MARCOS TELLS XI: PH TO CONTINUE JOINT EXPLORATION TALKS WITH CHINA IN WEST PH SEA

BEIJING — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday told Chinese President Xi Jinping that the Philippines will resume negotiations with China on joint oil and gas explorations in the West Philippine Sea, a project which has been shelved due to frictions between Filipino and Chinese vessels in the disputed waters.

Marcos gave the statement during his bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart, noting the two countries’ need to “move away from traditional fronts of power.”

"I really hope—I would very much like, as you have suggested, Mr. President, to be able to announce that we are continuing negotiations,” Marcos said.

“We hope that these negotiations will bear fruit because the pressure upon not only China, not only the Philippines but the rest of the world to move away from the traditional fronts of power," he said.

In 2018, Manila and Beijing signed a joint memorandum of agreement to create a joint steering committee that would serve as an official negotiating forum for the 2 countries’ efforts to explore oil reserves and gas resources in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in Reed Bank, which falls within the Philippines exclusive economic zone.

During Marcos’ 3-day state visit to China this week, Xi assured the Filipino leader that Beijing is willing to work with Manila, and even extend assistance in the fields of energy, agriculture and infrastructure.

“Mr. President, your current trip is a trip to honor history, but more importantly, it is to open up the future,” Xi told Marcos during their bilateral meeting here.

“I look forward to having discussions with you to carry forward the friendship and further promote [our] bilateral relationship," he said.

“Together, let's deepen cooperation and draw out a blueprint with China-Philippines cooperation in the new era. This way, we will bring more benefits to our people and contribute to peace and stability in the region," he added.

Aside from the joint exploration project, Manila and Beijing also signed about a dozen other bilateral agreements On the fields of tourism, agriculture, trade and investment, among others.

MARCOS, XI SET HOTLINE ON SCS

Beijing—The Philippines and China on Wednesday vowed to resolve maritime disagreements through consultation during the second day of the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos amid heightened tensions over the disputed South China Sea.

Mr. Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping both called for “friendly consultation to appropriately resolve maritime issues and restart negotiations on oil and gas exploration,” during their bilateral meeting yesterday, China’s state-owned broadcaster CCTV said.

Xi told Mr. Marcos that China wished to “contribute more positive energy to regional peace and stability” and “promote cooperation on oil and gas development in non-disputed areas,” according to CCTV.

In response, Mr. Marcos said the continuing negotiation for the joint oil exploration is very important to the Philippines.

“I really hope—I would very much like, as you have suggested, Mr. President, to be able to announce that we are continuing negotiations and that we hope that these negotiations will bear fruit because the pressure upon not only China, not only the Philippines but the rest of the world to move away from the traditional fronts of power,” President Marcos said.

In a message after his meeting with Xi, Mr. Marcos said they discussed “what we can forward to avoid any possible mistakes, misunderstandings that could trigger a bigger problem than what we already have.”

“I was very clear in trying to talk about the plight of our fishermen, and President Xi promised that we would find a compromise and find a solution that will be beneficial so that our fishermen might be able to fish it again in their natural fishing grounds,” Mr. Marcos said.

Xi described Mr. Marcos’ state visit as “a trip to honor history… (and) to open up the future.”

“Together, let’s deepen cooperation and draw out a blueprint with China-Philippines cooperation in the new era. This way, we will bring more benefits to our people and contribute to peace and stability in the region,” the Chinese leader said.

The two sides also discussed working together in fields including agriculture and medicine, CCTV reported, and signed a host of agreements for cooperation in infrastructure, fisheries, tourism and other areas.

ENVOY: GOV’T READY TO ASSIST PINOYS IN CHINA AMID COVID SURGE THERE

The government is capable of keeping Filipinos in China safe amid a surge of COVID-19 cases there, Philippine Ambassador to China Jame Florcruz said Wednesday.

“The government will continue to provide assistance to anyone in need,” he said in Filipino.

To date, there are an estimated 14,000 Filipinos in China, Florcruz said.

