‘I JOINED POLITICS FOR OUR FAMILY’S SURVIVAL, LEGACY’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said his ambition to enter politics turned on his family’s survival and legacy, and that it was something he had to take upon himself after his namesake father’s death.

Speaking to World Economic Forum (WEF) president Børge Brende, Mr. Marcos said he was determined to avoid politics when he was still young after seeing the “sacrifices” his father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., did for them.

“My father has done everything in politics, and the life is difficult, and I could see the sacrifices that they had to make, that he had to make to get to do a good job and I said, maybe that’s not what I’m meant to be doing,” he said in Davos, Switzerland where he is attending the five-day WEF.

On a separate topic, the President also told Brende that maritime disputes in the South China Sea (SCS) “keeps him up at night” but that the Philippines was committed to peace despite China’s territorial claims in the vital waterway.

The Philippines watches as a “bystander” whenever tensions rise in the sea region, Mr. Marcos said.

“Keeps you up at night, keeps you up in the day, keeps you up most of the time. It’s very dynamic. It’s constantly in flux. So, you have to pay attention to it and to make sure that you are at least aware of the present situation so that you’re able to respond properly. In terms of let’s say cross-trade tensions, we are at the very frontline,” the President said.

“When the ships come out, the Chinese and their Coast Guard vessels, the Americans answer, we are watching as bystanders. If something goes wrong here, we are going to suffer,” he added.

But Mr. Marcos also sees “no point” for the Philippines to beef up its armory amid the surrounding political tensions, as he said the country is “not in an economic situation” to bolster its defense unlike big economies like the United States and China.

It will just “end badly” for those involved and not involved if the solution to conflicts will be military, the President said.

“There is no point the Philippines building up its armory… more importantly perhaps is our abiding belief that the solutions are not going to be military,” Mr. Marcos said.

DAVOS TRIP GAINS INVESTMENT INTEREST FROM 9 INT’L FIRMS

Nine multinational companies have signified interest in investing or expanding their operations in the Philippines after their top executives met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Thursday.

Diokno and other economic managers who accompanied the President to the forum said they are confident that his participation and meetings with top international chief executives would bring economic gains to the country.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said among the nine companies interested in investing here is Astranis, a US provider of low-orbit satellites used for internet access.

He said such a service would provide connectivity to areas that are not yet connected through the main telecommunications providers.

On Wednesday, Marcos also met with executives from Morgan Stanley, which is set to open an office in Manila.

Gokul Laroia, chairman for Asia Pacific at Morgan Stanley told Marcos that the top global investment bank would set up an office in Manila, and said the President is on the right track in involving the private sector, especially in developing the country’s infrastructure.

Mr. Marcos also met with executives from a Dubai-based multinational logistics company, DP World. The company is said to be considering setting up an industrial park in Clarkfield, Pampanga.

Senator Mark Villar expressed confidence that Marcos’ trip to Switzerland will attract more investments in the country.

‘WORKFORCE TO FUEL PH GROWTH’

The Philippines will continue to lean on its young and well-trained workforce to fuel future economic growth, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday, as he noted the country was currently in a “demographic sweet spot” that will play a “major role” going forward.

Apart from being “well-trained and sophisticated,” Mr. Marcos said Filipino workers are also known to be English-speaking and tech-savvy.

“The demographic sweet spot is the period where the optimal number of the country’s population would be in the working age and have few dependents,” he said in an interview in Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

“And the reason that I’m so confident about that is because we have this workforce, we have a very, very good workforce in the Philippines. We have the youngest workforce in Asia. You might be surprised to know, to learn that the average age of Filipino workers is 23 and a half years old. So that is a huge demographic dividend,” Mr. Marcos added.

He said putting a premium on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is one of the government’s strategies for the country’s immediate recovery, given that the sector “comprises a large part of the economy.”

“The main concern was jobs,” he said. “We concentrated on the MSMEs – the micro, small [and] medium enterprises because that comprises such a large part of our economy. It’s the same in most ASEAN countries. I think that’s where the growth is coming from,” he said.

The President acknowledged the possible obstacles in developing key areas, which include infrastructure and education, but that the government is upskilling and reskilling the nation’s workforce.

