MARCOS JR. CITES CHINA TRIP GAINS

Beijing—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said his three-day state visit to the People’s Republic of China generated $22.8 billion worth of investment pledges.

“It was a very quick visit, but we accomplished a lot. It was very productive. It was worth it,” Mr. Marcos said in an interview with reporters in Beijing before arriving in Manila Thursday afternoon.

He said he talked up opportunities for Chinese investors, both current and potential.

“We are telling them to expand their involvement in the Philippines. And for those who have yet to enter the Philippines, we are telling them the investment climate now is good, and there are several opportunities to partner up in every way whether government-to-government or public-private partnership or private sector,” the President said.

The commitments from various Chinese investors include $13.76 billion for renewable energy, $7.32 billion for electric vehicles and mineral processing, and $1.72 billion for agriculture, Marcos said.

China’s economic and political pledges also include the narrowing of the trade gap that heavily favors Beijing and a “compromise” on the concerns of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippines Sea (WPS).

Mr. Marcos said he also invited Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he met Wednesday, to visit the Philippines.

In a meeting Thursday with Chinese chief executives, the President said there were investment opportunities for them in the Philippines as energy demand continues to grow and keep pace with the country’s projected strong economic growth.

“We look forward to more Chinese investments in renewable energy pursuits such as in solar and wind, as well as in related sectors including battery energy storage systems and off-grid power supply systems,” he said.

They may also find potential in the manufacturing of renewable energy project parts and equipment, he said, hoping they can help the Philippines develop expertise in power generation equipment manufacturing.

At the same time, the Philippines also welcomes investors in photovoltaic, onshore and offshore wind turbine generation, waste-to-energy, and other renewable energy projects, the President said.

Also during the round-table meeting, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla promised to address issues confronting the Philippine energy sector, assuring investors that the government is working on them.

During his three-day visit, Mr. Marcos also witnessed the signing of 14 bilateral agreements with China.

The Philippines and China signed a joint action plan for 2023-2025 on agricultural and fisheries cooperation between the Department of Agriculture and China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, as well as a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Both sides also agreed on the handover certificate of the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology-Technological Cooperation Phase III (PHILSCAT-TCP III).

PRESIDENT, SPEAKER SEE DIRECT LINE TO EASE TENSION IN WPS

Beijing—An open line of communication between the Philippines and China, especially involving the two countries’ leaders and foreign ministries, will minimize further maritime incidents in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday.

Arriving from Beijing at the end of his three-day state visit to China, the President said the bilateral teams are being formed to build the “hotline” on WPS issues and ideally would have direct access to himself and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as Mr. Marcos pushed for better communication between the countries.

Meanwhile, upon the instructions and the directives of the President, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said they are undertaking an initiative “whereby at the very highest levels, we’ll have direct contact and coordination” with the Chinese government.

“In fact, I had already written the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the (Chinese) National People’s Congress, my counterpart,” Romualdez said in a press briefing with the President in Beijing before arriving in Manila Thursday afternoon.

“And in that — we shall be accepting an invitation for these bilateral engagements such as an invitation by the chairman of a delegation from the Philippine Congress to Beijing, perhaps when it’s warm or the spring or the summer and coordination and direct interaction will actually lead to a better understanding and better lines of communication,” the Speaker added.

The bilateral group on WPS incidents would also include the officers of the Chinese and Philippine Navies and Coast Guards, Mr. Marcos said, which would help protect Filipino fishermen and make the incidents involving Chinese ships “lessened and become less severe.”

UNEMPLOYMENT EASES TO 4.2 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER: PSA

MANILA — Unemployment eased to 4.2 percent in November compared to the previous month, which is the lowest since April 2005, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Friday.

The unemployment rate for the month is equivalent to 2.18 million Filipinos looking for jobs, which is lower compared to the 2.24 million or 4.5 percent in October and the 3.16 million or 6.5 percent in November 2021, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said in a briefing.

Mapa said the annual unemployment average from January to November of 5.5 percent is near the pre-pandemic level of 5.1 percent in 2019.

The top industries with the largest increase in employment on a month-on-month basis are wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, manufacturing, accommodation and food services, agriculture and forestry and public administration and defense as well as compulsory social security, data showed.

Employment rate also rose in November to 95.8 percent, equivalent to 49.71 million. The month's total is higher compared to October's 95.5 percent employment rate or 47.11 million Filipinos with jobs and the 93.5 percent or 45.47 million in the same month last year, the PSA said.

“Normally yung last few months holiday season kasi, talagang doon tumataas ang employment rate kasi nag marami tayong economic activity,” Mapa said.

The National Economic and Development Authority in a statement said the dynamic labor market is indicative of a steady economic recovery.

“We see a more dynamic labor market as flexible work arrangements and digitalization provide easier access to employment opportunities for Filipinos who also attend to other essential tasks such as parenting and pursuing higher education, among others,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

Underemployment rate, however, rose to 14.4 percent or 7.16 million in November compared to 14.2 percent or 6.67 million the previous month, data showed.

November's underemployment rate is lower compared to the 16.8 percent of 7.62 million in the same period last year, the PSA said.

