Marcos Sr.
“This bill is crucial in ensuring that our students learn the truth about our past and understand its implications for our present and future,” Castro said.
“We urge the House leadership to prioritize this bill,” she asked the House leadership.
“It’s not just about fulfilling a presidential directive. It’s about equipping our youth with the knowledge they need to become critical thinkers and informed citizens,” she stressed.
Marcos made the directive last week as he observed that children’s workbooks contain little information about the country’s history.
Based on reports, the teaching of Philippine history stopped at Grade 6 during the time of former Education Secretary Leonor Briones.
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It was replaced by Asian history in Grade 7, world history in Grade 8, economics in Grade 9, and contemporary issues in Grade 10.
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PRC: 389 pass special licensure exams for teachers | Adrian Parungao | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 13:28:05 PST | The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) says a total of 389 elementary and high school educators passed the June 2024 Special Professional Licensure Exam for Professional Teachers. INQUIRER FILES
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) says a total of 389 elementary and high school educators passed the June 2024 Special Professional Licensure Exam for Professional Teachers. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said 137 of 274 elementary educators and 252 of 478 high school teachers passed the Special Professional Licensure Exam for Professional Teachers held last month.
In a July 5 advisory, the PRC named Jovelle Salamanca of the University of Santo Tomas as the topnotcher among elementary teachers-examinees for earning a 90.80 percent rating. She is followed by Jenefer Gregorio from the Pangasinan State University-Asingan at second place with a 86.80 percent rating.
Three other passers ranked third for garnering a score of 86.20 percent rating, namely: Jihada Hadjula from the Sulu State College; Hecel Misola from the Gordon College (for Olongapo City College); and Dyan Yap from the Manuel Enverga University Foundation-Catanauan.
The PRC said the results of the licensure exam for elementary educators had a 50 percent passing rate.
READ: PRC lists new accountants, engineers, dentists, architects, mechanics
Likewise, the commission said the first-placer in the licensure exam for high school teachers is Suzeth Ancheta of the University of the Philippines-Baguio City as she scored 92.60 percent. Ranked second was Mara Baybay of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, who scored 89.80 percent, followed by Marites Talape of the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology-Bangued, who scored 89.20 percent.
The regulator said the licensure exam for high school educators had a 52.72 percent passing rate.
READ: 84 of 217 examinees pass PRC’s special board exam for architects
The June 2024 Special Professional Licensure Exam for Professional Teachers were conducted on June 18 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; Al Ahmadi in Kuwait; Al-Khobar, Jeddah, and Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Doha in Qatar; Manama in Bahrain; and in Singapore.
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Lanao Norte, Misamis Occ now linked by bridge | Richel V. Umel | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 05:04:00 PST | MILESTONE PublicWorks Secretary Manuel Bonoan says the completion of Panguil Bay Bridge is not only a construction milestone but also symbolizes the realization of a long-held dream ofcommunities in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental. —PHOTO COURTESY OF LANAO DEL NORTE PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE
MILESTONE PublicWorks Secretary Manuel Bonoan says the completion of Panguil Bay Bridge is not only a construction milestone but also symbolizes the realization of a long-held dream ofcommunities in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental. —PHOTO COURTESY OF LANAO DEL NORTE PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE
TUBOD, LANAO DEL NORTE — At 11 a.m. on Thursday, the last concrete mix was poured to complete the full expanse of the Panguil Bay Bridge that connects this capital town of Lanao del Norte province and Tangub City in Misamis Occidental province.
The historic topping-off ceremony was witnessed by top officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the provinces of Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte, and dignitaries from the South Korean government led by Korea Export-Import Bank deputy country director Yun Hak Lee, which funded the P7.375-billion project through a concessional loan.
The ceremony capped the 65th founding anniversary celebration of Lanao del Norte whose people, according to Gov. Imelda Dimaporo, had waited for over five decades for this moment to happen.
“This landmark is a testament not only to the dedication of past local chief executives but also to a committed generation of workers and public servants,” said Dimaporo, whose father conceived the project in 1970.
Dimaporo recalled that the late Gov. Arsenio Quibranza, during his time in office, first broached the idea of a bridge across Panguil Bay to Tangub City Mayor Alfonso Tan, who immediately supported it.
In the 1970s, crossing the bay from here to Tangub was through motorized outriggers or pump boats, and via wooden launches to Ozamiz City.
While the pump boat trips are still around, the launches had given way to roll-on, roll-off ferries plying between Ozamiz City and nearby Kolambugan town some 30 years ago. With increased vehicular traffic, there is a long waiting time for the ferries, which only takes 25 minutes to cross the bay.
The increased traffic across the bay sparked another wave of push for the bridge project in 2001 by Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo and Misamis Occidental Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos.