“So that is where my confidence comes from and that is the confidence that I hope to exude sufficiently to bring that confidence also to all of you and all of our potential partners in the world,” he said.

SALCEDA: ONION PRICES TO GO DOWN TO P50 A KILO

MANILA — Consumers and businesses can soon find relief from skyrocketing prices of onions as the cost of the produce is expected to fall to P50 a kilo, a lawmaker predicted Friday.

"'Yung 600 [pesos per kilo] na 'yan... it will fall to 50 pesos, it's natural price," Rep. Joey Salceda, chairperson of House committee on ways and means, told ANC's Headstart.

"Everything will normalize. You can cut all my 5 fingers if it doesn't go back 50 pesos," he said.

The price of onions even reached P700 per kilo in some public markets in Metro Manila during the holiday season.

Salceda said anew that cartels were mainly behind the high prices of onion in the country.

"Pagpasok dito, may mga mafia who has in control of the ports. So pumunta ka diyan sa Subic, I can tell you at least there are about 50 containers filled with onions... delivered little by little," he said.

"Essentially what they did was predatory pricing. They came in brought the prices down, killed the local Filipino farmers, now they control the supply."

Salceda added that more than the enforcement of the law, the exorbitant prices are also driven by factors such as agricultural productivity.

Imported onions will arrive on Jan. 27 — ahead of the expected completion of the local harvest next month.

5-YEAR ZERO TARIFF FOR E-VEHICLES OK’D

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the temporary modification of import duty rates on electronic vehicles, parts and components under Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization Act.

Under Executive Order No.12, signed on January 13, Malacañang said the move will help boost the electronic vehicle market in the country, support the transition to emerging technologies and encourage consumers to consider electric vehicles as a cleaner and greener transportation option.

The EO states that under RA No. 11697 or the “Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act,” the state shall “ensure the country’s energy security and independence by reducing reliance on imported fuel for the transportation sector.”

“The state has the paramount obligation to protect the health and well-being of the people from hazards of pollution and greenhouse gases,” the EO reads.

CHEESE IN THE TRAP: SALCEDA EYES HIGHER TAXES ON PRIVATE JETS, PRICEY BAGS

Instead of scaring the rich with a hefty wealth tax, a lawmaker is proposing to tax luxury goods instead including jewelry and bags, wines and art, cars, private jets, yachts, residences, and others.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda warned imposing a wealth tax would only scare off potential investors including billionaires who are already living in the Philippines.

"Kapag tinax mo yung wealth, tatakbo yan eh. So anong P200 billion? P200 billion somewhere in the Cayman Islands? I think it is very mobile, may cryptocurrency. We have a bank secrecy law, one of the strictest in the world so how can you find that P200 billion?" he said in an ANC Headstart interview.

GOV'T URGED TO GIVE MORE SUPPORT TO SMALL SALT FARMERS

MANILA — Government should provide more support to the country's small salt farmers, the Philippine Association of Salt Industry Networks said Friday.

Gerard Khonghun, the group's president, told ANC's Rundown that while there were some salt producers that went out of their way to upgrade their technology for iodization, some small salt producers could not catch up to changes.

"It's not just technology or equipment or training, it also involves some change in distribution. Since it costs more you would have to have the consumer want to buy more expensive salt so that they could get proper iodine in their salt," he said.

"I think this is where we need more support for the small salt farmers."

"The law, instead of promoting, became a deterrent in the development of the local salt industry. It has neglected to develop new areas and invite new investors. It made all salt food grade. In 2021, it was reported that we only produced 7 percent of our salt requirements and imported 93 percent or 550,000 metric tons," Sen. Cynthia Villar said.

To help producers who couldn't put iodine in their salt, Khonghun said there was talk of putting up cooperatives that would help them in the iodization.

But for him, salt farmers must take initiative if they want to form cooperatives.

IMEE CALLS OUT DILG, NTF-ELCAC FOR 'HARASSING' ONION FARMERS

MANILA -- Sen. Imee Marcos on Thursday condemned the supposed harassment suffered by farmers who spoke as witnesses during the Senate's investigation on the onion crisis last Tuesday.

