XI WANTS ‘TO WRITE NEW CHAPTER’ IN PH-CHINA RELATIONS

BANGKOK — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday told Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the he wants to “write a new chapter in China-Philippines friendship.”

Xi told Marcos that “the two sides must stick to friendly consultation and handle differences and disputes properly,” China’s Ministry of Foreign said in a statement.

“As two developing countries in Asia, China and the Philippines need to keep strategic independence, uphold peace, openness and inclusiveness, and stay the course of regional cooperation,” the statement read.

“They should work together to reject unilateralism and acts of bullying, defend fairness and justice, and safeguard peace and stability in the region.”

Xi noted that Beijing is ready “to maintain regular communication with the Philippines and to continue to accommodate its concerns,” the Ministry said.

“China will work with the Philippines to carry forward their friendship and cooperation, commit to national development and rejuvenation, and write a new chapter in China-Philippines friendship,” the statement read.

China is also willing to import more agricultural products from the Philippines, Xi said, noting that Beijing “always views its relations with the Philippines from a strategic height."

“The two sides need to take more concrete steps to increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cement public support for China-Philippines friendship,” Xi said.

Marcos, on the other hand, congratulated Xi for being elected as China’s president for the third time.

“He (Marcos) noted that this brings greater stability not only to the future development of China but also to the region and the world,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

“Marcos Jr. stressed his consistent view that relations between the two countries should not be defined by maritime issues and that both sides may further enhance communication in this regard,” the statement read.

PBBM SEES ‘DARK CLOUDS AHEAD’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday warned of “dark clouds” looming ahead on at least three fronts—food security, global health systems, and climate change—as he rallied leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to revitalize the region’s role as a driver of the global economy.

“Dark clouds loom large if we are not…prepared. They loom on the economic horizon and now more than ever, our governments and economies must work closer and better together as partners in order to find that break in the clouds where the light of hope and progress can shine through,” Marcos said in a speech delivered during the APEC CEO Summit in Bangkok.

“These shocks to our system have had… a deleterious effect on our efforts at fostering inclusive growth. To prevent a situation from becoming a prolonged and self-perpetuating problem, we need to immediately address structural and policy issues with the objective of enabling rapid economic recovery and growth in a manner that creates jobs, includes more people into the mainstream, and reduces poverty and inequality,” he added.

Marcos said three issues are critical to this effort: food security, reinforcing global health systems, and climate change.

“Food security is a serious global problem. This is felt by every household, by every family, by everyone. The issues that the world faces now—from climate change, to inflation, to war—are viewed by the ordinary Filipino through the lens of food security,” he said.

The rise in commodity prices, coupled with supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures have contributed to the rising prices of food, he said.

Marcos also underscored the importance of beefing up health systems not only against emerging COVID-19 variants but other infectious diseases that may emerge, too.

The President said the third concern—climate change—is “the most pressing existential challenge of our time.”

“The Philippines is one of the countries at great risk from the climate crisis, as it stands to lose more than 6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) annually by 2100, based on a study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),” he said.

Marcos said the Philippines is targeting 35 percent renewable energy in the power generation mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040, focusing on hydropower, geothermal power, solar and other low-emission energy sources.

'FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION': BADOY DEFENDS 'THREAT-LADEN' DIATRIBE VS JUDGE

MANILA — Former anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy has officially responded to the show cause order issued by the Supreme Court by filing on Thursday a 48-page comment explaining why she should not be cited in indirect contempt of court over her statements against a trial court judge.

Badoy invoked freedom of expression and press freedom, saying that as a journalist, she was merely commenting on a matter that invokes public interest — whether the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) should be declared terrorist groups.

“The use of contempt powers of the Supreme Court against a fair criticism by respondent Dr. Badoy in her exercise of journalistic comment, of an erroneous decision of a lower court judge, constitutes subsequent punishment and thus infringes on respondent’s freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” she said.

On September 21, Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19 junked the proscription case filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) which sought to declare the CPP-NPA as terrorist groups.