HISTORIC Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Dimaporo on Thursday leads the pouring of the final batch of concrete mix during the topping-off ceremony for Panguil Bay Bridge, a project conceived in 1970 by her father, then Gov. Arsenio Quibranza. —PHOTO COURTESY OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS
Governor Dimaporo said the completion of the bridge had always been a strategic development priority of Lanao del Norte hence, the provincial government helped finance the conduct of a feasibility study for the project. She lauded the strong support of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to have the project included in the government’s infrastructure priorities.
“July 4 marked the historic milestone for the people of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental,” said Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
“This event is not just a construction milestone, it [also] symbolizes the realization of a long-held dream of the communities in the two provinces,” he added.
“The PBB (Panguil Bay Bridge) is more than a structure of steel and concrete. It is a lifeline that connects the two provinces in Northern Mindanao, fostering unity and economic growth,” Bonoan further said.
He lauded the DPWH’s Unified Project Management Office, led by Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain, “for their relentless and untiring efforts” to keep the bridge construction within schedule.
The bridge, Sadain said, is expected to usher in a new era of connectivity and economic growth for Mindanao.
The remaining components being completed in the run-up to the expected opening next month are the approach road, bridge railings, asphalt overlay, lighting, and traffic control center.
Bonoan said the project “stands as a beacon of international cooperation and progress,” citing the significant role of the Korean Export-Import Bank in bankrolling the project through the South Korean government’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund.
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READ: DPWH: Completion of P7.3-B Panguil Bay Bridge on track
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In Tarlac, 2 remains found amid search for beauty pageant bet, BF | Jun A. Malig | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 11:48:18 PST | In Tarlac, two bodies were found around Capas town and Tarlac City on July 5, 2024, but police cannot say yet if they were the missing Kapampangan beauty pageant contestant Geneva Lopez, 27, and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen, 37. INQUIRER FILES
In Tarlac, two bodies were found around Capas town and Tarlac City on July 5, 2024, but police cannot say yet if they were the missing Kapampangan beauty pageant contestant Geneva Lopez, 27, and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen, 37. INQUIRER FILES
MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga — Two bodies were found around Capas town and Tarlac City on Saturday, July 6, but police cannot say yet if they were the missing Kapampangan beauty pageant contestant and her Israeli boyfriend.
The Tarlac police refused to give details about the remains, including the exact location and how they were found.
READ: Another vehicle linked to missing pageant candidate case found in Tarlac
But a police source told Inquirer on Saturday morning that the dead bodies have yet to be identified.
Another source said police have asked the family members of Geneva Lopez, 27, and Yitshak Cohen, 37, to help identify the remains.
READ: Tarlac cops start retracing steps of missing couple
Lopez and Cohen went missing in Tarlac after leaving their residence in Malabanias village Angeles City on June 21 to meet a middleman to see the 20.5-hectare agricultural land the former Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga contestant was buying in Armenia village, Tarlac City.
About 10 hours since the couple became unreachable to family via their mobile phones and social media, the silver Nissan Terra they were using was found burning along the Cojuangco Road in Barangay Cristo Rey, Capas.
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Cebu weather: Expect cloudy skies with 60% chance of rain | ppiquero | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 10:18:37 PST | Cloudy skies hovering over Cebu City | CDN Digital File Photo
Cloudy skies hovering over Cebu City | CDN Digital File Photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu is expected to have mostly fair weather on Saturday, July 6, with a 60 percent chance of rain, according to the local weather bureau in Mactan.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in Mactan forecasts generally fair conditions, but there is a high chance of localized thunderstorms.
“Generally makasinati ta’g partly cloudy to cloudy pero taas ang chance of occurrence of thunderstorms,” said Engineer Al Quiblat, the chief of Pagasa based in Mactan, Cebu.
READ: Pagasa: La Niña is not here yet
Keep umbrellas handy: Pagasa officially declares rainy season
Looking ahead, Quiblat reported that there are no imminent threats of typhoons or low-pressure areas entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) over the next five days.
However, easterly winds and localized thunderstorms are expected to intermittently affect Cebu’s weather patterns.
Quiblat cautioned that the localized thunderstorms could potentially disrupt the otherwise fair weather conditions currently experienced the past days.
For the coming days, the weather outlook shows a 60 percent chance of rain on Saturday, July 6, decreasing to 40 percent on Sunday, July 7, and increasing again to 80 percent on Monday, July 8. Temperatures are expected to range from 26 to 31 degrees Celsius.
READ: How to make use of rainwater
Quiblat urged the public to remain vigilant, especially during thunderstorms.
He advised keeping abreast of updates from the local weather bureau, particularly for any thunderstorm advisories that may be issued.