Florcruz said the COVID-19 situation in China “seems to be under control.”

Despite this, he advised the Filipino community in China to stay cautious and follow health protocols.

“It’s still spreading to other parts of China, that’s why the people here remain careful. The advice to the public is to continue wearing masks, avoid large crowds, and live with COVID,” Florcruz said.

However, the COVID-19 situation in China prevented Mr. Marcos from meeting with the Filipino community there.

While some Filipinos were disappointed, they understood that the reason for not scheduling a meeting was valid, the ambassador said.

MARCOS REORGANIZES OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

MANILA — President Marcos has streamlined further the structure of his office, placing the government’s lead communication arm under his direct supervision and the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) under the executive secretary.

The administrative structure of the Office of the President (OP) was streamlined under Executive Order No. 11 signed by Marcos last Dec. 29.

“There is a need to further streamline the administrative structure of the Office of the President as part of continuing efforts towards efficiency and responsiveness in the delivery of its critical mandates to the Filipino people,” the order read.

Under the EO, the OP shall be composed of the Executive Office, Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, Private Office, Office of the Special Assistant to the President and the Presidential Communications Office, the government’s lead communication arm formerly known as the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS). These offices are under the direct control and supervision of the President.

The Executive Office shall consist of the Executive Secretary, Office of the Senior Deputy Executive Secretary, Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration, Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration and Internal Audit Office, and the respective offices attached to them.

The Executive Office shall be led by the Executive Secretary.

The Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel shall provide legal advice and assistance to the President while the Private Office shall provide direct services to the President and attend to functions that are personal or which pertain to the First Family.

INFLATION QUICKENS FURTHER TO 8.1 PERCENT IN DECEMBER ON BACK OF HIGHER VEGETABLE PRICES

MANILA - Inflation for the month of December quickened further mainly due to the higher prices of select food items including onions and other vegetables, the state statistics bureau said on Thursday.

The consumer price index rose 8.1 percent, faster than the 8 percent the previous month and the highest since November 2008, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

Inflation of food and non-alcoholic beverages index in December was at 10.2 percent from 10 percent in November while the total food inflation at the national level rose to 10.6 percent from 10.3 percent the previous month, PSA data showed.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the inflation rate in prices of vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses is at 32.4 percent for the month, which is the highest since February 1999.

Onion has a "substantial" contribution to inflation for the month after prices rose to P700 a kilo during the holidays.

“The onion, part of vegetable, for December, substantial yung kanyang contribution sa inflation (it has a substantial contribution). It contributed 0.3 percentage point to overall inflation. Same as rice,” National Statistician Dennis Mapa

“Food inflation contributed 40 percent of the total inflation for December…medyo malaki ang contribution ng vegetables sa food inflation (vegetables has a huge contribution in food inflation),” he added.

Other food products that showed higher price increases for the month aside from vegetables are meat, sugar, fish and flour, Mapa said.

But Mapa added there is a slowdown in inflation for other items.

DOTR LOOKS INTO MORAL, IF NOT LEGAL, OBLIGATION TO REFUND AFFECTED FLYERS

The government has no contractual obligation to refund passengers affected by the hours-long shutdown of the Philippine airspace due to a power supply glitch on New Year’s Day, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Wednesday.

In an interview on radio dzBB, Bautista said the legality of compensating affected air travelers should be carefully studied.

Bautista issued the statement after Albay Rep. Joey Salceda called on the government, particularly the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), to compensate the thousands of passengers whose flights were grounded due to a power outage of the country’s air traffic management system.

“First of all, the CAAP and DOTr do not have an arrangement with passengers, unlike with the airlines. When they buy a ticket, the airlines have an obligation to fly them or refund their fares if they are not able to fly them,” Bautista said in Filipino.

But he acknowledged that while the government is not contractually obliged to compensate passengers, the DOTr and CAAP “morally” could be obligated.

“Our lawyers should study this thoroughly for us to know what the government can shoulder,” he said.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI), meanwhile, gave foreign nationals who were affected by the flight cancellations on New Year’s Day a grace period to stay in the country.