Badoy criticized the ruling in a Facebook post as a “judgment straight from the bowels of communist hell” and accused the judge of “lawyering” for the CPP-NPA when she ruled that rebellion and political crimes are not acts of terrorism.

PHILIPPINES CORRECTS COURSE TO MEET GLOBAL SEAFARER TRAINING STANDARDS

MANILA — The Philippines said it has taken "corrective actions" after independent evaluators cited 15 areas of noncompliance to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), along with 63 "observations."

This is aside from the 23 grievances the Philippines had after an audit by the European Maritime Safety Agency, which checks compliance with standards of the European Union.

According to Maritime Industry Authority Executive Director-in-charge Samuel Batalla, the Philipppines’ independent evaluation was conducted from March to April this year to "verify the country’s implementation of its quality standard systems" on top of checking on the country’s training and certification of seafarers.

Batalla said the Philippines was cited for its non-conformities in quality standards systems and implementation, the implementation of the 2010 Manila Amendments, and the implementation of education, training, and assessment standards.

"Within this month, Marina will be submitting a report on the corrective actions that have already been completed, including the corresponding documentary evidence so that will be the basis of independent evaluators in their evaluation this December to validate responses we will submit," Batalla said in mixed Filipino and English at the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs on Thursday.

Why is this important?

The independent evaluation is a requirement for parties part of the convention. Batalla said the independent evaluators will submit a verification report to the International Maritime Organization within six months.

This is crucial to the Philippines’ being listed under the "white list" of countries with seafarer employability as the IMO seeks to release a new list.

Should the Philippines be excluded from the list, this may impact the employment of over 600,000 Filipino seafarers around the world and subsequently, the global maritime industry. The UN Conference on Trade and Development had noted that the Philippines is the world’s top source of seafarers in 2021.

Marina also said "Philippine-flagged ships may be subjected to stringent port state inspections."

The Philippines last submitted reports in 2013 and 2017, but both were dismissed.

Batalla said the 2013 report failed to adapt amendments in the convention, while the 2017 report was considered incomplete. This makes the 2009 independent evaluation the country’s last report to the international body.

"Currently, the Philippines is still in the IMO list of STCW countries. However, we must successfully pass the independent evaluation to strengthen our compliance status," Batalla said.

TULFO VS VILLAR: SENATORS CLASH OVER 'FARM TO SUBDIVISION' SCHEME, RICE TARIFFICATION LAW

MANILA — Senators Raffy Tulfo and Cynthia Villar figured in a heated exchange early morning Thursday during the Senate's deliberation on the Department of Agriculture's (DA) proposed 2023 budget, forcing Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to pause the session to diffuse the spat.

Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, was tasked to defend the DA's proposed P163.7-billion budget for 2023.

During his turn to interpellate Villar, Tulfo immediately criticized the DA's "corruption-ridden" farm-to-market road (FMR) project allegedly abused by "influential politicians."

According to the DA's website, FMRs seek to "connect agricultural and fisheries areas to markets, allowing producers to transport their goods to traders and consumers with relative ease... to develop the countryside and achieve economic growth."

But Tulfo said this was not the case in some areas.

"Tadtad po ng korapsyon itong farm-to-market road at nagagmit ng maiimpluwensyang politiko... Sa maniwala kayo sa hindi maraming mga insidente sa mga probinsya kung saan hindi po sila yung rice o vegetable producing town and yet sila po ay tadtad ng tinatawag na farm-to-market project," Tulfo said.

"Meron pa ngang biro-biro na marami dyan sabungan-to-market road, subdivision-to-market road, or sinasabi pa nilang private resort-to-market road," he added.

Tulfo then asked Villar about DA's method in classifying potential FMR areas.

"Paano malalaman ng DA na yung FMR na ni-request ng isang maimpluwensyang, mayamang politiko ay makikinabag ay mga farmers at hindi sa personal na interes ng politiko?"