Furthermore, he highlighted potential hazards associated with thunderstorms, including lightning strikes, sudden heavy rainfall leading to flooding and landslides, strong winds, and moderate waves affecting small marine vessels at sea. Residents in elevated areas should also be cautious of possible hail. /clorenciana
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Company manager shot dead in Isabela | Villamor Visaya Jr. | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 13:36:59 PST | Police say two unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen shot and killed a 49-year-old private company manager in San Juan village in Delfin Albano, Isabela, on Friday afternoon (July 5, 2024). INQUIRER FILES.
Police say two unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen shot and killed a 49-year-old private company manager in San Juan village in Delfin Albano, Isabela, on Friday afternoon (July 5, 2024). INQUIRER FILES.
DELFIN ALBANO, Isabela — A 49-year-old private company manager was shot and killed in San Juan village here by two unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen on Friday afternoon.
Delfin Albano police said in a report Saturday, July 6, that victim Pablo Ubal Jr. was was sitting on the terrace of their house with his father around 4:35 p.m. when the suspects entered their yard to ask for directions to the town of Santo Tomas.
READ: 2 linemen shot dead in Isabela City, Basilan
Suddenly, however, the assailants shot Ubal several times in different parts of his body and then fled.
Ubal died while being taken to a hospital.
An investigation has been launched on the incident.
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FIVB Challenger Cup: Puerto Rico reaches final for first time | Lance Agcaoili | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 17:28:14 PST | Puerto Rico celebrates after beating Belgium in the semifinals of the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Puerto Rico celebrates after beating Belgium in the semifinals of the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Puerto Rico finally earned a shot at the gold of the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup (VCC) after sweeping Belgium, 25-19, 25-15, 25-16, in the knockout semifinal on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium,
After settling for bronze in 2018 and 2022, the new breed of Puerto Ricans made their first VCC final, inching a win closer to its maiden Volleyball Nations League appearance next year as they take on the winner of the Czechia-Vietnam semis game later on the day.
Paola Santiago and Grace Lopez carried the cudgels of Puerto Rico with 11 and 10 points, respectively, to pounce on the undermanned Belgium, which missed stars Britt Herbots and Silke Van Avermaet.
“It feels great. We’ve been working all summer for this and now we’re prepared for tomorrow that’s the final,” said the 18-year-old Lopez, who has been sensational in the VCC Manila ahead of their final game on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
Lopez, who had nine digs, believed their floor defense, service, and attack as they outplayed the Belgians with a 41-26 spiking disparity were the key to their success.
“We were locked in since the beginning. We had good serves, good defense, good attacks, and I think that’s what made us get the win,” she said.
Stephanie Rivera chipped in seven points and 11 digs, while setter Wilmarie Rivera had 15 excellent sets and 17 digs on top of two points.
No one from Belgium scored in double figures with Pauline Martin leading the way with nine points as they committed a total of 28 errors.
Belgium eyes a bronze medal against the loser of the other semis pairing.
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Gilas’ Olympic dream ends, bows out of Fiba OQT with loss to Brazil | Denison Rey A. Dalupang | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 22:31:17 PST | Gilas Pilipinas ends if Fiba OQT run and dreams of making it to the Paris Olympics with a loss to Brazil in the semifinals. –FIBA PHOTO
Gilas Pilipinas ends if Fiba OQT run and dreams of making it to the Paris Olympics with a loss to Brazil in the semifinals. –FIBA PHOTO
Gilas Pilipinas saw its dream to make it to the Paris Olympics end on Saturday night after losing to world No. 12 Brazil, 71-60, in the semifinals of the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Riga, Latvia.
Up six by halftime, Gilas Pilipinas was shackled to just as many points in the third period with its error-filled play spilling into the final frame, ultimately spelling the squad’s doom in the Fiba OQT that will send a winner to the Summer Olympic Games.
“I don’t know what to say. It’s funny we didn’t expect to be here but then when we got here we’d expect to win. So it’s painful that we didn’t especially having that halftime lead,” Gilas coach Tim Cone said in the post-game presser.
HIGHLIGHTS: Gilas Pilipinas vs Brazil Fiba OQT semifinals July 6
“Them (Brazilians) going on a, what, 12-0 or 14-0 run on us to start the third quarter, was painful to watch. But there’s a reason Brazil’s 12th-ranked in the world and they proved that tonight,” he went on.
Brazil went on a blistering 18-0 run against the No. 37-ranked Filipinos, who went scoreless for more than six minutes in the third.
Justin Brownlee, who averaged 27 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in the group phase, was limited to just 15 points–all of which he had to earn against a tough-as-nails Brazil defense that hounded him for the entire duration of the game at Arena Riga.
Brownlee scored 12 in the first half and only found his mark again with 4:11 left to play after he picked up his fourth foul. He made a crucial 3-pointer that put Gilas within a realistic distance to make a last-ditch rally, 61-49.
