PH on track to become Asia’s top investment destination — Pascual

DTI Chief Alfredo Pascual predicts that the Philippines is on track to become Asia’s top investment destination, as investment approvals have significantly surged in the first semester. The Board of Investments (BoI) revealed that planned investments amounting to P698 billion have more than tripled, showing a remarkable 203 percent increase compared to the previous year’s P230 billion. This growth is supported by 155 projects, marking a 43 percent rise from the 106 recorded in January-June 2022.

These investments have the potential to generate 29,965 jobs if fully realized, representing a notable 96 percent increase year on year. Impressively, foreign investments accounted for P423 billion, a staggering 5,264 percent surge compared to the P7.89 billion recorded in the first half of the previous year. Meanwhile, domestic pledges rose by 24 percent to reach P275 billion from P222 billion.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual conveyed his optimism, stating, “The Philippines is poised to become Asia’s premier investment destination.” He emphasized that foreign investment pledges have reached an all-time high, reflecting the country’s growing appeal to investors.

The influx of investments is led by German firms, committing to invest P393 billion, followed by Singapore (P16.8 billion), the Netherlands (P3.57 billion), France (P2.04 billion), and the United States (P1.9 billion).

Region 6 (Western Visayas) is expected to benefit the most from these investments, with P306 billion in planned investments. Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) follows with P164 billion, while Ilocos (P55.5 billion), Central Luzon (P28.7 billion), and Metro Manila (P25.6 billion) also show promising figures.

Renewable energy projects constitute a significant portion, with over three-fourths (76.83 percent) of the investment approvals involving 30 solar, wind, and biomass projects worth P536.5 billion. This highlights the Philippines’ commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives, attracting investment in the renewable energy sector.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed lawyer Vigor Mendoza 2nd as the new Assistant Secretary to lead the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The announcement of Mendoza’s appointment, along with other government officials, was made by the Presidential Communications Office through a Facebook post on Wednesday.

Prior to this position, Mendoza had a notable career as a transport official and served as a congressman representing the 1-UTAK (United Transport Alliance Koalisyon) party-list group.

He also had a previous role as a board member of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Mendoza’s appointment comes as a replacement for the former LTO chief, Jose Arturo Tugade, who resigned citing “differing methods” with the Department of Transportation.

Tugade assumed the role of LTO chief in November 2022 and faced various challenges, including the shortage of plastic cards for driver’s licenses and vehicle license registration plates, which had been persistent issues plaguing the agency even before his tenure as LTO chief.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has given his approval for the P170-billion solicited Public Private Partnership (PPP) proposal aimed at rehabilitating the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Arsenio Balisacan’s statement on Wednesday.

In a meeting held at Malacañang, Marcos, who also heads the NEDA Board, greenlit the project, which has a total estimated cost of P170.6 billion.

The primary objective of this initiative is to address long-standing issues at NAIA, such as the insufficient capacity of passenger terminal buildings and restricted aircraft movement.

The project’s key goals include increasing the airport’s current capacity from 35 million to a minimum of 62 million passengers annually, as well as boosting air traffic movement from 40 to 48 flights per hour.

Balisacan emphasized that the overall passenger experience and service quality would significantly improve, aiming to eliminate long queues, reduce waiting times, and alleviate other passenger inconveniences.

Balisacan assured reporters during a Palace press briefing that they anticipate selecting the winning bidder within the year, allowing the project to commence as early as the following year. (ai/mnm)

Arsenio Balisacan, the Chief of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), reassured the public on Wednesday that the proposed 2024 national budget would not be utilized for the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF).

During a press briefing at the Palace, Balisacan addressed concerns that the MIF could significantly impact next year’s budget.

“To begin with, the total budget is set at P5.3 trillion, and we are only talking about P135 billion, which, in any case, is not part of the budget. These funds are separate and not used by LandBank, DBP (Development Bank of the Philippines), or remitted by the Central Bank or BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) to the national government,” Balisacan said.

“Relatively, it should not affect the national budget,” he emphasized.

According to the law, the initial capital for the Maharlika Investment Fund will come from the investible funds of the Land Bank of the Philippines, the DBP, the declared dividends of the BSP, and other sources.

Balisacan also clarified that the MIF is not expected to contribute to the national debt. He explained, “No, that will not happen by design because the funds we are placing in the MIF are idle funds, not funds that are actively utilized. The purpose of the fund is to invest in more productive and higher-yielding instruments, allowing us to earn more from those funds.”