NEDA said attracting investments could help create high-quality employment for Filipinos.

PH ON 'WATCH AND WAIT' MODE AS CHINA SETTLES COVID-19 SURGE: MARCOS

BEIJING — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the Philippines is on a "wait and watch" mode before it considers imposing stricter travel requirements for travelers from China, where a surge of COVID-19 cases have been recorded for several weeks.

“The problem is the management of COVID here in China sa ngayon,” Marcos told reporters when asked if the Philippines should hold off entry of travelers from China for allegedly underreporting its daily COVID-19 cases.

“Hindi naman immediate na makakapagbiyahe na ang mga Chinese national kaya siguro in the meantime we just watch and wait,” the President said.

“I’m sure na hindi naman sila magpapaalis ng tao na positive,” he said.

Marcos noted that several diplomats and staff of Philippine embassy and consulates in China contracted COVID-19 before days before he flew to Beijing for a state visit.

“Pinakamalaking problema sa foreign service dahil marami sa mga embassy at consulate natin ay talagang tinamaan,” Marcos told reporters when asked how the spike in COVID-19 cases in China affected Filipinos staying in the country where the virus was first detected in 2019.

“Even our diplomats, some of them have tested positive, they continue to work from home,” he said.

At least 22 personnel of the Philippine Embassy in China tested positive for COVID-19 two weeks ago but have already recuperated, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said.

No member of the Philippine delegation who traveled with Marcos to and from Beijing has tested positive for the virus, the Office of the Press Secretary said.

Should the Philippines impose stricter travel requirements for travelers from China, “it will have to be based on science,” Marcos said.

PNP CHIEF, THREE OTHER TOP COPS FILE RESIGNATION

Top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) led by chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Thursday submitted their courtesy resignations.

The move came after Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. appealed to police colonels and generals to do so to rid the police force of those linked to illegal drugs.

Aside from Azurin, other ranking officials who submitted a courtesy resignation are deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia; deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr. and chief of the directorial staff Maj. Gen. Michael John Dubria.

Azurin said all colonels and generals of the police force have until Jan. 31 to submit their courtesy resignations.

He said PNP Internal Affairs Service director Alfegar Triambulo, a civilian, will also submit a courtesy resignation.

Azurin also said the process will not affect the benefits of officials who are already due for retirement.

COURTESY RESIGNATIONS WILL HELP RESTORE TRUST IN PNP: MAGALONG

MANILA – A former top Philippine National Police (PNP) official said he is in favor of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos’ move to urge hundreds of top-ranking cops to hand in their courtesy resignations in order to cleanse their ranks.

Speaking with TeleRadyo, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he believes Abalos’ decision was based on a thorough consultation process.

“Meron na kasi akong prior information eh, kaya hindi ako nabigla na nangyari yan dahil alam ko naman na matindi yung usapin na ginawa at konsultasyon na ginawa ni SILG bago siya nagdesisyon niyan (I had prior information (I had prior information, so I wasn't shocked. I also knew that SILG had exhaustive consultations before this)…I believe it was based on proper consultation and intensive, exhaustive, and expensive consultation,” he said.

Magalong, who was the PNP’s Deputy Chief for Operations when he retired in 2016, said filing courtesy resignations will help restore the public’s trust in the police.

COMPROMISE BETWEEN PHILIPPINES, CHINA WON'T SOLVE FISHERS' WOES — GROUP

MANILA, Philippines — For Filipino fishers whose livelihoods have been affected by years of territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, a compromise between Manila and Beijing will not relieve their misery.

Fisherfolk group PAMALAKAYA stressed this Thursday after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to “find a compromise and a solution” that would allow Filipino fishers to have access to their traditional fishing grounds. Filipino fishermen face harassment from Chinese vessels, preventing them from entering prime fishing waters.

Instead of finding a compromise, China must recognize the 2016 landmark arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims over a large part of the South China Sea, PAMALAKAYA said.

“We don’t need Xi Jinping to come up with a ‘compromise’ to address the plight of Filipino fishers because we already have the legal and political claim over our territorial waters,” said Fernando Hicap, national chairperson of PAMALAKAYA.

“China should leave the Philippine waters immediately and unconditionally,” he added.

THE REST

========

GLOBE SHIFTS 10 MORE FACILITIES TO RENEWABLE ENERGY

MANILA - Globe Telecom said Friday 10 more of its facilities have shifted to renewable energy.

With its partnership with renewable energy platform ACEN, Globe was able to run 10 more facilities located in Cavite, Cebu, Quezon City, Manila, Marikina and Laguna using clean energy, the company said in a statement.

To date, Globe said it has 24 total facilities running on renewable energy.

“This shift to renewable energy is part of Globe’s overall climate action roadmap and in support of both the country and the Ayala Group’s goal to reduce carbon emissions," said Rizza Maniego-Eala, Chief Finance Officer, Treasurer, and Chief Risk Officer at Globe.

"We are continuously shifting our high energy utilization facilities to renewable energy sources and are looking forward to enrolling more eligible facilities as we proactively address climate-related risks,” she added.

