US ADVANCE PARTY TO BALIKATAN WAR GAMES ARRIVE IN PH TODAY

An advanced party from the US Armed Forces that will be joining the 2023 “Balikatan” exercises next month is scheduled to arrive in the Philippines today (March 20).

Col. Medel Aguilar, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), on Saturday said the guests would be working on various humanitarian civic assistance programs before the annual military exercises formally begin April 11.

“These would involve construction of facilities and cooperative health engagements as well as community relations programs that would be undertaken by the AFP and US Armed Forces across the Philippines,” Aguilar said in Filipino at a media forum over the weekend.

More than 17,000 personnel from the Philippines and the US will be joining this year’s Balikatan, the largest iteration of the annual joint military drills.

The exercises will be held from April 11 to 28 in various parts of the country, including Palawan, Batanes, and Zambales.

Both the AFP and the Australian Embassy earlier confirmed that around 100 members of the Australian Defense Force would be active participants.

“Australia is proud to return as an active participant in Exercise Balikatan 2023. This is a significant activity that offers the opportunity for the Australian Defense Force to continue to work closely with our partners, particularly the Philippines and the US,” the Australian Embassy in Manila said in a statement.

Japan, meanwhile, will deploy observers.

PH STARTUPS 'CENTER' OF GLOBAL ATTENTION WITH OVER $1-B INVESTMENTS IN 2022: DIGITAL PILIPINAS

Philippine tech startups are getting global attention after earning over $1 billion in investments in 2022, Digital Pilipinas Convenor Amor Maclang said on Monday.

Philippine startups are made appealing due to the country's young ecosystem and its 70 million mobile phones which is at par with other bigger peers, among others, Maclang told ANC.

"Last year, we experienced record highs when it comes to investments coming from all over the world. Winter is thawing especially in terms of investments. The Philippines appears to be at the center of these investments," she said.

"For the first time, Philippine startups exceeded $1 billion in investments and some private equity and venture capital funds close to a quarter of a billion into one country," she added.

She said the government must support deep tech as well as basic tech startups that aim to solve the very basic problems.

Maclang said there could be 4 more Philippine unicorns to follow GCash, which achieved double unicorn status in 2021.

TRANSPORT GROUP: P9 JEEPNEY FARE CONFUSING

MANILA, — Not all routes for public utility jeepneys are covered by the P9 discounted fare to be implemented by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), an official of a transport group announced yesterday.

In a radio interview, Manibela president Mar Valbuena also criticized the move of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) after announcing the fare reduction despite the lack of mechanics for its implementation.

“The transport sector will again bear the brunt of this fare discount. The DOTr should not have made the announcement without the mechanics as it has caused confusion among jeepney drivers,” Valbuena said.

Based on a memorandum issued by the DOTr, the discounted fares will cover traditional and modern jeepneys as well as buses and UV Express.

A P3 fare rollback will be implemented for traditional jeepneys from 12 to P9, and for modern jeepneys from P14 to P11.

Valbuena said not all jeepney routes would be covered by the discounted fare.

“Commuters presume that the discounted fare covers all public utility jeepneys. How about the routes that will not be included in the discount? The jeepney drivers will be affected if they cannot avail themselves of government subsidy,” he pointed out.

Valbuena said the LTFRB should carefully study the guidelines before implementing the P9 discounted fare.

“The mindset of the passengers is that all public utility vehicles will offer fare discounts. But based on the announcement of the DOTr, PUV operators who can avail themselves of the program are those with cooperatives,” he said.

“This will be chaotic as there will be disagreement between the drivers who are not covered by the discounted fares and the passengers,” Valbuena added.

cording to the DOTr, the fare discounts will be implemented instead of the free rides on the EDSA bus carousel.

Under the service contracting program, the government has allocated funding of P2.1 billion for the discounted fares, which has yet to be downloaded to the LTFRB.

The LTFRB said the discounted fares would start next month and would be in effect for six months.

ANOTHER SUSPECT, TAGGED AS MAIN PLAYER IN THE KILLING OF DEGAMO, SURRENDERS

MANILA, — One more suspect who is a "main player," who also has crucial information, in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo has surrendered to authorities, the task force investigating the brazen incident said Monday.

Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., chief of the task force, said Monday that the suspect will be turned over to the National Bureau of Investigation.