Marcos said that police officers from Bayambang, Pangasinan went to the homes of the farmers who appeared as witnesses during the Senate agriculture panel's hearing to order them to recant their testimonies.

"Hands off lang po sa mga testigo ng Senado! Natatakot na ang mga magsasaka ng sibuyas sa biglaang pagkakatok ng pulis kagabi hanggang ngayong umaga upang papirmahin ng sinumpaang salaysay na nagbabaliktad sa kanilang ibinunyag sa Senado nung Martes," said Marcos, sister of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.

According to the senator, the orders came from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

"Utos raw ng DILG at ng NTF-ELCAC. CPP-NPA ba ang turing natin sa maliliit na magsasaka sa liblib? Hands off po sa ating mga testigo, lalu't nagsasabi ng totoo, masakit man marinig," said Marcos, who initiated the probe into the onion crisis.

She showed a copy of the memoranda from the DILG, NTF-ELCAC, and PNP supposedly ordering their officers to "verify" a farmers' group's revelation during the Senate hearing that at least five farmers in Pangasinan had committed suicide due to losses from onion farming.

The DA is currently being headed by the president pending a permanent appointment.

TULFO NAMES ‘OIL SMUGGLERS,’ SLAMS BOC FOR TURNING BLIND

Senate Energy committee chairman Senator Raffy Tulfo revealed the names of those implicated in oil smuggling during a hearing Thursday.

Tulfo identified the alleged oil smugglers as Don Rabonza who is known in Navotas; Sonny Qiu, Jackie Chu, Aron Uy and Lindon Tan in Batangas and Sariaya, Quezon; Alex Chua, Bogs Violago and Jong Mangundadatu and Dondon Alahas in Mariveles, Bataan.

Tulfo asked the Bureau of Customs (BoC) if they know these oil smugglers, but its representative, Special Agent Anthony Escandor said they do not know them.

In a press conference after the consultative meeting, Tulfo described as “reliable” his source on the oil smugglers.

He said some of the names are even on the radar of the BoC, and “they know about it (operations).”

He said the BoC knows them, but they remain blind.

He also said it is likely that some of them have been charged, but still, “we do not know what happened to their cases.”

The senator related that oftentimes, the BoC filed charges, but nothing happened.

Tulfo said the BoC files charges against small fry but let big-time smugglers get away.

He said he would conduct a Senate probe or request his colleagues to investigate the matter. He said he would seek the attendance of those he identified as oil smugglers.

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ENRILE'S FORMER AIDE GIGI REYES RELEASED FROM JAIL AFTER ALMOST 9 YEARS

MANILA — After being detained for almost nine years, lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, former chief-of-staff of ex-senator and now presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, was released from jail Thursday, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology said.

Reyes, who was tagged in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam, was released from the Taguig City Jail Female Dormitory around 6:30 p.m. “by virtue of Petition for Habeas Corpus granted in resolution dated 17 January 2023” by the First Division of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

"May mga kondisyon po. Una, that Ms. Reyes shall personally attend the hearing. So, may mga hearing pa siyang a-attendan sa criminal cases filed sa kaniya before Sandiganbayan," Jail C/Insp. Jayrex Joseph Bustinera, in an interview on ABS-CBN TeleRadyo, said of the release of Reyes, citing the tribunal's decision.

"Pangalawa, masgsa-submit ng quarterly periodic report to the Clerk of Court ng Sandiganbayan ng kaniyang whereabouts. No. 3, magsa-secure siya ng travel authority from Sandiganbayan in case siya ay magbabiyahe," he added.

The fourth condition is for Reyes to submit a quarterly report to the court regarding her compliance with all the conditions set.

In a 19-page resolution, the Supreme Court First Division said Reyes' confinement has "become oppressive thus infringing upon her right to liberty."

She had been detained at the Taguig jail in Camp Bagong Diwa since her arrest on July 9, 2014.

Reyes and Enrile are facing plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam wherein the former senator is accused of allegedly receiving P172.8 million in kickbacks from “pork barrel queen” Janet Lim Napoles.

Enrile was released on humanitarian grounds in 2015 despite facing non-bailable charges.