“The goal is not to increase the debt burden but to diversify our sources of funds, thereby reducing our reliance on debts,” he added.

MANILA – Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) long jump winner Janry Ubas tries to get decent finishes in three upcoming tournaments under the World Athletics Continental Tour his bid to qualify for the World Championships. 

Ubas will first compete at the Motonet Grand Prix in Lappeenranta, Finland on July 19 and at the 16th Triveneto Meeting Internationale in Trieste, Italy on July 22. 

The qualification window for the World Championships, slated in Budapest, Hungary on Aug. 19 to 27, will end on July 29 at the International Stuttgarter Athletics Meeting in Germany. 

“I really want to compete in the World Championships. I have to perform well in the three tournaments so I can get a slot in Budapest,” said the 29-year-old native of Misamis Oriental province in an online interview before he left for Finland on Monday morning with coach Dario da Rosas.

Ubas and Da Rosas are members of the national team which participated in the 25th Asian Athletics Championships that concluded in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday. 

Ubas landed seventh with 7.98 meters, improving on the 7.95m he registered in bagging the silver medal at the Taiwan Open on May 28. 

He won the Cambodia SEAG gold medal in 7.85m in May. 

So far, world No. 3 pole vaulter EJ Obiena and hurdles champion Robyn Brown have qualified for the prestigious Worlds. 

Meanwhile, Obiena set a meet record of 5.91m in Bangkok, shattering his 5.71m set in 2019. 

He eventually took the gold, Saudi Arabia’s Hussain Assem Al-Hizam got the silver at 5.56m, and Japan’s Tomoya Karasawa the bronze at 5.51m. 

Obiena has already snared a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. (PNA)

MANILA – Stock market insiders welcomed Tuesday’s enactment of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), but said the bullishness it will bring to trading will likely occur after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. delivers his second State of the Nation (SONA) address next week.

In an interview, Jeng Calma, operations head at A&A Securities, said the almost 22-point decline in the market on Tuesday should not be interpreted as investors’ cold reaction toward the new law, which in fact, promises to infuse immense sum into the local bourse.

“There may have been other factors that influenced today’s lackluster trading. The signing (into law by the President) of Maharika (Investment Fund) was already anticipated and was discounted. We expect to feel it (market growth) after SONA,” she noted.

Calma disclosed that numerous foreign investors have already positioned themselves in the exchange hoping to get a windfall once the MIF invigorates the market.

“As early as several weeks ago, they (foreign funds) were already positioning themselves in blue chips,” she said.

Meanwhile, Francis Chua, the chairman of BA Securities, said the MIF concept has already been tried and tested in Singapore and has been proven to deliver good results.

He recalled that in the past, the Singaporean government successfully grew state funds through calibrated and well-thought-out investments in the island territory’s financial and capital markets.

“It (MIF) should be good for the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and the economy in general. It worked for Singapore and I am confident that the president’s plan will work for us,” said Chua, also chairman emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

Moreover, the business leader said that market stakeholders are eagerly expecting funds from the MIF to “pass through” the PSE.

He echoed expectations that the stock market will see renewed bullishness once investors “digest” the contents of the next SONA, and learn more about the Marcos administration’s plans for the Philippine economy over the next five years.

“We are confident that MIF can really prop-up the market, we are looking forward to this,” Chua added. (PNA)

MANILA – The public is encouraged to use their coins for payments, with the central bank hiking to PHP2,000 each the legal tender limit per transaction for PHP1, PHP5, PHP10, and PHP20 coins.

Meanwhile, legal tender limit per transaction for PHP0.1, PHP0.5, PHP0.10 and PHP0.25 coins is now PHP200, according to an advisory by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Tuesday.

The cap has been increased from PHP1,000 per transaction for the bigger denominations and from PHP100 for the smaller denominations based on BSP Circular No. 1162 issued on Dec. 1, 2022.

The upward adjustment in the legal tender limit was made “to further promote the use of coins in payments and other cash transactions,” the BSP said.

“The legal tender limit for single transaction of coins does not preclude transactions above the stated coin limit so long as both parties have prior and mutual agreement,” the circular said.

BSP has repeatedly encouraged the public to use coins for payment transactions to maximize its use and the cost of minting, as well as address the perceived coin shortage in some parts of the country.

Some disregard the importance of the coins, especially the small denominations. Others store coins for a long time.