Gen. Andres Centino, armed forces chief of staff, also said the suspect, named by those who have already been arrested, surrendered to AFP personnel in Negros Oriental on Friday, March 17.

While the officials have refused to disclose more information on the suspect who recently arrested, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he is a "discharged soldier" who is a main participant in the killing.

Remulla added that the suspect corroborates information investigators have and knows other people who are involved.

Asked if the suspect named Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. as mastermind of the crime, who was tagged by those earlier arrested, Remulla said: "There are circumstances that lead you to the conclusion that he may perhaps involved in the crime, but the specifics of that, we cannot tell you now."

Complaints filed, case buildup ongoing

So far, there are 30 complaints filed in relation to killing of the provincial governor and in the case of 26 other victims. These are:

-nine murder complaints

-15 frustrated murder complaints

-three attempted murder complaints

-one illegal possession of firearms raps

-two for illegal possession of explosives raps

MINDORO OIL SPILL REACHES ISLA VERDE, BATANGAS CITY

The oil spill in Mindoro Oriental has reached the shores of Isla Verde near Batangas City, a Coast Guard official said Monday.

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute on Sunday said the latest satellite image on March 15 shows that the oil is still leaking out of the sunken vessel.

It warned oil spill trajectories show a northward shift with Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro "possibly receiving most of the oil from March 20-22"

"Westward currents along the coast of northern Mindoro towards the Verde Island Passage are forecasted to be more pronounced for this period. The Amihan winds, which contained most of the oil to the coasts of Nauhan and Pola in the previous weeks, are now more variable, allowing the oil to spread northwards," UP-MSI's latest advisory read.

It added that it is critical to stop the seepage before the end of the Amihan season, "otherwise more critical biodiversity areas along the Verde Island Passage may be affected."

Atty. Reymond Al Ussam, Calapan City administrator, said oil spill traces have reached at least 2 barangays in the city since Thursday last week.

Improvised oil spill booms provided by the Philippine Coast Guard are now being used to control the seepage, he said. "Maliit lang ang volume na dumating...Wala naman traces ngayong umaga," Ussam said.

MOTORCYCLE LANE DRY RUN: 12,370 MOTORISTS PULLED OVER

MANILA, — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority pulled over 12,370 vehicles during the first week of the dry run for the implementation of the motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, the MMDA reported yesterday.

Data showed that 2,931 motorcycle riders were accosted after they were caught by MMDA enforcers outside the motorcycle lane.

The MMDA said 9,439 motorists were apprehended for using the lane exclusive for motorcycles.

Erring motorists will not be issued fines or citation tickets during the duration of the dry run.

The MMDA opted to extend the dry run for another week or until March 26 to give way to the road patching works and for motorists to familiarize themselves with the new policy.

Violators will be fined P500 once the dry run is finished, the MMDA said.

Aside from patching works, the agency also plans to install reflectors and solar street lamps along the motorcycle lane to prevent road crashes.

The motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue runs from Elliptical Road to Doña Carmen.

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MORE BANG FOR THEIR BUCK: SMARTER PINOY SHOPPERS TO BOOST E-COMMERCE IN PH - SHOPBACK

E-commerce in the Philippines is likely to continue growing despite inflation as shoppers seek more deals and become wiser with their purchases, Shopback general manager for APAC Prashant Kala said on Monday.

Inflation in February eased slightly to 8.6 percent, but it remains above the government target of 2 to 4 percent.

Kala said people seek more bang for their buck while e-commerce platforms such as Shopback, which offer cashback for online purchases, continue to find ways to give value to its consumers.

"People are getting smarter...they’re not going to stop eating, not going to stop traveling. What people are looking at is how to make the bang for their buck. So what’s the best way to do spending? People are getting smarter, they’re looking at deals. They compare," he said.

Unlike the rest of the world, Kala said e-commerce in the Philippines and in Asia is seen to continue growing in the next 3 to 5 years. "I don’t see a decline in term of e-commerce spending," he added.

MODERATELY STRONG QUAKES HIT LUZON, VISAYAS

MANILA, — Four earthquakes struck Luzon and the Visayas in the past two days.

A magnitude 4.9 quake hit 39 kilometers off the coast of Burgos in Ilocos Norte at 9:23 p.m. on Friday. It was felt at Intensity 4, which is classified as moderately strong, in Bacarra, Bangui, Batac, Burgos, Laoag and Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte.