READ: Tim Cone says Gilas star Justin Brownlee ‘should be in the NBA’
Brazil, though, quickly snuffed any hopes for a comeback for Gilas and responded with a 6-2 run to push the lead 67-51 with 2:45 left.
Bruno Caboclo starred for Brazil with 15 points, while Marcelinho Huertas, an NBA veteran who is in his twilight years, delivered 13 points—his late pull-up jumpers taking the fight out of Gilas.
Gilas Pilipinas’ June Mar Fajardo against two Brazil defenders during the Fiba OQT semifinals game in Riga, Latvia. –FIBA PHOTO
Dwight Ramos had 13 points while CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo chipped in 10 each for for Gilas Pilipinas, which severely missed the services of Kai Sotto.
Sotto hurt his right rib in the match against Georgia during the group phase and was a game-time decision going into Saturday’s final-four duel.
READ: Brazil braces for ‘highly technical’ Gilas in Fiba OQT semifinals
“We don’t want to make excuses but losing Kai was big for us because that took away depth in our frontline and forced June Mar to have to overplay minutes and that kind of all mushroomed right there,” Cone said.
“But the bottom line is we weren’t just good enough tonight, and we got to be better, ” he added.
“Close to what coach Tim said, it just takes one night. You don’t show up and you lose. That’s just how good the teams are here, so today we just didn’t play our best and Brazil just beat us,” said Ramos, a Gilas program fixture.
Brazil will play the winner of the Latvia-Cameroon clash on Monday midnight (Manila time) for one of the final four tickets to the Paris Olympics.
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Despite the semifinal exit, Gilas Pilipinas still turned heads in Riga after stunning world No.6 and host Latvia and eliminating No.23 Georgia in the group phase.
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Sulu cops seize over P17 million in smuggled cigarettes | Edwin O. Fernandez | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 21:17:35 PST | Sulu map. INQUIRER FILES
Sulu map. INQUIRER FILES
CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines – Police authorities in Sulu confiscated over P17 million in smuggled cigarettes in two separate operations this week.
Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawohn, director of Police Regional Office in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said that on Friday, some P5.6 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized in Patikul town after a resident alerted the police about the contrabands being unloaded in a coastal village.
Police operatives who responded to the tip found a man unloading some 97 boxes of contraband cigarettes believed to be from Malaysia. The unidentified man was arrested and detained, Tanggawohn said.
READ: P2.6-M smuggled cigarettes seized in Maguindanao del Norte town
On Wednesday, two minors were also arrested in Barangay Kajatian, Indanan town and some 210 boxes of assorted smuggled cigarettes, worth over P12 million, seized from them.
Tanggawohn said the minors are now under the custody of Indanan police pending investigation while the confiscated contrabands are set for turn over to the Bureau of Customs.
“In light of numerous recent apprehensions of smuggling activities, we send a clear and unequivocal message to violators: it is time to cease your unlawful practices,” Tanggawohn said.
READ: P10.8-M smuggled cigarettes seized in Pagadian City
“PRO-BAR is unwavering in its commitment to eradicating smuggling and will continue to intensify its operations until this illegal trade is completely stopped,” Tangawohn added.
He lauded the Sulu police units and the concerned citizens for helping in combating smuggling by alerting police authorities.
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DOTR: No stopping hikes in Naia fees, charges | Meg J. Adonis | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 02:28:00 PST | Plane fares are poised to soon shoot up as charges for using the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) will nearly double next year as part of the government’s concession agreement with the private sector, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista told reporters on Friday that the passenger terminal fees at the soon-to-be-privatized Naia would spike to P950 next year from around P500 to P550 currently.
“That will be added to the overall cost of the ticket paid by passengers,” Bautista said during a press conference.
“We need to compensate the concessionaire for their investment. But the investments that they will make, the charges that they will collect, will improve the efficiency of the airport,” he added.
READ: DOTr tries to justify hike in Naia charges
The secretary clarified, however, that the proposed schedule of fees stipulated in the Manila International Airport Authority Administrative Order No. 1 still needed Congress’ approval before it is implemented.
Takeoff and landing fees charged to airlines, meanwhile, are expected to increase before the end of the year. Bautista did not say, however, by how much these will increase.
A consortium led by conglomerate San Miguel Corp. won the mammoth P170.6-billion contract to upgrade the country’s main international airport after offering the highest revenue share for the government.
San Miguel is set to take over the operations of Naia in September.
Bautista’s announcement came after consumer advocacy groups and representatives of the aviation sector cried foul over the planned fee hikes at Naia, saying that the “gargantuan” increases would make the Manila airport and the country’s primary gateway among the most expensive in Asia.
The groups called on the DOTr to cancel the “unreasonable” rate hikes.