Recently, the BSP has teamed up with SM, Robinsons and Festival malls for the coin recirculation program.

Under this program, coin deposit machines will be placed in select malls. The exchange value will either be for GCash electronic wallet crediting or for SM shopping vouchers. (PNA)

DAVAO CITY – The Kadiwa ng Pangulo program has been a game changer for the farmers in Davao del Norte province, Governor Edwin Jubahib said Thursday.

Jubahib thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for reviving the program started by his father, that late former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

“It is a big help to the farmers as well as the consumers,” the governor said in a statement.

Jubahib urged the farmers to plant more and make use of their agricultural lands to help the country become food sufficient and for their livelihood as well.

On Monday, a simultaneous “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” activity saw Davao del Norte farmers’ products directly sold to the consumers at low prices.

The event aims to help strengthen Kadiwa activities, ensure the expansion of the national program, and to provide access to consumers with fresh and affordable agri-fishery commodities.

Kadiwa centers also seek to establish an additional market for small farmers and fisherfolk to sell their products at affordable prices in areas where poor families live.

According to the Department of Agriculture, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo is a spillover of the DA’s marketing strategy dubbed Kadiwa ng Pasko, which addressed the high cost of agricultural commodities during the holiday season.

It is one of the programs of the Marcos administration to address rising food prices due to global inflation. (PNA)

MANILA – A lawmaker on Tuesday called on local governments to establish their respective “green lanes” to expedite the processing of business permits and support the administration’s strategic investment program. 

Camarines Sur (2nd District) Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. made the appeal after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently led the launch of the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments, which will hasten the process of securing licenses and permits both from national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs).

He said the launch of the green lanes could not have come at a better time, as the President has just signed the measure establishing the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), or Republic Act 11954, which is a sovereign wealth fund that the government targets to use to invest in local and foreign debt papers among others to help finance its infrastructure projects. 

“Hence, our LGUs need to set up at the soonest their respective ‘green lanes’ for investments not only to support Malacañang Palace’s agenda to level up our EODB (Ease of Doing Business Image) image, but also for them to seize upon this splendid opportunity for their localities to cash in on this projected pipeline of (foreign direct investments),” he said. 

The Green Lanes for Strategic Investments was established through Executive Order No. 18 signed by the President in February 2023.

Earlier, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the green lanes will help the country realize the PHP3.5 trillion in investment leads from the recent foreign trips of Marcos and his economic team in Singapore, Indonesia, the United States, Japan, China, Thailand and Europe.

He said the green lanes will also help the Board of Investments (BOI) hit its PHP1.5 trillion investment approval target for 2023. 

Relatively, Villafuerte said the establishment of “green lanes” nationwide will improve the country’s competitiveness as an investment hub, considering that the President himself has observed that it took as long as three years for investment requirements to be completed in the Philippines compared just three days to two weeks in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. (PNA)

MANILA – A lawmaker on Tuesday stressed the need for Congress to swiftly act on education reforms that would effectively address the jobs-skills mismatch and support enterprise-based education to ensure that Filipino graduates are work ready.

In a statement, Davao City (1st District) Rep. Paolo Duterte noted that Management Association of the Philippines (MAP)  president Benedicta Du-Baladad has expressed alarm over the current education crisis in the country and  has urged the government to transform the education system to allow it to better adapt to a “changed workplace in a technology-driven world.”

He said many students who will graduate or recently graduated from senior high school or college “will either get a job that suits their skills or one where they are overqualified or underqualified.”

He, however, pointed out that “many will still find themselves jobless because their skills are not commensurate to the demands in the job market.”

“This translates into wasted opportunities and lower-than-expected returns on education investments, which negatively affect the  productivity and competitiveness of our workforce,” he said.

Duterte said these concerns can be addressed through the passage of the bill that seeks to institutionalize the country’s enterprise-based education and training program (House Bill 7400) and the bill creating a tripartite council that will be tasked to focus on the  jobs-skills mismatch, with the goal of reducing unemployment and underemployment (HB 7370).

These measures have been transmitted to the Senate in March this year. 

Duterte also said that HB 8069, which aims to establish early childhood or pre-kindergarten education programs for indigent Filipino kids, will help nip in the bud the learning deficiencies of Filipino children.

Investing in pre-kindergarten education has been proven to show concrete improvements in a child’s learning skills, he said, citing a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which revealed that kids who attended one or more years of preschool scored 30 points higher in reading compared to those who did not. 