The quake was felt at Intensity 3 in Piddigin, Ilocos Norte and Narvacan, Ilocos Sur and Intensity 2 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte.

A magnitude 4.8 quake struck off the coast of San Antonio, Zambales at 9:56 p.m., also on Friday. It was felt at Intensity 3 in Morong, Bataan and  San Antonio and Subic in Zambales.

Davao Oriental was hit by a magnitude 5.0 quake, with the epicenter located 155 kms south of Governor Generoso at around 12:11 a.m. yesterday.

In Davao Occidental, a magnitude 4.8 temblor struck 28 kilometers of Jose Abad Santos town at 3:37 a.m. It was felt at Intensity 4 in Malita, Don Marcelino and Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental and Intensity 3 in Sta. Maria and Sarangani.

AFTER VIRAL BAG VIDEO, PINAY TEEN IN SG TEAMS UP WITH AIRLINE FOR CONTENT

After going viral for her TikTok video with her "luxury" Charles and Keith bag, Singapore-based Filipina teenager Zoe Gabriel has been tapped to create content for the airline company AirAsia.

On the official TikTok page of the budget carrier, Gabriel can be seen in one of the posts dancing to “I Think He Knows” along with the budget carrier’s flight attendants aboard a plane.

Another clip shows the teenager wearing the flight attendant uniform while grooving to “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” while the latest post shows Gabriel trying out the airlines inflight hot meals.

Gabriel rose to fame in January after her TikTok video in which she described a Charles and Keith tote bag as a luxury item went viral. The bag costs S$80.

In a previous interview with ANC's "Headstart,” she said that despite the negative online reactions she received from an innocent post, she tried to maintain a positive mindset by focusing on the good things in her life.

After becoming a hot topic on social media, Gabriel had the chance to visit the headquarters of brand Charles and Keith. She met Keith, one of the founders of the brand and they had lunch and a lot of fun.

She has also joined the brand's campaign for International Women's Day.

ANOTHER AUCTION SET FOR CLOSED BANKS’ ASSETS  

MANILA, — The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) will put up P48.9 million worth of residential and commercial lots owned by padlocked banks for sale.

An electronic bidding for 42 properties in Luzon and Mindanao will be conducted on April 13.

These include 40 residential lots, 18 of which have improvements, one commercial lot, and another one with improvement.

Lot sizes of the properties are between 50 square meters and 2,824 sqm.

Rates for the properties start at a minimum disposal price of P70,000 to as much as P3.4 million.

According to the PDIC, the lots are located in Metro Manila, Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, Cavite, Maguindanao del Norte, Marinduque, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Quezon, and Sorsogon.

The properties are owned by closed banks under liquidation by PDIC.

As the mandated liquidator, the PDIC sells closed bank-owned assets through public biddings and negotiated sales.

Proceeds of such transactions are added to the pool of liquid assets of the banks for distribution to uninsured depositors and other creditors subject to the rules on concurrence and preference of credits.

The disposal of these assets increases the chances of recovery of uninsured depositors and creditors of their trapped funds in the closed banks.

Meanwhile, proceeds from the sale of corporate assets are added to the Deposit Insurance Fund, PDIC’s main fund source for payment of valid deposit insurance claims.

PDIC reminded bidders of their responsibility to determine the actual condition, status, ownership, and other circumstances of the properties they want to acquire.

DIESEL, GAS, KEROSENE ROLLBACK SET FOR MARCH 21

kerosene, diesel and gasoline, petroleum firms announced on Monday.

The following changes will take effect on March 21:

PILIPINAS SHELL

Gasoline P1.20 per liter rollback

Kerosene P2 per liter rollback

Diesel P1.85 per liter rollback

SEAOIL

Gasoline P1.20 per liter rollback

Kerosene P2 per liter rollback

Diesel P1.85 per liter rollback

CLEANFUEL

Gasoline P1.20 per liter rollback

Diesel P1.85 per liter rollback

PETRO GAZZ

Gasoline P1.20 per liter rollback

Diesel P1.85 per liter rollback

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

DANIEL, KATHRYN TICK ITEM OFF BUCKET LIST: DINING AT HELL'S KITCHEN

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla have accomplished another of item in their to-do list by dining at Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen in Dubai.

The experience was something they had been dreaming about for some time, and finally, they were able to make it a reality, according to the actress.

“Finally ticking this one off of our bucketlist. Yay! I’ve always wanted to try their famous beef wellington,” Bernardo said in her Instagram post.