9 OFW NA GINAWANG 'CRYPTO SCAMMER' SA CAMBODIA, NASAGIP

MAYNILA – Nasagip ng pamahalaan ang isang grupo ng mga OFW na ginawang cryptocurrency scammer sa Cambodia, ayon sa isang opisyal ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Ayon kay Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac, malapit nang umuwi sa Pilipinas ang mga nabiktimang manggagawa.

“Meron tayong at least mga 9 ano, yun yung nasa ulat na natanggap namin na nasagip at of course soon they will be repatriated,” aniya.

Dagdag pa ni Cacdac, patuloy ang kanilang operasyon para masagip ang iba pang Pilipinong nangangailangan ng tulong sa Cambodia.

“Alam natin na merong, meron pang, ito’y ongoing kasi yung mga, yung mga tinatawag na mga cryptocurrency scam, mga call center na nagsasagawa ng illegal activities in Cambodia, so alam natin na merong mga possible pang nabibiktima nito,” ayon sa opisyal.

SPORTS

RONALDO SCORES TWICE IN SAUDI REUNION WITH MESSI

Cristiano Ronaldo recovered from a punch in the face to score twice against Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday in a lively reunion with his great rival Lionel Messi that demonstrated the financial firepower of the resource-rich Gulf.

Ronaldo, 37, was decked by PSG 'keeper Keylor Navas's flailing fist but he drilled the resulting penalty and then added another in a 5-4 exhibition defeat, his first appearance since moving to Saudi Arabia in a deal said to total more than 400 million euros.

For Qatar-owned PSG, Messi and Kylian Mbappe both scored and Neymar missed a penalty before they withdrew on the hour-mark alongside Ronaldo, who was representing a composite Saudi side, to leave the world's four best-paid players watching from the bench in Riyadh.

Hundreds of millions of euros worth of footballers were on view for the exhibition game in the Saudi capital, which comes just weeks after neighbouring Qatar spent lavishly on the first World Cup on Arab soil, won by Messi's Argentina.

Among the packed crowd at the 69,000-seat King Fahd Stadium was a Saudi real estate mogul who paid $2.6 million at auction for a ticket giving him dressing-room access to the players.

After Ronaldo led out the Riyadh Season Team, drawn from his new club Al Nassr and Saudi rivals Al Hilal, to flame-throwers and tickertape, Messi opened the scoring after just three minutes when he was fed by the livewire Mbappe.

Flush on the cheekbone

Ronaldo's first touch in Saudi football was a throw-in but he had a shot saved and a penalty appeal waved away before Navas caught him flush on the cheekbone as they challenged for a high ball.

Ronaldo, still rubbing the red mark on his face and grimacing, fired past Navas to make it 1-1 on 34 minutes.

Five minutes later, PSG's Juan Bernat was given a straight red card for a foul on Salem Al-Dawsari – Saudi Arabia's match-winner in their famous group-stage World Cup victory over Argentina.

Messi, perhaps irritated by the intensity of the mid-season friendly, aimed a reproachful look at Ronaldo, his sparring partner in their days playing for Barcelona and Real Madrid.

PSG were soon back in front thanks to Marquinhos's delicate finish before Neymar missed his spot-kick, shooting tamely after a trademark stutter run-up.

Minutes later, Ronaldo hit his second equaliser deep into first-half injury time, heading against the post and then burying the rebound to make it 2-2 at half-time.

Mbappe put PSG back in front shortly after the break, turning his marker inside-out and laying on an easy finish for Sergio Ramos, before Hyun-soo Jang found a third equaliser for the hosts.

But Mbappe thumped home a penalty and Hugo Ekitike scored to make it 5-3 before Brazilian striker Talisca grabbed the Riyadh team's fourth goal at the death.

It was the first outing in oil-rich Saudi for Ronaldo, who will make his Saudi Pro League debut for Al Nassr on Sunday after signing for more than 200 million euros, according to a source close to the club.

The veteran Portuguese star will be paid an additional 200 million euros, the source told AFP, to be an ambassador for Saudi Arabia's expected 2030 World Cup joint hosting bid with Egypt and Greece.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 54.63

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. - Eric Hoffer