READ: Aviation groups ask DOTr: Stop ‘gargantuan’ hike in Naia fees
For its part, the agency clarified that the proposed rates were meant to replace the 24-year-old charges still being implemented. The new rates, according to the DOTr, would reflect the 160-percent average increase in consumer price index over the last two decades.
The DOTr previously said that Bautista had “deemed the increase in fees and charges necessary” to “elevate” Naia from its current “dismal condition.”
Despite the proposed increase in takeoff and landing fees, Bautista pointed out that these were “not major expenses” paid by airlines/
“The airport charges—takeoff and landing fees—are not a big percentage of the cost of operations,” he said, noting that the San Miguel consortium’s investments would double Naia’s capacity to 62 million passengers.
Based on the DOTr’s schedule of frees and charges, airlines pay a landing fee of up to P100 per 1,000 kilograms and P80 for every 1,000 kilos in excess of 160,000 kilos.
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These added costs are expected to be also passed on to passengers.
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Kanlaon posts 13 volcanic earthquakes in 24 hours, says Phivolcs | dbongcac | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 14:52:31 PST | The Kanlaon Volcano looks calm in this aerial photo. | File photo
The Kanlaon Volcano looks calm in this aerial photo. | File photo
MANILA, Philippines — Mt. Kanlaon had 13 volcanic earthquakes during the last 24-hour monitoring of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the state seismologist reported Saturday, July 6.
Phivolcs also said the volcano discharged 2,578 tons (2,338 metric tons) of sulfur dioxide on Friday, as it detected “moderate emission” of a 200-meter plume that drifted in a southwest and north direction.
Since Mt. Kanlaon is still under Alert Level 2, Phivolcs repeated its reminder that entry into the permanent danger zone and flying any aircraft close to the volcano remain prohibited.
The agency said Kanlaon Volcano’s threat of a sudden stream-driven or phreatic eruption remains.
ALSO READ:
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Mt. Kanlaon eruption: No casualties reported so far says PRO-7
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Marcos open to EO on digital nomad visas | Julie M. Aurelio | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 05:46:04 PST | President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —MALACAÑANG FILE PHOTO
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. —MALACAÑANG FILE PHOTO
President Marcos has ordered a study on granting digital nomad visas to qualified foreigners to stay longer in the Philippines under certain conditions.
In a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council’s (PSAC) tourism sector group on Wednesday, the President agreed with the PSAC’s suggestion to increase tourism receipts from visitors through digital nomad visas.
A digital nomad visa will allow a foreigner employed in another country to work remotely from the Philippines and stay here longer.
READ: Bill hopes ‘digital nomad visa’ clicks as tourism draw
Dozens of countries, like Spain, Portugal, and Malta, have successfully implemented digital nomad visas with similar provisions on age, minimum income, and other requirements. Japan and Korea have also recently issued their own.
“The President supported this interim solution and directed the Office of the Executive Secretary to draft the executive order and select a pilot country for the initiative,” the PSAC said in a statement.
But the advisory council proposed that the executive order should not include tax provisions and other contentious issues because these matters were already being discussed in Congress.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas II proposed in May last year House Bill No. 8165, or the Digital Nomad Visa Act, but it remains pending before the justice committee of the House of Representatives.
The advisory council said that lawmakers can settle contentious matters in their proposed bill, including tax policies, the proper issuing authority as well as their impact on the country’s visa and national security policies.
“We need to issue nomad visas quickly to attract long-stay tourists. Other countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are already benefiting from this approach,” said LT Group president and chief executive officer Lucio Tan III.
But lawmakers, particularly Sen. Nancy Binay, questioned the impact of the country’s visa policy, particularly on national security, after she learned in a Senate hearing that the country’s Special Resident Retiree Visas (SRRV) program has been used to circumvent standing immigration policies.
According to the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), the number of foreign retirees in the country in 2020 comprised of 27,678 Chinese, 14,144 South Koreans, 6,120 Indians, 4,851 Taiwanese, 4,016 Japanese, 3,704 Americans, 1,870 Hong Kongers, 1,595 British, 792 Germans, 752 Australians and 4,498 other nationalities.
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Binay scolded the PRA, the SSRV’s issuing agency, for granting retirement visas to foreigners as young as 35 years old and reduced the cash deposit requirement from $50,000 to $1,500.
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Wild, Murata passes weigh-in for Saturday bout in Japan | mbgerodias | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 07:05:27 PST | Wild, Murata passes weigh-in for Saturday bout in Japan
Wild, Murata passes weigh-in for Saturday bout in Japan
CEBU CITY, Philippines — It’s all set for the debut of ARQ Boxing Stable’s Bryan James “Wild Fury” Wild in Japan after passing the official weigh-in on the eve of his fight.