“Tip: End your meal with their sticky toffee pudding. SOOO GOOD,” she added.

The restaurant, known for offering a unique culinary experience, is a popular destination for food lovers and fans of the renowned chef.

Bernardo and Padilla were in Dubai for the Middle East stop of their G! Kapamilya Tour, along with Zanjoe Marudo and Joshua Garcia.

HARVEY BAUTISTA ASKS BIANCA DE VERA TO STAR MAGIC PROM

MANILA -- Actor-director Harvey Bautista and actress Bianca de Vera are going together to Star Magical Prom next week.

Star Magic's Inside News on Saturday, uploaded exclusive video of Bautista's "promposal" to de Vera on the set of their film "Sa Aming Tagpuan."

"Si Bianca kasi is a close friend of mine. Nung sinabi sa amin ng Star Magic na magpo-prom, naisip ko agad na si Bianca ang dalhin ko as my date. And sakto naisip ko nagpi-film kami ng pelikula which is 'Sa Aming Tagpuan' at siya ang artista ko, ako ang director niya, I thought it's the perfect time to ask her during our shoot,"he said.

Bautista popped the question after pranking de Vera that her things were missing.

Aside from being an actor, Bautista, a former "Goin' Bulilit" kid is now a director and a film producer.

At the age of 18, he co-produced the Gawad Alternatibo finalist "Pagbilang Kong Tatlo" under his own production company Kalye Sagrada, which he considers a passion project.

Meanwhile, de Vera, who is known for her role in "2 Good 2 Be True," is part of the cast of the upcoming series "Unbreak My Heart."

SPORTS

SAUDI ARABIA CUT TIES IN JANUARY 2016 AFTER DEMONSTRATORS STORMED ITS EMBASSY IN TEHRAN.

Twice-to-beat San Miguel Beermen eliminates Converge FiberXers, 121-105 in the quarterfinals of the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday, March 19 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Cameron Clark led the Beermen in scoring with 40 points (16/26fg, 8/9ft) along with game-high thirteen rebounds, three assists and a block. CJ Perez had his own double-double of 26 points, twelve rebounds, five assists, five steals and a block while Vic Manuel added 20 points on perfect 9-of-9 shooting from the field and 2-of-2 from the line to go with four rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Converge new import Thomas 'Tom' Vodanovich paced the FiberXers in the losing effort with 39 points (14/28FG, 6/15 3pts, 5/7ft), ten rebounds, three assists and a steal in his PBA debut.

San Miguel advances to the best-of-5 semifinals against the Barangay Ginebra.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 121 - Clark 40, Perez 26, Manuel 20, Cruz 12, Tautuaa 8, Lassiter 7, Enciso 6, Ross 2, Bulanadi 0, Brondial 0.

CONVERGE 105 – Vodanovich 39, Ahanmisi 18, Arana 14, Stockton 12, Melecio 11, Teng 7, Balanza 4, Murrell 0, Tratter 0, Ebona 0, Tolomia 0, Racal 0.

Quarters: 34-27, 57-58, 94-82, 121-105

GINEBRA ELIMINATES IMPORT-LESS NLEX, 127-93

Twice-to-beat Barangay Ginebra eliminates import-less NLEX Road Warriors, 127-93 in the quarterfinals of the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Sunday, March 19 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. NLEX import Wayne Selden Jr. out due to a right midfoot sprain.

Justin Brownlee led the GinKings balanced attack with 31 points on 14-of-20 shooting from the field including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc along with thirteen rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block. Christian Standhardinger had another solid output of 20 points, eight rebounds and two assists while Jamie Malonzo added 20 points (4/5 3pts) to go with six rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Ginebra advances to the best-of-5 semifinals against the San Miguel Beermen.

The Scores:

GINEBRA 127 - Brownlee 31, Standhardinger 20, Malonzo 20, Gray 15, Pessumal 12, Thompson 10, Mariano 10, Pringle 5, Pinto 4, R Aguilar 0, David 0, Onwubere 0.

NLEX 93 – Anthony 16, Alas 15, Trollano 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Rosales 11, Semerad 10, Miranda 7, Doliguez 4, Nieto 2, Pascual 0, Gabo 0.

Quarters: 18-17, 56-36, 93-62, 127-93

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 54.71

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Avoid making irrevocable decisions when tired or hungry. - Robert Heinlein