Villar explained that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which implements the project, has a drone technology that can asses potential FMRs. Villar's son Mark is a former DPWH secretary and now senator.

"So kung nagsabwatan po ang DA at DPWH, tapos na ang taumbayan," Tulfo remarked.

CAYETANO DEFENDS DOH BUDGET; TULFO QUESTIONS OVERSTOCKING, NEAR EXPIRY MEDICINES

MANILA—Sen. Pia Cayetano defended Thursday the Department of Health's proposed budget for commodities after a fellow senator raised the issue of overstocking of near-expiry medicines.

The DOH has proposed a P29.1 billion budget for commodities for 2023. The spending plan includes medicines, vaccines, and vitamins as well as supplements for infants and children up to the age of 5.

Senate finance committee chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo, however, questioned the proposed budget and raised the issue of overstocking.

“Those medicines that were left to expire in some warehouses due to the negligence of some people in the department ... 'yung near-expiry, ba't pinabayaan umabot sa ganong stage? Sana bago dumating dun na dispose of mabigay sa recipient, ba't paabutin pa sa ganong sitwasyon?” he said during the hearing.

“We are talking about billions of pesos na nabaliwala dahil sa kapabayaan,” he added.

But Senator Pia Cayetano, sponsor of DOH's budget, said they cannot decrease the amount for 2023.

“Wala na nag e-expire so pag binawasan [ang budget], kukulangin ang supplies,” she argued. “This problem is long ago, prior to COVID pa ang problem. That problem no longer exists.”

BIR ISSUES VAPE LAW TAX GUIDELINES

MANILA—The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has released guidelines on the implementation of the vape law which sets the floor price for heated, vapor, and other electronic cigarette items.

The bureau on Thursday issued Revenue Regulations No. 14-2022, which performs as its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act No. 1190 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.

In line with BIR regulations, the P131.04 is the floor price for 0.7 milliliters (ml) pod of nicotine. For 1.8 ml and 1.9 ml nicotine salts, the minimum price are P306.88 and P318.08, respectively.

Meanwhile, the floor price for a 15-ml bottle of conventional freebase nicotine is P207.2.

The bigger bottle that contains 30 ml of classic nicotine has a P352.8 minimum price.

According to BIR East NCR director Edgar Tolentino, the new guidelines will help the economy and ensure the health of Filipino minors.

"BIR will have exclusive jurisdiction over taxpayer registration, setting the products’ floor price, drafting and publication of revenue regulations covering vape items," Tolentino said.

He said it is also the mandate of newly-appointed BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. to crack down on illicit vape traders.

"We need to support the plans of the commissioner—- one thing is to focus on illegal vape sellers because if smuggling persists we will be losing huge revenues from vape products," he said.

Data revealed that the government has collected about P15.3 billion in vape taxes since 2019.

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WATER RATES UP AT LEAST P5/CUBIC METER IN JANUARY

The government has approved higher water rates for customers of Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc.—up by at least five pesos for every 10 cubic meters consumed—effective January 2023.

“These rate adjustments will enable Manila Water and Maynilad to provide the highest quality of water, sanitation, and sewerage services that their customers deserve,” the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS RO) said Thursday in a statement.

“These include the development of additional water sources that will ensure continuous improvements in the supply of safe drinking water as well as the expansion of environmentally safe wastewater services within the Concession Areas,” it said.

Under the approved matrix, Manila Water consumers consuming 10 cubic meters per month will see an increase in their water bills to P192.42 starting January 2023 from P151.23.

Those consuming 20 cubic meters per month will see their rates increase to P425 from P333.47, and those consuming 30 cubic meters will see a rise to P866.3 from P679.02.

The subsidized rate for lifeline consumers will ease slightly to P85.59 from P86.57.

For Maynilad consumers using up to ten cubic meters, their rates will rise to P135.70 from P130.42.

The rate for those consuming 20 cubic meters will go up to P509.11 from P488.82, while the rate for those using 30 cubic meters will increase to P1,039.64 from P997.93.