Wild and his opponent, Subaru Murata, faced each other for the first time during Friday’s official weigh-in for their eight-round non-title bout today, July 6, at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
The 23-year-old Wild weighed in at 119.9 pounds, while Murata stepped on the scales at 121.88 pounds for their bout, which is part of the Teiken Promotions fight card featuring six bouts.
One of the biggest hurdles Wild must overcome, besides beating Murata, is his one-year layoff. Wild hasn’t fought since August last year, when he defeated Ryan Rey Ponteras by unanimous decision in Lapu-Lapu City in an ARQ Sports-backed fight card.
He is unbeaten in 12 fights with six knockouts and one draw.
Murata, on the other hand, is also undefeated with a perfect 6-0 record, all by knockout.
In addition to his one-year layoff, Wild carries the hope of ending ARQ Boxing Stable’s string of unsuccessful campaigns in Japan, after three of its boxers lost in recent months.
His stablemates, John Paul Gabunilas, Rodex Piala, and Yerroge Gura, all faltered in their respective bouts in Japan.
Besides Wild, two other Filipino boxers will be fighting on the card: Michael Casama and Jahzeel Trinidad, who will face Kota Kaneko and Shokichi Iwata, respectively.
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Gilas faces Brazil with Paris Olympics just two wins away | Denison Rey A. Dalupang | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 05:25:00 PST | Gilas Pilipinas headed to the Fiba OQT semifinals. –FIBA PHOTO
Gilas Pilipinas headed to the Fiba OQT semifinals. –FIBA PHOTO
Gilas Pilipinas’ path to the Paris Games goes through Brazil, a nation steep with a glorious Olympic past and one that seems to have quite an edge on the Filipinos.
Aside from a world No. 12 ranking and a history of dominating the Philippines on the world stage, the Cariocas are littered with a bevy of NBA-tested talents that could easily outshine Gilas’ standouts on paper.
But the Nationals aren’t entering their 8:30 p.m. confrontation on Saturday thinking like cattle being led to the slaughter house. Thanks to a stunning upset of world No. 6 Latvia and a gutsy stand versus desperate Georgia, Gilas has reached a level of confidence that it has never had in the past.
LIVE UPDATES: Gilas Pilipinas vs Brazil Fiba OQT semifinals
“We still got so much more to give and so much more that we can do,” Chris Newsome said shortly after a 96-94 loss to Georgia on Thursday that was still enough to safely push the Filipinos into the crossover semifinals.
“We’ve been through a lot. I mean, a lot of people are disappointed with the last World Cup—as am I—[but] it feels good to finally be in this position, finally moving up in the ranks and beating teams that we shouldn’t,” Gilas cornerstone Dwight Ramos said.
The Philippines has been playing with a different kind of zest in Riga, and the team’s stats back it up. Gilas is scoring an average of 91.5 points, which is far superior than of Brazil’s 77.5. The Nationals are also a tad better in rebounding, collaring 39.5 against the Cariocas’ 38.
Brazil had produced one of the biggest international stars in the game in Oscar Schmidt, considered to be the best scorer the game has seen with close to 50,000 points scored for Brazil and his club team.
The Brazilians don’t have a player like that anymore, but that doesn’t mean that the Cariocas will be easier than the first two teams Gilas has thus far faced.
A win Saturday will set up the Philippines to a Paris Games slot game against the winner of the Latvia-Cameroon tiff.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas stuns world No. 6 Latvia to open Fiba OQT bid
Gilas is also expected to play at full strength. Though a game-time decision, national coach Tim Cone told the Inquirer that Kai Sotto—who hurt his right rib after getting landed by a Georgian player—is free of fractures.
Though he has made it clear that Gilas is out to win the whole thing, Cone has also cautioned his charges on the perils of thinking too far ahead.
“We were just so euphoric beating Latvia. All of the texts, social media going on in Manila. I think that set the guys back,” he said, referring to the team’s slow start against Georgia.
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“If we’re going to continue to look forward like that, I think that’s going to be a problem for us. But we have no doubt,” he went on. “You know, we want to just say what’s right in front of us. We don’t want to look at the end zone.”
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Inflation cooled to 3.7% in June, slowest in 4 months | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 02:30:00 PST | Headline inflation in June rose at its slowest pace in four months amid slower increases in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels and transport items, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Friday.
Preliminary data from the agency showed that the consumer price index grew by 3.7 percent year-on-year in June, easing from 3.9 percent in May and 5.4 percent in the same period last year.
READ: Inflation slows to 3.7 percent in June — PSA
This is well within the 3.4 to 4.2 percent forecast of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for the month, and slightly below the 3.9- percent average inflation forecast in an Inquirer poll of 10 economists conducted last week.