Duterte said another step in the right direction is the commitment of  his sister, Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte, to revisit the K-to-12 basic education curriculum to make it relevant in producing competent, job-ready, active and responsible citizens. 

The lawmaker cited a 2020 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), which revealed that only a little over 20 percent of senior high school (SHS) graduates entered the labor force and over 70 percent continued with their education.

The PIDS study said there is a need for the government “to re-examine the employment and entrepreneurial objectives of the SHS program.”

Duterte said that while the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom II) is currently crafting solutions to the problems plaguing the education sector, the Congress can act now in easing the effects of the education crisis. (PNA)

MANILA – A government task force has readied contingency measures to ensure that the planned three-day transport strike from July 24 to 26 would not inconvenience commuters.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevarra and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Don Artes led the meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force Monitoring Team (IATF-MT) on Tuesday.

Guevarra requested local government units (LGUs) to cooperate with the single dispatching system of the MMDA to send out rescue vehicles to ferry passengers during the transport strike, which coincides with the second State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on July 24.

He noted that similar efforts were successful during the previous transport strike.

“During the last transport strike, we were able to monitor through the CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras the convergence of rallyists, and can easily call the PNP (Philippine National Police) to maintain peace and order,” he said.

The newly inaugurated MMDA Communications and Command Center in Pasig City would be used to monitor the situation throughout the National Capital Region and maintain peace and order in affected routes.

“We were able to address the needs of the riding public before because of the united efforts of the government with agencies and 17 Metro Manila local government units,” he said.

During the meeting, national and local government agencies offered the use of their rescue units or vehicles to assist commuters in case of passenger build-up.

The MMDA has prepared an inventory of such assets to be used for decision-making and the quick dispatch of vehicles during the strike.

Earlier, transport group Manibela bared its plan to hold a three-day transport strike beginning Monday.

Manibela chair Mar Valbuena said the strike was due to the government’s failure to address various concerns of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators and alleged preferential treatment towards corporations or LGUs in awarding PUV routes. (PNA)

The exceptional partnership of Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Daquis has soared to new heights, propelling the Cignal HD Spikers to the semifinals with a resounding 25-21, 25-15, 25-15 victory over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL Invitational Conference at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, July 18.

Gonzaga and Daquis, affectionately known as ‘Gonzaquis,’ expressed that their tandem is truly one of a kind, enhancing not only their individual performances but also their team’s overall game.

As both wing spikers, Gonzaquis were reunited when Gonzaga joined Cignal after her tenure with the Army, which opted out of this Invitational Conference.

“It’s interesting because every time Buday [Rachel] and I are together, not to boast, we always manage to reach the semifinals or finals. My game truly transforms when Rachel is by my side, and I can confidently say the same for her and even Coach Shaq [Delos Santos],” said Gonzaga, who contributed 13 points against Choco Mucho.

Gonzaga, who previously played for the HD Spikers in the now-defunct Philippine Superliga (PSL), went on to discuss her return to Cignal, emphasizing that it was mainly because of Daquis and Delos Santos.

“I believe it all comes down to the trust we have in each other. In 2019, when I had just recovered from an ACL injury, I had accepted that I wouldn’t be able to return to the national team, thinking that everything was already lost because I had fallen out of shape. However, Coach Shaq was the first to place his trust in me and approached me, saying ‘play for the national team again.’

“I told him, ‘Coach, I’m already out of shape,’ but he assured me, saying ‘I have tremendous faith in you.’ It feels incredible to play under such a coach. Everyone asked me why I returned to Cignal despite receiving offers from other teams, and I explained that I have grown accustomed to Coach Shaq’s system, his unwavering trust in me, and having Rachel Anne Daquis there. I didn’t want to start over from scratch. So, ultimately, it boils down to trust.”

The 35-year-old Daquis then expressed how the 31-year-old Gonzaga has been a tremendous support, particularly during crucial matches.

“First and foremost, I want to credit Jov, my teammates, and Coach Shaq. I struggled in the two previous games and even during training, but Jovs [Gonzaga] told me to believe in myself, assuring me that we perform differently when it comes to important matches,” said Daquis, who contributed 12 points against Choco Mucho. (ai/mnm)

Calling it a positive step forward augmenting its own crusade against fraud and fake news, the non-government organization Philippine Transport and Communication (PhilTraComm) on Wednesday lauded a joint agreement that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) recently entered into to curtail fraud and further improve the country’s anti-cybercrime capabilities.