The MWSS-RO said this was done after a thorough and independent review and evaluation of the concessionaires’ proposals, considering the inputs gathered from concerned stakeholders as well as the provision of the Revised Concession Agreement (RCA) that there shall be no tariff adjustments until December 31, 2022.

PRIVATIZATION PROCESS FOR EDSA BUSWAY STARTS

MANILA — The Department of Transportation has started soliciting the insights of the private sector for the planned privatization of the EDSA busway, the DOTr announced yesterday.

The DOTr said it began gathering feedback from investors who want to build, operate and maintain transport projects through the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.

“The first batch of PPP projects include the EDSA busway and the North Long Haul Inter-Regional Railway from Metro Manila to Ilocos and Cagayan,” the DOTr said.

The department said it opted to prioritize the EDSA busway and the North Long Haul projects due to their impact on livability and sustainability.

The DOTr said it hopes to privatize the EDSA busway to ensure its funding in the long run, especially as the government no longer plans to pay for its maintenance.

The department said it would also gather insights for the privatization of the Pasig River ferry system.

RED CROSS SAYS READY TO HELP DECONGEST PHILIPPINE JAILS

MANILA — Overcrowding has been a perennial problem in the Philippine jail system, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Friday.

The humanitarian organization is ready to work with the Department of Justice and other concerned government agencies to decongest detention centers in the country, said ICRC's regional director for Asia Pacific, Christine Cipolla.

She noted that overcrowding not only leads to the spread of communicable diseases like COVID-19, scabies, and tuberculosis, but also makes behavioral change harder for inmates.

"We do believe that this matter should be addressed collectively in order to provide sustainable response," Cipolla told ANC.

"And here the initiative we heard from the Supreme Court, such as...the pre-trial length of detention is reduced. These are very encouraging initiatives that we of course do support," she said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla has said that he wanted to work on decongesting jails and prisons in his first 100 days in office.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

45TH GAWAD URIAN: 'ON THE JOB,' 'BIG NIGHT' BOTH WIN BEST FILM

MANILA — The crime thriller “On the Job: The Missing 8” emerged as the big winner at the 45th Gawad Urian, clinching top prizes including the trophy for Best Film, which it shared with “Big Night!”.

The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino honored films and talents Thursday at a star-studded awarding ceremony at the UPFI Film Center in Quezon City.

Aside from Best Film, “On the Job: The Missing 8” took home eight trophies, including acting awards for John Arcilla, Lotlot de Leon, and Dante Rivero; as well as Best Director for Erik Matti and Best Screenplay for Michiko Yamamoto.

Arcilla’s Gawad Urian recognition is his latest Best Actor win for the same role, after earning the coveted Volpi Cup from the 2021 Venice Film Festival.

Below is the full list of winners at this year’s Gawad Urian:

Here’s the full list of the Gawad Urian 2022 winners:

Natatanging Gawad Urian: Roque Federizon Lee aka Roxlee

Best Film: On The Job: The Missing 8 and Big Night!

Best Director: Erik Matti, On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Actress: Yen Santos, A Faraway Land

Best Actor: John Arcilla, On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Supporting Actress: Lotlot De Leon, On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Supporting Actor: Dante Rivero, On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Screenplay: Michiko Yamamoto, On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Cinematography: Carlo Canlas Mendoza, Big Night!

Best Documentary: The Right to Life by Arbi Barbarona

Best Short Film: Dandansoy by Arden Rod Condez

Best Editing: Gerone Centeno, Jay Altarejos, Walang Kasarian ang Digmang Bayan and Jay Halili, On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Production Design: Whammy Alcazaren, Kun Maupay Man It Panahon

Best Music: Erwin Romulo, Malek Lopez, Arvin Nogueras, On The Job: The Missing 8

Best Sound: Corinne De San Jose, On The Job: The Missing 8

The Gawad Urian Awards is an annual award that has been given by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino since 1977, honoring the best in Filipino film.

INDICATORS

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Wasmund, Bonnie Jean