Inflation in June marked the slowest growth since the 3.4- percent logged in February, making it the seventh straight month that inflation settled within the BSP’s 2 to 4 percent target range for the year.
For the first six months, inflation averaged 3.5 percent, much slower than the 7.2 percent in June 2023.
National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said June inflation was mainly driven by price reductions in electricity and gasoline.
“Overall inflation for electricity nationwide is negative 13.6 percent compared to last May, which was negative 8.5 percent. The second that contributed to the overall inflation reduction is of course transportation because the price of gasoline in particular is low,” Mapa said in a press briefing.
Inflation in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels eased to 0.1 percent in June from the 0.9 percent the previous month. Likewise, transport also contributed to slower overall inflation, as the sector’s inflation eased to 3.1 percent in June from 3.5 percent in the preceding month.
For Robert Dan Roces, chief economist at Security Bank Corp., the June inflation “reveals a nuanced economic landscape” of the country despite improved overall price stability.
“This divergence highlights the complex challenges facing policymakers. The moderation in housing, utilities and transport costs contributes to the general inflation decline, potentially supporting economic recovery,” Roces said.
READ: May inflation rises to 3.9%, highest in five months
Food inflation alone, however, rose by 6.5 percent from 6.1 percent in May.
Growth in food inflation, which contributed 2.2 percentage points of the overall inflation, was attributed to the faster increases in vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses index at 7.2 percent in June from 2.7 percent in May.
“Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals also contributed to the uptrend with an inflation rate of 3.1 percent during the month from 1.6 percent in May,” the PSA added.
Roces also emphasized the need for the government and central bank to balance overall economic stability through addressing inflationary pressures as these trends may “disproportionately” affect lower-income households.
Despite slower growth in June, Mapa said that the deceleration in rice inflation remains insignificant. However, he expects rice prices in the coming months to reduce following the implementation of Executive Order 62, which modifies tariff rates on agricultural products including rice.
In June, rice inflation eased to 22.5 percent from 23 percent in May. This translates to a 45.2 percent or 1.7 percentage point contribution to the overall inflation. The commodity has the biggest weight in the overall inflation basket at 8.9 percent.
Indeed, BSP Governor Eli Remolona said in a statement that the decision to further slash the import duty on the staple grain helped tilt the balance of risk to inflation to the “downside” this year and next—meaning that the central bank now sees less upward price pressures that could fan inflation.
But Remolona still flagged the “upside risks” from higher prices of food items other than rice, as well as costlier transport fares and electricity rates. Overall, the BSP chief said the latest inflation print supported the central bank’s outlook for price growth to average within the 2 to 4 percent target range this year and in 2025.
Robert Carnell, Asia Pacific head of research at ING Bank, said the June inflation downtick would make it easier for the doves at the BSP to argue for rate cuts in the third quarter against the backdrop of a weak peso.
Last week, Remolona struck a more dovish tone and said there’s a chance that the central bank might cut the policy rate by a total of 50 basis points (bps) this year—with the first 25-bp cut possibly in August and ahead of the US Federal Reserve.
”The PHP opened stronger this morning, helped by this inflation data, and will be a key factor to watch when gauging whether or not BSP has the ability to ease rates ahead of the Fed without this spurring unwanted PHP depreciation,” Carnell said.
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“This will certainly be easier to achieve if it comes against a backdrop of solid growth yet moderating inflation. For now, we are assuming that this is achieved, and are penciling in a 25bp cut in 3Q24,” he added.
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Cebu FC faces Laguna in a ‘must-win’ PFL match on Saturday | mbgerodias | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 06:00:27 PST | Cebu FC players (in white jerseys) during their match against the PHL Army FC. | Photo from Cebu Football Club Facebook page
Cebu FC players (in white jerseys) during their match against the PHL Army FC. | Photo from Cebu Football Club Facebook page
CEBU CITY, Philippines — With two matches remaining in their Philippines Football League (PFL) season, the Cebu Football Club (CFC) Gentle Giants are aiming for a crucial win to secure a ticket to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.
The Gentle Giants will host one of their rival clubs, Stallion Laguna FC, today, July 6, at the Dynamic Herb-Borromeo Sports Complex.
A win over Stallion Laguna would virtually secure the Gentle Giants the second overall place in the PFL team standings, meaning they will represent the Philippines in the AFC Cup for the second time.
Currently, the Gentle Giants have 33 points, while Stallion Laguna has 29 points. Kaya FC Iloilo is on top with 34 points.
After the match against Laguna, Cebu FC will wrap up its PFL season with a match against Mendiola FC 1991 on July 13, at the same venue.
Cebu FC is currently displaying dominance in the PFL, having stretched their winning streak to eight matches since May.
In their last match on June 29, Cebu FC thrashed the visiting Philippine Army FC to remain unbeaten at home.