“This partnership is crucial, an essential endeavor at best that could pave the way for a safer, more secure, and digitally empowered community,” said Aio Bautista, lead convenor of PhilTraComm.

“Our law enforcers as well as the country’s information and communications arm simply struck the right chords on this partnership which is no less intended to curtail growing concerns on fraud and other forms of cybercrimes,” Bautista added.

“Coupled with the mandate of RA 11934 (mandatory SIM card regisration) whose extended 90-day nationwide registration is fast closing in, there is no doubt cybercriminals and cyber-scammers’ days are difinitely numbered.”

The second deadline of the SIM card registration is set for Tuesday, 25 July 2023, a day after President Marcos delivers his second State of the Nation Address.

RA 11034 was the first bill signed into law by PBBM amid growing concerns on fake news, mobile phone scams, and other forms of cybercrimes.

“RA 11934, along with the joint agreement by the PNP and DICT completes and complements the arsenal that we need in safeguarding the welfare, security of our countrymen, and the ultimate goal for a progressive Philippines,” Bautista stressed.

“Call it now as a well-secured digital landscape,” he added.

As of July 6, 2023, the country has already registered 60.75 percent of the total 168 million Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, nearing the July 25, 2023 deadline set by the national government, according to data from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

From December 27, 2022, to July 6, 2023, a total of 102,062,372 SIM cards have been registered out of the 168,016,400 SIMs sold in the country.

The SIM Card Registration Act, which came into effect in December 2022, mandates all mobile users to register their SIM cards with personal information such as their name, address, and government ID number.

The law aims to combat crime, terrorism, and protect consumers from fraud.

(AI/MNM)

Rain or Shine has been selected to proudly represent the Philippines in the upcoming William Jones Cup, scheduled to take place from August 12 to 20 in Taiwan.

Confirming the team’s participation, Rain or Shine’s team governor, Atty. Mamerto Mondragon, announced that they have received an official invitation from the tournament organizers. The decision to join the prestigious basketball event was supported by PBA commissioner Willy Marcial and league chairman Ricky Vargas.

“We have received a gracious invitation from the organizers of the Jones Cup. Our team owners have also held discussions with the commissioner of the PBA regarding this opportunity. It is indeed an honor for us to represent our country,” stated Mondragon in an interview with The Manila Times on Tuesday.

Mondragon further revealed that Ange Kouame, the former Ateneo standout and Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player, will join the Rain or Shine team as a reinforcement. Following discussions with Gilas team manager Butch Antonio, it has been confirmed that the 25-year-old Kouame will be loaned to Rain or Shine as their import for the tournament.

“Ange has been released from his duties with Gilas to compete for our team,” he affirmed. “This will provide an excellent platform for our team to test their skills and further develop.”

Kouame is one of the three naturalized players in the Gilas pool, alongside Justin Brownlee and Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson.

The Jones Cup makes a comeback after a three-year hiatus caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic that emerged in 2020.

This will be Rain or Shine’s first time representing the Philippines since their core players competed for the national team during the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

With a young core comprising Rey Nambatac, Leonard Santillan, Andrei Caracut, Gian Mamuyac, and supported by veterans Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood, Rain or Shine aims to further develop their skills and utilize this tournament as preparation for the upcoming 48th season of the PBA, set to commence on October 15.

Having secured victory in the 2016 and 2019 editions with Mighty Sports as the national representatives, mentored by Charles Tiu, the Philippines will seek to add another triumphant chapter to their Jones Cup history.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has dismissed the Philippine government’s plea to cease the probe into the former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. Despite the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2018, three out of the five judges, including presiding judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, rejected the arguments put forth by the Philippines. Only two judges, including de Brichambaut, dissented from the decision.

During the court proceedings, streamed on the ICC’s official website and Facebook, the concurring judges affirmed that the ICC did not make any legal errors. Consequently, the investigation into the highly controversial drug war, led by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, is set to resume after it was halted in November 2021 at the government’s request.

The investigation’s jurisdiction stems from the Philippines’ involvement in the Rome Statute since 2011 when the coverage of the drug war was initiated.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged his awareness of the meeting between former President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasizing his hope that Duterte’s involvement will facilitate a fresh channel of communication to address unresolved issues between the two nations.

Speaking at the launch of the government’s Food Stamp Program (FSP) in Tondo, Manila, Marcos clarified that Duterte did not require his permission to visit Beijing, as the meeting was conducted on friendly terms. Nevertheless, Marcos expressed openness to hearing any insights from his predecessor in the coming days.