Those whose visas and ECCs expired during the period are given a grace period extension until Jan. 12, to allow them to rebook their flights without added immigration penalties, said BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

Also on Wednesday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it continues to provide accommodation for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose flights were disrupted due to air traffic management system technical issues.

During a public briefing, DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the agency helped 3,000 OFWs to rebook their flights.

NO INTENT TO DECEIVE: PALACE CLEARS EX-SRA EXECS OVER SUGAR IMPORTATION MESS

The Office of the President has dismissed the administrative cases against former Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) board members who supposedly green-lit the aborted plan to import 300,000 metric tons of sugar in August 2022.

Cleared in the investigation conducted by the Office of the President were former SRA chief Hermenegildo Serafica, former Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, and ex-SRA board members Roland Beltran and Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr.

In a 10-page decision, the Office of the President said the former SRA executives are “absolved from any liability” for issuing the imports order. They were merely “admonished” and told to be “more prudent and circumspect in the performance of their duties.”

The charges of grave misconduct, gross dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service have all been dropped.

“The intent to deceive or misrepresent is absent sans any proof that respondents concealed the issuance of the subject order to the President. On the contrary, the attendant circumstances indicates respondents’ intention to apprise the President as to the preparation of and approval of SO No. 4,” the decision dated December 29, 2022 read.

Former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, who was tagged in the aborted plan to import sugar, wasn’t mentioned in the decision from Malacañang.

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MANILA ROADS CLOSED FROM JANUARY 6 TO 9

MANILA — Several roads in Manila will be closed to motorists beginning tomorrow until Jan. 9 for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

In a traffic advisory yesterday, city hall said the following roads would be closed from 10 p.m. onwards: Independence Road, Katigbak Drive, South Drive as well as the northbound and southbound lanes of Roxas Boulevard.

Quezon Boulevard (from A. Mendoza/Fugoso to Quezon Bridge straight to Padre Burgos Park ‘n Ride) and España Boulevard (from P. Campa to A. Mendoza) will be closed from Jan. 7 to 9 starting at 7 p.m.

The streets of Evangelista (from Plaza San Juan to Recto Avenue), Gonzalo Puyat, P. Paterno, Carriedo (from Rizal Avenue to Plaza San Juan), C. Palanca (from McArthur Bridge to Quiapo Ilalim/Quinta Market straight to P. Casal), Bustos (from Plaza Sta. Cruz to Rizal Avenue) and Nicanor Reyes as well as Rizal Avenue, MacArthur Bridge and Recto will also be shut down.

The city government advised motorists to take alternative routes.

1,000 HSWS LEAVING FOR SAUDI NEXT WEEK

MANILA — The first batch of 1,000 newly hired household service workers (HSWs) are set to leave for Saudi Arabia next week.

Recruitment consultant Manny Geslani reported yesterday that the required overseas employment certificates of the HSWs are being processed.

“After more than a year of suspension, the initial group of HSWs bound for Saudi Arabia is expected to leave next week,” Geslani said.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has ordered the resumption of the deployment of HSWs and construction workers to Saudi Arabia.

The DMW lifted the deployment ban following the signing with the Saudi government of an agreement ensuring the welfare and protection of Filipino HSWs and other skilled workers.

The Philippine and Saudi governments also agreed to come out with employment contracts for newly hired HSWs and construction workers.

Meanwhile, Migrant Workers Undersecretary Hans Cacdac said Saudi Arabia and the Philippines are still discussing details on the release of at least P1 billion in unpaid salaries of about 10,000 Filipino construction workers.

COMELEC ALL SET FOR CAVITE SPECIAL POLLS

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is ready for the special elections in the seventh district of Cavite.

Comelec executive director Teofisto Elnas Jr. said the special elections, which will be held on Feb. 25, would be automated.

The elections will fill the congressional seat left vacant with the appointment of Jesus Crispin Remulla as secretary of the Department of Justice.

Elnas said the SD cards containing the results in the precinct level would be submitted to the municipal board of canvassers, which will canvass the results from the municipal level and proclaim the winners.