READ: Cebu FC extends streak with a rout of Manila Montet
Meanwhile, Stallion Laguna is still reeling from its 2-3 defeat by Kaya FC on June 30 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, which further solidified Kaya’s position at the top of the PFL standings, earning them a ticket to the AFC Champions League.
The kickoff for the match between Cebu FC and Stallion Laguna FC is at 5 p.m.
ALSO READ: CFC Gentle Giants face PHL Army in crucial PFL match
PFL opens sixth season in Manila, Talisay
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Two-day CCS Cup woodpushing tilt draws massive attendance | dbongcac | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 16:43:18 PST | (L to R) Cebu Chess Society (CCS) NA Glenda Tatoy, creative director Menchie Peteros, tournament director Atty. Gerald Serbise, and IA Michael Joseph Pagaran. | CDN Digital photo / Glendale Rosal
(L to R) Cebu Chess Society (CCS) NA Glenda Tatoy, creative director Menchie Peteros, tournament director Atty. Gerald Serbise, and IA Michael Joseph Pagaran. | CDN Digital photo / Glendale Rosal
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu Chess Society (CCS) ended its long hiatus by organizing a chess tournament dubbed as the “Cebu Chess Society Cup Open” which rolled out on Saturday, July 6, at the G Mall of Cebu.
A total of 327 woodpushers including several International Masters (IM), FIDE Masters (FM), National Masters (NMs) and Palarong Pambansa-bound athletes are currently competing in the nine round Swiss system tournament.
Due to its magnitude, CCS made sure that the tournament will follow international standards.
READ: Makinano lords 2nd CEPCA-Councilor Rey Gealon Open Chess tilt
True to it, CCS and the vaunted Toledo Xignex Trojans and the rest of its officials signed the “Covenant Against Cheating” during the opening ceremony of the tournament.
Besides that, they also implemented strict rules to allow them to have a smoothly-organized tournament, while striving to achieve their goal of producing the next chess masters from Cebu.
READ: 2nd Rey Gealon Chess Tournament set on June 30
“Our main goal is to help the kids to experience a tournament that follows an international standards, because our main goal is to produce a new chess master someday or help the children secure a varsity scholarship through chess,” said the tournament director Atty. Gerald Serbise.
“Having a tournament like this, we set international standards like zero defaulting time. We try our best to be well-organized. Nalipay ta kay at least daghan new faces niduwa, meaning nagkadaghan ang interest sa chess. Mao nang atong gi-strict ang rules and regulations sa atong tournament para at least matarong ug organize. Today nag sign ta ug “Memorandum of Agreement” for the Covenant of Anti-Cheating kay gusto nato ma preserve ang chess. We also want to instill discipline, that’s why we implement zero defaulting time. Chess is applicable in real-life you should also be always on time.”
READ: Ace Cebuano junior chess player to compete in Malaysia
Serbise was joined by fellow officials Menchie Peteros and National Arbiter (NA) Glenda Tatoy, International Arbiter (IA) Michael Joseph Pagaran, and deputy chief arbiter FA Odilon Badilles.
Besides their important objectives, the tournament also marked the end of CCS’ four-year hiatus. The last time the group held an over-the-board tournament was in 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s tournament has four categories, the open, under-17, under-13, and under-9. Generous cash prizes and medals are up for grabs for the winning woodpushers in this two-day tournament.
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Japan’s Miss Supranational 2024 bet is part-Filipino actress Yuki Sonoda | Armin P. Adina | Sat, 06 Jul 2024 17:20:00 PST | Miss Supranational Japan Yuki Sonoda/ARMIN P. ADINA
Miss Supranational Japan Yuki Sonoda/ARMIN P. ADINA
Aside from Philippine bet Alethea Ambrosio, another participant in the 2024 Miss Supranational pageant has Filipino roots, Japan’s Yuki Sonoda.
Sonoda was crowned Miss Supranational Japan in Tokyo in May, but she is not new to pageantry, both national and international.
In 2017, she represented Japan in the Manila-based Miss Asia Pacific International pageant held in the Philippines. She advanced to the Top 10 of the competition.
In 2020, she competed in the Miss Universe Japan pageant, where she was proclaimed as second runner-up.
Sonoda had already embarked on a career in the local entertainment and modeling scene in Manila before she earned her pageant title.
She was one of the six finalists for the “Supra Talent” contest at the 2024 competition, currently running in Poland, where she sang a Japanese song.
No Japanese woman has ever brought home the Miss Supranational crown, and Sonoda hopes to score the first victory for the Land of the Rising Sun.
The 2024 Miss Supranational pageant will hold its coronation show at the Strzelecki Park Amphitheater in Nowy Sacz on July 6 (July 7 in Manila). Ecuadorian beauty Andrea Aguilera will relinquish her title to the winner.
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