Globe said it aims to encourage more investments in clean energy in support of the government's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2030.

LAS PIÑAS COURT ACQUITS JUSTICE CHIEF’S SON OF DRUG POSSESSION

MANILA — The son of Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has been acquitted of an illegal drug possession charge.

In a verdict handed down Friday, Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court Branch 197 Judge Ricardo Moldez II found Juanito Jose Remulla III not guilty of violating section 11 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165).

The younger Remulla was arrested on Oct. 11 last year after receiving a package containing 900 grams of kush or high grade marijuana worth P1.3 million, based on a controlled delivery conducted by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group.

The package was received from the United States on Sept. 27.

Atty. Pearlito Manalili,, Remulla's lawyer, said his client was acquitted because he was found not to be the importer of kush and there were issues on chain of custody.

Campanilla said the package seized by authorities was for a “Juanito Remulla,” not for Juanito Jose Remulla III.

He added that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) also did not follow chain of custody requirements because no witnesses were called for the inventory of illegal drugs.

The court also said that there is no clear evidence that had freely, consciously and with full knowledge possessed the alleged seized illegal drugs, after he claimed that he didn't expect the parcel and didn't know from whom it came.

The court also noted that in a controlled delivery, mere designation as consignee or even acceptance of packageis not enough to show that an accused is engaged in an unlawful activity.

BANTAG SUES REMULLA FOR LAPID MURDER

MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag has filed charges of murder against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, BuCor officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang Jr. and several New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid.

In a 15-page complaint dated Jan. 4, Bantag asked the ombudsman to investigate Remulla and Catapang for the criminal offense of murder and administrative offenses of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and conduct unbecoming of a public official.

Bantag also asked the ombudsman to immediately place Remulla and Catapang under preventive suspension while his complaint is being investigated to prevent them from “interfering and exerting undue pressure and influence” on possible witnesses as well as from “tampering (with) evidence.”

Aside from Remulla and Catapang, also named as respondents in the complaint were NBP inmates German Agojo, Alfie Penaredondo, Aldrin Galicia, Mario Alvarez and Alvin Labra.

In his complaint, Bantag identified Agojo as the one supposedly instructed by Remulla to look for people to kill Lapid.

Bantag maintained that Remulla is the mastermind behind the killing of Lapid and inmate Jun Villamor, the supposed middleman in Lapid’s slay.

Bantag alleged that Catapang conspired with Remulla by consenting to the transfer of Agojo and several other inmates from the NBP to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“The acts of the respondents, taken together, show that they were in conspiracy to commit the murder of Percy Lapid and Jun Villamor. In conspiracy, the act of one is the act of all. Further, Secretary Remulla and General Catapang committed administrative breaches,” Bantag’s complaint read.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

SHARON CUNETA CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY IN ADVANCE WITH SOTTO FAMILY

MANILA -- Veteran actress-singer Sharon Cuneta is celebrating her 57th birthday on Friday, January 6.

In a series of posts on Instagram, Cuneta uploaded snaps taken from her birthday salubong with the Sotto family.

Cuneta is the daughter of the late Pasay mayor Pablo Cuneta and Elaine Gamboa, the sister of veteran actress Helen Gamboa, wife of former senate president Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.

"Birthday Eve with my Sotto family!!!" Cuneta wrote in one of her posts.

Cuneta also shared videos of her pre-birthday dinner with the Sottos.

During the campaign for the May 2022 elections, Cuneta acknowledge a rift with the Sottos as her husband Francis Pangilinan and her uncle both vied for the vice president position.

But right before the May elections, Cuneta shared her message for Sotto, whom she calls "Daddy."

"Thank you for embracing me when I saw you. Thank you for saying 'I love you' back. I love you very much, Dad, but this has been...I hope this doesn't divide our family, our families. Mama Helen, the only peace I find in my heart is that you would have done the exact same thing for Daddy, if you would have been in my shoes. After all, you raised me also, and I'm so much like you, 'cause I am your eldest," she previously said.

"I love you very much and I miss you. My sisters, I miss you and I love you with all my heart. Gi, I love you my brother," Cuneta added.

A month after the elections, Cuneta was reunited with Sotto and her aunt.

Cuneta shared photos of their reunion on Instagram where she can be seen in tight embraces with Sotto and Gamboa. She also got to bond with her cousins, whom she’s always considered her sisters.

SPORTS

PBA: JAMES YAP RETURNS, SIGNS ONE-CONFERENCE CONTRACT WITH ROS

The two-time MVP signed a one-conference contract with the Elasto Painters, the team announced on its social media account.

The 40-year-old Yap took a breather from basketball after being elected as councilor in San Juan City.

"James Yap is officially back with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and will play in the upcoming Governor's Cup. James was offered a one-year deal, but he opted to sign for one conference only," Rain or Shine said in its Facebook page.

The last time Yap saw action in the PBA was during the 2021 Philippine Cup.

"Yap says that he will do his best to balance basketball and public service," ROS said in its announcement.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.75

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. - Blaise Pascal