“The Comelec has created a project management office that will focus on this special election under the leadership of Commissioner (Marlon) Casquejo as the commissioner-in-charge,” Elnas told a press conference on Tuesday.

Remulla’s son Crispin Diego of the National Unity Party and independent candidates Jose Angelito Domingo Aguinaldo, Melencio Loyola De Sagun Jr. and Michael Angelo Bautista Santos filed their certificates of candidacy for representative of the seventh district of Cavite.

Comelec records showed that 355,184 registered voters from 116 barangays in the towns of Amadeo, Indang, Tanza as well as Trece Martires City are expected to participate in the special elections.

There will be 76 voting centers and 426 clustered precincts.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

ENRIQUE GIL CALLS LIZA SOBERANO 'BEST FRIEND AND BABY' IN BIRTHDAY GREETING

Enrique Gil seems to have quashed break-up rumors as he turned to social media on Wednesday to share a sweet birthday message for Liza Soberano.

In an Instagram post just before Soberano’s birthday ended, Gil posted a series of the actress’ candid pictures while also including some sweet photos of them together.

“We might be worlds apart, but you’ve never been closer to my heart,” Gil wrote in the caption.

“To the most beautiful soul in the world. To my best friend and baby, I love you so much. Happy Birthday!!” he added.

Touched by her boyfriend’s gesture, Soberano shared Gil’s post on her Instagram Story as he thanked him for the sweet greeting.

“Thank you for being there for me even when it’s hard,” she said.

Soberano and Gil have been together for nearly eight years.

In September last year, ABS-CBN Films head Kriz Gazmen was quoted as saying the real-life couple were going their separate ways in terms of their careers.

Gazmen said at that time that a lot of projects were pitched to Soberano and Gil, but for some reason “the timing was never right.”

Since her management switch, Soberano became more open about her decision to “take the first leap” to jumpstart a potential career in the United States.

On the other hand, Gil has been on hiatus from showbiz for over two years. He was last seen in the ABS-CBN teleserye “Make It With You,” which was cancelled due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020.

SPORTS

PBA FINALS GAME 3

Ginebra def. Bay Area Dragons, 89-82

Crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra uses strong 4th quarter to beat the PBA guest team Bay Area Dragons, 89-82 to take 2-1 series lead in Game 3 of their best-of-7 finals in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday, January 4 in front of 15,004 crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Justin Brownlee led the Gin Kings in scoring with a double-double performance of 34 points (9/24fg, 1/8 3pts, 15/20ft), along with 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and a block. Christian Standhardinger with a solid game of 15 points (7/13fg, 1/2ft), to go with 4 rebounds and an assist while Scottie Thompson finished with 14 points (5/15fg, 1/5 3pts, 3/5ft) to go with 10 rebounds, 4 assists and game-high 4 steals.

Ginebra shot 29/83 (34%) from the field, including 7-of-26 shooting from beyond the arc (BAY - 33/76fg, 12/41 3pts), and Ginebra went 24-of-38 from the free throw line (BAY - 4/10ft). Gin Kings had 8 turnovers while the Dragons had 20. GIN recorded more steals, 9-3 and outrebounded the Bay Area 54-50.

Finals Game 4 in on Friday, January 6 at the MOA Arena at 5:45pm. Buy PBA Game Tickets

The Scores:

GINEBRA 89 - Brownlee 34, Standhardinger 15, Thompson 14, Malonzo 10, Tenorio 8, Pringle 5, J Aguilar 3, Mariano 0, Gray 0, Pinto 0.

BAY AREA 82 – Nicholson 23, Lam 17, Zhu 12, Yang 11, Blankley 10, Ewing 3, Ju 2, Song 2, Liu 2, Reid 0.

Quarters: 16-16, 35-37, 56-63, 89-82

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.91

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I don't believe in an afterlife, so I don't have to spend my whole life fearing hell, or fearing heaven even more. For whatever the tortures of hell, I think the boredom of heaven would be even worse. - Isaac Asimov