“I was aware of his intention to go there. They are friends, acquainted with each other. Hence, I hope they discussed the current issues we face, such as the presence of Chinese vessels and other concerns. All these matters we observe—I hope they discussed them to promote progress. That is our goal: for dialogue to persist,” Marcos stated in Filipino during an interview with reporters. He was referring to the recent sighting of numerous Chinese vessels near Iroquois Reef, located south of the resource-rich Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.

The President asserted that the initiator of talks between the two claimants in the disputed waters was inconsequential, emphasizing his support for “new lines of communication.”

“Whether it is PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) or someone else, it doesn’t matter to me. As long as there is someone capable of assisting, I am confident that he will inform us about the contents of their conversation and how it impacts us,” Marcos explained. (ai/mnm)

THE Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) is up to the challenge of fulfilling a vision laid out 14 years ago to win a gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Newly-elected ABAP president Congressman Robbie Puno said the federation’s goal right now is geared towards bagging that elusive boxing gold a year from now as per the blue print established by now chairman Ricky Vargas when he initially served as head of the boxing body in 2009.

“Ang marching orders namin from our chairman now is that sinabi niya in 2009 when he became president of ABAP nangako, siya na we will go through three Olympic cycles, and on the fourth Olympic cycle we will go for gold. Siguro that would be enough time,” recalled Puno of ABAP’s designed plan when Vargas first assumed the presidency of the association.

“It was a moderate kind of goal-setting na ginawa ng aming president that time and now our chairman Ricky Vargas. We’re on the fourth Olympic cycle in Paris so the intention is to really win the gold. And we expect to accomplish that.”

Puno graced the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum for the very first time Tuesday at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, and was accompanied by ABAP secretary-general Marcus Jarwin Manalo and executive assistant Karina Picson.

The first step towards achieving the goal is to perform well in the coming Asian Games in Hangzhou China, which serves as qualifier to the Paris Games.

Among those in the training pool now for the Asiad are Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, bronze medal winner Eumir Marcial, Rogen Ladon, Ian Clark Bautista, Mark Ashley Fajardo, Aaron Jude Bado, Ronald Chavez Jr and Marjon Pianar, John Marvin, Ira Villegas, and Irish Magno.

Unfortunately, only Petecio will be fighting in the same weight class where she won a silver medal in the Tokyo Games as both Paalam and Marcial are going up in weight.

Manalo disclosed that except for Marcial, the Philippine boxing delegation in the Asiad is now undergoing training at the ABAP headquarters at Rizal Memorial, but will be leaving for India and Australia in the coming weeks to attend two separate training camps.

The contingent leaves for India on July 28 for a two-part training at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, where six other countries are also invited and sparring sessions will be held on a daily basis, before it travels to Karnataca on August 6 for another two weeks of training.

Upon returning to Manila for a 10-day rest, the team goes to Canberra, Australia by Sept. 2 for another joint training camp.

“After that, just one week here in Manila and then we fly to Hangzhou for the Asian Games. Yan ang ating schedule,” said Manalo in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Philippine Olymic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

The Philippines will be seeing action in six of seven categories in the men’s class, and three of six in the distaff side.

Finalists in the men’s division and semifinalists in the women’s side will qualify outright to the Olympics.

Manalo added two world qualifiers will still be held by next year for those who missed out on the Asiad, but Puno said the earlier the boxers clinch Olympics berths, the better.

“Lahat ng mga hindi pumasa sa mga ibang regions pumapasok. So it’s much harder to join an Olympic qualifying tournament,” said the ABAP president. “So ang mandate namin sa mga boxers namin, dito na tayo sa Asian mag-qualify. Dito na natin tapusin para makuha na natin lahat.” (ai.mnm)

President Bongbong Marcos has signed the Maharlika Investment Fund into law today, July 18, 2023.

The said bill will now be known as Republic Act 11954.

“The signing of the Maharlika bill shows that economic recovery is one of PBBM’s major priorities. Through this we will be able to generate more jobs for the Filipino people and provide appropriate funding in sectors left behind such as agriculture, energy, health, information technology and infrastructure.” Villar said

The Maharlika Fund is the country’s first-ever sovereign investment fund which will be a vehicle for attaining new investment opportunities.

“The MIF is a historic legislation. We are now at par with other countries who also have their own sovereign wealth fund.” Villar said

The MIF is aligned with the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) and the 8-Point Socio-economic Agenda of the current administration which also operationalizes the Philippine Development Plan 2023 – 2028.

“We are in full support for the current administration’s goal to push for economic recovery and uplift the livelihood of all Filipinos” Villar added.

Call it the wrath of a grand slam winner.

TNT returned to the champion’s podium of the PBA 3×3 First Conference Season 3 on Tuesday, beating upset-concious Pioneer Elastoseal in the Leg 3 final, 17-13, at the Ayala Mall, Manila Bay.

Left out in the playoffs of Leg 2 a week ago, the Triple Giga came back with a vengeance as the quartet of Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, Samboy De Leon, and Gryann Mendoza swept their way to the top and claim the P100,000 champion’s purse.

Vosotros struggled against the Katibays by shooting 4-of-10 from the floor for six points, but Flores, De Leon, and Mendoza took care of the rest to give the telecommunication franchise its first leg crown this season after completing a grand slam last year.

Wilson Baltazar also had six points to show the way for Pioneer, which made the finals for the first time since the opening leg of Season 2 Third Conference.

TNT earlier denied the bid of Barangay Ginebra to win a historic third straight leg championship by ousting the Kings in the quarterfinals, 21-19.

Vosotros then erupted for 12 points as the Triple Giga got the San Miguel Beermen out of their way, 20-19, to reach the finals.

Pioneer won P50,000 for the runner-up finish.

The Katibays edged out the Meralco Bolts in the quarterfinals, 21-19, and stunned Cavitex in the semis, 19-17, to set up the title showdown against the Triple Giga.

Meanwhile, the Braves won the battle for third place for the third straight time behind a 20-19 victory over San Miguel.

It was a win worth another P30,000 for Cavitex.

The scores

For 3rd Place

Cavitex (20) – Napoles 10, Ighalo 7, Gonzaga 3, Fajardo 0.

San Miguel (19) – Bono 9, Saldua 6, Apacible 3, Lee 1.

Finals

TNT (17) – Vosotros 6, Flores 4, De Leon 4, Mendoza 3.

Pioneer (13) – Baltazar 6, Morido 4, Abrigo 3, Mocon 0.

(ai/mnm)

MANILA – The lead convenor of an anti-fraud and anti-fake news group, Philippine Transport and Communication (PhilTraComm), reiterated on Tuesday its call to the public to meet the approaching deadline of Republic Act 11934, also known as the mandatory Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) registration law.

“We have just seven days left before the July 25, 2023 deadline, which falls a day after President Marcos delivers his second State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 24, 2023,” emphasized PhilTraComm Chief Aio Bautista.

Bautista added, “Registration only takes approximately seven minutes and contributes to the country’s ongoing fight against cellphone fraudsters and other forms of online scams.”

RA 11934, signed into law by President Marcos in October of last year, aims to reduce cybercrimes, cyberbullying, and ultimately, terrorism.

The initial deadline for mandatory registration was set for April 26, 2023. However, due to a low compliance turnout, Malacañang decided to extend the deadline for another three months.

Some SIM card owners have raised concerns about the lack of personal identification cards. In response, Bautista advised them to obtain a Barangay ID. “For those without a government-issued ID, they can obtain a Barangay ID,” stated Bautista, highlighting the importance of SIM registration. “This is a protection for all of us to prevent illegal activities and enjoy the benefits of technology,” Bautista added.

“There will definitely be no further extensions this time, and all unregistered SIMs will be deactivated at 12 am on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.”

As of July 6, 2023, the country has already registered 60.75 percent of the total 168 million Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, nearing the July 25, 2023 deadline set by the national government, according to data from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

From December 27, 2022, to July 6, 2023, a total of 102,062,372 SIM cards have been registered out of the 168,016,400 SIMs sold in the country.

The SIM Card Registration Act, which came into effect in December 2022, mandates all mobile users to register their SIM cards with personal information such as their name, address, and government ID number.

The law aims to combat crime, terrorism, and protect consumers from fraud.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has been actively promoting awareness of the SIM Card Registration Act and encouraging people to register their SIM cards. The DICT is also collaborating with telecommunications companies to streamline and simplify the registration process.

The SIM Card Registration Act is a crucial step toward creating a safer and more secure Philippines.

By registering their SIM cards, mobile users can safeguard themselves against fraud and other crimes while ensuring that their phones are not misused for illegal activities.

(ai/mnm)